It is essential to remind ourselves and our clients that we are not working to eliminate painful affect states. We are working to find the tools to survive the inevitability of these states.
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Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Healthcare Equipment - Total Cost of Ownership Versus Price: Understanding the Difference
Healthcare organizations often incur fierce competition between different departments for the scarce dollars allocated towards capital equipment purchases. When called upon to justify the cost-effectiveness of specific product purchases to upper administration, the department manager/administrator must understand the difference between total cost of ownership versus purchase price.
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SeaLife Unveils New Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam
SeaLife introduced their first fluorescent photo-video-dive light, the Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam, at the DEMA (Dive Equipment & Marketing Association) tradeshow in mid-November. Favored by divers for spectacular shows of color and impressive nighttime displays of emitted energy, fluorescence or “fluoro” diving with specialized lighting has become popular.
Here’s how fluoro diving works: The light’s royal blue LEDs emit blue light in the range of 450-460nm, which is in the approximate frequency range to “excite” the fish, reef and organisms into making a light-filled energy response. The new SeaLife Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam adds a finely tuned and proprietary dichroic filter that pinpoints the exact light frequency so as to get the highest energy response from your underwater subjects, revealing vibrant fluorescent colors of underwater creatures. The Fluoro-Dual Beam also offers an 800-lumen white-light spot beam, so divers can also use it as a dive light to guide them to favorite fluoro-viewing areas.
The Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam features two switchable beams that easily transform it from a blue fluoro 65-degree floodlight to a white, 800-lumen 15-degree concentrated beam with a push of a button. A rechargeable lithium ion 7.4V, 3400 mAh, 25Wh battery delivers power for two continuous hours at 100-percent fluoro emission. With its single-button operation, the light can quickly adjust between four brightness modes: 100% fluoro flood, 50% fluoro flood, 100% white spot, and 50% white spot. Additionally, the Fluoro-Dual Beam has an emergency signal mode that is activated by holding the power button in for four seconds.
Two universal barrier filters are included to improve your experience in underwater fluorescent viewing and imaging. The mask filter fits over your dive mask to filter out the light’s residual blue light — it’s the response from the sea creature you want to see, not the blue light. The second filter attaches to any underwater camera with a lens diameter up to 47mm. The viewer wears a yellow mask filter so they see only the fish or sea organism’s emitted energy, not the Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual beam’s blue light. A yellow camera lens filter also serves the same function on an underwater camera.
The Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam is depth rated down to 330 feet (100 m). The dual silicone O-ring battery component is independent from the Sea Dragon’s electronics, so the light will not be permanently damaged if water accidentally intrudes.
The Fluoro-Dual Beam includes a Flex-Connect Single Tray, Grip and Sea Dragon Ball Joint Adapter (SL995) that connects the light to any underwater camera using the 1”/25mm ball joint mounting system. Like all Sea Dragon lights and strobe, the Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam can easily be expanded with Flex-Connect trays, grips, and mounting accessories.
The Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam will be available for shipment in January 2017 at the following price:
| SL673 | Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam
(Includes Flex-Connect Grip, Single Tray, Flex-Connect Sea Dragon Ball Joint Adapter, mask and camera barrier filters) |
$499.95 |
About SeaLife:
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. By 2014, SeaLife introduced the Micro HD, the world’s first permanently sealed underwater camera. SeaLife cameras, lightings and accessories are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world. For more information, visit http://ift.tt/V4r1DB.
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Top Stocking Stuffers for Divers
As the holiday season approaches, we’re here to help make gift giving easy with these top stocking stuffers for divers. Ranging in price from $10 to almost $200, you’ll surely find something for everyone on this list.
Dive Inspire luggage tags
I still haven’t gotten over discovering Dive Inspire’s line of luggage tags, magnets, keychains and more, so they had to top this list. Small and inexpensive, these adorable renderings of marine life, such as pygmy seahorses, manta rays, nudibranchs and sharks, make absolutely perfect stocking stuffers for divers and non-divers alike. They’re bright, fun, and cheery. Best of all, they cost just $10 USD for magnets or keychains, $12 USD for the luggage tags, and $28 USD for their wonderful reusable bags. Check out their site to see their entire line and you’ll fall in love just like we did.
(Note: Some users report Google has flagged the site as unsafe. We’ve reported this to the company and we’ve visited the site ourselves without any issues. Our antivirus and malware protection didn’t alert us to anything).
