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!
DECEMBER 2024 PUBLISHED BY CLINE GROUP SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
Cover photo by Stephen Frink, Christ of the Abyss, Key Largo, Florida
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Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Palmyra Atoll, central equatorial Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: Jim Maragos/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2024 • ISSUE 12
CONTENTS
ADVERTISER’S INDEX 2 & 3 Aggressor Adventures 6 Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba 7 ScubaRadio 10 Aggressor Adventures 12 & 33 DIVO Emergency Rescue System 15 Coltri Compressors 15 Big Animal Global Expeditions 17 Barefoot Cay Resort, Roatan 19 X-Ray Magazine 19 Dive Newswire 22 Reef Smart Guides 25 Sea Experience, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 26 Sea of Change Foundation 26 Clear Story Coach 26 Dive Heart Foundation
PAGE 7 SAFETY
PAGE 16 ECO PRO
PAGE 23 RETAILING Terry Cummins, Ph.D.: Building Strategic Partnerships PAGE 27 NON-PROFITS Patty Cline: Christ of the Abyss Statue & Diveheart Foundation: Honoring Gabe Spataro
Alex Brylske, Ph.D.: Carbon Calculators: Empowering Sustainable Air Travel
Dan Orr: Confronting Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE) PAGE 9 TRAVEL Peter Symes: Diving into Europe – Greece: A Journey Through History PAGE 11 BUSINESS EDU Al Hornsby: Diving Risk Management: Part 1
PAGE 18 BUSINESS EDU
Gil Zeimer: Part 1: How To “Blue” Your Business in 2025 – And Make More Green
PAGE 30 TRAVEL
David Prichard & Lily Mak: Part 1 of 3: What Dive Travel Means to Retailers 28 Blue Force Fleet Liveaboards 31 2024 Contributors & Sponsors 32 DEMA 33 Level Up Podcast WE ARE GLOBAL, INCLUDE US IN YOUR ‘25 MEDIA PLAN!
PAGE 20 BUSINESS EDU
PAGE 13 TRAVEL
PAGE 21 RETAILING Jeff Cinciripino: Considerations for Entering New Dealer Agreements Cathryn Castle Garcia: Honing Your Marketing Message: How to Craft a One-Liner
Carlos Lander: The Natural Beauty of Trinidad and Tobago
17,531 Digital Audience Breakdown
PAGE 14 PHOTO PRO Amos Nachoum: Behind The Lens: Face-To-Face with Albert, the Nile Crocodile
media kit
Darker Color = Larger Audience
PAGE FOUR | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
FROM THE PUBLISHER
DID YOU KNOW U.S. RETAILERS REACH OVER 2.4 MILLION DIVERS?
Yes – that’s 2.4 million diving consumers just in the USA. Our re- search indicates that the average retailer has a customer list of 2,500 consumers. Which multiplied by our 966 brick and mortar retailers, that’s an indirect reach of our magazine via the local re- tailer of over 2.4 million diving consumers, just in the USA, let alone thousands of retailers internationally. There’s more: DEMA retailer research indicates average sales for various categories. When those averages are applied to our 966 brick and mortar retailers, we see this selling power of local retailers in the USA: $281.7 million annually in ▪ Dive Equipment Sales $133.7 million annually in ▪ Dive Travel-Related Sales $68.1 million annually in ▪ Dive Training-Related Sales
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 Walker Cline, Digital, Social & SEO Strategist Contributors: Alex Brylske, Ph.D., Avon Park, FL Jeff Cinciripino, Rocky Hill, CT Patty Cline, Plano, TX Terry Cummins, Ph.D., Australia/Oceania Cathryn Castle Garcia, Azores, Portugal Al Hornsby, Singapore Carlos Lander, Venezuela Amos Nachoum, Pacific Grove, CA Dan Orr, Driggs, ID David Prichard & Lily Mak, Richardson, TX Peter Symes, Denmark Gil Zeimer, San Rafael, CA SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2024 VOL. 1, NO. 12
If you are a potential advertiser, which is every exhibitor at the re-
cent DEMA show, drop me or Britain an email and we are happy to chat about how we can help you reach not only the U.S. mar- ket, but dive professionals in 165 countries around the globe. As we close 2024, and this being our 12th issue, we are honored to have brought the industry such amazing content created by 44 industry professionals, 20 dive retailers and 6 Ph.Ds. from Sin- gapore, Australia, Brazil, Venezuela, Denmark, USA and the Azores islands. Here’s to a great 2025 for our contributors, advertisers and the dive 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. © 2024, all rights reserved by Cline Group LLC.
