Just A Little Rant!

Why is it the mainstream media always misrepresents the facts when an accident occurs diving? Too many times I've heard "That man died of a diving accident!" When in fact it was cardiac related. When someone dies on a basketball court nobody says "Oh Basketball killed that man!"


What should be asked is "should the gentlemen who is rounder than he is tall be diving in water that cold?" Or "is that ow diver qualified to dive on that 100 foot wreck?"

When you look at the anatomy of a "dive accident" the cause is all too often a lack of experience or physical fitness and not that our beloved sport is dangerous!

New Method for Monitoring Coral Health

With the world’s coral reefs threatened by coastal development, pollution, rising sea temperatures and other factors, scientists have developed a new method to monitor the health of these underwater ecosystems.
Chris Langdon, associate professor of marine biology and fisheries at the University of Miami, and colleagues, tested two new methods to monitor biological productivity at Cayo Enrique Reef in Puerto Rico.
They compared a technique that measures changes in dissolved oxygen within a chamber that encloses an area of water above the reef with one that measures the flux of dissolved oxygen across the turbulent boundary layer above an unconfined portion of the seafloor.
They found that both these methods worked well. The boundary layer technique can be used to monitor metabolic activity of reefs in remote locations, at any depth over long time periods. The enclosure method can be used for in-situ disturbed environment experiments.
By measuring dissolved oxygen production and consumption rates, the researchers were able to monitor the balance between the production of new organic matter by the reef’s coral and algae, and the consumption of that organic matter by animals of the reef. This is essential to assessing the health of coral reef ecosystems. A combination of these methods is a valuable tool for assessing and studying the effects of climate change on coral reef health, according to the authors.
Measurements of biological productivity have typically been made by tracing changes in dissolved oxygen in seawater as it passes over a reef. However, this is a labor-intensive and difficult method, requiring repeated measurements. The new method opens up the possibility of making long-term, unattended, time-stamped measurements of photosynthesis and respiration of coral reefs and any other benthic ecosystems.
According to a recent analysis by the World Resources Institute, nearly 75 percent of the world’s coral reefs are currently threatened by human activities and ecological disturbances, such as rising ocean temperatures, increased pollution, overfishing, and ocean acidification

Govt works with China to curb illegal fishing

Indonesia and China will collaborate to prevent illegal fishing by Chinese fishers in Indonesian waters by coordinating their patrols in the South China Sea.
The two countries would at first organise a joint committee to function as a legal platform for various joint defense measures, including coordinated patrols under direct “navy-to-navy talk” to cover a litany of issues even on fishing vessels, expressed Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Indonesian defense minister.
“[Chinese] fishermen often encroach into Indonesian waters, but that’s because they don’t have GPS [global positioning system] devices so they are unclear as to where the boundaries are,” Purnomo said. “Under a coordinated patrol, if those fishing vessels accidentally cross the border, we will inform them to leave.”
He clarified that Indonesia does not have bilateral problems with China, The Jakarta Post reports.
Last week, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guang Lie held a meeting with Purnomo and an informal one with other defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the sidelines of the Association’s Defense Ministers’ Meeting.
Purnomo has asked Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to draft an agreement with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Qiyue so the countries can establish the joint committee.
Indonesia had already set up similar committees with the US and Malaysia, and the country is conducting coordinated patrols with Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, India and Australia.
Moreover, as part of joint anti-piracy efforts, China offered to run coordinated patrols with ASEAN member states to accompany merchant vessels from the region through the Gulf of Aden. Purnomo did not say whether Indonesia would accept the offer.
It is believed that 21,000 vessels cross the Gulf of Aden waterway to reach the Suez Canal shipping route.
In a recently released report, Malaysia-based NGO International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre said there were 173 attacks of piracy and 23 hijackings worldwide so far in 2011, involving 26 vessels and 518 hostages held by pirates from Somalia.

Discovery never ends with the new Suunto D-Series

What’s new in Suunto D-Series
Suunto strives to make dive computers that give you the information you need to make your dive experience as enjoyable as possible. We also want to ensure that as many people as possible have access to this enjoyment. We do that by making advanced features that are easy to use and available throughout our range.

Trimix:
A trimix-compatible dive computer opens up the increasingly popular world of technical diving – including deep and cave diving – by allowing you to explore the depths for longer.

• Support for multiple gases (incl. helium and oxygen)
• Three dive modes and gas-switching up to eight gases
• Continuous decompression with the Suunto Technical RGBM algorithm – previously only available in the awardwinning Suunto HelO₂

Electronic 3D compass :Suunto’s innovative tilt-compensated electronic 3D compass redefines underwater navigation. Regardless of the angle of your wrist, you’ll have full confidence in the accuracy of your bearings.

