WaterLog
Spring 2005
Atomic Ducks
What better way to socialize than being a member of the Atomic Ducks Dive Club? You will meet interesting and fun people that have diving (and more) in common with you. The Atomic Ducks are always planning great social events where you can relax and just plain have fun. What are you waiting for? Visit their site at
What an awesome trip! I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the group that accompanied us. You were absolutely amazing! I think I can talk for all of us when I say “We had one terrific time”. I am really looking forward to the trip again next year. This trip had an event take place that shows just how adventurous some people are. Craig Haymaker proposed toMarlene Chavez UNDER WATER! He had laminated cards made up that he had her read one at a time, with the last one reading, “Will you marry me?” He then handed her a card with “Yes” on one side and “No” on the other. WOW! The pressure was on. Of course Marlene answered with the “Yes” side. (I bet Craig was relieved!) So……………
Congradulations!
to Craig and Marlene. Two great people to share their life together. Look on our Web Site and click on Cozumel 2005 for some pictures of this trip.
While you are there, take a look at our calendar for all of the upcoming trips. We have San Juan Island trips every month! Our next trip is April 3, 2005.
We are diving the Mackenzie Wreck off Vancouver Island June 11-12, 2005. It includes an overnight stay in Sidney, BC.
July 16-19, 2005 is our California Channel Islands trip. This is a 3-day live aboard.
Australia and Truck Lagoon is October 8-24, 2005. We stay in Honolulu one night and Guam one night.
Congratulations New Divers (Since January)
Open Water Scuba Diver:
Edward Barron
Tim Bisson
Clark Brown
Marlene Chavez
Cassandra Cueto
David Day
Ken Howard
Theresa Howard
Jody Jones
David King
Sherry King
Caroline Krueger
Lynda Martin
Craig Rifle
Logan Rifle
Delbert Turner
Kathy Turner
Advanced Scuba Diver:
Michelle Bengston
Todd Jones
David Sims
Jodi Sims
Delbert Turner
Kathy Turner
Ralph Wilson
Solomon Wilson
Finding Your Way Under Water
Navigation had become an exacting science long before the first Scuba Diver broke the bonds of diving bells and air hoses. But it wasn't long before the time-honored principles of seafaring navigators were applied to underwater navigation.
Any experienced diver understands the importance finding direction under water. Navigating at depth is quite simple, in fact, most of what you need to know, you have probably already experienced. Distances are the same as on the surface, time does not change, and directions are identical to those with which you are already acquainted. The only difference is that you also have the third dimension—depth. Your diving enhances when you know where you're going, and more importantly, how to get back.
NAUI Advanced and Master Diver courses include navigation skills. You will find that a basic understanding of navigation and how to properly use and interpret the tools of navigation will install confidence in your diving abilities.
The key instrument to underwater navigation is the compass. To some people, the compass is a mysterious and magical instrument. The truth is that it is not only a simple device, but it is also an essential basic safety tool.
The main purpose of a compass is to aid in directional control. To divers, this assures the added ability to return to the shore or boat without surfacing to reorient ourselves. This saves valuable time, energy and effort.
A compass is particularly useful when diving from depths where a safety stop is required. It is not only impractical, it is extremely dangerous to look for the beach or boat at the surface before you make that safety stop. It is critical that we are able to return by an underwater route to our safety stop point and remain at the required depth until it is safe to surface.
Knowing your general location underwater and which direction takes you back to your exit point adds comfort and pleasure to your dive.
Classes
SCUBA Diver Class :
Classes are offered every month (except December), 4 weeks long, includes 4 classroom sessions, 4 pool sessions and a two day open water trip to the Puget Sound for certification. This class (in parts or as a whole) can be taken as a refresher for those who haven't been wet in a few years . Next class begins April 4, 2005.
Advanced SCUBA Class :
This class will be offered March 31, 2005 with check outs on April 2 & 3, 2005. It is a great way for a new diver to gain valuable experience, or for a veteran diver to get back into diving.
Do you know someone that you would like to dive with, but they aren't certified? We will give you $40 in store credit for your referral. This credit will be available after full payment and completion of class.
Regulators—Which one is best for you?
There are several top-of-the-line regulators out there, but I want to focus for a moment on the Apeks line. It's what I use so I like to talk about it.
This is what Aqualung has to say: With more than 30 years of experience, Apeks Marine Equipment, Ltd is one of the leading manufacturers of SCUBA regulators in the world. Our state of the art production facility and total control over every manufacturing process make the Apeks regulators the industry benchmark for design, quality and performance.
Apeks regulators are ideal for use in any diving environment. Their unsurpassed performance under even the most extreme conditions is well known among diving professionals throughout the world. Diving Icon John Bennet, who was the first man ever to SCUBA dive to a depth of over 1000 feet, had long put his faith in Apeks for his record breaking dives. John said it best when talking about Apeks regulators: “Apeks regulators breathe superbly, they are simply the best”.
Apeks offers a series of regulators that provide divers with a wide range of benefits. From the practical and robust AT20 to the ultimate in performance, the ATX 200, all of these regulators share many common features that make them superior to their competition in any price range .
I personally use the ATX 200 and admit the choice was due to my son David's research and recommendation. Apeks regulators are distributed through Aqualung (former U.S. Divers).
I haven't used every regulator available, of course, but I have tried many and most perform similar under normal recreational diving. The ZETA by Oceanic performs as well as the ATX 200 under extreme (cold and/or deep) conditions. Of course, each manufacturer will say theirs is the best, but I can't tell.
What I'm saying is that I am using the ATX 200 and am happy with it. The over-balanced first stage actually increases intermediate pressure to help compensate for the denser air at depth so it breathes as easy at 150 feet as it does at 30 feet.
The Oceanic ZETA cost is about $80 less than the ATX 200. These and other high-end regulators cost between $600 and $700 and may be an “over-kill” for the average diver.
When you are ready for your next regulator purchase, come in and talk to us and we will recommend the regulator that best suits your kind of diving.
Gene Bruns
Dates
Advanced Scuba Diver Class ............................................................... Mar 31
San Juan Islands ............................................................................ Apr 3
Scuba Diver Class ........................................................................... April 4
San Juan Islands ............................................................................ May 3
San Juan Islands ............................................................................ May 23
Makinze Wreck Dive ....................................................................... Jun 11 & 12
San Juan Island ............................................................................. Jul 16
Channel Islands ............................................................................. Jul 16—19
San Juan Islands ............................................................................ Aug 13
Makinze Wreck Dive ....................................................................... Sep 10 & 11
San Juan Islands ............................................................................ Oct 8
Australia & Truk Lagoon ................................................................... Oct 8—24
San Juan Islands ............................................................................ Nov 5 & 6