This unique conference will address the major issues surrounding rebreather technology, and its application in commerical, media, military, scientific, sport and technical diving.  RF3 has two key objectives; an emphasis on safety and the much needed peer review of the state of the art.  As a RF3 delegate you will be part of this important process.

I am a PADI instructor with only one rebreather pool dive under my belt, so I claim to be no expert and know I’ll learn plenty during this three day conference.

But we want to help you, the divers of the world.

Rebreather Animosity

When we post news or articles about rebreathers, the response is typically along the lines of “it’s certain death”. However, in seeing devices like the Hollis Explorer as well as early pieces of the PADI rebreather courses, this is not a niche that plans to go away and is working diligently to become as safe as possible.

When BCD’s were introduced, people thought they were dangerous. Now they’re standard gear.

When dive computers were introduced, people thought they were dangerous. Now they’re standard gear.

When nitrox was introduced, people thought it was dangerous. Now it’s incredibly common.

Will rebreathers be next?

What Do You Want to Know?

Post your questions in the comments and we’ll do our best to get answers from the leading experts in rebreather design, training and use. This is going to be a busy conference, so we may not be able to get answers to every question, but we’ll do our best.

We’ll be live-tweeting, so follow us on Twitter or check the stream below. We’ll be posting on Aquaviews daily throughout the conference, so if you’re not a big Twitter fan, you can catch our summaries here.

Rebreather Forum: An Evolution in the Diving Industry was written by Nick Bostic for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Survivor of Boat Lost at Sea Sues Princess Cruises

Survivor of Boat Lost at Sea Sues Princess Cruises

A young Panamanian fisherman has filed a lawsuit against Princess Cruises for failing to rescue him and two of his friends that had become stranded in the Pacific Ocean, an ordeal that resulted in two other men’s deaths. Passengers aboard a Princess cruise ship were bird watching on the vessel’s deck when they noticed a small fishing boat indicating signs of distress. Despite informing staff members of the boat and being assured that the message would be passed on to the captain, they were astonished to see no attempt to perform a rescue. All three young men were alive at the time of the sighting, but two succumbed to exposure and severe dehydration in the following days. The lone survivor was nearing his own death when he was finally rescued near the Galapagos Islands. The passengers who spotted the boat will be offering their testimony on behalf of the survivor. A representative for Princess Cruises stated that the message never made it to the captain or the officer of the watch. He also expressed regret over the incident, and noted that Princess Cruises had been involved in more than 30 rescues in the last ten years.

Manila Will Not Recognize Chinese Fishing Ban

Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, has stated that it will not recognize a fishing ban imposed by Beijing in parts of the South China Sea, due to the fact that the areas established overlap the Philippines’ own 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Philippine government is interested in establishing its own restrictions in an effort to support marine conservation.

Spearfishing Diver Sentenced For Illegal Lobster Poaching

A pair of spearfishing divers were apprehended by Orange County Fish and Game Wardens on January 15 for poaching lobsters caught in the Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve. The two men had 47 California spiny lobsters in their possession, more than 3 times the legal catch limit. Additionally, 42 of the lobsters were under the weight limit set forth by the law. The legal catch limit is 7 per day, at 8 inches or more, and they can only be caught by hand, or with baited hoop nets. One diver claimed responsibility for the entire incident, allowing the other diver to come away without even a citation. The responsible party was sentenced May 4 to seven days in jail, $20,000 in fines, had to relinquish all of his gear, and is now banned from protected areas in California. He was the first to be prosecuted since laws establishing marine protected areas went into effect on January 1.

The Daily Reel: May 15, 2012 was written by Creedence for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

German Fish Deaths Blamed on Human Urine

German Fish Deaths Blamed on Human Urine

A fish population of Eichbaum Lake, located in the German port city of Hamburg, has experienced a mass die-off in the last two weeks, with more than 500 fish casualties reported. Fishermen’s advocates are pointing the finger at recreational swimmers’ habit of peeing in the lake, at an estimated half a liter per swimmer per day, which introduces algae-producing phosphates into the water. Swimmers and fishermen are consequently embroiled in a feud, especially in light of the failed use of anti-phosphates to amend the imbalance. Until the killer algae outbreak has been addressed, swimmers are banned from using the lake.

UK Aquarium Has Vegetarian Shark

An aquarium in the Birmingham area of the UK has an unprecedented situation on their hands: a nurse shark that has eschewed its carnivorous ways for a vegetarian lifestyle. Staff at the National Sea Life Centre noticed that the 6-foot female, called Florence, was stealing pieces of lettuce that were intended for the turtles she shares a tank with, and eventually refusing to eat fish altogether. They’ve begun hiding pieces of fish in sticks of celery, hoping she will compromise for the sake of her nutrition. Hilariously, one staff member stated, “We wouldn’t want her to be embarrassed by the flesh-eating hammerheads in the tank.”

Illegal Fish Dumping May Be a Big Problem in New Zealand

Fish dumping, also known as high-grading, is the practice of selecting the best specimens from a catch and dumping the dead undesirables back into the sea, and despite their laws, New Zealand may have a bigger issue with it than they think. Check out the recent report exposing its frequency:

The Daily Reel: May 14, 2012 was written by Creedence for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Image via Snap®

The Stunning Reef Life of the Andaman was written by Creedence for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Image via USFWS Headquarters

A Great Sacrifice was written by Creedence for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Zeagle Diver Tool Kit – $78.50 FREE SHIPPING!

When you can find a package deal on accessories that cover all your needs, it’s a cause for celebration. That’s exactly how we feel about this diver tool kit from Zeagle. It includes a dive knife and EMT shears, both of which are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel. A dive knife is certainly one of those essentials that can help you in a jam, but the EMT shears offer another level of safety by enabling you to cut through just about anything that you might become entangled in. The blade of the knife is serrated on one side and straight edged on the other, and has an integrated line cutter. Both of these very useful items come neatly packaged in a heavy duty nylon sheath that easily attaches to the shoulder or waist strap of your BCD. But Zeagle doesn’t stop there — the back of the sheath features a dive slate, which can come in handier when hand signals just won’t cut it!

Aquatec Balanced Power Inflator with Integrated Horn – $59.95 FREE SHIPPING!

We especially love accessories that can multi-task, like this power inflator with integrated horn from Aquatec. As we recently discussed, an audible signaling device is a valuable accessory, for use during your dives as well as topside. Some divers don’t like the idea of more things hanging off their BCD, screwing up their profile, or falling out of a pocket, which is an understandable annoyance. That’s why this accessory kicks so much tail — the device is part of a power inflator! The horn works both below and above the surface, and allows for inflation, deflation, and signaling with one grip. No digging for it in a pocket, or constantly tucking it back in so it’s not dangling. Easily installed on nearly any BCD on the market, this is one smart accessory.

AquaSketch Minno Wrist Slate – $39.95 FREE SHIPPING!

This is about as cool as a dive accessory gets. Dive slates are very useful for teachers, students, or anyone else who has the need to communicate relentlessly, even underwater. This wrist slate can improve your dive profile simply by being an accessory that stays in close contact with your body — no pockets, no lanyards. Up to 8 feet of waterproof vellum can be contained in this slate, which gives you a fresh writing surface with just a turn of the knob. The surface is phosphorescent, making it useful for night dives or low visibility, and the erasable vellum scrolls can even be scanned into your computer for easy access to information. The pencil and eraser are attached to the device, so you won’t have to worry about them slipping through your fingers into the abyss. This wrist slate has definitely appeared in a few of our daydreams about SCUBA gear!

SCUBA Accessories You Know You Want was written by Creedence for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Image via TRF_Mr_Hyde

A Mother’s Love was written by Creedence for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Shark Poachers Escape Clutches of West Paupa Officials

Shark Poachers Escape Clutches of West Paupa Officials

Seven shark poaching vessels fishing in the region of Indonesia’s West Paupa province managed to escape the authorities of Raja Ampat in the midst of another bust, in which 33 poachers were apprehended by village residents and sailors from the Navy base on the island of Waisai. Dead sharks, manta rays, sea cucumbers, and fins worth a total of Rp 1.5 billion (US$163,000) were confiscated during the bust, along with their boats. It was during this raid that the seven other vessels made their escape. Shark fishing has been banned in the archipelago of Raja Ampat since 2005, which has allowed for a healthy recovery of many shark species in the area. However, shark poaching costs the regency roughly Rp 165 billion annually in tourism dollars. The Raja Ampat government has since sent more sailors to several islands to patrol their waters.

Basking Sharks Make Early Appearance in the UK

An early start to spring on the UK’s Cornwall coast has brought an early appearance of basking sharks, who are drawn to the surface by plankton blooms caused by rising temperatures. Ordinarily spotted beginning in June, experts speculate that an unseasonably warm March encouraged the early growth of plankton, which are the basking shark’s primary food source. Although they are present in Cornwall waters year-round, plankton blooms bring them closer to the surface where they are clearly visible. No more than one or two have been spotted at a time yet, but the basking shark is a fairly common summer sight in the region.

Captive Dolphins in Turkey Prepare to Be Released Into the Wild

It’s every marine animal conservationist’s dream, and it’s coming true for two lucky cetaceans that have been held in captivity in Turkey for several years. The bottlenose dolphins, called Tom and Misha, were discovered by conservationists in 2010 at a hotel attraction that allowed tourists to swim with the animals in a small, filthy pool. The dolphins showed signs of physical distress, including skin abrasions and being underweight. They have now been transferred to a sea pen, where they are re-learning wild behaviors like hunting live fish. The two will be released in a matter of days with satellite tags to track their progress. Check out the video here:

The Daily Reel: May 9, 2012 was written by Creedence for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

H2YO Underwater Noisemaker – $24.95 FREE SHIPPING!

This underwater noisemaker is one of the most basic designs for an audible signaling device, and it truly is beautiful in its simplicity. A small, fluorescent colored capsule contains either one large ball to make a clanking sound, or several small balls to make a rattling sound, each of which can be easily identified underwater by your dive buddy, rather than blending into other ambient noises. As you can attach the H2YO to your BCD or other gear with a split ring, some divers also find it useful as a visual identification tool as well. The casing is virtually indestructible, and there’s no parts to worry about malfunctioning when you need it most.

Buddycall Underwater Signaling Device – $25.95 FREE SHIPPING!

If you’re looking for an audible signaling device that’s even easier to use than something you have to shake, you might like the Buddycall. Running on battery power, the Buddycall is operated by the simple push of a button, emitting a signal that is audible up to 100 feet — much further than you should ever be away from your buddy! The velcro strap is designed to be worn on the wrist or attached to your BCD, and it even features a continuous ON position in the event of an emergency, making sure you get the quick attention you need.

Dive Alert Signaling Device – $42.50 – $59.50 FREE SHIPPING!

For those that are serious about sending an audible underwater signal, look no further than the Dive Alert signaling device. Utilizing quick-connect hose couplings to integrate into your power inflator, this noise maker uses a small fraction of your air supply to transmit a 132 decibel sound that can be heard up to a mile away. To illustrate the power of the sound, sustained noises at 132 decibels or more are enough to cause ruptured eardrums and permanent hearing damage. Case in point: use this baby selectively and wisely. The Dive Alert comes in three different models, to accommodate nearly every power inflator mechanism on the market. Never be missed again with this outstanding audible signaling device.

Can You Hear Me Now? was written by Creedence for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Remote Arctic Community Attempts to Re-Start Seal Hunt

Remote Arctic Community Attempts to Re-Start Seal Hunt

In the Canadian territory of Nunavut, a small hamlet comprised of about 1,300 traditional peoples is attempting to re-start their traditional seal hunt by offering classes designed to appeal to younger people. A local hunters and trappers association will enlist the help of experienced hunters to teach small classes of no more than 10 people, beginning with classroom learning and then hands-on training on the ice. Although there is value to the pelts and meat to the people of the region, the president of the association noted that it has been difficult to carry on the tradition through young people, due to a lack of education on both traditional and modern-day methods. Around 30,000 seals are hunted in the Nunavut area every year.

Private Boaters the Main Cause of Whale-Watching Incidents

Following the release of data that showed 58 percent of 2,500 observed whale-watching incidents were due to private boaters, the US has introduced new regulations that require citizens of the US and Canada to keep strict distances from killer whales in Washington state’s Haro Strait. Of that percentage, Canadian commercial vessels accounted for a higher share of incidents with killer whales, whose practices differ from those in the US, namely in the way they pursue the whales. While US commercial whale-watching vessels engage in parallel viewing, watching the whales from the side as they pass by, Canadian tour operators were found to use inflatable craft that “park and wait” ahead of whale groups. Both nations have non-profit watchdog groups that monitor and record data of interactions between commercial and private vessels and the killer whales. Neither group has the authority to issue fines or sanctions for violating the regulations, but the bigger issue is the difference of those regulations between the Canada and US. While the US requires boaters to stay a minimum of 183 meters from the killer whales, Canada only requires a distance of 100 meters. Reducing the impact of whale-watchers on the resident killer whales is critical, as their population is currently only 88 individuals.

Diver Files Lawsuit for Complications Resulting From Deepwater Horizon Spill

A commercial diver who worked in the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon spill has filed a lawsuit against BP and other responsible entities for serious health issues he believes are the result of exposure to the oil and chemical dispersants. Additionally, the suit lays blame for his colleagues’ suicides, who also experienced extreme health issues following exposure to the spill. According to his complaint, David Hogan has suffered seizures, lost 60 pounds, is unable to walk, and is going blind. During the spill, Hogan worked as many as 20 hours per day in the contaminated water, under assurances from BP’s health and safety specialists that there was no need for hazardous-materials dive gear. The entire dive team developed health problems after completing the work, one of which developed issues while work was still underway. Two of those divers have since committed suicide. Crude oil exposure can cause a litany of problems, including cancer, damage to kidneys, liver, blood, as well as to respiratory, nervous, immune, and reproductive systems. The chemical dispersant used for the Deepwater Horizon cleanup is so toxic that it has been banned for use on oil spills in the UK for more than a decade. Respondents of the lawsuit include BP, Halliburton, Transocean, Nalco, Specialty Offshore, ConocoPhillips, Xplore Oil and Gas, and Stuyvesant Dredging. Hogan’s complaint states that medical testing and evaluation performed by more than one physician have determined that he is suffering from neurotoxicity “related to chronic and cumulative exposure to chemical and heavy metals associated with the Gulf oil spill and dispersant.”

The Daily Reel: May 8, 2012 was written by Creedence for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World