Self-Care, A-Z: POP To Stay Motivated for Self-Care

Social workers, do you struggle with staying motivated for self-care? Most of us do! At times, we need to (re)focus our approach. One such approach is POP: Prioritize, Organize, and Partialize.

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Technical Diving for Beginners

The phrase “technical diving” often evokes images of divers carrying several tanks and lots of additional gear. These heavily laden, heavily experienced divers head off into deep waters towards challenging shipwrecks, or into caves. And while some of these images are truly awe-inspiring, technical diving for beginners can be much simpler. Here we’ll feature some entry-level tech diving courses and explain who’s a good fit for each. You might be surprised just how early on in your diving life you can get a taste for tech.

Where do future technical divers start? Initially, it’s all about getting to know tech equipment and improving foundational diving skills — most of all buoyancy control and awareness underwater.

Technical diving courses for beginners

Like recreational divers who join ‘try dives,’ many technical divers catch the bug during a tech trial. What’s involved depends on the dive center or the instructor offering the course. Options range from a short equipment trial in a swimming pool to a full one-day program. PADI has formalized this trial as Discover Tec, which involves a single dive, either in confined water or limited open water. In no more than 32 feet (10 m), divers can try out twinsets, side-mount equipment or single tanks fitted with an H or Y valve. Discover Tec is open to Open Water divers, with an option to complete technical diving skills on the dive as well. Those who fulfill all the prerequisites can receive credit toward PADI’s Tec 40 course.

Those looking for a more in-depth introduction to technical diving principles should try TDI’s Intro to Tech. Over the course of three dives, conducted to a maximum depth of 75 feet (23 m), divers learn various kicking techniques, including a backward kick and helicopter turns. They learn to prepare tech-diving equipment, usually twinsets, and — in the water — focus on perfecting buoyancy. Next, they’ll practice twinset-valve shutdown drills in preparation for emergencies. The class works to lay a solid foundation for future decompression diving. Students will also spend time in the classroom or completing online learning, which focuses on principles of gas planning as well as physics and physiology for diving.

Intro to Tech is open to Advanced Open Water divers with a minimum of 25 logged dives. Divers can be as young as 15 years old, providing they have parental consent. The same prerequisites exist for PADI’s Tec Basics specialty. This distinctive specialty covers the first 50 percent of the PADI Tec 40 course. As well as being a way to introduce teenagers to the world of technical diving, Tec Basics is a good option for those who don’t have three to four days to complete the full course.

Similarly, SSI offers Extended Range Foundations for divers who want to hone existing skills and improve them in confined water. Dives only go to a maximum of 39 feet (12 m). Participants must be Open Water divers and nitrox certified before embarking on this course.

In-depth courses

Arguably the most in-depth basic technical diving course is GUE Fundamentals, conducted by Global Underwater Explorers. The course usually takes four days and includes six dives to a maximum depth of 59 feet (18 m). GUE offers a recreational and a technical version of their Fundamentals. Both versions start with a timed swim test. Next, divers progress through advanced buoyancy-control skills, such as staying within 3 feet (1 m) of a target depth to no-visibility communication methods like touch contact. Divers consider “Fundies,” as it’s called, one of the more challenging introductions to technical diving. Open Water Divers of at least 16 years of age ca participate, but it’s most appropriate for those who are already fairly sure that they’ll enjoy technical diving and are happy to commit to GUE’s strict equipment configuration requirements.

Trying technical diving doesn’t have to break the bank or take up a diver’s whole vacation. Most training agencies have introductory technical diving classes on offer no matter if you’re at home or on vacation. Two or three days are often enough to get a taste of what’s involved when it comes to equipment requirements, diving skills, time needed to progress and, of course, the increased risk involved in diving beyond recreational diving limits.

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Salon Only Email Marketing Tips

Let’s have a little heart-to-heart about the BEAUTY of email marketing, an often overlooked tool of a salon’s business strategy. Email marketing for salons is a powerful asset for customer relationship building, marketing, and brand loyalty. In the competitive salon industry each and every client is an asset, and the retention of that asset is extremely valuable ($$$$). 

Email marketing allows you to give your guests incentives to stay loyal to your brand, a“must have” to help salon owners keep and grow their clientele. Email marketing is one of the most effective client relationship management (CRM) tools available. 75% of consumers prefer email over any other type of marketing, making it a no-brainer marketing channel.

Build a Contact List
The most important first step is to build your contact list. Simply collect the email address of every single customer that enters through your salon or spa doors. This simple act automatically turns a “customer” into a “contact”. 

Coach your front desk staff to engage each guest and set up a client profile in your salon software system. If you are not building an email list you are not growing your business.

Help Build Client Loyalty
A healthy contact list isn’t about masses of contacts, it’s about the level of engagement received. An engaged audience will open, interact and show interest in the email communications from your salon. Nurture email contacts engagement by creating email offers and specials your clients are looking for. Remember, these emails are for them, not you.

Continue to Grow Contact List
Grow your salon contact list by creating periodic reasons to subscribe, interact, and continue the “conversation” with your salon such as a sweepstakes and special offers to email guests only. 

Make an Offer that Sells
Now that you have a client contact list, how are you going to use it? Email marketing is all about limited-time offers. Make a great offer and it will sell.

- Share service and retail promotions
- Promote new retail products (or stock you want to move)
- Promote new services
- Promote complimentary “add on service” with low back bar cost/high perceived value to client (i.e. hair conditioning treatment).
- Promote special offers such as Mother’s Day or Holiday packages.
- Create packages at several price points
- Offer high priced items like “Year of Hair Color” or “Massage of the Month”
- Encourage guests to purchase with “buy it now” functionality.

Tip: Remember, when the gift is right, gift givers can be very generous with their money.
Tip: Send reminder emails as a promotion deadline approaches. Most sales promotions come in the last 24 hours, remind them so you are top of mind at the right time.

Create Compelling Subject Lines
When writing your email subject lines remember to use persuasive language to get that interest or ultimately that “open” from them. Remember that your recipients care about themselves, so write subject lines that reflect what’s "in it for them".

Maximize Exposure
Turn your special offer into a campaign. A great campaign requires more than one impression to maximize exposure and profits. 

Each promotion should be re-delivered to inboxes, you can't assume that there is only one time, on one day that all your potential clients should see your email. Instead put a strategy in place to get maximum results. Reschedule the same offer to pose as a reminder to book or “lead up” to a holiday offers and special events.

Pre-Made Emails Promotions
The beauty of salon email marketing is that its the easiest way to stay in touch with your guests and potential guests - everyone has an inbox they check every single day, multiple times a day. The question is why AREN'T you using email…?

