This is the FINAL 24 HOURS OF OUR 30% OFF DIVE RITE GEAR SELLABRATION!

Live chat with K2 SCUBA You're receiving this newsletter because you SIGNED UP AT K2 Scuba and/or BOUGHT FROM US. Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser Please add newsletter@k2scuba.com to your address book to ensure our emails reach your inbox. NEW ARRIVALS | WETSUITS | COMPUTERS | BCD's | REG's | TECHNICAL GEAR | WINTER BLOWOUTS    FINAL 24 HOURS! LIMITED TO STOCK ON HAND! Also Remember 50-75% Off Sellabration of All Winter Gear Click Here, Is still going on! Quantities are limited to stock on hand, Both Sales end on 28 February or when everything is gone! Think long you think wrong. . . Local: 818 982 2652 Toll Free: 866 K2 Diving

We are doing a Dive Rite Sale, Booyah!

Live chat with K2 SCUBA You're receiving this newsletter because you SIGNED UP AT K2 Scuba and/or BOUGHT FROM US. Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser Please add newsletter@k2scuba.com to your address book to ensure our emails reach your inbox. NEW ARRIVALS | WETSUITS | COMPUTERS | BCD's | REG's | TECHNICAL GEAR | WINTER BLOWOUTS Also Remember 50-75% Off Sellabration of All Winter Gear Click Here, Is still going on! Quantities are limited to stock on hand, Both Sales end on 28 February or when everything is gone! Think long you think wrong. . . Local: 818 982 2652 Toll Free: 866 K2 Diving Also Coming In March: We want to buy your Wetsuits, Computers, and any old Regs (working) that you have lying around. Stay tuned. . . . . If what you read here is even .01% meaningful to you, please Digg us, Stumble us, or save us to Del.icio.us using the icons following each post. Be sure to subscribe to this blog's RSS Feed and our newsletter too, if so inclined, deposit your email address by using the form to the right. Thanks for visiting and dive safe out there, will you?

Our Presidents Day Winter Blowout Sellabration Extravaganza!

You're receiving this newsletter because you SIGNED UP AT K2 Scuba and/or BOUGHT FROM US. Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser Please add newsletter@k2scuba.com to your address book to ensure our emails reach your inbox. NEW ARRIVALS | WETSUITS | COMPUTERS | BCD's | REG's | TECHNICAL GEAR | WINTER BLOWOUTS   Quantities are limited to stock on hand, we are making room for the new 2009 toys, so we are passing the deals on to our family members! Sale ends on 28 February or when everything is gone! Think long you think wrong. . . Local: 818 982 2652 Toll Free: 866 K2 Diving

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You Can Now Change Your Own Stinger Battery, Viva La Revolucion!

My Spanish Friends at SubAquaMundo have done the diving community a sincere service taking the equipment maintenance and repair out of the hands of unscrupulous dive shop owners, and empowering the client/customer diver.  Changing a battery or servicing a BCD is not rocket science. 

You can read this article and more cutting edge articles at ScubaMundo dot com

Here is this schweet article in its entirety:

The Suunto Stinger (from now on referred to solely as stinger) is one of the most common of all dive computers for recreational scuba diving and rightly so, its a full decompression model, works for both Air and Nitrox and whats more it looks good as a watch on the wrist for everyday use. However the only downfall is that once the battery needs changing it cant be done by the “Stinger” owner it has to be sent away due to specialist tooling that is needed. Now due to a company called Smartinterface from Germany that problem is now over, Smartinterface have tooled a key that fits the “Stinger” perfectly so that you can now change the battery yourself in minutes rather than waiting upto 3 months as is the case here in Spain. I have changed the batteries in loads of “Stingers” since i bought this tool and now im going to show you just how easy it is by taking you through another battery change.
What you need
You will need a flat clean work surface, the “Stinger” key from Smartinterface as well as a new O-ring and battery (again Smartinterface) and a mount to put the stinger in whilst unscrewing the front (the Key, O-ring, Battery and mount all come supplied from Smartinterface for around 25euros).
Step 1
Place mount onto a flat clean surface. (see picture 1)

Step 2
Place “Stinger” onto mount, note the 4 pins to hold it in place. (see picture 2)

Step 3
Place Smartinterface key over the bezel of the “Stinger” it should fit snugly, then holding the palm of one hand onto the watch face (prevent any slipping) turn the key anti-clockwise and remove bezel. (see pics 3 and 4)


Step 4
remove the glass (at what would be 3 oclock on a conventional watch look for a small hole to lever the glass out with a pin) then remove the O-ring and finally the printed plastic decal. (see pic 5)

Step 5
The tricky bit?….. no not really all you need to do is be carefull as underneath the part you are about to remove is a ribbon that connects to the “Stinger Dive Interface”. With a pin carefully lift the component out of the watch casing (taking care not to scratch or damage the contacts, these are clearly visible) (see pic 6)

Step 6
Turn over the component and look for the golden star shaped clasp that holds in the battery, remove this with a pin, (be careful its very springy and has a mind of its own) (see pic 7)

Step 7
All that needs to be done now is to replace the battery and then follow all the steps in reverse order to re-assemble the “Stinger”. See its that easy!

