Scuba-Blog.com

Avid SCUBA DIver, Conservationist, Camper, and most important...a Dad

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/diver-safety/my-worth-case-scenario/

My Worth Case Scenario…

After checking in with the shop, an independent instructor checked in with me at the boat along with the rest of the customers.  I asked one of our regular instructors what the other independent instructor was doing that day with his student and he stated he was just doing some Master Scuba Diver Training.

The first dive was a drift dive on a reef with depths ranging from 50 to 90 feet.  After the first dive, the instructor and his student returned to the boat with a couple of lobster in a mesh bag.  Our second dive was another reef location with depth ranges from 40 to 70 feet and during my pre-dive briefing I told all divers that they needed to be on the surface and finish their dives no later than 12:15 pm several times.  After putting all divers in the water this particular instructor and his student were still discussing their next dive.  At least 15 minutes after getting the other divers in the water, the instructor and his student geared up and entered the water.  Before entering the water my divemaster told the instructor again that he needed to be on the surface no later than 12:15 pm.

At Approximately 12:25 pm all divers were on the boat except for the instructor and his student.  I approached the instructors dive flag and the line and reel were drifting freely with no one in site.  The other passengers and I scanned the waters around the flag for about 5 minutes without any visual indication of the instructor or his student.  I decided to head the boat in the direction of the waypoint that I had dropped off all divers.  Around 12:42 my divemaster spotted a small pink safety sausage about 1/2 mile from where we had found the instructor flag.

When the instructor climbed aboard the boat, he had two more lobster in his mesh bag.  I also noticed that the instructor did not have a Safety Sausage of his own or any other type of surface signaling device.

Once at the dock I questioned the instructor about the incident and asked him why he lost his flag.  He said that his flag may have gotten caught with a boat or other dive flag which in turn was pulling him so he decided to let go of his flag.  In regards to the 12:15 return to the surface time, he stated that he did not hear me and said that he must have had a hood on.  However the instructor did not have a hood on during his surface interval or during my second dive briefing.  I asked the instructor what agency he taught with and he stated, “All of them!”

My feeling is that the instructor was too busy catching lobster and when the flag and flag line became a hinderance reaching into a hole to pull out a bug… He let go of the line!

No matter what my opinion is.  That day, the instructor was teaching a PADI Specialty Course and PADI does not allow their instructors to take photos or hunt during any type training dive.

PADI also requires all instructors to carry a visual and audible signaling device (i.e. Safety Sausage, Signal Mirror, Whistle, etc…)

If you have to let go of your dive flag, re-surface and retrieve your flag.  After all, that is how the crew on the boat keeps track of you.  The Atlantic Ocean is a big lake people; you are a needle in a haystack!

Finally… A side note, a lot of instructors know and use the professional courtesy of dive shops and dive boat owners allowing them to dive for free when they are training students.  Sadly there are a few instructors that show up on boats with friends or “other types of customers” that just say they are teaching so that they do not have to pay for another seat then they take photos and hunt without ever teaching.  Those instructors are the ones that are going to ruin it for the True Dive Professional trying to cut his/her costs in an industry that is already hard to make a buck!

Instructors!!! Follow standards and procedures!!!  Hang onto your dive flag!!!  Stay safe!!!

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/dive-equipment-revies/how-to-choose-the-right-dive-boat-in-4-steps/

How To Choose The Right Dive Boat In 4 Steps

Dive boats often sway the choice of which dive company I go fun diving with. If you haven’t done much boat diving before, and would like to know more, then join me in taking a closer look at some things you should consider.

  When choosing a dive center at a new destination, I always look at their dive boats. Over the years, I have come up with a personal checklist that I run through. It is important that the dive boat is well equipped and safely operated. The key factors I look at are:

  Safety equipment

Is it the right style of boat for the type of diving and the environment?

General boat facilities

What ability level are the other divers, and how many staff are there?

  For me, there is not one perfect style of dive boat. Different types of diving or sea conditions will require the dive boat to have certain features suitable to that function. For example, if I am wreck diving in the UK (think cold water and large swell) I prefer diving from a larger boat, with a lift on the back, for ease of exit and entry. Out in the Caribbean, I am quite happy on a smaller speed boat that will get me to the sites fast, and be able to follow me along on a drift dive. Here’s some questions that I like to know the answers to before booking on a dive:

  Dive Boat Safety

Does the boat have all the required diving and boating safety equipment on board?

Is it regularly checked and maintained? How do they record this?

Does the company meet local boating regulations and standards (or even exceed them?)

In the boat briefing are you told where the emergency equipment is, and who is trained to operate it? Do they inform you of the emergency procedures?

Does the boat carry spares, and are the staff trained to deal with basic repair issues?

Is there always a dive boat driver on board?

  Style of Diving and Environment

Do they use the right style of dive boat for the conditions you are diving in?

What are the entry and exit techniques, and are you physically able to complete them safely in the conditions?

