Self-Care, A-to-Z: Gratitude as Focus, Frame, and Fuel for Self-Care

Let’s use this month of Thanks-giving to commit to using gratitude as fuel, frame, and focus for self-care.

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CME, Capstone Partnership to Provide Equipment, Logistics to Hundreds of Healthcare Facilities

New agreement produces strategic advantages for 2 fast-growing national companies

WARWICK, R.I. (October, 2017) – One of the largest sourcing groups for healthcare facilities in the nation and the leading healthcare equipment and logistics company have joined forces in a new agreement designed to benefit millions of patients, both companies announced today.

According to the agreement, CME will offer comprehensive healthcare equipment sourcing, bio-medical services, IT support and turnkey logistics to Capstone Health Alliance, a Regional Group Purchasing Organization of healthcare members that includes more than 37,000 beds at 250 hospitals in 23 states across the Eastern, Southeastern and Midwest regions of the country.

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Two Shipwrecks Discovered in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA maritime archaeologists and partners have located and identified two previously undiscovered historic shipwrecks in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The shipwrecks discovered are the wooden steamer Ohio (1873-1894) and the steel-hulled steamer Choctaw (1892-1915).

Ohio, a wooden bulk carrier, left from Duluth, Minnesota bound for New York in September 1894, loaded with grain. The ship crossed Lake Superior and then traversed Lake Huron. There, it encountered rough seas 10 miles north of Presque Isle, Michigan. Meanwhile, a steamer was towing two schooners in the same area when they encountered the Ohio. As the vessels were about to pass each other, one of the towlines broke. The Ironton schooner collided with Ohio, causing both ships to sink within 30 minutes. The crew of the Ohio survived, while five crew from the Ironton, including the captain, perished in the accident.

The steel-hulled steamer Choctaw went down in 1915, also off Presque Isle. Stuck in a dense fog with a hold full of coal, the Choctaw was hit by a Canadian steamship, the Wahcondah. Although it sank in only seven minutes, the captain and his entire crew of 21 men were rescued and taken aboard Wahcondah.

Finding the wrecks

In May 2017, a sanctuary-led expedition used high-resolution sonars to map the bottom of Lake Huron, during which they located the two ships.  At the time, researchers were confident they had discovered the 202-foot Ohio and the 266-foot Choctaw.  The team recently confirmed the vessels’ identities using underwater robots to collect photos and video of the shipwrecks.

The sanctuary is planning future expeditions to better understand, manage and interpret Ohio and Choctaw. Sanctuary staff also plan to develop exhibits and public outreach materials to enable divers and the public to access and learn more about these shipwrecks. Preserved by Lake Huron’s cold, freshwater, NOAA will nominate the shipwrecks for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Funded by a grant from NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, the project was made possible through research partnerships with NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, University of Delaware, Michigan Technological University, Northwest Michigan College, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

 By Jeff Gray, Superintendent, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

For additional information about Ohio and Choctaw (including video and images) and more details about the expedition, please see Pushing the Boundaries: Technology-driven Exploration of ThunderBay National Marine Sanctuary. 

 

 

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Slithering romance from Anthony Lent.

It’s not unusual for Anthony Lent‘s designs to be on my mind around Halloween. That dark fairy tale feeling of endless possibility that is my favorite part of the season is the same thing I love about so many of Lent’s pieces.

I know I’ve already done one Halloween post this year…but these are too perfect not to share with you and I can’t help that it happens to still be October.

How gorgeous are these two new snake rings?

Continue reading Slithering romance from Anthony Lent. at Diamonds in the Library.

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Divers Land on Planet Deepblu

 

For the past two years, Deepblu has been forging a path to make itself known as the premier logging app for divers around the world. In addition, it has become a place for those divers to connect, create, share, and learn from like-minded enthusiasts spanning the globe in an active online community. The company is now introducing a whole new way for divers to discover dive destinations.

Planet Deepblu is a revolutionary new feature that represents a landmark achievement in the crossroads of technology and diving. It is a unique, informative place where divers can access content generated from the community and obtain a thorough idea of what a dive destination is like before they even leave the house. Virtually all popular global dive locations are placed on a fully interactive map, allowing users to browse ratings, interact with reviews, and find out more about dive spots than previously available.

With tens of thousands already using Deepblu, the platform is a link that helps travelers, divers, shops, dive pros, and dive centers connect in ways that they haven’t been able to before. Planet Deepblu expands upon this concept by putting them all on the map. Pros and dive businesses will be able to keep in touch with their students and customers through customizable business profiles; and on the flipside of the coin, divers will be able to share their stories about the pros and dive operators.

The profiles, maps, and reviews will also be supplemented by the integration of user-contributed dive logs, videos, photos, and stories about each site. Divers will also be able to find descriptions of countries including what to expect from the people, the climate, the costs, and everything else a diver might like to know before heading out on their journey.

“Deepblu’s mission has always been to improve the way that divers plan and experience scuba. With the help of our user-generated content from divers all over the world, the platform has evolved into something that helps adventurers discover their next dive, and it will continue to grow over time,” says CEO James Tsuei.

About the COSMIQ Dive Computer: The COSMIQ is the trendiest dive computer and the only one in its segment to boast Blue-tooth technology to synchronize digital dive logs with the cloud. Since its launch in April 2016, it has won many awards for its ease of use, clarity and unique design. 

About the Deepblu Platform: Deepblu is the fastest-growing online community for divers and ocean enthusiasts. Released in November 2016 at the DEMA Expo in Las Vegas, it has since brought tens of thousands of divers together at deepblu.com. Their latest feature, Planet Deepblu, aims to change how divers explore and plan their dive trips by connecting the dive world in one place online. 

About Deepblu, Inc.: Deepblu, Inc. is the company behind the COSMIQ Dive Computer and the Deepblu social network for divers. Deepblu, Inc. is a team of divers and technology enthusiasts whose goal is to use technology and the power of the internet to revolutionize the diving community and lifestyle. 

