Surface Interval July 2018

FAIRFIELD COUNTY DIVING ASSOCIATION

July 2018 Volume 25 Issue 7

Inside this Issue The Presidents’ Corner

The Presidents’ Corner by by Matt Rownin Matt Rownin page 1 I hope everyone is hav- Susa will be presenting on FCDA Donor I page 2 ing a great summer now Florida Treasure Hunting. June 2018 FCDA Meeting that the weather is cooper- Meeting starts at 8pm and page 2 ating with us; and the our pre-meeting BBQ will be kicking off at 7pm. Check Oceanic/Hollis Regulator warm summer weather is out or new FaceBook page Recall page 3 finally here. The local wa- ters are beginning to warm for details on the BBQ by FCDA Member Ads page 3 up so get out there and searching FCDA in FaceBook. If you are not in the group Events of Interest to FCDA dive in your own backyard. Members page 4 This is a great way to keep send a message to join and I skills fine tuned and your will add you in. June Meeting DAN Raffle logbook current for those Did you also hear that the Winners page 4 FCDA needs a new secre- winter travel plans you may 10 Things Deadlier Than have. tary???? We do and we are Sharks by Gina Avile pages 5.6 Our annual pilgrimage to taking nominations, recom- Cape Ann is set for July 12 mendations and reluctant FCDA Donor II page 6 to the 15th and even though volunteers for the job. Let

Great Lakes Shipwrecks Like our reliable dive charter, Mike or I know so we can fill You've Never Seen Them Cape Ann Divers, is no the position. Before by Becky Kagan Schott longer in business we have Until next time Safe Div- pages 7, 8 ing….. found a new dive boat to Nitrox Diving Safety by Peter try out. Captain Steve from Matt Buzzacott, Ph.D., MPH Cape Ann Divers has his pages 8, 9 own boat now and started Ask DAN: How Can I Avoid running charters this sum- Seasickness? by Divers Alert Network pages 9, 10 mer. Thankful that he is and that we don’t have to Sherman’s Lagoon page 10 navigate the slippery rock

Back by Popular Demand! entry and Folly Cove. FCDA Tee Shirts and Hoodies! Our next meeting fea- pages 11. 12 tures a dual presentation from two of our club mem- Next FCDA Meeting page 13 bers. Jason Giannaris is doing a presentation on Di- vie Site of Grenada and Jeff

Page 2 FCDA Donor

The business listed on this page has donated dive gear and dive services to help support the Fairfield County Diving Association.

June 2018 FCDA Meeting

Page 3 Oceanic/Hollis Regulator Recall

Huish, the company that owns and returned to your dealer for For more information go to the premium Atomic brand, bought an upgrade. h t t p s : / / AUP’s Oceanic and Hollis brands A source within Huish told Un- recall.oceanicworldwide.com last year. Among the inventory dercurrent, the company em- were Oceanic regulators with dia- ployed a new high-pressure valve phragm first-stages including the seat made of a similar material CDX, EDX, FDX10, and FDXi, plus used in Atomic regulators, but Hollis regulators with diaphragm when tested on an ANSTI ma- first-stage types DC7, DC3, DC1, chine, they discovered that in DC2, and DCX. certain cases it severely restricted Now, a serious problem has airflow when tank pressure been discovered, and Huish has dropped below 500 psi (35bar) . issued a voluntary recall. That part needs to be replaced If you have any of these models by an alternative modified-design purchased since October 1, 2017, balance-pin. don’t use them and return them to Huish ways they have not your dealer for an upgrade heard of any user suffering any ill Furthermore, if you have any of effect, although the U .S . Con- these models and had it serviced sumer Product Safety Commis- between October 2017 and May sion announcement says there is 2018, it, too, should not be used “a risk of drowning.”

