Inserts & o'rings

newsletter

Some

Scuba Diving

Life Lessons

I have some to add...

• Good times are found when you go looking for them.
  
• Bad visibility sometimes give you the best sense of direction.
• Finding a tribe, can be one of the greatest gifts in life.
• Adventure can be found in the simplest things...like diving in Bass Lake ;)
• Great moments sometimes find you in the roughest of seas.
• Anyone can live an extraordinary life! Just start scuba diving.
• Nature can cure many a problem.
• You don't have to go to space to experience walking on the moon.
• There is wonder in finding the small stuff rather than searching for the big wonders every day.
• The sound of bubbles is all the meditation you need.
  

With Love Mandy

In This Issue

• Just for laughs
• Partial Pieces Puzzle
• New hand signals
• Mozambique bus trip
  
• Upcoming Events
  
• PADI Divemaster Course
• Who got certified this month
  
• Trips - Sods October Fest / Moz Year End
  
• Courses of the month
  
• School Holiday Course

Features

• Choosing the Right Torch
  
• SMB's & DSMB's
  
• The Shy Shark
• Message from an intern
  
• The Star Fish
  
• Member of the month
  
• Tribe WhatsApp group
• Let's Do Tec
  
• Club Albums
  
• Epic Moments in June'
  

DEEP

NIGHT

PPB

NAvigation

Wreck

bonus nitrox lecture

The Advanced Open Water Diver course helps you increase your confidence and build your scuba skills so you can become more comfortable in the water. This is a great way to get more dives under your belt while continuing to learn under the supervision of your PADI Instructor. This course builds on what you've learned and develops new capabilities by introducing you to new activities and new ways to have fun scuba diving.

Let's Do Tec

Seats are limited so RSVP to book your Spot :)

Looking for a bit of a challenge in your diving? Have done most of the recreational courses - not keen on the professional route. Maybe you want to spend some extra time on dives like Pinnacles or Atlantis in Moz. Or even try dive the as much of two mile as possible. Getting TEC qualified could be an easy goal related course.

It could even just be another course to build your confidence and learn a little bit more about decompression and diving in general.

Come find out a bit more about it and if it is something you would like to try.

The PADI Tec 40 Course.

It also happens to be the first step of the full PADI Tec Diver course. This course bridges the gap between no-stop diving and full technical deep decompression diving, providing you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary start your Tec diver training or just learn a bit more about Tec diving. Upon completion, you will be able to make limited decompression dives to a depth of 40 meters.

Here's what you can expect to cover during the course:

Three knowledge development sections

Three practical application sessions

Four training dives

During the course, you'll gain valuable knowledge about technical diving's risks and responsibilities, as well as the proper rigging and setup of equipment. You'll also learn about gas planning, oxygen limits and decompression planning, and practice team diving techniques and emergency procedures, such as handling free flows, manifold leaks, and out-of-gas situations.

Pay your Way

PADI Dive Master Course

Becoming a PADI Divemaster: The First Step to a Thrilling Career in Scuba Diving

The Divemaster program is an incredible opportunity to get an inside look at how a dive shop operates. As you develop your skills and knowledge, you'll learn about the potential for a life on the beach, with a daily commute on a dive boat, and even an office underwater! It's no surprise that many Divemaster candidates initially come for a fun challenge or to fill a gap between schools or jobs, only to continue their pro-development or even pursue a career as a Divemaster.

This professional-level training program provides a comprehensive education in diving knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities. Alongside classroom and independent study, you'll complete water skills and stamina exercises, as well as training exercises that challenge problem-solving and organizational skills. Upon certification, you'll be qualified to oversee dive activities and assist instructors in training student divers.

If you're looking to take the next step in your scuba diving career, obtaining a PADI Divemaster certification is essential for both PADI Assistant Instructor and PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certifications.

Experience the Ultimate Lifestyle by Paying Your Way Now. Don't Wait!

