Mainstreaming Diving

We are probably at the height of the TV series and movie remake period.  Whether writers are out of new, original, good ideas or Retro is just in, you gotta admit, we are into New Spins on old shows.  There have been winners and losers.  Hawaii FIVE O is a winner in my book, even with “DANO” in the new series being from NJ.  The New Charlie’s Angels, not so much.  Funny that my opinions were the exact opposite back in the day.

Diving needs an awesome TV series.  We need another “Mike Nelson” or another “Jacques Cousteau”.  We need Drama and Adventure on the Tube based on Scuba.  These shows are why I always wanted to get into scuba.

Now we have shows like “Into the Drink” and Movies like “Sanctum”, but it’s not the same.  We need drama, adventure and Escape!  We need “Mike Nelson”

Now I am an avid diver, an instructor, a scuba nut!  I’m in, I’m sold!  Why would I “need” a Dive based TV show.  Well, because I’d watch it, talk to my scuba buddies about it, and my non-scuba buddies.  They might just get-it why I love scuba once they are “Sucked in” to the show.

So PADI has dabbled in this area with the Drop Zone series.  Now I love those documentary style Surf meets Scuba shows…actually I’m infatuated with Holly Beck…that is beside the point. But they are not addictive.  We need Mike back.

So, Hollywood, before you remake another SITCOM, bring us Mike Nelson!  (or even Michelle Nelson!)

Voracious Beauty

Lionfish have become the talk of the dive and reef communities.  Lionfish are normally confined to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, where they're relatively rare. With colourful but venomous spines, the fish has proved a popular aquarium pet. But at some point in the early 1990s, the fish escaped into the wild; how this happened is a subject of much speculation.

Since then, the fish has invaded much of the Caribbean, devouring any small fish in its path. They are not particular about where it lives, colonising both reefs and mangrove lagoons. This means young reef fish that typically shelter in mangrove lagoons before they set up home on coral reefs don't stand a chance.

Voracious predators, scientists are increasingly concerned about the effect they could have. In some experiments, lionfish have led to a 70 per cent reduction in native juvenile fish species.

So they have become the target of many hunting expeditions aimed at thinning the herd, including many "If you can't beat'em, eat 'em" campaigns.  But while we humans are likely the cause of this invasion, and we are taking to hunting to curb their effect, perhaps we should leave t to nature to fix the problem.

In the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park – the oldest, largest and 'best-policed' marine reserve in The Bahamas – researchers found ten times fewer lionfish in parts of the reef where there are lots of groupers. Fishing has been banned in the park for 20 years, so it now boasts a healthy grouper population.

 

But other experts would say the reason you do not find as many lionfish where groupers are abundant is because they force the lionfish out of their territory, just like they do in the Indo-Pacific.  Either way, populations are controlled.

 

Bottom-line, maybe we should focus on Groupers and they'll take care of the rest.

Cold Water Diving – Why?

I recently attended a lecture by Dr. Drew Richardson that covered his most recent Antarctic Diving Expedition ( http://tecrec.padi.com/tag/antarctica-diving/ ).  They drilled through 7 feet of ice to get to the water and what a world they explored…Giant Sponges, playful seals, unadulterated underwater landscapes and creatures…absolutely beautiful vistas.  What an adventure! …but at the extreme of “Cold Water Diving” and not necessarily what I’m talking about here.  Few of us get to experience the -2 degrees Celsius temps of Drew’s Tec dives, but most of us have plenty of opportunity to dive  in Cold water (40 to 70 degrees F) on the east and west coasts of the United States and see beautiful vistas, 6 Gilled Sharks, Octopus, Kelp Forests, wrecks, Lobsters, etc.  That is the cold water I’m talking about. 

Check out this link: http://www.alertdiver.com/Catalina_Island and see one example that exemplifies the awesome sights to be seen! 

