New Jersey Scuba Diving

November 13, 2023

Dutch Springs 2023

November 13, 2023

I took a look at Dutch Springs on Google Earth, and it is pretty much all gone, as you can see above. All the buildings have been torn down. Sad. The plans to re-open are delayed by construction.

Uncategorized, 11/13/23

Dutch Springs (Lake Hydra)

1980 - 2021: The End of an Era

Sadly, 2021 is Dutch Springs' final year of operation. The owner has retired after 40+ years of building and running the facility, and the property has been sold to a developer to become warehouses. See the link in the sidebar.

lakehydra.com

Dutch Springs contains many interesting artificial reefs for divers to explore. In fact, even the hole itself is man-made - it is an old limestone quarry.

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Why the Buddy System is Dangerous

by Paul Humann

I am confounded by the illogic of many of those who try to defend the buddy system, even the spokesperson for a training agency such as PADI - the same folks who preached the dangers of dive computers and Nitrox a few years back. Here is some of the nonsense I've heard and why it is just that:

The buddy system makes diving more fun and practical

Of course, neither has anything to do with the buddy system. Fun is touted as sharing the dive and the after-dive experience with your buddy. Practicality means helping your buddy lug around equipment, get suited up, and other niceties. These benefits can be enjoyed with any dive companion without that person being a "buddy" for whose safety you are legally responsible.

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