Let’s start with 3 new instructors. Regina, Chad Puckett, and Scott Fowler finished their SDI Open Water Instructor evaluation with flying colors. I also finished my Staff Instructor Trainer qualification. We are looking forward to adding more students in more places to the ever growing list of “Air Suck’n Dogs”.

Shannon McAteer of Richmond Hill, GA conducted an Advance Nitrox course in August. Four of us, that’s right including me, took the class. Man did I learn a lot more about Nitrox and the use of O2 in diving. I have a new out look for tec divers and the use of O2 in nearly every dive. This stuff is great if you like to dive 70’-130’. It cuts down on your surface interval without pushing NDL and PO2 limits. With this in mind we now have O2 at the shop for Nitrox mixing including 100% for those who are Advance Nitrox certified.

Speaking of certification we have taken the leap into online learning. We now offer Open Water Diver, Computer Nitrox Diver and Dive Master online academic classes. Call the shop, and Regina will provide you with an online login number, and you’re off and running with your next dive adventure. We also have Public Safety Diver classes online.

Public Safety Diver (PSD) has also hit the Waterdog Scuba shop in full force. We trained 15 PS Divers representing 3 different agencies. Appling County SO, Milan VFD and Jeff Davis VFD all participated in a 6 day course. We will offer more PSD classes next year. Training will include full-face mask and under water communication.

We have also taken on some new lines of dive equipment. Ocean Reef full-face mask, XS Scuba, Highland (tec) and Zeagle (tec/rec) have all been big hits for our divers this year. We also have a new full 2mm camo wet suit that has taken off with the spearos.

We have made many trips with Capt. Dan of Off Shore Dive Charters. Bobby Sears and Capt. Dan placed in the top 10 in a spear tournament this year. We will be booking more trips with Capt. Dan before the year is out, but don’t wait on us. Capt. Dan dives year around and 6 divers make a trip. So call him and setup your next trip.

We also made a new friend with our northern neighbors across the river…Savannah River that is. The Cooper River in South Carolina is full of artifacts and fossils, easy diving with no waves, and shallow water. Even though there are lots of sharks teeth there are no sharks…dang, I am still looking for my first shark.

Lots of our divers have been participating in our Annual Underwater Hunter of the Year contest. We have lots of photos to post, but we don’t want to give away the leader. Keep sending in those pictures, and we will let you know who wins at this year’s Shrimp Boil in November.

For those of you who are interested in upgrading your certification, look for upcoming classes. A Rescue Class will be held this September and a Dive Master Class in October. Remember you can always work on your Advanced when you make dives with an instructor at the springs or in the ocean.

Dive Safely…Dive Often!

Classroom-Hazlehurst WDS August 3rd 6pm-9pm

Troy Springs checkout dive August 14th and 15th

Peconic checkout dive August 21st

Class is $350 plus books and equipment.

Please call or email if you would like to attend, space is limited.

Checkout dives will be Aug 14th at the springs in FLA…location TBA and a Ocean checkout dive at the Peconic with Off Shore Diver Chaters Aug 21st.    Peconic trip is $150.  You do not have to particapate in the class to go on the Peconic trip. 

Price does not include gear, but can be rented through Waterdog.  Trip is subject to availability and weather conditions.  Send E-mail or call Waterdog Scuba @ 912-209-2198 for details and to reserve your space.

Small. Med, Larger and XL---$225

New suits are now it stock.  Get a great deal on these new suits while they last.

Also available are:

Send in your pictures to be entered in this years contest.

SEA YA and BE SAFE

2009 WINNERS

RULES

• All Georgia DNR/Florida FWC laws must be followed
• Diver must stay within recreational dive limits
• Weigh-in does not have to be at Waterdog Scuba Dive Shop (honor system)
• Send weight along with photo to waterdogscuba@bellsouth.net for entry
• Fish must be gutted before weighing
• Dates for the tournament are 01/01/10 – 11/30/10
• There is no deadline for entry
• Hunters may enter tournament at weigh-in
• Points will be awarded by fish weight
• Hunters can enter one fish in each category
• If a hunter brings in a larger fish, the larger fish can replace the previous entry in that same category
• Bonus points will be awarded from the list below

FISH CATEGORIES:

1 point for each pound – maximum of 20 points per fish

• Grouper (any legal species)
• Greater Amberjack
• Flounder
• Sheepshead
• Snapper (any legal species)…open dates only
• Cobia
• Spade

BONUS FINDS:

• Lobster  – 50 pts.  (awarded one time)
• Retrieved Anchor  -  50 pts. each (anchor must be left at Waterdog Anchor Pile)

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

ERDI is the Public Safety diving (PSD) agency that trains Police, Fire and other public safety organizations in Search and Rescue techniques in just about every submerged environment known.   ERDI trains departments on how to make and maintain their own PSD teams along with being the only Public Safety diving training agency that has their own insurance that endorses its own standards.  All ERDI programs are OSHA and NFPA compliant. In fact, some of the largest successful and renown departments use ERDI Programs to conduct their training.

Divers  in this course trained in the basic skills necessary for participation in limited open water public safety diving activities. The ERD I divers are now able to operate as a team member and support person within a dive team organization.  This course is the first step that is recommended for all teams and their members. It is the building block to developing an organized team and operating safely as one unit.

Buck Buchanan with Dive911.com was the lead instructor.  Dive911.com offers specialized training to public safety divers through Emergency Response Divers International (ERDI). ERDI is a training organization through Scuba Diving International (SDI). ERDI utilizes training principals required by both federal state and local dive teams. The training complies with NFPA standards.

Anyone  interested in becoming a Public Safety Diver can contact us for more information, visit www.dive911.com or visit ERDi .