Scuba Diving Industry™ Magazine published by Cline Group, LLC. Printed and mailed to all dive retailers in the USA and digitally delivered to over 17,500 dive professionals in 165 countries. Published monthly, so "Start a Conversation" with your Business Customers!
SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
FEBRUARY 2025 PUBLISHED BY CLINE GROUP
ECO PRO CORAL BLEACHING UPDATES
TRAVEL LOS ROQUES ISLANDS, UNDERWATER JORDAN, BOOT SHOW SAFETY DETAILS SAVE LIVES, SKIN CANCER A REAL THREAT TO PROS
RETAILING PREPPING YOUR STORE FOR THE BUSY SEASON, CREATING A CULTURE OF SAFETY BUSINESS EDU PLANNING FOR GROWTH, CONDUCTING EMPLOYEE EVALUATIONS
Cover photo by Terry Cummins of Cathie Cummins, False Entrance at Osprey Reef, Northern Queensland, Australia
digital version
TRENDS IN DIVE RETAILING, TRAVEL & TRAINING
SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2025
CONTENTS PAGE 5 FROM THE PUBLISHER It’s Dive Show Season: What Do They Mean to Our Industry? PAGE 7 SAFETY Dan Orr: Situational Awareness Pt. 2 – It’s All in the Details PAGE 9 TRAVEL Peter Symes: Dive Into Europe: The BOOT German Show Report PAGE 11 BUSINESS EDU Al Hornsby: Diving Risk Management: Creating a Safety Culture
ADVERTISER’S INDEX 2 & 3 Aggressor Adventures 6 Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) 7 ScubaRadio 9 Sau Bay Resort & Spa, Fiji 10 Aggressor Adventures 11 Sea of Change Foundation 12 ScubaWeather.com 12 Barefoot Cay Resort, Roatan 15 Stream2Sea Reef Safe Products 15 Big Animal Global Expeditions 16 & 17 DIVO By Scubatech 21 Blue Force Fleet Liveaboards 22 Reef Smart Guides 23 Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba 24 Beneath the Sea Dive Show, NJ 24 Virgin Cruises Dive Industry Party 27 X-Ray Magazine 27 Sea Experience, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 28 SeaCure Custom Mouthpieces 28 Clear Story Coach 28 Cline’s 4th Quarter Survey Results 30 All Star Liveaboards 33 Dive Newswire 35 The Scuba Show, Long Beach, CA 39 Explorer Ventures Liveaboards BACK COVER DEMA 41 Level up Podcast 42 2024/25 Article Index DIVERTISE WITH US! INCLUDE US IN YOUR 2025 MEDIA PLAN!
PAGE 14 PHOTO PRO Amos Nachoum: The Narwhal – Unicorns of the Arctic
PAGE 32 RETAILING Jeff Cinciripino: Getting Your Store Ready for the New Dive Season PAGE 34 TRAVEL Tara Artner: New Year, New Dive Destination – Jordan’s Red Sea PAGE 35 TRAVEL Carlos Lander: Los Roques, an Exotic Caribbean Paradise PAGE 36 RETAILING Peter Letts: Memory Marketing and How It Can Help the Industry PAGE 38 TRAINING Patrick Hammer: When is it Time to Stop Teaching?
PAGE 18 SAFETY
Gil Zeimer: Skin Cancer – Preventing The World’s Most Prevalent Diving Injury
PAGE 20 BUSINESS EDU
Cathryn Castle Garcia: What’s the Best Way to Achieve Success? Plan for It.
PAGE 25 BUSINESS EDU
Terry Cummins, Ph.D.: Conducting Effective Team Member Appraisal Interviews PAGE 29 ECO PRO Alex Brylske, Ph.D.: Coral Reef Bleaching – Causes & Trends
PAGE 13 RETAILING
David Prichard & Lily Mak: Part 3: Moving Your Happy Dive Group onto the Next Trip
PAGE FOUR | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
FROM THE PUBLISHER
IT’S DIVE SHOW SEASON: WHAT DO THEY MEAN TO OUR INDUSTRY?
Boot in Germany is done , as are the Sweden and Finland shows. Boston and New Jersey are on the near horizon, along with ADEX in Singapore, the Long Beach Dive Show, and many more. What value do these shows offer to our industry? That’s like asking if we need water to dive – it’s essential to our sustainability and growth as a global industry.
