Ripples VZiNE

Polar Bears anyone?

Scott — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 01:41:49 GMT

A blindingly painful icecream headache!
That's what I remembered from my last cold water dive.

The water was the color of lead and absolutely flat calm. The sky hung low and gray with winter's chill in the air. But for the fact that the air temperature was 50 degrees and there was no snow on the ground you could almost believe it was an early spring day on the St. Lawrence River. But this was the first day of 2011 in the northen climes.

I arrived at Dive Brockville Adventure Center in Brockville Ontario at the appointed hour excited to take part in the seventh annual Polar Bear Dip-n-Dive. Mind you I had my reservations, mostly about the cold and some new equipment I was trying out. But I figured that this would be a great way to start my 2011 diving season and test my new equipment.

So, after the hustle and bustle of the dive shop and a lot of typical diver's good natured ribbing we all adjourned to the park on the river's edge. Because the weather was only chilly (not the typical minus whatever with blowing snow and feet of ice on the river) a lot of the local residents came out to see the specticle. See, we divers were doing our diving thing but , at the same time there was a group of daredeviles who were going in wearing only their bathing suite - the "Dip" part of the Dip-n-Dive! The dipper were there to raise money for a local charity. Interestingly the leader of the Dippers and the charity drive was thirteen year-old Emily.

We divers all know that our love of the sport includes a love of the technology too - come on , in your heart of haearts you know its true. And that dispite all of our best attempts sometime equipment fails, most often at the worst of times.

When I arrived in my warm fleece undergarment to start putting my rig together there were divers already geared up and getting into the water. I assembled my gear on the tailgate of my truck, checked it to be sure all was working - then checked it again - and began getting into my drysuite. After some wrestling, grunting, and a little persperation (thank goodness it was chilly!) I finally got my suit on.

Ok. So now its time to zip the suite up. If you've used a drysuite you know that this is a task that requires assistance. (Yet another way that diving is a social sport) Looking around I asked a nearby diver for her assistance - yep, thats right I was solo diving with a group. She stepped upp and was only behind me for a second or two when she said ...."the zipper's broken" !!!!

And just like that my first dive of the year was done!

And no the drysuite was not the new piece of equipment I was trying out. It was my regulator!

(at least I didn't show up after all the action was over like the local TV cameraman did !!!)

Vampires diving with us in the St Lawrence River.

Scott — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:54:00 GMT

Vampires diving with us in the St Lawrence River.

Slithering upstream, its powerful long dark body easily handling the currents, it swims up the Hudson and St. Lawrence rivers to the Great Lakes. Continuing its primordial quest for large fish from which it can suck blood, it moves on through the dark waters. This voracious predator is native to the coastal regions of the Atlantic Ocean. It is thought to have migrated from its native habitat in the Atlantic drainage up the Hudson River and through the Erie and St. Lawrence Canal system. Though its possible that these predators caught a ride on unsuspecting boats using the Canal system.

The Lamprey is a real vampire that survives by attaching itself to the body of large sportfish – like Lake Trout and Salmon – and sup on their blood and body fluids. They actually suck the life’s blood from the fish!

Six out of ten fish will die from the Lamprey’s “free ride”. Those that survive are easy prey for other predatory fish and infections from the gaping round wound. A single Lamprey can kill over 40 pounds of fish in it’s lifetime. (Sounds like a lot of fish but I’ve seen 40 lb Lake Trout.) Some fish will have several of these blood sucking predators attached to them! Yikes! ( I wonder if there is a market for Lamprey stew? ,,,,, eeew!!)

The Lamprey attaches itself to the side of the target fish by its circular mouth. The Lamprey uses suction (little sucker!) to attach it and has rings of teeth that chew through the scales and flesh of the fish in order to suck the bodily fluids from it. (Hey, in some countries they eat blood stew ,,,, even drink the fresh warm blood from a kill ,,,,, there really is no accounting for some people’s tastes!!!)

