This dive site has some very nice hard corals. Some big table corals have been noticed. Typical marine live you can expect to see here are Blue finned triggerfish, barracuda, rainbow snappers, mackerel, and checkered snapper.

If you’ve dived this site, pls share us your experience in the comments area. Photos are most welcome.

Now this is something revolutionary in snorkeling technology. Utilizing groundbreaking bone conduction technology this set of 7 snorkels, headset, & battery operated transmitter allows effective surface-to-swimmer communication. Through the use of a wireless transmitter constructed of a splash resistant housing, a user can talk to or transmit music and other recordings to swimmers and snorkelers. iPod Ready!

Just imagine the multitude of applications for this

Water Trainers / Snorkeling instructors: You can now give instructions to your students while snorkeling.

Divemasters: You can now communicate with snorkelers around the dive boat. Or you can have a pipe in (or should is say pipe out?) music to the snorkelers. You can connect it to your ipod for broadcasting music!

[ via joediveamerica ]

Mares Vector Origin 1000 - The ideal Mares BCD solution for schools and diving centers.

This is an exceptionally great BCD. Its easy to clean and quick drying. The size is imprinted on the shoulder to assist diving families in recognizing their own mares bcd. This is also great for students to easily get their own BCD size during lessons.

• Ergo Inflator
• Two rear quick dump/over-expansion relief valves
• QAS
• One pocket with zip
• One pocket with fly front closing
• Padded backpack
• This Mares BCD has a clearly visible label indicating size on the right shoulder;

Ideal for use in dive centers

Materials:
• Cordura® 1000 exterior/420 nylon interior
• AISI 304 Stainless steel rings with bend.

Mares Vector Origin 1000 FEATURES:

Ergo inflator

Buoyancy bag: 1000 denier fabric - Classic Aircell

Valves: 1 front, 1 rear

Waist strap: adjustable, with quick release 50 mm-buckle.The buckle adjustment straps are finished with pull-rings, which are easy to grip even when wearing heavy neoprene gloves

Padded Overmoulded Backpack Pad for comfort usually not seen in a BC of this price

Mares BCD body: 1000 Denier nylon

Pockets: a roomy side pocket with high impact YKK zip and zipper-pull, and another with flap closure, both self-draining

Shoulder straps: padded, with anatomical cut

Rings: on the shoulder straps, two 40 mm stainless steel rings; on the BC body: two 20 mm technopolymer rings and two non-twisting 25 mm technopolymer rings

Swivel hose retainers: one retainer, guarantees safe and optimal positioning of the console

by: Ryan Shane

Your basic scuba masks consist of a silicon seal that acts as a suction on your face preventing water from entering.

What are the MOST IMPORTANT things look for in buying a scuba mask or snorkeling mask?

The mask is a long term investment. With the right maintenance and care, it can last a long time.

Quality We are not talking about cheap mask that you buy for $10.00 that will continually leak on you. A good quality mask will run anywhere from $40.00 to $150.00 depending if there are any special features or not. We will talk more about the special features later in this article.

However, your basic mask MUST cover the following.

When you buy a mask there are several extremely important features to look at. The first feature is the seal to you face. Most masks have a good quality silicon rubber seal. The mask should fit snuggly on your face. A good test to test fit is to hold the mask up to your face and suck in the air through your nose. This will remove the air in the mask creating suction to your face. Hold your breath and do not let any air back into the mask through your nose. While holding you breathe, try to pull the mask off of your face. The mask should pop off sounding off a popping noise. This tells you that there is a good seal. If the mask falls off very easily, the mask is probably slightly to large for you. The last thing you want while diving or snorkeling is a leaky mask.

The second feature that you should look at is the accessibility to your nose. While the mask is on, try to pinch your nose. By pinching your nose we mean that both your nostrils can be closed. This is essential if you are scuba diving as you need to pinch your nose to equalize the air pressure as you are descending deep into the waters.

If you have difficulties pinching your nose or can not even reach your nose at all, that mask will not work for you.

Another thing to look for but may not be as important is the visibility. You should have adequate peripheral vision and not tunnel vision with the mask. A good method of checking your peripheral vision is the following:

With your mask on, point your arm straight out in front of you with the palm of your hands together as if you’re about to diving into a swimming pool. At this point you should see your hands.

Next, while looking straight ahead, slowly open your hands and arms apart moving them away from each other. Keep going until you no longer see the hands and arms. That angle in which you can no longer see your arms is the angle of peripheral vision.

A good range is between 100 degrees and up. Normally your peripheral vision without the mask is close to 180 degrees.

About the author
copyright © 2004 - All Rights Reserved - Sharpdiver Sports For more information on learning about scuba diving gear as well as finding discounts on scuba equipment. Please visit http://www.sharpdiver.com/

[ mask c/o joediveamerica ]

OCEANIC DELTA 4 /FDX-10 REGULATOR WITH DRY VALVE TECHNOLOGY

“Scuba Lab Testers Choice! June 2005″

• Nitrox compatible to 40% (the recreational limits of nitrox)
• Designed for extreme depths and cold water
• DVT(Dry Valve Technology) eliminates moisture and contaminants from entering your regulator
• Environmentally sealed first stage provides greater reliability, less maintenance and higher performance
• Balanced 2nd stage with built-in swivel to reduces jaw fatigue
• Orthodontic mouthpiece to alleviate jaw fatigue by easing bite needed to hold regulator
• “Diver Adjustable” Air flow
• “Diver Adjustable” venturi to prevent unwanted free-flow
• Exceptional Dependability
• User Changeable 2nd Stage Surge Protectors Included: Black (as pictured

[ available at scuba.com ]