Undercurrent Online Update
for Subscribers

In last month's e-mail newsletter, we talked about the Sea Turtle Restoration Project's two research expeditions next April and September to Cocos Island on the Argo, Undersea Hunter's newest liveaboard. The cost for the April trip is $5,940, but you could win a berth by buying a raffle ticket, priced at $100 each (buy 10 and get another one for free). Whether you win the raffle or pay full freight, you'll have the opportunity to help tag sea turtles and sharks with transmitters to track their migration patterns. Drawing date is February 1. Information about the raffle is at here, and information about the trip itself

During his stay at Sipadan-Mabul Resort last month, reader Mike Cavanaugh (Bellaire, TX) reports that his high-pressure hoses busted twice in less than 24 hours. "While checking subsequent tanks with my regulator after dinner, a Miflex HP hose broke at the gauge console. The resort manager showed impressive service by arranging a golf cart to carry us to the land-based operation, and the dive shop promptly changed the hose out. But then my other HP Miflex hose bust again at the console the following day on the boat. These Miflex hoses are only two years old, and I am quite anal about taking care of gear so the hoses were not abused." Have you had similar problems as Cavanaugh did with his hoses? If so, how did you get them fixed, and were the dealers and/or manufacturers helpful or not so much? E-mail me your stories at EditorBenD@undercurrent.org

If you're stuck at a long deco stop, wouldn't it be great to have a book to pass away the time underwater? We don't know how well the Kindle or Nook would work, but a few professional divers tested the Sony Reader PRS 30 and found it worked down to 300 feet. Of course, they had to put a custom-made metal housing around it, not found in stores. Still, it's only a matter of time, we think, before someone comes up with one for sport divers. Watch the divers' underwater testing in this video

We need your travel reviews for the 2012 Travelin' Divers Chapbook, which will be available to subscribers in December. Here are two easy ways to send them in (deadline is end of this month): 1) Complete the online form on our Web site - you can find the form under the Subscriber/Member sections after you log in; 2) Send your report in an e-mail or as an attachment to us at ReaderRpt@undercurrent.org . Don't forget to put your name on the report.

DiveNav just launched divePAL, an iPad app to allow divers to plan, analyze and log their dives. You can input the profile of your planned dives and then analyze stats like dive times, depths, deco stops, nitrogen loading and air time remaining. The app comes with a free, non-branded default dive computer, which you can use to see how a typical dive computer will respond to the dive, or you can input a certain model of dive computer for more specific results. Download divePAL free of charge at the iTunes Store

The first paragraph of our "Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman, Costa Rica" story in this month's issue focuses on the two divers who were left behind by their dive boat near Key Biscayne, Florida on October 2 and were rescued two hours later by a private yacht. While the divers made it back to land unharmed, the dive operator, RJ Diving Ventures, is under attack. The Miami Herald reports that hundreds of people have called and e-mailed RJ, leaving such vulgar, hate-filled messages - they're calling the crew idiots and morons, and hope that the stranded divers will sue and drive them out of business -- that the company has taken down its website and Facebook page, and stopped answering the phone. Owner Robert J. Arnove says his boat captain feels horrible and that, "I am shocked at the animosity and hatred displayed by these people." Yes, his company made a mistake due to human error, but does it deserve such hostile treatment? Do divers need to behave as badly as Congress?

The clownfish, made popular in the Pixar film Finding Nemo, is under threat by aquarium-trade poachers, but you can still bring one home – a 57-inch-long one. Same with a shark, three feet in height. And they swim through the air. Obviously, we’re not talking about real fish. But Air Swimmers, remote-controlled fish, will wow the kids even more than the real ones (see them in action at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIJINiK9azc ) Air Swimmers are re-fillable and the durable nylon material promises to stay inflated for weeks. Four AAA batteries are required (one in the body, three in the remote controller) and make the fish “swim” for hours around the house (not for outdoor use). The shark and clownfish are about $40 each now including shipping at Amazon. and remember, our profits go to help preserve coral reefs.

In our July issue, we wrote how the British underwater camera gear manufacturer Amphibico shut down operations without notice, leaving customers and warranty owners in the lurch. But housing owners will be happy to know that the Canadian housing manufacturer Aquatica has acquired Amphibico. Aquatica co-owner Blake Stoughton said in a press release, ""While we are combining the operations of the two companies, we will maintain the Amphibico brand and the commitment to quality and excellence it has inspired for many years."

We've written in past e-mails and newsletter about the wonders of Cabo Pulmo National Park in Baja California Sur, as well as how it's under threat by a massive tourist development that the Mexican government has approved. The World Wildlife Fund has created a petition to urge Mexico's President Felipe Calderon to cancel the permits, which would threaten the world's healthiest marine reserve. Us divers would lose a wonderful dive site so lend your support by signing the petition at here

Etiquette for scuba diving snobs . . . the pros and cons of buying trip insurance . . . how divers can resist panic in bad situations . . . which fins attract sharks the most . . . what dive computers are most reliable for high-altitude diving . . . and much, much more.

Ben Davison, editor/publisher
Contact Ben

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