Narragansett Pier Dive Shop

It seems strange to me that someone would have to study the behavior of Basking Sharks for years to determine that they also like to winter in warmer climates but they did. At least that is what a study published in Current Biology on May 7th, 2009.

The red in this picture shows the migratory path these great beasts take throughout the year which looks similar to a lot of New Englander’s I know.

http://www.cdnn.info/news/science/sc090507.html

Bags come in two main forms – gear bags and catch bags.  Gear bags are used to carry your snorkeling, scuba, or freediving gear from your home to car to water. They are usually made from canvas and should be sized according to the amount of gear you plan to carry. Padded bags are sold for use on airplanes and are extremely helpful for protecting your regulator and mask. We always recommend you have a hard plastic case for your mask to protect it from dings and scratches.

A catch bag is used to hold the treasures you collect while underwater.  They are often made of strong mesh which will retain its contents yet allow for instant drainage. The most important feature on any catch bag is its strength but having one that you can open single handedly and has a self closing spring is also helpful.
Knives are used for cutting, sawing, adjusting gauges, hammering, and sometimes even protection.  A good knife is one that does not rust and has both a smooth and serrated cutting edges. Your knife should be worn on the outside of your non-dominate leg or arm to allow for easy access.

In an emergency situation underwater, bang your dive knife against your tank to make noise that will travel well underwater and hopefully attract the attention of your buddy.

A dive flag is required to be floated above all divers while they are under the surface.  They are especially helpful in warning boaters of a diver’s presences. Dive flags usually come with a float but replacement flags can be purchased separately.

Come learn about spearfishing from David Sipperly; three-time All American Freediving Champion, Author, and NAUI Instructor Trainer.  Dave’s talk will teach us about the myths and misconceptions of Freediving and Spearfishing and will help answer your questions about technique, safety, and equipment.

WHEN: Wednesday August 12 at 6:30PM.
COST: $30.00

Check out this great video by the folks from Fox61 in CT about all the fun they had renting Jet Skis from us last week.

Scuba tanks are filled with compressed air.  Most of the time this mixture is roughly 21 percent oxygen and 79 percent nitrogen, the same mixture we breathe on land. Tanks may be made out of steel or aluminum and most often hold 80 cubic feet of air at 2000-3000psi. All scuba tanks have a pillar valve which allows a regulator to be connected to the tank and control the air flow.

Aluminum cylinders are less expensive than steel and have been known to last for 20 years with standard regular maintenance. The drawback is that aluminum cylinders they are neutrally buoyant when full, and positively buoyant when nearing empty.  This means that as your dive progresses you will spend more time and air to maintain your depth. You will also need to carry more weight.

Steel tanks while being heaver on land maintain negative buoyancy when full and neutral when nearing empty.  Some also accept higher pressure fills which will give you more capacity for a longer dive.

All scuba tanks are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and other similar foreign agencies and regulations require that tanks undergo periodic visual inspections and pressure tests.