Hi all - made it up to see the Manatees in Crystal River yesterday. It is close to the end of the season and there weren't a huge number of Manatees out and about. There were about 8 or so in the sanctuary sleeping, but despite us offering our best scratching hands, they would not come out and play.
There were a couple that did come out and were moving down the river, including moms with calves. The viz in the river at Three Sisters was fantastic. Also, the springs themselves were really pretty. We headed over to King Spring, but stopped early when there was a report of no manatees in the area. We jumped in the water at the point of the island with King Spring and found some manatees moving through the area. They were cruising through in low viz, so it was more by chance that we saw them.
I'm glad everyone made it up there and I'm hoping to go back earlier next year to see more manatees. Above is a slide show of the trip. Greg
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Diving In Polluted Water
On Friday, a customer brought in his regulator set, Mk25 stage and S600 second stage, for service. He had to do an emergency dive at the bottom of an elevator shaft in a mixture of water and hydraulic oil.
Since hyraulic oil is so destructive to the rubber components of the reg set, to say nothing about being destructive to divers, it was imperative that the equipment be cleaned as soon as possible.
The customer did the right thing by immediately bringing the equipment to us for service. The cleaning process took about four hours for the equipment and was completed within 18 hours of receiving the gear.
We were told that cleaning the diver took about the same amount of time.
If your diving gear is exposed to destructive chemicals or substances, do what this fellow did and get it into us for service immediately and let us know the exposure was so that we can provide the correct solution to the problem.
Quick action can save your gear.
Tom
Since hyraulic oil is so destructive to the rubber components of the reg set, to say nothing about being destructive to divers, it was imperative that the equipment be cleaned as soon as possible.
The customer did the right thing by immediately bringing the equipment to us for service. The cleaning process took about four hours for the equipment and was completed within 18 hours of receiving the gear.
We were told that cleaning the diver took about the same amount of time.
If your diving gear is exposed to destructive chemicals or substances, do what this fellow did and get it into us for service immediately and let us know the exposure was so that we can provide the correct solution to the problem.
Quick action can save your gear.
Tom
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Service Club Thursday
Sorry for the late post, I did a couple of dives at SCP on Thursday. The water was a balmy 62 and the vis was two to four feet. There is still quite a layer of silt on the bottom that makes it very easy to foul the vis. the weather is looking great for the next week and we will be out at Lynn Silvertooth reef tomorrow. I will let you know how it is.
Carl
Carl
Friday, March 6, 2009
Congrats Chris!
Headed out and did three dives on Silvertooth today and Chris got certified! Was a great dive series, viz was about 10 feet (pretty green still) and the temp was 63 degrees. The good news is that the top five feet of water was 67 to 69 degrees. With this warm weather I am hopeful we'll go up fast.
I saw a fair number of fish out there, with some really big Sheepheads in schools. Greg
I saw a fair number of fish out there, with some really big Sheepheads in schools. Greg
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
What is Discover Scuba?
Discover Scuba is an experience program that gives you a taste of scuba diving. It is a great way to introduce your friends and family to this amazing activity, in a safe and controlled environment. It is exciting and fun too. If you have someone you know or you are not sure if scuba diving is for you, you can give it a try with a very small commitment. The experience starts off with a short briefing, then it is into the pool for an hour or so. This is not a certification but if you choose it can count towards your open water class. It can be three different experiences.
- Discover Only: An abbreviated briefing and pool experience with minimal skills performed in the pool. This is not applied towards the open water course.
- Discover to be credited towards Open Water confined water session one: A longer briefing with more skills that can be applied to your Open Water course with more skills performed in the pool.
- Discover to be credited towards Open Water confined water session one and Open Water, open water dive one: Longer briefing and Open Water course confined water one then it is off to open water (The Gulf of Mexico) for an open water dive.
Choose the experience that is right for you or someone that you know and we will get them wet.
Carl
Saturday, February 28, 2009
M3 and M1
Headed out for a charter on M3 and M1. Great dives. I forget how much stuff there is down there. Mostly the sites consist of old culvert drainage and sewer pipes and assemblies. M3 had the most fish, including several very large Angelfish, mature Hogfish, large schools of Atlantic Spadefish and tons of snapper, small grouper. Viz was 20 feet on M3 and about 12-15 on M1.
We were doing the Drift Diving Specialty - both students did really great today and we had some really fun dives. Drift Diving is a great specialty to do so you are ready for it when the opportunity comes up. Drift Diving is a great way to conserve air and see more during a dive. There are a few minor things that can create issues though and we discuss those and then do two drift dives for the specialty. Congrats to Roger and Gil! Greg
We were doing the Drift Diving Specialty - both students did really great today and we had some really fun dives. Drift Diving is a great specialty to do so you are ready for it when the opportunity comes up. Drift Diving is a great way to conserve air and see more during a dive. There are a few minor things that can create issues though and we discuss those and then do two drift dives for the specialty. Congrats to Roger and Gil! Greg
Anne Miller - Marathoner Extraordinaire
The multi-talented Anne, one of our favorite divers, competed in the Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend - 15k on Saturday and finished in 01:29!
Congratulations, from all of us at Florida Underwater Sports!
Congratulations, from all of us at Florida Underwater Sports!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Service Club Beach Report 27 February 2009
Nice couple of dives today. We were out doing Navigation and Peak Performance Buoyancy for an advanced class. The VIZ was 8 to 10 feet and the waves were nice and low. Water temp was 62 to 64 degrees.
Carl
Carl
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Alpinism?
I was reading up on the latest info on rebreathers and I came across the term "Alpinism" or "Alpinist". It is a pretty interesting term that specific to rebreathers means that the diver is diving without a bailout bottle. A bailout bottle is a pretty standard piece of equipment that allows the diver to get air if something goes wrong with the rebreather and loop will not provide the correct air or mixture.
I am taking a guess here, but it looks like the term "Alpinism" derives from the mountain climbers in the Alps that often climb icy peaks without safety gear (let me know if I have this wrong).
There are a number of interesting conversation around alpinism and rebreathers and what is safe, but I also noticed a number of comments about open circuit recreational divers being alpinist as well, but not knowing it.
The typical argument is that when diving in the 100+ foot range on a single tank, not knowing if you can rely on your buddy to provide air in an emergency, you are taking an alpinist attitude about things. You are banking on the fact that gear rarely fails, you always check your air and you can get to the surface by yourself if need be. The funny thing about most of the conversations is they revolve around how bad a buddy can be - not close enough, doesn't know how to do an alternate air ascent, not really paying attention, etc. I know that some buddies are like this, but it a pretty wide brush to paint every buddy with that reputation.
The other part of alpinism that I find really interesting is that the community says it is fine, as long as they know the risks and take them willingly. In the more technical side of diving (cave, trimix, deep, etc) the divers understand the risks more readily.
A good question for all of us recreational divers to ask is "Are we Alpinist in our approach to diving?" In other words have we assessed the risk, mitigate the risks we can and accepted the remaining risks?
Here are some common risks - this is by no means a comprehensive list, just some stuff to think about:
I am taking a guess here, but it looks like the term "Alpinism" derives from the mountain climbers in the Alps that often climb icy peaks without safety gear (let me know if I have this wrong).
There are a number of interesting conversation around alpinism and rebreathers and what is safe, but I also noticed a number of comments about open circuit recreational divers being alpinist as well, but not knowing it.
The typical argument is that when diving in the 100+ foot range on a single tank, not knowing if you can rely on your buddy to provide air in an emergency, you are taking an alpinist attitude about things. You are banking on the fact that gear rarely fails, you always check your air and you can get to the surface by yourself if need be. The funny thing about most of the conversations is they revolve around how bad a buddy can be - not close enough, doesn't know how to do an alternate air ascent, not really paying attention, etc. I know that some buddies are like this, but it a pretty wide brush to paint every buddy with that reputation.
The other part of alpinism that I find really interesting is that the community says it is fine, as long as they know the risks and take them willingly. In the more technical side of diving (cave, trimix, deep, etc) the divers understand the risks more readily.
A good question for all of us recreational divers to ask is "Are we Alpinist in our approach to diving?" In other words have we assessed the risk, mitigate the risks we can and accepted the remaining risks?
Here are some common risks - this is by no means a comprehensive list, just some stuff to think about:
- Am I diving beyond my physical fitness? If I get winded while diving, it is time to shorten my dive up.
- When was the last time my equipment was serviced? Am I taking a regulator past 100 feet when the last time it was serviced was three years ago?
- Is this what I trained for? Has a divemaster in a foreign country led me into a wreck penetration dive that I didn't expect?
- Am I pushing the limits of the dive computer? Did I skip my safety stop because it didn't seem like I needed it?
- If I got caught in fishing line would I have something to cut it with?
How much Alpinism are we willing to accept for ourselves? Greg
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Need a Buddy? More Viz Reports?
Okay - by popular demand (Skip), I've added to the website a bulletin board for helping people locate buddies, let everyone know what the viz report is, or ask general diving questions. We will be watching it closely and feel free to use it if you have a chance. Just click on the "Bulletin Board" button above. Greg
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tanks and Weight
We get this question a lot - how much does a tank weigh and how buoyant is it. A great question that has a lot of answers. When you do your weight check at the start of a dive, the tank is at it's most negative and as you reduce the pressure int he tank it becomes more positive. In a normal 80CF aluminum tank, that means about 4 pounds more positive as it approaches 500PSI.
Have you ever found yourself at a safety stop and had to kick to stay down? Even though you were correctly weighted to begin with? Your tank is pulling you up. Do your weight check again at the surface (see where you float holding a normal breath with an empty BCD) and you will see how much weight you actually need. This means you'll start the dive slightly negative and by the end, be neutral.
Wondering what the buoyancy characteristics are for your tank. Check out the link here to a great chart assembled by Huron Scuba. Greg
Have you ever found yourself at a safety stop and had to kick to stay down? Even though you were correctly weighted to begin with? Your tank is pulling you up. Do your weight check again at the surface (see where you float holding a normal breath with an empty BCD) and you will see how much weight you actually need. This means you'll start the dive slightly negative and by the end, be neutral.
