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South Florida Divers, Inc.
CONTENTS |
2009 ain't over yet....... ~ By Pete Stephinson Since our last newsletter, we heard the sad news of the passing of our webmaster, dive buddy and friend Captain Chris Hinckley. He fought a long struggle with Cancer. We will miss him. We have dedicated a section of this newsletter in his memory.
A group of us just returned from a week on Grand Bahama. We had a great time and the diving was awesome. The vis was good and the water warm. We dove on reefs and wrecks and encountered a whole lot of critters. The highlight for me was swimming with the local inhabitants of Shark Alley. You can see how much fun we had on the photography page. Thanks to Jeff and Ginny for organizing a great trip.
While we were on Grand Bahama, another group of SFDI members were on a private boat a little further south. Reports were they had a fantastic time too.
In the course of organizing our trips and dives, we have come to know many of the local dive shops and charter boats well. In appreciation of our business a number of them are now offering SFDI members' discounts. These shops and boats provide a great service to us. Please check out these discounts on the Membership page. By bringing business their way we help preserve our local dive shops and operators.
We already announced two summer trips for 2010, one in May to Tobago and another to Dominica in June. If you are thinking of going on either of these trips and haven't already done so I suggest you sign up now. Details are being finalized for both and if you hang back there may not be a space available for you.
We still have lots of dives and activities on our calendar for the remainder of the year. I am looking forward to taking a group down to Key West to dive the Vandenberg in early October and there are a number of other local dives on the calendar. The water is still warm so those of you who are a little temperature challenged still have time to get plenty wet before the weather turns cooler. So have fun, keep safe and I hope to see you in the water some time soon.
Pete president@sfdi.com
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1951 - 2009 It was with great sadness that we learned late August of the passing of our Webmaster Chris Hinckley after a long battle with cancer. Chris was our webmaster, dive buddy and friend. Chris was one of those people who are "larger than life". He always greeted friends with a hug and a hearty "I love you man". He was the life and soul of any gathering. He was a great fisherman, with either rod or spear and a passionate diver. He also enjoyed golf. Chris had a great sense of humor and enjoyed playing practical jokes. He always had something in his pocket, like an artificial cockroach or mouse to fool an unwary waitress. On the other hand, Chris played by the rules. Woe betide the diver who got back on Chris's boat with less than 500 psi in his tank, or the golfer trying to take a "gimme". Most of all Chris was a good friend, and valued friendships. He really valued his friendships at SFDI and would do anything to help a friend in need. Our sincere condolences to Chris's Mother, sisters and their families. We miss you man. The following photos are how we think Chris would like to be remembered:
President SFDI
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MEETING LOCATION !!!
Location for General Meeting
Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club, 2637 Whale Harbor Lane, Ft. Lauderdale
The Same Place We Have The Pig Roast and Seafood Fest !!
Directions:
1. Take I 95 to Davie Blvd. Head West.
2. Turn Left on 27th Ave, (Riverland Road ).
3. Follow around and Stay on Riverland Road
4. Turn left at Whale Harbor Lane.
5. Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club is on the Right
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PLEASE SEE NOTE ABOVE !!
SFDI meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club. The meeting starts at 7:30 If you are not a member, and you are reading this on the Internet, please join us because visitors are ALWAYS WELCOME! In an attempt to condense the length of the meetings, we are going to start the meeting PROMPTLY at 7:30. Please come earlier to socialize before the meeting starts. |
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WELCOME YOUR NEWEST DIVE BUDDIE!
We are delighted to welcome new
member: Mike McKeever
As a Reminder to Everyone, We are a NO-DECOMPRESSION Dive Club. Always adhere to Safe Recreational Dive Depths and Limits.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS October... and beyond
By Dave Schneider, Vice President, Calendar
To ensure privacy please note that event Coordinators phone numbers are never posted. If you are a Club member please consult your Buddy List for the number you need. If you do not have a copy there will be one available at the next General Meeting, or contact Melissa Ames.
Just a quick reminder... The Calendar exists for the convenience of all our members. If you see a future event that is of interest please contact the Coordinator directly. You can sign on to an event at any time. The Coordinator will be more than pleased to place your name on the list and tell you where to mail payment.
Remember.. you are not confirmed on an event until you have made payment. A member who signs on later but makes payment first will receive preference.
September 19: 8:30 AM Show 9:00 AM Go (Saturday) Join Joe Smariga as he takes us aboard the Sea Experience out of Ft. Lauderdale. Gonna be a great morning. Cost to be passed on when available, probably $50.00, tax and tip included, or call Joe. For directions or info on the boat, www.seaxp.com.
