www.aquatutus.org Since 1955; now in our 64th year of & fun October 2019 Since 1958... a publicaon from the Aqua PROGRAM for November 14 General Meeting Tutus Diving Club, a non-profit organizaon established to promote and to Member’s Photo & Video Sharing Night further the sport of . MEETING SCHEDULE General Club Meeting: First Thursday of Every Month at 7:30 p.m. (except December, no meeting). Social at 7:00. Board of Directors Meeting: Third Thursday of Every Month at 7:00 p.m. (except December, no meeting) Location: Share your own photos, videos, or interests Ricky’s Sports Theatre & Grill 15028 Hesperian Blvd. At our November meeting, we will have our second 2019 Member’s Night where San Leandro, CA 94578 club members can share their photos, videos, & interests. You can present any-

thing that is dive- or marine-related, that you think other members might enjoy … it UPCOMING CLUB HIGHLIGHTS doesn’t necessarily have to be your own product. ** General Meeting in November is on If you wish to share, please contact Jenn at [email protected] so that Nov 14 ( NOT November 7) ** we can plan the event. If you can email or otherwise get your images/videos to her, November 2-3: Urchin removal with Wa- please do so. If not, please come early so that we can offload your images/video termen’s Alliance, page 12. from a flashdrive onto our laptop. Unless you ask us not to, we may use some im- November 9-11 : Veteran’s Day weekend ages for the report in our newsletter. dives. We ask that you keep your planned segment to less than 5-8 minutes . You can December 7 : Club Holiday Party, page 7. narrate your segment if you wish. Segments will be shown by the order of sign-ups Dec 20-Jan 4 : 6th Annual Holi- to Jenn, so contact her ASAP . If we run out of time at the meeting, we will defer day Trip, page 17. remaining segments to early 2020 . For a complete listing of club activities visit Meetup or ATDC Event Calendar . Reminder ...The November General Meeting See more event details on page 5. will be on November 14 (NOT November 7) IN THIS ISSUE Entertainment Report ...... 2 Board Elections at November 14 Meeting General & BOD Meeting Minutes…. 4 -5 Club dive report & Holiday Party … 6 - 7 Arnie’s Tech Tidbits, Pt 6 …....… 8 - 12 Travel, Training, Events ...... 13 –18 Club contacts & useful links ..…...... …19

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Elections for the Board of Officers (BOD) will be held at the November General Meeting . Please con- Thank you presenters and newsletter con- tributors for making this Aqua Tooter possi- sider volunteering yourself or nominating someone that you have spoken ble this month: Alan Throop, Gayle Hudson, with who might want to volunteer. There are more specific descriptions of Linda Phillips, Debbie Driggers, Arnie War- the officer duties on page 18 . shawsky, Kari Klaboe, Alison Young, Lind- Serving on the BOD is fun; it gets you involved with the club and the gen- say Martin, Liliana Wang. eral dive community in the Bay Area; it looks great on your resume; and it

Thanks to Steele’s Discount Scuba for gives you a great sense of participation and accomplishment. sending member candidates to Aqua Tutus If you have interest or questions, please talk to any of the officers at the Diving Club. Steele’s is located at: next meeting who have nametags or contact them at the emails that are 5987 Telegraph Avenue Oakland, CA 94609 listed on the last page of the newsletter. (510) 655-4344 We need a president .. It only a couple of hours per month!

1 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

The iNaturalist platform is both a website and an app that’s ENTERTAINMENT REPORT designed for people to take photos of organisms they find in By Alison Young (graphics & photos: from Alison’s program, except where noted)

Editors Note: At our November General meeting, Alison Young, from the California Academy of Sciences, spoke about their Citizen Science program, an interesting app called iNatu- ralist ( https:// www.inaturalist.org/ ), and about nudibranchs. Using iNaturalist , anyone can photograph a given spe- cies .. of any animal or plant .. get it identified, logged into a world-wide network of profes- Linda Phillips sional and citizen scientists, nature, to share their observations with others, to get help with have your data used to track identifications, and to explore what other people are seeing that species, and contribute to natural history research. It’s a anywhere in the world. Using iNaturalist allows people to turn research-grade science tool that is operated by National Geo- their photos of nature into data, since it creates the same kind graphic and Cal Academy. It’s available for free on-line and as of information that a museum specimen has: the location, the an app for your phone. date, who found it, and the “evidence” is the It was an interesting and informative program. She showed photograph. iNaturalist beautiful local nudibranchs that I haven’t seen before! Anyone has artificial intelligence can join Alison’s tidepool outings (see upcoming dates at the which will give you sug- end) where you can find and identify nudibranchs and other gestions on the identifi- species and join the citizen science program. It would make a cation of what you pho- fun club outing; if anyone wants to schedule an event with her; tographed, and once contact Alison at [email protected]. you upload your obser- Many thanks to Alison for speaking with us. Her report follows. vation, other people in the iNaturalist community can help con-

firm, refine, or correct that ID. Once an identification has been confirmed by ⅔ of the people suggesting an identification, that observation can become a “Research Grade” observation. Research Grade observations are shared with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF for short) , which is a big database of species occur- rence records, including museum specimen records and eBird records, and is often used by scientists who have questions about how species distributions are changing. One facet of the Citizen Science program at the California Academy of Sciences aims to engage people in documenting biodiversity along the California coastline. Alison and her co- director run two coastal projects: long-term monitoring at the Pillar Point where volunteers monitor a suite of species and work to build a species atlas using iNaturalist, and Snap- shot Cal Coast, an annual 2-week event in the beginning of The California Academy of Sciences has a highly active re- search program, and their scientists work around the world to document where species occur, to discover new species, and to understand the relationships between species. The scien- tists often make specimen collections as “evidence” for these species occurrences. When starting the Citizen Science program at the Academy, Alison and her co-director wanted to engage people in this type of science - the science of natural history - and have peo- ple participate in this process of ex- ploring, observing carefully, and docu- menting biodiversity everywhere. But they didn’t want people to collect specimens and send them to the Academy - so instead, they use iNatu- ralist to have people record what they’re finding.

2 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

June that mobilizes people from the Oregon border to the Mex- they are related to, and ico border to document coastal biodiversity. This program is talked about the two types of funded by the California Ocean Protection council who is inter- nudibranchs: dorids and ested in using these data to inform management of California’s aeolids . The easiest way to marine protected areas, and supports a research scientist in tell these two groups apart is the Citizen Science Department at the Academy to analyze the to look for a visible plume of data, look for trends, and to compare what’s happening inside gills - dorids have them, ae- and outside of these MPAs. olids don’t! There is a huge diversity of nudibranchs you Most people participate in Snapshot Cal Coast by making find along the coast here in observations in tidepools or along beaches, but the Academy the Bay Area, and even in would love to have the bay itself, and Alison showed us photos of the more com- more subtidal obser- mon and inter- vations (hint, hint!). esting nudi- Getting lots of people branch species excited about and in the area. interested in docu- menting coastal and Alison ended marine biodiversity her talk by cir- not only gathers lots cling back of data, but it also around to iNatu- means you’re bound to find things you weren’t expecting to find ralist and show- - like the Dendronotus orientalis nudibranch one of the Acade- ing some other my’s volunteers and her high school-aged daughter found un- useful features of the platform, like being able to keep track of der a dock in San Fran- all the species you have cisco Bay, which was not personally seen, explor- only a new record for ing other people’s ob- California, but for all of servations globally to North America! This nu- find species you’re in- dibranch had only previ- terested in or learn ously been found in Asia more about what can and the high schooler got be found at places to be the author of the you’re interested in, and paper letting the scien- how to help other peo- tific community know ple identify what they’ve about this new find. found. She encouraged everyone to check out Alison then went on to talk about why she was focusing on iNaturalist, and partici- nudibranchs for this presentation, when iNaturalist allows you pate in this ever- to document growing global biodiversity network by either adding observa- any and every tions on your own, or coming to one of the Academy’s upcom- organism. The ing citizen science events! Academy has a long history of documenting and discover- iNaturalist.org / iNaturalist in your app store ing nudibranch www.calacademy.org/citizen-science species, and in [email protected] - to sign up for Pillar Point list their citizen science pro- grams, they’ve CalAcademy Citizen Science Upcoming Events: found nudibranchs to be a gateway into discovering more • Monday, October 28: All-reef search and night tidepooling at about tidepools and marine life, because people get so excited Pillar Point about and interested in what else they can find once they find their first nudibranch. • Tuesday, November 12 & Tuesday, November 26: Surveys at Pillar Point Alison gave some pointers on where to look for nudi- branchs : big deep pools with red algae near the other edge of • June 1-16, 2020: Snapshot Cal Coast the reef are a great place to find them in the tidepools, or look for them on their food sources. She also presented an over- view of where nudibranchs lie on the tree of life and what else Early Notice of MEETING CHANGES:

The November, 2019 meeting will be held on Novem- ber 14 (NOT November 7) due to room conflict.

The January, 2020 meeting is planned for January 9 (NOT January 2) due to the holiday conflict.

