From Dawn.com: Divers find five more bodies in Italian cruise ship
ROME: Divers searching for survivors inside a stricken cruise ship off the Italian coast have found five more bodies, an official from Giglio Island said Tuesday.
“Scuba divers found five more bodies in the stern of the ship. They entered through holes made earlier in the day” with explosives, Cristiano Pellegrini told AFP.
“The bodies are being evacuated for the ship now,” he said. “We don’t know if the are members of the crew or passengers,” he added.
Divers had used explosives to blow holes in the wreck of the Costa Concordia in the search for possible survivors and bodies.
Earlier Tuesday, authorities said 29 people remained missing after the ship hit rocks and keeled over off the picturesque island on Friday.
The death toll currently stands at 11. More than 4,200 people were on board the liner when it went down.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
New online Divers Alert Network video course covers dive accident management
From Examiner: New online Divers Alert Network video course covers dive accident management
Divers Alert Network (DAN) today announced a new addition to its popular online video lecture series. Featuring DAN experts discussing a variety of topics of common interest to divers, the videos have proven popular with those seeking to continue their dive safety education. The third installment of the video series examines dive accident management with DAN CEO and Chief Medical Officer Nicholas Bird, M.D.
“Dive Accident Management” addresses the underlying physics and physiology of decompression illnesses and the appropriate pre-hospital management of dive injuries. It examines the causes of diving-related fatalities and looks at the primary methods of accident prevention. The 45-minute lecture also reviews the signs and symptoms of decompression illness and treatment procedures.
DAN is an international scuba diver safety organization that provides research and resources designed to make the sport of scuba diving more safe and enjoyable.
“One of DAN’s primary initiatives is to provide information and training that help prevent diving associated accidents,” said Bird. “We felt that any discussion of dive accidents should include both the underlying mechanisms as well as treatment. Our goal is to elevate the general understanding of decompression illness and thus further reduce its impact.”
Like all other videos in the series, “Dive Accident Management” is not only for individual viewing. It’s an ideal video to share in group settings such as dive club meetings, pre-trip orientations and educational settings. The videos are available at no charge to DAN Members, and each installment can be viewed an unlimited number of times.
“The video lecture series is a great example of the benefits divers enjoy through their membership,” said Dan Orr, president of DAN. “Educating divers on dive safety and continually seeking ways to improve dive safety are core tenets of DAN’s mission.”
All online seminars are free to DAN Members, and access is automatically included with DAN Membership. To access the seminars, simply visit the link and log in as a DAN Member.
Divers Alert Network (DAN) today announced a new addition to its popular online video lecture series. Featuring DAN experts discussing a variety of topics of common interest to divers, the videos have proven popular with those seeking to continue their dive safety education. The third installment of the video series examines dive accident management with DAN CEO and Chief Medical Officer Nicholas Bird, M.D.
“Dive Accident Management” addresses the underlying physics and physiology of decompression illnesses and the appropriate pre-hospital management of dive injuries. It examines the causes of diving-related fatalities and looks at the primary methods of accident prevention. The 45-minute lecture also reviews the signs and symptoms of decompression illness and treatment procedures.
DAN is an international scuba diver safety organization that provides research and resources designed to make the sport of scuba diving more safe and enjoyable.
“One of DAN’s primary initiatives is to provide information and training that help prevent diving associated accidents,” said Bird. “We felt that any discussion of dive accidents should include both the underlying mechanisms as well as treatment. Our goal is to elevate the general understanding of decompression illness and thus further reduce its impact.”
Like all other videos in the series, “Dive Accident Management” is not only for individual viewing. It’s an ideal video to share in group settings such as dive club meetings, pre-trip orientations and educational settings. The videos are available at no charge to DAN Members, and each installment can be viewed an unlimited number of times.
“The video lecture series is a great example of the benefits divers enjoy through their membership,” said Dan Orr, president of DAN. “Educating divers on dive safety and continually seeking ways to improve dive safety are core tenets of DAN’s mission.”
