Scubafriends Network

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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Yes, we’re still here (although we’ve been very, very busy recently ..) The plans for the early-summer trip fell through, but thats all about to change. We are looking to go to Pensacola over Labor Day weekend to dive the world’s largest artificial reef, the aircraft carrier formerly known as the USS Oriskany. Interested? More details after the break.
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It will be a while before the final verdict is in, but it appears that Tidbit, a blacktip reef shark, may have gotten pregnant without the aid of a male.
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Not every injured diver story ends poorly.
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Earlier this week, a scuba student died during a pool session.
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One of the world’s largest recorded coral dieoffs is occurring right now. But its not our fault.
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All diving starts with basic buoyancy control. Good diving starts with good buoyancy control. Want to see more critters, have more fun and dive more relaxed? Scubadiving magazine has a nice article on how to work on your buoyancy. So quit playing with your “elevator buttons” and get on over there.