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Quarterly Journal: April 2013, Vol. 7, No. 2

In this issue: Expanding Horizons and Creating Memorable Experiences Expanding Horizons and Creating Whether you have been a scuba instructor for decades or are currently a Memorable or dive supervisor, you have the opportunity to impact the lives of Expereinces your students and influence their diving adventures. Whether it is taking time in providing health and safety education for divers, such as breath holding, practicing static and shallow water blackout, to preparing them for what NDPA Symposium hidden treasures they may encounter on a dive, such as marine life and corals; 2013 there is always room for growth and improvement for both the student and the teacher. EUDI Show 2013 Have you taken a voyage on a dive cruise where you live on board a boat for the length of your trip and explore more remote dive sites? Did you remember Magnificent Maldives it fondly? Would you go again? Have you shared your memories with your and the students? Do they know they too can venture on this type of vacation? Where Experience would you go? Who would you get in touch with? What could you recommend to your students? By sharing what you have learned and undertaken, helps others – from students and fellow divers to other leadership team members – become My Instructor Does aware of the vast resources and environments that are available for diving. Do Have Cool Fins, you have a favorite diving spot and would you like for others to enjoy this gem? But… We would love to hear from you. Interestingly, as you create Encouragement, neat and memorable Patience and opportunities for your Persistence Pays Off students, you too will come away a little more enlightened. Introducing others to – A Cold new experiences can be a Experience rewarding endeavor – which you already know if you teach. Continuing But never forget – you too can Education and enjoy new sights and create Contact Info fresh memories as you dive, you are always a student. – Education Key

NDPA Symposium 2013 By Tom Leaird, SEI & PDIC CEO, Instructor Trainer During the week of March 13 to 16 in Dr. Pollock tells us that four or more and announces to the lifeguard, “I’m Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the National hyperventilation breaths will wash going to practice holding my breath Prevention Alliance, NDPA, out enough triggering carbon dioxide sitting in the shallow end - don’t worry held their annual symposium with that is at risk of blacking about me.” This person must NOT be an attendance of more than 220 out during ascent. One or two allowed to do this. Without an in- water professionals from around the hyperventilation breaths are usually water buddy constantly watching, this country. As a member of the alliance, safe. In addition, a surface interval person is at risk of drowning. Tom Leaird, the CEO of SEI and PDIC, of at least twice as long as the dive attended as many sessions as time time is necessary to bring in enough Another presentation from Dr. Peter would allow. Prior to the morning prior to an additional dive. Antevy, included playing several 911 and afternoon sessions and during Dives practicing free dives should do emergency call tapes with the operator breaks, time permitted networking so in pairs with one diver down while attempting to gain information from opportunities in the trade show area the other rests and ventilates on the an hysterical mother whose child has which included at least 25 vendors surface. Even better would be three drowned and is attempting to bring providing information on items related divers together with one diver ready, help. After five or six of these and to water safety. The agenda included one diver recovering, and one diver showing the picture of the child on over 30 presentations - many of which down. the screen, there wasn’t a dry eye in were ground-breaking information on the place. Dr. Antevy is gathering data Another parallel, often incorrectly research currently being conducted in from across the country in an attempt called shallow water blackout, is the area of water safety and drowning to change the protocol and methods practicing static apnea (sitting in prevention. used by 911 operators and the 911 shallow water holding the breath in systems to upgrade the process. He Dr. Neal Pollock from Divers Alert an attempt to increase endurance.) also praised the use of intravenous Network, spoke on “Shallow Water Here again, excessive hyperventilation epinephrine in the early minutes and Blackout.” As we have known in causes to occur before the use of air instead of pure oxygen recent years, free divers returning to sufficient carbon dioxide triggers as it avoids excess oxygen (oxygen the surface after an extended dive to . Dr. Tom Griffiths noted toxicity) in children - together doubling depth can arrive at a point where the that this practice does not increase survival outcomes. We look forward diminishing partial of oxygen endurance and continues to result to this research providing data that becomes insufficient to maintain in several deaths annually. Tom will improve survival of drowning consciousness, known as hypoxic Leaird spoke to Dr. Griffiths and victims - especially in children. Of blackout. This is true shallow water Dr. Pollock encouraging them to course, prevention is key and is heavily blackout. The world record for come up with appropriate names dependent on education. a “no-limits” dive is 702 feet - using a for these effects while discouraging to carry the diver down and a the activity. Swimmers attempting Many other subjects concerning water lift bag to bring him up. Many other to set underwater breath-hold safety were presented. Research similar events are attempted for record distance records are warned to limit now underway will affect our using various methods. Whether diving hyperventilation breaths and spend teaching in the future. Therefore as for , or just pushing one’s several minutes on the surface scuba instructors, it is important to limits, the real danger to these divers between these very dangerous dives. constantly keep up to date on changes is excessive hyperventilation prior Adequate supervision is always in our recreational activity. The NDPA to the dive. These records become required when practicing breath- symposium next year will occur during official when upon surfacing the diver holding underwater. If a diver or the month of March in Dallas, Texas. A removes goggles, gives an OK sign, and swimmer becomes unresponsive representative from our agencies will says their name. The divers without during a breath hold, a buddy must be again attend to bring back the latest in sufficient remaining oxygen to do this there to bring him or her to the surface water safety for our instructors. Always are disqualified. immediately. A pool patron enters keep learning.

