Diving in the Philippines: 5 Tips for Saving Air

(originally printed in Scuba Diving September 2011)

 

Diving Tips: Saving Air

Do you breathe your tank down faster than your buddy? Here are 5 diving tips to help conserve your oxygen and extend your bottom time.

1. Fix the small leaks
Even a tiny stream of bubbles from an O-ring or an inflator swivel adds up over 40 minutes, and may be a sign of more serious trouble ahead anyway. A mask that doesn't seal is another kind of leak in that you have to constantly blow air into it to clear out the water. It's also a source of stress, which needlessly elevates your breathing rate and thereby reduces your breathing efficiency. Does your octopus free-flow easily? That can dump a lot of air quickly. Detune it or mount it carefully so the mouthpiece points downward.

2. Dive More
Inexperienced divers are famous for burning through their air supply at a furious rate, so one of the best diving tips for saving air is to simply dive more often. You may not be a new diver, but unless you dive almost every week it's still an unnatural activity. By diving more, your body will get used to the idea, and you'll breathe less.

3. Swim Slowly
The energy cost of speed is even more than you might think:  Swim half as fast as you do now, and you'll use less air.

4. Stay Shallow
Because your regulator has to deliver air at the same pressure as the water, a lungful at 33 feet (two atmospheres) takes twice as much out of your tank as does the same breath at the surface. At 99 feet (four atmospheres) it takes twice as much as at 33 feet. There's absolutely nothing you can do about that except to avoid being deeper than you have to be. If you're making a transit over an uninteresting sand flat to get to the edge of the drop-off, do it at 15 feet instead of at 40 feet, and you'll save air.

5. Minimize the Lead
If you're over-weighted, you have to put more air into your BC to float it and be neutral. The inflated BC is larger and requires more energy and oxygen to push it through the water. An extra eight pounds of lead means your BC is one gallon bigger when inflated enough to make you neutral. 

Five Things to do to Protect your Favourite Dive Site in Moalboal

By John Flanders 

 When it comes to protecting the environment, everyone wants to be politically correct and do the right thing.  However, for most people, protecting the environment requires a change in mind-set that doesn’t always blend with their day-to-day life.  We hear a lot about “your carbon footprint”, but for most normal people, that doesn’t always translate to real world action items.  However, there are many things you, an Average Joe/Josephine can do, easily, to change the way you impact the environment and most likely protect your favorite dive site.

Your Mission: Small changes over a reasonable period of time

Less Plastic!!!

Take a look at how much plastic you use!  Plastic cups, water bottles, coffee cups, to-go containers, shopping bags, and more.  Take the next five weeks and implement a program that reduces your plastic.

• Week 1; replace all your plastic disposable cups with reusable cups or biodegradable cups. 
• Week 2; go out and buy a reusable “Starbucks Look-A-Like” Coffee Cup and bring that into the coffee shop to be refilled. 
• Week 3; go to the local grocery store and buy 20 reusable shopping bags (keep them in your trunk and use them).
• Week 4; set up recycling bins in your kitchen, bathrooms, garage and other key rooms.
• Week 5; every time you buy something that is plastic, look for the recycled label.

 

Plastic bags, bottles and more are littering thousands of square miles in the world’s oceans.  It drastically impacts marine life and is killing important species.  Your five week program will help save the ocean and your favorite dive site.  Plus, you will feel great in the process.

Practice Safe Diving – Secure All Falling Equipment

As a SAFE diver, you are making a commitment to minimalizing your impact when you dive.  That means you are taking only pictures and leaving only bubbles.  As a SAFE diver, you are conscious that EVERY diver impacts a dive site when they visit.  How you avoid damage depends on how you dive.  Master your buoyancy through training and pool practice.  Properly stow your gear on your person while diving.  Be conscious of your surroundings and the environment.

Following are a couple of action items: 

• Week 1; Invest 15 minutes and set up your equipment at home or at your local dive shop.  Step back from your equipment and look at all the “dangling lines and equipment”.  Talk to your local dive shop about different clips, retractors and tie downs that can help you streamline your equipment.
• Week 2; Reserve your space in your favorite instructor’s Buoyancy Class and take it with environmental consciousness as a goal and objective. 
• Week 3; grab your smart phone and schedule some practice time in the local pool or lake.  The focus should be on keeping your fins off the bottom and playing the “no touch game”.  See how long you can dive and not touch the bottom.

Be Aware When Ordering Seafood

Awareness programs like Banning Shark Finning have gone viral in today’s world of social connectivity.  It’s still a worldwide concern, however very few people would walk into a restaurant and order a bowl of shark fin soup.  However, sharks are not the only species under attack.  Many of the world’s game fish are under attack by the appetite of the world.  Making smart consumer purchases should be every diver’s responsibility. Two things you can do is

(1)   stay away from seafood that is on the endangered list; and

(2)   whenever possible, you should order seafood that was bred in a fish farm.  Consumption of farm bred fish is environmentally friendly.

Ready for your Seafood Aware action items? 

• Week 1; Download the Seafood Watch App or PDF Card from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Web site.   Schedule a reminder on your personal calendar to update your Seafood Watch card every quarter and check for updates. 
• Week 2; Send out a personal email or share a link on your Facebook Page to your friends and family and ask them to make conscious seafood choices.  Share the Seafood Watch card with them. 
• Week 3; spend 3 hours and research local seafood restaurants (maybe make a few phone calls or send a few emails) and ask them if they have protocols in place to help protect endangered species on their menu.  When you find a good restaurant, tell everyone about it and vote with your wallet. 
• Week 4; establish a vegetarian night once per week.  A great healthy and hearty way to save your favorite dive site.

 

Use environmentally friendly detergents

Detergents and soaps are filled with phosphates, dyes, bleach and more.  Some of these soaps and detergents are harmful to local waterways, rivers and ultimately the ocean.  Some effects of injecting these harsh chemicals into the waterways include algal blooms which reduce visibility and cover the reefs and other marine life.  The real problem is there are no government regulations for disclosing contents of detergents and soaps and you will find many of the labels are misleading and contain terms that have little to no relevance.  However, “going green” is not as hard as you think and can lead to some healthy options that extend far beyond just protecting your favorite dive site.

• Week 1; find an “eco-friendly” washing detergent.  Do some research on the Internet and check out your local market.  Find one, at the store you usually shop at, that works for you.  If you have to make a special trip for liquid detergent, you won’t practice this regularly. 
• Week 2; change out you dish soaps and dishwasher detergents to a “green” alternative. 
• Week 3; post your research to Facebook or your blog and talk about your experience in making the switch

Be your own activist

One World – One Diver – One Change a Week – One Big Impact.  If every diver had this philosophy, our oceans would be healthier!  It’s your job to educate yourself on the environment concerns facing the oceans of the world.  It’s your passion that will drive you to be an activist.  You don’t need to march on Washington DC or give CPR to a whale to have a big effect.  Make some small changes and then find two friends to do the same.  In the end, you will be able to enjoy your dive sites for as long as you are diving.

• Week 1; Research various ocean driven and dive centric causes.  Identify opportunities to help those foundations. 
• Week 2; take a Project Aware course at a local dive shop.  Help rally divers to join you in that class and participate with the dive shop in creating a greater concern for the underwater environment.  Ask the dive shop to participate in donating a percentage of the revenues from that course to a greater cause. 
• Week 3; host a charity night at a local restaurant/bar or at your house.  Put a cover charge on the event and donate the proceeds to your ocean driven charity.  Hold a raffle where people have to purchase the tickets and the proceeds benefit to the elected charity for the evening.  Maybe your local dive shop will help with the raffle.  Week 4; don’t quit after 3 weeks.

Put a plan together to help the Marine Environment on a regular basis.  One World – One Diver!

10 Tips for Night Dives at Moalboal: Well known dive Spot in Cebu

 

 

Adapted from an article by John Brumm of Sport Diver magazine

 

 

Night diving is special because even a familiar site looks different at night. When you make a day dive, you normally scan the entire dive site looking at your surroundings. At night, you see only the area of the dive site that is lit by your light. This forces you to slow down and concentrate on that one area.

Tip #1
Stay close and shallow. Night dives tend to be shallow, so you’ll have plenty of bottom time to go slow and take it all in. Colours, for example, are much more vivid on a night dive than they are during the day. It’s simple dive physics. If you’re making a daytime dive in 66 feet of water, sunlight gets absorbed, stealing away the colours. On a night dive, your light source is never more than five or 10 feet away, so the water doesn’t take away any of the light spectrum.

Tip #2
Redefine “night.” When the sun is low in the sky, very little light penetrates the surface, making it pretty dark underwater, even when there is still a fair amount of light above. Diving at dusk is a good way to start your night-diving career. You have the convenience of gearing up when it is relatively light, but get the full effect of making a night dive. On ocean dusk dives, you also have the added benefit of watching the reef creatures migrate through a kind of “shift change” as the day animals disappear and the night animals come out to play.

Tip #3
Get the right gear. You’ll need a primary dive light and a backup light. The primary light should be the larger and brighter of the two. How large and how bright? That’s up to you, and your choice may vary depending on the clarity of the water. When shopping for a light, try out several as some have different grips and handles to suit your personal preferences. Your backup – or pocket – light should be small enough to stow easily, yet bright enough to help you find your way back home. Most lights designed for this purpose are smaller and typically shaped more like a traditional flashlight. Remember, though, that if the primary light fails and you switch to your backup, it’s time to end the dive. We are reviewing dive lights later this year, but for our 2012 Editor’s Pick for Best Dive light, read about the Sola Dive 500 

Tip #4
Tie one on. Most dive lights come with a way to attach a lanyard or wrist strap. Get one. It’s cheap insurance against dropping and losing your primary source of illumination. Most dive lights are negatively buoyant; if you drop one in deep water it may be gone forever.

Tip #5
Know the signals. If there’s one aspect of night diving that is more complicated than day diving, it's communication. You and your buddy should review hand signals before entering the water and agree on the ones you'll use. You have two options: One is to shine the light on your hands so your buddy can see what you’re saying. The other is to make signals using your light. You can signal “OK” and “Yes” or “No” by moving your light in a circle, or up and down, or side to side. You can even get your buddy’s attention by circling or “lassoing” his light beam and then pulling it toward you. If you’ve practiced this beforehand, your buddy will know what you’re doing.

Should you become separated from your buddy, get vertical and shine your light outward while turning a full circle. Your buddy should do the same and chances are you’ll spot each other. If you surface far from the dive boat, point your light at the boat until you get the crew’s attention, then shine it down on your head so the crew can see you clearly.

Tip #6
Aim carefully. On any night dive, you should treat your light like a loaded gun. Never shine your light directly into another diver’s eyes — you can ruin his night vision.

Tip #7
Go easy on the light. First-time night divers tend to buy the biggest, brightest beam they can find and cling to it like a security blanket. As you gain experience diving at night and get comfortable, you’ll find smaller primary dive lights do just as well, particularly in clear water. On some night dives, lights of other divers, the boat and the moon can provide so much ambient light that you may leave your torch off for much of the dive.

If you do need a light, you may not need its full power. Some LEDs have a half-power setting you can use to dial back the brightness. Or try dimming your light by cupping your fingers over it. In any case, you’ll see more natural behaviours if you use the edge of the pool of light, not the hot spot, to pick out fish and critters.

One of the unique things about night diving in the ocean is bioluminescence. Some varieties of single-celled plankton give off light when they are disturbed underwater. Your fin kicks or a wave of your hand can create an explosion of undersea sparks, but you’ll miss the show in anything but dark conditions.

Tip #8
Do reconnaissance. Before you make your first night dive on a site, you should dive it during the day. This allows you to learn the layout of the site and get comfortable with it. 

Tip #9
Mark the way home. If you’re diving from shore, rather than from a boat, you should also place lights on the beach. It's a good idea to have two lights close together at your entry/exit point and then a third farther away. This gives you something to swim for after the dive when you're swimming back in.

Making a night dive from a boat brings with it a different set of concerns. The boat should be marked with a flashing strobe you can use to find your way back. When surfacing near the boat, shine your light toward the surface and watch carefully to avoid colliding with the hull.

Tip #10
Have fun! Most important, relax and enjoy the dive. It’s natural to be a little anxious before stepping in the dark void of an unlit ocean or lake, but it’s also exciting. When you overcome your anxieties about night diving, you get another eight hours of each precious dive day to explore and create new and lasting dive memories.

What happens if you get separated from your buddy or the boat after finishing a night dive? There’s a reason why we recommend carrying at least two safety signalling devices when you are diving at night.

Night Dives at Turtle B ay Dive Resort

We recomend three great sites for night dives at Turtle  Bay Dive Resort:

1. Our house reef - easy shore dive, lots of special stuff including manadarin fish (just before dusk), electric clams and lots more;
2. The Muck Dive Site by Moalboal Town pier - a lot of really unusual stuff you will not find anywhere else including star gazers; and
3. Pescaor island - beautiful coral and a chance to see sharks come up from the depths

Underwater Photography at Turtle Bay: Hero3 Cube Red Filter

 

Do have problems with the colors in your underwater photographs and videos - everything green or blue - no bright colors?

Polar Pro Filter's red filter is designed for the GoPro Hero3 camera. The red  filter color corrects for the GoPro's auto white balance. When filming  underwater, red light is not present and the GoPro does not take the lack of  red light loss into account. This can often cause videos to be too green or  too blue. Just snap on a Polar Pro red filter which will reduce excess blues  and greens therefore reinstating vibrant reef colors back into your GoPro  dive videos!

Check out our site for comparison videos and see how our simple $29.99 filter  can turn your GoPro into a production quality scuba camera.

Here is the detailed product information:
- constructed with strong optically correct Acrylic;
- filter snaps on and off seamlessly; and
- includes filter, tether, and storage bag

For more information go to:

www.polarprofilters.com

Agoda.com and Philippine Airline Team Up

Agoda.com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), has teamed up with Philippine Airlines (PAL) to offer customers of the Philippines’ flagship carrier access to Agoda.com’s inventory of over 100,000 hotels worldwide.

As the first and oldest commercial airline in Asia, Philippine Airlines has been carrying people to and from the Philippines since 1941. Now, in a world that’s more connected and engaged than ever before, the airline is pushing the limits of its online and digital capabilities. The partnership with Agoda.com further strengthens its international competitiveness, after the San Miguel Corporation joined the PAL management team in 2012.

As part of the new campaign, the partnership will allow Philippine Airlines customers to access fantastic hotel deals for both domestic Philippine and international destinations through a customized hotel booking page linked to PAL’s website at www.agoda.com/PAL . The deals will mirror PAL’s global network of destinations so customers can book flights and hotels in one easy step.

“With PAL being one of the oldest and most respected airlines in the world, it’s an exciting prospect for Agoda.com to match PAL’s network of destinations with the best hotel deals,” said Ernst Hemmer, Agoda.com’s Commercial Director, “This will allow PAL’s discerning customers to book their travel requirements in an easy and convenient way.”

 

 

The arrangement brings the number of Agoda.com airline partnerships with national flag carriers to 10, not including a further 7 traditional airlines and 6 low-cost carriers. These partnerships have proven to be mutually beneficial to both companies involved, and have given customers the opportunity to add even more value to their vacations.

Treating Sea Urchin Punctures whilst Dicving the Philippines

Article by Doc Vikingo

Sea urchin punctures. Don’t you just hate it when that happens? As the name implies, punctures are deeper than stings because they stab through the skin. They can be small, like those from a sea urchin, lionfish or cone snail, to very big, such as the harpoon-like jab of a stingray, but they should all be treated seriously.

 

In some dive venues you can pretty much count on an urchin runin. Generally, with such punctures, there is initial intense pain that gradually diminishes over the course of a week or so with ultimate complete resolution. After tweezing out protruding spines, any remaining fragments typically will disappear through a combination of being dissolved and being encapsulated by fibrous material and forced to the surface of the skin. This can take months and there is nothing to be done to hasten the process short of surgical removal. The most important step over the healing period is to monitor carefully for infection. Be aware that urchin spines often have a dark pigment on the surface that remains in the wound after the spine is removed. This pigment does not cause pain and swelling, and should not be confused with actual spines and probed at.

Spines that have become embedded over bony prominences, within joints, or near nerves may result in complications. For example, significant swelling and pain, and even impaired strength and dexterity in areas like the hands and feet, can persist for many weeks. In these instances, surgical removal may be advised. In the event of a sea-urchin puncture, here are the steps you should take:

1. Immediately after urchin puncture, remove any spine fragments that you can reach. Tweezers can be used to snare protruding ends. Then carefully shave the area with a razor, which also can help in removing barbs. Next, scrub the area thoroughly with soap and fresh water, followed by copious flushing with fresh water.

2. The affected area(s) should be immersed in hot water (as hot as can be tolerated without burning the skin) for at least an hour and preferably more as this greatly reduces pain and swelling. Immersion can be repeated if pain recurs. Adding Epsom salts or other magnesium sulfate compound to the water may help in dissolving the spines and reducing swelling. Vinegar, or urine, are not of help.

3. Taking ibuprofen or a similar NASAID may further reduce pain and swelling. Prescription topical steroid creams may give slight additional relief, but often do little.

4. Finally, apply a topical antibiotic ointment, but don’t cover the wound. If infection develops, see a physician immediately.

BTW, there are anecdotal reports that crushing remaining spines by slapping them with a hard object has facilitated absorption. It appears that perhaps this has helped in some cases, but the fact remains that such a technique easily could drive spines deeper into tissue, potentially causing a problem requiring surgical intervention. It is not recommended.

The best advice is to always were booties in teh sea and avoid walking over the sea bed. At Turtle Bay Dive Resort we have a boat jetty so no need to wade through the sea to get to your dive boat

Planning an Vacation in the Philippines?

Announcing its ambitious target of 10 million visistors per year by 2016, the Philippines Department of Tourism (PDOT) said it plans to position the country as a “must-experience destination” in the Asia Pacific region, with the roll out of tactical marketing campaigns, promotions and other initiatives.

 

 

“We have a very high target for visitors by 2016, but believe this is achievable. We have plans in the next few years to work closely with the hospitality industry, by focusing on market development, hosting familiarisation trips, sales missions and trainings,” said Ramon Jimenez Jr, the Philippines’ Secretary of Tourism.

Attracting 10 million visitors in 2016 would be an impressive achievement for the Philippines, as it would mark a 150% jump in tourist arrivals in just five years. In 2011 the country attracted 3.92 million international visitors – itself a new record – and is expected to break the four million barrier this year. In the first nine months of 2012, the Philippines had welcomed 3.15 million tourists – up 9% year-on-year.

The recently-launched tourism marketing campaign, ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’, combined with increased air access, could make the target achievable. Resurgent national carrier Philippine Airlines, which secured investment from the San Miguel brewery earlier this year, has placed orders for dozens of new aircraft, while low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is also growing rapidly in the international market. Both airlines are planning to expand into the long-haul market in 2013, with routes to Australia, the Middle East, North America and Europe being discussed. Any direct European services however, would be dependent on the European Commission removing restrictions on Philippine carriers, all of which are currently banned from flying in EU airspace.

The PDOT is committing to its marketing strategy. It recently created a new tourism video to back up the ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’, highlighting key tourism destinations such as Palawan, Cebu and Boracay, and is also creating online promotional games.

Have you palnned your Philippine vacation so you can experince "More Fun in the Philippines"?

Philippines to Expedite Processing of Tourist Visa Extensions

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. made this assurance after he issued a memorandum order transferring the agency's visa extension section to the office of the BI commissioner.

The visa extension section is responsible for processing all applications for extension of stay of tourists whose visas are expiring or have already lapsed.

It accounts for a large chunk of the BI's revenue collections as the applicants are assessed extension fees and fines and penalties are imposed on overstaying tourists.

David said he was assuming direct supervision and control over the said office to ensure that "all applications for tourist visa extensions are promptly approved or acted upon with utmost dispatch."

He explained that the visa extension section, which was previously under the immigration regulation division, will now be under the commissioner's direct executive supervision to "further improve efficiency, accountability and transparency" in the agency’s frontline services.

David underscored the important role of the visa extension section in helping government succeed in its efforts to draw more foreign visitors and boost the tourism industry.

"Thus, we should extend the most efficient service to these tourists, many of whom end up engaging in businesses here that generate jobs for our people," the BI chief added.

In his memorandum, David directed the visa extension section to continue acting on applications for extension of stay of so-called non-restricted foreign nationals, or those who do not need entry visas in traveling to the Philippines.

Applications for extension of stay by visa-required foreign nationals shall, henceforth, require approval by the commissioner or the associate commissioner to whom such function he might delegate.

12 New Masks Reviewed at Turtle Bay Dive Resort

Adapted from an article by John Brumm

 

 

Turtle Bay recommends te Aqua Lung Infinity mask - see review 10 below for details

Nothing dampens a dive faster than a mask that is uncomfortable or leaks. Finding the right mask though is a challenge. Strap on a mask that’s too big, and you won’t get a seal; if it’s too small, it will pinch your face. Stiff silicone skirts don’t seal as well as more pliable designs (plus a softer skirt is more comfortable). A buckle system that offers plenty of range of motion lets you fine-tune adjustments. And, of course, there’s a plethora of other choices: single-, dual- or tri-view lenses, clear or black skirts, and whether you want a purge. Check out our review of 12 new masks to find the one that’s perfect for you.

FOR LARGE FACES

1) IST SPORTS PROTEUS
» Lenses sit close to the eyes, decreasing volume and increasing field of view
» Push-button buckles make strap adjustment a cinch
» The dual-lens design accepts corrective lenses 

This two-tone mask fits like a glove, accommodating a range of facial profiles. It also has a large nose pocket for easy equalizing and folds for easy packing. 

Contact : istsports.com

2) CRESSI BIG EYES EVOLUTION
» Mask skirt made from a new high-seal silicone molds to facial contours 
» Buckles that connect to flexible mounts on the frame provide strength and allow the mask to fold flat
» Lower lenses angle inward to increase downward visibility

This low-volume mask offers a comfortable skirt and a lot of visibility. The dual lenses will accommodate prescription lenses. 

Contact : cressi.com

3) SEASOFT ULTRA DIVE

» Special lenses with Crystal ARC anti-reflective coating improve visibility and virtually eliminate glare
» The flaring skirt is a liquid-crystal silicone design that’s comfortable against the skin 
» A choice of black and clear skirts are offered to cover any diving scenario

Seasoft’s top-of-the-line frameless mask comes with a soft case, neoprene strap, bottle of anti-fog spray and a lifetime warranty against breakage. 

Contact:seasoftscuba.com

FOR SMALL FACES

4) ATOMIC AQUATICS SUBFRAME MEDIUM FIT 
» Internal frame molds directly beneath the silicone rubber skirt for a durable, streamlined fit 
» Lenses are removable for divers who need corrective inserts
» Distortion-free UltraClear glass enhances the underwater view

This bulletproof mask comes with a lifetime warranty against frame breakage, and includes a compact travel case for safekeeping on road trips. 

Contact : atomicaquatics.com

5) MARES X-VU LIQUIDSKIN
» Skirt uses two types of silicone: a firmer portion for support structure and a softer portion for contact with the face
» Additional soft silicone is injected in the nose area to act as an anti-shock bumper 
» New push-button buckle system delivers near-effortless strap adjustment

This mask capitalizes on comfort and throws in above-average field of view, a winning combination for smaller divers.

Contact : mares.com

6) BARE DUO COMPACT
» Face seal is specifically designed for women and children
» Low-volume double-flanged silicone skirt keeps water out
» Easy-pull button tabs allow for quick and easy strap adjustment

This scaled-down, lightweight version of a classic two-window design — with a soft and supple silicone skirt — makes getting a good, leak-free seal on small faces possible. Available with tricolor frames. 

Contact : baresports.com

BUDGET FRIENDLY

7) TILOS HAWK EYES
» Buckles not only fold flat, but they swivel up and down and in and out to optimize strap positioning 
» Easy-access nose pocket is textured to make equalization easier 
» Compatibility with the COM480 Gauge Reader Prescription Lens equals a clearer picture of the underwater world

This comfortable mask offers a soft silicone skirt and above-average field of view, especially looking down. 

Contact: tilos.com

8) SHERWOOD SCUBA MAKO
» One-piece lens improves the view over the bridge of the nose 
» Subframe design provides stability and enhances fit 
» Virtual Pivot Point swivel buckles place the pivoting points forward for easy adjustment

High-quality silicone and a unique subframe design combine in a comfortable and economical mask that’s ready for any diving situation. 

Contact : sherwoodscuba.com

9) SCUBAMAX NAVIGATOR
» Built-in purge quickly expels any water that seeps in 
» Buckles swivel up and down to help dial in the leak-free fit
» Optical lenses from -1.0 to -8.0 and +1.0 to +4.0 diopter improve the underwater view

Classic dual-lens purge mask uses tempered safety glass, and offers a choice of a black or clear skirt, and a frame that’s available in a rainbow of colors. 

Contact : scubamax.us

10) AQUA LUNG INFINITY
» Close-to-the-eyes frame design produces an excellent upward and downward view
» Double-jointed buckles offer both up-and-down and in-and-out movement to optimize adjustment
» Tiny side lenses offer just a hint of light to brighten the picture 

This very cool-looking mask offers a deep downward view for making camera adjustments. Over molded rubber corners provide some shock resistance. 

Contact : aqualung.com

11) TUSA M-211 FREEDOM ONE PRO
» Dimpled skirt pattern on the forehead and cheeks improves the seal
» Silicone thickness varies under the nose to increase flexibility when clenching a mouthpiece
» Stability ridges resist compression during descents 

With three specific design features to maximize fit and minimize leakage, this mask comes with crystal view glass lenses with an anti-reflective/ultraviolet coating. 

Contact : tusa.com

12) SCUBAPRO SPECTRA TRUFIT
» Narrow ribs molded into the silicone enhance skirt softness while maintaining shape
» Unique paint process creates a stylish powder-coat effect
» Strap buckles that attach to molded tabs on the skirt allow the mask to be folded flat for packing

Mask skirts don’t come much softer than this. It molds comfortably to facial contours, creating an excellent seal on a variety of face shapes.

Contact : scubapro.com

Turtle Bay's 5 Easy Steps for Maintaining Your Regulator

Adapted from an article by Sport Diver magazine writer

 

 

 

A modern regulator is an extremely reliable mechanism. So reliable, in fact, that some divers will take their regulators on countless dives and never so much as rinse them off. Yet they keep on delivering air year after year.

While this is indeed the modus operandi for the maintenance-challenged individuals among us, the truth is, a regulator is a pretty hefty investment, and when you spend that much on something it makes you want to take care of it. We’re not talking a major commitment here; we’re talking a few minutes after each day of diving following some simple steps to help extend the life and performance of what is really the most important component of your life support system.

5 Easy Steps

Here are the five easy steps you need to follow to ensure that your regulator will stay in top condition:

1. After a day’s diving, making sure the dust cover is in place, give the regulator a quick rinse with a low-pressure hose to knock off any big chunks of dirt, sand or salt.

2. Drop the reg in a bucket of fresh water or the bathroom sink and let it soak for 10 minutes or so.

3. During the soak, swish the second stage around in the water (without depressing the purge button) to get water flowing through the mouthpiece and exhaust tee.

4. Pull the regulator out of the water and give it another gentle rinse, making sure you hit all swivels and hose connections. This will require pulling back the hose protectors—if your regulator has them—so you can get at the connections to the first stage.

5.Give the first stage and second stage a gentle shake to clear any excess water from the yoke and the exhaust tee. Then lay it loosely coiled out of direct sunlight to dry.

 As an added precaution, if there has been a long break since your last dive say 12 months) get your regulator checked and serviced by a professional before you pack it for your next scuba diving vacation

 The Dive Centre staff at Turtle Bay Dive Centre can assist you with basic maintenance and adjustments to an Aqua Lung regulator; for more complex problems we will send your regulator to a qualified service engineer.