Jellyfish Emergency Kit
Consider the jellyfish. This small blob of goo with a mighty sting can turn an enjoyable dive into multiple days of suffering. The world’s first Jellyfish Emergency Kit aims to aid the marine-injured diver with its contents: bottles of high-acidity vinegar, gloves, a scraping card to remove remaining stingers off the skin, and soothing lotion to help keep the longer-term itching and burning at bay. The kit retails for about $25 USD.
Dive Flag jewelry
Not much explanation needed here — the jewelry says it all.
Dive Flag offers rings, pendants with leather cords, chains, or wire, bracelets, anklets, earrings, and keychains. Each piece is made from rhodium-plated bronze with simulated red coral and mother-of-pearl. They’re durable, won’t tarnish, and range in price from $25 to $45 USD.
Stream2Sea body care
Most of us continually strive to be more eco-friendly in all aspects of our lives. Our choices when it comes to sunscreen and other body-care products, such as lotion and shampoo, impact our oceans — most often negatively. In some cases, it’s difficult to find eco-friendly products, but Stream2Sea makes it easy for us. This eco-conscious and award-winning line of sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, lip balm, and sting-relief cream has been thoroughly tested and formulated to help eliminate the negative impacts on our oceans. You can read more about the ingredients, the testing methodology, and product safety on their site, as well as make your purchases. Items range from around $6.95 to $25 USD.
Nautilus LifeLine Marine Rescue GPS
Maxing out on price when it comes to the top stocking stuffers for divers, this is one gift that all divers will be happy to receive, yet hope they never have to use. The new Nautilus Lifeline is smaller and lighter than, yet just as powerful, as its predecessor. Divers carry these in case of emergency, particularly in areas known for strong currents. If they become separated from their group or are unable to return to the dive boat, the Nautilus sends out a distress signal when activated. AIS*-equipped ships over 30 miles away can receive the signal and the DSC* message can be received over a mile away using VHF, if you program your dive boat’s MMSI* number into the LifeLine.
It’s accurate up to five feet (1.5 m), waterproof to 425 feet (129 m), and positively buoyant. The $179 to $199 price tag may seem a bit hefty, but the security it offers is priceless.
* Note: for the nautical-acronym impaired, AIS stands for Automatic Identification System, which boats use to identify and locate other boats electronically. DSC stands for Digital Selective Calling, which allows boats to send and receive distress calls. MMSI stands for Maritime Mobile Service Identity which is a unique, numeric boat identifier.
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Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Leslie Hindman’s December Important Jewelry Auction.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers has another glorious jewelry auction coming up, and it’s right around the corner: the December Important Jewelry Auction. The Chicago preview starts tomorrow, and the auction itself is next Monday and Tuesday.
I’ve combed through the literally hundreds of auction lots and picked out my favorite pieces to give you a starting point to decide what you can’t let get away next week when the bidding starts.
I had a little help, actually: Alex, Meredith, and Jamie of Leslie Hindman’s jewelry department spent nearly an hour on the phone with me, giving me the inside scoop on the most noteworthy pieces coming up in the December Important Jewelry Auction.
Continue reading Leslie Hindman’s December Important Jewelry Auction. at Diamonds in the Library.
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The Best Diving in New Zealand: South Island
In an earlier article we covered New Zealand’s North Island, but the South Island holds treasures for divers as well. It’s known for diverse and spectacular landscapes, including remote national parks, golden beaches, World Heritage-status rainforests, glaciers and Mount Cook. With scenery made famous by “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” it’s a popular vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The South Island is also home to a number of marine reserves, a healthy population of great white sharks and a variety of dive sites suitable for all dive levels. Here are our top picks for the best diving in New Zealand: South Island.
MS Mikhail Lermontov
Where is it: Port Gore, Marlborough Sounds
What makes it special: The Mikhail Lermontov, a 20,000-ton Russian cruise liner, sank in 1986 after striking rocks near Cape Jackson. It’s one of the world’s largest and most dive-accessible wrecks, at 576 feet (176 m) long. It lies intact on its starboard side, from a minimum of 40 feet (12 m) to a max depth of 125 feet (38 m). Those with the proper training can penetrate the wreck and dive within the ballroom while admiring the spiral staircases and chandeliers.
