Monday, December 31, 2018

Sharks and Rays Added to Famed Conservation List

The world-famous Zoological Society of London (ZSL) runs a conservation program focusing on species that represent a significant slice of unique evolutionary history. The Edge of Existence program works to identify the world’s most “Evolutionarily Distinct Globally Endangered” species — hence EDGE.

EDGE is the only global conservation initiative focusing specifically on threatened species that represent a significant portion of unique evolutionary history. The program aims to highlight and protect some of our planet’s unique and interesting species that have few close relatives. Most have unusual looks, lives, habits or genetic make up that make them an irreplaceable part of our natural heritage.

The aim of EDGE

The EDGE program hopes to put these species in the spotlight and thus increase conservation efforts to secure their future. This year (December 2018) the EDGE program launched its first sharks and rays list. Among the oldest of all species on our planet, many inhabited the oceans when the dinosaurs still roamed the earth. 

A number of issues, from pollution to unsustainable fishing methods and global warming threaten marine life, as divers know. Unfortunately, many of the most evolutionarily distinct sharks and rays are also the ones facing the most threats.

Taking a look at the list it immediately becomes clear that many of the species divers love most appear: whale shark, thresher, hammerhead, basking, great white, porbeagle and mako sharks, as well as eagle rays.

The list also contains many that will be new to all but the most ardent fans of marine life, including:

Sawfish

Taking up the first four places on the list, these unique creatures have large, saw-like rostrums (nose extensions). Also called carpenter sharks, they are actually a family of rays with the largest of the species reaching up to 25 feet (7.6 m).

Sand-tiger shark

Despite its aggressive looks, the sand tiger is actually a fairly placid shark. Uniquely, it can also breath air from the surface. Its reproductive cycle involves intrauterine cannibalism, which means the embryos will eat each other. The shark has two uteruses and in each the largest embryo will eat its siblings once they develop teeth, leaving just two pups that are around 3 feet (1 m) long when they are born.

Sharpfin houndshark

Inhabiting the coastal waters off Ecuador, we know virtually nothing about this shark. Only two have ever been caught, meaning its population must be very small.

Caribbean electric ray

This small, slow-moving ray has an almost-round body and grows only to 18 inches (45 cm) long. It spends its time in the surf zone and has two electric organs that run from in front of its eyes down to the rear of its body. It can generate a peak of about 14 to 37 volts of electricity that it uses to stun prey or as a defense from predators.

You can find the full list here.

 

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from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2SB2yVe

Sunday, December 30, 2018

What Are Social Workers Bringing to the Table?

During the holidays, it's almost impossible to avoid discussions of food. What about the nearly 18 million people in America who are dreading these conversations because they lack adequate economic, social, and physical access to food.

from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://bit.ly/2EWHtBB

Behind the scenes, 2018.

Behind the scenes, 2018.

I need to tell you something before 2018 ends: I’m sick. I’ve been sick all year.

I don’t have a diagnosis, but something is wrong. I’ve shared bits and pieces – a blog post about my heart arrhythmia; a nebulizer selfie; occasional Instagram stories asking for advice on chronic costochondritis – but there’s been more going on behind the scenes.

My body hurts every day and I’m tired and it’s scary. But it’s also lonely, and I decided that I wanted you to know. Public Becky and Private Becky have become too far apart and I needed to unite them again.

I’ve wanted to tell you what’s been going on, my dear readers, but I haven’t known what to say.

Continue reading Behind the scenes, 2018. at Diamonds in the Library.



from Diamonds in the Library http://bit.ly/2Q9wK81

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Reef-Safe Products for Body, Hair and Masks

We all know that sunscreen is important, but the need to protect our skin and hair from the sun’s rays is damaging the oceans. Between 6,000 and 14,000 tons — yes, tons — of sunscreen washes into the ocean every year. Add to this body lotions, hair products, and, for divers, mask de-fogging products, and it all adds up pretty quickly. But never fear: reef-safe products are readily available.

Many of these products contain ingredients that can cause coral bleaching or that are toxic to some reef fish. Products containing benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone), butylparaben, octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate) and cyclopentasiloxane (cyclomethicone) damage the aquatic environment the most. When choosing a body, hair or mask-defogging product, make sure that it does not include any of these ingredients. You can also help by choosing water-resistant and biodegradable sunscreens that do not wash off in the water and that break down quicker. Here is a list of our favorite reef-safe products to use on your next dive trip.

Coconut oil

reef-safe products

Natural is always better, and coconut oil is definitely a winner here. It has a natural SPF of between 4 and 5 and the antioxidants it contains protect skin from the sun’s radiation. While the SPF is low, you can supplement with red raspberry seed oil and other essential oils, or one of the sunscreens recommended below. Coconut oil works wonderfully as a full body moisturizer — including your face. You can even use it as a leave-in conditioner to avoid messy post-dive hair.


Stream2Sea

reef-safe products

While Stream2Sea is against animal testing in cases where there are other alternatives, unfortunately, in order to ensure that their products are completely harmless to both humans and the aquatic environment, they had to test their products on “purpose-bred live fish and eco-consciously and scientifically obtained coral larvae.” This testing process enabled the company to develop a wide range of reef-safe body and hair products. Offerings include everything from sunscreen to hair conditioner, biodegradable shampoo to lip-balm and after sun products. 


Alba Botanica

reef-safe products

Alba Botanica is part of the Leaping Bunny Program, which means that the company doesn’t carry any products tested on animals. All of Alba Botanica’s products are biodegradable and coral-reef safe. They include moisturizers, scrubs (minus microbeads), toners, hair products and sunscreen. 


