Descend Downunder
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| Congratulations Course 47 |
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Wow, its Easter already, and although it hardly feels like it, I guess time sure flies when your having fun. Friday saw the end of commercial course 47 which commenced 16th January – that’s 3 months of training complete. With students from as far as Malaysia, Belgium and New Zealand now certified for Surface Supply equipment to 50m – Congratulations guys!
Another big congratulations goes to Lloyd Godson who recently won the $50, 000 Australian Geographic "Live Your Dream" wildest competition for his upcoming BioSUB project. Lloyd’s project will involve living in the world’s first self-sufficient underwater habitat, all of which will take place in our very own Pit from the 12th – 20th August. For full details you can check out Lloyd’s website at www..biosub.com.au. An amazing achievement
Take advantage of the still great diving conditions and squeeze in a dive this Easter. The air temperature may have cooled down a tad but the water is still warm from such a long summer.  | | Lloyd with his $50, 000 cheque |  |
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We’re off to Bicheno – 21st – 25th April. Check out the next newsletter for full report and pictures
The BioSUB Project
Printed with permission from Lloyd Godson
Having recently won the Australian Geographic "Live your dream" Wildest Adventure Competition for its exciting mix of education, science and adventure, The BioSUB Project will see Australian marine scientist and diver Lloyd Godson survive in the world’s first self-sufficient, self-sustaining underwater habitat.
The BioSUB Project will compare life underwater to life inside a closed ecological system. It requires the same specially designed regenerative or recycling technology needed for any long-term manned mission to Mars. Lloyd must generate oxygen, grow food, obtain fresh water and deal with his waste. In order of importance Lloyd needs air, water and food. Of course, to live underwater he will also need power to generate light and heat. This will be in the form of electricity generated by the sun.
It is proposed that the underwater habitat will be ready to launch for National Science Week, 12-20 August 2006. The timing is dependant on Australian Government funding from the Science Connections Programme (SCOPE) for projects which raise awareness of the importance of science and innovation. The aim of National Science Week is to focus public attention on the role that science, engineering, innovation, technology and entrepreneurship play in our daily lives. Government-funded National Science Week activities promote the public's interest in all these areas and assist in making connections between science studies and the opportunities that open to those who pursue them. An application has been submitted for Site Tours of The BioSUB Project.
If successful, the Site Tours will involve a mix of interactive presentations and hands-on activities. Visitors will be able to interact with Lloyd via a two-way communications system and an underwater video camera. The underwater footage will be broadcast live on a projector screen.
Don’t miss The BioSUB Project – 12-20th August
One man, one capsule, self sufficient living underwater for 1 week
www.biosub.com.au
Dive Bicheno – 1 place available!
Dive Club Package Includes;
4 x nights accommodation
2 x double boat dives - includes cylinder & air
Unlimited shore dives - includes cylinder & air
Return bus transfers Launceston to Bicheno
Must organise own flights to Launceston
Flights available from only $69 each way
Bus departs Launceston 5:00pm on Friday 21st to Bicheno
Products for the cooler months..
Magnum Drysuit
The Magum drysuit is the toughest, strongest, & most reliable drysuit around making it perfect for the commercial or sport diver. Probably best of all - its reasonable price.
Features include;
5ml neoprene suit
neoprene wrist and neck seals,
knee pads
optional thigh pocket.
R/R $1500
 | | Polarfleece Undergarment | |
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Polarfleece Undergarment
Oceanics polarfleece® undergarment is a perfect complement to the Magnum drysuit. Use alone for moderately cold water or layer with other undergarments for colder water.
R/R $150
Aeroskin P2 suit
Aquaskin is particularly suitable for warm tropical water diving or as an undersuit for all cooler waters. The material is made of special blend of polypropylene blended with 70 denier chlorine resistant lycra and will resist peeling, sagging, fading or stretching out of shape. The Aquaskin is the fastest drying skin available today because polyproplylene does not really absorb water, and has the highest insulation of all related fabrics. A unique feature for comfort, spine pad made from low-density drainable foam is designed for comfort and durability. Equates to approximately an extra 1.5m.
