[PSUBS-MAILIST] 2019 Flathead Lake Expedition 12-31-19 Update

Wed Jan 2 14:21:25 EST 2019

Industrial grade gases are sufficient for this application. Anything other than the stuff they bottle specifically for filling balloons (which is sometimes cut with oxygen to avoid asphyxiating kids) will suffice provided it is >=99.8%.

I have the necessary gear to transfill helium and oxygen from the industrial bottles. Then I just need access to a compressor to top with air to get the target mixes.

Sean

Sent from ProtonMail mobile

-------- Original Message --------
On Jan 2, 2019, 12:04, Bansak, Tom wrote:

> Sean,
>
> I will direct your question about Helium to Joe Crepeau who is our most experienced.
>
> I know that we can get tanks of Helium delivered via Norco (industrial supply), but I personally don’t know anything about dive quality gases or mixing gases.  Joe will know.
>
> t
>
> Tom Bansak
> Assistant Director
> Flathead Lake Biological Station
> University of Montana
> 32125 Bio Station Lane
> Polson, MT 59860
> (406) 872-4503 Direct Line
> (406) 982-3301 Main Office
> tom.bansak at umontana.edu
> https://flbs.umt.edu/
>
> From: Sean T. Stevenson [mailto:sean.t.stevenson at protonmail.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2019 11:58 AM
> To: Bansak, Tom <tom.bansak at flbs.umt.edu>
> Subject: Re: 2019 Flathead Lake Expedition 12-31-19 Update
>
> Is there a local source for helium as well as oxygen? That will be necessary if a dive rescue plan is to cover the entire depth range. Many years ago, I drove over the US border on a dive trip, having already mixed gas in several cylinders I was traveling with. Customs officers made me drain them all and spin the valves off so they could take a look inside to ensure I wasn't smuggling drugs or something. Maybe I look shady? Anyway, it was several hundred dollars worth of heliox. I'd rather not repeat the experience. Much better to partial-pressure mix and air top with an on-site compressor, if the option is available.
>
> There is also the option of surface supply gear, depending on the nature of the available support vessels.
>
> Sean
>
> Sent from ProtonMail mobile
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> On Jan 2, 2019, 11:47, Bansak, Tom < tom.bansak at flbs.umt.edu> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> FYI,
>>
>> The closest dive shop with a compressor is in Missoula, 1.5 hours away.  We fill our tanks up at the local fire hall, using their compressor.  Several of our employees are both divers and firemen.
>>
>> We have O2 tanks delivered to our lab.  Norco comes weekly on Thursdays.
>>
>> And Senator Tester is a good friend of the Bio Station.  So by all means mention your trip to FLBS to him.
>>
>> t
>>
>> Tom Bansak
>> Assistant Director
>> Flathead Lake Biological Station
>> University of Montana
>> 32125 Bio Station Lane
>> Polson, MT 59860
>> (406) 872-4503 Direct Line
>> (406) 982-3301 Main Office
>> tom.bansak at umontana.edu
>> https://flbs.umt.edu/
>>
>> From: Brian Hughes [mailto:mondosubmerso at gmail.com]
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 1, 2019 12:56 PM
>> To: Alec Smyth <alecsmyth at gmail.com>
>> Cc: Jon Wallace <jon.wallace at yahoo.com>; Jim Craft <jim.craft at umontana.edu>; Bansak, Tom <tom.bansak at flbs.umt.edu>; Rick Maxwell <rmaxwell1524 at yahoo.com>; Sean Stevenson <sean.t.stevenson at protonmail.com>; Douglas Suhr <spiritofcalypso at gmail.com>; Doug Suhr Sr. <dougsuhr at comcast.net>; Hank Pronk <hanker_20032000 at yahoo.ca>; Josef S. Crepeau <josef.crepeau at umontana.edu>; David Colombo <seaquestor at gmail.com>; Cliff Redus <cliffordredus at sbcglobal.net>
>> Subject: Re: 2019 Flathead Lake Expedition 12-31-19 Update
>>
>> Wow Alec, that's a great contact!
>>
>> I'm owed another sabbatical so lots of time to drive out, but would welcome your help as surface support and backup pilot.
>>
>> I assume there's a local dive shop to refill air tanks and welding for O2, yes?
>>
>> Get [Outlook for Android](https://aka.ms/ghei36)
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> From: Alec Smyth <alecsmyth at gmail.com>
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 1, 2019 2:50:35 PM
>> To: Brian Hughes
>> Cc: Jon Wallace; Jim Craft; Tom Bansak; Rick Maxwell; Sean Stevenson; Douglas Suhr; Doug Suhr Sr.; Hank Pronk; Josef S. Crepeau; David Colombo; Cliff Redus