Need help? Check out BeautyMark’s PRE-MADE EMAIL PROMOTIONS, done for you email and social media marketing solutions created just for beauty businesses like you.

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Top Five Places to Dive with Seals

 

Diving or snorkeling with seals (or sea lions) is one of the most thrilling underwater experiences of all. There are numerous species all over the planet, and many of them are quite curious about people. For the cold-water lovers, diving with the leopard seal, Antarctica’s apex predator, is one of the ocean’s most unique experiences. For those who favor warmer waters, Baja California is famous for the sea lions that congregate there in the hundreds. Whatever your preference or location, there’s a seal or sea lion encounter waiting for you. Here are our picks for the top five places to dive with seals. 

Baja California, Mexico

About 45 minutes by boat from La Paz, Los Islotes is home to a colony of California sea lions that spend their day sunbathing on the rocky outcroppings. Visitors can see other marine species on the journey to the colony as well, such as humpback and gray whales. During the summer, the tranquil, warm waters feature lots of young pups that are extremely jovial and interactive with visitors. While the sea lions can get extremely close to snorkelers or divers, even nipping their fins, the shallow-water outings are nonetheless safe and suitable for all ages and abilities. 

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Kaikoura, New Zealand 

Rated one of the top 10 wildlife experiences in the world by Lonely Planet, snorkeling with seals on New Zealand’s South Island means lots of interaction with the inquisitive New Zealand fur seal. You’ll head out in small groups of only two to six people on an intimate tour that runs from October to May. The tours usually last around 2.5 hours and companies will typically provide appropriate exposure protection. 

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Ross Sea, Antarctica 

By far the most expensive of all the encounters, Antarctica and its leopard seals are also the most impressive. These apex predators are highly intelligent and fascinated by humans. They often play with their food, usually penguins and, to the mixed emotions of onlookers, offer their prize to the snorkelers. Flanked by colossal icebergs and amazing polar wildlife, many high-end travel companies offer dive expeditions to Antarctica, where the water temperature is barely above or at freezing. 

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Farne Islands, United Kingdom 

In the cold waters (46 F or 8 C) of northeast England, the Farne Islands provide a home to thousands of grey seals and, in the winter months, their pups. You’ll want to don a drysuit before splashing in to explore the shallow canyons and gullies, home to giant sea stars, kelp beds, cod and diving guillemots. Nothing prepares you for you for that moment that you bump into a sleeping seal, however, while another chews on your fins. 

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False Bay, South Africa 

In a country known for its plethora of shark species, it’s no surprise that divers can see Cape fur seals, the prime target for white sharks, by the thousands in the sheltered area of False Bay. In the dense kelp forests, broadnose sevengill sharks patrol the shallow waters, yet the Cape fur seals are the real masters here, spiraling and pirouetting, sending trails of bubbles behind. If you go, expect seal congregations of up to 50 at one time. Cape waters are cold but dive-able year-round; you’ll want at least a 7mm wetsuit. 

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Hornby Island, Canada

Every winter off Hornby Island, British Columbia, divers suit up and take the plunge into a group of Steller sea lions. Reaching numbers up to 100 strong, these raucous creatures zip back and forth, their 10-foot (3 m) bodies are an impressive sight. Although these large animals can reach speeds of up to 30 knots, the sea lions are not dangerous. They are playful however, with a reputation for nibbling the odd camera or dive fin, so hold tight to your gear. Many area dive operators conduct safe and knowledgeable tours, and divers often see other creatures as well, including wolf eels, octopus and giant marine crustaceans.

 

 

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Reef Check EcoDiver Program

The international non-profit Reef Check Foundation is dedicated to conserving two ecosystems: tropical coral reefs and California rocky reefs. With headquarters in Los Angeles and volunteer teams in more than 90 countries, Reef Check works to create partnerships among community volunteers, government agencies, businesses, universities and other non-profits.

Reef Check’s goals include educating the public about the value of reef ecosystems and the current crisis affecting marine life. The agency also facilitates collaboration to produce ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions and stimulates local community action to protect remaining pristine reefs and rehabilitate damaged reefs worldwide.

Getting involved

To those ends, the foundation has created a global network of volunteer teams trained in Reef Check’s scientific methods. Volunteers regularly monitor and report on reef health, and the program welcomes anyone with an interest in the ocean, from children to adults. Divers will learn to identify marine life, conduct surveys, and record the data. The 3-day program includes classroom and fieldwork sessions, starting with an introduction on the importance of coral reefs and the threats they face, survey methods, and target species. The other three sections of the Reef Check EcoDiver program are substrate identification, fish identification and invertebrate identification, each detailed below.

Substrate identification 

After completing the substrate identification component of the course, divers will look at coral reefs like never before. Divers will learn how to identify what’s under each point along a transect line, as well as how to recognize disease and coral bleaching.

ID points include:

• Hard coral
• Nutrient-indicator algae
• Rubble
• Soft coral
• Sponges
• Sand
• Recently killed coral
• Rock
• Silt/clay

 Fish identification

Divers will learn how to differentiate target fish species from non-target fish species, dependent on the location, as well as how to estimate fish size underwater. This section of the course is key, as many of the world’s reefs are heavily overfished. Reef Check tallies certain fish because they are popular food or aquarium fish. Consequently, some reefs may be home to very few of these target species. In the Caribbean, EcoDivers will learn to identify:

• Grunts
• Margates
• Grouper
• Nassau grouper
• Moray eel
• Parrotfish
• Butterflyfish
• Snapper

Invertebrate identification 

Searching for invertebrates on a reef takes a good eye. Divers will learn not only how to identify invertebrates, but also why Reef Check uses them as indicators for various things. They will also learn how to recognize reef damage and what caused it, and note other human impacts, such as trash and pollution. Divers will learn to identify the following invertebrates in the Caribbean:

• Banded coral shrimp
• Long-spined black sea urchin
• Pencil urchins
• Collector urchin/sea egg
• Triton
• Flamingo tongue
• Gorgonians
• Lobster 

Improved buoyancy

The Reef Check protocol requires divers to perform simple tasks underwater. These include hovering motionless near the reef, often in an upside-down or horizontal position, identifying and counting target organisms, and writing these observations on a slate. Multiple tasks often require extra concentration underwater and buoyancy control can easily disappear, even for experienced divers. Good buoyancy is therefore essential for collecting high-quality data. As part of your training, your instructor will help you practice buoyancy skills if required and offer useful tips and techniques. Practice will lead to good buoyancy control, which will not only enhance your skills as a Reef Checker, but will also enhance your recreational diving experience in general.