What are the general dive procedures (drift dive with the boat following along or fixed descent/ascent line)?

If an emergency arose would the boat be able to respond to you quickly?

  Facilities on a Dive Boat

Is the boat well maintained with clearly designated areas?

Do photographers have separate camera tables and rinse tanks?

Are there showers or a head (for long boat trips)?

Does the company provide any refreshments or snacks?

Is there mask wash and fresh water for rinsing masks?

Is there ample space for all the divers to kit up/sit down?

Is there adequate shelter for everyone (sun covers or rain/wind protection)?

  Diver Ability and Staff Requirements

How many trained staff members accompany each boat trip?

How many divers does each divemaster have in a group?

Are there mixed experience levels, or are the divers split into experience based groups?

What is the maximum number of divers on the boat?

Is there a separate group for photographers?

  Sounds like a lot of questions, right?! However, I consider all of them to be important as I want to have a SAFE and FUN dive with no stress or worry. Would you add anything to this list? Do you prefer using a certain type of dive boat?

document.write("<div data-role=\"amazonjs\" data-asin=\"B00J4Y5I64\" data-locale=\"US\" data-tmpl=\"\" data-img-size=\"\" class=\"asin_B00J4Y5I64_US_ amazonjs_item\"><div class=\"amazonjs_indicator\"><span class=\"amazonjs_indicator_img\"><a class=\"amazonjs_indicator_title\" href=\"#\">Womens Chillproof Climate Control Long Sleeve Sharkskin Wetsuit Size - 14<span class=\"amazonjs_indicator_footer\">")

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[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/dive-equipment-revies/atomic-aquatics-blade-fins/

Atomic Aquatics - Blade Fins

With the large variety of scuba fins to choose from it is hard to know what to choose. When it comes to scuba gear in general I love to try out the latest and greatest and then fine tune my always ready go to gear bag.

Fortunately I got my hands on a pair of pink medium Atomic Blade Fins to try out even before they were available on the market. I have been one to just stick with a pair of fins for years, but with all the engineering and innovation that go into Atomics products it is hard not to notice their most recent design.

First I realized how easy it was to adjust and tighten down the fin straps… a quick pull and they were snug on my feet. Then as I was mid-giant stride off the dive boat the solid feeling of the fins securely attached to my feet was immediately obvious and reassuring. I dropped down to the shipwreck and adjusted slightly from my normal kick technique to account for the shape compared to my usual techie fins and I propelled forward with a lot of thrust and power without the added weight!

Looking at the fin closer I observed the arrow dynamic stabilizers that give race car sleekness. The shape and contour of the fins direct the flow of water to get maximum movement for each kick.

A blade fin is around 2 lbs 6 ounces. Pretty light for so much power! I hate to think how much my Rocket fins weigh. hmm.

I ended my dive and needed to climb up the boat ladder I was amazed at the ease and quickness of fin removal which helped in not holding up my fellow divers behind me! With the EZ-LOK Buckle System you can easily snap the buckle on and off, yet is secure enough to not release accidentally.

You can read more about the new Atomic Aquatics Blade Fin on their website here

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/diver-safety/tiny-bubbles-and-flying-after-diving/

Tiny Bubbles and Flying after diving…

Here’s a first, which after being a certified diver for 19 years, an instructor for 14 years and a dive boat captain for almost 10 years … I didn’t think this would ever happen!

I took out several divers this morning, on the boat was some out of town students and their instructor. We were scheduled to do two dives on a 60 foot wreck so that everyone  could complete some training dives.

For the most part everything went well considering the sloppy sea conditions, however after the first dive was completed the out of town instructor informed me that he and 3 of his students were going to sit out the next dive because they were flying back up North at 5pm this afternoon. Oh… and he’s telling me this at 11 a.m. after a 25 minute dive to 60 feet!!

The look on my face and the faces of fellow co-workers must have struck him as odd because his response was, “I know, we don’t follow that PADI bulls**t. We follow NOAA dive tables that say if you are an A, B or C diver you can fly within 6 hours.”

After a quick Google search on the iPhone I find a NOAA.pdf file that does indeed say that if you are an A, B or C diver you can fly to altitude after an 8 hour surface interval. However after further investigation the NOAA.pdf also states in segment 3, “Note 1: When using table 9-5, use the highest repetitive group designator obtained in previous 24-hours period.”

After examining the NOAA No-Decompression Air Tables the student divers were actually an “E diver” after a 60 foot dive for 24 minutes. This same group of divers had also dove on our boat the previous day when we visited a 110 foot wreck site followed by a 30 foot reef dive on a morning trip.

I contacted the instructors training agency and inquired about their training standards and flying after diving recommendations since I was not familiar with this particular agency. The woman I spoke with stated that they recommend at least 12 hours prior to diving if you do a single dive and 24 hours if you do multiple dives or multiple days of diving. Needless to say I explained what had happened and reported the instructor to his training agency. In return they were going to contact him right away.

