Florida Underwater Sports: Travel Light With The Right BCD

Florida Underwater Sports: Travel Light With The Right BCD

Travel Light With The Right BCD

Check out the October issue of UNDERCURRENT for an in depth article on light BCDs for travel. This is a thorough comparison of the Scubapro Litehawk and the Dive Rite TravelPac. Since the BC is the heaviest and most cumbersome piece of gear you are carrying, it is worthwhile to do your research.

The article walks you through all the parts, pieces and performance of both BCs. Quoting from the article “…the TravelPac is robustly made to say the least, but it doesn’t offer the maximum lift of the Litehawk… The Scubapro Litehawk retails for $358 has a dry weight of six pounds and a lift of 56 pounds. Compared to the Dive Rite selling for $389 with a dry weight of 5.7 pounds and a lift of 27 pounds.”

The author concludes that, “I think the traveling diver will be more content with the greater lift of the Litehawk especially if he finds himself surfacing in a rough sea, and the $20 price difference will go nicely towards the cost of checking another bag.”

The author is John Bastin, the technical editor of DIVER magazine and the article is in the October issue of Undercurrent.

Learn about the Big Ones - Goliath Grouper & Hogfish

Come to Florida Underwater Sports free seminar Thursday at 6:00PM to hear a dynamic speaker, Angela Collins. Angela is an active scuba diver and marine biologist. She will tell us about her current research on the behavior and ecology of Goliath Groupers and Hogfish within the central eastern Gulf of Mexico.

You spear fisherman can find out where the big ones hang out based on habitat type, depth and season. The rest of you will learn a lot about fish :-)

Oct. 21st, 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: FUSE Classroom
Cost: FREE

Check out Angela’s website: http://shell.cas.usf.edu/motta/Angela.htm
and see you tomorrow night!

Florida Underwater Sports: Florida Underwater Sports behind the move.

Florida Underwater Sports: Florida Underwater Sports behind the move.

Florida Underwater Sports behind the move.

We found ourselves in need of more space for our fast growing business and ended up in the perfect location AND it is easy to find. Those of you who drove up and down Tamiami looking for us and had to park in the patio furniture or Pro Golf parking lot will appreciate this. The new location is easy to find, bright and spacious. 6345 S. Tamiami Trail is a standalone building right next to McDonald’s. How is that for convenient? But wait…there is more. How about a dedicated classroom big enough to hold a growing offering of classes from starting scuba all the way to professional? Watch for more news and announcements about coming classes that are not available anywhere else in Sarasota.

In the short time that we have been in this location we see new divers, students and customers every day. This is a win-win for the Sarasota diving community, a comfortable space, top quality scuba gear and a professional staff committed to exceptional customer service.

If you haven't seen the new space yet, please stop by. We are open 7 days a week and look forward to your visit. Bo

Scuba Diving Buoyancy Compensators Recalled by Ocean Management Systems

Scuba Diving Buoyancy Compensators Recalled by Ocean Management Systems Due to Drowning Hazard
Manufacturer: Ocean Management Systems Inc., of Middletown, N.Y.
Hazard: The buoyancy compensator seal ring could crack, posing a drowning hazard to divers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves buoyancy compensators with the following model numbers. Buoyancy compensators provide buoyancy control for scuba divers by allowing them to inflate or deflate the devices. The compensators were sold in black or red. “OMS” is printed on the front inside of the compensators. Item and serial numbers are printed on the warning label located in the non-inflation area of the buoyancy compensator. A list of serial numbers included in this recall is available from the firm.

