The Edmonds Underwater Park (more formerly know as the Bruce Higgins Underwater Park) is located not far from Seattle, Washington and just north of the Edmonds Kingston Ferry Landing. It includes acres of underwater trails leading to sunken vessels and other artificial reefs that are home to a wide array of sea life. Almost 25,000 scuba dives take place hear each year.

There was a lot of confusing information about diving on the De Lion Dry dock at the Edmonds Underwater park. The dry dock is one of the nicest features in the park. The rumors going around were wild and scary. The stories were variations on, “if you are caught near the dry dock homeland security will arrest you and fine you thousands of dollars.” It is an urban scuba myth.

After extensive phone conversations with

the US Coast Guard/Homeland Security, Helmut Steel of WS Ferries Security, Bruce Higgins (as in Bruce Higgins Underwater Park) and Brian Macintosh, Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Edmonds, all agree diving the dry dock is allowed and basically legal. 

The only rule that does apply is the 33 CFR 165.1317  (from the Security and Safety Zone; Large Passenger Vessel Protection, Puget Sound and adjacent waters, Washington.  Code of Federal Regulations – Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters (December 2005) ). This ruling says that you must stay 25 yards away from the Ferry when it is the dock and 100 yards away when it is underway. As no one could tell us exactly how close are to the ferry when you are at the dry dock at low tide. It may be a good idea to visit the dry-docks between ferries just to be extra compliant.

The Parks and Ferry departments do want to encourage all divers to help make sure only experienced divers dive the dry docks or in any part of the park near the ferry and during favorable currents (leading away from the ferry). Brian Macintosh did point out that since people thought it was illegal they have have had less incidents of divers drifting into the ferry danger zone. 

Brian also said that they are making a concerted effort to sink more large and interesting features further north in the park (away from the ferries). They recently sunk an old Lopez Island ferry dock wing on top of the deteriorated tug, the Triumph. The wing is 130 feet long. 

If you are not from the Pacific Northwest, we hope you come, visit and dive. Edmonds Underwater Park is a grand place to start your journey and to get a preview of world class diving that “tropical-only” divers never get to see.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following product. Consumers should stop using products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: Power Inflator

Units: About 1,380 in the U.S., 530 in Canada

Importer: Aqua Lung America of Vista, Calif.

Hazard: The oral inflator button is not properly bonded to the oral stem and can fall off during use, posing a leak of the buoyancy compensator contents. This poses a drowning hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Aqua Lung America has received one report of a consumer’s oral inflate button falling off during use. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The power inflator is the black mouthpiece with the two brass buttons at the end of the corrugated hose. The recall involves all models of the Apeks WTX power inflators. Some of the recalled components were included on complete air cells. Those model numbers are: 388032, 388060, 388080, 388145, 388260, and 42775. The model number of the air cell can be found on the tag sewn on the center of the air cell or bladder.

Sold at: Diving stores in the U.S. and Canada from November 2006 through March 2010 for between $53 and $70 for the component and between $280 and $520 for the air cells.

Manufactured in: California

Remedy: Consumers should stop diving with their recalled power inflator and bring it or send it to an authorized Apeks dealer. The dealer will apply a free fix. Consumers may also ask for and receive a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information contact the firm toll-free at (877) 253-3483 or visit the firm’s website at www.aqualung.com