Reef Safe Sun

reef-safe products

Reef Safe Sun products are not only approved by the FDA, but have also been tested and proven to be biodegradable and non-toxic to sea life. They use sustainable and renewable plant and vegetable raw materials with no animal testing or animal by-products. They offer a wide variety of products including sunscreen, baby products, and a reef-safe mask-cleaning and defogging spray.


Spit

Yes, you read right — spit is the most environmentally-friendly mask defogger (although it’s not technically a product). For best results avoid the watery spit that naturally accumulates in your mouth and go for the good thick stuff at the back of your throat.

As ambassadors to the underwater world, diver can make a huge difference when it comes to protecting our underwater playground. By choosing biodegradable, reef-safe products we can help lessen the impact that we have on our environment. Every little step counts!

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from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2BOGKi5

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Fiji’s Top Five Soft Coral Hotspots

Divers know Fiji as not only a shark mecca but also a soft-coral paradise. Rainbow Reef is rightly famous around the world, but Fiji offers plentiful vibrant soft-coral dives. Here are our picks for Fiji’s top five soft coral hotspots.

Great White Wall, Rainbow Reef

There are dozens of beautiful dive sites on the Rainbow Reef, but the Great White Wall is really a stand-out. The entry point is a small depression on a coral wall, with the top of the reef at around 33 feet (10 m). Soft corals of every color in the rainbow cover the top of the reef, with even more colorful fish flitting in and around them. In the overhangs and swim-throughs there are schools of big-eyes and when you peak over the edge — a wall of white soft coral that looks for all the world like a snow scene.


North Save a Tack or Keenan’s, Namena Marine Reserve

It’s impossible to pick just one soft coral site in the Namena Marine Protected Reserve. This remote destination is best reached by liveaboard, which is possibly why Fiji’s only two liveaboards are booked out months, sometimes years, in advance.

soft coral

Anthias swarm at Namena Marine Reserve (Photo credit: Cat Holloway/Naia liveaboard)

Keenan’s main feature is a narrow pinnacle covered from head to toe in colorful soft corals. At the end of the dive, you’ll spend your deco in a lush coral garden. Conversely, North Save a Tack is an adventure, beginning with pelagic encounters ranging from huge schools of barracuda to graceful manta rays before it transitions to a channel covered in the densest soft coral you’ve ever seen. Pinks, oranges, blues and blacks stretch out before you. At the end of North Save a Tack, you’ll reach the ‘Window of Dreams’ home of some of the world’s most famous underwater photographs.


Instant Replay, Bligh Water, Raki Raki

Again, it’s hard to pick the best dive site in Bligh Water. All of them are good, with names to prove it — Black Magic, Breath-taker and Yellow Mellow. Wheat Fields is another beauty here, with coral bommies covered in fields of vibrant yellow soft coral that looks like…a field of wheat. Instant Replay is ablaze with color and fun drift dive with a twist. Toward the end, you can duck into a gap in the reef wall, swim back and enjoy the drift again.


Fantasea, Beqa Lagoon

soft coral

Fantasea (Credit: Diveplanit)

Think giant sea fans — everywhere. Enormous fans made up of intricate lacework in all different colors — red, orange, yellow, green and purple — dot the Fantasea dive site. It’s like swimming through a world created by Lewis Carroll. The coral gardens are great fun to explore, with gullies and swim throughs that will make you feel like a kid again.

 

 

 

 


Savusavu Bommie, Savusavu, Vanua Levu

 

This Savusavu dive site features one large bommie surrounded by other smaller bommies on a clean, sandy base. Hard corals cover the main bommie, which has one steep side, also covered in soft corals and gorgonian sea fans. Anemones and bright orange anthias make this site an absolute riot of color.

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from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2QUMb9w

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Resolution: Keep Our Self-Care Word in the New Year

Self-care is critical for social workers. Choosing one word for the new year and identifying specific, actionable steps can help you focus your self-care efforts.

from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://bit.ly/2So2YhF

Is Your Website a True Reflection of Your BEAUTY Business?

THE.png

The look and feel of websites change almost as quickly as fashion, and updates in Google’s algorithms can penalize static sites. There’s also the self-evident point that your website will become ineffective if it remains the same.

If any fashion brand offered the same collection one year to the next, the brand would suffer and go obsolete. It’s the same with your website. No matter the industry, a dated look implies a dated company.

REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE
1.The Content is Out of Date
If your site refers to events that are old or hosts out-of-date information, it will look dated to the visitor. Time sensitive material that’s old gives the impression your business is stagnating.

2. To take Advantage of New Features
Website technology is evolving fast. In recent years, it has become increasingly important to have features on your site that integrate with social media because of how much traffic it can send your way.

Online booking has become imperative for 24 hour availability of quick in time booking. 

3. The Look May Be Out of Date
Today’s most successful sites embrace simplicity and clean lines. If your website looks anything other than current it needs an upgrade intervention.

4. It’s Not Responsive for Mobile
More searches are taking place on mobile devices than on computers, this has changed the Google algorithm to benefits sites optimized for mobile.

The Wall Street Journal reported on how the leading search engine had tweaked its algorithm for mobile searches to “favor sites that look good on smartphone screens.” If the content of a site is too wide for a phone screen and links are too small your site will be negatively affected.

Most all websites built today use responsive design, so it displays cleanly on multiple devices. A fully responsive site that can adapt to any device or screen begin at $2,000.

Does your salon website look “homemade”? Does your website need a make over? Are you putting a fresh face forward to potential clients?

BRAND
A beautifully branded, professional online appearance is a must-have to stand out of the crowd. A consistent brand experience across all touch points convince potential clients you deserve their trust. Little things matter big when it comes to the image you portray - from grammar to the proper imagery - your reputation is virtually on the line.

