HELP OUR OCEANS!

What exactly is coral bleaching and Ocean acidification? I have heard all kinds of things about it, but never really understood how it happens, what exactly happens and what can we do about it. I did a bunch of research and found all this great info from PADI and PROJECT AWARE. I put this together to make it easy to understand. Click here to read it.

HOW IS OUR GEAR MADE?

Ever wonder how the Scuba equipment you wear is made? Check out all these quick videos to see how.

To see a regulator made click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X885wEShGkE

To see a BCD made click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSKr3CO_rnM&feature=related

To see a depth gauge made click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jmDclPpw24&feature=related

To see a spg made click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djNB4Hluj1E&feature=related

To see a tank made click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmSvbp2NFbc&feature=related

SAVE-A-DIVE KIT

What would you do if your fin strap broke if you were on a boat, on a dive vacation? Would you have to sit out the dive? Do you have a backup? Every diver should carry with them a good “Save-a-dive” kit. The following items are inexpensive and by not having them may end up ruining an expensive dive outing.

- O-RINGS, VARIOUS SIZES FOR TANKS, HOSES, ETC.
- MASK STRAP OR SPARE MASK
- FIN STRAPS
- SPARE BATTERIES FOR COMPUTER, FLASHLIGHTS, ETC
- SECOND STAGE MOUTHPIECE
- SILICONE LUBE
- SCUBA TOOL
- POCKET KNIFE
- CABLE TIES
- DUCT TAPE
- SNORKEL KEEPER
- MASK DEFOG
- CLIPS, BUCKLES, RETRACTOR

Keep all of the items in a small box or zip lock bag. Make sure that all of your spare parts fit your own gear. You may find yourself adding to your kit as needed.

SCUBA SIGNALING DEVICES

Scuba divers can be hard to spot in the water, even a relatively short distance from a boat or shore if conditions are rough. Signaling devices are important safety equipment that help scuba divers be seen and heard if they need assistance. At a minimum, you should have at least one visual signaling device and at least one audible signaling device. Your signaling devices should be with you whenever you’re in the water, so make them a standard part of your kit.

• Whistles – Two-toned versions carry a long way over water.
• Inflatable signal tubes – These are brightly colored inflatable tubes that jut high above the surface to make you more visible.
• Signal mirror – Reflection is visible even to aircraft.
• Flasher – A repeating strobe, these are highly visible at night.
• Dye markers – Although not commonly carried by divers, dye markers are useful in open ocean (well beyond sight of shore) diving because they make a large colored area visible to boats and aircraft.
• Dive light – On a night dive, your dive light doubles as a signaling device.
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Avoid the biggest problem. The biggest problem related to surface signaling devices is not having them when you need them. Always have them with you and you always have them when you need one.