With teams established in more than 90 countries and territories, a multitude of reefs require surveys at nearly every diving destination worldwide. After the dives, divers will enter their data with the instructor’s assistance. Everyone from local marine-park managers, to national fisheries and environment managers and international organizations, including United Nations agencies, will use the data you’ve helped collect to care for coral reefs.

For more information on becoming a Reef Check volunteer, check the website. If you would like to become an EcoDiver at Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas,  send an email to training@stuartcove.com for more information. 

Photos courtesy of Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas

 

 

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Manufacturer Feature: Bovie Medical

CME has partnered with Bovie Medical to provide you with quality medical-grade Generators, electrodes, smoke evacuation systems, lighting and more for all of your healthcare needs. As Bovie works hard to provide reliable, state-of-the art products, it was a given that CME join with them to not only exceed your expectations, but provide the best products, service and delivery.

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Running a Green Fins Top 10 Dive Center: Scuba Junkie

Scuba Junkie is an award-winning dive operator with resorts in Sabah, Malaysia, as well as Komodo and Sangalaki in Indonesia. Conservation of the local environment both above and below the waves has been at the heart of Scuba Junkie’s ethos from inception. It’s the No. 2-ranked Green Fins dive center in the world. The center also won the BlueGreen360 “Dive Operator of the Year 2017” award for its commitment to marine conservation and community engagement. The shops also have a dedicated conservation arm, Scuba Junkie SEAS, which runs six conservation projects.

Conservation does not need to be complex for dive operators. Through simple initiatives such as reducing environmental footprint, raising awareness of issues, and giving back to the local community, dive operators can meaningfully contribute to marine conservation. Scuba Junkie’s success shows that conservation and business can work together as a viable business model.

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Divers are conservation advocates

The world’s oceans face many threats: coral reefs are suffering from climate change and overfishing. Marine life is disappearing at an unprecedented rate. Pollution and plastics in the ocean are causing problems throughout the entire marine food chain, to name just a few.

But through this haze of problems two things have become clear: divers are passionate advocates for conservation issues, and dive operators such as Scuba Junkie are making positive inroads for local conservation. The more dive operators that become involved in conservation, the better the overall effect for conservation worldwide. The dive industry is, after all, a community of locally-based businesses, ideally situated to make a significant contribution to global marine-conservation efforts.

Scuba Junkie believes that regardless of level (dive operator, dive professional or fun diver) enjoying the underwater world comes with a responsibility to protect and conserve. Giving back to the ocean enhances the customer experience and benefits the business. Divers choose Scuba Junkie because of its environmental ethos, and some customers come back year after year. Most of Scuba Junkie’s positive reviews are about the staff’s passion and their conservation-minded ethos.

Going back to basics

Start with the basics: minimize the environmental footprint of your resort and diving practices. Scuba Junkie’s operations are as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible, as per the Green Fins guidelines. For example, all resorts have rainwater catchments to reduce reliance on local freshwater sources. They use solar heaters to heat water. Resorts have dedicated recycling stations, free drinking water refills for guests, and refillable cleaning products to reduce plastic waste.

Underwater, Scuba Junkie’s most important act of marine conservation is ensuring responsible diver behavior. All staff adhere to an in-house code of conduct to make sure divers don’t negatively impact the reef ecosystem. As a Green Fins member, Scuba Junkie has access to resources such as posters explaining the code of conduct in different languages, enabling effective communication. Divers are not allowed to touch or stress marine animals in any way. They also cannot collect any “souvenirs” from the ocean. Divemasters help all divers achieve proper neutral buoyancy as well.

It is easy to engage divers in these behaviors with the proper training. New Scuba Junkie staff are fully briefed on local marine life, environmental impacts and how to educate guests on the harm that irresponsible behavior can cause. Providing divers with this information enhances their experience far beyond the usual entry in logbooks.

Passing on the passion: raise awareness

Go beyond the basics. Raise divers’ awareness and draw attention to some of the issues threatening the species they love without being too pessimistic. Suggest straightforward actions that people can take, and inspire them to make a difference.

Begin by getting to know your environment and its local conservation issues. Share your knowledge with your guests and the local community through talks and small projects. For example, marine debris is a massive, worldwide issue but taking part in local beach and reef clean-ups can make a visible difference.

A major part of Scuba Junkie’s conservation work is raising awareness and getting people involved in their conservation programs. The shop encourages divers, staff, visitors and the local community to take part because conservation is most successful when many people are engaged.

On Pulau Mabul, guests can watch as we release turtle hatchlings. They can then “adopt” one of the hatchlings, allowing the hatchery to become a self-funded program. In Komodo, Scuba Junkie supports ‘Trash Hero Komodo’ and carries out beach clean-ups with guests and the local school. In Kota Kinabalu, Scuba Junkie has a local school conservation program that connects students with the unique biodiversity of their home by taking them snorkeling or diving and teaching them how to protect the environment.

Engaging the local community

Giving the local community opportunities to take part in conservation efforts not only improves the environment but also fosters good relations and partnerships. Scuba Junkie’s conservation weeks feature activities aimed at engaging local schools and colleges in conservation issues.

Dive operators must also support the conservation activities of local volunteers by donating boats, venues, time or money. Give back by enabling locals to become dive professionals, which in some places may otherwise be beyond their means. Scuba Junkie has a Local Divemaster Internship program, where the shop covers all training costs and participants receive a paid working contract after completion. This course emphasizes conservation, producing not just local divemasters, but local ocean guardians.

Win-win

A reputation as a conservation-minded dive operator with a passionate, expert staff and high training standards sets Scuba Junkie apart. As more guests come to Scuba Junkie and get involved in conservation, more money cycles back into conservation programs, creating a positive feedback cycle. As we develop more programs, we protect more of the surrounding environment, helping ensure the area’s long-term health.

Dive operators make money from the ocean, so they should use some of their resources to help protect it. The dive industry relies on a healthy marine ecosystem. This means it’s an intelligent business decision to invest time and resources into marine conservation. Scuba Junkie proves that it’s possible for dive operators to make a positive impact on marine conservation while running a successful business.

By Cat Cassidy, Conservation Manager, Scuba Junkie, Malaysia

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Florida’s Underwater Archaeological Preserves: SS Tarpon

If you’re looking for a shipwreck with a fascinating history near Panama City, Florida, it’s time to visit SS Tarpon. This late 19^th-century steamship is one of Florida’s 12 Underwater Archaeological Preserves. SS Tarpon is an oasis of marine life. It also offers great lobster fishing and has a fascinating tale concerning its final voyage at sea.

