Thursday is THE BEACH GEAR day at Flipilicious: Tilos UV Protection 6oz Rash Guards

Stolen from Flipilicious!

So Ingrid says to Elmer, "honeykins, do you think I would look as sexy as that sexy hunka lovin' in the picture?" Elmer carefully lobs back, "nope!  But if you don't get sompthin' to put on that pasty skin of yours you are gonna go all lobstery again. . . " 

Can you imagine how cranky a lobstered missus can be?!

Cover up god's creation with this gorgeous 6 oz SPF 50+ Tilos Rash Guard, and save yourself the pain and agony of another peeling, blistering, puss fest as you nurture your open wounds. . . . .

. . .ahem, even grossed ourselves out!

Um, skin cancer kills. . . don't be stingy. . .or be wicked smart cheap and get a bunch of these puppies for friends, you wive's girlfriends, or wife & your girlfriend. . . and the kids!.   They come in white/grey for the men's, and pink for the women's and the tranny's. . .

the intel on your schweet TILOS UV Rash Guards (female & male) short sleeve 6oz

4-way stretch UV flex

Provides excellent protection against UV rays

Highest quality 6oz UV FLEX material

Flat-Stitched throughout entire suit

Waist loop for shorts to tie; secure top from riding up

• Model: RG206 (male) & RGW107 (female)
• Two colors white/grey & pink/white

Sizes available (men's):  S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Sizes available (women's): XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL We will email you and ask what color and size you wish.  No guarantees we will have it so pick two sizes.  Or be the first and get you run of the litter. . . . early bird gets the squishy worm. . .

Think longer than 24 hours, or if we run out while you are pondering lycra, and you will feel like a big fat looooser! Flip on girlfriend. . .Flip on!

Scuba Diver: Don’t get spanked by the TSA (Transportation Safety Commission)

Savvy Dive Travelers and the TSA Rules and Regulations

 

DiverWire senior contributing editor John Flanders  and boss man at Academy of Scuba did some research this week on scuba travel and related challenges. In the first of a three-part series, he looks at TSA restrictions and their impact on divers.

Traveling with Scuba gear offers many challenges.  However, the thought of using rental gear on that “dive trip of a life-time” is enough to make an Open Water Diver cringe.  The good news is you CAN bring scuba gear on-board an aircraft - however a savvy traveler understands the TSA rules and airline baggage restrictions.

First let’s look at the Transportation Security Authority (TSA) rules and restrictions. The TSA has nothing to do with weight considerations, but everything about what you can carry on to an aircraft and what you check in the cargo hold.
Travelers may bring regulators, buoyancy compensators and masks, snorkels and fins as carry-on or checked baggage. In fact, it is quite surprising how easily these items pass through the TSA scanners without a wink of scrutiny from the TSA personnel. As a rule, all traveling divers should carry on their Scuba regulators, computers and submersible pressure gauges.  These items are part of the life support system and shouldn’t be left to possible damage in the airplane’s cargo hold.  If you wouldn’t check your laptop computer, why would you check your dive computer?
For travelers who need their pony bottle, Spare Air™, or rebreather bottles at their destination, there is good news: Compressed Scuba cylinders are allowed in checked baggage or as a carry-on only if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder and the cylinder is no longer sealed (i.e. the cylinder has an open end).  The cylinder must have an opening to allow for a visual inspection inside. I tape the end of the Scuba cylinder with “painter’s tape” and attach a note to the TSA security officer to replace it after inspection.  To date, I have not had an issue doing this.
As a rule, TSA Security Officers will not remove the seal or regulator valve from the cylinder at the checkpoint.  If the cylinder is sealed (i.e. the regulator valve is still attached), the cylinder is prohibited and not permitted through the security checkpoint, regardless of the reading on the pressure gauge indicator. TSA Security Officers must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside.

Of course, it is no surprise, that dive tools (a.k.a knives) are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage.  If you travel with a small tool pouch or spare parts kit, you should check those items as well. Spear guns are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. A quick tip, knives and spear guns cannot be brought to a security checkpoint. Pack these items in your checked baggage. If you bring these items to a checkpoint, there it is almost guaranteed that the TSA will confiscate them and a fair chance that you may miss your flight while being detained by the TSA.
Like any other baggage, Scuba bags will be scanned and probably hand searched by TSA officials.  Do not pack anything suspicious. As always, safety being the highest priority, the TSA requests that all Scuba divers should sheath or securely wrap any sharp objects you pack in your checked luggage to prevent it from injuring baggage handlers and security officers.

The TSA has gone to great lengths to inform travelers and specifically traveling Scuba divers.  To learn more about TSA rules, information and prohibited items please visit www.tsa.gov.

The Completely Redesigned & New Oceanic GEO 2.0 Scuba Diving Wrist Computer: A Consumer Review

Quality, Function and Style. The has an upgraded look with a stainless steel accent ring and new color combination – and now includes Dual Algorithm, Deep Stop option and a redesigned user interface with "Step Back" – which allows forward and backward navigation through menus and settings.  Additionally, a second Nitrox mix (both programmable to 100%) is available, as well as Firmware Auto-Update which allows the user to download and install operational improvements or even future new features through the PC Interface (with optional cable).

