In-Store Specials
- Just received a new shipment of TUSA Powder Blue and Pearl Pink Mask, Snorkel and Fins sets. They are still available at the fantastic price of $179.99 for the set, reduced from $199.00
- Final Clearance-Only 1 left! Beuchat VX80 Primary Regulator (w/1st Stage) on sale for $249.00, reduced from $299.00. Also, get the Beuchat VS Octo for only $49.00, which is on clearance for half price! Come by the store and pick up this adjustable, high-performance regulator at the great price of $298.00 for the set up. It won't last long!
- And, as always, our fill cards are only $40 for ten fills. We also service all gear, including annual inspections on regulators and BCs.
Dive Conditions
Area conditions for diving have been excellent (other than a strong thunderstorm on Tuesday afternoon), and we can expect more of the same. Try to get out in the water this weekend to enjoy the sunshine and smooth waters. We are expecting good visibility in the 40 foot range and winds at or less than 10 knots. Always check the local forecast before heading out for a dive. Ordinarily, the earlier in the day you can get into the water, the better the conditions are. So, get out as early as you can and enjoy water as smooth as glass and avoid the afternoon showers. Also, morning is better for catching lobsters! If you haven't checked out last week's Dive Spotlight, Datura Ave. on Commercial Beach, you may want to go this weekend. This week on a class' final check out dive, we saw a very friendly Hawksbill turtle, a rare view of a Purplemouth eel with a freshly caught fish outside of its hole, schools of color-flashing reef squid, and a very large Spotted Moray eel swimming and foraging in the open. One of the best dives of the month!Come in to the shop on Friday and get your rental gear and tanks for a Saturday Sunrise Shore Dive!
Last Weekend's Dive Trip:
The Ancient Mariner and the Hillsboro Ledge
Our group trip to Pompano Beach, diving off of the Deep Relief II was a blast! Everyone had a great time diving the wreck and reef, as well as a fun time at lunch after. We had a group of 14, including two of Aquatic Ventures' best instructors, brothers Josh and Michael.
And congratulations to those divers who set their own personal depth records. Great Job!
The Ancient Mariner is a 1930's, 165-foot Coast Guard Cutter sunk in 70 feet of water in 1991 to help create an artificial reef. Due to several remodelings after it's decommission in 1964, and hurricane destruction, this wreck offers great swim throughs an penetrations for divers at all levels. And as always, thanks so much to Mike Sprague and Nikki Held, our resident photographers.
The Ancient Mariner (View from above)
Midnight Parrot Fish
Southern Stingray
A fun swim-through 
The Hillsboro Ledge is a 5-8 foot ledge in approximately 40 feet of water. It runs north-south and is an excellent location to see a wide variety of marine life, including sting rays (yellow and southern), eels, tropical fish and lobster.
Queen Conch
Honeycomb Cowfish 
Next Dive Trip: Key Largo!
Our next dive trip will be on Saturday, September 29th at 1:30 in Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo. You must be at the boat by 1:00. Key Largo is about 1 hour from Miami, and 1&1/2 hours from Fort Lauderdale (travel times are approximate). We will meet at the shop at 10:30. Please feel free to come by on Friday to pick up tanks and gear if you would like to drive directly to the boat in Key Largo on your own and do not wish to meet up beforehand at the shop. The cost of the trip is $50 per person, $65 with tanks for a 2-tank. Pennekamp State Park offers some of the most beautiful reefs in the world, and since the area is protected, the sea life is abundant and beautiful. Dives are in the 30-40 foot range, perfect for beginners and advanced divers alike with long bottom times and amazing creatures. Call us at (954)965-7919 with any questions, or to reserve a space.
Dive Tips: How to Dive Like a Pro
Tip #2: Regulator Setup and Breakdown
(Regulator setup and breakdown are the most fundamental and straightforward of scuba diving skills-or are they? Here's a primer on regulator handling)
- Step 1- Put it together.
Check the tank valve by carefully blowing a very small amount of air out to clear any moisture or dust from the valve orifices. Is the O-ring in place and in good condition? Look for cracks and divots. Position the regulator so the primary hose will go over the right shoulder and the low-pressure BC inflator will go on the left side. Match your first stage's high-pressure air inlet to the tank O-ring and hand tighten in place-snug only; do not over tighten. Remember the "eye" of the tank faces forward, towards your back, looking forward like your own eyes.
- Step 2- Turn it on.
Open the tank's valve slowly to turn on your air. Turning it on slowly and gently is easier both on the regulator and the tank valve seats. When the valve is all the way open, turn it back only a very small amount to prevent the valve from sticking on the open position. This also shows people who check your valve that your air is on. Do not turn the valve back the one-quarter to half turn you may have heard, just slightly. Turning the valve too far back and restricting the airflow has been identified as a causative factor in several dive accidents.
- Step 3- Check it out.
Test both second stages by first gently purging them. Then, take 2-3 breaths off each stage while looking at your pressure gauge to make sure there are no significant leaks. If your PSI drops noticeable with each breath, there is a leak or your air is turned off. Check your inflator hose by inflating your BC slightly. Does your vest inflate? You also want to make sure that the inflator and deflator buttons are not sticking. Check for any malfunctions and correct any problems if necessary. Once you check your own gear, now it's time to check your buddies and vice-versa. Now dive!
- Step 4- Break it down.
Ideally, you should wash your regulator with it still on the tank and still pressurize, although this is rarely possible. Turn the air off and purge both second stages down to zero PSI. Take the regulator off the valve and dry the dust cap with a towel. (If your dust cap is hollow, replace it with a solid rubber cap.) You can also dry the cap with a small burst of air from the tank valve. Just make sure that it contains no moisture when you replace it on your first stage. DO NOT DIRECT HIGH-PRESSURE AIR INTO THE FIRST STAGE OF YOUR REGULATOR. This can blow water, dust and salt into it. Now you're ready to clean your gear. We recommend soaking it in warm, fresh water for at least one hour, if possible, in a tub for example. If you can't soak it, rinse everything thoroughly with a hose.
No comments:
Post a Comment