Posted 11/10/2009 12:00:31 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: Flashlight and camara
The LED lights have the advantages of using less battery power, no bulb to break so they tend to last longer and can be used out of the water without worring about the light over heating. http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-55/026166/Princeton-Tec-Shockwave-L.E.D.-Light.html
For the underwater camera the Sealife DC 1000 is one of the most popular cameras and is a great value. For scuba diving the Elite kit works best because it includes a strobe and wide-angle lens.
http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-535/069878/Sealife-DC1000-10.1-Megapixel-Camera.html
Post by BillL, 11/9/2009 9:25:00 AM
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Posted 11/8/2009 12:01:07 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: Career Options for Commercial Diving
The field of commercial diving can offer a great deal of possibilities to an individual. Commercial divers can find a niche for themselves doing underwater welding, non-destructive testing, photography, and even medical based jobs depending upon the direction the person is interested in exploring.
My advice to anybody interested in the field of commercial diving is to contact one of the better known commercial diving schools and talk to a counselor there. I myself spent a couple days at the Ocean Corp in Houston Texas before deciding that a career as a Scuba Instructor was more along my interest level. A few of the schools you could talk to would be the Ocean Corp, Divers Institute of Technology in Seattle or The College of Oceaneering here in Southern California. They are far better prepared to give you all the information you are seeking. Good luck!
Post by BobG, 11/7/2009 5:02:00 PM
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Posted 11/7/2009 12:00:09 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Career Options for Commercial Diving
Hello,
My brother is considering starting a career in commercial diving. He has his advanced Open Water Certificate already but will probably be looking to take a full certification course within the next year. Are there any schools in Canada which you would reccomend?
What options does he have as a commercial diver? What different directions would you reccomend for a 21 year old just starting out? Is a life long career possible?
How long do commercial divers typically work for? Iīve heard an average of 3-4years and then they get out and work a different angle of the industry like be an ROV technician, off-shore supervisor, or work for a company that hires the divers.
Besides the obvious, what are some of the lesser known dangers in this industry? What is the fatality rate?
Thankyou
Post by J88Mah, 11/6/2009 1:02:00 PM
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Posted 10/22/2009 12:00:12 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Wetsuits
Iīm new when it comes to buying equipment and thought I would start with a wetsuit first. After exploring several different options, I have narrowed it down to the Hendersen line. The question I have is that I like the 3mm H2 but itīs spendy, is it worth the cost? I also like the thermoprene but was wondering about the warmth of the 3mm and thinking about going to the 5mm. We dive mostly around Cozumel but hope to dive in coming years around Hawaii.
Post by suny77, 10/21/2009 6:50:00 AM
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Posted 10/22/2009 12:00:12 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: Wetsuits
Hmmm.... a bit of deja vu here. Iīm thinking you called me with this same question a bit ago. And if not, somebody out there is reading your mind! :o)
The Henderson line of wetsuits are a very high quality line that Iīm sure youīd be more than happy with. The H2 is extremely stretchy and comfortable, but sometimes for some folks its a bit too elastic. While suitable for anybody looking for extreme comfort and mobility in their suit, itīs most useful for those who do not get a nice or proper fit in an off the rack suit. having 200% the elasticity of a normal neoprene suit, it expands and stretches in spots that the diver isnīt dead on in terms of sizig, offering a custom like fit! That fit equates directly into warmth as less water is pooling inside the suit where it shouldnīt be.
The Thermoprene suit isnīt quite as elastic as the H2. The main thing that will give you is a slightly better price. If the suit fits you well, youīll still enjoy itīs warmth and the extra mobility youīll gain as this material is 75% more flexible than the standard neoprene suit.
Either way you canīt go wrong with your choice. The quality of either suit is top knotch!
Lastly, itīs not uncommon at all for people to use a 5mm suit in Hawaii, although except for the middle of winter itīs often a bit warm for Caribbean diving/snorkeling. The nice thing about that is that you can always make a warm suit cooler by simply unzipping it a bit, where as you canīt make a cold suit warmer unless you add more neoprene layers to it.
Post by BobG, 10/21/2009 11:14:00 AM
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Posted 10/11/2009 12:00:16 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: better certification for all divers
Scuba diving is a recreation that has evolved since the classes in the early 60?s. The classes then are not the classes I took in the late 70?s nor are they the classes we are offering today. But one thing that has remained a consistent theme through all scuba courses over the years is the emphasis on safety. I don?t contend to know anything about the ?rescues? you performed or have seen in or near the La Jolla Shores area, but I do know that in general today?s scuba instructors are training divers with a strong emphasis on personal safety just as they always have. The instructors in scuba and our industry as a whole are quite proud of our record, and we commonly boast that our mortality rate is lower than that of the vast majority of recreations. For instance you stand a better chance of suffering an injury by a golf ball, than you do scuba diving. This is not an accident, but due to the diligence of the scuba industry and its instructors.
