Scuba Emporium

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

2012-02-03T16:23:00.006-06:00

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

Exploring Underwater Ruins, Part II: “The Caissons” in Lake Michigan

2011-12-15T12:53:00.007-06:00

While this site may not have the same caliber of mystery and age that the Yonaguni Monument possesses, it still represents an important piece of Chicago history.

After the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, Chicago was faced with an opportunity and a challenge. Chicagoans had the chance to change the face of their city, but even as they realized this they were left with a problem: what were they going to do with all the debris? The fire had consumed much of the primarily wooden city; there was wreckage everywhere.

Some of it was shoveled to the edge of the lake to serve as landfill as part of a project to extend the shoreline and create Grant Park and other public lake front spaces, but not all of it. They actually loaded much of the debris onto enormous barges, sailed due east of the Chicago River, and dumped it between 6 and 10 miles out into Lake Michigan.

How do I know this? Because now, it’s a dive site.

Though much of the debris is now buried, the site is diveable, marked by two caissons that were dumped as well as some ships and barges that were sunk loaded with garbage (including one that was burned to the waterline, then sunk). If you dive this site intending to do some treasure hunting, bring a hand trowel and be ready to get dirty; you can take whatever you find (since it’s considered garbage, it is not a protected area). There have been many objects pulled up over the years: bricks, china, weapons (including, if the rumors are true, Civil War-era daggers and swords), glass bottles, silverware, more bricks, gas streetlamps, porcelain, and bricks, to name a few (there are lots of bricks).

The bad news? The site stretches across four miles of lake; you could find something amazing, or you could find nothing, and you always have to dig in low visibility to find it. The odds may not be in your favor, but the history that Lake Michigan can yield should be enough to intrigue any adventurous spirit.

Special thanks to Captain Jim Gentile, owner of Windy City Diving, who answered my questions and passed along a couple of anecdotes. Check out his dive charters on Lake Michigan at his website: windycitydiving.net.

Exploring Underwater Ruins, Part 1: The Yonaguni Monument

2011-12-07T12:33:00.011-06:00

If exploration is in your blood, there are some truly unique diving experiences to be had in the vast expanse of our oceans and waterways, not just on coral reefs or shipwrecks, but on the streets of submerged cities and ruins whose construction and destruction is often a mystery. They can be found around the globe or in our own backyard, and they are all worth exploring... If you can track them down. We'll start with one of the greatest mysteries of underwater archaeology...

Yonaguni Monument, Japan

These structures have puzzled scholars and scientists alike for decades. Discovered off the coast of Japan's Yonaguni Island in 1986, they appear to be large, complex pyramidal structures that have been chiseled out of the existing rockface, not placed there or constructed from free-standing rocks. The question is, chiseled by what?

There are two theories: that the monument is artificial, the remains of a forgotten (but very powerful) civilization, or that the monument is a naturally-occurring effect of erosion by strong current and rock movement along the sea floor. For a natural formation, there is a huge concentration of clean lines and angles.

Check it out with...
The man who discovered it, of course! http://www.yonaguni.jp/en/

New Discoveries in Lake Michigan!

2011-11-16T11:37:00.008-06:00

Every city that borders Lake Michigan has its own stories about ships that set off across the treacherous lake, never to return. Among the oldest families are tales of family members lost to the lake in the years when unpredictable weather and a violent winter made sailing Lake Michigan as dangerous as sailing open ocean. Our own Lake Michigan is shrouded in mystery.

Two weeks ago, a local Michigan man named Ross Richardson (pictured to the left, courtesy of sleepingbeardunes.com and credited to Chris Doyal)came a step closer to solving two of these unsolved mysteries. While diving in a secluded area of the lake near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, he discovered two new shipwrecks that have not yet been identified; one appears to be a sailing vessel, the other a steam-powered ship. He also dove a third vessel that has already been identified as the 'James McBride.' He says that one of them contains many artifacts; however, he made the decision to leave them all on the wreck, contenting himself with pictures and videos taken on the wrecks. He told the Traverse City Record-Eagle, "My trophies are the stories, the videos and the photos I can share with people."

His attitude is admirable; it's not uncommon for new wrecks to be "plundered" for historical artifacts, most often for personal collections (see the case of the missing Wells Burt deadeyes). He has so far kept the exact location of these wrecks a secret, just as he did when he discovered the Westmoreland in 2010.

Check out his website, michiganmysteries.com, to watch some amazing videos and follow his progress; learn more about this story from Sleeping Bear Dunes's Blog.

A Shark Lover's Review of the Movie "Shark Night 3D"

2011-09-22T14:02:00.007-05:00

As an outspoken shark conservationist (and a lover of all films gimmicky and badly made), I felt that it was my prerogative—nay, my responsibility—to go see this movie. In 3D. At 10:00 at night. In other words, conditions were perfect to enjoy this film that featured sub-par plot development, terrible character motivation, and lots and lots of truly absurd shark behavior. All supplemented by some not-so-bad 3D action and lots of screaming (by the characters, not by the other two people in the theater).

For those of you unfamiliar with this film, I believe I can sum it up in three sentences (spoiler alert: don’t read this part if you still want to see it): a standard group of college students take a weekend trip to a Louisiana saltwater lake expecting a weekend of drunken fun, but instead encounter terror beyond belief thanks to some rogue sharks that have been placed in the water by local hillbillies trying to make underwater shark attack videos and sell them on the internet (I’m not kidding). Limbs are severed, sheriffs turn bad and rock out to Guns n Roses, and bull sharks repeatedly outrun both speedboats and jet skis going 60mph, easily. The most normal characters make it out alive.