FCDA Member Ads

Hey - have you got a non retail-diving business that you’d like to share with your fellow members of FCDA? Get your business card size ad in the FCDA monthly newsletter “Surface Interval” for only $50.00 for one year. Give your business a boost and help support the production of our monthly newsletters. For more information, write to FCDA, P.O. Box 554, Fairfield, CT 06824 or email to [email protected].

Page 4 Events of Interest to FCDA Members

Friday, August 24, 2018 - 7:00 PM - Pre Meeting Barbeque (BYOM - Meat!) 8:00 PM - August Meeting FCDA at the Movies - "Open Water 3"

Friday, September 29, 2018 - 8:00 PM - September Meeting FCDA Members - "FCDA Members Present"

Friday, December 7, 2018 - 7:00 PM - Annual FCDA Holiday Party

Friday - Sunday, March 8-10, 2019 - Boston Sea Rovers 2019 - DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore, 50 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, MA

Friday - Sunday, March 29-31, 2019 - Beneath the Sea 2019, Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, NJ

June Meeting DAN Raffle Winners

After a video/photo presenta- Bob Sawczuk and a Small night’s raffle prizes for our DAN tion on The Sharks and Wildlife of Mesh Bag donated by Orbit Ma- raffle. Bimini by Mike Cassetta, Lisa rine Dive Center - John Remember, you can't win if Jarosik and Dave Schafran the Dunleavy. you don't buy tickets and you club held its monthly raffle to Thanks to New England can't buy tickets if you don't get support our DAN Sponsorship. Dive Center and Orbit Marine up and come out to FCDA events Winners were: Scubamax Dive Center for donating to- and meetings! Gauge Bag donated by New Eng- land Dive Center - Paul Gacek; Scubamax 3mm Neoprene Socks donated by New England Dive Center - Lisa Jarosik; Innovative Microfiber Scuba Towel donated by New England Dive Center - Jeff Susa; 4 Air Fill Card donated by New England Dive Center - Mike Cassetta; 3 Ring Dive Log Organizer donated by New Eng- land Dive Center - Bob Sawczuk, Trident Dive Spool donated by Orbit Marine Dive Cen- ter - Lisa Jarosik, Small Dry Box donated by Orbit Marine Dive Center– Bob Sawczuk, Dive Mask Slap Strap donated by Orbit Marine Dive Center - Paul Gacek, Yellow Dry Box donated by Orbit Marine Dive Center -

Page 5

10 Things Deadlier Than Sharks by Gina Avile

Ok, we get it - sharks are from its parks for people “selfie- rather frightening if you don’t ing” on high-speed roller coasters, know much about them. Much of causing the sticks to shed hazard- it started back in 1975 when the ous debris that have inflicted head first-ever blockbuster film JAWS injuries. Sharks killed eight people debuted. Sharks quickly became a in 2015; selfies killed 12. national symbol of fear. But what 2. Escalators if we told you sharks aren’t as Everyone’s mom warned them harmful as you may think; that not to play on an escalator: The we actually do much more harm landing platform can get any cloth- P.O. Box 554 to them than they do to us? ing material or body part stuck in Fairfield, CT 06824 Here’s the reality, folks: For its unforgiving teeth. These ma- every human killed by a shark, chines can be dangerous (10,000 humans kill 200 million sharks. emergency room injuries per year, Internet mail: [email protected] Luckily there are conservation 10 shark attacks per year), yet we http://www.fcda.us ride them like it’s no big deal. efforts out there, such as Project 3. Hot Dogs 2018 Board AWARE and Shark Angels that do everything in their power to stop Hot dogs, you say?! You better Presidents Matt Rownin & the decreasing shark population believe it; your favorite ball-park and get the message out there: lunch has a hidden agenda. Ac- Mike Cassetta sharks need saving, too. How cording to the American Academy Vice-President Lisa Jarsosik would you feel if a popular movie of Pediatrics, 77 children each year Secretary vacant portrayed you as a monster killer? choke to death in an effort to con- In reality, there are only an aver- sume hot dogs. Treasurer Paul J. Gacek age of five shark-related deaths 4. Toilets per year. Everybody goes ... but your Here’s a gallery of some every- daily business may be deadly. Be- day items that actually kill more fore you think back to nightmares people per year than sharks. In of being sucked down the toilet fact, we guarantee there’s a good and swear from now on to go out- chunk of them in your home. side, most toilet deaths occur from Some of them may shock you, falling off the toilet or young chil- some may scare you, but hope- dren drowning. Elvis died on the fully they get you thinking. You’ll toilet, for goodness sake! The pre- see: sharks aren’t so deadly after cious porcelain throne claims 42 all. lives annually. 1. Selfie Sticks & Taking 5. Hippos Selfies Cute, cuddly looking hippos are This one could also be called actual territorial grouches. Get too “plain stupidity,” but we’ll give it close and these 3,000-pound this - we’ve all been in the frus- mammals will gnaw you in half. trating moment where you want - Even the South African farmer who no, NEED - the perfect selfie. But claimed to tame hippos was found trying so hard for said photo has murdered by his pet Humphrey in been known to kill (literally). A 2011. Hippos take 2,900 lives an- statement from Disney confirms nually. Maybe next time you’ll give selfie sticks have been banned (Continued on page 6)