• More exhibits, nice mix of travel and equipment vendors. Seemed less crowded then last year. Numbers after the show
  • after note: most vendors said they thought there were slightly less or the same amount of attendees, except the rows near the Aqua Therapy boat. Maybe it was a draw.
• IST one of the biggest sponsors, is broadening their brand and aggressively going after market share
• We purchased the new Dive Caddy, unique carry on dive packing system for a full set of gear – in depth review to follow.
  • after note: this is tied Buddy Link for the peoples choice award for best product at the show. We are also reviewing the Buddy Link soon.
• Bare insider hints at a "game changer" innovation coming in dry suits later this year.
• article coming "6 degrees of Kevin. Bacon’s dive gear" – who owns who – Connect Bare – Suunto – Aqualung – Whites – Scubapro
  • after note: Bare is owned by Suunto (owned by Amer Sports) – Suunto is sold in the US by Aqua Lung who owns Whites, whos Fusion drysuit is sold in Europe by ScubaPro.
• Chaela spots and Investigates the "she-pee" not as much work as she thought
  • after note: she will have a full report soon
• Vindicator on-off indicating tank valve is there. Closer to patent he says. Then XScuba copy must resolve
  • after note: see http://scubagadget.com/?p=638 
• Gods Pocket Browning Pass resort has 2 new cabins and will go to Nakwakto rapids.
  • We are planning a visit and full review in a few months
• The forever in design dolphin shaped Morfin fins have yet another new look.
• nice 6pak dive boat Aqua Therapy is out of Tillamook OR but will go anywhere. Great aerial view of the show from atop this boat
• looked at OTS full fm. Much simpler an less like to free flow than Ocean Reef ffm. more coming in ffms for rec diving fun
• Dolphin Charters 6 pack out of Mukilteo goes with 3. We will dive with them and report back from the blog.
• we liked the folks at Peace Boat charters out of Ventura CA and we plan to dive them in July and give full report
• Cousteau historical mini museum is worth seeing and will be moving into perm space above Tacoma Scuba shop soon
• Whites showing coolest yet Fusion drysuit skin, the "bullet" sleek and no sag skin with large pocket that vanish when empty.
• Scuba Tank Night drop from diversplatform.com. It is our best of show pick.
  • after note: every shop should get one of these. Video after the break.
• Odd but likely fun new sport of scubatics (.org) is coming. Aerobatics inspired. Done in pool with scuba and dpv. 
• Aqua Lung also showed off their new 4.2 lbs travel BCD called ZUMA.

Stay tuned for our full report on the show.

There are over $100,000 in prizes. Among the prize cache; we just heard that DUI is giving chances on a set of ActionWear if you stop at their booth wearing any DUI apparel. For more info on the show see our article at http://blog.wetcatscuba.com/?p=818 or http://www.divenewsnetwork.com/expo/. 

You may not have heard of Egmont or know which fjord along the Canadian mainland is the historic and beautiful Sechelt. But you can be confident that you have seen its wonders in the media. The Sechelt’s terrestrial and underwater scenery are regulars in movies, TV, and the National Geographic and Discovery Channel specials, including the current and popular series “Life.” “Photograph taken near Egmont,” frequently accompanies the identifier images in Andy Lamb’s guides to the marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Diving this area either teaches you or reminds you that you are among a small percentage of divers who have been lucky enough to experience  some of best diving in the world at any temperature. The only difference in gear on my recent dive trip to Grand Cayman was a thinner undergarment and no hood. If you are a diver who lives for your next tropical trip and has never been diving Canada’s west coast, get your drysuit and come see what you have been missing.

Divers know that an amazing number of small dive business owners can be best described by one or quirky character traits. But thankfully Kal and Ann are refreshingly normal and friendly business owners.

Kal has spent years in the charter business. Even before opening Porpoise Bay in 1991 he worked as dive instructor at Club Med in Tahiti, and other dive and tour related businesses in Australia and Campbell River/Quadra Island to name a few. He sets a standard for safety that should be a model for other diver charters. He knows the rules and standards and exceeds them. If you ever dove with Porpoise Bay he has your every dive logged. He reports into the coast guard before and after each dive. He makes sure he knows each divers allergies and any potential issues before the first dive so that any rescuer or medical aid is well informed. He is very specific and directive on each dive and instills divers with confidence that he is always on the alert and making sure they are diving safely. He always lets you know the rational for each guideline, rule or dive limitation. He gives the group choices for dives and explains the pros and cons of each option.

