HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: gd@gehenna.sw.stratus.com (Greg Dawe)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: Nitrox Diving
Date: 22 Dec 1992 14:43:53 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer, Software Engineering
NNTP-Posting-Host: gehenna.sw.stratus.com

In article <1992Dec21.203228.4061@atux01.att.com> graff@atux01.att.com (Christopher Graff) writes:
>	Ok I received a bit more information from the shop. 
>	The Viton rings are silicon o-rings except that there lubricated
>	with a chemical called Critox (Unsure of spelling) instead of silicone 
>	grease. This prevents
>	corrosion and combustability with pure O2. They are replaced once
>	a year. They are installed in 1st stage and tanks. Most mixes of
>	Nitrox are usually under the 40% figure so you dont have to worry
>	about the clean equipment fear that much. There is more to the cleaning
>	of equipment in hoses and tanks but I didnt have time to get into a 
>	lengthy discussion about Nitrox. When I have more news Ill let you
>	know. The service is about $50. 
>
Well, silicone O-rings are O2 compatible, but they're more expensive than 
viton.  Critox (sp?) is an O2 compatible lubricant.

I'm not sure, but it sounds like the $50 includes the O-rings, cleaning of
the reg plus O-ring installation, cleaning of the tank, cleaning of the 
valve plus O-ring installation.  If so, that sounds like an excellent price.
If I were charging for those services it would probably be over $100.

Depending on what you're doing with your regulator you might want to have it
checked every 6 months, especially if it's being used with pure O2.

When I attended a class for cleaning O2 equipment the instructor told us
about a training film he had seen (it was a proprietary film, so he couldn't
get it to show us).  The film showed a segment of HP piping used to carry
O2.  The piping had a right angle bend in it, and atop the bend was a valve.
The experimentors injected a single aluminum flake into the gas stream.  When
the flake hit the right angle bend, it caused a spark, which caused an 
explosion, which vaporized the valve atop the bend.  Just the telling of that
story, without even having seen the film, gave me a healthy dose of respect
for HP O2 and the care that must go into cleaning/servicing O2 systems.
-- 
Greg Dawe                        | Disclaimer: I don't speak for my employer,
Voice : (508)-490-6666           |             nor they for me...
e-mail: Greg_Dawe@vos.stratus.com|
From: fortner@hal.eel.ufl.edu (Dave Fortner)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Oceanic Datamax Sport
Date: 21 Dec 92 14:30:48 GMT
Organization: University of Florida
Originator: fortner@hal.eng.ufl.edu

I bought my wife an Oceanic Datamax Sport for Christmas, when
I went to buy it I found out a few things that may be of interest
to other people on the net.

1) The "New" model has a variable ascent rate indicator, graph
style with the green, yellow, red color scheme like the rest
of the computer.

2) In a couple of months Oceanic is going to bring out an improved
version in which the battery is user replaceable. According to
the salesman (please concider the source), Oceanic is going to
swap out exisiting Datamax Sports for the new improved (user replaceable
battery version) for a "nominal" cost. When I find out more details
I'll post the info.

3) F.Y.I. Oceanic no longer has an 800 number :-( I feel that this
is unfortunate because I have always found thier phone service to
be informative and helpful.

Dave Fortner
Fortner-D@3mail.ksc.nasa.gov

Disclaimer: I AIN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTHIN'
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: fortner@hal.eng.ufl.edu (Dave Fortner)
Subject: Re: Diving in Palm Beach Area
Organization: University of Florida
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 92 13:44:22 GMT

In article <1h20ebINNgo3@mirror.digex.com> ask@access.digex.com (Andrew S. Katz) writes:
>I would appreciate anyone's experiences with diving in the Palm Beach
>Florida area.  Someone has recommended "Forc E" dive shop to me for trips.
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Andrew S. Katz
>ask@digex.com

I very highly recommend T'n'T Dive charters, they go out of Boynton
Beach. Capt. Tony's service is the best that I have ever had and
IMHO the dive sites out of Boynton are better than out of Palm Beach
inlet and well worth the 15 min. drive south. Thier phone number is
(407) 364-7399. When are you going? My wife and I have reservations
for December 28 and 29.

If you go out of Boynton, I would recommend that you make sure to
dive on Briney Breeze and Boynton Ledges. Both of these are good
reefs. If you go out of Palm Beach make sure that you go to
"The Breakers", if the vis is good it can be a great dive. I would
avoid Larson's valley, IMO, it's highly overated. Any lastly, I 
strongly recommend that you STAY AWAY from "3 Little Devils" dive
boat (chartered through Dixie Divers), my experience with them was
not very good.