Before I go on, let me say this. I?m not your average dive instructor. I?m not some diver who thought being a scuba instructor would be a fun way to dive for free. I?ve been an instructor for some years and have been certified as such by several training agencies finally attaining the Course Director rating. I?ve experience teaching and training divers from entry level open water courses through preparing divers to spend extended time in Cenotes or dive the Andrea Doria. I?ve also had experience as a teacher and instructor in recreations from alpine skiing, to ski racing, to mountaineering and winter outdoor survival. All of this isn?t intended to impress a soul but rather offer up that that my thoughts aren?t a whim but based on many years of various experiences.
The area you contend divers should not be is one of a couple very popular sites for deep training in Southern California that is accessible from shore without the aid of a boat. It is also a very unique and interesting area to explore, offering an amazing variety of marine life to see and while it does require training to prepare the diver to safely enjoy being there, it is far from an unsuitable dive site. The water here is generally calm and due to the underwater terrain, navigation is quite easy. In a nutshell, if for what ever unknown reason 2 students surface 1/3 of a mile, as you state, from their instructor in that particular area, chances are quite strong they are certified divers taking a continuing education class and would/should have the knowledge to follow the waves to the beach.
Everything over time evolves. Physicians once called upon Holy Men to rid people of illness, until Antony Van Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria. Leeches were a preferred method of removing bad bacteria or virus?s until drugs were discovered to kill or control them. It wasn?t until after all this that common hygiene was found to be an effect way to avoid the majority of it all. People moved about using dangerous versions of steam engines until the carbureted internal combustion engine became common, only to evolve into a fuel injected version which is just now evolving into hydrogen or battery operated versions. Scuba courses over time have undergone this same evolution. The old Navy UDT or current Seal Team manual is a wealth of information and is the perfect tool if your goal is to infiltrate a beach unseen or if you choose to destroy something and escape silently. The level of fitness that those courses require is necessary for the diver who is being dropped off ? mile or more off shore and expected to swim to and from their submarine through surf conditions a defender would not expect a human to attempt. Many of the stringent standards for becoming a certified scuba diver from the early 60?s were deemed unrealistic and unnecessary by the time I took my first course in the late 70?s. From there the evolution of equipment
Posted 10/9/2009 3:17:12 PM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
better certification for all divers
Within the last 8 months, there have been a number of diver rescues near and around La Jolla Shores and Scripps. Early this year, I rescued 2 divers while I was swimming outside the 1/2 mile bouys between Scripps Pier and The Cove. The divers should not have been anywhere near where I was. At approximately where I was, the shelf drops from 60ī to over 2000ī. I have been out swimming and seen numerous rescues by the lifeguards since then. I have had 4 friends(all surfers) this year, including one yesterday, rescue divers in the area. In my opinion, none of these people should be out there. In the case where I rescued the two, I found them at least 1/3rd mile from where their instructor and the rest of the group were at. I blame that one on the instructor, and the lifeguards let him know when he came in as I reported the incident. The other cases with my friends rescues were also basically people doing dumb stuff. Poor instruction.
I have been diving since 1962, continued in the navy and hold every certification and at 60++, continue to swim to stay in shape and dive regularly.
The physical conditioning for certification should be like it was when everyone was trained by current or retired UDT prior to SEALS.
I understand your job is to train as many people as possible and sell equipment for a profit, thats being a good business person, part of America.
Safety needs to be of higher importance than sales, go back to the basics, better conditioning, use the SEAL manual, available on line at navy.seal.gov then put more time on stressing the basics, not fancy gear, focus on the ability to escape from problems and not rely on technology and others. If people are trained correctly, there would be less problems, less diver droupout and you would not have to relie on citizens like my friends and I. I realize harder training will blow out some people, but you really donīt want them. I see people suiting up at Kellog Park every day, and a good percentage should not be out there. If I looked like a lot of them, I wouldnīt place myself at risk, but go on a diet, swim, work out and get in shape prior to diving.
Please take this as constructive criticism. Diving is a great Joy and should be enjoyed by as many as possible, but get rid of the 2 hour resort training, etc. Make people responsible for themselves.
John
Post by jrh, 10/8/2009 8:03:00 AM
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Posted 9/29/2009 12:09:51 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: Problem with XS SCUBA doubles kit from SCUBA.com
Sorry for the mix up. The best way is to return the complete kit to us so we can exchange it for the proper manifold. If you type return into the search box on our website it will take you to a RMA form which you can use to return the item. If you have further questions contact our Returns Dept. at 800-347-2822 or returns@scuba.com
Post by BillL, 9/28/2009 11:21:00 AM
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Posted 9/29/2009 12:09:51 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: mask clearing
Practice breathing from your snorkel or regulator with your face in the water without a mask on. You can pinch your nose if you need to, then let go and see if you can get comfortable breathing with your face in the water and no mask. Take your time and practice this until it does not bother you any longer. Then try the mask again.