William Cline, Publisher
email William
email Britain
PAGE FIVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
SAFARIS I SCUBA DIVING I SNORKELING Dolphins Sharks Stingrays Wrecks Walls
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BIMINI SCUBA CENTER Bimini, The Bahamas Call +1 (242) 473 8816 Visit biminiscubacenter.com
PAGE SEVENTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
SAFETY Confronting the Danger from Within Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE) – by Dan Orr, President, Dan Orr Consulting
I recently had the pleasure and honor to be a keynote speaker for the British SubAqua Club Convention in Birming- ham, England. My keynote presentation was “Mistakes Divers Make,” and I also did a
uted from our peripheral circulation to the body core and the pulmonary circulation. If there is a significant differ- ential in pressure in the lungs caused by an increase in the work of breathing, negative pressure in the lungs may exist potentially causing fluids to leak from the surround- ing lung tissue into the air sacs in the lungs. The result is fluid buildup in the diver’s lungs. This fluid collects in the many air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Fluids can, however, collect in the lungs for a number of reasons. These include heart conditions, pneumonia, con- tact with certain toxins, medications, trauma to the chest, and exposure to high altitudes. IPE may develop suddenly and is considered a serious medical emer- gency and potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention. There is significant evidence suggesting that negative pressure breathing when diving or snorkeling increases the risk of IPE. This may be due to surface swimming while breathing through a small diameter snorkel, breath- ing against a negative pressure gradient from a poorly tuned regulator in open-circuit diving or breathing against a negative pressure between the diver’s lungs and the counter-lung in CCR diving. Breathing against a negative pressure has the effect of pulling body fluids through the thin alveolar membrane causing fluid to build up in the lung’s air sacs. There is also research evidence suggesting that repeti- tive deep dives may result in an increased risk of IPE. This may be due to intravascular bubbles affecting the walls of the blood vessels in the diver’s lungs resulting in fluid leaking into the lungs. In one research finding, 40% of cases, IPE occurred following intense physical exercise. However, this associ- ation was observed in only 26% of recreational divers, compared to 86% of military divers. Among civilian recreational divers, no cases of IPE were observed in sub-
breakout session presentation entitled, “Safety Issues for the Older Diver.” Both presentations were well attended and well received. Following both presentations, attendees
asked many questions re- garding diving safety issues for divers of all ages. There was, however, a number of questions about immersion pulmonary oedema (spelled edema in the U.S.).
Immersion pulmonary edema (IPE) is a potentially se- rious condition that can have significant respiratory and cardiac consequences and, in some cases, be fatal for both scuba divers and snorkelers. IPE is a poorly understood and possibly underdiagnosed condition among divers and snorkelers in the U.S. but considered by divers in the BSAC to be a significant safety issue. According to Dr. Peter Wilmshurst, “Immersion pulmonary oedema prob- ably causes more deaths in scuba divers than any other condition. IPE also affects surface swimmers, including snorkelers. Most deaths in triathletes occur during the swim phase of the event and there is evidence that a major cause of those deaths is IPE.” While IPE was first identified around 40 years ago, the mechanism of injury is still not well understood. IPE is likely underreported since autopsy findings on potential victims of IPE may be similar to drownings or those who have been subject to prolonged resuscitation efforts. Basically, when the diver enters the water, blood shifts from the peripheral circulation to the body core which includes the lungs. During immersion in water, approxi- mately 700 milliliters of blood is immediately redistrib-
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SAFETY continued jects under the age of 40. The intensity of symptoms was similar between the two groups, but the duration of med- ical care was significantly longer for the recreational diver subjects. One such study reported that 46% of those who encoun- tered IPE were women. Compared to men, women have smaller lung volumes and narrower airways, leading to in- creased mechanical ventilatory limitations during exercise. Additionally, women may be more susceptible to hypox- emia, possibly due to their increased mechanical ventilatory constraints increasing the likelihood of fluid buildup in the lungs. Signs and symptoms of IPE include wheezing, trouble breathing or shortness of breath, cough, frothy sputum ap- pearing bloody or pinkish, and elevated blood pressure. Since there is no chest pain normally associate with this condition it is differentiated from pulmonary decom- pression sickness (DCS – Chokes) and arterial gas embolism (AGE).
a dive may increase blood pressure in the alveolar capillaries and inducing IPE. Divers and snorkelers can reduce the risk associated with IPE by using the appropriate thermal protection, using only properly tuned regulators, using snorkels with the ap- propriate bore size, avoiding extreme effort in the water, maintaining good physical fitness and addressing any health-related risk factors before diving or snorkeling. In the November issue of Scuba Diving Industry Magazine, I wrote an article, “Sipping Your Way To Safety,” address- ing proper hydration and its relationship with diving safety. Concern, however, should be raised regarding divers who intentionally drink too much fluid (water or other non-al- coholic, non-caffeinated beverages) prior to a scuba dive, in the belief that it will protect them against decompression sickness (DCS). There is evidence that hyperhydra- tion may increase the risk of IPE in scuba divers and snorkelers. Hyperhydration can increase alveolar capillary pressure resulting from immersion and body fluid shift to the body core. Divers are strongly advised not to hyperhydrate before diving. Since there is so little known about the like- lihood of recurrent IPE once a diver has been diagnosed with IPE, it is difficult to suggest when a diver can return to diving following a diagnosis of IPE. Whether or not a diver should return to diving after being diagnosed with IPE should be determined by a healthcare professional. The decision should be based on the diver or snorkeler’s phys- ical condition and whether or not there is a history of un- derlying health issues such as hypertension or cardiovascular disease. Any diver or snorkeler who suspects they have had IPE is encouraged to discuss options for re- turning to the sport with their healthcare professional with possible input from the Divers Alert Network Medical De- partment. I emphasize in my webinars and writings that scuba div- ing should be considered a safe sport when the diver is properly trained and qualified to scuba dive. It is important to remember that not all safety hazards and risk factors in recreational scuba diving are easily recognized. To be safer divers, we must continue to take advantage of all forms of continuing education. Continuing education is the pathway to diving safety. Scuba diving safety, after all, is no accident!