There you have it. Shark Night… 3D.

There are some things I feel compelled to point out that may put your mind at ease if this film leaves you hesitant to enter any large body of water for fear of losing limbs to flying bull sharks, great whites, hammerheads, tigers, or flesh-eating cookie-cutter sharks.

The aggression the sharks display in this film is 10x that of a shark moving through its’ natural habitat. Can sharks be worked into a “feeding frenzy?” I’ll grant you, that can happen; they’re apex predators. However, sharks do not move and swim in a perpetual frenzy motivated by munching on some tasty human. Sharks are very curious animals, but they eat so seldomly that they swim in a manner that optimizes energy conservation.
A shark cannot outrun a jetski going 50 miles an hour. In fact, unless the animal is accustomed to the sound of boats, they generally shy away from unnatural sounds, especially one as loud and pervasive as a motor. They would have no motivation to pursue a strange sound coming from an inedible object on the off-chance that something edible is on top of it. Which brings me to my next point…
Bull sharks can’t leap out of the water. The only shark ever documented doing that is the Great White, which supposedly wasn’t “released” until the end of the film.
Hammerheads, though supposedly fierce and aggressive, have never been implicated in an attack on human beings. Ever.
Sharks ultimately kill to eat, not sever body parts and move on, and they very rarely consume humans. Most shark attack fatalities result from blood loss due to a bite wound because they take exploratory bites to determine the strength of the potential prey; they don’t consume people because we’re larger and more powerful than their average fare (smaller fish, birds, garbage and in the largest cases, seals).

I will close with a note to filmmakers everywhere: putting a blurb in a bad rap at the end of the film about a shark conservation website does not undo the damage that your scary shark film does to the public perception of sharks. This movie is terrible, not only because the plot is almost as bad as the CGI, but because it serves to reinforce a false perception of sharks as evil, bloodthirsty maneaters. That image tends to make people unconcerned about their fast-approaching extinction. We need sharks, and if you need a reason why, check out any number of shark conservation resources such as www.projectaware.org, www.savingsharks.com, or the documentary film Sharkwater.

Join us as we clean up Lake Michigan

2011-09-14T12:05:00.004-05:00

Local scuba divers and SCUBA EMPORIUM will participate in Project AWARE’s "Dive against Debris" project by doing a clean-up dive event this Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at Burnham Harbor in Chicago, IL. As part of SCUBA Emporium's commitment to protecting the ocean and inland lakes, trained divers will not only remove underwater debris such as bags, bottles, fishing line, and other trash but also identify and document everything we see underwater in a larger effort to prevent marine debris.

We are taking a positive, practical approach to the marine debris issue by cleaning up one of Chicago’s landmark harbors from the bottom up. Patrick Hammer, founder of SCUBA Emporium, has been training divers here in the Midwest since he opened his first store in 1974. Mr. Hammer cannot believe all the debris he sees underwater today and wants to get it cleaned up.

"Dive against Debris" is a new program organized worldwide by Project AWARE Foundation, a nonprofit organization mobilizing divers to protect the ocean and inland lakes. This new project has an underwater approach that’s totally unique. It’s a year-round, citizen science program to tackle trash beneath the surface and address its negative impacts.Marine debris – or our trash in the ocean and inland lakes – makes its way to our underwater environments by the ton through poor garbage disposal practices, inland runoff, and deliberate use of the water as a dumping ground. SCUBA Emporium, along with divers around the world, is demanding a permanent reduction in and prevention of the disposal of garbage into the water because it severely damages sensitive marine ecosystems—even in some of the most remote corners of the globe.

Scuba divers are uniquely positioned to tackle the global marine debris issue, to take action every day and prevent debris from entering the ocean. For more information on the Burnham Harbor Clean up Dive, in Chicago on Lake Michigan, contact mark@scubaemporium.com.

Keeping our waterways clean is important and helps the environment. Dive against Debris efforts with Project AWARE will assure clean and safe water for our children.

For additional information in Project AWARE’s Dive Against Debris program and to join the global movement for ocean protection visit www.projectaware.org.

Another Ecoloigcal Success Story: The Southern Right Whale

2011-07-08T12:27:00.006-05:00

The eighteenth through the twentieth centuries were dark times in whale history. When whale oil was the currency of the western industrial world, many species of whale were hunted to local extinction; essentially, the species were hunted until the remaining adults simply didn’t know where their breeding rounds were anymore. A famous American example is the east coast island of Nantucket, whose population of right whales has only recently begun to recover from a centuries-long local extinction.

Dubbed the right whale because it was the “right” whale to kill, the right whales were an easy target due to their habits of breeding close to shore and general playfulness. They could be taken down in a longboat launched from shore and brought back in, floating, to the mainland to harvest their blubber. The southern right whales, which spawned in New Zealand, were driven to local extinction that was all but complete by the middle of the twentieth century.

But the more we research marine biology, the clearer it becomes that, given some time and some help, the ocean has a way of recovering from even our most complete efforts to destroy the life within it. A small number of southern right whales have once again moved back to their ancestral breeding ground off the coast of New Zealand and have begun to birth and raise their calves there.