Wondering what the buoyancy characteristics are for your tank. Check out the link here to a great chart assembled by Huron Scuba. Greg
Holmes Beach Sand Dive
We are always looking for new training sites, so we decided to hit Holmes Beach (Manatee Beach) just north of Spanish rocks today. The idea was to find a site that will have better viz in bad weather (sugar sand versus the clay we have down in Venice) and facilities like a shower and bathroom as well. The site is actually very nice with picnic tables, nice showers, snack shack and restrooms.
So, we got in the water and were immediately flagged down by the lifeguard who told us we couldn't dive in the swimming area. It is important to note that there are no signs or indications that you cannot dive there - besides the fact we were the only one in the water. Okay, no problem, you just have to stay out of the area marked by the buoys. I also looked at the Manatee County website and found no information there either. The deal is that you should use the picnic area to suit up and then head out to the south about 50 feet past the last swim marker. Of course I know that scuba divers cause all sorts of problems for swimmers, so this rule makes complete sense to me.
Once you are out there, the bottom slopes VERY gently to 20 feet and then it gets real flat. So flat in fact that we swam off-shore for 20 minutes and I never saw the depth change. The only structure we ran across was random locations for Stone Crab holes (about 10 or so in each cluster). We came back south along the beach and still didn't run into any structure. I know that the rocks from Spanish Rocks extend north, just not all the way to Holmes Beach.
Having said all that, however, the site lives up to expectations with viz. Even with the slightly rough surf we had yesterday, viz was a solid 10-15 feet and we found lots of interesting sand dwellers there, including a Seahorse, rays, lots of crab, and a fair number of anemones. Greg
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Donut Dive February 2009 - Sort Of...
Went out to South Brohard this morning. The water temp was 61 degrees. Okay, so we don't purposefully schedule these dives on the coldest days we can find. Viz was... not so good. Still stirred up from a couple of days ago. However that did not stop a few of us hardy souls from getting out there for a couple of minutes to prove it was truly not diveable.
The good news is that viz was almost enough for shark toothing. Another day or so and you'll be able to see a couple of feet. I took a couple of videos in the blocks for you all to see what it was like. Greg
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Congratulations Carl!
We were proud when Carl completed his OWSI training at the top of his class, and now we can be doubly proud. Because just yesterday he certified his first two students! Just reading his blog you can feel his enthusiasm and his love of diving and teaching. Way to go Carl! Bo, Tom & Penny
OWSI (Open Water Scuba Instructor) First Impressions
Many of you followed my blog for my OWSI Course and IE, so now that I am actually teaching on my own here are some thoughts.
So was it worth it? Hmm, this seems like a silly question but really this is an important one. I have been teaching/training people in one capacity or another for years. As a Dispatcher for an ambulance company in Seattle then a 9-1-1 Center in Winter Park, Fl I trained people to do a critical job that impacted many lives. It was critical to get it right every time and the attention to detail was of utmost importance. I truly enjoyed those jobs. I then moved on to teach dispatchers, police officers, firefighters, and support personnel how to use Public Safety software for two different companies. This period of my life took me all over the country and I even had the opportunity to train people from North Africa. Not all of these people were happy to be put into a class to learn their new way of doing things. Despite the sometimes very hostile environment I still loved to teach them to use their new tools well.
So was it worth it? Yes, absolutely yes.
It is amazing to be able to teach people who are eager, sometimes scared, and ready to learn. But the biggest reward for me is to be able to share this amazing sport/hobby/passion/profession with others. To see the excitement of that first open water dive and the first encounter with a starfish... you say starfish? Yes. Remember that something that may be routine to a seasoned diver is a new discovery to a brand new diver. I have a routine question that I ask at the end of each training dive after the debriefing is done. "What was your favorite part of your dive?" The responses vary from: Wow the whole thing to it was so cool to see and touch that decorator pin cushion sea urchin... Again, yes it was worth it.
Is it hard to do? Yes, it is both physically and mentally challenging, but that is what makes it fun, exciting and rewarding.
Can I get rich at it? Uh, sure that would be nice but it's not likely. The reasons for doing this are spelled out above. Love it, Live it, Share it.
Is it scary to be an instructor? Yes, sometimes. But that is why we prepare, train and follow our training.
What is it like to teach kids? Hehe, fun.
Who is it most rewarding to teach? The person that has not done anything adventurous and is scared and determined to learn. We had a woman come in that was 57 years old, and had not done anything adventurous before. Her sister was a scuba diver for five years and wanted to go on a trip with her to go diving. She wanted to get certified for this trip and was determined to do so. She had plenty of fear about scuba and we started in the pool. While doing skills she choked down panic, sometimes not successfully. We worked very closely with her and got her past her fears. We did so because she was determined to do so. After several extra pool sessions she was ready for open water. She completed her training and was certified. Her sister came down from North Carolina a short while later and they went diving in a spring in north central Florida. Her sister said, "I have been diving for five years and you are a better diver than I am." Now, that is why I do it. I have had an impact in changing someones life for the better. I thank all of those people from the past and those to come for the opportunity to make that impact.
I am responsible for peoples safety first and I balance that with the fun, and there is a huge amount of fun.
If you have any questions please post a comment or question I will reply.
Thank you for the opportunity to live my dreams,
Carl
So was it worth it? Hmm, this seems like a silly question but really this is an important one. I have been teaching/training people in one capacity or another for years. As a Dispatcher for an ambulance company in Seattle then a 9-1-1 Center in Winter Park, Fl I trained people to do a critical job that impacted many lives. It was critical to get it right every time and the attention to detail was of utmost importance. I truly enjoyed those jobs. I then moved on to teach dispatchers, police officers, firefighters, and support personnel how to use Public Safety software for two different companies. This period of my life took me all over the country and I even had the opportunity to train people from North Africa. Not all of these people were happy to be put into a class to learn their new way of doing things. Despite the sometimes very hostile environment I still loved to teach them to use their new tools well.
So was it worth it? Yes, absolutely yes.
It is amazing to be able to teach people who are eager, sometimes scared, and ready to learn. But the biggest reward for me is to be able to share this amazing sport/hobby/passion/profession with others. To see the excitement of that first open water dive and the first encounter with a starfish... you say starfish? Yes. Remember that something that may be routine to a seasoned diver is a new discovery to a brand new diver. I have a routine question that I ask at the end of each training dive after the debriefing is done. "What was your favorite part of your dive?" The responses vary from: Wow the whole thing to it was so cool to see and touch that decorator pin cushion sea urchin... Again, yes it was worth it.
Is it hard to do? Yes, it is both physically and mentally challenging, but that is what makes it fun, exciting and rewarding.
Can I get rich at it? Uh, sure that would be nice but it's not likely. The reasons for doing this are spelled out above. Love it, Live it, Share it.
Is it scary to be an instructor? Yes, sometimes. But that is why we prepare, train and follow our training.
What is it like to teach kids? Hehe, fun.
Who is it most rewarding to teach? The person that has not done anything adventurous and is scared and determined to learn. We had a woman come in that was 57 years old, and had not done anything adventurous before. Her sister was a scuba diver for five years and wanted to go on a trip with her to go diving. She wanted to get certified for this trip and was determined to do so. She had plenty of fear about scuba and we started in the pool. While doing skills she choked down panic, sometimes not successfully. We worked very closely with her and got her past her fears. We did so because she was determined to do so. After several extra pool sessions she was ready for open water. She completed her training and was certified. Her sister came down from North Carolina a short while later and they went diving in a spring in north central Florida. Her sister said, "I have been diving for five years and you are a better diver than I am." Now, that is why I do it. I have had an impact in changing someones life for the better. I thank all of those people from the past and those to come for the opportunity to make that impact.
I am responsible for peoples safety first and I balance that with the fun, and there is a huge amount of fun.
If you have any questions please post a comment or question I will reply.
Thank you for the opportunity to live my dreams,
Carl
Seal Team!!!
The saga continues. Wednesday we had Kegan, Miles, Andoni and Joshua in the pool for Seal Team. Assistant Instructor Eddie Kish was with me to assist in the training and logistics of this Aquamission. THANKS EDDIE!!!
Kegan, already a Seal Team Member was in for the fun, Miles has now completed his Seal Team Training and did a fantastic job on his skill circuit. WAY TO GO MILES!!! Andoni has completed Seal Team Aquamission three and has two to go. Nice work Andoni, keep it up and you will be a Seal Team member before you know it. Joshua did a great job on Aquamission two and is progressing quickly. I am proud of you buddy.
Carl (Your Seal Trainer...)
Kegan, already a Seal Team Member was in for the fun, Miles has now completed his Seal Team Training and did a fantastic job on his skill circuit. WAY TO GO MILES!!! Andoni has completed Seal Team Aquamission three and has two to go. Nice work Andoni, keep it up and you will be a Seal Team member before you know it. Joshua did a great job on Aquamission two and is progressing quickly. I am proud of you buddy.
Carl (Your Seal Trainer...)
Open Water Class - 16 - 18 February
Three days of intense training and great diving.
John and Dan came down from beautiful and COLD Ontario, Canada. Loving the "Warm" weather they were jazzed about learning to Scuba.
Monday they arrived and we hit the books and paperwork, then it was off to the pool. We worked through all of the pool sessions and finished at 3:30 PM.
Tuesday we were off to Service Club Beach for open water dives one and two. The water was a balmy 62 degrees and the VIZ was about four feet. They both really enjoyed the tour on dive one and were psyched to get back in for dive two. Skills performed and we were back on the beach and headed back to Florida Underwater Sports for logging and prep for the next day of diving.
Wednesday we were out on "Reef Dog" and Lynn Silvertooth Reef. Every time I get out to this huge dive site I have a great time and usually notice or find something new. This time I found my first two Open Water Divers that I have trained as an Open Water Scuba Instructor.
Way to go John and Dan!!! It was a blast teaching you and a pleasure to meet you and diving with you. Next time you are here we will get you some more bottom time.
Carl
John and Dan came down from beautiful and COLD Ontario, Canada. Loving the "Warm" weather they were jazzed about learning to Scuba.
Monday they arrived and we hit the books and paperwork, then it was off to the pool. We worked through all of the pool sessions and finished at 3:30 PM.