Wireless air integration:With wireless air integration you can monitor your tank pressure and air consumption directly from your wristop.
Requires optional Suunto Wireless tank pressure transmitter

LEGISLATIVE ACTION PROTECTING FLORIDA'S CORAL REEFS FOR DIVERS AND EVERYONE

Diving Equipment & Marketing Association Prominent In Fighting Extension of Sewage Outfall Deadline

In 2008, Florida lawmakers set a timeline for South Florida to stop pumping 300 million gallons of sewage a day into the ocean by the year 2025, and to treat most of the region's wastewater to reuse for other purposes. In recent months several Miami lawmakers introduced a new bill that would delay the 2008 deadline to stop dumping sewage into the ocean until the year 2030.

With DEMA and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), among others, in opposition to the new bill, Florida's Senate Committee on Community Affairs approved a strike-all amendment that maintains the 2025 deadline.

"We are grateful to be involved in the effort to prevent the extension of the sewage outfall on Florida's reefs," said Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. "Our goal in doing so was and is to help keep the water and reefs healthy so divers will continue to have a clean environment in which to dive."

DEMA's position was that dumping wastewater into Florida's oceans has damaged beaches, marine life and coral reefs. "We just want to close the pipes as soon as possible and keep them closed, reducing ocean pollution," Ingram concluded. "The dive industry will continue to support the campaign against contaminating Florida's water - any water - with sewage."

Guess who is 25 X 2 Today!!

Make sure you stop by and wish Lauren a happy birthday!

PADI Go Pro Night April 21st

Mark the date everyone! Go pro is scheduled for April 21st. The pricing structure is bound to save folks a ton of money and a chance to live the good life!!

Famous Diver Profile

We are going to start a new topic for discussion. Famous divers from history. Today's profile is Terrence Tysall.

Terrence has been diving since the age of 8 and has over 25 years of diving experience, during which he has attained numerous instructor trainer level credentials from various technical agencies as well as NSS-CDS and NACD. These ratings as well as his presence on various Boards, such as the NOAA Diving Technical Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of Florida Speleological Researchers, the Technical Advisory Board for the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), and the Florida Director of the US Deep Diving Team demonstrate his commitment to the underwater environment. He is the President of Benthic Technologies Inc. as well as President and founder of the Cambrian Foundation.
 Terrence has led multiple expeditions around the world with the Cambrian Foundation and as a paid guide. These include; six expeditions to the Andrea Doria; the first scuba exploratory dives on the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior. The first team to visit the USS Atlanta off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, and as Diving Supervisor for the joint NOAA, US Navy, Cambrian Foundation Monitor Expeditions, and NOAA, National Marine Fisheries, and US Navy Monk Seal Study near Midway Island in the Pacific. The USS Monitor Survey Project is in it’s seventh year with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He has led numerous expeditions to the cave systems of the Yucatan and Belize, the SS City of Ainsworth in British Columbia and an international team of divers as the first to visit the bottom of the Great Blue Hole of Belize.
Terrence has also authored numerous articles that have been published in the various diving magazines and technical journals worldwide.

Scuba Diving Lessons for Colledge Credit!

Earn College Credit for PADI Courses

Yes!  You may be eligible to get college credit for learning how to scuba dive. PADI courses have been recommended by a variety of Institutions for college credit or funding in various countries throughout the world. Choose from the regions below to find out how it works:

 

United States

The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for

• 15 PADI courses
• 3 DSAT courses
• 1 Emergency First Response course.

The American Council on Education is the major coordinating body for all the nation’s higher education institutions.
Learn more about how you can gain college credit for PADI courses in the U.S. or contact PADI Americas at training@padi.com.

Used Equipment Sale!!

Splash is having a Used Equipment Sale tomorrow! Bring all your gently used equipment and even your not so gently used gear! Fun and deals are to be had by all!

PADI eLearning Programs

PADI has now made it even easier to get certified! There are many courses offered online!

• Open Water
• Advanced Open Water
• Rescue Diver
• Scuba Tune Up
• Enriched Air
• Digital Underwater Photo
• Dive Theory (although not a course it is a great way to brush up for the IDC and DM Courses)
• Divemaster
• Instructor Development Course

If you are looking for a special gift for any reason, birthday, anniversary, etc. all are available for purchase as a PADI Gift Pass!

This makes training very flexible! You can even do it in your fuzzy pink bunny slippers late at night and no one will be the wiser!

PADI TecRec Xplor Days!

On Monday, 28 March, PADI Americas will host a TecRec Xplor Day at the Secaucus Recreation Center the day after the Beneath the Sea consumer show. The day’s events will include presentations from some of the biggest names in the tec industry as well as demonstrations from different equipment manufacturers.