One of the amazing things this demonstrates is that whales have the ability to maintain and pass down vital cultural information from mother to calf, in this case migration and breeding information. This implies that right whales maintain a cultural memory. In much the same way we (often unconsciously) teach our children to recognize and respect the most important aspects of our culture through our behavior, marine mammals also pass vital information to their calves by following the patterns they themselves were taught. When this species was hunted to local extinction, the remaining animals essentially “forgot” where they were born and how to return because they stopped migrating there. Now, it seems that the establishment of their breeding grounds as a protected area has brought them back.

Even though there are only a handful of animals returning this year, they expect the numbers to grow as the whales recognize the area as a safe place to give birth to and raise their young. This also benefits New Zealand tourism; right whales are playful and very visible, often leaping out of the water. If anything, this should serve as a positive message: ocean conservation works! Protected species do recover. However, steps do need to be taken in order to protect the animals that are being hunted to extinction. The recovery of humpback, right, and sperm whales has been slow but steady since the banning of whaling. Take action for your oceans; continue to support whale protection and ocean conservation legislation.

For more information or to read the complete report, check it out at sciencedaily.com.

If you’re interested in learning about the history of whaling in the United States, there is a fascinating book called In the Heart of the Sea: The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. It’s primary focus is on the shipwreck that inspired the climax of Herman Mellville’s Moby Dick, (namely, a sperm whale ramming and sinking the boat) but there is a lot to learn from it about the culture of whaling in that time period.

Mexico is very safe

2011-06-24T16:56:00.002-05:00

I just came back from Cancun. I am sorry I have not been there for ten years. I am also sorry that we hear so many bad things about our Mexican friends. I had forgotten how wonderful the people were and now they bend over back wards to please us. Looking for a great trip? My wife sells Apple Vacations and we had a fantastic trip, we flew direct to Mexico. I did not miss the three hours in Miami. We stayed at a wondeful hotel called Dreams. The dives were with the best operation in Cancun or so I think it was, Solo Buceo, they are on the property. If you have not been to Mexico in a while you need to go. It was a wonderful trip. And a very safe place to be.

PADI SELF - RELIANT DIVER

2011-06-01T11:44:00.003-05:00

We are glad to offer a new program to those divers looking to do SOLO dives. This is a great program and details safe ways to dive SOLO. For more information contact, Patrick Hammer at patrick@scubaemporium.com. Patrick started his SCUBA life over 45 years ago solo diving, he has a vast knowledge of being a Self-Reliant diver and will teach you the safe ways to solo dive.

DUI DEMO DAYS

2011-05-26T16:18:00.002-05:00

This is great you can join us at PEARL LAKE, and try a DUI DRY suit. What a nice thing they do (DUI) and this offers you a chance to try a Dry Suit before you buy one.

Join us for a weekend in the country and Pearl Lake Resort, June 6 and 7. Stop in or call(708) 226-1614 to purchase your tickets.

Teaching Instructors

2011-05-26T16:17:00.000-05:00

They all passed and were so happy they dived into the 58 degree water. What a great group. My next week long IDC in Illinois is July 23

Working Hard at the Jamaica IDC

2011-05-06T18:25:00.000-05:00

What more could I say about this IDC other than I dig class! I am having so much fun here in Jamaica and the candidates are loving the course. Though I do feel a bit guilty calling this “Hard Work”. The weather is amazing, the water temperature is the perfect, and I have a great group; all of which I believe will pass.

And when they do pass, I’m celebrating by teaching them our new Invasive Lionfish Specialty! This will be unbelievable fun, and then it will be time for the cook out. I can’t wait to find out what the Lionfish tastes like. What do you think should I offer them my Gourmet Diver Specialty?

Have a Great Day Diving
Patrick Hammer

I have a new entry for the Coolest Fish Ever Award. The Barreleye!

2011-05-04T19:11:00.001-05:00

This Barreleye usually lives at between 2,000 to 2,600 feet, is only a few inches long, and is thought to eat smaller fish and jellyfish. The best observations scientists have made of this little guy have been with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and attempts to bring intact specimens to the surface have often been thwarted by the fragile structure of its head. Oh, have I mentioned that its head is TRANSPARENT!

That’s right. As you can see in this photo, the Barreleye has a transparent forehead and its large green eyes are actually inside its head. The eyes are often found looking up through its forehead scanning for prey, but they have found that the eyes can look forward; usually when feeding. Above the mouth it looks as though the Barreleye does have squinty eyes, but those are actually its olfactory organs; much like our nostrils.

Check out this awesome ROV shot video footage of the Barreleye from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)

Start a Career in Diving!

2011-05-02T11:17:00.003-05:00

It is true one can make a living from the DIVE Industry!

I am conducting a PADI IDC in Jamaica, this week. What is wonderful about the PADI Instructor Development Program (IDC) is that it has become the most sought after dive program in the world. Not only do we have local Jamaicans in the program, but we also have a gentleman from New York. This is what makes the course so interesting: the diversity of the candidate’s backgrounds and goals. The locals are looking to more than double their income by becoming Dive educators, and the divers from the states look to complete the program and then return home to teach in the local stores. Now if fact, I am also seeing an increasing number of people over 50 who are retiring, and teaching diving becomes a way that they can enjoy their golden years, and not tap into their investments.

