Scuba Diving Blog by Neutral Dive Gear

Lost Underwater City Found

2013-05-01T10:49:00.001-07:00

A lost city and vital port known as Heracleion to the ancient Greeks and Thonis to ancient Egyptians was thought to be nothing but a memory until a team from the European Institute for Underwater Archeology (IEASM) discovered the mystical city submerged in the Mediterranean Sea.

Traces of Thonis-Heracleion were found four miles off the coast of Egypt, 30 feet below the Aboukir Bay in 2000. The team, under French underwater archaeologist Dr. Frank Goddio’s direction, discovered many ruins, among them a monolithic chapel, a giant red granite statue of the god Hapi and the largest known concentration of ancient ships. It was the chapel that tipped off Goddio that it was in fact the lost city.

SCUBA Fitness: Keeping Legs Strong for Diving

2013-04-25T14:11:00.002-07:00

Over at California Diver, Gretchen M. Ashton (CFT, SFT, SFN, NBFE) gives some tips on keeping your God-given propulsion devices in shape for scuba diving.

When exercising the legs to keep them strong for scuba diving it is important to develop muscle strength, endurance and flexibility. The legs must be versatile for diving activities which place unique demands on the body. During this leg workout divers will benefit from imagining themselves: safely rising from a seated position under the weight of gear; climbing boat ladders; traversing uneven shore terrain; turtling distances on the surface, moving against and across currents; kicking into high gear in an emergency; positioning the body for underwater photography; maintaining overall self-control preventing collisions with reefs and other divers with efficient fin-kick swimming.

Divers also need to be particularly aware of balanced leg strength to maximize equipment design. The most ideal set of fins will function better with good muscle balance and biomechanics of the legs. The focus of this fitness for diving workout is training the muscles of the legs, for strength, endurance and flexibility to aid in proper function of the hip and knee joints.

See the recommended exercises...

Limited Release: Nitrox Diver Scuba Diving T-shirt (Available 4/18-21)

2013-04-18T19:26:00.002-07:00

NITROX divers are a unique breed within the dive community.

Touting longer bottom time, less fatigue, and special equipment, we proudly parade around displaying the neon green and yellow banner denoting our tank full of "Voodoo Gas".

This tee pays tribute to all who breathe Enriched Air.

Get one before they're gone...

4 A.M. Text Message

2013-03-02T15:27:00.001-08:00

LIMITED, 3-Day Release: California Diver Scuba Diving Hoodie (Nov. 18-20)

2012-11-18T11:47:00.000-08:00

This is it.

Only available Nov. 18-20 at midnight PST.

This durable California Diver hooded scuba diving sweatshirt pays tribute to all those who have shared California's waters. (Mens and womens sizes available)

Makes a perfect gift for yourself and your dive buddy.

Shop now >

Coming Soon: California Diver Hooded Scuba Diving Sweatshirt

2012-11-12T21:36:00.000-08:00

But you have to sign-up to receive notification of this limited release hoodie. This design will only be available for a very short time this winter.

Don't miss out -- also makes a perfect gift.

‘We’ll Respond’: N.Y. Scuba Response Team Ready for Hurricane Sandy

2012-10-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

With Hurricane Sandy’s arrival, Sgt. Terrence Sullivan of the New York Police Department’s scuba response team already knows he will not be seeing home tonight.

“Unfortunately, people still driving out there,” he told ABC News today. “What’s going to happen when water comes back up again? It’s going to be higher than it was earlier today and there’s going to be people stuck [calling] 911 and we’ll respond.”

He said the scuba team was based out of the Brooklyn Army Terminal and made up of recreational divers. They have to wear nearly 60 pounds of scuba gear, including a weight belt and and scuba tank, and could face swells that reach 10 feet tonight.

“We’re really going to be a citywide response with vehicles right now and if somebody was to fall in the water, we’re going to respond and try to get them out before it gets worse,” Sullivan said.

Continue reading...