Alright divers, regardless of which agency you train under, the one organization I would trust overall for safe diving practices is Divers Alert Network. Most training agencies use their guidelines, if not a more conservative version of them.

Divers Alert Network states:

The following guidelines are the consensus of attendees at the 2002 Flying After Diving Workshop. They apply to air dives followed by flights at cabin altitudes of 2,000 to 8,000 feet (610 to 2,438 meters) for divers who do not have symptoms of decompression sickness (DCS). The recommended preflight surface intervals do not guarantee avoidance of DCS. Longer surface intervals will reduce DCS risk further.

For a single no-decompression dive, a minimum preflight surface interval of 12 hours is suggested.

For multiple dives per day or multiple days of diving, a minimum preflight surface interval of 18 hours is suggested.

For dives requiring decompression stops, there is little evidence on which to base a recommendation and a preflight surface interval substantially longer than 18 hours appears prudent.

See more at: http://www.alertdiver.com/?articleNo=1482#sthash.QiQKm4yU.dpuf

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/diver-safety/from-zero-to-diver-a-new-divers-perspective/

From Zero to Diver: A New Diver's Perspective

Submitted By Dan Pitts

SCUBA has always been something I have wanted to try. When the opportunity came up, I decided to give it a go. The college that I attend, SUNY Oneonta, offers the confined portion of the PADI Open Water course over an entire semester, and the open water portion over a week span in the summer. I enrolled for the course in the spring semester, not knowing I was about to find my new passion.

From our first class session, we were right in the pool. During our first class, the instructors had us doing our 200-yard swim and the 10-minute tread water drill. With me not being the best swimmer at the time, I struggled with the 200-yard swim. I was able to complete the 10-minute survival tread, but not without some fatigue. After the first class, I contemplated whether I should stay in the class. I decided to stick with the class and see what came of pursuing this new hobby.

Over the next couple of months, I gained insurmountable knowledge about SCUBA diving. The first few classes consisted of learning the basics of skin diving and snorkel clearing. After learning these skills, the next classes had us put on our tanks and fins and learn the basics of SCUBA. Two of the basic skills we were learning, weight belt remove and replace and the disconnecting of the low-pressure inflator, came as a struggle for me to grasp. My instructors were patient with me, and I soon became an expert in almost all of the necessary skills of SCUBA. I became a star student within the class because of my focus and determination to become a diver. One of my instructors said something to me while I was on the surface of the water with my wetsuit, fins and mask on. He said, “You are looking like a diver now.” That statement stills sticks with me to this day because it shows how far I came in becoming a diver

I signed up for the open water portion of the class as soon as registration opened. The class was conducted in Otsego Lake, near Cooperstown N.Y. The surface temperature of the water was barely 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Once under the water, the temperature dipped to 48 degrees under the thermocline on most of the dives. This became another barrier for me to overcome. Our first dive had us exploring a sunken island in the middle of the lake. One of my instructors was my buddy, and we entered the water and began exploring the area. The sun lit up the area underwater and I knew right away that diving was something I was willing to pursue more.

Dives 2 and 3 of the open water portion of my certification went smoothly, and only one more dive stood in my way from becoming an open water diver. I was the most nervous for this dive because it consisted of mask removal and replacement and underwater compass navigation. Even though I have done mask removal many times in the pool, I was nervous trying to complete it in open water. I did my giant-stride entry into the lake, and we descended to the bottom to complete the skill. My heart was beating fast waiting for my turn to do the skill. When it was my turn, I turned off my nervousness and completed it with no problem. Next, I executed the underwater navigation skill perfectly and I surfaced as an open water diver. After not even being able to disconnect and reconnect my low-pressure inflator correctly a few months back, I overcame all my struggles and became a diver.

Calling myself a diver is still gratifying a year after my certification. My story should be taken into account for anyone who is teetering on the decision to become a diver. Even if there are obstacles to overcome, as long as you stay focused on learning from your instructors, you can join the group of people that call themselves divers. I am taking my advanced course in the fall, and I still enjoy learning all I can to become a better diver.

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/diver-safety/selecting-best-mix/

Selecting Best Mix

 Here’s a question for all the recreational NITROX divers out there.  How do you go about choosing your mix for a given dive?  I know it sounds like a stupid question, since we all went through NITROX training, and we all remember the simple math required to select the best mix,  but there is some common sense judgment that I’m not sure is being completely passed on in all cases.

