Dive Training, NTEC, Technical Dive Training, Technical Diving, Technical Gear

NAUI Intro To Tech with H-valves

April 2, 2019 epicscubaadventures

The NAUI Intro To Tech course (Introduction to Technical Diving) is a skills and equipment focused course.

The skills that divers learn are invaluable to all diving, not just technical diving, but are necessary for progression into overhead and decompression environments where precision finning and buoyancy control are essential. Divers learn propulsion techniques with efficient finning, how to kick backwards, and turn in place.

Divers also learn the standard streamlined equipment configuration used in technical diving, and the importance of consistency and redundancy. The NAUI Technical Equipment Configuration (NTEC) is built from the ground up so that large equipment and equipment-dependent skill changes are not necessary are the diver progresses through technical diving.

All of the skills learned in NAUI Intro To Tech will serve a diver well in all aspects of diving even if they do not progress to further technical diving.

An H-valve is a special valve connected to a cylinder to allow two independent first-stage regulators to be connected, mimicking the redundancy of a double-cylinder configuration.

Many divers would like to learn the skills from a NAUI Intro to Tech course, but do not want to progress to using a double-cylinder configuration with a necessary drysuit. When using a single-cylinder with a H-valve, the diver can continue to use a wetsuit and learn all of the diving and most of the equipment skills.

NTEC Configuration	Double cylinders - steel	Double cylinders - aluminium	Single cylinder
Valves	Manifold doubles	Manifold doubles	H-valve
Exposure suit	Drysuit only	Drysuit or wetsuit	Drysuit or wetsuit

Other required equipment in the NTEC configuration for NAUI Intro To Tech is described in this post. Pro Scuba Dive Center has technical gear available to rent.

An assembled NTEC rig with a single cylinder and H-valve.

If you are interested in taking a NAUI Intro To Tech course please contact epicscubaadventures@gmail.com or Pro Scuba Dive Center.

Uncategorized

Scuba Links

March 28, 2019 epicscubaadventures

Forecast

The Monterey Bay swell model is a good predictor of present and future dive conditions. The lower the swell, the better the conditions in general. This is indicated by a color chart (blue is better).

Dive Insurance

Divers Alert Network (DAN) provide a critical role as supplemental insurance providers, in addition to your primary health insurance. In addition to the highly recommended insurance they provide many services including medical advice and training. Every diver should have DAN (or equivalent) insurance. If you are not convinced, talk to me or Pro Scuba Dive Center.

Join Divers Alert Network (DAN)

Facebook

The Epic Scuba Adventures Facebook page contains some interesting videos and articles.

If you are a former or current student please consider leaving a review!

Pro Scuba Dive Center – Scuba Squad Dive Club

The Scuba Squad is our free dive club that organizes dive meet ups and gets advanced notice of gear sales. The group is very beginner friendly, it’s a great way to find new dive buddies and dive sites.

Scuba Squad Facebook Group

Dive Sites

If you don’t want to find dive buddies through the club and would prefer to venture out yourself, the book A Divers Guide to Monterey County, California by Bruce Watkins is available at Pro Scuba Dive Center. Many sites are described with maps to show parking and the entry point. Boat diving sites are included too.

Dive Travel and Classes

Pro Scuba Dive Center organizes some affordable dive trips by being able to purchase in bulk, ranging from all-inclusive unlimited dive adventures abroad, to weekend trips, to southern California ship wrecks.

See the news and classes sections of the Pro Scuba Dive Center website.

Reading

California Diver and Scuba Diver Life have some interesting articles.

Scubaboard.com has huge online forums, with regional channels.

Monterey Bay, Pro Scuba Dive Center, Scuba Squad

Scuba Squad Club Boat Dive

February 21, 2019 epicscubaadventures

Please see the below information for the Scuba Squad club boat dive. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pro Scuba Dive Center or the dive leader at any time.