You don’t have to be cold, by the way.  Depending where you are diving, 7mm Wet Suit technology has certainly come a long way to providing protection in frigid waters and Drysuits, which can make the chilliest waters comfortable, are more available than ever (more and more Dive Centers rent them), and more affordable to the recreational diver than ever.

A Drysuit certification is essential to safely and comfortably dive a drysuit and like everything else in life, the more you dive ‘em, the unique skills become second nature…and what a world they open up to divers!  Check out a few more examples of Cold Water Adventures:

http://www.alertdiver.com/Beneath_Cold_Seas

http://www.alertdiver.com/The_Quarries_of_Northwest_Ohio

http://www.scubadiving.com/article/news/2012-great-lakes-shipwreck-festival-dates-announced

http://www.theperfectdive.com/DEF-SiteList.asp

 Bottom-line:  There is something new and cool in all out world's wters and oceans,  be adventurous and check 'em out!

DEMA 2011 Report

DEMA 2011 was another awesome experience!  So much to see, we were only able to capture a small snippet what was out there.  Here's a sampling of the cool things we saw:

MiFlex Hoses: Color Color Color!  Check out http://www.miflexhoses.co.uk/ for a variety of new hose colors including purple, blue and Pink!

Zeagle - The new Ranger LTD now comes standard in Black or in Smoke Gray, a good looking, rich color that compliments any suit or other gear color combination. The shoulder is designed with the new super duty Airloc buckle that will swivel to adjust the harness to the body’s contour to eliminate binding and restriction of movement at the chest and underarm areas. That is very cool.  With the addition of harness type webbing and a new threading arrangement the diver can easily add more D-rings and other accessories conveniently on the shoulder. This feature will now allow the technical and accessory minded diver to further set-up his BC to what he needs for the type of diving he is doing. We have also added a right-hand shoulder dump with a pull knob located conveniently on the inside edge of the right shoulder pad. The dump valve acts also as an additional safety overpressure valve.

·        Wicked Ranger – Way cool.  You just have to check it out: http://www.zeagle.com/showproduct/1081/Wicked-Ranger/

·        Custom Colors:  Check out these photos!

Body Glove - Colors and Styles.  Here are a few examples of some sharp new looks.  Body Glove has come a long way with Wetsuits and Skins.  If you haven’t checked them out…you should!

 

There was much, much more and you should check out the following link to see a few video’s of the Floor.  http://www.demashow.com/dema2011/public/enter.aspx

2012 is going to be a very exciting year for diving!

Destination: The Grand Bahamas, Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort

A whirl wind adventure to the Caribbean for pennies on the dollar! Last week I had no plans to be whisked away to a luxury resort in the Bahamas. Now I sit on Vision Airlines premier flight from Richmond, VA enroute to be “Wined and Dined and dived!”

This is one of the advantages of being a PADI Pro, something lovingly known as the “FAM Trip” (Did I mention we have a GoPro night scheduled 30 November?). “FAM” for familiarization trips are where Dive locations, Airlines, Ministry of Tourism’s team up to educate Travel brokers and Dive Shops on the advantages of planning trips to their locations. It’s typically a great deal and an outstanding way to get first hand information on potential new travel locations.

This morning I rose early (4AM) and traveled to Richmond Airport. I had never flown from that airport and I have to say, “Not Bad.” Vision Airlines begins its direct flight from Richmond to Freeport in November, so today was a test run as well. (I guess we were already on Island time!) No worries as they checked us in to our hotel (Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort) while we waited we had plenty of time for a nice breakfast. Full plane, free drinks…so far so good.

Flight is away, the party atmosphere continues.  The Bahamanian Ambassador flew with us and welcomed us to his Island.  (<2 hr flight direct from Richmond on Vision Air - Sweet!) A quick bus ride to the resort and a grand welcome to the Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort.  Free Bahama Mommas are flowing and a small trade show is inside.  As soon as I am recognized as a Diver I am whisked away across the street to the UNEXSO Dive operation.  Here I am informed that the boat will be leaving shortly, and we are off to a Shark Dive at "Shark Junction!"

