Tom Ingram—An Interview With DEMA’s Director Text by Rosemary E Lunn. Photos courtesy of Tom Ingram, , Dan Orr, Alese Pechter, Barb Roy and Peter Symes The month of November sees were presented with a little green Sharkskin long sleeve jacket some the return of the international paper card that said we were divers, years later. but the course itself was pretty basic, Living in South Florida, a lot of our dive industry trade convention, involving mostly “self-study,” a couple early diving was done in some of the DEMA Show, to Orlando, of short pool sessions and diving off the local flooded limestone quarries, Florida, USA. In a peek-behind- Miami Beach and in a rock quarry. sink holes and marl pits nearby our the-scenes conversation with The self-study itself was pretty short house (complete with gators, snakes, too—the book we studied was a thin and the occasional sunken car or Tom Ingram, Executive Director green how-to guide called Skin and other debris), off the beach in Fort of DEMA ( . This was new at the Lauderdale and Dania (I saw my first and Marketing Association), time, and as I recall, featured a lot of shark there), and of course, in the Rosemary Lunn’s interview Nemrod brand equipment. We also Florida Keys. used the first edition of the U.S. Diver’s We dove with several operators out reveals an engaged, enthusi- publication, Let’s Go Diving. of Key Largo. Later, when we could astic diver who is passionate Sometime after receiving our “cer- get a ride, we made the three hour about our industry and the tifications,” we also discovered an trek to Big Pine Key, where we would early edition of The New Science of rent a 13-foot open Boston Whaler business of diving. Skin and Scuba Diving—a much more with an outboard and motor. We comprehensive book. After reading would take it out to Looe Key , RL: Where did you learn to dive? that one, we found out how much seven miles away from the marina we really didn’t know! and what seemed like out in the mid- TI: I was born in Florida, and grew up We bought equipment with our dle of the ocean. Boy, did we get in Miami. I was fortunate enough to life savings (several hundred dollars sunburned! have an older brother who became judiciously saved after mowing neigh- eventually we bought a 1965 VW a ready-made and long-time dive borhood lawns and doing household bug, folded down the back seat, buddy. chores). I cannot tell you how proud I filled the back to the brim with four We got started in diving because was of my Mistral single-stage double- scuba tanks and dive gear for two, my Dad was the manager of a hose regulator and how long it took and started driving to Key Largo and Woolworth store on Miami Beach, until I could finally afford a Mae-West points south almost every weekend. and Woolworth’s actually sold dive style vest. by far, one of my happiest moments equipment! As a result, Dad was con- eventually, I purchased a 1969 in those early days of middle and nected to a local dive store, and we model Calypso single hose regulator, high school was buying a camera got “trained” to dive by one of the the last of the diaphragm first stage and underwater housing. Looking instructors there. versions of that model. Later, I finally back, that first set up wasn’t much— In 1965, I was all of 11 and “certifi- bought a tank gauge and an Instamatic Camera and a hous- cation,” as such, was “kind of option- a capillary . Luckily, in ing that allowed the use of “flash al” for most divers and operators. At South Florida, weren’t critical, cubes”—but it took pictures and it the completion of the “course”, we but I eventually did buy a Parkway was fun. I even took second place in

peter symes

56 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Tom Ingram Tom Ingram at Trinity diving the Caves, Cayman Islands Cayman (right); Reflection, by Tom profile Islands Ingram, 1985 (below) Ingram Dave Reidenbach American “English” refers to a six-pas- ing, using and attended—in fact, senger . I spent a lot of time (heresy in the this is where Dave as a student doing weekend work as a early 1980s), rebreath- and I first met. and dive guide aboard those ers, and I operated over the years, I smaller boats in West Palm Beach, Florida the university’s rec- was fortunate to work and other places, too, and spent some ompression chamber in retail, divemaster- time on bigger boats as well. both as an inside ing with six-pack and tender and outside larger charter dive RL: What type of diver are you? operator. operations, early I had access to an boats, TI: I was involved with university dive pro- education in com- manufacturing, and grams beginning in the late 1970s through mercial diving at of course dive instruc- the early 1990s—first as an equipment Florida Institute of tion in stores and later repair technician and teaching assistant Technology, so I went in universities. and much later as Department Chair. through the commer- During that time, I tried (and taught) most cial diving program RL: “Divemastering everything, from open water to wreck div- there, diving in nearly with six-pack”— care to explain this in “English”, Tom? I don’t think you really said, “I went diving with six cans of beer.”

TI: Well, there was, most certainly, beer… but a six-pack in

cathy church a school photo contest with a picture of a reef that was published in the school yearbook, using just that point-and-shoot cathy church system. every commer- we regularly participated in deep and After diving for five or six years using cial rig one can extended diving in those that little green “certification” card, my imagine. I spent days, and we had our fair share of sneak- brother and I decided to take a real weeks at a time ing into dive sites that were (at least scuba course from the local YMCA. The in the Mark V theoretically) off-limits to most. We were green card was becoming more prob- helmet diving in involved in shark feeding and diving long lematic, as stores and dive operators zero viz, in har- before the advent of chain-mail suits, started checking cards on a regular basis bors and the like. and before it became a commercially before we could get air or get on the I also dived the viable enterprise. boat. The YMCA course was pretty com- Superlite 17 for a I was a geologist working in the mining plete, lasting about six weeks. variety of tasks industry before teaching at the universi- eventually, I found myself becoming an and used other ties, and one of my favorite places to “advanced” diver, a PADI Divemaster in surface sup- dive was in the caves of northern Florida. 1974, a NAUI Assistant Instructor in 1974, plied equipment, As an undergraduate at the University of and a NAUI and PADI Instructor in 1976, which were state Florida in Gainesville, I even did my senior as well as a NAUI Instructor Trainer in 1983 of the art at the thesis based on the geology and make- and a PADI Course Director in 1988. This time. up of the caves and springs and taught was the same program that “Big Wave” As instructors, diving there to put myself through school. Ingram preparing for a dive in the mid-1980s

57 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Tom Ingram shark diving in the , South Australia (left); Tom Ingram’s images of the great white sharks of the profile Neptune Islands (below) Ingram for Scubapro for years, and when I left in 2000, the company made one of these for me (which, unfortunately was not made from the original orange material… but the design and fit were perfect). Along the way, I have always loved my extra-large Scubapro Jet fins and my and Scubapro regulators, too. With the difficulties today of travelling with our favorite pieces of equipment, I have come to love my little (and highly transportable) GoPro video camera with twin Sola 1200 video lights. I have always had a passion for underwater photog- raphy, and while I love my Sea and Sea housing and Canon DSLR, GoPro camer- as are just fun. Video (even as elemen- tary as GoPro video) is still pretty new to me, but I enjoy it.

RL: Favourite dive site?