Date	Saturday Feb 23, 2019.
Time	Arrive at 7:15 AM for 8:00 AM departure. Boat returns by 1:00 PM.
Location	K-Dock, Monterey (Directions: Figueroa St and Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940), GPS
Dive Boat	*Escapade*
Dive Leader	Dan Kelly, (408) 466-5714
Scuba Squad, Pro Scuba Dive Center	(831) 431-6824 (10 AM to 6PM)

Dive boat facilities

Bathroom (marine head)
Snacks
Water
Up to 2 boat dives
Cylinders and weights are not provided

Packing list

Diving certification card
Scuba Squad club dive waiver
Dive boat waiver
All diving gear in a single diving gear bag
2 full cylinders (air or nitrox)
Dive weights
Cash or credit card for parking (up to $10)
Cash for tips (recommended $10)
Seasickness medication, if desired
Towel and dry bag
Depth Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) or surface safety sausage (recommended)

Schedule

Meet at K-Dock, Monterey, at 7:15 AM to allow time to secure a parking pass, use bathrooms, etc. There is a bathroom at the Harbor Master building.
Give your dive shop liability release form to the dive leader if you have not already completed one for Pro Scuba Dive Center/Scuba Squad.
Assemble and test your gear, including regulators, dive weights, etc.
When the dive boat arrives change into your wetsuit and put on a warm jacket.
Load your gear onto the boat with your buddy so that you can secure a position next to each other. All of you cylinders, assembled with your BC and regulators should be in the same location. The boat crew will direct and assist you with gear.
Limit your other diving gear to one dive bag, and stow it under your seat where your cylinders and BC are located. Keep your computer, fins, mask, dive knife, etc secured in your bag as neatly stowed so that it not a tripping hazard.
Secure the cylinders and BC in their station so that the are not loose when the boat is underway.
Sign in with the boat crew by presenting your certification card and dive boat waiver.
The boat crew will give you a safety briefing before departure and dive site briefings at the sites before each dive. Please cease all activity and listen to all of the briefings.
A crew tip jar will be available after the dives, cash only please.

Diving Information

If you are prone to motion sickness it is recommended that you take medication the night before and as soon as you wake up the morning of diving. Preventative motions sickness medications need hours to be effective, so do not delay taking them until you are at the boat dock. Common medications are over the counter Bonine and Dramamine.
Stay hydrated before and during diving activities.
Pay attention to your depth and time and compass navigation while diving.
Boat crew provides safety divers but not dive guides, so all dive teams of 2 or 3 divers are responsible for conducting their own dives. Divers should begin and end each dive at the anchor line. It is recommended that if you ascend off the anchor line that you mark your location with a surface marker buoy if you have one.
Boat crew will brief you on the water entry and exit procedures, and assist you into and out of the water. Please follow their instructions.
All divers are responsible for their own dive profiles, and managing their own nitrogen exposure and surface interval between dives, and must be familiar with their own dive computers, gauges and/or dive tables.
Decompression diving is not allowed.

Cancellation Policy

Bookings and cancellations are handled by Pro Scuba Dive Center. Generally a reservation is held when full payment is made, and is non-refundable unless a substitute diver is confirmed to fill the spot. Please contact Pro Scuba Dive Center with any questions.

Rental Equipment

Rental equipment is available from Pro Scuba Dive Center, and should be reserved as early as convenient. All divers are responsible for their own arrangements to rent, transport and return gear. Due to the early boat departure many dive shops are not open, so gear must be collected the day before.

Liability Release Forms

If you have not already completed a waiver for Scuba Squad (Pro Scuba Dive Center) and the dive boat, you can print them below and bring them to the event to save time.

Scuba Squad (Pro Scuba Dive Center) Waiver

Scuba Squad Liability Release Form

Dive Boat Waiver

Please complete the liability release form corresponding to the assigned Monterey Bay dive boat. You can extend the duration of the liability release by writing “ALL YEAR 20xx” prominently at the top of the release form, with the current year.

Dive Training

Gas Consumption Calculations

January 29, 2019 epicscubaadventures

Have you ever wondered how to compare your breathing efficiency? You cannot directly compare any two dives you have done, or two divers on the same dive profile using different cylinders. The dives are likely to be at different depths so the volume of each breath is different (Boyles law), and different cylinders have different capacities and rated pressures.

As a common reference point we convert our measurements to the surface, and imagine all the air has been decompressed from the cylinder into a large volume. That is why we call it Surface Air Consumption rate ( $SAC_{rate})$ .

To find our physiological rate we need to account for varying depth, and measure independently of cylinder size. We use the Respiratory Minute Volume ( $RMV_{rate}$ ), that is the amount of gas that we breathe per minute at the surface. Taking 10 breaths at $\mathrm{66\ [ft]}$ ( $\mathrm{3 [ata]}$ ) would be the same as taking 30 identical breaths at the surface ( $\mathrm{1 [ata]}$ at sea level). Another problem is that we measure pressure, but this needs to be converted to an actual volume of air.