As you can imagine controlling the Lamprey is a real challenge. That’s the problem with invasive species, once they get into a habitat it is almost impossible to control them, let alone eliminate them from the new habitat. (Think of the rabbit and mongoose problems in Australia,). But there are several ways that both Canada and the US are using to help control the Lamprey population in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence. Among them is Lampricide treatments. The Lampricide treatments have proven successful but cost millions a year (your tax dollars at work!). Other methods include male sterilization programs ( so,,, just how do you find their little,,,,, um, you-know-whats to cut them off ?? A teeny pair of tweezers?), Lamprey ladders that keep them from migrating into the wrong habitat, and Lamprey pheromones that lure them into traps. (Pheromones? Really? Lampreys have a sense of smell !?!? Who knew!)

So, once again we have an invasive species causing havoc in a habitat that got there riding on boats and through our unintended actions, (like digging canals). How does this effect divers you ask? Well it doesn’t – directly - I guess. I have not heard nor seen any divers with a Lamprey stuck to them. But you can rest assured that this invasive blood sucking species, like many others has had an impact in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence water world we all love diving in.

,,,,,,,,, and then there are the Zebra and Quagga Mussels! That’s a subject for the next article.

INCREDIBLE! AMAZING!

Scott — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:01:00 GMT

Those of you who know me know that I love to freedive. One of my favorite spots to freedive is the wreck of the Keystorm in the St. Lawrence River. But my freedives are nothing like world freediving champion Nery's
.I just came across this clip of him doing the most incredible underwater sequence of freediving !
Just watching it make my tummy tickle!

CHECK IT OUT!

Freediver Plunges Into the Abyss

In this remarkable clip, world freediving champion Guillaume Nery stands at the edge of the world's second deepest underwater sink hole. And he jumps. The ensuing photography is a hypnotic adventure into the impossible.

Publish Date: 06/10/2010 11:00

http://gizmodo.com/5559553/freediver-plunges-into-the-abyss

Just sharing! Its all about diving! Its all good! Scott (Freediver!)

How to decide where to go SCUBA Diving next

Scott — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 01:22:00 GMT

One thing avid SCUBA divers, sport divers do well is dream about far flung exotic places they'd like to go.

Question is, how do you choose the place? I mean - there are so many! (BTW, now is a great time to go on a live-aboard dive charter 'cause they need to fill the boats, so rates and extras are good)

The best way is to gather information (stories) from other avid scuba divers who have been there. WIth the aid of the internet its a fairly simple thing to do. Though you have to be careful not to get overloaded with information.

Think a bit about where you are in your diving adventure - how experienced are you? What type of diving interests you, is it fish gazing, exploring, diving walls, open ocean diving with pelagics, underwater photography? The list goes on, and on.

What kind of support would you like, live-aboard charters, all inclusive resorts, camping? Of course cost plays a big roll in the decision making process but still you need to find the sort of diving you are comfortable with and can afford. What I'm saying is that you need to focus on what you want and stick with it so you won't get distracted by all the fantastic places available.

Here is a great place to start, one of many blogs to get an avid scuba diver's juices going,,,,, dream on!

World's Top 8 Scuba Diving Destinations : Tips from the T-List

Gliding past rainbow-colored corals and swimming alongside giant manta rays and languid turtles: scuba diving gives us a chance to acquaint with the deep realms of nature. In this world where nature is overrun by tourism, scuba-diving ...

Publish Date: 06/19/2010 4:16

http://www.tipsfromthetlist.com/26257.html

Its all about diving!
Its all good!
SCOTT.

Episode ONE of Three, The SCUBA Connection.

Scott — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:08:08 GMT

Well ,,,,

As any SCUBA Ddiver will attest, its about the details, dummy. All the gear that you wear to support your life in the alien atmosphere is really about details. Technical details.
And the sport of diving is getting more and more "technical" every year.

When I started it was just a tank of compresse air, a modified LP gas regulator, a couple of corrogated hoses and you strapped it on and went in.
No special equipment ,, we learned as we survived.
You sank ?
Well don't wear so much weight then.
You say you got all, like fuzzy headed at 250 feet?
So don't go so deep already!
A learning curve with potential short duration!

I am learning that my techie learning curve is VERY steep!
,,,,,,,when it comes to editing videos. (Technical diving is another subject for later!)

I've been working on the video interviews I made with The SCUBA Connection ,www.tscscuba.com in NJ for ,,, well months.
At one point I lost them alltogether. They fell through the virtual cracks somewhee !?
When finally found them they were in a format that I cannot "clean up". (I really, really need to get an apple for the video editg work!) .......

