Inspect Your Gear

• Regulators should be serviced annually by a certified technician who will clean and tune the unit for optimum performance and safety.
• BCD's should be inspected and serviced annually by a certified professional to remove build-up from the inflator and inside the unit and to do a safety check on the inflation mechanism.
• Scuba Cylinders (Tanks) need to have a visual inspection each year and a hydrostatic inspection every 5 years
• Most Dive Computers should have the batteries changed at least once a year or as indicated in the owner's manual.
• Inspect your Mask for signs of wear or small cracks in the frame or skirt. Check the strap and replace if necessary.
• Check your Fin buckles and straps and replace if necessary.
• Try your wetsuit on to make sure it still fits. (They do shrink ...wink...wink ). Test the zipper and wax if necessary.
• Inspect and smell your Wetsuit Boots. (Boots can get pretty gross.) Make sure there aren't any holes. Test the zipper and wax if necessary.
• Inspect your Snorkel. Check your mouth piece and replace if it shows signs of wear on the bite tabs.
• Check your accessories. Do your Lights work? Do you have Defog?
• A few minutes of attention ahead of time will eliminate a last minute visit to us before the big dive.
• Visit our Service Center

Refresh Your Skills

When was the last time you took the plunge?
If it's been several months or more it's a good idea to refresh your skills in the pool before your next exotic vacation or local excursion.

We offer two SCUBA Review/Refresher Courses and two Dive-In Days each month to give you the opportunity to get wet.

Or try a Buoyancy Clinic instead. If you feel your dive skills are good to go, but want to get wet and learn something new, join us for a Buoyancy Clinic (by appointment).

Check to make sure you still have your C-Card. You will need at least 3 weeks to get a new one. Contact Us if you need a replacement card or follow the instructions found on the Home Page of our website..

See the Doctor

Have you had your annual physical exam? Have you seen an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist about that annoying water in your ear after a dive?

See the doctor well before your vacation or your first local dive. While you are there ask him/her to fill out your annual medical statement. You will need this if you plan to take classes. Some resort dive locations will also have you complete a medical statement when you register for your dives.

Get in Shape

Diving can be a very physical activity. The better shape you and your cardiovascular system are in, the safer and more enjoyable your diving will be. If you don't have a personal trainer here are some at home exercises that will help to build your "scuba muscles." (Of course...be sure to consult a doctor before beginning any exercise program).

• Try any type of aerobic exercise like power walking or jogging to build your endurance and stamina. Pick-up an aerobic step counter from CVS or Walgreens to make sure that you are working in the aerobic zone.
• Try squats to build your leg and lifting muscles. Think climbing dive ladders and finning. (Consult an exercise magazine for the proper form)
• Calf flexes and stretches. Also help with finning and scuba ladders.
• Crunches or Sit-ups. Help with standing after you have donned the gear in a seated position.
• Try Arm Curls. If you don't have weights use water bottles. When you travel you probably won't have to carry your tanks, but you may have to carry weights around the deck until you are properly adjusted. It will also help you with getting back up the ladder.

Renew Your Dive Insurance

Check Your Calendar

If you plan to dive at Dutch Springs, don't miss the discounted season pass. You will save $70 by planning ahead.

If you are purely a warm water diver, mark your calendar for possible dive trips. Maybe they aren't in the cards right now but if you get an unexpected bonus or time off you'll want to know what is available.

Also, set a schedule for yourself to:

• get your gear serviced (can take up to 3 weeks during peak season)
• refresh your skills
• go to the doctor
• get in shape
• renew your dive insurance

Surveys

We have added a weekly survey to our website. Each week we will ask a different question about travel, training, favorite dive sites or just about anything else. We will gather the results for 1 week and post the results the following week when we update the latest question.

Take this week's survey!

Also, please take our current Website Satisfaction Survey .

Special thanks to all of you that have already participated in our Website Satisfaction Survey. Your comments and suggestions influenced our current updates and we are working on implementing many of your other ideas!

Instructor Profiles

You asked for them! We have posted Crew Profiles in our About Us section of the website. Within the next week we hope to have all of the profiles live and have pictures to go along with the information.

SitePal

We are adding a talking fish to our home page. Check it out. Please let us know what you think.