The reason I ask is this.  I was on a dive in Key Largo recently with a dive operator who will remain nameless.  I was down there with my long time dive buddy Derek Sullivan and we were on the way out to dive the Spiegel Grove wreck.  Once we got our gear on board and began setting up, we realized that there were a large number of people on the boat who were using this as a certification dive for a NITROX course that had been given by the charter operator.  Not only was the divemaster going from student to student analyzing their mix for them, (the students should have been doing their own analysis) the operator had provided the students with 32%.  Now, if you’re not familiar with the Spiegel Grove wreck, it’s 130 feet to the sand with the main deck being at around 90 feet.  We all know that we need to choose a mix that will keep our PPO2 at or below 1.4 to be safe.   Now, assuming that the students will stay on the main deck at around 90 feet, their PPO2 will stay around 1.2.  Great, right?  Not so fast!  What happens when one of them drops a GoPro over the side or down into a hold?  What if a dive computer or an expensive light drops into the sand, will they just watch it fall?  Not likely.  What is the magic number we want to steer clear of during the working portion of any dive, 1.6 correct?  Ok, well, if someone drops something they value into the sand at 130 feet with 32% NITROX, their PPO2 will go to 1.57% when they go to retrieve it.  That’s dangerously close to 1.6, and WAY past our conservative number of 1.4.  Is that a guaranteed O2 hit?  Of course not, but if the water is cold, they have been working hard against a stiff current and maybe they’re nursing a bit of a hangover, is it possible?  Yep!

I think most of us take a little license with the PPO2 from time to time.  I’m not going to hang around a dive shop while they re-mix a fill just because it would put my PPO2 at 1.45.  I’ll dive it.  But, I wouldn’t intentionally dive a mix that would put my PPO2 at 1.57 for any of the working portion of a dive.  But I feel like that’s exactly what this operator set its students up to do.  This is just my opinion and it isn’t the first time I’ve seen people choose a mix that’s right for the intended dive without taking the possibility of an unintended trip to the sand into account.

It also concerns me when I see on a message board discussing an upcoming dive, someone ask, “Hey Bob, what is the recommended NITROX mix for this dive?”, or “What mix are you going to use?”.  Again, in my opinion, anyone who doesn’t know how to determine the best mix for a dive shouldn’t be breathing NITROX.

It just seems to me that any diver who is advanced enough to have a NITROX certification should:

Always personally analyze the gas they’re breathing.

Fully understand the math required to determine the best mix and why it’s important.

Choose a mix that’s suitable for the worst case scenario in case something goes south.

NEVER LET ANYONE TELL THEM WHAT MIX THEY SHOULD BE USING…FIGURE IT OUT!

Recreational scuba diving has an amazing safety record and I genuinely believe that it is in large part due to the fact that most instructors scare the bejesus out of students with “don’t do this or you’ll die” statements.  “NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATH” and  “NEVER DIVE ALONE” are a couple that come to mind that serve to keep a novice diver from doing something stupid until they have enough experience to be able to put both of those statements into a workable context.  Why then are we telling novice NITROX divers to choose a mix suitable for the dive they intend to do when there are so many things that could change their plan on the fly?

[mikeschad]

Caribbean Spotlight: Blissful Jamaica

Jamaica is a thriving scuba diving destination and the largest English speaking Caribbean island. An abundance of land and water-based activities are available on this beautiful island, and everyone will be kept entertained. Jamaica has over 4,000 sq. miles of varied terrain and underwater fringing reefs.

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/education/the-importance-of-being-a-divemaster/

The Importance of Being A Divemaster

Are you focused on becoming a dive professional? Want to go straight to the top and become a Scuba Idol? First, take a moment to read why working as a divemaster will help your career in the long run.

  Divemaster vs. Scuba Instructor

  We’ve all seen the job advertisements for scuba instructors. They far outweigh the demand for divemasters. Why? Well, instructors can do it all – they teach, they guide, and they do all the standard dive shop jobs. Don’t get me wrong – that’s a good thing!

  Many candidates fast forward straight to instructor once they’ve passed their divemaster course. The downside to this, is the level of experience the instructor then holds. Working solely as a divemaster gives you a great experience base to draw from, when you eventually go on to being an instructor.

  The Benefit of a Trained Divemaster

  A good divemaster is a major benefit to instructors when teaching. They are the link between the instructor and the students. They rally the troops, provide morale, and make the schedule run smoothly. They provide safety support, fill the tanks, and make the funniest jokes.

  From an instructors point of view, the divemaster needs to develop to a point where they instantly know what you are thinking underwater. They also need to have the experience to know what action the situation calls for. Alright, so ideally they need to be psychic too.

  The Benefit of Working as a Divemaster

  Divemasters have a number of programs they can conduct. Volunteer for as many of these as possible. They will help to build your confidence when giving briefings, working in the water with students, and answering diving questions.

  I worked solely as a divemaster, then as an assistant instructor, before entering for my instructor exams. I believe this gave me a much broader knowledge base to begin teaching with. At the instructor exams, the level of confidence shown by each candidate reflected their experience. It was easy to spot the people who had already worked in the industry as divemasters or assistant instructors, and they definitely had an advantage.

