Archive for the ‘Diving’ Category
Scuba diving adventures despite the chilly New Year weather
January 6th, 2010
Posted in Diving, Diving specialists, scuba diving, scuba diving gear
About 25 scuba diving aficionados dove into the 47-degree water of the American River located at Lake Natoma on Friday in celebration of the New Year. Despite the cold weather, the divers were enthusiastic about the event and were not bothered at all.
Both male and female participants wore drysuits and wetsuits before going through the scuba diving activity.
The event is dubbed the 12th annual “Polar Bear Dive” and it was organized by Andy’s Scuba World in Sacramento, California. The divers cruised up to the Rainbow Bridge. They have a buddy or diving partner assigned before they dropped below the surface.
The participants said that it was a memorable day and was worth the cold temperature. Others say that they will make this a yearly activity.
Australian Olympic diver get cleared from swine flu
December 18th, 2009
Posted in deep sea diving, Diving, Diving specialists
Olympic diving gold medalist Matthew Mitcham of Australia was finally cleared from the swine flu disease after visiting Mexico City for a major diving event.
Mitcham attended the World Series Diving event in the Mexican capital with his coach Chana Sobrino. They were supposed to stay in the city after the event to train for another diving event which will take place in Florida, United States.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medalist shared that the NSW Institute of Sport had them tested and pulled out of upcoming diving events since the World Health Organization (WHO) set the swine flu level to five. He added that the institute thought that it would be best for them since if the level is increase to six, the countries will have to start closing borders.
Mitcham said that he wore protective face mask throughout the return trip. He also said that he’s been cleared from having swine flu symptoms before he left Mexico.
The Olympic diving icon said that he’ll be spending some quiet time in isolation with his partner just to be sure. He added that he will also see a doctor and will take medications if necessary.
US Navy brings hi-tech diving gear, gadgets to Missouri
December 18th, 2009
Posted in Diving, Diving specialists, working and diving
Officers of the United States Navy Community Outreach visited St. Louis, Missouri this week and conducted a demonstration as to how they protect the country’s high seas. They brought with them some of the world’s hi-tech diving gear and other equipment.
The demonstration started on Wednesday, April 22, where visitors get to see astounding demonstrations such as a free fall stunt from a height of six thousand feet.
Lieutenant Commander Garrett Kasper said that the men conducting the stunt are very experienced Navy Seals, dubbed as Leap Frogs.
According to him, their experiences were put to use during a rescue mission that took place in the Indian Ocean recently where their cargo ship was hijacked by a group of Somali pirates.
The Leap Frog members can achieve a speed of up to 180 miles per hour. Jumper Justin Guany said that the best part is to get out in air but the scariest part is the landing – where they have to be conscious or else they could hit a wall.
The Leap Frog Parachute Team is conducting a series of demonstrations in cities around the U.S., also include din their demonstrations are diving gears used for special operations.
Kasper said that these demonstrations are not about recruiting people to join the Navy but to make the public aware where their taxes are going – that is, in protecting the country.
Recently certified scuba diver drowns in South Florida sea
December 18th, 2009
Posted in Diving, scuba diving gear
A 58-year old retired nurse reportedly drowned in South Florida seas last weekend in an accident.
According to Broward Sheriff’s Office, Mary Darnley – a recently certified scuba diver was with her husband and other divers at the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. The couple and the group, after a fun day scuba diving, decided to swim ashore. Darnley’s husband went ahead and thought that his wife was following him. However, when he and the others turned around, they saw her body floating in the ocean.
The group immediately brought Darnley into shore and administered Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, their efforts were to no avail. They immediately rushed her to the Holy Cross Hospital. However, hospital officials declared her dead an hour later.
The couple, who lives in Pennsylvania and came in Florida for a vacation, stayed at the Yacht Haven Park and Marina in Fort Lauderdale. They usually go south each year whenever it is winter time in their state.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Darnley received her scuba certification two months ago. The Broward Medical Examiner’s Office officially ruled that Darnley’s death was accidental.
What’s Dangerous about Diving Boards?
November 3rd, 2008
Posted in Diving
With summer fast approaching, many neighborhood and backyard pools are being prepared by their owners. One of the things prepared as early as possible is the diving board. Diving boards can be extremely fun but can also be exceptionally dangerous to the safety of the many pool patrons everywhere.
The first dangerous part in a diving board is its top. Although most diving boards are treated and finished with a gritty surface, it still doesn’t prevent falls. Especially when the diving boards become slick, there is a possibility that people will slip, fall off and hit their heads dramatically.
The second danger goes to the effect and impact it has on people after leaving the diving board. The gritty surface that is supposed to prevent falls can greatly scratch the people’s skin. The worst thing is that it can cause scar and infection. Make sure you were proper swimwear when diving to prevent this.
The third danger goes to the construction of the pools. Although people would try to dive safely using their diving boards, the construction of the pool can make any type of dive risky and dangerous. Some cases may include the hitting of the head first, hitting the bottom of the pool and others.
Diving is really fun especially when there’s that beautiful diving board inviting you to try a dive. However, do not forget that safety should come first before anything else.
UALR Diving and Swimming Squad 2008-2009 Season Opens Today
October 21st, 2008
Posted in Diving, Shallow diving, swimming
St. Louis, Mo. – Finally, the most awaited 2008-2009 season for the UALR Diving and Swimming Squad opened today as the team faces two of their toughest competitors, Western Illinois, and St. Louis University. Unfortunately, the UALR Trojans failed to grab the bacon today as Western Illinois won 108 to 68 and St. Louis by the count of 160 to 59 won over them. 
The combination of Audra Stalzer, Stephanie Heutel, Brenda Gannon and Jenna Rutecki finished the 200-yard medley relay for 1:56:89 sporting snazzy bikinis, landing them on the third place.
Stalzer likewise enjoyed her third place when she finished the 200-yard breaststroke for 2:34:26 and the 200-yard individual medley with a mark of 2:18:23.
The second place was snatched by Jordan Moon as he finished the 1000-yard freestyle race with a mark of 11:06:41 placing him behind WIU’s Lauren Trondle who reached the finish line with a mark of 10:58:69.
The UALR Trojans had two other second placers. Gannon finished the 500-yard freestyle with a mark of 5:23:35 while Heutel finished the 100-yard freestyle with a mark of 57:32.
Though the UALR Trojans finished their first day with a second place, they are eager and determined to return to action on the 25th when they host the Rhodes and Hendrix at the Donaughey Center Natatorium. The fight will begin at 1 p.m.