A visually stunning website is what we do best at BeautyMark. We love creating a strong web presence through clean design, easy functionality, and in-tune navigation for an engaging and pleasing experience for your customers. A fresh modern look attracts more potential salon guests and keeps them coming back.

Your website design maybe something you have overlooked, but it can be THE factor that helps you stand out. BeautyMark’s designs reflect the essence and uniqueness of your beauty business in a way that gets noticed. 

Websites come in many shapes, sizes and colors. But our websites come with a touch of flair, that “je ne sais quois” that makes beauty brands stand out. BeautyMark’s web designers will express your brand in a unique and artistic way.

OPEN 24/7
A website for your salon business allows you to be “open” 24 - 7. With just a click potential clients can easily book an appointment, find information about your salon, services, team members, and location. Websites can be designed to incorporate client procuration tools such as online promotions with coupons, email marketing, online appointment booking, and electronic gift certificates. Hiring a professional design company will allow you to use these modern marketing tools to boost your business.

LEAD
The next step is to “lead” potential guests to your business website utilizing the power of both social media and search engine optimization. Leverage social media to expand your influence beyond the salon doors. Showcase your salon’s expertise in hair care, wellness and beauty. Share articles from notable beauty, hair, style and fashion sources. Create a constant flow of fresh content through blogging to improve search engine ranking in search with more online content. Share the scoop about your business such as events, “before and afters”, and client selfies.

COMPETITION IS FIERCE
In the business of beauty, competition is fierce. In order for your salon to stand out in the digital world you need a stunning online presence - a unique website design that reflects your salon character and the nature of the business.

Many salon owners mistakenly only implement a fundamental website to save on operating and marketing costs. These website design efforts range from adequate to amateur (DIY to friends or family services) ultimately sacrificing the polished online presence necessary to stand out in a crowd.  

Beauty business owners soon realize the novice efforts at website design are resulting in amateur results. The lack of skill to create a beauty website that is both attractive and interactive becomes apparent. They discover the site is not attracting the business, and that their site is similar to thousands of others - a total “no-no” in all business, but most importantly the business of beauty. 

How do you avoid this problem? Hire a professional design agency. An expert in the field of beauty website design can create an impression that lasts. A professional can translate the essence of your unique business into a savvy, engaging website. The right website will show off your business! Your website allows you to reach out to new customers and stay in touch with current ones. A salon website that reflects your salon is a powerful tool that has the beauty to grow your business.

Website design requires a skilled hand, hair salon websites design requires training and knowledge of the beauty industry. A professional provides the tools, the qualifications, the training and the skills to make your website rock!

Creating a proper hair salon websites design takes time and patience. A professional is paid to create websites and can quickly and efficiently produce a design to meet your specifications. A web designer will make sure your salon brand color palettes, graphic elements, and brand essence is communicated and all links function properly - to make your salon website perfect.

Putting together the ideal hair salon website is not a task for amateurs, hire the right website designer so that you have a website to be proud of - one that reflects your salon business in the right light - beautiful. Ask yourself today, if your website is a true reflection of your business...?

BeautyMark Marketing can create a website that is custom tailored for your salon. We’d love to create one for you! We offer finance options for salons or spas on a budget or just getting started. To learn more about our salon website design and development services please go to  http://www.beautymarkmarketing.com/salon-web-design-development/

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from Beauty Business Blog http://bit.ly/2BGbRfG

Good-Bye & Hello: The New Social Worker's Top Social Work Articles for 2018, Editor's Picks, and More

Good-bye 2018, hello 2019. The New Social Worker looks at top 2018 articles from the magazine and the website. We review 2018 activities and look forward to 2019. We say good-bye and hello.

from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://bit.ly/2EP6P4l

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Good-Bye & Hello: The New Social Worker's Top Social Work Articles for 2018, Editor's Picks, and More

Good-bye 2018, hello 2019. The New Social Worker looks at top 2018 articles from the magazine and the website. We review 2018 activities and look forward to 2019. We say good-bye and hello.

from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://bit.ly/2ENx9vD

Submit Your Entry for Social Work Month Project 2019!

Submit your entry for The New Social Worker's Social Work Month Project 2019!

from The New Social Worker Online — the professional social work careers magazine http://bit.ly/2EJMInn

Marine Species: Glaucus Atlanticus

A running joke between divers purports that there are two types of divers: those who enjoy nudibranchs and those who don’t. This nudibranch sub-species however, the Glaucus Atlanticus, is no doubt adored by all divers thanks to its beauty and fascinating taxonomy.

Glaucus Atlanticus camouflage

Also called the blue sea slug or the blue dragon, the Glaucus Atlanticus drifts upside down on the ocean’s surface. Its iridescent countershading coloration helps protect it from both airborne and marine predators. Its underside, which faces toward the sky, will appear blue from above. This makes predators think that it’s just another bit of water. When seen from below, the upper side appears gray to mimic the sky. Predators below are thusly uninterested.

Habitat and biology

glaucus atlanticus

Blue sea slug devours a man o’ war

Unlike other nudibranchs, the Glaucus Atlanticus inhabits the entire water column. Although, as stated, it’s more common on the ocean’s surface. Typically found in temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, the 1.2-inch (3 cm) creature’s diet is comprised of hydrozoans, especially its most common prey, the Portuguese man o’ war, whose tentacles can reach up to 30 feet long (9 m). Eating the highly-venomous stinging cells of the man o’ war creates yet another facet of self-defense since the blue sea slug stores the venom in each of its 84 finger-like cerata. These stick out from its body, allowing it to harm potential predators who may take a nibble or brush by too closely. Consequently, divers and ocean enthusiasts must take caution and never handle this unique creature.