Tuesday we were off to Service Club Beach for open water dives one and two. The water was a balmy 62 degrees and the VIZ was about four feet. They both really enjoyed the tour on dive one and were psyched to get back in for dive two. Skills performed and we were back on the beach and headed back to Florida Underwater Sports for logging and prep for the next day of diving.
Wednesday we were out on "Reef Dog" and Lynn Silvertooth Reef. Every time I get out to this huge dive site I have a great time and usually notice or find something new. This time I found my first two Open Water Divers that I have trained as an Open Water Scuba Instructor.
Way to go John and Dan!!! It was a blast teaching you and a pleasure to meet you and diving with you. Next time you are here we will get you some more bottom time.
Carl
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Silvertooth Today
Nice dives on Silvertooth today - water temp is up to 64 degrees on the surface and viz was about 15 feet. The waves were coming up pretty quick from the south as we started to leave. I expect viz to drop a little through tomorrow, but am hopeful this weekend it will be okay. Greg
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Service Club - 14 Feb
Made it out to Service Club today. Water is back up to 61 degrees already (and for those of you that say BRRRRR!!!, that is up from last week). Viz was about 5-8 feet with a white silt int he water and string algae - I'm thinking it was form the rain we had the other day.
One interesting thing I saw was the SC Sheriff's boat stopped a couple of divers on kayaks. I don't think they had a flag, but it appears that the divers were told to get out of the water.
Good lesson - make sure you have a flag out there. Even with a flag, I saw two boats come through the area on the plane between the flags and land.
Greg
One interesting thing I saw was the SC Sheriff's boat stopped a couple of divers on kayaks. I don't think they had a flag, but it appears that the divers were told to get out of the water.
Good lesson - make sure you have a flag out there. Even with a flag, I saw two boats come through the area on the plane between the flags and land.
Greg
Friday, February 13, 2009
Internet Scams
So, everyone gets these. We get them on a regular basis where somebody wants to book a trip with a credit card. Funny thing is that if you reply, they want you to over charge them, send the overage back to them in a money order. Of course the credit card is stolen. Normally we get these for travel or shipping large amounts of scuba gear overseas.
I couldn't resist answering one. Here is the mail I sent back. If anybody wants to sign up for the tour let me know. Greg
From: Florida Underwater Sports [mailto:info@FloridaUnderwaterSports.com]
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 5:21 PM
To: 'XXXXXXXXXXX@yahoo.com.hk'
Subject: RE: ENQUIRY
Hello Anthony – thank you for choosing our tour service. The current cost for the five day tour package is below. Please note that the price is per person. Below is also a list of information and paper we will need to proceed with the booking.
Tour Package “B” Includes the Following:
· Full tour of Little Sarasota Bay, including three dives a day in the sea grass beds. During all Bay dives, the participants will be tethered to an instructor for safety.
· The Full Manatee Experience. We will take the participants to the local nuclear power station where the Manatees congregate and swim in the cooling water from the plant. Please note that due to several issue with highly agitated slightly irradiated Manatees acting aggressively, this portion of the tour may be cancelled due to weather.
· Bull Shark Touch Experience. Your participants will be placed in the surf at dusk where they will experience something that many people have never been able to do – meet the beautiful Bull Shark up close and touch this gentle giant of the sea.
· Pedal Tour of the Historical Tamiami Trail. Participants will delight as they are dropped off in the wonderful hamlet of Venice where they will have a pedal tour back to Bradenton along the historic Tamiami Trail. Of note are the many and varied architectural styles of strip malls in the state of Florida. Please note that participants should be in reasonable physical shape and have the ability to run at least a half marathon at high altitude before attempting this.
· Wildlife of the Florida Drainage Ditch – delight with our wildlife guides who will show your participants the wonderful variety of flora and fauna such as indigenous species of Stink Weed, Snapping Turtle, Water Moccasin, Alligator and if lucky Crocodiles.
· Full suite accommodation at the Copa Cabana Inn on the famous stretch of Old Trail. Known for its fantastic location, surrounded by the best and fastest restaurants of Sarasota.
· Price per person is $1,897+VAT.
If this is acceptable, we will need the following documents for all participants sent to us ASAP prior to booking:
· Copies of passports
· Copies of Scuba Certification cards
· Front and back copy of credit card used for booking
· Photos of everyone for certificates (head and shoulder shots)
· Copies of plane tickets for Sarasota County Immigration Department
· Immunization records that clearly indicate vaccination against Monkey-Parvo (we live in an area with issues)
· Dietary restrictions for meals (especially food allergies as we prepare food with a lot of peanut sauce)
· Copies of your passport as the travel arranger
· Completed Department of Homeland Security Clearance form HG/889-99K for clearance to swim near a nuclear power plant (note that this form must be notarized)
· Completed waivers for all of the activities above
Please let us know if you have any questions.
From: Anthony Philips [mailto:philips.n5@msn.com]
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 2:32 PMSubject: ENQUIRY
HiI would like you to prepare a five[5] days tour program in your facility for my Clients.They are From Jordan Island and shall be touring round your state and some other place in your country.they re coming to your country for their vacation.
They are just 2 couples.
Mr & Mrs TenKylis
Mr $ Mrs Bilqees
Arrival date: 15th May 2009
Departure date :20th May 2009
Number of days: 6 days
Number of Guest: 4
Confirm availability and get back to me with your rates and total cost so that i can give you my credit card details for a deposit payment.
Anthony Philipsemail = XXXXXXXXXXX@yahoo.com.hk
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Ever Been Night Diving????
Check out his great video form our New Year's night dive. Sometime around the appearance of the Horseshoe Crab is when midnight hit...
Looks pretty amazing, huh? Want to learn to night dive? Give me a call. Greg
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Shark Toothing in Good Viz
Oh, yea! 10 foot of viz off Service Club today. Made a nice long 65 minute dive, found some good teeth and an odd fossil as well. Will post a picture for anybody that can identify it. The temp was coming back up to 59 degrees just off the beach and 57 degrees at 20 feet.
The layer of silt is going away and the teeth are visible again. Lots of fish life out there as well. Greg
The layer of silt is going away and the teeth are visible again. Lots of fish life out there as well. Greg
The Shark Lady - Dr Eugenie Clark
Last night Tom & I had the privilege of attending a lecture by a living lengend, Dr. Eugenie Clark, at the Mote Special Lecture Series. She shared amazing slides and facinating stories of her many dives with the world's largest undersea creatures. The finale was a video of a rare octopus that lives between 1,000 and 12,000 feet, dancing and swirling around the window of her submersible.
Next week you can hear the man who was aboard the bathyscape Trieste when it made a record-breaking descent into the deepest point in the world's oceans. The depth was measured at 35,798 ft (10,911 m).
The leture series is on Monday nights at Mote in the Immersion Cinema. Following is the schedule:
Feb. 16 - Eating Lunch at 15,000 Feet: Diving on the WWII Battleship Bismark - Don Walsh
Feb. 23 - A Nuclear Submarine Captain's Story - Fred McLaren
March 2 - Ghost Ships and Sea Monsters - Emory Kristof
March 9 - Tuna: A Love Story - Richard Ellis
March 16 - Don't Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style - Randy Olson
Florida Underwater Sports is proud to be a corporate sponsor of this unique marine laboratory in the heart of Sarasota. Bo
Next week you can hear the man who was aboard the bathyscape Trieste when it made a record-breaking descent into the deepest point in the world's oceans. The depth was measured at 35,798 ft (10,911 m).
The leture series is on Monday nights at Mote in the Immersion Cinema. Following is the schedule:
Feb. 16 - Eating Lunch at 15,000 Feet: Diving on the WWII Battleship Bismark - Don Walsh
Feb. 23 - A Nuclear Submarine Captain's Story - Fred McLaren
March 2 - Ghost Ships and Sea Monsters - Emory Kristof
March 9 - Tuna: A Love Story - Richard Ellis
March 16 - Don't Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style - Randy Olson
Florida Underwater Sports is proud to be a corporate sponsor of this unique marine laboratory in the heart of Sarasota. Bo
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Cold water = more Manatees!
A Unique Florida Experience
March 7-8, 2009
Overnight at the Best Western, Crystal Springs and Manatee Tour for 2: $190
The manatees flock to the springs because water temps are warmer than the gulf (68 - 72 degrees). Meet at Bird's Underwater at 6:15 AM for a briefing and then you and your Coast Guard Certified Captain will proceed to the dock area and board one of the enclosed pontoon boats, where fresh donuts and coffee are available, free of charge (hot chocolate and juice are also available). All the boats have changing rooms and toilets. While you are touring Kings Bay in search of manatees, your friendly and knowledgeable Captain will answer any questions you have about the local ecosystem. After the Captain has found a good location, he or she will drop anchor and everyone will quietly enter the water and snorkel with the manatees. The Captain will join you in the water, to supervise your experience and shoot digital quality videos, which you may purchase.
The trip goes out early specifically to beat the crowds. Conditions are usually better in the morning (before other boats are on the water and before the manatees move away from the springs to feed).
You will need mask, fins, snorkel and wetsuit. Take your clothes, towel and warm jacket on the boat.
Contact: info@FloridaUnderwaterSports.com to sign up for this unique experience.
Bo
March 7-8, 2009
Overnight at the Best Western, Crystal Springs and Manatee Tour for 2: $190
The manatees flock to the springs because water temps are warmer than the gulf (68 - 72 degrees). Meet at Bird's Underwater at 6:15 AM for a briefing and then you and your Coast Guard Certified Captain will proceed to the dock area and board one of the enclosed pontoon boats, where fresh donuts and coffee are available, free of charge (hot chocolate and juice are also available). All the boats have changing rooms and toilets. While you are touring Kings Bay in search of manatees, your friendly and knowledgeable Captain will answer any questions you have about the local ecosystem. After the Captain has found a good location, he or she will drop anchor and everyone will quietly enter the water and snorkel with the manatees. The Captain will join you in the water, to supervise your experience and shoot digital quality videos, which you may purchase.
The trip goes out early specifically to beat the crowds. Conditions are usually better in the morning (before other boats are on the water and before the manatees move away from the springs to feed).
You will need mask, fins, snorkel and wetsuit. Take your clothes, towel and warm jacket on the boat.
Contact: info@FloridaUnderwaterSports.com to sign up for this unique experience.