Details: While the deeper parts of the wreck are accessible only to advanced divers, the hull sits at only 50 feet (15 m). This dive is suitable for Advanced Open Water divers and technical diving is possible as well. We recommend an orientation before penetrating the wreck. If you’re trained on a closed-circuit rebreather, it’s an excellent choice for the wreck’s interior for visibility’s sake. Viz ranges from 16 to 66 feet (5 to 20 m) outside the wreck. The main diving season runs from October to April, with water temperatures ranging from 54 F (12 C) in winter to 68 F (20 C) in summer. You’ll want at least a 7mm wetsuit, but we recommend a drysuit. As with any wreck dive, you should bring a torch and dive knife.
When to go: February through April for warmer water.
Riwaka Caves
Where is it: Nelson
What makes it special: The Riwaka Caves offer an interesting freshwater cave dive that’s suitable for relatively inexperienced divers. This subterranean system contains two sumps, or passages that are submerged underwater. The entrance lies at the bottom of Takaka Hill, surrounded by ancient forests. Highlights include stalactite and stalagmite formations and a waterfall of pink limestone inside sump two.
Details: The dive site is suitable for Advanced Open Water divers accompanied by experienced cave divers who know the caverns. Cave diving rules apply and, as this is a cold-water dive with an average summer temperature of 43 to 45 F (6 to 7 C), a drysuit is essential. Average dive depth is 40 feet (12 m).
When to go: Summer means warmer air temperatures post-dive. The site is only accessible during periods of dry weather.
New Zealand fur seals
Where is it: Kaikoura
What makes it special: The scenic town of Kaikoura offers the opportunity to swim with playful and approachable New Zealand fur seals, and is also home to an array of dive sites. The proximity of the continental shelf has created a biodiversity hotspot in Kaikoura’s waters, where you can find whales, dolphins, sharks and other marine life in abundance.
Details: There are dive sites at Kaikoura suitable for novice and experienced divers, and you won’t need prior experience to swim with the seals. The water temperature ranges from 50 (10 C) in winter to 62 (17 C) in summer, so we recommend a 7 to 10 mm wetsuit or a drysuit.
When to go: You can dive year-round in Kaikoura, though summer offers the best water temperature and climate for exploring the coastline and mountains during non-diving days.
Milford Sound
Where is it: Fjordland
What makes it special: The Fjordland National Park lies within the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area, and diving the Milford Sound marine reserve is a fascinating experience. The sheer cliff faces of Milford and heavy rainfall provide a unique ecosystem where black-coral trees flourish. These are usually only present in deep- water trenches. The sound is home to abundant crayfish, nudibranchs and a variety of fish species. You may also see great white and other shark species, dolphins and seals while diving.
Details: Dive depths vary depending on the site. Dives are suitable for novice and experienced divers. Milford Sound also offers Discover Scuba Diving experiences and snorkeling. The water temperature ranges from 54 F (12 C) in winter to 57 F (14 C) in late summer, though the thin layer of surface freshwater remains a steady and cold 46 F (8 C). A drysuit is recommended.
When to go: Summer for warmer air temperatures.
Great white sharks
Where is it: Bluff, Southland
What makes it special: The waters surrounding Southland have a population of more than 100 great white sharks. The area is also home to whales, penguins, albatross and other wildlife. Cage diving with great white sharks and wildlife safaris are available for diver and non-divers alike from the coastal town of Bluff, and are suitable for ages 12 years and up.
Details: You don’t need any experience for this dive, as the cage sits at the water’s surface. Trips are available December through June and you should wear a 7 to 10 mm wetsuit given the lack of movement when observing sharks from the cage.
When to go: December through June. Peak season is in the summer months of January and February.
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World Editors Forum President reflects on five Brazilian colleagues killed in plane crash in Colombia
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Monday, November 28, 2016
3 Winter Window Treatments
When staged according to the season, window treatments can make a huge difference in how someone feels about a space. In this short post we’ll cover 3 window treatments that are well suited to the winter season.
Image Source: Flickr
Layered Curtains or Insulated Curtains
Use heavy fabrics or layered curtains over the windows to keep out drafts. Or, purchase insulated curtains with built-in thermal backing. Source: ApartmentTherapy
Block Out Blinds
They’re reasonably straightforward to fit as long as you are absolutely pinpoint accurate with the measurement for the vertical runners, as they must fit the window frame exactly. I managed with only a few expletives. They’re perfect at night as they block out light as well as draughts, but need to be opened during the day to let the winter sun in, so they are not effective during the hours of precious winter daylight. Source: TeleGraph
Shutters
Plantation Shutters can be considered the best value winter window treatments for their aesthetic appeal as well as their ability to increase the selling price on your home (in addition to keeping you warm!)