TI: I’ll always answer this question the same way; it depends on what I am looking to do. I love the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and Hawaii for the warm While teaching, we had our fair share ence was teaching commercial div- and I consider myself water, sea life and clar- of dives in the muck of the Indian River ing applications in ‘dirty water’, and I fairly flexible with ity. San Diego has great and in unexplored sinkholes around became pretty good at that. I also pho- regard to how and wrecks and kelp and Florida. I was involved in sinking some of tographed my share of catalogs and ads where the dive is con- the Channel Islands in the artificial reefs/wrecks in the Martin and even had the opportunity to shoot ducted. Safety is the California was one of County area in the early 80’s. In those pictures for magazine articles over the main concern, but the most beautiful (and days, I also worked summers with the years. we have fun no mat- coldest) dives I have ever Mel Fisher operation, managing the East these days I dive as often as (and ter what! And since I done. Coast Shipwreck project, and was for- where) I can. I live in San Diego and intend to be around Diving in Australia with tunate enough to be around during the there’s great diving here, although it is for a while, I have , Carl Roessler time when the structure of the Nuestra different from the dives I did early in my decided that I should stay more or less in and SubSea 150 Strobe, to my and Geri Murphy was the dream of a life- Senora de la Atocha was located down career. Fortunately for me, my travels shape and be conservative on my dives. DecoBrain—one of the earlier micro- time for me and is one of my favorite div- in the Keys. I was always fascinated by take me to some fun and interesting But I am still up for a grand adventure processing dive computers. ing memories. The water was cool, and history and relished the chance to dive places, which have local/inland dive where I can find one. When they first came out, one of my the visibility was just perfect for the big on these shipwrecks. sites, and sometimes to places where I favorite pieces of equipment was my white sharks to “loom in” out of the dis- one of my greatest pleasures was can ocean dive in warm and cold water. RL: What is your favourite piece of kit? Scubapro Stabilizer Jacket—you know, tance. Those sharks are amazing animals, teaching at I usually try to dive if I am travelling—it the orange one that laid flat against and for me, it was an amazing adven- both FIT (Florida Institute of Technology) gives me a sense of what the local dive TI: It has changed over the years and has your body? When I was weighted prop- ture. and Barry University in Miami, which I did operators are doing to teach their stu- included photography equipment such erly, this was the most comfortable and just recently, I really enjoyed diving for about 15 years. Part of that experi- dents and keep their customers active, as my trusty III with a 15mm lens easy to use BC I ever owned. I worked inland in a series of Texas lakes, while hid-

58 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO THIS PAGE: Tom Ingram’s imag- es of great white sharks and fur seals of the Neptune Islands, profile South Australia Ingram RL: Who is your dream dive buddy, Tom? of during which the late visited the deeper TI: Someone who shares my passion for wrecks in Truk Lagoon. I know that many diving and interest in the site, and who of those ships are now in dilapidated also doesn’t mind that I am dragging condition after being submerged for 50 kilos of photo gear with me on the almost 70 years. I want to see those WWII boat or in the water. If they are willing to wrecks before they completely disinte- help me find subjects to shoot, or willing grate. to watch my back while I am shooting, Really, anywhere in the South Pacific that’s all the better! beyond Hawaii would be a great start, especially if there are wrecks of any kind. RL: Dream dive destination? RL: Best dive book ever read? TI: I had the opportunity to realize one dream destination when I travelled to TI: There are way too many good ones Australia and went white shark diving with out there to pick just one. Rodney, Carl and Geri. In the early 1970s, by Robert Kurson is one my brother and I must have seen [the film] of the best-written most interesting of the recently published diving-related books. Blue Meridian— The Search for ing DiveCaches (underwater geocach- ing is the desire to take The Great White diver, especially for a young teenager at es) there. And of course, diving in Fort pictures. As I said, video Shark by Peter the time, this book presented all the fun Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and the is pretty new to me, and Matthiessen was a and adventure of diving and the activi- springs in Florida were all favorites when I I am enjoying learning book about one of ties around diving. lived and taught diving there. on a relatively inexpen- the first expeditions In the 1980s, I picked up a copy of Carl sive system. But whether to seek and film Roessler’s book, Mastering Underwater RL: Best country visited? I am shooting video or the great white Photography. I’ve tried hard to mimic stills, I find myself a bit TI: The people I met in Australia were disappointed if I cannot some of the nicest I have ever known. I take some sort of picture also have great friends in Cayman and in while I am visiting a dive the Bahamas. From a diving perspective, site. all these countries are first-rate in their own way. RL: You say you are into the Civil War. Did you RL: What motivates you to go diving? get the chance to dive the Monitor? And if so TI: Lots of things come to mind; I love the what was the dive like? social aspect of diving, meeting new people and finding out we have diving in TI: Unfortunately, I never got the chance Blue Water White Death ten times in the shark. It is the book common. I am a history buff, especially to dive the Monitor. I did a lot of diving theaters. I swore I was going to dive with on which the film the American Civil War and WWII. Any on shipwrecks from the mid-1800s, but sharks and meet Rodney Fox one day. It Blue Water White chance to dive on submerged historic none that are as notable as the Monitor. took 35 years to get there, but thanks to Death was based. sites is welcome, even when the sites are I did have an interest in underwater those good friends, I made it! Many of the tech- cloudy, cold or deep. archaeology. I managed to dive and the other dream destination that niques used to film of all the different motivations, the map wreckage near Fort Pierce up in the comes immediately to mind is Chuuk. I sharks today were one element that shows up for me again springs in northern Florida and on some have been fascinated with that site since developed during and again regardless of where I am div- submerged sites in Missouri and Illinois. seeing an episode of The Undersea World this time and for a

59 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Big propeller, by Tom Ingram profile Ingram anyone interested in diving. We have to anyone can easily move about under- be careful to balance good customer water. service and the need for access to dive Diving is unique in that the level of sites with our concerns for the environ- adventure is entirely up to the partici- ment. Without taking such a stance, it is pant; divers can do as much or as little probably true that many potential divers as they want because there are so many are opting out of learning, and we as an fun ways to enjoy the sport. industry are suffering as a result. for families with kids as young as ten, they can all dive in shallower water and RL: How would you describe diving to see lots of color and aquatic life. Those non-divers? who want a different adventure can learn more, use diverse equipment, dive TI: First of all, it’s fun and safe for just on historic shipwrecks or in natural cav- about anyone who is comfortable in the erns, or experience . And water and healthy. The equipment is those who want to take diving to the easy to use and light in the water, and extreme can, with the proper additional with just a little bit of instruction and some training and equipment. basic equipment, people can adapt Diving can be for everyone, and unlike easily to seeing some of the cool critters other sports such as snow skiing, the level and scenery. of expertise doesn’t strictly dictate the I have had the privilege of working quality of the experience. Diving has with folks such as the Wounded Warriors something for almost everyone. Project who aren’t very mobile on land, typically due to an injury. But those same RL: What did you do before you worked people can move easily in three dimen- for Scubapro? sions underwater, which means almost TI: After Florida Institute of Technology’s satellite cam- pus at Jensen Beach shut down all programs (including the Operation Program I headed), I started the Management Program at Carl’s imagery ever since. He is the books about the founding of Body Glove many fish I killed, too bad you aren’t as Barry University. It was the first unquestioned master of the fish portrait. and the early days of the Cayman bad-ass as me”. four-year degree program in I have a signed copy of Sea Salt Islands diving scene. I am looking forward I guess that’s an ego thing, but these the diving industry. by which I treasure. It to reading those! issues don’t do the industry much good, After more than five years was fun to read Stan’s take on his own and it seems to me that they often turn at Barry, I was offered a adventures over the years. RL: What bugs you most about diving? potential new divers toward some other position as Coordinator of I also have a cherished copy of Silver activity. The idea of ego is problematic Business Curriculum, teach- Seas by Ernie Brooks, which depicts div- TI: It’s less about diving itself and more for a lot of reasons, and unfortunately, I ing business at a community ing in as beautiful a manner as I can about the misinformation put out to have seen it make for instructional and college, and administering imagine, with all his photographs in glori- the public about diving that bugs me. customer service situations that are inap- various adult education busi- ous black and white. Sometimes that misinformation comes propriate or avoidable. ness programs while work- And finally, although not strictly a div- from expected sources like the media, then too, misinformation, especially ing with a nearby “business ing book, Jaws by Peter Benchley, was a e.g. “sharks are everywhere” and “div- when it comes from within, can have a incubator”. With graduate real thrill ride. The book was better than ing is a deadly activity”, and sometimes larger impact, sometimes resulting in leg- degrees in marketing and the movie, which was by itself amazing it seems to come from within our own islative or regulatory action detrimental management and a long for the time. industry, e.g. “all the reefs are dead” and to the industry. history of teaching at the I understand there are some good “look how deep/far back/long I stayed/ Really, we should be welcoming to dan orr college level, I decided to Tom Ingram with sea turtle

