Scuba Shack Radio has wrapped up but there is more in store. Specifically - I will be launching a new podcast - Scuba Educational Alliance Ocean Podcast on September 19th, 2024. This new podcast will be dedicated to ocean health, sustainability and fostering a new generation of ocean stewards through scuba diving education. I hope that you will tune into the new podcast coming soon.
The time has come to wrap up Scuba Shack Radio. After 142 episodes, I have decided to end the podcast as I look to focus on other initiatives. The podcast has been a rewarding endeavor. I have enjoyed the research, preparation and delivery of a show every two weeks over the past 5+ years. As I began season 6 earlier this year I knew that someday I would move on and after a great deal of thought, here is the Round Up or final episode of Scuba Shack Radio.
It seems that we are using the term complacency to talk about various incidents or accidents in scuba diving. Is it really complacency or is is something else. Are divers being careless, irresponsible or reckless. As scuba divers we know the inherent risks of entering this incredible environment. So when we don't take the appropriate action to minimize this risk are we really being complacent. ========================================= Wet Notes updates include - Amazon plans to end use of plasti...
We hear the terms mastery, competency and performance when discussing scuba training, but what do these terms really mean. Let's talk a little more about these terms. How do we achieve mastery or competency? Should there be repetition standards? Are all the skills necessary for basic open water? There is a lot to think about when it comes to mastery, competency and performance in scuba diving. Wet Note discusses Faroe Islands Grindadrap continues Big Blue achieves UL 2054 certification Alert Div...
Here is an update on my reading list for 2024. The second batch of books that I finished include: Arctic Drift - Clive and Dirk Cussler A Message from Martha - Mark Avery Built to Fail - Alan Payne Crescent Dawn - Clive and Dirk Cussler A Furious Sky - Eric Jay Dolin On my reading list for 2024 summer and beyond include: Poseidon's Arrow, Havana Storm and Odessa Sea - Clive and Dirk Cussler Losing the Signal - Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff Gone - Michael Blincowe American Buffalo - Steven Rine...
Innovation, technology, and market forces can drive inflection points for business or industries. Inflection points are times of significant change and transformation is necessary for sustainability and growth. Whether it be new training models, like subscription-based learning or new products that create inventory challenges for small dive shops, these changes are signals of an inflection point. Local dive shops remain a key pillar in the creation of new divers and as more close, are we creatin...
Becoming a competent and confident diver is a progression that involves training, gear and diving. We often call these the three Es - Equipment, Education, and Experience. But just taking the next course or buying another piece of gear is not the answer. Divers need to progress with the right training with the right equipment at the right time. Without the proper foundation in diving, training may not be effective and mastering the use of the new equipment can be problematic. Or maybe, the divin...
How would you rate customer service across the dive industry? How do you define good customer service for a dive operator, dive shop, or dive resort? Listen to an example of very poor customer service that we recently experienced plus some examples of how we think about good customer service Plus Wet Notes provides updates on The DIVE BOAT act The FISHES act Orca Torch ZD710 pricing and new products Scuba Diving Magazine's 10 best wetsuits Shearwater Research's new website Update on the April 3r...
Martha was the last of the passenger pigeon species and died on September 1, 1914. The passenger pigeon was once the most abundant bird on the planet and within a few decades this species went from billions to zero. We need to hear the message from Martha to protect the ocean species from extinction including sharks, rays and whales. Loss of habitat, ocean warming, overfishing, plastic pollution and ghost gear continue to threaten our ocean creatures. Wet Notes updates us on Orca Torch ZD710 New...
In 2022, NOAA released recommendations for vessel speed restrictions in an effort to protect the North Atlantic right whale. NOAA not only expanded the area dramatically, they also expanded the vessels being covered. The new rules would restrict most vessels 35 feet or larger to 10 knots in these seasonal zones. Approval of this proposal however is stalled. There are too many competing interests and a large number of people are opposed to the changes. In the end the whales lose. Another calf was...
Dive computers are powerful, reliable and an essential part of your scuba kit. There are many affordable dive computers on the market today that allow divers to fit this into their budget. Is it okay to tell divers that they don't need to use a dive computer because the dives are going to be shallow? This is not how we dive and not how we counsel our divers. In my opinion, a dive computer is as essential as any other part of your rig. Listen to hear about who is telling divers they don't need a ...
In this episode, I discuss why you might find it a challenge to rent scuba gear from your local dive shop. The local dive shop is a small business and as such must make investments in equipment and time to those areas of the business that keep them profitable. Renting scuba gear may not be one of those areas that generate the revenue versus the investment. Not all local dive shops are the same. Wet Notes updates include DEMA 2024 hotel block 100% PADI or not al all? Oceanic+ housing update Q4 20...
In this episode, I discuss the results of the a survey conducted by the Business of Diving Institute on training agency net promoter score. The results are a bit surprising on how various stakeholders view the numerous agencies in the scuba industry. Wet Notes news and information updates include: Challenges for aging divers A new regulator bag from Akona An update on the Oceanic + housing and app Halcyons updated carbon-fiber BC system Clearly Cayman Resorts great customer service REEF's new lo...
The tipping culture is deeply embedded in the dive industry. It is critical for dive professionals around the world to make a living. But the tipping culture is a challenge for divers. There is no standard method for determining how much to tip and who to tip. Also, it seems that every place does it a little differently. Is there a better way? Listen to hear my thoughts on the challenges of the tipping culture for dive customers. Wet Note covers Fourth Element Seeker Mask Oceanic + Dive Housing ...
Wet Notes Updates Changes at Aqualung DEMA Town Hall meetings regarding 2024 show New industry trade magazine from William Cline Latest edition of Scuba Diving Magazine New Fourth Element Arctic undergarment History of Diving Museum 2024 Immerse Yourself series The first seven books on my 2024 reading list - The Underworld by Susan Casey Trojan Odyssey by Clive Cussler Rocket Men by Robert Kurson Black Wind coauthored by Clive and Dirk Cussler Ocean Outbreak by Drew Harvell Treasure of Khan also...
Season six will feature a few changes to the format. Sea Hunt It's Still Alive will be on hiatus for a while. After five years it is time to give Mike Nelson a bit of a break. Every show will also feature an update from the dive shop. In this episode I talk about some of the "fun" year-end activities. Wet Notes will continue on with news, information and product updates - in this episode learn more about The Oceanic Plus dive housing Two scuba shows here in the Northeast - Boston Sea Rovers and ...
On this last episode of season five of Scuba Shack Radio I will take a look back at the very successful and very busy 2023 year at Scuba Shack. Hear about all of the training and travel that made for an incredible year.
The Sea of Tomorrow Society of Beneath the Sea is offering a number of scholarships and grants for 2024. You can apply online at www.beneaththesea.us/scholarships. The scholarships and grants will be awarded at the Beneath the Sea Show in March 2024. The Q4 2023 edition of Alert Diver from Divers Alert Network is out. Once again it is packed with information including an article of diving in Connecticut plus travel options to St. Eustatius. The DAN Annual Reports for 2021 and 2022 are due to be ...
The Dive Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) Show took place in New Orleans November 14 - 17, 2023. The show continues to recover from the pandemic with a significant increase from the 2022 event. In this recap, I will give you some insights into the energy within our scuba industry. The show offers dive professionals the opportunity to attend training classes, various seminars and presentations, and meet with a variety of dive equipment and dive travel exhibitors. Additionally, there are...
PADI AWARE Foundation has updated the Project AWARE Specialty course to be the PADI AWARE Specialty and includes electronic learning along with a take action workshop that you complete with your PADI Instructor of dive shop. How much trash is in the ocean? Ocean Conservancy recently published a blog post - let's just say it is way too much. Fourth Element has released another new product - the Seeker mask. This mask has two objectives - provide a near natural field of vision and fit almost every...
In this episode, I will tell you all about our exciting dive trip to the Philippines where we spent an incredible 10-day visit at the Atlantis Dive Resort in Dumaguete. I will tell you about getting to the Philippines, the incredible diving in Dumaguete, our trip to Apo, our snorkeling adventure with whale sharks in Oslob, plus the absolutely amazing service provided by the staff at Atlantis. At Atlantis you most certainly "Arrive as a guest and leave as family".
The 2023 Iceland whale hunt season is over and resulted in the deaths of 24 fin whales. The season was shortened by the Iceland government because the hunt failed to comply with Icelands Animal Welfare Act. For the record there are three countries that still hunt whales - Japan, Norway and Iceland. Whale deaths along the Northeast coasts continue to rise. The numbers keep going up. There are a number of obvious reasons like vessel strikes and entanglement but there are also the impacts of climat...
Scuba Diving Magazine's September/October issue is their 2023 Photo Issue. In this issue they present the 2023 winners of the Through Your Lens photo contest. The Women Divers Hall of Fame is now accepting applications for their 2024 Scholarship and Grant programs. Deadline for application is November 15, 2023 at 5 pm eastern. More info. Ocean Explorer Trust had released footage from the EV Nautilus expedition where they surveyed three historic WW II aircraft carrier wrecks from the Battle of Mi...
REEF's 2023 Discover the Sea Underwater Photo Contest is now accepting entries through September 18, 2023. There are several categories including fish portraits, macro, and more. You can check it out at www.REEF.org/photocontest The third quarter 2023 Alert Diver Magazine from DAN arrived. This edition features Stan Waterman as the profiled diver. You can also learn about diving in San Diego, Lembah, Palau and Turks and Caicos. Check out the DAN was there for me section for another story of why ...
PADI Club recently completed their latest club trip to Belize where they had 38 divers from around the world participate. There is another trip planned for Bonaire in September. PADI Club continues to grow their benefits. A team of divers from the Musee des Ilse de la Magdalin have discovered 7 shipwrecks believed to be from the 1800s. The shipwrecks are off the Magdalin Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. REEF is holding their 14th annual REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby and Festival - Septemb...
A week onboard the Rocio del Mar liveaboard dive boat in the Sea of Cortez is an adventure. It is an adventure that starts from Phoenix, AZ through the Sonoran Desert through Gila Bend, Ajo, Sonoyta before entering Puerto Penasco and starting your journey south on Rocio del Mar. Listen for more details where we talk about the boat, the diving, and interesting aspects to that truly make this a scuba diving adventure. I also provide some tips to get you ready and make the most of the trip.
The wreck of Omani Bay (CVE 79) a WW II Escort Carrier was discovered in the Sulu Sea in July. It was sunk by a kamikaze strike on January 4, 1945 with the loss of 95 sailors. The wreck is in over 100 m of water. WestJet has announced that it will be implementing a non-stop flight from Toronto to Bonaire starting on December 12, 2023 and that it will run through April 2024. The flight will run once a week on Tuesdays. Whale shark tourism is big business but at what cost? There is a study that lo...
Registration for the DEMA Show is now open. DEMA members can register for early bird pricing of $55 until October 16th. After that the price jumps to $75. Non-DEMA members rate is $180 for the full package. The show is open to all dive professionals, dive shops, resorts, manufacturers and travel agents. This year the show is in New Orleans and runs from November 14 - 17. The 39th annual Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival took place on July 8, 2023 at Looe Key Reef. The purpose of the music fes...
Joe Dituri recently completed a 100 day mission underwater with Project Neptune 100 sponsored by the Marine Resource Development Foundation. He smashed the old record of 73 days. Find out more at mrdf/project-neptune. Mark and Sherry Grishom of PSI/PCI (Professional Scuba Inspectors / Professional Cylinder Inspectors) were recently honored by NASA for their work on the Resupply Air Tank Team for the International Space Station. Aqualung announced that the company is being acquired by Barings Inv...
PADI Club has two trips planned for 2023. The first trip is to Belize running July 29 to August 5 and the second trip is in October to Bonaire. That trip will run from October 7 - 14. The History of Diving Museum has a new exhibit - Aquanauts to Astronauts. This exhibit opened on May 20, 2023 and runs through December 31, 2023 and will educate folks on the unique relationship between diving and space exploration. The latest edition of Alert Diver from Divers Alert Network is out. A great publica...