3 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES October 2019 Reported by Debbie Driggers for Secretary Gayle Hudson

DATE : October 3, 2019 • Contact Alan Throop at [email protected] if you

Meeting called to order by President Patti Shannon-Hocker at are not receiving the newsletter. Rickys Sports Bar and Grill in San Leandro, CA at 7:30 pm. • Content on any material of diver interest is always wel- come; dive reports and photos are encouraged. 37 members present. Webmaster (Kari Klaboe) Patti asked for a moment of slence to honor the lives lost on • The website up to date and newsletter posted. the M/V Conception on September 2. • Content can be sent to [email protected] .

Speaker: Alison Young, from Cal Academy of Science, spoke Cencal : on their Citizen Science Program, iNaturalist app, and Nudi- • No report. See semi-monthly reports in Tooter. branchs. Special Committees : Guests : Holiday Party: December 7 at La Cabana. Holiday Party: Kari • Barbara – San Lorenzo teacher, her dive buddy got a job so Klaboe is helping Alan for this event, which will begin at she’s looking for new buddies. 6:30pm on December 7 at La Cabana. Kari passed around a signup sheet for volunteers. This is a great party – raffle (to

Treasurer’s Report (Helga Mahlmann) benefit the Pacific Grove Hyperbaric Chamber), dancing, Club Assets, total: $6,044.61 great food, games, Santa! Patti encouraged everyone to sign • Classes = $2,778.21 up as soon as possible so food can be planned. Volunteers • are still needed for general jobs, also looking for someone to General account = $3,266.40 run the raffle. Kat volunteered to take the raffle and Devon volunteered for Entertainment (Jenn Pechacek) anything that no-one else wants to do. Linda will do photos. • November: Member’s Night #2, 2019. For Members Night: Please buy as soon as possible, prices go up December 1. give a thumb drive with photos/videos to DL or Laurie in ad- vance of the November 14 meeting. Length not to exceed Old Business five minutes. If you can’t send it early, please arrive to meet- • We will take a photo at the November meeting of club mem- ing early so your presentation can get into the queue. bers to hang in Ricky’s. This is a request from the owner of • December: No General Meeting; Holiday Party Dec 7. Ricky’s. Help with entertainment is badly needed, including taking • We are looking for new club officers for 2020. notes of the presentation; recommending speakers; back -up • The club does have insurance so if you are an officer or for Alan to do set-up. Any help is appreciated. doing something for the club you are covered for the If you have any requests or suggestions for future entertain- amount of money in our accounts. We also have coverage ment, let us know at [email protected] through CenCal for meetings and events. Our dives are not covered because it is “same ocean, same time.” We will dive with you but are not diving as guides . Membership and Meetup (Kat Smith) • Membership: 86 Regular, 9 Associate, 8 Lifetime - 103 total New Business • MeetUp: about 88 members Officer elections, Nov 14 : Nominations are open for all posi- • Facebook : open to the public. If you post a dive there, any- tions. Several officers are willing to continue in the positions if one can see it and potentially show up. no one else is interested. A description of the positions is • Meetup : Participation is limited to club members. If you want available in the Tooter. to organize a dive, let Kat or an organizer know and she will Helga, Kat, and Gayle have self nominated for their current make you a temporary organizer so you can set up a dive. positions. Nomination will be opened again prior to voting in November.

Training (Dennis Hocker) - See ads in this newsletter General Announcements • AOW: Advanced Open Water (AOW) currently underway November meeting moved to a week later on 14 November and will dive North Monastery October 5. Tooters welcome due to a Raider game. to join the dive if interested. Dive reports • If there is interest in any other training, let Dennis know. For • Kat: Club dive at Copper Roof house was moved to South more information on training, contact Dennis Hocker at 510- Monastery. Several club members attended and a second 792-5606 [email protected] or Neil Benjamin at 510- dive was made at Breakwater. Good conditions. Kari and 673-0073 [email protected] . Mike both walked out most impressively. Others practiced “the crawl.” Newsletter (Kari Klaboe, for Alan Throop) • Dave Chervin: reported that a good number of club mem- • The newsletter went out via Mail Chimp. bers attended the recent ReefCheck movie. Kelp appears • Input is needed by the 20th of every month. Content on any to be returning to Otter Cove and Lover’s 3. material of diver interest is always welcome; dive reports and photos are encouraged. (Continued on page 6 )

4 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES October 2019 Reported by Kari Klaboe (for Gayle Hudson, Secretary)

Date : October 17, 2019 tions. It was suggested we could do without an office but Gayle said some offices are legally required. Kat sug- Meeting called to order by President Patty Shannon-Hocker at gested the Board meet quarterly. Gayle said we are re- Ricky’s Sports Theater and Grill in San Leandro, CA at 7:09 quired to meet as a Board but frequency can be looking pm into and this issue was tabled. Present: 7 members present. • In November, BAL members are to run the election, pro- ducing a slate of candidates, hand out ballots and pens, Treasurer’s Report (Helga Mahlmann, none) and tally results to report out at the end of the meeting. − none • Group photo for Ricky’s: The Board discussed holding off on this as we may not have time with Members Night and Membership & Social Media (Kat Smith-absent) the Board elections. • 96 total members (9 lifetime, 8 associate) New Business Entertainment (Alan for Jenn Pechacek) • Club General Meetings • November: 2019 Member’s Night #2 − Kari to send out Mailchimp email indicating that the No- • December: No meeting; holiday party, December 7 vember meeting has been moved to November 14. Alan is working on a number of presenters for 2020 who have • Gayle will contact Ricky’s to confirm they have space for us confirmed they will present and are looking at what months on January 9, the date of our January General meeting. As they are available. of this writing, Ricky’s does not yet have their 2020 calendar • February: Foundation available. • March: Brent Durant, Underwater photos, videos, and tutori-

als Upcoming Activities • April: Oran Arms, Underwater Robots • November 9-11 : Veteran’s Day Weekend to include Pt. Lo- Alan expressed concern that Entertainment has not identified bos; POC is Kat Smith a Chair for 2020, to best coordinate duties. Entertainment al- so needs members to write a few paragraphs of the presenta- 2020 tions for the Tooter. Discussion ensued to look at ways to • May 8-18: Maumere, Komodo, & Bima, Indonesia - keep Entertainment covered for 2020. Presenters will also be Come aboard the Explorer Adventure Blue Manta. POC: encouraged to write their own articles for the Tooter. Dennis Hocker. One space left. • August, 2020 : Club dive in Lake Tahoe; POC is DL Pop- Training (Dennis Hocker) plewell • Dennis Four students are currently taking AOW. 2021 If you have interest in these or any other training classes, • July : Dennis is looking into a trip to . Let him know if please contact Dennis at: [email protected] . you have any interest For more information on training contact Dennis Hocker at

(510) 792-5606 [email protected] or Neil Benjamin at (510) 673-0073 [email protected] . Next Meetings • Next General Membership meeting: November 14, 2019 Newsletter (Alan Throop, not present) (NOTE date change) Contact Alan at [email protected] if you are not re- • Next Board of Directors meeting: November 21, 2019. ceiving the newsletter or to provide reports, photos, etc. Input is due by the 20th of the month. Meeting Adjourned : 8:47 pm by Patti Shannon-Hocker We’re always looking for input from members on dive reports, photos, dive safety, marine conservation, ecology/biology, re- search, local organizations, travel, etc to share. Upcoming Club Events !! Webmaster (Kari Klaboe) • Holiday and raffle tickets have been posted to the website .. See MEETUP or call POC for CURRENT information ..

with a link to Square. Deadline to buy tickets is December 1 • in order to receive the discounted price. Alan will link the November 2-3: Urchin removal with Watermen’s Alli- page through the Tooter. ance. Van Damme Beach. POC: DL Poppelwell. • • We’re always looking for content. Content can be sent to November 9-11 : Veteran’s Day Weekend dives, to in- mailto:[email protected] . clude Pt Lobos. POC is Kat Smith. • December 7 : Club Holiday Party at La Cabana. 6:30- Special Committees 11:00pm. Looking for folks to help; see ad in this newslet- • Kari to lead volunteer coordination this year and volunteers ter. are signing up • See MeetUp for pick-up dives during the Holidays! • December 20—January 4 : 6th Annual Cozumel Holiday Old Business Trip. Join us anytime during that period. Patti will arrange • Officer nominations are coming up soon. Discussion en- hotels; contact her for space. Cavern diving opportunities sued on how to encourage members to take Board posi- may also be available (see Neil Benjamin).