Event details:
Where:	Secaucus Recreation Center 1200 Koelle Blvd Secaucus, New Jersey, USA
When:	Monday, 28 March 2011 Registration and pool sign ups begin at 8:00 AM Presentations and pool sessions run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Event concludes at 4:00 PM
Price:	Free

Presentations will cover the new PADI rebreather courses coming later this year, sidemount diving, what to look for when it comes to CCR units and real life expeditions. Dr. Drew Richardson, President and Chief Operating Office of PADI Worldwide will be there to recount his frosty Antarctic expedition testing regulators under extreme conditions.
The PADI TecRec Xplor Day is free and includes a light breakfast, lunch and raffle prizes throughout the day.

PADI Go Pro Night

Go Pro Night!

Featuring PADI's Regional Manager, Stush Doviat

Have you ever imagined yourself as a Scuba Divemaster or Instructor? How great would it be to share your passion for diving with others? All while getting PAID to do what you love most! We cordially invite you to join us for a very special PADI GO PRO NIGHT!
Everyday PADI Pros are living the dream through their local dive shops and even getting sand between their toes in exotic destinations. Can you picture yourself as a Dive Professional? Let us show you how make that dream a reality. It’s possible for you to step up and claim your place as a PADI PRO. On Thursday April 21st at 6:00 PM please join Stush Doviat (PADI’s Northeast Regional Manager) and other special guests who will share their experiences and wisdom with you. This is a great opportunity to hear from top dive industry professionals on what it takes and why PADI is the way the world learns to dive. Our PADI GO PRO Night will be a fun filled evening that will include:

A short presentation on the Life Style of Diving

Question and Answer with local PADI Pros

Pizza and Refreshments

Career Path Counseling Sessions

***Discounts on Training packages***

 Make sure to Save the Date and join us for PADI GO PRO NIGHT! It could very well change your life as it has enhanced all of ours.

Where:Splash Water Sports, Inc.
When: April 21, 2011 @ 6pm

PADI Tec Programs

PADI TecRec

Technical Diving

Technical diving is scuba diving’s “extreme” sport, taking experienced and qualified divers far deeper than in mainstream recreational diving. Technical diving is marked by significantly more equipment and training requirements to manage the additional hazard this type of diving entails. Tec diving isn’t for everyone, but for those who hear its challenge call, the PADI TecRec courses are the answer.   View the Tec Diving Blog 

What is technical diving?

Technical scuba diving is defined as diving other than conventional commercial or research diving that takes divers beyond recreational scuba diving limits. It is further defined as and includes one or more of the following:

• diving beyond 40 metres/130 feet deep
• required stage decompression
• diving in an overhead environment beyond 40 linear metres/130 linear feet of the surface
• accelerated decompression and or the use of variable gas mixtures during the dive

Because in technical diving the surface is effectively inaccessible in an emergency, tec divers use extensive methodologies and technologies and training to manage the added risks. Even with these, however, tec diving admittedly has more risk, potential hazard and shorter critical error chains than does recreational scuba diving.

How long has technical diving been around?

Most people would agree that cave diving is a form of technical diving. Cave diving developed in the late 1960s and 1970s, developing into a discipline largely like it is today by the mid 1980s. In the early 1990s, several groups of divers around the world began experimenting with technologies for deep diving (beyond recreational limits) to explore both caves and wrecks. These communities united and emerged as “technical diving” or “tec diving” with the publication of aquaCorps (no longer in print), which dedicated itself to this type of diving. Since then, tec diving continues to develop both in scope and in its technologies.

Why would I want to be a tec diver?

Tec diving not only has more risk, but it requires significantly more effort, discipline and equipment. It’s not for everyone, and you can be an accomplished, avid top-notch diver your entire life without making a tec dive.
That said, there’s a cadre of individuals who want to visit places underwater that relatively few people can. Many spectacular, untouched wrecks lie at depths well below 40 metres/130 feet. Deep reefs have organisms you don’t find in the shallows. Some people enjoy the challenge and focus tec diving requires. Still others love being involved with cutting edge technologies. These reasons make tec diving rewarding.

The PADI TecRec Difference

The TecRec program debuted in 2000. Although TecRec is not the first tec diving program (cave diver training has been around for decades), it repeatedly receives accolades for its merits.

• TecRec courses are integrated into an instructionally valid, seamless course flow that takes you from beginning tec diver to one qualified to the outer reaches of sport diving using different gas mixes.
• Each level introduces you to new gear, planning and procedures appropriate to extend your diving limits.
• The Tec Diver course is an integrated sequence of three subcourses: Tec 40, Tec 45 and Tec 50.  You can complete them continuously, or you can complete each level separately with a time span between them.  This gives you learning efficiency, instructional integrity and schedule flexibility.

The Scuba Gear You'll Use

Tec diving uses much more equipment than recreational diving. The technical scuba gear typically uses two to four or five regulators, a dive computer, and some accessories.
Check with your local dive shop about the gear you need for this course. You can find most everything at the PADI Dive Center or Resort in your area.