Symbol	Variable	Description
SAC_rate	Surface Air Consumption rate [psi/min]	The equivalent rate that the cylinder is consumed at the surface without depth pressure.
RMV_rate	Respiratory Minute Volume rate [ft³/min]	The equivalent volume of gas in cubic feet, consumed at the surface.
P_rate	Pressure rate [psi//min]	The rate of gas consumption at depth, as measured by a pressure gauge.
D_factor	Depth factor [ata]	How much consumption is increased by due to depth pressure.
T_factor	Tank factor [ft³/psi]	A tank-specific number to convert tank pressure [psi] to gas volume in cubic feet [ft³].
V_cylinder	Tank volume [ft³]	The volume of gas in the cylinder

The equations we need are:

(1) $\begin{equation*} % use "\text" in an equation* environment and "\mathrm" outside SAC_{rate} = \dfrac{ P_{rate} }{ D_{factor} } \hspace\textup{[psi/min]} \end{equation*}$

( $SAC_{rate}$ is specific to each cylinder, probably between $\mathrm{20\mbox{--}50\ [psi/min]}$ )

(2) $\begin{equation*} RMV_{rate} = SAC_{rate} * T_{factor} \hspace\textup{[ft^3/min]} \end{equation*}$

$RMV_{rate}$ is our actual physiological consumption rate, approximately $\mathrm{0.5\mbox{--}1.0\ [ft^3/min]}$ )

We start with a pressure rate ( $P_{rate}$ ), say consuming $\mathrm{2000\ [psi]}$ at an average depth of $\mathrm{50\ [ft]}$ for $\mathrm{30\ [min]}$ . Using an average accounts for the varying depth of most dives, we don’t usually dive true square profiles. We can use max depth in lieu of the average depth, but the calculated $SAC_{rate}$ or $RMV_{rate}$ will be higher. Fancy computers can provide average depth, but the Subgear XP10 rental computer does not.

$\begin{split} P_{rate} &= \dfrac{ \left( P_{start}\hspace\mathrm{[psi]} - P_{end}\hspace\mathrm{[psi]} \right) }{ T_{dive}\hspace\mathrm{[min]} } \\ &= \mathrm{2000\ [psi]} / \mathrm{30\ [min]} \\ &= \mathrm{2000\ [psi]} / \mathrm{30\ [min]} \\ &= \mathrm{66.66\ [psi/min]} \end{split}$

Our depth factor ( $D_{factor}$ ) accounts for depth, (using average if available) by scaling our measurement by the total pressure at depth plus the air pressure, in atmospheres-absolute $\mathrm{[ata]}$ . The depth factor indicates how much additional ambient pressure there is from depth. $\mathrm{33\ [ft]}$ of sea water is equivalent to $\mathrm{1\ [atm]}$ of gauge pressure. Assuming that our computer tells us the average depth was $\mathrm{50\ [ft]}$ ,

$\begin{split} D_{factor} &= \left(\dfrac{depth_{average}}{\mathrm{33\ [ft/atm]}}\right) + \mathrm{1\ [atm]} \\ D_{factor} &= \left(\dfrac{\mathrm{50\ [ft]}}{\mathrm{33\ [ft/atm]}}\right) + \mathrm{1\ [atm]} \\ &= \mathrm{2.515\ [ata]} \end{split}$

We can now calculate the equivalent consumption rate of the cylinder at the surface in $\mathrm{[psi/min]}$ :

$\begin{split} SAC_{rate} &= \dfrac{ P_{rate} }{ D_{factor} }\\ &= \mathrm{66.66\ [psi/min]} / \mathrm{2.515\ [ata]} \\ &= \mathrm{26.5\ [psi/min]} \end{split}$

$SAC_{rate}$ is only valid for comparing identical tanks, so we want to remove the influence of the cylinder and work out the volume of gas consumed. We want to know volume, so we use a tank factor ( $T_{factor}$ ) to convert from pressure to volume. We know the rated pressure of the cylinder when it is full, at Pro Scuba Dive Center the Worthington High Pressure steel cylinders are pressurized to $\mathrm{3442\ [psi]}$ when full with $\mathrm{80\ [ft^3]}$ .