60 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Tom Ingram Tom Ingram with making bubble ScubaRadio staff profile rings (left) at DEMA 2012 Ingram I also learned to programs and all the technical/regulator develop SBA loan service materials. In addition, I coordi- programs, work nated the product catalog, illustrated with lending insti- price list, most of the dealer training and tutions, did SBA product sales materials issued through business consulting the company. I also oversaw the launch and taught busi- of the Scubapro website. ness programs at I was there for the development of the the college itself. Twin Jet Fins, various Scubapro regula- At the same time, I tors and the purchase of UWATEC. We was responsible for then launched that brand under the a non-profit (501c3) Scubapro name. organization In 2000, I was offered a position at called Leadership Aqua Lung (the U.S. Divers sporting Seminole (LS). goods division), launching the Aqua Leadership Sphere brand with the Seal Mask swim Seminole brought product, and developing a branding in business up- effort for the swim products in conjunc- peter symes and-comers in the tion with Ironman. region, acquainted Aqua Sphere was the first division at I had the opportunity to work on the Cronin (PADI) and Werner Kurn (Ocean them with the role the company to open a website, and development of the Aqua Lung website Enterprises), I went directly there from of various local launch, too. Aqua Lung. and statewide After about a year, I went Initially, I was hired as DEMA’s “General government and over to the Pro Dive division Manager”, but my title changed to private entities and of Aqua Lung as Marketing Executive Director shortly after my arrival personalities, and Manager, making changes and has remained the same ever since. generated revenue to the Aqua Lung catalog, through business and launching products such RL: Tom, you have a vision for DEMA. connections and as the Surface Observation What is it? dan orr education. Signal marker and develop- take the position. LS operated directly under the guid- ing sales programs for the TI: My vision is really to accomplish the I truly enjoyed that time, and I still kept ance of a volunteer board of directors, brand of computers. strategy and goals of the volunteer my hand in diving by teaching courses at similar to DEMA, although DEMA is a DEMA Board. DEMA is a trade associa- the college. I also got more involved in trade association and a different tax RL: And then you joined tion, so the focus is obviously making the local business community, using the structure. Leadership Seminole still exists DEMA? business better for the diving industry time to go to various retail and manufac- today. where possible. turing businesses and teach a variety of While at the SBDC, I received a call TI: I started with DEMA in fortunately, the DEMA Board has business topics, from Statistical Process from a former FIT student who was work- 2002. It was a great oppor- been gracious enough to allow me to Control and Manufacturing Standards, ing at Scubapro, and after an interview, tunity for me, combining have volunteer involvement with several to financial management for small busi- I was offered a position teaching div- my background in business operations in the Association Community, nesses, and various management and ing retailers more about business. The consulting with the SBA, both here in California and throughout marketing topics. Retail Education Manager position was knowledge of non-profit the United States. That volunteer time has A few years later I was recruited in Wisconsin (brrr!) but I took the job trade associations, teach- allowed me to learn more about associa- to run a Small Business Development and moved from Central Florida to the ing business at the university tions and the changes occurring in the Center (SBDC) for the U.S. Small Business Racine/Milwaukee area where I lived and community colleges, association market. Administration (SBA) in the Orlando area. for three years. In 1998, several of us and involvement with small During my time at DEMA, I have I became a Certified Business Analyst from the Wisconsin office moved the business in general and been on the board of directors for and worked with more than 200 local Scubapro operation to San Diego area. the diving industry in par- the International Scuba Diving Hall small businesses annually (including eventually I became Product Manager ticular. The position came of Fame. I have also been Chair of just about any business you can imag- and then Director of Technical Marketing open, and I applied for the the Board and a board member for ine—from diaper services to Bed and for Scubapro. I was responsible for cre- job. After interviewing with the California Society of Association Breakfasts, and even a few dive stores). ating the in-house technician training barb roy DEMA Board members John Executives (CalSAE). This is the third larg- Tom Ingram speaking at DEMA 2006

61 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Participants enter the DEMA Show in Las Vegas last year (right); Tom Ingram and the DEMA Board opening the Ingram profile 2012 DEMA Show (below)

est Society of Association Executives with each other. This “culture” incorpo- in the United States. I served as a vol- rates traditional face-to-face contact unteer and speaker for the American and much more. Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Interestingly, it appears that face-to- and for the International Association of face meetings are actually preferred by Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). I was also business people who want the opportu- speaker for the Professional Convention nity to interact with veterans of an indus- Management Association (PCMA). try, as well as be involved with personal considering today’s business “culture” contact to form networks. Costs and and observing trends in the associa- other issues have had an impact on busi- tion community, it is clear to me that ness’ ability to attend face-to-face meet- the need for associations is strong, but it ings, but the preference is still there. As a is changing. For example, associations result, any face-to-face interaction must once provided one of the few opportuni- be more personal than ever. ties for conversation, collaboration and With these major shifts in the business collective action among members of a culture in mind, DEMA has been moving given business community. The need for in a direction that should help everyone these actions remains, but the means in the industry. Joining DEMA is one of the by which these needs are satisfied is dif- best investments a diving business can ferent, by using social media and other make and among the most important channels. benefits that DEMA currently provides Interestingly, the need for face-to-face and will continue to in the future are:

