Flotsam & Jetsam

Japan Dive Operators Set An Example — After four deaths and 14 serious accidents in less than two years on the Izo Peninsula, the dive operators have decided to do something unique: cooperate. In an area where up to 200,000 people dive annually, an organization of 156 scuba diving operators has established a divers’ conference in seven areas to share information about accidents in an effort to prevent divers from endangering their lives and making their own safety rules. Shop personnel attend lifesaving lectures given by firefighting departments and conduct search-and-rescue drills. Says one dive operator, “Thanks to the drills, we were able to rescue some missing divers. In one case, we were able to bring a diver back to consciousness before an ambulance arrived.”

Cressi-sub Buoyancy Compensator Recall — Cressi-sub has announced a BC recall. BCs are being recalled due to a possible slow leak from the shoulder exhaust caused by expansion of an internal cable housing. This could result in slow deflation of the BC. The BCs were sold from January, 2003, through September, 2004, and include model numbers J107, J113, J115, and J119. The numbers appear on the shoulder on the top righthand corner of the unit. BCs with a black retaining ring around the yellow “inflate” button on the inflation mechanism are subject to this recall and must be retrofitted. BCs with yellow retaining rings and black cover assemblies have already been retrofitted. For more information call Cressi-sub at (800) 338-9143 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit or log on to www.cressisubusa.com.

The U. S. Coast Guard is extending its domestic mission into a new arena: the sea below — and their new tools include an air gun that sends a nonlethal acoustic impulse to force divers to surface by causing them discomfort and an underwater speaker system to blast verbal warnings to errant divers. Let’s hope they keep them out of the hands of pushy divemasters.