TRINITY'S 1st Annual 2010/2011 Icing/ Anchoring Challenge

[DetectorGuy]

OK boys and girls, This was an individual contest but based on teamwork as ice diving can not be done solo. Nate and I worked together very well and If I did it again, Nate would be my dive buddy or I wouldn't do it at all. I can't think of anyone else that was motivated enough to get me motivated. Nate is the one that came up with the idea of using the search patterns, and to be honest with you, I did not like doing the search patterns. One drawback to doing concentric circles is that you are constantly dumping or adding air as you go up and down the side slopes. Another drawback is that when you are near 150' out, the rope is hard to keep tight enough to not swim short of your intended radius. The last drawback is that the outer radius rings are up in the heavy weeds on the shallow end and moonscape mud on the deep side. I did agree with him that doing them was the only way of knowing that we gave it our best shot and did not miss any. No stories of the one that got away here! Doing the search patterns also gave us a measure as to where we found anchors in each hole. By knowing where in each hole the anchors were found, we could adapt the next hole location a bit from the info learned on the last ones. Like a fuel gauge, we knew that once we got close to the 100' radius, we were about 1/2 way done with that hole and that the second diver would be jumping in soon. The PDF file I attached in a previous post graphically showed how our concentric circle search pattern worked on a generic hole but that drawing lacks the hard data that I like.

Here are our numbers (for the record and your information to use as you wish)

First diver would cover from 25' to 100' radius
Radius        Diameter          Circumference
25'              50'                  157'
37.5'          75'                  236'
50'              100'                314'
62.5'          125'                393'
75'              150'                471'
87.5'          175'                550'
100'            200'                628'

Second diver would cover from 112.5' to 150' radius
112.5'          225'                706'
125'            250'                785'
137.5'          275'                864'
150'            300'                943'

So here are the fun numbers:
For each hole (between the two of us) we efficiently searched 70,686 square feet (or 1.62 acres). While searching each hole (between the two of us) we swam 6,355 lineal feet (or 1.2 miles).

Over the 2010/2011 ice diving season (between the two of us) we efficiently searched 1,696,464 square feet (that is one million, six hundred and ninety six thousand, four hundred and sixty four square feet for those that are challenged when it comes to numbers) or as us farm folk like to say 38.94 acres. While searching for those elusive anchors (between the two of us) we swam 152,520 lineal feet (or 28.88 miles)

That's how we roll. If you are still having a hard time dealing with it, here is a toll free number of a counselor that can help offer condolences: 1-855-738-5677  :'( As far as putting together numbers that help you put a positive spin on efficiency or what ever... I am sure you will figure something out that helps you sleep at night.