The history of the SS Tarpon

Originally christened Naugatuck, the ship was built in Delaware in 1887. The ship originally provided freight and passenger service along the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers to New York City. It was 130 feet (39 m) long with a 26-foot (8 m) beam, and powered by twin-compound fore-and-aft steam engines and twin iron propellers. Naugatuck had auxiliary masts and sails in case of machinery failure and could sail when wind and sea conditions were favorable.

Henry B. Plant bought the Naugatuck after only two years because it could not compete with local railroad networks in the north. Rechristened SS Tarpon, the steamer helped expand rail operations in Tampa, Florida by carrying merchandise and building materials across the sea. In 1902, the Pensacola, St. Andrews & Gulf Steamship Company purchased the SS Tarpon, and it began weekly runs to the ports of Mobile, Pensacola, Saint Andrews Bay (Panama City), Apalachicola, and Carrabelle. 

The SS Tarpon sinks

SS Tarpon’s final journey began in Mobile at the end of August 1937, when it was carrying 200 tons of general cargo for a trip east. After leaving Mobile, it made port in Pensacola. Here it took on a quantity of iron in addition to its previously loaded cargo of flour, sugar, canned goods, and beer. It was also over capacity with 31 people onboard. With 200 barrels of fuel oil in the tanks and 15 tons of freshwater, SS Tarpon’s decks were awash when it departed port on the evening of August 31, 1937 for Panama City.

The weather began to turn and the ship took on water from a leak at the bow, made worse by rough seas. It began to list to port as the crew worked to pump water from the bilge. To counter the listing, they jettisoned barrels of flour, which helped to right the ship. Conditions worsened, however, and when winds reached gale force, SS Tarpon took on more water through the bulkheads and listed to starboard. Again, the crew jettisoned cargo, but they could not right the ship. They diverted from their course while trying to beach the steamboat before it sank. Captain Barrow ordered more cargo jettisoned and was adamant that they return to their original course, but the ship had already begun to sink. By the time the captain issued the order to abandon ship, the stern had settled into the sea.

Loss of life

Mounted on the boat deck were three standard lifeboats and one work boat for a total carrying capacity of 61 people. The crew successfully launched only one boat, which capsized with the cook’s wife onboard. A falling boom killed the second mate, and Captain Barrow himself drowned after washing overboard. Other crewmen floated near the wreckage on debris. When the weather cleared, the ship’s oiler sighted land and decided to swim to shore for help. By 10 o’clock the next morning, he reached Philips Inlet, west of Panama City, after spending 25 hours in the water.

A passing motorist on the Gulf Coast Highway picked up the survivor and drove him to Panama City to report the disaster. News of SS Tarpon’s sinking quickly spread. The Coast Guard dispatched a search plane and two cutters, rescuing 11 men from the water. One survivor made it to shore on his own. The Coast Guard recovered two bodies, one of them Captain Barrow. Some of the crewmen were found, and it’s thought that they were trapped in the cargo hold and drowned when the ship sank. In total 18 people died, although some were never identified. After an inquiry by the Bureau of Marine Investigation and Navigation, Captain Barrow received full blame for attempting to keep the ship on course in terrible weather while it was heavily loaded with cargo.

Diving on the SS Tarpon

Today, the 160-foot (48 m) wreck lays at a depth of 90 feet (27 m), 7.8 nautical miles from shore. The Coast Guard marked the location in 1939, and that’s where local fishermen in the 1940s and scuba divers in the 1950s located the sunken steamer. Early divers could swim through the cargo hatches and into the hold, where stacked cases of beer still sat.

After years underwater the wreck is much changed. The hull has given way, and much of it has flattened over the surface of the seabed. Only the hard pan bottom keeps it from sinking into the sand. Prominent features include an anchor winch, boiler and boiler bed, iron hull plates, winch assembly with wire cable, propellers, and the remains of the twin engines and donkey boilers. The wreckage is home to hard corals, crustaceans, jellies, amberjacks, grunts, and sharks. Visibility is decent, although it can become murky after rainfall. Watch for the large concrete monument that designates the wreck as Florida’s sixth Underwater Archaeological Preserve.

Diver’s Den in Panama City Beach has this to say about the wreck: “The Tarpon is one of our favorite dive sites here at the shop. The history behind the wreck and the natural hard bottom around the site make for great conversation and amazing dives. It’s fascinating for our divers to visit a wreck that was built in 1887 and sunk in 1937. Almost 80 years later, there are still sections of the ship that remain and are home to a vast array of marine life that our divers look forward to seeing year after year.”

Many local dive shops have informational brochures about SS Tarpon as well. Divers should remember that shipwrecks are nonrenewable resources, and must be protected for future generations.

By guest author Melissa R. Price

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The Ultimate Dive Trip Prep and Packing List

Forget all the other lists you’ve seen. This ultimate dive trip prep and packing list is the only checklist you’ll ever need to plan the perfect dive trip. Prepare in the months, days and weeks ahead and then pack successfully and quickly for your trip with our tips.

In the dive-trip planning stages

• Make research your after-hours job, choosing the best time and place for your trip based on your available dates.
  Skip the popular tourist destinations. Choosing a slightly off-the-beaten-path destination can save you money on airfare and lodging. If possible, travel in the off season or find a location that has no real off-season. Sign up for newsletters from airlines as well as dream hotels and destinations. Join online travel/interest groups. Create flight price alerts.
• Choose the right dive shop.
  Experienced divers usually offer the best recommendations for dive shops. Ask your dive friends or check diver social-media sites, not just general travel-review sites.
• Find the best accommodations.
  Dive resorts are great, but don’t forget about alternatives like staying at an apartment close to a dive shop. Not only are some places far cheaper than hotels, but making your own breakfast can also save you lots of money. Note: When you factor in the room and board, along with other incidentals, a liveboard can sometimes be a viable choice even for those on a budget.
• Ask the dive shop and hotel for a discount.
  The worst they can say is no. Just for asking, I’ve received 5 to 35 percent off.
• Determine where the nearest hyperbaric chamber is.
• Determine if there is a travel alert or warning for the area.
  Check your country’s travel advisories like the US. Department of State.
• Figure out how you’ll get to/from the airport as well as what other type of transportation you’ll need. 