A unique combination of quality, function and style, the GEO 2.0 Personal Dive Computer is perfect on its own or as a backup to any dive computer. With Dual Algorithm and optional conservative factor settings, the GEO 2.0 may be programmed to provide no-deco and deco profiles similar to virtually every computer on the market. 

• Powered by Oceanic's Exclusive Dual Algorithm™ - Your choice between Pelagic DSAT (Spencer/Powell data basis) or Pelagic Z+ (Buhlmann ZHL-16C data basis)

• 4 Operating Modes: WATCH (Alternate Time, Chrono, Daily Alarm, Countdown Timer), NORM (Air and Nitrox), GAUGE (with run timer) and FREE (tracks calculations to allow switching between NORM and Free)

• User-Friendly Interface with "Step Back" – allows forward and backward navigation through menus and settings

• Switch between up to 2 Nitrox mixes to 100% O2 with no restriction (Gas 1 may be up to 100%, and may be less or greater than Gas 2)

• Stop times <3 minutes - displays minutes & seconds

• Deep Stop with Countdown Timer – Maybe turned on or off.  2 minute countdown at half your max depth, for dives greater than 80 ft / 25m

• Single button access to "Last Dive" display (max depth & bottom time)

• Data Retention - maintains calculations indefinitely when the battery is changed

• Audible Alarm with flashing LED light

• 24 dive on-unit log book

• History Mode includes total number of dives, max depth, total dive hours, and lowest temp

• Optional PC Interface with OceanLog Download and Settings Upload

• Firmware Auto-Update: download and install the latest firmware – these may be operational improvements or even new features

Pros:  Newest Oceanic Technology, sleek, and slick design.  Doubles as a wrist watch.

Cons:  Small print, harder to see underwater for old eyes.  Buttons are hard to press in 5 mm gloves

The OPV Recall: Illustrates why you should check all your gear today.

This is Seeded from John McKenzie of http://blog.wetcatscuba.com/?p=704

it is much too important NOT to spread this virally. . . don't count on the manufacturers. . they don't have your best interests in mind.

We can take care of your Dive Rite wing OPVs if you need help.  Welcome to the Tribe called K2!

By John McKenzie, on February 7th, 2010

You giant stride from the gate of the dive boat into the cold swells of the Pacific Northwest’s emerald sea. But unlike on other entries you don’t bob quickly back to the surface with your OK sign beaming. “What’s up?! I am sinking!” goes through your mind. You have an important first choice – whether or not to panic. No panic and you have some good options for recovery and more dives. Panic and you may have only a few minutes before drowning.

That was just one scenario that went through my mind upon a recent discovery while cleaning my dive gear. Thankfully I was not jumping off the back of a boat with my defective gear; instead I was in the comfort of my garage trying to understand why my Dive Rite wing was blowing air out from the lower dump valve. I shuddered as I watched the corroded spring that holds the valve closed and the air inside crumble to bits in my hand. Luckily, I dodged that bullet, as did my partner, my friend and dive shop owner Grant, and the owners of every Dive Rite wing recently inspected by another local dive shop owner at his shop.

The story I wanted to be able to write was one that told how the folks that run dive equipment companies, most likely divers themselves, are extra vigilant and responsive to safety issues with their products. I wanted to hear that upon finding one corroded stainless spring, that was never supposed to rust under any dive conditions, they immediately launched a full scale investigation and rapidly notify dive shops and customers of the potential threat to their life. That’s the responsible thing to do. And when you read this in the recall statement, “…the company is working closely with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPC) and has instituted a VOLUNTARY recall…,” it spins the impression that they “recently” found a problem and are taking quick action to protect divers.

But I cannot tell that comforting story. The story of what we learned

shouts loudly this message to every diver, “If you want to maintain good odds of coming back alive, do not depend on the manufacture, the dive shop, the government recall, you must check your own gear often and have regular professional maintenance.” From our research and many news stories we have seen over the years, we can be confident that the Dive Rite OPV recall story is just one example of how the incentives for a company NOT to respond quickly to prevent injury or death can muddy the ethical waters. It is not all bad news. It does appear that months before the Dive Rite recall, Halcyon, finding the same problem, did take responsible steps in the interest of safety. But, given what we learned about the timeline at Dive Rite, it is possible the even Halcyon found bad springs well before the recall was instituted. From talking directly with Dive Rite staff there is evidence that Dive Rite was much slower to respond and may have only done a recall to cover their butts. It shows that we dare not overestimate the good folks that run our favorite dive business. The sad reality is that CYA and money fears can and often do eclipse thoughts of your safety in business.