 

Prerequisites

TecRec prerequisites vary (see individual course descriptions), but the following applies to anyone interested in technical diving: You must be
• 18 years or older
• A mature, responsible person who will follow the required procedures and requirements strictly and faithfully
• Medically fit for tec diving (physician’s signature required)
• Willing to accept the added risks that tec diving presents
• An experienced diver with at least 100 logged dives
• Certified as a PADI Enriched Air Diver and PADI Deep Diver or equivalent (for this program equivalency is proof of training in recreational deep diving 18 meters/60 feet to 40 meters/130 feet consisting of at least four dives and training in nitrogen narcosis considerations, contingency/emergency decompression, making safety stops and air supply management OR, have a minimum of 20 logged dives deeper than 30 meters/100 feet.)

The Fun Part

The fun part of TecRec is rising to the challenges as you dive deeper and longer than most divers ever do.

 

 

Call us if you have any questions!

An Absolute Dream Dive Location

Unfortunately in the short term there is no plan to reopen diving in Bikini. If they reopen you can bet it'll be on my bucket list!


http://www.bikiniatoll.com/

PADI Diving Society

Join the PADI Diving Society- your passport to discovering an active scuba diving lifestyle.Whether you’re a beginner or pro - take advantage of Society Membership and enjoy:

• Members-only publications*; Sport Diver, Sport Diver UK, or Scuba Diver AustralAsia magazine
• Scuba gear rebates and incentives
• Exclusive scuba diving trips, travel specials and local Society events
• Earn more than just a certification with Specialty of the Month 
• Personalized membership card
• Savings on dive insurance*
• Meeting new dive buddies
• Membership supports Project AWARE environmental initiatives

Photo at the top

The first person to name correctly 4 of the 9 divers in the photo at the top of the blog will get 20% off select items in the store!

Sorry staff members are not eligible!

A tool for the weight conscious traveler!

As many of you know the airlines have gotten to the point of lunacy with their weight restrictions on  flights. The link below is a weight calculator for travel! Aqua Lung has some of the lightest gear for travel! Between the Apeks Flight regulator and a Zuma BCD you're only looking at a grand total of 6.3 pounds! You can kiss those over weight fees good by! You can even afford to have your wetsuit wet on the way home (although I don't think you bag will smell very good)!

http://www.aqualung.com/us/content/view/488/

Dispelling the top ten myths about diving!

Myth: Diving--that was my grandfather's sport

Truth: If you think scuba isn't extreme enough for you, you're not seeing past the first step. Sure, a lot of people never go beyond puttering around in nice, calm water, looking at nice, calm fish. But if you get the right training and equipment, you can get radical with this sport. Try swimming through the surf zone off Southern California and it's you who'll need the Geritol, not Grandpa. Need more? Ever hand-feed a shark? Explore the far reaches of a flooded cave? Chase a 400-pound fish through the legs of an offshore oil rig? Go inside the rusting hallways of a sunken ocean liner? Swim beneath the polar ice caps? These are just some of the experiences that divers--and only divers--get to have. But you've got to build up to it, junior. So check your ego at the door, show Gramps a little respect and take the first step--earning Open-Water certification--before you start talking smack. Or better yet, pull Grandpa aside and ask him to tell you about that dive he never told Grandma about.

Myth: Diving is only for people who live in the tropics

Photo by Brandon Cole Truth: There are few things that rival the experience of being suspended weightlessly in warm, clear tropical water while floating effortlessly along a colorful coral reef. Unless, of course, it is the experience of drifting through a California kelp bed with a pod of sea lions. Or exploring the amazingly preserved ruins of a wooden shipwreck in Lake Michigan. Or finding a million-year-old shark tooth completely intact in South Carolina's Cooper River, or ... the list goes on and on. No matter where you are, chances are there's a popular dive site somewhere nearby. Don't believe me? Just ask anyone with the red and white diver down flag on his car. Lakes, quarries, rivers, flooded mineshafts--almost anywhere there's water, you'll find divers. Heck, outside of Abilene, Texas, you can even dive in a flooded underground missile silo. Each of these sites provides its own unique dive experience and a chance to get started in the sport. Not every dive site is for every diver, but scuba diving is not just a sport, it's also a lifestyle and a very social activity. So even if your local swimming hole isn't a world-famous dive site, an outdoor grill, a cooler, a couple of tanks of air and a dozen of your new best friends can still make for a whole lot of fun--palm trees, optional.