Hope this helps,
Dave Fortner
Fortner-D@3mail.ksc.nasa.gov

Disclaimer: I AIN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTHIN'

Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: cfarmer@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Chuck Farmer)
Subject: Where is FAQ
Followup-To: rec.scuba
Organization: NCSA
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 16:29:15 GMT

Can someone tell where the FAQ or the archive is for this group? I am
planning a trip (Honeymoon ;) )  to Aruba in October and I would like to
find out some info on scuba places in that area.

Thanx
Chuck
cfarmer@ncsa.uiuc.edu

Only a fool is sure. --Moe Howard
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: stuarta@syd.dms.CSIRO.AU (Stuart Andrews)
Subject: Re: What is the BSAC
Organization: CSIRO Division of Mathematics and Statistics, Australia
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 08:39:43 GMT

In article <Byy14H.Hr3@kings.demon.co.uk> lls@kings.demon.co.uk (Lady Lodge Systems) writes:
>In our branch, Peterborough BSAC, we *do* however require all divers
>once qualified as Novice to have either an octopus or pony; in other
>words as soon as they start their open water dives (Note:  this is a
>local Branch rule *not* a BSAC one) There are two main reasons for this
>
>Do any other branches/clubs insist on levels of equipment over and above
>those dictated by their 'governing' bodies (BSAC/SAA/PADI/NAUI etc) ?

In New South Wales, Australia, we are required by law to have an ocky. I've
dived in Queensland where the rules are a bit less restrictive and I've
noted there to be a bit of a slack overall attitude up there. I was
ridiculed for having a reg, and ocky and a BC that worked! The guy doing the
talking had a reg only, and a leaky BC.

I refuse to dive with other than a full set of gear, and I also refuse to
dive with anyone not similarly equipped. I guess I don't wanna die, and I
don't wanna be around when anyone else does.

stuartb

-- 
 "Murder is nothing more than a common assault with unfortunate consequences"
                                                (Rumpole, of the Old Bailey)
################################################################################
Stuart Andrews (stuarta@syd.dms.csiro.au)
Opinions posted here are mine and do not necessarily comply with those of CSIRO
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: ddozier@daled.unet.com (Dale Dozier)
Subject: Re: Oceanic Datamax Sport
Organization: Network Equipment Technologies, Redwood City
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 00:02:26 GMT

>> 2) In a couple of months Oceanic is going to bring out an improved
>> version in which the battery is user replaceable. According to
>> the salesman (please concider the source), Oceanic is going to
>> swap out exisiting Datamax Sports for the new improved (user replaceable
>> battery version) for a "nominal" cost. When I find out more details
>> I'll post the info.
>> 
>I just sent in a 91 Datamax Sports for upgrade for $200.
                                                   ^^^^^^^

$200!!! I payed $260 for the entire unit !!! THIS IS NOMINAL COST!!!
OK!OK! I'm calming down. If anyone gets more info on this up grade
I would apreciate it. $200!!!!

-Dale

Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: slkim@athena.mit.edu (Stacy L Kim)
Subject: underwater hockey
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 15:14:47 GMT

Of course there are people out here playing underwater hockey!  _And_,
there are people in Columbus playing too, I think.  Try Bill Margiotta
at 614-487-9777 or Scot Moore at 614-888-8673.  If you want to jump right
in with both fins, the Midwest Regional Tournament is January 16-17 in
Chicago - a great excuse to go there and check out the blues clubs (while
holding your breath, of course).  If you want any more info about hockey,
I'm slkim@athena.mit.edu.  Hope to see you on the bottom some time!
					-STACY-
P.S.  I apologize for the amateur appearance of this post - without the
neat little header that says "sam shank writes..." - etc., but I don't
quite have the finer points of posting down.  I consider it a success if
it gets posted at all.  
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: graff@atux01.att.com (Christopher Graff)
Subject: Re: Nitrox Diving
Organization: AT&T Corporate Education and Training
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 20:32:28 GMT