THE PROBLEM

The spring that holds the over pressure valve (OPV or dump valve) closed on the (some unknown) number of BCD wings sold by Dive Rite (and by Halcyon and maybe other brands) was supposed to be made of quality marine grade 316 stainless steel. However, someone at an unknown factory in (wait for it…) China made some of the springs out of not so good 304 stainless steel. After a while of being immersed in saltwater, these bad springs will corrode and literally crumble to bits. Before they completely crumble the bladder will start leaking air. And if you are not one of the few divers that routinely inspect for these kind of things, you may get a leak when you are hanging from it over a significant amount of water.

We know of at least three equipment sellers that bought problem OPV springs from the same supplier. These are Dive Rite, Halcyon and Custom Buoyancy Inc. (CBI). CBI is reported to be out of business. Could there be more? The general consensus is yes. Most OPVs on scuba BCDs and other equipment look and work alike. Other suppliers could be getting their valves from the same Chinese factory. But this is a hard trail to follow. Dive Rite claimed to not know the name of the manufacturer and while admitting that divers should be warned, they flat out refused to tell us the name of their supplier. We have filed a freedom of information request with the CPSC…stay tuned.

THE RECALL STORY

As mentioned above, Halcyon came out first with the recall on October 1, 2009 (CPC date) (see our article at http://blog.wetcatscuba.com/?p=563). Our conversation with Halcyon took a much different tone than with Dive Rite. At the least, Halcyon seemed to have a culture of serious concern for their customers’ safety and an indication that they took every step to “do the right thing.” They saw the problem and instituted the recall on their own accord (although a Dive Rite marketing director said she believes Halcyon had in “incident” that prompted the recall). Halcyon staff were not sure of the quantity of bad springs, so they made the recall broad in scope to cover over 20,300 units. They later augmented the recall to ask dealers to replace springs in those units within the range, even if they showed no signs of corrosion. Our Halcyon contact said, “We realized that some units may not have been in the water long enough to corrode, but could corrode later. Why take chance for the measly price of a spring. We told dealers to replace them and we would cover it.” Unlike Dive Rite, Halcyon did not wait for or require their dealers to ask for replacements. They sent the dealers replacement springs with a log book to track replacements. They also created two informational/instructional videos and posted them on their website (see link above).

Dive Rite’s recall came in late December 2009. Why did Dive Rite wait over two months? Did it take them that long to figure out that they also had some bad springs. Not according to their own staff. One Dive Rite source admitted that they saw the problem well over a year before the recall. I was surprised that told me that they only instituted the recall because they knew that people, seeing the Halcyon recall, would sooner or later would figure out that Dive Rite springs were the same. This would look bad if they did not do a “voluntary” recall like Halcyon. He also played down the likelihood that anyone would get hurt by this problem.

Previous to this call, we spoke with another staff member of Dive Rite who also minimized the the numbers, claiming “maybe 100 world wide and only 35 in the U.S. We already had 2 cases in our house, the shop owner who sold us the wings said his was also bad. The second person I talked with was another area Dive Rite dealer. He said, “every spring we checked so far in the 2006-2208 year range tuned out to be corroded.” Other dealers reported similar findings. Now either those bad wings were highly targeted to the Pacific Northwest or our Dive Rite contact was low-balling. We later talked with another Dive Rite contact that admitted the numbers were likely much higher.

I asked Dive Rite if they have sent replacement springs out to their dealers (as Halcyon did) or do dealers have to request them? The response was, “we are sending free replacement springs to dealers, when they ask for them. We do this because we would like to get them to tell us how many they need. We don’t want to send them a pile of springs they may not need. And we need at least some of the serial numbers and counts for the CPC paper work.” During my conversations with Dive Rite, I told them that our LDS had given us a two non-dive rite springs to help get us back in the water. I also told them the shop owner’s spring was bad and he had sold a bunch of Wings within the recall period. A week later he received only four springs from Dive Rite.

After our calls to Dive Rite, the marketing director called us and complained that we were just looking to slam them. She wanted to know “who, at Dive Rite told us those things.” She then admitted that they did see bad springs 18 months before the recall, but claimed that they did take immediate action. She said they notified all dealers about the springs and put an announcement in each of their monthly newsletters since then. However, when we checked more sources we found little evidence of her claims. A former Dive Rite sales representative, who was a liaison between Dive Rite and Dive Rite dealers during the this time said he never heard about the spring problem. He sent us all of his monthly newsletters for the past year and we found no mention. Other dealers had similar stories.

THE COMPANY LINE

Here is the text from the Dive Rite site at: http://www.diverite.com/products/service/opvspringrecall/

Dive Rite takes the safety of our consumers very seriously. In cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Dive Rite is issuing a voluntary recall on various Dive Rite Wings.

The Over Pressurization Valve (OPV) springs found on Dive Rite wings manufactured between June 2006 and October 2008 may rust and fail allowing the buoyancy compensator devices to leak. The wings may be red, blue or black in color and have serial numbers falling between 42000 and 72000. The following models are affected by this recall: Travel, Venture, Rec, Trek, Classic, Nomad and Super Wings It does not affect EXP or 360-branded wings. The recall does not affect lift bags, surface marker tubes or other Dive Rite inflatable devices.

