PADI BASIC COURSE

I have nothing against PADI, so don't assume that I have an axe to grind. I'm like CNN, I report, you decide. You may need to copy & paste this into your browser.

http://www.cdnn.info/news/editorial/o050620.html

Lionfish Toxicity

For those of you who attended the September meeting, Chris Rule asked a question regarding whether the Atlantic lionfish was more venonous than other lionfish species. Here is DAN's spokesman, Brian Harper's response:

Hey Billy,

Thanks again for hosting last night, and thanks to your group for all the great questions. Regarding the inquiry about whether lionfish in the Atlantic or Caribbean are less toxic than Indo-Pacific lionfish, the answer seems to be that there is no difference in toxicity. The primary reason is that these are not two distinct species—they are one in the same: Pterois volitans. They have not been present in the Atlantic/Caribbean for long enough to evolve into a different (more or less venomous) species.

CPR Procedures For Divers

Info on CPR

DAN News
Hands-Only CPR Statement from DAN Education
Last Updated: 7/29/2010 4:53:36 PM

The American Heart Association recently released a position statement, intended to clarify cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for lay rescuers, regarding the use of compression-only CPR without delivering rescue breaths. This statement was issued to “amend and clarify the “2005 American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC)” for bystanders who witness an adult out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest.”

Extensive research, completed since the 2005 guidelines were released, indicates the survival rates for full CPR are no better, and no worse, than compressions-only CPR. These studies discuss only the situation where a collapse was witnessed and only pertains to adults in non-choking and non-drowning scenarios.

The idea is that if the perceived barrier of delivering rescue breaths as part of CPR is removed, bystanders will be more likely to administer care to a collapsed adult.

While this change is important with regards to lay rescuers providing emergency care in the event of a collapse on the street, it will not affect the care of an unconscious diver. Loss of consciousness with cardiac arrest in water must always be assumed to include elements of drowning. For this reason, full CPR is still recommended. For the most part, the proposed changes do not translate to the diving environment.

The AHA ECC Committee admits this in their statement: “The AHA ECC Committee acknowledges that all victims of cardiac arrest will benefit from delivery of high-quality chest compressions but that some cardiac arrest victims (e.g., pediatric victims and victims of drowning, trauma, airway obstruction, acute respiratory diseases, and apnea) may benefit from additional interventions taught in a conventional CPR course. Therefore, the Committee continues to encourage the public to obtain training in CPR to learn the psychomotor skills required to care for a wide range of cardiovascular- and respiratory-related medical emergencies.”

Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning

Thanks to our venerable club VP for this story! It's a little long but well worth the read.

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

The newly-hired captain jumped from the cockpit of the Sport Fisher, fully-dressed, and sprinted through the water. A former lifeguard, he kept his eyes on his victim as he headed straight toward the owners who were swimming between their anchored boat and the beach. “I think he thinks you’re drowning,” the husband said to his wife. They had been splashing each other and she had screamed but now they were just standing, neck-deep on the sand bar. “We’re fine! What is he doing?” she asked, a little annoyed. “We’re fine!” the husband yelled, waving him off, but his captain kept swimming hard. ”Move!” he barked as he sprinted between the stunned owners. Directly behind them, not ten feet away, their nine-year-old daughter was drowning. Safely above the surface in the arms of the captain, she burst into tears, “Daddy!”

How did this captain know, from fifty feet away, what the father couldn’t recognize from just ten? Drowning is not the violent, splashing, call for help that most people expect. The captain was trained to recognize drowning by experts and years of experience. The father, on the other hand, had learned what drowning looks like by watching television.

If you spend time on or near the water (hint: that’s all of us) then you should make sure that you and your crew knows what to look for whenever people enter the water. Until she cried a tearful, “Daddy,” she hadn’t made a sound. As a former Coast Guard rescue swimmer, I wasn’t surprised at all by this story. Drowning is almost always a deceptively quiet event. The waving, splashing, and yelling that dramatic conditioning (television) prepares us to look for, is rarely seen in real life.