In article <1h4jmuINNeus@transfer.stratus.com>, gd@gehenna.sw.stratus.com (Greg Dawe) writes:
> In article <1992Dec18.200249.13155@atux01.att.com> graff@atux01.att.com (Christopher Graff) writes:
> >	Im thinking about taking the Nitrox course next summer and I plan
> >	to purchase a Poseidon reg setup early next year. 
> >	What bit I know is that you can have 
> >	Viton rings installed in the 1st stage and maybe 2nd stage of the reg.
> >	and I think they install them on the tanks also. There purpose is
> >	that they dont corrode fron the higher O2 concentrations so you
> >	wont have to have them replaced. I was told they run about $50-60
> >	. So Im going to have them installed when I buy the reg setup. 
> >	Next time I get over to the shop Ill see if I can get more details.
> >
> Does the $60 include O-ring installation and cleaning?  For that price I hope 
> so!  It probably doesn't include a cleaned HP hose and cleaned SPG, but you
> won't need that for a standard ANDI/IANTD NITROX course.
> 
> I clean/service my own (and a few friends) O2 compatible regs.  We buy
> our O-rings either from a dealer (like Underwater Applications who kits them
> up for a particular regulator) or directly from a manufacturer.  The rings
> for an average reg, like a Sherwood Brut, shouldn't cost more than $12 or so.
> But you also need lubricant, solvent, clean gloves, etc - the costs mount up.
> And then there's the issue of clean HP hoses and gauges for EAN mixes with 
> more than 40% O2.  On top of it all, the current recommendations are that 
> gear setup for O2 service should be inspected/cleaned every 6 months or so.
> O2 cleaning/inspecting is probably going to turn into quite a business for
> the shops how want to do it.
> -- 
> Greg Dawe                        


	Ok I received a bit more information from the shop. 
	The Viton rings are silicon o-rings except that there lubricated
	with a chemical called Critox (Unsure of spelling) instead of silicone 
	grease. This prevents
	corrosion and combustability with pure O2. They are replaced once
	a year. They are installed in 1st stage and tanks. Most mixes of
	Nitrox are usually under the 40% figure so you dont have to worry
	about the clean equipment fear that much. There is more to the cleaning
	of equipment in hoses and tanks but I didnt have time to get into a 
	lengthy discussion about Nitrox. When I have more news Ill let you
	know. The service is about $50. 

	If you have any more info let me know.

	Chris


Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: pboxrud@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Paul D Boxrud)
Subject: Hawaii
Organization: The Ohio State University
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 21:04:42 GMT

Hello,

My fiancee and I are in the process of planning for our honeymoon in Hawaii in 
July.  We've decided to stay at the Turtle Bay Hilton On Oahu.  The brochure 
says it has SCUBA diving.  I was just wondering if anyone has ever dived there 
and can tell me what it is like.

     We are also interested in doing some diving around Malki (I can't remeber 
if that name is even close).  Anyway, the closest dive shop is the Leeward 
Diving center.  Does anybody have any experience with them?  We're both 
recently certified and have no experience in arranging dives like this.

Thanks in advance.

Paul
From: lpratt@slate.mines.colorado.edu (Lorien Pratt)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: How's the snorkeling in Ft. Lauderdale?  As good as the keys?
Date: 31 Dec 92 17:58:33 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Colorado School of Mines

Hi,
  My husband and I will be attending a wedding in Fort Lauderdale in March
and we're trying to decide whether to spend the time and effort driving
south to Key Largo to get in some good snorkeling.  We've dived and
snorkeled in Pennekamp a lot, and liked it, but have also heard that there 
are some off-shore reefs near Fort Lauderdale that might be just as good.

  Can anybody tell me how good the snorkeling might be in&around Ft.
Lauderdale?  Pointers to outfits to take us on their boats would also
be greatly appreciated!  Please send email.  Thanks!
  --Lori
-- 
L. Y. Pratt                           Dept. of Math and Computer Science
lpratt@franklinite.mines.colorado.edu Colorado School of Mines    
(303) 273-3878 (work)                 402 Stratton                
(303) 278-4552 (home)                 Golden, CO 80401, USA
From: narad@nonsequitur.Eng.Sun.COM (Chuck Narad)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: QUESTIONS REGARDING COZUMEL
Date: 22 Dec 1992 19:46:13 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems
Distribution: world
Reply-To: narad@nonsequitur.Eng.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: nonsequitur


Another good restaurant is El Capi Navigadad on Calle 10 (according to
our bartender Luis it was near a house of ill repute :-)  Great restaurant; they serve
lobster grilled on a hot iron skillet at your table that was the best 
I'd ever had.  Dinner for three of us with several courses, lots of beer,
lobster, desert, and special salsa ( I requested Salsa de Jabanero, whic
is the Weeping Chile; they sent a kid out to the market to get some)
came to $270,000...uh, that's pesos, not dollars.  Around $80 at the
time.  Quite a feast, took all afternoon!
From: jlundy@clark.edu (John Lundy)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Info on FOTO CELL Inc.
Date: 29 Dec 92 15:52:57 GMT
Article-I.D.: clark.1992Dec29.155257.28227
Followup-To: jlundy@clark.edu
Distribution: usa
Organization: Clark College, Vancouver, Wa.  USA

I am contemplating a major purchase of u/w photo equipment
(Nikonos) and have beel looking at sources.  Does anyone
on the net have experience buying from FOTO CELL Inc. in
New York?  It is mainly mailorder and the prices are very
good.  I can get everything for a system locally, but at
about $100 more per item.  Any info on dealing with FOTO
CELL would be most appreciated.