September 23: 1:00 PM Show 1:30 PM Go (Wednesday) Another chance to enjoys the uncrowded joys of mid-week diving. We will head to sea on Lady-Go-Diver out of Deerfield Beach. Lobsters are on the "menu" so join Dave & Elaine Schneider for a great afternoon. $55.00, tax and tip included. www.dixiedivers.com
September 26: Wine Tasting (Saturday) Back by overwhelming popular demand! Susan and Ray will once again host a wine tasting at their home. Bring a bottle of your favorite vino, a tasty side dish and a great big smile. The festivities are called to begin at 6:00 PM. Call Susan or Ray for directions or if you have any other questions.
October 3: 8:00 AM Show 8:30 AM Go "Catch Your Dinner Dive" (Saturday) A great way to get ready for the festivities at our annual Seafood Fest! Gerry Cowen will host us aboard the Blue Runner out of Dania Sea Fare. Gerry promises good hunting, good conditions and, of course, his sparkling personality. All for $50.00, tax and tip included. Call him in you need more info or go to www.coastalmarinediving.com.
October 3: Seafood Fest! (Saturday) Always a highlight of the SFDI Calendar as we go through another fun- filled hurricane season. Plan to dive today so you can bring your catch as well as the mandatory covered dish to share with all. Cookies from Publix are not an option. Cost will be $5.00 for members and guests. Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club [Map here], 2637 Whale Harbor Lane, Ft. Lauderdale. As always there will a keg, wine and chicken on the barbie. 5:00PM to Midnight..
October 7: General Meeting 7:30 PM Sharp! Lauderdale Isles Yacht and Tennis Club Address and directions elsewhere on the website.
October 9 - 11: Dive the Vandenberg Weekend Pete Stephinson is organizing a weekend trip to Key West to dive the colossal new wreck Vandenberg. Pete plans to dive Saturday and Sunday. The cost will be $160.00 for the two days of two tank dives, tax and tip included. He is also arranging for lodging, cost to be announced but probably around $90.00 per room. Keep posted for more details or call Pete directly.
October 9: Bowling With Joe G. (Friday) Everyone had a great time last year so Joe wants to reprise his success. We're going to SpareZ Bowling at 5325 S. University Drive in Davie. Cost will be $25.00, including 3 hours of bowling, shoes, pizza buffet and sodas. Great deal! Joe is calling for a 6:00 PM Show and 6:45 Go. www.sparezbowling.com
October 11: Brunch-at-Large (Sunday) Date Change! Bruce Wills has added a new twist to our monthly favorite. He wants as many appetites as possible to join he and Barbara at the Blue Moon Fish Co., Commercial Blvd. and the Intracoastal. Possibly the best Sunday brunch in South Florida, Bruce is planning to chow-down at Noon. Cost for unlimited food plus your choice of Bloody Mary, Mimosa or a glass of champagne is $29.95. For a look at the venue and the menu go to www.bluemoonfishco.com
October 12: SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road. Everybody welcome. Meeting starts at 7:30.
October 17: 1:30 PM Show 2:00 PM Go (Saturday) The reefs of Palm Beach County beckon y'all for some A-1 diving and hunting, if you so desire. We're going on Starfish Enterprise out of Lantana. Cost will be $55.00, tax and tip included. Dinner at the Old Key Lime House is always a good way to end the day. Call Dave Schneider for details or to book. www.idivestarfish.com for info on the boat.
October 23: Bonnie & Donna Night (Friday) Donna Eades wants a whole bunch of her friends to join her at the Pompano Amphitheater for a free concert starring Bonnie Raitt. All you need bring is a chair, your beverage of choice and a snack to share. Donna will be spreading her 20 foot tarp at around 5 PM so get there on time and enjoy a great show.
October 23 - 25: Penne-Camp & Dive Weekend Back for a second year, we will be limited to 6 tents this time around. A weekend in "the woods", good friends, food, drink and maybe a little diving thrown in for good measure. All for around $20.00 per person, diving not included. More to follow or call Dave Schneider.
October 29 - November 1: Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show
November 4: General Meeting 7:30 PM Sharp! Lauderdale Isles Yacht and Tennis Club Address and directions elsewhere on the website.
November 9: SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road. Everybody welcome. Meeting starts at 7:30.
November 11: 9:30 AM Show 10:00 AM Go (Wednesday) What with the hectic pace of the holiday season rapidly coming upon us this may well be the last "Over-the-Hill and Off-the-Stern dive of the year so be sure to sign on! We'll be going on Scubatyme out of Pompano. $55.00 tax and tip included. Call Dave Schneider for details or go to www.scubatyme.com,
November 14: 8:00 AM Show 8:30 AM Go (Saturday) Once again onto the briny with Dave, John and assorted other vessels, departing from John Lloyd State Park, Dania. Going to be a beautiful day for divers and (hopefully) a rotten day for lobsters.