Scuba Diving Industry ™ Magazine: (Print: ISSN 2996- 1416, Digital: ISSN 2996-1424) Published monthly by Cline Group LLC, 1740 Airpark Lane, Plano, TX 75093. Printed copies are mailed within the USA to select dive retailers & advertisers. Subscriptions are free to dive professionals & distributed digitally to 165 countries. POSTMASTER send address changes to Scuba Diving Industry Magazine, 1740 Airpark Ln., Plano, TX 75093. Any part of this publication may be reproduced, as long as the source is quoted “Scuba Diving Industry Magazine.” For editorial requests, email william@williamcline.com or 972-267-6700. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Cline Group LLC or any of its affiliates. © 2025, all rights reserved by Cline Group LLC. Terry Cummins, Ph.D., Australia/Oceania Cathryn Castle Garcia, Azores, Portugal Patrick Hammer, Chicago, IL Al Hornsby, Singapore Peter Letts, Sydney, Australia Carlos Lander, Caracas, Venezuela Amos Nachoum, Pacific Grove, CA Dan Orr, Driggs, ID David Prichard & Lily Mak, Dallas, TX Peter Symes, Denmark Gil Zeimer, San Rafael, CA William Cline, Publisher Patty Cline, Associate Publisher Amber Wagenknecht, Executive Editor Betty Orr, Copy Editor Neal Watson, Sr., Editor-at-Large Britain Cline, Advertising Sales Manager Gavin Young, SE Asia Advertising Sales Walker Cline, Digital, Social & SEO Contributors: Tara Artner, Aqaba, Jordan Alex Brylske, Ph.D., Avon Park, FL Jeff Cinciripino, Rocky Hill, CT SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2025 VOL. 2, NO. 2
These show organizers provide an invaluable service to you and your customers. They facilitate human connections in diving that simply can’t happen on the back of a dive boat. That per- sonal connection is one of the most crucial aspects of our indus- try, and without it, we would not survive. If you’ve been following our magazine over the past 14 months, you’ll notice a recurring theme: we support dive shows – both consumer and trade. For dive retailers, this means actively pro-
Come See us at Beneath The Sea, The Scuba Show in Long Beach, and the DEMA Show in Orlando this year!
moting your regional dive show instead of worrying about customers "jumping ship" to another retailer exhibiting at the event. That short-sighted concern won’t prevent a single cus- tomer from leaving your store. Instead, secure a booth and show up for your customers. If staffing is an issue, ask a loyal customer to help for the weekend – they’ll love the experience and likely become a lifelong ambassador for your business. If exhibiting isn’t financially feasible, encourage your customers to attend the show to ex- plore the latest in travel and equipment. Better yet, organize a group trip and attend together. You or a team member can act as a guide , strengthening customer relationships while offer- ing a unique dive show experience. As an industry, we have spent too much time competing against one another instead of working together . In contrast, industries like skiing collaborate for the betterment of their sector. Dive shows provide an opportunity to do the same – fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and strengthening our industry as a whole. Exhibitors invest thousands to participate in these shows, so show them your support by engaging with them and dropping your business card in their bowl. And if you’re a travel company, resort, manufacturer, liveaboard, or training agency, here’s my message to you: Exhibit . Budget the necessary funds and staff to participate, especially in regions with a high concentration of B2B customers. In the U.S., that means the East and West coasts. Remember, the primary audience at a consumer dive show is, of course, the consumer. However, many exhibitors fail to realize that a significant percentage of attendees are instruc- tors, divemasters, and retail staff – key influencers within the diving community. Our esti- mates suggest that their collective influence reaches approximately 2.4 million consumer divers in the U.S., driving an astounding $483.1 million in equipment, travel, and training sales. See you at the shows!
PAGE FIVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
email William
William Cline, Publisher
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SAFETY Situational Awareness Pt. 2 – It’s All in the Details – by Dan Orr, President, Dan Orr Consulting
As I addressed in my January ar- ticle in Scuba Diving Industry Maga- zine: Situational Awareness, being situationally aware while scuba div- ing, involves comprehending and understanding the dynamic circum- stances going on around us during
you and your diving companion is an essential component of diving safety. The maximum bottom time selected should take into account the no–decompression limits and what your dive plans are, not only that dive, but for the entire dive day. If you plan to make multiple dives that day, you may want to limit your bottom time so that you stay well below the no decompression limits. Dive computers now have bot- tom time limit warnings that can be pre-set before diving. If, however, you near your planned maximum bottom time, there should be communication between diving companions to make sure you do not violate that part of your dive plan. If you do happen to violate your maximum bottom time, there are things you can do to mitigate any increased risk. You can ascend to a shallower depth, making sure that your dive computer now adjusts, keeping you within the no-de- compression limits. You could also reduce your planned bot- tom time or extend your safety stop to help mitigate any increased risk for going beyond your planned maximum bottom time. These are all contingencies that should be discussed with your diving companions prior to diving. It may also be wise to develop and share any hand signals you would use to communicate your change in plans. 3. Depth, current, surge, visibility. Exposure to any of these can affect your safety. As previously discussed, your dive plan should include the maximum planned depth during the dive, however in the event you exceed your maximum bottom time, as with anything that causes changes in your dive plan, consider discussing with your diving companion how you can prevent any future violations of your dive plan, protocols or procedures. Diving against a current or dealing with the effect of surge caused by overhead wave action can cause a diver to work harder than they expected, increasing their consumption of breathing gas and, subsequently, in- creasing the amount of nitrogen absorbed by their tissue. That can potentially increase the risk of decompression sick- ness (DCS). Increasing the work of breathing can also in- crease the risk of immersion pulmonary edema (IPE). IPE was discussed in the December 2024 issue of Scuba Diving
