Flotsam & Jetsam

Dive Industry Shutdowns. Dive shops, boats and resorts worldwide are cutting costs and even closing their doors. The Cairns, Australia-based liveaboard Nimrod Explorer was sold in October to a group doing research in the Solomon Islands for the World Health Organization. The Undersea Explorer also stopped traveling to the Great Barrier Reef, closing operations in February. According to dive industry research firm Cline Group, dive businesses had an average decrease of 10 percent in revenues during the last quarter of 2008, and new certifications decreased 13.5 percent. The photography equipment distributor Inon America has suspended operations; for information, go to www.inonamerica.com.

Two Florida Divers Hit by Speedboats. Rob Murphy, 26, had a dive flag on his boat and his safety sausage up while surfacing in St. Lucie Inlet on January 9, but he was still struck by a passing boat, which severed both his legs. The boat was operated by Roger Nicosia, ironically an emergency room physician. Murphy, who lost nearly half his blood, was spared from death because his dive buddies quickly applied a tourniquet before the helicopter ride to the hospital. Even though doctors couldn’t save his legs, Roberts is doing physical therapy and intends to dive again one day. On Valentine’s Day, Joseph Diver, 66, was finning at 10 feet at the Keys’ Pickles Reef when a speedboat hit him, leaving severe lacerations on his legs. Divers have created a petition to establish an official state “Dive Flag Awareness Day” that they intend to present to the governor.

Feeling Frisky Underwater? Here’s some advice about having sex while diving on British humor Web site Anorak.com : “Potential problems include the inhalation of water droplets in horizontal positions (which can lead to choking), keeping cumbersome equipment in the vertical position, losing buoyancy control when excited, and being unaware of the increased oxygen consumption required. If you do wish to have scuba sex, then equipment should be kept to a minimum. A full wetsuit is not practical, particularly if the zip is on the back. Balance is critical, as trying to grab hold of coral during sex can cause injury to the diver and damage reefs. Stinging organisms, spiky sea urchins, stone fish, and scorpion fish are to be particularly avoided. Finally, make sure your partner knows the difference between your signs of distress and signs of excitement. Thrashing about with your arms and legs could be an ambivalent signal. So if you feel you are in danger, we recommend a punch to your partner’s groin. That signal will not be mistaken.”