Many of us Great Lakes scuba divers have been diving all throughout this record setting winter. But for most sane divers the dive season up here is just around the corner. And that means it's time to blow the cobwebs off your dive gear and make sure both your gear and your skills are ready.

IMG_3134My rig. Hopefully you had your gear serviced over the winter to avoid the rush dive shops get hit with this time of year. But even if you've had your gear serviced it's a good idea to do a practice dive or two before spending time and money on a trip, only to hit the water with a serviced regulator that is free flowing for some reason.

With that in mind I always make a point to do one or two shakedown dives in a local quarry before heading out on the open water. I do this before every big trip but it's especially important coming out of winter. An easy dive with friends in a somewhat-controlled environment allows divers a chance to make sure their regulator is breathing properly, the drysuit is dry, and more importantly, still fits after a sedentary winter that is typical for many.

It's much nicer to find that my first stage is leaking in 30 feet at the quarry versus 100 feet down in Lake Huron.

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Listed in no particular order are the top Midwestern quarries, all located in Ohio.

http://www.whitestarquarry.com

http://www.divegilboa.com

http://www.portagequarry.com

Get out, have some fun and make sure your gear is ready for that first trip of the year.