Contact: info@deepblu.com

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Our Favorite Haunting Dive Reads

If you’re an avid diver and reader, you’ve likely devoured a wide variety of dive books, from classics to entertaining, easy reads such as the Clive Cussler novels. But the haunting dive reads we’ve included on the list below kick up the excitement a notch and feature stories that will remain with you long after you read them. Here are our top picks for the most haunting dive reads.

“The Last Dive”

by Bernie Chowdhury

“The Last Dive” tells the tale of a father and son’s fatal descent to the U-Who, an unidentified German U-boat. The story is both tragic and almost inevitable. The author, Bernie Chowdhury, is both an expert technical diver and friends with the doomed dive team of Chris and Chrissy Rouse. He wrote the book from a semi-autobiographical viewpoint.

Highlighting episodes from his own life, Chowdhury explores the mentality of technical diving and its history. He juxtaposes this with the Rouses’ dream of diving into fame. East Coast tidbits about tech gear, reveling in artifact fever (i.e., the zeal for goodies from historical wrecks) and exploring the Andrea Doria complement the story.

Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll enter your name in a raffle to win one of two paperback copies of the Last Dive personally autographed by the author!

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“Shadow Divers”

by Robert Kurson

As a diver, you may recognize the thrill of swimming into and around a wreck. Now imagine discovering a WWII wreck that American and German historians think shouldn’t exist off the coast of New Jersey. Although it sounds too fantastical to be true, that’s precisely the story in “Shadow Divers” by Robert Kurson.

Featuring the same mysterious U-boat as “The Last Dive,” “Shadow Divers” tells the story of the German U-boat’s discovery by famed wreck divers Richie Kohler and John Chatterton. The men and their team spent the next seven years trying to discover the wreck’s identity. While some events overlap with those in “The Last Dive,” this book rather focuses on cracking the overall mystery and history of Hitler’s lost submarine and its crew. Even if you haven’t heard of these legendary Northeast divers, their rivalries and the claustrophobic penetration of a wreck 230 feet (70 m) down in frigid water will instantly sweep you up into 1990s wreck diving.

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“Descent into Darkness”

by Cmdr. Edward C. Raymer, USN (Ret.) 

This memoir of the Navy’s chief diver, responsible for the Pearl Harbor salvage, details the desperate attempts to save crewmen caught inside their sinking vessels and later the recovery of the sunken wrecks.

The book sucks you into the nightmare conditions of diving on battleships so large that even the crew got lost when the ships were upright, never mind when they sank upside down. Vast quantities of leaking fuel and oil in the water rendered lights useless, so salvagers dove in total darkness. With visibility of two inches or less, they worked by touch alone.

The ingenuity and courage of these Navy men, groping their way through an ink- black maze of war-wrecked ships and floating bodies will leave readers astounded.

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“Raising the Dead”

by Phillip Finch

In the Kalahari Desert of South Africa lies one of the world’s deepest freshwater caves. It’s only accessible through a small crack in the earth 15 feet (4.5 m) underwater. Two rebreather divers enter planning to raise the decade-old body of a diver resting in almost 900 feet of water. These real-life events cascade into a fatal outcome for one and a close call for the other.

Written in laymen’s terms by a cave diver, the book scaptures the attention of both recreational and technical divers detailing the drive of diving to extremes and the aftermath of the tragedy.

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“The Abyss”

by Orson Scott Card

Books are often become movies with varying degrees of success, but rarely are movies transformed into notable books for good reason. By their definition, novelizations embody derivatives. This novel is a rare exception, complementing the movie with luscious detail. It proudly stands on its own as well, as an entrancing sci-fi adventure.

Director and avid scuba diver James Cameron wrote the original screenplay for “The Abyss” and diligently researched all the critical technical aspects. But master storyteller Orson Scott Card provides additional dimension to the story. He based the novel on the screenplay, while the movie was being filmed. Enamored by Card’s writing, James Cameron required the two main actors to read early drafts of their characters’ background. In turn, Card fleshed out parts of the book by watching the actors’ performances.

The story races along with an underwater drill crew and a Navy SEAL team, working to recover a submarine and prevent nuclear destruction. But what they discover deep under the Caribbean and their internal struggles make this a gripping thriller.

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SeaLife Introduces Sea Dragon 4500 Lumen Professional Photo-Video Light

SeaLife is introducing its new Sea Dragon 4500 Photo-Video light at the DEMA (Dive Equipment & Marketing Association) trade show in Orlando in early November. The Sea Dragon 4500 photo-video light delivers 4500 lumens in an even 120-degree wide beam.  The light offers an unmatched 96 CRI (color rendering index) with its proprietary COB LED array that very closely mimics natural sunlight. (A CRI of 100 would be just like natural sunlight). Most other LED lights offer a much lower CRI, missing critical color necessary to produce natural and colorful still images and videos.  The Sea Dragon 4500, with its unique COB LED, not only offers a high CRI, but also delivers a TLCI (Television Lighting Consistency Index) value of over 97. With 100 being the highest possible TLCI value, lights producing more than 90 TLCI are acceptable for capturing true, natural colors with television studio cameras.

“There simply hasn’t been a photo/video light with this level of performance in the underwater imaging market,” says Bjorn Harms, SeaLife’s VP and product development manager. “The light will be a vital component for advanced amateurs and professionals to capture vibrant, natural colors.”

The Sea Dragon 4500 also offers impressive still image results and can be used as a primary source of light or in combination with a strobe. The 4500 features Auto Flash Detect mode, which cancels the light for one second when a strobe is fired.

The Sea Dragon 4500 brightness can be adjusted manually or automatically with its built-in photocell light sensor. The Auto Bright mode automatically adjusts from 450 to 4500 lumens based on proximity to the subject, helping to preserve your eye’s natural night vision and extends battery life. The light can also be manually adjusted to 100%, 75%, 50% or 25% brightness.