5 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

General Meeting Report (cont.) A beautiful day in Monterey (Photo credits as noted) • Alan S. had a nice dive at Breakwater. The club dive on October 12 was an all-day affair for those • Devin dove recently, somewhere in Monterey, terrible condi- who wanted it. Helga had ar- tions but did see a leopard near the shale beds. ranged a tour of the Pacific Grove Hyperbaric Chamber Bone & Good Buddy Nominations (PGHC) in the morning for 8 of • No Bone nominations. us who showed up (Thanks, • Derek nominated for Good Buddy by Kat for driving when she didn’t have to. Tooters at Alan Throop Upcoming Activity and Dives Helga). Meg Donut gave us a 2019 fascinating tour or the chamber, • Club Dive is a Full Moon (almost) dive at Breakwater, 4:30 its history, and when & how it’s pm. POC is DL Meet at the lower parking area. Some lights used (Thanks, Meg). may be available for loan, but please bring your own if you Lori Martin have them. Alan, Lindsay, & Lilianna in- Following the tour and the A tour of the Pacific Grove Hyperbaric Chamber will be held side the 4-person chamber group lunch at Gianni’s Pizza, we at 9:30am. 20 spots are available and there is no cost. Only split up until the meeting for the two signed up now please let Helga know ASAP if interested night dive. The Martins went to the Pacific Grove Natural His- if no more people, she may have to cancel. You can call and tory Museum, leave Helga a message. which they en- • November 9-11: Club Dive Veterans Day Weekend, three joyed. days of diving. Alan and Don 9th will be Copper Roof took Lilianna on 10 th will be Point Lobos. a tour around 11 th location TBA. the Monterey Kat also has rented a house that sleeps ten or more. House Lilianna Wang Peninsula, stop- is fully booked but there may be floor space available. Lover’s Point on a beautiful day ping at Lovers • December 20-January 4: 16 th Annual Cozumel Extravaganza. Point, Point Pi- Patti will arrange hotels, contact her for space. Dive with Dive nos, and other sites. The weather was spectacular. Since it Paradise. $86 per room per night dbl occupancy or $82 for was low , they tried tide-pooling at Pt Pinos to try to find single in a room. Ten members have signed up and more are nudibranchs (see Alison interested. Young’s program this month), but to no avail … 2020 maybe we need better • May 8-18: Maumere, Komodo, & Bima, Indonesia - Aboard training :-). the Explorer Adventure Blue Manta. POC: Dennis Hocker. One space is left. Additional spaces might be available; The group, along with please check with Dennis. other Tooters, met up at the Breakwater to plan the 2021 night dive, for which DL Alan Throop • July 26—July 10 : Bonaire with Dennis. See ad in this Tooter. was the Point Of Contact. Tooters meeting for the night dive Buddy pairs were selected

Next Meetings and we discussed the dive. • October 17: BOD Meeting Since we had an hour or so • November 14: General Meeting ** NOTE changed date ** before suiting up for the dive, some when for a snack and Meeting Adjourned : 9:10 pm others of us walked the bike path between San Carlos and into the water. and the Commercial Wharf. Lindsay Martin Unfortunately, the vis was not so great, It was a beautiful evening. but everyone had a safe and good dive Cannery Row from Breakwater The seas were calm, the nonetheless. marine animals were settling down, and the sky was beautiful. Following the dive, Some of We met about 6:30 at twi- the folks light for the divers to suit up. headed up to Some of the divers needed Phil’s in Moss a hand with their gear due to Landing for a some good bone-worthy Lindsay Martin Alan Throop celebration events (come to the Novem- Diver gets an assist dinner. Divers enter the water at Twilight ber meeting to hear about with her tank straps it), but the divers eventually So … even if you get skunked on a dive, made their way to the beach Lilianna Wang “there’s never a bad day in Monterey”. ( Cont at left ) Cannery Row at twilight 6 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Order your tickets on-line at: https://squareup.com/store/aqua-tutus/

7 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Tech Tidbits… Episode 6 ways in 1962 ( figure 2 shows the original advertisement from the 1961 Sportsways catalog), but it wasn’t really until the late Gauges & Computers

by Arnie Warshawsky (photos provided by Arnie)

[ Editor’s note: Arnie has offered to write a series of articles on his experience with . Dennis has trained a num- ber of club members and others for this, and has opened up some wonderful experiences that combine both technical and during his trips abroad. Arnie is part of the Aqua Tutus contingent that now lives in Figure 2. Sportsways SPGs. The illustration on the left is of the Hawaii. Enjoy his perspective on this! ] Sea-Vue gauge from the 1961 Sportsways catalog. The photo on the right is a later model. It used a double-ended needle to When I began diving, submersible pressure gauges (SPGs) show pressure in Imperial and Metric units; the port to connect the and depth gauges were commonplace, dive timers were avail- HP hose is still on the back (unlike today’s bottom port). able, and dive computers were just coming into their own. It wasn’t always like that. For example, SPGs were not available 1970s that SPGs were embraced by the dive community. when began. In this month’s article I will address What took so long? the development of dive gauges and computers. At first, macho divers, being the way they are, belittled divers SPG Origins . Cousteau did not believe that the lack of a SPG who felt the need to carry these devices. The same way they was an impediment to diving. In fact, in Cousteau and Gag- belittled the first divers who began using life vests, reserve non’s original patent, #2,485,039, they actually argue for not valves, and BCDs. Probably more significant, the newly devel- needing a submersible pressure gauge: oped SPGs were relatively expensive, costing around $40, which was almost the price of a regulator back in the early “...A third cylinder C serves as a reserve; the gas sixties. contained in it being available for when he feels that the supply of gas contained in the two cyl- Industry had been making high pressure (HP) gauges for dec- inders A and B is close to being exhausted. The ca- ades. The SCUBA challenge was not in making HP gauges, pacity of this third cylinder is sufficiently large to sup- rather it was in making gauges that would perform well in the ply sufficient air to the diver to enable him to rise to ocean. Plus there was a classic ‘chicken or egg’ conundrum the surface sufficiently slowly. The diver can thus since when the SPGs first came to market, regulators did not dispense with any instruments for measuring the have a HP port for them. (You needed an adapter to be able pressure in the two cylinders A and B” [NOTE 1 and to plumb the HP hose to the cylinder.) Regulators didn’t start figure 1 ] to include HP ports until SPGs developed significant market penetration. In the 1940s, triple cylinder rigs were The first SPGs did not have a swivel [NOTE 2] and, as you common, particularly can see in figure 2 , the HP hose attaches at the gauge back. Manufacturers included a loop with the gauge. The diver slips since cylinder capac- ity was limited ( ~45 the loop onto the belt to keep the gauge in a conven- cf). Diver pressure ient location. If you inspect the end of today’s HP hoses, you will see that the end going to the regulator has a very small stimulated SCUBA manufacturers orifice—almost a pinhole. The small orifice is a safety meas- (especially Cous- ure to reduce gas flow volume if the hose ruptures. Not the teau’s company) to case with the original setup; no flow restrictor, so if the hose do something to miti- burst, you lost your gas supply very quickly.