$\begin{split} T_{factor} &= \dfrac{ Volume_{cylinder} \mathrm{[ft^3]} }{ Pressure_{cylinder} \mathrm{[psi]} } \\ &= \mathrm{80\ [ft^3]} / \mathrm{3442\ [psi]} \\ &= \mathrm{0.02324\ [ft^3/psi]} \end{split}$

We can now convert the rate we are consuming cylinder pressure $\mathrm{[psi/min]}$ to the rate we are consuming gas volume $\mathrm{[ft^3/min]}$ using the Tank Factor $T_{factor}$ :

$\begin{split} RMV_{rate} &= SAC_{rate} * T_{factor} \\ &= \mathrm{26.5\ [psi/min]} * \mathrm{0.02324\ [ft^3/psi]} \\ &= \mathrm{0.62\ [ft^3/min]} \end{split}$

You can use $RMV_{rate}$ to calculate how long you expect any sized cylinder to last at any planned depth. For example, a low pressure $\mathrm{3000\ [psi]}$ aluminium $\mathrm{63\ [ft^3]}$ cylinder at a planned depth of $\mathrm{50\ [ft]}$ with a $RMV_{rate}$ of $\mathrm{0.5\ [ft^3/min]}$ :

$\begin{split} Duration &= \dfrac{ V_{cylinder} / RMV_{rate} }{ D_{factor} } \\ &= \dfrac{ \mathrm{63\ [ft^3]} / \mathrm{0.5\ [ft^3/min]} }{ \left( \dfrac{\mathrm{50\ [ft]} }{ \mathrm{33\ [ft/ata]} } \right) +\mathrm{1\ [ata]} \right) } \\ &= \mathrm{50.1\ [min]} \end{split}$

(The cylinder is fully consumed with no reserve gas.)

We will practice calculating $RMV_{rate}$ after every scuba dive when we log our dives. You can use the above equation, or an online calculator, or an app (iPhone or Android), or a slide wheel, or an abacus …

$SAC_{rate}$ is often confused with Respiratory Minute Volume ( $RMV_{rate}$ ), they are not the same thing. $RMV_{rate}$ is more useful for gas planning because it applies to any sized tank

Some things to be aware of are:

You can only use $RMV_{rate}$ to compare two dives of similar workload. If you use $RMV_{rate}$ to plan how long you expect a cylinder to last you at a given depth, you need to be conservative to account for possibly swimming harder, more currents, being cold (consumes more oxygen), anxiety of an unfamiliar dive driving faster breathing, etc.
You cannot use the above equation for metric tanks, they are measured differently and the tank volume does not mean the same thing. It is not sufficient to convert $\mathrm{[psi]}$ to $\mathrm{[bar]}$ and $\mathrm{[ft^3]}$ to $\mathrm{[liter]}$ s.
For the sake of comparison $\mathrm{0.5\ [ft^3/min]}$ is an example of a low $RMV_{rate}$ and $\mathrm{1.0\ [ft3/min]}$ is a high $RMV_{rate}$ .
Smaller people often require less air (oxygen) to sustain their smaller bodies under the same conditions.
Performing drills and exercises in a class is not a good indicator of true $RMV_{rate}$ because a lot of gas is vented by regularly inflating and deflating the BC, not to mention free-flows 🙂 You will get a more accurate measurement from the fun dives on the final day of class.
Remember that $SAC_{rate}$ and $RMV_{rate}$ are equivalent surface pressure values, at $\mathrm{99\ [ft]}$ you will consume gas 4 times faster!

Examples

Calculate the $\boldsymbol{SAC_{rate}}$ and $\boldsymbol{RMV_{rate}}$ for a training dive, avg depth $\mathrm{20\ [ft]}$ for $\mathrm{30\ [min]}$ . The diver is using a Worthington HP steel cylinder $\mathrm{80\ [ft^3]}$ at $\mathrm{3442\ [psi]}$ . The diver begins with a full cylinder and ends with $\mathrm{1800\ [psi]}$ .