The light head includes standard YS adapter and Flex-Connect™ YS Adapter for easy expansion with any YS-compatible arms or with SeaLife’s Flex-Connect system of arms, grips, trays and mounts.

Part of the Sea Dragon’s impressive performance is its powerful 50W Li-ion rechargeable battery pack, that runs the light for 60 minutes at full power.  The light also includes a battery charger, three international plug adapters and a protective travel case.

The Sea Dragon 4500 Light will be available for shipment by January 2018 and retails for $699.95.

SeaLife Underwater Cameras are made by Pioneer Research in Moorestown, NJ and were first introduced in 1993. In 2000, SeaLife developed the world’s first digital underwater camera. In 2007, SeaLife developed the first non-housed digital underwater camera, and in 2013 SeaLife introduced the powerful Sea Dragon Lighting system and its innovative Flex-Connect tray, grip, arm, and accessory system. In 2014, SeaLife introduced the Micro HD, the world’s first permanently sealed underwater camera, followed by the new Micro 2.0 in 2015 and the cutting-edge DC2000 underwater camera in 2017.  SeaLife cameras, lighting and accessories are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world.    

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An Introduction to Rebreather Diving

In this, the latest installment of our series on how to get started and progress through technical diving, we introduce rebreather diving. Simply put, rebreathers recycle the diver’s breathing gas, allowing them to reuse a large part of it. In the case of closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR), they also provide breathing gas at a set partial-pressure This allows for shorter decompression obligations.

Before delving any further into the subject, full disclosure: I am a rebreather diver, not a rebreather instructor. This article is simply intended to explain basic principles of rebreather diving and how to get into it.

How does it work?

In French, the word for rebreathers is recycleurs – recyclers – and that’s exactly what they allow divers do. Rather than exhaling all the gas you just breathed, you’ll reuse a large part for your next breath. Two small cylinders, usually two or three liters in volume rather than the standard 11 or 12 liters, deliver oxygen and a diluent. Diluent is the gas we use to dilute the oxygen. This can be air on dives to 130 feet (40 m) or trimix if divers are going deeper.

As divers exhale, absorbent soda lime filters out the carbon dioxide. The CCR tops up the oxygen to keep a steady partial pressure at a set point for closed-circuit rebreathers or a percentage of oxygen for semi-closed-circuit units. The unit also adds diluent, especially during descent as the air in the breathing loop compresses.

Depending on whether divers choose a manual or an electronic rebreather, they can perform these adjustments manually. They can also opt for the system take over much of the work.

Rebreather courses are unit-specific, so do your research before signing up for one. Units differ in both size and suitability for different types of diving. Potential CCR divers should also consider factors such as access to maintenance and spare parts. Then there is the question of back-mount versus side-mount. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll focus on closed-circuit rebreathers for this article and won’t compare the different brands just now.

Who is rebreather diving best for?

There are many reasons to start diving rebreather and not all of them have to do with technical diving. Photographers, for example, enjoy newfound proximity to marine life not scared away by noisy bubbles.

Air junkies will find that they are no longer the first ones out of the water, because although they might be taking big breaths, these are being recycled.

Having said that, most rebreather divers are definitely techies. If you cast your mind back to the most recent post in this series, you may remember reading about the cost of trimix. As rebreathers need so much less gas, the amount of helium required for a specific trimix is much smaller. This makes dives below 197 feet (60 m) suddenly much more cost-effective. With more gas available and comparatively less decompression time, the benefits all come together.

Wait, why is there less decompression time? At the beginning of this post we mentioned diving at a constant partial-pressure of oxygen. In general, during the bottom part of the dive, this is set to 1.3 bar. In basic terms, this means the diver is breathing ideal nitrox throughout his dive and therefore absorbs less nitrogen. Less nitrogen absorbed means less decompression time.

How to get started

Many rebreather instructors offer trial sessions in a pool or in shallow water. These allow you to test a unit first and decide whether this type of rebreather suits your style of diving. The biggest change most divers notice initially is that they no longer control their buoyancy with their lungs.

Once you’ve chosen a unit, you are looking at the initial level of qualification, often referred to as ‘Mod 1’, module 1. Typically, this means being qualified to dive on a rebreather using air as a diluent. Those already qualified for decompression diving can immediately qualify for rebreather decompression dives. Individual training agencies limit depth to 130 to 148 feet (40 or 45 m) respectively.

TDI, for example, offers unit-specific air-diluent courses, as well as decompression air-diluent courses for those already qualified in decompression diving. Somewhat differently from the more technically oriented dive-training agencies, PADI offers two levels of recreational rebreather diver course, qualifying students to a maximum depth of 59 feet (18 m) and 130 feet (40 m) respectively.

To dive deeper and utilize trimix generally requires a ‘Mod 2’ qualification which, for most training agencies, means limited use of trimix, allowing divers to reach depths in the 197- to 230-foot (60 to 70 m) range.

Finally, there is ‘Mod 3’, which qualifies divers to take their rebreather to 328 feet (100 m), similar to the open-circuit advanced trimix qualification. Moving on between levels requires divers to build up experience on their rebreather in terms of dives done, hours dived and depths reached.

Typically, students must have 50 hours and a set number of dives to move on to Mod 2. They’ll need another 50 to move on to Mod 3. Note that these are absolute minimums — rebreathers are complicated pieces of equipment. Divers must be both comfortable and competent in their use. For some this might happen quickly; for others, it takes longer.

Is rebreather diving safe?

Accidents happen and, in general, technical diving carries greater risks than recreational diving. The safety record for rebreathers is generally good. But, just as we hear about plane crashes in more detail than car accidents, rebreather accidents tend to get more press.