All online seminars are free to DAN Members, and access is automatically included with DAN Membership. To access the seminars, simply visit the link and log in as a DAN Member.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Book: The Search for Sunken Treasure: Exploring the World's Greatest Shipwrecks
The Search for Sunken Treasure: Exploring the World's Greatest Shipwrecks
by Robert Marx with Jennifer Marx
KeyPorter Books, 1993
Description
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Classical World
2. Scandinavian Shipwrecks
3. The Age of Discovery
4. The Spanish Galleons
5. The Invincible Armada of 1588
6. The Manilla Galleons
7. Bermuda, Graveyard of Ships
8. The East Indiamen
9. Privateers, Pirates and Mutineers
10. Shipwrecks in Waiting
11. Deep-water Shipwrecks
Appendix: Methods used in underwater archaeology
Selected bibliography
Index
by Robert Marx with Jennifer Marx
KeyPorter Books, 1993
Description
Countless shipwrecks and their cargoes are scattered on the ocean floor just waiting to be discovered. For centuries, the words "sunken treasure" have sparked dreams of discovering chests overflowing with gold doubloons and fabulous jewels.
The Search for Sunken Treasure captures the excitement felt by the discoverers of shipwrecks dating from the beginning of recorded history to the twentieth century. In a fascinating text written with his wife, renowned underwater archaeologist Robert Marx tells the remarkable stories behind the discoveries of famous wrecks from around the world - the HMS Bounty, the Andrea Doria, the Titanic and the Mary Rose - as well as the unsung shipwrecks that deserve to be better known.
Marx relates his own incredible experiences exploring shipwrecks and introducing the reader to other adventurous men and women who, like himself, have made the salvage of shipwreck's their life's work. Over the years, they have uncovered many valuable artifacts from the deep - gold and silver coins, jewelry, pottery, anchors and cannons.
Throughout the text, Marx describes ancient and modern underwater exploration techniques, from Alexander the Great's diving contraption to today's high-tech atmospheric diving suits and remotely operated vehicles. The stories of how the ships met their fates - some on reefs, others of poor design simply toppled by a brisk wind - are also an important part of the text.
Over 100 stunning photographs of treasure from 70 shipwrecks around the world are complemented by historical etchings and paintings of the ships as they looked before they sank. Photographs of contemporary divers working on shipwrecks and the recovery of ancient ships from the depths complete this wonderful book.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Classical World
2. Scandinavian Shipwrecks
3. The Age of Discovery
4. The Spanish Galleons
5. The Invincible Armada of 1588
6. The Manilla Galleons
7. Bermuda, Graveyard of Ships
8. The East Indiamen
9. Privateers, Pirates and Mutineers
10. Shipwrecks in Waiting
11. Deep-water Shipwrecks
Appendix: Methods used in underwater archaeology
Selected bibliography
Index
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
2 whale sharks injured by spear, motor banca
From Inquirer News: 2 whale sharks injured by spear, motor banca
It was an accident—or attack—waiting to happen.
Two whale sharks that frequent Oslob town, south Cebu, were confirmed to be seriously injured, one of them by a spear and the other by the propeller of a motorized banca bringing tourists.
“Berto,” one whale shark identified by local fishermen, has been missing for three days after it was seen swimming with a spear thrust in its back, said Cebu diver and marine biologist Gary Cases of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD).
“We are still tracing the location of this whale shark with a spear wound to see if it is still alive,” Cases told Cebu Daily News. CDN team spotted the injured whale shark during a visit last week although the spear wound was several weeks old according to local fishermen.
The second one, “Lucas,” was struck by the propeller of a motor boat carrying local tourists, including divers, and was “seriously injured” in the head just last week.
The sighting of whale sharks in the coastal barangay of Tan-awan, Oslob, has drawn intense interest of divers and tourists since August when word spread that the deep-sea marine animals, which can reach 40 feet in length, were frequenting the shallow waters of the town after being hand-fed with shrimps by local fishermen.