Digital Underwater Photography
March 1 @ 6:00 PM (Class) March 8 @ 8:00 PM (Pool)
Second Class: TBD
Training Dive: TBD

Digital has taken the underwater photography world by storm. Get in on the action with the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty course. You can quickly and easily capture the underwater world with your camera and on your computer. During the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty course, you learn to use the PADI SEA (Shoot, Examine and Adjust) method, which takes full advantage of digital technology. The result is good underwater photos faster than you may imagine. You not only learn how to take good photos, but how to share them with your friends via email or printing, optimizing your work with your computer, storage and more.

Level One of this Course is designed for Snorkelers, Divers, and Open Water Students. During Level One you will learn camera basics and how to take great photos in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

Level Two is designed for certified divers who want to make their pictures even better. During Level Two, you will learn how to adjust your cameras settings for exposure, white balance, and more. You will also learn how to compose eye-cathing photos that are suitable for framing. Finally, you will learn how to use your computer to adjust your images

• Prerequisites: Level One- Snorkelers, Open Water Divers, and OW Students
  Level Two- Digital Underwater Photographer Level One.
• Program: Level One- 1 Class Session, 1 Pool or 1 Open Water Dive/Snorkel.
  Level Two- 2 Class Sessions and 1 Open Water Dive.
• Course Fee: Level One- $100 includes Class, Dive/Snorkel, and PADI Certification.
  Level Two- $125 includes Class, Dives, and PADI Certification.
  Level One and Two- $175 includes Class, Dives, and PADI Certification.
• Academic Materials: PADI Digtal Underwater Photo Manual and White Balance Slate $39.95
• Equipment: Personal Scuba Equipment, Digital Underwater Camera (Rentals Available).

Nitrox Diver
March 1, 2007 7:30 PM

It's about time! Wouldn't it be great to extend your bottom time to see more of the reef or wreck, or to take more pictures? EAN Nitrox or Enriched Air is air with a kick of extra Oxygen, which, with special procedures, can significantly and safely increase your bottom time. While Nitrox diving may seem a little more technical than some specialties, our professionals make it fun and easy to understand. Nitrox diving is definitely for anyone who wants to spend more time underwater.

• Prerequisites: PADI Open Water Diver or qualifying certification from another training organization and a minimum of 15 years of age.
• Program: 1 Class Sessions, 1 Practical Application Session.
• Course Fee: $75 includes Class, Practical Application, and PADI Certification.
• Academic Materials: Text Book, Video/DVD, and set of 3 Dive Planers. $69.95

Equipment: Personal Scuba Equipment, Digital Underwater Camera

Classes are filling quickly! Register now!

Escape to a different world.
Scuba takes you to a different world with new colors, shapes, textures and creatures. Become a scuba diver and escape to a peaceful place to renew your energy and excite your senses.

Explore new places.
Scuba diving frees you to explore the underwater world ? from historic shipwrecks and pristine reefs to the mysteries of your local quarry. Become a scuba diver and explore what you?ve been missing.

Experience a connection with nature; a feeling of freedom, and a transformation.
Diving connects you with nature. It immerses you in new sensations and experiences. It transforms your perception of life forever. Become a diver and transform yourself.

Our Dutch Springs Schedule:

• May 19, 20, June 9, 10, 30, July 1, 21, 22, August 11, 12, 25, 26, September 15, 16

Group Boat Dive Schedule:
Coming Soon

Open Boat Schedules:
Spring Tide- 6 Passenger Boat ($85 +Tip)
Gypsy Blood- 15 Passenger Boat ($85 +Tip)
Wednesday Open Boats
Outlaw- Monday Open Boat (~$80 +Tip)

Whether you are looking for high adventure or calm and relaxing, historical wrecks or breath-taking walls, Our 2007 Group Travel Schedule has something for everyone.

Our family trip was so popular last year, we scheduled two this year. The first is to Curacao, an island in the Netherland Antillies near Aruba and Bonaire. Complete with a Seaquarium, kids programs, and shore diving, Curacao is the perfect escape for the whole family! Then over the Fourth of July holiday, travel to the Mayan Riviera. Here divers can dive and vacationers can explore Mayan ruins or relax by the pool. The grand finale...the whole family can spend the last few days snorkeling together with Whale Sharks. That's what you call a priceless moment!

• Bonaire-March 24- 31
• Curacao-March 31-April 7
• Mexico June 30-July 7
• North Carolina-July 26- 30
• Truk/Yap-July 30-August 15
• AquaCat-September 8- 15
• Fiji-October 18- 27
• Little Cayman- November 10-17