We apologize for any inconvenience and encourage Dive Rite wing customers to contact your local Dive Rite dealer or Dive Rite directly at 800-495-1046 with any questions.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY SHOULD BE REPEATED

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a story of the failings of one dive equipment manufacturer. Even for the most responsible of companies, it will still take months for them to institute an official recall. Dive equipment manufacturers need to do better. But, if you want to improve you chances of living through you next dive, get religious about checking and maintaining your own gear. We dive weekly and on every group dive trip I can remember someone on the trip had found they had some kind for equipment problem just before or during the dive.

While you do need to have a professional check your gear on a regular schedule, most of the problems found can be fixed by any diver (e.g. loose hoses, bad o-rings). The training agencies offer specialty courses to help you get more knowledgeable about maintaining your kit. This spring problem is simple to check and fix. If you find any bad springs in any other brands (or any other equipment failure patterns) let us know (john@jmckenzie.com) and we will warn our fellow divers.

The incentives for companies to take the wrong path cannot survive if divers will report problems, demand better gear and better ethics from your equipment vendors. These companies have the technology to catch problems and communicate the resolutions quickly to dealers, shops and customers and only some are doing it. You can also vote with your wallet for companies that have the good values to build safe equipment, with parts from manufacturers they know and trust, and when they do have a problem to handle it quickly and responsibly.

Mares Icon HD, New Revolution in Dive Computers

Color My Dive World

• TFT LCD color display.

• Double diving mode options, Extend and Profile

• Stores images and dive site maps.

ICON HD is a True full-color display computer. Its screen is made using LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology.

An intuitive software, the use of large characters, and the contrast created by using different colors, makes the on screen information easy to read, immediate and clear.

During the dive besides the standard navigation mode EXTEND, divers can switch to a second dive mode PROFILE.

ICON HD processes and shows the full dive curve in real time. The computer memory allows the storage of images and photos, including digital maps of diving spots.

What is RGBM?

The Mares-Wienke RGBM (Reduced Gradient Bubbles Model) algorithm takes into account the phenomenon of micro-bubbles in order to prevent their formation to the greatest possible extent. In over 10,000 real dives monitored by Dr. Bruce Wienke in the Los Alamos laboratories, the formation of micro-bubbles has been studied and evaluated in order to better understand the mechanism behind how micro-bubbles are formed during a dive. Today it is the most evolved algorithm for reducing the formation of micro-bubbles without compromising dive times.

More Technical Junk du jour that Puppy has:

• RGBM
• Nitrox Function
• Push Buttons
• Free Dive
• Backlighting
• Log Book
• Permanent Backlight
• Mineral Glass Display
• Mineral Glass with "Sapphire Coating"
• Superior Display Readability
• TFT LCD COLOR DISPLAY
• Dive Simulator
• RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
• Prudential Programs
• Digital compass with full tilt
• REPROGRAMMABLE PROCESSOR
• Reset Residual Nitrogen
• Interface
• Fresh water / seawater setting
• Deep Stop
• Easy Access
• software upgradeability
• Powerful Backlight
• Extended logbook data memory
• Precautionary Program Settings
• Residual Nitrogen Memory Reset
• Special Function Modes
• PC-Interface
• User-Repleaceable Batteries
• Air Integrated

Air integration upgrade will be available spring 2010.

Lobster Season is Coming, Innovative Lobster Inn!

Lobster hunting has has become a favorite past time for scuba diving aficionados. Your lobster catching bag is a definite item These massive crustaceans are quite difficult to catch, but are definitely worth it ( just go to your local seafood restaurant and check out what the current market price of lobster-good boogly woogly ). 

The bugs, as divers like to call them, can make for a savory dinner, especially after a day of diving.  Lobstering has been a long-time hunting activity, traced back to the 1800s, when these creatures were first collected by hand when they were washed up in tide pools or shorelines.  Nowadays, especially with the discovery of scuba appliances, catching lobster has turned into a sport among divers.  Very similar to fishing, it's regulated, but common species of lobster aren't endangered ( having few natural predators ).  Of course, lobstering can be difficult - it usually involves chasing after the lobster and catching with a net and putting it into a bag. 

Here is the schweet Innovative Lobster Inn Bag that California Divers Prefer:

This kit has everything you want to catch those hard crustaceans.  The snare can be operated with one hand, and made of a light, strong PVC material.  Unlike a traditional net, this device will permit you to secure your catch easily. 

The tapered tube opening has an innovative one-way flap to make it easy to slip your catch in, and keep all his buddies from getting out. The mesh portion allows water through and has Velcro opening.
Easy one handed operation No more losing lobster and wasting time with 2 handed bags Tapered PVC opening includes handle, Velcro opening for easy removal of game.

Beware Buying a Scuba Mask Until You Read This!

 

While diving, you clear your mask or you are screwed. You need to secure the mask at your forehead and exhale from your nose to clear the mask.

Because you want to clear the mask with your exhaled breath the volume of air between the mask and your face is crucial.