Myth: There are sharks in the ocean and they eat divers. Don't try to deny it--I saw jaws and open water

Photo by Stephen Frink Truth: Don't tell Hollywood, but the factual record on shark vs. diver is pretty dull: Sharks just don't make a habit of munching on divers. In fact, except in certain conditions and environments, they don't even stick around when divers get in the water. Let's look at it from the shark's point of view. You're out cruising the depths, when out of nowhere this noisy, bubble-blowing pack of creatures that looks and moves like nothing else in the ocean drops into the water and starts flashing lights (i.e., camera strobes) at you. It's got to be the shark equivalent of Close Encounters. The first thing most sharks do? Turn tail and run. It used to be that divers could go their whole lives without ever seeing the beauty and majesty of a shark up close. Today, carefully managed encounter dives--from cage diving with great whites off Australia to hand-feeding reef sharks in the Bahamas--abound, and there is no better way to gain a true understanding of these amazing creatures than to see them up close. Still not convinced? Then let me give you something serious to worry about instead: your dog. Yep. Behind those puppy dog eyes and that happy-to-see-you personality lurks the heart of a cold-blooded predator that's statistically far more dangerous than any shark. According to emergency room records, "man's best friend" killed 27 and seriously injured or maimed 4.7 million people in 2005, and that was just in the U.S. According to the International Shark Attack File, only four people worldwide died from shark attacks in the same 12-month period, out of 58 total recorded incidents. Based on those odds, you're safer in the ocean than taking Rover for a walk.

Myth: I have to buy a ton of gear just to learn

Illustration by Dan Vasconcellos Truth: Scuba is a gear-intensive sport, but you only need three basic items to start lessons--a mask, a snorkel and a pair of fins. These are personal gear items and they need to fit well for you to have a good time, so it's worth buying them even if the shop provides loaners. All the other gear is available to rent, usually at a discount rate to students, and sometimes the use of the more complex equipment is included in the dive package price. Once you are a full-fledged diver, you will ultimately want to purchase your own gear. It will be tempting to max out the plastic and buy everything in one fell swoop, and if you've got the room on your cards, go for it. But most beginning divers continue to make use of rental gear and acquire their own items one piece at a time.

Myth: You have to be a speedo-sporting competItive swimmer to be a diver

Illustration by Dan Vasconcellos Truth: Sure, ultra-fit, competitive swimmers make great divers because they're comfortable in the water and they're in great shape, but if the logic of this myth were true, I suppose only Tour de France racers would ride bikes. Diving is an active sport and the better shape you're in, the easier it will be, but any healthy individual with at least an average fitness level can do it. This myth is most likely fueled by the fact that there is a basic swim test at the start of scuba lessons. You'll need the endurance to swim about 200 yards nonstop, but there's no time limit and it's not a race. The instructor also needs to know that you have basic water skills and are comfortable submerging your face in water. That's it. And when you consider that there are divers from age eight to age 80 who have passed this grueling test of physical ability, it's pretty clear that anyone with an activity level above that of a chronic couch potato can do it. So, get off the couch and go diving already. And please--regardless of your fitness level--leave the Speedo at home. OK?

Myth: Diving is a macho sport that is not female-friendly

Truth: This might have been true, back in the 1950s Sea Hunt era when men of steel like Mike Nelson (played by the late, great Lloyd Bridges) were out there spearing fish with their bare hands and rescuing damsels in distress. Only it wasn't really true then, either. The lovely Zale Parry, the actress who played the damsel, was one of the most accomplished divers on the set. And when Sports Illustrated decided to feature the young sport of scuba diving in its May 23, 1955, issue, it was Parry who made the cover.
It is true, however, that men have always participated in the sport more than women, but the gap has been closing steadily since the 1980s. Today, the male/female ratio is roughly 60/40 and everyone from equipment manufacturers to tour operators offer products specifically for female divers. And there's no glass ceiling to this sport--there are female instructors, divemasters, boat captains and resort owners.

Myth: Diving will make my ears hurt

Truth: This one's true--but only if you don't equalize the pressure in your ears as you descend. That's one of the first things they teach you to do in scuba lessons. It's called the Valsalva manuever and it's falling-down simple: Pinch your nose and blow gently against your nostrils until you feel relief. Try it. See? It's easy. Don't you wish you'd known this trick back in fifth grade when you were diving for quarters at the bottom of the YMCA pool?

Myth: Certification is way too expensive

Truth: You don't get out much, do you? Check the price for a decent dinner, movie tickets for two, throw in some popcorn, after-movie coffees and you'll drop $100--easily--assuming, of course, there was no drive-through involved in ordering dinner. So, how does that compare to scuba? Depending on where you are in the country, the average certification class runs between $250 and $500, or just a few of those dinner-and-a-movie dates. In return, you get an all-access pass to a world of aquatic adventure, not to mention a great new lifestyle you can brag about at the office. Go on: Compare the cost of scuba lessons to almost anything and you'll see it's a bargain, especially compared to greens fees, lift tickets and the cost of that home gym collecting dust in your guest room.