Diving rebreathers offers numerous options if a problematic situation occurs, many more than there would be on a comparable open-circuit dive. The best-known strategy if problems arise is to bail out and switch to the separate open-circuit tank that CCR divers carry. Depending on the depth and complexity of the dive, rebreather divers may have more than one bailout. Trained rebreather divers have plenty of options before bailing out, but there is a lot of truth in the saying, “if in doubt, bail out.”

This, paired with tough training courses as well as regular skills practice makes for safe and enjoyable rebreather dives.

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Training Timeline: From a Novice Diver to a Divemaster

Many scuba divers feel they should wait for some amount of time before progressing to their next diving course. This can be especially true if they want to move from a beginner to the professional rank of divemaster. On most recreational-training paths, the certification courses are performance based, which means there’s no set time between courses. Most recreational training courses, rather, have prerequisites and performance-based goals. Time duration is not an issue, except when it comes the first instructor-level course. In reality, however, a diver must consider subjective and individual factors before advancing to the next level. Here we’ve addressed some of the considerations when it comes to progressing from a novice diver to a divemaster, following the PADI system of diver education.

Open Water

If an individual is medically fit and at least 10 years old, they can enroll in the PADI Open Water diver course. This course can run from an intense three to four days to an extended period over four to six weeks. After this course, the student can dive to 60 feet (18 m) independently with a buddy. Most Open Water divers, though, dive with a professional dive guide.

Advanced Open Water

At the Advanced Open Water level, divers can participate in specialty and deep dives (100 feet/30 m). AOW students can also learn about navigation underwater and specialize in certain areas like Fish ID or photography. As an instructor who has taught thousands of divers over the years, I feel that most divers should continue directly into the AOW course from the Open Water. Doing so makes new students better divers, with more in-water time under direct supervision. In fact, some training agencies once covered many of today’s OW/AOW performance requirements in one entry-level program.

After open-water certification, if you’ve mastered performance requirements, then enrolling straight into an advanced course is a natural progression. Even if you still get a slight pre-dive feeling of anxiety, this is more desirable than the Dunning-Kruger effect of false confidence or complacency that could cause problems. Students must be 12 years old and Open Water certified to take the PADI AOW course.

Rescue Diver

Potential PADI Rescue Divers must be at least 12 years old. They must be certified as PADI Advanced Open Water divers or Adventure divers with the navigation adventure dive (or equivalent). They must also complete CPR/first aid and secondary-care training during the course. Whereas OW and AOW courses focus on a diver’s skills, ability and diving environments, the Rescue course focuses on the well-being, safety, and rescue of other divers. So, in addition to meeting the course prerequisites, a diver must have excellent situational awareness.

Before enrolling in a PADI Rescue course, a diver may need more time in the water than the nine dives required for an AOW certification. Some divers may be naturals for the rescue course even as novices. Others might need to log some serious bottom time before developing the proper situational awareness and skills.

Anyone diving in a more challenging environment from earlier certifications — such as going from tropical water to cold water, low visibility, or strong currents — should take the time to get comfortable before taking on added challenges.

If you are an avid diver, even if you don’t intend to turn pro, the Rescue course is a natural progression. The course not only boosts your own confidence, but also gives you the skills to help others if necessary.

Divemaster

Divemaster is the first professional-level course. You must be at least 18 years old, with the PADI Rescue Diver course (or equivalent). You must have CPR/first aid and secondary care training in the last 24 months, with a minimum of 40 logged dives. The Divemaster course qualifies divers as professionals who can assist instructors with training activities. Divemasters can also independently guide certified divers and conduct certain PADI programs for certified divers.

As mentioned, if you intend to work as a dive professional in a more challenging environment than you trained in, you should gain additional dives in this environment before enrolling in the Divemaster course. There is a drastic difference between having 40 dives in the tropics and 40 dives in colder, challenging conditions. Your comfort level in the water and situational awareness for other divers and yourself must be be “on steroids” at the professional level, as you will oversee several divers at one time. Thusly you should also be comfortable with task loading in the water.

Also consider your own motivation before enrolling in the Divemaster course. Many divers feel this is the natural progression, as highlighted on training-agency educational flow charts. But unless you want to guide and work with other divers, it may make more sense to consider either the PADI Master Scuba Diver program or Tec 40 course. In these courses, you’ll advance your own diving knowledge and skills or gain access to specific dive sites and environments.

An individual choice

Each course, other than OW, has prerequisites. But divers must ultimately assess their own mastery of dive skills, comfort and situational awareness in the water. Determine your motivation for advancing to the next level of training before moving on. As the Training Director at one of the most reputable and awarded PADI Career Development Centers worldwide, we ensure that dive numbers are more than just numbers. Instead, we focus on amount of time logged in-water. Every diver has an advanced level of dive skills, dive etiquette and situational awareness before taking the next course.

 

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Surfers Rally to Support a U.S. Ban on Shark Fins

Earlier this month more than 85 surfers, surf businesses and surf publications sent a letter to Congress in support of the Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act (S. 793/H.R. 1456), which would ban the buying and selling of shark fins in the United States.

Renowned surfers like waterman Laird Hamilton, world champion Sunny Garcia, The Inertia Founder Zach Weisburg, filmmaker Kyle Thiermann, Mikey DeTemple, Maya Gabeira, Mary Carmel Osborne, Sebastian Steudtner, Ocean Ramsey and Mike Coots, signed the letter, which states that a nationwide ban would reduce the demand for shark fins by removing the U.S. from the global market.

While shark finning is illegal in U.S. waters, fins continue to be bought and sold throughout the U.S. Fins from as many as 73 million sharks end up in the global market every year. The demand for fins drives finning, a cruel and wasteful practice that involves cutting the fins off a shark, often still alive, then dumping the body back into the water to be eaten alive, bleed to death or drown.

Excerpts from the letter:

“Sharks have important ecological value, playing critical roles in structuring ocean food webs. This means that declines in shark populations can create a domino effect of unintended consequences, including the possibility of damaging other marine animal populations.