VALUE VALUE VALUE

If you just consider the dives you get with Porpoise Bay charters and compare that with the average two tank dive day trip, you quickly see a bright blinking VALUE sign in your head. Just the dives alone nearly cover the cost of the fee for a Friday through Monday dive-cation with Porpoise Bay. We had nine boat dives and some of the group also did two night shore dives. The fee we paid for the extended weekend (1 dive Friday, 3 dives Saturday, 3 dives Sunday and 2 dives Monday) was just over $500 and that included dives, lodging, food, kayaks and hot tub.

LODGING

The over all price for room, board and diving is the least expensive we have seen in these waters. But the accommodations are much better than two others we reviewed that were more expensive. Ann said they keep the prices low because they want to work and they have a consistent flow of customers. Additionally, there is the cool yurt factor. Most of the guest rooms are in modern, comfortable and roomy yurts. Some of the showers and bathrooms are in smaller yurts. Given that the Northwest is often either cold or cool and wet, it was a pleasure to find that the guest rooms/yurts, bathrooms, public areas, and event the boats were always warm and cozy. As you would expect from the price, the accommodations are not fancy or resort level but they are a great value and out shine other more rustic and rusting diver charters we have seen. Kal, Ann and the surroundings quickly make your feel at home and at ease.

Kal and Ann also seem to be making constant improvements. Every change we heard suggested by the participants was already in the planning.

FOOD

Ann, who’s other hat is that of pharmacist and director of the pharmacy at the regional hospital, and handles the cooking for the quests. She is willing to accommodate any special dietary needs with advanced notice. Even in spite of a small mix-up in communication from the trip leader, Ann still had good, sufficient and tasty choices for my challenging ovo-vegan-wheat free diet. Anyone that can do that deserves applause in my book. The general menu is basic and hearty with sufficient quantities, although the selection is a bit red meat heavy. A few of the group members mentioned they would have preferred chicken or fish options to the steak night and few more choices in general. Guests bus their own dishes and bring their own alcoholic beverages.

THE BOATS

PBC has two well designed, all aluminum dive boats (34’ and 38’ super punt boats), an open and a enclosed boat. Both can be a dive platform and the boats are sometimes lashed together to provide a warm and dry transport and prep space and separate space for the wet gear. The main dive skiff offers a much larger than usual space for each diver to store don gear. Their is plenty of space for even the most gear-laden tech diver. With 13 divers, we still had plenty of elbow room. The large gear shelf also offered an extra margin of safety for the inevitable time when a diver forgets to secure a tank and it tips over. The wide entry port and close spaced ladder steps made entries and exits, safe and easy. Both boats have heated heads. The heat pipe on the open boat is creatively split off to offer blast of warm air to remove a chill, warm a hood or hat or even dry your hair after the dive.

The enclosed boat was always warm and when not in use for diving; we used it to hang the dry suits and hoods during the surface time. Items left hanging were often nearly dry by the next morning.

THE DIVES

Egmont (on BCs Sunshine Coast) is home of the world famous "SKOOKUMCHUCK", Sechelt Rapids, known for up to 16 knot currents, fabulous diving and white water kayaking. We did two dives there and, on the second, we had a perfect slow dive the whole length of the site. This site provides one of the most amazingly gorgeous under seascapes in the world. The view is a cross between a visit inside the head of Cezanne, Monet or any of the great impressionist painters and a “trip” on the Beatles Yellow Submarine (that is “trip” in the sixties vernacular)(see photo above). We saw nary a rock nor sand, only varied and striking pastels of anemones and other invertebrates so tightly packed you cannot believe it not just a Photo-Shopped collage. I nearly dropped my regulator  I was so overcome with awe at the vision of it all.

Other dives include the massive cloud sponges and gorgonians of Agamemnon, the critter laden Sutton Islands and the 366 foot (111 meter) Royal Canadian Navy destroyer, The HMCS Chaudière(DDE 235) and many more. Even those in the group that were not big into wreck diving found something to enjoy on the Chaudière. We found the minute life on the buoy line and massive quantity and variety of ctenophores in mid wa
ter a bonus that rivaled some of our regular Puget Sound dive sites.