The more air the harder it will be to clear. We are pleased with the Tilos Excel Scuba Mask, and the Oceanic Shadow Mask.

 

A SCUBA mask will also need a soft area around the nose so you can pinch your nose to equalize the air space in you ears. Most masks come with either a clear silicone skirt or a black skirt. The same chemical process happens to the black skirt but you cannot see it. The selection of black or clear skirt can depend on which side of the camera you are on.

If you are taking photos or video the black skirt will reduce glare and make it simpler to see the things in the view finder. A clear skirt will be better if someone is a bit claustrophobic because it will permit more light around your eyes.

There a many styles of masks. A dual-lens mask has two lenses and generally dual-lens masks are lower volume than single-lens masks of relative equal size.

A breathtaking view mask with twin lenses will be rather smaller volume. Typically the more glass you've got the more you can see. With the panoramic you are not looking out the side window but you'll see movement and be ready to turn to the movement.

These masks are the super premium of the group as they leave unfettered your range of vision. The two we most suggest are the Tilos Excel Scuba Mask and Oceanic Shadow Mask.

Quoting Scuba Diving Magazine: The Tilos Excel was the massive surprise of this review. It had one of the widest fields of view and a budget-friendly price . With a wide bottom and teardrop shapes below the eyes, the lens favors downward viewing, superb for finding belts and buckles on a BC. It all adds up to a combined vertical range of 75 degrees, the same vertical field of view as the two Atomic masks in this review. Bonus : The upper and lower corners of the mask have a tread-like texture that helps wet hands grip the mask when donning and doffing.

For experienced divers who dive in really cold water or the public safety divers who desires to speak underwater there are full face masks. When deciding how to choose a scuba mask you should consider fit, skirt - clear or black, volume of air behind the mask, range of vision, and of course color.

At K2 Scuba we strongly suggest you try on masks at a retailer tha will take some time, in the flesh or by phone to fit the mask to you. It is by a long way the most critical criteria for choosing a mask. A poorly fitting mask will flood and raise nervousness in your diving experience. Your mask is an integral part of your scuba diving equipment, and as such care must be taken in the selection. . .like all of your scuba gear.

The New Oceanic OC1 Dive Computer/Dive Compass/Dive Watch is Now Available!

BREAKING NEWS! Oceanic and DiveNav, Inc. announce the availability of theDiving® scuba diving simulator for the soon-to-be-released Oceanic OC1 Dive Computer. The OC1 is an advanced all-in-one dive computer featuring Oceanic's exclusive Dual Algorithm, wireless air-integration, digital compass, remote Buddy Pressure Check, and so much more. All in a strong, lightweight titanium housing. Scheduled for June 15,2009 delivery.

The New Oceanic OC1 Dive Computer is an all-in-one dive computer featuring a precision digital compass, dot matrix display, wireless Buddy Pressure Check and so much more.

SmartGlo backlighting and audible alarms keep you current when every second counts.

 

• Precision Digital Compass including North, reference modes and declination adjustment

• Titanium Housing  

• Dot Matrix Display provides superior readability and intuitive user interface

• Digital Watch, Air, Nitrox, Gauge and Free Dive Modes

• Switch between up to 3 independent wireless transmitters, tracking 3 Nitrox mixes or buddy’s tank pressure with Buddy Pressure CheckTM

• Audible Alarms with User Acknowledgment

• SmartGlo® Backlighting

• Includes OceanLog® PC Download and Settings Upload Software and USB cable Sport Divers Magazine

Sport Divers Magazine - Editor’s Pick – March 2009

COOL FACTOR

Enough functionality to make 007’s gadget man, Q, raise an eyebrow in approval.

KEY FEATURES

This do-everything machine includes a digital compass, dot-matrix display and functionality to switch among three wireless transmitters. The latter allows for a buddy pressure-check function. Four dive modes handle air, nitrox, gauge and free-dive duties, and the dot-matrix display is crisp and easy on the eyes. All of this comes wrapped in a strong, lightweight titanium housing. SmartGlo backlighting works great in low-light conditions and at night, and the system includes Oceanic’s software along with a USB cable for integration with a PC.

 

For the Scuba Diving Equipment Enthusiast, this is the first adopter must have! Do what others have already done and

 

BUY NOW by clicking Here

What about Diving the Continent of Africa? Specifically Mauritania

Hi All, my friend Paul Hunter of www.AfricanDiver.com has just published his latest issue on Adobe Acrobat.pdf

Membership has its privileges, so either click on the picture above, OR click on this link:  http://www.africandiver.com/articles/issues/africandiver_issue5.pdf

Your issue should open in its own window. . and you can right click to download. . . and then save it to your hard drive. .

OK, now that Ive wet your whistle. . who wants to roadtrip with me?

You make the arrangements, I will keep the lights on,

Tevis

Diving Scuba, or Diving Free. . Apnea. . . what gives?

Interesting question!