contact is actually greater than ever, but peter symes “face-to-face” is being viewed differently Research – DEMA should be the place by today’s business person. Today, asso- where industry participants (members that will be readily shared with the indus- Becoming the “Hub” of Information and celebrities to bring attention to impor- ciations and their face-to-face meetings and non-members) turn to understand try, and some will be available to mem- Engagement – Even though the five tant causes. One of the most recent are part of a “participatory culture”— all aspects of the marketplace. In fact, bers only. stakeholder groups that make up the examples of this is DEMA connecting one in which many adults are online and DEMA has more research projects in the industry and Association are often at with the VH1 “Band You Oughta Know”, expect information to be easily shared works today than ever before. Some of Membership Specific Services – DEMA (conflicting) odds with each other, DEMA Youngblood Hawke, to develop a fol- is already providing access to services is one of the few “neutral” territories for lowing of a younger audience and also such as workers compensation insur- the diving industry. As such, there is an bring forth the issue of trying to stop shark ance packages, health insurance, and opportunity to use the trade associa- finning. shipping services because the DEMA tion as a place to do more than just talk Membership serves as a “class”. This sta- about a topic. DEMA can serve as a Business Education – Of course this is an tus allows DEMA to negotiate discounted place for working through issues that area in which I have a keen and long- benefits and spread risks to lessen costs. have a real impact. Of course, this is not term interest. While DEMA has some a simple task for a non-profit trade asso- great programs put on by really good Legislative Services – This is one of the ciation in the United States due to the presenters (especially at DEMA Show), most important services provided to structure of anti-trust laws, but DEMA still we also recognize that one of the most DEMA members and the industry. It represents the best place where such dis- important things we need to do is edu- includes lobbying, monitoring of bills, cussions can and should take place. cate each other by learning from other and informing the members of changes successful members of the industry. in legislation impacting the industry— PR Events – Items that reach into the DEMA does a pretty good job of educa- whether it is environmental, business or mainstream media can help keep div- tion at the retail level, but there is more, other topics. This is an essential service ing visible to the general public and especially with other stakeholder groups, of any legitimate trade association and should continue to be utilized. Wounded that could be done. with a lifelong interest in politics and Warriors and the Be-A-Diver pool have legislation, this is an area of interest and been good examples of getting media Standard-Setting – DEMA is already activity for me personally. attention, as are efforts to get input from involved in this area, investigating the alese pechter / pechter photos

62 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Tom Ingram (left) presenting a marketing seminar at the DEMA Show in 2010; Tom Ingram testifies before the U.S. Senate in 2010 on the potential economic impacts of Ocean Acidification on profile the Recreational Diving Industry (below) Ingram

ent if they are to survive. Show is one of the most important out there and dispelling myths Stan Waterman. The buying public, often opportunities for businesses to col- about such things as the clas- I am proud of all my former div- through social media, make laborate and learn. sic diver dropout rate (it is NOT, ing students and colleagues, and demands on every busi- by the way, 80%). I think we count among them Tanya Burnett ness, and they must address RL: If you had a magic wand and have had an impact on business (noted underwater photogra- these demands to be via- could change one thing in DEMA, through the trade show, and with pher), Sharon Kegeles (Women ble in the long run. what would it be and why? fairly exacting standards for who Diver’s Hall of Fame and now at may attend, I believe we have Barry University), Don Barthelmess Face-to Face Meetings/ TI: I have always thought that made the show about business, (Santa Barbara Maritime Events/Shows – While these having opinions and help from networking and education again. Museum), Guy Miller (formerly of will be different than they outside the DEMA Board of I was fortunate enough to Scubapro), Rob Pasqual (also of have been in the past, Directors (in the form of volunteers work with some industry notables Scubapro) and many others. and will require a fresh on committees) could give the such as Drew Richardson and those university programs were approach, they are vitally board and staff more options for Dudley Crosson in the early days designed to turn out people with important. In fact, all social ideas. We actually did accom- at the universities, and of course, a passion for diving and running media should direct the plish this over the last two years, since being at DEMA I have had a diving business. It’s great to see participants to this impor- including changing the structure the chance to meet and work former students like John Harman alese pechter / pechter photos of committees by developing with some of my own heroes: in Maryland and Rob MacDonald need for setting manufactur- written objectives and work plans. Neal Watson, , David in West Palm Beach own and ing and other standards in the The result is that DEMA is able to Doubilet, Bob Hollis, Carl Roessler, operate diving businesses today. United States through proper accomplish so much more than Rodney Fox, Al Hornsby, Valerie That’s what it was all about. ■ accrediting channels such as the we have been able to do in the and , Geri Murphy and American National Standards past, stretching resources and Institute (ANSI). Such standard set- generating new and fresh ideas ting could help the industry and that make a difference. The cur- should be an area in which the rent Board of Directors is to be trade association should partici- thanked for taking that chance! pate. DEMA has sometimes (often?) been accused of being a “good Money-Saving Benefits for old boys club” (at some point that Advertising and Other Promotions might have been deserved). That – Since 2007 DEMA has been has never been the reality in my involved in trying to create tem- time with DEMA. I wish others in plates that reduce the cost of the industry could see how hard advertising for members to reach the members of the board and potential customers. DEMA will staff actually work to avoid that, continue to promote such ads, while conducting DEMA business. along with simple program ideas Someone will likely accuse me of that keep divers active and “sucking up” for that comment. I encourage the fun of diving invite those people to serve on a to consumers. As a trade asso- committee or run for the board so ciation, most of this is necessarily they can see what really happens photo courtesy of dema conducted through our members, at board meetings. but DEMA does and will continue those who really wanted it, but tant aspect of networking and to provide access to inexpensive making this information more participatory culture (face-to- RL: And has your input come out ads and programs, as long as obvious must be the normal way face meetings are the original as you would have wished? industry members use them. DEMA does business. In fact, “social media”). These are the in my opinion, all companies— best form of promotion of the TI: I’d like to think DEMA has been Transparency – DEMA has always associations and all diving busi- industry that DEMA can organ- helpful in getting more real busi- had information available to ness included—must be transpar- ize and provide, and the DEMA ness training and marketing data alese pechter / pechter photos Tom Ingram introducing the 2012 DEMA Reaching Out Awards