We line up and the show begins.  I don't want to ruin the story...you'll need to experience it yourself!  A short boat ride back and lunch is waiting for me. I chat with other divers eating lunch and then off to get ready for the evening festivities.

The Evening party began at 6PM.  Conch in many dishes, open bar, dancing music and a parade! About 9PM the party moves to the Casino and goes on to the wee hours of the night.  Absolutely fabulous!

A full day of tours the next day, including Stuart's Coves new location at the West End and back to the airport!  Bags already there!  They had free Bahama Mammas again and we fly home when the plane is loaded!  Yahoo!  What a great time, what a great dive location with tons to do and what a friendly island!

I'm in for another Grand Bahama!

 

Diver Fitness

The latest edition of "Alert Diver" is out and has some extraordinary articles of interest to all divers.  I really like what DAN has done with this magazine.  While I love the hard copy I get at home, you can also read it online at www.alertdiver.com. The article that got me going on this Blog is called "Dive Fitness."  I've met all kinds of divers in the dive business, from all walks of life and the one common denominator across the board is the love of the sport. As I mentioned in my last blog, I've just turned 50 and realize that I am mortal.  While the Military has kept me fit for my job, I've realized that I need to focus more on fitness to dive.  I want to dive through the next half century and getting and staying fit to dive will not only enhance my enjoyment of the sport, but help ensure I can continue to 105, where I intend to end my diving career on a beach somewhere warm!

I encourage all of you to take a look at the dive fitness article at http://www.alertdiver.com/612, and figure out how you can improve your dive health and enjoyment of the sport.  Interval training is just one option and one piece of the puzzle...but it is a start.  I'm starting today.  Stay fit and stay diving.

Why I Dive....

So I turned 50 the other day...another half century down...two more to go.  My family executed an awesome surprise party aboard the "Miss River Shore" here in Occoquan, VA.  The boat was loaded with my family and some of our best friends, all met through scuba diving.  Other than the Naval Academy (alma mater), and the Military (my day job), and  scuba diving, I can't think of a group that have developed to such strong and lasting relationships.

Excitement, travel and exploration brought me into the sport and have certainly kept me passionate about it, but the friendships have sealed the deal.  So many times I've witnessed complete strangers coming together in Scuba Class or on trips and they leave with new lifelong friends and dive buddies.  I look forward to all the new friends we will make before my next 50th birthday.  Looking for adventure, awe and excitement?  Looking for friends that share your zest....come join the journey!

First Time For Everything - Open Water Diver's First Ocean Dive

First Time For Everything - Jenn Mathis

I remember my dad's advice as I struggled to learn to ride my first Big Girl Bike sans training wheels: "Keep looking up. If you're always looking down you won't see a thing!" Those early rides on my yellow bike (complete with streamers and a super-cool white basket with plastic flowers) were so freeing. The wind in my hair. That great sensation of independence. The normal barriers didn't apply anymore; I could go places! I closed my eyes and could literally feel the wind in my hair.

Opening my eyes I realize I'm not 5 years old anymore. I'm thirty-something and my super cool yellow-bike-with-streamers-and-a-flowered-basket has been replaced with a set of fins and a regulator. The wind in my hair is real enough - Captain Rod is at the wheel steering his vessel through the Gulf waves to my first ocean water dive as a PADI certified diver. For that matter it's my first swim in the open ocean - ever. And my first dive without my Patriot Scuba dive buddies who have been with me from the start.

"Don't look down Jenn."

Captain Rod's advice as we approach the site, "once you head for the back of the boat just keep moving til you reach the bottom." Whew. Okay... I closed my eyes and took that giant stride leap of faith into the vast ocean, found the anchor line and began my decent. I then woke up to a whole new world.

The silence was so calming and peaceful. Each breath found me more and more relaxed. The warm water wrapped around my wetsuit like a friend's embrace after a long absence. It was all-consuming and instantly tranquil. Grouper, sea urchins, starfish, spiny lobster and spotted scorpionfish - they all moved at their own pace down here. Time was suspended. Weightless. And beautiful.