$\begin{split} P_{rate} &= \dfrac{ \left( P_{start}\hspace\mathrm{[psi]} - P_{end}\hspace\mathrm{[psi]} \right) }{ T_{dive}\hspace\mathrm{[min]} } \\ P_{rate} &= \dfrac{ \left( \mathrm{3442\ [psi]} - \mathrm{1800\ [psi]} \right) }{\mathrm{20\ [min]} } \\ &= \mathrm{1642\ [psi]} / \mathrm{30\ [min]} \\ &= \mathrm{54.73\ [psi/min]} \end{split}$

$\begin{split} D_{factor} &= \left(\dfrac{depth_{average}}{\mathrm{33\ [ft/atm]}}\right) + \mathrm{1\ [atm]} \\ D_{factor} &= \left(\dfrac{\mathrm{20\ [ft]}}{\mathrm{33\ [ft/atm]}}\right) + \mathrm{1\ [atm]} \\ &= \mathrm{1.606\ [ata]} \end{split}$

$\begin{split} \boldsymbol{SAC_{rate}} &= \dfrac{ P_{rate} }{ D_{factor} }\\ &= \mathrm{54.73\ [psi/min]} / \mathrm{1.606\ [ata]} \\ &= \boldsymbol{\mathrm{34.07\ [psi/min]}} \end{split}$

$\begin{split} \boldsymbol{RMV_{rate}} &= SAC_{rate} * T_{factor} \\ &= \mathrm{34.07\ [psi/min]} * \mathrm{0.02324\ [ft^3/psi]} \\ &= \boldsymbol{\mathrm{0.791\ [ft^3/min]}} \end{split}$

NAUI Mobile App

January 22, 2019 epicscubaadventures

The NAUI Mobile app has been released on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

NAUI Mobile presents digital certification cards for all online eLearning courses completed on the NAUI CORE platform since the launch of NAUI CORE in April 2018. Certifications registered on the legacy platforms are listed in the app, but do not include the digital certification card product.

Users can see all of their NAUI certifications and use the free nitrox calculator tools.

Users must have a free NAUI CORE account to use the app, available to everyone. Digital certification cards to replace existing plastic cards are available for a limited time for a special of $5, until April 30th, 2019.

Click here for more information.

Dive Training, Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay Dive Site Locations

December 18, 2018 epicscubaadventures

Click on any of the addresses to open the location on Google Maps.

Quick Reference

More Information	Google Maps
Pro Scuba Dive Center	4637 A Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
San Lorenzo Valley High School Pool	Hwy 9, Felton, CA 95018
Monterey State Beach (Del Monte Beach)	Del Monte Ave and Camino El Estero, Monterey, CA 93940
San Carlos Beach	Cannery Row and Reeside Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
K-Dock, Monterey	Figueroa St and Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
Lovers Point	17th St and Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Cowell Beach	Beach St and Pacific Ave at Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Pro Scuba Dive Center

4637 A Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Nearest landmarks are Santa Cruz County Bank, and Mint Bar.

Store is hard to see from the road, entrance is next to Palo Alto Medical Foundation, and across from Santa Cruz County Bank.
Classroom is located at the rear of the shop next to the cleaning station and rinse tubs.

San Lorenzo Valley High School Pool

Hwy 9, Felton, CA 95018

Nearest landmarks are Castelli’s Deli-Cafe.

Pool is located at the rear, travel clockwise in the parking lot on the perimeter.

Enter from Highway 9 at the traffic lights
Turn left and drive around the school clockwise through the parking lots past the baseball fields.
Continue until near the end of the parking lot, park near the shipping container.
Assemble your gear in the south-east corner of the pool, there is a back gate to enter the pool.
Assemble and test your gear.
Please keep gear on the concrete because chlorine kills the grass.

Monterey State Beach (Del Monte Beach)

Del Monte Ave and Camino El Estero, Monterey, CA 93940

Nearest landmarks are McDonalds and Monterey Bay Kayaks

Opposite McDonalds on Del Monte Ave, and near Monterey Bay Kayaks.
Entrance to the parking lot is very close to the traffic lights.
Parking is metered and accepts credit cards or cash. Maximum cost is $10 per day.
Assemble and test your gear.

San Carlos Beach

Cannery Row and Reeside Ave, Monterey, CA 93940

Nearest landmarks are Backscatter Underwater Video, and US Coast Guard.

Parking is available at the top of the grassy area and on the breakwater.
Traffic flow for the top lot is one way. Enter from Reeside Ave near Backscatter and Breakwater Scuba.
Parking is metered and accepts credit cards or cash. Maximum cost is $10 per day.
Assemble and test your gear.