If you experience any of the signs or symp- toms of IPE, you should terminate the dive or snorkeling experience at once. If scuba diving, make a controlled ascent to the surface and exit or remove the injured diver from the water immediately. Symptoms may continue to worsen in the water, even on the surface. Once out of the water, the injured diver or snorkeler should be given emergency oxygen first aid. If comfortable, maintain the injured diver in an upright position while providing
emergency oxygen first aid. Rescuers should continue pro- viding emergency oxygen first aid regardless of any per- ceived improvement and access the local emergency medical services for definitive care. A number of factors may increase the risk of IPE. Divers and snorkelers with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease and hypertension may have an increased risk be- cause their alveolar capillary pressures are often higher than normal before immersion, and they get more vasoconstric- tion with exposure to cold water. Older divers and snorkel- ers may also be at greater risk of IPE because they have higher alveolar capillary pressures, making IPE more likely. Immersion in cold water may be a significant risk factor for IPE because constriction of peripheral blood vessels is greatest in the cold, but IPE can occur in warmer waters as well. Exertion and physically stressful situations during
PAGE EIGHT | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
SAFETY continued References: Cochard G, et al. Swimming-induced immersion pulmonary edema while snorkeling can be rapidly life-threatening: case reports. J Undersea Hyperb Med Soc Inc. 2013;40(5):411–6. Ebersole, D. Immersion Pulmonary Edema. Shearwater Research, Inc. Edmonds C. Scuba divers’ pulmonary oedema. A review. Diving Hyperb Med J S Pac UnderwMedSoc. 2009;39(4):226–31. Edmonds C, Lippmann J, Lockley S, Wolfers D. Scuba divers’ pulmonary oedema: recurrences and fatalities. Diving Hyperb Med J S Pac UnderwMedSoc. 2012;42(1):40–4. Henckes A, et al. Risk factors for immersion pulmonary edema in recreational scuba divers a case-con- trol study. J Undersea Hyperb Med Soc Inc. 2019;46(5):611–8. Koehle MS,
Lepawsky M, McKenzie DC. Pulmonary oedema of immersion. Sports Med. 2005;35(3):183–90. Orr, D. Sipping Your Way To Safety. Scuba Diving Industry Magazine. November 2024. Page 7. Moon RE. Immersion pul- monary edema drowning from the inside. J Undersea Hyperb Med Soc Inc. 2019;46(5):577–9. Wilcox, C, et.al. Mysterious Snorkel Drownings Ex-
plained. Snorkel Safety Study. Interim Report. July 2020. Wilmshurst P. Immersion pulmonary edema. Chest. 2021;159(5):1711–2. Wilmshurst, P. The Hidden Killer/Immersion Pulmonary Oedema (IPO). British Sub- Aqua Club pdf.
email Dan Orr
TRAVEL
Diving into Europe? Greece: A Journey Through History – by Peter Symes, Publisher, X-Ray Magazine
Greece, celebrated as the cradle of democracy, philosophy, and science, has shaped human history for millennia. Its enduring legacy of knowledge and culture is matched only by its breathtaking land-
The arguably most famous wreck is that of the Britannic , the Titanic's sister ship. This majestic ocean liner, now 120 metres deep in the Aegean Sea, is a dream destination for ad- vanced divers equipped for deep, technical exploration. Other sites of interest for technical divers include underwater caves and flooded mines, which provide thrilling experiences for those with the necessary training. Until recently, diving in Greece was highly restricted due to legislation aimed at curbing the pillaging of underwater his- torical artefacts. This seriously hamstrung both the local dive community and incoming dive tourism. Fortunately, in 2019, Greece passed a bill easing scuba diving laws. The bill lifted diving restrictions, eliminated depth limits, and allowed diving at archaeological sites and sunken ships without an escort to encourage the return of international tourists following the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Marine Conservation and Acces- sibility: Greece’s commitment to pre- serving its marine heritage is evident in its establishment of marine parks and the opening of ancient ship- wrecks for controlled diving. These initiatives ensure divers can safely explore historical artifacts while protecting them for future generations. Plan Your Dive Adventure: Whether you’re a history en- thusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply looking to experience the unparalleled beauty of Greece’s waters, a scuba diving Greece’s History.