Twelve states and three U.S. territories have already banned the sale or trade of most shark fins. The Chinese government has stopped serving shark fin soup at official government banquets. Private companies are also refusing to ship or sell shark fin products, including Amazon, GrubHub, many hotels and major airlines, Disney and multiple shipping companies.

Even surfers who have faced risky encounters with sharks while enjoying their craft support protecting these important apex predators. Hawaiian surfer Mike Coots suffered injuries from a tiger shark encounter when he was 18-years-old, but soon after became a shark conservation advocate. He promoted legislation banning the possession of shark fins in Hawaii, and in 2010, the state became the first to pass such a law.”

Oceana campaign director Lora Snyder released this statement in response to the letter: 

“Oceana applauds these top surfers for their support of a national shark fin trade ban. Surfers, who are on the water every day, know firsthand how important sharks are to healthy oceans. This letter shows they recognize the serious threat the fin trade poses to shark populations.

The United States has the chance to put a significant dent in the demand for shark fins that encourages finning worldwide. Oceana stands with these surfers in calling on Congress to pass the Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act.” 

Background:

The demand for fins is primarily driven by the market for shark fin soup, which is considered a delicacy in some Asian cuisines. More than 70 percent of the 14 most common shark species involved in the Hong Kong trade are considered at high or very high risk of extinction, and some shark populations around the world have declined by more than 90 percent due to overfishing.

In March, Oceana released an independent report finding that shark-related dives in Florida generated more than $221 million in revenue and fueled over 3,700 jobs in 2016. This stands in stark contrast with the total U.S. shark fin export market ($1.03 million in 2015).

Last year, Oceana released a poll that revealed eight in 10 Americans support a national ban on the buying and selling of shark fins. Other supporters of a ban include 328 businesses, 131 non-profits, nine aquariums and multiple recreational fishing interests. In May, over 150 scientists from all over the world sent a letter to Congress in support of the Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act.

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Guest post by Oceana

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one third of the world’s wild fish catch. With nearly 200 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that one billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.oceana.org to learn more.

 

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2nd November, International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

"... a unique occasion to reflect upon the tremendous consequences that impunity for attacks against journalists has all around the world."

Read more ...

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METRO STORAGE AND TRANSPORT PRODUCTS IMPROVE EFFICIENCY

Transport units are not to be underestimated in healthcare facilities. From basic utility carts to specialty carts for anesthesia and hospital emergencies, a cart that is durable, reliable and functional can make providing optimal care significantly more efficient.

InterMetro® (Metro®) has been the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of storage and transport units for healthcare facilities for more than 80 years. With carts, shelving, cabinets, worktables and security storage, Metro offers the latest innovations backed by a reputation of customer satisfaction.

As more and more healthcare facilities plan for and initiate upgrades and renovations, it has become increasingly apparent that in order to maximize patient outcomes, updating storage and transport technology must be a factor considered in renovations.  

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Wakatobi Resort Brings Generations Together

When planning a vacation, striking a balance between adult pursuits, teen interests and age-appropriate activities for kids can be challenging. Many families have discovered that Wakatobi Resort not only offers something for all ages but also experiences that bring generations together. Here, in their own words, are some of the special memories these families created at Wakatobi.

A diversity of divers

As divers, the Bennett were a true mixed bag when they arrived at Wakatobi. Joe counted decades of diving experience. His wife Judy had logged around 40 dives in the year since she earned her C-card. Daughter Haylie is a PADI Master Scuba Diving Trainer, while her brother Mitchell had only recently completed his training. He would be making his first trip as a certified diver.

“Despite our widely different range of skill levels, Wakatobi was the perfect place to for us to dive together as a family,” Haylie says. “I loved the House Reef, and I’m certain those divers who are new to the sport or finishing off their PADI Open Water course will love it even more than I did!”

The Bennett family poses for the camera underwater at Wakatobi (Courtesy Wakatobi Resort)

“The easy entry and exit off the beach allows you to wade into waist-deep water to commence your dive. There’s no rocky shoreline to deal with or steep hills to haul your gear up or down, and the dive center is right on the beach.”

It is an ideal area to practice skills, Haylie says, “then you can swim out over the drop-off and dive along the spectacular wall to whatever depth feels comfortable and appropriate.”

Many other factors make Wakatobi ideal for new divers, from the excellent visibility and calm conditions to the spacious dive boats and helpful staff, which help take the stress out of perfecting newly-minted skills. And it’s not just new divers who will appreciate the personal support of Wakatobi’s dive staff. “Despite her qualifications and dive experience, my mom still gets nervous before her dives,” Haylie says. “The Wakatobi staff are an incredibly experienced group of professionals that love to have fun, but take their roles very seriously. Each day our caring — and patient — dive guides instilled confidence in mom, and made her feel at ease before taking the plunge.”

An amazing introduction

James and Sarah Bettle are avid divers and snorkelers. The pair decided Wakatobi would be the perfect place to introduce their children Vieve and Dylan to the sport. “They are both very strong swimmers,” John says, “and we felt this would be an ideal location for them to have their first true underwater experiences.” Sarah says she was impressed by the professionalism of the staff. “They have very high safety standards, the quality of the equipment was excellent and it was wonderful to see the staff’s instant rapport with the children as well.

Vieve, age 9, and Dylan, age 11, enrolled in the PADI Bubblemaker program, and Dylan then went on to a Discover Scuba program. “We saw an eagle ray right after I started,” Dylan says. “I got out of the water and was like, ‘Dad, I want to do it again and again and again.’” The family also explored some of Wakatobi’s signature sites, where the adults were able to dive or join the children snorkeling. “We saw turtles, eagle rays and Dylan spotted a shark,” Sara says. “The fish and coral diversity was incredible.”

One of the highlights of the vacation came on the final day of Dylan’s Discover Scuba program. “We were hanging around on the beach in front of the Long house, and Dylan and Yoeri, his guide, were kitting up,” Sarah recalls. “I noticed some splashing out in the water. At first I thought it was fish, then it looked to be a pod of dolphins.”