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Scuba Confidential Unselling the Product Scuba Confidential—A new regular col- friends and colleagues to the or experience managed to put them that was looking for a umn offering scuba diving tips and tricks, sport, (something most divers off ever doing it again. In other words, local operator to run serious discussion of safety issues, insider when they walked into the dive centre, their on-site dive cen- revelations and provocative think pieces. do anyway,) perhaps the indus- the sale had already been made and tre. One applicant, a try should be looking closely at the dive centre somehow managed to very well known compa- Text by Simon Pridmore its own procedures to see if the “unsell” them! ny with many branches, recruitment and retention prob- invited me and one of For the first article in this series, Deliberately providing poor the hotel chain’s direc- lems are partly self-generated. I have chosen to get up on my service tors to go diving with This was in my mind the other day when their flagship dive centre soapbox with a little construc- I say this because I have met a number I was chatting with a dive centre man- in order to impress us. The tive (I hope) rant about an area of folk recently who ager and remarked on the poor condi- hotel director was a new-ish where I think the have told me that tion of the rental gear that his operation diver with 60 logged dives dive industry they tried div- issued to beginners. “Of course,” he said, but did not own his own the job. ing once “we do it deliberately. It encourages gear. “No problem,” the oper- other anecdotal exam- is failing itself and found them to buy their own equipment.” ator said, “you can use ours.” ples abound. One and its cus- that “it I was stunned that he would make lady told me tomers. wasn’t for such a crass statement. Quite apart from Shabby gear that for her first At a time them”. his ignorance of economic realities (dive All the equipment was pretty shabby but pool session Let’s exam- centres make much more in percent- it was the fins that drew our attention (with a very large and successful dive when the dive ine that age terms from renting out equipment most. Where the foot pocket joined the centre in the Caribbean), she was not industry is fac- statement than selling it) his thinking is about as blade, there was a wear line, and you offered a and ended the day ing recruitment more close- wrong-headed as you can get. If a new could easily bend the blades up and with knee and elbow scrapes. She also ly. What they diver does not enjoy his experience or his down beyond 90 degrees. In the water, had chafing marks from her BCD, which and retention mean is that course, if he is not made as comfortable the fins just flapped around uselessly. was so ill-fitting that the shoulder straps challenges, they were as possible, he will not pursue the sport. I noticed that my buddy did not have floated above her head on the surface. to such an sufficiently He will not become a diver, he will not a , so asked if the dive The depth gauge on her console did extent that it drawn by div- rent equipment again, and he certainly centre could lend him one, but the staff not work and when this was pointed out ing to pay for les- will not buy anything! told us they did not have rental comput- to the instructor he just said, “it doesn’t is asking divers sons or a Discover Scuba this dive centre manager evidently is ers. Anyway, they added, he didn’t need matter, we are in a pool; we know how to make a special experience, and the people not alone in thinking this way. A while a computer because the guide had one. deep it is!” Luckily she persevered, found effort to introduce their involved with delivering that course ago, I was consulting for a hotel chain Needless to say, the operator did not get another shop and instructor and is now a

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join the ice. Those who do not give every one look after new customers with special of their divers, no matter how inexpe- treatment and services. What do we proud and certified new diver. But she rienced, the means to record depth do in the dive industry? Make them is an exception; we rarely get a sec- and time on every dive should reflect feel uncomfortable and unappreci- revolution ond chance at recruiting someone to on how naked they would feel diving ated. It’s a wonder any of them stick the sport if we mess it up first time. without a computer. around! ■ I can just imagine the excuses that Try it yourself! dive centre managers will come up Simon Pridmore has been around the Instructors and dive centre owners with on reading this, pleading finan- scuba diving industry in Asia, Europe should perhaps try diving with the cial and time constraints or complain- and the USA (well, Guam) for the last equipment that they give beginners. ing about competitors that 20 years. His latest book, also called They should experience for them- them to cut corners. But think of this, Scuba Confidential, was published selves how awkward it is and maybe banks are hardly a benchmark for in September and is available on then they will have some sympathy customer service these days, but Amazon. and improve the quality of their serv- even they know how important it is to

Poseidon MkVI The world’s first fully automatic, recreational rebreather

Now available at Poseidon Rebreather Centers worldwide. Visit poseidon.com New dates set for EuroTek 2014 for your nearest center and for further information on EUROTEK.2014—advanced EUROTEK.2014 to September. When With EUROTEK.2014 now being held the Rebreather Revolution. and confer- we heard that the Birmingham Dive on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st Show would be held on the same September, divers are free to attend ence and exhibition—has weekend, we were pleased because both shows.” announced that the dates for it would have meant that delegates Deep wreck photographer Leigh next year’s event are chang- had the opportunity of attending Bishop has been busy pulling together ing. both shows. a fabulous speaker list and this will be “However we know that certain unveiled in due course. delegates want to devote them- In the meantime, tickets will be www.poseidon.com Rosemary E Lunn, EUROTEK co-found- selves to a specific event and choos- going on sale in the early part of next er and co-organiser stated, “After ing can be tough. We felt the fairest year via www.eurotektickets.com ■ careful consideration we are moving option would be to change dates.

65 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO marine mammals

False killer whales team up with bottlenose dolphins to avert predators

Still mysterious and not well ally co-operate or whether one understood, false killer whales just opportunistically exploits the are a rarely studied species of detection ability of the other. ocean dolphin. However, a new Lastly, as both species are highly study has revealed a unique social, sociality may also play a relationship the whales have with role.” bottlenose dolphins. According the research published in to researchers who followed 61 Marine Mammal Science shows individuals for 17 years, groups of how a group of false killer whales Dan Shapiro / NOAA pHOTO LIBRARY / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS The clearest false killer whales were associat- off the New Zealand coast has and most ing with bottlenose dolphins for formed partnerships with bot- strain free five years or more and for up to tlenose dolphins. Blue whale earwax reveals new secrets, study says pair of 650km. “Given the level of site fidel- sunglasses you “The anti-predatory function ity documented, a small and Unseemly as it sounds, whale method “once they get past the possibly caused during migration will ever own or of mixed species associations possibly closed false killer whale earwax build-up can be a good ‘eew!’ factor of it being earwax,” past the California coast. your money back is mostly achieved through a population in New Zealand thing for science, as research- said lead author the of paper, greater chance of detecting waters cannot be ruled out,” ers have found it a valuable Stephen Trumble, professor of biol- One of the Baylor researchers, ● Blocks 100% of UVA/B a predator through more eyes said Zaeschmar. “A reassessment source of information on the life ogy at Baylor University in Waco, Sascha Usenko, said that the and UVC as well as all watching out,” said researcher of the conservation status of a whale. Taken from a blue Texas. new method makes measuring annoying blue-light Jochen R. Zaeschmar of Massey in New Zealand may therefore whale carcass retrieved after the exposures in whales much more University in New Zealand. be prudent and further research individual struck a ship off Santa Through analysis of the pollutants easy and precise, compared to ● Fully polarized for ultra “However, it is hard to say if this warranted into the dynamics of Barbara, California, USA, in 2007, and chemicals in the layers of ear previous methods such as analysis crisp visuals on the water is mutualistic or parasitic, that is this population.” ■ a 10-inch ear plug removed dur- wax, scientists were able to build of whale blubber, feces, blood whether the two species actu- SOURCE: SCIENCEDAILY.COM ing necropsy showed what the a picture of the whale’s life. When and blowhole spray. Indeed, ● Feather- frames whale had been exposed to in its the animal is feeding, the earwax offers from around the world are made of ultra durable lifetime. Chemical and hormone is dark in layer, when the animal coming in, requesting analysis of Grilamid memory plastic analysis revealed a story of expo- is migrating and not eating much, whale earwax specimens. sure to DDT and mercury at differ- the earwax is lighter. Researchers ● Lifetime replacement ent points in the whale’s life. concluded that the whale was “We’re going to receive one program covers you against born around 1995 and exposed to hopefully this week that’s about any self inflicted damage of The study, which was published a lot of organic pollutants includ- three and a half feet long from any kind in the journal Proceedings of the ing DDT while it was nursing in a bowhead whale from Barrow, National Academies of Science, its first six months, the chemicals Alaska,” said Trumble. ■ 5% of all sales goes has raised excitement in the being passed through the mother. SOURCE: USA TODAY to Diveheart scientific community regard- Around age 5 and 10, there were ing the potential of the new two spikes of mercury exposure, www.bendettioptics.com NOAA / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS False killer whale

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Expedition team mem- ber Fréderic Vandenplas prepares for the dive