scapes and crystal-clear waters. Above water, Greece invites travellers to immerse themselves in its vibrant culture and world-renowned cuisine. Wander through charming coastal towns and islands, where whitewashed buildings stand against azure skies. Savour delicacies like fresh seafood, spanakopita, and baklava, complemented by a glass of ouzo or a sip of locally produced wine. The fusion of history, hospitality, and gastronomy ensures an unforgettable experience. Diving into the Past: Greece is also a treasure trove of underwater wonders, offering the opportunity to explore the
remnants of its illustrious maritime past. The Aegean and Ionian Seas are dotted with shipwrecks, many dating back to antiquity. Among the highlights are sites where divers can encounter an- cient amphoras—ceramic jars that once carried wine, olive oil, and grains
aboard trade vessels. The vessels have long since deteriorated, leaving heaps of their cargo on the seabed, which has be- come part of the marine environment, offering a glimpse into life during Greece’s golden age. Wreck Diving Highlights: Wreck enthusiasts will find a variety of sites to suit every skill level. For recreational divers, there are both sunken cargo and passenger ships from mod- ern times and remnants of warships, submarines, and planes. Thanks to modern technology, discoveries of wrecks are an- nounced regularly.
holiday here promises an unforgettable journey. To explore dive locations, operators, and pack- ages, visit ScubaHellas for comprehensive guid- ance on planning your trip.
email Peter
PAGE NINE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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Diving Risk Management: Part 1 – by Al Hornsby, owner, Al Hornsby Productions, Singapore Al, recently retired after more than 42 years as a senior executive with PADI, is regarded as one of the industry’s most experienced risk management and dive liti- gation executives. From having managed PADI’s first professional member insurance programs and their associated litigation, plus serving as a strategist, fact and expert witness for those and other dive cases, he is exceedingly familiar with the scope and breadth of dive industry lawsuits, their typical causes and their historical defenses. Concurrently, he was one of the creators and a multi-term President of the RSTC, and served on the committee that converted DEMA from a manufac- turers’ organization to the industry-wide organization it is today, plus served as its President for 6 years. Al was also one of the originators of Project AWARE and its Executive Director for its first 10 years. Additionally, his writing background is extensive, having authored 3 books and co-authored another; written hun- dreds of dive and travel magazine articles; and having served as Editorial Director, and ultimately Publisher, of Skin Diver magazine for 4 years. BUSINESS EDU
Hello, and welcome to Scuba Diving Industry Magazine’s new column, to which I’ve been fortunate to be in- vited to contribute on a regular basis. Diving has an impressive compara- tive-safety record, it is inherently a risky activity, with there being no
some strong, though rather simple, opinions regarding the chief dangers and risks of diving to its participants, and the related liability risks to the businesses and professional par- ticipants involved. Overall, through the decades, diving’s safety record is impressive by any measure. Though certainly one can’t make true, one-to-one comparisons with other sport- ing/recreational activities, diving’s long-held fatality history (from a number of diving and governmental sources) of ap- prox. 3 per 100,000 participants is typically less than the com- parable rates reported for swimming, boating, and even jogging. There are a number of upsides for diving when comparing such ratios – standardized (and generally compulsory) train- ing and activity-supervision guidelines, as well as fairly con- sistent, well-developed health medical condition requirements (and with a high degree of industry participation and enforce-
possibility of eliminating all the risk or reducing that risk to zero. Fortunately, as the dive community has proven over the decades, through well-developed standards of practice, careful attention to procedures, and an overriding sense of awareness as to the utter importance of dive safety, diving’s safety record is actually quite impressive when compared to many other outdoor activities. This is critical, not only to the continued survival of the industry, but, even more importantly, to the overall health and well-being of both our consumer con- stituents and our industry’s working profes- sionals.
ment, all for which diving should feel a great deal of pride). These institutionalized guide- lines, on a broad scale, do have significant,sta- tistical effect as compared to someone feeling ‘out of shape’ independently deciding to jog down the road-side and becoming a part of that statistic) or someone deciding to casually jump into a lake or to try operating a small boat or off-road vehicle. So, with all this, why are there as many dive
So, then, where and how does it some- times go wrong? For my input as a partici- pant in this column, I’ll draw from my experience gained as a fulltime dive profes- sional since becoming a dive instructor in the mid-1970’s, and an executive for PADI in 1978. In my PADI roles, since the onset I was involved in standards’ development, review
and enforcement (i.e. quality management), and for the in- dustry overall as one of the original developers of the RSTC and its initial industry training standards. I was also involved in the introduction and management of PADI’s diving pro- fessional liability and store insurance programs in the early 1980’s, my roles soon expanded to regular participation in the defense of litigation against the industry’s participants – dive instructors and guides, dive resorts, boats, training organiza- tions and manufacturers – as an analyst, strategist and expert witness. From these activities over nearly 40 years, I’ve developed
accidents as there are, and why is the litigation record as dif- ficult as it is? From the legal side of things, the defense of lit- igation involving fairly little-understood/publicly perceived as high risk activities is always difficult, especially when there is a significant perception that inexperienced participants and/or students are utterly dependent upon their dive instructors/guides. For the dive industry, in my humble opin-
ion from the incident and litigation records I have reviewed over the many years, in large part the answer is likely a rather simple one... (as we’ll discuss next issue).
email Al
PAGE ELEVEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
TRAVEL
The Natural Beauty of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – by Carlos Lander, Author “Beyond The Diving Course” Carlos is a 25- year veteran diver, amateur archaeologist, author, programmer, and statistician.