Our IDCs are offered all over the country, and in the Caribbean. This Jamaican IDC for example is at Sandals Resort. While you might not normally think of Sandals and diving, they have over 20 properties around the Caribbean, and Sandals just might have more Dive boats and Dive Instructors than any other property in the Islands. They by far put more divers in the water than any other company. Sandals are known for their quality and comfort, and that is one reason they want their staff to be PADI educators.
What is really nice is that I have seen beach attendants who have in a few years moved up to the instructor rating, doubled his pay, and increased his standard of living. Sure makes me feel real good!

My next Instructor program is at SCUBA EMPORIUM in Orland Park, Illinois starting on May 14. If you are looking for a way to enhance retirement, or just want to have more fun and do more diving, think about our Instructor Development Program.

post by: Patrick Hammer

Lavacore Is Here!

2011-04-29T18:03:00.000-05:00

Scuba Emporium has finally gotten it's order of Lavacore in!

BEHIND THE TECHNOLOGY OF LAVACORE

Lavacore is a technically advanced fabric, constructed and engineered exclusively for water sports requiring the ultimate in thermal control and superior comfort. This unique synthetic construction closely matches the stretch and movement of a traditional lycra rash vest, while providing the insulation qualities similar to that of a Neoprene wetsuit. Close to the skin, Lavacore's soft internal fleece and high 4-way stretch produces the ultimate comfort>warmth>weight ratio, a true leader amongst any fabrics within the water sports industry.

Wet or dry, hot or cold, Lavacore helps control your core temperature longer, whether worn as a stand alone garment, or under your wetsuit or clothing.

OUTER lycra layer is a 180 g/sqm knitted knylon wrap knit Tricot with water repellant treatment to ensure fast water run off and anti wind chill properties.

INTER layer is an impermeable breathable Microporous high stretch PU film which is wind proof and breathable allowing perspiration to be drawn away in hot conditions.

INNER Fleece layer is a 240g/sqm 4 way stretch polyester fleece with elastane. It has Anti Pill treatment, as well as Anti Microbial treatment to reduce odour and eliminate bacteria.

CORE FEATURES

Water resistant outer layer on all lavacore suits facilitates fast water run off and is incredibly quick drying.
Wind proof middle layer provides anti wind chill properties and ensures you stay warm in cold conditions.
Antibacterial inner fleece minimising odour and eliminating bacteria.
4-way stretch makes Lavacore incredibly comfortable to wear.
Breathable middle layer allows perspiration to be drawn away in hot conditions.
Lavacore is neutrally buoyant so you won’t be unnecessarily weighted down.
All Lavacore seams are overlapped during flatlock sewing to ensure maximum water integrity
Full gusset incorporated into the underarm to offer exceptional arm movement and stretch.
Sun protection of SPF 30+
Male & Female specific cut available in full length suits, shirts and vests.
Lavacore is designed and developed in Cooperation with AERIS, your guarantee of quality.

Check out the catalog here, or stop by Scuba Emporium and check out this fantastic product in person. You wont believe how it feels!

If you Can’t Beat ‘em, Cook ‘em!

2011-04-27T19:17:00.008-05:00

So why is a fish that is so beloved in the Pacific the newest Evil Boogeyfish of the Atlantic and Caribbean? Because it breeds at an amazing rate, it eats a large number of tiny reef fish, and it has no natural predators here to keep it in check.

Every month a single Lionfish has the potential to lay 30,000 eggs. If each egg hatches and they also lay 30,000 eggs, you would end up with 8.1 quintillion Lionfish after just three months. Since Lionfish have been known to eat up to 53 juvenile fish before they finish digesting the first, you can imagine how quickly the voracious Lionfish can devastate a reef when no natural predators are there to gobble up a good number of these aggressive ornate guys.

So how do we thin the herd until balance is returned to the reef?

I would say PADI’s new Invasive Lionfish Tracker Specialty would be a great way to start. The Invasive Lionfish Tracker Specialty class will teach you about the skills and equipment you need to successfully capture, transfer, transport, and euthanize a Lionfish: without incident or injury. And by a surprising coincidence Scuba Emporium’s newest specialty is Invasive Lionfish Tracker.

Then the only question left is… what do you do with all these tasty, humanely euthanized Lionfish?

I say Eat ‘em Up!

Once you’ve learned to safely deal with the Lionfish’s venomous spines in the your Invasive Lionfish Tracker Specialty class, check out this website to find some great Lionfish Recipies. I think my favorite is the Fluffy Battered Lionfish: maybe the Lionfish Ceviche.

And if you want to learn more about the how the Lionfish is being dealt with in the Caribbean, check out two of our previous posts Shark are Showing their Worth Again and Lionfish, the Beautiful Outlaw.

16th Century Wreck filled with Jade, Coins, and History

2011-04-22T18:27:00.002-05:00

Deep Blue Marine Underwater Recovery thinks they uncovered a wreck of the Dominican Republic that sank not long after Columbus “Discovered” America.

The wreck has been tentatively named after the Captain of the ship that found it: “Rawson’s Wreck.” Locals have secretly known Rawson’s Wreck, but it is thought that the actual discovery of this wreck by other treasure hunters was hindered by its close proximity to a sunken German Steel-Hulled wreck. Deep Blue Marine feels any previous sweeps of the area that set off magnetometers would have been attributed to the German wreck and not investigated. It wasn’t until they moved the mast of that German ship that they were able to pinpoint the artifacts under the sand with there own metal detectors.