gate running out of After prices started to come down, the value of SPGs became gas on a dive better compelling. Any SPG allows a diver to track remaining cylin- than surfacing “when der pressure throughout the dive. Coupled with a simple K- he feels that the sup- valve, the combination is far superior and less expensive than ply of gas … is close any of the many reserve valve designs. The combination of K- to being exhausted.” valve with SPG eventually drove reserve valves out of the The first approach market. Today SPGs are inexpensive (~$80) and reliable. industry pursued You can find liquid-filled models (overkill in my opinion since was the develop- you don’t need the needle damping that the liquid provides), ment of reserve glass-faced models (less prone to scratching), hoseless digital valves that warned a models that transmit data directly to your , mod- diver running low on els with large displays for those old divers among us who are gas. The most suc- visually impaired, and tiny button models, which are almost Figure 1 Illustration (Fig 1a) in Cousteau’s cessful of these was impossible for me to read. and Gagnon’s patent application for the single stage regulator. Cylinders A and B the positive reserve In the good old days, the pneumatic shock from opening the are ganged together to provide gas for the valve (J-valve). The cylinder valve was responsible for shattering a few gauge fac- dive and cylinder C is envisioned as a first commercially es. To mitigate the possibility of shards of glass or plastic hit- , separately valved, thus obvi- available SPG, the ting the diver in the face, training agencies introduced the ating the need for an instrument to indicate Sea-Vue pressure technique of placing the SPG face against the BCD fabric be- to the diver remaining pressure status. gauge, was pro- duced by Sports- ( Continued on page 7 ) 8 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Tech Tidbits (cont.) ce, and mark the background using Boyle’s law to help. No matter fore opening the valve. We still teach it this way, but the need how long your tube is, when the water fills the tube halfway the has vanished with improved manufacturing. mark is 33 fsw; at two -thirds full the mark is 66 fsw, and so on. The technical diver should attach an SPG to each first stage. The shape of the tube doesn’t matter, though a circular shape is When both regulators are opened, both SPGs should read common, especially if the tube is just a piece of plastic tube. The the same. (Check before you start your dive.) If they don’t left-most and center gauge in figure 3 are capillary gauges (the agree, either the manifold crossbar valve is closed or one of plastic tubing has discolored from age). On the one hand, the ca- the SPGs is broken (unlikely). The rationale for carrying two pillary gauge is extremely accurate; on the other hand, markings SPGs is based on the situation where you have closed one of get closer and closer to each other as the depth increases (the the two regulators. If you only had a single SPG, it might be middle gauge in figure 3 illustrates this point quite nicely) making connected to the regulator that you shut down leaving you with no way to know how much gas you have left. The hose on each SPG should be long enough to let you clip off each gauge near your waist. That way the SPG is out of the way yet easily located when you need it. Simply unclip it and bring it up to your face to read. For streamlining, I don’t use a con- sole. Cave divers argue that you also should remove the pro- tective rubber housing around each gauge, because when Figure 3. Early wrist-mounted depth gauges. Left: A Sportsways wriggling through tight spaces in caves, the friction from a model that combined a (plastic capillary tube along the rubber housing can be enough to get you stuck just like using outer perimeter) with a SPG. The outer ring of numbers is read for a rubber wedge to keep a door open. depth, the inner ring of numbers is read for pressure. Center: A Scu- For stage bottles, most technical divers use either a button bapro model that shows current depth and includes a small compass SPG, which is a tiny gauge screwed directly into the regulator in the center. You can see the capillary tube around the perimeter. Right: A Spirotechnique model. Notice how the scale wraps around HP port, or a standard one on a very short hose (usually six twice. This model uses a Bourdon tube to measure the depth. inches). It is nearly impossible to read a button SPG during a dive—the face is too small—but that doesn’t matter. You read it harder to read the depth with precision. In practice, these gau- the button gauge before the dive to ensure that the bottle is ges only are practical to about 60 fsw. filled or at least has enough gas for the planned decompres- sion stops (plus a reserve). Unlike the situation with back gas Bourdon tubes replaced capillary tubes for diving depth gauges (back gas is the term used for the divers main gas supply, mostly for improved precision at greater depths. Like capillary usually carried in cylinders on the divers back), where know- tubes, Bourdon tubes only measure depth indirectly. They res- ing that you are consuming gas faster than planned can pond to pressure. Eug ẻne Bourdan (yet another Frenchman) pa- prompt you to modify your dive plan by cutting it short or go- tented his “metallic manometer” in 1849. The principle is simple. ing shallower, by the time you begin to use your stage bottle, A flattened, metal tube bent into a ‘C,' helix, or spiral shape strai- you are already in the process of ending the dive, so knowing that you are running out of stage bottle gas isn’t useful infor- mation. Once you exhaust your stage bottles, simply switch back to your back gas. If you did your planning correctly, you Figure 4. This diagram will have enough back gas to account for this possibility with shows how a Bourdon tube works. Pressure from the its attendant increased time. bottom cause the metal tube Depth gauges. Depth gauges do not measure depth. They to straighten. The end of the measure pressure. The scale, dial, or computer circuitry con- tube is connected with a link verts the into depth. There are essen- to a pinion gear that moves tially four ways to measure pressure underwater: capillary the dial pointer. tube, Bourdon tube, diaphragm-actuated, or a pressure trans- ducer. The first three are analog gauges, the latter is a digital gauge. I’ll discuss each separately. Capillary tubes have been used since Boyle’s day. In fact, ghtens out in a predictable way when pressurized. Using links he used a capillary gauge called the Boyle-Mariottesche and pinion gears, the movement of the end of the tube is connec- depth gauge. A capillary tube depth gauge is simply a hollow ted to a dial indicator that moves along a calibrated dial face. air-filled tube that is plugged at one end and open to the envi- Gauge response is linear with pressure (not with depth). It is ronment in the other. There are no moving parts. This is es- easier to read the needle than the air/water interface in a tube. To sentially the upside-down glass taken deeper and deeper into use a Bourdon tube for a depth gauge, the bottom of the Bourdon the water that your entry-level training quizzed you about. tube has to be open to the ocean. A concern is that salt water and The water rises inside the glass compressing the air until the waterborne debris can get inside the Bourdan tube and is very pressure of the trapped air equals the water pressure. The hard to clean out. A is to fill the Bourdon tube with a liquid deeper you take the glass, the higher the water level rises (usually glycerin) and environmentally seal the bottom with a flexi- inside it. At 33 fsw, the water fills the glass halfway. At 66 fsw, ble membrane (like a diaphragm). Now the ocean presses on the the water fills the glass two-thirds. At 99 fsw, the water fills membrane, transmitting the pressure to the tube. You also can fill the glass to three-quarters. the housing surrounding the Bourdon tube with glycerin. The oil To construct a capillary gauge, all you need is a bit of clear dampens needle oscillations (not very important for a depth tubing with a constant cross-section, e.g., aquarium air tu- gauge, but useful for gauges in pumped systems) plus it keeps all bing. Plug one end with silicone caulk and you have your the moving parts lubricated. The rigid case prevents transmission gauge. (Plastic had not yet been invented in Boyle’s day, so of the ocean pressure to the oil surrounding the Bourdon tube. he used a curved glass tube.) Place the tube onto a contras- ting background, to make it easier to see the air/water interfa- ( Continued on page 8 ) 9 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Tech Tidbits (cont.) Dive computer history. In the early 1950s, the US Navy funded Diaphragm-actuated gauges . These gauges, initially devel- Scripps Institute of to develop a theoretical de- oped for very accurate low-pressure measurements, sport a sign for a prototype analog decompression computer. A diaphragm like a liquid-filled Bourdon tube, but that is where the commercial company built the prototype, the Foxboro similarity ends. Ocean pressure on the diaphragm flexes it, Decomputer, Mark I. The US Navy Experiment Diving Unit which can be measured in two ways. The simplest is to mount (NEDU) evaluated it in 1957. [See NOTE 5] Around 1956, a a mechanical assembly onto the diaphragm. When the dia- Canadian company developed a prototype decompression phragm moves up it pushes the gauge needle.The correlation computer using five Bourdon tubes, each with a different sized between needle movement and depth is made by the dial face. orifice, corresponding to one of five distinct tissue types. The The other is to mount a pressure transducer (see below) such idea was that as the diver descended, total gas pressure that the diaphragm movement pushes on it. absorbed by each tissue type was tracked separately controlled Virtually all analog depth gauges sold today are either liquid- by the different orifice sizes. Staying at any depth long enough filled Bourdon tubes ( e.g. , Scubapro, Aqualung) or air-filled, led to saturation of all tissue types. Upon ascent, the relaxation diaphragm-actuated designs ( e.g. , Oceanic, XS, Cressi). in the five Bourdon tubes again was different due to the uniquely sized orifices. That information was mechanically Digital gauges . If the display is on an LCD or other computer linked to a display needle showing the diver whether she could screen the gauge is most likely a digital gauge. A pressure

