BTS – 2016 TEK Dive Show (Page 1 of 3) (Speaker Bios on last page)

Room 1

Update on Deep Flooded Mine Project – Tilly Foster Mine Dan Wright & John Eells

An update of the continued exploration of this deep flooded mine, once the largest and deepest in the world at the time of its closing in 1897. Located in Brewster, NY, the mine is rich in history and disaster from its creation to the present day. Few people have had the opportunity to explore the site due to private ownership. With the advancements in mixed gas open circuit and closed circuit rebreathers, the mine can now be fully explored. In 2015, the Wright-Team discovered and mapped side tunnels, conducted scientific research of the underwater microbial communities, explored to depths of 325+ feet, discovered cars and trucks dating from the 1920s, from which artifacts were recovered, and engaged the services of a psychic to try to find the remains of murder victim Robin Murphy.

100 Caves, 100 Countries Jeff Bozanic

A goal to log 100 cave dives does not sound too difficult. However, Jeff Bozanic’s goal is to count only one cave dive in any given country on his list. This talk will document his progress to date, talking about his first 28 dives, and the projects that drove him to visit and work in 28 countries.

Mystery of the Last Olympian: a Decade of Exploration on Titanic's Tragic Sister, Britannic Richie Kohler

The mystery, human tragedy, and human triumph that encompasses the Britannic and its sinking are what has driven Richie Kohler to numerous explorations of this deep wreck over the course of a decade. Find out how the use of submersibles, an in-water decompression bell, rebreathers, and mixed gases helped facilitate dives on this wreck which is in over 400 feet of water off the Greek island of Kea.

(Continued on next page) BTS – 2016 TEK Dive Show (Page 2 of 3) (Speaker Bios on last page)

Room 2

Tech Training Panel Jeff Bozanic, Bernie Chowdhury, Joe Dituri

Issues and considerations for Technical Training in warm water, in cold water, with open circuit and with closed circuit (rebreathers), and in cave, wreck and open water environments. Come with your questions and concerns and have them answered.

Trimix Diving and Gas Narcosis

Equivalent Air Depth (EAD) and Equivalent Narcotic Depth (END) are the most commonly used methods for the determination of narcosis at depth. The values obtained are somewhat unrealistic when diving deep on trimix. It is proposed that Total Narcosis (TN), based on the Relative Narcotic Potencies (RNP) of the gases, or Total Narcotic Depth (TND), based on the densities of the gases, be used. These two methods tend to more realistically predict the effects of gases on the human body.

Ketosis in Diving Joe Dituri

A discussion of preliminary and ongoing research which is highly suggestive that ketosis is prophylactic to CNS oxygen toxicity.

(Speaker Bios on next page) BTS – 2016 TEK Dive Show SPEAKER BIOS (Page 3 of 3)

Jeff Bozanic Author of Mastering Rebreathers, and of numerous articles, Jeff has participated or lead over 70 diving expeditions during the past 30 years. He is active in teaching , rebreather, nitrox, decompression, and trimix diving courses. Granted many awards, including DAN / Rolex Diver of the Year in 2015.

Bernie Chowdhury Author of , published in eleven languages, an audio version, and as an e-book. Beneath the Sea’s 2001 Diver of the Year (Education). Explorers Club Fellow since 1995. An active technical diving instructor, Bernie teaches courses up to and including Advanced Trimix as well as Advanced Wreck (Penetration).

CDR Joseph Dituri (U.S. Navy- Retired) Retired U.S. Navy Officer who is currently a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering. A veteran of numerous deep diving expeditions, he is Co-author of the book “Tao of Survival Underwater”. He is on the BOD of IANTD and volunteers as the CEO of the Association for Marine Exploration.

John Eells First certified in Maine in 1972, John Eells is no stranger to cold water diving. He’s poking around and inside many of the wrecks off the coast of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and North Carolina before becoming involved with the Tilly Foster Mine exploration project. John makes some of his own gear and fabricates things to make the mine project easier.

Nuno Gomes South African diver Nuno Gomes formerly held the world record for deepest scuba dive and is one of only three divers to have descended to over 1,000 feet on scuba equipment and to have successfully ascended. He has successfully used technical diving techniques on deep scientific expeditions.

Richie Kohler Co-author (with Charlie Hudson) of Mystery of the Last Olympian: Titanic's Tragic Sister Britannic (non-fiction, Best Publishing Company, 2016). Formerly the co-host (with John Chatterton) of the History Channel’s “Deep Sea Detectives” series, and co-featured diver (also with John Chatterton) of ’s NY Times and international best-selling book, (non-fiction, Random House, 2004).

Dan Wright Dan has been diving rebreathers since 2008, has pushed to over 300 foot depths using them, as well as nearly a mile of horizontal penetration inside caves. He has consistently pushed the limits of depth, time, and temperature capabilities of rebreathers and exposure gear. An explorer of wrecks, caves, mines.