It is though that most artifacts have settled deep into the sand, but Deep Blue Marine reports “simply moving the sand between the coral and rock fissures, we have found silver coins, silver discs with imprinted seals, indigenous stone figurines, small pieces of gold jewelry, and other artifacts such as stone cannon balls and small iron balls covered with lead. Additionally, we have found a 5-link iron chain (encrusted with sulfides) that was used to support the boat rigging. At this point we are quite certain that this ship went down sometime in the middle of the 16th century as most of the coins appear to have been minted in the original Mexico City mint prior to 1550.”

My favorite detail from this story is how they determined that the ship sank in a Hurricane. “While the prevailing winds in this area typically blow from east to west, hurricane winds are quite the opposite and blow from west to east. The position of the ballast stones and the artifacts on this site suggest that the ship blew in from west to east, as would happen in a hurricane.”

As they search deeper into the sand, I can’t wait to hear what else they find. Hopefully they will continue to uncover treasures and stories of early European exploration. And continue to excite us all with what can be discovered as we dive under the surface of the sea.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles: the compass of the sea

2011-04-15T16:22:00.000-05:00

I’ve got a confession to make. At times I park my car, go into a store, and when I come out I have to use my key fob to beep my way back to my car. I can’t tell you how many cars I lost before I bought a car with an electric key fob. That is why I have always been amazed at how animals can migrate thousands of miles and find there way back to the same locations months and years later.

Recently a new study from the University of North Carolina thinks it has unlocked the secret of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle’s migration.

The BBC reported “although several species of turtles are known to use magnetic cues to determine latitude, it was believed that this wasn't possible for longitude. However, the loggerhead turtles have managed to surprise researchers by developing a method that involves using the strength and angle of the Earth's magnetic field.

Nathan Putman, the lead author of the research, emphasized that "the most difficult part of open-sea navigation is determining longitude or east-west position".

"It took human navigators centuries to figure out how to determine longitude on their long-distance voyages."

Loggerhead hatchlings, however, are able to manage this feat as soon as they reach the sea from their nests.

On reaching the sea, the hatchlings are able to establish the correct course to the open ocean. The young loggerheads then spend several years successfully navigating complex migratory routes over thousands of miles of ocean.

To carry out the research loggerhead hatchlings from Florida were placed in circular water containers and tethered to electronic tracking systems to monitor their swimming direction. The hatchlings were then exposed to magnetic fields that replicated the fields they would come across in two locations on the same latitude but different longitude along their migratory route. The turtles reacted to each magnetic field by swimming in the directions that would, in the real location, take them along their circular migratory route. The researchers say this shows that the hatchlings are able to determine longitude-using information from the magnetic field.

Nathan Putman explains that "along the migratory route of loggerheads, nearly all regions are marked by unique combinations of intensity (field strength) and inclination angle (the angle that field lines intersect the surface of the Earth)".

"Thus, turtles can determine longitudinal position by using pairings of intensity and inclination angle as an X, Y coordinate system.”

Nathan Putman’s collogue, Dr Kenneth Lohmann said “This not only solves a long-standing mystery of animal behaviour but may also be useful in sea turtle conservation”

If you want to learn more about Loggerhead (and other) Sea Turtles, stop into Scuba Emporium and ask us about our Sea Turtle Awareness Specialty Program.

Sharks are Showing their Worth Again

2011-04-05T16:34:00.000-05:00

Photograph by Antonio Busiello

Off the coast of Honduras the Caribbean Reef sharks are being fed Lionfish in hopes of giving them a taste for the new invasive species. The Lionfish population is growing fast, and until the local predators learn to eat the exotic visitors, the Lionfish will continue to consume the reef’s population of small fish; which are needed to help keep the reef clean and healthy.

Photograph by Antonio Busiello

Unfortunately the oceans shark population is disappearing fast, and if we don’t stop over-fishing them for fins, food, and trophies we may loose there help forever.

If you want to help make a change click on over to Project Aware’s webpage and sign the petition to Help Give Sharks a Fighting Chance.

What's Hard, Black, and Ready for Action...The New SeaLife Mini II

2011-04-01T18:42:00.008-05:00

After months of waiting he new SeaLife Mini II has arrived at Scuba Emporium!!! The long awaited return of this Amazing little camera has had Underwater Photographers jumping out of their dive boots in joy. This feature rich, ultra tough little camera is priced perfect for the entry-level underwater photographer, and loved as a back up camera by even the most experienced of shooters.

Waterproof to 130ft / 40m
Shockproof 6ft / 2m
Fully Rubber-Armored
Large, wide spread 3-button operation for easy operation
Easy Set-up mode 1-2-3 graphic on-screen guide for setting camera mode – no complicated menus.

Land Auto mode for action land pictures & videos in extreme conditions
Dive and Snorkel modes for underwater exposure control and color correction – no more blue pictures
External Flash mode for integration with external flash to enhance color and brightness underwater.

Video mode at 30fps with Sound
Soft Rubber grip design for sure grip.
Spy Mode – The camera automatically shoots continuous pictures at set time intervals.
Compact, Slim design (pocket size)
2x AAA batteries Alkaline(included), NiMH rechargeable or Energizer Ultimate lithium batteries.
Self-contained dive camera (no housing)
9 megapixels for sharp, high-resolution pictures.
Large 2.4" TFT Color LCD for easy on-camera viewing
Instant focus lens from 2 ft to infinity
SD and SDHC card compatible (8GB recommended).