Throughout our exploration of the Caribbean islands, we've discovered that these lands are part of a broader macro- ecosystem shaped by nature and human activities. During the ceramic period,
Tobago has excellent resorts and five dive centers that service the entire island. Before planning your trip, contact one of these dive centers. They can help with arrangements and ac- tivities.
tribes from the Amazon delta region settled in Trinidad and Tobago. Subsequent groups, including the Barrancoid and Arauquinoid peoples, contributed to Trinidad and Tobago's cultural and archaeological landscape, leaving pottery, agri- cultural practices, and artifacts. In 1498, Christopher Columbus arrived and claimed the islands for Spain. During the colonial era, control of Trinidad and Tobago shifted between Spanish and French powers. Eventually, in 1814, Tobago was ceded to Britain and remained under British rule until it achieved independ- ence in 1962.
The dive difficulty varies from spot to spot, but drift diving is standard on the island. How- ever, the southwest part of the island is less demanding and
more for the novice diver. The visibility on the island is low (18 m) compared to other crystalline waters from the Caribbean, but in exchange, you will witness a wide range of marine life. You may also dive into some wrecks.
Plan your trips during the dry season from January to May: the island experiences lower rainfall, warm days, and cool nights. Tobago has a safety record in diving activities, so much so that no one remembers the last acci- dent recorded. However, the island has a Hyperbaric Chamber Facility and offers various free emergency care for tourists.
The arrival of Indian laborers fur- ther enriched the cultural landscape of the islands, marking the last sig- nificant wave of influence. This blending of cultures has created a vi- brant tapestry that characterizes Trinidad and Tobago today. It is known for its lively Carnival celebra- tions, eclectic music, and delicious food.
Reefs of Tobago – Thanks Derek & Evelyn Chung from Undersea Tobago for their warm welcome.
For the diver, the true adventure is in Tobago, the smaller island located northeast of Trinidad, separated by about 30 kilometers (19 miles) of water. Tobago has incredible bio- diversity on land and underwater. Are you wondering why Trinidad doesn't have diving? Trinidad is located remarkably close to the South American mainland, just about 11 kilo- meters off the coast of Venezuela. Hence, the ocean current drags sediments from the Orinoco River into Trinidad, mak- ing it less ideal for diving. In contrast, Tobago stands out due to its unique position at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, where its waters blend, at- tracting a captivating mix of marine fauna. Tobago established the Main Ridge Forest Reserve in 1776, making it the oldest legally protected forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere and one of the best spots in the Caribbean for the nature aficionado.
Air service internationally is excellent to Trinidad, with a short inexpensive jumper flight to Tobago makes this an ideal group destination, and something different from the rest of the Caribbean. In conclusion, the enchanting blend of tranquil rural life, breathtaking resorts, and remarkable wildlife creates an un- paralleled vacation experience for any nature enthusiast. The serene landscapes, adorned with vibrant flora and the sooth- ing sounds of nature, invite exploration and relaxation. Ad- ditionally, the peace of mind provided by a hyperbaric chamber on the island enhances its appeal, ensuring safety
and well-being for adventurers. With such a unique combination of features, this destina- tion truly stands out as a remarkable choice that is difficult to surpass.
email Carlos
PAGE THIRTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
PHOTO PRO
Behind The Lens: Face-To-Face with Albert, the Nile Crocodile – Photos and text by Amos Nachoum, Big Animals Global Expeditions
The Okavango River winds through the heart of the Botswana wilderness, slow and steady, its surface masking count- less stories. When we arrived at the camp, we heard one—a tale about a boy who had disappeared near the village. Fear swept through the community, suspicion falling on Fat Albert, a massive crocodile haunting the delta. A search party set out, and the boy was found unharmed. The hunt for Fat Albert continued until the villagers located
biting through our suits. The visibility was murky, no more than 15–20 feet. Shadows and debris became questions: Was that him? Brad had taught us what to look for: the pale, jagged teeth above a crocodile’s lower jaw. Crocodiles can’t see well un- derwater but rely on sensory pits along their jaws to detect vibrations from hundreds of feet away. Fat Albert knew we were there long before we’d see him. Minutes stretched like hours as we moved slowly, scanning shadows. Then I saw it—a flash of white among the branches. I signaled to Massimo to keep his distance. Slowly,
I inched closer. Fat Albert’s massive outline emerged. His snout was scarred, grooves and ridges marking his age. His dark, unblinking eyes seemed fixed on something beyond me. His jagged teeth caught the dim light, a reminder of whose domain this was. Nile crocodiles conserve energy masterfully. If unprovoked, they can hold their breath for two hours by
him. Their elder made a rare decision: relocate Albert far from the village, sparing both the crocodile and the people. Fat Albert became more than a crocodile—he became a legend. I knew I had to find him. The Search Begins: For a week, my Italian filmmaker companion, Massimo, and I searched the Oka- vango Delta’s labyrinth of channels,
Albert the Nile Crocodile
guided by Brad, a crocodile expert. We spent eight hours daily navigating the waterways. The river alternated between wide, glassy stretches and narrow, reed-choked tunnels. In dense tributaries, machetes cleared our path back to the main flow. The river teemed with life, keeping us on edge. Once, Brad spotted bubbles. “Hippos!” he yelled. Before I could react, a hippo surged beneath the boat, shaking our flimsy alu- minum craft violently. Back on shore, Brad inspected the hull and found a fresh scar—a silent warning of how little control we had in this wild place. On the fifth day, it happened. While resting on the river- bank during lunch, the tall grass behind us began to shake. At first, we thought it was another hippo. Then Fat Albert emerged, sliding into the river with deliberate grace, as though the water had been waiting for him. Brad nodded. “That’s your croc.” Into Fat Albert’s Domain: When Fat Albert entered the river, he swam downcurrent. We hurried back into the skiff, following him. Brad guided us 30 meters upstream, where we anchored. Massimo and I slipped into the water, the cold