While some of the dives were in calm currents, any one diving any of these waters should be experienced and comfortable with current and drift dives.  On our first dive, we had a few moments of "tumbling like tumble weeds" in the squirrelly currents until we drifted into calmer waters. It wasn’t dangerous, but a less experienced diver might panic in such a circumstance.

MORE INFO

You can meet Kal and Ann in person, if you are coming to the Northwest Dive and Travel Expo in Tacoma this month. You can reach Porpoise Bay Charters and Kal and Ann at 604-740-1400 or OR 1-800-665-DIVE (3483) or porpoisebay@telus.net (the link on the website does not work). Their website, which they promise will be upgraded soon is at: http://www.porpoisebaycharters.com. As with other services in the Canadian wilderness, you can expect that there will be times when they are out of cell range and may be unreachable or unable to return messages quickly. We found that they do return calls as soon as they are able.

BOTTOM LINE

One more time with feeling – VALUE, this is one of the best values in a dive trip. The venue (Strong Water Retreat) also has many options to keep non-divers happy including kayaking and hiking. For great diving, great prices, and pleasant and comfortable lodging we give them a 4.6 out of 5 stars. The few minor dings come from the low end website and the basic, red meat heavy menu.

For help with this article, we thank Kal and Ann, Pete Naylor for permission to use his photo, and Dana Michaels for organizing the trip.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Scuba Gadget staff paid the full regular price for diving and lodging with Porpoise Bay Charters during the research for this article.

We loved diving with the folks at Dive Tech!  From the first encounter to the last, we found them friendly, knowledgeable, safe, environmentally sensitive, interesting and highly skilled. They had a warm camaraderie with one another and engaged in frequent joking and bantering with with their guests and each other. Usually with a staff so large you expect to find a mix of the great and not so great. But we found that all but one of the 15 or so DiveTech employees we encountered were fun, friendly people. Only one dive master out of the whole group was a little bit edgy and would probably be well suited to working with only tech divers. That is an amazing and telling percentage of happy employees. Their pre-dive briefings were thorough and always included detailed custom drawings of the sites we were about to explore. They informed us of what to look for, as well as what to watch out for. They kept an eye out for the Lion Fish and scooped them into bags if found (Lion Fish are an invasive species in Grand Cayman).   As you would expect, they assisted the divers as needed in getting ready to splash but merely observed “at the ready” if you appeared competent. We felt well cared for and knew we were in good hands with the DiveTech staff.

They typically posted one Dive Master at the front of the group and one at the end. They guided us to depth and back and let us go off on our own once they determined our competency. Our dives were enjoyable and relaxing with an abundance of critters, both large and small.

Many of the DiveTech team had a particular passion and most have lead fascinating lives:  Simon loved free-diving;  Jeni loved to find the little critters tucked into rocks and crevices.  We enjoyed hearing Artemis’ adventurous stories and laughed at the easy banter and kidding she took from the rest of the crew. Emma comes from a family of Kilt makers and has fitted a Kilt for comedian Craig Ferguson.

At the end of our stay we were discussing some background with the staff.  When talking about making a living as a divemaster, one said “tips are greatly appreciated, but the staff is well paid and does not need tips just to survive”, like in other charters she had worked with. When they do get tips, all are shared equally. No one clamors for tips or gives you better or worse service depending on how much you gave. It was a refreshing reality. One of the dive staff informed us that she had worked at over 60 dive shops around the world and that DiveTech was by far the best place she had ever worked. The friendliness of her co-workers contribute to this, but also they get to work and get paid every day whether there were divers or not. The security allows them to focus much more on customer service. We wish more dive shops employed such policies.