Text by Erik Wouters Translation by Filip de Weerdt Photos by Hedwig Dieraert and Erik Wouters Years of preparation finally paid off on 3 August 2013 when the first Belgian cave reached deeper territory in Ressel Cave in Lot, France. This underwater cave—located in the heart of French paradise—is known to be one of the more engaging, difficult and technical cave dives. The expedition was an explor- atory dive of several hours, with all its complications in logistics and difficulties. Pushing the Ressel —A Cave Diving Expedition in Lot, France There were intense prepara- Hedwig Dieraert tions, including materials testing conducted by a few members Ronny Breeur, Sannie Versweyfelt, Kenny have dived beyond the first siphons. with and without a scooter. first sump took six hours. In subsequent of the Flemisch cave exploration and Angie Vandoorne, and Fréderic Several dives have been done in Ressel dives, the timing could be reduced to group, Science Explorers, and Vandenplas. Preparations Cave with open circuit and rebreather. three hours for the same dive. A careful the diving club, Technical Diving the cave system is comprised of a Before engaging in a challenging dive like Little by little, the cave has become famil- but steady pace is important in cave div- Antwerp.In addition to myself, our series of siphons or sumps with dry parts in this, one needs to be prepared. I have iar. Progression has been made step by ing, as it will reduce the decompression dive expedition team included between. Only a limited number of people been diving in the zone for years, step; the first dive to the other side of the time. Several dives were undertaken in a

67 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO The entrance to Ressel Cave. It has a wide entrance, good visibility and the is tech talk 14°C. The passages are wide, which is the rea- son why Ressel is internationally reknown. A lot of Ressel Cave technical cave divers have been trained here

wikimedia commons RESSEL CAVE SYSTEM, LOT, FRANCE The Lot region is a part of the Midi- Pyrénées, located in southwestern France, and is named after the river Lot. The river Lot streams through the limestone plateau and cuts deep valleys, in some places up to 100m deep. The region is littered with cave systems. The Ressel is one of the cave systems and starts in the bed of the river Céle. The entry is relatively wide at 150m and then splits into two arms, which join again about 300m from the entrance. A series of drops follow each other to a depth of 55m, eventually end- ing at 77m before ascending again to a dry section of the cave about 2km from the entry. The sumps after that have rarely been explored. and Jason Mallinson reached sump five, 4.6km from Map of France with location of the Lot the entrance, on 25 August 1998, and left region where numerous caves are found the cave after 49 hours. ■

Hedwig Dieraert

time span of several years and was 2 x 12L 300 bar at 6m deep 15/45. After 1,100 meters, the other crucial to memorization of the site, 1 x 20L 240 bar 50/10 at 22m deep materials left behind would be reducing the time loss and increasing 1 x 20L 250 bar 20/40 at 1,100m from picked up. efficiency and fluidness of the dive. the entrance four scooters were used: three the target was to get as far as pos- Bonex and one Silent Submerge. sible into the cave. Physical conditions At 1,100 meters, additional tanks were What we didn’t know beforehand of the push divers would determine left behind: was that one scooter would not sur- how far one could go beyond sump 12L 300 bar oxygen (with two wood vive, and the other would be used one. In this exploration dive, we got to logs attached to it to make it float) until it was empty. is a siphon five! 80 cbf tank with air must! 40 cbf tank with air The logistics 2 scooters for redundancy The push dive Inspiration were used to The start of siphon one is known to keep the volume of gas- The gear left at 1,100 meters in siphon many cave divers; a lot of them ses to a limit. The gas mixes for the one would be picked up for the have received their training there. two push divers was a 10/60 diluent actual push through to carry out the Why? It is a relatively easy, wide in three-liter bottles and pure oxygen. crossing of sump one and all further entrance with good visibility. This first Open circuit baleout for sump one siphons. system is dived by most up to a dis- were placed by support divers Ronny the crossing itself started with one tance of 400m where a well-known Breeur and Sannie Verswyfelt. The CCR for each diver and also one deep drop is located. Hedwig Dieraert bailout included: scooter and one 20-liter tank with the primary aim of the expedition The complexity of exploration cave diving, the gas planning and bail out scenarios are a challenge and part of the attraction of this type of diving

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LIGHT AND BREATHABLE Author, Erik Wouters, prepares for a dive with a scooter www.waterproof.eu was to push through this sump and the time to start and finish sump until the weight became too great. reach the end. The maximum dive one was 122 minutes. On the way Another scooter was depleted on depth was 75 meters, and the total back, 120 minutes were spent the way back in siphon three. One distance was nearly two kilom- underwater in siphon one. The high pressure hose tore apart upon eters. The majority of that distance other siphons were dived within opening the tank. It was a brand was at a depth between 50 and NDL limits. The total time to cross to new Miflex high pressure hose. 78 meters. The second aim of the siphon five and head back was 12 expedition was to reach the next hours. In total, 5.5 hours were spent The challenge siphons, and potentially, the end of underwater, the rest of the time It is a serious challenge to dive the the cave. was spent hauling gear between Ressel Cave up to sump five. The the vertical wall where the the siphons. Two 15-minute breaks sum of the years of training, getting ascent starts of sump one was were built in for rest. fit, doing deco calculations, filling reached after 47 minutes. From Dive wise, this was not too dif- the tanks, making preparations previous experience, I knew this ficult, but transporting the gear and figuring out logistics made it all was quick. It was here that the between the sumps made this dive very complex but also highly moti- deco in sump one started. difficult. The space between the vating.

the air and oxygen, transported sumps has a high CO2 concentra- And the psychological challenge through siphon one, were used in tion. The fitness of the divers was was also high—it was far, deep and the subsequent siphons and used the determining factor in getting physically exhausting. What if one D9 BREATHABLE to top up the CCR tanks. Kevin through all the sumps. of the CCR units failed catastrophi- p ,AYER"REATHABLE5LTRALIGHTSHELLp&LEXIBLE4):)0-ASTER3EAL&RONTZIPPERp&ABRICSOCKSp1UICK $RYp,ATEXSEALSp 7ARMCUFFSp3)4%#(VALVESp4ELESCOPE4ORSOp3EAMFREECROTCHp&ABRICSOCKSp)NTEGRATEDSUSPENDERSp0RE BENT Haek was kind enough to lend a Despite all our preparations, cally? A high volume lot of bailout KNEESp+NEEREINFORCEMENTp:IPPERCOVER dry tube for the spare scrubbers, things went wrong. Just past siphon gas was prepared just in case. batteries, fill whip and oxygen cells. four, one of the Bonex scooters And still, the end of the cave has Drinks and food were also stored in was accidentally dropped and not been reached. The Ressel is still the dry tube. flooded as a result. It kept working a challenge.