Myth: I can't dive. I have (insert name of medical condition here)

Truth: Why not get a second opinion? Doctors are a very cautious bunch and often don't understand the sport of diving, so if you ask about scuba with regard to a specific medical condition, their likely answer will be the safe one: No.
But before you let a lifetime of adventure slip away, you and your doctor should consult the diving medicine experts at the Divers Alert Network (DAN). This nonprofit safety organization is affiliated with the Duke University Medical Center, and they can help you better understand the physical demands of diving and how it relates to your health. Call their nonemergency questions line at (919) 684-2948 and you may be surprised to find the answer is: Yes, you can dive safely.
In just the past 10 years, for example, asthma and diabetes have gone from being absolute disqualifiers to conditional ones. In both cases, if the condition is carefully monitored and controlled, and the patient can tolerate physical exercise, the pool is usually open.

Myth: Snorkeling is just as good as scuba diving

Photo by Stephen Frink

Truth: Don't get me wrong. I like to snorkel--floating around on the surface peering down on the reef from above is a great way to spend time between dives. But just as good? No way! Not if you like action.
Snorkeling is sort of like watching a football game from the window of the Goodyear blimp high above. Diving is like suiting up, running down the tunnel and getting in the game. Strap a tank on your back and you are a player--swimming with the sharks as equals, getting up close and personal with giant Goliath grouper, or, for a good laugh, looking up and seeing the soft, bulging underbellies of all those snorkelers drifting like flotsam on the surface and blocking out the sunlight.

Project AWARE Foundation: Petition

Project AWARE Foundation: Petition

Please show your support in the ban against shark finning by signing the petition!

Ever wonder how PADI got their start?

The PADI Story

Two Friends, a Bottle of Scotch and an Idea

It’s hard to believe that the world’s largest scuba diving training organization was dreamt up by two friends in Illinois over a bottle of Johnny Walker in 1966.

 

John Cronin, a scuba equipment salesman for U.S. Divers, and Ralph Erickson, an educator and swimming instructor, were concerned about the scuba diving industry. They felt that the current scuba certification agencies were unprofessional, didn’t use state of the art instruction and made it unnecessarily difficult for people to enter the sport. John and Ralph knew there had to be a safer, easy way for people to learn to breathe underwater.

In 1966, John brought a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label and thirty dollars to Ralph’s Illinois apartment in Morton Grove.  They decided it was time to start a scuba training organization. John insisted that the word “professional” be in the name of the company. Ralph wanted an “association of diving instructors.” After a few scotches, the acronym PADI was born:
Professional  Association  of  Diving  Instructors

The Underground Office

 

The initial start-up meetings took place at several restaurants in Morton Grove and Niles, Illinois. In a few months, Cronin finished a portion of his basement in his home on Main St. in Niles, Illinois to become the headquarters for PADI. He eventually hired his next door neighbor to be a part time secretary. His son, Brian stuffed and sealed envelopes (he now holds the CEO title at PADI today).

The goal: Give more people a chance to enjoy the underwater world by offering relevant, instructionally-valid scuba diving training to create confident scuba divers who dive regularly.

A Torched Logo

When they were struggling for a logo design, John mentioned he wanted something classy like the National Geographic look. Years later in an interview, Ralph said that idea changed the way he was looking at this small two-man operation. At that moment, he could see a big vision for PADI.

 

Ralph was responsible for putting together the first PADI Logos. After many long hours of working with stick-on letters, he inadvertently left out the word “Professional.” The documents went to print and were used for almost two years before enough people noticed the error. One of the original documents was missing the “e” in “Professional” and hangs in Founder’s Hall at the PADI Americas office in California.

PADI Grows

In the early years, PADI grew slowly. By the late 1960s, PADI had 400 members and it was still a struggling entity. John Cronin had been promoted to Sales Manager at U.S. Divers and had moved the family to Huntington Beach, California.

 

Cronin went to a huge National Sporting Goods Association show in New York City. While he was there, he met with Paul Tzimoulis, who later became the editor of Skin Diver Magazine. Paul suggested that PADI put the diver’s picture on the certification card. That was a strategic move that helped PADI’s eventual global recognition. 

Cronin and Erickson hired Nick Icorn from U.S. Divers’ engineering team, who worked with Erickson to develop a modular training program for the PADI Open Water Diver course. It started to catch on.

In the late 1970's and early 80's PADI began creating its own integrated, multi-media student and instructor educational materials for each course. This developoment spawned an incredible growth period for PADI and  made it unique from other agencies.

By the late 1980s PADI was the leading scuba diving training organization in the world. With so many new people introduced to the activity, PADI felt a responsibility to teach divers about their interactions with the underwater environment.  PADI had worked very hard over the years to keep the scuba diving industry as free from legislation as possible. Cronin knew the organization had a responsibility to protect the marine environment or risk the government doing so. John Cronin said:

 

"We want to feel that our children, their children and generations to come will be able to enjoy the underwater world that has given us so much. There are so many significant problems facing mankind, but as divers, this is truly our cause. If scuba divers do not take an active role in preserving the aquatic realm, who will?"

Out of a true concern for the environment, the Project AWARE Foundation was formed.