John Lundy
Anthropology, Clark College  
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: aa372@Freenet.carleton.ca (Mike Dusseault)
Subject: Dive Algorithymsms
Organization: National Capital Freenet, Ottawa, Canada
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 21:30:14 GMT


I was wondering if anyone had an idea to what the Dr. Buhlman algorithms
consist of?  I mean, the formula.  
I've been searching for it for some time, and it seems to be quite
elusive, even though most diving computers use it.  You would figure they
would release the algorithms along with the sale of every computer. which
uses it.  Any Ottawa (Canada) divers around?

- - - Mike Dusseault - - -
-- 

                                                   --- Mike Dusseault ---
CIS: 73150,527
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: levine@ast.saic.com (Kathleen P. Levine)
Subject: COZUMEL Trip Report (12/11-12/18)
Reply-To: levine@ast.saic.com
Organization: SAIC
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 18:09:03 GMT

My family and I just got back from our Cozumel diving trip, and I can tell you 
that I didnt want to leave. It was soooo nice down there. I am not a tourist
trap type of person, so Cozumel fit me just fine, as opposed to Cancun.
We dove every day with Dive Paradise and stayed at the Barracuda.

The Barracuda is a very simple hotel, no TV, no phone. But it is a great location
for picking up the dive boats and just south of downtown.

We were impressed with Dive Paradise. They also had a divemaster for no more than
6-7 people. The two big boats, Saggitario and Paradise Diver hold 15 people, and 
they supply two divemasters each. (Saggitario is a very slooooow boat by the way).
If you get a chance, pay a little more and get a fast boat. These hold 6 people
at most and it doesnt take so long to get to the farther reefs.

Our favorite reefs were:
	Palanacar reef - Lots of eels, fish, color, caves.
	Paseo de Cedral - Lots of pretty coral and fish
	
Of course there are the standard wall dives, such as Santa Rosa and Columbia.
But once youve been down to 100 feet, its no big deal. The colors are very
muted and there are very few fish. We preferred the shallower dives, 50-60 
feet.

Good places to eat dinner:
	La Choza - Good atmosphere, good food (small menu)
	El Morro - Big menu, pretty good food

Good places to eat breakfast:
	La Palmera
	Mini Lennys
	Costa Brava
	
The water temp was 80 degrees, as was the air temp. We brought 8th inch wetsuits,
and they were just right. Most people wore Lycra or Darlexx, and they were 
pretty cold on the second dive and on the boat during the surface interval.

Our favorite divemasters: Herman and Miguel

The ruins:
We never went to the ruins of Cozumel. We saw a picture of the most popular
ruin and it doesnt look like something worth losing a diving day over.
They charge you $4/person to drive down the road, and another $10 to see
the ruin!!!
If you want to see ruins, spend $14 to take the ferry to Cancun, and go
to Tulum or Chitza-nitza (spelling?)

I plan to save my money and vacation and spend alot more time down in the
Carribean, either in Cozumel or maybe try a Blackbeard cruise on a sloop.


---
Kathleen Levine                                      | telephone: 619.458.5150
Science Applications International Corporation       | fax:       619.558.1391
4161 Campus Point Court MS/E3                        | internet:  levine@ast.saic.com
San Diego, CA 92121                                  |
--

Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: sa@ais.org (Scott Almburg)
Subject: Re: Scuba help
Organization: UMCC
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1992 01:01:46 GMT

.... you need to take an open water diver class to become certified.
There are about a dozen? certification organizations worldwide.
I believe PADI is the largest in the US.   The class comprises of
two parts,    classroom and confined water training, which is usually
done in a swimming pool.    The classroom consists of 5 modules and
a final exam of 50 questions.  The confined water sessions, which is
the other portion of the first part of training, teachs basic water 
skills.        After  you have finished the first part of training,
and have passed the final,   you need to complete   4 open water dives.
   These are typically done with the same dive shop where you had
the theory/pool seesions, but, you can get a referal and complete the
4 open water dives anywhere in the world.
  After you have completed the 4 open water dives, you get a PADI
gold card - Open water diver.    This is the basic scuba cerification.
After this, you can get additional training ( which is highly recommended)
for an advanced diver, and specialty courses such as photo, rescue,
navigation, and several others. 
  The length of this training varies.  Some dive shops have one class
a week ( 2hrs class/2hrs pool) for 7 weeks, and the 4 open water dives
on a Sat/Sun.    Other dive shops  have 2 full days of training on the
weekend.   Dive shops in resort areas sometimes have 2 full day of
training, then 3 days on a boat for the open water sessions.