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Author, Erik Wouters, makes prep- arations for the dive

The team An exploration dive of this com- plexity was not possible without the support of a team. Half of the pleasure of this dive was in the preparation and sharing the experi- ence with the other team mem- bers. My buddy Fréderic is a young lion—eager, motivated and does not give up—an ideal buddy, and a name to remember. The support divers—Ronny, Sannie, Kenny and Angie—did the hard job of staging the tanks and the bailouts. And the celebration dinner with lamb chops, after 12 hours of div- ing and carrying heavy gear, was exceptionally tasty. Those were the great moments to share with a team. thanks should also go to Greenforce, which supplied the lights for the scooters. Good illumi- nation made the dive more com- fortable. thanks goes also to Hedwig Dieraert, the photographer of the caving club, Science Explorers. He took incredible pictures thanks to years of experience and a keen sense in capturing the spirit of the moment. A special thanks goes to Rik Vandeneynde, the blender of Technical Diving Antwerp, offer- Hedwig Dieraert ing his years of experience, and despite recent surgery to his knee, Epilogue An active speleologist and rock climber Cave . Wouters has led the Tollensesee where the team searched he was always there. He provided The end of Ressel Cave has not been Erik Wouters began diving in 1985 in the or participated in numerous dive expe- for remains of experimental torpedos of accurate blends for every tank, reached—yet. No one knows what is Mediterranean. He is a member of the ditions including the diving expedition WWII. He has dived numerous cave sys- from the three-liter CCR tanks up to behind sump five. There is no information, Belgian caving group, Science Explorers, with Dirk Roelandt of the Socotra Karst tems in Belgium, France, Hungary, Florida the 20-liter tanks. They were always and clearly it is still a mystery—to be con- and the diving team, Technical Diving Project in Yemen where the team filmed and Mexico. In 2005, he undertook several correct and filled to the max. It tinued. The bailouts are already filled. ■ Antwerpen. An active cave diver since for Discovery Channel, the Leopoldville expeditions in the Elefante Bianco Cave in took away some of the worries 1998, he is a certified IANTD IT Normoxic where the team filmed for National Italy. when diving. Diver, and since 2012, an IANTD CCR Trimix Geographic, the HMS Victoria in Lebabon,

70 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO turtle tales

Jeff Pollin/Marine Photobank Puerto Rico reports record number of leatherback hatchlings

The year 2013 has been a good leatherback nests at 1,390. That is citizen participation." She added year for leatherback turtles on 31 more nests this year than last that there was full participation of the beaches of Puerto Rico. year. local inhabitants in protecting the The endangered species expe- nests. Thousands of sea turtles killed by longline fishery in Costa Rica rienced the highest figures of The department said that citizen hatchlings ever recorded in this participation was important in According to officials, Puerto Rico Not commercial fish, but vulnera- sents over a hundred thousand one holds the turtle to see if its region—68,000 in total, accord- saving the species. In a commu- has the most leatherbacks in the ble species olive ridley sea turtles endangered sea turtles killed. gets sick." ing to the Department of Natural nique, Carmen Guerrero Perez, United Sates and is second only are the second most caught spe- and Environmental Resources of the secretary of natural and envi- to Trinadad and Tobago in the cies by longline fisheries in Costa "It is common to see sea turtles In light of the study findings, this Caribbean island. In addition, ronmental resources, said, "This Caribbean. ■ SOURCE: Rica, according to a recent hooked on longlines along the researchers are calling for area there was an all-time record of season’s success is largely due to hispanicallyspeakingnews.com study published in the Journal coast of Guanacaste in Costa closures for the fisheries in order to of Experimental Rica. We can set some free but protect the endangered animals and Ecology. In addition, say cannot free them all," said Dr and promote more sustainability. researchers, the longline fisher- James Spotila, co-author of the Passengers on Wakatobi’s Pelagian Dive Yacht revel in the ies also catch more endangered study and Betz chair professor The research team was compiled luxuries of superb cuisine, green sea turtles than most types of environmental science in the of scientists from Drexel University, guest-centered service and a of fish. College of Arts and Sciences at Pretoma (non-profit conservation smooth, quiet ride. Drexel University. "The effect of organization in Costa Rica) and With just 10 guests and a crew The study analysed data of fish the rusty hooks may be to give The Leatherback Trust, a U.S. non- of 12 attending to the details on and animals caught by fishermen the turtles a good dose of dis- profit organization. ■ this 36m yacht, there is ample space for guests to slip into the from 1999 to 2010, recorded by ease. No one knows because no SOURCE: DREXEL.EDU Wakatobi flow with ease. scientific observers. Maps were generated based on the findings Pelagian offers a variety of duration options; dive trips as well as estimates of the total include a unique combination number of sea turtles caught in of stunning reefs and rarely the fishery as a whole. A startling seen sites. number of more than 699,000 Consider extending your cruise olive ridley sea turtles and 23,000 with a stay at Wakatobi Dive green turtles were captured dur- Resort: the best of both worlds. ing that time.

The study showed that the Costa Rican longline fishery is a major threat to populations of sea tur- tles in the eastern Pacific. While up to 80 percent of the turtles are “Pelagian is the gold standard among . released and returned to the sea, www.wakatobi.com The diving is the best we’ve seen in 25 years.” the remaining 20 percent repre- Bruce & Kathy Malasky Bernard Gagnon / wikimedia commons Olive ridley sea turtle

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Edited by Ila France Porcher

James Abernethy

Deep Trust In Sharks photo courtesy of jim abernethy

Jim Abernethy, owner operator to do so. Soon he was As Jim became familiar with one eight-foot male lemon for the right moment. When he and operator of Scuba taking divers to see great ham- shark behaviour, he began shark was blind in his left eye, sensed that the time was right, merhead sharks, tiger sharks, bull caressing them gently on their yet he had managed to survive he held the animal’s head still Adventures, was the dive sharks, oceanic whitetips and faces when they curiously in spite of this serious handicap. with his right hand long enough operator who showed all lemon sharks. For roughly the approached him. As they got Jim named him Captain Ron, to remove the hook with his of the others that sharks first seven years of these interac- over their fear of his touch, he and always gave him special left hand, while Captain Ron are peaceful animals tions, the other operators who was able to remove their para- attention when he saw him. He remained relaxed and nearly have now followed his lead, sites and massage their heads. knew how hard it is for an ani- motionless in the water. Jim who want nothing to do fought and voiced their opin- The sharks clearly enjoyed these mal with any handicap to meet released him, and the shark’s with humans as a food ions that people would soon be affectionate attentions and the challenges of living wild. response was to circle and source. dying because of Jim’s foolish- responded by returning to him jim had known Captain come back. ness. more often and more confident- Ron for a decade when he It was a week before Jim He spends most of his time with but Jim was right, and he was ly, apparently considering him to appeared with a large “J” hook returned to the area, and wild sharks during dives from the one who showed all of the be a type of cleaning station. piercing his snout—the hook Captain Ron swam straight up his liveaboard ship, The Shear others that sharks are peaceful passed right through the flesh to him, allowing him to exam- Water, at remote sites in the animals who want nothing to do Removing hooks of his nose, and into his mouth. ine the wound. It had nearly vicinity of the Bahamas, and is with humans as a food source. So when some of them Jim started by touching his face healed. The hole made by on land for only about 40 days a Now there are at least half a appeared with hooks in their whenever he passed with gentle the hook had filled in, and the year. dozen shark dive operators try- mouths, he was able to use caresses, and as Captain Ron redness around it had gone. In order to show people the ing to replicate what he started these tactics to get them to relaxed, he began grasping his Captain Ron was even more true nature of sharks on his dives, decades ago. Jim’s eco-tourism swim up to him over and over, nose for short periods. The hook affectionate as a result of the Jim Abernethy Jim specifically targeted those shark business is credited with so that he could examine their was close to the shark’s teeth, so incident, repeatedly returning Text by Ila France Porcher with the worst reputations. He being the first to offer night dives hooks repeatedly before remov- Jim was concerned about being to swim close beside Jim and let Photos by Jim Abernethy was the first eco-tourism guide with all of these species, too. ing them. accidentally bitten, and waited him touch his face. and Ila France Porcher