Bo
Staff Education
For those of you who don't know, we work hard to keep ourselves (the extended store family includes our instructors and divemasters as well) educated. We recently had a staff session where Doug from JBL spearguns came in to talk to us about the JBL guns. The talk included features, maintenance, upcoming improvements, and general shooting tips.
To be honest, I have not done a lot of spear fishing before, so it a great chance for me to learn more about the sport.
Some of the best info that I got was on the reason behind a lot of the design decisions that JBL has made for their guns. I am very impressed with the value that JBL offers in its spear gun line. 
The line offers something for everyone, starting under $100 to the top of the line guns.
The line offers something for everyone, starting under $100 to the top of the line guns. Soon, you should look out for the "Sarasota Special" that we are working on with JBL that we will be carrying. The spear gun will feature several after market features and it will be very cool. And, who doesn't want a cool spear gun?
And don't forget about the celebration cake for the instructors! Greg
Signal the Boat????
Hi all - I wanted to talk about signal devices. Why on earth would I need a signal device? Let me give you a good example story. I was drift diving off of Cozumel. The current was strong, waves were about 3 to 6 feet, breaking in the wind (the type of day you avoid being on the surface at all costs). We were in sight of shore, about a mile off and had a great 50 minute dive. When we came to the surface, there were two boats from the dive operation we were using. The other boat had just dropped their group and the boat captain saw our group come to the surface nearby. He came over and had a chat with the divemaster in our group and then left to follow his divers.
Our boat saw our group come to the surface, and saw the other boat moving in and thought that we were the group from the other boat. Fearing he had lost us, the captain immediately turned around to find us. The other groups boat left us and we looked at our boat going away from us as well. Of course we only got glimpses of this as we crested the waves.
The divemaster did not have an audible or surface signal with him (something to look out for when you use a dive operator and even more importantly why you should bring your own). The divemaster seeing the situation did improvise pretty well. He took his tank off and took the first stage off the tank, cupped his hand under the tank valve and expended his remaining air shooting water up in the air. The cool thing was that it looked like a breaching whale exhaling on the surface, so I hoped that at least one of the boats there would come over to investigate, but they didn't. I was the only one in the group with a surface signal tube. I inflated the tube, held it up and within about 5 minutes, the boat came over. Of course, it wasn't before several people had gotten sick on the surface.
So that is why you need a signal device. There are three types of devices and I want to talk about the pros and cons of each.
The first and most common device is the signal tube/flag. Signal tubes and flag are very visible on the surface and boats can see them from a long way off, especially if they are moving back and forth. The distance that the boat can see you from is directly related to how high you can get the device int he air and how rough the water is. Signal tubes (which can double as lift bags) can be inflated either from the bottom or through an oral inflate tube. Once inflated, you will need to hold the tube up in the air. The major issue with signal tubes is that they tend to fold in strong winds, so enter flags to overcome this issue. Flags are collapsible pvc poles with a 12"x18" colored flag on the top. Yellow is the most commonly used since reportedly it has the best visibility on the water. The drawback to flags in that you have to figure out the best way to store them on your tank since they fold down to about 27" long and 3" wide. Either device can be enhanced for night diving by adding a flasher or chem stick to the top. Make sure that your device has a clip or holder just in case.
The second type of device is audible - and is a requirement for night diving. All BCDs (at least the good ones :-) come with a whistle attached when you buy them. Make sure to leave it on. The whistle is a simple type that you can only use on the surface. Great for letting the boat know where you are if you have a flashlight failure. The other type of audible device is a "Dive Alert", which connects to your low pressure inflator just above your bcd. Once you press the button, the Dive Alert uses tank air to sound a VERY loud signal. So loud in fact, be careful with it on the surface, your ears will be ringing as I found out during a rescue session where the student was trying to inflate the training victim's bcd and accidentally pressed the Dive Alert instead and all of our ears rang for an hour. There is a version of the Dive Alert that also works underwater as a squaker as well (it sounds like a duck).
The third type is electronic. New for divers, you can now carry an electronic locator (EPIRB) similar to what boats carry to call for distress. There are two main types of EPIRBs, one with GPS and one without. The basic way they work is that as you reach the surface, you remove the EPIRB from its canister (an aluminum canister that protects it form pressure) and then pop open the device. The antenna unfolds and transmits a signal that is picked up by satellites. The satellite triangulates a rough position for the device and the appropriate rescue agency is notified (here in the US, the Coast Guard is notified for positions at sea). For other countries, the correct agency will be notified. These devices work world wide. With the GPS model, the device also sends up the GPS position every 10 to 15 minutes to help rescuers locate you quickly. The drawback with these devices is that they do require maintenance, testing and registration.
The key to all of this is that you need to carry a visual and audible signal with you at all times. There are a variety of different signal types depending on the conditions you expect to be in. If you want to see any of these signal devices let me know. Greg
Our boat saw our group come to the surface, and saw the other boat moving in and thought that we were the group from the other boat. Fearing he had lost us, the captain immediately turned around to find us. The other groups boat left us and we looked at our boat going away from us as well. Of course we only got glimpses of this as we crested the waves.
The divemaster did not have an audible or surface signal with him (something to look out for when you use a dive operator and even more importantly why you should bring your own). The divemaster seeing the situation did improvise pretty well. He took his tank off and took the first stage off the tank, cupped his hand under the tank valve and expended his remaining air shooting water up in the air. The cool thing was that it looked like a breaching whale exhaling on the surface, so I hoped that at least one of the boats there would come over to investigate, but they didn't. I was the only one in the group with a surface signal tube. I inflated the tube, held it up and within about 5 minutes, the boat came over. Of course, it wasn't before several people had gotten sick on the surface.
So that is why you need a signal device. There are three types of devices and I want to talk about the pros and cons of each.
The first and most common device is the signal tube/flag. Signal tubes and flag are very visible on the surface and boats can see them from a long way off, especially if they are moving back and forth. The distance that the boat can see you from is directly related to how high you can get the device int he air and how rough the water is. Signal tubes (which can double as lift bags) can be inflated either from the bottom or through an oral inflate tube. Once inflated, you will need to hold the tube up in the air. The major issue with signal tubes is that they tend to fold in strong winds, so enter flags to overcome this issue. Flags are collapsible pvc poles with a 12"x18" colored flag on the top. Yellow is the most commonly used since reportedly it has the best visibility on the water. The drawback to flags in that you have to figure out the best way to store them on your tank since they fold down to about 27" long and 3" wide. Either device can be enhanced for night diving by adding a flasher or chem stick to the top. Make sure that your device has a clip or holder just in case.
The second type of device is audible - and is a requirement for night diving. All BCDs (at least the good ones :-) come with a whistle attached when you buy them. Make sure to leave it on. The whistle is a simple type that you can only use on the surface. Great for letting the boat know where you are if you have a flashlight failure. The other type of audible device is a "Dive Alert", which connects to your low pressure inflator just above your bcd. Once you press the button, the Dive Alert uses tank air to sound a VERY loud signal. So loud in fact, be careful with it on the surface, your ears will be ringing as I found out during a rescue session where the student was trying to inflate the training victim's bcd and accidentally pressed the Dive Alert instead and all of our ears rang for an hour. There is a version of the Dive Alert that also works underwater as a squaker as well (it sounds like a duck).
The third type is electronic. New for divers, you can now carry an electronic locator (EPIRB) similar to what boats carry to call for distress. There are two main types of EPIRBs, one with GPS and one without. The basic way they work is that as you reach the surface, you remove the EPIRB from its canister (an aluminum canister that protects it form pressure) and then pop open the device. The antenna unfolds and transmits a signal that is picked up by satellites. The satellite triangulates a rough position for the device and the appropriate rescue agency is notified (here in the US, the Coast Guard is notified for positions at sea). For other countries, the correct agency will be notified. These devices work world wide. With the GPS model, the device also sends up the GPS position every 10 to 15 minutes to help rescuers locate you quickly. The drawback with these devices is that they do require maintenance, testing and registration.
The key to all of this is that you need to carry a visual and audible signal with you at all times. There are a variety of different signal types depending on the conditions you expect to be in. If you want to see any of these signal devices let me know. Greg
Saturday, February 7, 2009
New Store Design
Hi all - being new to retail sales, one of the most important things that we work on is how we display things. We have changed the store around with the focus of allowing people to touch all the cool stuff that used to be in the display case.
Please feel free to drop by and let us know what you think. We are always looking for good ideas. Greg
Please feel free to drop by and let us know what you think. We are always looking for good ideas. Greg
Bayronto BABY!!!!!!!
So, I have never heard as many adjectives after a dive "wow", "awesome", "incredible", "best", "my god", "unbelievable".
We made it out to the Bayronto today. We headed out with the possibility we wouldn't go all the way due to the wind, but the waves cooperated and we were able to do 2 dives on the wreck. The first dive was the stern section and the second dive on the bow section. It was incredible!!!! 60+ feet of viz (based on watching my depth gauge and seeing the bottom), 64 degrees and calm seas.
Many, many, many fish of all sorts. Lots of Queen Angels, Butterflies, bait balls, rays, turtles, jacks, grouper (of all types), snapper, and on and on. There was on point I had my flashlight out and was pointing it into the boiler area at the break and I couldn't see in because the fish were so dense.
Thanks to Scott and Paul for getting us out there and thanks to everyone else for coming out for a great dive! Greg
We made it out to the Bayronto today. We headed out with the possibility we wouldn't go all the way due to the wind, but the waves cooperated and we were able to do 2 dives on the wreck. The first dive was the stern section and the second dive on the bow section. It was incredible!!!! 60+ feet of viz (based on watching my depth gauge and seeing the bottom), 64 degrees and calm seas.
Many, many, many fish of all sorts. Lots of Queen Angels, Butterflies, bait balls, rays, turtles, jacks, grouper (of all types), snapper, and on and on. There was on point I had my flashlight out and was pointing it into the boiler area at the break and I couldn't see in because the fish were so dense.
Thanks to Scott and Paul for getting us out there and thanks to everyone else for coming out for a great dive! Greg
Brazilian Food Anyone?