Item Number Description
BC-TCPS- B TACOPS® BC ; Black
BC-TCPS-R TACOPS® BC ; Red
BC116-32B16 B Non retraction single tank BC 32 lb. lift / Black
BC116-32R Non retraction single tank BC 32 lb. lift / Red
BC-LGS45 Larry Green Signature Series 45 lb. lift BC
BC-LGS70 Larry Green Signature Series 70 lb. lift BC
BC118 - K Dual Bladder BC [inflated] 94 lb. lift Black or Red
BC115 - KB Dual Bladder BC, 60 lb. lift in Black
BC115 - KR Dual Bladder BC, 60 lb. lift in Red
BC118 - K Dual Bladder BC [deflated] 94 lb. lift Black or Red
BC117 - K45 Single Bladder BC 45 lb. lift / Black
BC117CR - K45 Chemically Resistant 45 lb. lift / Black
BC117 - K60 Single Bladder BC, 60 lb. lift / Black
BC117 - KB Single Bladder BC, 94 lb. lift / Black
BC117 - KR Single Bladder BC, 94 lb. lift / Red
BC116-45B Non-retraction Single Bladder BC 45 lb. lift/ Black
BC116-60B Non-retraction Single Bladder BC 60 lb. lift/ Black
BC116-60R Non-retraction Single Bladder BC 60 lb. lift/ Red
BC116-60C Chemically Resistant 60 lb. lift / Black

Sold at: Dive stores nationwide from May 2006 through August 2008 for about $400.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the diving equipment and contact Ocean Management Systems to receive a free repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ocean Management Systems toll-free at (877) 791-0315 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s website at www.omsdive.com, or email the firm at recall@omsdive.com

Paul & Jeff's Great Fishing Adventure

Paul and I took out the Luhrs on Sunday for some shake down maintenance and spear fishing. After 9 months we finally have all the bugs worked out of the Simrad Auto Pilot. We had to setup the sea settings and fine tune some adjustments, but before we even left the Manatee River we had it sorted out. It works like a dream. Once we clear the end of Anna Maria we just set in the heading and it does the rest. It does 99% of the steering to allow you to focus on other items like crew safety, monitor the radar, verify the vessel is running properly.

The seas weren’t too bad as we headed out to one of our favorite wrecks about 20 miles due West of Passage Key. We arrived at our first site and there was a marine research vessel nearby so out of respect for the captain and crew pressed on to another wreck about two miles further out to a new site called the Sulfur Barge. Paul had recently found these new numbers, so we opted to give it a look.

We were covered in neoprene from head to toe, but it was no match for the water temp that reached the low 50s. It was cold and made every movement that more difficult as we descended onto the new site. The water clarity was not particularly inviting, somewhere between Wendy’s Frosty and Starbuck’s Frappachino (5 feet apart and Paul and I were just shadowy silhouettes to one another). Little matter as we had two loaded guns and if we were gonna be cold then we were not coming home empty handed. Our gauges read roughly 70 feet as we were suddenly surrounded by eye balls the size of golf balls all around us. They are moving fast and track us very closely as they circled. I didn’t think the visibility could get much worse, but where my dive buddy was a few moments prior was now an even thicker cloud of silt preceded only briefly by the very distinct sound of a speargun letting loose all that mechanical energy as the bands are finally relieved of their strain and release the spear to find it’s mark. It is a perfect illustration of the Scott Serbin technique that says hit something early in the dive to get things hopping early.

I dive into the fray and find Paul working hard to hold his own at 83ft, against what I can only see as a frantic tail moving the opposite direction. It is a cool sight as it looks like Paul is going into his best wrestling move as he hugs the fish as if he is going to do some dramatic move off the top rope or body slam the fish onto the sea floor if he doesn’t stop wrapping the braided line attaching the spear to the speargun around him. I guess I should stop pointing out to Paul that the wraps are getting even worse and try to help him actually get this beautiful fish onto the stringer. It is his first Amber Jack (AJ) and is a really nice fish.

We get the fish onto the stringer and Paul sorted out as we finally see the wreck come into view. Given the depth and poor visibility we opt to stay very close and only explore the section of the wreck that is contiguous. It looks like a bait fish convention. Tons of grunts & bait fish fill every nook and cranny. Visibility isn’t any better, it is so dark that it reminds me of a dawn or dusk dive even though it is 11am without a cloud in the sky on a sunny day. The wreck only has a few feed of vertical relief but she is broken up and the imploded panels make great hiding places for bigger game. The grouper season is closed until April 1st and the fish know it. There are some awesome fish on this wreck and they would be easy to hit with an overhead shot. We can tell there is nothing close to the wreck for cover as the fish are reluctant to leave the safety of the structure. Often times Gags will leave a wreck for a hiding place in a nearby rock pile, but they are holding in the wreck so we know to stay on the structure. We see some really nice Gags, monster size Red Grouper and our first really Big Black Grouper.