transducer measures pressure-related changes in electrical properties. This works the same with gas pressure (for an SPG) Figure 5. Early Canadian analog or water pressure (for a depth gauge). Details of how transduc- decompression computer proto- ers work are best left to an electrical engineer. The change in type. You can see the five Bour- electrical properties is converted by the circuitry into the don tubes mounted on a single readout you see on the display. You no longer need to estimate shaft. (Source: Alex Peirce, in between marks on a dial, just read the number on the screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch? Standalone digital depth gauges do not have a significant mar- v=gHuviYaDKO8 ) ket presence, but integrated into a dive computer, digital depth gauges are replacing analog depth gauges in the market. Digital dive timers are even simpler. A quartz crystal clock circuit inside a waterproof housing. Since dive computers have continue diving or should ascend. Figure 5 shows the prototype the same clock circuitry, the increasing market penetration of device—it was never put into production. The device is an digital dive computers is shrinking the already small digital timer analog computer not a digital computer. The Bourdon tubes are market. serving as analogs for on and off gassing of five tissue types; Dive Computers . Dive computers are not really computers. I there are no other sensors. like to think of them as devices that can rapidly evaluate a de- The first commercially available analog dive computer, the De- tailed dive table using up-to-date parameters for the dive you ComPressimetro or DCP was introduced in 1959. It was built by are on modified by residual nitrogen from earlier dives with that Victor Aldo De Sanctis (a cinematographer) and Carlo Alinari computer [See NOTE 3] They display a lot of data but the most (an engineer). After some improvements to their first design, important is either dive time remaining to reach the ‘no- their company, Strumenti Ottici Subaquei (SOS), began selling decompression limit (NDL)’ if you remain at your current depth the device (renamed Automatic Decompression Computer and or the depth of the next decompression stop and length of time Automatic Decompression Meter) directly to the diving public you must stay there. (The computer usually counts down your and also distributed it through other dive equipment firms such stay time to zero and then shows you the next decompression as Scubapro and Cressi. It was very simple in principle: a wa- stop and stay time.) A dive computer has one or more terproof bladder filled with air inside a big casing bled into a decompression algorithms (tables) incorporated into a solid smaller chamber through a semi-porous ceramic cartridge (to state chip. The computer has environmental sensors ( e.g., pre- simulate tissue in/out gassing). The chamber pressure was dive ambient air pressure, salinity, water pressure, measured by a Bourdon tube, calibrated to indicate decompres- , and possibly a compass). [See NOTE 4] It also sion status. ( See Figure 6 .) Unlike the Canadian prototype, uses data reported to it by other sensors ( e.g. , cylinder there was no attempt to account for different tissue types. It pressure, current rate), an on-board quartz crystal was expensive, costing a little over $100 in 1960. The device clock, and stored data ( e.g., time between dives, residual nitrogen from previous dives). The device applies the data it has to the decompression algorithm. In addition, to the information mentioned above, the devices display current depth, maximum depth, dive time, and more. Most computers also save pretty much everything for later download to your desktop computer. (Typically saved are a detailed — depth, time, and —residual nitrogen, and a . These data are useful for examining your dive later.) Then a second or less later the dive computer does it all Figure 6. Left: The Automatic Decompression Computer manufac- over again, and again! After the dive, you can download all of tured by Strumenti Ottici Subaquei (SOS) and distributed by Scubap- the saved data to your desktop computer, usually via Bluetooth. ro and the same distributed directly by SOS. Right: What is inside. While the computer is turned off, it continues to count down the (Source: Stephane Eyme, in https://vintagescubadiving.com/sos-dcp- time-to-fly. Once turned back on or at a download, it updates bendomatic-or-game-changer/ , May 2018.) the residual nitrogen levels. All of these sensors, measurements, calculations, and saved data are contained in functioned so poorly that the dive community referred to it as either a small wrist unit or watch-like unit, run by a battery. How the “Bend-O-Matic”.Nevertheless, the race was on as manufac- did the dive community develop these incredible devices? ( Continued on page 9 ) 10 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Tech Tidbits (cont.) Today’s dive computers can be sorted according to turers began to improve existing and develop new decompres- ‘aggressiveness’, which is related to the actual algorithm cho- sion models along with implementing hardware. Two approach- sen by the manufacturer and, perhaps more importantly, to how es were used. One was to develop means to treat different tis- it is implemented in the dive computer. has a reputation sues separately and give that information to the diver. An ex- for being very conservative while Cochran is very aggressive. A ample is the Four-Tissue Automatic Decompression Computer, ‘conservative’ dive computer is one where the decompression which was developed by SOS. Continued effort along this path algorithm implementation is such that the computer tends to focused on miniaturization and cost reduction. The other ap- decrease the allowed dive time compared to an ‘aggressive’ proach was to distill information into a single output that told one. From the technical diving perspective, think of it as influ- the diver when she had to ascend, much like the original SOS encing decompression stops—a conservative computer will decompression computer tried to do. An example of this ap- give you longer stop times and possibly more stops. Most man- proach was the Hans Hass Deco-Brain [see NOTE 6]. Figure 7 ufacturers will not tell you how the decompression algorithm is implemented as they consider that proprietary information. Contemporary dive computers are marvelous instruments. At the higher price point, they include bright, colorful, OLED dis- plays, air integration (cylinder pressure, rate, estimat- ed time to cylinder exhaustion), multiple choices that can changed at any time, and a compass. Some let the user tailor where some of the information is displayed on the screen. As is the norm in our sport, we older divers tend to want to hang on to our old, comfortable, gauges. We come up with all kinds of reasons why relying on a dive computer to re- Figure 7. Evolution of dive computers. Left: The Four-Tissue Auto- place the set of gauges is dangerous. The reality is that, current matic Decompression Computer, an analog design developed by SOS. Right: The Hans Hass Deco-Brain , a digital design by Swiss dive computers are more accurate, less prone to failure, and start-up, Divetronic AG . It was t he first decompression diving com- provide much more information than our beloved gauges. Don’t puter to display much of the information that today's diving comput- be like old-time divers who refused to accept new technology ers do. The Deco-Brain was based on A. Bühlmann's 16 compart- such as SPGs, BCDs, etc . Embrace the modern generation. ment tissue decompression model, which Jürg Hermann, an elec- Some divers I know and respect embrace a quirky position of tronic engineer, implemented in 1981 on one of Intel's first single- wearing several computers on the same dive. Ostensibly to chip micro-controllers as part of his thesis at the Swiss Federal enhance safety in the event one fails. Sometimes they wear Institute of Technology. two of the same model, more often they wear two different shows both of these early dive computers. No matter the models. Here is my perspective: If you have two otherwise approach used, it turned out to be fairly easy to match identical dive computers and they display different data, which published dive tables for the first dive; repetitive dives were the do you believe? If you wear an aggressive dive computer Achilles heel. alongside a conservative one, what is the point? In both situa- tions, if you plan to follow the conservative one, why bother Even by the late 1980s—after some 25 years of develop- carrying the aggressive one and vice versa? ment—dive computers had not yet achieved widespread ac- ceptance by the diving community. Arguments against dive I do carry a backup instrument: a digital dive watch, which gives computers covered the gamut from the serious (poor imple- me dive time, current depth, maximum depth, and has a rapid mentation of decompression schedules) to the silly (concerns ascent rate warning. I like the with respect to my that the increased bottom times would significantly interfere dive computer. But those data are only helpful if you have a with and meal schedules). working knowledge of . Unfortunately, in my opinion, dive-training agencies are making a mistake with The debate raged for almost another 20 years. In 1996, after the current trend of eliminating dive tables (and their tiny bit of selecting a decompression algorithm—the VVAL-8 Thalmann decompression theory) from entry-level curricula. I think even a algorithm developed by US Navy CAPT Ed Thalmann, senior small amount of decompression theory is valuable, even if you medical officer at NEDU—the Navy issued a competitive bid to will only use your computer. The agencies cite the growing implement the algorithm into a digital dive computer. Cochran presence of dive computers as part of the initial equipment Consulting Company won the bid. Finally, in January 2001, the package as their motivation. Dive shops like this, since it pro- US Navy approved use of the Cochran NAVY decompression motes their interest in selling dive computers to entry-level di- computer for use by SEAL units. [See NOTE 7] (Sadly, Mike vers. I guess I can sum up my thinking by saying that I love Cochran passed away in 2018, but his company remains dive computers as a tool I can use, not as a crutch to support a strong.) lack of knowledge. With the legitimacy conferred by the Navy’s adoption of a com- mercial digital dive computer, sales of dive computers took off. Choosing a dive computer. Don’t impulse buy. I recommend the Manufacturers commissioned and used many decompression following a process. First, decide what class of decompression algorithms: Most were variants of Bühlmann’s ZHL-12 compart- algorithm you feel most comfortable using: Haldanean or Bub- ment implementation of Haldane’s original model from the early ble. (I favor bubble models because they are an attempt to 1900s along with a few bubble models; e.g., Varying Permea- model the actual physical processes in our bodies during a di- bility Model (VPM) and the similar Reduced Gradient Bubble ve.) Do your research. Read technical reviews and specifica- Model (RGBM). More recently some manufacturers offer com- tions. Go on-line and read diver reviews—usually less biased puters with both models leaving it to the diver to select the than vendor reviews. Next, decide what features you want in model desired. (I’ll discuss dive tables and decompression your dive computer. This may become a compromise between models in a future column.) desires and price. Once you have the field winnowed down to a few models, learn how to access the computer’s features —

11 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

some strategies are easier to use than others. Try to avoid serve as a back-up device. Thoroughly read and understand nested sequences of button pushes; challenging to remember the operator’s manual for your dive computer. Remember, during a dive. Dive computers are manufactured by a very your best computer is the one between your ears. small number of companies and branded for the vendor mar-

keting them ( e.g. , Aqualung, Scubapro, , Oceanic). Get a Next month: Auxilary Equipment sense of how long the vendor has been in business and how good is their customer support. This is an important instrument, ENDNOTES

