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The Latest Dive News

Updated October 15, 2007
These brief news articles below were sent out via email to all divers who signed up for our free email list. You can sign up here to receive future Undercurrent Online Updates and get these news alerts and special offers like these once a month or so.

Problems with Oceanic VT3 Computers’ Buddy Pressure Check
Our Latest Book Pick
American Express’s Travel Insurance
Underwater Tips from the Pros
Dead Divers Found Stuck Near Niagara Falls
Undercurrent and Advertising
Medical Help Needed in Roatan
Free Online Access
What You’re Missing in the October Issue

Problems with Oceanic VT3 Computers’ Buddy Pressure Check :  October 15, 2007

When a dive buddy swims out of signal range at four feet, the computer user doing a pressure check should see the message “Not Available,” but in some units the previous pressure value is still displayed on the screen. To eliminate the problem, Oceanic is offering a free software upgrade to all VT3 owners. Those units with serial number 3826 and above have already been programmed with the proper software. Download instructions (in a Zip file) are at: www.oceanicworldwide.com .
Or take it to the nearest Oceanic dealer for the upload, or call Oceanic customer service at (510) 562-0500.

Our Latest Book Pick :  October 15, 2007

The latest book from industry veteran and Undercurrent contributor Bret Gilliam is “Diving Pioneers & Innovators”, insightful interviews with 20 people who helped make diving what it is today. It's like relaxing on the back of a dive boat while listening to a fellow diver tell tales, except they come from MVPs who have changed diving forever. Notables include now-deceased “Jaws” author Peter Benchley; Oceanic founder Bob Hollis; The History Channel's featured wreck diver John Chatterton; shark-diving pioneers Ron and Valerie Taylor; and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Stan Waterman. Besides great anecdotes and details of diving's history, “Diving Pioneers & Innovators” is filled with full-color photographs. The price is $60, plus $10 shipping and handling. California residents, add $5.10 sales tax. Order on our Web site Undercurrent , or call us at (800) 326-1896. Our profits go to protect coral reefs.

American Express’s Travel Insurance :  October 15, 2007

With your American Express card you can get great baggage protection and trip delay insurance for as little as $7. Undercurrent subscriber James Knieling of Las Vegas said, “I really needed it for my Palau dive trip because Continental trashed all three of my bags and has jerked me around with a policy that basically states, ‘We might pay you something after you wait for 90-plus days.’ AMEX paid me for three NEW bags within 14 days of receiving my claim.” American Express offers “Global Shield” comprehensive coverage, or you can purchase separately airflight insurance, baggage protection, medical, trip delay, or trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Details are at www.GlobalTravelShield.com.

Underwater Tips from the Pros :  October 15, 2007

Should you use one strobe or two? What’s the best way to turn a fish into your photo subject? Read our free article in this month’s issue by going to Undercurrent. It has advice from famous underwater photographers Cathy Church, David Doubilet and Martin Edge about their best techniques and favorite places to dive. If you subscribe now, you’ll get advice from Brian Skerry, Norbert Wu, and Burt Jones and Maurine Shimlock in the January issue of Undercurrent.

Dead Divers Found Stuck Near Niagara Falls :  October 15, 2007

Two Toronto divers reported missing were found a week later, stuck in a water intake system near a hydro generating station above Niagara Falls. The two men were diving with their local dive club, and got separated near the junction of the Welland and Niagara Rivers. One diver was discovered near the intake valve, the other was discovered when the water level was lowered to recover the first body.

Undercurrent and Advertising :  October 15, 2007

We are considering taking selective advertising on our Web site, but we need to hear your comments. Print publishing is economically difficult and subscription-only income doesn’t allow us much leeway. However, if we permit dive operations to purchase links, the small fee will be inconsequential and whether someone signs up or cancels because they don’t like what we say would have no material impact. We would permit travel agents and select dive businesses (but not equipment manufacturers) to purchase small ads. While the income would put us in solid economic shape, it would be a diversion from 32 years of policy. While I can assure you the money will have no effect on editorial policy, some will see it as an apparent conflict of interest, though our Web site has no new content – it’s only reader reports and what we publish in our newsletter and e-mails. May I have your view on whether we should accept limited advertising? Email me at publisherben@undercurrent.org

Medical Help Needed in Roatan :  October 15, 2007

Between dives at Sueno del Mar, Undercurrent reader and dentist Bill Edell (Lake Oswego, OR) volunteered his services at La Clinica Esperanza, a new hospital run by nurse and missionary Peggy Strange that gives low-cost and free healthcare to Roatan residents. “I recommend dentists, hygienists, doctors and nurses who enjoy great diving and want a rewarding experience consider volunteering. Take your dive gear, favorite instruments and perhaps some supplies to donate, you will have a truly rewarding vacation.” More info at: www.missionroatan.org

Free Online Access :  October 15, 2007

Print subscribers to Undercurrent now have full online access to 12 years of issues, 12,000 reader destination reviews and the current issue, all for one low price. Interested in a trip to Belize? Easter Island? The Maldives? Anything included in Undercurrent in the past ten years is accessible with a simple search. Want to know if you’ll be treated as a serious diver or seriously restricted, what the water temperature is that time of year, and whether the shore diving is real or the food decent? It’s all at Undercurrent. Visit for a sample issue and sign up for a special introductory rate. Or save money by getting all your issues online!

What You’re Missing in the October Issue :  October 15, 2007

  • Bruce Bowker’s Carib Inn, Bonaire
  • Bonaire problems; why you need car rental insurance anywhere
  • Thumbs down for AquaCat
  • Indonesian liveaboard update
  • Dive boat fiascos
  • Reader reports from Belize, Palau, South Carolina and more
  • Diver’s death blamed in few skills and faulty valve
  • Disabled diver sues DAN and Coast Guard for negligence
  • New advice for divers caught in rip currents
  • Calculate your carbon fin-print
  • Breathing exercise for longer dive time
  • Underwater photography tips form the pros
  • Flotsam & Jetsam
  • and much more

Ben Davison, editor/publisher
PublisherBen@undercurrent.org  

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Note: Undercurrent is a not-for-profit organization. Our travel writers never announce their purpose, are unknown to the destination, and receive no complimentary services or compensation from the dive operators or resort.

 

November, 2007

October, 2007

September, 2007

August, 2007

July, 2007

June, 2007

May, 2007

April, 2007

March, 2007

February, 2007

January, 2007


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