The Instinctive Drowning Response – so named by Francesco A. Pia, Ph.D., is what people do to avoid actual or perceived suffocation in the water. And it does not look like most people expect. There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls for help of any kind. To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) – of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening (source: CDC).

Drowning does not look like drowning – Dr. Pia, in an article in the Coast Guard’s On Scene Magazine, described the instinctive drowning response like this:

1. Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. Th e respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs. 
2. Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water. 
3. Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe. 
4. Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment. 
5. From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.

(Source: On Scene Magazine: Fall 2006)

This doesn’t mean that a person that is yelling for help and thrashing isn’t in real trouble – they are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the instinctive drowning response, aquatic distress doesn’t last long – but unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, throw rings, etc.

Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are n the water:

• Head low in the water, mouth at water level
• Head tilted back with mouth open
• Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
• Eyes closed
• Hair over forehead or eyes
• Not using legs – Vertical
• Hyperventilating or gasping
• Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
• Trying to roll over on the back
• Ladder climb, rarely out of the water.

So if a crew member falls overboard and everything looks O.K. – don’t be too sure. Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they don’t look like they’re drowning. They may just look like they are treading water and looking up at the deck. One way to be sure? Ask them: “Are you alright?” If they can answer at all – they probably are. If they return a blank stare – you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them. And parents: children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, get to them and find out why.

Tragic Death of Wes Skiles

If you've ever read a dive magazine or National Geographic underwater pictorial, chances are you've seen Wes Skiles' awesome photographic work. I was not aware that he was from Jacksonville. Here is the link:

/jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-07-23/story/famed-underwater-cinematographer-photographer-and-cave-diver-remembered

You may have to copy & paste it into your browser.

Recall Info Aqua Lung America

The U. S. Consumer product Safety Commission announced the following voluntary recall regarding "Apeks WTX Power Inflators Due to Drowning Hazard". The recall involves power inflators installed on certain Aqua Lung BCD's. Click on the following link:


http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10286.html

Recompression Chamber/Safety Sausage

The field trip to the chamber didn't go well. As far as I can tell, I was the only one there. I will set up another tour if 5 club members e-mail me and commit to being there.

Remember to bring your safety sausages to the June meeting!!!

Tour of Recompression Chamber at Baptist Hospital Downtown

Hey Guys,

We are set for the tour. We will meet in the lobby at 4:20 PM on Wednesday. The tour will start at 4:30 PM and will last for about an hour. After the tour, you are invited to our E-Board meeting at Bob Evans Restaurant in Mandarin at 6:00 PM. If you've never been to an E-Board meeting, come on out. The more, the merrier. Below are directions to Baptist from Google Earth. These directions are coming from Orange Park. From I-10 heading into Downtown:

	Take exit 350B toward San Marco Blvd		0.4 mi
8.	Turn left at Palm Ave		0.2 mi
9.	Turn left at Prudential Dr Destination will be on the left		0.1 mi

Baptist Medical Center 800 Prudential Drive Jacksonville, FL 32207

Don't forget to bring your "Safety Sausage" to the May meeting!!!!

2. Tabata USA Recalls Scuba Regulators Due to Drowning Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10195.html

Dive Computers Recalled by Mares Due to Drowning Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10197.html

Scuba Diving Buoyancy Compensators Recalled by Ocean Management Systems
Due to Drowning Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10208.html

Hello Divers,

Sorry for the long layoff, but I'm just now recovering from a computer crash. You'd be surprised how devastating a crash can be and they never come at a convenient time. It's good to be back up and running.
Just came from the E-Board meeting. It's the beginning of a new dive year and there's plenty of action planned for us. It's going to be a fun year!!
By the way, here are some tips for the upcoming dive season:

Inspect your tanks NOW! Remove the tank boot and check for rust/corrosion. Check hydro date and get the tank hydro tested if due. Also check the VIP date. It's less expensive to pay for a VIP at home than on a dive trip. Vera does a great VIP at a rock bottom price. Visually check the burst disk in your tank valve and replace it if it looks worn, rusty or corroded. The last place you want a burst disk to fail is on the dive boat!! Last, but certainly not least, check the tank valve o-ring. Replace it unless it looks perfect and make it a point to carry spare o-rings with you on any dive trip.
Check your dive computer. Turn it on and check battery strength. Some computers have user-replaceable batteries and some do not. If the batteries must be replaced by a dive shop, get it done now! Read the dive computer operating manual and make sure you understand how your computer is supposed to work in dive mode, surface mode and log mode. The information that dive computers reflect in the different modes can be very confusing. The time between dives is NOT the time to try and understand how your computer works. Do that before you ever get into the water with it.
Lastly, inspect ALL of your dive gear before going on any type of dive. Remember, your dive gear makes up your life-support system and there is little room for error in this sport. The water world can be very unforgiving. Take care of your dive gear and it will take care of you when you need it most!!

Happy Diving!!!!

Diving and Death: Florida's Spiegel Grove

Here is the full article that JJ was referring to when he gave his presentation on "task loading" during the January meeting. It's a long read, but well worth the time it takes to read it. It's hard to believe that experienced divers would make these mistakes...

This is not an active link. You must copy & paste it in to your browser.


http://www.cdnn.info/news/article/a070517.html

TUSA REGULATOR RECALL


http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/News/Article.aspx?newsid=985635171

Kiteboarder killed by sharks in WPB

Shark attacks are rare, but here is one that hits close to home. Keep in mind that this kiteboarder was at the surface. It's well known that Great Whites frequent our area in the winter, as they follow the whales that arrive to give birth.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35233439/ns/us_news-life/

URGENT SAFETY RECALL

Mares Diving has announced a product safety recall involving the NEMO Air dive computer. Under certain circumstances, the O-ring can fail and cause a slow leak of breathing gas through the Quick Connector. This could require a diver to surface quickly and face possible risk of injury or running out of air.

Consumers should stop using any NEMO dive computer until they have been inspected and repaired by an authorized Mares Dealer or Service Center.

Guys & Gals,

Here are the answers to the Scuba Quiz. The reference for this quiz is the NOAA Diver's Manual. Please don't shoot the messenger if you don't agree with the answers!

Question 1: SCUBA stands for "Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus". True

Question 2: Decompression sickness: All the above

Question 3: Nitrogen Narcosis: is similar to alcohol intoxication

Question 4: Underwater pressure doubles every 10 meters while diving. False

Question 5: What % of oxygen and nitrogen are in a standard scuba tank? 21% oxygen 78% nitrogen 1% other

Question 6: An object is less buoyant in ________ than _______? fresh water salt water

Question 7: Holding your breath while scuba diving... is extremely dangerous.

Question 8: The term used for this piece of equipment is... the second stage.

Question 9: Water absorbs heat fasted than air. True

Question 10: If a diver becomes unresponsive underwater, one should... bring immediately to the surface.

Question 11: A thermocline is... an abrupt change in water temperature.

Question 12: As you descend, you consume air from your scuba tank... Faster

Question 13: One reason buoyancy control is important is because need to control their rate of ascent and descent in the water. True

Question 14: A squeeze is a... pressure imbalance where the outside of an object is greater than the inside of an object.

Question 15: Underwater, items you see will appear... magnified by 33%.

Question 16: When the (flat) hand moves side to side (under the chin), the hand signal means...
Out of air.

Question 17: One reason a depth gauge is important is because... Depth dictates how long you can stay underwater.

Question 18: (Waving your hand in an arc from overhead to the water), the hand signal means...Distress/Help

Question 19: BCD stands for... Buoyancy control device.

Interesting Reading

I'm learning about how to use this blog. Came across this article in Cyber Diver News Network, from here on noted as CDNN. It's just another reminder of the many dangers inherent in scuba diving. According to this article, "dive operators in the Cayman Islands typically ignore government regulations aimed at enhancing diver safety." Check it out. If you are unable to click on the link, just copy and paste the link into your web browser.

http://www.cdnn.info/news/safety/s090922c.html

February Meeting

Hello Fellow Divers,

I'm new at this, so please bear with me as I learn how to use this blog. The purpose of this blog is to bring you pertinemt safety information that you can use to be safe divers. Stay tuned for more info.