K-Dock, Monterey

Figueroa St and Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940

Nearest landmarks are London Bridge Pub and Monterey Harbor Office.

Parking is metered, passes are available from machines or Harbor Masters Office.
Park close to the assembly area.
Assemble and test your gear at the top of the boat ramp.
Certification cards and a separate liability form are required to board the boat.

Lovers Point

17th St and Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Nearest landmarks are Beach House at Lover Point and Lovers Point Inn.

Street parking is timed but not metered.
Park close to the assembly area, a group of wooden tables and benches.

Cowell Beach

Beach St and Pacific Ave at Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Nearest landmarks are Municipal Wharf and Aquarius Waterfront Eatery.

Parking is metered and limited.
Alternative parking is available on the street, or at Depot Park South Lot, with a walking path.
Assemble and test your gear when you arrive.
Keep valuables locked in your car.

Alternative Parking For Cowell Beach

107 Center St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Nearest landmarks are Depot Park Soccer Field and Homeless Garden Project Store..

Drop gear at Cowell Beach in the main parking lot.
Drive up Pacific Ave (later Center St) to the next roundabout.
Secure car and check parking obligations.
Return to Cowell Beach along the walking path.

Divers Alert Network, First Aid, NAUI

Divers Alert Network First Aid Courses

October 18, 2018 epicscubaadventures

In 2015 Divers Alert Network (DAN) and NAUI announced an alliance where NAUI Instructors would be able to teach DAN courses using that latest combined programs, and issue NAUI & DAN co-branded First Aid certification cards. From 2019 onwards NAUI will discontinue the NAUI First Aid courses and teach the NAUI-DAN content exclusively.

The below courses are available in the DAN curriculum. These courses provide training to the current recommendations of the International Liaison Committee On Resuscitation (ILCOR) and remain valid for 2 years.

Courses that include a CPR and First Aid component are suitable to satisfy the requirements for a NAUI Rescue Scuba Diver course.

Students do not need to be members of DAN or certified scuba divers to participate in NAUI-DAN First Aid courses.

How Courses are Conducted

Students purchase a NAUI student kit containing:

an online eLearning code
slates and medical materials for classroom training
student review book

Students will complete all the eLearning online before attending the classroom practical session. The primary focus of the classroom session is practical training using props and injury scenarios, but also includes a knowledge review and written examination. Students must bring all materials to the classroom session and have completed the at home study online.

Students should label all of their own equipment with their name prior to attending the classroom sessions.

Courses for Scuba Divers

Course	Abbreviation	Description
Basic Life Support	BLS	Meets ILCOR/AHA 2015 Guidelines Manage shock and choking Assess Injuries
First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries	HMLI	Identify hazardous marine life Practice treating injuries Gain tools to avoid injuries
Neurological Assessment	NEURO	Recognize nervous system injury Learn assessment techniques F-A-S-T assessment
Emergency Oxygen	E02	Primary diving first aid Learning oxygen delivery options Provide oxygen to breathing or non-breathing injured divers
Diving Emergency Management Provider	DEMP	DEMP contains a selection of all of the above 4 courses.

It is highly recommended that all First-Aid trained divers learn how to deliver emergency oxygen by taking the E02 course, or a course that includes oxygen delivery (DEMP and DFA Pro, see below).

The DEMP course is a condensed course combining material from BLS, EO2, NEURO and HMLI. The individual courses contain more training scenarios.

Courses for Professional Divers

	Course	Abbreviation	Description
	CPR Health-Care Provider with First Aid	HCP	The CPR Health-Care Provider with First Aid course teaches 2-person techniques of basic life support for adults, children and infants. It includes First-Aid and BLS skills applicable to the diving market, resuscitation techniques for the non-diving healthcare market and skills to meet the International Liaison Committee On Resuscitation (ILCOR) and American Heart Association (AHA) 2015 guidelines.
	Diving First Aid for Professional Divers	DFA Pro	The Diving First Aid for Professional Divers (DFA Pro) course is aimed at commercial, professional, scientific divers and aquarium staff and volunteers and meets the 2015 Guidelines for Resuscitation & Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The course is comprised of information from the Emergency Oxygen for Scuba Diving Injuries, Neurological Assessment, First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries and CPR HCP plus Bloodborne pathogens. This course meets the requirements for a US Coast Guard Captains license.