Subspecies

There are two sub-species in the family of Glaucidae, the Glaucus Atlanticus and the Glaucus marginatus. The former is the larger of the two with a much larger tail. But despite its smaller size, only reaching ½ inch (12 mm), the marginatus has more cerata than its counterpart, creating a smaller yet more venomous threat. Just as with other nudibranchs, they are hermaphroditic, each creating its own sperm and eggs. Each individual must however find a mate to fertilize the eggs.

Seeing one of these beautiful creatures on a dive is always a treat. But remember that they’re highly venomous, so — just as with other sea creatures — look but don’t touch.

 

 

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from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2T5bv9a

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Seahorses Are in Trouble

Seahorses. Who doesn’t like these little guys? Spotting one among the coral is sure to bring a smile to any diver’s face. With their curved tails, round bellies and long snouts, it is easy to feel like you just want to put them in your pocket. Sadly, many species are either endangered or nearly extinct for that exact reason.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List features 34 seahorse species. This means that they are either endangered or that scientists don’t have enough data to confirm that they are not endangered. The populations most in trouble are in Asia. But the problem is spreading globally as fishermen are looking for new seahorse hunting grounds.

Where have all the seahorses gone?

There are three markets that encourage mass capture and trade of seahorses. They often end up as by-catch of fishing and trawling practices. But these species are so valuable now that fishermen pick them from the by-catch to sell to one of the following markets.

Chinese medicine

seahorses

Victims of the Chinese medicine trade.

Traditional Chinese medicine sees vast numbers of seahorses traded every year. Upwards of 150 million, animals, combined with the curio trade, die each year for this practice. Between 65 and 85 countries trade these animals for medicinal use, with more joining the list each year.

Traditional Chinese medicine purports that consuming seahorses can cure a variety of ailments, including asthma, throat infections, insomnia and abdominal pain. Consumers seek pregnant males especially as they believe the carcass can cure impotence. As consumers of medicines containing seahorses become wealthier, the demand has changed from purchasing them to prepare at home to the commercial production of pills containing seahorses. This means that fishermen now catch these animals commercially to produce mass quantities of the “medicine.”

About 90 percent of the captured and killed male seahorses are pregnant, leaving them no chance to reproduce and sustain populations.

After capture, fishermen hang the live animals in the sun to die and then dry. Once they are dried the fisherman sells them to a middleman, who then sells them to markets or factories that will process them to make medicine.

Home-aquarium trade

Trade for wild seahorses to the home-aquarium market reaches around one million each year. Only a small number of these animals survive longer than a few weeks. Seahorses require optimal water conditions to survive, which is not always possible to maintain in home aquariums. Education and breeding seahorses in captivity has created a culture of “conservation through cultivation,” with limited success. 

The curio trade

Many shops, especially in touristy coastal towns, sell seahorses as mementos. This market also sees northward of one million seahorses traded every year. Although these products often feature a “sustainable,”  label this is seldom — if ever — true. These creatures undergo the same fishing and drying practices as the ones selected for the Chinese medicine trade.

CITES and seahorses

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) is an agreement between most countries to regulate the trade in animals and plants to ensure that the it does not affect wild populations. Seahorses joined the list of protected species in 2004 due to the unsustainable practices in catching them.

Seahorses are on Appendix II of CITES, which covers species that are not necessarily near extinction yet but could face that fate if we fail to regulate trade properly. As per the Seahorse Trust, seahorses could become extinct in as little as 20 to 30 years if we do not curb trade or introduce more sustainable practices.

Because seahorses appear on Appendix II, they are subject to certain regulations including restrictions in their trade unless they are accompanied by a CITES permit. Absolutely all trade in seahorses requires CITES permits and authorization from a scientific or management authority. This includes export, import, re-export and re-import of any and all animals whether they are alive or dead, whole or in part.

What can we do?

Several organizations are trying to farm seahorses. They have not been fully successful but could eventually lower the volume of wild seahorses facing capture for trade. 

Seahorses are fascinating creatures. Although they charm and entice, it’s best to leave them in the wild  instead of an aquarium or as victims of the Chinese medicine or curio trade. Do not buy them if you see them in the market. If you see them, tell the store owner you won’t purchase anything in their establishment as long as they continue to trade in seahorses.

The post Seahorses Are in Trouble appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



from Scuba Diver Life http://bit.ly/2GFkgpd

Friday, December 21, 2018

Your favorite jewels of 2018.

Your favorite jewels of 2018.

All right, my darlings! I’ve made the list and checked it twice, so it’s time to reveal what you loved the most on Diamonds in the Library in 2018.

These are my most viewed blog posts of the year! They weren’t necessarily written in this year, although some of them were. I’ve also skipped over any posts that were included in previous years’ roundups, but if you want to see what you loved in 2017, 2016, 2015, or 2014, just follow the links! 

Let me know what you want to see more of and if you have any special requests for 2019! 

Your favorite jewels of 2018 

I’m going to include just one photo from each article, so if you want more, click through the links to read the full post.

Continue reading Your favorite jewels of 2018. at Diamonds in the Library.



from Diamonds in the Library http://bit.ly/2CrrYzh

Training Fundamentals: Becoming a Better Divemaster

Divemaster is typically the first professional level within the recreational diving industry. It’s a multifaceted role that non-professional observers often misunderstand, and it’s not uncommon during an open-water class for a student to proudly proclaim that they intend to be a divemaster. There are slight variations on the divemaster theme within each training agency and the role varies widely. Being both a great diver and a great divemaster does have some overlap but being a great divemaster is much more than being a great diver.

Becoming a great divemaster

There are thousands of divemasters. Many only remain active for a short time due to natural attrition. Some only complete the divemaster training to expand their knowledge and skill level or for the kudos of being a divemaster. Dive centers and instructors seek out only the best divemasters after they complete their training.

