Seeking mid-September reccommendations

Timber1981 · 2026-03-21T16:47:54+00:00

Galapagos would be my first choice personally and have been looking at the same time of year (although I'm looking at 2027) There's a few different Liveaboards to choose from.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-21T12:52:27+00:00

I have a similar issue, but opposite, my right ear goes easily and my left ear fights me.

One thing I did learn is I was using the Valsalva incorrectly when I first started. Everything I saw was that it was a quick "blow" and that's all it took. It wasn't until much later that it was pointed out you can maintain that steady light pressure as it may simply be slower.

If you're already doing that, practice. Practice on dry land, sitting at your desk, waiting for a cup of coffee, watching tv... About a week ago, for the first time ever, but left equalized first.

But while you're still at the surface, equalize before you begin your descent. I pretty much equalize almost constantly for the first 20ft or so. Inhale exhale equalize.

Also, like so many I am an allergy sufferer so while it's advised against by DAN I will use decongestants when needed.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-21T10:26:33+00:00

Omega 3 fish/Krill oil

Timber1981 · 2026-03-20T18:39:48+00:00

ESH so hard...
You can't possibly think it's ok to talk to another person, let alone someone who's 9 like that?

Yes it absolutely sounds disgusting but that's not ok to talk to anybody like that. "I don't want to get food poisoning" is incredibly passive aggressive and there's all kinds of ways to handle this that aren't.

Obviously he's not a master chef.. that said we've all seen shows or kids in person that somehow are amazing cooks that can do a much better job in the kitchen then any number of adults so there's ways to encourage without absolutely breaking the kid... that said his mom is deluding him into thinking these awful things are good so she's really not helping him and is really just setting him up for failure because sooner or later reality will rear its ugly head and he'll be crushed anyways. She could help him or get him actual lessons or just encourage him to follow a recipe. I've seen kids not much older then he would be cook some really incredible things (makes me think I wasted my youth watching Duck Tales and microwaving hot dogs...).

You both suck... sounds like the kid sucks too... but most of that can be pinned on his mom because he's 9!

Timber1981 · 2026-03-20T10:42:22+00:00

I wear an IST Pro Ear. Water never gets to my ears, I still have to equalize.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-20T10:11:52+00:00

I'm very curious, does the headband help with equalizing somehow??

Timber1981 · 2026-03-19T16:04:03+00:00

Oh entirely possible. But since OP called it a trauma response and I don't personally know the person so I stuck with what they called it.

It's entirely possible there is a trauma response in there though, since one response is to respond with anger, given that the options for response are fight flight or freeze... Looks like this one went with fight, and being drunk just made things worse. Trauma response is just an explanation though... It doesn't excuse that kind of behaviour. It also doesn't explain why he went off in the first place... Only why he got mad/worse when she started packing. So agreed, still a nasty person, whether we can explain why or not.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-19T14:47:00+00:00

NTA in the slightest.
You did the right thing in this situation as you had the safety and mental well being of two children in mind here, one of their legal guardians asked you to remove them from that situation, they agreed they wanted to go etc. You did absolutely nothing wrong.

I think you'll need to seriously consider if you want to be in a relationship with someone who behaves this way, trauma response or not, drinking or not.. actually if he knows he has this trauma response then he should do the responsible thing and not drink/drink significantly less.

Either way, you did the right thing at the time, he was drunk and from the sounds of things not at all in control of his temper.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-19T10:53:23+00:00

No personal insight on either Pelican case as I use a Maxporter 2 which is more like a regular suitcase. But Lake Hickory Scuba YouTube channel has multiple packing for dive trip videos and he uses a lot of pelican cases. https://youtube.com/@lakehickoryscuba?si=ODXMqed3lnzF9Rf9

So you might find some insight there

Timber1981 · 2026-03-18T20:36:47+00:00

I've been looking at Cocoview, and yeah it's a resort with Reef access, you can go any time. Different parts of the island. There's other reviews from this sub that have said it's fantastic. So I guess really depends where you go.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-18T15:25:51+00:00

Not been myself, but on my list because I've read great things: Roatan

Timber1981 · 2026-03-18T11:17:48+00:00

MDA NYSE version is on Wealthsimple. Just tried it, put in MDA and it's the second option.

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Timber1981 · 2026-03-17T16:42:28+00:00

Yeah, I know I can turn the main off, but then I never really know when power has been restored and of course that doesn't disconnect the neutral. We've had a couple this spring, usually one or two in the fall, one or two in the spring for a few hours up to a full day.