I sell stuff, mostly stuff called scuba gear, or scuba equipment.  For the past year we have been selling Omer, AB Biller, Riffe and Picasso Freediving Equipment as we are a concierge type of operation, and if you want it, we will bird dog it for you.  So on with the story, a customer asked me the other day,“what is the difference between snorkeling, freediving, and scuba diving?” This is a very good question and not answered very well by the certifying agencies.  Some even warning against freediving. . .stoopid!

Snorkeling is easy squeezy!  Everyone can do it, no training is needed, all you need is a mask and snorkel; you may or may not have fins on. Normally snorkelers  are a happy bunch and stay on the surface,cruising around looking at the fish and corals underneath them.  Most snorkelers don't travel more than 10 or 20 fsw beneath them. A lot of folks then come back and  want to dive under the water, and see the fish up close.

Those that break the surface and use fins would be considered free divers. Many are now taking this to some real extremes, with the record being over 80 meters! (that is 240 fsw) For most free divers, 6 to 20 meters is the normal range. If you are going to try to become a serious free diver, it is time for professional training for a host of good reasons.

Competitive free diving, of course, has its own rules and governing bodies. There are different categories. In "Constant Weight" the diver follows a line to a certain depth and then swims back up, all on his or her own power.In "Variable Weight" the diver uses a weighted sled to go down, then swims back up.In "No Limit," the diver uses a sled to go down, then inflates an airbag at the bottom and holds on to that to get back to the surface. The depths reached are almost unimaginable. How can they do that?

Apparently, in free diving the rules are all different. With no compressed air to counter-balance the enormous water pressure, the lungs and other air cavities inside the body compress enormously. Conventional equalization of the ears and sinus only goes that far; beyond a certain depth the divers do "water equalization, " i.e. they let salt water into the sinus system in a practice that is described as entirely unpleasant. And another phenomenon takes place when a "blood shift" keeps the lungs from collapsing. It's a residual from ancient times perhaps, from our genetic past, but it works (not that I'd ever want to experience it).

Some folks say freediving is much more dangerous than scuba diving just by watching slick videos.  It is an extreme sport, tho when you break it down to its foundation. . .Freediving  and scuba diving have safety rules that are inviolate. . . screw with them and you die!

Scuba Diving would be using mask, fins and a tank of air, usually they will have a scuba jacket attached to the tank called a “BCD” also attached to the scuba take would be a set of regulators, in diver lingo referred to as “regs” or “octo’s” which will have normally 2 hoses with regulators, and a low pressure hose or 2, as well as a information package containing 1, 2 or 3 different pressure and depth gauges, compass and computers. Scuba divers will also have some other equipment like weights and knives (for freeing themselves from underwater entanglements) lights, underwater cameras and underwater video cameras are common accouterments to see on scuba divers.

Types of scuba sets
Modern scuba sets are of two types:

open-circuit (In Europe, it is often called an "aqualung". Here the diver breathes in from the equipment and all the exhaled gas goes to waste in the surrounding water. This type of equipment is relatively simple, making it cheaper and more reliable. The two-hose design originally used was the one designed by Cousteau and Gagnan. The single-hose design generally used today was invented in Australia .
closed-circuit/semi-closed circuit (also referred to as a rebreather). Here the diver breathes in from the set, and breathes back into the set, where the exhaled gas is processed to make it fit to breathe again. These existed before the open-circuit sets and are still used, but less so than open-circuit sets.Both types of scuba provide a means of supplying air or other breathing gas, nearly always from a high pressure diving cylinder, and a harness to strap it to the diver's body. Most open-circuit scuba and some rebreathers have a demand regulator to control the supply of breathing gas. Some "semi-closed" rebreathers only have a constant-flow regulator, or occasionally a set of constant-flow regulators of various outputs.

Some divers use the word "scuba" to mean open-circuit sets only.

Snorkeling or SCUBA? Schweet UltraDry-Ness with the Oceanic UltraDry Snorkel

THE BEST DRY SNORKEL!"
Scuba Diving Magazine, December 2005

The name says it all. Designed to be exactly what its name suggests, the ULTRA DRY snorkel incorporates  Oceanic's patented Dry Snorkel Technology into an ultra-low profile product that is ergonomically designed for comfort and function.

This technology creates a seal to virtually eliminate water entering the snorkel barrel, while achieving superior air flow performance on the surface.

· Patented Dry Snorkel Technology virtually eliminates water entry without sacrificing performance

· Oversized purge valve for easy clearing

· Quick-release swiveling snorkel keeper

· Drop away smooth bore flex mouthpiece

· Replaceable 100% liquid silicone mouthpiece and purge valve

· *NEW* Mini Version features the same fine qualities as the Ultra Dry, but with a mouthpiece designed for smaller adults and youths.

30-DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: We guarantee that at any time during the first 30 days of purchase, your Oceanic scuba gear fails to meet your expectations, that product may be exchanged by K2, a participating Authorized Oceanic Pro Dealer. No questions asked.

A Dangerous Case of Nitrogen Narcosis

 

Hi Folks, I'm seeding this from my friend Scuba Mike of Gordismo.  Please read this with a open mind and keep it as a foundational lesson.  I dive regularly to deep depths to get the rush of narcosis, tho’ if not respected it sets a diver up to a word of hurt!

