Undercurrent Online Update for Subscribers

For David Denson Whiteside (with username 'dwhitesi', exp: 2024-08-20, at dwhite95815@hotmail.com )  

September 17, 2019  

Forward this email | Home | Login | Forgot Password? | My Account | FAQ

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

In the light of the recent tragic fire on board the Conception, we thought we’d point out that battery-operated smoke and CO alarms are small, cheap to buy and weigh very little. Although most liveaboards should be fitted with smoke alarms throughout, there is no reason why you should not travel with your own. Use a self-adhesive pad to fit it up high in your cabin.

Liveaboard Safety

After Conception tragedy, we are led to think about the safety of liveaboards on which we all have traveled worldwide. Have you ever been concerned about a boat’s layout? About the crews’ competence in time of a problem; about your sleeping quarters; the battery chargers; the night watch? We’d like to hear your views and concerns and whether you have taken any special precautions. Write to BenDEditor@undercurrent.org not forgetting to add your town and state.

Smoking Aboard

Firefighters tell us most house fires start in the kitchen or are attributed to careless use of cigarettes. Recent events have made us more aware of this potential hazard. Smoking is commonly banned in places of work and public areas for health reasons, but fire affects everyone, especially on a boat. It would be relatively easy to ban smoking on American liveaboards, but less so in foreign countries where smoking is de rigueur. Do you think smoking should be banned aboard? Write to BenDEditor@undercurrent.org and tell us, not forgetting to add your town and state.

Hurricane Relief in the Bahamas

Grand Bahama Island and the Abacos have been destroyed by Hurricane Dorian. Many of us have enjoyed diving in that region. Now the people need your help. The US coast guard, USAID relief agency and UN relief agencies joined efforts led by the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) of the Bahamas. You can donate funds by going here: www.bahamas.com/relief

Oldies Battle it Out

Bill Lambert celebrated his 99th birthday in September with short dive in the chilly waters of Pearl Lake with friends, divers and media on-hand for the special occasion. The Rockford, IL resident wants to become the world's oldest scuba diver. Meanwhile, 96-year-old British WWII veteran, Ray Woolly, claims to have broken his own world record as the oldest scuba diver, by going diving at the popular Zenobia wreck off Cyprus’ southern coast. He went to 138-feet with a total dive time of 48 minutes. His goal: to keep diving until he reaches 100.

Check That Your Tank Valve is Fully Open

Undercurrent received a letter from a reader who did not, and his air supply failed at depth. Before diving, take a couple of breaths from your regulator while checking the pressure-gauge needle stays steady. Sucking strongly on most regulators first with the tank valve shut assures you there are no leaks. (This doesn’t work if you have an Atomic regulator both as primary and alternate air source because of its unique design.)

Your Reader Reports are the Lifeblood of Undercurrent

Your Reader Reports are the Lifeblood of Undercurrent because they reflect your own experiences. And because they tell both the good and bad, these reports help make our monthly newsletter a unique source for serious divers. We’re all getting older, and subscriber Gene Tinelli (Jamesville, NY) wisely suggests that we should mention the availability (or not) of a marine head in any dive resort day boat we write about in independent reader’s reports. Your reports join more than 10,000 others in our online database (and our annual Travelin Divers’ Chapbook), which is easily searchable by any other subscriber. Don’t forget to file your report of your last dive trip at: www.undercurrent.org/SubRR

Thanks for being a loyal subscriber.

Ben Davison, editor/publisher
Contact Ben