Costs vary widely,  I'd say  $200-$300  for the training, this can
vary if you need to rent equipment or own your own.

When I was ceritfied this past year, It cost $165 for class/pool in
Michigan,  and $210 for 3 day live-aboard in Austrailia , which included
all equipment.    

When the weather warms up , I going for my advanced, and a photo specialty.

Scott Almburg
From: gd@gehenna.sw.stratus.com (Greg Dawe)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: Divers' Environmental Survey Freshwater Bulletin
Date: 24 Dec 1992 14:14:47 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer, Software Engineering
NNTP-Posting-Host: gehenna.sw.stratus.com

In article <1992Dec23.190149.23356@PacBell.COM> rrrucke@srv.PacBell.COM (Rod Rucker) writes:
>
>Uncle Charly's blue hole looks very inviting, and it is fun to swim in.
>The divemaster's at Andros Beach Hotel will not take you diving there,
>and recommend very strongly that you don't dive there.  (At least one
>diver is known to have drowned in a tunnel there).

Check out Rob Palmer's "Deep into Blue Holes".  You'll find a picture and
some details about the diver who died there.  From Palmer's book it looks 
like he violated at least one cave-diving's dictums (assuming he was cave
trained to begin with).
-- 
Greg Dawe                        | Disclaimer: I don't speak for my employer,
Voice : (508)-490-6666           |             nor they for me...
e-mail: Greg_Dawe@vos.stratus.com|            
From: tonyz@hpwrce.mayfield.hp.com (Tony Zugates)
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 21:59:18 GMT
Subject: Dull birds here....
Organization: the HP Mtn.View Resp. Cntr.
Newsgroups: rec.birds

While visiting the East Coast last year, I noticed quite a number of 
brilliantly colored birds. Red, yellow, blue... they were a joy to watch.

I don't know much about birds...I watch them with my father after filling
the feeder out back in San Diego.  But it seems even here in the SF bay 
area, most birds lack brilliant colors seen in the East.  I would imagine
that because this region is considered "desert" or arid/semi-arid that
the birds here are significantly different in color scheme, feeding habits
etc.. 

Can anyone explain why?  It seems that if birds use brilliant colors for 
mating etc that we would find them here also since there are large areas
of forest etc.. Or is it just that they are lacking in the large uban
areas... 

Thanks very much.
From: birchall@pilot.njin.net (Shag)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Request for info: NJ Falconry
Keywords: Hawks, NJ, Hunting.
Date: 22 Dec 92 06:20:25 GMT
Organization: Screaming in Digital, the Queensryche Digest

I'm looking for information on getting into falconry in New Jersey.
I have already encountered some falconers from the central part of the state
who were hunting hawks in a field area near my home, so I know the sport does
exist here.

I live in a fairly rural area, within a few hundred yards of fields, marsh,
a creek, and woodlands.  Large open sand/gravel pits are also situated nearby.
So, finding places to hunt a hawk would not be difficult.  My family has a
former chicken coop with a 5.5-foot-high enclosed pen which could probably be
easily adapted to house a raptor.

Therefore, the things I most need information on:

What are the requirements to become a falconer in New Jersey?
How does one acquire a raptor?  (I'm clueless, here :)

Thanks,
	-Shag
-- 
Shag                    | Operator, ShagNET | Editor of "Screaming in Digital" 
birchall@pilot.njin.net |  Rutgers / NJIN   |  The Queensryche E-mail Digest 
birchall@njin.bitnet    | dialup access for | queensryche-owner@pilot.njin.net
shag@most.other.places  | Burlington County | Anything Queensryche, every week
Newsgroups: rec.birds
From: troach@netcom.com (Tom Roach)
Subject: Sharp-shin drying wings
Keywords: hawk
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 00:06:50 GMT

This morning saw a great view of a sharp-shin shivering in the pouring
rain. He looked like he didn't have enough oil on his feathers. Later in 
the morning he spread his wings much like an Anhinga to dry out when the
weather improved. All this within 100 or so feet of Almaden Quicksilver
Park in San Jose, California. I have never seen a hawk act like this; is
this common? 

Tom Roach
408-268-6101
CIS 76347,1025
INTERNET troach@netcom.com