How to buy the right torch

Is it your PRIMARY OR BACKUP DIVING FLASHLIGHT?

Is it EASy tO USE

As the name implies, a primary dive light is the main light source that a diver will use when underwater. Typically these lights have longer-lasting battery times (which allows for longer dives) and have a wide or broad beam, allowing you to maintain a wider field of lighted vision during dives.Backup lights are an optional (but wise!) source of additional lighting that is used as and when needed but not used for the duration of the whole dive. Usually, the backup dive lights are smaller, allowing them to stay out of the divers way until needed, and typically carry a narrow beam, allowing you to hone in on corals, crevices, and cracks in walls, wrecks, and rocks.

How easy is it for you to operate your chosen diving flashlight while underwater? Can you easily access the switches and controls, emergency flash, etc? Do its weight and size suit your underwater needs?

how long is the BATTERY LIFE

This is obviously an important factor when picking the right underwater flashlight for you. There are basically two types available – rechargeable or disposable. Rechargeable, while clearly much better for the environment, will slowly diminish in longevity over time and use. Consider keeping a backup charged battery with your when using this option. Disposable batteries are always fresh when just opened up so it’s often easier to predict longevity, but carry an ecological downside.

What is the DIVE DEPTH AND IPX RATING

It’s critical that you match your average dive depth with your chosen diving torch IPX rating. The deeper you dive the higher the rating needs to be to withstand the water pressure. Diving lights that are taken underwater to depths greater than their approval rating face serious malfunctions, leaks, and breakages which could leave you in a very dangerous situation underwater.

what we recommend

The AL1300NP offers great features including the four-level push-button on/off switch, battery-level indicator, and rechargeable 18650 lithium-ion battery. With its narrow 10° beam angle this is the perfect light for general purpose diving.

• 1300 Lumens at 6500K color temperature
  
• Rechargeable lithium-ion 18650 battery
  
• Four power settings with a color-coded battery indicator
  
• 450 Lumens at 6500K color temperature
  
• A wide 85° beam angle with a soft edge
  

what is the OUTPUT AND BRIGHTNESS

Despite what you might think when it comes to scuba diving, the brightest dive lights are not always the most ideal for the situation. Depth, water clarity, day/night dives will all play a factor in this. If you are in very murky water with a lot of particles suspended in the water, a brighter dive light will actually make it more difficult to see clearly around you due to overly-bright reflections from these particles.

R5129

SELF DRIVE PACKAGE - R7 560

Club Member Message

The journey from Fear to Fun

from Farzana Prior

Herewith my scuba diving journey…

In 2021, Nabeel and I took a week’s leave from work so that I could take my time with my instructor, to get my skills right. I hated water in my nose, I hated breathing through my mouth and I hated getting wet. Bear in mind that I had been kept dry my entire life and breathed through my nose until 2021. In my youth, I never grew up with a pool or learned how to swim. During the week of dedicated open water skills training, Keaton, my instructor, heard me mutter under my breath that I was ‘getting wet again’ and gave me a concerned look. My brain wanted to get the skills I needed at the pool to get to qualify at Bass Lake, but my body/skin was never this exposed to daily full-body water immersions before. My body/skin disliked THIS MUCH water and my brain told my body that I HAD to get used to it because ‘getting wet’ was going to be my new norm.

At Bass Lake, in November 2021, whilst qualifying for open water I panicked twice. Once when I felt claustrophobic when ‘the wall was moving towards me’…actually I was moving towards the wall and the wall wasn’t moving at all :-D…and once when my BCD’s inflator button didn’t work at the surface and I began grabbing poor Nabeel and pushed him down panicked that I was ‘sinking/drowning’. PS…you can’t drown with a regulator full of air in your mouth :-D. Nabeel conveyed to Keaton, why I was panicked and he promptly disconnected and reconnected the inflator hose allowing me to become buoyant at the surface and described that I had air in my mouth so there was no need to panic. This led me to formulate my first rule for terrified scuba divers, breathe through your mouth, the nose is for surface breathing only. As long as I am breathing, NOTHING can go wrong because I am BREATHING. Wow…to my terrified brain, this was a revelation.