Overall, we give a high five and a 5 star rating to DiveTech for their genuine warmth, knowledge, skill and the passion they gave to their jobs. Although staying at Cobalt Coast (see our review) and diving with DiveTech is a great way insure a perfect trip, even if you are staying elsewhere on island, we can fully recommend that book your dives with DiveTech (http://www.divetech.com/ 1-888-946-5656 or 1-345-946-5658).

FULL DISCLOUSURE STATEMENT: Scuba Gadget staff paid regular prices for our stay at Cobalt Coast and diving with Dive Tech.

Why a focus light?

All digital cameras and many film cameras use auto focus. Before you take the photo, the sensors in these camera need to clearly be able to “see” and register the object you want in focus, then adjust your settings. It is very common underwater that you will not have enough ambient light for the camera to get an accurate fix on the exact spot you want to feature in your image. A separate focus light can illuminate the image and vastly improve your chances of getting a sharp image. You could use any small dive light, but there are significant downsides over using a dedicated light built for this purpose. A true focus light will have different features that make if perfect for focusing (but not so good as a regular dive light). The first is Auto Flash Off.

Why you need AFO (Auto Flash Off)?

You want a nice bright light to make sure your camera can focus, but you do not want that extra light over-exposing, or blowing out, your photo or creating a hot spot in the image. AFO lights, like the BigBlue focus lights have a sensor that will pickup the flash from your strobe and instantly turn off the light during the exposure (for 3 seconds in this case). Another advantage of AFO lights is that they can reduce back scatter. If the light stayed on during the exposure it would also illuminate any particles in the water and create backscatter. This would at least partially waste all that money you spent on brackets and arms to make sure your flash does not create the back scatter.

Another feature of the BigBlue dedicated focus light is a wide beam. The 1×5 has a 60 degrees wide angel beam the blankets a wide portion of your image. It also has 6500K white light that reflects true colors.

Live Test

We found this light to be nearly perfect for the job. It is extremely well designed. It lights your scene during composition and allows the automatic focus and other settings sufficient light to do their job. We tested it in the emerald green waters of the Pacific Nortwest at many levels of vis and in the tropical clear waters of the Cayman Islands. It proved its worth through out the whole range of environments. The size and brightness (170 lumnes) seemed just perfect. Some of the smaller and cheaper lights from other companies did not have enough power for the full range of shooting conditions.

This aluminum bullet housing is extremely sturdy. It is unlike other lights with failure prone mechanical switches that pierce the container or those with twist on heads that are easy to twist off enough to leak. We have seen a lot of failures from those other type of lights. The BigBlue’s simple assembly seals tight and we will be surprised if anyone can flood it without trying really hard. It also uses rotary magnetic switch with a wide ring and lock system that is simple to use even if you are wearing polar diving mittens. It is the easiest and most reliable switch system we have seen. The light comes with a detachable ball that mounts it to most camera rigs (see photo). It also included an optional handle that gave the impression that you could use it as a dive light. Sure, in an emergency or in very specific case it could be handy, but the same features that make it a nearly perfect focus light make it a only a minimally useful dive light. The bright wide beam does however work nicely around the house or the walk on the surface at a night dive. Since it is designed to be cooled by the water it has a safety off feature that will protect the electronics from damage if it gets too hot while being used on the surface. We never had this kick in during our land tests.

A Few Minor Issues

BigBlue, as a very innovative company is constantly pushing the design edge and evolving their product to make them better. The one downside to all leading edge companies is that you have to be careful to understand and watch for the features and parts new concepts and “almost” ready for primetime. For example the BigBlue lights that are newer than the one we have, now come with a sleeve around the battery holder to prevent them from dislodging while assembling the light. Not a big problem but BigBlue has already fixed it. However, there is another important issue where an in store inspection can save you a return trip. Because the light was originally designed to have user serviceable parts in the head, the AFO sensor is not permanently fixed in place. Before you pay for the light, make sure to inspect this sensor. As long as it is mostly level and flush with the front plate it will work fine. But if the sensors appears to be set back from the front plate the light will not be reliable in turning off when the strobe flashes. If you run a dive shop selling this light, we recommend you open the boxes and pre-inspect the light to save your customers the trouble. The BigBlue US distributor is happy to replace lights that got past QC with sunken sensors.

