OPEN-WATER DIVES
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During the warmer months the schedule for the open-water dives does not change. Divers should meet at Deep-Six at 0930 sharp. Don't come early or late! Weather is usually not a factor. We dive in the rain unless it is too cold or thundering. For special notes about diving in the colder months see the last information on this page.
Bring a lunch (2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are ideal) and plenty to drink. Bring warm clothes and gloves if the weather is cool or cold. Bring your bathing suit and a towel.
For the first dive of the year in Minnewaska all divers are required to pay an annual $20 diving fee. Be sure to bring that fee in the form of cash or a check! Also, the State of NY requires that divers sign a liability form each year, To view that form, or to download a PDF version go to the following link -> Minnewaska Liability Forms
On every dive we carry 635 liters of oxygen and a first aid kit. The first aid kit is specifically for diving. On the top of the kit are the emergency numbers for that dive site. There is a set of decompression tables below the numbers. There are first aid books for use in non-emergency situations. The rest of the kit consists of bandages, Benedryl, rubber gloves, hypodermic syringes, adrenalin, decongestants, antiseptics, water purifier tablets, alcohol, Q-tips, aspirin, matches, bug spray, Kotex, Tampex, fruit juice, sun screen, etc. The location of the first aid kit is made known to all divers.
The emergency numbers and information are to be prepared by each diver in the Open Water 1 class. They must be done on a 3x5" Index card. There are NO exceptions. To see the directions for making the Emergency Phone Number cards click here -> Emergency Card
Directions to Deep-Six:
From New Paltz: Go down Main Street (toward the west) and cross the bridge over the Wallkill River. After the bridge take a right on to Springtown Road. Take the next left on to Mtn. Rest Road. Go to the stop sign and take a right on to Canaan Road. Go 1.2 miles (passing the Dead End sign) and Deerpath Drive will be on the left. We are 14 Deerpath Drive.
From Kingston: Leave Kingston going south on Route 32. In Tillson take a right at the Postage Inn on to Tillson Road. Go to the end and take a left on to Springtown Road. Go 4.2 miles to Dug road and take a right. Go to the stop sign and take a sharp right on to Canaan Road. Pass the dead end sign to Deerpath Drive and take a left. We are 14 Deerpath Drive.
For all diver's safety, it is extremely important to do a buddy check before going on any scuba dive! There are a minimum of 4 checks that must be done:
SCUBA DIVE I
EMERGENCY CARD: This will be collected from each diver.
SCUBA DIVE II (Same day)
Buddy Equipment Check
SCUBA DIVE III (Another day and usually a different location.)
EMERGENCY CARD: An emergency card for this lake will be collected from each diver.
SCUBA DIVE IV (Same location as dive III. This will be the last dive.)
Buddy Equipment Check
Information for diving from October through May:
In addition, if the water and/or air temperatures are below normal it is important to do the following to avoid becoming chilled:
Eat a calorie-loaded breakfast
Bring a calorie-loaded lunch such as 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (with hot soup.)
Bring a Thermos filled with hot water to put in parts of your wet suit, in your boots, and gloves.
Bring warm clothes, hat, and gloves.
The following 2 sonar maps are the locations of your open-water scuba dives. The first map is Mohonk. We dive from Open Camp (middle of the east side of the lake). The depth line intervals are 5 feet apart. The altitude of the lake is 1223' so it is a high altitude dive.
Download a PDF Image of the Mohonk sonar map above.
The following map is the sonar findings for Lake Minnewaska:
Download a PDF image of the Minnewaska Sonar map above.
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