  By working alongside many different instructors, as their assistant, you learn a lot. Most of all how to read a situation and adapt. My top piece of advice for future candidates is to take the best from each instructor you work with, and then develop your own style.

  When you have completed your divemaster course, continue to ask the instructors for feedback after a training session. They should brief you before you go in the water with them, but find out if you fulfilled the role they expected of you. Constructive criticism is always beneficial, and means you constantly evolve and improve as a divemaster.

  Another benefit from working as a dedicated divemaster is that you will understand how to treat and direct divemasters that work for you later in your career. If you busted your gut doing all the behind-the-scenes work, then hopefully this will make you appreciate your future divemasters.

  Divemaster Work Experience and Employment

  Divemaster work will often start out as unpaid, unless you are working in a holiday resort and guiding guests. Many people offer their divemaster services in order to build up personal dive experience, with the idea of becoming an instructor in the future. Don’t be disheartened if you do not get paid straight away; the dive industry is similar to any other, it may be challenging to get your first break.

  Many dive centers like to employ people that they have trained in-house. Find a nice dive center and stick with them. You will have a higher chance of gaining employment in comparison to a new instructor sending in their CV.

  Divemaster of the Universe!

  So you see there are many benefits to spending time working as a divemaster. Don’t rush through your training and work experience just to get the golden ticket. If you are in for the long run then take your time, enjoy the ride, and flourish along the way.

  Did you work as a divemaster before you became an instructor? What advice do you have for people just starting out in the industry?

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/sharkskin-vs-lavacore-concept-worlds-apart/

Sharkskin vs. Lavacore: Same Concept, World’s Apart

To Purchase Sharkskin or Lavacore? That is the question.  Both manufacturers claim the same benefits: windproof, childproof, and splashproof. While this may be true, I am here to tell you one clearly rises over the other when it comes to quality, durability, and living up to their claims.

Lavacore

I first purchased my lavacore full body suit from a local distributor. I had heard great things regarding this product, and I was very excited to use this on my next dive out of Fort Lauderdale. It looked great, and was very comfortable. The suit allowed for excellent range of motion. One of the details I noticed was the zipper; both the teeth and the zipper itself we constructed from plastic. Initially this was a concern, however I thought the manufacturer might have used a high quality material for the plastic. I was incorrect . . . I used the suit on 3 dives, and had to replace the suit after each dive due to the zipper teeth breaking off. This could have been due to a bad batch in the manufacturing process, but nonetheless it was an inconvenience (I have been informed by the manufacturer that they now use a metal zipper). After the dives, I did notice myself getting chilled on the return boat ride, even with the surface temperature being 74 degrees, I needed to put on my overcoat to stay warm.

Upon return from the dive (and before I exchanged the suit), I noticed a peculiar odor coming from the suit. Even after I used a specially formulated shampoo for wetsuits, it still had the smell of a wet dog. According to the manufacturer’s website, Lavacore uses a “Insulative Thermal Inner Layer+” which has an anti-pill treatment and anti-microbial treatment to reduce odor…In my opinion, it is not working very well. The smell isn’t a deal breaker, however I would not recommend storing it in a dive bag.

  Sharkskin Upon further research on the lavacore product, I discovered another product making entry into the United States market. Sharkskin, an Australia based manufacturer was being distributed by Huish Outdoors. I started talking with Seminole Scuba, a local diveshop in Lake Mary Florida regarding the product. I also had seen the Sharkskin product line at the 2013 DEMA show in Orlando. The sharkskin suit, like its competition is a trilaminate suit. The difference is the quality of the materials. When you rub your hand along the exterior it feels rough, much like a shark’s skin. This enables the suit to repel water, which allows it to dry faster. The suit also has full membrane to keep air from penetrating the suit, keeping you chill free on those windy boat rides. The middle layer wicks the moisture away from your skin to further reduce the evaporative cooling effect. Sharkskin also utilizes Polartec, one of the top fleece components available on the market. Rest assured, your suit will not smell like a wet dog each time you use it! Lastly, the zipper…I have used my suit on multiple dives without having to deal with zipper damage. I also managed to stay comfortable, even with a surface temperature of 70 degrees.

It is my opinion that the Sharkskin product is superior to the Lavacore product. Engineering, manufacturing, and quality of materials, Sharkskin prevails. Sharkskin also comes at a higher price point. If you are looking to purchase one of these products, I would recommend Sharkskin.