so avoid great deals from unknown companies. Decide your 1. Cousteau Jaques Yves, Gagnon Emile, “Diving Unit,” Patent Ap- price point and buy your shiny new dive computer. Then— plication US2485039A, Oct, 18, 1949. This US patent application MOST IMPORTANT—read the users manual. Then read it was subsequent to the original patent filed in on March again. I can’t tell you how many divers stick their computers in 10, 1947. my face and ask, “What is my computer telling me?” or worse, 2. When you see bubbles leaking from the connection between the “How do I make it do so and so?” I may or, more likely, may not SPG and the hose, the culprit is the swivel or spool. The spool is know the answer. You should! an ingenious hollow tube with pinholes and those tiny 003 O-rings The first dive computer I purchased was an Oceanic Data Max at each end. You should always have a couple in your save-a- Pro. The most attractive feature to me was large characters in dive kit. The double o-rings allows the gauge to rotate independ- ent of the hose and the pinhole openings restrict the gas flow rate the display, which made it easier on my old eyes. My second to the gauge. dive computer came to me courtesy of a careless diver who left it behind on a rock wall at a dive site. (I contacted the manufac- 3. I worked for a dive shop that provided customers with dive com- turer to see if it had a record of the purchaser so that I could puters. A problem arose when computers used for morning char- reunite the computer and the diver, but it had not been regis- ters were also used on afternoon charters but with different di- tered—one good reason to send in those warranty cards.) My vers. This curtailed dive times for afternoon customers because of the residual nitrogen accumulated by the morning divers. The next dive computer was a Cochran Commander—Dennis was vendor provided the shop with an unpublished sequence of button quite persuasive. I got about a hundred dives on it before it pushes that would clear residual nitrogen from computer memory. died. As Cochran continued to release newer models over the This solved the technical problem, but was too awkward to imple- next 20 years, I kept buying Cochran dive computers, either at ment in practice. The shop stopped providing dive computers. a promotional price for instructors or as an upgrade replace- 4. Your dive computer uses the ambient air pressure to decide if you ment for a dead computer. Three years ago, after admiring a are on an altitude dive, allowing it to choose the correct decom- dive buddy’s dive computer, I bought my first Shearwater: a pression algorithm from its memory. It uses salinity to decide if Petrel. From my perspective, Shearwater products are a signifi- you are diving in salt water or fresh water, since this changes the cant improvement over my Cochran dive computers in terms or conversion of water pressure to depth. ease of use, multi-gas handling capability, data downloading, easy to read displays, and especially customer service. I’ve 5. Searle Jr, WF, “Foxboro Decomputer Mark I," Technical Report NEDU-7-57, US Navy Experimental Diving Unit,1957. since acquired a Shearwater Perdix dive computer. I love both of them. 6. In 1983, the first device to show the fundamental set of infor- Technical perspective. As reliable as they are, just like a fin mation (current depth, maximum depth, dive time, deco stop and time) was sold. Called the Hans Hass Deco-Brain, it has an LCD strap that suddenly snaps, a dive computer can fail during a display and is based on the Bühlmann ZHL-12 model, dive. This is not a big problem for a recreational diver. If the implemented in 1981 by Jürg Hermann, a Swiss electronic recreational diver is following good diving practices he always engineer, on one of Intel's first single-chip micro-controllers as has a ballpark idea of how much gas and dive time is left plus part of his thesis at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. he can always terminate the dive at that point. However, this 7. See “The US Navy Decompression Computer," an article written may not be good enough for a technical diver who might al- by CAPT Frank K. Butler, MD, Director of Biomedical Research, ready have one or more required decompression stops when Naval Special Warfare Command. Available at http:// the failure happens. The standard solution harks back to the www.divecochran.com/press_clippings/Skin_Diver/0701.html. technical dive training he received. Good technical diver train- ing spends quite a lot of classroom time discussing dive plan- ning. Technical divers should never ‘grab a set of doubles and Urchin Removal Event jump into the water’ relying on the dive computer to take care of everything. To my mind, the proper approach is to plan out eve- With The Watermen's Alliance ry technical dive in advance: maximum depth, maximum time at that depth, decompression stops (either from a written table or POC for Aqua Tutus: DL Popplewell. See : https://www.meetup.com/Aqua-Tutus-Diving-Club/events/265668973/? from software), and gas requirements. The plan- rv=ea1_v2&_xtd=gatlbWFpbF9jbGlja9oAJDgzMzM5MTc0LTQ1ZDYtND ning should also include the same information for a set of unex- M2MS1hMjZhLTQwNzIyOWM0ODVhYQ pected situations: spent five minutes too long at maximum WHEN: Saturday, Nov 2, 8-3pm & Sunday, Nov 3, 8-12pm depth, went ten feet too deep during the dive, did both, or lost the deco gas. Prudent dive planning ensures that the diver car- WHERE : Van Damme Beach, Mendocino County; 3 miles ries enough gas (back gas and deco gas) to allow the diver to south of Mendocino off Highway 1. safely execute any of those four options. The prudent technical Stay : Van Damme State Park Campground: 1-800-444-7275 diver writes out the deco schedules for the planned dive and hp://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=433

the four “emergency situations” and brings them along on the Recreational divers will help protect the kelp by removing as many dive (using waterproof paper, plastic slates, or even duct tape purple urchin as possible over these two days. The event is organized on bottles or fins). Plan your dive, dive your plan! by the Watermen's Alliance and the NorCal Underwater Hunters. Summary. Contemporary dive computers are sufficiently relia- We have shifted the structure to crushing the urchin. The limit of 40 ble to do away with most separate analog and digital gauges gallons still applies and you still need a valid fishing license. Waivers (streamlining the diver) we divers are habituated to carry. With will be available at the event. at 8am in the parking lot. All divers, non divers and just a little bit of training, a simple dive watch can adequately kayakers are welcome. 12 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Minutes from Cen Cal meeting, A floating device created to clean up plastic September 25, 2019 from the ocean is finally doing its job by Larry Ankuda, Secretary By David Williams , CNN October 3, 2019

Call to Order – Jim Kaller emailed about an hour before https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/02/tech/ocean-cleanup- the meeting saying he couldn’t make it due to a client meeting. With catching-plastic-scn-trnd/index.html Carol Rose in Cleveland (where meeting time was 10:30 PM) and Lar- ry Ankuda in Hawaii (with questionable cell phone clarity) the decision was made to postpone. Below are notes of the planned agenda.

Membership –Carol CCenCal membership stands at 165. USOA membership from our area is 67.

Financial Report —Carol USOA owes CenCal $900 in dues collected. Carol donated $500 to DAN for Conception fund. Income: received $100 for Sep. 21 skindiving meet insurance. Expenses of $50 for postage for above tournament. A huge trash-collecting system designed to clean up plastic Website —Larry floating in the Pacific Ocean is finally picking up plastic, its in- Larry renewed efforts to have risk waiver forms signed and returned ventor announced Wednesday. electronically by piggy-backing an agreement line on a PayPal button. Funds transferred to CenCal from PayPal were $242.45 on 8/5 and "Today, I am very proud to share with you that we are now $80.58 on 9/23. catching plastics," Ocean Cleanup founder and CEO Boyan Slat said at a news conference in Rotterdam. Scholarship —Jim The Ocean Cleanup system is a U-shaped barrier with a net- None like skirt that hangs below the surface of the water. It moves with the current and collects faster moving plastics as they UW Hockey —Carol float by. Fish and other animals will be able to swim beneath it. PCC meet will be in late October in Santa Clarita (LA), CA. The PCC The new prototype added a parachute anchor to slow the sys- has 2 divisions: Open and Mixed. Mixed teams must have 3 women tem and increased the size of a cork line on top of the skirt to in the water at all times. All 3 ng teams, with Puck sending 2 strong keep the plastic from washing over it. teams. There are now 18 teams signed up.

It's been deployed in "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch" -- a Photography —Jim of trash located between Hawaii and California that's about double the size of Texas, or three times the size of The Monterey Shootout was held Aug. 22—25. France.

UW Fin Swimming --Carol Ocean Cleanup plans to build a fleet of these devices, and predicts it will be able to reduce the size of the patch by half USOA had 6 swimmers at the Pan American games every five years.

UW Rugby —Carol Garbage patches are formed by rotating ocean currents called "gyres" that pull marine debris into one location, according to The world meet held in had several local CenCal players on the men’s team. CenCal’s Sea Bass club has a new pool/venue in Mill the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Valley. It is insured. Several of these patches exist in the world's oceans.

There have been setbacks which Slat called "unscheduled Skin —Carol learning opportunities," since the system set sail from San NorCal Skin Divers hosted a CenCal team spearfishing meet at Ft. Francisco in September 2018. Ross on Sep. 21 with the weigh-in at Ocean Cove. CenCal provided insurance for the event as a precaution. The last known bank bal- In December, the group announced that the system wasn't ance was $16,362. picking up trash. Then, a 60-foot section broke free in January and the whole thing had to be towed back to shore, along with Old Business more than 4,400 pounds of trash that it had collected. The red abalone: A series of 6 meetings—3 in person & 3 webinars— Officials launched the new System 001/B in June and after are in progress: 8/27 in Santa Rosa, a 9/19 webinar, 10/23 in Santa some more trial and error, they got things working. Rosa, and 11/21, location unknown. DFW has hired a professional facilitating group to conduct the meetings. "We now have a self-contained system in the great pacific gar- bage patch that is using the natural of the ocean to pas- New Business sively catch and concentrate plastics, thereby confirming the Conception: most important principal behind the ocean cleanup system," Slat said. Next meeting There are still some hurdles to overcome before they can CenCal’s next regular meeting, being the eve of Thanksgiving, will be scale up the system. He said the final system will need to be rescheduled. able to survive for years in the difficult ocean conditions and be able to hold the plastic for months between pickups, in order Adjourn at: NA. for the plan to be financially viable.