Page 2 Success for SEI & PDIC Italia

EUDI Show 2013 Submitted by Alessandro Talamona, SEI & PDIC Italia Course Director, The “EUDI Show 2013” was recently of our fourth anniversary held in over 3 days – from to be held on the Portofino February 15-17. This event was Promontory in June 2013. held in conjunction with the most important tourism fair in Europe – “BIT” (International Tourism Exchange). Group in front of booth. Some EUDI Show 2013 facts: • 150 exhibitors • 30,000 participants • 130 events with the participation of more than 4,000 divers. Our organization has experienced great success and our booth attracted a strong amount of curious visitors. Massimilliano Fiorese The two important moments for SEI Tom Leaird image on the screen during main slicing ham. (A variety stage presentation. & PDIC Italia were as follows: of small events in the 1. The organization of a workshop, booth resulted in sharing during the “Master of Diving” 170 sandwiches, 9 kg presented by Doctors Claudio (almost 20lbs) San Cagnola and Ivan Luccherini, Daniele ham, 5 kg (over both underwater archaeologists 11 lbs) of gongorzola cheese, 5 kg (over 11 lbs) from the University of Oristano, of parmigiano cheese, with Fausto Salsa. The subject 4 kg (almost 9 lbs) of was: Archaeology Between Land salami, and 25 liters and Sea: Research of The Port of (over 6 ½ gallons) of Fenicio, Tharros-Oristano, Sardinia, good important red Alessandro Talamona and Davide Cecamore with 60 participants. and white wine). presenting an award. 2. More than 100 participants attended the meeting on the main stage Sunday the 17th during which Alessandro Talamona and Davide Cecamore (SEI & PDIC Italia leadership) presented SEI & PDIC Italia There’s A Difference. Following the speech, we were glad to present the new and we concluded with the 2012 AWARDS. The next important event of SEI & PDIC Italia will be the celebration Group on stage with awards.

Page 3 Diving the Maldives

Magnificent Maldives By Gabrielle K. Gabrielli, Ph.D., SEI Instructor, Florida Like many other SCUBA instructors, I eldest in our group, Elisabeth (Liz) from dollar bill must be crisp or it will not love teaching but I also enjoy SCUBA Canada, said, “I’m almost 70; I enjoy be accepted. I was the only one in the diving for pure pleasure. I find that a diving but don’t need to do it as much group who didn’t stay at a hotel that SCUBA vacation getaway replenishes as I used to. I am happy reading, sitting night because I have a friend there my joy for the sport and makes me on the shade deck, getting a massage, with a guest room, so I was thankful a better instructor as a result. My and relaxing...and just going on the to get to see how the locals live. My annual treks have taken me to Fiji, the easier dives without all the current.” friend Andrew also happens to be Philippines, South Africa, Galapagos, a seaplane pilot for Trans Maldivian Belize, and many others. This year, Arriving in the Maldives Airways, and he arranged a flight for I decided to visit my 75th country After a 40-hour journey from me to see how gorgeous the islands by booking one of my “bucket list” Tallahassee to Atlanta to Houston to of the Maldives are from above. It was destinations - the Republic of the Moscow to Singapore, I finally landed my first ever seaplane ride, though as a Maldives. It is a long, narrow country in the Maldives International Airport private pilot myself, I was thrilled with formed by 26 atolls, which are ring- in Hulhulé. After clearing passport the experience and very impressed shaped coral reefs, islands, or chains of control, I picked up my checked bag with the water landings! The airline islands surrounding a lagoon. at the carousel then waited in a long has greater passenger volume than any line to have my baggage x-rayed. All other seaplane hub in the world and is Diving with SingleDivers.com baggage that enters the Maldives is the most convenient way to travel from Because planning is such a major part x-rayed to ensure that no forbidden island to island. of my real life, I decided to return to items are brought in including alcohol, dive with a group that does all the pork, dogs, firearms, pornography, or Dhivehi is the official language of the planning for you, SingleDivers.com (SD). religious idols. Upon seeing the sign, I Maldives, though it was generally Their tag line is, “Why Dive Alone?,” discreetly tucked my Catholic crucifix not difficult to find people who so it is perfect for buddyless divers like (given to me by my great grandmother spoke some English. I asked how to me. Don’t let the name fool you; as from Italy) into my shirt then removed say, “Thank you” in Dhivehi, and the founder Kamala Shadduck says, “Our the necklace completely for the word “Shukuriyyaa” became my most only hookups are to tanks.” The group, remainder of the trip to be respectful frequently spoken word as there was which has been in existence for nearly of the culture. The population is almost much for which to be thankful. After an a decade, boasts over 8,000 members completely Sunni Muslim, so shops overnight stay in the Muslim country, from 35 different countries. Everyone and offices close during four prayer we boarded a small boat that took us attending an SD trip must complete a times per day and on Fridays. Public to what would be our home for 10 form in advance with details of their observance of any religion other than nights in the Indian Ocean. The crew experience as well as Islam in the Maldives is prohibited. greeted us with enthusiasm, though roommate preferences for those who they work extremely hard and have do not want a single room. I was paired I met up with the entire group in the tight turnaround between trips; they with an excellent roommate, Susan, open-air (aka hot!) airport in Malé, had just said goodbye to their previous who also became my dive buddy. She is the Maldives, though I had met three guests a couple of hours earlier. an avid cave diver and rescue instructor of the women on previous SD trips from Arkansas who shared my passion to Galapagos and the Philippines. We sailed with Worldwide Dive and Sail for diving. We were both the first to Transport from Hulhulé Island to Malé on the Siren Maldives, a 34-meter (112- analyze our cylinders ( fills were was via dhoni, which is a handcrafted foot) traditional Indonesian “gaft-rigged included in the price) and two of the boat traditionally made from coconut Phinisi” handcrafted from ironwood only on the boat who didn’t sit out any wood and in modern days, motorized. and teak. There were 14 divers, all from of the 34 dives. Most divers were very The dhoni to and from the airport the United States and Canada, and all experienced and enthusiastic to dive all to Malé takes about 10 minutes and part of the SD group. The diverse group four dives per day, though some like the costs $1 U.S., though I learned that the of eight women and six men were all