a diving experience. The situationally aware diver gathers rel- evant information, analyzes it, and makes informed decisions in order to be prepared to successfully address any potential risks, hazards, or events that might affect their safety or the safety of those they dive with. Once a dive begins, the com- ponents of situational awareness should include, but not be limited to, such things as: 1. Breathing gas supply (Yours and your diving compan- ions). In research conducted by Divers Alert Network (DAN) and published in 2008, the number one triggering point when you “turn” the dive so that you and your diving companions have sufficient breathing gas to return to the planned exit point and to deal with any unforeseen emer- gencies. As an example, on a shore dive I was doing, we no- ticed that there was quite a bit of boat and jet ski traffic in the area where we had planned to dive. Therefore, we planned our dive using the “Rule of Thirds,” similar to what is used when diving in overhead environments (one-third of our breathing gas supply going out, one-third coming back and one-third in reserve). We also, of course, had our dive flag/float to indicate our presence. Divers should have agreed-upon hand signals to be used to communicate re- maining breathing gas supply and when to “turn” the dive and return to the exit point. Regularly communicating breathing gas supplies will help prevent anyone from running out of breathing gas during the dive. 2. Bottom time relative to your dive plan. Having a max- imum bottom time as part of your dive plan that applies to event in diving fatalities (41%) was “running out of breathing gas underwater.” As part of your dive plan, there should be a pre- determined and agreed-upon
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SAFETY continued Industry Magazine. If any of these things happen, there are things you can do to mitigate any increased risk. As men- tioned before, you can ascend to a shallower depth, reduce your planned bottom time, or extend your safety stop. These are all contingencies that should be discussed with your div- ing companions prior to diving. Visibility, while not neces- sarily a direct threat to safety, can limit your ability to keep track of your diving companions and your directional aware- ness. It certainly can reduce the enjoyment of the dive for some. On a recent dive trip, where visibility had been aver- aging 100 feet (31 meters), as we approached the bottom, the visibility was less than 15 feet (4.6 meters) with a mild current. Since we were all unfamiliar with the area, we de- cided to abort the dive, complete a safety stop, and move to another location. It was the best decision, allowing us to
increased drag in the water. The late Dr. Glen Egstrom said that doubling the surface area you present to the water while swimming in a partially upright position increases your work- load by a factor of four. Increased workload while diving can cause you to consume your breathing gas more quickly and increase the amount of nitrogen being absorbed by your tis- sues which, to reiterate, increases your risk of DCS. I believe divers should discuss the pace of movement underwater prior to beginning any dive. In my opinion, moving at a slow pace allows divers to see more, reduce their breathing gas consumption, and get more enjoyment out of the diving ex- perience. And, not to belabor the point, but increased work- load during a dive may also increase the risk of IPE. 6. Overhead conditions. In research conducted by DAN and published in 2008, the number two triggering event in
make a safer and more enjoyable dive. 4. Position/Location relative to the planned exit point. It is always best, from a safety and enjoyment perspective, to end a dive at or near your planned exit point. Unless, of course, you are drift div- ing, where the dive boat is following you on the surface. Surfacing a significant dis- tance from your planned exit point may require a long-distance surface swim, pos-
diving fatalities (20%) was “entrapment,” mostly from diving in an overhead environ- ment without being qualified to do so. It is important not to get into overhead condi- tions where you do not have direct, vertical access to the surface without the proper training or equipment. Diving without the proper training, equipment, and recent ex- perience can seriously compromise your safety and the safety of others you dive
Overhead Environments: #2 Triggering Events in Accidents
sibly against surface wave action, winds, or currents. That unplanned workload can compromise your safety and cer- tainly detract from the enjoyment of the diving experience. An increased workload caused by a long-distance surface swim can increase the risk of IPE. Divers are advised to keep their regulator in their mouth for any surface swims as that provides an uninterrupted flow of breathing gas as com- pared to surface swimming while breathing through a small diameter snorkel. Surface swimming while breathing through a snorkel can increase the chances of ingesting water if the wave action is higher than the length of the snorkel, plus heavy breathing through a snorkel may increase the risk of IPE. 5. Workload. Doing more work on a dive than you expected is certainly not fun. The saying, “If you are working hard on a dive, you must be doing something wrong,” certainly ap- plies. In my opinion, recreational diving should be relaxing and enjoyable without any undue stress or strain. Increased workload can be caused by many things. including trying to keep up with a rapidly swimming buddy or dive guide, poor buoyancy control (where you have a significant amount of air in your BCD either causing you to be almost upright in the water), or simply increasing your surface area causing an
with. 7. Anything that could compromise your safety or the safety of fellow divers. By being truly situationally aware and understanding those things in diving that may compro- mise your safety, you can make adjustments during your dive that help you avoid or mitigate potential risks. Being obser- vant is also an essential safety skill. For example, if you ob- serve another diver whose scuba cylinder is floating unusually high off their back, this may indicate that the diver's cylinder is getting low on breathing gas. That may be an opportune time to ask how much breathing gas that diver has remain- ing. Scuba diving is one of the world’s most enjoyable recre- ational activities. As we enjoy the underwater world, safe divers understand that the diving environment is very dy- namic and can change during our diving experience. As such, situational awareness is a dynamic, continuous process that involves continually checking and evaluating things going on
!
