Greetings!
And this is Fall?
When I spoke with you in the Spring, we were all happy the long Winter of snow, sleet, hail, thunder, lightening and record cold temps was almost behind us. Now we're looking ahead and wondering what we could possibly be in for this Winter?? Snow in October...go figure? Let's prepare for the worst and hope for the best...and plan some Winter tropical getaways!
In this issue is the new Entry Level Class Schedule, links and details on the eLearning classes, Photo Contests, Dutch Spring Season Pass info, Gear Specials including a computer Trade-in, Trade-up Program, a disturbing situation of floating debris, my impending "jail time" and a few other items.
Best Wishes for Sunny Skies and Warm Water! Lyn |
| Class Schedule | | Entry Level Open Water Scuba Diver
WeekEnd Class Schedule: Fri 7-9:30pm, Sat/Sun 9-12 and 1-5pm
Nov 11-12-13 Dec-Private on Request Jan 13-14-15
Feb 3-4-5 Mar 23-24-25 April 13-14-15
May 4-5-6 June 8-9-10 July 6-7-8
Aug 17-18-19 Sept 14-15-16
We teach year 'round and frequently add classes to accommodate demand. If you don't see a schedule that works for you, just ask.
Rescue Diver Register for eLearning on-line academics and take your time. Then choose a weekend from our 2012 Dutch Springs schedule in the Spring.
Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) Sign up for eLearning & Schedule a Private Practical Session. No Training Dives Required. Be ready for that Winter vacation.
Dutch Springs
Open Water Days will resume weekend of May 19/20, 2012
Price Reduction to $95 with Text. DVD on Loan, not required to buy.
Schedule to be announced.
Divemaster Offered Year 'Round. Interested? Curious? Look for our next Pro Night where you can get all the facts about Professional Level PADI courses.
FREE MASC Workshops will resume in January 2012
Don't Touch That! Learn what to avoid underwater..Hint: it's not Sharks.
Packing for Dive Travel Let us help you get streamlined.
Dive Boat Etiquette Don't be the person people love to hate!
Photography for Snorkelers Take good pictures from the surface.
Emergency Planning Don't wait until you need it.
Children & Diving Is your child ready to be your buddy?
Liveaboard Dive Vacation What to expect and what to avoid. |
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Travel Tips
Travel Insurance...Can You Afford to Not Have It? | |
In the past, many of us would take a chance with our vacation. If the weather turned bad and our flight was delayed a few hours, we knew we would most likely get where we were going and eventually wind up with our toes in the sand and a cool drink in our hand.
Not any more. As I am writing this, we are recovering from a record breaking snowstorm...in October. Flights were cancelled and 2+ hour delays were reported the next day for those who could still get seats.
We can tell you horror-stories. We are seeing flight delays of days not hours and floods, hurricanes, mudslides, and the like have devastated some of our favorite dive locations. When it's weather-related, the airline and the hotel/resort are not obligated to "fix" your vacation or compensate you for anything you've lost. They may, but they don't have to.
Travel has changed in just the past few years for a number of reasons.
- The weather seems to be more erratic and global warming or not, the last few years have been a roller coaster ride with snow, rain, winds and floods.
- Factor in the less than stellar, restrictive expensive treatment we receive from the airlines (some of which we "bailed out")
- The simple economics of hotels and resorts, out of necessity, becoming more hardline and less flexible in their policies.
- Many of us getting older when medical emergencies are more prevalent for us, our aging parents and even our kids.
You have to decide how much you can afford to lose or how much additional money you are willing to spend to make the trip happen.
We use and recommend DAN Trip Insurance and there are a number of other good companies out there. Each company is a little different and there are restrictions as with any insurance, so read the fine print and/or call to clarify. Most companies are very willing to walk you through the details so you get the right coverage for you.
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| eLearning On-Line Classes
Solution for a Hectic Schedule | 
It started with our Entry Level Course and worked so well, PADI expanded the selection of courses you can take on-line.
Register through the above link which can also be found on the home page of our website. Complete all required knowledge reviews and quizzes, then contact us to schedule in-water work or in-store practice.
It's convenient, comprehensive and works with your schedule. |
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Project AWARE Weird Debris Contest Winner | 
2nd Place Winner in Weirdest Marine Debris Contest. 1st place was some old recycling containers underwater which, while ironic, didn't have the pizzazz of
this one. Check out the site and you be the judge.
Join the Movement, get regular newsletters and keep up on what's happening to and for our "underwater playground". Project AWARE Contest comes around every year so be on the lookout (and hope you have your camera) for the weird, the strange, the seriously out-of-place stuff you find underwater.
And when you can, bring it up....every little bit counts! |
| Lyn is Going to Jail! |
 They got me and I'm going to Jail! I've been charged with helping the Muscular Dystrophy Association raise funds to benefit local families. I'll be "doing my time" at Carrabba's Restaurant on November 9th and I need your help to bail me out. Please..please..please..do whatever you can.