The family and Yoeri quickly jumped into the waiting boat and made the short trip to the outer edge of the House Reef. “When we got close, we saw that it wasn’t dolphins, it was a pod of breaching pilot whales,” James says.

They entered the water, and within moments, a group of whales passed by, coming as close as 15 meters to the swimmers. “My dad tapped me on the back and pointed, and I looked down at just the right time. There were maybe 15 or 20 passing by, and there were some babies on the top of the pack,” Vieve said. “It was one of those absolute monster strokes of luck,” James says, “and of course, the kids have discovered a new passion. So now we’re waiting for Vieve to get to age 10 and Dylan will be 12, and then they’ll do their open water together.”

Not just for divers

“Wakatobi is an excellent destination for a family who are not all divers,” says Simon Streit. Along with his wife Yvonne and 12-year old son, Moritz, Simon traveled from Switzerland.

“We spent two wonderful weeks at Wakatobi,” he recalls. “I did a diving package the first week and then just enjoyed snorkeling with my family the second week.” One of the most appealing aspects of the resort is the fact that there is not only exceptional diving and snorkeling, he says, but a range of engaging activities for non-divers as well. “Moritz is 12, and there was plenty to keep him happy. There was kayaking and paddle-boarding, beach sports, tours, and even badminton if we wanted. And for me, it was also the perfect place to just chill out and read.”

Both the quality and variety of the food impressed Yvonne. “It was ideal for our needs as a family. There were a lot of healthy choices for Moritz, and the staff was very cordial, making sure we had everything we need, even before we asked for it,” Yvonne recalls. This is actually the resort with the highest level of service I have ever experienced,” she said. As a bonus to the vacation, Simon says he has gained a future dive buddy. “After Moritz took the Bubblemaker course, he now wants to learn to dive.”

Sharing the passion

Through her Kid’s Sea Camp programs, Margo Peyton has introduced thousands of youngsters to the underwater world. Recently, she organized a family camp event at Wakatobi Resort. After spending a restful night in Bali, families boarded the resort’s charter flight. A group of local schoolchildren greeted them on arrival, serenading them with Indonesian songs. This set the tone for a week of personal attention and services that Margo now refers to as “the Wakatobi way.”

“Personal dive instructors, resort butlers, tour guides, kite-boarding instructors and private chefs were all at our beck and call,” she says. That week, the kids were the bosses, she says, and the staff made every possible accommodation to ensure good times and inspiring experiences. “The chef invited us all into his culinary world to create cupcakes that were true works of art, along with gourmet cheese burgers, and many other favorites. He catered to nut allergies, vegan and vegetarian diets by creating exotic delights that made everyone want to share. The staff organized daily volleyball games and soccer matches, and even put together a staff-versus-guests game of capture the flag.”

The spacious floor plans of Wakatobi’s bungalows and villas allow children and parents to stay together, she says. One family of three generations occupied the resort’s two-bedroom, which includes a private pool. “It was perfect, as the grandkids were able to host pool parties for their new friends.” The weeks diving activities included guided shore dives, night dives, Seal Team dives, and an underwater photo contest. The week ended with songs and poems about a place we did not want to leave. It was inspiring see that Wakatobi’s values are in line with Kids Sea Camp’s,” Margo says. “The resort is a testament to environmental responsibility and intelligent travel. It’s built with the love of family, and created with extraordinary vision. The Wakatobi Way is a truly magical way to live life.”

Want to make some special family memories of your own? The team at Wakatobi can help you make it happen.

 

 

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Influencers 101: working with jewelry bloggers.

If you’re a jewelry designer, store, or brand looking for extra publicity, getting attention from jewelry bloggers can be a great boost for your online presence. But how do you get jewelry bloggers to feature you?

There are no surefire ways to make sure that Influencers will want to spotlight your brand, but there are definitely some things you can do to increase your chances of being featured and to making sure you’ll be thrilled with those features when they go live.

Continue reading Influencers 101: working with jewelry bloggers. at Diamonds in the Library.

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The One in the Chair

The one in the chair, waiting in a hospital room, often feels invisible, unseen.

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Tropical Storm Nate Leaves Kittiwake on its Starboard Side

The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season was the topic of conversation on Grand Cayman earlier in October, although not because the islands suffered badly in 2011. Grand Cayman’s last direct hit was in 2004 when Category 5 storm Hurricane Ivan blasted the small island, causing 2.2 billion in damage and leaving residents without water and electricity for weeks. The 2011 season was on everyone’s mind because of one seemingly small storm that never made landfall in the Cayman Islands, but did leave behind something quite relevant: a straight southerly swell. Earlier that year, Grand Cayman welcomed the soon-to-be world-famous dive site, the ex-USS Kittiwake. Resting in 60 feet (18 m) of water, the wreck was sunk in the only place on the leeward side of the island where depth allowed: approximately 200 feet (61 m) north of the wall site Sand Chute.

Fast-forward 10 months and Hurricane Rina passed well south and west of the island, leaving behind a swell on the west side. This moved the massive 2,200-ton vessel an amazing 60 feet toward Sand Chute. Jumping forward in history again to October 2017, Tropical Storm Nate forms and follows exactly in the path of Rina. The swell from Nate hit the monster wreck on its starboard beam, breaking loose the giant anchor chains, moving Kittiwake once again closer to the edge of the wall.

Tropical Storm Nate moves Kittiwake 

While the wreck made some contact with the wall, damage only occurred in an area of 150 square feet of reef (14 square meters). The wreck now lays on its starboard side, completely intact and safe for diving. Swimming through the site is a little disorienting at first, especially for those of us who have put in major bottom time inside the wreck. On the first few dives, I felt myself trying to correct for the 45-degree list. But after four or five dives, my brain got out of the way and it all started to feel natural again.