The phenomenon has triggered a debate over whether the “domestication” of wild whale sharks was good for the animals and how to best manage the instant rise of tourist enterprises that have given local fishermen a new lucrative livelihood.
The PCSSD, a line agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is leading a reef study in the area to determine the health and population of at least 18 whale sharks that have been sighted passing through waters of barangay Tan-awan for the past two years.
Cases said he was visiting the area last Saturday when the fishermen told him about the two wounded whale sharks.
At least four whale sharks, locally known as “tuki” or “butanding,” have developed close interaction with local fisherman who regularly toss baby shrimps or “uyap” in the water to draw them.
With this, the fishermen have discovered a new livelihood, charging P300 per tourist for a ride out to sea on their paddle boats for a close encounter with whale sharks.
Photographs of divers and snorkelers underwater swimming close to the whale sharks or “riding” them have spread on the Internet.
The latest accident happened on Thursday last week, a day after DOT Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, with Cases and Ocean Care’s Mario Marababol, visited Oslob to observe the activities there and talk with the mayor about measures to protect the whale sharks and ensure that eco-tourism is properly established.
Cases said he learned that a large motorized banca or outrigger based in Santander town, south Cebu, was carrying local tourists when it approached a school of butanding.
“It was an accident because dive boats are not supposed to get close in the sites. They know that they are not allowed in the area,” Cases said.
Boats that carry divers must stay at least five meters away from the marine species or the dive site.
Cases said that they are also tracing the parties responsible for piercing “Berto” with a spear.
The whale shark was carrying the wound for weeks and didn’t show up for its morning feeding since last Saturday.
Whale sharks are not carnivores and don’t attack humans but they are targets of hunters out to harvest its meat and shark’s oil.
Cases said they suspect whale hunters from other municipalities may have targeted “Berto”.
Reneboy Servila, a local guide, said there are also people “envious” of the barangay’s popularity due to the whale sharks.
Servila is one of the first fishermen who established the group that feeds the whale sharks and provides banca transportation services to visitors. He said other people in the area wanted to set up a similar business.
Just last month, a private resort opened in barangay Tan-awan beside the port terminal of Servila’s group.
He said they also see new motorboats from other municipalities that frequent the area bringing divers and other tourists.
A second fisherfolk group was established last December by locals.
At the Capitol, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday formed a technical working group (TWG) to craft guidelines for whale shark watching in Oslob.
The TWG is headed by Provincial Board (PB) Member Peter John Calderon.
Its members include the Whale Shark Watchers Organization, the Provincial Veterinarian Rose Marie Vincoy, Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla, Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre and Provincial Agriculturist Necias Vicoy.
Calderon said that the TWG will meet on Thursday in Oslob town to agree on guidelines.
The governor met with Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren, who earlier handed over a copy of a new municipal ordinance passed for the protection of whale sharks.
The mayor said guides, who are fisherfolk in barangay Tan-awan, will be organized into a single group to be accredited by the municipality.
In the Oslob municipal ordinance, only an accredited group will be allowed to ferry tourists to the site where the whale sharks are.
Motor boats are prohibited in the area. Only paddle boats are allowed.
Touching and riding the whale sharks are also prohibited.
Buoys in the seawater will mark the designated whale shark watching area.
Under the proposed procedures, tourism officers will give a briefing for visitors in a designated area.
Viewing is limited to 30 minutes. Tourists will be provided with life jackets.
A maximum of six tourists is allowed to view for 30 minutes while a maximum of four divers is allowed to avoid crowding.
Fees were set in the ordinance—P300 per person for non-Oslob residents. Oslob residents will be charged only P30 per adult and P15 for children below 12 years old.
Tourists bringing video cameras will be charged an additional fee of P100.
Snorkeling is charged P20 and diving in the area will cost P50 per person.