Together we can make a difference right here in our own community. I'm counting on you!
Go to My Personal MDA Page to donate with credit card or stop by the Scuba Center with your bag full of cash...I'll even take your penny jar! Just do it soon. November 9th is when I go into the Slammer and I don't look so good in stripes! |
| Gear Specials | | Sherwood Computer Trade-In/Trade-Up
Give us your old, tired, working or non-working dive computer and we'll give you $100 Off a new Sherwood Wisdom 2 Air-Integrated Computer Console with Compass and Quick Disconnect. Or if you just need to replace the computer module from your console, we'll give you $50 off a new Sherwood or Genesis unit.
Oceanic Budget Gear Package Includes: OceanPro Weight Integrated BCD, GT3 Sport Regulator with Alpha 8 Octopus and Veo 1.0 Computer Console with Pressure Gauge Regular Price: $1229 Special: $799
Oceanic B.U.D. Gear Package Includes: Probe or Excursion BCD, Delta 4.2 Regulator with Alpha 8 Octopus and ProPlus 2.1 Computer Console with Compass and Quick Disconnect Price $2109 Buy Package and get FREE B.U.D. Computer ($329 Value) |
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REEF Lionfish Cookbook
If You Can't Beat 'Em..EAT 'EM! | |
Lionfish are causing havoc on our already stressed fish population. They are prevalent throughout the Caribbean eating all manner of fish and literally starving out other native species.
Almost impossible to eradicate, and without any natural predator, our only option is to eat them. Yes, our voracious appetite for other fish have taken many to the point of extinction so we should be able to accomplish this. At least we can give it the old college try!
The REEF Organization is selling this cookbook with the history of the invasion and a number of delectable ways to prepare the critters. Your purchase helps fund the work of this worthwhile organization. |
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Japan Earthquake Debris
Closing in on U.S. Sooner than Expected | 
Boats, houses, appliances and anything else that can float is part of the 5 to 20 million tons of garbage headed for Hawaii and the Western U.S. It is estimated to start arriving within 2 years, ahead of the predicted 3 year schedule.
Add this to the flotilla of plastic the size of Texas already out there and you have a serious soup of destruction.
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Mid-Atlantic Scuba Center
3570 E. Street Road Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020
In Beautiful Bucks County just Outside NE Philadelphia
Convenient to Route 1, I-95 and PA Turnpike
215-245-0141 FAX 215-245-0141
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| Store Hours |
Tues-Friday Noon-7PM
Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday-By Appt Only |
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Photo Contests | |
AAA Motor Club
If you are a member the AAA Auto Club, you could win $1000 Gift Card for that fantastic vacation photo. Just check out this link for details.
National Geographic
This a big one, but it's ending soon...$10,000 first place prize!
ViewBug for the Aspiring Pro Photographer in You!
This is a website that caters to photographers, pro and amateur. Once you join you will have access to an extensive list of Photo Contests. Pick those that work for the kind of photos you take, and enter from ViewBug's site. They charge a small fee, but their site makes it very convenient. They also offer a service to help you sell your photos.
FanArtReview
This is a site for photo and artwork so those photoshop'd creations could work here. Similar to Viewbug with small fee for entering contests.
If you know of any other contests that would be of interest to your fellow readers, let me know via email and I'll post to our Facebook page. |
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Your PADI Card
on Your Smart Phone |
Take your Smart Phone on vacation and have your PADI diver credentials at your thumb tips. Coming soon will be the option to apply for a new card and have it available on your mobile device through the new PADI App. Initial release will be for Apple and the Android with Blackberry and Nokia following shortly. Should be available before the end of the year. We'll let you know first via our Facebook Page, then in the next newsletter. Stay tuned! |
DiveLocker
New Arrivals | |
Our DiveLocker of Used, Consignment, Rental Retires, Demos and Close-outs is over-stocked with some good items. We are cleaning out our rental equipment and have recently taken in more consignment gear...so we have a variety of well-priced regs, BC's, tanks, suits and accessories. If you are outfitting growing youngsters, we have some BC's and suits that could work. Stop by and take a look. Selection changes
regularly. |
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Discount Season Pass Application | | Up until 12/31 you can buy an individual unlimited pass for $195. That's less than the daily entrance fee for 3 weekends! Next discount deadline is 02/28 when price goes to $210. To get application, click on link above, pick up one here at Scuba Center or call and we'll fill one out and fax to Dutch for you. |
 2012 Travel Plans in the Works | | Our 2012 Travel Schedule will be sent to you via our regular "Travel Plans" email by the end of this month. Up for consideration is Florida Keys, Bonaire, Roatan, Belize, Turks and Caicos, Wakatobi or Fiji and a few others. |
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