 

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The Equipment a Prospective SCUBA Diver Needs

Folks, John Flanders, my friend, my team mate, my partner in crime, has written a beautiful article for the new prospective diver.  You can find the best SCUBA instruction in all of Arizona at www.academyofscuba.com  Tell em, Tevis sent cha!

Here it is:

Scuba diving is an equipment intensive sport. Breathing and exploring is not normal for us land-walking

mammals.  Scuba diving requires the training, familiarization and use of all types of equipment. As a diver

matures, the use of different equipment for different types of diving only adds to the complexity of

equipment selection. Equipment selection should not be a cavalier or impulsive purchase. It is life support

equipment. Proper training, fit, comfort and practice makes this equipment feel like a second skin. Proper

maintenance is essential to the proper performance of all Scuba gear. Buy right, buy once.  This is the

mantra of advanced divers!

 

Selecting Personal Scuba Equipment

Personal Scuba Diving Equipment includes: (1) Mask (2) Snorkel (3) Fins (4) Timing Device (watch, bottom

timer or computer).  Generally, most dive shops or charter operators do not rent personal dive equipment.  (that's most dive shops but that is stupidity.  At K2 it is about taking care of you. So of course, we will rent you mask/snorkel/fins so that you can decide whether this sport is for you. ..before you make a huge capital investment).

There are many sizing options and “fit” issues.  With this in mind it is not economically or logistically viable

when, for a few hundred dollars, most divers can be outfit with some great choices in personal dive gear. 

Being that this is personal dive gear, fit is essential!  You have to try it on. When buying fins, you have to try

the boots on with the fins (if open heel).  Masks are very individual and fit directly on the face and create a

seal.  I am not saying you can’t buy through a catalog or Internet, but you have to try it on first. Treat

personal gear as such.  A nice mesh bag to keep it all in is a very nice add-on.

 

Buying versus Renting

Familiarity of gear is an essential component to advancing your diving skills.  Call it muscle memory. 

That’

s why most golfers don’t rent clubs. When you rent, there is an adjustment period for familiarizing yourself

with the gear you have rented.  Additionally, when renting gear, you do not know its history or maintenance

cycles.  How can you rely on gear to save your life when you don’t know its history or if it has been

maintenance appropriately? Additionally, rental gear tends to be the lowest cost, most basic setups 

available in the market.  How far would you want to take basic dive equipment?  Lastly, the pure economist

in me just hates putting money into other people’s pocket.  Most dive rental gear is paid for over and over

again.  If you buy right; that equity is yours to keep.  Of course, the reward is far greater than economical. 

Divers who own their own equipment have a safer, longer, more enjoyable experience exploring the

underwater kingdom.

The Pitfalls of Used Gear

Full Disclosure:  I don’t support purchasing used gear! Most used gear is poorly maintained, misused,

broken, out-dated, and lacks the necessary qualities for an advanced diver to progress with his/her skills. 

Now, I am not going to say I have never bought used gear. But, I have done so with the knowledge of who

owned it before and how they stored and used it.  Additionally, I usually insist that it undergo maintenance

before buying it. I at least know it is in working condition and safe to use.  When buying used gear, you do

so under the auspice of Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware).

 

Computers Helping Divers Stay Safe

Dive computers are an essential piece of gear for advanced divers.  Dive computers are another tool that a

Scuba diver can employ to not only increase bottom times, but also increase safety.  Dive computers

monitor (conservatively) decompression profiles, have time, depth, and ascent alarms (both visual and

audible).  Some dive computers also monitor air consumption and tank pressure.  These air integrated

computers generally have a lower margin of error than analog gauges (at lower pressures).  Recreational

Advanced and Technical Divers can benefit from dive computers.  Dive computers require about as much

training as dive tables.  Don’t make the same mistake many divers make by purchasing a computer and

relying on trial by error as your training guide.

As you progress through your diving education, your experience, your local dive shop and your mentors will

help guide you through equipment choices. Don’t underestimate trying new gear configurations or be

afraid to purchase more gear.  Many of us, once we buy our first set, think we have finished.  However,

trying new gear and further using that new fear can be rewarding and exciting.

Articles for assisting you in selecting Dive Gear brought to you by Academy of Scuba!

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The Only Story I Have Ever Read that Made Me Cry

 

Seeded from  Marc Warnke Family First Entrepreneur on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 17:19

I received this story in my email yesterday and I knew I had to share it with you.  It is the only story I have ever read that actually brought tears to my eyes.  I read it last night to my 4 year-old.  He may still be a little young to have fully understood it, but I believe that every parent should read this to their children.  Please take the time to enjoy this incredibly moving story.

Two Choices

What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: “When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?”

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. “I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.”

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team, who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!

Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

 

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The Experience a New SCUBA Diver Gains by Diving with the Knowing Senior Diver
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The Personal Power of You. . . . . Is Within YOU!
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