PADI Today

 

In 2003, John Cronin passed away. His friend and PADI co-founder, Ralph Erickson, also passed away three years later. They proudly carried PADI’s torch for many years before they confidently put it in the hands of today’s generation, who continues to introduce the world to scuba diving.

PADI has issued millions of scuba certifications worldwide. There are more than 5800 PADI Dive Shops and Resorts worldwide.

With close to 400 employees in PADI corporate offices around the world, PADI works hard to be the best partner to its members and is committed to:
1. Safe and responsible diver acquisition and retention
2. Quality member acquisition and retention
3. Financial prosperity
4. Worldwide alignment in message, products, systems and procedures

The Fully Equipped Diver

Check out this link for the fully equipped diver. Interesting for any technophiles!

http://www.padi.com/scuba/scuba-gear/intro-to-scuba-dive-equipment/default.aspx

Be A Diver Pool

How cool is this?! A traveling pool for people to try scuba! It comes to Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium every summer.

The “Be A Diver” pool is a 20-foot by 30-foot, 15,000 gallon mobile pool which traverses the United States stopping at 2 and 3 day, large scale venues. It is complete with a portable setup that includes dressing rooms, towels, all the newest diving equipment including wetsuits and fins, an air compressor, and a pavilion for registration and consumer interaction.

Epic Scuba Jokes!

One day, a diver was enjoying the aquatic world 20 feet below sea level. He noticed a guy at the same depth he was, with no scuba gear on whatsoever.
The diver went below another 10 feet, but the guy joined him a minute later. The diver went below 15 more feet, a minute later, the same guy joined him.
This confused the diver, so he took out a waterproof chalkboard, and wrote, "How the heck are you able to stay under this deep without equipment?"
The guy took the board and chalk, erased what the diver had written, and wrote, "I'm drowning, you moron!"

Young attractive male seeks female dive buddy for shared recreation and friendship, must have boat. Please send photo of boat.

Two divers go spear fishing. They catch a lot of fish and return to the shore.
The first one says, "I hope you remember the spot where we caught all those fish."
The other answers, "Yes, I made an 'X' on the side of the boat to mark the spot."
"You idiot!" cries the first, "How do you know we will get the same boat tomorrow?"

A man is stranded on a desert island, all alone for ten years. One day, he sees a speck in the horizon. He thinks to himself, "It's not a ship." The speck gets a little closer and he thinks, "It's not a boat." The speck gets even closer and he thinks, "It's not a raft." Then, out of the surf comes this gorgeous blonde woman, wearing a wet suit and scuba gear.
She comes up to the man and she says, "How long has it been since you've had a cigarette?"
"Ten years!" he says.
She reaches over, unzips this waterproof pocket on her left sleeve and pulls out a pack of fresh cigarettes. He takes one, lights it, takes a long drag and says, "Man, oh man! Is that good!"
Then she asked, "How long has it been since you had a drink of whiskey?
He replies, "Ten years!"
She reaches over, unzips the waterproof pocket on her right sleeve, pulls out a flask and gives it to him. He takes a long swig and says, "Wow, that's fantastic!"
Then she starts unzipping the long zipper that runs down the front of her wet suit and she says to him, "And how long has it been since you had some REAL fun?"
And the man cries out, "My God! Don't tell me you've got a set of golf clubs in there, too!"

A diver was shipwrecked up onto a lonely and tropical shore. As he stood up he noticed his hands were purple, he looked at his feet and they were purple, worriedly he unzipped his wetsuit and his chest and stomach were purple. With his head in his hands he cried, "Oh my God!, I’ve been marooned!"

How To Fail Your Open Water Test.
a. Tell your instructor you will race him to the surface.
b. Lie face down and motionless while holding your breath.
c. Loudly proclaim that safety stops are for "wossies".
d. Show up with a set of tables based on your own algorithm "that's WAY
better".
e. Spit in your wetsuit and pee in your mask.
f. Ask your instructor, which fin goes on which foot.
g. Tell your instructor there is no way you can lift a cylinder with 2000
pounds of air in it.
h. When asked for your dive plan, you hand over a bundle of travel
brochures.

When Do You Need To Practice Better Buoyancy Control?
a. You rely on the silt trail you always stir up to find the shot line at
the end of the dive.
b. You insist that you never wear fins because it makes it more difficult
to walk on the bottom.
c. The only place you can hover is at the surface.
d. On ascents, your entire body clears the surface of the water.
e. You use 50 bar for breathing and 150 bar for your BC.
f. You are certain you went for one dive, but your computer has logged
three.
g. You think being neutral in the water means that you don't fight with
your buddy.