Plantation Shutters, especially those constructed of wood, have insulating elements and when closed the solid, durable structure of the slats will keep the cold air out of your windows during the winter and will shade your home from the scorching sun during the summer.
For those looking for a cheap, fast solution for your windows, Plantation Shutters are probably not the best choice. However, if you are looking to spice up the room with some elegance and desire a long-term solution that will add value to your home- then this is the option for you! Source: Blog.ShadesShuttersBlinds
Contact:
Universal Blinds
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988
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Healthcare Equipment - Total Cost of Ownership Versus Price: Understanding the Difference
Healthcare organizations often incur fierce competition between different departments for the scarce dollars allocated towards capital equipment purchases. When called upon to justify the cost-effectiveness of specific product purchases to upper administration, the department manager/administrator must understand the difference between total cost of ownership versus purchase price.
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SJ Shrubsole’s magnificent coaching brooch.
Good morning, my darlings!
I have something truly exciting to show you today. I met this piece over the summer at the New York Antique Jewelry and Watch show, but I was asked not to reveal it to you until after it made its debut at this Fall’s New York TEFAF.
It was actually hidden at the show: in the back of the booth, on a high shelf, in a closed box.
Continue reading SJ Shrubsole’s magnificent coaching brooch. at Diamonds in the Library.
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The power of push notifications
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Ocean-Themed Bath and Body Products
Either as a treat to yourself or as the perfect holiday gift for the water-lover in your life, garner a little sea therapy with these ocean-themed bath and body products to soothe the diver soul. Here are 12 of our favorite stocking stuffers.
[See image gallery at scubadiverlife.com]
By guest author Beth McCrea
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Sunday, November 27, 2016
Diving Onboard the S/Y Philippine Siren
In late December 2015, the folks at Siren Fleet invited a writer, videographer and I to dive onboard S/Y Philippine Siren. The 130-foot (40 m) luxury liveaboard features eight comfortable cabins, a large outdoor dining area with family-style seating, and a spacious dive deck. As an avid photographer, I was especially interested in the photo facilities. There are designated indoor and outdoor workstations for charging and preparing your gear, as well as roomy storage drawers for your odds and ends.
Photography onboard the Philippine Siren
I didn’t bring my regular set up with me. Instead, I brought a point-and-shoot video set up, and was still able to capture great images. The diving off the Philippine Siren was nothing short of spectacular. We dove mainly around Dauin, which meant lots of muck diving, as well as a visit to the hard-coral paradise of Apo Island. Finally, we participated in the somewhat controversial whale-shark snorkel experience in Oslob. A trip onboard the Philippine Siren is perfect for all sorts of divers and photographers, from novice to pro. Here’s a quick gallery to showcase some of what we saw — and what you could too — onboard the Philippine Siren.
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Saturday, November 26, 2016
Top 10 Underwater Instagrammers
Historically, the mediums for mesmerizing underwater photography and videography were limited to a few nature or diving magazines, television and a handful of professional websites. But as social media continues to grow, it’s easier than ever to seek out high-quality photography. Instagram in particular has become a powerful platform for underwater photographers to share their work with the world. Although there’s a seemingly infinite number of active users, we’ve scoped out a few of the best. Here are 10 top underwater Instagrammers that you should be following right now.
Top Underwater Instagrammers
Scuba Diver Life
Our first pick almost goes without saying — the official Instagram account of Scuba Diver Life. Here you’ll see images and short videos of various marine life, from nudibranchs and cuttlefish to dolphins and humpback whales in Tonga. Many of the photos and videos were shot by Nadia Aly, the Scuba Diver Life CEO (see next entry).
Nadia Aly
Nadia Aly, founder of Scuba Diver Life, also maintains a personal Instagram account. Here you’ll see gorgeous images of her underwater adventures, including shots of sharks, wrecks, free divers and macro critters. She also shoots aerials of landscape and scenery, so there’s something for everyone.
Brian Skerry
The third of our underwater Instagrammers is wildlife photojournalist Brian Skerry. His Instagram feed features artful images of some of the ocean’s most photogenic creatures, from great white sharks to seals, turtles and tiger sharks.
Enric Sala
Heavily involved in conservation, National Geographic and Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Enric Sala launched the Pristine Seas project to help protect the ocean’s remaining wild places. His Instagram feed, though short at only 37 posts, is still worth watching as he’s a talented photographer as well as an ocean crusader. His images include macro as well as large marine life and some terrestrial animals as well.