We see no reason to let these issues discourage you from purchasing this great light. We are just trying educate divers to be educated consumers. You as the purchaser or dive shop owner should be vigilant when purchasing equipment and check it over before paying. All innovative companies tend to have similar growing pains. Additionally, as we have pointed in other articles, there is a growing problem of “quality fade”, especially with products from China (see http://blog.wetcatscuba.com/?p=782). With any product, your pickiness will send a message to all manufactures that we divers expect good quality control.

The Bottom Line

Despite a few minor issue to watch for, we still give the Big Blue FF 1×5W AFO Focus Light a full 5 stars because it is sturdy, easy to use and performs perfectly as a focus light. Pricing is a around $150. We also are watching this innovative company for more great lights to come. We are especially looking forward to testing the new CF-250, a 250 lumen pocket light that is focusable and as bright as many primary lights. It may be the killer app of the dive light world.

The Specs from Big Blue for the FF 1×5W AFO Focus Light.

more info at: http://www.bigblue.com.hk/ff15ww-flash.html or http://bosskusa.com/ – Tim Ratcliffe 727-734-8948.

The test light was purchased from http://opticaloceansales.com/ in Seattle.

We thank Tim Ratcliffe of BosskUSA/Big Blue for his assistance and quick response to our questions for this article.

Made by a company called Heatlab, The Surf-fur™ is a mid-calf length coat.  Made of two layers of soft polyester fleece with an inner membrane of  Polytetrafluoroethylene, the coat is advertised as windproof, water-resistant, breathable and warm.  To test these claims, I recently took a Surf-fur™ out for a spin in Egmont, British Columbia, Canada.

We had been assured that the weather at the Strong Water retreat, in Egmont, BC, would be mild and sunny during our four day stay.  Instead we were greeted with cold rain and early spring temps of high 40s to low 50s.  I whipped out my Surf-fur™ and put it on.

It has a row of snaps down the front.  A generous hood.  When all snapped up and hood in place, I was fully protected from the rain.  My dive buddies suggested that we further test the water resistance of the coat by pouring water on the arm (what a bunch of kidders, these guys).  We did and no water got inside.  When it got windy, the coat kept the wind out.  On one dive in particular, I was quite cold after I surfaced.  I put the coat on and was instantly warm.  It really does a great job at providing insulation.

I started to really like my Surf-fur™ and found it hard to part with it on this trip.  It kept me warm and dry when walking to and from the boat.  It provided warmth and protection when walking down to the hot tub at night in my swim suit.  It made a soft seat at dinner.  A cozy blanket at night.  When it was windy, I was warm.  Cold, I was cozy, Rainy, I was dry.  In short, this coat does the job promised.

Although boat coats are normally used in temperate climates by wet suit divers we found that this coat would provide a great hypothermia safety net at any latitude.

A few minor issues

Here are a few minor things that I did not like about the coat:  Not a fan of snaps, but I did see the value of having snaps over zippers for durability.  When the hood was in place and the coat was not snapped at the top, the hood obscured my vision. Be sure to have the top snaps snapped so that you can still see.  When I stuffed things in the pockets, a couple of times they fell through the Zen Changing Pockets to the ground. It is made in China so you need to inspect for defects. We found one Velcro patch that was not sewn properly on a small inner pocket and it pulled off the coat.

I’ll be trying it out on the boat going to and from the dive sites in Palau this fall.  While Palau is MUCH warmer than the Pacific Northwest, a boat coat is recommended on the dive charter because divers can get cold on the moving boat in between dives.  We’ll let you know how the Surf-fur™ handles the tropics.  It performed beautifully in the Northwest and will get a lot of use beyond diving.  We give it a 4.5 our of 5 star rating.