A dive boat runs into a terrible storm. Rain and wind and huge waves pound the boat. The divers are quiet but really scared. They are sure the boat is going to sink and they are all going to die. At the height of the storm, a young woman jumps up and exclaims: "I can't take this anymore! I can't just sit here and drown like an animal. If I am going to die, let me die feeling like a woman. Is there anyone here man enough to make me feel like a woman?" One of the dive masters stands up – a tall, handsome, muscular man, he smiles and starts to walk up to her. As he approaches her, he takes off his shirt. She sees his huge muscles – already, she is glad for her decision. He stands in front of her, muscles bulging, shirt in hand and says to her: here, Iron this!"

How to avoid shark attacks:
1.Never Leave Utah
2.Roll in manure before diving. Sharks hate anything breaded
3.Always dive with a buddy. On sharks approach, point to buddy
4.Dive with a briefcase. Shark may mistake you for a lawyer
and leave you alone out of professional courtesy.
One should never make a night dive on a coral reef after taking:
1.Acid
2.Marijuana
3.Black Russians
4.Prosaic
5.Sleeping Pills You can spot divers by:
1.Funny Tan Lines
2.Big Watch
3.Says "Huh" alot
4.Bad shocks and springs in car
5.Scars from trigger fish bites
6.Expertise on anti-histamines
You can spot old time divers by:
1.Funny Tan Lines
2.Big Expensive Watch
3.Old Jeep with bad shocks
4.Log Book has a volume number on the cover.
5.Deaf in at least one ear.
6.Has multiple scars.
7.Has cylinders older than you are.
8.Talks about making their first wet suit.
9.Dive gear is faded.
10.Limps from Dysbaric Osteonecrosis.
You can spot newbie divers by:
1.Sunburned
2.Timex Watch
3.Nice car
4.Fills in all the blanks in their logbook
5.No diving related scars
6.Says "Wow, did you see that" alot
7.Equipment looks nice
8.Perfect hearing

Good Things to say to Students:
 Welcome to the food chain folks, you are no longer on the top!
So what's your point?
Ah, we did cover this in class didn't we?
What part of this did you understand?
No, descending butt first is not acceptable
You couldn't make it to class because your what died?
I'm sorry, but no matter what the store owner said I'm not going to carry all your gear around for you.
Yes Sir, a bad attitude does come with the job
I see, you just forgot to mention the epilepsy
Yes, I know you were scared, but don't ever bite me again!
What do you mean you always bleed like that?
You don't want to do the buddy breathing because you have what!
No, this isn't all I do for a living
Yes, this is what I do for a living...why?
No Sir, I really can't explain all the biochemical reactions in the body to hyperbaric stress..
BTW, what did you say you did for a living?

Things Dive Masters Say:
 I don't care who the hell you are Mr. Cousteau. Everyone does a pool checkout!
To a nice looking lady carrying her handbag onboard:
Can I help you with that mam?
To a guy carrying a set of twin 12's onboard:
Looks heavy mate!
You should've been here last week, the visibility was great
You didn't see the whale shark?
This is just my day job. I want to be an instructor and make the big bucks
Things Store Owners Say:
REFUNDS!..We Don't Give No Stinking REFUNDS!!!!
Ok, it's 2 AM, you drive till we get there
As their instructor, they trust you..so sell like hell!
Look, I'm, letting you take the boat trips for free, what else do you want?
I can't pay you anymore, you know I don't make money on classes
I can't pay you anymore, you know I don't make money on trips
I can't pay you anymore, you know I don't make money on equipment sales
Sorry about the problem with that cheque
Well, I couldn't find the student certification forms you signed, so I signed them off myself.
BTW, did I mention that I had enough certifications now to get my Master Instructor!
Let's see, that will be £3,289...ooops! I forgot the mask clear, that will be £3,292.45!
If I gave you 10% off, I couldn't stay in business!
It's the instructor's fault
Sure, anyone can learn to dive, now what was that problem you had?
Ok, so your out of the hospital, when can you take another class?
You want a compass...hmmm, you must mean a directional monitor
I would love to see pictures of your latest trip, right after you've bought something.

Fun in the Sun!!

Did you know when you travel with Splash Water Sports you get the professionalism and experience of a dive professional! What better way to get the most out of your vacation! All the details are planned and all you need to do is either dive like a maniac or kick back and relax. The beauty is it's all up to you!!

When is a deal too good to be true?

There are many web sites offering life support equipment at extremely low costs. The question remains where did they get that equipment? The answer is GRAY MARKET. I personally would be very hesitant to use equipment purchased from an unauthorized dealer. The consequences are too great to risk!

When a consumer examines what they receive for the retail price of an item they often find that the retail price is better than the discounted web price! Typically a local dive center offers perks only open to retail customers. A web business CAN NOT offer a free pool session to familiarize yourself with the equipment, or a free class, or trade in upgrades! These are just a few of the services offered by an authorized dive center. When you buy from an authorized dealer you also receive free parts for as long as you own the equipment (as long as the terms and conditions of the warranty are met annually)!