Our Underwater Planet at SSJ SCUBA

Sharks under the Ice!

noreply@blogger.com (info@ssjscuba.co.uk) — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 21:19:00 +0000

Amazing discovery of Sharks beneath the Ice in Québec

http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/ubcreports/2006/06dec07/jaws.html

Looks a little cold to me :)

Diving and Decompression – The risk we take

noreply@blogger.com (info@ssjscuba.co.uk) — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:14:00 +0000

I remember as a child my mother cooking with a Pressure-Steamer, I was always fearful the pressure would explode the sealed pot so I often hid away from the sight, what I didn’t realise was the lid had a built in safety device. This is similar to diving in that there is a risk of insignificant nitrogen “Off-Gassing” during our ascents. Diving has primarily always been about Decompression, from day one the concerns of curing or to be more truthful preventing Decompression sickness has always been the leader in Dive accident prevention. Although dive Tables and Computer Models are based on theoretical dive data, there is still some element of risk and the only way to prevent Decompression Sickness is to not dive at all. However there are also Lions in the Jungle, all we can do as educated and safe divers is to ensure these risks are at kept to their minimum.

Avoiding Decompression sickness is to stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids avoiding alcohol both before and after diving, and using re-hydration salts especially when diving in hotter climates. Avoid strenuous exercise during and after a dive, dive well within recommended limits and ensure both Actual Bottom Time and ascent rates are adhered to. The recommended rate is 18 metres in 60 seconds, with a 5 metre safety stop where applicable. Personally I would recommend a safety stop after ALL dives regardless of whether the RDP (recreational Dive Planner) deems it necessary. With regards to the recommended ascent rate, again I would suggest that slower is better – the way I suggest this is to consider your dive profile as a stepping process – reach your pre-planned depth for the pre-planned time and then stage your ascent to different levels i.e. 26 metres Max Depth for 12 minutes, the next stage would be 18 metres for 4 minutes then 8 metres for 4 minutes then 5 metres for 4 minutes – your ascent rate to each different level of the dive will be both slow and controlled. This example would give you an ascent time from 18 metres of 12 minutes as opposed to the recommended rate of 1 minute. This gives us plenty of time for the nitrogen in your body to “Off-Gas”.

As a responsible diver also ensure you are aware of the emergency action plan and have details of the nearest Hyperbaric Chamber, have contact details for rescue contacts etc. do not rely on others having this information they may be thinking the same about you remember.

Think Moving not Stationary A safety stop, although defined as 5 metres for 3 minutes, can and should be extended where possible consider a 5 metre stop for 8 minutes, you do not have to be stationary! Keep moving to your planned exit point enjoying the wonderful sights at this level and your dive will be both more enjoyable and safer. Often most reefs have an abundance of life and colour at these shallower depths, remember orange and red are the first colours of the light spectrum to disappear as we descend.

Raising the Dead

noreply@blogger.com (info@ssjscuba.co.uk) — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 02:18:00 +0000

This story still makes me sad after all this time, there are extremes and there are extremes

When extreme diver Dave Shaw set a world depth record in the blackness of the Boesmansgat cave in South Africa's northern Cape last October, his elation was marred by a grim discovery. Lying in the silt 270 metres down at the bottom of South Africa's deepest freshwater cave, he saw the remains of Deon Dreyer, the only man to have previously attempted to conquer the Boesmansgat's depths.

full story below

http://www.cdnn.info/news/article/a050716.html

Hovering and techniques

noreply@blogger.com (info@ssjscuba.co.uk) — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 20:19:00 +0000

underwater skills have to be the greatest way to prepare for diving, my favourite skill has to be the Hover. for me practicing buoyancy is a key to lower exertion, better Air Consumption and more relaxed diving....

Hover is essentially about Breath Controlling, the key we have to remember as Instructors is to allow our students to see that we are breathing and NOT holding our breath, this can be done by using the right hand to demonstrate breathing in and out. Bring the hand to the mouth and away and repeat as necessary, nice and slow that's the key!

Oh and don't forget to deploy ankle weights if necessary

Johnski

7/10ths - Its a Big Blue Planet :)

noreply@blogger.com (info@ssjscuba.co.uk) — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 20:21:00 +0000

You know I am amazed at the thought of Planet Earth. There is soooo much water and so much that remians unexplored that it really fascinates me. I heard a rumour that Plankton blooms that exist within the Oceans contribute 70% of all the worlds breathable O2, alot more than rainforests (but hey lets keep those as well!).

Some of the astouding creatures found within the depths of our oceans defy belief, in their structure they are so unique and bizarre, afterall this is the birthplace of all creation!

Take for example this little beauty the Dunkleosteus terrelli

You can read the full amazing discovery below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6195188.stm

Forget sharks! This creature 10m in Length and as fast as you like was the Number 1 Predator in the sea at its age (Devonian Period)

Not bad eh? oh its bite had about 1/3rd the force of a T Rex! or twice that of a Great White

Now all form an orderely queue before leaving the water please :)

Just testing the settings

noreply@blogger.com (info@ssjscuba.co.uk) — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 22:32:00 +0000

Testing Testing 1 2 3

http://www.ssjscuba.co.uk

SSJ SCUBA Starts to Blog!

noreply@blogger.com (info@ssjscuba.co.uk) — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:56:00 +0000

Well after a successful dive at Stoney today I feel it is time to start a Blog to share my thoughts and ideas on diving. The Viz was amazing at Stoney today at least 8 - 10m, and the water temperature was 11 Celsius which was a pleasent surprise. Brought a new pair Poseidon 5mm gloves and they worked a charm

....we only did 1 dive though as both me and fellow Instructor Steve "Caveman" G were exhausted, oh Steve apologies for forgetting to pack my Dry-Suit, at least my house was on the way to Stoney :)

....right signing off for today

Oh yeah, nearly forgot, our website for our SCUBA School in Essex is....

http://www.ssjscuba.co.uk

What do you all think?