Once you’ve made your reservations

• Check the passport/visa requirements for your destination. Does your passport need to be valid 3-6 months following your departure date or have a certain number of blank pages? Do you need a visa? (US citizens click here.)
• Make sure you have travel and dive insurance.
• Sign up for alerts about your destination. US. citizens can sign up with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that registers trips with the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate and sends out important info from the Embassy about safety conditions. It also helps the U.S. Embassy and family/friends contact you in an emergency.
• Check recommendations for vaccinations and other health precautions.
• Determine what dive gear you’ll need and check with the dive shop.
  Does it get chilly enough for a 5mm wetsuit? Does the shop have special requirements? Do you need to have a doctor’s waiver for anything?
• Consider a refresher course if it’s been awhile since your last dive trip.
• Place an alert on the airfare.
  Some sites will pay you the difference if your flight price goes down after you’ve booked it.
• Arrange care for pets/plants/lawn.
• Plan additional activities. You must book some activities well in advance. Come up with a plan B if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

A month before your trip

• Research and prepare for the dive conditions. Are there currents and, if so, how do you handle them? What marine life should you watch for?
• Read up on the location’s culture and etiquette.
  Do you need to tip? What is considered an insult? Do you need to dress conservatively?
• Determine what food and water is safe.
• Check exchange rates and decide how you’ll handle money.
• Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel.
• Check outbound/inbound airline and airport requirements. Determine how long you need to arrive before your flight. Some places require you to check in your baggage multiple hours before take-off.
• Stop your mail and newspapers while you’re away.
• Figure out what you’ll do if something goes wrong en route to the destination. Store your airline’s customer service number in your phone, as well as social media handles. If you get bumped from your flight, ask for cash instead of a voucher. Report lost luggage while still in baggage claim and detail everything included. Determine what must happen regarding insurance, i.e. you often must file a police report immediately for stolen property.
• Get a letter from your doctor for any prescription medications you’re bringing.
  Check with the embassy of any countries you are visiting or transiting to ensure your medications aren’t illegal there. Some places have strict laws against even over-the-counter medications.
• Inspect all your dive equipment and make sure it’s been serviced recently.

Two weeks before your trip

• Review your packing list and begin packing.
• Touch-up your ID on your dive gear as needed. (Everyone’s gear can look the same on a boat.)
• Confirm care for pets/plants/lawn.
• Make photocopies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. This includes: passport, visa, vaccination and/or dive-fitness medical certificate (if needed), airline/bus/train/boat tickets, travel vouchers, driver’s license or international driver’s license, credit cards, itinerary including contact details, lodging confirmation, contact details for the nearest embassy/consulate in English and the local language, dive certification cards, insurance, membership/discount cards and the last page from your dive log book. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home, and carry the other separately from your documents in case of loss/theft and house one copy electronically.
• Make sure you have plenty of room on your camera’s memory card.
• Figure out what (if any) phone/data plan you need.
• Double-check your flight.
• Leave an extra house key with a family member or friend.

24 hours before your trip

• Check in for your flight and make sure you have a seat assignment.
• Set-up your auto-email response.
• Clear voice mail messages and set up a new outgoing message.
• Unplug electronics.
• Put lights on automatic timers to make your home seemed lived in.
• Double-check the weather in your destination and adjust accordingly.
• Ensure that all batteries on your electronics are charged.
• Make sure you’re done packing.
• Schedule payments for your bills while you’re away.
• Empty the trash.
• Empty the fridge of perishables.
• Set a reminder to turn off your heater/air conditioner. Turn down the temperature on your water heater and lock all doors/windows.

Four hours before your trip

• Double-check your flight. (Flights can change or be re-routed.)

Packing list

• Pack your carry-on with essentials for two days in case the airline loses your luggage.
• Luggage locks and two sets of keys stored separately
• Gear bag and/or mesh bag
• Boat and/or dry bag
• Money belt if you plan to carry cash
• Travel pack/backpack/purse/beach bag
• Nautilus Lifeline or personal GPS
• Carbon-monoxide and oxygen analyzer
• Mask, fins and snorkel
• Dive boots or socks
• Reef gloves (double-check that your destination allows them)
• BCD
• Weight pockets or weight belt
• Regulator, octopus and dive console
• Dive computer
• Backup dive computer
• Exposure protection
• Dive skin/rash guard (take two so one is always dry)
• Dive hood/beanie/head band/bandana
• Log book
• Whistle or surface noisemaker/mirror/safety sausage
• Spool/reel and DSMB/SMB
• Knife or cutting tool
• Primary dive light and backup light
• Dive flag
• Underwater slate and pencil
• Spare parts kit
• Mask defog
• Ear drops
• Padlock for dive locker
• Air tank and/or pony bottle
• Bungee cord/shock cord/dive-gauge retractor
• Scuba pointer stick
• Lift bag
• Marine life ID and/or dive-destination books
• Ginger candies or anti-nausea medicine for seasickness
• Trash bags for wet gear
• Camera and all accessories
• Connection cables/USB card reader
• Tripod or selfie stick
• Shorts/capris
• T-shirts/casual shirts
• Long pants (at least one pair)
• Shirts
• Dresses/skirts
• Sweatshirt/sweater
• Light jacket or fleece for colder nights
• Windbreaker
• Dressy outfit with nice shoes (if necessary)
• Swimsuits (at least two)
• Cover up/sundress/sarong
• Beach towel and/or sport towel
• Hat/visor
• Comfortable walking shoes, sandals and flip flops
• Pajamas
• Raincoat/umbrella/poncho
• Toiletries and shower shoes
• Hair accessories like hair ties, barrettes and bobby pins
• Lip balm with sunscreen
• Hygiene products like tampons, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes
• Nail kit
• Tissue packets (can double as toilet paper)
• Bug spray (See the CDC’s recommendations on which are effective.)
• Sunscreen (preferably coral reef-safe brands)
• First-aid kit
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Laptop
• Electrical voltage converter/adapter
• Chargers for electronics
• Headphones
• Travel documents along with photocopies stored separately
• Credit cards, cash and traveler’s checks
• Books/magazines/eBook reader/music player
• Extension cord with power strip (Not only for your room, but you can be a hero and bring it in your carry-on for everyone to use during airport layovers.)
• Prescription medications in their original containers, vitamins, birth control, OTC medications
• Doctor’s letter for medications
• Snacks
• Eye mask and travel pillow
• Sunglasses
• Re-usable water bottle for the plane and between dives
• Extra pair of prescription glasses and extra contact lenses
• Deck of cards
• Pen for customs’ forms and misc.
• Ziploc bags, plastic grocery bags and/or eco bags
• Binoculars
• Guide book and/or maps (Or download areas in Google Maps on your phone ahead of time and navigate offline.)
• Language phrasebook (or a download for your phone)
• Travel journal or notebook

The post The Ultimate Dive Trip Prep and Packing List appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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What I’m reading: Vol. 86.