The HCP provider course expands on the skills in the recreational level Basic Life Support (BLS), and includes CPR with two rescuers on adult, child and infant victims.

The DFA Pro course is required for all professional level diving, and NAUI Training Assistants (TAs) with Pro Scuba Dive Center.

Dive Travel, Northern California

Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail at Lake Tahoe

October 3, 2018 epicscubaadventures

The Sierra State Parks Foundation has opened an underwater trail at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. A video is available showcasing the newly opened trail.

The Parks Service also has a set of small informative dive slates for purchase.

At 6,200 ft this is an altitude dive in fresh water, with a temperature around 65 F. Scuba divers and snorkellers at Lake Tahoe must remain within 100 ft of a dive flag float per Nevada law, with steep fines for violations due to the risk of a boating injury.

NAUI

Activate an Online NAUI Course with NAUI CORE

September 20, 2018 epicscubaadventures

Note: once you activate a NAUI eLearning program is is non-refundable. Please ensure that you meet all requirements for participation in the class, including medical questionnaire below.

Go to https://core.naui.org and login, or create a new account.
Review the Divers Medical Questionnaire on the NAUI Medical Statement form, page 1 only, before you activate your course. If you answer “Yes” to any questions that require a physicians approval, then please contact your Instructor or Dive Center before going any further. You cannot get a refund after the course is activated.
Click on My Courses in the navigation menu
Click on Activate a NAUI Education System (NES)
Enter your course Activation Code in the Activation Code textbox, then click Find. If you have entered a valid code, you should see the name of the course and the Activate This NAUI Education System button.
Register your course with a NAUI Dive Center and the course Instructor. If you do not register correctly with the Dive Center your enrollment will not be complete, and you will not appear in the class participants.Check the box I am taking this class at a NAUI Dive Center and enter the NAUI Dive Center Number.

NAUI Dive Center NAUI Number

Pro Scuba Dive Center CAP01565

If you know the Instructor assigned to your class then check I am being taught by a NAUI Dive Professional and enter their NAUI Member Number. If you are unsure of the Instructor for you class, then leave it blank and enter the NAUI Dive Center number only.

NAUI Member NAUI Member Number

Daniel Kelly 56824

Alison Kelly 56831

Dave Babineau 47372

Cheryl Babineau 49385

Clare Dominik 18806

Bill Shepherd 56927

Jeffrey Compton 60503
You can now navigate to your course eLearning at any time by logging into https://core.naui.org, selecting the My Courses navigation panel, and clicking on Start eLearning.
Upload a suitable photo of yourself to your account so that it can be printed on your certification card. Click on Manage Profile and then the large square under your name. After uploading, press the Edit button (pencil icon) to appropriately crop and zoom the image. The final photo should be framed around your face like a license or passport photo.

NAUI Dive Center	NAUI Number
Pro Scuba Dive Center	CAP01565

NAUI Member	NAUI Member Number
Daniel Kelly	56824
Alison Kelly	56831
Dave Babineau	47372
Cheryl Babineau	49385
Clare Dominik	18806
Bill Shepherd	56927
Jeffrey Compton	60503

Leadership, NAUI, ScubaGuru, Skin Diving

Mastering NAUI Skin Ditch and Recovery

July 11, 2018 epicscubaadventures

ScubaGuru Academy: Mastering Skin Diving Ditch & Recovery

One of the hardest skills in the NAUI curriculum for dive leaders is the Skin Diving Ditch and Recovery, traditionally taught at the Master Scuba Diver level, as well as Divemaster and Instructor candidates.

The Skin Ditch and Recovery is a commonly required skill where the diver descends to put their mask and fins on the bottom of the pool, surface, then descend to retrieve both and surface with a clear mask and snorkel.

Tec Clark of ScubaGuru.com has prepared a mini course on mastering of this skill, breaking down each step of the skill so that the diver can achieve Demonstration Quality in their performance.

Tec brings the full weight of his formidable teaching experience to bear in the production of this course, having had a number of prestigious positions as an accomplished scuba instructor and world class freediver.

I recommend this course as worth the cost to any student or Instructor wishing to improve their performance, especially NAUI professionals.

The course is available by clicking on the following link to ScubaGuru Academy: Mastering Skin Diving Ditch and Recovery online course.