Okay - little off topic, but we went out to this great new Brazilian place on Stickney Point. Family run and very nice people. Had the Churassco Misto (Mixed Grill) with rice and beans. Fantastic food, but enough for two people - grilled sausage, chicken, pork and beef. The fried yuca appetizer is a must, but sells out from time to time. Well worth the visit. Greg
Rio Samba Restaurant: 2704 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota
(941) 921-4916
Rio Samba Restaurant: 2704 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota
(941) 921-4916
Monday, February 2, 2009
IE Day 2
Another beautiful day in SE Florida. Yesterday we met at Tiger Tail Lake for our Open Water Presentations and Rescue Assessment Demonstration. Class time was 08:30 and I arrived at about 08:15. It was close to 60 degrees outside. We geared up and got ready for our briefings. Each of us had two Open Water Skills to brief. Mine were Open Water Diver Course dive 3 full mask flood and clear, and Rescue Diver Course distressed diver exercise, respond to an out of air diver underwater.
The briefings went well (we all hoped) and then it was into the lake. The water was a solid 66 degrees. Cold for most but for me it was about ten degrees warmer than the last time I was in the Gulf.
In the water we took turns teaching and being students. The IE (Instructor Examiner) assigns problems to the students that must be corrected. There are several factors that are scored throughout the evaluation. Total points possible for each skill are 5.0 and then they are averaged. Once we were done with the skills we moved on to the rescue assessment which is scored pass/fail.
After an hour and a half we were out of the water and on to the debriefings.
Scores are tallied:
Rescue Assessment: Pass
Skill #1: 4.6
Skill #2: 4.4
Total: 4.5
I have successfully completed my OWSI (Open Water Scuba Instructor): IE (Instructor Evaluation)
In a week or two I will have my OWSI Card and will be teaching!!!
Thanks for playing and I look forward to teaching you,
Carl
The briefings went well (we all hoped) and then it was into the lake. The water was a solid 66 degrees. Cold for most but for me it was about ten degrees warmer than the last time I was in the Gulf.
In the water we took turns teaching and being students. The IE (Instructor Examiner) assigns problems to the students that must be corrected. There are several factors that are scored throughout the evaluation. Total points possible for each skill are 5.0 and then they are averaged. Once we were done with the skills we moved on to the rescue assessment which is scored pass/fail.
After an hour and a half we were out of the water and on to the debriefings.
Scores are tallied:
Rescue Assessment: Pass
Skill #1: 4.6
Skill #2: 4.4
Total: 4.5
I have successfully completed my OWSI (Open Water Scuba Instructor): IE (Instructor Evaluation)
In a week or two I will have my OWSI Card and will be teaching!!!
Thanks for playing and I look forward to teaching you,
Carl
Saturday, January 31, 2009
IE Day 1
The Instructor Examination...
We had an early start in the classroom, introductions were made all around and then onto the paperwork. Once all of the paperwork was complete the Instructor Examiner began his introduction and assignments. They are as follows:
Knowledge Development Presentation - Prescriptive Teaching: Possible Points: 5.0
Project Aware Specialty Instructor Outline, Knowledge Review, Question #7.
Score Earned: 4.2
Confined Water Presentation: Possible Points: 5.0
Panicked Diver, Approach, Evaluation and Making Contact using Surface Approach. Rescue Course, Rescue Exercise #2.
Score Earned: 4.0
Skill Circuit Skills: Possible Points 25
1. Mask Remove and Replace While Underwater
2. Fin Pivot using Balanced Inflator
3. Regulator Recovery and Clear
4. Scuba Unit Remove and Replace Underwater
5. Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (Simulated)
Score Earned: 23
Exams:
1. Standards and Procedures Score Earned: 86%
2. Physics Score Earned: 100%
3. Physiology Score Earned: 100%
4. Recreational Dive Planner Score Earned: 100%
5. Skills and Environment Score Earned: 100%
6. Equipment Score Earned: 100%
This has been a great day and I feel wonderful. I have two skills to perform in open water tomorrow and a Rescue Assessment Demonstration. I will blog that one tomorrow. Time to go prepare my slates for teaching the two skills.
I am looking forward to getting home tomorrow.
See ya soon
Carl
We had an early start in the classroom, introductions were made all around and then onto the paperwork. Once all of the paperwork was complete the Instructor Examiner began his introduction and assignments. They are as follows:
Knowledge Development Presentation - Prescriptive Teaching: Possible Points: 5.0
Project Aware Specialty Instructor Outline, Knowledge Review, Question #7.
Score Earned: 4.2
Confined Water Presentation: Possible Points: 5.0
Panicked Diver, Approach, Evaluation and Making Contact using Surface Approach. Rescue Course, Rescue Exercise #2.
Score Earned: 4.0
Skill Circuit Skills: Possible Points 25
1. Mask Remove and Replace While Underwater
2. Fin Pivot using Balanced Inflator
3. Regulator Recovery and Clear
4. Scuba Unit Remove and Replace Underwater
5. Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (Simulated)
Score Earned: 23
Exams:
1. Standards and Procedures Score Earned: 86%
2. Physics Score Earned: 100%
3. Physiology Score Earned: 100%
4. Recreational Dive Planner Score Earned: 100%
5. Skills and Environment Score Earned: 100%
6. Equipment Score Earned: 100%
This has been a great day and I feel wonderful. I have two skills to perform in open water tomorrow and a Rescue Assessment Demonstration. I will blog that one tomorrow. Time to go prepare my slates for teaching the two skills.
I am looking forward to getting home tomorrow.
See ya soon
Carl
Buoyancy and Self Rescue Clinics
Too cold to go out diving? Yea, right!!!!! Got in the pool today with 5 brave souls for the buoyancy clinic and self rescue skills class.
For those of you who haven't heard of this before, every other month, we put on a free clinic to help people with their weight and trim, hovering skills and breath control. We bring lot of weights (lot of different amounts and types) as well as swim through hoops and toys.
It is amazing how a few minor adjustments can make your buoyancy smooth out, which reduces air consumption and makes diving really easy.
The second part was practicing some of those great self rescue skills from open water class that people probably haven't practiced since open water class :-). Cramp removal, oral inflation, weight dump, alternate air are all great skills to practice and can solve minor problems before they become major issues.
Remember the golden rule of diving, STOP, BREATH, THINK and ACT. Solve those small problems before them compound into larger ones.
We will run both clinics again in the next two months, or if there is a lot of interest, we'll run them sooner. Let me know if you would like to get in the pool. Greg
For those of you who haven't heard of this before, every other month, we put on a free clinic to help people with their weight and trim, hovering skills and breath control. We bring lot of weights (lot of different amounts and types) as well as swim through hoops and toys.
It is amazing how a few minor adjustments can make your buoyancy smooth out, which reduces air consumption and makes diving really easy.
The second part was practicing some of those great self rescue skills from open water class that people probably haven't practiced since open water class :-). Cramp removal, oral inflation, weight dump, alternate air are all great skills to practice and can solve minor problems before they become major issues.
Remember the golden rule of diving, STOP, BREATH, THINK and ACT. Solve those small problems before them compound into larger ones.
We will run both clinics again in the next two months, or if there is a lot of interest, we'll run them sooner. Let me know if you would like to get in the pool. Greg
Low Pressure Inflator Stuck? What Next?
So, you are out on a great dive and go to put a little air in your BCD. As you press the button a little air goes in and you release the button, but something strange happens, the button sticks in the down position and air keeps flowing into the vest. Why did this happen? Normally, there are two things that can happen, either there is debris (like sand and silt) in the valve or the inflator hasn't been serviced in a looooooonnnnnnggggg time and it sticks form lack of lubrication.
You are asking - does this ever really happen? Well, yes it does. It happened to me in rental gear several years back and I hear stories every once in a while of a fully stuck open low pressure inflator. Often times we repair inflators that are partially sticking, a normal condition before it sticks all the way open.
What do you do? The first and best approach is to immediately lift your right shoulder and pull your shoulder dump to get the air out quickly. One word of warning, you should test your shoulder dump and make sure it can let out all of the air with the inflator valve fully pressed down.
With the shoulder dump open, you can swim to your buddy and get them to disconnect your low pressure inflator (if you are deep), or you can go ahead and swim to the surface and disconnect your LPI there. If you have great dexterity, you can hold your shoulder dump open while disconnecting your LPI as well.
Don't have a shoulder dump, or the shoulder dump isn't letting enough air out, you are going to have to get that inflator disconnected quickly. Make sure you practice disconnecting this underwater wearing the gear. It a lot different disconnecting the LPI underwater under pressure than on the surface. Practice in a safe area like the sand just off the beach in case you have a problem.
Another option would be to hold up your deflator and keep it open, this may or may not work depending on the inflator model (see above when trying this out).
Worst case, if can't stop the BCD form inflating, you'll have to flare out and slow your ascent as much as possible.
All of this should make you think about a couple of things - will I react correctly if my LPI sticks? Will my BCD function as expected and can it dump air if needed? Can I disconnect my LPI underwater? Greg
You are asking - does this ever really happen? Well, yes it does. It happened to me in rental gear several years back and I hear stories every once in a while of a fully stuck open low pressure inflator. Often times we repair inflators that are partially sticking, a normal condition before it sticks all the way open.
What do you do? The first and best approach is to immediately lift your right shoulder and pull your shoulder dump to get the air out quickly. One word of warning, you should test your shoulder dump and make sure it can let out all of the air with the inflator valve fully pressed down.
With the shoulder dump open, you can swim to your buddy and get them to disconnect your low pressure inflator (if you are deep), or you can go ahead and swim to the surface and disconnect your LPI there. If you have great dexterity, you can hold your shoulder dump open while disconnecting your LPI as well.
Don't have a shoulder dump, or the shoulder dump isn't letting enough air out, you are going to have to get that inflator disconnected quickly. Make sure you practice disconnecting this underwater wearing the gear. It a lot different disconnecting the LPI underwater under pressure than on the surface. Practice in a safe area like the sand just off the beach in case you have a problem.
Another option would be to hold up your deflator and keep it open, this may or may not work depending on the inflator model (see above when trying this out).
Worst case, if can't stop the BCD form inflating, you'll have to flare out and slow your ascent as much as possible.