As an underwater photographer, I’ve shot the Kittiwake every which way possible. With its new positioning, I’ve found new interesting angles and new lighting opportunities. It’s a completely different site from a photographic standpoint.

The Kittiwake, like every other wreck in shallow water, will eventually break apart. This will likely be very slow and will happen incrementally over many years. But in the meantime, we will continue to enjoy this 251-foot beast (77 m) as the phenomenal dive site that it is while looking forward to the many changing faces the Kittiwake has in store for us in the future.

By guest author Jason Washington

Jason Washington is the managing director of iDive Global Ltd. and the co-owner of Ambassador Divers, a PADI Five Star facility located at the Comfort Suites Resort on Seven Mile Beach. Living and working on Grand Cayman as an underwater photographer/scuba instructor for the past 20 years, Jason’s work has been featured in numerous documentaries and feature films. He was a 2017 honoree of International SCUBA Diving Hall of Fame.

 

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How Germany’s Bild evaluated Instant Articles

Editorial freedom? Check. Access to targeting data? Miss. Support for paid content? Maybe. At the end of 2016, Bild.de, the online edition of the most popular German newspaper, had reached 19.5 million users and amassed about 330,000 digital subscribers to its BILDplus premium-content offer.

Read more ...

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Sexual Assault, Harassment, and Coercive Control: The Case of Harvey Weinstein

With the recent allegations of serial sexual offenses against Harvey Weinstein, and the widespread response to the #MeToo campaign, we review the impacts of sexual assault, harassment, and coercive control.

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Building a Better Hospital: Download the eBook Here

Continuous improvement is built into the DNA of healthcare as medical practice capabilities advance each day with new research, technologies and treatments. As medical facilities age, more and more healthcare facility managers are focused on improving their spaces to keep up with practice advancements and create an optimal environment for patients.

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Most Ocean Plastic May Come From Only 10 Rivers

Ocean plastic is a major problem worldwide, threatening marine life in a multitude of ways. In fact, as much as 8 million metric tons of plastic reaches the oceans every year. But now a new study by the American Chemical Society shows that as much as 4 million metric tons is carried to the sea by rivers.

Rivers and plastic

Here at Scuba Diver Life, we’ve already reported on a 2015 study, which found that five countries in the world are responsible for as much as 60 percent of all ocean plastic. These countries are China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. This was an important breakthrough in the understanding of where the plastic in our oceans comes from.

Now, research indicates that we can perhaps narrow down this focus even further. It seems that as much as 95 percent of the plastic in our oceans that arrives via rivers (4 million metric tons, as mentioned above) is carried there by only 10 rivers worldwide. Not surprisingly, given the countries mentioned above, eight of these rivers are found in Asia. China came in at first place in the 2015 study, and unsurprisingly, the Yangtze River was the No. 1 river contributing to the oceans’ plastic problem. Eight of the rivers are in Asia, and the full list includes:

• Yangtze River, Yellow Sea, Asia
• Indus River, Arabian Sea, Asia
• Yellow River (Huang He), Yellow Sea, Asia
• Hai River, Yellow Sea, Asia
• Nile, Mediterranean Sea, Africa
• Meghna/Bramaputra/Ganges, Bay of Bengal, Asia
• Pearl River (Zhujiang), South China Sea, Asia
• Amur River (Heilong Jiang), Sea of Okhotsk, Asia
• Niger River, Gulf of Guinea, Africa
• Mekong River, South China Sea, Asia

However, the problem doesn’t just exist in Asia. In the 2015 study, the U.S. came in at 20^th place when it comes to ocean-plastic debris. That rivers are a major contributor to ocean plastic isn’t surprising, as we’ve long known that ocean plastic doesn’t just come from careless disposal of plastic near the coast. We know that plastic makes its way from far inland to the sea, carried by waterways such as rivers and streams. But until now it was unclear just how much.

Stemming the flow of ocean plastic

The American Chemical Society study helps illuminate the supply chain of ocean plastic, which will potentially make it easier to create measurements allowing us to stem the flow. Following the 2015 study, Indonesia pledged to help combat its role as a contributor to ocean plastic. The more we know, the easier it will be to pressure local governments around the world to make changes. Knowing the role of rivers — specifically which rivers — are the biggest polluters, can help these governments create programs where the efforts will have the greatest effect.

What can you do?

Many scuba divers are deeply concerned for the state of the oceans, and for good reason. We see firsthand the damage that is being done. So what can we as divers do?

First and foremost, eliminate plastic from your life as much as possible, especially the disposable kind. Plastic straws are a perhaps surprisingly big problem, so stop using them. Plastic bags are a problem, too, so choose a reusable shopping bag instead. And choose rags, sponges, and personal hygiene products that don’t contain micro-plastic. And of course, when you dive, remove any plastic and other polluting elements if you can do so safely.

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Halloween Décor Ideas That Will Surely Scare Your Visitors

What sets Halloween apart from other holidays is how invested people are into spooking others through their home décor or costumes. Try the following ideas and see how frightened your neighbors and guests will be.

 

Image Source: Flickr

Stacked Jacks
Who knew a benign pumpkin patch could yield such otherworldly creatures? Assume the role of Dr. Frankenstein this Halloween, and create your own monster, using stacks of pumpkins, gourds, and squashes. Only the heads need carving; if the bumpy body parts don’t sit squarely on each other, level them with a serrated knife, then use toothpicks, pushed into the flesh, to assemble them. Before attaching the head, insert a low-wattage light bulb, and plug it into an outside socket or heavy-duty extension cord. Source: MarthaStewart

Creepy Eyeball Glasses
Give your guests a fright by placing an eyeball at the bottom of your glass. This is a fun way to decorate as it isn’t obvious and it won’t be seen until the drink is tipped. You could print out any eyes and if the glass is plain on the bottom, just stick the eyeballs to the outside of the glass on the bottom. Source: StayGlam

Garage Door Victim
If you really want to freak people out, stuff some old clothes with straw or paper and leave the top half under your garage door, then splatter the front of the door with ketchup. Source: LittleThings

Eerie Glowing Ghost Halloween Décor
Ghosts are Halloween creatures that have been used for ages, but ghosts can also be boring. Make them interesting by creating a Halloween window decoration that will illuminate your window with an eerie blue glow. You can achieve this design by cutting some sheets to look like a ghost and placing a black light in the midst of the sheets. Creating this design in a dark space will make it glow even more. Spirits may exist in this world, but creating a freestanding ghost in your window will make it seem like your home is truly haunted by spirits from beyond the grave. Source: HomeBNC

Too scared of what might lurk outside your windows this Halloween? Get a window treatment today!