Shawn Heinrichs
Another well-known conservationist, Shawn Heinrichs, has been heavily involved in manta and shark conservation for years. His feed features lots of inspirational images of the ocean’s largest fauna, as well as information on new manta and shark protections. But be prepared for a number of sobering images as well, depicting everything from shark finning to manta hunting.
Mission Blue
An initiative of the Sylvia Earle Alliance, founded by “Her Deepness” Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue works to generate public support for worldwide Hope Spots, in which ocean conservation can do the most good. The ultimate goal is to create a network of marine-protected areas, constituting 20 percent of the ocean, by 2020. Instagram posts on this account feature everything from underwater shots of divers to critters and beautiful ocean sunsets, as well as inspirational conservation posts and quotes.
Sean Havas
Photographer and videographer Sean Havas shoots lots of big animals in action, including sharks, seals, whales and turtles. Macro critters like crabs and seahorses make guest appearances as well.
Mike Bartick
Shooting mostly macro, underwater photographer Mike Bartick captures the best of Anilao in the Philippines, where he’s based. Expect brilliant, up-close images of tiny, colorful critters like nudibranchs and blennies, as well as slightly larger animals like cuttlefish, octopus and frogfish.
Alicia Ward
Based in Hawaii, photographer Alicia Ward shoots a variety of artfully composed underwater scenes, some with snorkelers and most all with marine life. Her creative imagery features pelagics, schooling fish, turtles — and even mermaids. Her videos are just as exciting as her photos.
David Doubilet
Last but not least, we have the inimitable David Doubilet. His photos take us around the globe, from the vibrant coral reefs of the tropics to the icy waters of the Arctic. His artistic, award-winning images set a standard for other underwater photographers to follow.
By guest author Lauren Feather
The post Top 10 Underwater Instagrammers appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
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Friday, November 25, 2016
The Best Dive Equipment for Women
Although it may seem obvious now that differently shaped bodies require different equipment, for many years, women had to put up with ill-fitting BCDs and wetsuits if they wanted to dive. Nowadays, many manufacturers produce female-specific gear, from masks and fins to regulators. After way too many dives with rented gear, here are a few recommendations for today’s best dive equipment for women.
BCD
Let’s start with the most important piece of gender-specific gear — the BCD. BCs have come a long way since they were first invented in terms of comfort, safety and utility. Over the last few years, manufacturers have paid heed particularly to making them more comfortable for women. No longer must we put up with a badly fitting men’s x-small, unbalanced weight pockets (due to our larger hips), or a BC riding up around our ears because it’s cut for a straight up-and-down body shape. Plenty of modern women’s BCDs have been designed specifically for us.
Cressi Travel Light Lady
We love this Cressi BC, as it’s not only designed for the female body, it’s also designed for the woman who travels. The extra-small weighs just 5 pounds (2.3 kg), and underwater, the jacket fits snugly and stays where it’s supposed to. The integrated weights pop in and out easily (but not too easily when you’re underwater) and the chest strap is in a comfortable spot above your chest. All-in-all this light, travel-friendly BC is a winner.
Wetsuit
Let’s not be shy here: our chests can make getting into and out of a wetsuit far more frustrating. A zip-front helps eliminate that problem. Here are a few suits we’ve tried and tested and can’t get enough of.
Full-length
ScubaPro Pyroflex
Built from 100 percent neoprene, the Scubapro Pyroflex 1.5 mm Steamer features an inner layer made from high-tech plush and fleece. The suit is lightweight, quite durable, and, most importantly, it’s an efficient insulator for better heat retention, both underwater and at the surface. This zip-front wetsuit is available for both men and women, with five women’s sizes ranging from XS to XL.
Shorty
Cressi Playa
The one-piece shorty Cressi Playa is made from 2.5 mm double-lined neoprene. As well as having a zip front, its arms and legs have an elastic neoprene braided seal to minimize water infiltration. It’s easy to get on and off, is reasonably priced and is a must for a warm-water lover.
Mask
It can be annoying when a mask gets tangled in your hair and you spend what seems like hours trying to careful unravel it from the straps. The industry has been paying attention to our woes and has delivered a solution for those of us with long hair.