Good morning, my darlings!

I want to thank all of you for your wonderful comments on my Show Me Something More post. I’m so grateful and humbled to be a part of the discussions that sprung from that post, not to mention all the Facebook comments, Tweets, and IG messages from all of you who feel the same way.

I’m in NYC again this week, hunting out more fabulous jewelry to share with you (as well as attending this year’s Women’s Jewelry Association Gala)!

Continue reading What I’m reading: Vol. 86. at Diamonds in the Library.

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Spectacular Night Diving with the SeaLife Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam

[See image gallery at scubadiverlife.com]

The post Spectacular Night Diving with the SeaLife Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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5 Decorating Tips for an Attic Bedroom Sanctuary

Attics are places that seem to be frozen in time, collecting dust and hiding forgotten family heirlooms. However, with some effort, it is possible to transform the underused space into a stylish, tranquil haven.

Image Source: Flickr

Below are 5 decorating tips for an attic bedroom sanctuary:

Using Sloped Ceilings Properly
Use sloped ceilings wisely. “Dormers are great for window seats, desks or reading nooks,” says Heron. “These types of activities don’t require ceiling height, so where things are constricted, they provide extra function to that space.”
If you’re short on storage, built-in shelving is another wise use of the space where a sloped ceiling meets the floor. Source: Houzz

Avoiding Overcrowding & Using Furniture
Speaking of furniture, since attics tend to be more cramped than other rooms you’ll want to avoid overstuffing your attic with bulky furniture. The fewer items you have, the better the flow will be. Choose furniture with a low profile since ceiling height could impede movement. Keep beds away from the lowest parts of the room so that nobody bumps their heads when getting in and out.  Another issue with a converted attic is that you often lose storage space. This is a problem since you also want to limit the amount of furniture in the attic. The answer is to incorporate storage into the furniture you have. Beds that have drawers beneath them, ottomans that have interior storage, and other multi-purpose pieces of furniture will help you achieve this goal without swamping the space. Source: Blog.ClubFurniture

Picking Colors
The room paint is quite a challenge for the attic room. The reason behind this is simple, these kind of rooms have less walls and wide ceiling. It is important to do the paint work carefully so that you can make the room attractive. The trick is to use two different colours on the wall and the ceiling. Select white or neutral colour for the walls to make it bright. Source: HomeDecorXP

Making Use of a Ceiling Skylight
The attic is the perfect location for a skylight. Although it doesn’t strictly fall under the category of decorations, it’s a very practical project that will add to the appeal of your home. It will allow you to enjoy the great-looking night sky and cloud-gazing during the day right from the comfort of your new room. This will also save on electricity during the day as light will stream into your room and you won’t have to light up the place. There are many innovative options out there you can make use of during your projects. Source: ImproveNet

Choosing Window Treatments
The attic was now ready for the gangly youth, but there was an important detail that needed to be incorporated with Window treatments ideas! Neighbors who’d had their home redone recently told us, the best option to find large varieties of the most effortless and effective window dressings is online shopping. This would also save us professional consultation and installation fees. Going through the online options had our eyes popping! The variety was amazing, but we soon educated ourselves enough to narrow the options down to two – Window Shutters or Cellular Shades. Though the cellular shades were cheaper and provided exemplary insulation, we decided to get the Woodlore Plus Norman Shutters as we felt it would be a more resilient option for clumsy teenage hands. Source: ZebraBlinds

 

Contact:
Universal Blinds
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988

The post 5 Decorating Tips for an Attic Bedroom Sanctuary appeared first on Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters.

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First CRISP Boot Camp Gives Social Workers a Jump Start in Political Arena

Can you imagine how much more effective Congress would be if 20 percent or more of its members were social workers? The first CRISP Political Boot Camp provided three days of training in political social work.

from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://ift.tt/2vUwccs

Why Wakatobi: A Dozen Reasons You Should Visit Today

[See image gallery at scubadiverlife.com] Wakatobi Dive Resort consistently ranks as one of the world’s top-rated diving and snorkeling destinations. But what exactly does that mean? Certainly, the quality of the underwater experience is important, but so too are factors such as the setting, amenities, guest comfort and conveniences. This combination earns Wakatobi top marks with its guests. But don’t take my word for it. Here are a dozen reasons the resort remains near the top of so many divers’ bucket lists.

Protection Pays Off

In an era when even the most remote diving destinations are subject to the effects of human activity, a policy of managed and enforced protection is the only way to assure the underwater ecosystem’s health. Wakatobi Resort sits within a marine reserve created and operated by the resort’s founders. Covering more than 12 miles (20 km) of reef line, the Wakatobi Collaborative Reef Conservation Program creates a no-take zone that encompasses some of the region’s most spectacular and biologically-rich underwater landscapes. And it works. Since the establishment of the reserve in the mid 1990s, all destructive forms of fishing have ceased. Permanent moorings protect dive sites and there is a strict no-touch policy in place for all diving guests. Because of these efforts, fish populations have increased and corals have returned to near-pristine status.

High Critter Counts

Wakatobi Resort sits within the Coral Triangle, which nurtures the planet’s highest levels of marine biodiversity. On the reefs surrounding the resort, divers and snorkelers can tally more than 500 varieties of hard and soft corals. There are 2,000-plus species of fish life and many thousands more invertebrates. Keen-eyed divers can spend hours searching out tiny treasures, such as pygmy seahorses, or scanning the shallows for burrowers. Healthy reefs attract swarms of colorful tropicals. Schooling fish patrol the edges of walls and the tops of underwater seamounts.

Be Part of the Solution

Wakatobi’s Collaborative Reef Conservation Program doesn’t just put a halt to destructive fishing practices and reef degradation, it creates a sustainable alternative by making healthy reefs a source of revenue for the local community. The resort uses a portion of all guest revenue to make direct lease payments to area villages. Revenues also sustain other community initiatives for education, clean water and electrification. By giving the surrounding community a stake in preserving the reefs, Wakatobi has transformed local attitudes and encouraged a sense of stewardship. And by placing many reefs into a status that creates fish-breeding sanctuaries, Wakatobi’s programs have helped local fishermen increase their catch within designated fishing zones.

Cruising in Comfort

Wakatobi Resort operates a fleet of custom-built dive boats. These spacious 69-foot (21 m) vessels offer shaded decks and extra-spacious benches. Dedicated gear storage bins and a separate camera table are out of the way of other divers and snorkelers. Bathrooms are located at the rear of the boat, and at deck level. Water entry is from the middle of the boat, which keeps divers well away from engine exhaust when entering and exiting the water. Underway, the boat’s efficient single-engine design keeps motor noise to a low burble. Boat crews are dedicated to delivering personal service both aboard and in the water. Thorough briefings are provided before each dive, and each guest is given the appropriate level of attention to ensure both safety and maximum diving freedom.