I told myself that qualifying for Open Water was tough for me, and that despite all of my panicked stumbling blocks that weekend, I completed the skills and I qualified as an Open Water diver and that this was something to be proud of. Due to the fact that Open Water was so tough for me to achieve (it was skills, skills, skills repetition from April through to November 2021), I persuaded myself to keep diving to maintain and honour my hard-earned certification and promised myself that with repetitive diving my fear will reduce. Hah! Somewhere between my first pool session with Dickie doing Open Water in the pool, in April 2021 and my 59th dive with Rae, an instructor at Aliwal in June 2023…my fear had turned to FUN. I can’t tell you exactly when fear turned to fun…somewhere it did…

Partial Pieces!

You can win R100 voucher!

Send us your answers to mandy@scubaversity.co.za

and get a R100 showroom voucher if you get all of them correct.

1.

6.

2.

7.

3.

8.

4.

9.

5.

10.

Facebook

4 Nights 3 Dives - R 4680

When you book with us

your buddy stays for FREE!!!!

Upgrade to a hut R150 per person per night.

For More Info:

mandy@scubaversity.co.za

Tribe Member of the Month

Shout Out Page!

Eustace Tait

Let us tell you a little more about Eustace. He arrived here at Scubaversity calling Dickie "oom" very formal, dressed in his best to impress. From the very beginning he stole everyone's heart with his ability to make people feel special. His infectious sense of humor never fails to bring laughter and joy to any conversation.After finishing his open water course at the end of 2020, done Advanced, Rescue, EFR & Nitrox and Wreck Speciality.

Eustace is an excellent diver, with his rescue qualification, he has proven himself to be dependable and capable in any underwater situation. We are looking forward to him becoming a divemaster at Scubaversity.

He is definately part of our diving family, always ready to lend a helping hand, share his expertise, and make newcomers feel welcome and comfortable. We are truly fortunate to have him as a part of our club, and his dedication and enthusiasm continue to inspire us all.

Do you want to be Member of the Month? Follow us on social media, attend socials and join us for trips to get a mention!

THEY DO NOT HAVE BLOOD OR A BRAIN

• The truth is that neither blood nor a brain exist in starfish. In actuality, they actually pump nutrients through their nervous system using filtered sea water.
  

THEY WEIGH MORE THAN YOU THINK, THEY WEIGH

• Despite their little appearance, starfish can weigh up to an astonishing 11 lbs.
  

THEY LIVE A LONG LIFE.

• A starfish may live an astonishing 35 years on average. Large species of starfish typically live longer than their smaller relatives.
  

AROUND 2,000 SPECIES OF STARFISH EXIST.

• They can live in a variety of different climates, both warm and cold, and can be found everywhere from the Indian and Pacific Ocean to right here in our local waters.
  

STARFISH DO NOT ALL HAVE FIVE ARMS.

• A few less common species have more than five, and some of them can reach a staggering 40!
  

THEY ARE REGENERATEABLE

• If one of these cunning animals happens to lose a limb, they don't fuss about it. They have the capacity to develop a new limb all by themselves, however it can take a year to do so.
  

THEY TURN INSIDE TO EAT

• Clams, shells, and mussels are among the foods that starfish enjoy eating. When they catch their meal, they use tiny suction cups to cling on to it. When they consume, their stomachs leave their lips to begin the process of digestion before returning to the body once they are done.
  

About Starfish

Something for the kids to do. It is healthy, outdoors and fun!