document.write("<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Mens-Sharkskin-Chillproof-full-suit/dp/B00J4Y563Y%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIXQX2WDYINMLUBGA%26tag%3Dscublo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00J4Y563Y\" class=\"asin_B00J4Y563Y_US_ amazonjs_item\" rel=\"amazonjs\"><span class=\"amazonjs_indicator\">Mens Sharkskin Chillproof 1PC full suit - Size Large")

document.write("<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Womens-Sharkskin-Chillproof-full-suit/dp/B00J4Y58GY%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIXQX2WDYINMLUBGA%26tag%3Dscublo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00J4Y58GY\" class=\"asin_B00J4Y58GY_US_ amazonjs_item\" rel=\"amazonjs\"><span class=\"amazonjs_indicator\">Womens Sharkskin Chillproof 1PC full suit - Size 8")

document.write("<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Womens-Chillproof-Climate-Control-Sharkskin/dp/B00J4Y5HHE%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIXQX2WDYINMLUBGA%26tag%3Dscublo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00J4Y5HHE\" class=\"asin_B00J4Y5HHE_US_ amazonjs_item\" rel=\"amazonjs\"><span class=\"amazonjs_indicator\">Womens Chillproof Climate Control Long Sleeve Sharkskin Size - 12")

document.write("<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Chillproof-Climate-Control-Sleeve-Sharkskin/dp/B00J4Y5CHO%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIXQX2WDYINMLUBGA%26tag%3Dscublo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00J4Y5CHO\" class=\"asin_B00J4Y5CHO_US_ amazonjs_item\" rel=\"amazonjs\"><span class=\"amazonjs_indicator\">Mens Chillproof Climate Control Long Sleeve Sharkskin - Size Large")

For more Sharkskin Products, Click Here

Editors Note: Neither of these suits were provided complimentary by the manufacturer, both were purchased in order to give a true unbiased opinion.

[mikeschad]

It's the small things! My review of a magnetic hose holder

The Scuba Diving Dive Magnetic Regulator Octo​pus Hose Holder Clip is a great solution for securing octopus attachments and similar hoses exactly where a diver wants them. Find out more by reading my review!

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/small-things-review-magnetic-hose-holder/

IT’S THE SMALL THINGS! MY REVIEW OF A MAGNETIC HOSE HOLDER

A hidden world beneath the ocean’s deep blue waters beckons explorers. Many advances in today’s specialized diving equipment makes it easier for divers to fulfill their dreams of deep sea exploration, but with so many items available, which “extras” really make dives easier and should be added to our kits? Good equipment really can make a difference!

I see it all the time… even the best recreational scuba divers struggle to keep hoses streamlined and contained under water. After yet another dive where I struggled with my rec gear’s alternate air/ octopus hose, I decided to take some action. My first clip stopped work well with my gear and wasn’t keeping hoses in place during dives, and was hard to stow back after drills. A snorkel keeper worked, but I worried about pulling out the mouthpiece if I needed to give it quickly to a buddy.

I saw magnetic holders on www.Scuba-Choice.com and decided to try them. So far, after about a dozen dives using the magnetic regulator octopus hose holder clip, I’ve decided it’s a great solution because it does the job, and I love it!

document.write("<a href=\"#\" class=\"asin_B0093AOB5S_US_ amazonjs_item\" rel=\"amazonjs\"><span class=\"amazonjs_indicator\">Scuba Diving Magnetic Regulator Octo pus Hose Holder Clip (Gold)")

Features of Scuba Diving Dive Magnetic Regulator Octo​pus Hose Holder Clip

• This strong, durable and unique clip is designed for securing octopus attachment and other similar hoses

• It has strong magnetic connection that facilitates easy deployment and restoration of the octopus or other gauges

• It consists of magnetic fixing and high tensile polymer holder

• It is available in two exotic colors: Blue and Gold

• This clip allows divers to adjust and customize placement

Advantages of using Scuba Diving Dive Magnetic Regulator Octo​pus Hose Holder Clip

Installing the magnet to the hose was a breeze… the other magnet part just clipped on my BCD. With this magnetic octopus hose holder is it SUPER easy to hook and unhook the octopus and other hoses and gauges.

If I had one wish, it would be that the manufacturer would offer more than two color choices.

Conclusion

The Scuba Diving Dive Magnetic Regulator Octo​pus Hose Holder Clip is a great solution for securing octopus attachments and similar hoses exactly where a diver wants them.

It secures the octopus attachment and other similar hoses right at their place. Every diver should try one of these useful hose holder clips from www.scuba-choice.com.

[mikeschad]

5 Great Scuba Diving Safety Devices

Check out these great scuba diving safety devices that will prove their worth in an emergency situation:

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/mataking-island-diving-get-best-experience-diving/

Mataking Island Diving – Get the Best Experience in Diving

Mataking Island which is known as the excellent home base for divers, by itself and is closely surrounded by other Islands harboring more than 20 sites. There is only one dive shop called The Reef Dive Resort in Mataking Island which is the epitome of luxury. This resort runs trips around the island so there are no cases of divers crowding over the place which can scare off the marine life.

Mataking Island is also good place for non-divers as they can visit to enjoy the great sceneries as they watch the divers do their thing. As you search around the reefs for mandarin fish, giant frogfish or the rare pygmy seahorses, you will give a chance to enjoy the schools of trevally, barracuda and Spanish mackerel all swirling around you. These make Mataking island the place to be. You can also find things like ribbon eels and leaf fish among the hard and soft corals in the Mataking reefs. If you are lucky enough, you may get a chance to see the elusive orangutan crab moving with all its fuzzy glory.

