Koi near the surface at Dutch Springs

My brother Garret and I dove at Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, PA on Tuesday, June 23. Here are a few photos from the trip.

We encountered the koi only a few feet from the surface on our last dive of the day. For those familiar with Dutch Springs, we were in the pump house area.

The koi was approximately 4 feet long and at least 4 inches in diameter. It was very curious and approached us several times. Garret and I were both able to touch it. I touched its head a few times. Garret touched its tail and actually rubbed its belly.

For those interested in the gear, I was wearing

Brandon about 30 feet underwater at Dutch Springs

Brandon

Brandon

• a Tusa Powerview mask,
• an Oceanic Ultradry snorkel (attached to the left side of my mask),
• a Bare 7mm Arctic neoprene vest with attached hood,
• a Bare 7mm Arctic neoprene wetsuit,
• 5mm Neosport neoprene gloves,
• 5mm Neosport neoprene boots,
• Atomic Aquatics SplitFins,
• a Hollis HD-100 buoyancy compensator (looks like a backpack, everything attaches to it),
• an Oceanic Spinner BC knife (attached to the left side of my buoyancy compensator),
• a 120 ft³ steel cylinder with a working pressure of 3500 psi (attached to the back of my buoyancy compensator),

Garret

Garret at Dutch Springs

• an Oceanic DX4 first stage regulator (attached to the top of my cylinder),
• an Oceanic Gamma 2 primary second stage regulator (attached to my first stage regulator, held in my mouth),
• an Oceanic Alpha 8 secondary second stage regulator (attached to my first stage regulator by a yellow hose, attached to the blue cord hanging loosely from my neck),
• a Genesis Scuba console with a submersible pressure gauge, a depth gauge, and a compass (clipped to my buoyancy compensator),
• an Oceanic VT-3 dive computer (worn like a watch on my right wrist),
• and a bathing suit (not visible).