around you, comparing what you see with what you know to be within your dive plan and safe behaviors. Scuba diving safety, after all, is no ac- cident.
email Dan Orr
PAGE EIGHT | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
TRAVEL
Dive Into Europe: The BOOT German Show Report – by Peter Symes, Publisher, X-Ray Magazine
The European dive scene is very much alive and vibrant, with plenty of interest- ing and nicely organised events to attend. Europe comprises 44 countries, of which 28 have coastlines along the sea. Many of
eral new liveaboards, and the vessels appeared to be getting bigger and more luxurious, with some being very spacious superyachts with interiors and services like five-star hotels. Several of these new liveaboards are also embarking on new itineraries in Asia and opening up new reefs in the Saudi Ara- bian Red Sea archipelago. What also stood out was the Gal- lipoli Historical Underwater Park, which had arguably the best-looking and structured booth in the dive halls. The park features war wrecks from the famous battle around the Dar-
these have their own dive communities and events. My last count stood at around 20 events. The most significant is the German Boat Show, Boot, which is the biggest marine show and most prominent public dive show in the world.
danelles during World War I. (Dardanelles is the strait that connects the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.) Boot is superbly well-organised and is streamlined German efficiency at its best. As Boot is a nine-day event, it is best for a visiting dive industry professional seeking to network to come midweek, which is much quieter, and avoid the weekends
Boot show is truly a unique beast. It is attended by over 200,000 visitors, a third of them from abroad. Seventeen large ex- hibit halls are crammed with everything and anything related to water, from billion- aire mega yachts to swimwear, and, of course, diving. I didn’t see much new dive equipment.
BOOT, Düsseldorf Germany
Most gear has long since reached a level of technological maturity that only leaves minor refinements and new fashion styles to be applied. With a few exceptions, masks, fins, wet- suits, BCDs and more are mostly the same as last year, per- haps with new colours and different panels. Dive operators from all over the world attend with many from the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Asia. There were sev-
when the public fills the halls. Boot can also be quite a fun event – especially after 1800 hrs (6 p.m.), when the show of-
ficially closes and the exhibitors let loose, get out the beer and wine, crank up the boom boxes and party a little. Lots of exhibitors stay as late as 11 p.m. to socialize.
email Peter
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Diving Risk Management: Establishing a Culture of Safety and Care – by Al Hornsby, owner, Al Hornsby Productions, Singapore Recently retired after more than 42 years as a senior executive with PADI, Al is regarded as one of the industry’s most experienced risk management litigation executives. BUSINESS EDU
While diving is an activity with risks that can never be completely elimi- nated, accident analysis over the years has shown that accident rates (which can be used to infer the likelihood of accidents occurring) can be reduced by a dive center establishing clear,
ities – student sign-ups (especially paperwork such as releases and medical history forms), equipment rental procedures and forms, air-fill procedures and forms (especially when mixed gases are provided), dive-excursion paperwork, and the proper retaining and storage of the paperwork completed. It should be noted that, of the two major dive litigations in recent years, one involved an incorrectly-completed dive medical form and the other, a poor rental-gear protocol that led directly to a tragic, completely avoidable diver fatality. Along with such day-to-day procedural aspects, a safety cul- ture can also be significantly affected by the mix of training courses promoted. Through a study of dive accidents carried out and published by PADI some years ago, it became clear that divers with different dive training and certification levels could have surprisingly different fatality rates. Programs rich in continuing education, not surprisingly, could generally ex- pect lower accident rates than programs chiefly focused on Open Water Diver training programs. For example, overall, the fatality rates for Rescue Divers and Specialty divers were roughly ½ the rates for those certified just as Open Water Divers. From this, not unexpectedly, one could anticipate that for dive centers with a clear, documented focus on dive safety, and with an increased percentage of ongoing dive customers having higher levels of training and experience (as a result of a healthy continuing education program), there can be
documented procedures that guide in-store activities for both dive training and recreational diving operations, and through the ongoing promotion of continuing diver educa- tion. Also significant are the positive effects in defending po- tential litigation when a customer accident may happen. The following input has been developed specifically considering related errors and the less-than-optimum defenses available in dive accidents and litigation occurring in recent years. And, in a dive claim, plaintiffs’ attorneys (especially the experienced ones) are also typically familiar with the common ‘misses’ when it comes to procedures and paperwork that may be in- volved or linked with dive accidents-misses which can be used to discredit and/orcast blame on the associated dive profes- sionals. The starting point for all of this should be an overall store procedures manual , used in training new employees and contractors when they come onboard, and to be re-reviewed when subsequent procedural changes occur (both of which should be documented in their records) This manual should also be available for ongoing reference and reminder. Such manuals, once created, are fairly easy to keep current because most stores’ (and dive boats’) procedures, once established and utilized, don’t typically need changing very often. The guidelines covered should reflect the store’s important activ-
some corresponding reduction in the probability of dive accidents occurring. Over time this could be significant, not only in aiding diver safety in the first place, but also providing a meaningful de- fense for litigation should an accident occur.