Underwater Diversity

The dive sites surrounding Wakatobi Resort offer a diverse range of underwater scenery. Many begin as shallow reefs that rise to within a few feet of the surface then transition dramatically to steep slopes or walls. Some sites are set in protected bays, while others take in open-water seamounts and pinnacles. At many sites, the reef topographies are ideally suited to multi-level profiles. It is quite common for divers to log bottom times of up to 70 minutes while remaining within a no-stop dive profile. By working with tidal currents, divers can also make extended drift dives at certain locations. Night dives showcase a different cast of marine characters, and the dive center offers the unique program of fluro-diving, which reveals the fluorescing abilities of corals and other marine life.

A Shore with More

Guests don’t have to board a boat to discover some of the best diving and snorkeling in all of Indonesia. Directly in front of the resort is the House Reef, which consistently ranks as one of the world’s top shore dives. Exploring this vast area is as easy as wading in from the beach or entering from the ladder at the end of the resort’s jetty. The outer edge of the reef runs parallel to the shore in a series of steep slopes, walls and undercut ledges. Divers have been known to spend entire days working along small areas of this formation, discovering a wealth of interesting subjects at every turn.

Just inshore of the reef, a seagrass meadow shelters a menagerie of juveniles, invertebrates and sand-dwellers. There is always shore supervision, and to enhance access to the House Reef, the dive staff operates small taxi boats that ferry divers and snorkelers to more-distant areas up current so they can leisurely meander back.

Snorkelers Welcome

Though it’s called a dive resort, Wakatobi is also a great place for snorkelers. In addition to the shallow formations of the House Reef, dozens more sites feature corals rising close to the surface. Snorkelers are always welcome to join the divers at these sites, and get the same personal attention with snorkel guides while on the boats and in the water. The ability to mix diving and snorkeling groups allows diver/snorkeler couples and families with younger children to better share the experience.

After the Dive

Some guests spend every possible moment of their Wakatobi experience in or under the water. Those who don’t have plenty of additional options. Beach time can include a range of water sports such as kayaking, standup paddleboarding and wakeboarding. Between May and September, light seasonal winds turn Wakatobi into an ideal destination for kite surfing. The resort now has a dedicated kiting center, and can accommodate everyone from beginners to experts. Those who would rather stay dry can indulge in a spa visit or wander the island’s nature trail. Guests can tour a local village or sign up for an Indonesian cooking or culture class. The library and lounge in the Longhouse are always open for reading and games. The resort’s photo pro also presents frequent slide shows and marine-life presentations.

Barefoot Luxury

It’s a phrase that has become a bit cliché. But how else would you describe a setting where spa services, fine dining, attentive personal service and million-dollar ocean views mix with charming beachfront bungalows set in a palm grove, and private villas perched on the shoreline? Attentive staff serve each of these oases of personal relaxation, reached by winding sand pathways that encourage you to shed both your shoes and any residual stress. Meals are a highlight for many guests. The resort’s team of internationally-trained chefs showcase their talents with a diverse range of international favorites and Indonesian specialties. They can accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements and special requests as well.

Warm Welcomes

Most of Wakatobi’s staff come from the local community where hospitality is a deeply ingrained cultural trait. Guests are welcomed with the same genuine warmth as if they were invited into a private home. When staff members smile and greet you by name, it’s not a gimmick, but rather a genuine expression of welcome. The staff also takes pride in delivering the details of personal service while respecting everyone’s privacy. This combination is guaranteed to put you at ease and spoil you for a return to the outside world.

The Big Boat Option

In addition to its land-based facilities, Wakatobi Resort operates Pelagian. This 115-foot (35 m) luxury dive yacht conducts one-week liveaboard cruises to more remote areas of the Wakatobi archipelago and the southern coast of Buton Island. Carrying a maximum of 10 guests and offering roomy hotel-like cabins, Pelagian combines five-star service and fine dining with unique access to a range of dive sites. These include seldom-visited reefs, offshore seamounts, and some of the region’s best muck-diving venues. Many guests will combine a stay at the resort with a Pelagian cruise.

Remote Yet Accessible

Wakatobi is located on a small island hundreds of miles from city lights. But getting there is easy, thanks to private direct charter flights from Bali. These arrive at the resort’s own airstrip in just 2.5 hours. To ease the transition, Wakatobi also maintains an airport concierge staff in Bali. Guests also have access to a VIP airport lounge. The concierge team greets arriving passengers and assists with all transfer details. Staff can also arrange hotels, transportation and activities for those wishing to make a Bali layover. Once at the resort, guests can tune out the world but enjoy full connectivity through a combination of Internet, cellular and satellite links.

There are so many reasons that a stay at Wakatobi Resort is truly a world-class experience. But to discover all this idyllic destination offers, you’ll need to experience it for yourself.

By Walt Stearns

The post Why Wakatobi: A Dozen Reasons You Should Visit Today appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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A Newspaper in the Dock on Press Freedom Day

In light of the 24th of July, the anniversary of lifting censorship in Turkey, Golden Pen of Freedom laureate Can Dündar looks back on the night thirteen journalists of the country's most prestigious newspaper, Cumhuriyet, were arrested and placed in solitary cells after police raided their homes. After 267 days, they are now scheduled to face a judge for the first time. Ironically, on the very day that is meant to stand for press freedom in Turkey.

Read more ...

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Salon Only Ideas For Instagram

There is one thing stand-out Instagram accounts all have in common. They tell a story. How do they tell a story? Consistently sharing content that is relevant to their business and their brand. How do you do it? By staying true to your business and creating an Instagram feed that looks and feels just like your beauty business.

Before you take the plunge use these tips to create content that will make you an Instagram stand-out:

1. Hair and Happy Clients
Most often clients are happy to show off their new hair, look, makeup, or nails. If you’re a beauty business, get your team into the practice of taking a snapshot of their work. This step alone translates into a a visual content goldmine.Ask your clients to be a part of the fun and get them involved, or take side and back angled shots instead. Transform ordinary pictures into stand-out shots with the use of a simple background which makes the model the focal point.

2. Highlight Your Team
Take a group selfie with your team! Show the fun side of the your team, share stylists working with clients, taking a break, behind the desk, with their favorite product, birthdays, and just being silly! Clients love to see and connect with their favorite stylists on Instagram.