>> Subject: Re: 2019 Flathead Lake Expedition 12-31-19 Update
>>
>> Happy new year everyone! Wow, I just looked it up and that’s 2400 miles each way.  We still have a few tracks/leagues that have not released their 2019 schedules, but the main events have done so and we’re in the clear so far. The good news is it’s looking increasingly likely I can attend. The bad news is I can’t see taking the time away from family for a tow of that distance, and there’s no way I could convince them to come along for the drive (are we there yet?)
>>
>> It so happens my next door neighbor is Jon Tester, senator for Montana. I’ll let the Testers know of this initiative and see if they have any ideas for say media contacts. Is there any practical issue unresolved, analogous to the lack of parking at Tahoe?
>>
>> It should be an interesting year!
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Alec
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Dec 31, 2018, at 3:12 PM, Brian Hughes <mondosubmerso at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Now that the daughter was married off on Saturday, I can focus more on this trip. I'll be reaching out to my bud Bob Rognlien. His family has a house on Flathead lake and maybe they have a boat. He's already invited all sub crews for a BBQ at their place. My wife's cousin served on the board of the research institute, might still as it's been two years since we talked about it,  and I'll be reaching out to Lin. He has several boats and I'm sure he knows people in the area. He's well connected with Rotary Club and is president of a local bank. Another of her cousins was the mayor of Whitefish, MT so he might have contacts too.
>>>
>>> As an aside, I think it would be cool to dive Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park!
>>>
>>> This will be a big deal for Northwest, Montana. Will anyone coordinate media exposure?
>>>
>>> Christine and I will be towing Harold out. She might need to fly back early for work, but we'll see. Alec, want to make it a submarine caravan?
>>>
>>> Brian
>>>
>>> Get [Outlook for Android](https://aka.ms/ghei36)
>>>
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> From: Cliff Redus <cliffordredus at sbcglobal.net>
>>> Sent: Monday, December 31, 2018 3:01:42 PM
>>> To: Jon Wallace; Smyth, Alec; Jim Craft; Tom Bansak; Rick Maxwell; Sean Stevenson; Douglas Suhr; Brian H Hughes; Doug Suhr Sr.; Hank Pronk; Josef S. Crepeau; David Colombo; Cliff Redus
>>> Subject: Re: 2019 Flathead Lake Expedition 12-31-19 Update
>>>
>>> I have sent out the invitation to join the Dropbox shared folder for the Expedition.  Let me know if you are having issues accessing the folder.
>>>
>>> Best Regards
>>>
>>> Cliff
>>>
>>> Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance. Samuel Johnson
>>>
>>> Cliff Redus Ph.D., P.E.
>>>
>>> Redus Engineering
>>>
>>> USA mobile:  830-931-1280
>>>
>>> cliffordredus at sbcglobal.net
>>>
>>> On Monday, December 31, 2018, 1:50:11 PM CST, Cliff Redus <cliffordredus at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> Attached is an update on the 2019 Flathead Lake Expedition and the roster as we know at his time. You will be getting an email to join a Dropbox shared folder for the Expedition.  We can use this to share files concerning the Expedition.  Since our last communication we have gone public with the Expedition to the Psub.org list.  That generated one additional submersible that will join the Expedition.  Brian Hughes will be towing Harold, a K-350 Psub from Maryland.  Brian's boat, Harold, is a two man K-350 boat so will be available to take passengers for the science objectives along with Gamma.  Jon Wallace has agreed tentatively to be the Surface Operation Coordinator (SOC) for the Expedition.  Sean Steveson is coming to help with dive/rescue support.
>>>
>>> If you have changes to the roster, please update them in the roster file in the Dropbox folder.  At this point the FLBS research boat will tender Gamma, and Josef Crepeau's boat will tender the R300.  We still need to identify a tender vessel for Harold.
>>>
>>> Best regards and a happy new year to all
>>>
>>> Cliff Redus
>>>
>>> Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance. Samuel Johnson
>>>
>>> Cliff Redus Ph.D., P.E.
>>>
>>> Redus Engineering
>>>
>>> USA mobile:  830-931-1280
>>>
>>> cliffordredus at sbcglobal.net
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