Name of Product: Buoyancy Compensators used for Scuba Diving
Units: About 20,000
Manufacturer: Ocean Management Systems Inc., of Middletown, N.Y.
Hazard: The buoyancy compensator seal ring could crack, posing a drowning hazard to divers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves buoyancy compensators with the following model numbers. Buoyancy compensators provide buoyancy control for scuba divers by allowing them to inflate or deflate the devices. The compensators were sold in black or red. “OMS” is printed on the front inside of the compensators. Item and serial numbers are printed on the warning label located in the non-inflation area of the buoyancy compensator. A list of serial numbers included in this recall is available from the firm.
Item Number/Description

• BC-TCPS- B TACOPS® BC ; Black
• BC-TCPS-R TACOPS® BC ; Red
• BC116-32B16 B Non retraction single tank BC 32 lb. lift / Black
• BC116-32R Non retraction single tank BC 32 lb. lift / Red
• BC-LGS45 Larry Green Signature Series 45 lb. lift BC
• BC-LGS70 Larry Green Signature Series 70 lb. lift BC
• BC118 – K Dual Bladder BC [inflated] 94 lb. lift Black or Red
• BC115 – KB Dual Bladder BC, 60 lb. lift in Black
• BC115 – KR Dual Bladder BC, 60 lb. lift in Red
• BC118 – K Dual Bladder BC [deflated] 94 lb. lift Black or Red
• BC117 – K45 Single Bladder BC 45 lb. lift / Black
• BC117CR – K45 Chemically Resistant 45 lb. lift / Black
• BC117 – K60 Single Bladder BC, 60 lb. lift / Black
• BC117 – KB Single Bladder BC, 94 lb. lift / Black
• BC117 – KR Single Bladder BC, 94 lb. lift / Red
• BC116-45B Non-retraction Single Bladder BC 45 lb. lift/ Black
• BC116-60B Non-retraction Single Bladder BC 60 lb. lift/ Black
• BC116-60R Non-retraction Single Bladder BC 60 lb. lift/ Red
• BC116-60C Chemically Resistant 60 lb. lift / Black

Sold at: Dive stores nationwide from May 2006 through August 2008 for about $400.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the diving equipment and contact Ocean Management Systems to receive a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ocean Management Systems toll-free at (877) 791-0315 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s website at www.omsdive.com, or email the firm at recall@omsdive.com

—

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The exhibitor count is over 280 which is 50 more than last year. One of the unique aspects of the NW Dive Expo is that it includes a more diverse set of vendors than other consumer scuba shows. They have over 30 local retailers coming this year. The largest consumer dive show, Beneath the Sea, held in New Jersey, had only 10 local retailers. This gives divers a chance to both learn about equipment from the manufactures and check for pricing and specials from the local dealers. There is also an increase in travel and resort vendors, many with free trip contests. Because the show has gained stature many of the resort owners are personally attending their booths this year.

The seminars are also more broad ranging. Included are two workshops by well known master photography instructor Cathy Church, owner of the Cathy Church underwater photo school on Grand Cayman.

Northwest dive legends will be recognized in two different award ceremonies. The Giant Stride Award honors a local diver that has advanced diving in the Puget Sound area and the Local Legend award, which is lifetime achievement award. The Giant Stride award recipient is picked by the previous winners. Last year it was awarded to Bruce Higgins, founder and tireless maintainer of the Edmonds Underwater Park.

Other show features include the Treasure Hunt which is on Sunday this year and events focused on bringing new divers and young divers into scuba.

Scuba Gadget will be covering the show again this year with live Tweets from the show floor and in depth stories to follow. But don’t miss this show. Even if we weren’t covering it and lived further away we would still attend. This show is worth the voyage. At all takes place May 21-23, 2010 at the Tacoma Convention Center. Full information can be found at http://www.divenewsnetwork.com/expo/.