Page 4 Magnificent Maldives, continued first-time visitors to the Maldives. The spicy foods including hot sauce. I was breakfast called huni roshi, which is a cabins were modest yet not as cramped pleasantly surprised by the amazing unleavened coconut bread typically as my last liveaboard, each with a small cuisine that chef Alibe from India and served with mas huni, a mixture of bathroom and most with two single assistant chef Saman from Sri Lanka tuna, coconut, lime, hot peppers, and beds. Worldwide Dive and Sail bills prepared! The carnivores always had onions. Fresh, delicious salads and itself as a company that built its fleet meat selections including chicken fruit including pineapples, oranges, of boats specifically for SCUBA divers. and beef (and hotdogs for breakfast), apples, watermelon, and passion fruit Many in our group are also underwater and there was always fish - usually accompanied each meal. Although photographers and appreciated the tuna, a staple in the Maldivian diet- SCUBA diving burns about 450 calories camera cleaning and recharging station but the selection of vegetarian and per hour and we were diving about as well as the audiovisual network vegan cuisine including scrumptious four hours per day, eating so much throughout the vessel. tofu, handmade gnocchi, and my great food and skipping my usual personal favorite, pumpkin curry, was running and bicycling workouts led to a Visiting an Orphanage...and a outstanding! My favorite breakfast six-pound weight gain from the trip! It Challenge to Fellow Divers! became a traditional Maldivian was worth every pound, though. One thing I love about the SD group is that founder, Kamala Shadduck, always Eat, dive, sleep, repeat! encourages her SCUBA divers to pack offer opportunities to dive in places that you couldn’t school supplies for local orphanages. otherwise dive, especially in a remote island nation like the Maldives. In my bag alone, I had packed We joked that all we did on the Siren Maldives Central-Southern over 10 pounds of school supplies itinerary was eat, sleep, and dive. My typical day was: including pencils, flash cards, paper, 05:30 wake up then eat a slice of toast and Nutella with coffee and educational books. When we all 06:30 dive brief then 60-minute dive combined our supplies, we had enough 08:30 breakfast of huni roshi, mas huni, and fresh fruit to supply the school for a year! In all 11:00 dive brief then 60-minute dive the countries SD has visited, Vilingili 13:00 lunch of tuna filet, pumpkin curry, rice, salad, and fresh fruit Orphanage was the first to say that nobody had ever visited them before 14:30 dive brief then 60-minute dive to bring supplies. Our surprise about 16:30 snacks of samosas (vegetarian pastries) and sweets the lack of donations there prompted a 18:30 night dive brief then 45-minute dive challenge made by Kamala and a local 20:00 dinner of tofu vegetable pasta, grilled eggplant, salad, and fresh fruit dive group, Atoll SCUBA. Other divers 21:00 sort through photos and videos have already responded and have 22:00 lights out for bedtime pledged to bring more supplies in the future. A view of one of the many beautiful Maldivian atolls from a seaplane Dining on Amazing Cuisine I have found it to be a challenge on past International liveaboards to get adequate nutrition, especially as an athlete who doesn’t eat meat. Weeks before sailing, divers were required to complete Worldwide Dive and Sail online forms that included dietary preferences. I noted that I don’t eat meat but I do eat fish, I love vegetables, and I prefer very