Aqua Lung Linea
The “Comfort Buckle System” on the Aqua Lung Linea aims to solve the problem of hair tangling in your mask when you take it off, making removal pain-free. The small frame is also ideal for freedivers or any diver who wants to reduce in-water drag.
Regulators
The gear industry now offers regulators specifically designed for women, featuring brighter colors. The regs generally have a smaller, lighter first stage and second stage to help reduce jaw fatigue as well.
Apex Flight
Claiming to be “the lightest regulator in the world” the Apeks Flight is compact and durable, weighing in at 1.5 pounds for a yoke, including the hose. Ideal for traveling divers, this reliable and robust reg is designed for waters warmer than 50 F (10 C).
You can also buy inexpensive hose covers in most dive shops, so if you really want all-pink everything — or any color under the rainbow — you can make it happen.
Fins
Properly fitting fins are another essential part of any gear kit. Fins that are too small can rub and cause irritation, and fins too big can slip off or cause cramps. With women’s (generally) smaller and thinner feet in mind, here are some styles to consider.
Open-foot fins
The biggest advantage of open-foot fins is that you can wear booties with them. Divers wear booties for insulation in colder water and to protect their feet if they’re walking over rocky shores. Although you needn’t wear booties in warmer water, open-foot fins and booties are perfectly acceptable there too, making this a versatile combination.
ScubaPro Seawing Nova
One of today’s most popular fins is the ScubaPro Seawing Nova. It’s hard to go on a dive without seeing a pair of these brightly-colored fins in front of you. The Nova features the maneuverability of a blade fin but with the kicking comfort and efficiency of a split fin, as well as a proprietary hinge that ScubaPro says “enables the entire wing-shaped blade to pivot and generate thrust.”
Closed-foot fins
One of the most obvious benefits of closed-foot fins is the price. The fins themselves are cheaper, and you needn’t buy booties either, which saves you even more. They also weigh less, and less weight at the end of your foot means you don’t have to work as hard to move it. You’ll also save space and weight in your luggage. Closed-foot fins, however, don’t provide as much power for kicking in current, and are not suitable for cooler waters.
Aqua Lung Wind
The Aqua Lung Wind is a new entry-level full-pocket fin, ideal for diving in warm, easy conditions and snorkeling. Even though it is compact and lightweight, the Wind is still robust and comfortable and is perfect for traveling.
By guest author Sarah Richard
Guest author Sarah Richard is a travel writer currently living in Hong Kong. She is a divemaster who has been diving for eight years and has most recently worked on a liveaboard in Micronesia. Follow her adventures on her travel blog or on Facebook.
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Thursday, November 24, 2016
How legacy broadcaster Univision transformed its video strategy
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The Importance of Check Dives and Scuba Reviews
“How about a scuba dive today, Lucy?”
“We’re supposed on our honeymoon. That sounds way too energetic.”
“Well it’s nice to relax but we can’t hang around the hotel for two weeks doing nothing. I have our C-cards in the room and there’s a dive center on the beach. Why don’t we go check it out?” said Chris.
The cheery voice behind the dive-center counter greeted them as they walked in. “Are you diving today? We have a boat going out in 30 minutes, why don’t you join it?”
The dive center looked modern, with a clean reception area and a shop full of new equipment, books and wetsuits. A number of stickers, logos and wall certificates adorned the entrance. The counter woman wore a crisp ironed shirt with a gold, shiny name badge.
“We haven’t dived in four years, so we’re a bit rusty, and my wife is only a novice,” said Chris. “We’d like to have some practice in the shallows first if that’s okay.”
“Don’t worry about that,” said the woman behind the counter. “The water here is warm and clear, and there’s great guide on the boat, along with some very experienced divers. I’m sure you’ll be in good hands. Grab a seat and I’ll get you some gear. What sized feet are you both?”
Chris and Lucy stared at the young couple at the front of the line and then turned to each other.
“Let’s get out of here. There’s another place just down the beach.”
The next dive center looked good as well — warm, friendly and busy. Instructors sat around with students. The diving guests drank coffee and chatted in a large shaded area.
“How can I help you both?” asked the friendly woman behind the counter.
“We’d like to dive but we don’t have much experience and it’s been a while,” said Lucy. “We didn’t really plan to go diving but the water looks so good.”
“Well, you can do as little or as much as you like,” she said. “We’re open every day and we have dive sites for all levels of experience. When were your last dives?”
“Two and a half years ago, I’m afraid,” said Chris. “We’re only open-water students. I have 20 dives and Lucy has six. We never really did much after our course.”