slowing their heart rate to just a few beats per minute. I didn’t dare get closer than a few feet, knowing his strike would be faster than I could react. I raised my camera, framing the shot. Behind him, Mas- simo hovered like a ghost, his silhouette adding scale to the image. Fat Albert’s presence pressed down on the river like an ancient weight. A Keeper of the River: We surfaced slowly, the current carrying us back to the skiff. Fat Albert drifted downstream, fading into the murk. Back at camp, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Fat Albert wasn’t just a predator; he was the river’s mem- ory, shaped by decades of survival—through floods, droughts, and human interference. The photograph wasn’t just an image of a crocodile but a story about resilience and balance.
The wild humbles you, showing how small you are in its enormity. Meeting Fat Albert was- n’t just encountering a crocodile; it was step- ping into the river’s rhythm, even for a moment.
contact Amos
PAGE FOURTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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ECO PRO Carbon Calculators: Empowering Sustainable Air Travel – by Alex Brylske, Ph.D., President, Ocean Education International, LLC
One of the main purposes of this column is to highlight how environ- mental awareness is transforming the scuba industry, especially dive tourism. Part of my mission is to explain how dive professionals can play a crucial
Once travelers understand their carbon footprint, they are more likely to adopt sustainable practices even beyond air travel. This may involve selecting direct flights or considering alternative transportation modes when possible. 3. Supporting Offset Initiatives Many carbon calculators provide options to offset emis- sions by investing in environmental initiatives. These efforts not only neutralize the effects of air travel but also support
role in fostering awareness and responsibility among our cus- tomers so they can make informed choices about travel. One way to help reduce our industry’s carbon footprint is by en- couraging customers to use an online “carbon calculator” when planning air travel. Air travel is one of the fastest-growing sources of green- house gas emissions. According to the International Air
broader sustainability objectives. 4. Enhancing Brand Reputation
For tourism professionals, advocating for carbon calculators signifies a commitment to sustainability. This can enhance
brand reputation, attract environ- mentally conscious customers, and differentiate your services in a competitive market. How You Can Promote Carbon Calculators There are many ways you can promote carbon calculators in your operation. First, include a link to a carbon calculator directly into your booking platform. This allows customers to evaluate their emissions during the planning phase. This seamless integration ensures that sustainability be-
Transport Association (IATA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), aviation contributes ap- proximately two to three percent of global CO2 emissions. While this percentage may seem small, its impact is not. For reasons we explore in a future article, emis- sions released at high altitudes have a far greater warming effect than emissions from lower lev- els. What is a Carbon Calculator and What are the benefits?
comes a natural aspect of the travel decision-making process. Educate your customers by providing information about carbon calculators and their benefits through newsletters, so- cial media, and face-to-face interactions. Emphasizing the ease of use and the positive environmental impact can motivate more travelers to adopt this practice. Also, consider collaborating with reputable organizations that offer carbon calculators to ensure accuracy and credibility. By aligning with well-known tools, you build trust and en- courage customers to use them. In my opinion, the carbon calculator that stands out as a top choice for dive travelers is the program offered by The Ocean Foundation. First and foremost, it supports “Blue Car- bon” initiatives such as the restoration of mangrove forests and seagrass meadows (a subject of a future column). Such
A carbon calculator is an online tool that estimates the car- bon footprint of various activities, including air travel. It con- siders factors like flight distance, aircraft type, and passenger class to provide an accurate measurement of CO2 emissions. These calculators can allow users to offset their emissions by contributing to environmental projects such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. And there are many other ben- efits of carbon calculators: 1. Raising Awareness Carbon calculators function as an educational resource, helping travelers grasp the environmental impact of their flight choices. By quantifying emissions concretely, these tools cultivate a deeper awareness of how individual actions con- tribute to global climate change. 2. Encouraging Responsible Travel
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ECO PRO continued
projects are near and dear to the hearts of divers and se- quester much more carbon than terres- trial programs. It also employs robust methodologies to deliver accurate and transparent results, guaranteeing that travelers receive reliable information re- garding their carbon footprint. Further- more, the calculator is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible to a wide range of travelers. Its simplicity encourages adoption and re- peated use; and Ocean Foundation's ini- tiatives align with broader sustainability aims, such as the United Nations' Sus- tainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dive professionals have a unique op- portunity to influence traveler behavior and promote sustain- able practices. By advocating for carbon calculators, you can help customers take responsibility for their environmental im- pact while supporting larger climate action goals. So, as you consider which tools to recommend, prioritize those that align
with your values and your customers' interests. The Ocean Foundation's carbon calculator not only offers accurate assessments but also chan- nels offset contributions into vital ocean conservation efforts. By incorporating this tool into your services, you demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and inspire your customers to do the same. The tourism industry plays a significant role in addressing climate change. Carbon calcu- lators are a simple yet powerful way to en- courage awareness, promote responsible travel, and support impactful environ- mental initiatives. Make the Ocean Foun- dation's carbon calculator a cornerstone of your sustainability strategy and lead the
way toward a more sustainable future for tourism. More information about The Ocean Founda- tion’s Carbon Calculator can be found at this link/qr code.