All of this should make you think about a couple of things - will I react correctly if my LPI sticks? Will my BCD function as expected and can it dump air if needed? Can I disconnect my LPI underwater? Greg
Friday, January 30, 2009
OWSI Day 5 and my "Day Off"
Ok, so the post is a bit late. Yesterday was another great day in my OWSI course. We had lectures and then it was time for my Rescue Knowledge Review presentation. The presentation went well with a score of 4.7. I have learned a bunch here and will carry that through to the IE tomorrow. We finished all of the paperwork and I am ready for the IE. We had a late lunch and then I went back to the room and studied. Resistance is futile...
Today I got up bright and early and took Bill Cole up on his offer to check out his new boat the Sea Experience II. I was the only guest on the boat, Bill and the guys took great care of me. It was a beautiful flat day out on the Atlantic and was 78 degrees when I hit the 71 degree water for the first of two great drift dives. The first site was "Hog Heaven" an upside down barge and a large radio tower. The name comes from the "Large amount of hogfish on the site"... sorry didn't see any, but the other fish were there in abundance. Viz was 40 plus feet. 70 feet of water and just three divers in the water. We recovered an anchor at the end of the dive and headed for the next site. "Will's Way" is a nice patch of sand in about 30 feet surrounded by reef. Will is an old Course Director that fought and complained that he did not have a great training site and that his minions were to find one for him. Well, Will got his way.... thus the name. We hit the water and were greeted by a nurse shark just cruising by. We then started drifting south with the gentle current. This time there were just two of us and millions of fish. We were chased by a blue trigger fish and we chased back... hehe, he just kept coming back. From the stories that I have heard I did not want to get bit, even with my extra layer of neoprene. After an hour we surfaced and the boat plucked us out of the ocean. Great Day.
Back to the room to study and make lunch. Ok, it was the other way around. My brain is full and I decided to get up here and post. So here you go. I will post the IE days and be back Sunday.
See you soon,
Carl
Today I got up bright and early and took Bill Cole up on his offer to check out his new boat the Sea Experience II. I was the only guest on the boat, Bill and the guys took great care of me. It was a beautiful flat day out on the Atlantic and was 78 degrees when I hit the 71 degree water for the first of two great drift dives. The first site was "Hog Heaven" an upside down barge and a large radio tower. The name comes from the "Large amount of hogfish on the site"... sorry didn't see any, but the other fish were there in abundance. Viz was 40 plus feet. 70 feet of water and just three divers in the water. We recovered an anchor at the end of the dive and headed for the next site. "Will's Way" is a nice patch of sand in about 30 feet surrounded by reef. Will is an old Course Director that fought and complained that he did not have a great training site and that his minions were to find one for him. Well, Will got his way.... thus the name. We hit the water and were greeted by a nurse shark just cruising by. We then started drifting south with the gentle current. This time there were just two of us and millions of fish. We were chased by a blue trigger fish and we chased back... hehe, he just kept coming back. From the stories that I have heard I did not want to get bit, even with my extra layer of neoprene. After an hour we surfaced and the boat plucked us out of the ocean. Great Day.
Back to the room to study and make lunch. Ok, it was the other way around. My brain is full and I decided to get up here and post. So here you go. I will post the IE days and be back Sunday.
See you soon,
Carl
Thursday, January 29, 2009
OWSI Day 4
The day started off like the others with lectures and presentations. The great thing about all of this is that coming here well prepared has made it possible for me to actually learn more and work on refining what I know rather than getting all of this information for the first time. After the morning lectures it was off to lunch and the "Pro Dive II". Nice boat great crew and excellent dives. No this was not for fun.... oh, okay it was a blast! We headed out to the "Tracy" A nice wreck in 75 feet of water, hehe I got to 77 feet around the hole created by the water flow around the hull. Great swim throughs and lots of fish. It was fun to get to the up side of the current and drift back over the wreck. Now that is what flying is like. Very cool. A beautiful 30 minute dive and up to the safety stop hanging on the line. More like hang gliding... hang on or swim to shore...
We changed tanks and headed in to a nice reef off just off shore a mile or so and headed in to do some "work". The skills were Hover and Underwater Compass Navigation out and back. Control, observe, correct and encourage...
Hover Score: 4.8
Underwater Nav Score: 4.8
The awesome training that I have received and the hard work is really paying off. Knock out the skills and swim the reef. Did I mention that this is the first time that I have dived off of the east coast of Florida?!? What amazing diving! I am going to set up trips and trip and training packages... this is an amazing resource that we have to enhance the fantastic diving that we have in the Gulf. I can describe the dive on the reef as a mini-Roatan dive.
More on training later,
Carl
We changed tanks and headed in to a nice reef off just off shore a mile or so and headed in to do some "work". The skills were Hover and Underwater Compass Navigation out and back. Control, observe, correct and encourage...
Hover Score: 4.8
Underwater Nav Score: 4.8
The awesome training that I have received and the hard work is really paying off. Knock out the skills and swim the reef. Did I mention that this is the first time that I have dived off of the east coast of Florida?!? What amazing diving! I am going to set up trips and trip and training packages... this is an amazing resource that we have to enhance the fantastic diving that we have in the Gulf. I can describe the dive on the reef as a mini-Roatan dive.
More on training later,
Carl
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
OWSI Day 3
Yesterday was another beautiful day in Ft. Lauderdale. I started off by finishing up my last two tests and passed with flying colors... STUDY, STUDY, STUDY... then there were more lectures and discussions. Lunch then to the "Pool" and Confined Water presentations. First was my favorite, Scuba Unit Remove and Replace Underwater. Score 4.8 out of 5. The second was CESA (controlled emergency swimming ascent). Score 4.6... Uh, it is really a good idea not to forget to tell the divers what the signs are for the skill before you descend... uh, duh. the score would have been in the high fours otherwise. Remember that I said in an earlier blog that you need to use the materials provided by PADI to present briefings, well I did... and just skipped the signals, lesson learned.
On to rescue scenario practice. This is one of the most commonly difficult tasks to perform. Not because it is hard, but because there are so many tasks to perform and many decisions to make. I am grateful for all of the practice that I was able to do by assisting with classes and those incredibly fun staff dives while a Divemaster and Assistant instructor... Muscle Memory... Practice!
Ok, today is more lecture and then if the weather cooperates we will head out to the Atlantic to do, uh more skills, and some more fun.
Blog ya later
Carl
On to rescue scenario practice. This is one of the most commonly difficult tasks to perform. Not because it is hard, but because there are so many tasks to perform and many decisions to make. I am grateful for all of the practice that I was able to do by assisting with classes and those incredibly fun staff dives while a Divemaster and Assistant instructor... Muscle Memory... Practice!
Ok, today is more lecture and then if the weather cooperates we will head out to the Atlantic to do, uh more skills, and some more fun.
Blog ya later
Carl
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
After the Dive...
While we all enjoy diving in salt water, that same salt water is the biggest enemy of our expensive diving equipment, which needs to be thoroughly rinsed after each day diving.
This rinsing is accomplished in lots and lots of fresh water. Showers just do not fill the bill. At FUS we use big blue tubs that allow all the equipment to be completely submerged. You can pick up one of these from Wal-Mart, Lowes, or Home Depot for about seven dollars.
Regulators are the equipment most sensitive to salt damage and should be given special care. Before putting your regs into the fresh water tub, check to see that the dust cap is in place. Slosh the equipment around, but do not push any purge buttons. Leave in the rinse water until all gear is in the tub. On removal, dry the regs with a clean towel and store in a cool, dry place, away from light, heat, dust, and fumes. There are storage units made for regulator sets, but a large plastic bag will work also.
Your BCD should also be rinsed in fresh water, both inside and out. To remove the salt from the inside, put about a half gallon of water through the inflator. Slosh like crazy. Drain the BCD through the vents and/or the inflator to remove the rinse water. Then put the BCD into the tub with the regulator and do the sloshing thing again.
The rest of your equipment can now be place in the tub. Slosh, slosh, slosh. Remove the gear from the tub and arrange for drying.
Allow your gear to dry and store in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations.
If your wet suit and boots have started to smell like "eau-de-swamp", it may be time for an odor control treatment and there products to help control the problem. It is a good idea to stop by FUS and check out the maintenance products available. The products work well and are reasonably priced.
By now, with all that sloshing, you are thoroughly wet and should go change your clothes.
Tom
This rinsing is accomplished in lots and lots of fresh water. Showers just do not fill the bill. At FUS we use big blue tubs that allow all the equipment to be completely submerged. You can pick up one of these from Wal-Mart, Lowes, or Home Depot for about seven dollars.
Regulators are the equipment most sensitive to salt damage and should be given special care. Before putting your regs into the fresh water tub, check to see that the dust cap is in place. Slosh the equipment around, but do not push any purge buttons. Leave in the rinse water until all gear is in the tub. On removal, dry the regs with a clean towel and store in a cool, dry place, away from light, heat, dust, and fumes. There are storage units made for regulator sets, but a large plastic bag will work also.
Your BCD should also be rinsed in fresh water, both inside and out. To remove the salt from the inside, put about a half gallon of water through the inflator. Slosh like crazy. Drain the BCD through the vents and/or the inflator to remove the rinse water. Then put the BCD into the tub with the regulator and do the sloshing thing again.
The rest of your equipment can now be place in the tub. Slosh, slosh, slosh. Remove the gear from the tub and arrange for drying.
Allow your gear to dry and store in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations.
If your wet suit and boots have started to smell like "eau-de-swamp", it may be time for an odor control treatment and there products to help control the problem. It is a good idea to stop by FUS and check out the maintenance products available. The products work well and are reasonably priced.
By now, with all that sloshing, you are thoroughly wet and should go change your clothes.
Tom
OWSI Day 2
Good morning.
Day 2 went very well, it started off with tests on physics and physiology. High marks due to lots of prep-work. more lectures, tips and ideas. In the afternoon it was off to get wet... in the "Pool". Really cool setup. We trained in Tiger Tail lake. This is a facility owned by Broward Community College and is set up for all kinds of water sports. The pool is a dock with rectangular hole in the middle and has platforms at varying levels. Off the end of the dock is another pool that is a bit deeper and is made of huge PVC pipes and is marked by large buoys. I completed my swim test here, 800 metres between the pool dock and the sailing pier. It was interesting not having a line on the bottom to follow but a peek now and then kept me on track.