What are the characteristics of a great divemaster? If you’re considering undertaking training, or are a new divemaster, how can you improve in those key areas?

Broadly speaking, sought-after divemasters exhibit a professional attitude and behavior. Their skills are buttoned up. In more detail, here’s what to aim for if you’d like to gain employment as a divemaster.

Dive skills and knowledge

A divemaster must be not only competent in the water but also capable of diving to demonstration quality. This means having a clear understanding of — and the ability to perform — all core skills from each training course up to and including divemaster level. In addition, some of the skills are general ones that instructors would expect of any professional working alongside them, such as knot tying, deploying DSMBs or navigating on dives to allow the instructor to observe students. In addition, a divemaster should know the training standards and work within them, with a solid understanding of what is required and the integrity to abide by the rules.

How to improve: Practice makes perfect and the skills you feel most uncomfortable with are probably the ones you should concentrate on. Consult the instructor manual to ensure that you hit precise performance requirements and spend time honing your skills. Not sure how to tie that bowline? Are you a little shaky with compass navigation? Practice. Get familiar with training materials, standards and guidelines.

Personal fitness

Diving professionally can be very physically demanding and as such, there are minimum fitness requirements in place for divemaster training, including swimming tests, diver-tow tests and water-skills assessments. These are not a target for meeting the minimum requirements, but rather a gauge to assess where you fall in comparison to the ideal you should aim for – the highest level. The best professional divers see fitness as integral to their role, not as an afterthought.

How to improve: Make a balanced diet and regular cardiovascular exercise part of your normal routine. Being an Olympic athlete isn’t necessary but having the solid fitness to deal with emergencies is.

Prioritize safety

Customers and employers want safety to be paramount in your mind as a divemaster. Practice what you preach. Plan the dive, dive the plan. Give the divers you’re leading the opportunity to buddy-check. Brief carefully on dive parameters and entry/exit procedures. Ensure all the dives you’re responsible for are executed within training parameters and safe limits. Customers need to feel safe with you and employers want to be sure their customers are in good hands. Don’t push the envelope. Just because the divers you’re leading have an advanced open-water certification doesn’t mean you should always aim for a maximum depth of 100 feet (30 m). Use good judgment and conservatism when leading dives based on conditions, ability and comfort.

Similarly, when working with new divers in-water always be in a position to offer immediate physical assistance. Especially on descents and ascents, assess the divers’ skill level and use appropriate control criteria. Follow the safety procedures as dictated by the environment you’re working in. Work in collaboration with the captain of the boat or local trip leaders to keep your customers safe.

How to improve: Pay attention to more experienced instructors, divemasters and boat captains you may be working with. You can always learn something from them. Know your dive sites and be mindful of local diving laws and regulations. Stay abreast of the standards of the training agency and dive center you represent and make conservative decisions.

 Know your divers

divemaster

Conducting buddy checks is vital

Crossing that invisible line and becoming a divemaster means the diving is no longer about you. Rather, it’s about the divers that you’re leading — whether that’s pool-refresher session, try dive, guided dive, or indirectly supervised training dive. Learn how to read people and situations as you gather experience. Your assessment of the divers begins the moment you meet them at the dive center, boat or resort. Each word and gesture can tell you something about the diver’s likely behavior in the water and, therefore, help you make a better decision about how to tailor that pool session or guided dive to them. Always plan your dive to the least confident, skillful or experienced diver in the group.

How to improve: Learning how to assess divers and judge situations isn’t something that happens automatically as you qualify as a divemaster — it takes time and experience. Pay close attention to your divers and listen to other, more-experienced professional divers. Ask them why they’re making certain decisions and, if in doubt, choose conservatively.

Have the right equipment

Being a professional diver means having reasonably up to date, well-serviced equipment that is right for the job. It doesn’t necessarily need to be box-fresh, but it shouldn’t be in poor condition, out of date, or held together with cable-ties and tape. Conversely, if you’re about to take in a group of newly certified divers on a simple guided reef dive, you needn’t wear a rebreather, twin-set or multiple stage bottles.

An important psychological aspect of being a good divemaster is to mirror your customers as much as possible and make them feel at ease. Have the core equipment to undertake the job — as specified with the training agency’s standards — together with anything specific to the environment you’ll be working in.

How to improve: Research the environment you’ll be working in to ensure you have what you’ll need. Plan ahead and budget for any new equipment. Build in contingencies such as backup computers, spare masks and a second DSMBs and reel for emergencies.

Expand your experience and knowledge

divemaster

Helping instructors during pool sessions will increase your skills.

Continue to learn and hone your craft. Follow your interests and take continuing-education courses and specialty training that piques your interest. Learn about different areas of diving and gather experience in different environments. Some divemasters complete their training solely on a warm Caribbean reef but would be unsuitable to work in a more challenging, cold water, low-visibility environment of a European lake. Conversely, the divemaster who has worked only in the European lake would be unsuited to guide a dive in strong, swirling currents in southeast Asia. And simply diving in those different environments on holiday or vacation isn’t enough. Watch closely how and why the local divemasters set up, brief and run dives in a certain way; why the boats remain in a certain configuration, where the team stows safety equipment, and what the local procedures are.

How to improve: Broaden your skill set and consider each dive trip a learning experience, not a vacation. Take a notepad and slate. Observe and ask questions. There is always something to learn from environment to environment that will make you a better and more rounded divemaster.