Page 6 FCDA Donor 10 Things Dead- The business listed on this page has donated lier Than Sharks dive gear and dive services to help support the by Gina Avile Fairfield County Diving Association. (continued)

(Continued from page 5) that safari tour a second thought. 6. Vending Machines It’s just a little snack, right? Each year vending machines topple over and crush 13 people. There’s a reason they tell you not to shake the machine. 7. Sinks According to Health US News, manufactures set water heater standards below a safe 120 degrees F, but last year 700 homes were found with tap water well over 150 degrees. This tempera- ture is hot enough to severely burn skin, killing on average 100 people per year. 8. Your bed misunderstood. They are insanely those good-for-nothing head- We all need beauty sleep, but powerful and beautiful creatures cracking killers! who knew your cozy resting place that deserve more than igno- could take your life? While most rance. Now that we've moved on Reprinted from Scubadiving.com are either very young or very old, from slamming sharks, let's have - October 13, 2015. 450 people die from falling out of a word with those coconuts — bed annually. 9. Coconuts This island delicacy has a dark side, and it includes falling from its tree and killing 150 people per year (probably while they’re on the beach watching for sharks ... Just kidding, we love you beach go- ers!). 10.Champagne Corks Surprisingly, popping open a bottle of bubbly actually causes 24 deaths per year. Not surprisingly, one-third of these accidents occur at weddings. Watch where you’re aiming — nobody wants a flying cork to the face on their big day. So you see, sharks are just a bit

Page 7 Great Lakes Shipwrecks Like You've Never Seen Them Before by Becky Kagan Schott

Great Lakes shipwrecks inspire me. The ships here ter. The concept of this shot was to make it appear as have been preserved in fresh, cold water for hundreds if it were a ghost ship sailing beneath the surface, and of years — diving them is like turning back the hands to show off its intact rudder. of time. They’ve become my biggest passion; my chal- lenge is to -capture their image in a way no one has ever seen before. There are thousands of ships to dive here, from wooden schooners to steel freighters, and each has a story — you can’t help but feel a human connection when you listen to their powerful tales of tragedy, heroism, mystery and survival. History comes alive when I see a ship’s name painted on a stern, or -cargo from automobiles to train cars to shoes, or a 91-year- old box of life preservers frozen in time. I’m most attracted to the wooden schooners with masts still standing 90 feet tall, as if they were sailing along the lake bed. Sometimes I have to pull my cam- era away and look with my own eyes because it’s hard to believe this is real. To peer through a doorway hun- Rebreather diver Kevin Bond illuminates the broken dreds of feet deep at a wheel, tools, pictures still wheel on the stern of the John J. -Audubon. This two- hanging on walls, lightbulbs in lamps, and a bell still in masted brig was only 148 feet long; it sank in a colli- place leaves me in awe. sion with the schooner Defiance in 1854. The ship was What do I love most? Not every mystery here has -transporting railroad ties, which can be seen around yet been uncovered — each year, new wrecks are the wreck, scattered like Pixy Stix. The rudder and found, fueling my appetite to explore even farther. davits are in place, but both masts lie across the deck. It sits upright at 180 feet; visibility is typically close to 80 feet.

EMBA was a wooden, three-masted schooner-barge scuttled near Milwaukee in 1932. The 181-foot ship had been -converted into a self-unloading barge carry- The parlor room inside the yacht Gunilda has been ing coal on the Milwaukee River. The wreck is mostly in the dark for 106 years. This shot was a team effort intact, minus damage to the bow, and sits -upright at to illuminate the skylight as if it were back on the sur- 170 feet. The stern is stunning and very ghostly as it face, with the sun streaming in. Fine details in the sits on the bottom, frozen in time in the cold fresh wa- (Continued on page 8)

Page 8 Great Lakes Shipwrecks Like You've Never Seen Them Before by Becky Kagan Schott (continued)

(Continued from page 7) woodwork can be seen, along with a fireplace and clock. When you peer in the door, you can almost see the card games that would have been played at that table in 1911. The lack of -mussels in the lake keeps this wreck looking like it sank yesterday. Norman was a bulk -freighter that sank in a collision on a foggy May morning in 1895. The steamer that hit it - nearly cut it in half, and the crew on Norman began - jumping into the freezing water to -scramble into life- boats. The ship -quickly sank in 200 feet of water; -today the stern sits on its port side and the bow is still upright, with its -anchor resting in the sand. The wheelhouse can be seen sitting in the sand on the port side with a double wheel still in place.

Reprinted from ScubaDiving.com May 12, 2018

Nitrox Diving Safety by Peter Buzzacott, Ph.D., MPH

French physiologist Paul Bert when DAN® hosted a nitrox div- ment they personally owned and first proposed diving with a mix- ing workshop, diving with nitrox that the depth of the fatal dives ture of air and additional oxygen in was mainstream and here to was significantly deeper for the the late 19th century. The first stay. nitrox divers than for the air di- dives with oxygen-enriched air Last year DAN researchers vers. This finding seemed counter- were made using early closed- analyzed nearly 400 U.S. recrea- intuitive at first, since the safe circuit rebreathers, and in 1978 the tional diving fatalities over a 10- maximum operating depth of ni- National Oceanic and Atmospheric year period to examine the oc- trox is shallower than that of air, Administration (NOAA) adopted currence of oxygen-toxicity sei- but when you factor in the cost of enriched-air nitrox — a combina- zures. Were those fears some a nitrox fill (which is typically more tion of oxygen and nitrogen — for people expressed in the early expensive than air), it makes sense scientific diving. When enriched-air days justified? The final data set that divers going to shallow depths nitrox first became available for studied included 344 air divers with longer no-decompression lim- recreational divers in the mid- (86 percent) and 55 nitrox divers (Continued on page 9) 1980s, many people were con- (14 percent), cerned that the risks of suffering ages 14 to 78. an oxygen-toxicity seizure were The average too great for the entire recrea- oxygen content tional diving community to safely in the nitrox manage. These seizures occur was 31 per- when a diver exceeds the maxi- cent. mum recommended depth for the T h e r e - gas being inhaled and the partial s e a r c h e r s pressure of oxygen becomes too found that the high to breathe safely. Ten years nitrox divers later, some of the world's largest were more training agencies launched nitrox commonly div- diver training courses. By 2000, ing in equip-

Page 9 Nitrox Diving Safety by Peter Buzzacott, Ph.D., MPH (continued)

(Continued from page 8) feet, according to his dive com- breathing nitrox. While oxygen tox- its would be less likely to pay extra puter's recorded profile. The icity may have caused more fatali- for nitrox. diver owned multiple tanks, and ties than DAN is aware of, research Only one out of the 55 nitrox he may have simply forgotten shows that the fears expressed fatalities was considered likely due those particular tanks contained when nitrox was first used in rec- to oxygen-toxicity seizures. An ex- nitrox. This rare case is a re- reational diving have not been re- perienced technical diver had filled minder to analyze and correctly alized. There can be little doubt a set of double cylinders with en- mark tanks containing nitrox, as this is due to the entire diving riched-air nitrox containing 32 per- divers are taught to do during community working together: the cent oxygen (EAN32) for a dive nitrox courses. gas blenders getting the mix right, that was later canceled. Some In the past 25 years nitrox has instructors teaching how to safely weeks later he used the filled cylin- gone from being warily regarded dive with nitrox, and divers know- ders for a technical dive to a depth to being the gas of choice in ing to analyze their gas when they of around 160 feet, which is many dive operations. It would collect it from the shop and plan- deeper than the maximum operat- have been difficult to imagine 30 ning their maximum operating ing depth for EAN32. While breath- years ago that today liveaboard depth accordingly. ing the nitrox, the diver descended dive boats would be organizing to 160 feet, slowly ascended to thousands of dives on nitrox. We Reprinted from Alert Diver - 130 feet and then suffered a sei- estimate U.S. divers make mil- Spring 2018 zure and sank back down to 160 lions of dives each year while Ask DAN: How Can I Avoid Seasickness? by Divers Alert Network

“I’ve been a diver for many pletely until the inner ear accli- The three medications that are years, and have suffered seasick- mates to the motion — or some most commonly used to treat sea- ness on almost every boat dive. effective treatment is found. Gen- sickness are dimenhydrinate, me- It’s about to make me consider erally, the more time a person clizine and scopolamine. Dimenhy- giving up diving. Can you help spends on a boat, the less severe drinate, the active ingredient in me?” the sickness becomes. Even in the Dramamine and Gravol, is effective Motion sickness results from a absence of treatment, seasickness for many people but can cause disconnect between the eyes and tends to diminish after a few days. drowsiness. Meclizine is the active the vestibular system (the semicir- For some people, adjusting to the (Continued on page 10) cular canals of the inner ears). The motion may occur readily, but re- brain receives conflicting signals adjusting once from the eyes, which suggest that they’re back on the body is stationary (based on its land might take position relative to the boat), and some time (often the inner ears, which sense that as much time as the body is moving. was spent on Signs and symptoms of motion board). This is sickness include sweating, nausea, known as mal de headache, drowsiness, increased debarquement or salivation, dizziness and vertigo (a disembarkment sensation of spinning). Vomiting syndrome. may bring temporary relief, but the MEDICA- symptoms will not resolve com- TIONS

Page 10 Ask DAN: How Can I Avoid Seasickness? by Divers Alert Network (continued)

(Continued from page 9) symptoms of decompression sick- from the palm of the hand. Some ingredient in Bonine, Anti-vert and ness, which might mask symp- of these bands feature electrodes Dramamine 2, and is a good alter- toms or cause diagnostic confu- and utilize mild electrical stimula- native for people who are particu- sion. tion, while others feature a hard larly susceptible to the drowsiness As with any drug, discuss with button and rely on mechanical that dimenhydrinate can cause. your physician your intention to pressure for their effectiveness. Both dimenhydrinate and meclizine use one of these medications in Aboard the boat, there are a are available over the counter in the context of diving. If your doc- few additional tips that might help. the U.S. Scopolamine is a prescrip- tor is unsure about what to ad- Keep your face away from engine tion medication in the U.S. and is vise, he or she can call DAN for a exhaust fumes and in the breeze if available as a transdermal patch consultation. Always remember possible. Focus your eyes on the (Transderm Scop). to do a thorough self-assessment horizon or other distant objects, Whether a drug is safe for use before entering the water to and consider your position aboard while diving depends on how it make sure you feel well. If you the vessel. Avoid high places, and affects the person who is taking it. experience any unusual symp- stay toward the middle of the boat One must consider any side effects toms while underwater, abort the to minimize the movement you’re the drug causes and whether it dive. subjected to. Limit alcohol con- controls symptoms adequately. For OTHER THERAPIES sumption, and take steps to reduce these reasons, it is important to Aside from these drugs, other anxiety, fatigue and overheating. have experience taking any medi- strategies for minimizing seasick- Injuries and infections of the inner cation you plan to dive with before ness include sufficient rest and ear can make people more suscep- you go diving. Before you use an hydration, and eating plain foods tible to seasickness. oral medication or a Transderm such as saltine crackers, which Plainly stated, there is no cure Scop patch to prevent motion sick- can help to absorb excess stom- for motion sickness, but a plethora ness, try taking the recommended ach fluids. Consuming ginger can of medications, devices, proce- dose (or wearing the patch) on dry be helpful. Wristbands that dures and herbal remedies are land for at least 24 hours. If side stimulate the Nei-Kuan pressure touted to alleviate its symptoms. If effects occur, discontinue using points are effective for some peo- you have discovered a safe system the medication and avoid it in the ple (and completely useless for that works for you, stick with it. future. Besides being potentially others). These points are located distracting or disorienting, some between the two prominent ten- Reprinted from Sport Diver - side effects might be similar to dons in the wrists, about 1 inch May 24, 2018 Sherman’s Lagoon

Page 11 Back by Popular Demand! FCDA Tee Shirts and Hoodies!

Get your FCDA Tee Shirts and Hoodies with a high quality embroidered FCDA logo on the front and an embroidered dive flag on the back. Available in sizes from Small to 3XL. Gildan Heavy Cotton The Endurance Poly Hoodie T-Shirt

100% polyester perform- ance fleece - Quarter zip pullover for easy on and off - Mesh lined hood and front pockets - Rib knit hem and cuffs / Draw string in hood- Grey/Black or Grey/Red Adult Sizes SM - 3XL $35.00

High quality embroidered FCDA logo on the front and an Hoodie also available in Grey embroidered dive flag logo on with Red Insets. the back. Graphite grey shown - Cotton/Polyester blend - Adult Sizes SM - 3XL $25.00

Also available with long sleeves (not shown) $30.00

Both available in choice of ten colors

Available Colors for Tee Shirts and Long Sleeve Shirts

Page 12

FCDA Shirt/Hoodie Order Form

Please note that all items are custom made and must be prepaid. Items will be ordered as soon as we have the minimum quantity for an order and will generally be available at the next scheduled meeting.

Name ______

eMail ______

FCDA Tee Shirt with Logo and Dive Flag

No. _____ Size _____ Color ______@ $25.00 = $______

FCDA Long Sleeve Shirt with Logo and Dive Flag

No. _____ Size _____ Color ______@ $30.00 = $______

FCDA Hoodie with Logo and Dive Flag

No. _____ Size _____  Black Inset @ $35.00 = $______or No. _____ Size _____  Red Inset @ $35.00 = $______

Make your check payable to FCDA and mail to: TOTAL $______FCDA, P.O. Box 554, Fairfield, CT 06824

Page 13

Next FCDA Meeting

Friday - July 27, 2018 - 8:00 PM

US Coast Guard Auxiliary Cottage - South Benson Marina, Fairfield, CT

7:00 PM - Pre Meeting Barbeque (BYOM - Meat!)

"Dive Sites of "Florida Treasure Grenada" Hunting"

a video presentation by a presentation by

Jason Giannaras Jeff Susa

Jason presents video and Jeff explores Florida treasure photos of some of the best hunting hotspots and presents dive sites Grenada has to of- finds from Florida and Virginia. fer - shipwrecks and endless reefs with abundant marine life.