Our scuba diving school holiday program will not only provide you with a fun-filled adventure but also equip you with skills that could potentially lead to a career in diving. Here's what you can expect from our program:

• Professional and experienced instructors who will guide you through the basics of scuba diving.
• Safe and controlled diving environments to ensure your safety while you learn.
• Opportunities to explore the beautiful underwater world and see marine life up close.
• Opportunities to build new friendships with like-minded people who share your interest in diving.
• A chance to learn about the importance of marine conservation and how you can play a role in protecting our oceans.
• An unforgettable experience that you can share with your friends and family for years to come.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to create lifelong memories and gain valuable skills. Join our scuba diving school holiday program today!

Aliwal 2023

Bass Lake 2023

Do you want to create ocean change? Become an Ocean Torchbearer.

Stand with us. Take the pledge at :

The Scubaversity Tribe Whatsapp Group is a virtual community that brings together members of the Scubaversity diving club. We post all our club activities and upcoming events. This group serves as a central hub for communication, allowing members to be kept in the loop about all our awesome activities. The Scubaversity Tribe Whatsapp Group has become an indispensable tool for club members to stay informed and engaged. Only admins can post on the group and we try to only post twice a week.

padi.com/savetheocean

Join our tribe group

Just for Laughs!

Specialities of the Month

Equipment

Ensure Your Dive is Uninterrupted with Proper Scuba Gear Maintenance

Don't let scuba gear issues ruin your dive. Whether it's a blown

o-ring, regulator problem, wetsuit tear or broken fin strap, you can easily learn how to manage basic scuba equipment adjustments. As a PADI Equipment Specialist, you'll be equipped to handle daily scuba equipment maintenance, care, and adjustments with ease.

Nitrox

Discover the Benefits of the PADI Enriched Air Diver Course

The Nitrox course is a highly popular specialty scuba diving course, and for good reason.

Diving with Enriched Air Nitrox provides divers with a longer no decompression dive time, meaning more time to explore underwater, particularly on repetitive scuba dives.

Deep

Exploring the Depths:

This course is perfect for anyone looking to explore the mysterious depths and push their limits. It's a thrilling experience, and you'll learn new techniques for diving in the 18-40 meter range. We'll also cover equipment considerations for deep dives. By the end of the course, you'll have gained valuable experience in planning, organizing, and executing at least four deep dives under the guidance of your PADI instructor.

Rescue

The Rescue Diver Course:

An Exciting Opportunity for those seeking to improve their scuba diving skills while having a great time, the Rescue Diver course is an excellent choice. This course has been praised as the favorite of many divers and offers numerous advantages. Divers will learn how to navigate underwater, assist others, address minor gear problems, and use emergency oxygen kits.

PPB

Elevate Your Scuba Diving Skills with PPB Specialty Course

Have you ever noticed how certain scuba divers seem to glide effortlessly underwater? Their excellent buoyancy control can be attributed to their skill and experience. With the PPB Specialty, you can reach that level too. This course is designed to improve your buoyancy skills and help you observe aquatic life without disturbing your surroundings.

Alrighty, since I started here at SV as an intern I have had many great experiences and have learnt a lot of new things and skills. From scuba diving to running a business. Since I came here and the first time I got into the water to dive to the most recent time in the ocean I have had many great experiences and have been amazed by the underwater world. The people here and how they have treated me has been great, they have introduced me to new people and I have made many great new friends, made amazing memories and do not regret a single thing that I have done. SV now holds a special place in my heart and I cannot be more grateful for the fact that I am here. I hope that I have many more great experiences at this place as it makes the soul feel good.

From

Max

Finishing Matric?

Travel the world, get out there, do what you love, change the world and have some fun!

Become an Instructor

Our program provides a comprehensive Scuba Diving career development opportunity through retail, training, charters, servicing, travel, and resort management. It aims to enhance one's skill set and competencies to become a well-rounded PADI instructor and improve employment prospects worldwide. Enrollment is available year-round, and it offers a unique training program, leaving you with life management skills and a professional PADI Instructor.