Alex’s links
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BUSINESS EDU Part 1: How To “Blue” Your Business in 2025 – And Make More Green – by Gil Zeimer, ScubaStoryteller.com and Zeimer.com, San Rafael, CA
Since becoming a PADI Open-Water Diver nearly 40 years ago, Gil has been published in more than 25 scuba mag- azines, newsletters, and websites about his experiences from Australia to Aruba, Hawaii to Mexico, and California to Florida.
There are many things we can all do in 2025 and beyond to “blue” your business, i.e., make it more environ- mentally friendly. Most of these are quite easy to accomplish. Better yet, by following these suggestions, you can make your business more successful
just put them in a recycled paper bag to ship them? By the way, I love my PADI 85% recycled plastic Unisex Wahoo Rash Guard that‘s composed of recycled fishing nets and recycled plastics from the ocean. It keeps my skin safe from sunburn with SPF 50+ material and provides a bit of warmth while swimming and snorkeling. 4) Install Solar Panels on Liveaboards to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint – When you’re at sea, you’ve got nothing but sunlight surrounding you, with plenty of extra “bounce” from the water surface for optimal solar panel power. These can help you burn less fuel, reduce generator time, and di- minish diesel fumes for your passengers. 5) Only Sell Reef-Safe Sunscreen –– I’ve been wearing
by currying more favor with your customers. Here are the first seven “blue” initiatives to consider: 1) Reduce Plastic Use – Instead of providing plastic water bottles on your dive boats, dive shop, and resort that may accidentally end up in the ocean or landfills, offer your customers paper cups for any beverages you provide. The Clines experienced this on their Grand Cayman trip in September.
reef-safe products with high SPF and long-lasting water resistance (up to 80 minutes) for a few years now. Some even have “mineral” ingredients, such as zinc oxide to provide you with a “white face” as an extra layer of sunburn protection. In fact, Stream2Sea has just introduced the world’s first sunscreen, Coral Care, that nourishes coral: RSS products don’t include nanoparti- cles and microplastics like exfoliating beads, or other detrimental ingredients that can cause coral bleaching. They’re gaining popularity with divers, snorkelers,
You can also ask your clients to bring their own thermos bottles when booking their dives and remind them of your policy via emails and on your website about your continuing efforts to reduce plastic use. 2) “Blue” Your Events – Host an event like “Blue Friday,” which we introduced in last month’s issue, with the slogan “Don’t Shop. Dive!” on what is traditionally Black Friday. This can give your business a blue halo by embracing the environment and letting your customers enjoy a day in the
PADI Rash Guard Made From Recycled Plastic.
ocean instead of elbowing each other at the mall. You can also invite local press to cover your ‘blue’ event as any media exposure is beneficial in many ways. 3) Increase Sustainability by Reducing Packaging Materials – All scuba-related businesses can take a page from leading companies like Amazon, Patagonia, Calvin Klein, ASOS, Allbirds, and others. They’re leading the way in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility by using recycled materials in their clothing, promoting re- cyclable packing paper, and utilizing smaller boxes when possible. For example, why do fin manufacturers have to wrap their products in plastic and place them in a box when they can
and swimmers worldwide, especially in popular tourist des- tinations where they’ve enacted sunscreen bans, such as Palau; Hawaii; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Key West, Florida; Aruba, Bonaire, and parts of Mexico. You can find a list of Reef-Safe Sunscreens here. 6) Volunteer for Debris Clean-Ups – Marin Scuba Club participates annually in the California Coastal Commission’s clean-up. For the 40th anniversary of this event, our group of 18 members and friends were among more than 46,000 volunteers at nearly 750 sites statewide, who picked up nearly 200 tons of trash and recyclable materials. It only takes a few hours once a year to give back to your community like this and feel great about what you accom-
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BUSINESS EDU continued
plished. So imagine how your customers could feel about “doing the right thing” through your dive shop’s, boat’s or company’s events. 7) Become a “Green Business” – There are many steps involved in transi- tioning to a “Green” business entity. Check your city, county, or state for their specifics. But typically, these steps include eliminating the use of individual single-use bottles of water and plastic straws, dis- couraging the use of disposable products, using natural light-
ing and solar energy where feasible, accumulating less waste by ordering in bulk, reducing your waste stream by increasing your recycling capa- bilities, selling rechargeable batteries, using canvas bags, and conserving fossil fuels.