So stop by Scuba Emporium and check out this little beauty in person; or click on over to Scuba Emporium’s Website.

One Month until we start Diving Lake Michigan!!!

2011-03-29T15:57:00.003-05:00

The Best Wrecks in the Mid-West are lying just under Lake Michigan’s surface and waiting to be explored. There are beginner’s wrecks in just 15 feet of water, and more advanced and challenging wrecks lying in water over 100 feet deep. You can get over 70 feet of visibility in the right conditions, and the cool fresh water keep these historic wrecks preserved in incredible condition.

Scuba Emporium and Windy City Diving have joined together again to offer twelve great day trips to the best wreck in our area. We’ll be checking out wrecks such as:

Thomas Hume The schooner Thomas Hume, which was operating in the busy lumber industry hauling lumber from Muskegon to Chicago, went missing with six men aboard during a squall on Lake Michigan on May 21, 1891.

Buccaneer Chicago’s newest dive site is ready. Built in 1925 as an Ice Breaker, the M/V Buccaneer is resting upright on the bottom of Lake Michigan, 10 miles off Chicago in 70FFW.

Straits of Mackinac Intentionally sunk in 2003, this 204′ car ferry offers something for every diver. Sitting upright in 82 feet of water with her main deck just over 45′ down, the “Straits” has become Chicago’s premier dive site.

Wells Burt
Sitting in only 40 feet of water, this three masted schooner was built in 1873. Though she sank in 1883, she is considered by many to be one of the best shipwrecks in Illinois waters.

St. Mary
This 120’ wooden schooner sits in 105 feet of water. Although the wreck has collapsed on itself all the pieces are there including the ship’s wheel, anchors and more.

Rotarian
A 147’ side-wheel paddle steamer that was intentionally sunk in 1937. Today she sits in 85 feet of water.

Illinois & Holly Barge
At the time of her sinking in 1907, the Illinois was the largest hydraulic dredge on the Lake. Today she rests in 35 feet of water near another dive site, the Holly Barge, Chicago’s first intentional shipwreck.

Wings of Wind
Built in 1855 this 130’ wooden schooner sank as a result of a collision in 1866. In salvaging her cargo of coal the stern section of this wreck was destroyed. Resting in 40 feet of water, today you can dive her 65’ bow section with bowsprit and windlass. Many excellent photo opportunities exist.

Tacoma
Sunk in 1929 this 72’ wooden tug sits upright on the bottom in 35 feet of water. The large propeller offers great photos

Material Service Barge
This 239’ self-loading barge was built in 1929. Her unique design allowed her to navigate under the bridges of Chicago without them being raised. She sank during a storm in 1936. Today she sits upright in 30 feet of water.

So come by the store and sign up while we still have room.

…and here is GREAT article to check out about Diving into Adventure in the Windy City from the Dive News Network

2011-03-15T12:13:00.001-05:00

One of the most legendary Golden-Era Pirates was Henry Morgan, and his most famous battle was his siege of Panama City. At the time Panama City was the second largest city in the Western Hemisphere.

Now historians think they have found six cannons off Captain Morgan’s flagship Satisfaction. Satisfaction sunk in 1671 after being run head-on into Lajas reef five days after Morgan burned Panama City to the ground.

By the time the pirate ships arrived, Panama City had already fallen to Captain Morgan’s advance team, which he sent over land. Still, the pirate armada was still a welcome site as they pulled into the mouth of the Rio Chagres; that is until the Satisfaction, and three other ships, ran up onto the shallow water reef Lajas. Much like the sinking off the ships, the burning of Panama City was a careless accident. However, when you burn the second largest city to the ground oops doesn’t seem to cut it, and a year later Captain Morgan was arrested in Jamaica and sent back to England to be tried for piracy.

Henry Morgan’s life reads like a Hollywood script, and just as no Hollywood hero’s life could end at the end of a noose, neither did Captain Morgan. This man born on a farm in Wales, shanghaied and sold into indentured servitude in Barbados, released years later penniless he turned to piracy. He excelled, and quickly became the most successful of the Golden Era Pirate Captains. At his trial he was treated as a romantic hero, and when England’s relations with Spain soured again Henry Morgan was sent back to Jamaica as Lieutenant Governor.

While this is not one of the Pirate ships that sank with chests overflowing treasure, fueling dreams of instant wealth. The Satisfaction’s cannons provide a tangible connection to a romanticized history that fuels the equally valuable dreams of the Golden Age of Piracy, and all the stories that make up the cultural history of paradise.

Click here to read more about Captain Morgan’s campaign against Panama City

Click here to read more about the discovery and raising of Satisfaction’s Cannons

Instructor Development Course (Orland Park, IL)

2011-03-02T12:19:00.005-06:00

Go PRO —Scuba Diving Careers

Love Your Job
      Your Lifestyle
            and Your Freedom

Get a life worth living:
   Become a PADI Professional

You’ll do things others only dream of. Whether you work in a local dive shop at a dive resort or on a live-aboard dive boat, the adventure of a lifetime is yours for the taking. Imagine a job where you actually look forward to work in the morning. Sailing into incredible sunsets could be the rule, not the exception, especially if you work in a tropical dive destination. The commute to work could be as easy as a ten-minute boat ride and work becomes an adventure in itself.