SMB's / DSMB's

A crucial accessory for divers to carry is a surface marker buoy, also known as a safety sausage or DSMB, especially in areas with currents or know drift diving sites. This device helps with easy location of the diver during or after a dive. The SMB we mostly use is an inflatable tube that ranges from 1 to 2 meters in length and comes in bright colours. A typical SMB consists of an inflatable tube outfitted with a valve used to inflate the tube by mouth or a valve that accepts a low-pressure inflator hose. Larger SMBs have dump valves to deflate the tube after use or to allow air to escape to avoid over-pressurization as the tube rises to the surface.

The SMB may or may not have an attached line and spool/reel. A DSMB (Delayed Surface Marker Buoy) should be attached with a line and spool/reel to mark a diver's location underwater. It can be towed throughout the dive or deployed near the end of the dive as the divers prepare to ascend to safety stop depth.

They have reflective material on their tubes, to be visible at nights. Tubes have with D-ring's or straps to attach a line or reel. A strap or pocket is included to keep the tube rolled up when not in use, and some models also have a D-ring on top to attach a strobe light or light stick.

So what is a DSMB? A Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) is usually used at the end of the dive (that’s why it’s called delayed) to mark your location underwater. They are usually deployed during the safety stop, while an SMB can be used throughout the dive or from the start of the dive and towed along on the surface.

The line attached to your DSMB is a handy reference for your safety stop by tying a knot at 5 meters, as you ascend, the knot will help indicate the safety stop depth. It can also mark a spot on the reef for divers to reference, or designate a starting point for shore divers to return to after the dive.

To deploy a buoy underwater, first ensure that you are neutrally buoyant, and it is safe to do so, look up and around you to assure it is safe to deploy the buoy. Next, unfold the tube open the valve and then blow air through the valve into the tube with your mouth or alternate regulator to partially inflate the safety sausage.

Avoid fully inflating the tube at depth as the air inside will expand during ascent. An SMB with an open bottom can be inflated using the second-stage regulator by briefly depressing the purge button. Once the buoy is partially inflated, hold the line/spool in front of you while releasing the tube to keep tension on the line and maintain the buoy's upright position, if you accidentally added too much air and the buoy starts pulling you upwards, release the SMB and reel completely - rather retrieve when back at the surface than have an uncontrolled ascent.

When ascending, maintain tension on the line and wind the slack line onto the spool using a circular wrist motion. Do not spin the spool. Once you reach the surface, use the snap to secure the line. Check for boat traffic, inflate your BC, and keep a regulator or snorkel in your mouth. You can also clip the spool to your BC. Hold the buoy until the boat arrives or until you swim to shore. A safety sausage is an important accessory to have on every dive for safety purposes.

The Shyshark

The puffadder shyshark (Haploblepharus edwardsii) is a species of catshark that is unique to the temperate waters off the coast of South Africa. It is a member of the Scyliorhinidae family. This common shark can be found from the intertidal zone to a depth of 130 m on or near the bottom in sandy or rocky areas.

The puffadder shyshark is around 60 cm long and has a flattened body and head. It has a remarkable pattern of several brilliant orange "saddles" with dark edges and numerous tiny white spots all over its back. The puffadder shyshark gets its local names "shyshark" and "doughnut" because of the way it curls into a circle and covers its eyes with its tail when it feels threatened.

It is a predator that mostly consumes small crustaceans, polychaete worms, and skeletal fish. The females of this oviparous shark lay their egg capsules singly or in pairs on submerged objects. Despite being harmless to people, puffadder shysharks are typically thrown away by both commercial and recreational anglers due to their small size.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified it as endangered because the entirety of its population is contained within a small geographic region and could be impacted by a minor increase in fishing pressure or habitat deterioration.

Update your Details today.

You might have moved, gotten a new job, or changed your mobile number, we would like to keep you up to date and get in touch with you,

Join our WhatsApp tribe group here.

1) Visit the SV website on

www.scubaversity.co.za

2) In the blue bar at the top & the right corner click on sign in.

3) Click on "register" if you do not have an account with us yet or sign in to update your details. and view your account.

What course will you be doing in 2023?