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It was only a week ago that I wrote a post about narcosis, and this weekend I dealt with my first example of quite serious narcosis. We were diving at Playa Chica, here in Lanzarote, and here’s what happened:

My buddy was an experienced diver, but he hadn’t dived for several months, so we agreed to do a check out at 10 meters before heading deeper onto the house reef. His buoyancy  was a little off, but everything else was fine, so off we went. As we reached the drop off and descended though 20, then 25 meters, I watched him carefully and all seemed well.

It was when we hit 30 meters that he started to act strangely. I saw him grab his contents gauge and stare at it for what seemed a long time. I was also conscious that he was continuing to sink slowly in a upright position. I signaled him to tell me how much air he had, but he just continued to look at his gauge. It was as if he couldn’t get his brain to work properly. I signaled to ask if he was OK, and after an age he gave me the sign for a problem in the head. I moved close to him to check his eyes, and they conveyed confusion and fear, so I took both his hands (which were shaking) and we finned upwards, with me watching his eyes.

At 25 meters, he suddenly relaxed and I could see the change in his eyes – they came back to normal and he signaled that he was OK. It was dramatic the way he went in seconds from being scared and confused, to being back in control. I signaled that we should stay at 25 meters, and told the other divers that we would hover over them while they carried on exploring the reef.

After about five minutes my buddy told me that he wanted to descend again, so we did, and I watched him very carefully as we went through 30 meters again, and all was fine.

We had a good dive, seeing a couple of huge grouper, a playful spider crab and one of my favorite fish, an Angel Shark. The shark was resting on the sea bed, well covered with sand and was spotted by another diver. We had the pleasure of seeing it move off – it’s amazing the way the dorsal fins unfold, the sand is shrugged off and with one whole body flick, the shark is gone and way.

This was a good lesson for me about narcosis – it can strike at any time and can come on very quickly, but by taking the right action it can be “cured” just as quickly.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks Mike!  Please visit him at Scuba Mike's blog.  This begs the question if his divebuddy had an inattentive SOB (same ocean buddy) accompanying him?  Worst case scenario, he would drowned by sucking the bottom of his tank while confused.

This is one of the most salient reasons for team oriented diving as previously written in this crazy kool blog!

Tevis

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Silent Diving Systems Recalls Scuba Diving Hoses Due to Drowning Hazard

 

February 26, 2009

THE FOLLOWING PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL WAS VOLUNTARILY CONDUCTED BY THE FIRM IN COOPERATION WITH THE CPSC. CONSUMERS SHOULD STOP USING THE PRODUCT IMMEDIATELY UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED.

NAME OF PRODUCT: CRIMPED LOW PRESSURE DIVING HOSES

UNITS: ABOUT 820

IMPORTER: SILENT DIVING SYSTEMS LLC, OF CENTER CONWAY, N.H.

MANUFACTURER: AMBIENT PRESSURE DIVING LTD., OF HELSTON, CORNWALL, UNITED KINGDOM

HAZARD: DIVING HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN MADE WITHOUT CRIMPS, WHICH CAN ALLOW GAS TO LEAK OR WATER TO ENTER INTO THE RE-BREATHER UNIT OF THE SCUBA DIVING EQUIPMENT, POSING A DROWNING HAZARD TO THE USER.

INCIDENTS/INJURIES: NONE REPORTED.

DESCRIPTION: THE CRIMPED HOSES ARE USED TO CARRY THE AIR SUPPLY IN THE RE-BREATHING DIVING SYSTEM. THE HOSES WERE SOLD ON THREE RE-BREATHING MODELS: INSPIRATION, EVOLUTION AND EVOLUTION PLUS. HOSES WITH A SMOOTH (UNCRIMPED) COLLAR AND WITH THE MODEL NUMBERS LISTED BELOW ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL:

AP300/15
ADV SUPPLY HOSE

RB20/03
OXYGEN INJECTION HOSE

EV20/03
OXYGEN INJECTION HOSE

RB20/10
BUZZER HOSE

EV11A/1
VISION HANDSET HOSE

RB11A/1
CLASSIC HANDSET HOSE

RB11/B
HANDSET HOSE

AP300/10
ADV HOSE

AP300/38
ADV HOSE

HOSES WITH EIGHT FLATS ON THE HOSE COLLAR HAVE BEEN CRIMPED AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

SOLD BY: SILENT DIVING SYSTEMS NATIONWIDE FROM JANUARY 2007 THROUGH AUGUST 2008 FOR ABOUT $60. RE-BREATHERS WERE SOLD FOR ABOUT $10,000.

MANUFACTURED IN: ENGLAND

REMEDY: CONSUMERS WITH THE RECALLED HOSES SHOULD IMMEDIATELY STOP USING THE HOSES AND CONTACT SILENT DIVING SYSTEMS TO RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT HOSE. ALL KNOWN PURCHASERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY BY SILENT DIVING SYSTEMS REGARDING THE RECALL.