 

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

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Stay-Focused, the Beacon of Opportunity in Cayman

 

Stay-Focused is a non-profit organization that focuses on giving persons with disabilities a chance to go scuba diving for the first time, or to increase their diving skill set. In the summer of 2017, Stay-Focused led four weeks of underwater adventure in the Cayman Islands. Two weeks of the program welcomed back some divers from the summer of 2016 for a reunion after their original certification last year, while the other two weeks were for first-time divers with disabilities who will return next year for their reunion.

Stay-Focused has PADI certified 108 divers since 2004. As Grand Cayman Marriott’s signature charity, and in partnership with Red Sail Sports, the organization is a cornerstone of the Cayman Islands’ scuba diving tradition and culture. The Stay-Focused program also instills educational activities to each of the four weeks, including a marine life workshop, parasailing, kayaking, and a visit to the Cayman Islands’ Turtle Farm. Perhaps most important is the Legacy Log, which each diver completes at the end of the week to show what the experience has meant to them.

 

In addition to the Stay-Focused diving program in the summer, the organization is hosting a fundraiser in the spring of 2018, Push Across Cayman. Stay-Focused’s founder, Robert Muller, and the program director, Ryan Chalmers, return to Cayman to orchestrate the race for persons with disabilities to raise money and awareness, and to foster competition and fun.

 

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Most Challenging PADI Specialties

Athletes often utter the mantra “No Pain, No Gain” when it comes to sports such as triathlons or martial arts. In scuba diving, the last thing we want to experience is any form of pain. Metaphorically speaking, though, moving outside our comfort zone — gradually and in controlled circumstances — does increase our skill level and can open doors to more advanced diving. Although it’s a subjective list, we’ve highlighted five PADI courses below. For most divers, these represent some of the most challenging PADI specialties.

Deep Diver

A diver must be at least 15 years old and certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water diver (or equivalent) to enroll in a PADI Deep Diver specialty course. PADI defines deep diving as going beyond 60 feet (18 m) to a maximum recreational depth of 130 feet (40 m). When diving at depths of over 100 feet, divers will breathe two to three times as much air as when diving at shallower depths. Thusly, they must monitor their air supply much more vigilantly. The onset of nitrogen narcosis accelerates at around 100 feet, though, which makes tasks a bit more challenging. Divers may not be as responsive, and may have a false sense of security and a lower level of situational awareness.

Buddy teams must depend more on each other and maintain more frequent communication at these depths as well. The PADI Self-Reliant Diver specialty course is not intended as a buddy replacement, but rather as a supplement. It’s useful training in the unlikely event that a diver must manage a situation and cannot communicate with his buddy.

Underwater Navigator

When they aren’t diving with a guide, most recreational divers’ biggest concern is how to safely navigate a dive. The Underwater Navigator specialty includes complex compass navigation patterns and shows divers how to use natural navigation. Techniques include scouting for natural landmarks underwater, counting kick cycles, using natural sunlight for direction, and recording time underwater for distance estimation. This specialty requires a diver to multitask while they continue to practice good diving etiquette, situational awareness and buoyancy control.

Digital Underwater Photographer/
Underwater Videographer

We included the first two specialty courses because of the challenges they present in relation to the underwater environment. Both also require divers to task load, to a certain degree. The Digital Underwater Photographer/Underwater Videography specialty courses (listed together here since most modern cameras incorporate dual functionality) are challenging with regards to the level of skill that a diver hopes to achieve at the end of these courses. While an experienced instructor can show you how to take good photos or video, it takes far more practice and time in the water to really get those “award-winning” shots.

Newly qualified or less-experienced divers should have excellent buoyancy control and situational awareness before enrolling in these specialties. It’s quite easy to let that special shot distracted you, which can cause further complications. These specialties are uniquely challenging specialty in that the diver is not only advancing through an environment or skill, but they must also must multi-task their situational awareness. Remember, a diver’s primary objective is to return safely from every dive, not to take a good photo or video clip.

Equipment Specialist

Even for those divers with a natural aptitude for mechanics, the PADI Equipment Specialty is a challenge. It addresses care and maintenance issues on scuba gear, best thought of here as “life-support equipment in a sometimes-hostile environment.”

The scope of this specialty is limited to basic care and maintenance. This includes trouble-shooting and changing hoses and O-rings, not technical services. A diver can always learn more about their regulator and BCD by attending a manufacturer-servicing clinic.

Rebreather Diver

Although not technically a stand-alone PADI specialty, Rebreather Diver does count toward the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating. At the instructor level it counts toward the PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. Even the most experienced recreational diver will be humbled when taking this PADI course. What might be exemplary buoyancy control on open-circuit scuba goes out the window when diving a closed-circuit rebreather. In addition, diving a rebreather requires much more vigilance when monitoring the breathing apparatus compared to open-circuit scuba. With new fundamental dive skills and a completely new set of equipment, taking the PADI Rebreather course is like learning to dive all over again.

Each of these challenging PADI specialties offers unique difficulties and performance requirements. Evaluate your own readiness and prerequisites, and then seek out a reputable dive center with experienced staff. In that way, you can advance your skills and knowledge, taking your diving to whole new level.

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