So, not to detract from what Wayne has to say about all the great services he provides I've posted the first raw video clip. The first of three, so stay tuned for more.
By the way Wayne is something of an expert when it comes to video editing too.

You'll have to excuse the roughness of the clip but still ,,,, The SCUBA Connection really has it together.

So anyway heres Wayne (drum roll please!,,,) ----------------> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChhlItnWkzo

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" http://www.youtube.com/v/ChhlItnWkzo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ChhlItnWkzo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Its all about diving.
It's all good!

SCOTT

Aliens Invade our waters! Second in the series

Scott — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:04:00 GMT

In this missive, the second in the "Aliens" series I reveal a sticky invader.

I don't know how many divers are also fishermen - or women! (sorry ladies) but if you've been fishing in the St. LAwrence River or the Great Lakes in the last decade or so you'll remember the cotton-like globs that got stuck on your lines
-looks like snot on a string!
Especially if you're trolling. Well it's the Spiny Waterflea (Bythotrephes Longimanus) that is getting tangled in your fishing gear.

This tiny predatory crustacean has a long, barbed tail spine that protects them from other predators. They float in the water eating and proliferating. Their diet consists of Zooplankton so whenever the Zooplankton is high in the water column, like when its warm, there will be lots of the little Waterfleas. (no Dilbert, dogs don't get them if the swim, !.)

The female (hmmm, so how do they meet, these males and females? At a flea club? Then what? ,,, but I digress.) of these prolific little aliens produce up to 10 young every two weeks or so during the warm summer months but are largely invisible underwater.
Like so many other invasive species they are a result of our highly mobile society. They too got a free ride to this waterway onboard freighters in their ballast (notice a recurring theme here !?) from Northern Europe and Great Britain. First discovered in Lake Ontario in 1982 they have since spread throughout the Great Lakes and SLR.

I have to admit that in all the years I've been diving the SLR I have not seen them in the water.Though I have seen them on the anchor rhode when I pull it up. But the once or twice I go fishing a year they sure are evident on the tackle!

Their impact on the food chain is still unknown but I bet there is some impact if they compete for Zooplankton with the Zebra and Quagga mussels.

So, next time you dive your favorite wreck pay attention to the life around you, even the minute life forms.
There is a war going on in the water column! From the Alien species to chemicals, pharmacological, silt runoff, to oil spills all have a cumulative impact.

Speaking of diving on wrecks - watch this spot (and www.DiveJunkee.com) for more details about this season's special dive challenge!

Stay tuned to this spot!

Its all about diving.
Its all good!

SCOTT.

Avid divers need a challenge

Scott — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:08:00 GMT

I've been thinking ,,,,,
Avid divers need a challenge sometimes just to get things going.
get the juices flowing so to speak ,,,,,

We all look for reasons to do things. I guess its my "A" type personality and my competitive nature but competing for a prize while I'm doing something I love is really "IT".

One of the reasons I love to free dive is the challenge. Training myself to dive deeper and stay longer. Can I do it? How far can I go???

So (drum roll please,,), I've decided to start a very special challenge this dive season and am in the process of putting all the details together.

So, keep posted here and at www.DiveJunkee.com for more details as they develop.

Great fun, Diving, pictures, a challenge, and Prizes.

Can't go wrong!!

Its all about diving.
Its all good.

SCOTT.

New dive sites

Scott — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:11:00 GMT

So, whats an avid diver?

well ,,,, a diver who loves to dive and looks for any reason to dive.
The problem is that as an avid diver you can run out of new diver sites quickly. looking for foreign dives sites is an option but you can only do that once or twice a year. So, how to find new sites to dive ? Dive sites you can afford to visit without breaking the bank.

One way to solve that problem is to join your local statewide diving association. Statewide dive associations off organized dive to a variety of site nearby in your state. A weekend of diving with things to do for non divers and the camaraderie of divers on a budget that will allow you to be avid.

Not that I'm knocking your local dive club, more as an addition to your club. You could get in even more dives in the season by joining both
I remember weekend dives at state parks with 15 or 20 divers, some staying in tents and others in camper trailers. Divers came from all over the state. We dived the cool green waters of the St. Lawrence all day and picnicked on the rocky tree lined islands. When we returned to the park, tired but fired up at the end of the day we ate steaks or spaghetti around the bonfire and shared tales from the day and other great dives we'd had. In one weekend we would dive several sites, mostly wrecks, and have a great time of it - sometimes even when it rained.

My recommend is the New York State Divers Association ,(www.scubaNY.org). They organize dives every month to a different sites around the state thought the season. Its a great way to meet new divers and old friends while you're having a great time. Yeah well, it ain't Papua New Guinea but for an avid diver its great to be diving. NYSDA will also welcome non members at their dives too so don't be bashful.

John Krake says it a lot better at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho41YrWYKPM

Its all about diving.
Its all good.

Scott.

Aliens invade our waters !

Scott — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:25:00 GMT

This the is the first of a short series on invasive aquatic species and their impact on the sport diving community.

We have all heard the term "invasive species" and I don't me aliens from another planet. Though in some cases they might as well be from another plante they are alien to the US.
There are many invasive species, plants, animals, and aquatic species. In almost every case they are here in this country - or any country they are not natural to - as a direct result of MAN. There are Zebra and Quagga mussels, the Sea Lamprey, the Round Goby, Asian Carp, the Spiny Waterflea, the Asian Snakehead Carp to name a few. There are, of course species of plants as well but , since we are divers I'm focusing on the aquatic invaders.

The aquatic species were all either unintentional freeloaders or purposely brought to this country, like the Asian Carp. The Quagga and Zebra mussels were brought in as freeloaders by freighters bringing goods from Europe, the Eastern Block, or Russia. The tiny eggs, or "Veligers" came along with the fresh water ballast taken on from the Black and Caspian seas where they are a natural species. That is how they were transported to the St. Lawrence river.
Another story for later ,,,,,

In this missive I want to talk about the Round Goby or "Neogobius melanostomus" for those who speak Latin.

As a regular diver in the St. Lawrence River ("SLR") I have noticed the Goby for the last several years. The increase in the number of Gobies has increased dramatically in the last couple of years. In some place the bottom seems to be moving because of all the Gobies. I've seen them 4 inches long and as thick as 1 1/2 inches! (Almost big enough to get a fillet from!). They have absolutely taken over in th SLR.
The Goby is an aggressive species that can grow to a length of 10"!. The Goby has a large head and a grey body with mottled brown and black blotches on it. The large eyes and dorsal fin are another feature that make them easy to spot.

They too are originally from the Black and Caspian Seas first spotted, by divers of course in the Great Lakes in 1990.

Now here is a little bit of natures balance at work. The Round Goby eats as it's primary food - the Zebra & Quagga Mussels. (!?!?) The concern is not that the consumption of the mussels might reduce the viz in the water (we definitely don't want that!) but that the contaminants that are concentrated in the mussels ( they are bi-valves and filter the water for food) will then be even more concentrated in the Gobies that are eaten by game fish - where the contaminants are further concnetrated.

So, how does the Round Goby affect sport divers?

Well,,,,,, not so much - yet.

However, if the population increases to the extent that it reduces the mussels that are keeping the water so clear then it sure will!
Until then they are just something new to watch and monitor in our underwater realm.

Be sure to tune in for the next issue on ,,,,,,,,,, (Que scary music ....) INVASIVE SPECIES!

Its all about diving
Its all good!

SCOTT.
Join www.DiveJunkee.com and invite your dive buddy.

Recent interviews

Scott — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:53:00 GMT

I have made contact with several Dive Shops over the last few weeks. Shops in Kansas and NJ.

The interviews offered a window into a cross section of the sport diving industry from the Midwest to New England. Not all the dive shop owners were willing to go on camera but each had a view on the industry and sport divers. Each of the dive shop owners I interviewed on camera were operating what appears to be successful retail operations. ( I only came across one shop that was closed - so no interview there - obviously they were not among the successful ones.) Watching the video interviews you will hear about numbers of store who have recently closed due to the tough times.

A couple of the shops declined to appear on camera but I talked with them about their stores and their divers.

All the shop owners expressed similar sentiments. That the sport diving industry is suffering from arguably the "perfect storm". Several things have lined up to creat really tough times for the shops and some of it can be traced directly to some of the manufacturers and the schools. Their decisions to authorize shops in close proximity to each other in an effort to increase dues income has resulted in a very poor balance of retail operations. As is evidenced by one manufacturer that still has strong retail outlets, SCUBAPRO who protect their retailer's territories.

Another attack has come from the advent of big box stores and on-line equipment sales. Both have negatively impacted the brick and mortar retail dive shops.

And of course, the current financial slump. We all operate on a disposable income paradigm - many people just don't have the disposable income to buy dive equipment or dive trips these days.

The answer for most of the shops I visited is adaptation. Being able to adapt to the new business atmosphere and challenges has allowed them to maintain - and in some cases prosper.

More as it develops.

For more details, and more insights into their success check out the video interviews. Most recently with AAI Neptune Divers Las Vegas NV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqB4wB_4NSw.

in the next month or so stay tuned for interviews with Divers Equipment and The Scuba Connection.

SCOTT.

New under water dive sites opening up

Scott — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:21:00 GMT

Well that's essentially what would be happening if there was water still there.

Let me explain - I recently did a video interview with Steve Castle owner of AAI Neptune Divers in Las Vegas NV. During the interview he said, among many other things that the water level in Lake Mead has dropped 140' over the last several years. Effectively this means that there are new dive sites opening up that used to be too deep for the average sport diver. So you're starting at 140, sort of ,,,,,

Hmmmm. Sounds good to me.
With viz in the 40' range and water temps about 55 degrees in winter and in the 80's in the summer that sounds like interesting diving.

The problem seems to be that access to the lake is largely unavailable from shore for two reasons -
    first, the roads that used to go to the shoreline are now hundreds of yards from the water resulting in long walks, and
    second, the only way to get to the dive sites is by boat and there are no dive charter operations running. So you would need to rent, or borrow, or bring your own boat.

Still ,,,, for an avid SCUBA diver who wants to explore new territories it is enticing.

Oh, yeah ,,, hear it for yourself in the video interview at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_nVC4XLfLc
and don't forget to come back for the second and final episode of the interview.

More to come!
Watch these sites for exciting things to come this summer!

Its all about diving ,,,, it's all good!
SCOTT

Correction!

Scott — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:24:00 GMT

Ok, ok!
So we learn from our mistakes and sincere apologies to Jerry for moving his store without him knowing.

American Cactus Divers is not on E. Lake Mead.
The shop is at 3985 East Sunset Rd #B - corner of E Sunset and Annie Oakley.
So I guess no one else caught that - or no one is looking at the video interview.

I also noticed that the video link is not right:
So, try this one to see Jerry's video interview (posted on YouTube.com) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urc8aHB3vNI

Live and learn.
Its all about diving ,,,,,Its all good.

SCOTT.

Las Vegas Dive Industry

Scott — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:51:00 GMT

I spent some time recently in Las Vegas NV. As anyone who knows me knows I love to talk to dive shop owners/operators. So, I took some time from my busy vacation (busy, right!!) and stopped in to talk to Jerry at the American Cactus Divers on East Lake Mead.

If you are familiar with NV or take a look at a map you'll see that there is a large lake - Lake Mead - created when the Bolder Dam was constructed. This is the only nearby water to dive and it has been receding at a great rate from all the growth in the Colorado river basin. The lake water level has dropped 140 feet! So now there are some dive sites that are completely out of the water! (you can walk to a wreck!) and some that were below 200 feet are now accessible to the average sport diver.

Evidently along with those changes, as Jerry mentions the dive park is now high and dry and a good distance form the, now shallow water. As yet the local dive industry has been unable to get the Parks Department to cooperate and allow a new dive park to be built at the water. So, by and large the only way to dive in Lake Mead is to access it by boat. No, there are no working dive charter operations as of this interview so it'll have to be your own boat.

However, once on the lake there are several interesting dives sites depending on your experience levels and I'm told the visibility is in the 30 to 40 foot range with several thermoclines. There is the wreck of a WW II bomber at about 120' and some other small planes and boats as well as some heavy equipment from the construction of the dam.

The sport diving industry in Las Vegas is an interesting study in dive shop survival. Due to the depressed economy, dropping water levels, and the difficulties with the Parks Department keeping a dive shop going has proven very difficult and some have dropped out - four in the last year. Although they are only 4 or 5 hours from diving off California and flying to Florida few are traveling to dive sites from Vegas.

Interestingly though there is a group of about 200 commercial divers in Vegas. Professional divers who make their living diving. No, not at the dam.
For the gaming industry. Really, diving for the shows and keeping things all clean and working properly. (Actually did yo know that you can book a dive at the Mandalay Bay Resort reef tank to dive with the sharks. Really!
Three hours to get ready, suited up in your chain male suite, and then dive with the sharks for around $275. They provide the chain male suite, Dive Master and the sharks.)

I never would have guessed.

Any way check out Jerry's video on youtube at http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/Urc8aHB3vNI/default.jpg

More on the Vegas diving industry to come.
Spread the word and join the group on DiveJunkee.com.

SCOTT.

Diving from a boat

Scott — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:08:00 GMT

Continuing along the lines of my last missive ,,,,,,,

I have also noticed that many divers, and they are not all newbies either, have forgotten or not been instructed about proper safe procedures for re boarding the charter dive boat after a dive.

Frequently I am the guy on the dive platform who helps you out of the water, takes your fins, camera, etc from you as you board so I have seen this allot.
Whether or not you choose to keep your fins on while you climb the ladder to get back on board there are still some important safety rules to practice, yes, every time.

Picture this. You, your buddy and three others all surface at the same time. The dive was fantastic, the corals magnificently vibrant, and you saw storms of brilliantly jewel colored fish. Back on the surface in the bright warm sunlight you can't wait to spit out your reg to exclaim to your buddy about the huge ray you saw ,,,,, Shortly after you and your buddy surface  three more divers pop to the surface amid hissing air and splashes. You all float lazily at the stern of the dive charter boat returning the dive master's "Ok" sign and reveling in the warmth of the tropical sun on your faces.

Most agree that diver etiquette calls for "first up - first on board".   In the process it is tempting to bunch up around the ladder/ladders waiting your turn.
Don't!
Don't crowed the diver exiting the water. If you are too close and he falls you could get severely injured. give them some space and stay clear of the stern of the boat in the process. (If the seas are rough you don't want to get under the dive platform or the stern when it comes down!)

while you are exiting the water keep your mask on your face, your reg in your mouth, and be sure you have air in your BC. That way if you accidentally fall back in you can see, breathe, and stay afloat. There have been too many tragic stories of divers who have fallen back in only to sink out of control to the bottom. Tragically, without a mask or reg in their mouth they are later found dead on the bottom.

so. When you have returned for your underwater adventure, tired, excited and full of stories keep in mind:
    Don't crowed the exiting diver
    Be sure you have enough air in your BC to keep you on the surface if you fall
    Keep your mask in place on your face
    Have your reg, not your snorkel in your mouth
    Take care not to get under the dive platform in rough seas.

See you on the next charter!

Its all about diving. Its all good!

SCOTT>

Take off a few pounds!

Scott — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:23:00 GMT

Over the last few months I have watched several hundred divers get ready and go diving.

We all get in a routine ,,, follow the same route to work and home each day.
Listen to the same FM stations.
Do what someone in apparent authority suggests.

But sometimes its good to say , "what if I do this instead?" "What if I try this?"

As the captain of a charter dive boat I see a lot of divers gearing up for their dives and hear what they have to say upon their return.
Many divers have developed a routine to getting ready, how their gear is organized, what they wear.

I have noticed that there are several divers on each excursion that experience buoyancy problems resulting in higher than needed air consumption, anxiety, and distress. In almost every case it is due to the fact that they are over weighted. They are in the habit of wearing the same weight every time they go diving.

One diver I remember who claimed he could not get down without having nearly 50 pounds around his waist! "Thats what I have always worn" he stated. Not a big guy, average height and weight, but he would emerge from the dive stressed, on his last 500psi, and fatigued. It took the dive master and me several hours to talk him into taking 10 pounds off his belt.
After the next dive he came up smiling and with 1000psi remaining. "I just can't believe the difference it made ,,, I didn't have to constantly adjust my BC to maintain and was so much more relaxed! I can't believe the difference!" He was still smiling as he went down the companionway to his station where he began taking off his gear laughing and chatting with his fellow divers - a happy diver.

This is jut one example of many who for some reason use too much weight.

If this is you try taking just 5 lbs off and see if it makes a difference in how easy and relaxed you are on your next dive. Your dive is supposed to be easy and comfortable, not a test of endurance and strength. (Floating weightless and relaxed in the void is truly a spiritual experience!)

I know, I know. Everyone learns about proper buoyancy as a basic skill during basic SCUBA classes but you'd be surprised how often these "experienced" divers are overweighted.

Just one word of caution though,
For those of you who are men , do be careful how you tell a woman diver to "take off 5 or 10 lbs" !

Its all about diving! Its all good!

Scott.

State your case!

Scott — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:21:00 GMT

In the final analysis I'm an advocate for the health of the oceans - Hey, I am a diver!

I've been involved in the diving industry for 49 years and through it have developed my deep love of the sea. I've been at one time or another involved in the study of marine life, marine mammals, marine archeology, and the sublime Zen of total immersion while diving. But the debate over global climate changes, the health of the oceans, the over fishing issues, and the plundering of the mammalian species is just so huge.

Most of the time I feel like the proverbial deer in the headlights.

I mean, sure there are things you can do, join, but it all seems so inconsequential - one person, one tiny voice in The Great Environmental Debate.

As divers I'm sure we all want to save the oceans for personal reasons but making a clear statement of your position on the issues is sometimes socially dangerous. What is your perspective on The Great Environmental Debate over the health of the oceans? Are you a pragmatist, a realist, a Republican, a Democrat, an Industrialist ,,,,,,, and standing there between dives with your wet suite open the passions begin to rise and before you know it you're ready to cut the other person's hose!

I watch and take note. Take note of the increase in freshwater sponges, the Gobies, and the rise and fall of the Zebra (& Quaga) mussels on the wrecks we regularly dive. I watch the news and try to weed out the propaganda to see the facts. I voice my observations and opinions to whoever will listen but 'till now have been careful of taking a stance. Now I have a platform.

Looking at the big picture, I've come to realize that the truth is that all aspects of both "sides" of The Great Environmental Debate are integral to our survival, the survival of the oceans, the origin of our species - our existence. Look around you. Its a process. We are all in the process of making changes to our environment, some small changes and some huge changes. But we have the technologies, the passions, and the intellect to effect changes that will benefit us all. Each "side" of the debate is necessary. There can be no single winner no matter how passionate, bellicose or overzealousness we get. Both sides are necessary. Nature has its own balances - its Yin and Yang, North and South poles.

We all have a say. Those who hold fast to their beliefs to create something bigger than themselves whether wealth, industry, or saving the environment - even those who believe that we should go back to the stone age. We all play a role in the process. A magnet cannot exist without a North and a South pole, electricity cannot flow without an anode and a cathode.

So, choose a position, clearly state you beliefs and become a vocal part of The Great Debate. The "winner" will be the human race, life in the sea, and our planet.

Its ALL about diving!
Its ALL good.
SCOTT.

Plan your Dive - Dive your Plan

Scott — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:27:00 GMT

How many of us remember this basic dive class tenant - and use it?

I know I do, still after more than 30 years of diving.

Its an interesting observation that SCUBA divers as a group are very concerned with time management while on a dive
After all it could be a matter of life and death (great motivator!). - time in, bottom time, air consumption, ascent rates, safety stop ,,,,, we are all constantly managing our time as sport divers.

I have observed that there are divers who are very disorganized in their daily lives or at work. Divers who cannot seem to get a grip on time management in their daily lives. Yet they have a firm grasp of time management when it comes to SCUBA diving.

I read recently, "time management is like a PEZ dispenser". (Hunh!?)

Well when you think about it I suppose it is. You pick a goal (eventually eat all the PEZ candies) and achieve it one task (PEZ) at a time ,,,, do one thing well then move on to the next and do it well - repeat.
As divers our goal is the safe return after our exploration of a reef, a wreck, a wall. We plan our time carefully based on many factors - factors that change constantly. And yet we manage the time and those events in between setting up our gear and our safe return to the boat/beach diligently.

It strikes me there are parallels/lessons for life here.

Choose your goals in life,
set your priorities,
make a plan, (depth, time, air consumption, bottom time, tasks at depth, and ascent)
manage your time wisely according to your plan, (stay within the plan and deal with changes in Viz, currents your buddy, equipment challenges, etc)
until you achieve your goal. (A safe return to the boat to tell your story - and log it!)

(See what happens when I think between dives! maybe too much Nitrogen !!)

By the way DiveJunkee.com is up and running and soon will be advertising in the "Northeast Dive News". Watch for it and come join us! Come share you dive stories ,,,,,

SCOTT.

Don't go on another live aboard dive charter 'till you read this!

Scott — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:34:00 GMT

Most Live Aboard Dive Charter vessels provide large fresh water dip or rinse tanks for their customers to rinse their scuba

equipment in after a dive. Certainly its convenient – even necessary.

You know, those big communal tanks of fresh water the crew provides you for the convenient rinsing of your dive gear,

wetsuits, fins, regulators, and camera equipment?

Ever wonder what’s in them?

I mean besides the water!

Well it turns out that, among other things there is very likely to be high concentrations of some pretty nasty pathogens -

especially late in the afternoons. Where they were tested most contained significant levels of microorganisms. There is

even a recent documented case where conjunctivitis was transmitted among several divers on one boat and from one boat to

another. It was believed to have been spread through the use of a communal rinse tank.

I mean it makes sense when you think about it - all those divers on board rinsing their regs and masks in the same tank. If

someone has an eye infection, a gum disease, or even a cold the likelihood is that it’ll end up stewing in the warm bath of

fresh water you dip your gear into.

And when you think about it where does that “fresh” water the crew fills the dip tanks with come from? In many countries the

tap water is questionable, then too it may be sloshing around in the ship’s fresh water tank in the hold for days too.

So, the recommendation is to rinse your own reg/mask using plenty of running fresh water and an alcohol swab to be sure its

clean. Avoid dipping it into the communal rinse tank unless the crew changes the water regularly and rinses with bleach.

Some crews who are aware of this problem will rinse and change the water in the tanks on a regular basis – like daily – and

use a strong solution of bleach to kill any microorganisms.

You can get more information on this at the “Undercurrent” website - www.Undercurrent.org.

www.DiveJunkee.com

Http://Blog.ScottVincent-Barwood.com

Http://twitter.com/DiveJunkie609

Are liveaboard dive charters worth the money?

Scott — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:36:00 GMT

I met someone the other day who stated that, in her opinion liveaboard dive charters were not worth the money.

Interesting.

Her claim was that you paid for more diving , sometimes three or four dives a day, than you could do. (really!?) So you get tired and then can't make all the dives. (Tell me its not true!),,,,She'd rather go ashore every few days to see the sights. (shopping)

So, whats your opinion?

(Me - I'm in it for all the diving I can get !!!)

Voice your opinion at http://www.divejunkee.com/ discussion board - "Liveaboard Charters" heading.

Oh, By the way the NEW DIVER'S SOCIAL NETWORK DiveJunkee.com HAS GONE LIVE !!!!! Come join the fun - its FREE!

SCOTT

Tech Diving - closed circuit SCUBA

Scott — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:23:00 GMT

I was just reading an article recently that stated,"now is the time to dive the wreck of the Andria Doria." or something to that effect. For those of us who like to collect wrecks and notch our wreck diving belts this is the everest of Tech Dives. She is sitting in 250' of water off the coast of LI NY. The article went on to say the she is decaying quickly and that presents both benefits and problems - ah, the old Yin and Yang.

They went on to say that the benefits are that the collapsing hulk has opened new passage ways to the interior where access was previously not available. At the same time the collapsing wreck is also getting more and more dangerous to dive.

It got me thinking ,,,,,, When I learned to SCUBA dive the only limits were limited air supply, Nitrogen Narcosis and Oxygen Toxicity . We used to regularly plan our dives to include decompression stops and thought nothing of it. Diving to 200' + was on compressed air was not uncommon - we followed our planed and made the requite deco stops. Mixed gas was only an experiment and then only used by special forces in the military. It truly amazes me when I think of the advancements in the Sport Diving Industry. I mean here we are talking about Joe Diver (yeah I know specially trained!) who can get on a charter boat with others of his trained kind and go on a guided tour of an historic wreck at 250' !!
And live to tell about it !!!!!!
Man what a dream!

By the way the dive Master who was interviewed and acts a guide on the Andria Doria dives has made over 200 dives on the wreck!

Truly amazing!
I love diving !!!!!