CONSUMER CONTACT: FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT SILENT DIVING SYSTEMS TOLL-FREE AT (877) 336-4077 BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 5 P.M. ET MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, OR VISIT THE FIRM’S WEB SITE AT WWW.SILENTDIVING.COM

 

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Team Scuba Diving vs "Same Ocean Buddy Diving" SOB!

This Post was written by, and seeded from Duane Johnson of Precision Diving On February - 26 - 2009

I recently had a conversation with a potential student about how I teach team diving techniques compared to what is taught in traditional diving classes. It occurred to me that many divers do not know the difference between team diving and buddy diving. They feel that if they stay with their buddy and can air share in an emergency, that is team diving. It is not, team diving is much more than sticking with your buddy and helping out in an emergency.

First, let’s define buddy diving as it is taught in traditional diving classes. When people go through these classes, they are taught to stick with your buddy, do air shares, and some basic buddy rescue skills. While these skills are important, it does not take the place of working as a team. Buddy diving, is simply looking after each other. The buddy is just there. It doesn’t do much for the safety of the team nor the objectives of the dive. One of the biggest areas where buddy diving fails is in the pre-dive planning stage. In traditional PADI diving classes, students are normally taught BWRAF as their pre-dive plan. That is an acronym for: BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final OK. There is no discussion as to how they will descend, swim around, communicate, when to thumb the dive and ascend. This is where buddy diving breaks down.

So, what is team diving? Let’s use the analogy of a football team. US football, not soccer that is. In football, the team works together to work their way down the field to score a touchdown. Everyone on the field has a job to do in order to ensure success. If one area of the team fails, then the quarterback gets sacked, the running back fumbles the ball, or the team must punt away the ball. If an offensive lineman does not do his job effectively, then the quarterback or running back can, potentially, get hurt. The same is true for team diving. The team must work together to ensure the safety of all members of the team. Next time you watch a NFL game, watch the offensive linemen. They are always pointing to something, shouting at each other, etc. The quarterback reads the defense and may change the play at the line of scrimmage (i.e. call an audible). This is an excellent demonstration of constant team communication. Each member of the team knows where other teammates are at at all times. Just as in diving, we must be able to effectively communicate to let the team know where we are at, what to look out for, etc. We do this with passive and active light communication.

DIR-UK Survey practise April 2008 by al_star_quake

It all Starts in the Beginning

To ensure team success, the entire team must be on the same page. Not just in knowing what is expected, but in skill and experience level. Inexperienced divers can learn a great deal from experienced divers, but they must learn it at their current experience level before moving on to something more aggressive and out of their level. This is one aspect of diving where people get into trouble. They simply try to do dives, or take classes, that are above what they are really capable of handling. The problem is they don’t know when to put the brakes on their diving and say, I need to get better before moving on. They don’t do a honest assessment of their diving skills. I had to learn this the hard way, see here.

As part of the pre-dive plan, the team must get together and determine how the dive will get done. They must determine what the goal of the dive will be, who will lead, what the gas plan is, etc. For shallow reef dives, this can be very simple and take only a few minutes. For complex decompression dives, it can take days.

The Team that Descends Together, Stays Together

The majority of diving problems occur during the initial descent of the dive. As a team, it is important to stay together during the descent. There are multiple team descent techniques that can be employed, depending on the water conditions. This is where you need to have learned team diving from a good instructor to knows team diving protocols, not reading off the internet.

A good number of diving accidents have occurred when diving alone. Now, that doesn’t only mean solo diving. It includes when buddies lose contact and separate from one another. If the team descends together and gets to the target depth, then the leader can communicate to the team the direction to swim. This helps keep the team together and swimming off in the right direction. In other words, everybody starts the dive together.

Lending a Helping Hand, or Two, or Three

When the proverbial crap hits the fan, I want my team members there to help me out. This shouldn’t be confused with being self-sufficient. If I’m having a problem with a gas leak, my teammates can see my valves where I cannot. They can tell me which one to shut down, or just do it for me if I am dealing with another problem. They are there to provide me gas, if for some reason I need it. In other words, my teammates must be on the same page as me so that we can prevent small issues/problems from becoming larger (i.e. the incident pit). When diving as a team, all resources become team resources. This includes equipment, gas, etc. But it also includes that person’s experience. This is where solo diving courses fail because the diver solely relies on their own, possibly limited, experience. When I’m diving with less experienced divers, I’m able to prevent or foresee potential problems they may have based on my past diving experiences. A diver’s education and experience level is a big resource one can bring to the table in the team environment.

The bottom line is that divers shouldn’t be fooled by instructors/dive stores who are claiming to teach team diving. Nine times out of ten, they are only talking about buddy diving and not team diving. Do your homework and ask the all important question, “How?”. An instructor who truly teaches team diving will be able to teach more than just the “buddy system” and teach how the team can achieve it’s goals, including teams with more than 2 or 3 people.

I welcome your questions or comments.

Dive Safe, Duane Johnson Precision 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 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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