If you are up for the challenge…you are in luck!

This month Scuba Emporium is starting an IDC. The Instructor Development Course (IDC) combines the Assistant Instructor (AI) class and Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) class into one comprehensive course that will prepare you to take the Instructor Exam (IE) with PADI…and start your Diving Career.

The IDC is traditionally an seven-day course, but here at Scuba Emporium we also have a three-weekend version.

The Three-weekend IDC starts this month: March 25th, 26th, 27th; continues April 16th and 17th; and concludes May 19th and 20th.

Our Seven-Day IDCs are: May 14th – 20th, June 23th - 29th, and October 1st - 7th.

For more information check out our web site,
Call us at (708) 226-1614,
or email us at sales@scubaemporium.com.

Already done one of our many IDCs...
...help the new-guys decide and write about your experiences in the comments box.

Lionfish, the Beautiful Outlaw

2011-02-25T17:46:00.000-06:00

Another great presentation at Our World-Underwater’s Film Festival, and probably the most entertaining, was Lionfish, the Beautiful Outlaw by Paul Carter Deaton. Talk about a timely film. Lionfish Hysteria has been running rampid, and the documentary attempts to examine whether the hysteria is justified. From the opening scene you know you’re in for something different. The interviews ground the film in quality insight, while the pacing and humor entertain as well as educate. I think my personal-favorite scene in the film is the final live performance of Lionfish, Lionfish: Kill, Kill, Kill. Check it out.

Paul Cater Deaton is an award-winning Writer, Producer, Director and Cinematographer, based in the Virgin Islands and Batavia, Illinois. Shooting on six continents over three decades, Paul has earned numerous industry accolades.

His underwater camera skills were honed in oceans and seas all over the world. Paul specializes in production relative to SCUBA diving and adventure travel, and is a highly sought-after Underwater Camera Operator. He is a SCUBA Instructor and expert Rescue Diver, certified in Nitrox and Rebreathers, and has thousands of hours of underwater camera experience. Paul is a popular speaker and emcee, making appearances from coast to coast to coast. He is also lead singer for The Wetsuits, the world's only All Underwater Photographers Band!

Ernie Brooks at Our World-Underwater

2011-02-23T17:49:00.001-06:00

Last weekend in Chicago was a wild one, with Our World-Under sending waves through the West Side. One of my favorite presentations of the weekend was at the Film Festival Saturday night. Ernie Brooks gave a sideshow of images from his new book Silver Seas: a Retrospective. Ernie Brooks’ Black and White photos use silver-gray, black, and white tones to expose the light streaming through his images, silhouettes his subjects, and transform the textures found in abundance in Ernie’s underwater world.

Ambassador to the Marine Environment Photographer, Adventurer, Diver and Educator Ernest H. Brooks II was born to be a photographer. His Portuguese ancestry, rich in men-of-the-sea, virtually insured the ocean environment would play an important role in his life. As the son of Ernest H. Brooks, founder of the internationally-renowned Brooks Institute of Photography, Mr. Brooks was destined to follow in his father's footsteps for part of his life's journey before forging his own path.

Mr. Brooks has been a trailblazer in the development of underwater photographic equipment and technique, and has witnessed great industry advances. And though he has harnessed and implemented much of that new technology, at a time when a plethora of color underwater photographs illustrate magazines and glossy brochures, he, perhaps surprisingly, favors black and white. "I don't think that blue, an inherent color of the ocean, really adds to many photographs, especially of mammals - and I like the quality of black and white. Also, I get the personal satisfaction of working with black and white in being able to control the development and printing." The ocean and underwater photography are among his main interests. In the pursuit of dramatic marine images, he has descended into the fascinating waters beneath the polar icecaps as well as into the depths of almost every ocean on Earth.

Akona's Success is in the Bag!!!

2011-02-17T17:21:00.002-06:00

I can't wait for you to see this new bag from Akona.

It's a Regulator Bag when your packing,

...and when you get to your destination it expands into a full sized dive mesh Bag!

It's made of strong a 420 nylon outer shell, and nylon reinforced mesh. The Regulator bag is well padded, and the mesh bag gives you a whopping 4872 cubic inches of room to haul your gear out to the beach, or onto the boat. Stop by Scuba Emporium to see, feel, zip, and unzip the new Akona Collapsible Mesh/Regulator Bag; or check it out on our webpage.

Thriving 'Middle Light' Reefs Found in Puerto Rico

2011-02-11T19:13:00.003-06:00

Lately news about our sea always seems to be about its decline, so it was very exciting to come across a story about a healthy - thriving reef on the NOAA website.

In La Parguera, Puerto Rico scientist found a 12-mile wide Mesophotic (or Middle-Light) Reef. Mesophotic reefs are reefs that grow at the deepest level that light-dependent coral reefs can survive. The Le Parguera reef starts at around 100 feet and is still showing growth as deep as 330 feet.

Little has been known about these Middle-Light reefs, because the technology for scientists to explore at those depths had been so limited. Now however, as the techniques and equipment used in tech diving becomes more available and user friendly for everyone, these reef are beginning to be explored. Check out the beauty of these reefs.

Credit: H. Ruíz

What is really exciting is how groupers, reef sharks, and snappers still thrive on these beautiful reefs. These fish, which were once so common on shallower reefs, can restore the depleted fish stocks once the heath of the shallower reefs, are restored.