For 75 glorious minutes that Friday morning, I was fortunate enough to view the world from a different lens. What I didn't realize was how much of the water I would carry back with me.

It's been three days since Jenn's-first-ever-super-cool-big-girl-ocean-dive,

yet the tranquility remains inside of me as if I still wore my wetsuit.

There's this relaxed grin on my face that hasn't left me. Closing my eyes I am instantly transported back to the reefs. I hope the water's embrace will carry with me for a long time to come. In the meantime, I promise to keep looking up.

Scuba Can Change your Life - A New Diver's Story

One Student's certification experience changed her life!  Here's her story:

"I was asked to write my experience of scuba diving.  My scuba experience is pretty limited, I just became open water certified in February.  I guess I should begin in why I even considered getting into the water.  Simple really, to get my husband off my back!  Jeff was OW certified in August 2010.  He pestered me the entire time to give it a try. Maybe pestered is a strong word.  He wanted to share his experiences and new passion with me.  He dreamed of family trips where we could dive as a family.  I play everything safe, scuba was just too much of a huge risk for me.  I had no desire to strap on all that gear and go down into the unknown.

One Tuesday evening, my daughter, Jordan, and my husband went to the pool for a Discover Scuba.  I relented, said I would try it, but I knew I wouldn’t like it….haha.  Our instructor that evening, Miko, said this was going to be fun, we’ll go over a few basic skills, and go for a little swim.  With much struggling on my end, I did those basic skills, seemed like Jordan flew right by.  Jordan was cold, opted out of the little swim, but I did decide to keep going into the well.  Did I love it?  Absolutely not!  Since Jordan didn’t go for her swim, we were invited to come back whenever, so she could give it a try.  I was pretty confident I wouldn’t be seeing the owners of Patriot anytime soon….haha.

More pestering led us back for another Discover.  Again, Jordan opted out of the swim, but I decided to try it again.  My first time in the well, I was very uncomfortable.  You are not meant to breathe under water.  My second attempt with Miko, I was still pretty uncomfortable, but breathing under water was pretty cool.  I looked at floating band-aids, and was amazed.  Not so much of the band-aids, but the fact I was looking at them while under water, breathing the whole time.  Miko and I swam in circles, he went through hoops and even hung upside down….suspended in water.  I learned you can laugh under water with a regulator in your mouth.

I decided it was time to stop playing safe, do something out of my norm.  Jeff and I went to Patriot and talked with Jeff C. and Merial.  I wanted to wait for warmer weather.  I said I wouldn’t start  because the water is too cold around here.  No problem, I’m told by Jeff C., Patriot has a trip planned for Florida Springs.  I look back now, and realize that afternoon was the beginning of my learning.  You have a problem, it can be solved. 

I felt like the worst student.  Jeff C. and Merial re-assured me I was not the worst, and I was doing great.  I didn’t believe them.  I struggled with everything.  Most times I got out of the water feeling quite defeated, but I knew we’d all be going to Shooter’s for the best hamburger around.  The people that I was sure that I’d never see again, were quickly becoming great friends.   Over dinner, talking about the skills, I found it gave me the confidence and mindset to go back in the pool and accomplish the skills I needed. 

I did become more comfortable, looked forward to it every week.  But I still doubted myself.  I completed my confined, with Jeff C’s guidance.  He was there to “talk me down” as I was hyper-ventilating because taking my mask off is not in my dive plan, and he was there to celebrate with me when I did take my mask off.  I was never forced to do anything I wasn’t ready for, it was my time table.  I continued to go back in the pool, to face the skills that I wasn’t completely confident with, and to go back to Shooter’s with some wonderful people.

We went to Florida Springs with a great group of people.  It was exciting to being certified with two other women, I wasn’t alone!  We dubbed ourselves Charlie’s Angels.  Jeff C. became our Charlie, we laughed so much that first day, we laughed that entire weekend!  I was enthralled with the fish, of looking at wet rock, seeing Kim and Jenn accomplishing skills we’ve only done in the pool. 