3. Reflect Your Brand
Use your salon brand to help tell your story. Consistently utilize your brand’s in color palette, logo and word mark to create an Instagram feed that reflects your brand image and story.  People LOVE to share beautiful visual content. Increase social sharing by creating strong visuals. If the visual is impactful, so will be the success of likes and "shares". Posts should stand out through imagery, typography and color.

4. Salon Environment
Do you have a stand-out salon interior or exterior? Show it off by including images of your salon space, both inside and out. Include local businesses and shops near your salon location, for example your team’s favorite coffee shop. Tip: Tag nearby businesses and their followers will see your post! A great business-to-business strategy to grow your followers through local or nearby businesses.

5. Retail Salon Products
Instagram loves pretty pictures. Get creative and have some fun taking pics of your retail products. Set up a display, make it pretty, use flowers, use gem stones, use pottery, mirrors; a vignette that shows off your “wares” in a different way that echoes your brand look and feel.6. Inspirational QuotesShare inspirational quotes with your followers. Share what moves you and what you believe in. Select quotes that suit your salon brand and client demographics. Keep it light and fun.

6. Education and Training
Do you offer ongoing education and training to your stylists/service providers? Do you send your team to industry trade shows? Share these events via team photos for a behind-the-scenes view. This demonstrates that you invest in your staff and training, which builds loyalty and confidence.

7. Promotional Opportunities
Monthly promotions are simply well thought-out plans to keep clients and prospective clients aware of your beauty business. You want your salon or spa “top of mind” when they are motivated to make an appointment. Make sure it is you they call. 
- Retail or Service Specials
- Referral offers (friend or new client)

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Basic Caribbean Coral Identification Part 1: Hard Corals

A thriving ocean depends on a healthy reef because as corals grow, they build complex habitats with lots of nooks and crannies for juvenile fish. But diving on a Caribbean reef can be overwhelming, with so much to see. Knowing some basic Caribbean coral identification means you’ll enrich your experience, so you’ll see beyond the bustling reef fish on each dive.

A hard, calcium-carbonate skeleton is the definitive feature of hard corals. As the coral polyps grow, they create a structure called a corallite, which is the polyps’ home. Below are 11 common species of hard coral that you can find while scuba diving in the Caribbean, as well as some tips on how to identify them.

Acropora cervicornis

Staghorn Coral

The Caribbean staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is an important reef-building species because the long, pointed branches intersect as they grow upward towards the sun. This creates a three-dimensional lattice, perfect for juvenile habitat. The branches of this coral are particularly vulnerable to errant fin kicks, so be careful when swimming around these corals. Acropora cervicornis is the only staghorn coral in the Caribbean, but any Acropora species around the world that forms long, thick branches is considered a staghorn coral.

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Acropora palmata

Elkhorn Coral

The Caribbean elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) is a robust species that forms large colonies that can grow to be bigger than a human. As the branches grow, they fuse together to form broad branches, which break apart into flat blades near the edges of the colony. As this coral grows and completes its life cycle, dead elkhorn skeletons add rock and mass to the reef. Therefore, we consider them a reef-building coral. Caribbean elkhorn coral is endangered, with coral-restoration projects in the region focusing mainly on restoring elkhorn and staghorn acropora species.

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Lettuce coral

Lettuce Coral

This type of coral is common in the Caribbean and several species form plates and blades with intricate corallites. The scientific name for lettuce coral is (Agaricia). This coral can be gray, yellow, or brown, and some have bright green polyps. This coral grows anywhere from caves to the brightest shallow reefs.

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Montastrea cavernosa

Great Star Coral

As the name implies, this coral grows into large colonies. In the shallows, great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) forms large domes or wide columns, but in deeper, darker water, this coral tends to spread out wide to catch more of the available light. Montastraea grows in a range of colors. Keep your eyes peeled for bright orange or pink colonies.

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Orbicella faveolata

Mountainous Star Coral

The corallites of this coral (Orbicella faveolata) are much smaller than those of the great star coral. They have several uniform lines running from the top of the corallite, giving it a star like appearance. The mountainous star coral forms large sprawling colonies with peaked ridges running down the side of the colony, which is why we call it “mountainous.” Orbicella is common in the Caribbean and grows in mostly blue, gray, yellow, and brown.

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Dendrogyra cylindricus

Pillar coral

Pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) is one of the Caribbean’s most unique corals. The polyps of this coral extend during the day giving it a fuzzy appearance. When the polyps are retracted, the skeleton has corallites that twist and turn throughout the colony, giving it a maze-like appearance. Pillar coral is rare on most Caribbean reefs. It’s listed as vulnerable because recruitment and survival rates of juveniles is low.

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Porites asteroides

Mustard Hill Coral

This coral (Porites astreoides) is named for its vibrant yellow color. As the coral grows, it forms lumps and bumps all over the surface of the colony. Porites astreoides also grows in blue and gray colonies throughout the Caribbean. You’ll find this common coral on all parts of the reef, from the shallowest to the deepest.

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Diploria labyrinthiformis

Grooved Brain Coral

The scientific name for grooved brain coral is Diploria labyrinthiformis. This coral forms wide, brain-like ridges, with a noticeable groove in the center of each ridge. The colonies can build large domes or more encrusting forms along the sea floor. Search for the wide, grooved ridges to identify this coral. Colonies can be several feet across and you’ll find them in all habitats.

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Eusmilia fastigiata

Smooth Flower Coral

During the day, you might wonder how this coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) got its name. But on a night dive, you’ll see a large, fleshy, flower-like polyp emerge from the skeleton to catch a passing meal. Eusmilia grows into trumpet-like corallites around one inch long. Corallites are connected at the base, and colonies can grow quite large with hundreds of polyps. More commonly, you’ll see small colonies with a dozen or more corallites. The color is always creamy white or yellow.

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Scolymia

Solitary Disk Coral

Solitary disk corals, (Scolymia sp.) are the diamond in the rough. Scolymia are the most colorful coral in the Caribbean, appearing in bright red, pinks, greens, gray, purple and brown. There is no telling what color a Scolymia will be, which is what makes searching for this coral so much fun. There are two species of Scolymia; S. cubensis and S. wellsi

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Mycetophyllia ferox

Rough Cactus Coral

This coral forms large plates that spread along the sea floor or on the sides of rocky reefs, but the first things that will catch your eye with rough cactus coral (Mycetophyllia ferox) are the bright pink corallites. Although Mycetophyllia have a soft, fleshy appearance they are hard corals, sporting a hard skeleton underneath.

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By guest author Nicole Helgason

The post Basic Caribbean Coral Identification Part 1: Hard Corals appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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