So lets get involved and work together to protect these Mesophotic Reefs, as we work to rescue our more popular Shallow Reefs. Check out Project AWARE’s website. Sign up for one of Scuba Emporium’s ecologically centered diving specialties; like Coral Reef Conservation and Project AWARE. And most importantly keep diving, exploring, and sharing what’s under the surface with your friends and family; so we can continue to remember everything there is to protect, above and below the surface, of this beautiful blue world.

Babblin’ about Bubbles

2011-02-10T16:44:00.001-06:00

It’s a PARTY! And at Scuba Emporium we PARTY BIG!!!

There will be Door Prizes, Giveaways, Pizza, Beer, Wine, Soda, and lots of Babblin’. We’ll be sharin’ stories, takin’ about great new class packages, catchin' up with old friends and meetin' new ones. Grab your dive buddy, or drinkin’ buddy, and drop by the party at Scuba Emporium Tuesday, February 15th at 6:30.

The night is free, but please call the store at (708) 226-1614 to register so we know how much food and drink to bring, and anyone who registers before Friday, February 11th will be entered into a special Early Bird Drawing.

Mentor Program

2011-02-07T20:45:00.003-06:00

Had my first meeting for the Mentor Program at Scuba Emporium today, it looks like its going to be a GREAT year. I can't wait!!!

Why dive with a Magnifying Glass?

2011-02-04T19:28:00.004-06:00

Because you are missing this amazing rice-grain sized guy (and all his friends) without it. This guys name is Daphnia, and this macro-life/fresh-water creature can grow its own spear and helmet when threatened by an attacker. It sounds like fiction, but it's true.

In March Scuba Emporium has a trip heading to West Palm Beach Florida. One of the sites we will be diving is Blue Heron Bridge, which is well known for its amazing macro-life. So next time you take the plunge, in fresh or salt water, grab a magnifying glass, spend some time hovering still over some rock, coral, or wreck; and watch a whole new world unfold under your lens.

NEW! Mares X-Stream Fin!!!

2011-02-03T16:11:00.002-06:00

Check out our newest fin here at Scuba Emporium. The new Mares X-Stream fin, for x-stream comfort and efficiency.

The X-stream performance, comfort and lightweight design are the incredible result of sixty passionate years at the service of diving. The X-stream is truly a leap into the future, and changes forever how Mares envision the creation of a fin. More than 2 years of resources, experiments and testing and four Mares patents all concentrated in one unique product

Stop in to Scuba Emporium and try them on; the lightweight comfort will blow you away! If you can’t make it in find more information on them on our website.

Go Pro Night at Scuba Emporium with Gary Joyce --- February 15th

2011-02-02T17:39:00.003-06:00

Go PRO —Scuba Diving Careers

Love Your Job, Your Lifestyle and Your Freedom

Get a life worth living: become a PADI Professional
You’ll do things others only dream of. Whether you work in a local dive shop at a dive resort or on a liveaboard dive boat, the adventure of a lifetime is yours for the taking.
Imagine a job where you actually look forward to work in the morning. Sailing into incredible sunsets could be the rule, not the exception, especially if you work in a tropical dive destination. The commute to work could be as easy as a ten-minute boat ride and work becomes an adventure in itself.

Whether you're interested in a dive career or just want more information about continuing your dive education, join PADI Regional Manager Gary Joyce for an exciting and informative Go Pro Seminar at Scuba Emporium Tuesday, February 15th at 6:30.

The night also includes door prizes, giveaways, pizza, beer, wine, and soda. The night is free, but please call the store at (708) 226-1614 to register so we know how much food and drink to bring, and all who register before Friday, February 11th will be entered into a special Early Bird Drawing.

Already a Pro? Share why you wanted to Go Pro with everyone in the comment boxes.

Snow closes Scuba Emporium

2011-02-02T09:14:00.001-06:00

I can not tell you when we had to close, but 18 inches has put us at a complete stop. But I have time to work on Our World-Underwater, the show is less tha three weeks away.

Ice Diving at Haigh Quarry ----- March 5th and 6th

2011-02-01T16:49:00.004-06:00

We've got the dates for our annual Ice Diving weekend! So grab your friends, dry suits, and a cup of hot chocolate, and head out to Haigh Quarry with us March 5th and 6th. Give us a call at (708) 226-1614 and let us know you're coming, so we can give you more details and help you plan the day. See you there.

Our World-Underwater ----- February 18th-20th

2011-02-01T16:38:00.005-06:00

Our World-Underwater February 18-20, 2011 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL

If you’re a long time scuba diver, or just interested in finding out more about one of the fastest growing and most adventurous pastimes out there, don’t miss the Our World-Underwater show this month. Our World-Underwater has been educating and entertaining the Midwest for 41 years. The weekend of February 18th, 19th, and 20th is jammed packed with Workshops, Children’s Programs, Seminars, and more. A quick click through the 61 Presenter Bios, on the Our World-Underwater website, will give you an idea of the incredible talent that this convention brings together; and a quick click on their Children’s Programs and 2011 Film Festival pages will give you good idea of all the fun they have planned for young and old alike. A wide variety of dive industry manufactures will be there to give Clinics on everything from the fitting, maintenance, and repair of Regulators, BCDs, and Dry Suits, to Packing for Exotic Travel.

So check out the Our World-Underwater website, for the weekend's schedule and to buy your tickets. Then get ready for an amazing weekend!