Great Dive Sites in Mataking Island

What make Mataking Island diving so famous are its few but unique dive sites which are situated in an area full of unique and colorful creatures. These great sites are:

The Underwater Post Office

The origin of this site is very unique. It all started in 2006 when an old wooden cargo ship was sunk of the Island. This was done as part of a conservation project. Amazingly, the ship became an artificial reef for tropical reef fish and for diving enthusiasts, it became a post office. This may not be making a lot of sense to you but yes, it is a real post office. Divers are able to deposit their postcards which are later picked up and send to different parts of the world. The mail is wrapped carefully in a waterproof bag then placed in a mailbox the helm of the ship. The mails are picked up twice each week and are then sent off to their destinations.

The Garden of Eden

Garden of Eden is a diving site situated just south of Mataking Besar. It consists of beautiful soft corals, featherstars and anemones. In this place you will meet plenty of Angelfish and Moorish Idols swimming during your diving adventure. You will also come across frogfish, leaf fish and colorful ribbon eels swimming through this colorful site. The dive here drops to a depth of 25 meters and is characterized by a mild current.

Other Dives

A part from the above two dives; there are other dive sites which include Lobsters Lair, Nudibranch Garden, Turtle Playground and Hump Head Point. These sites are homes for plenty of sea creatures from which they derive their names.

Which is the best time to visit Mataking Island for diving?

The diving on Mataking Island is usually open all the seasons of the year. However, the best visibility is experienced during the dry seasons. If you wish to get the best dive experience, visit the Island between March and October.

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/caribbean-juvenile-fish-ugly-ducklings/

Caribbean Juvenile Fish - No Ugly Ducklings Here!

Our coral reefs are home to some of the most beautiful Caribbean juvenile fish. From flamboyant to downright adorable, let’s take a closer look at the Caribbean’s prettiest juveniles:

Caribbean Juvenile Fish

Juvenile French Angelfish

The juvenile French angelfish is a show stopper. You won’t miss the bold black body and striking yellow stripes. With just a touch of iridescent blue, this fish is easy to spot (however small) on Caribbean reefs. As they mature, their stripes fade and the body lightens to navy flocked with yellow.

  Juvenile Beaugregory

Small and oval shaped, this Caribbean juvenile fish is very pretty. A bright yellow under body graduates upwards to grey. Beaugregory’s look like they have been frosted on top with eye-catching blue dots.

  Juvenile Yellowtail Damselfish

This Caribbean juvenile fish is the one that snorkelers and divers notice the most. Their luminous blue body is adorned with opalescent turquoise spots. A transparent or yellow tail finishes off their glitzy costume. You can watch them in the shallower reefs flitting between the coral and rocks.

  Juvenile Smooth Trunkfish

Quite possibly the cutest Caribbean juvenile fish. I call them the “bumblebees of the sea”, due to their tiny black bodies which are decorated with yellow dots. Tiny translucent fins make them appear to be hovering. Look into recesses on coral heads, and you may find one shyly bumbling around. Spotted trunkfish and cowfish have very similar juveniles, with variation on color and pattern.

  Juvenile Spanish Hogfish

The hogfish is conspicuous and beautiful in form. As a Caribbean juvenile fish (in its initial stage) it varies from white to flame red, with a stunning pearlescent finish. The dorsal fin is composed of three longer spines and a number of shorter ones. A pig-like snout is where the name is derived from. It is often found on the reef edge amongst sea fans. As it matures, it becomes black and white in color.

  Juvenile Spotted Drumfish

“Elegant” and “graceful” are two of the best words to describe the juvenile spotted drum. The small white body is painted with flowing stripes of black, emphasising the delicate C-shape made by the fins. As it grows from a Caribbean juvenile fish to an adult, the dainty dorsal fin becomes defined. Black and white polka dots appear along the back and on its tail. The jackknifefish is very similar as a juvenile, but you can tell them apart as the jackknife has a black stripe, rather than a dot, on its nose.

  Juvenile Bridled Burrfish (post larval)

I take back my earlier comment about the trunkfish being the cutest Caribbean juvenile fish! The bridled burrfish in the post larval stage is simply amazing. The boxy body is sunshine yellow, and black-ringed, white spots add a striking touch. Protruding spikes contrast the large puppy dog eyes and as a defence mechanism they can inflate their body by sucking in water or air. Look for the adults on the edge of the reef or over seagrass beds.

  Juvenile Blue Tang

Common in the Caribbean, these delightful reef fish transform as they mature. Their bright yellow juvenile exterior changes in the intermediate stage to blue with a yellow tail. As they mature to adults, they have a light or dark blue finish. The blue tang’s fins are normally golden blue, and the rings around their eyes are purple-blue or blue-green. They eat algae so you can find them around coral reefs, rocky areas and rubble patches.