We need to get back to the anchor and chain that needs to be adjusted to clear the wreck prior to the ascent. We make a quick adjustment and head back to the anchor line for our ascent. The cold and visibility have made the dive a challenge, but at least we aren’t going home empty handed. Plus, I figure the way that the AJ has been head butting Paul in the gut for the last 20 minutes that my dive buddy is ready to head to the surface to warm up and put this one in the fishbox.

We get back on the boat and decide to head back to the site we originally wanted to fish, Gunsmoke. It is a cool wreck that is hard to find even with good GPS numbers. She is about a 60 ft vessel that was allegedly scuttled by her crew as the Coast Guard was closing in on her for transporting illegal foliage. We haven’t had the best luck hunting here in the past but there have been some really big Hog Fish, Gags and Goliath’s here in the pasts. We also figure that given the poor conditions we should stick to wrecks versus risk being separated on a poorly defined ledge or spread out reef. We are chilled starting our second dive despite trying to warm up for the last hour. Paul is the first in the water and I had him the spear guns over the side of the vessel. As I am finishing gearing up I hear Paul call for me from the opposite side. He is unusually serious as he ask me if “I see a fin just off the vessel in the direction of the wreck.” I scan the water for about a minute and don’t see anything but notice a large sport fishing boat that has been trolling within a mile of us and has a number of fisherman in the rear cockpit area. Paul has a knack for finding the Bull Sharks in the Gulf since he learned how to identify them on a dive last summer at docks barge that included six of the finest specimens each pushing 6 – 10 ft. The coast looks clear, but we know in these conditions we won’t see anything until it literally bumps into us. I get on the rest of my gear double quick and do a backward role off the side.

Water is still really cold and the visibility is still terrible despite the sun being almost directly overhead. I meet up with Paul at the anchor line and we band up as we descend towards the wreck. I only have the anchor line and a pair of black ScubaPro fins as visual references during the slow descent towards the bottom. Paul wasn’t convinced I was on top of this illusive wreck based on what we saw on the sonar, but I really hoped I was given the difficulty of the diving conditions. A sand dive would not be fun today! We are on a steady pace toward the bottom. We know we are making progress given the markers on the anchor rode that were put in place to help us tell how much scope was out. Finally we get to within 90 feet of the anchor and still don’t see anything. All of a sudden Paul stops almost in mid fin kick. I think his spear gun was the only thing that kept him from hitting his head on the wreck. We have dove this wreck many times in great visibility and know it well, but I don’t recognize exactly where we have landed on the vessel. Paul peels right and we head up the port side towards the wheel house. We have seen some big fish in the cargo holds and wheel house. Unlike the previous site there are not many fish. Unlike every other previous dive on Gunsmoke there are no Goliath Groupers with their entourage of bait fish, or Barracudas. Most of the fish that are normally resident in the warmer months are gone. Only a few very big and healthy Atlantic Spade Fish, smaller scamp and assortment of small fish huddle in the wheel house and super structure. We get our bearings and begin to scour the wreck checking the “normal” hiding places we have scored good fish in the past without any luck. The wreck is a challenging dive today given the conditions and the amount of nets and monofilament that cover the wreck is like invisible, snag-inducing tensile on a well decorated Christmas tree. There is some wreckage off the starboard side of the wreck that I suspect is collapsed super structure or stabilization gear that fell to the sea floor when the vessel was sunk. It isn’t going to hold any fish but Paul and I know it is a reliable visual reference that will lead us back to the wreck if we follow it out into the sand nearby. Paul is on point as we follow the trail of rusty metal out into what seems to be a fog bank covering an empty sand bottom. Suddenly the rhythm of bubbles and regulator inhalations is disrupted by Paul’s now signature little girl squeal that normally means “big fish.” I can see he has settled onto his knees and has either started to pray or is tracking something heading towards me from the gloom. I match his pan from left to right as I begin to see the eyes and silhouettes of some quick moving targets. It is amazing how well camouflaged things are down here. I am now shoulder to shoulder with Paul and I know it is my turn to put my first AJ on the stringer. They are moving fast and all appear to be about the same size. Just like on the Discovery Channel they move as a school in a hypnotic group making it difficult to lock into a single target. I am matching my movements to the school and want to make sure I take my shot while Paul is directly behind me to make sure we are both safe. I draw up my gun and lock out my elbows as I refine my aim to make sure my shot will hit it’s mark. That familiar tension runs down my arms as the power of my gun is unleashed on the fleeing AJ. It is a good shot and the calm tension of the stalking is disrupted by the mayhem that can only be brought on by a big fish on the end of a spear 70ft below the surface. Paul is right there with me and I see him put his loaded gun down in the sand next to the wreckage, one more thing to consider as the silt begins to fly and we begin to retrieve the steel cable that attaches my spear to the end of my gun. I know it is a good size fish by the effort it is taking to subdue it. The fish has decided to make a run for a piece of metal stickup up from the sea floor. Paul and I are in hot pursuit. It is a good shot and the AJ has put a lot of blood in the water. Sure hope Paul’s fin sighting was in his mind and not in the water. I finally get the stringer unclipped from my right hip and open it up as we begin to get a handle on the fish. I get it through the mouth and through the gills. Many fish are lost right about now, so I rush to get the stringer closed so we can extract the spear. We get the fish squared away and begin swimming back in the direction of silt cloud we hope puts us back on the wreckage trail that will lead us back to Gunsmoke.