Time for the skill circuit. skills went well and quickly as they could. Just a note to those coming up through the ranks not every one uses the same signals and techniques to perform skills. They are right but they are different. Keep an open mind when moving up to this level, and you might just pick up some techniques that you like better.
After the "Pool" it was time to head to the hotel and make dinner, I was starving! Study, prepare, study some more, prepare.... hmm I don't remember falling asleep in the chair... bed time.
Today I will knock out a couple more tests and I get to do presentations.
More tomorrow,
Carl
Day 2 went very well, it started off with tests on physics and physiology. High marks due to lots of prep-work. more lectures, tips and ideas. In the afternoon it was off to get wet... in the "Pool". Really cool setup. We trained in Tiger Tail lake. This is a facility owned by Broward Community College and is set up for all kinds of water sports. The pool is a dock with rectangular hole in the middle and has platforms at varying levels. Off the end of the dock is another pool that is a bit deeper and is made of huge PVC pipes and is marked by large buoys. I completed my swim test here, 800 metres between the pool dock and the sailing pier. It was interesting not having a line on the bottom to follow but a peek now and then kept me on track.
Time for the skill circuit. skills went well and quickly as they could. Just a note to those coming up through the ranks not every one uses the same signals and techniques to perform skills. They are right but they are different. Keep an open mind when moving up to this level, and you might just pick up some techniques that you like better.
After the "Pool" it was time to head to the hotel and make dinner, I was starving! Study, prepare, study some more, prepare.... hmm I don't remember falling asleep in the chair... bed time.
Today I will knock out a couple more tests and I get to do presentations.
More tomorrow,
Carl
Monday, January 26, 2009
Congratulation to Greg - PADI Master Instructor!
We are proud to announce that Greg has been awarded the PADI Master Instructor rating.
This rating is unique in the PADI System – it is the one rating that is not earned through training. It means that Greg is recognized as an elite dive educator. PADI Master Instructors embody the essence of a true dive professional having demonstrated a thorough understanding of the PADI System of diver education. They are dive industry leaders who help to shape the development of future dive courses.
This is the highest instructor achievment obtainable in the PADI program.
Bo
This rating is unique in the PADI System – it is the one rating that is not earned through training. It means that Greg is recognized as an elite dive educator. PADI Master Instructors embody the essence of a true dive professional having demonstrated a thorough understanding of the PADI System of diver education. They are dive industry leaders who help to shape the development of future dive courses.
This is the highest instructor achievment obtainable in the PADI program.
Bo
OWSI Course
Yesterday was an early start. Up at 03:00 and out the door for the drive to Fort Lauderdale. I arrived at the IDC (Instructor Development Center) for my first day of class. I am the only student in the class and thanks to the excellent training and mentoring by Greg we are moving quickly through the knowledge reviews and lectures. My instructors are very well prepared and informative. I have a Course Director, an IDC Staff Instructor and an IDC Staff Instructor candidate preparing me for the IE (Instructor Examination). This morning is another test then lectures. This afternoon I am off to confined water for physical endurance and skills evaluations.
It sounds like we may be going out on The Hammertime (the shops boat) over the next couple of days for training and um... fun. Yes fun, just like training in all of my other scuba classes there is lots of fun. So far I am having a blast and will keep all of you informed daily unless I do what I did last night... Study, cook, study, eat, study.... pass out...
It is 58 degrees this morning, a bit warmer than Sarasota was yesterday and yesterday afternoon was a pleasant 78 degrees in the late afternoon. I am told that the water may be cold... 67 to 72 degrees in the lake... I m looking forward to the warm water. I will let you know.
Carl
It sounds like we may be going out on The Hammertime (the shops boat) over the next couple of days for training and um... fun. Yes fun, just like training in all of my other scuba classes there is lots of fun. So far I am having a blast and will keep all of you informed daily unless I do what I did last night... Study, cook, study, eat, study.... pass out...
It is 58 degrees this morning, a bit warmer than Sarasota was yesterday and yesterday afternoon was a pleasant 78 degrees in the late afternoon. I am told that the water may be cold... 67 to 72 degrees in the lake... I m looking forward to the warm water. I will let you know.
Carl
Sunday, January 25, 2009
New Assistant Instructor!
I wanted to congratulate Bryant, our newest Assistant Instructor! He did a great job getting through the course and it was a lot of fun to get him certified. Greg
Spanish Rocks
Last two days at the rocks ave been pretty good. I've been training up there after some bad viz reports down at Service Club. Viz has been 6 to 10 feet at the rocks with nice calm conditions. Water temp should be coming back up as we get back to normal temperatures.
And you all laugh at me for having a car with seat heaters!!!!! Greg
And you all laugh at me for having a car with seat heaters!!!!! Greg
Monday, January 19, 2009
Off to the Springs
With good weather here, we decided to head up to the springs for a couple of dives. Of course, by good, I mean bad. Today, we went up to Blue Grotto. To get there at 8:00 AM, I left at 5:30 this morning (dedication). I did a total of five dives, the first was a scuba review and the next ones were Open Water class dives.
For those who haven't been there, Blue Grotto is in Williston, Fl. The Grotto itself is a large spring (http://www.bluegrottodiving.com/) with a moderate sized opening. As you go under the lip making sure to keep a clear 45 degree escape route, there is a lot to
see. The top of the spring opens into a large area with lights and a diving bell at 22 feet. The bottom of the large area is about 60 feet with a swim around that runs around the back on a line to about 100 feet. Over the years, the walls of the main chamber have accumulated a lot of writing. The nice thing was the water temp was a solid 72 degrees.
We are planning a couple of spring diving trips in the near future since we can do them even in bad weather. Let me know if you would like to go. The first picture is of my friend and then another picture of him with his computer to show his depth. Greg
Get Your Kids Diving With PADI Seal Team!!!
The PADI Seal Team program is a great and fun way to introduce kids 8 years old and up to the world of scuba.
We have a regularly scheduled Seal Team session 4:30 PM every Wednesday at Serendipity Racquet Club. I am not sure who is having more fun in these AquaMissions, the kids are having a blast and so am I. It is amazing to see them learn and overcome challenges and yes sometimes fears. They are eager to learn and they take to the water like fish.
This action packed and fun activity is done in a pool and consists of exciting AquaMissions. This is a structured program that allows children to develop skills, learn about the aquatic environment and have great fun doing it.
- Helps children learn responsibility
- Teaches about the aquatic environment
- Fun pool-only experience
- Conducted by certified, trained PADI Professionals
PADI Seal Team
Learn basic scuba skills and safety during the first five Seal Team AquaMissions.
- Buoyancy Control
- Mask Clearing
- Regulator Recovery
- Descent
- Ascent
When the kids complete the first five AquaMissions they are awarded a PADI Seal Team Member Certificate and they are qualified to move on to the Specialty AquaMissions.
Specialty AquaMissions
With a solid foundation built by completing PADI Seal Team, kids move on to Specialty AquaMissions. These reinforce safe diving skills and are lots of fun.
- Creature ID Specialist
- Environmental Specialist
- Inner Space Specialist
- Navigation Specialist
- Night Specialist
- Safety Specialist
- Search & Recovery Specialist
- Skin Diver Specialist
- Snapshot Specialist
- Wreck Specialist
Master Seal Team Members
Once the Seal Team Members complete all ten specialty AquaMissions they have achieved the level of Master Seal Team Member.
What are the requirements? You must be at least 8 years old.
What learning materials do I need? The Seal Team CrewPak includes everything a PADI Seal Team Member needs to prepare for their AquaMissions, including Specialty AquaMissions.
- Video on DVD? Check!
- Activity book? Check!
- Log book pages? Check!
What gear do I need? Mask, snorkel and fins. We are happy to help you find the right gear for your child and make sure that it fits properly. The pool is 84 degrees. Most are fine in that temperature but some do get cold. If you need a wet suit we can help you decide what is best for your child. Regulator, BCD, weights and tanks are provided for the AquaMissions.
If you have any questions please contact us at info@FloridaUnderwaterSports.com
Now lets go diving Seal Team!!!!
Carl
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Good News, Bad News
Spanish Rocks this morning, what wonderful viz and a great day to go diving. My favorite horseshoe crabs were out, lots of fish in the grass beds. Water was completely flat.
That is the good news. Bad news is the water is 59 degrees. When is the next warm front coming through? Greg
That is the good news. Bad news is the water is 59 degrees. When is the next warm front coming through? Greg
Donut Dive January 2009
The air was cold and the dive was cool. When we hit the water the air had warmed up to around 49 degrees. the waves onshore were down to six inches and the water temp at the surface was at 57 degrees... Marcus, Van, Bob, Dan and I enjoyed our coffee and donuts and traded stories... Well Marcus learned about stories... not to far off from most fish stories. It was then time to gear up and get in the water. Marcus, Van, Bob and I geared up and headed into the warmer water... warmer than the air that is. There was a bit of a south flow but minimal waves.
We descended in about eight feet of water and had five to six feet of VIZ. We almost immediately found some rocks and lots of sand dollars. The tour was nice and we found a fair amount of small structure. We also found a large clump of old two to three inch rope, unfortunately we were at the end of the dive and there was too much to cut to get it free. If you are going out there the rope is in eleven feet of water about 125 feet north of the pier. I think that there is only one more strand of three inch to cut to get it free. Let us know if you get it out.
Great dive guys!!! We will see you next month... Location to be determined later.
Carl
Friday, January 16, 2009
AIR2???
Hi - I wanted to take a couple of minutes to explain what an AIR2 is and how it is used. An AIR2 is a combined alternate air source (regulator) and low pressure inflator/deflator on a BCD. The idea of the AIR2 is that is replaces the normal alternate air source (second regulator) that people carry. The advantages are that it removes one more hose from your regulator, making you more streamlined, reduces overall weight and integrates all of the functions into one piece of gear thus reducing the potential failure points in a regulator system.
The AIR2 concept was created by Scubapro in 1979 (and was later copied by a number of manufacturers). AIR2 is currently in its 4th generation.
When Scubapro designed the AIR2, they found that the standard low pressure inflator hose found on BCDs could not deliver enough air at deeper dives in an emergency and so they designed a inflator hose that could deliver about 5 times the amount of air to the diver. This is an important distinction between manufacturers, note whether the standard low pressure inflator hose is used for other integrated octo/low pressure inflator combos.