In this scenario, the shop employee directed the couple to a few seats, where they filled out medical questionnaires. “In a few minutes the regular divers will be leaving, and then we can chat and arrange a swimming pool or shallow beach dive to get you both back in the swing of things,” she said.
Keeping Scuba Skills Fresh
A scuba-diving license is for life. In fact, it will last longer than you given that it’s coated in non-biodegradable plastic. Scuba certification never expires; no diving police will suspend it, cancel it, or penalize you for disuse.
Your C-card from years ago was issued after several days of close supervision, skill development and the familiarity that goes with continuous, daily diving. You lose that connection after many months of aquatic absence, and the place to be reunited with it is not in deep water, fast currents or out in the blue on a drift dive.
Many people forget little snippets of information from their initial training — the handy hints, the bits you didn’t listen to while rubbing sunscreen across your salty skin. This was the moment your instructor reminded you to sign up for a scuba review or check dive if you had a lengthy gap between dives. If you’ve only got a day or two for diving, it’s natural that you don’t want to spend time in a pool or swimming around a sandy bay. But check dives or skill reviews are essential. They’re not penalties or community-service sentences. Neither are they just safety measures that can be interpreted as overbearing regulations, obstructing your path to enjoyment. When an inexperienced diver or out-of-practice diver enters challenging environments, everybody is at risk.
Why take a check dive or scuba review? What are they for?
There are a number of reasons you should always do a check dive or take a scuba-review course. Among them are:
- Practice sessions will expose weaknesses so you can address them.
- They are carried out in a forgiving environment.
- They contain a selection of skills to reintroduce you to diving and give you the resources to handle problems and emergencies. Practicing correct weighting, mask clearing, regulator recovery and clear, out-of-air drills, buoyancy control and hovering, monitoring your instruments and signaling will all help add the polish back into your diving.
- You can also request additional skills — it’s your dive, so ask for more help if you feel like it.
- You’ll become reacquainted with the feeling of being underwater and knowing how your scuba equipment operates.
- A check dive or scuba review can last well over an hour. Aside from skills practice, you get to swim around and enjoy the sensation of diving.
- The experience goes in your logbook. You won’t need another check dive if you dive again in the near future.
- On your first scenic dive afterward you’ll relax more. Your air consumption will fall; your dives will last longer; and you’ll feel more comfortable in challenging conditions.
- You’ll be an asset to your dive buddy and dive team instead of a potential liability.
To return to our scenario, Chris and Lucy knew what they needed and so did the dive center. They took a two-step approach — one hour in the pool followed by an hour in the sea.
“We had 62 minutes underwater, that’s a record,” said Chris.
“Okay, I’m hooked again,” said Lucy. “It looks like our honeymoon is going to be a scuba vacation after all.”
As the couple planned their next day on the dive boat, they saw a police rescue boat speeding toward the jetty with its lights flashing and siren blaring.
“I wonder what that’s about?” asked a guest.
“We just heard about it over the radio,” said the divemaster. “It was a decompression injury. A couple bolted from depth during their dive. No details but they’re from the place down the beach. It’s not the first time.”
By guest author John Kean
The post The Importance of Check Dives and Scuba Reviews appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
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Wednesday, November 23, 2016
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Micronesian Diving: Chuuk Lagoon and Pohnpei
Most divers have heard of Chuuk Lagoon’s famous ghost fleet of WWII wrecks. This bucket-list destination is a true underwater museum and a wreck-diver’s dream. Nowhere else in the world has so many WWII wrecks in such close proximity. For divers already spending cash to travel such a long distance, doesn’t it make sense to add in another Micronesian island for a little more?
Some divers choose Yap, well-known for its manta rays and large schools of fish, but savvy travelers island-hop vacation over to another Micronesian gem: Pohnpei. Not only is Pohnpei a far cheaper flight with the same extraordinary marine life, but it’s also a misty mountain, rainforest dream of an island.
The First Stop on Ideal Micronesian Diving Trip: Chuuk Lagoon
The perfect Micronesian diving trip begins in Chuuk onboard the incomparable Odyssey liveaboard. Sunk during the U.S. Navy’s 1944 Operation Hailstone, more than 60 wrecks are scattered over 77 square miles (199 square km) in Chuuk Lagoon, where divers will also see tanks, aircraft and trucks. Divers can also see crates of wartime staples, such as ammunition, remains of uniforms and gas masks. Sake bottles and rice bowls also litter the wreck.