November 14: Pete's Golf Scramble (Saturday) Pete Stephinson will be hosting his annual golf outing at the Boca Dunes Golf & Country Club in Boca Raton. A $55.00 fee pays for golf, cart, trophies, prizes, buffet lunch, beer and sodas. Such a deal. All abilities welcome so contact Pete for more details.
November 15: Bike Ride (Sunday) It's gonna be a struggle but Julie Taylor is planning to drag herself out of bed and over to Hollywood Beach for an 11:00 AM bike ride. We applaud her noble effort.
November 18: Dinner-at-Large (Wednesday) Lynne Schreiber will be our hostess at Tropical Acres, 2500 Griffin Road for a superb dinner. The steaks are great, the seafood outstanding and, of course, your presence will make it a memorable night. Dinner bell will be at 7:30. Call Lynne for more details or go to www.tropicalacres.com.
December 5: Holiday Party What's a Calendar without mention of this one?
December 12: 8:00 AM Show 8:30 AM Go Annual "Trim the Tree" Dive (Saturday) Always a lot of fun, this year we plan to use the Blue Runner out of Dania Beach. At this time we are planning for two dives, one to sink and trim the tree and the second on a shallow reef. The cost should be $50.00, tax and tip included. Call Gerry Cowen for details and call Dave Schneider to sign-up. www.coastalmarinediving.com
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"POLICIES & PROCEDURES" NOW PUBLISHED ON THE WEBSITE
The rules and regulations that we must all abide by are now printed in their entirety on the website. I cannot stress enough how important it is that all members, new and old, read and be thoroughly aware of how these rules apply to them. I have summarized below some of the more important points.
Payment: A member is confirmed only after they have paid. Payments for dives must be made when signing up. Payments for trips must be made according to the schedule as outlined by the Coordinator. In the event that a dive, trip, etc. is overbooked than those confirmed to go will be determined by the date order of payment.
Cancellation: Once a member signs on for a dive, event, etc. he/she is obligated to pay unless they contact the Coordinator by the specified cancellation time, as outlined in the Policies and Procedures.
Certification Requirements: Some dives will be restricted to divers with certain minimum requirements, generally as specified by the dive operator. In some cases these minimums may be set by the Coordinator in conjunction with the E-Board based on the profile and/or characteristics of the planned dive. No exceptions will be allowed for any reason.
Special Needs: Some of our members have "special needs" when participating on a dive or trip. These can be cases where the person needs extra assistance on a dive boat, special requirements regarding accommodations, etc. Coordinators are not psychic. It is the responsibility of the member to make sure the Coordinator knows of these needs well in advance of the event.
Please be sure that these rules are clear to you. If not, get clarification from any E-Board member.
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OVERSEAS TRIPS 2010
Tobago 2010
May 8th - May 15th
"The waters of Tobago teem with colorful reef fish and healthy corals, but it is the encounters with the "Giants of the Drift" that truly set this island apart from all other Caribbean dive destinations.
Accommodation: Manta Lodge
Estimated cost for the trip is $1500 and includes:
DOMINICA 2010
June 12 - 19
Great diving, quaint surroundings and some good above water activities will highlight the Dominica 2010 adventure.
We're looking at a price of $ 1900.00 +/- and this will include all transportation, transfers, room, full breakfasts, trip insurance and gratuities.
Four days of 2 tank diving One day of 3 tanks plus lunch on board One whale and dolphin watching trip Unlimited shore diving
Spots will be limited so call Dave Schneider to reserve yours now. A $ 200.00 deposit is required which can be paid at the October meeting or you can mail your check to Kim Hunziker.
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"My slideshow of my recent trip to Lembeh Strait, Indonesia."
Link provided by Joanie Tomlin
Julie Taylor's and Joe Smariga Saba Adventure Photos
Photos by Julie Taylor and Joe Smariga
July 25, 2009
Photos by Lynne Schreiber
Melissa Ames Bahamas Adventure
Video by Lynne Schreiber
Click center of picture to play video.
Ray Schreiber's Bahamas Adventure Photos
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Pete Stephinson's Bahamas Adventure Photos
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Lynne Schreiber's Bahamas Adventure Photos
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Dave and Elaine Schneider's Bahamas Adventure Photos
Photos by Dave and Elaine Schneider
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October Meeting Program
DIVEHEART OFFERS DIVING WITH HEART!
On October 7th, SFDI will host Wilhelmina Stanton and Worth O’Brien of the Diveheart Foundation.
