A Tribe Called K2 Buhl-oog!

Australian scientists have found what they are calling an “example of tool use” by octopi in the waters around North Sulawesi and Bali.  The scientists filmed the veined octopus, Amphioctopus marginatus, selecting broken coconut shells from the sea floor, carrying them under their bodies up to 65 feet, and then assembling two shells together to make a spherical hiding spot, though photos of the phenomenon make it look like the creature is wearing a tropical party hat.

Anyone that has ever watched an octopus while diving or even in an aquarium knows that these animals are smart and capable of quite intelligent actions.  What seems to be setting these studious octopi apart from their brethren is the collection of the shell fragments for later use in another location; basically planning for the future.  It’s the cephalopod equivalent of savings account for coconuts.

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Buoyancy is one of the most critical skills in a Scuba divers’ training regimen. It is more art than science. Continuing to build on the skills with the right training is essential. Following are ten tips to help you develop better buoyancy!

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On June 6th and 7th, the Bonne Terre Mines (Outside St Louis) is hosting a $30,000 treasure hunt. The Academy of Scuba and Hotsuits US will be at the event. There will be $15,000 worth of giveaways each day.

Each participant diver will dive twice in four different areas of the Bonne Terre Mine and collect poker chips hidden in the cavern. At the end of the day, there will be a BBQ and an auction. Divers can use their poker chips to bid on prizes. There are some amazing prizes ranging from equipment (large and small) to Caribbean dive vacations.

For complete details and to reserve your spot in the treasure hunt, click on the following URL.
http://www.2dive.com/articles/th09/

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Practicing skills does not need to be a massive endeavor. In fact, you can incorporate many key skills into your every day pleasure dive. There is no reason you can’t work with your dive buddy on every dive to drill on five skills over a 45 minute dive. One of the skills I would love to see everyone practice is orally inflating your BCD at the surface.

Practicing skills does not need to be a massive endeavor. In fact, you can incorporate many key skills into your every day pleasure dive. There is no reason you can’t work with your dive buddy on every dive to drill on five skills over a 45 minute dive. One of the skills I would love to see everyone practice is orally inflating your BCD at the surface.

In an out of air or low on air situation, orally inflating your BCD is a critical skill. Especially, if you are in a current or choppy seas. A little bit of water down the windpipe and a negatively buoyant BCD could mean sinking below the surface, with no air in your tank. This could lead to a very dangerous situation. This is a skill you can practice, easily, on every dive. In fact, after a few dive days of doing this, it will become routine. On your next dive outing, at the end of every dive, come to the surface and orally inflate your BCD. You’ll be a better diver because of it. More importantly, in the unlikely event that you came to the surface short on air, you will have the motorskills, muscle memory and confidence that you can attain positive buoyancy in short order.

A great diver is not only always learning … they are always practicing!

The Sage Power of this article comes from John Flanders of Academy of Scuba in Peoria, Arizona  Please visit him by clicking the link! 

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Last time (Jul 07) I was on Ambergris Caye, the Nurse sharks were beautiful and abundant. It’s sobering articles like the following that make us all realize how fragile the ocean environment can be. Depletion of the shark population and poor conservation activities will result in a decline in tourism and put a lot of people, who earn their living off the sharks, out of business.

Please read the following article:

http://sanpedrosun.net/09-092.html

If you wish to curtail the activity, contact the Belize Tourism Board
http://www.travelbelize.org/cont.php

Thank you from all of us at the Academy of Scuba!

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