13 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Save The Date & Submit your entry ! See http://intloceanfilmfest.org/

Training & Growth Opportunities !! We're excited to begin a new season, with amazing films and more opportunities to entertain, educate and If interested in training classes (, DPR, DAN O2 empower audiences of all ages to fulfill our mission: Provider, Enriched Air, Deep Air, other specialty), please Saving our oceans … one film at a time! Contact Director of Training, Dennis Hocker at den- [email protected] The upcoming 17th Annual IOFF will take place on • For more information on training, contact Dennis Hocker March 12 - 15, 2020 at Cowell Theater at Fort Mason at (510)792-5606 [email protected] or Neil Benjamin Center for Arts & Culture, as well as other theaters with- at (510)673-0073 [email protected] . in the Bay Area (and beyond!). Upcoming Club members are always welcome & encouraged to attend any classes or dives. • The Advanced Open Water (AOW) class is finish- ing up in October. See https://vimeopro.com/user21783508/ • There is potential interest in a skin diving class on every-nine-minutes the North Coast. Contact Dennis if interested. Blue whales, the largest beings ever to grace our planet, can weigh up to • class will be held after AOW class if 300,000 pounds ... the same amount of there is interest. CPR and O2 provider required. plastic entering our oceans every nine minutes. The Mon- Cost to club members will be $150. See Dennis. terey Bay Aquarium and Golden Gate National Recreation Area created a life-size traveling art installation, a blue whale sculpted from recycled plastic. Their objective: to Upcoming Open Water Classes reduce plastic use, while celebrating this magnificent crea- ture’s existence. Available from “Original Steele’s” Dive Shop Directors: DJ O’Neil & Oliver Hamilton (USA) - 5 min

“Jim wants to train competent divers The club needs your help ! who will become a part of the local dive community” … YELP Join our Entertainment Committee and help by occasion-

ally writing reports for the Tooter, controlling the laptop

A 5-week class, Tu & Wed nights, 14 hours in a pool, 5 dives during programs, contacting interesting people, or in oth- in Monterey… a class that trains you for diving in more- er ways that suit your interests. challenging California coastline. Divers say if you can dive here, you can dive anywhere in the world ! It’s a great way to discover and meet interesting people from the local diving Upcoming OW classes for Oct & Nov are: community and the many marine-oriented • Classroom: Oct 1 & 2 organizations in the • Pool: Oct 8 & 9 , 15 & 16, 22 & 23 greater Bay Area. • Pool test: Oct 29; Written test: Oct 30 No long-term commit- • Checkout Dives: Nov 3 & 10 ment is required and it’s

a great way to get in- • Classroom: Nov 12 & 13 volved and help the • Pool: Nov 19 & 20 , 26 & 27, Dec 3 & 4 • club. Pool test: Dec 10; Written test: Dec 11 • Checkout Dives: Dec 15 & 29 Interested? Contact Jenn Pechacek at entertain-

[email protected] . or Alan Throop at 925-577-7876. 5987 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

14 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Teaming up for Gear Innovation Demonstration Day October, 2019 To inform the efforts of the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group to reduce whale entanglements, the Cali- ( Excerpts from October 15, 2019 email newsletter ) fornia Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and Monterey Newsletter archive: https://montereybay.noaa.gov/sac/advisory-nwsltr.html Bay National Marine Sanctuary hosted a gear innovation/ modification demonstration day on September 6, 2109, funded MBNMS website: https://montereybay.noaa.gov/sac/advisory.html and supported by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation as Signup for e-mail newsletter: https://lp.constantcontact.com/su/hxLWIK6 part of their whale conservation program.

The purpose of the event was to provide a venue for gear inno- September was a tragic month for the Div- vators, fishermen, and fishery and resource managers to col- ing community. There are no other words to laboratively address whale and sea turtle entanglements describe the events of early September 2, through technology and gear innovations by demonstrating 2019, Labor Day. We have attended sever- and/or learning about different gear types that may help reduce al memorials, gatherings and simple get- the risk of marine life entanglements in Dungeness crab fishing together's to share feelings, thoughts and gear. grieve together over the loss of near and The RV Fulmar served as an observation deck while the CDFW dear friends, colleagues, fellow divers and Patrol Vessel Steelhead demonstrated six different types of crew. Most of us have been on the dive boat Conception with gear in Monterey Bay. Some known as “ropeless” gear, remove Captain Jerry at the helm sometime over the years and to a the need for constant lines in the water thereby reducing the person we all are still in disbelief of what happened risk of entanglement. Other types of gear include long soaker Glen Fritzler, owner, has regarded his customers as family with systems, and using lines with a weak link and are designed to many diving for decades on his three boats. This horrific tragic release when an animal puts pressure on the line. A diversity of event has changed so many lives forever. MaryJo showed me technologies were reviewed in the field by agencies, fishermen a black button with "34" Remembering you on every Dive. It hit and nonprofits, and valuable information was collected and will me in the gut to hold it and read it as I imagined and thought be used to evaluate and rate the performance for each gear about some of our personal friends on that trip. We are thankful type. The information will be brought back to the Working for all our fellow divers, it is a big family that comes together Group for discussion and will likely be followed up by additional when we need each other. Only divers can speak "diver" to selective testing in 2020. each other as we know the beauty, adventure, and skills we Whale entanglements are identified by the West Coast Region- share to venture into our underwater world. Thank you all for al Sanctuary Resource Protection Coordinators as a priority coming and sticking together during this difficult time. over the next 5 years as the issue represents one of the major DEMA is around the corner in November and we hope to see threats to large whales. Gear innovation is one of the areas to you there with the Diving community. explore that could ultimately allow “whale safe” fishing in high- We have an agenda item concerning helium filled foil, metallic, risk areas. nylon (Mylar) balloons floating into the sanctuary and marine life entanglement. There are some interesting data points that we will be reviewing and looking at how education may play a role in helping curb the incident rates. Notes on Club Insurance At the last meeting of the year we will be tackling the increas- (discussed at October 3 General Meeng) ing occurrence of needles on the beaches. The often referred program "Needle Exchange" has turned into 600,000 being Due to questions raised at a recent meeting, Helga summa- distributed in 2018. Few are ever returned and now we have rized our club’s insurance: recorded accidental "stick" situations happening on popular Aqua Tutus is a non-profit corporation. We can be sued, but beaches. The needles and their contents threaten the environ- only for the amount in our checking account; the board mem- ment and human health. bers are thus protected because of that. The Reef Check Urchin Experiment has found some first year Of course, anyone can sue anyone else in California by filing results that are quite surprising and RCCA will release a report with the courts and paying $176. We carry a $5 million dollar later this year. The main take away is that although purple ur- General Liability policy in case we get sued. We have all chins are the main culprit in destroying kelp forests, the red members and those who dive with us sign the General Liability urchins also increased their numbers and are preventing kelp Waiver, which provides legal protection for this. from recruiting in the experimental plots. We are seeking to This insurance covers our top-side events: against trips, slips, expand the project for next season by adding more targets and and falls, etc. This would include meetings, holiday party, and including removal of red urchins to see if kelp can successfully similar events. be restored. The General Liability insurance does NOT cover the dive ac- tivities in our classes. The dive instructors carry their own in- Please email us on either of these subjects if you have com- surance to cover these classes. ments or information that we should put forward in the discus- It is important to note that - when we meet for a group dive - sion. we are inviting others to dive with us, as good dive buddies …

Drop us an email at: same ocean, same time ... but not as instructor / student rela- Brian Nelson - [email protected] tionships. These are not “club-sponsored” dives; rather they Keith Rooseart - [email protected] are “club-member” dives where members meet as regular dive buddies.. In our monthly “club-member dives” there is no intent Safe Diving, Brian and Keith of instruction, beyond that of the normal advice offered be- tween buddies. (Continued) 15 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Coast Guard May Change Sleeping A fall benefit to support the IOFF Rules After The Conception Fire Student Educational Programs BY EMILY ELENA DUGDALE IN NEWS ON OCTOBER 3, 2019 4:26 PM

hps://laist.com/2019/10/03/dive-boat-concepon-fire-coast- guard-sleeping-rules.php

The Coast Guard is considering new safety regulations follow- ing last month's dive boat fire that killed 34 people , according to two local dive boat operators who have spoken with agency officials. "The one thing I can tell you: The cost of diving in California just went up dramatically," Ken Kollwitz, the owner of Channel Island Dive Adventures , told KPCC/LAist. Saturday, November 2, 2019

CHANGING 'DOUBLE BUNKS' TO SINGLE BUNKS The Bently Reserve One big change under consideration: People would no longer 301 Battery Street be allowed to sleep side-by-side in one bed. San Francisco, CA 94111 People often sleep next to each other on boats that offer a For more information and tickets: "double-bunk ." Kollwitz said the Coast Guard considers that arrangement a safety risk because the beds are against a wall, http://intloceanfilmfest.org/benefit making it difficult for the person closest to the wall to exit in an emergency. Conserving and restoring our oceans Making this change would reduce the overnight capacity on requires intergenerational environmental Magician, the 65-foot dive boat that Kollwitz charters, from 20 to 14. "Twenty people to 14, I think you can figure out what's Leadership !! going to happen," he said. Join us as we honor our 2019 TWO CREW MEMBERS AWAKE AT NIGHT Ocean Champion The Coast Guard is also considering a rule that would require Dr. dive boats to have more staff awake when docked or at an- chor, according to Kollwitz and Ted Cumming, owner of Cal Oceanographer, National Geographic Explorer, and Founder of Mission Blue Boat Diving. While current regulations require just one crew member to be and awake at night, the Coast Guard may now require a captain and a deckhand to be awake at night on The Magician, Koll- Recognize Swedish Eco-Activist witz said. Ms. Greta Thunberg A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety with the Next Generation Award Board on the fatal Labor Day blaze on the dive boat Concep- tion said no one was standing watch when the fire broke out in the middle of the night. PROGRAM Magician normally has three captains on board for an over- night trip, Kollwitz said, adding that a requirement to have two 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM people awake instead of one would him to hire more Cocktail Reception and Photo Call crew to cover all shifts, which would compel him to raise his prices. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM If the rule changes happen, Kollwitz said his price for a two- Vegan Dinner, Film Trailers, Live Auction and day boat trip would likely jump nearly 20%. Keynote Speaker, Ocean Champion Honoree The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to a request for Dr. Sylvia Earle comment.

