Current Online Updates*
The Latest Dive News   What's this?

Dive Cocos Island, August 24-September 3, 2010
Regulator Mouthpiece Recall
Apeks Power Inflator Recall
Got Your Cockroach Yet?
Did You Hear about This Oil Spill?
Sign A Petition To Save Raja Ampat's Sharks
Subscriber Offer
Look Ma, No Hands Underwater
Step Zero II: Preparation For A Liveaboard Trip
What's The Biggest Cause in a Dive Death?
What You're Missing in This Month's Undercurrent

Dive Cocos Island, August 24-September 3, 2010:  July 22, 2010

Getting aboard the Undersea Hunter on such short notice is usually impossible but room has just opened up for an exciting sea turtle and shark tagging scientific expedition. Plenty of big fish action on every dive, with time to do your photography, while helping Sea Turtle Rescue, a worthy nonprofit organization, collect important data to protect this significant marine reserve. The price is $4,995 and we have no doubt that a good share is tax-deductible. Details here. Contact Todd Steiner or at 415-663-8590, ext. 103 as soon as possible to grab a place. Mention Undercurrent and receive a free sea turtle restoration project T-shirt, cap and membership.

Regulator Mouthpiece Recall:  July 22, 2010

SeaCure is having a sizing problem with some of its SeaCure Sport custom mouthpieces. It may stretch too much, causing the yellow insert to dislodge and enter the regulator, leading to breathing problems. If you have a SeaCure Sport mouthpiece on an Atomic regulator manufactured in 2005 and later, a Cressi Sub Ellipse regulator or a Zeagle regulator, call 800-428-9494 or e-mail recall@seacure1.com for a free replacement Hi-Flow custom mouthpiece.

Apeks Power Inflator Recall:  July 22, 2010

Aqualung is recalling nearly 2,000 Apeks WTX power inflators in the U.S. and Canada because the oral inflate button isn't properly bonded and that can cause leaking in the hose and mouthpiece. AquaLung received a report of a diver's oral inflate button falling off while he was diving but luckily he wasn't injured. The recall involves all models of the Apeks WTX power inflators sold between November 2006 and March 2010. Bring it to an Apeks dealer for a free fix, or call AquaLung at 877-253-3483.

Got Your Cockroach Yet?:  July 22, 2010

Get your copy now of There's a Cockroach in My Regulator, which has some of the most outrageous and provocative stories ever to appear in Undercurrent. 240 pages, more than 100 unique tales, $17.95, autographed by the authors. Click here to learn more.

Did You Hear about This Oil Spill?:  July 22, 2010

The Red Sea had one of its own last month. Large quantities of oil started showing up on June 17 around the Egyptian dive resort of Hurghada. Egypt's environmental and tourism ministries said the oil came from a passing tanker and was now contained, but anonymous oil company officials told the Associated Press the spill was caused by a leak from an offshore oil platform north of Hurghada and has polluted about 100 miles of coastline, beaches and protected marine areas. "The companies responsible didn't notify anyone -- it is catastrophic," said Amr Ali, managing director of the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Agency, who believes the government is doing a coverup to keep tourists from canceling trips.

Sign A Petition To Save Raja Ampat's Sharks:  July 22, 2010

Raja Ampat is one of the world's largest shark fisheries but no-catch limits and legal shark finning is having a major impact, as around most of the globe. Shark Savers is working with Misool Eco Resort, WildAid and other NGOs and eco-tourism companies on a new initiative to convince Raja Ampat government officials to prohibit all fishing of sharks, mantas and mobulas, and that it's more beneficial financially keeping them alive instead of killing them. Read and sign the petition here.

Subscriber Offer:  July 22, 2010

This monthly e-mail is a free service to all divers out there but as a subscriber to Undercurrent, you'll get 16 pages every month of solid information that's not found in any other dive publication. Subscribe at our lowest rate to our monthly batch of dive news you can use, and your next trip will be a better one.

Look Ma, No Hands Underwater:  July 22, 2010

John Bantin, our seasoned gear reviewer, found the dive toy of his dreams. Read his review of the Pegasus Thruster, a diver propulsion vehicle that is easy to maneuver and not too pricey. It's free online, at the top of the screen at Undercurrent.

Step Zero II: Preparation For A Liveaboard Trip:  July 22, 2010

This is part two of Dennis Adams and Kathy and Peter Swan's guide to preparing for a dive photography trip, this time focusing on how to do it on a liveaboard. They did much field research and photo-taking aboard the Paradise Dancer in Raja Ampat. For divers taking their first liveaboard or preparing for the photography trip of a lifetime, this is a good guide to ensure you have a good time and don't leave any essentials behind. The list price is $42.50, and it also comes in a Kindle version for $8.95. Order here (Part One, titled Step Zero, is lower on the page) and our profits go to save coral reefs.

What's The Biggest Cause in a Dive Death?:  July 22, 2010

The three top risk factors for diving deaths are running out of air, buoyancy problems and rapid ascents - - and often times, these factors can happen concurrently. But what's the biggest cause for those factors to happen - - the diver, his equipment or the overall dive environment? And how do older women differ from younger men in dive problems? Read our report for free - go to Undercurrent, click on "Dive Articles," select "Issue Archive", then "This Year," scroll down to April 2010, and click on "Risk Factors for Dive Deaths." Or click on any article in that month's issue - they're all free reads.

What You're Missing in This Month's Undercurrent:  July 22, 2010

Aqua Cat in the Bahamas . . . the best ways to keep no-see-ums at bay . . . dive reports from Saipan, Lake Malawi, Statia and other under-the-radar sites . . . a Gulf Coast dive shop files a lawsuit against BP . . . a dive gizmo that's worth its $3,275 price tag . . . the presentation that Divers Alert Network kept out of its dive fatality workshop . . . a new twist on divers and drugs . . . a nude snorkeling event that petered out . . . and much more.

Ben Davison, editor/publisher
Contact Ben

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: Undercurrent is a registered 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization donating funds to help preserve coral reefs. 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.

Highlights of Previous Online Updates*

Here are past Online Update emails sent out . You can sign-up for free to receive these in the future here.

Online Updates* Archive, 2000-2008

* Sometimes referred to as Upwellings