We find the rusty wreckage trail and take a few moments to locate Paul’s gun before heading back to the steel hulled vessel sitting just outside our visual range. Paul and I have had enough in the cold and darkness for this Sunday in March that greeted us with 39 degrees Fahrenheit at the dock. We find the anchor line crossing the wreck and begin our slow ascent to the surface. It is complex and cold with the fish still very much alive and now head butting me as I inch my way slowly up the line. My spear gun in one hand is still a flurry chaos of wire, gun and spear as I haven’t taken the time to reload it. We finally hit the 20 ft mark and begin our safety stop. It is always more nerve racking with bleeding fish on the stringer and visibility still a pretty pathetic 5 feet. It is brighter now but we still cannot see the boat we know is very close given the markings on the anchor line. We break the surface and see the sport fisher now closer was as we get out of the rolling seas and pull the fish on board.

For the first time in the last 6 months we decide not to make another dive even though we have tanks and daylight on our side. We remove the layers of wet suits and hoods. Paul opts for the dry clothes in the cabin, I decide to rinse we some fresh water prior to the 90 minute ride. I think the water in the fresh water tanks was just a few degrees above freezing, but with a head covered with shampoo there is no turning back. A wicked headache quickly follows the chilly water.

We get changed as the sport fishing boat closes the gag between us. It is a all of 50ft long with multiple decks. There is a lone captain on the fly bridge with four passengers fishing off the stern. We switch the VHF to Channel 68 and start to discuss the conditions and fishing throughout the day. He explained he was on his way back toward port from an overnight trip beyond the Mexican Pride (about 15 miles due west). The night before he had to call the Coast Guard to airlift a passenger off the boat with a collapsed lung. Scary stuff in any circumstance, but to be that far off the coast in the dark with a serious medical emergency will test any captain and crew. That orange and white helicopter from air station St. Petersburg must have seemed like an angel from above for everyone involved. The captain said the rescue swimmer and helo crew was outstanding and very responsive. You train for these things, but hope you never have to make the call or have it happen on you watch. We bid the captain good luck with the remainder of his trip and wished his passenger a speedy recovery as we came up on plane and headed for Anna Maria.

Paul opted to man the galley as we headed in the 17 miles or so to Bean Point. He is getting more creative in the galley and has moved beyond the microwave to include some skillet items. Brats and Cheesy Potatoes from a local restaurant are a special treat on this trip. We normally have ham & cheese sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies to keep us going. It was a good trip. Joy and Angie made steaks and salads as we cleaned the scuba gear and washed the salt off the Luhrs. Good times and good friends capped off a great weekend. Lola, Paul & Angies’ Bulldog loves to inspect and lick the fish whenever we turn our backs for even a second. Her head it through the fence in the back yard as she attempts yet another sneak attack on the two AJs in the cooler.

Which BCD is best for me?

There are many factors to think about when choosing a new Buoyancy Compensator Device.
• Comfort and Fit
• Weight integration and trim weight pockets
• Type
o Stabilizing jacket
o Front adjustable jacket (Back and Sides with quick release shoulders)
o Back inflate
• Lift capacity
• Dump valves
• Weight capacity (integrated weights)
• Quality of materials
• Price
You need of course to look at comfort and fit. If the BCD is uncomfortable you will not be thinking about your dive, instead you will be focused on the pain or rub that you are getting.
What about weight integration? Just like old cars without seat belts non-weight integrated BCD’s mean you are not as safe. I am sure that you know or have heard of someone losing their weight belt during a dive or even forgetting to put it on prior to jumping into the water. With integrated weights you are less likely to have this happen. Also, it is just more comfortable. We always tell people when they are choosing gear that comfort is very important.
The stabilizing jackets have unrestricted internal passageways to allow air to flow continuously throughout the jacket and accumulate at the highest point. You are surrounded by this buoyancy bubble and can move easily and precisely underwater. This is great for the photographer that is trying to get that difficult shot. On the surface it provides a comfortable and relaxed face up floating position.
Front adjustable jackets allow variations of fit, regardless of the thickness of suit worn. Quick release adjustable shoulder buckles make this style of BCD very easy to put on and take off. The variety of styles and sizes offer a custom-like fit.
Back flotation jackets are the BCD of choice for the diver preferring a totally uncluttered chest area. The design positions the air bladder on the sides of the tank rather than under the arms or over the shoulders. Underwater it helps you attain a horizontal swimming position.
Dump valves are important because you are not always in an upright position. Make sure that you choose a BCD with ample dump valves that allow you to release air from your BCD no matter what position your body is in. All of our Scubapro BCD’s have three dump valves for this reason.
Lift capacity – All jackets need a minimum of internal volume to allow sufficient air to be injected inside to reach neutral buoyancy and flotation on the surface. Not only is this a comfort issue but it is a safety issue because a jacket needs to be streamlined to reduce drag in order to save energy when swimming.

Can you grab your gear and go?

What if the weather magically cleared up overnight and your buddy said “Let’s go diving today”. Or, if the once-in-a-lifetime dive trip came your way and you had to be ready to leave right now? Actor Will Smith made an important point about preparedness “If you stay ready you don’t have to get ready”. He was talking about being prepared for an acting audition which could come up on short notice, but the same philosophy applies to diving.

Throughout the year work on skills, abilities, equipment and fitness:
• Keep your scuba skills from getting rusty; practice buoyancy, breathing and mask clearing/replacement in a pool.
• Review your tables, know the key no-stop limits (computer batteries can go sideways) and hand signals.
• Has your reg set and BCD been in to a service tech for the manufacturer’s recommended annual maintenance?
• If you haven’t been diving for a year take a scuba refresher or sign up for your Advanced Open Water or a specialty.
• Keep up your strength, endurance, flexibility and general health with biking, swimming and stretching. Just a few push-ups or sit-ups before you shower or some isometrics at your desk during the day can help.

Dive on, Bo

Cozumel Saturday 30 Jan 2010.

Today we had some great dives and I have redeemed myself by getting some great photos and video. We headed south to Palancar for amazing swim throughs with nurse sharks, turtles and Rays. The coral reefs and tropical abound, and the turtles and nurse sharks are the rulers of this amazing dive location. Casa Del Mar and the attached Del Mar Aquatics staff are accomidating and just a pleasure to deal with. The boats are well run and the diving is breathtaking. Drift diving rules!!! I was on the third dive of the day and spotted a nice sized turtle heading north into diagonal into the current and I kicked as hard as I could to get close for a video and a couple of snap-shots. I burned through 500 psi to do this and it was well worth it. Once I got close enough to shoot I hit the record button and shot the video.(Go to the video by clicking on the title of this post) Once the video was done I changed from video to photo mode and snapped a couple of photos. By the time all of this was done I was winded and headed to thirty feet to just drift with the current and catch my breath. What an amazing encounter!!! The items attached are cool but don't do justice to my experience. WOW!!!
Carl

What is an "Assistant Instructor"?

So, if you have trained with us, you may have been working with an Assistant Instructor during part of your training. What does that actually mean?

Let's start with a very brief explanation of the PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) structure. To start off your professional diving career, you become a PADI member when you apply for and are accepted as a Divemaster (see prior blog for info on Divemaster). From there, you can take a ~4 day course and become an Assistant Instructor (AI). From there, you only have to take the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) course and pass the instructor exam to become a full Instructor. Most people combine the AI and the OWSI into one week long course called the Instructor Development Course (IDC). After that they take the two day exam and are a full instructor.

So, what can you do as an AI. Basically put, you can teach the Open Water Scuba course under the direct supervision of an Instructor. Which means you get to work directly with students from beginning to end. Introducing people to diving can be extremely rewarding. Also, you can independently complete the pool session only Discover Scuba Diving.

For a lot of people, being an AI is a career. Most of those people are not here in the US though. For the most part scuba instruction in the US is taught by part timers who have "real" jobs on the side and they teach scuba for the fun and extra money they can make. In the rest of the world however, teaching scuba is considered a full time job. Even though the pay is small, often times Divemasters, AIs, OWSIs rely on tourist tips to augment their income and a professional that has a lot of hustle can make a good deal of money. I know a number of American ex-pats that are doing quite well on Caribbean islands.

Overall, being an AI is not that difficult. The course consists of four parts and each part is performance based, not time based. This means that you get to become proficient at teaching scuba and get comfortable, and not simply just meet a criteria for X number of hours. There are 8 lectures that you have to attend - a little over a days worth. You have to prepare and deliver at least two micro teaching presentations. Micro teaching is just a way to help you organize how you present info to students so that they retain it. The final parts are two confined water and open water teaching presentations. Remember that the system is performance based, so if you have a weak area that needs work, you'll get more practice to build it up.

PADI has built a fantastic instructional system. The basis of this system comes from the founder who in the sixties recognized that scuba instruction could benefit from an organized approach similar to what was being used in more progressive colleges and schools at the time. PADI's system has been copied numerous times, but still remains the gold standard for scuba educational systems.
What I enjoy about the PADI system is that it clearly defines what divers need to do to become certified, communicates it ahead of time and then is also performance based, meaning that divers can take as along or as little time as needed to master skills that they need for their level. Compared to the old days of training, it has come a long way.

If you want more info, let me know. Greg

Random Formulas About Air Consumption v2

I came across a great list of formulas for helping calculate air consumption. If you have never calculated your Surface Air Consumption Rate (SAC or SCR), it is interesting to see how it varies from dive to dive. If you have an air integrated computer, this can be done for you automatically. Greg

Calculating Surface Consumption Rate (SCR) in PSI/MIN:
Salt Water: ((PSI used/Bottom Time) X 33) / Depth + 33
Fresh Water: ((PSI used/Bottom Time) X 34) / Depth + 34

Converting SCR from PSI/MIN to Cubic Feet/MIN: (note: this is how SAC or SCR is normally talked about)
Cubic Feet/min = SCR X Tank Volume (full)/Fill Pressure

Calculating Air Consumption at depth:
Air Consumption at Depth in Sea Water = Surface Consumption Rate / 33 X FSW
Air Consumption At Depth in Fresh Water = Surface Consumption Rate / 34 X FFW


Calculating how long a tank will last at depth:
Tank time = Tank Volume (cubic feet) / Air Consumption at Depth (cubic feet) OR
Tank time = Tank Pressure (PSI) / Air Consumption at Depth (PSI)

Why should I get my regulator serviced annually?

The latest issue of Undercurrent has a good discussion on regulator care, and, it makes some valid and provocative points that I feel are important to share.

Following the manufacturers’ recommendations for an annual service on your regulator gets it back into manufacturer’s specs. It makes sense to get optimal performance from it, but most important is the life support issue. If $100 is too much for you to spend annually to get a regulator to perform as it should, then maybe you should re-think your priorities. When you are dealing with an emergency you want to know that your regulator is functioning correctly. Your last thought shouldn’t be, ‘Maybe I should have gotten that thing serviced after all”.

A Scubapro warranty will get you "free parts for life" if you get your reg serviced yearly. This is a good savings over time. When you take your reg set in make sure the service techs attend manufacturer’s training. Our service staff regularly attend 1-3 day SCUBAPRO training seminars. When you pick up your regulator after it has been serviced, test it on air while you are still in the dive store. Bo