Scubafriends Network

So we’ve been down a while because Verizon FIOS filters port 80 (sigh) but I’ve got a hack in place until the upgrade to full service. (That’ll be next Thursday.) We aren’t going on the Oriskany trip – Sie came down with my sinus infection and won’t be able to dive. Instead we’re going to spend the weekend at Folly Beach. And we’ve got some site news after the break.
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So it looks like that Dean will be long gone and the potential storm will peter out before our trip. Cross your fins!
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We reported on a similar story (before the site update, unfortunately) but it seem the first diving-related death has occurred on the Oriskany.
Updated: The comments section of the Pensacola News Journal article has a post from someone claiming to have been present on the H2O at the time. The details (such as they are) are below.
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According to an article in The Register, DEKA (best known for the Segway) is working under a grant from DARPA to create a new, super-efficient set of swim fins. Using techniques copied from dolphins, they have made some amazing progress. Although they are initially being designed for military use, civilian use is expected to follow shortly (just like many other DARPA projects.)
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Back on July 24, Ecuador’s President Correa issued a decree legalizing the sale of shark fins from sharks caught as by-catch.
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Back in May PADI launched an online version of the Open Water course, and just last week they had their 1000th student. It only covers the book portions; you still need to go to a PADI dive shop or resort for the pool sessions and checkout dives. But for $120USD you can get an electronic version of all the coursework and take your skills tests online, at your own pace. If you want to check it out, just go to Elearning at PADI.com.

via OCregister

The FBI has issued a “situational awareness advisory” concerning dive gear and training.
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