Page 5 Photos from the Maldives

Below: Gabrielle and Trans Maldivian Airways pilot Andrew Farr who arranged for private pilot Gabrielle’s first seaplane ride

Above: Seaplane Landing with Above: Marc and Derek Enjoying Trans Maldivian Airways, Malé a Free San Miguel after Diving Left: Vilingili Left: Gabrielle, orphanage Orphanage director, Kamala, and Donna Director at Vilingili Orphanage in the Smiles with Maldives where we delivered Singledivers. many school supplies com Founder Kamala Left: Beautiful Girls Enjoying their Maldivian Fishing Village Home

Left: Private Pilot Above: Kamala, Derek, and Que Ready Gabrielle for More Great Diving Enjoying Trying the Pilot’s Seat of a Seaplane

Above: Rare Sighting of Sailfish at Golden Wall, Above: Maldives Siren SCUBA Felidhoo Atoll Above: Sunset for Maldives Siren Divers Liveaboard Sailing the Indian Ocean

Page 6 From Gabrielle Gabrielli

Left: Leaf Fish Below: Kuda Giri Wreck, South Malé Atoll, Maldives at Vadinolhu Kandu Below: Soft Corals and Giant Clams at Embudhoo Canyon

Right: Starfish at Gaadhoo , Haddhunmathi Atoll, Maldives

Right: Yellow Left: Worldwide Dive Blackspotted and Sail SCUBA Puffer at Instructor and Ranikan, Dive Guide Shaff South Malé Documenting Our Atoll Dives

Below: Left: Octopus Illuminated in Hard Corals at Guraidhoo Corner Red on Night Dive

Left: Above: Large Manta Ray Endangered near Cleaning Station at Hawksbill Kurali Kandu Turtle Enjoying Vilingili Reef

Page 7 The Liveaboard Experience

Magnificent Maldives, continued from page 5 The crewmembers on the Siren Fleet were attentive, friendly professionals who went above and beyond to make sure that our diving experience in the Maldives was excellent. Our dive guides were three highly qualified SCUBA instructors: Tom, a charming, handsome athlete from England; Shaff, a talented Maldivian published author and photographer who is also a former instructor for the Maldives National Defence Special and Coast Guard who was close to President Nasheed on the day of the coup, and Heiko, a thoughtful and attentive German who was the newest addition to the crew. There was no diving on our first day, but what follows is a summary of subsequent days of diving. Our typical daytime dives were 30 meters (100 feet) for 60 minutes, and our typical nighttime dives were 15 meters (50 feet) for 45 minutes. Water were about 26°C (78°F) and air temperatures were highs of about 31°C (88°F) and lows of 26°C (78°F), so it was ideal especially for those in our group escaping winters from their homes in Alaska and Canada.

Day Two — We broke Day Three — Our early Day Four — We Day Five — After Day Six — Our early morning dive into groups of three, morning dive began enjoyed four more another morning dive was at Gaahuraa Kandu where we each group with a guide at Guraidhoo Corner dives including Miyaru at Fotteyo Kandu, we made full use of our reef hooks again sharing two dinghies. where we saw lots of Kandu and Devana enjoyed exploring in the heavy current to admire many Our first dive was an snapper, amberjack, Kandu (“kandu” means more swim throughs schools of grey reef sharks. The excellent checkout dive on oriental sweetlips, “channel”) where we at Fahumi Giri, second group of divers was fortunate Feydhoo Wall. There was and two eagle rays. saw several spotted where white bush to see a rare sighting of a Mola Mola! very little current and we An afternoon dive at eagle rays, grey reef corals danced in the Next we moved from larger sea life in enjoyed seeing pipefish Ranikan provided the sharks, and huge current. Next, we heavy current to more relaxing dives and banded coral shrimp. usual eels and puffers. Napolean wrasse. On dived Rakeedhoo Faru at Birthday Thila and Hakura Thilla. After our morning dive One of our dives on our third dive on Golden before our crossing There was a great deal of reef fish then breakfast, Shaff and this day was clearly Wall, strong current to Laamu. Our night and macro life amongst the beautiful two other crewmembers jinxed, Kahanbu Thila, provided an excellent dive was uneventful hard corals, and a highlight was joined me, Kamala, though thankfully it and rapid drift dive until Susan spotted an seeing a sleeping baby shark. After Donna, and Joanne who was not a trend! My through the channel octopus, so the group gorging on a hearty lunch, we had went to the orphanage group had a diver lose past beautiful yellow hung out with the our first island excursion as a group in North Malé to deliver a weight belt, another soft corals covering fascinating creature before our night dive at Muli Giri. We our bounty of school group was dropped into the wall. It was on this for a while. Que’s red walked amongst the coral lined walls supplies and tour the blue water and missed dive that I saw my first Sola flashlight created and marveled at how different life facility. They were many the sight completely, ever sailfish, which was quite the eerie scene seemed to be in the fishing village. children over capacity, but and the third group nearly 3 meters (10 without scaring our Children played joyfully in the streets it was evident that the decided to call the feet) long and swam octopus friend. By and two beautiful girls cheerfully staff loved the children dive after hearing right over a few of us! this point, Derek, the posed for me when I asked if I could and took very good care of the challenges of The final dive of the youngest SDer on the take their picture. The fisherman of them. Several little the first two groups. day was at Fotteyo trip at age 31, was appeared not as thrilled about children clung to Kamala Fortunately, our night Kandu with more soft gaining confidence with tourists or cameras, but it was such and played with her dive at The Jetty at corals covering the wall his new camera setup a beautiful scene with the brightly blonde hair as she lifted Alimanta was one of and lots of fun swim and also captured the colored fishing vessel that I couldn’t them up, fascinated with the coolest night dives I throughs. fascinating scene. resist a distance shot. how different she looked have ever experienced; than fellow Maldivians. it is known for being We all exchanged smiles one of the best night and left with gratitude, dives in the Maldives, them for the visit and the which is why there were supplies, and us for the so many other divers opportunity to learn about there. We saw octopus, the orphanage and all they nurse sharks, black are doing for the children. tipped reef sharks, and After returning to the boat stingrays, among other by dinghy, we enjoyed things. I captured a three more dives that shark attacking a ray day including Embudhoo on video, and it was Canyon, Kuda Giri wreck surreal to see the bright (a highlight was seeing moonlight and dozens Above: Kamala using her Nautilus peacock mantis shrimp) of beams of flashlights and our first night dive (or torches, as the Lifeline Marine Radio and GPS of the trip where we saw locals say) illuminating system to call the ship to retrieve scorpionfish and a sleeping the plethora of large turtle. We quickly learned sea life. It was so us! the importance of a reef amazing that I would hook in the Maldives as have been thrilled to Above: Steve, Derek, Patrick, and Susan extend their safety sausages many of the channel dives stay and dive there after we were swept away in heavy current and had to end our dive have extremely strong every night! currents. early.

Page 8 Diary of Gabrielli Gabrielli

Day Seven — Our morning Day Eight — Our first dive of Day Nine — Our first dive Day Ten — Our final dives of Day Eleven — Alas, dive on Kurali Kandu, also the morning was Diyamigili of the day was on Matu the liveaboard journey were in it was time to say, called Valley of the Ray, was Corner where some of us Giri and brought much the very southern Maldives on “Shukuriyyaa” then my favorite daytime dive got to see turtles and I saw a joy to the macro lovers Vilingili Kandu and Reef, and the leave the boat that we of the entire liveaboard hammerhead shark, and then in our group including reef could not have been a more had called home for trip, especially because it was off to Vadinolhu Kandu Kamala. For our next wonderful dive on which to end 10 nights. We watched I always get so excited where we saw more grey reef two dives at Vilingili the trip! We saw many rays, reef the hardworking crew to see the bigger marine sharks, marble rays, countless Kandu and Koodoo squid, and turtles. I had a special cleaning and preparing life! While visibility wasn’t puffer fish, and a few leaf fish. Kandu, we enjoyed experience hanging out with a for their next guests as good as at other sites, Things were a little bumpier stonefish, pipefish, and hawksbill turtle, and I swear that who they would greet we had an amazing time this day and it made getting large sea life including we danced together and checked that same day. After watching gorgeous manta in and out of the dinghy spotted eagle rays, white each other out as I took pictures a short dinghy ride to rays circling around us in much more challenging. A tipped reef sharks, and and video of the magnificent Kaadedhdhoo Island, the channel as they were funny thing happened to grey reef sharks in the creature. He also checked Donna we rolled our luggage going to and from their Steve in my group when we current. My dive buddy out and swam right up to her from dockside down cleaning stations. There were seated and putting our Susan joined me and the mask within inches of touching the deserted street was also an adorable baby fins on before our journey to other hardcore divers her. After our last dive, the crew to the not yet opened spotted eagle ray hovering the dive site; he accidentally who wouldn’t miss a took care of rinsing and hanging airport. To say that above us and checking us prematurely back rolled into dive while the crew our gear while many of us it was remote was out for a good amount of the ocean before we left provided a relaxing island partook in enjoying a cold brew an understatement. the dive, as well as some the ship. Once we saw that excursion for those like with our delicious meal. Next, the Thankfully Tom, Shaff, ghost pipefish and a free- he was prepared enough to Liz, Joanne, and Donna crew raised the Maldives Siren Alibe, and other swimming leopard eel! retrieve his regulator and who preferred to enjoy fleet’s sails and we got to see her crewmembers were Unfortunately not every put his fins on, we all belly their time out of the in all her glory! For the rest of there to help us find dive can be perfect, and our laughed including the crew ocean, too. Our night the day, we exchanged pictures our way. The entire next dive at Olhugiri Kandu who claimed that no diver dive at Vilinaili Reef was and video and reminisced about trip was fabulous, and was a bust. In extremely had ever done that before. a transition dive from how amazing our trip was and I have never known heavy current, my group Our third dive of the day was dusk, and we saw many how fortunate we were to have 10 nights to pass so got separated from our at Secret Giri where we saw beautiful turtles and rays. experienced it. quickly! guide Shaff, but thankfully lobster and nice macro life. we stuck together and On our night dive at Gaadhoo made a group decision to Reef, we saw a beautiful Marveling about the Magnificent Maldives Trip surface early as the ripping ornate ghost pipefish, then current swept us so far off after dinner we began our 10- Once we arrived in Malé, many of us went our separate course that we thought we hour night crossing to Gaafu ways. Kamala, Derek, Donna, and Que went on to Lembeh might be carried to another Alife. Crossings are known ocean soon. We got to for being a bit rough, and to join other SDers for the second part of the trip to enjoy use our safety sausages though ours was better than the unusual macro life. Joanne and Patrick went to Sri Lanka, (Susan has one she calls the typical crossings, it was and Steve, Susan, Matt, Deb, Liz, and I went to Singapore. “Super Big Dave”!) and to a sleepless night for me and test our rented Nautilus other light sleepers who felt Those of us who flew on Singapore Airlines marveled at how Lifeline Marine Radio and the ship rocking and rolling wonderful the customer service is (not to mention the free GPS systems. They worked and heard various unsecured great, and after reaching items clanking throughout wine and beer to accompany delicious meals). Marc and the crew, a dinghy came to the night. Wayne flew Emirates and said it was even better. Overall, retrieve us. I highly recommend visiting the Maldives for your next SCUBA journey, especially if you are a diehard diver like me who doesn’t mind some strong current, and do check out Worldwide Dive and Sail. It is no wonder that their trips are consistently full while others in the “safari” business struggle there. It is not always easy to get to the Maldives (I had seven plane trips on my journey home), but it was well worth the effort!

Visit http://scubawithgabrielle.com to see additional photos Our final day of diving included spotting and videos from the trip. For questions, email gabrielle@ these two enormous short-tailed stingrays scubawithgabrielle.com hiding in the sand at Vilingili Kandu.

Page 9 Teacher Improvement

My Instructor Does Have Cool Fins, But… By Carol Reed, SEI & PDIC Instructor Trainer, Indiana After many weeks of classroom and Next time you dive your open water to be polyps (see picture 7) growing pool skills, the big day arrives. Your site, regardless of whether it is salt in cold water on stationary objects. students will experience open water or fresh water, take a good hard look. Some research revealed them to be a for the first time. You overhear them What is unique about it? Every site Freshwater Hydra. talking after the first day of dives and can have unique features, you just The limestone in which our quarry someone asks, “what did you see have to really look. After 34 years was dug is 300 to 400 million years on your open dives”? The reply, “my of diving, and over 2,700 dives in old. Hunt for fossils! (see picture 8) instructor’s fins”. my local dive site, Philips Outdoor During the environment lecture, I pass Center, one would think there is At that point it is probably around a display box with a selection nothing left to see and nothing left to appropriate to have a discussion of fossils that are typical from this age learn. However, each new dive is an about buddy positioning, but what of limestone. Included in the display adventure! else can you as the instructor do to is a dried specimen of freshwater ensure your students see more on Determine some interesting sponge and some freshwater snail their first dives than your fins? features and incorporate pictures shells. Philips Quarry has a couple of Begin with the first class. Show just and information about these things good displays of these same fossils a few pictures of marine life. Just during the “Diving Environment” still attached to the walls. When enough to “wet” their appetites. A lecture. When you observe a unique the instructor points out the fossils, colorful parrotfish, (see picture 1) feature, do a little research on it. students are able to understand what octopus, (see picture 2) or maybe Recently, Tom Leaird shared a Fish they are seeing – an example of the some angelfish. We all dream of and Lake Management catalog with geological history of the area. me. Browsing through it, I learned beautiful tropical dives, and for Three large catfish (see picture 9) new details about growth rates, some, that’s where their first open reside in our quarry. Spotting one feeding habits and mating habits of water dives occur. But for those of of these creatures makes for an our common bass (see picture 3) and us landlocked miles from coastlines, awesome dive. Getting eyeball to bluegill fish (see picture 4) families. open water dives are often in a local eyeball with it is even more exciting. lake or quarry. A question often In addition to the bass and bluegill, Our newest residents are seven asked early in the class is, “What is the following are examples of what paddlefish that were purchased by there to see in a quarry”? We cannot my dive site has to offer. I will show an SEI instructor from a fish hatchery forget our local environment. “Hook” these things to my students as much and given a new home in our quarry them with a few pictures of common as possible on their open water dives. in the fall of 2012. Sighting one or freshwater fish, or maybe the more of these elusive creatures is We have turtles (see picture 5) to prevalent turtle of the area. truly a treasure hunt, but with a seek in the summer. Seeing, or even little luck, they can be found. Two During class lectures, once you reach getting to hold a turtle and examine weeks after the paddlefish arrived, Chapter 5, “Diving Environment” in it up close makes a premier dive for one of my students sighted one, and Graver’s text, another opportunity to the student. About ten years ago we immediately after surfacing, began get your students ready to explore began seeing freshwater sponges (see asking what the “strange-looking” fish their local dive site has arrived. The picture 6). I always show my student was. Time to update my environment “Diving Environment” chapter is full divers some sponges on the first lecture! of wonderful information. Expand or second dive. By the second day on Graver’s information by telling of dives, a dive objective is to have For those of you who dive open dives and showing students what they will the students find sponges and point in the saltwater environment, don’t encounter in just a few short weeks them out to me. About five years overwhelm students with too much on their first open dives. ago, we began seeing what appeared information at first. Try to pick out

Page 10 two or three unique features. As I think 1. Sleeping parrotfish 6. Sponge on tree back on some of my vacation salt water dives, I remember certain reefs or wrecks that stood out simply because they had unusual features not present on other sites. Examples are: • “Firecoral Reef”, where the firecoral was so prevalent it grew on everything including abandoned lobster traps. The sculptural effect was incredible. • On another reef we found a multitude 2. Octopus of Flamingo Tongues, (see picture 10) and found many more very easily, once our eyes became accustomed where to look. • A shipwreck we discovered literally “bloomed” at night with Basket Starfish, and challenged divers on a day dive to 7. Polyps find all the hiding places the creatures 8. Horse inhabited during the day. teeth • And what about cleaning stations? So 3. Bass on pipe fossil hard to find at first, but easy to identify after a few sightings. And the list goes on . . . what wonders does your site hold? In the SEI Open Water instructor manual, the certification exam test bank includes standard environment questions. Hopefully you are 9. Catfish in cave aware that each instructor is to write a 4. Close up of bluegill few additional questions covering the “local environment”. This allows for each instructor to customize his or her exam to fit local dive site conditions. Prepare your students to see more than your fins on their first open dives! Pick out just two or three unique features of your dive site. Discuss and illustrate in class. 5. Turtle in red leaves About half-way through the first dive, when the students are getting the “hang” of being neutral and able to level out with you, point out those unique features. Bring them back from a great dive, and leave them with a hunger for the next. Photo selections 1-7 and 9-10 from Carol Reed Photo 8 submitted by George Guy, PDIC 10. Flamingo Instructor, Little Salt Springs, Florida tongue

Page 11 Teaching Rewards

Encouragement, Patience and Persistence Pays Off By Tim Thorsen, SEI & PDIC Instructor Trainer, Florida

Picture yourself; suspended 60 feet under the sea… no cares or worries, even the laws of gravity have lost their hold. You’re in a liquid atmosphere that is teaming with life. You wonder, as you hover weightless in the water, is this real or am I dreaming? Right then a giant sea turtle nudges you from behind and you realize… This is for real… You are a diver… This short passage I have used again. As most of us know, diving Mexico in a depth of about 50 over the years to instill a sense of is often referred to as being 60 feet, everyone progressed through imagination into potential students percent mental and 40 percent the mundane tasks of mask clears, or divers to inspire them into taking physical. From my experience regulator clears, simulated buddy classes or seeking further education working with divers from all walks breathing and such prior to our in diving. It has always brought me of life, the reality is more like 95 finishing up with a short tour of back to an image in my mind of percent mental. It is a matter of the barge wreck that lay near and an experience I once had with a psychosomatics. The body will the conclusion of our dive. Just diving student that was a bit more respond to what the mind tells it prior to my signaling to everyone of a challenge than many when she to do. This student, we will just to follow me on the tour portion made her first dives in the open call her “Jean”, would eventually of the dive, one of the resident water. We all have those occasional accomplish each task after several loggerhead sea turtles showed up students that stand out in our attempts, but every effort would and was headed straight for Jean minds and who actually teach us begin with the same statement, from behind. My first thought was, something about diving in the “I can’t”. With encouragement, should I show her this experience process of their learning to dive. patience, and certainly of a lifetime and hope it doesn’t One student comes to my mind persistence, I would move through turn into that fight or flight when I read the above passage each skill with eventual success situation we all hope to avoid, — one that had challenges with and then proceed to the next. or should I try to avoid it and almost every skill she attempted. keep the dive simple. Right then, When the day came that Jean I decided that to give an okay I worked with her time and again would venture into the open Gulf signal to Jean and she promptly to accomplish each and every task of Mexico for the first time, I must responded with the same in the pool, all in preparation for admit, I had a little trepidation. appropriate signal. I then placed the inevitable open water dives. Would she have learned from the one hand on her shoulder, pointed She was an elementary school progression of skills in the pool to my own eyes signaling to look, teacher and she would always say and really be prepared for the then pointed over her shoulder in to me that “I can’t do it”, only to open water, or would something the direction of this 300 lb. turtle, have me respond to her that if come up that would scare her now just 2 or 3 feet from her one of her students would tell her away from the sport forever. head. Jean looked in the direction the same thing that she would While our group knelt on the that I indicated and then suddenly encourage them to try and try sandy sea floor of the Gulf of in a quick jerk turned back to me

Page 12 with the biggest eyes filling a mask For me after more than 35 years water with marine life that I have that I had ever seen. This was of diving and over 20 years never experienced before I got not the typical sign of that teaching diving, some would into diving closed circuit. you think of when you see this think that the experiences would response but it was a sign of utter begin to become mundane or The warm moist air, the almost excitement. She threw her hands even boring. I have to admit, on a unlimited bottom time, the ease up in the air and I could swear small scale, some dives do almost of breathing, the absolute silence that I even heard her yell with seem more like work than fun, without all the bubbles… has a “yahoo” from the experience. but in the past two years, it has all helped me to not only become Later after the dive when she become a whole new experience part of the environment, but recounted the event with others exploring the underwater realm. to share it with the natural on the boat, her enthusiasm told I ventured into the world of “The inhabitants in a way that the me that I had made the right Silent Side of Diving” and took on previous 30 years had never decision. I had worked with her the task of developing training done. Almost every dive I have long and hard and given to her programs for Recreational Closed one of those “Jean” experiences something that will remain with Circuit . This has given and it has enriched my life in her for life. More important, she me an entirely new perspective so many ways by being able to gave to me something also, the into diving, because now welcome others into this new pleasure of knowing that I had instead of having the occasional and exciting sport of Recreational made possible an inspiring event encounter that I would cherish Closed Circuit Diving. that would surely become the for years and only hope to share Everyone should try it. It will topic of conversations for years to with others, it seems that each give you those opportunities of a come. and every dive I find myself in the lifetime, again and again.

Years later, I would receive the occasional post card from Jean from remote dive locations, thanking me for helping her to get over her fears and learning to dive. She would become one of the most active divers I had the opportunity to know. As time went on, the cards would slowly cease and I lost touch with this special student, but she taught me that one person can make a difference in another person’s life. If they just take a moment extra of their time to be patient, give of themselves, and do what they know is right inside, they will receive more rewards from the experience than what they give to the person that Loggerhead turtle from Wikipedia: they are teaching themselves. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caretta_caretta_060417w2.jpg

Page 13 Training and Experience A Must

Ice Diving… A Cold Experience! By Manfred Altmann, PDIC Instructor Trainer, Germany In Germany, the best time for ice diving is from January through the middle of February. Good training and technique make all the difference.

Here is a short overview: ● Never dive without rope and a good line tender! ● Protects the ropes ● Go over the line signals with the line tender - practice before the dive! ● Speak with all divers and line tenders prior to the dive and discuss emergency procedures ● Have operational security or backup divers ready and available The diver’s group “Gervershof” ice diving in a lake on the Lower Rhine. ● On location, provide enough material for rescue measures ● Even with a rope, use a compass to stay on course ● Always dive with 2 separate redundant air sources, better still with one double device and follow your machines ● Use diving places you are familiar with when going ice diving ● Pay attention to your body ● Underwater: touch nothing and carry out nothing ● Properly close entrance holes and clearly mark the opening so others will know to avoid the ! Educator and photographer: Manfred Altmann and Dirk Karshuening. Sadly, 2 to 3 ice divers die every year in Germany often from carelessness.

Page 14 For More Information

Publications and Continuing Education As a reminder, Currents is your publication. Submission to Currents counts toward continuing education credit, so we encourage participation in this journal. Articles or information can be sent to [email protected]. We prefer Word documents for articles so text can be formated to fit the layout. Pictures and figures should be referred to in the text and attached separately with proper labeling. Pictures should be sent as jpeg or pdf files at least 200 dpi. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 765.281.0600. Please scan all files and pictures for viruses before sending. SEI & PDIC are not responsible for the views expressed in the content of the articles published. These articles are written by independent leadership members sharing their personal experiences and insights they have gained over years of teaching and scuba diving.

Contact Us Contact the Currents editors at [email protected] General questions, scuba certifications, replacement cards, and leadership renewals contact: SEI office PDIC Intl. office 1623 W. Jackson St. 1623 W. Jackson St. Muncie, IN 47303, USA Muncie, IN 47303, USA 765.281.0600 765.281.0133 [email protected] [email protected] www.seidiving.org www.pdic-intl.com

Currents is an official publication of Scuba Educators International Inc., and PDIC International and is published quarterly. Editors: Thad Bowden and Santyna Johnstone. Layout design: Eva Lantz

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