Intros

mpings · 05-31-2007, 04:53 PM

Hi everyone,
I have posted a few times on here already then I found the new member board. Let me officially introduce myself. I am from Wisconsin originally, but have moved down to "Luhvill" Kentucky to go to school. I am 27. I seemed to have met some of our more seasoned divers here and have gotten some good tips for a greenhorn like me. I got my feet wet 6 years ago when I was taking an Underwater Search and Recovery course in Miami. I have finally decided to make this a hobby and am working on buying my gear now. Hopefully in the near future I will have some stories to talk about and maybe even a few tips...So far my diving has only been in the canals and lakes in and around Miami. Actually, that alone has provided some good stories!.... I am also looking for anyone who might be in my area who needs a dive buddy. I don't know too many people who are divers.

**MgicTwnger** · 05-31-2007, 05:22 PM

Hi mpings. I lived in Miami for a long time, and you couldn't pay me to get into one of those canals!

Looks like you're about the same distance from Mermet Springs as I am. Give me a shout if you ever want to meet up there and get wet.

mpings · 05-31-2007, 08:10 PM

Those canals were kind of creepy, but great visibility. Every dive I would find at least one car. Most of them expensive. Lincoln Navigators, corvettes, mustangs...I would assume stolen or insurance fraud. Luckily I never found any bodies, but we were told by the MiamiPD captain who was training us that it was a possibility. I heard a different group that went down after me had found a body in a trunk. However, I was more worried about the gators, corpses can't bite! Where is Mermet Springs?

**MgicTwnger** · 05-31-2007, 08:17 PM

Mermet is across the river from Paducah, about 12 miles north of Metropolis, IL.

http://mermetsprings.com/

My last place in Miami was on one of those canals. My roomate and I used to enjoy watching the local gator hunting ducks.

**glynneco** · 06-01-2007, 01:20 AM

Welcome to the boards. You didn't find a blue 63 VW sedan did you?

mpings · 06-01-2007, 05:28 AM

Why? You missing one?

mpings · 06-01-2007, 05:37 AM

Mermet Springs looks pretty cool! I have been reading Wreck Diving magazine and I am pumped about doing some of that!

**Kev Martin** · 06-01-2007, 10:20 AM

Hi mpings.

You will love wreck diving.

I did some fresh water diving in Florida some years back. I dived up in the Branford area in some of the fresh water springs. That was cold but fun! I also dived in a few lakes around Orlando. I must admit, not knowing anything about alligators and what their dietary habits were, I was a little apprehensive, to say the least!!

**glynneco** · 06-01-2007, 10:54 AM

Well, yes. It seemed like a pretty funny idea at the time...........

mpings · 06-01-2007, 05:48 PM

My experiences of Florida have been pretty warm, but I am interested in getting into some of the wrecks on the Great Lakes, I would imagine a dry suit would be required for that. My home is closest to Lake Superior, which is the coldest, and it gets just warm enough in August for those few crazies like me to go swimming.

I am naturally apprehensive around predatory animals too, like crocs and sharks. I try to remind myself that all animals have a natural fear of humans and aren't going to attack unless we piss 'em off or corner them or do something dumb like show up during feeding time with a steak tucked in our BCD.

Forget what you see in Hollywood- they're more afraid of us than we are of them. I don't know how successful I am at that though, since I haven't really had any encounters.