Ramblings - Nova Diving

Happy Sysadmin Today

2008-07-25T09:56:00.001-04:00

Wish you sysadmin a good day today. Then enjoy and play a game of Bill V. Steve.

Go Snorkel on the Fury

2008-06-20T14:15:00.003-04:00

For those of you looking for a great snorkeling experience. I recommend snorkelling on the Fury. Capt. Mike runs a great ship that goes and sees the sea turtles every time out. Worth the trip and the money. Check it out.

www.usvisailing.com

Latitude 18 in St. Thomas

2008-06-20T13:02:00.002-04:00

For those of you travelling to St. Thomas, I recommend stopping by for dinner and some music any Friday or Saturday night. The food is great, the drinks are wet and the band rocks. Check out the clip below.

Get Together and Pool Night

2008-01-17T10:34:00.000-05:00

On January 23, Nova Diving will be meeting a SeaVentures in Fairfax for a get together at 6:30 PM. There will be food and friends so come and stop by. For previous students, there will be a pool session you can go to at 9:00 at the George Mason Pool. Cost will be $10.00

Scuba Gifts - winter Holiday Edition (Christmas) Part1

2007-11-21T14:45:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it is hard to buy for people. I know that I find it hard to buy for some people. So I have decided to come up with a list of items you can get for you scuba friends. (p.s. if you want to buy something for me let me know and I will provide you with my scuba list)

The traditional knife

I used to love dive knives. Unfortunately, most of the ones I like are no longer made (I don't know why). But realistcally, you don't need a big knife as you will never use it. A small one will do just fine. That being said, I don't like most of the small knives on the market. The Oceanic Spinner looks interesting, I will have to see if I can find it to review it. Until then, my favorite knife right now is the Z Knife.

I currently use the Z knife in red. The only problem with it is that it rusts. I think I am going to try the OMS one because it is titanium so it won't rust. This is what I would give as a gift for someone who does not have a knife.

http://www.omsdive.com/cuttool.html

Dry Box

Everybody needs a dry box. Whether it is to keep you save a dive kit (and wallet) dry while you are one a boat, or a near indestructible box to hold you camera during traveling. I recommend a pelican case. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, are water proof deeper then you will probaby go, and have a great warrenty. That isn't saying there aren't other good brands out there, I just happen to like Pelican.

http://pelican.com/case_category.php?CaseSize=%&New=%

Store Front

2007-11-15T11:00:00.001-05:00

Students have often asked me if they could be a T-shirt or some other item with the NovaDiving logo on it. It was really expensive for me to go the printer and get them to order a shirt at a time. I found some place that will do it much cheaper and students don't have to go through me. They can now go to http://www.cafepress.com/novadiving

I am still adding things to the site. If you do have an idea for something you want I will happily put it up there, just let me know.

Movie - Sharkwater

2007-11-07T08:02:00.000-05:00

So a student told me that there was a new movie coming out about sharks. He sent me some info and I am just now getting around to finding out more about it. It looks to be an environmentally conscious film about preservation of sharks. Below is the synopsis and the preview of the movie (fast forward about 30 seconds).

Sharkwater synopsis (from www.sharkwater.com)

For filmmaker Rob Stewart, exploring sharks began as an underwater adventure. What it turned into was a beautiful and dangerous life journey into the balance of life on earth.

Driven by passion fed from a lifelong fascination with sharks, Stewart debunks historical stereotypes and media depictions of sharks as bloodthirsty, man-eating monsters and reveals the reality of sharks as pillars in the evolution of the seas.

Filmed in visually stunning, high definition video, Sharkwater takes you into the most shark rich waters of the world, exposing the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world's shark populations in the marine reserves of Cocos Island, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

In an effort to protect sharks, Stewart teams up with renegade conservationist Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Their unbelievable adventure together starts with a battle between the Sea Shepherd and shark poachers in Guatemala, resulting in pirate boat rammings, gunboat chases, mafia espionage, corrupt court systems and attempted murder charges, forcing them to flee for their lives.

Through it all, Stewart discovers these magnificent creatures have gone from predator to prey, and how despite surviving the earth's history of mass extinctions, they could easily be wiped out within a few years due to human greed.

Stewart's remarkable journey of courage and determination changes from a mission to save the world's sharks, into a fight for his life, and that of humankind.

Preview

Oct Pumpkin Carving

2007-10-31T15:17:00.000-04:00

Recently my students went out to get certified and also to participate in the Pumpkin Carving contest. Below is the video slideshow of the event. Enjoy

The 400 year old Clam

2007-10-29T11:14:00.000-04:00

The quahog clam (insert Family Guy joke here) is suspected to be the longest living animal in existence. The clam is was found off of the coast of Iceland and is suspected to be between 405 and 410 years old. It now enters the Guinness book of world records beating out a 220 year old clam.

Link from Science Daily

Gadgets - DPV's

2007-10-26T12:30:00.000-04:00

For those of you who don't know, a DPV is a Dive Propulsion Vehicle. More commonly known as a scooter. I really want one. But the one that I want is out of my price range for now. That, and I don't really know what I would do with it once I got it.

Anyways, this is a video of what diving with a scooter should look like.

This is a video of some guy trying to develop a new scooter. Its a little sad.

Somethings just shouldn't be done II

2007-10-24T08:48:00.001-04:00

I ran across this story a couple of years ago. When I first saw it I thought it was a bad idea. Now that a couple of years have gone by I don't think it is going to happen at all.

A person has decided to create a new club in England called Club Narked. It is an alcohol and drug free club that will get people narked. They are going to convert a bank vault into a pressure chamber. Then, while people are dancing and partying, they are going to increase the pressure like you are diving. After being narked for a while, they will bring you up for a safety stop and then the night is over.

Here is why it is a bad idea. Lots of forms to fill out (waviers). You are stuck there the whole ride, you can't leave early without risking the bends. Possible chance for the bends. And last but not least, no alcohol. I need to drink to be able to dance.

The picture on top is club logo. I think it is very appropriate as it shows that people doing this are crazy.

Website - Club Narked

Game - Treasure of Cutlass Reef

2007-10-24T07:52:00.000-04:00

Once in a while I will get board and will find some online game to play. Normally I get tired of them pretty quickly but for some reason I like this game (plus it has a pirate theme). Enjoy

_Treasure of Cutlass Reef_

Website Problems

2007-10-15T17:42:00.000-04:00

Sorry if you haven't been seeing updates for almost a week. My website host decided to change hosting requirements and never told me about it. I have a couple of topics I hope to post this week so you will have some fresh content soon.

Seabob ????

2007-10-11T12:15:00.001-04:00

I have always wanted an underwater scooter. They go fast. Well, it looks like Seabob (no I have never heard of them before, has or is soon, going to release a new scooter. The Cayago Magnum which is a limited edition scooter will be able to operate up to "extreme depths" and run for up to 4 hours will start at around 14,000. To sweeten the deal it also comes with a "comprehensive navigation and location technology system." I take that to mean is has an underwater compass built in.

There are no other specs for this model but the other models while they can go deep, are limited to an hour run time and about 120 feet. I do like the face that there is no propeller for things to get caught in but I don't know if its worth my $14,000 just yet.

You can check out their website here.

There is also a video of there lesser models here. They actually go deep about 2 minutes into the video.

Somethings just shouldn't be done

2007-10-10T08:54:00.000-04:00

Somethings just should be done. In this case, it is the scuba diving cat and dog. The owner of the cat wanted to combine his love of his animal with his love of scuba diving. To do this he put together a helmet, small tank, and regs for this to happen.

My favorite part of this video is when the owner says, "She just hangs there and expects me to do the driving." Thats because the cat is freaked out of its mind and doesn't want to be there. It is almost frozen stiff.

Well, judge for yourselves.

OUR WORLD UNDERWATER: 2008

2007-10-03T09:37:00.000-04:00

Are you ready to go on a trip for free? How about win some great prizes? Do you have a camera? If you have answered yes to these questions then you are ready for the "Our World Underwater: 2008" competition. This years competition is being sponsored by divephotoguide.com and wetpixel.com. There are categories for both still photography and video. If you are interested in participating head over to http://www.underwatercompetition.com/owu08.php and check out the rules. Deadline is January 13, 2008
Categories for the compeition are below.

A) Still images

Macro Traditional
Macro Unrestricted
SuperMacro Traditional
Wide Angle Traditional
Wide Angle Unrestricted
Compact Camera
Environment and Conservation

B) Video:

Underwater Video (General)
Underwater Video (Conservation)

Dive Sites - Bonne Terre Mine

2007-09-24T09:49:00.000-04:00

I think I have found my next (first) reason to travel to St. Louis. So I can get to the Bonne Terre Mine. The Bonne Terre Mine is an old mine that has flooded and can now be dove. It is open year round with the air temperature in the mine being 62 degrees and the water temp 58.

The Mines have lots of various "trails" to swim along with lots of things to see from natural cave formations to equipment left behind in the mine. And if you don't have a cavern certification, they will help you get that also. Well worth checking out.

Review - Open Water the Movie

2007-09-21T09:40:00.000-04:00

When the movie open water was announced, I thought it might have potential. When I found out all of the details of the movie I had lost all interest in seeing the movie. One night shortly before going on a dive trip my wife said she wanted to watch the movie so we rented it. I figured it was only and hour and a half and I could get through it. And I did.

The movie opens up with an introduction of a couple and a little of their relationship. This is the highlight of the movie. Shortly after this they get on a boat and they get left behind. The last hour of the movie is speculation on what happened but it is basically them drifting in water until they get eaten by sharks. The end.

Please save you self the time and money and do not see this movie.

New Issue of UW Photography Magazine

2007-09-19T08:40:00.000-04:00

Underwater Photography Magazine has their newest issue out. Its 64 pages of photos, news, reviews, and more. All you have to do to get it is go here, enter you email address (which they use to notify you of new issues, and then download it for free.

www.upmag.com

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

2007-09-18T09:44:00.000-04:00

September 19th of every year is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. What does that mean to you? It means you should talk like a pirate on that day. If you don't know how you can watch the video below for a short lesson. If you just feel silly, do it anyways. If you think you might get fired, then just pass this post on to someone who might be a real pirate as you are not.

More info here.

Diving Trails - New York State

2007-09-17T09:43:00.000-04:00

When I was younger I used to hike a lot. As I have gotten older I have not lost my love of hiking but it is just now day trips. One of the places I loved to hike was (is) the Appalachian trail. As scuba divers, we cannot swim a dozen or so miles a day. At least I can't. But we can go boating on state water trails.

NY has a state water trail and how now established dive sites on this trail that divers can scuba dive on. The first two of these sites are the wreck of the David S Mills and the Eagle Wings. The other three are still under development and will be posted on the NY Seagrant Homepage.

I don't know if I am up to diving in the cold water of New York. It might take an invitation to get me up there. But I am glad to see states and local dive societies provide new experiences for divers as well as possible entice others to start diving.

Sites - Underwater Photography

2007-09-13T13:17:00.000-04:00

Taking pictures underwater is very different then taking pictures above. The lighting is different. You have to worry about getting you camera wet. And your subjects can and often are afraid of you (especially is you move fast or a lot). I will hopefully provide some tips every so often that I have learned that might help you but I am not an expert. I consider myself just above beginner.

Until I get started let me send you to two websites that I find fun and helpful. The first is Underwater Photography Magazine. www.uwpmag.com is a FREE web based magazine that has great pictures, reviews of digital equipment and tips. Well worth a trip every other month to see whats going on.

The second website is Wetpixel. http://wetpixel.com/ Wetpixel is a site dedicated to underwater digital photography and videography. On their site they have reviews, tips, pictures, as well as a forum. I think the forum feature is great as it allows you to share photos with other divers as well as ask questions and seek advice.

Skills - Exiting the Water

2007-09-12T10:12:00.000-04:00

Leaving the water can sometimes be a lot harder the getting in. The easiest entry is always the safest and easiest to do based on the situation. The exit can be limited based on the conditions that are presented. Make sure that before you enter the water you know how you are going to get out.

I stumbled upon this video and think that it provides a good example of 1) and exit I never want to have to do, and 2) a guy who might not realize how to get out of the water. I would have recommended he take off his fins.

Advice - Accidents

2007-09-12T09:58:00.000-04:00

"Accidents happen"

Accidents are something that happen that are not intentional. In the world of scuba diving, this can lead to people getting hurt by the bends or dropping and tank on their foot and breaking some bones. No matter what we do, accidents will happen in the scuba industry.

Stupidity happens also. Every year people die or have near misses not because they were venturing a little beyond their limits, or standards, or just good practices, but because they were going way beyond them. Check this story out. A scuba diver decides to go into a wreck. Looses visibility due to stirring up silt inside and gets lost. Thanks to his buddy and another dive boat. They manage to get him out after an hour. If you have never been wreck diving, take a course they teach you how to prepare for that or at least, what you shouldn't be doing.

Basically, when scuba diving, use a little common sense and if you aren't sure, don't do it.

Below is a video of an accident.

Jelly Fish - Aquariums

2007-09-11T13:36:00.001-04:00

First let me start by saying that jellyfish are pretty neat creatures. Whenever I go the the aquarium or the zoo, I love to spend a couple of minutes looking at them because they are fairly graceful when the move through the water. Also, many of the places you see them have them lit up so they look even neater.

On the flip side, I hate diving with jellyfish. When I dive off of the outer banks in North Carolina, I almost always get stung by a jellyfish. And when you are at 50 feet and just starting your dive, all you go do is think "OOWWwww" (and maybe cry a little from the pain).

All that being said, there is a new aquarium out so that you can view jellyfish at your home or office. Aquapict LED Jellyfish houses fake jellyfish (although they look kind of real in the pictures) that float around. You can change the LED colors and patterns to enhance the viewing. I don't know if it is worth the $137.00 they are charging but it would still be neat to see. If anyone buys it, let me know how it is.

Link HimeyaShop.com