March 2009

Divers can join search for 1622 treasure galleon
Adventure-hungry certified divers can work alongside professional treasure salvage experts excavating the wrecksite of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, one of the most significant shipwreck discoveries of the 20th century. The weeklong Atocha Dive Adventure includes training in commercial treasure salvage techniques, behind-the-scenes tours of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and labs where Atocha artifacts are conserved and two days of diving the site with salvage experts searching for the galleon's sterncastle. The first adventure is scheduled June 8-14. For more info and dates, contact Mel Fisher's Treasures at (305) 294-5441 or scowles@melfisher.com. -- Posted Thursday, March 26, 2009 by chb

Answers to scuba questions
What's "Actual Dive Time"? Can your mind cause DCI? What do you do when your mask leaks? Can you engage in sports after diving? How can you get rid of that musky dive gear smell? What's the best BC type for serious diving? How much weight should you wear? Can rental dive gear make you sick? These are some of the questions site visitors have been asking, and ScubaDiverInfo.com's Carol Cotton, a NAUI instructor with 1000s of dives, has the answers. Check out the Answers to Scuba questions page. If you have a scuba-related question, submit it. -- Posted Wednesday, March 25, 2009 by chb

Saltwater State Park in Des Moines, Washington to be closed
If you want to see white metridiums (giant white anemones) you usually need to dive out in the ocean, like the wrecks of Southern California. You could, however, also see them at Saltwater State Park on Puget Sound in Des Moines, Washington, where the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission had constructed artificial reefs. Sadly, now the facility is on the state parks closure list because of the state budget shortfall. -- Posted Wednesday, March 25, 2009 by chb

LandShark Scuba, Sioux Falls, awarded Local Dive Shop of the Month
The March 2009 award of ScubaDiverInfo.com Local Dive Shop of the Month goes to LandShark Scuba in Sioux Falls, SD. Award testimony: My family is new to diving and Landshark has gone out of their way to welcome us into the family of divers. From the clerks to the owner and fellow divers, they made us feel like we were always one of their own, even though they have been diving for many years and we are very much beginners. The divers began inviting us on excursions as soon as we started classwork and the instructors offered individual opportunities to complete open water dives as our schedules allowed, which is a plus in South Dakota! They were also very helpful in the selection of equipment purchases we made so we could stay within our budget, yet not buy antiquated equipment. They're great all the way around! -- Posted Tuesday, March 24, 2009 by chb

Scuba diving in Texas
A post on examiner.com on scuba diving in Texas recommends a trip to San Marcos to dive in the San Marcos River (http://www.sanmarcosriver.org/RiverInfo.htm). The San Marcos River is exceptionally beautiful and clear most days of the year because the water comes from the natural underground springs that provides most of the Hill Country with its water, the Edwards Aquifer. Another unforgettable scuba trip in Texas would be to Athens Scuba Park in St. Athens, TX. Athens Scuba Park is maintained and run by professional divers who made sure their lake was scuba supreme. They have set up a small airplane, and a tour bus underwater for divers to explore, as well as treasure hunts and other exciting ways to dive. -- Posted Sunday, March 8, 2009 by chb