Our third dive of the day, Jeff C took us down into Devils Ear, one by one, to look into a cave.  I was having problems with my mask…started to freak out and I told him I wanted to go back up.  I turned around and something in my head snapped.  I thought, I got this far, I know how to clear my mask….why am I letting a little water stop me?  I cleared my mask, we continued to go deeper, and I looked into that cave.  Frankly, I wasn’t impressed with the cave, but I faced my fears and did it.  On surfacing, it was time to remove and put back on my weight belt and bcd.  I’ve been putting off surgery for carpal tunnel.  Quite painful, but I’m left-handed, and who wants to be without your dominant hand?  I struggled, I was tired, in pain, and needed help.  I beat the cave, but the surface skill beat me.

Saturday morning I awoke around 3am.  My whole body hurt, my left hand all the way up to my arm was on fire.  I thought, how in the world am I going to accomplish this surface skill?  I stayed awake, re-playing in my head how I did it in the pool.  I stayed awake in a state of fear that I was going to fail.  When the light finally hit the window, I got dressed and went for a walk, up and down, up and down.  John G. came out to load his car, and virtually slapped me in the face.  I had forgotten, there isn’t a problem that can not be solved.  A much needed pep talk, some ibuprofen, I was ready to go.  Was I 100% confident, no, but everyone believed I could do it.

I had tears that morning getting my wetsuit on, but I walked away, found my zen, and got into the Blue Grotto.  I accomplished the surface skills….I accomplished it!  One of the greatest moments in my life.  The Angels and I were certified that morning in Blue Grotto.  Each one of us had our own struggles.  But we did it.

My 5^th dive, with my pestering husband as my buddy, was a feeling I can not describe.  My descent, with the light coming down on the water, with just the sound of my bubbles.  I found the platform, and for the first time ever, planted my knees down and folded my hands and was completely relaxed.  A feeling came over me, something close to being spiritual, a missing piece of my puzzle was in place.  Our first buddy dive as husband and wife had problems, but they were solved.  I went into the bell, I swam without touching the bottom, I saw fish that I could reach out and touch.  My ascent was just as glorious.  Looking up, clear waters, sound of my bubbles, I was singing inside. 

I started to get my husband off my back, I continued because we were meeting loads of great people, and I finished because I realized it was time to do this for myself.  I have so much to learn, but can not wait to learn it.  I can not wait to get back in the water.  I can not wait to celebrate victories of new divers, and the friends we have met.  I can not wait to get my AOW, and begin my journey to instructor.  Yes, this chicken wants to get more people in the water, I want to have that thrill of showing other chickens everything is possible.

I’m now more confident in everything I do.  I’m ready to take on more challenges.  My puzzle is not yet done. I want to thank my husband for not giving up, to Jordan for reminding me to believe in myself, and to all the instructors at Patriot who counted to three for me, shared their knowledge, and stories with me.  A special thanks to my Angels and Charlie for helping when I needed it the most, for the laughs, and for their undying support.  I can not wait to start planning my dive, and diving my plan with my new found family."

I don't think there will be any stopping her now!  Thanks Lynda for sharing!

"Sanctum" Movie - Good or Bad?

Hey, shows like "Sea Hunt" and National Geographic's "Jacques Cousteau" got me hooked on scuba and the adventure and exploration that it represents.  I couldn't wait to get in the water myself, and when I did, I wasn't disapointed, and my adventure continues today.  The film industry has changed since then and we have produced some amazing films adventures and the like.  Society has become sort of an adreniline junky and the film industry certainly caters to that.  I can't complain as I am certainly a "user" and enjoy action, mystery and "edge of your seat" drama. 

With the release of "Sanctum" I  wonder how it depicts the sport I love so much.  How will viewers see itI mean, its not a diving movie, but it certainly has alot of diving in it.  I wonder if its is going to make new and potential new divers affraid to enter the water?  Or are they just going to enjoy the drama and adventure? 