Inventory Blowout: 60% Off

2012-10-04T17:42:00.000-07:00

We have exciting new styles on the way. Which means you get to take advantage of a ridiculous 60% off site-wide through Sunday.

At checkout, simply enter coupon code: FALL60

Shop now >>

A Few Pics from Coastal Cleanup Day: Leo Carrillo State Beach - Malibu, CA

2012-09-17T09:00:00.002-07:00

California Coastal Cleanup Day 2012

2012-09-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Near-Fatal Shipwreck Scuba Diving Accident Caught on Video

2012-08-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

Freaky.

(Feed readers click through for video)

Here's the story in the diver's own words...

“I am happy to share my experience in case it can knock some sense into someone like me that knows better but ignores the warning signs.

Here is a video captured from my mask camera that shows the worst of my incident in which I got lost in the shipwreck. The video stops when I hit my head on the roof of the room I was trapped in before I found my way out. It took me a while to watch the whole thing because in two places you can hear me scream in my regulator.

At first I was embarrassed to talk about it. I knew better, I knew my limits, I ignored it all against my better judgment. Now I feel comfortable sharing what happened in case it might stop someone from having the same near death experience.

Whenever I have read scuba dive column detailing an accident in a post mortem it is easy to see the glaring warnings that go by like a flashing road sign. In my case I ignored them and put myself in a situation that was above my skill level and equipment for a penetration dive.

During a great dive in wonderful conditions on the SHIPWRECK we started talking about our second dive on the ship. A group of us talked about doing a slight swim through penetration dive through some large openings. My buddy and I opted in and I started gearing up for the upcoming dive. I turned out to the be the last one in the water so once I cleared "OK" upon entering the water I raced to catch up to my buddy who was #4 on a group of 5 about to penetrate the wreck. Being the trailing #5 diver I formed up and followed my buddy along one of the ship walkway at 100 feet. When I reached the door I saw daylight on the other side of the ship and thought this was a bit more than a swim through but entered anyway without lights.

I later learned after the dive that my buddy had formed up on an entirely different group, a group of three that had no idea who we were and that we were following them.

When I entered I quickly knew that something was wrong when I saw the group descend down a stair case, seeing bright sunlight ahead and silted enter way behind me I pressed forward in total darkness thinking I would find a clear path out.

I found myself in a room with only portholes out, no path to swim out. I was stuck in a silted dark room with a silted exit route and as panic began to set in I started burning through my precise air at an accelerated rate at 100 feet.

This is the point in which my fate was in the balance. Panic was starting to set in and I began to see my life flash before my eyes. Thoughts of my family, thoughts of how I was about to learn how painful drowning is, thoughts of how my death would tarnish ********references deleted to protect the identity of the diver******, all while flashes from a small blue LED light from my camera equipped mask reminding me that the camera was rolling would be part of the accident investigation.

The best way I can describe the feeling is that it is like when you have a near miss car accident, only this feeling lasted over five minutes.

Then something clicked that saved my life - in the waterfall of negative thoughts I yelled back. "Shut the fuck up!" "You know what to do, you have trained for this, you need to solve this problem right now or you are going to die." I told myself to take inventory of the situation, check your air, relax, let the silt settle, preserve your night vision by not looking at the bright light coming in from the port holes. I charged up the glow in the dark element of my gauges and then started to settle down. Somewhere in this time line my camera stopped, the stop button must have been pushed when I hit my head.

As a laid back and started to settle a square glint of a doorway appeared. I slowly peered out the door and saw a glint of a hallway. Knowing the hallways were safe from overhanging wires and ducts I headed into the darkness praying not to find any resistance. As I traveled down the hallway I found my environment getting brighter. I made it to the end of the hallway and found an entry that felt as big as the Grand Canyon. I swam for it and was free. Free, but alone - where was my buddy?

I was very low on air but my fear shifted to my buddy, I was worried that he had a similar fate and maybe he was still trying to get out of his.

I went to an ascent line at 60 feet and looked for bubbles and looked for the group that we mistakenly followed into the wreck. I planned to suck the tank dry and wait for him. My ascent from 100 to 60 was pretty fast and my computer was indicating that I needed to burn off some more gas. Once the deco flag went away from my computer I ascended to 15 feet and planned to burn off whatever I had left while I watched for my buddy. When I dropped below 500 psi I surfaced and found I was the first diver back.

Not knowing if an emergency was occurring I let the Captain know that I was #5 of a group of 5 that broke off a penetration dive and I wanted to look for the group. I grabbed my snorkel and fins and watched for the group to emerge from the wreck. After 5 minutes I saw the 4 person group emerge from the bubbles and surface.

When I met my buddy on the boat he was surprised to see me but unaware that I had left the group. When I spoke with the lead three of the group they had no idea who I was and that my buddy and I were following them.

For days I would shudder whenever the thoughts of what could of happened settled in my head. The mistakes and ignored cues are almost too many to count but I did learn a huge lesson from this dive. One that I am very fortunate to have survived.

I wish to remain anonymous but you are welcome to share this story if it helps keep someone from making the same mistakes I made.”

You can read the analysis here.

Be safe out there, friends.

Epic Video: The World's Best Scuba Diving Destinations

2012-08-28T15:09:00.001-07:00

Uh. maze. ing.

(Feed readers click through for video)

VIDEO: Shark Attack at Catalina Island

2012-07-19T07:10:00.000-07:00

A brutal attack, captured on video.

(Feed readers click through for video)

Are you a Florida Scuba Diver?

2012-06-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

If so, this t-shirt is for you: the Florida Diver Scuba Diving T-Shirt.

Check it out...

Go ahead, you know you want to...

Are you a California Scuba Diver?

2012-06-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Be sure to pre-order your California Diver Scuba Diving T-shirt.

Come on, how awesome is this design?

You're welcome.

Crossed Tanks Silhouette Scuba Diving T-Shirt

2012-04-27T10:50:00.002-07:00

This spring and summer is about color. Bold, uncomplicated color.

So we'd like to introduce you to our latest design, the Crossed Tanks Silhouette Scuba Diving T-Shirt.

Two colors. One bold, uncomplicated design.

Go ahead, take a closer look...

New Trove of Shipwrecks Found in Minnesota's Lake Minnetonka

2012-04-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

Cool.

Archaeologists are scanning the bottom of one of Minnesota's largest lakes for unknown shipwrecks, and have already found some.

A renewed effort to see what's lurking at the bottom of Lake Minnetonka has uncovered three historically significant shipwrecks from when the lake was a popular tourist attraction at the turn of the 20th century.

Tempted to don a diving suit and seek out a treasure chest?

You'd come up empty-handed, because these wrecks and others, mostly steamboats, ferries or barges, were stripped clean of anything valuable and some were intentionally sunk when they became outdated.

"Artifacts for us are the fittings on the boats, the different cleats, the wheels if they're left on," said Ann Merriman of Maritime Heritage Minnesota, which found the remains during a sonar survey that also turned up several dozen smaller images that may be rowboats, cars or other long-lost items.

Seeing how the boats were crafted and used is historically important and their locations will be mapped so that they can be recognized as state archaeological sites. That would help keep them safe from disruption and allow divers to explore their wreckage.

"Our goal is to keep wrecks safe from looting, and safe from damage from anchors, but it's certainly not to limit scuba divers' enjoyment of them," Merriman said.

Continue reading...

Dream Job: Two Full-Time Scuba Divers Care for Radisson Blu Hotel Aquarium

2012-04-17T15:56:00.000-07:00

Beautiful.

The Radisson Blu Hotel in Berlin has turned an extraordinary idea to reality. A huge Aquadom aquarium has been constructed in the heart of the hotel’s lobby atrium.

This world’s largest cylindrical aquarium is 82-feet high and is managed by the Sea Life Berlin Aquarium.

The Aquadom is filled with nearly 1 million liters of seawater and contains around 1,500 tropical fish of 56 species and tiny reef-like mounds at its base. Two full-time scuba divers have been appointed for the care and feeding of the aquarium’s inhabitants.

Continue reading...

Let's Make Joseph Kony Famous

2012-03-07T10:04:00.006-08:00

This post has absolutely nothing to do with scuba diving.

It's much more important.

Please watch this video and post it everywhere and anywhere.

(Feed readers click through for video)

Scuba Diving Photos from the Costa Concordia

2012-01-20T10:10:00.000-08:00

You can view these and other photos here.

Scuba Diving Boat Coat Blowout

2011-12-29T12:31:00.000-08:00

Make 2012 the Year of the No-Cold Surface Interval.

Take a whopping 40% off our revolutionary Crossed Tanks Scuba Diving Boat Coat when you purchase before January 1st.

Limited supply!

And it's more than just stylish.
Discover superior boat coat technology...

Wounded Soldiers Become Scuba Instructors

2011-12-29T09:14:00.000-08:00

Our hoods are off to Brad Hughes and Peter Wesley.

Two injured soldiers have gained diving instructor qualifications after enrolling in sub-aqua rehabilitation.

Brad Hughes and Peter Wesley have become the only recipients of the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) open water badge through a pioneering Army scheme.

Mr Hughes, of Llandudno, Conwy, and his friend Mr Wesley, of Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, have been praised for a "fantastic" achievement.

Both have now been discharged from the Army on medical grounds.

Mary Tetley, chief executive of the BSAC, said: "Gaining your BSAC open water instructor qualification is an achievement in itself, but to do so when battling a crippling injury which has had such a profound effect on your life is remarkable.

"I am so pleased for Brad and Peter and they are a great inspiration to all of our members."

Continue reading...

Body of Missing Scuba Diver Recovered... 26 Years Later

2011-12-08T11:53:00.000-08:00

Wow.

The body of a scuba diver found in a seaside park has been identified as a disabled man who went missing 26 years ago.

Two fishermen found human remains in scuba diving gear tangled up in their nets near Cates Park, North Vancouver, in October.

It has now emerged that the remains belonged to Peter Devoe who was last seen on March 13, 1985.

According to The Vancouver Sun, Mr Devoe, a paraplegic, was enjoying a day out with his fiance and family at Cates Park.

He was diving with his brother when he experienced problems with his equipment. He never resurfaced.

Despite searches being carried out by emergency service teams in the days following the incident, the body of the 29-year-old was never found.

Continue reading...

Aussie Man Uses Scuba Gear to Evade Bushfire

2011-11-29T20:44:00.000-08:00

"I remember looking at my watch. And just looking up and seeing the red and the black going over the top."

While others in the town of Margaret River fled their homes, Peter Fabrici got his wife to safety and then went back to fire-proof his home.

Seeing houses in the distance going up in flames, he donned wet clothing, an oxygen tank and goggles.

When the flames got too close, he jumped into his neighbour's pool.

Continue reading...

Scuba Divers Report Hurricane Rina Shifted Cayman's Kittiwake Wreck 60ft

2011-11-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

And that's 60 feet out to sea.

Strong waves resulting from Hurricane Rina have shifted the Kittiwake wreck about 60 feet out to sea, divers who dove the site over the weekend have reported.

Jason Washington of Ambassador Divers said the former USS Kittiwake, which was deliberately sunk as a dive attraction off West Bay in January, is now sitting 10 feet deeper in sand and 60 feet closer to the sea wall than before the storm.

“It is incredible. I thought, honestly, that if it was going to move, it would move toward the beach. However the storm worked and however the water moved, it moved the Kittiwake towards the wall,” he said.

An enormous anchor chain on the ship has snapped and metal plates on the side of the vessel have also disappeared.

Mr. Washington and others dived the Kittiwake on Saturday and took video footage of the wreck to show how far it had moved and what damage had been done in the storm.

(Feed readers click through for video)