The famous compressor, nicknamed R2D2, sits in the machine shop of the Fujikawa Maru. A latticework of hard and soft coral and anemones adorns each piece of history, rusting quietly on the bottom. Many of the shallower wrecks are corroding rapidly and may not be around for much longer. Porcelain crabs, gobies, nudibranchs and shrimp hide among the structures along with some schools of fish. You may spot an occasional shark or ray swimming past.
Dive Conditions
Depth: Most dives are at 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 m). There are plenty of deeper dives for technical divers as well.
Water temperature: Temps are usually 82-84 F (28-29 C)
Visibility: Often murky; usually 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 m)
Current: Little to none
When to go: The dry season is December to April. Chuuk is a year-round destination, though, as the rain is rarely heavy and there is still a lot of sunshine even in the off-season.
Topside on Chuuk
While the focus is definitely on wreck diving, divers can round out their stay by taking a day to tour two Japanese WWII sites. The shrapnel-torn Sapuk Lighthouse sits atop a hill, offering visitors a sweeping panoramic view of the strategic northeast passage. A visit to Nefo Cave, a fortified natural cave with a large artillery gun, is a sobering reminder of the island’s once fierce warfare. Aside from diving and these two historical sites, there is very little else to do so bring a few good books if you’re staying more than a day or two on the island itself.
Island-Hop to Pohnpei, the Garden Island
In just a little over an hour via the United Airlines island hopper, travelers can touch down in Pohnpei for quite a contrast from Chuuk. Known as the Garden Island, Pohnpei boasts lush, tropical forests and cascading mountain streams. Rich swathes of mangrove shelter plentiful marine life, making this magical island one of Micronesia’s most varied marine environments.
Don’t be fooled by the name, the Pohnpei Surf Club offers gasp-worthy dives. Expect hordes of mating eagle rays, congregating sharks, large schools of pelagic fish and dancing manta rays. Diving the underwater cleaning station on Manta Road is an outstanding way to see the mantas up close. Pohnpei also offers a unique manta experience with the vast number of striking all-black ‘Black Morph’ variety that swim these waters. Lagoon-passage dives timed with the current allow divers to drift past teeming marine life.
With 11 marine-protected areas surrounding this island and strong conservation efforts both below and above the water, Pohnpei remains pristine. To top it off, it’s almost a given that no other boat will be on your dive site. Visitors mentioning this article will receive 10 percent off diving/tours as well as 10 percent off stays at the Mangrove Bay Hotel for bookings made by 11/17/17 paid in advance.
Dive Conditions
Depth: Most dives are at 60 to 100 feet (18 to 30 m)
Water temperature: Temps are usually around 86 F (30 C)
Visibility: Often 100 feet (30 m) and occasionally up to 150 feet (46 m) in many locations
Current: Varies depending on location and time of day from none to slow drifts with an occasionally stronger current.
When to go: While May to October is the best season, this is a year-round destination with rain often occurring at night.
Topside on Pohnpei
A maze of mangrove forests with small channels completely surrounds Pohnpei’s coastline. It’s the perfect environment for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. Further out to sea, the surfing and kiteboarding are world class, but the land-based activities are just as mind-blowing. Hiking amidst the many tumbling waterfalls in the bright green rainforest, below the gaze of towering mountains, is not to be missed topside.
The ancient ruins of Nan Madol are a must as well. This famed lost city is often called the Venice of the Pacific due its network of canals. Visit by boat, snorkel or scuba for a unique experience. While most of the WWII artifacts are found underwater in Chuuk, some fascinating WWII land-based sites are accessible around Pohnpei.
Lucky adventurers can attend a sakau ceremony. Like kava on other Pacific islands, sakau is made from the stone-ground roots of the pepper plant. While the bitter extract is an acquired taste, the ceremonial imbibing is of paramount cultural relevance and the effects are pleasant — mild euphoria, sociability and greatly reduced anxiety. Travelers preferring to eschew intoxicants, but wanting a Garden Island novelty can try Pohnpei black pepper, almost impossible to acquire anywhere else.
When flying back to Chuuk or hopping over to Guam in preparation for the trip home, travelers should know that Micronesian planes only touchdown on certain days and can face occasional cancelation. Keep abreast of the flight schedule by calling the island-hopper service directly.
By guest author Beth McRea
The post Micronesian Diving: Chuuk Lagoon and Pohnpei appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
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