 Attitude

 A good attitude is arguably the most important trait of a great divemaster. As a result, you can be the most skillful diver on the boat but if you’ve got a bad attitude you’ll never succeed. Going the extra mile really separates the great divemasters from the average ones. With that in mind, great divemasters:

  • Never have a bad day or a bad dive. Good divemasters are always on time, prepared, well-rested and ready to go.
  • Collaborate with instructors on training courses. They’ve also researched the course curriculum and have considered where they should be in the water, and what their logistical role may be on land.
  • Appreciate that dive preparation happens well before getting in the water. They fill tanks, load equipment on the boat and complete paperwork. This is all part of a team effort to offer customers a good service and get the job done.
  • Understand that they’re part of a larger team working with the dive center to offer a professional service. A great divemaster also has skills such as website/marketing prowess, equipment maintenance and sales skills.
  • Can communicate with honesty and integrity to customers and other staff members, promoting the business they work for.
  • Have excellent interpersonal skills and can nurture trust and respect in customers and fellow staff members.

How to improve: A good attitude is part nature, part nurture. Above all, a great divemaster will consider the bigger picture of the dive center they’re working for and the industry they’re part of.

Passing your divemaster training is the foundation of becoming a great divemaster, not the finish line at the end of the race. Hone your skills, professionalism and attitude and you’ll grow into a valuable member of the dive team.

The post Training Fundamentals: Becoming a Better Divemaster appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



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New report: A practical approach to blockchain in publishing



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Thursday, December 20, 2018

Explorer Ventures Fleet First Liveaboard to Receive Green Fins Membership

In collaboration with The Reef-World Foundation, international coordinators of Green Fins, we are pleased to announce that our beloved Caribbean Explorer II (operating in Saba & St. Kitts) has become the very first liveaboard to receive a Green Fins membership.

What is Green Fins?

Green Fins is the only internationally recognized environmental standard for dive and snorkel operators, established through a partnership between United Nations (UN) Environment and The Reef World Foundation. Green Fins uses a unique and proven three-pronged approach: green certifications of dive centers, strengthening regulations and environmental education for dive staff, and divers and government. consistent reduction in threats to the marine environment have been measured within the 550-plus businesses that have implemented Green Fins across nine countries, reflecting continued improvements in environmental practice.

 

We are excited that our Caribbean-based vessel has become a pioneering liveaboard for the Green Fins initiative.

“We are aware that as a global dive business, we depend on a fragile marine ecosystem which is increasingly threatened by a multitude of factors worldwide,” says and operator Clay McCardell.

“We believe that we have an obligation and a responsibility to act as stewards of our environment, so that future generations will be able to enjoy the ocean as we do. Our goal is to enhance sustainability on our own operations, but more so, act as a leading liveaboard fleet for Green Fins. Explorer Ventures will continue to assist The Reef-World Foundation in establishing targeted liveaboard protocols which can eventually be adapted globally to any other operators that Green Fins brings onboard.”

Throughout 2018, the Explorer Venture’s team has worked closely with Reef-World as campaign partners for the Green Fins International Year of the Reef (IYOR) 2018 social media campaign as well as undertaking the very first Green Fins liveaboard assessment. Our impression is very positive so far, and Caribbean Explorer II is now the first official Green Fins liveaboard member. This initial collaboration is just a small portion of our strengthening symbiotic partnership. We will continue to work with Reef-World and we look forward to nurturing even more positive and impactful change for our oceans. After all, a healthy ocean is a healthy business.

For more information please visit Explorer Ventures.  

____

About Explorer Ventures

The Explorer Ventures liveaboard diving fleet offers five destinations including the Northeastern Caribbean (Saba/St. Kitts), the Turks & Caicos Islands, the Galapagos Islands and Indonesia. The M/V Turks & Caicos Explorer II also spends 10 weeks in the winter/spring offering snorkeling with humpback whales on the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic, under charter to Aquatic Adventures.

About The Reef-World Foundation & Green Fins

Reef-World supports governments and communities in sustainable consumption and production of coastal resources and marine life. This is done through the Green Fins initiative, established and implemented in partnership with UN Environment. Green Fins is a free membership program for participating businesses that provide scuba diving or snorkeling activities and pledge to follow a set of best environmental practices. 

Contact Rachel Huber, Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Diving Fleet for more details.

 

The post Explorer Ventures Fleet First Liveaboard to Receive Green Fins Membership appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



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Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Is audience engagement your thing? Take our survey.



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The best books I read in 2018.

The best books I read in 2018.

It's December, so it's time to look at my favorite reads of the year! Here are the best books of 2018, IMHO.

Continue reading The best books I read in 2018. at Diamonds in the Library.



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Tuesday, December 18, 2018

New Report: Science in the Newsroom 2019



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Monday, December 17, 2018

How to Sell the Salon Experience

howsellsellthesalonexperience.

Ultimately, beauty businesses are selling an "experience". The way a client feels when they leave is the reason they come back for more. It’s ultimately not the salon’s price point, team skills, education, or relationships - the goal is for every salon guest to FEEL BEAUTIFUL upon leaving your salon. 

Do you have what it takes to be great in your industry? Whether you are a hairstylist, a lash or nail magician, or a waxing or sugaring guru, most beauty bosses were originally drawn to their profession after a lifelong addiction to Vogue and all things fashion. Creating looks clients love is what motivates us, the ultimate goal is to create a satisfied client every single time.

Attitude
Attitude creates success. If clients feel comfortable with you and the services you provide, the majority of new clients will return and ultimately become loyal. Are you making the most of every encounter? Are you greeting each guest? Eye contact relaxes clients and shows you are genuinely happy to see them. Upon meeting new clients, shake their hands and introduce yourself.  Most importantly, smile. Even if you are having a bad day, leave it outside business doors. Your clients are paying for your attention - give each one 100%. 