Post by BillL, 9/28/2009 11:26:00 AM
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Posted 8/28/2009 9:20:10 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: Cressi Regulator
You wonīt believe this but I took my regulator apart and reassembled it. I have not had a problem with it since. It has not purge air one single time since I did this. Guess maybe something was not quite right inside.. Go figure!!
RA
Post by Theraven, 8/27/2009 11:52:00 AM
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Posted 8/28/2009 9:20:10 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: Cressi Regulator
Glad to hear it worked out. You might want to still have an authorized dealer check it out to make sure whatever it was, will not be a problem in the future.
Post by BillL, 8/27/2009 4:40:00 PM
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Posted 8/25/2009 5:31:52 PM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: So How About SSI?
As an instructor with both certifying agencies I can tell you that the biggest difference is brand recognition (coke vs pepsi). Both agencies are members of the RSTC. The recreational scuba training council. As such both organizations teach to the same standards and completely recognize all levels of certification up to the instructor level between the 2 agencies. There are more than 15 major certifying agencies in the world and as a rule, all registered dive businesses will take you fun diving as long as you have a certification from any recognized agency. PADI and SSI completely recognize each other to the point where you can complete the SSI open water and then the PADI advanced if an SSI facility is not available at the time of furthering your dive education. Naturally it works the same way with PADI to SSI. To me the greatest benefit of SSI is that it offers the online training for free where as PADI charges up tp $120 for their online system.
Post by UWS, 8/23/2009 2:11:00 PM
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Posted 8/21/2009 9:57:21 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Oceanic Atom 2.0
I recently purchased the Atom and I recieved the PC Dive log with it. The problem is it is a smaller disc that wont work with my MAC. Is it possible to burn the program to a bigger disc? If so has anyone done so?
Post by MMallet, 8/18/2009 11:29:00 AM
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Posted 8/21/2009 9:57:21 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: Oceanic Atom 2.0
You might contact Oceanic directly, I think the software is not compatible with MAC yet... but they would be the ones to ask.
http://www.scuba.com/resources/repair/oceanic.asp
Post by BillL, 8/18/2009 2:41:00 PM
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Posted 8/18/2009 3:31:56 PM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: IDI Intergrated weight pouches
Thanks for the help. I will continue my quest for these elusive weight pouchs. Look out XS Scuba here I come.
Post by dcroz, 8/16/2009 7:44:00 AM
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Posted 8/18/2009 3:31:30 PM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
IDI Intergrated weight pouches
I recently found out that [i]IDI[/i] had gone out of business. I purchased a [i]IDI[/i] bc with intergrated weithts. My problem now is that I lost a pouch and I am having a hard time finding IDI weight pouches or anything comperable that I can modify to fill the place without having to go out and buy a new bc. Do you have any suggestions on where I might find these pouches? I am thankful for any help that I get to resolve this problem.
Post by dcroz, 8/15/2009 1:03:00 AM
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Posted 8/18/2009 3:31:30 PM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: IDI Intergrated weight pouches
Unfortunately you might be out of luck on this one. The majority of IDIīs products were purchased by XS Scuba. Some of the items they deemed not really worth keeping going and the others they continue to produce with minor changes here and there. The weight system in most bcds is something that has been a continous evolution. It is not uncommon for many manufacturers to have altered their weight pockets and weight systems several times over the course of a few years time looking for the perfect combination of diver safety and convenience. I think Iīd contact the nice people at XS Scuba for further assistance. They are probably the best equipped to discuss what bcd model you have and if it is in their power to help you with the weight pockets.
Post by BobG, 8/15/2009 3:16:00 PM
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Posted 8/14/2009 12:01:12 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Cressi Regulator
Hi,
Iīm using the cressi regulator. It purges air something terrible. Because of this, I use twice the air as my buddy diver or anyone else. Iīve asked several instructors why this happens but they really havenīt given me a good answer. Some say it does that because the regulator is upside down in the water. thatīs not so because it does it at any position. The dive or predive switch makes no difference either.
Can ANYONE tell me whatīs going on and how do I remedy it.
Post by Theraven, 8/13/2009 6:26:00 AM
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Posted 8/14/2009 12:01:12 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: Cressi Regulator
Sounds like the second stage is adjusted too light, so the amount of effort needed to start the air flowing is very slight. Bottom line take the regulator into an authorized dealer and have them test and adjust it. Hopefully that will take care of the problem.
Post by BillL, 8/13/2009 12:57:00 PM
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Posted 8/13/2009 12:00:04 AM in Scuba Discussion Board Topics
Re: Seaquest Raider BC???
And donīt forget that if you want BRAND NEW complete with the full Manufacturerīs Warranty, be sure to visit http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear/Buoyancy-Compensators.html
Post by BobG, 8/12/2009 10:55:00 AM
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