Mountaineer Scuba

09/20/2026

Despite very low visibility and rain today we congratulate 2 new open water divers. Congratulations to Dean Dahlstrom and Dillon Goodwin. Hard to believe how much the lake level has dropped since last weekend.

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09/16/2026

Over the past few years there has been a significant increase in using full face masks for day-to-day recreational dive activities. Here at Mountaineer Scuba, we have sold and serviced as well as trained divers to safely use FFM. We sale and service OTS and OceanReef masks. Some of the main reasons, (I believe), is being able to breathe through your nose or mouth. Also, they don't fog and they don't flood. They are warmer on your face when in cooler water. You can add communications to talk with other divers that also have a FFM with comms.

To be honest there is also a downside to every upside in life. Same here with FFM. I do believe the upsides outweigh the downsides. The downsides are that they add a slight amount of positive buoyancy and normally your air consumption will go up some. As you gain time in the water the air consumption will return to normal in most cases. To safely use a FFM mask there is addition training involved for sure. As with any equipment there are procedures for failures for yourself and with dive buddies. This is all covered and practiced in training.

If you are thinking about or would like more information about Full Face Mask Diving, stop in and we can go through what might work for you.

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09/13/2026

Did some open water certification dives today at Tygart Lake. Water was 78 degrees with about 3 ft vis. Water at the lake was high and still rising after yesterday rains. As I was leaving the water level was starting to come up the edge of the road. Today we Had Nick, Mark M, Mark N and me. We split the 8 students into 2 groups as water conditions were not favorable for much more.

We finish out the weekend with 8 newly certified divers. Congratulations to Holly Tucker, Lakyn Misch, Brandon Simpson, Rebecca Simpson and Adam Beeman for completing their SDI training. Also, to William Kosik, Bryan McDaniel and Charles McDaniel for completing their PADI training.

Hope you all enjoyed yourselves even with the vis being poor and enjoy your newly found skills.

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09/08/2026

Had a good time today diving Jennings Randolf Lake. We arrived at Dragon Head Beach parking lot. Turned out to be a sunny comfortable day. We had an easy walk into the water. There are a few picnic tables and grills on the shore. Jackie, Brandon, Jeff and I, (Dave), were in attendance. Jeff completed his SDI Deep Diver course today, so congratulations to Jeff. This was also his last dive to qualify him for the SDI Advanced Diver Certification.

We had ~15 ft visibility. Water temp above the thermocline was 78 degrees, below at 90 feet the temp was 57 degrees. This was first dive. Second dive was the same but at 84 feet the temp was 64 degrees. We did need a light once we dropped over the first wall. We then made our way to shallower water and moved towards the train trussell. Saw Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth bass, Walleye and plenty of bluegills. More than enough baitfish for everyone. Shallow waters had plenty of aquatic grass and a little deeper was Christmas trees and other fish habitats. Lots of boulders in the water in areas. Sorry, No Pictures.

Three of us finished up the day with a late lunch at Black Bear Tavern in McHenry.

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09/04/2026

Shop is going to be closed Saturday 9/5/26. Hope everyone enjoys the Labor Day weekend.

09/01/2026

Another small taste of Anothony's Key Resort for the June 2027 trip

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

Congratulations to Hannah Moore and Anna Cullen for completing their open water certification. As most, they started out nervous and came through like the bosses they are.

08/21/2026

We have taken on a new supplier called H2Odyssey. One of the things that we are getting from them is a roll up snorkel for those of you who want or need to carry a snorkel but don't like to wear them. Another item I have ordered is a 6 and 9 hose in Stainless Steel braided to attach dive computer transmitters to the 1st stage. And a new line of higher lumens dive lights.