Founded in 2001, the Diveheart Foundation is a non-profit national organization chartered in Illinois. The purpose of Diveheart is to provide and support educational scuba diving and snorkeling experience programs that are open to any physically impaired child or adult in the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value to that person. It is the can-do spirit that the Diveheart Foundation hopes to instill in all its participants. Giving them the confidence and independence that allows them to face their own life challenges and overcome barriers that before might have seemed insurmountable.
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In this photo, Chicago Diveheart volunteers help young divers from the Shriners Hospital for Children, as part of their recreation at the Shriners Spinal Cord Injury Camp.
Join us for what will be a "dive-heartfelt" presentation, and check out the website at http://diveheart.com.
The ABC’s of diving glossary:
October, 2009 notes brought to you
by the lette
r H .
H-Valve
A tank Valve with two
outlets for two regulator 1st stages. There are really two valves with one tank
connection. This allows you to turn off one valve if that regulator free-flows,
and still be able to use the rest of the air in the tank. An H-valve is designed
so that it can be used to make a manifold by removing one of the valves and
adding the interconnecting tube.
Hang time
Time spent hanging
from a rope, decompressing. To perform a decompression stop at one depth or a
decompression profile of a series of depths.
Hang tank
A scuba tank and
regulator that is placed before the dive so it can be used during decompression.
Haldane Theory
Diver Decompression
theory that nitrogen gas is absorbed and given off in exponential fashion during
a dive, and that there is a safe ratio of pressure change for ascent
(originally, 2:1, but lowered and changed later for various tissue pressure
groups).
Helicopter Turns A finning technique used by cave, wreck, and technical divers
that allows them to make an easy turn using kicks alone. The technique is
popular because it limits "silt outs" and helps a diver turn in a
restricted environment.
Heliox
A gas mixture
containing two gases, Oxygen and Helium, used for deep diving to remove the
narcotic effect of nitrogen, but subject to HPNS at depths near 400 fsw.
HPNS
Abbreviation for
" High Pressure Nervous Syndrome ". A condition that occurs when using
inert gasses at or below 400 fsw and is also related to the rate of change in
pressure. Decent rates of greater than 1 ft per minute can cause onset of the
condition near this depth. The condition is most severe when the breathing gas
is Heliox, with Trimix symptoms being experienced near 600 fsw. The symptoms
include muscle twitching, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, postural and intention
tremors, fatigue and somnolence, stomach cramps, and general loss of body
control. The addition of small amounts of Nitrogen (up to 10%) to a Heliox mix
are known to abate HPNS.
Hit
An occurrence of a DCS symptom.
Hogarthian system
The "Do it
Right" (DIR) system started by William Hogarth Main that was based in cave
diving but has now been promoted in all types of technical diving by the WKPP
and GUE.
Hookah
A method of shallow
scuba diving that supplies air from the surface through a long hose. Usually
consists of a gas powered air compressor on a floating platform with long hoses
reaching down to divers having a second stage only for breathing. The depth
limit of these systems is around 30 feet. Divers have weight belts and BCs, but
no ank. For certain shallow areas, this type of diving has distinct advantages,
in that you can dive a very long time without surfacing for additional air, and
there is no hindrance of a scuba tank on your back. However, you must pull the
floating hookah along with you by the hose.
Horse collar
A term that describes
the initial models of buoyancy control devices because they looked like the
horse collar used when horses were used to pull loads such as a wagon or buggy.
Some old die-hard divers still use these. Many of them are orally inflated and
have CO2 cartridges for emergency air inflation, as was popular 20 - 30 years
ago. Many feel that these cartridges are unsafe and prone to accidental
triggering. It is also more convenient and safer to have a push-button inflator
as in modern BCs. Snorkelers may now obtain a similar device that is inflated
orally.
HP
Abbreviation for
"high-pressure".
Hydro
Hydrostatic testing of a scuba tank performed to verify tank integrity.
Hypercapnia
A higher than normal level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. Also
hypercarbia.
Hypertension
A human condition
where the blood pressure (gauge) is above 140/90.
Hypothermia
A body temperature colder than normal (37°C/98.6°F) that results from diving
without adequate wetsuit or drysuit thermal insulation in cold water. Severe
problems start to manifest when body temperature reaches about 35°C (95°F).
Divers stop shivering at the onset of hypothermia.
A SAFETY MINUTE
Joe G's October, 2009 Safety Minute
Never dive alone - One of the key
scuba diving safety rules.
Always dive with a buddy no matter where you are. And when you do dive with a
buddy, keep an eye on him/her to make sure everything is OK (and hopefully they
are doing the same). If something happens, that buddy can be the difference
between life and death. Never violate this rule. Also do a pre-dive equipment
check with your buddy.
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The Wet Zone South
Florida Divers, Inc., |