email Al
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Part 3: Moving Your Happy Dive Group onto the Next Trip – by David Prichard and Lily Mak, Enchanted Sea Images, Inc., Dallas, TX
As the Trip Leader, you success- fully guide your dive group through a “trip of a lifetime,” and everyone returns home happy and full of wonderful memories. Many of your group may have new dive certifica- tions (if you are a Specialty Instruc- tor) completed on the journey. So, your job is done – “mission accomplished!” Or is it? During the dive trip, while everyone is full of enthusiasm about experiencing such a great adventure, a successful Trip Leader is already laying the groundwork for the next tar- geted dive trip. “I’m glad you are really enjoying this adven- ture, but let me tell you about what we have planned for next year!” There is an adage that says, “Strike while the iron is hot.” When better to get a group of divers excited about an up-
and to familiarize themselves with the details. Once the dive trip calendar is set, then the business and Trip Leaders can target and reach out to potential clients for the trips. Divers typically bond together during a dive trip, so the Trip Leader should promote the idea of “the gang” contin- uing their dive travel adventures as a group on a future scheduled dive quest, though that is dependent on the group’s demographics and shared interest. Group dinners on a current trip are often a good time to catch the group’s attention on that future trip you want for them all to par- ticipate in. You then play it up on the return journey as well, so the group feels that their adventure together is not over yet as you tell them to “save the date!” Once back home, plan a post-trip party (or online session, depending on the group’s home locations) where group par- ticipants can share photos, videos, memories, but also as a reminder of how well they traveled together. Now you can
coming planned trip than when they are currently experiencing the eupho- ria of a current trip? To accomplish this, you need to already have the high- level details of the next trip to pro- mote to the current group. As part of the “7 Ps” (proper prior planning pre- vents pitiful poor performance), a pre- pared Trip Leader has the selling points ready to help guide this group onto their next great adventure. The “next trip” is dependent upon both your business’s planned dive trip schedule and your group’s demo- graphics. While some people may have
give details about how to secure that next trip with deposits as the group en- courages each other to sign up. When promoting the next trip during the current trip or at the post-trip party, it is important to ask your group, “Who else do you know that you would like to share an adventure like this?” Ask your group to share their recent trip ex- periences with their diver friends in person and on social media to get them to promote your next trip. This will help expand your dive travel base of customers for larger groups (more profit and better package rates) and the
Use trip briefings or group dinners to promote future trips.
the time and funds to go on multiple trips a year, most have to plan out long-distance dive trips at least a year in advance to save up funds and schedule work vacation days (PTO). This is why it is important for the Trip Leader to get to know the participants in the group and figure out what cat- egory they fit in when discussing future dive journeys. Successful dive trip planning often takes at least two years in advance of gauging your customers’ interest in destina- tions (and affordability) and securing a dive package at the best rates for that trip. A dive business should bring in their Trip Leaders early in the process to help plan extra activities
ability to schedule more trips on your calendar. And those pictures and videos everyone shared at the end of the trip? Get permission from your group to post them on your own social media and print the “fun” pictures to place on your trip calendar display to show your other cus- tomers what great dive trips you run. Run the videos on
monitors in your business in a loop to create excitement about your dive travel offerings. Like a magnet, people are just naturally at- tracted to events where everyone is having a good time.
