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

DUI Recalls Weight Systems
What do Visually-Challenged Divers Do?
The Most Dangerous Fish
Good News Keeps Coming for Sharks
Dive Computer? Yeah, There's an App for That
Take a Lionfish Course in the Caymans
Diver's Death by Propeller
A New Flight to Bonaire
Upcoming Dates for Coral Spawning
What You're Missing in This Month's Issue

DUI Recalls Weight Systems:  July 19, 2011

Diving Unlimited International (DUI) in San Diego is recalling two of its weight systems -- the DUI Weight & Trim System Classic, and the DUI Weight & Trim System II. Manufacturing defects in the lanyard connecting the handle to the pocket, or the cable securing the pocket to the harness, can prevent the weight pockets from easily detaching from the harness and releasing the weights when the handle is pulled, thus posing a drowning hazard (no dive accidents or injuries have been reported). The weight systems, made in China, were sold between July 2010 and April 2011, and DUI wants to recall 1,454 of them in the U.S., and 46 in Canada. If you have either of these weight systems, call DUI at 800-325-8439 Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, or e-mail CustomerService@DUI-Online.com to receive a free repair of the system.

What do Visually-Challenged Divers Do?:  July 19, 2011

If you're a near- or far-sighted diver, how do you correct your vision underwater? We're planning a story about the topic, and we need your stories and tips. Do you wear contacts, order prescription dive masks, or some other technique? Ever had a dive experience where visual impairment made an impact underwater? Let me know at PublisherBenD@undercurrent.org

The Most Dangerous Fish:  July 19, 2011

Undercurrent reader Charles Edson was descending to 60 feet in Palau when something hit his ear. "It felt like a smack from a rubber mallet. Behind me, I saw a fish dash into the rocks. When I moved my hand away from my ear, a green cloud drifted from the wound. My wife's eyes got as big as saucers." What happened? Read about it in the July article, "The Most Dangerous Fish," free to read at Undercurrent

Good News Keeps Coming for Sharks:  July 19, 2011

More countries are proposing and passing shark-finning bans. The Bahamas announced on July 5 that it would end all commercial shark fishing in its waters, more than 240,000 square miles. A petition drive by the Bahamas National Trust got 5,000 signatures from Bahamas residents. A day later, Chile announced it would ban shark finning in its waters - it does not prohibit shark fisheries, but makes it obligatory for fishers to land the sharks whole, and detached fins are prohibited aboard any vessel. Taiwan announced it planned to follow similar measures to Chile. And Fiji's government is reviewing fisheries laws that would include a ban on the trade of shark fin and meat captured in its waters, although villagers could still eat shark meat.

Dive Computer? Yeah, There's an App for That:  July 19, 2011

DiveNav, creator of online scuba training courses, has created an app that teaches divers how to use their dive computers - and view them in action -- on their iPhones. DiveComputerTraining is a free app that gives an intro of many popular dive computers, explains each one's indicators, reviews settings step by step, shows what to expect underwater, and covers unexpected situations. Get more information and download the app here

Take a Lionfish Course in the Caymans:  July 19, 2011

Want to hunt them down? The Caymans government and dive shops are offering a new "Invasive Lionfish Tracker" specialty dive course. The one-day course educates divers about lionfish and the safe ways to capture and kill them (nets are used). Two dives are included in the course, and upon completion, you'll get a new PADI c-card and a local culling license. To register for a course, send an email to doe@gov.ky and let them know your travel dates and how many people want to attend.

Diver's Death by Propeller:  July 19, 2011

Hitomi Shibata, 22, died instantly after her head struck a boat propellor while she was diving near Phuket, Thailand, on May 4. She was taking an openwater course with Kontiki Divers. Apparently, Shibata pushed the inflator button on her BCD too hard, causing it to inflate rapidly, carrying her headfirst into the propeller of the dive boat, which was maneuvering to pick up another group who had just finished their dive. While this was diver error, when will boat captains learn to keep their engines in neutral when there are divers down? Moreover, what crew members failed to keep a lookout?

A New Flight to Bonaire:  July 19, 2011

Insel Air introduces new service to Bonaire, via Curacao, from Charlotte, NC (a US Airways hub) on Wednesdays and Saturdays (it also has nonstop flights from Miami). Book between now and August 13 for a special introductory round-trip fare of $366, including fees, for travel until December 14. Charlotte flights leave at 2:55 p.m., arrive in Bonaire at 9:55. Return flights leave Bonaire at 7:55 a.m. and arrive in Charlotte at 1:25 pm. Book tickets through travel agents or at Insel's website

Upcoming Dates for Coral Spawning:  July 19, 2011

We got an e-mail from the Florida Keys' tourism bureau reminding us that dive operators are planning their annual coral-spawning night dives. The rare underwater exchange of reproductive cells is apparently tied to seasonal lunar, tidal and light cycles, and while spawning can't be guaranteed to happen on an exact date, this year's full moons fall on Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, September 12. If you're interested in doing these night dives in the Keys, here's a list of dive operators to contact.

What You're Missing in This Month's Issue:  July 19, 2011

Andromeda, Red Sea, Sudan: Americans, you're missing out on fantastic diving. . a dive instructor walks away free from a dead diver case . . . the "mask under the chin" syndrome . . . Puerto Morelos, Mexican Yucatan: decent reefs, great cenotes . . . the only way to get close to beluga whales? Dive naked . . . the most dangerous fish in the ocean . . . litigation: the dive industry's biggest threat? . . . diver gets rescued not by one, but three captains . . . a new gadget for letting divers talk to dolphins . . . 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, 2000-2009

* Sometimes referred to as Upwellings