  Which one is your favorite Caribbean juvenile fish? Have you seen any that you can’t identify?

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/todays-know-3-11-14/

Today's Did you Know! 3-11-14

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/know-3-11-14/

Did you Know! 3-11-14

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/caribbean-spotlight-sint-maarten/

Caribbean Spotlight: Sizzling Sint Maarten

Located in the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, Sint Maarten is part of the Caribbean Netherlands. It is the Dutch side of an island called Saint Martin, which is shared with France. Sint Maarten is roughly divided in half, with the southern section belonging to the Netherlands. The capital city is Phillipsburg on the south coast and the highest proportion of people live on the Dutch side of the island. English and Dutch are the main languages spoken, with Spanish, French Creole, and Papiamento also used.

  Sint Maarten – A Tropical Hive of Activity

Sint Maarten has a reputation for excitement, adventure, and activity. Scuba diving is just one of the many thrilling activities for visitors, and the island has a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a bustling nightlife.

Sint Maarten enjoys a subtropical climate; dry season extends from January to April, and rainy season from August to December. Diving is year-round! Temperatures remain fairly stable throughout the year – the average air temperature is 27°C (81°F), with highs of 34°C. Sea temperatures range from a low of 26°C (78°F) in February to highs of 28°C (83°F) in October. I found that a short or long 3mm wetsuit was adequate thermal protection, depending on the season.

There are seven registered PADI dive operators on Sint Maarten, including a great liveaboard that departs from the island. All of the centers offer equipment rental for diving and snorkeling. The dive centers have experienced diving teams and use multilingual international instructors. The predominant languages spoken are: Dutch, English, German, and Spanish. The nearest recompression chamber is on Saba or Sint Eustatius.

  Sint Maarten: Wrecks, Reefs & Plenty of Sharks

Sint Maarten offers scuba divers many different diving experiences – you can try shark diving, explore the historic and modern-day wrecks, and enjoy the coral-encrusted boulder formations. The reefs around Sint Maarten consist of boulder and rock formations, which have been covered by corals and sponges – not true coral reefs. The dive sites average 18m (60ft) and visibility depends on the weather conditions – windy months such as December and January have the lowest viz. I found that visibility averaged between 18-25m (60-80ft).

  Sint Maarten’s Shark Hotel – Where all the divers want to stay!

A popular dive is Shark Hotel; aptly named for the amount of sharks that divers encounter. Reef sharks and nurse sharks are the most common species that divers will see. Turtles, stingrays, eaglerays, and barracuda also grace this area. Great for all levels of diver, the reef sits at a depth of 17-20m (55-65ft). Spiny lobsters and Caribbean reef fish, such as grunts and chromis, are abundant.

  Wrecks Galore on Sint Maarten

HMS Proselyte was a Dutch frigate that accidentally sunk when it hit a reef in 1801. It now sits on a sandy, boulder-strewn bottom, and is completely covered in coral and sponge growth. Cannons and anchors are scattered across the sea bed, which averages 14-17m (45-55ft). Mild currents make this an easy dive with good photographic opportunities. Divers also saw turtles, barracuda, octopus, stingrays, and porcupinefish.

Advanced divers will like the wreck of the Fuh Sheng. This Taiwanese fishing vessel lays on her port side at a depth of 34-40m (110-130ft), and penetration is possible for those properly trained. Schooling fish circle the wreckage, and stingrays and eaglerays can be seen on the surrounding sandy plateau. Eels and angelfish are other fish you might see inside the wreck.

Another deep wreck dive is the Porpoise – a local tug boat that was purpose-sunk in 1995. Sitting upright, her shallowest depth is 17m (55ft), with the seabed at 28m (90ft). She has a couple of fun swim-throughs that divers can explore. Stingrays, spiny lobsters, flounders, barracuda, and trumpetfish are common to see around this wreck.

  Have you visited Sint Maarten? Tell us what your favourite dive site is!

document.write("<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Frommers-Portable-Maarten-Martin-Anguilla/dp/1118368991%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIXQX2WDYINMLUBGA%26tag%3Dscublo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1118368991\" class=\"asin_1118368991_US_ amazonjs_item\" rel=\"amazonjs\"><span class=\"amazonjs_indicator\">Frommer\'s Portable St. Maarten / St. Martin, Anguilla and St. Barts")

document.write("<a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-St-Martin-Sint-Maarten-ebook/dp/B0074EE0D8%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIXQX2WDYINMLUBGA%26tag%3Dscublo-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0074EE0D8\" class=\"asin_B0074EE0D8_US_ amazonjs_item\" rel=\"amazonjs\"><span class=\"amazonjs_indicator\">Lonely Planet St-Martin/Sint Maarten: Chapter from Caribbean Islands Travel Guide")

  Photo courtesy of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau.