On Scuba Diving and New Years' Resolutions

Let's face it, everyone spends a little time thinking about resolutions for the new year, even if your resolution is to never make another resolution again (which is still a resolution, for clarity's sake). I say, why not make resolutions? You can choose to make some outrageous goals and then get fed up midway through January, sure. But you can also set some reasonable goals for yourself and make sure you're leaving room for the pursuit of things you enjoy, instead of just going by the standard "cut out sweets, work out daily" formula.

Don't let this happen to you!

This is also a great time of year to take a look around and see if you can save some money on those hobbies you might like to pick up in 2013. Take scuba, for example. We are running a great Winter Special on our Open Water referral course portion; you can check it out at this link, or call our store to get more details or set up your class over the phone. If you haven't tried it, or if you're certified and you'd like your friend to become your new dive buddy but aren't sure if they'll like it, suggest a Discover Scuba experience in our pool. For $40, you can try it out in our warm indoor pool with an instructor and, if you decide you want to get certified, we can credit that $40 towards your Open Water class.

When you're done with the classroom and pool portions, you can check off another resolution (take a Caribbean vacation; that should be on everyone's To-Do list this year) and finish your Open Water dives on any one of those amazing Caribbean dive sites. Or, you can wait and dive with us this summer in the quarry. We're in thicker wetsuits, but we still have a lot of fun!

Maybe you're already certified. Resolve to dive Lake Michigan, or join us on a local trip. Get your next level of certification. Dive dry, or try it at DUI's Demo Days. We have as many "resolution" ideas as you have blank spaces on your list, so give us a call today and get ready for a great New Year!

Divers Give Back

This is the season of giving, as they say. I've found myself wondering lately about what contribution divers make to their local environments and to the sites they dive on vacations. I've heard some critical people claim the divers do a lot of damage to the ocean and reefs by their own carelessness, but can it be true? Does the occasional kicked coral and dropped weight belt counteract the good that divers can do?

To find out, we have to see the kind of impact that volunteer and vacation divers have had on their favorite dive sites. I discovered some pretty cool stuff...

• Volunteer research divers assist in the identification of shipwrecks. In Florida, a group recently contributed to the closing of an open chapter in maritime history when they identified the Hannah M. Bell in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in November. Read more here!
• Traveling divers everywhere pumped millions of dollars into the economies of popular dive destinations, encouraging the creation and growth of marine sanctuaries and moratoriums on shark finning and other unsustainable fishing practices that threaten the health of our oceans. In the last two years, Australia, Palau, Raja Ampat, and several other island nations have declared new marine sanctuaries, thanks in part to the growth of their own economies through tourism.
• Divers everywhere have volunteered to be data collectors for research programs like SharksCount, which uses the data collected to close information gaps regarding shark movement and population. These volunteers are used in many applications in dive sites across the world to survey the health of reefs and fish populations.
• Here in Chicago, the 12th annual Burnham Harbor Cleanup Dive was a huge success. Local divers from shops all over the Chicagoland area removed 8oo pounds of debris from Lake Michigan via the harbor.

While we still have to work to achieve our goal to "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but bubbles," I believe the good that divers do by investing their time and money in diving contributes to the health of the oceans and lakes in a unique way. So, keep diving and have a happy holiday season!

EN 250: What is it and Why is it Stamped on my Regulator?

If you're not sure what EN 250 means, you're not alone. You may never have noticed the unobtrusive lettering on your first stage, except to point out that it isn't the serial number and move on.

So, what is it and what does it say about your regulator?

Manufacturers and consumers alike expect regulators to perform to certain specifications. If you purchase a travel regulator, you expect it to deliver a good performance under the conditions it was created for- in warmer water. However, most travel regulators are not designed to dive in all conditions; there are temperature limitations on many of them that would keep you from using them in Great Lake diving or under ice. Conversely, there are regulators that are diveable in more difficult situations such as high current or ice diving. But what exists to objectively test these regulators to ensure that they all perform under these specifications and conditions?

Enter the EN 250 rating. This exists to ensure that your regulator will perform well in every environment and condition for which it is advertised. It is given by a third-party testing facility (also designated on the regulator). EN 250 is an assurance that your regulator can deliver quality breathing performance beyond the recreational depth limit. In 2013, they plan to release a new rating requirement: EN250A. This rating ensures that your primary and your octo will simultaneously breathe easily under the same testing conditions. So, here are a few markings to reference on your regulator if you're not sure what yours is meant to do.

1. <10 degrees C/50 Degrees F: Regulators marked with that designation should not be used in cold water. In other words, your local quarry during the summer may be fine, but don't take it in Lake Michigan

2. EN250: Your regulator is designed to operate to 165 ft and below 50 degrees F with unchanged breathing performance in the first and second stage. The octo will not perform to the same specifications and its use is not recommended below 100 ft.

3. EN250A: Your regulator is designed to operate to 165 ft and below 50 degrees F with unchanged breathing performance in the first and second stage as well as the octo.

4. CE0078 (or some variation) is the stamp of the center that tested the regulator.

You can read more here, at Apeks UK's website.

Slowest Shark ever Still Manages to Hunt Seals... Somehow

Swimming at speeds that have been compared to "crawling babies," the Greenland Shark is not exactly the image of deadly speed. Their approach appears slow and a little bumbling due to their blindness; if you don't believe me, check it out:

Yet, scientists have discovered that, somehow, they've been eating seals. Seals swim at twice their speed; they've been known to evade even Great White sharks, who often have to blast them from below in order to hunt healthy adults. So, how are the Greenland sharks getting fresh, live seal?

Though the theory has yet to be proven, there is a strong belief within the scientific community that the sharks have learned to ambush Arctic seals that are asleep in the water. Seals sleep in the water in the Arctic; the leader of the study suggests that the shark takes advantage of that and ambushes them from below when asleep. While it seems surprising that a slow, blind shark could accomplish anything resembling an ambush, we should keep in mind that encounters with this shark are rare, as it is a cold water, deep-sea animal that only swims to the surface at night to feed. We don't even know how they continue on as a species, let alone how they hunt.

Check out the complete article from National Geographic at this link!

The Fate of the HMS Bounty's Replica

We've all seen pictures and heard news stories about the damage of our Eastern seaboard by Superstorm Sandy. Apparently, it also claimed a ship of historical interest: a sailing vessel named HMS Bounty, which was a complete replica ship built in 1960 for a film about the original.

Pictured in Chicago for the Tall Ships Festival 2003

The story of the original Bounty is a story from 1789, when part of the crew mutinied against its captain and sent him and half the crew out to sea in a lifeboat. The lifeboat and some crewmen survived a 3600 nautical-mile journey; the ship, however, was intentionally set on fire after the crew landed on an island to avoid attracting the attention of the British Royal Navy.

The replica ship was built in 1960 as a complete, functional sailing ship for the movie "Mutiny on the Bounty" and also made an appearance in "Pirates of the Caribbean." Only days before Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern seaboard, the captain decided to sail the ship back to port to wait out the storm; unfortunately, it was caught in the middle when a generator blew. Fourteen crew members were rescued by Coast Guard helicopter; however, the captain and a crew member were washed overboard. The captain is still missing.

Take a walk through some distant and recent nautical history, and check out National Geographic's photo gallery about the ship's sinking, crew rescue, and original mutiny here.

Questions about Becoming a Professional Diver?

Is becoming a scuba diver one of those things that sat on your bucket list for years before you decided to take the leap and get certified? You may feel the same way about becoming a PADI pro now. Everyone asks themselves the same questions:

1. Can I handle the stress of a pro class?
2. Are my dive skills good enough to be a pro diver?
3. Am I ready to be responsible for other divers?
4. Can I afford to take the Divemaster or Instructor course?

1. Pro classes can be stressful, but the PADI Divemaster course (the first level of professional certification) is completed at your own pace. It gives you the time you need to tackle the skills and knowledge development at a pace you can handle while you still work your regular job or go to school. That way, by the time you are ready to tackle a PADI Instructor Development Course you've had plenty of time to prepare your skills.

2. Dive skill development is a top priority for every professional course. Practical exercises will dominate your course time, both in the pool and in open water. Current dive professionals will be there every step of the way to mentor you and help you practice your skills until you are comfortable demonstrating them to students.

3. Ultimately, you are the only one who can decide if you're ready to be responsible for newer divers. However, a good way to gauge your readiness is to evaluate how you felt once you completed your Rescue course. Did it feel good to accomplish the skills in the course, knowing that they will help you be a better buddy? If you haven't completed Rescue yet, that course is a great start because it gives you the tools to critically evaluate other divers and help them avoid potential problems (it's also really, really fun).

4. If you're concerned about the cost of the courses, you should come to Sea and Discover at Scuba Emporium on Wednesday, October 24 at 6:30pm. That night, not only will we have manufacturer representatives from both Aqualung and Sealife Cameras, we will also have Gary Joyce from PADI here to respond to any questions or concerns you have that didn't get addressed here. We'll also offer special, one-night-only deals on course packages for recreational and professional divers that will feature interest-free financing! These courses have never been more affordable, and the costs can be managed over a period of time instead of paying for everything up front.

Call us today to register; we'll make sure we have food for you!

Dive the Great Barrier Reef... From Your Computer!

Is it the same as putting your equipment on and descending to the Great Barrier Reef? Maybe not, but it will bring everyone who hasn't tried scuba a little closer to the ocean.

Google Maps released a new extension of its panoramic "street view" feature. You can now get a turtles-eye view of a few amazing dive spots, like Australia's Great Barrier Reef or Maui's Molokini Crater. They've partnered with Catlin Seaview Survey, a company whose ambitions include mapping the world's reefs using panoramic imaging systems. Their belief is that the Google images will bring people closer to the oceans, since many people do not have access to beautiful reefs or scuba equipment. They also hope to track the effects of climate change over years using the images, as they will be able to compare them with the state of the reefs in the future.

Check out their photo gallery by clicking here! You can also see what they've done so far by clicking the link to Catlin Seaview Survey's website above or checking it out on Google's street view feature.

So, Why Can't Customers Buy Regulator Parts Kits?

Now that many dive shops and manufacturers are moving their sales online, the question I've seen posed by many is, why won't manufacturers sell the parts kits for their regulators directly to the consumer? It seems like a natural conclusion to online sales; the customer purchases a regulator online. Why shouldn't they be able to purchase the kits to repair it as well?

The answer to that question actually begins at the manufacturer's responsibility to the consumer. The reason manufacturers generally require yearly service on their regulators is to ensure that the regulators are in good working condition. So, they train technicians through local dive shops to take them apart properly and examine the regulators' moving parts. Though regulators themselves are generally very durable, the o-rings and diaphragm are made of parts that degrade, much like the belts in your car's motor. Thus, the regulators require new parts from the manufacturer periodically. Even if you only dive once or twice a year, these parts will harden with age like any other rubber product.

Enter the Local Dive Shop. As a shop with a Repair Department, I've seen what it takes to properly disassemble and reassemble a regulator, and to tune it. I can safely say that you probably don't have one in your basement. The regulators have to be tested at a testing station with air pressure to ensure proper function, and many regulators have face plates that require special tools to remove. Manufacturers do not direct-sell their parts kits because it becomes a huge liability to both the dive center and the manufacturer if someone takes their reg apart, pulls out the o-rings, puts it back together and misses something or cracks the housing in a way that causes it to malfunction. It's the same reason you can't fill your tank from the tire compressor in your garage; you breathe off it. If we sell you a parts kit, you install it and your regulator free-flows at fifty feet, whose fault is it? Was it your installation, or was it a faulty kit? The list goes on.

At the end of the day, the repair kit policy is the only means by which a manufacturer can ensure proper function and maintenance of the products they stand by. And keep in mind, these units are designed to keep you alive in a foreign environment. Wouldn't you want someone who checks them for a living to make sure it's in good condition, inside and out?

Holy Flying Mantas, Batman!

Did you know that manta and mobula rays can leap out of the water up to 9 feet into the air?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1298362/Flying-giants

Most people seem to think it's an impulse to remove parasites, although there are theories that males use the leaps as an effort to attract females or to alert others to the presence of predators. It's a rare sight to document, as rays are migratory and often move across vast areas of ocean. Their graceful movements underwater translate well in the open air, where they flap their fins in a manner reminiscent of flight.

A photo by one of the best underwater photographers, Brian Skerry

Unfortunately for these animals, their species has been listed as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. They are being overfished for their gill rakers, the membranes in their gills that filter the plankton they feed on. There are dubious claims in traditional forms of Chinese medicine that they strengthen the immune system, can assist in the resolution of kidney problems, and are touted as a general cure-all (much like the shark fin). There is a widespread belief that migratory ocean animals do not get cancer and diseases like humans do, so consuming their meat should be good for you. Unfortunately, most large oceanic animals are no longer safe for consumption at all, as the levels of mercury and chemical by-products in these animals has steadily increased in the last several years.

Don't succumb to an "out of sight, out of mind" mentality; just as you may never have known that these manta and mobula rays can leap out of the water, you might not have known until now that they are in danger of extinction due to irresponsible fishing practices.

Go to Project AWARE's website to learn what action is being taken to save these animals, from legislation to island community organizing and the creation of marine sanctuaries. And take action yourself! Don't be silent in your opposition to unsustainable fishing practices. Raise awareness, sign reputable petitions such as the petition through Project AWARE, and learn more about the successes of these measures and how they benefit the animals.

Track Your Freshwater Consumption!

One of the projects we should be focused on, not just as divers but as human beings, is the state of our fresh water resources. We at Scuba Emporium are fortunate to live near the greatest natural freshwater resource on the planet: the Great Lakes. However, if this drought has taught Americans anything, it's that our freshwater lakes and rivers are precious commodities. 

Lots of smaller lakes and rivers in the Midwest are closed to swimming due factors such as shrinking shorelines creating drowning hazards and bacteria buildup from lack of fresh water circulation. Other human-related issues include fertilizer runoff encouraging algae blooms and plain ol' sewage. What can we do in the face of our shrinking drinkable water supply?

Use less water!

I found a great resource for tracking your personal water consumption! It's available at the following link: 

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/water-footprint-calculator/

This is a great tool to examine your own impact on our freshwater resources and generates helpful tips to use less water. It even offers a 'pledge' option at the end, where (if you want) you can commit to shrinking your water usage. Try it today; you'll be amazed at the unexpected ways you use water.

http://ecofuture.net/greenslogans/slogans-on-save-water/62/

Back to School... Scuba-Style

One of the more popular topics to debate in SCUBA diving is whether or not a given certification agency's Open Water Scuba certification is sufficient training for new divers who will then be released into the wild. I noticed this after I'd had a chance to survey the magazines we get at Scuba Emporium. The topic only comes up every thirty seconds or so (which is especially impressive when you consider that they're monthly magazines).

If you've ever wondered whether or not your level of training will restrict you from, say, wreck diving in Lake Michigan, then you've already taken a step in the right direction. Apprehension or uncertainty about a dive or piece of equipment is a sign that you may want to take another SCUBA class to give you that extra boost of confidence, and give you the expertise that only additional training can provide.

Or take the Underwater Pumpkin Carving specialty... Seriously.

The courses you can take range from continuing education courses like PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver to specialty courses that train you in the use of specialized equipment (underwater cameras or dry suits) and environments (night and ice). You can also progress into professional diving through the PADI  Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Instructor Development course.

Fortunately, we here at Scuba Emporium run the gamut of available PADI con-ed and specialty courses. We're planning dive weekends and trips to teach these courses before the season's over. Check out our calendar for August and September here!

If you think that the fall isn't a good time to start a pro class, think again. Working on Divemaster through the winter is a great idea; you finish all your exams and pool work while it snows, then finish the open water portion with confidence in May.

If you're interested in some of these courses, or curious about how they're run, contact us today! 708.226.1614

Shark Week (Get Excited)!

It's that time again. You've been silently preparing for weeks, stocking up on the snacks, making sure your couch is extra-comfy, and probably watching Jaws for the fiftieth time.

I know, because I've been doing it too. It's time for Discovery Channel's Shark Week which will begin on Sunday, August 12th. And, for those of us who have been uncertain about Shark Week's role in shark conservation over the past few years, we can ease our guilt for watching so ravenously this year, because Discovery Channel is taking on some pretty great partners to help spread the message of conservation.

This year, Discovery announced that it now supports Shark Savers, Oceana, and PEW Charitable Trusts as partners in shark conservation (each of those names is a hyperlink to their site or to their online petitions regarding shark protection. Take a minute and check them out!). This action suggests that the programming on this year's Shark Week will aim at promoting the protection of sharks since it has become more and more obvious that they are extremely vulnerable to overfishing. Ideally, it will also draw attention to the plight of shark suffering at the hand of the shark finning industry, where the sharks are often mutilated by having their fins removed and then thrown back into the sea to drown.  The only way to stop the slaughter is to raise awareness, not only to create marine sanctuaries to protect them but also to make the sale or trade of shark fins illegal, as it already is in California, Oregon, and Illinois.

Thanks, National Geographic!

Shark Savers and Discovery Channel have some pretty great ideas for Shark Week viewers and non-viewers alike. Check out their list of 25 Ways to Help Sharks, which offers some practical tips on actions you can take. Learn more about sharks and their role in the life of the ocean on Discovery's "Shark Facts" page. And if you're a Jaws lover (and let's face it, who isn't?), check out their special on "How Jaws Changed the World" or one of their other great shows. And, of course, sit back, relax, pop some popcorn and get in your couch groove, because it's going to be a great week to watch television.

Humboldt Squids: the most Dangerous Blobs of Jelly on the Planet?

There are some pretty amazing animals living in the world's water systems. Over the last couple of years, one in particular has been in the public eye off the west coast of the Americas, from Central America to Alaska. This invertebrate is a beautiful but very dangerous squid known commonly as the Humboldt squid or "Red Devil."

discovermagazine.com

The Humboldt Squid is numbered third among the largest squid species, just under the Giant Squid and the Colossal Squid. Averaging sizes up to 6' long and 100 lbs, they are formidable animals to encounter (encounters are not recommended). They are also famous for their aggression, which is what earned them the nickname "red devils" from the Mexican fisherman who fish them in the shrimping off-season. Their skin changes color rapidly, from white to red. Some scientists believe that they use this as a tool to communicate, and perhaps even coordinate an attack on a larger animal. Their tentacles are covered with suckers, and the suckers themselves are lined with small barbs to secure their hold on their prey. Not the best guest to your pool party.


They have also been known to leap out of water and "glide" for yards at a time to avoid predators like sharks and sperm whales.

Beyond that, little is known about them. They spend much of their lives in water too deep for divers to penetrate; we know nothing of their reproductive habits or even the size of their population. What scientists have been watching closely is the expansion of their territory. In years past, they've remained in the Humboldt current off the coast of South America (for which they are named). Over the past few years, they have been sighted as far north as Alaska, prompting concern for the impact they'll have on the local fish population.


Some theorize that climate change has impacted -and expanded- their range. Another popular theory is that overfishing of their predators has given them a free reign of the west coast of North and South America. Of particular concern is the extreme overfishing of sharks, with some shark species showing a 90% population decrease from the pressures of the shark finning industry. As lovely as these squid can be, they could wreak havoc in environments not intended to sustain them.


What can you do? Get involved! Help stop shark finning, and raise awareness of shark overfishing and illegal whaling activities by flexing your political muscle and bringing these issues to public awareness. To learn more about the Humbolt squid and its' cephalopod cousins, you can check out this website created by Dr. James wood of the Waikiki Aquarium: www.thecephalopodpage.org.

Treasure, Three Miles Deep

The ocean has divulged another closely-kept secret, thanks to the U.K. government and the efforts of an American company called Odyssey Marine Exploration. Odyssey has managed to recover an estimated 48 tons of silver from a World War II wreck called the SS Gairsoppa for the British government, who owns the ship's cargo.

In February 1941 the SS Gairsoppa was sunk by a German U-boat 300 miles off the coast of Ireland. A British merchant ship requisitioned by the British government in wartime, the ship was carrying an estimated 240 tons of silver from Calcutta. It sank in less than 20 minutes after a torpedo cut through the ship, taking down both foremast and radio antenna. The ship sank to 15,420 ft (almost three miles) where it sat, undisturbed, for 70 years.

The Gairsoppa was located by the Odyssey research team in the summer of 2011 after the underwater archaeological company was commissioned by the United Kingdom to raise the cargo. On July 18, 2012, they announced that they had raised an amazing 48 tons of silver bars, worth $38 million. While this is only estimated to be 20% of the total cargo, and only represents the first of several loads, it is already the deepest and largest precious metal recovery ever accomplished.

Odyssey initially inspected the site using ROVs [remotely operated vehicles] and removed the bars by surgically cutting through the steel hulls and decks to allow robotic units to access and remove the silver (pictured above), which was then hoisted to the ship, the Seabed Worker, via its 100-ton active heave onboard crane.

What an amazing story! To learn more or to stay updated on their progress, check out Discovery News or take a peek at Odyssey's website (www.shipwreck.net) for press releases or email updates.

Illinois, Speak Now or Forever Deal with Plastic Bags!

Let's consider the impact of single-use plastic bags on our environment for a moment.

Plastic bags are made of an assortment of environmental undesirables, primarily chemical-based, like most other plastic products. These do not break down like natural products such as paper or cotton when they're buried in landfills; rather, they slowly disintegrate, leaving those chemical compounds to filter down into the water table below the landfill. They also are easily caught by the wind, blowing them out of the landfills and across expressways on their journey to our lakes and oceans.

During beach cleanup efforts in 2009, plastic bags were the second most frequently collected item, representing 11% of all the debris cleaned up. They were second only to cigarette butts.

http://oceanwire.wordpress.com

I'm bringing this up now because Illinois is at a crossroads in the battle to decrease the environmental impact of plastic bags. The bill in question is SB3442. While it is aimed at creating greater manufacturer accountability in creating recycling plans and making bags with a larger recycled content percentage, it isn't the solution we need. The problem with this bill is that the positive impact of recycling single-use plastic bags is marginal, as they are extremely difficult to recycle and cause major problems in recycling centers. We're looking at single digit percent improvements.

The sinister side of this bill is that it will effectively ban communities from enacting any legislation prohibiting the use of single-use plastic bags or instituting a purchase price or tax on single-use bags, a measure that has proven effective in many examples (a local example is Aldi, a grocery store chain that offers customers their cardboard boxes left from their stocking items as an alternative to their higher-quality plastic bags, which customers must purchase).

I'm sure you've heard this all before, but what it boils down to is this: our communities should be able to choose whether or not they can ban or tax the use of single-use plastic bags in their stores.

We can adjust to the absence of plastic bags, but the environment will not "adjust" to their continued use and improper disposal. Encouraging the governor to veto this bill is as simple as calling his office at 217-782-0244 and saying the following:

"I am an Illinois resident and I urge you to VETO S.B. 3442. Plastic bag recycling doesn't work, and SB 3442 is bad for us all." (suggested by the Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research & Education).

This simple action can make a difference in Illinois. Thanks, COARE, for drawing our attention to this issue!

Freshwater Jellyfish: Real or Rumor?

We've all heard stories of the beautiful but deadly jellyfish and all their oceanic manifestations. If you happened to catch the "Jellies" exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium, or if you've watched any tv shows on the subject, you know that they come in infinite varieties and are among the most fascinating organisms on the planet. But despite your fascination, you can certainly never dive with them; the risk is too great. Some have stinging tentacles so powerful they can kill a human being in six minutes. Entering the water with them around is reckless.

Or is it? Are there some circumstances under which you can enjoy the presence of jellies while you snorkel, swim and even scuba dive among them?

Today, I'm exploring the complex and often mysterious existence of several species known colloquially as "freshwater jellyfish," and the places you can see them and enjoy their beauty without worrying about their deadliness.

http://www.invertebrate-images.co.uk

 

 

I should start by saying that, technically, "freshwater jellyfish" are not the same species as their oceangoing, fish-zapping cousins. The ones this blog refers to is the species C. Sowerbii, found in freshwater lakes on every continent but the Antarctic. The most distinct difference, other than the freshwater jelly's relative harmlessness, is a thin, membranous shelf-like wall that extends from the rim of the "bell" to the jelly's mouth. According to science, new membrane wall means new species. For the record, Science, I probably wouldn't have noticed.


These jellies are often no larger than a quarter and have a whole row of string-like tentacles around the rim of the bell that allow them to catch and consume their favorite meal: zooplankton, microscopic water-dwelling animals.While these jellies still use stinging cells to capture their microscopic munchies, they use them in such a small capacity that they are usually considered harmless to people, though some may be sensitive to it.

The peak season for these jellies is typically August and September in North America, when the water temperature in the inland lakes is warmest. They "bloom" in huge groups, and have been observed with growing frequency in the last few years, a phenomenon sometimes attributed to climate change. In Illinois alone, they've been spotted at two very popular dive sites, Mermet Springs and Pearl Lake. These jellies are only around for a few weeks after the first sighting, so diving and swimming with them is only available in that window. However, it is safe to be in the water with them, and they make fascinating and unusual photo subjects.

So, as it turns out, freshwater jellies are not just a rumor. Stay up to date on our local trips, and you may have a chance to dive with them this summer! If you want to know here else you can see them, This website  has info on sightings across the United States: www.freshwaterjellyfish.org.

Local diving: Everybody’s Doing It. (Seriously).

I’ll open with a disclaimer: local diving is not for everybody. I would never criticize those who only dive in warmer climates. But for those willing to get sturdy regulators and a 7mm thick wetsuit or a dry suit, local diving can certainly yield unexpected benefits and rewards.

He just woke up two hours ago.

One of the best things about diving in your local area is the ready accessibility of places to dive. In the south suburbs of Chicago alone, we have access to several dive sites within two hours. That means that you can wake up one morning and decide to go diving, and within two hours you can be underwater for the cost of an entry fee and rental, if you need it (which is way cheaper than an all-inclusive vacation… unless you drive a Hummer limo that gets five miles to the gallon).

You might think that there’s nothing to see once you get under the water, but that is simply not the case. Most scuba diving quarries intentionally sink attractions, such as Mermet Springs’ Boeing 727. They usually have a list of diveable objects on their websites. You can also dive natural formations, abandoned quarry equipment, shipwrecks in larger lakes like Lake Michigan, and swim among a good variety of fish, including giant catfish (when you don’t fish them, they get really big… and really greedy for Cheese Whiz) and paddlefish, which filter-feed but are built with an elongated body and skin like a shark.

Finally, I come to one of the best parts of diving locally. When you dive local, you find dive buddies for life. Because there aren’t just a couple of crazies who love to dive local; there are a LOT of crazies who like to dive local, and they want nothing more than to see you dive local, too. At Scuba Emporium, we have a dive club called the Southside Scubaholics that meets the third Tuesday of every month at 6:45, and their goal is to get people energized about the diving that is available to them. Scuba Emporium also dives every other weekend during the summer, and we cook out at the quarry on those weekends. We book dive charters out on LAke Michigan as well. There are opportunities aplenty, and people to join you whenever you want to take those opportunities.

So, please… Before you find yourself wasting a lovely summer morning staring wistfully at the closet your dive equipment is in, do yourself a favor: try diving locally. It will surprise you.

Great Jobs in the Scuba Industry

If you’re like me, one of my least favorite questions when I was working on my degree or my dive certifications was the question, “So, what are you going to do with that?” Some careers have more obvious applications than others; that’s just the nature of your education. But anytime someone asks you what you’re going to do with your career in scuba diving, you should always have an answer, because there’s ALWAYS something to do! Here's four ideas to get you started.

This man is clearly living a happy and fulfilled life.

1. Scuba Instructor. This might seem like the most obvious answer, but don’t let that fool you: this job is anything but ordinary. Take the joy of teaching people something that will enrich their lives, add to it flexible working options and a schedule that you create and you have a job that you can use to supplement your income or turn it into your full-time gig.
2. Divemaster. Whether you run a boat charter in the Caribbean or work for a landbound dive center, this industry runs on the blood, sweat and tears of its  divemasters. In many cases, the presence of a divemaster is the key to a successful dive in an unfamiliar place; they serve as guides, experts in dive planning and equipment setup, and they assuage the fears of new divers. They are the people that probably inspired you to go pro in the first place.
3. Underwater Archaeologist or Research Diver. You can go anywhere and do anything with this type of career. Some examples are: locating and exploring unidentified shipwrecks, surveying animal behavior, and diving in extreme environments like inside caves and under ice for the purposes of learning more about them and learning how to preserve them. To do this, you have to be comfortable with several types of diving, but the experience will be well worth it.
4. Underwater Photographer. Photographers often get to witness some of the most amazing moments in the life of the ocean, and although this discipline takes patience and the willingness to work part-time for little or no pay, you will get to observe some spectacular things. You will also be able to draw attention to some significant conservation issues facing our oceans. But, like I said, be ready for the “no pay” thing.

Join us and make a difference! (Image by Clay Bennet)

There you have it—four good responses to the question, “Oh, scuba diving… What are you gonna do with that?” And if you know of any more to expand the list (and I know it can be expanded), post your favorite scuba jobs below!


Want to know how SCUBA EMPORIUM can help you get started with any of these careers? Call us today! 708.226.1614

Your Guide to Our World-Underwater: The Children's Activity Area

If you're like me, sometimes you read about events on a website and wonder if it's going to be all it's cracked up to be. You might hesitate to drag your kids out into the cold Chicago February to explore something that may not be all that fun for them.

Trust me when I say that the Our World-Underwater Dive and Travel Expo will be a great time for your family, and, for the next few blogs, I'll take you through the show's most popular programs and events and tell you why. For now, let's talk about the children's activity area and programs.

The thing I love most about the show's children's area is the high level of interactivity geared specifically for children. They don't just hear about humpback whale physiology and habitat; they get to walk around inside a life-size inflatable humpback whale replica and learn about them from the inside out!

There will be an ocean-themed inflatable obstacle course, great talks delivered by celebrated educators, and an activity center where the kids can build puppets and color pictures for special prizes! They will also have the chance to create their own artwork and try on scuba equipment. Every element of this area is geared solely toward encouraging a love of the ocean and environmental stewardship in children. And the chance for them to win some great prizes.

And... The Radio Disney Road Crew will make a special appearance on Saturday at 3pm. You won't want to miss it!

Logistics...

• The Activity Area is open from 10:00am-3:00pm on Saturday and Sunday
• Children 9 and under are free; 10 and up are $15 per day
• Talks will be given on a schedule that you can find by clicking here
  
• On Saturday, the first 100 kids through the door will get a free Aqualung backpack

Check out the Children's Programs page at www.ourworldunderwater.com