Violators of the ordinance will be fined P2,000 or face jail time of four to six months. /Candeze R. Mongaya and Carmel Loise Matus
It was an accident—or attack—waiting to happen.
Two whale sharks that frequent Oslob town, south Cebu, were confirmed to be seriously injured, one of them by a spear and the other by the propeller of a motorized banca bringing tourists.
“Berto,” one whale shark identified by local fishermen, has been missing for three days after it was seen swimming with a spear thrust in its back, said Cebu diver and marine biologist Gary Cases of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD).
“We are still tracing the location of this whale shark with a spear wound to see if it is still alive,” Cases told Cebu Daily News. CDN team spotted the injured whale shark during a visit last week although the spear wound was several weeks old according to local fishermen.
The second one, “Lucas,” was struck by the propeller of a motor boat carrying local tourists, including divers, and was “seriously injured” in the head just last week.
The sighting of whale sharks in the coastal barangay of Tan-awan, Oslob, has drawn intense interest of divers and tourists since August when word spread that the deep-sea marine animals, which can reach 40 feet in length, were frequenting the shallow waters of the town after being hand-fed with shrimps by local fishermen.
The phenomenon has triggered a debate over whether the “domestication” of wild whale sharks was good for the animals and how to best manage the instant rise of tourist enterprises that have given local fishermen a new lucrative livelihood.
The PCSSD, a line agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is leading a reef study in the area to determine the health and population of at least 18 whale sharks that have been sighted passing through waters of barangay Tan-awan for the past two years.
Cases said he was visiting the area last Saturday when the fishermen told him about the two wounded whale sharks.
At least four whale sharks, locally known as “tuki” or “butanding,” have developed close interaction with local fisherman who regularly toss baby shrimps or “uyap” in the water to draw them.
With this, the fishermen have discovered a new livelihood, charging P300 per tourist for a ride out to sea on their paddle boats for a close encounter with whale sharks.
Photographs of divers and snorkelers underwater swimming close to the whale sharks or “riding” them have spread on the Internet.
The latest accident happened on Thursday last week, a day after DOT Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, with Cases and Ocean Care’s Mario Marababol, visited Oslob to observe the activities there and talk with the mayor about measures to protect the whale sharks and ensure that eco-tourism is properly established.
Cases said he learned that a large motorized banca or outrigger based in Santander town, south Cebu, was carrying local tourists when it approached a school of butanding.
“It was an accident because dive boats are not supposed to get close in the sites. They know that they are not allowed in the area,” Cases said.
Boats that carry divers must stay at least five meters away from the marine species or the dive site.
Cases said that they are also tracing the parties responsible for piercing “Berto” with a spear.
The whale shark was carrying the wound for weeks and didn’t show up for its morning feeding since last Saturday.
Whale sharks are not carnivores and don’t attack humans but they are targets of hunters out to harvest its meat and shark’s oil.
Cases said they suspect whale hunters from other municipalities may have targeted “Berto”.
Reneboy Servila, a local guide, said there are also people “envious” of the barangay’s popularity due to the whale sharks.
Servila is one of the first fishermen who established the group that feeds the whale sharks and provides banca transportation services to visitors. He said other people in the area wanted to set up a similar business.
Just last month, a private resort opened in barangay Tan-awan beside the port terminal of Servila’s group.
He said they also see new motorboats from other municipalities that frequent the area bringing divers and other tourists.
A second fisherfolk group was established last December by locals.
At the Capitol, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday formed a technical working group (TWG) to craft guidelines for whale shark watching in Oslob.
The TWG is headed by Provincial Board (PB) Member Peter John Calderon.
Its members include the Whale Shark Watchers Organization, the Provincial Veterinarian Rose Marie Vincoy, Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla, Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre and Provincial Agriculturist Necias Vicoy.
Calderon said that the TWG will meet on Thursday in Oslob town to agree on guidelines.
The governor met with Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren, who earlier handed over a copy of a new municipal ordinance passed for the protection of whale sharks.
The mayor said guides, who are fisherfolk in barangay Tan-awan, will be organized into a single group to be accredited by the municipality.
In the Oslob municipal ordinance, only an accredited group will be allowed to ferry tourists to the site where the whale sharks are.
Motor boats are prohibited in the area. Only paddle boats are allowed.
Touching and riding the whale sharks are also prohibited.
Buoys in the seawater will mark the designated whale shark watching area.
Under the proposed procedures, tourism officers will give a briefing for visitors in a designated area.
Viewing is limited to 30 minutes. Tourists will be provided with life jackets.
A maximum of six tourists is allowed to view for 30 minutes while a maximum of four divers is allowed to avoid crowding.
Fees were set in the ordinance—P300 per person for non-Oslob residents. Oslob residents will be charged only P30 per adult and P15 for children below 12 years old.
Tourists bringing video cameras will be charged an additional fee of P100.
Snorkeling is charged P20 and diving in the area will cost P50 per person.
Violators of the ordinance will be fined P2,000 or face jail time of four to six months. /Candeze R. Mongaya and Carmel Loise Matus
Grand Turk's undersea realm
From Canoe.ca: Grand Turk's undersea realm
By STEPHEN RIPLEY, QMI Agency
With 30 feet of ocean separating me from my next breath, I'm tempted to panic.
Instead, I begin to kick for the surface, my flippers propelling me toward the light in a controlled, steady ascent. To make sure the air trapped in my body doesn't over-expand — potentially rupturing a lung — I slowly exhale while making an "aaaah" sound through my mouth, just as I've been taught.
It seems much longer, but it only takes about 30 seconds before the water above my head finally gives way to sky and I can inhale again. After a few breaths, I begin blowing up my buoyancy control device — basically an inflatable vest — to ensure the weight of my now-useless air tank doesn't drag me back down into the depths.
My instructor, who has been hovering just a few feet away the entire time, flashes the OK sign, which I return. We then exchange a high-five, celebrating the fact I am now one step closer to becoming a certified scuba diver.
I arrived at Bohio Dive Resort on Grand Turk three days ago with no diving experience whatsoever. I had snorkeled several times on previous trips to the Caribbean and Central America, but always thought it would be too much of a hassle to get my scuba certification.
Turns out I was wrong.
The first step was visiting the Professional Association of Diving Instructors website and doing my "e-learning." Instead of spending days in a classroom, listening to lectures about scuba gear, gas expansion and depth charts, PADI now delivers this information in an easy-to-follow online format, complete with audio narration and video examples. I managed to complete the whole course in about four hours on the day before I left Winnipeg.
DIVE MASTER STEVE
Once I arrive at Bohio, I am introduced to dive master Steve Giles, a wiry Englishman whose close-cropped hair and halting speech puts me in mind of a marine drill instructor ... albeit a friendly one. Steve has me sign a sheaf of medical waivers, helps me select some gear from the resort's fully stocked dive shop and before I know it, I'm standing in a swimming pool for an afternoon of confined-water instruction.
Steve teaches me how to prepare for a dive: attaching my regulator to an air tank, checking the pressure, putting on a weight belt and inflating my BCD. Once I'm in the pool, he shows me how to blow water out of my mask, control my buoyancy and use a buddy's backup regulator when mine isn't working.
On their own, each task is simple enough, but together they are crucial to ensure a diver's survival in the undersea environment. And until I can master each of them, Steve won't let me out of the pool and into the crystal-blue waters lapping at the white-sand beach just a coconut's throw away.
Fortunately, I turn out to be a quick study and a day later I'm in the back of a boat, speeding out into the Atlantic for my first open-water dive. It's a short trip to the dive site, as Bohio sits on the western, leeward coast of Grand Turk Island, less than a kilometre away from The Wall, where the coral reef abruptly falls away, from a depth of about 30 feet to more than 7,000 feet. Running the entire 10-km length of the island, The Wall is a perfect location to view a kaleidoscope of aquatic life, from turtles, sharks and stingrays to massive humpback whales, which can often be spotted in the winter months.
Today, though, it's a school of yellowtail snapper that darts around Steve and I as we descend along the boat's mooring line. Once we hit bottom, about 30 feet down, we begin to explore.
Surprisingly, despite being utterly dependent on the tank of compressed air strapped to my back, I feel completely at ease. Whether it's because of the mammalian diving reflex — which automatically slows my heartbeat and respiration — or the placid, blue surroundings, I find I have no trouble relaxing and following Steve through the reef, occasionally detouring to get a closer look at a brain coral or a multi-hued parrotfish.
After about 35 minutes in the water, Steve signals it's time to go to the surface. We add some air to our BCDs and begin to rise, pausing at a depth of 15 feet for a three-minute safety stop. This is standard practice to ensure we don't suffer decompression sickness, in which nitrogen bubbles form in our bodies as we rise to the surface. The depth and duration of all recreational dives are planned to ensure a decompression interval isn't needed, but safety stops are added as an extra precaution, in case of miscalculation.
We dive again later that afternoon and twice more again the next day, combining general sightseeing with specific tasks I must perform in order to earn my certification. I grow more and more comfortable, gradually learning to use slight changes in my breathing, rather than swimming or the BCD, to adjust my position in the water.
I put these skills to the test on my final dive when Steve motions for me to check out a cluster of rocks and coral below us. I exhale a little longer than normal, which causes me to gradually descend until I'm at eye-level with the rear end of a grey, three-foot-long fish whose unmistakable tail and dorsal fin identify it as a shark. I swim around to the other side and take a peek at its wedge-shaped head, tucked into a small opening in the rocks. Steve tells me later it's a baby nurse shark — a docile species that prefers to rest during the day and hunt at night.
Back on dry land, Steve presents with my PADI certification card and a log book, where I'm supposed to record all of the pertinent details from each dive, including the location, depth, time and any highlights. After writing a couple of sentences about my shark sighting, I thumb through the remaining empty pages, vowing to start filling them the first chance I get.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Uganda: Deep Under the Indian Ocean
From AllAfrica.com: Uganda: Deep Under the Indian Ocean
There are some sports that should be a preserve for the strong-hearted, for you can only play them if you're deeply adventurous or never listed cowardice as one of your downsides. But again this shouldn't suffocate your adventurous side.
Scuba diving is one such sport and to tell you that I enjoyed it, given its dare-devil nature, I risk sounding like I'm self-praising, so I will carry on with my tales. Well, as our lead boatman Juma Omari, from Charlie Claw's diving team, begins the brief, everyone is all ears.
"This is a dive to the floor of the oceans," Juma announces in his introductory brief and goes silent as he smiles, studying his guests. The crowd thirsting for the underwater adventure grew thinner. "I will do it," Hillary confidently went forward.
The bigger number, all journalist friends, chickened out for the obvious reason, they couldn't swim. "I will teach you how to breathe in and out while in the water," Juma reassures us as he illustrates with a deep water costume of plastic and cloth complete with face-mask fitted with oxygen tubes.
"While in the water, we can use oxygen both on top and within the water so we can stay longer underwater," he goes on. Juma is a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) instructor who tells us that he started out as an open water instructor.
"I caution you that if you're asthmatic or have breathing problem then you're free not to scuba dive," he adds. "Scuba diving", Moses one of the journalists says out loud, at a missed chance because he loves his cigarette. Scuba diving was already more like slang in our circles for naughty connotations of course, so we all burst out laughing.
"Do we have more participants," Juma asks in his light-hearted disposition, trying to encourage even the most nervous first time diver to explore the fascinating world under the water.
"Don't worry, as long as you know where the coral reefs are, it's all good," Juma attempts for the last time to encourage the hesitant spectators.
When ready, the scuba divers made one big dive 25 metres deep into the blue fairly chilly waters. Oh what a feeling! Just across on another boat, are experienced foreign tourists who freely dive into the waters.
An hour later, the tales were rich from excitement. "Guys you have missed a once-in-a-life opportunity. It is not that hard after all. I have seen them all, all tribes of fish, the orange ones, the green ones, red ones. These are the fish you will only watch on National Geographic," a visibly thrilled Hillary shares as he catches his breath, immediately after removing his face-mask and water gaggles.
"Andrew, please prepare for me my camera. I need to sign off from down here in these cool waters, man," he adds, tactfully moving his hands on top of the water for buoyancy. "Scuba is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. It's fun down there," he laughs amidst his sign-off. "Cut," he bellows.
The beautiful Indian Ocean will never leave you the same. Finally, the team, Barbra, Moses, 'uncle' Michael, Nisha, Andrew, Regina our host from Air Uganda and Robert all tried to overcome their fears and made their modest dive into the gigantic fresh water body and swam across. It doesn't matter whether you know how to swim or not, the Charlie Claw's diving team make your boat cruise, swim in the ocean or scuba diving an experience to remember.
There are some sports that should be a preserve for the strong-hearted, for you can only play them if you're deeply adventurous or never listed cowardice as one of your downsides. But again this shouldn't suffocate your adventurous side.
Scuba diving is one such sport and to tell you that I enjoyed it, given its dare-devil nature, I risk sounding like I'm self-praising, so I will carry on with my tales. Well, as our lead boatman Juma Omari, from Charlie Claw's diving team, begins the brief, everyone is all ears.
"This is a dive to the floor of the oceans," Juma announces in his introductory brief and goes silent as he smiles, studying his guests. The crowd thirsting for the underwater adventure grew thinner. "I will do it," Hillary confidently went forward.
The bigger number, all journalist friends, chickened out for the obvious reason, they couldn't swim. "I will teach you how to breathe in and out while in the water," Juma reassures us as he illustrates with a deep water costume of plastic and cloth complete with face-mask fitted with oxygen tubes.
"While in the water, we can use oxygen both on top and within the water so we can stay longer underwater," he goes on. Juma is a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) instructor who tells us that he started out as an open water instructor.
"I caution you that if you're asthmatic or have breathing problem then you're free not to scuba dive," he adds. "Scuba diving", Moses one of the journalists says out loud, at a missed chance because he loves his cigarette. Scuba diving was already more like slang in our circles for naughty connotations of course, so we all burst out laughing.
"Do we have more participants," Juma asks in his light-hearted disposition, trying to encourage even the most nervous first time diver to explore the fascinating world under the water.
"Don't worry, as long as you know where the coral reefs are, it's all good," Juma attempts for the last time to encourage the hesitant spectators.
When ready, the scuba divers made one big dive 25 metres deep into the blue fairly chilly waters. Oh what a feeling! Just across on another boat, are experienced foreign tourists who freely dive into the waters.
An hour later, the tales were rich from excitement. "Guys you have missed a once-in-a-life opportunity. It is not that hard after all. I have seen them all, all tribes of fish, the orange ones, the green ones, red ones. These are the fish you will only watch on National Geographic," a visibly thrilled Hillary shares as he catches his breath, immediately after removing his face-mask and water gaggles.
"Andrew, please prepare for me my camera. I need to sign off from down here in these cool waters, man," he adds, tactfully moving his hands on top of the water for buoyancy. "Scuba is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. It's fun down there," he laughs amidst his sign-off. "Cut," he bellows.
The beautiful Indian Ocean will never leave you the same. Finally, the team, Barbra, Moses, 'uncle' Michael, Nisha, Andrew, Regina our host from Air Uganda and Robert all tried to overcome their fears and made their modest dive into the gigantic fresh water body and swam across. It doesn't matter whether you know how to swim or not, the Charlie Claw's diving team make your boat cruise, swim in the ocean or scuba diving an experience to remember.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Explore the Depths of the Oceans with Affordable Scuba Gear from New Website
Press Release: Explore the Depths of the Oceans with Affordable Scuba Gear from New Website
Sioux City, IA (PRWEB) January 05, 2012
Dive to the depths of the world’s oceans with affordable scuba equipment from http://www.ScubaDiverParadise.com. Under the supervision of Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright, an incredible inventory of swim fins, regulators, masks and more have been added to the new Internet storefront.
“Diving is a great way to explore another part of this world,” said Wright. “I dive recreationally and I also dove during my 11 years with the Air Force.”
Whether diving to the depths of the oceans or skimming the surface, a quality mask is crucial. ScubaDiverParadise.com offers a high quality silicone diver mask that is easily paired with a snorkel attachment or diving regulator.
Breathing apparatuses, though essential, are not the only products an amateur or professional diver needs. Scoop up affordable scuba hardware, including buoyancy collars, compasses, and ‘diver down’ flags. Gauges, mini flashlights, and military grade scuba knives are also must-haves. Diving weights, wetsuits, and Scuba Pro booties can make a dive more comfortable. Experienced divers are welcome to browse through the site’s supply of tanks and tank backpacks.
Customer service is of the utmost importance at ScubaDiverParadise.com. Each piece of scuba equipment has been screened for quality, dependability, and affordability. Orders are filled and shipped promptly in keeping with the company’s commitment to complete customer satisfaction. Feedback is always welcome and responded to in a timely manner by a friendly, knowledgeable staff member.
“Based on my experience, I know what gear will best suit customer needs. When it comes to scuba gear, you don’t want to buy gear from people who don’t have a diving background,” said Wright.
To learn more about scuba gear, visit the site’s brand new blog, http://www.ScubaDiverParadiseBlog.com. The interactive platform is frequently updated with diving tips, scuba equipment maintenance information, and reviews of diving destinations.
About the Company:
ScubaDiverParadise.com – a division of Wright Products, LLC – is owned and operated by Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright.
Sioux City, IA (PRWEB) January 05, 2012
Dive to the depths of the world’s oceans with affordable scuba equipment from http://www.ScubaDiverParadise.com. Under the supervision of Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright, an incredible inventory of swim fins, regulators, masks and more have been added to the new Internet storefront.
“Diving is a great way to explore another part of this world,” said Wright. “I dive recreationally and I also dove during my 11 years with the Air Force.”
Whether diving to the depths of the oceans or skimming the surface, a quality mask is crucial. ScubaDiverParadise.com offers a high quality silicone diver mask that is easily paired with a snorkel attachment or diving regulator.
Breathing apparatuses, though essential, are not the only products an amateur or professional diver needs. Scoop up affordable scuba hardware, including buoyancy collars, compasses, and ‘diver down’ flags. Gauges, mini flashlights, and military grade scuba knives are also must-haves. Diving weights, wetsuits, and Scuba Pro booties can make a dive more comfortable. Experienced divers are welcome to browse through the site’s supply of tanks and tank backpacks.
Customer service is of the utmost importance at ScubaDiverParadise.com. Each piece of scuba equipment has been screened for quality, dependability, and affordability. Orders are filled and shipped promptly in keeping with the company’s commitment to complete customer satisfaction. Feedback is always welcome and responded to in a timely manner by a friendly, knowledgeable staff member.
“Based on my experience, I know what gear will best suit customer needs. When it comes to scuba gear, you don’t want to buy gear from people who don’t have a diving background,” said Wright.
To learn more about scuba gear, visit the site’s brand new blog, http://www.ScubaDiverParadiseBlog.com. The interactive platform is frequently updated with diving tips, scuba equipment maintenance information, and reviews of diving destinations.
About the Company:
ScubaDiverParadise.com – a division of Wright Products, LLC – is owned and operated by Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)