Is it even a good movie?  I've heard from one friend it was awesome and from another is was a tube Job. Am I thinking about this too much cause I love diving?  Or should I just relax and enjoy the story?  Where is Mike Nelson when you need him?Sanctum Trailer

Shark Finning and Sustainable Fishing

There continues to be quite a bit of publicity around the issue of Shark Finning in the news and in the courts.  What is Shark Finning?  Shark fins are by far the most valuable part of a fished shark and are in high demand for the Asian delicacy shark fin soup. Shark "finning" refers to the removal of shark fins and the discard at sea of the much less valuable shark carcass. The finless and often still living sharks are thrown back into the sea to save room on board for more valuable species like tuna and swordfish.

According to the Shark Alliance report, "Shark Alert", "the disparity between the exceptionally valuable shark fins and less valuable shark meat creates an economic incentive to take sharks solely for their fins. Shark finning contributes to an extraordinary waste of resources, unsustainable shark mortality and serious decline in shark populations." 

Much of the regulation efforts today are aimed at requiring shark fisheries to bring the entire shark back before finning. Since they have to store the entire shark, the take is less, and fewer sharks are taken per fishing outing.  Other efforts are aimed at effecting the Demand Signal.  Shark Fin soup is the main source of that shark fin demand . Major personalities like Celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, have embarked on a personal campaign against the brutal and destructive shark fishing industry and ask restaurants to stop serving shark fin soup.  Click here to catch episodes of Gordon Ramsay’s Shark Bait journey. Of course, the allegations that Ramsay was filmed shark fishing just 18 months earlier probably haven't helped his cause.  Despite his apparent hypocritisism,  the cause is noble.

The key to any of this is for the world to determine and enforce sustainable practices, offer alternatives to peoples where shark finning/fishing is currently their only source of living.  Easier said than done, but complete regulation is unlikely and for some cultures, perfectly acceptable.

Why does Project AWARE support sustainable shark fisheries?


Sharks are particularly vulnerable to overfishing because most grow slowly, mature late and only produce very few young. Indeed, very few shark fisheries are currently well managed and many have ended in the collapse of shark populations and associated industries. However, not all sharks are threatened and in some cases shark meat may be a primary source of nutrition. There is scope for a shared ocean resource, responsibly managed. Project AWARE works towards securing sustainable, science-based conservation policies. Our goal is shark fisheries policies, both nationally and internationally, that heed reputable scientific advice, take a precautionary approach to fishing limits, protect threatened species, implement recovery plans and enforce effective bans on the wasteful practice of finning.

Bottom line from my perspective, Be responsible, Be reasonable and Be Involved.

Reef Friendly Sunscreen...or Not?

Protecting our reefs is of utmost importance, both for the sport of scuba as well as the health of the planet. The coral reefs are under increasing threat for both global warming and the tourists that want to appreciate them.  As it turns out Chemicals in many sunscreens trigger viral infections that result in coral bleaching. Chemical UV barriers are the culprit. But how can a little sunscreen cause so much damage?  Lets do the math. About 78 million tourists visit areas with coral reefs annually. About 25% of the sunscreen they slather on is left behind.  This amounts to about 4-6 thousand tons of sunscreen in the water!  That is alot of sunscreen and you can see that effect can be significant.

What can you do? Since there are no regulations to define what "reef friendly" sunscreen is, be cautious when you see a sunscreen labeled as such. Instead look for sunscreens with plant-based ingredients.  They break down faster.  Also, go with physical UV barriers vice chemical.  Wear that rash guard, and/or use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Many rash guards offer great UV protection and leave nothing behind in the water. Also chemical UV barriers are believed to mess with your hormones in many cases. Using titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are better for you in that regard.

So be a friend to the reefs and look for sunscreens that meet these guidelines.  Save the reefs for posterity and help save the planet for your kids.