R/R from $150
Also available Aeroskin hoods and socks from $40
Capri semi– dry from Sonar
The only semi-dry available with a full dry suit zip!
Virtual dry semi-dry, Engineered Fit, 7mm/5mm plush inner lining, Rear Entry Dry T-zip across back of shoulders, Double wrist, neck & ankle seals, Spine Pad, Ankle Zips, Knee Pads, Optional extra - T-zip fly zip
R/R $630
Some more Hot Products..
Probe Insulators  | | Insulator from Probe | |
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Made from a Hi Tech Super thin 0.5mm metalite lined neoprene, that actively reflects heat back to the body keeping you warmer. Can be worn under any wetsuit – to increase warmth and comfort without extra bulk. Alternatively it can be worn in the tropic’s to give you, sun, rash, coral and stinger protection while maintaining your body temperature.
Ladies and mens range available. R/R from $80
Hoods & socks available R/R from $29.95
Scubapro Mk 25 X650 Regulators
Without a doubt our best selling regulator this season.
This one of a kind second stage includes a unique valve design and offers top performance.
The MK25 first stages, has a revolutionary patented piston which allows an unprecedented high flow that serves the second stage and accessories like never before. The piston head also provides very high insulating properties for cold water diving. The ultimate breathing experience.
R/R $1325  | | Scubapro X650 Regulator | |
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Poseidon Techlift BC
Made form heavy weight Cordura and Kevlar for superior strength
Fitted with weight integrated quick release and side trim pockets
Front utility pouch and snorkel keeper
Ready for twins by adding bands or extended tank straps
Up to a massive 60lbs of lift in the rear wing air cell
Removable cummerbunds and weight release pockets
Height adjustable and waist length adjustable with ease
Cave – Deep – Wreck – Fresh – Dark – Exciting – Poseidon Techlift – Awesome!!! R/R $1299
1 only – size M – Now $1099 – Save $200
Solomon Islands – Gizo – 1 place available
Departing 19th September – 26th September
Only... $2,799 Per Diver $2,200 Per Non-diver Plus $220.00 taxes/fuel surcharge
From my Dive log – By Stan Bugg
3rd January 1985 - The Day I Dived with the Platypus
Des Walters long diving career in the inland region of Albury-Wodonga has caused him to become very creative when it comes to choosing dive sites. He tends to operate on the theory that any dive is a good dive. Those of us from closer to the ocean who are used to such luxuries as…. say visibility, or water that is NOT moving along at five knots, tend to be taken back when we dive with Des on his home ground.
He promised me a wreck dive one time. We drove 250km to Barham, and groped around the remains of the paddle steamer "Glimpse" in the mighty Murray River. Viz was zero, current three knots. My MDI told me we reached 2.5m.
Another time I found myself 13m down a flooded mineshaft near Beechworth.
So I was ultra cautious when Des invited me to help him take photos of a platypus. He had actually swum with a platypus at this location, just half a kilometre below a dam wall.
On Des’ previous dive here, water temperature was 25 deg. C, so we considered shorty wetsuits. After all, it was January.
For some reason best attributed to good fortune, I pull on a full pro suit. Just on dusk, and in the prettiest bush setting imaginable, we entered the water.
Instantly my gonads did a standing long jump from my groin to my neck! All of my corpuscles retreated from my extremities and huddled for warmth. IT WAS BLOODY FREEZING! Not cold….. FREEZING! Sledge hammers pounded my forehead, my sinuses threatened to implode, and my breathing rate shot off the scale.
I was not the only one having problems. Des’s son Scott, not a wimp by any means, got out screaming after one minute.
I toughed it out for Des’ sake as we waited for an encounter with the elusive monotreme. We waited in vain. Finally we exited, frozen rigid, into the balmy evening air to thaw out.
It was an exciting dive, made enjoyable only by the knowledge that it would soon be over.
Discussion with the park ranger after the dive revealed the reason for the unseasonably cold water. Up till the previous week, the river was fed by surface water running over the spillway. Since then the level had dropped, and water was now being drawn from an outlet pipe 25m below the surface. The ranger estimated the water temperature at 6 deg C!
Copyright S. Bugg
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