Dive Light Replacement
I believe in sharing positive experiences when warranted, and I believe this qualifies. Last year I damaged my favorite dive light, a Princeton Tec Miniwave LED, in heavy surge working the kelp project at Shaw’s Cove. The case got slammed into a reef, and subsequently cracked and flooded. I had the light for a few years so I figured I got my monies worth, and was prepared to toss it. However, I called Princeton Tec first, explained what happened, and they told me to send it in. It had a lifetime...
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New OC Nitrox Fill
I just got back from Ocean Gear in Huntington Beach, CA, this afternoon and want to give the local Orange County diving community an update on the carbon-free filling system at their new shop location. The Membrane System is tested, verified and running, and now pumps carbon-free (O2 clean) air upon request. That means they can fill any tank (Oxygen clean or not) from 21% to 40% Nitrox. All that is necessary is your Nitrox Card for Nitrox fills. Divers without their Nitrox card can still receive...
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Laguna Beach, CA Kelpfest
Calling all divers, Nancy Caruso of Get Inspired is spearheading the second annual Kelpfest at Laguna Beach, CA Main Beach on April 16th, 2011. Besides lots of exhibits and stuff, this year she is planning a "dive-in" at noon with as many divers as possible. This won’t be SCUBA diving, but just skindiving or snorkeling because of the characteristics of the beach and the temperament of the lifeguards that are looking out for everyone’s safety. The dive-in is planned for noon, so be a bit earlier,...
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Science Camp
Marine Science Camp Below is a great opportunity for kids and parents, and I want to pass along this information to all the diving families here on Dive Buddy. Discover the Channel Islands: Marine Science Camp Live-aboard Dive Boat June 26-30, 2011 Students age 13-18 and parents (if it ’ s okay with the students) Offered by Get Inspired! and Ocean Gear Dive Center We will depart Long Beach, travel to Catalina Island , visit the Wrigley Marine Institute, take a dive in the chamber, dive the spect...
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Buff Diving
I am glad that Greg finally started surveying something serious like naked diving. For you youngsters, this was traditionally done on the 100th dive (about), sort of like a "rite of passage". However, I don’t believe this practice was universal, and is no longer popular anyway. Patches can still be had for those that qualify....
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Pelican for Patriots
The following is from Pelican, the folks that make those great cases. I am passing this on to this blog in case anyone here can use this or knows someone that can. Dear Pelican ™ Customer, We’re writing to you to communicate the details of the Pelican for Patriots program and ask for your help. The brochure at the end of this link explains how Pelican is offering a free Protector Case™ to the 900+ courageous men and women of the U.S. Military who have lost a limb while serving in either Operatio...
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Kelp Usage
The following is from a good friend and fellow giant kelp restoration diver Nancy Caruso. She is attempting to generate interest in using beached giant kelp for commercial applications in order to eliminate or minimize the kelp removal cost burden from the local communities while creating an opportunity for someone to make some money. Many non-divers and city authorities view washed up kelp as garbage that needs removal, and don’t see the benefit that healthy kelp forests have on the offshore ma...
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Suuonto Waranty Service
Here is a response I made to another diver who also had a warranty problem with Suunto/AquaLung, and a recent survey of other divers indicates this seems to be a trend with them. They make a great product, but their warranty service sucks. Here is my response: It is unfortunate that you had to experience this absolutely bad customer service from one of our main equipment suppliers. I have also had bad experiences with my Suunto D9 Computer when trying to get warranty service from Suunto/AquaLung...
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Philippines Dive Trip
Eight of us took off for a dive trip to the Philippines on Thursday night, April 15th, from LAX. We were scheduled to go nonstop to Manila, but had to stop for refueling at Guam. We changed planes in Manila, and arrived at Dumaguete on the Island of Negros early Saturday morning. Don’t forget we lost a day flying west. It was a short van ride south to the Pura Vida Resort, www.pura-vida.ph, in the town of Dauin where we were greeted with open arms, and after completing a bit of paperwork we proc...
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Laguna Beach Kelpfest Invitation
Saturday, April 24, 9am-5pm at Main Beach, Laguna Beach, CA.. Celebrate the return of giant kelp forests to Laguna Beach. Kelp forests have been gone from Laguna Beach for more than 20 years. Now, thanks to the work of thousands of local supporters, our kelp forests are being restored. Join us in celebrating this wonderful environmental achievement.!...
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Laguna Beach KelpFest
We are looking for "experienced" (I didn’t say old) divers who dove in Orange County, CA, in the 50s, 60s, and even early 70s to contribute to the Laguna Beach Kelpfest activities planned for Saturday, April 24th, at Main Beach. We hope to find some divers from that period that can share their experiences and possibly exhibit some of their old equipment. You don’t need to be active divers. Please contact me if you qualify and would like to participate, and pass this on to anyone else that you th...
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Merry Christmas
I just want to wish everyone on Dive Buddy a very merry Christmas and happy New Year, and great and safe diving. Wayne...
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A special Christmas mesage
May we always remember them… A Different Christmas Poem The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sl...
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Gobble gobble
I want to wish everyone a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday filled with lots of love, laughter, and great diving....
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Trip opportunity from a dive friend
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 / Style Definitions / table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Great Deal! Raja Ampat and /o...
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Dive Bag warranty
I had a nice surprise when I went to the dive shop to get my tank filled today. My large Akona Roller Backpack dive bag developed an open seam, and I took it to the shop a week ago on the off chance it could be repaired. I had the bag for almost a year so I wasn’t real optimistic of the outcome, but when I went in today there was a brand new bag waiting for me under the warranty. Thanks Ocean Gear in Huntington Beach & Akona....
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Help The Kelp
I am passing this on for a marine biologist, Nancy Caruso, who has championed the kelp restoration project here in Orange County for over seven years. She needs your help. She has an opportunity to receive a grant for $10,000. All she needs is for everyone to “vote” for her . Just follow these steps… 1. https://www.nau.com/za/NAU?PAGE=register&nextpage=grant-4-change This creates a login for you to register. 2. Then click on this link http://www.nau.com/collective/grant-for-change/nancy-caruso-4...
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Nice Story
This was sent to me by a friend, and I just have to pass it on. It is a beautiful story that starts with laughter, brings a tear, and ends with a smile. Enjoy and pass it on if you feel it is worthy. God bless every one of them. Wayne Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. App...
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Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to all, and the best diving ever in the new year....
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Octopus vs. Air Source Inflators
Hi Folks, The following question was posted in the Survey section, and it prompted me to expand a bit on the subject: "Do you feel that the regulator/inflator combination is efficient enough to replace the octo. for a true distressed diver emergency situation and who is wanting up and out asap ?? I’ll leave it at that and let you decide." First of all an Air Source Inflator is a great piece of gear, but like any other piece of equipment both the user and the buddy should be fully knowledgeable a...
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