email David
PAGE THIRTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
PHOTO PRO
Behind The Lens: The Narwhal – Unicorns of the Arctic – Photos and text by Amos Nachoum, Big Animals Global Expeditions
For two weeks, we had been ex- ploring the ice around Admiralty Inlet, Baffin Island, Canada, chas- ing the elusive dream of photo- graphing narwhals. The Inuit guides led us across the frozen expanse with the quiet con-
gliding across the sparkling, still water. Among them, a male stood out, his long, spiraled tusk rising like a spear from the waves. This was the moment I had envisioned, the one I had waited for through sleepless nights and bone-deep cold. The narwhal swam with purpose, aiming for a crack in the ice where the pod would dive deep into the inlet, hunting for Arctic cod and Greenland halibut. The male’s tusk – the fabled "unicorn horn" – was a mar- vel. Up to nine feet long and weighing as much as 16 pounds, it is not just a tool but a symbol. Some say the tusk helps males assert dominance; others believe it acts as a sensory organ. Whatever its purpose, it adds to the narwhal’s mys- tique, making it one of nature’s most extraordinary creations. Framing the shot, I adjusted my Nikon F4, fitted with a 300mm lens. The narwhal surfaced again, its tusk catching
fidence of those who have lived here for generations. They carried metal poles, each about five feet long, and tested the ice with every few steps. The cracks and echoes of their probes spoke volumes to them in ways I could only imagine. The ice here is deceptive; its stability can only be understood by those who have inherited the knowledge of survival in this unforgiving environment. For them, this is home. For us, it was a stark reminder of our own fragile nature.
The cold was unrelenting, a dry chill that cut through even the thickest layers of clothing, made sharper by the wind that never stopped. Yet, we returned to the ice every day, waiting. Always waiting. It became a mantra among us: Today is the day. Be-
the low sunlight, and I pressed the shutter. The image captured a moment of connection between the ancient rhythms of the Arctic and the fleeting presence of a human observer. As I stood there, the Inuit guides watched silently, their expressions calm but know-
Narwhal – Unicorns of the Arctic
neath our feet, the Arctic Ocean stretched into unfathomable depths. Somewhere below the frozen surface, the narwhals swam, following ancient migratory paths that had guided their species for millennia. The Inuit had their own way of predicting when the whales would come. They took the wooden oar of a kayak, placed one end in the water, and pressed the other to their ear. Through clicks, knocks, and whistles, the narwhals an- nounced their presence long before we could see them. The guides, listening with a patience honed over lifetimes, couldn’t tell us exactly where the whales were, but they knew when they were closer. “Soon,” they said. And so we waited. Finally, after two weeks of anticipation, their method proved true. The faint calls of narwhals grew louder, carried to us through the wooden oar. The whales were coming. We scrambled into position, cameras mounted on tripods, scan- ning the horizon for any sign of movement. The hours passed, the anticipation made time feel electric, charged with possibility. And then, they arrived. A pod of narwhals broke the surface, their sleek bodies
ing. For them, the narwhal is more than a subject for pho- tography. It’s life. Its tusks, once used in traditional carvings and tools, have also been a source of tension between tradi- tion and conservation. Strict regulations now govern their hunting, a necessary step to protect a species whose survival depends on the delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem. After a period of time that inevitably felt too brief, the nar- whals disappeared into the inlet’s depths, their whistles and clicks fading into the underwater vastness. The wind picked up again, and the cold pressed harder against my face. I packed up my gear, grateful for the moment I’d been given and humbled by these animals and their world. The Arctic teaches you patience. It teaches you respect. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, it gives you a glimpse of its secrets. For those few moments with the narwhal, I wasn’t just a photographer. I was a witness to a story older than memory – a story of survival, beauty, and the quiet hum of life beneath the ice. Nikon F4, 300mm lens, 1/500 sec, f-5.6, ISO 200. Provia film pushed one stop.
contact Amos
PAGE FOURTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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SAFETY Skin Cancer: Preventing The World’s Most Prevalent Diving Injury – by Gil Zeimer, ScubaStoryteller.com and Zeimer.com, San Rafael, CA
As a PADI Open-Water Diver for nearly 40 years, Gil has published more than 110 articles in over 25 magazines and websites, plus another 170 newsletters about his experiences. He’s also a two-time skin cancer survivor.
As divers, our biggest threat isn’t sharks, stingrays, lionfish, or other denizens of the deep. It’s skin cancer, the world’s most prevalent skin con- dition, but also the most preventable. That’s why it’s no understatement that this article can save countless lives of divers, instructors, liveaboard and resort employees, plus just about anyone else in the scuba industry. The more you know about skin cancer, the better pre- pared you’ll be to help your customers and employees pre- vent it, especially because most of us have lived in, on, or under the water for decades to enjoy a sport where sun
braised shoulders, baked legs, blistered foreheads, and roasted noses –– with me as the sun’s entrée. My skin cancer history is not pretty, either. I burned my nose so many times in my youth that I wore a plastic nose guard clipped to my sunglasses in my teens. (Yeah, I was a real babe magnet.) Even worse, my twin brother and I held annual “tan” contests to see who could get the darkest to win the "Golden Skin" medal. This snapshot was taken when we were 19 after we’d spent the whole summer lying by a swimming pool, then three weeks in Hawaii. Please note our tan lines –– we were not wearing white shorts under our swim trunks!
damage is an everyday occurrence. Here are a few facts that should make you take notice… Fact: In 2023, there were only 14 ▪
My Two Bouts With Skin Cancer: I’ve survived a Basal cell carcinoma skin cancer scare on my back a few years ago. I even had Mohs surgery for a skin can- cer lesion on my cheek where the doctor had to remove thin layers of skin, one at a time, to determine if any cancer re- mained. Today, I’ve learned my lessons of sun damage by having my dermatologist on
Gil & David Zeimer: Twin tan lines
confirmed shark-related fatalities worldwide, but more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in the U.S., and more than two people die of skin cancer every hour. Fact: Skin cancer is the most common cancer diag- ▪ nosed in the U.S. and worldwide. Fact: Having five or more sunburns in your lifetime ▪ doubles your risk for melanoma. Fact: At least 1 in 5 Americans will de- ▪ velop skin cancer by age 70.
speed dial. I also proactively schedule twice-a-year wellness check-ups during which I endure countless sprays of liquid nitrogen to freeze off pre-cancerous growths on my face and chest. Now, to protect myself, I never leave the house without proper sun protection.
Rashguard and mineral sunscreen
It’s Easy to Prevent The World’s Most Preventable Cancer : You can easily reduce your risk if you practice “sun safety” because 90% of skin cancers can be cured if detected and treated in time. In fact, a clever mnemonic is “Slip, Slop, Slap”, a slogan coined by the SunSmart pro- gram from Cancer Council Australia, which
Fact: Nearly 8,300 people were esti- ▪ mated to pass away from melanoma and other skin cancers in 2024. Fact: When detected early, the five-year ▪ survival rate for melanoma is 99%. (Source for all of these facts: www.Skin- Cancer.org.)
My Life as a Sun Worshipper: Being extremely active as a scuba diver, snorkeler, swimmer, jogger, baseball player, golfer, hiker, and skier has led to frequently barbecued ribs,
helps people remember to: Slip on a shirt or rash guard to cover their skin, slop on sunscreen to protect their skin, and slap on a hat to protect their head.
PAGE EIGHTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
SAFETY continued
while you're on vacation, such as Tetracycline and Retin-A for acne. These can cause your skin to be ultra-sensitive to sunburn. Realizing that you can still get a sunburn on a cloudy ▪ day. In addition, reflective surfaces like water, sand, and concrete around a pool at your beach resort, or the ocean glimmering in the sun while you’re on a dive boat, can heighten your exposure. Avoiding the most harmful, intense ultraviolet rays ▪
These sun safety tips include: Wearing Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing ▪ as your first line of defense. Experts recommend wearing a broad-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirts (my Tilley hat and rash guard are both rated UPF 50+), tightly woven long pants, and sunglasses. Using a sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) ▪ of 30 or more before sun exposure, even when you're simply running errands. But if you're going to a pool,
a beach, or on a boat to dive, a higher SPF will protect you better and longer –– especially if you choose one that's sweatproof and water-resistant. Switching to reef-safe, water-resis- ▪ tant sunscreens like those by Stream2Sea.com to protect marine
between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. It’s best to avoid prolonged exposures dur- ing these times, if possible. A Detailed Explanation of SPF by a Cosmetic Chemist: Autumn Blum, Founder and CEO of Stream2Sea.com adds this advice about SPFs. “High SPFs can be misleading, giving people a false
sanctuaries and coral from harmful chemicals. This US-based, woman-owned company recommends ap-
sense of security in the sun. Many believe that SPF repre- sents a level of protection, but in reality, it measures how
plying mineral sunscreens in dots, then blending or rubbing in, as that makes it much easier to apply. You can also wear mineral sunscreens without fogging up your mask. Applying an almond-sized dollop ▪ for sufficient coverage of your face and neck. Whatever SPF rating you choose, though, you still need to reapply that sunscreen with the same frequency, especially after swimming, snorkeling, or diving. Considering that the lighter your ▪ skin, the higher your SPF number should be. Ask your dermatologist or doctor what he or she recom- mends. (I recommend 45 SPF sun- screen or 100 SPF sunblock if you have fair skin.)
long it takes for UVB rays to redden the skin compared to unprotected exposure. “So, if you apply an SPF 30, you can spend 300 minutes in the sun without burning. But if you have to reapply it every 80 minutes, what difference does 300 minutes make? The fact is, most dermatologists agree that an SPF 30, when applied and reapplied correctly, is more than sufficient for sun protection, as well as wearing clothing like pants, long- sleeve shirts, and a hat.” The Bottom Line: Start a proactive routine in your dive shop, resort, liveaboard, or company to educate your customers and employees about the dangers of sunburn ––
Being aware that a very light-skinned person can get ▪ a sunburn in less than 15 minutes of mid-day expo- sure. Many people don’t think to apply sunscreen until they’re starting to feel or notice a sunburn, but by then, it’s too late. Be proactive: apply it early and reap- ply it often for the best skin protection. Stopping any elective photosensitizing medications ▪
and how preventing it can lower your risks of being diag- nosed with skin cancer. This simple advice may save your life –– or someone else.
If you have a personal sunburn or skin cancer story, I’d like to see it. Please contact me c/o gil@zeimer.com or scan this QR Code.
email Gil
PAGE NINETEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
BUSINESS EDU What’s the Best Way to Achieve Success? Plan for It. – by Cathryn Castle Garcia, Owner, ClearStoryCoach.com, The Azores Cathryn Castle Garcia is a writer, business strategist, & co-owner of C2G2Productions.com, a multimedia production company.
Well, “Happy New Year” is already a month old. January went by in a flash. And for many, so did their reso- lutions. If your New Year’s resolution to be more organized this year hasn’t happened yet, don’t give up. Keep reading for tips to help you get started. Author Annie Dillard says, “A schedule defends from chaos… It is a net for catching days.” I agree. Without planning and scheduling, days, weeks, and months can go by like one giant Netflix binge. I don’t want this to happen to you or to your business goals. You’ve still got a lot of 2025 remaining. Now is the perfect time to plan and schedule your future success. Planning Resources: I’m passionate about planning. Being a good planner takes a bit of planning (sorry, bad pun). Set yourself up for success by sourcing a few supplies. I use a hardbound planner/calendar notebook and a year-at-a- glance wall calendar. Research has proven that writing notes by hand improves memory and recall. In fact, MRI scans show that memory areas of the brain activate more robustly when notes are written by hand rather than typed into a dig- ital device. My favorite calendar notebook is found at Inamio.com. The calendar is designed with days of the week starting on Monday instead of Sunday-a game changer-meaning Satur- day and Sunday sit next to each other, as they should. And it’s got room for notes and appointments. My favorite wall calendar is from Litacimi.com. It shows all 12 months of the year displayed horizontally, perfect for easy reference. Both products are inexpensive and available on Amazon. You can find blank printable monthly calendar templates available for free download online, too. CalendarLabs.com has many op- tions. These are especially useful when brainstorming social media campaign strategies with your staff and when creating detailed dive trip itineraries. Print out a stack for your next team meeting. You’ll also want both a pencil and a pen. Treat yourself to a grown-up-style mechanical pencil with eraser and a good,
quality fine-line permanent ink pen for writing notes in small- ish calendar boxes. You’re worth it. I’m not a huge fan of color-coding, but if it appeals to you, go ahead and splurge on a dedicated set of fine-line colored pens, too. And while you’re at it, invest in a pocket- or purse-sized notebook for jotting ideas and “don’t forget” notes. I copy my written planner notes into a couple digital de- vices, namely my Apple laptop’s iCal calendar, which syncs
with my cell phone, smartwatch, and tablet. Other good options in- clude Google Calendar, Microsoft OneNote, and apps such as Todoist and Notion, which are available from your online app supplier.
Save the Dates : It’s best to do initial planning in pencil- except for important events you know are set, such as scuba shows, classes, and dive trips already on the books. These go in ink right away. Include on your business calendar impor- tant personal dates like birthdays and anniversaries, weddings, or graduations you don’t want to miss because you acciden- tally booked a work thing. While you’re at it, put employee birthdays and work mile- stones on the calendar in ink, too. Because, cake. Plus, it’s im- portant to celebrate our people often. Here are some important scuba industry event dates: March 1-2: GO Diving Show (UK) ▪ March 15-16 Boston Sea Rovers (MA, USA) ▪ March 15-16 ADEX Ocean Festival/OZTek Aus- ▪ tralia March 28-30 Mediterranean Diving Show (Barcelona, ▪ Spain) March 28-30 Beneath the Sea (NJ, USA) ▪ April 4-6 Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) (Singapore) ▪ May 22-25 Thailand Dive Expo (Bangkok) ▪ May 31-June 1 Scuba Show (CA, USA) ▪ June 13-15 Malaysia International Dive Expo (Kuala ▪ Lumpur) September 6-7 GO Diving ANZ (Sydney, Australia) ▪ October 17-19 Diving Talks (Lisbon, Portugal) ▪ November 11-14 DEMA (FL, USA) ▪
PAGE TWENTY | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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