Even though the low pressure inflator hose is not standard, there is one major positive about it - the collar around the air chuck is much larger and easier to remove than that of a standard BC hose.
The current generation of AIR2 has some cool features. It has a fixed venturi assist to help you breathe, fully one hand operation to make it easy to switch to and ascend with while holding your buddy, is SELF-FLUSHING (just press the purge button in water and it will flush the whole system out and of course comes with free parts for life.
So how is this used. If you have a buddy that runs out of air, they come up to you and you hand them your primary reg out of your mouth while you put the AIR2 into your mouth. The curve of the BCD inflator hose is perfect and long enough to make it comfortable to breath from. As you ascend with the out of air diver, you can inflate or deflate as needed while breathing from the AIR2. The AIR2 is positioned so that all of the AIR will come out of your BCD when you press the deflate button. As you reach the surface, keep the AIR2 in your mouth, inflate your BCD and hold your buddy up while they orally inflate or drop their weights to get positive.
If for some reason you have to orally inflate your BCD on the surface, the AIR2 works the same way that a normal inflator would, simply take a breath, and while pressing the deflate button, blow into the mouthpiece.
If you are considering an AIR2 and have never used one before, I strongly recommend you do some air sharing exercises with your buddy or an instructor. When we sell an AIR2 to somebody that has not used one before, we throw in a free pool session to get them fully acquainted with sharing air drills with ascents.
If you would like to see an AIR2, let me know. Greg
Come in and see the New UK Light - AquaSun eLED® Rechargeable
Brightness: 825 lumens. Did you know that LEDs are most intense when kept cool? UK designed this light with two high intensity LEDs that are attached to a heat sink which is in direct contact with the water through the front lens. This clever patented system keeps the LEDs cool. A unique reflector combines the beams of the 2 LEDs into a single beam which is almost twice as bright underwater. The white color of the LED light penetrates water better than light from conventional incandescent lamps, allowing greater visibility.
Power usage: The AquaSun has an electronic circuit that monitors the LEDs and prevents overheating when used out of water. You can select full power or battery saving mode. Even though the LEDs are extremely efficient in power usage, they exceed the capacity of disposable alkaline batteries and must be powered by a rechargeable battery pack. The NiCad rechargeable battey provides 2 hours of light at full power on a single charge.
Power usage: The AquaSun has an electronic circuit that monitors the LEDs and prevents overheating when used out of water. You can select full power or battery saving mode. Even though the LEDs are extremely efficient in power usage, they exceed the capacity of disposable alkaline batteries and must be powered by a rechargeable battery pack. The NiCad rechargeable battey provides 2 hours of light at full power on a single charge.
Along with all these great features it also has interchangable lantern and pistol grips. Come by the store and check it out. Bo
Weight: 2.4 pounds
Dept Rating: 150 meters
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Assistant Instructors?
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 explination of the PADI (Proffesional 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
Let's start with a very brief explination of the PADI (Proffesional 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
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
New Assistant Instructor
Congratulations to Bryant J. Turffs our newest Assistant Instructor. Look for Bryant on our charters and in our classes. He is a full-time student at New College and holds a Captain's License. Bo
Monday, January 12, 2009
Seal Team Report
Kegan received his Seal Team Certificate Wednesday. He is helping his friend Miles through his Seal Team by exhibiting good and safe diving behavior. Miles has completed AquaMission two and is more than half way through to his own certificate... Way to go Miles!!! You did a great job blowing bubbles while your regulator was out of your mouth and had no trouble clearing your regulator when you got it back into your mouth. It continues to be a pleasure to train these youngsters, (hehe I said youngsters...) in the pool. They are like fish and are having a blast.We are growing too, Joshua and Andoni will be join the training this Wednesday...
We look forward to sharing scuba with the kids.
Carl
Slightly Delayed Viz Report
Yea, yea... Didn't really get this one posted in a timely manner. Sorry about that, but having said that, Saturday at Service Club was a solid 1 to 3 feet of viz with water temps all the way up to 70 in places. Didn't find anything good.
Sunday, we did three dives off of Spanish Rocks. We use the rocks when viz gets really low down south, the sugar sand seems to settle out of the water a bit faster. Viz was 4 to 8 feet and pretty decent. We did three dives and certified 4 new divers! Congrats to Franklin, Matt, Alex and Fred (and Jenna for getting her dad to go diving).
One resource you may want to bookmark for longer range forecasts for beach diving is Magic Seaweed, http://magicseaweed.com/Venice-Beach-Surf-Report/58/detailedLongRange/us/. The site is very accurate. The only issue I have found is sometimes when the wind swings around to the east, they will show a larger swell than what we see coming form the south and north. If anything, conditions tend to be a little better than shown. Their long range forecast is very accurate. Greg
Sunday, we did three dives off of Spanish Rocks. We use the rocks when viz gets really low down south, the sugar sand seems to settle out of the water a bit faster. Viz was 4 to 8 feet and pretty decent. We did three dives and certified 4 new divers! Congrats to Franklin, Matt, Alex and Fred (and Jenna for getting her dad to go diving).
One resource you may want to bookmark for longer range forecasts for beach diving is Magic Seaweed, http://magicseaweed.com/Venice-Beach-Surf-Report/58/detailedLongRange/us/. The site is very accurate. The only issue I have found is sometimes when the wind swings around to the east, they will show a larger swell than what we see coming form the south and north. If anything, conditions tend to be a little better than shown. Their long range forecast is very accurate. Greg
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Specialty of the Month – Discover Scuba
Hurry – offer ends on January 31st!
You don't have to be a kid to enjoy Scuba Diving. Any man or woman who is reasonably fit and/or comfortable in the water can be certified as a Scuba Diver. Nobody's too young or too old to start Scuba Diving
Know someone who is intrigued with scuba diving? If they come into the store, take a “Discover Scuba” experience and then sign up for an Open Water class, we will give you a $10 store credit and they will get $20 off the cost of class. They need to let us know that you referred them when they sign up for the Open Water class.
Right now, we have classes running almost every week due to high demand. We work with our students to tailor the class schedule to fit their schedule. So, for example if you can’t make an open water session, we’ll have another one coming up within a day or two of the one you can’t make and we’ll add you to that schedule. Bo
Click here: Discover Scuba – January Special!
You don't have to be a kid to enjoy Scuba Diving. Any man or woman who is reasonably fit and/or comfortable in the water can be certified as a Scuba Diver. Nobody's too young or too old to start Scuba Diving
Know someone who is intrigued with scuba diving? If they come into the store, take a “Discover Scuba” experience and then sign up for an Open Water class, we will give you a $10 store credit and they will get $20 off the cost of class. They need to let us know that you referred them when they sign up for the Open Water class.
Right now, we have classes running almost every week due to high demand. We work with our students to tailor the class schedule to fit their schedule. So, for example if you can’t make an open water session, we’ll have another one coming up within a day or two of the one you can’t make and we’ll add you to that schedule. Bo
Click here: Discover Scuba – January Special!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The Viz is Here!!!!
Out to M8 today and as I dropped the anchor, I kept watching go down and down. Good 40'+ of viz with about 25' at M4. Great time to get out and go diving! Reports were there were a ton of fish on the landing craft. Greg
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!!!!
Hi all - I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for the great year that we had last year. Our first full calendar year in business and we couldn't have done it without all of you. I look forward to diving with all of you in the coming year and hope for all the best for you, your friends and family.
The dive last night was incredible - 30 foot viz and a LOT of sea life! What a way to spend the new years. We will have some pictures and video soon. Greg
The dive last night was incredible - 30 foot viz and a LOT of sea life! What a way to spend the new years. We will have some pictures and video soon. Greg
Bringing In The New Year Underwater
Hmmm, let me just say WOW! What a great dive.
Spanish Rocks did not disappoint. We headed out at 11:30 PM and hit the water. A bit skeptical about the VIZ and possible surge due to the small waves and on-shore breeze. Both concerns were unfounded.
Like something out of a Sci-Fi or James Bond movie it was dark and the mysterious men and women entered the water with glow sticks, lights and stealth... Hehe... Sorry, it was cool though. We descended in eight feet of water and Greg lead us straight out to the rocks and the show. Sweeping beams of light and flashing fish, then the first of many exceptional sightings, a prehistoric creature shoveling the sand at an incredible pace was a platter sized horseshoe crab. We gathered round to watch and when he had enough he scurried off. Next we were soaring over the rocks and a large pile of shells got my curiosity up. I inverted and peeked under the ledge to see a beautiful LARGE octopus, he was not happy to see me and puffed up and turned red, amazing. Then it was large yellow filefish, horned trunkfish, trigger fish and the dreaded toad fish. But wait, there is more to come, we then happened upon a two foot stingray and following him through his glide over the area. Yes there was more, on the way back in was another horseshoe crab forgetting about evolution. It was several minutes into the New Year and time to leave this exhilarating dive behind.
Happy New Year!
Join us next year for this great tradition
Carl
Spanish Rocks did not disappoint. We headed out at 11:30 PM and hit the water. A bit skeptical about the VIZ and possible surge due to the small waves and on-shore breeze. Both concerns were unfounded.
Like something out of a Sci-Fi or James Bond movie it was dark and the mysterious men and women entered the water with glow sticks, lights and stealth... Hehe... Sorry, it was cool though. We descended in eight feet of water and Greg lead us straight out to the rocks and the show. Sweeping beams of light and flashing fish, then the first of many exceptional sightings, a prehistoric creature shoveling the sand at an incredible pace was a platter sized horseshoe crab. We gathered round to watch and when he had enough he scurried off. Next we were soaring over the rocks and a large pile of shells got my curiosity up. I inverted and peeked under the ledge to see a beautiful LARGE octopus, he was not happy to see me and puffed up and turned red, amazing. Then it was large yellow filefish, horned trunkfish, trigger fish and the dreaded toad fish. But wait, there is more to come, we then happened upon a two foot stingray and following him through his glide over the area. Yes there was more, on the way back in was another horseshoe crab forgetting about evolution. It was several minutes into the New Year and time to leave this exhilarating dive behind.
Happy New Year!
Join us next year for this great tradition
Carl
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