Dutch Springs (May 2021) Trip Report
Bill Mitlehner May 05, 2021
As has become something of a Scuba Shack tradition in recent years we kicked off the dive season with our first trip of the year to Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, PA on May 1 and 2. It did not disappoint. We had a spectacular weekend.
Normally, the Scuba Shack staff gets to Dutch Springs on the Friday afternoon of the trip. This time however we were a day too early to get in on Friday. Turns out Dutch Springs doesn’t open on weekdays until after May 1. So we got to Bethlehem a little later in the day and had our sandwiches from Primo Hoagies (our new favorite spot) in the dining area of the Sonesta Extended Stay (formerly the Residence Inn). No sitting outside Friday night as the wind was really whipping.
We found ourselves at Dutch Springs in the pro line very early on Saturday morning so we could stake out our prime real estate for the weekend. Monty and his gang were first in line. Me, Matt, Ned, and Jay were close behind. We quickly found our spot and the Divemaster team went to work setting up the dive site. The wind was still blowing pretty hard and made it feel a lot colder than it really was.
Monty and Mike were busy with their IDC students who were down to work on their open water teaching scenarios. They spent a busy day preparing, conducting and debriefing how to teach in open water along with work on rescue plus search and recovery skills.
Matt, Ned, and I started putting our Divemaster class (Bill, Jay, Dave and Zach) to work on their diving. First they conducted a dive brief for our Discover Scuba Dive. With that dive in the books, we moved onto our deep dive on the trolley, the pit and the crane. We were accompanied by Alex (diving his doubles for the first time) and George (getting more experience with his dry suit and steel tanks). We wrapped up the day of diving with the team leading us on a dive to the Comet, Peninsular boat, and Cessna. What a great day of diving.
Saturday night saw us gathered outside. The weather calmed down and turned out to be nice for eating outside. Of course, we got another round of sandwiches from Primo’s and spent the night with multiple dive stories. (Can you top this one!)
Sunday morning saw us back at Dutch Springs early. This time Matthew and I were first in line. (A first for me). Monty and Mike put their students through the dreaded scenario 7 drill. All we could think of was do it again. The Divemaster class had one last dive to conduct, the search and recover dive. After working with the lift bags (successfully) they moved to the search pattern portion (again successfully completed). Joining us on the dive was Ray from Region 5. After completing the search and recovery scenario, he and Matthew went on a circuit around the area.
But the diving was not yet complete. Bill, Zach and Ray did yet one more dive from the dock to the trolley, back to the crane and back in. We watch as their bubbles traversed the quarry.
The visibility this time of year is just spectacular. I would say it was in the 30 to 40 foot range. You might ask what the temperatures were. Well, I really don’t look cause for me any water below 78 degrees is cold. But if you really want to know they ranged from the low 50s to the low 40s.
This first trip of 2021 to Dutch Springs couldn’t have been better and we are certainly looking forward to the next trip in July. Please consider joining us.