To find out more about how you can “Blue” your business, please reach out to me.
A Cozumel Blue Experience, January 2023. Photo by Gil Zeimer.
email Gil
Top Press Releases From This Month – by Scott Jones, President, Dive Newswire Press Service
DiveNewswire is the dive industry's WEEKLY dedicated news release and feature distribution service. Founded by Scott D. Jones in 2001, DiveNewswire continues to serve the dive industry with news releases, announcements and timely in- dustry-specific features each week targeted specifically for dive industry professionals. For more information, send an email to EDITOR@DiveNewswire.com or call 714-931-4895. Scan or click on any of the QR codes to see the full releases.
Scott and son, Stephen
Jennifer King, Promi- nent Women’s Diving Figure, Passes Away
Investment Opportunity – Top Diving Resort in Fiji
Over 80 Supporters Sign Onto Letter Asking Legislators for Their Support of the DIVE BOAT Act
PADI Celebrates Wins for the Ocean in 2024
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BUSINESS EDU Honing Your Marketing Message: How to Craft a One-Liner – by Cathryn Castle Garcia, Co-Owner C2G2 Productions, The Azores Cathryn Castle Garcia is a writer, business strategist and co-owner of C2G2Productions.com, a multimedia production company. She lives on Faial Island in the Azores.
In last month’s issue, we discussed the importance of identifying your ideal customer, your “audience of one.” If you missed the article, I encourage you to go back and give it a quick read, then complete the exercise before continuing with this article. Identifying your ideal customer is critical to your success, be-
ing a regulator, for instance. Internal and philosophical prob- lems are more complex, because they center on emotional wants. Miller says that by limiting our marketing messages to only external problems, we neglect an important principle, “Companies tend to sell solutions to external problems, but people buy solutions to internal problems.” To learn about the emotional wants and needs of our customer and how we can solve them, we must ask the right questions and be a good lis- tener. The Solution. Simply put, the solution is how your product or service solves your customer’s external, internal and philo- sophical problem. The Result. An effective one-liner must de- scribe the positive outcome your customer will enjoy because of doing business with you. It’s the “happily, ever after” part of the story. And it’s important. Get to Work: Your one-liner marketing message should go
cause without a clear target, your messaging will likely miss the mark. In this article, we’ll quickly review the One Question and get straight to crafting an answer that will help you hit the target with your potential customer. The One Question: Everything your business does must answer this question, “How will your product or service change my life for the better?” This is the question every single person who enters your dive center wants answered. Whether they
know it or not. It’s your dive cen- ter’s singular reason for existing – to have a solid answer to this ques- tion. By knowing your target audi- ence, you can deliver clear, consis- tent, focused messaging. You can let your ideal customer know ex- actly how you will change their life for the better. And you can tell
like this: “We help [ideal customers] who struggle with [problem] by pro- viding [your service/solution] so they can [result]. Grab your journal and start scribbling a list of prob- lems/solutions/outcomes. Play around with this, crafting a series of potential one-liners that include these elements. Remember, it doesn’t have to be one long sen-
them what they’ll need to do to enjoy the life-changing experi- ence of what your business offers. Then, you can repeat this conversation again and again. When your message is relatable, it is repeatable. You will create connections that cause a ripple effect. The audience of one multiplies and your business thrives. The Answer: In branding and marketing lingo, the answer to, “How will your product or service change my life for the better?” is called a one-liner. A strong one-liner typically includes three points: 1.) the problem your customer faces; 2.) the solu- tion your business offers that solves their problem, and 3.) the positive outcome that results from their doing business with you. The Problem. In his book, Building a Story Brand, business expert Donald Miller explains there are three levels of conflict, or problems: external, internal and philosophical. External problems are straightforward and simple to address, like repair-
tence. You can use several short sentences. Just make sure your one-liner is easy to convey and doesn’t sound “canned” or con- trived. Yes, it should contain all three elements, but it also needs to be conversational and not a sales pitch. This might take a bit of practice but stay with it. It’s important. Let’s Hear It: What’s your one-liner? Does it position your ideal customer as the hero and you as their trusted guide? Does it clearly tell them what you offer, how it will improve their life, and what they need to do to buy? If not, keep tweaking your message until it hits all three elements. I want to hear it, so please email your one-liner to me. (If you get stuck crafting a one-liner, let me know. I can help.) Once you’ve got your one-liner nailed, practice saying it over and over again. Memorize it. And make sure every person on your team can say it – with enthusiasm.
email Cathryn
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