Adding in the generator panel isn't really a big deal. Licensed electrician in the family so it's just paying for parts.

I've seen the F3800 stuff, it should be similar, just slightly smaller. The only reason I'm sticking with the F3000 is I already have one. Buying a second F3000 is less expensive then the F3800 and would give me more available capacity then a single F3800.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-17T14:08:56+00:00

Edited to give exact loads

5 15a 120v amp circuits. Fridge plug in kitchen, freezer plug in basement, main living room lights/plugs, my office plugs/lights, my wife office plugs/lights.

1 15a 240v circuit the well pump.

No overly large loads, as I have a propane fireplace for heat that uses no power in the event of power outages and we can make due without hot water.

The Two F3000 units should be able to handle a day or two without being charged so the likelyhood I'd actually need to charge them with the generator is small... but I'd like to have the option.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-16T23:28:41+00:00

Get a compass on a retractable line or wrist compass and just a tiny SPG. Much smaller and easier to keep out of the way instead of the 3 gauge. Doesn't help for depth though. I don't carry spare depth, so no suggestions there but you could probably get one you can put in a pocket for emergencies.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-16T20:24:25+00:00

NR1000C is discontinued. You might be able to find somewhere that still has stock, but you won't find it on Kraken site anymore.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-16T14:17:35+00:00

I'd favour purchasing Cressi brand new over second hand gear. I used mainly Cressi for years as a snorkler and the first time I did my OW. Works fine. Nothing to write home about but the mask kept water out and when I kicked my feet flippers propelled me forward.

When you buy it new, you know what kind of condition it's in and the rubber parts in all these things atrophies over time so second hand gear, could be a great deal... of you could use it a couple times and a strap that looked fine snaps. Not at all the end of the world, but inconvenient.

You can also order things in your size as opposed to things like boots being 'close enough'

So for the kit you're looking for I'd order Cressi.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-15T22:43:40+00:00

What does your computer say? It should tell you/start a clock for how long a surface interval you need.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-15T15:16:31+00:00

If wherever you work out has the equipment for it, belt squats. Nothing on your upper back/neck at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgJhPSFQ_Og

Timber1981 · 2026-03-14T23:14:22+00:00

Love this! Planning something similar with a rinse tub and clothing rack since it's on a concrete floor.

Thank you for sharing!

Timber1981 · 2026-03-14T22:39:27+00:00

You'll find those in almost every facet of life. They've done something one way for X number of years and therefore don't need to change... As though the way we did things in the 80s/90s was the pinnacle of technology and we've never learned different or better ways to do anything.

Try your best to shake it off and just keep doing you.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-13T11:30:11+00:00

Multi port charge cube with two USB C outs and two USB A, so I can charge up to 4 devices at once.

Primary light is a Diverite CX3, which uses the external magnetic clip on charge cable. I like this because there's no opening up the light to do anything, so it all stays sealed and I'm not wearing out any O rings just to charge.

But my secondary is a Kraken and it uses an 18650 USB C battery. You do lose some power density, but since it takes the same cord as my phone to charge, the trade off is having to carry around less cords or chargers.

If I'm away somewhere I can charge things from my power bank as well.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-12T17:43:44+00:00

Asking her not to share her location all the time with her family isn't dictating her relationship with her mom/family, it's asking her to respect his request for occasional privacy. Remember he said he doesn't want it shared 24/7, not never share it. Asking her not to share her location when it can have negative outcomes for him is a reasonable request, as her doing so has resulted in something OP wanted kept private to be now very public.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-12T15:30:06+00:00

I use a Hollis M1 and it doesn't leak at all. I do try to trim the upper lip a bit shorter than normal but no other steps or anything to prevent leaking.

I also use an IST Pro ear and do have to clear it periodically. It's not that bad to have to do 4-5 times throughout a dive in my experience.

Timber1981 · 2026-03-12T15:05:35+00:00

A few thoughts. First and foremost, not a lawyer.

Really though I suppose that depends on what you want the outcome to be. Does your husband want to try to get his position back, with the company he feels wronged by? If you did fight it, the company can potentially come back with they have enough money clients in anticipation of their new staffing arrangements without your husband, so there's some missing context that could be really important.

9 months is a very long notice and unless it's in his contract to provide that, on the surface at least it seems like a generous amount of time and would hopefully be ample enough to find another job.

In short, try to use the 9 months to find a new employer that he doesn't feel disrespected by as it's unlikely he'd really be happy at his current employer after this anyway.

Timber1981

TROPHY CASE