Ambiance
Creating an atmosphere where your clients feel relaxed and valued is the most important part of being a beauty boss. Determine a "look" for your beauty business and express it by choosing decorations and retail products that tell a story in your special branded way.

Current Season Focus
Bring the current season into the salon. With some fresh ideas and creativity you can create a salon experience that guests will not find elsewhere. 

Make Clients Feel Good
What makes a loyal client willing to recommend your salon to their inner circle sanctum? Making them feel beautiful. Clients might forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Ask yourself, how do your clients feel when they leave your salon? Do they look and feel fabulous? The desired outcome of every woman visiting a salon is to feel beautiful. Focus on the guest experience and watch your referral rates soar.

Build Trust
A first time guest can turn into a loyal client from conversation and consultation. From the beginning, establish yourself as a beauty authority by creating a “style maintenance prescription”. Discuss and determine the follow-up required to retain a look or style. Whatever prescription is determined, make sure your client is committed to come back for the necessary follow-up appointments. Pre-booking is building trust with that client, committing to the care of your client’s hair or skin.

Target Guest Needs
Begin by tailoring every aspect of your appointment to fulfill your target guest’s needs and desires. The secret is focusing on the client. Differentiate your salon from the competition by anticipating clients' needs and executing superior client service.

Little Things
Make everything you do all about the client, the little things are what makes you stand out. Offering refreshments, feeding the meter, or charging a phone - make your client feel like a VIP.


Need help marketing your beauty business? We do it all and we work with beauty businesses ONLY. Which means beauty marketing is our specialty. Let us put our expertise to work for you!

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Conservation Spotlight: Bahamas Plastic Movement

In this series of articles, we’re spotlighting conservation organizations focused on ocean protection and how you can get involved to help protect our oceans. Today we’re chatting with Kristal Ambrose, the founder of the Bahamas Plastic Movement

What does Bahamas Plastic Movement do?

We are committed to raising awareness and finding solutions to plastic pollution in the Bahamas through youth activism. We are engaged in public education, beach cleanups, scientific research and public policy aimed at reducing plastic debris at the source. 

How did it start?

In 2012, my passion for the issue sparked after sailing across the Pacific Ocean to study the Western Garbage Patch with the 5 Gyres Institute.  For nearly 20 days I was surrounded by water, wildlife and waste — plastic waste especially. Consequently, I realized that the garbage floating in the ocean belonged to me. I realized that I was a part of the problem, but also a part of the solution.

Following the expedition, I launched a citizen-science initiative called the Plastic Beach Project, which involved locals participating in data collection on marine-plastic debris abundance and composition. As the project progressed, I kept envisioning this mass exodus of people moving toward a plastic-free future and I would jokingly say this is the “Bahamas Plastic Movement.” It never registered to me what was happening until one night on my couch I decided that I was going to start a non-profit and here we are five years later.

How many people are involved and what are their roles?

We are a true grassroots organization with no staff, just volunteers. I lead the research, education, fundraising, social media, logistics and all of that good stuff. But when it comes to making things happen, I rely heavily on my family and friends especially Will Simmons from Space 2 Create, the Tarpum Bay Community of Eleuthera, my students, my parents — it really takes a village. 

What are the main areas of focus?

Our main pillars are research, education, citizen-science and policy change as it relates to plastic-pollution solutions. We work to understand plastic-debris movement patterns around the Bahamas and connects our citizen scientists to collecting this data. Our Plastic Pollution Education and Ocean Conservation summer camp exposes our students to the issue of plastic pollution using science, art, and youth activism. Most recently, our youth delegation successfully engaged the Bahamian government in enacting a ban on single-use plastics and balloon releases for 2020. 

How can people help?

We always need a helping hand so for those who want to assist, they can donate to our organization through our website

 

 

The post Conservation Spotlight: Bahamas Plastic Movement appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



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Sunday, December 16, 2018

Don't Just Wing It - Plan Ahead with Our DIY 2019 Marketing Guide

diymarketingguide.jpg BOBCoverpageMockupwhite.jpg
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Don’t just wing it this year ๐Ÿฆ‹
Plan ahead with Beauty of a Book™ available as an Instant Digital Download
12 Months of Beauty Business Marketing
Touting over 25 years of beauty business and digital marketing prowess, with Kierna Terrisse at the helm, BeautyMark Marketing mixes business with pretty. ๐Ÿ•ถ๐Ÿ‘›

Beauty of a Book™ is a compilation of my top blog posts to help beauty bosses grow their businesses throughout the entire year.๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป Beauty of a Book™ commences with a Set The Stage ๐ŸŽฌ section that includes a beauty-specific Marketing Guide, Ready-To-Use 12 Month Calendar, and Promotion Planner.

Ready-to-use 12 Month Marketing Calendar ๐Ÿ—“
✔️Calendar dates and events to promote throughout the year ⏱

Marketing Guide
✔️evaluate past 12 months ๐Ÿ“ˆ
✔️decide your business strategy ๐Ÿ“š
✔️determine a marketing budget ๐Ÿ’ต

How to Plan Promotions
✔️marketing channels checklist
✔️monthly promotions
✔️merchandising
✔️events ๐ŸŽ‰

Download here https://ift.tt/2sbxqhC

January
Plan Ahead ๐Ÿ—’
Start to fill 2019 books in December ❄️
How to maximize client return rate + visit frequency

February
Tips to maximize Valentine’s Day sales ๐Ÿ’

March
Clever March marketing ๐Ÿ€incentives

April
Tips to grow prom ๐Ÿ‘‘ season business
Spring equinox ๐Ÿ’
Flourish this spring ๐ŸŒธ
Here Comes the Brides ๐Ÿ’
Tips to grow the profitable niche of wedding and bridal business