'WE NO LONGER ALLOW OVERNIGHTS' 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM On Wednesday, a red banner appeared at the top of Cal Boat Music and Dancing with DJ Bryce Williams Diving's website : "Note: we no longer allow overnights." The company focuses on day trips to the Anacapa and Santa Future Club meeting dates

Cruz Islands. Cumming said after careful consideration, he's ** Note changes for the Nov & Jan General Meetings ** no longer allowing passengers to sleep on his boat Spectre on General Meetings Board of Directors Meeting the night before a trip. "It's something we've been doing for 30 years," he told KPCC/ (typically 1 st Thursday) (Typically 3 rd Thursday) LAist. "But weighing all of this, everything depends on one hu- (*not 1 st Thursday) man being staying awake for the lives of people staying on October 3 October 17 board. I've decided that I don't want that gamble." Kollwitz said the owner of another company, Peace Dive Boat , **November 14** November 21 told him it has also ended the practice of letting people sleep December … No meetings. Holiday Party , December 7 (Continued on page 17 ) ** January 9 ** January 16 16 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Interested in dive travel ? DIVE BONAIRE in 2021 ! … let us know !! June 26– July 10, 2021

Folks in the club are planning some interesting dive Dive with Dennis in Bonaire … a premiere Caribbean dive des- trips in the near future and need to hear from you if you tination … easy diving; a marine sanctuary since 1972, so great might be interested. marine life, both boat and shore diving & ; and many topside activities. See Dennis at [email protected] Includes: 14 nights at the Sand Dollar Hotel, with breakfast, room tax, 5 two-tank boat dives, 12 days of unlimited air for shore diving - at the resort or around the island- and a pick-up DIVE INDONESIA in 2020 ! truck - to bring your gear to the 60 easy shore dives or visit the sites around Bonaire. May 8-18, 2020

Maumere-Komodo-Bima … and visit the Drag- Packages from $1,825 - $2,500, depending on rooms, without airfare. ons of Komodo … Contact Dennis for $500 booking deposit if you are interested at [email protected] .

See www.infobonaire.com/scuba-diving

(photos: Bonaire website)

On board the Explorer Ventures Blue Manta : https://www.explorerventures.com/indonesia-liveaboard- diving/blue-manta-explorer-komodo-itinerary/

Package price $4,700 (based on payment by check)

• 10 nights twin share accommodations • 9 ½ days of diving • meals & snacks, park fees, • Port & Hotel taxes and transfers.

Airfare to Maumere (MOP) or from Bima (BMU) is extra. Space is limited to 12. Booking deposit $1,000. As always will be filled on an as-deposit-received basis.

There will be an option to add some pre trip / post trip ex- tra days of Land Based Diving. Possible changes (cont.)

For more information contact Dennis via email den- on board before a day trip. KPCC/LAist was unable to reach the [email protected] or 510-RxSCUBA (797-2822 ). company's owner. Cumming said he's calling nearby hotels to try to negotiate a discount for his customers. He said he's informed people who had already booked upcoming trips, and they've all been "very Join the club for the 16th annual understanding." Cozumel dive trip over the holidays Added Cumming: "I don't think they feel comfortable in a bunk room, either."

NEW SAFETY MEASURES Cumming said he's stepped up emergency training for his crew. "They're re-familiarizing themselves with firefighting systems,

pumps, where everything is on the boat," he said. "They're getting so that it's automatic rather than hesitate and Patti Shannon Neil Benjamin try to remember what to do." Kollwitz said the owners of Magician have upgraded its smoke Some of the best and best-value diving in the world alarms and added new alarms in different parts of the ship. They've also banned large hard dive cases, as they could block December 20, 2019 - January 4, 2020 escape routes. …. or anytime of your choosing during that time Anything with a lithium battery on board The Magician must now Patti is arranging rooms at the Barracuda Hotel; $86 per room be stored in a fireproof container like a Lipo bag, he said, add- double occupancy or $82 for single in a room. Diving is with ing that passengers won't be allowed to charge batteries be- Dive Paradise. You pick your own time and flights to be there tween 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. whenever you want. Contact Patti for space, presi- Cumming and Kollwitz said the Coast Guard told them it will [email protected] . inspect their boats this month.

17 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

Not getting your club emails or Meet-UP Aqua Tutus Officer Duties notices?

Pay your 2019 membership dues so that you receive all the current information on Meet-Up and club emails … see the “October deal” be- low .

Stay current with club activities …. In preparation for the elections at the November General Meeting, we have published below the descriptions of Annual membership dues can be paid at any club the duties for the Officers of the Aqua Tutus Board of meeting to the Treasurer or Membership chair: $40/ Directors. These are taken from our club governing doc- member, $10/associate, and $25/ student. Those joining uments. after Oct 1, 2018 are considered paid through 2019. If you have been with the club for a little while, we hope See benefits here. that you will consider volunteering for one of these posi-

Dues can also be paid online at https://aquatutus.org/ tions. If you are new, you might consider volunteering as membership-application/ Board Member At Large (BMAL) and get to know the club that way; those elections are held in the middle of the calendar year. These are great ways to get involved

Member Sign-Up Special ! in the club and the diving community. The ability to execute these duties have flexibility, of Each year, when you sign up after October, your dues are course, given that we all have other more-important covered for 2020 . What a deal ! commitment to our work and families. In some cases the

Receive club email notices. Get access to event details on duties can be shared. Don’t be afraid to help!

MeetUp. See hps://aquatutus.org/become-a-member/ Duties of Elected Board of Director Members Be a current club member, attend membership and BOD meetings

President

1. Chair/lead Monthly General Membership meeting 2. Maintain and update ATDC Constitution and By-laws, as required 3. Process incoming mail and distribute pertinent information appropriately, or delegate to BOD member. 4. Chair/lead monthly BOD meeting when VP is unavailable

Vice President 1. Chair/lead monthly BOD meeting 2. Assume the duties of the President when necessary

Membership Coordinator 1. Greet visitors and new members at club meetings 2. Maintain & update ATDC membership roster 3. Collect membership dues, transfer dues monies to ATDC Treasurer 4. Obtain signed ATDC membership form/waivers from members

Secretary 1. Record minutes for membership and BOD meeting. 2. Provide meeting minutes to Newsletter editor for publish- ing in monthly Aqua Tooter 3. Process outgoing Club correspondence as required

Treasurer 1. Maintain financial records and transactions 2. Setup and maintain club bank accounts and other appro- priate financial instruments 3. Report club financial status at membership and BOD meetings. 4. Manage Club post office box, or delegate to BOD member

18 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019

BIG ISLAND, HAWAII 2019 CLUB OFFICERS & CHAIRPERSONS KONA CONDO FOR RENT President Book now at this low price! Patti Shannon-Hocker ….………… [email protected]

June 29 - July 13, 2019 Vice-President Devin Martinez ………..……. [email protected] $500 per week + $14 tax One-time $50 registry Secretary fee covers one or all Gayle Hudson …………….……… [email protected] weeks. Weeks run Satur- day to Saturday. Treasurer Helga Mahlmann…………...………. [email protected] Contact Don Kel- sey 925-820-8362 Membership Coordinator [email protected] Kat Smith ………...……….…… [email protected]

Director of Training » Resort info can be found on The Kona Billfisher website . Dennis Hocker ………………...... …. [email protected]

Entertainment Coordinator Jenn Pechacek …….…..… [email protected] Internet Resources for the Bay Area Diver http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/swell/ Newsletter Editor Alan Throop ……………….…. .…. [email protected] Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary https://montereybay.noaa.gov/ Social Media Coordinator https://www.facebook.com/MBNMS Gayle Hudson……………… .…. [email protected]

Board Members at Large (BML) , July’19-July’20 Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Angela Boultinghouse ………..……..…. [email protected] http://www.mbari.org/ https://www.facebook.com/ MBARInews?fref=ts Chuck Harlins …………………… …… [email protected]

“DL” Debra Popplewell … …………...… [email protected]

California Marine Sanctuary Foundation Webmaster http://californiamsf.org/index.html Kari Klaboe ………….……...…. [email protected]

Past President Pacific Grove Hyperbaric Chamber Kari Klaboe ……………...…. [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/PGHyperbaricChamber

http://californiamsf.org/pages/donate-pgh.html

SUBMISSIONS TO NEWSLETTER & WEBSITE NEEDED

Dive pictures, videos, reports, article, stories, envi- ronmental, and all things diving- and marine-related are needed for the website, the Tooter newsletter, YouTube, and social media sites. Visit our photo submissions page, send to the club contacts listed above, OR send to [email protected] .

NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Submissions for the “Tooter”, both web- and emailed/pdf-newsletters, are due by the 20 th of each month. The Tooter is published by the end of the month. No publications in December.

19 | The Aqua Tooter October, 2019