72 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO THIS PAGE: Jim Abernethy examines the would in the shark tales mouth of a shark named Emma

Shark Emma's dorsal fin wound (left); Healed dorsal fin (below) These two photographs, taken a year apart show the healing of the wound Jim Abernethy

though most of the sharks drawn to Emma, after his guest, Jim’s dives remain distant and never do Emma Finn. Over the years, approach closely to interact with him, he the great shark has grown found that no matter what the species, increasingly trusting and inti- a natural bond would form between him mate with him and their bond and certain individuals over time, facili- has steadily deepened. She is tated by his affectionate gestures. In the clearly able to recognize him wide region known as Tiger Beach, there from among all of the divers are approximately 17 such tiger sharks, present, and comes straight whom he calls “supermodels,” who over to him whenever she come to him on sight for the affection sees him, while he strokes her Ila france porcher that he gives them on every encounter. head and face. When Emma came to a inside her mouth, take the hook in his fin- But by the time this writer was able to

Emma dive with a fish hook stuck Jim Abernethy gers, and rip it out! visit, to observe Emma’s behaviour, the One of these is a matronly four-meter through her lower jaw, Jim blood poured into the water. Emma tiger shark had not been seen for about (14-foot) individual whom Jim named gently touched her until he had the opportunity to pull it out. Twice took her jaw off the coral head, and six months. he was able to remove hooks stuck into soared around bleeding. She stayed in but one evening, an enormous tiger the outside of her mouth in this way, by the area, and continued to approach shark passed swiftly just at the visual limit. caressing her gently first, and waiting for Jim to be stroked as she always did. I thought of Emma—the shark was so the right moment to coax out the hook. Later that day, while Jim was stroking much bigger than any of the others. She then, one day Emma appeared at her head, he tried opening her mouth was pregnant, and the tip of her dorsal the beginning of a dive with fishing wire to get a look at the wound, by sliding fin was missing. Soon she reappeared hanging from the side of her face, and a his right hand onto her nose and using and glided straight into the centre where large hook stuck deep into the muscle of his left hand to open her lower jaw. Thus the divers were watching. Jim was on the right hinge of her jaw. The hook was encouraged, Emma opened her mouth, board at the time, so word was sent that deep inside her huge mouth, and Jim and he was able to see that her wound Emma had come. She was energetically observed her circling around him, won- was very swollen, and was between fif- roaming the area when Jim arrived on dering how he would be able to remove teen to twenty centimetres (six to eight the seafloor, and she immediately swam it, and especially about how he would inches) long. to him. protect his arm from her teeth when he A week later Jim returned to the area, reached inside. His first thought was to and was again able to coax the huge Wounds and healing get a piece of PVC tubing to protect his tiger shark to open her mouth for him. Though I had found it hard to believe arm, then open her mouth and remove The open wound had closed, to his great that a tiger shark would willingly open the hook, but just at that moment, Emma relief—he was impressed by the shark’s her mouth so that Jim could inspect her came straight toward him, and just ability to heal up quickly. wound, that is exactly what she did. Jim before she reached him, she bit down for the next four or five weeks he was still reaching out for her when she on a large coral head. This was an inex- opened Emma’s mouth to see how her opened her mouth. He rested his right plicable move—sharks never bite down wound was healing whenever he saw hand on her head, and looked inside. on coral in such a way. Yet, this unprece- her, which was about five times a week. She was remembering him and their dented act permitted Jim, moving swiftly Eventually, she began swimming up to complicity over her hook wounds from six on the spur of the moment, to reach him and opening her mouth by herself. months before!

Ila france porcher

73 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Shark with coral head that shark tales Emma bit

emma appeared to be excited, roam- her with his teeth to stabilize the pair dur- Shark advocacy ing around energetically, and often ing copulation.) Jim described an incident in which a approaching Jim. I saw her open her one day a small male tiger shark of shark trophy hunter had visited one mouth when she approached him four about three meters (ten feet) in length of the dive sites and fished some tiger times. Her momentum kept her moving was with her, and kept trying to mate sharks in the five-and-a-half-meter forward so she rose upwards, Jim moving with her, biting her on the back of her (18-foot) range, in hopes of setting a fish- with her, so that by the time he was able head. Emma rejected him and eventu- ing record. As a result of the slaughter, to take a good look inside, she was rising ally she swam away. Jim followed, trying the sharks disappeared from the area for nearly vertically. to keep them in view, but he was left a period of two months. Sharks of other jim described how Emma had lost the behind. When Emma reappeared, the species have also been documented tip of her dorsal fin. He and Emma had upper part of her dorsal fin had been to flee an area for a period of time, reunited soon after she had birthed the ripped off! Filaments of cartilage were after some of their numbers have been year before, and he noted that each coming out of the wound, and some of slaughtered. week, she had another mating scar. her fin was missing. Knowing sharks in their liquid realm so (Females generally acquire significant jim was able to document the healing, well, and regularly witnessing such inci- mating wounds because the male holds which involved flesh replacement. dents, Jim has become a passionate and very powerful advocate for sharks. When he was disparagingly referred to as a “loose cannon” by one of his adversaries, Jim retorted that he was no cannon but an F-22 Tactical Fighter for sharks. And he is. As an award winning photogra- pher, author and film-maker, his influence is growing and spreading. His original work for sharks, and his unique story is also being documented through differ- ent movies and films which will soon be available. As well as fighting for sharks as an indi- vidual, Jim also works through a variety of important NGO’s including Operation

Blue Pride, which he founded in 2011. Jim Abernethy Operation Blue Pride invites military vet- erans to go underwater and discover on ocean issues, starting with sharks. ■ actions, following the precepts of cogni- the gravity-free submarine world and the tive ethology. She is credited with the sharks who inhabit it. These wounded, Ila France Porcher is a self-taught, pub- discovery of a way to study these much handicapped men and women fall in lished ethologist. She began her career maligned predators that does not involve love with the majestic creatures, while as a successful wildlife artist, document- killing them, and has been called the the relieves ing the behaviour of the wild animals she Jane Goodall of sharks for her documen- them of the pain they feel above the painted. In Tahiti she found sharks to be tation of their intelligence in the wild. Her surface. This special combination is the so intriguing that she launched an inten- book about shark observation, My Sunset key to its success, and the organization is sive study of them, systematically spend- Rendevous: Crisis in Tahiti, is available at: ila france porcher now building a worldwide army to take ing time with them and recording their Amazon.com Emma opens her mouth so that Jim can examine her hook wound (below)

74 X-RAY MAG : 57 : 2013 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO