Are You an Eco-friendly Diver?

As divers, we all love the ocean and all of us would want to preserve the natural beauty of marine life, as well as encourage it to flourish. But for this to happen, each one of us has to be reponsible for his or her own actions and must always take care when we dive.

Do you think you’re an eco-friendly diver? Try answering some of these questions:

• Pick up any trash you see or avoid throwing any rubbish?
• Are you careful of how you use your fins, avoiding any contact with coral or stirring up too much sand (which can smother coral)
• Do you remind the boat crews to toss the anchor only in sandy areas or tie up to buoys as much as possible?
• Do you avoid touching any marine life? Breaking off coral and grabbing onto turles, dolphins, etc. are definite no-nos!
• Do you refrain from taking souvenirs, such as shells?
• Do you ensure all your equipment is streamlined and do not hit any corals?
• Finally (and most importantly) - If you see any fellow divers doing anything harmful, do you tell them to stop and/or try to educate them?

If you answered yes to most or all of these questions, then congratulations! You’re a conscientious and caring diver!

Kids Sea Camp: Don’t Leave the Kids Behind

It used to be that for parents, taking the kids with you on your dive vacation meant that your time would be split between diving and spending time with them, splitting “babysitting” duties and kids who complain that they are bored and have nothing to do. These days, however, many resorts are labeled “Family Friendly” and provide facilities just for children.

Kids Sea Camp (which partners with various 5-star PADI resorts around the world) offers lots of fun activities for kids and adults too! The week-long camps offer Junior Open Water courses, Bubblemaker and a host of other activities like swimming with dolphins, turtles, kissing sea lions, kayaking, and horseback riding. The best part? Since you’ll be with other parents and kids, you won’t have to endure the dirty looks from single people!

If you want to check out their schedule or find out more just visit their website at http://www.kidsseacamp.com/.

Go Back in Time at the Florida Keys History of Diving Museum

If you find yourself in the Florida Keys and looking for something to do (aside from diving, of course), then you should take a trip to the  Florida Keys History of Diving Museum.

The museum’s interesting displays, as well as interactive exhibits will delight any diving enthusiast. Over 4,000 years worth of diving-related history are on display, as well as early forms of diving gear and even a replica of Captain Nemo’s helmet from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Every now and then, the museum holds special events such as lectures from experts or book signings by well-known authors, seminars (every 3rd Wednesday of the month) and even film showings.

The museum is located at Mile Marker 88 bayside, 82990 Overseas Highway in Islamorada. For further information, you can visit the museum’s website here.

SoCal Divers: Participate In This Year’s Chamber Day and Eve 2009

The largest scuba charity event in the United States, Chamber Day, is once again being held this year on May 6th to benefit the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. The celebration kicks off with a full day of diving, and a tour of the actual chamber.  The activities will lead up to the Chamber Eve dinner fundraiser, to be held at the Aquarium of the Pacific. The Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber has been serving divers in the are for 35 years on a round-the-clock basis. Though it receives some funding from the local government, it is mostly dependent on donations, with Chamber Day activities raising almost 50% of the annual budget.

Attending the event will cost $120 for 2 dives and includes food, tank refills, a t-shirt, 5 raffle tickets and a tour of the facilities. Chamber Eve tickets cost $90 and includeds dinner, 5 raffle tickets and a tour of the aquarium. Various other fund-raising activities are planned, and 100% of the proceeds will go to maintaining and running the chamber. For more information, visit the Chamber Day Website.

Holidays Cancelled Due to Swine Flu Outbreak

According to the Cyber Diver News Network (CDNN), many airlines and tour operators have elected to cancel upcoming flights and trips in and around Mexico due to the recent outbreak of swine flu. Officials in New York  have confirmed that a group of students in had contracted the disease while vacationing in Cancun. The students carried the same strain which killed 19 people in Mexico. Health agencies from around the world have already warned against traveling to Mexico and the US for fear of further spreading the infection.

The swine flu epidemic comes as a major blow to Mexico’s already struggling tourism industry, which has been flailing due to the global economic crises and domestic drug and gang-related violence. According to business organization, Mexico may have already lost $1 billion dollars since the news of the illness broke.

Take Your Tunes Up to 300 Feet: iDive 300

So you’re taking in the sights under the the great blue sea and you realize you need some soothing sounds (or rockin’ tunes) to serenade you while you drift along. If you’ve ever wanted to listen to Beethoven, the Beach Boys or the Beatles while diving the Great Barrier Reef, then your wish has come true.

The iDive 300 is a water proof case and speaker system by H2O Audio that is compatible with most iPod models and even the iPhone (though the phone and applications function won’t work underwater). The plastic itself is made of tough polycarbonate and built-in earphones are specially designed to fit around a mask or under a dive hood. Macworld.com’s Rob Griffiths reviewed the iDive 300, and remarked that despite some issues he was “… very impressed with the iDive 300… It’s amazingly well-engineered, solidly built, and worked exactly as advertised…”.

For recreation divers who can only go up to 120 feet, there’s probably no need to invest $299 for this case. However, for deep divers making lengthy decomp stops, watching a couple of episodes of your favorite TV show while waiting might not be such a bad idea.

Have you used the iDive 300? We’d love to hear your thoughts and comments!

Scuba Program for Veterans

A program at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center uses Scuba diving as part of their medical program for disabled veterans. Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS) is an all-volunteer program that teaches wounded soldiers scuba diving to increase mobility and accelerate the rehabilitation process.

“It’s a wonderful therapy because it helps you build your self confidence. It helps you remember that you are still an independent person. You don’t have to rely on help for everything. The program is just, it’s amazing. The instructors do a great job.” Says Sgt.Shane Heath, a participant of the program. For the complete video of the entire ABC News feature, go to http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7143416

For more information about SUDS, visit their website at http://www.sudsdiving.org/

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