May
The ultimate business guide for Mother’s Day๐Ÿ’†๐Ÿป‍♀️

June
Plan the daddy of all Father’s Day promotions ๐Ÿ’‡๐Ÿป‍♂️

July
Swing into Summer ๐ŸŒž
How to launch hot promotions๐Ÿš€

September
Rake ‘em in this Fall ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‚
Tips to grow your back-to-school and Fall season

October
Halloween Boo-sters ๐Ÿ‘ป
Magical Halloween ๐Ÿ”ฎmerchandising and promotions

November
Get Into the Black ๐Ÿ’ฃ
Kick off Black Friday with a gift card strategy ๐Ÿ’ณ๐Ÿ’ฐ

December
Put a Little Merry ๐ŸŽ„in Your Marketing
Holiday Marketing and merchandising ๐ŸŽ…๐Ÿป

Written expressly for SALON OWNER • SPA OWNER • STYLIST • ESTHETICIAN • MANAGERS • MUA • NAIL TECH

Rock ๐ŸŽธyour beauty business in 2019!
Kierna
Creative Director, BeautyMark Marketing
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Ready, Set, SMART—Your Ticket to Successful Social Worker Self-Care in the New Year, in One Brief Blog!

Get ready to be SMART-er about self-care in 2019.

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Ready, Set, SMART—How to have successful self-care in the new year, in one brief blog!

Get ready to be SMART-er about self-care in 2019.

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Saturday, December 15, 2018

Best Scuba Diving in the Gili Islands

Located between Bali and Lombok, the Gili islands of Trawangan, Air and Meno are a firm favorite with divers, snorkelers and backpackers alike. Snorkelers enjoy the crystal-clear turquoise waters around all three islands, and it’s possible to experience the best scuba diving in the Gili Islands simply by entering the water from the beach. 

Most dive centers around the islands offer two morning dives, an afternoon dive and night dives. The day boats are also open to snorkelers, allowing them to explore a little further afield. In addition, many operators offer specific snorkeling tours, although the larger snorkeling boats may be crowded.

Whether you’re looking to explore the underwater world from the surface or dive in deeper, there are plenty of places to choose from around all three islands. Here are some of our favorite sites when it comes to scuba diving in the Gili Islands.

Turtle Heaven, Gili Meno

Turtle Heaven, Gili Meno

Turtle Heaven, Gili Meno

The name says it all — Turtle Heaven offers almost guaranteed sightings of turtles throughout the year. In fact, divers see turtles with reliable frequency around the islands, thanks to turtle hatcheries encouraging reproduction.

This particular dive site is great for both snorkelers and divers. Snorkelers can observe turtles swimming and feeding from the surface, while divers can follow them to the deeper parts of the reef. The top of the reef features broken coral that offers great hiding places for smaller marine life, divers taking a look deeper will find intact coral and sponge bommies, often surrounded by batfish and schooling fusiliers. You may also spot families of bumphead parrotfish. 


Frogfish Point, Gili Air

Another good location for divers and snorkelers alike is this shallow reef. For divers, the main attraction here is macro diving. Granted, the islands are much better known as somewhere to learn to dive or become a divemaster or a diving instructor than for macro, but if you happen to be an experienced diver traveling with your camera, let your guide know you’re interested in checking out smaller critters. While dives here don’t necessarily guarantee frogfish, this is a good spot for ornate ghost pipefish, leaf scorpionfish, skeleton shrimp and many different nudibranch species, to name just a few. 


Shark Point, Gili Trawangan

Gili Islands

Gili Trawangan offers crystal-clear waters

One of the steeper walls around the islands, Shark Point suits divers of any level. Beginners stay in the shallower parts close to the top of the reef while advanced divers can reach depths of 100 feet (30 m) and more. Apart from blacktip and whitetip reef sharks and the resident turtles, this is a good place to see giant trevallies cruising by or bluefin trevallies hunting. During November and December you may spot schooling mobula rays too. Your chances of seeing larger pelagic species generally increase at depth, although they are not bad in shallower waters either.

 


Bounty Wreck, Gili Meno

Despite the name, this is not a shipwreck — rather, it’s wreckage from the pier where the Bounty ferry formerly docked. The pier was abandoned for years and began sinking into the sandy bottom it was built on, which proved lucky for the divers around these islands. The wreckage now sits at an angle on the slope below and stretches from 32 to 66 feet (10 to 20 m). It offers plenty of hiding places for groupers and sweetlips, among other species. It’s a great place to learn about wreck diving and there’s often some current pushing divers along as well. 


Air Wall, Gili Air

Gili Islands

Port of the island of Gili Air

Diving instructors Meg Daws and Sal Roldan are fairly new to Gili Air and weren’t sure what to expect. But after a few months of taking out divers from their DiveZone base on Gili Air, they absolutely fell in love with Air Wall and here’s why: “We usually start our dive at Air Slope and allow the currents to float us along to the start of the wall. We can reach depths of 89 feet (27 m) and the top is right around 33 feet(10 m). While turtle sightings are guaranteed, eagle rays have also surprised us gliding around the site. It’s is a great dive site for all levels to enjoy with plentiful sea and coral life to zip on by as you cruise south alongside Gili Air.” 


Halik and Deep Halik, Gili Trawangan

Starting with beautifully formed corals in shallow water, this reef eventually turns into coral canyons as divers proceed deeper. During full moon, this is a great place to see schooling bumphead parrotfish, even in shallower depths. In the deeper parts of Halik, it’s not uncommon to encounter eagle rays, sharks and schooling trevallies. And while the Gili islands have had a bunch of bad PR for the effects of dynamite finishing on the local coral reefs, this is one place where the coral is in very good condition, whether you are diving shallow or deep.

 

 

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