Dive Operations November 2013 - Cabo Verde Diving - Meliã Tortuga Resort - Sal Island - Cape Verde - Western Africa

OCTOBER 2013

Some photos from our client divers and students from October

PADI Open Water Diver Course Revision: What you need to know! 4 OCT owd manual Over the past five years several PADI courses have been revised: the Instructor Development Course, Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses. An evaluation of the Open Water Diver Course has been part of the overall plan, and its revision is the culmination of two years of analysis, planning and development. You can begin teaching the revised course as soon as you access the updated material and have familiarized yourself with the changes. This bulletin and the Fourth Quarter 2013 edition of The Undersea Journal contain articles to give you background and rationale for the changes. The required implementation date is 1 July 2014 for teaching courses in English and six months after the first quarter 2014 release of Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish materials. Look for implementation dates for these and other languages to be announced by your PADI Regional Headquarters. While the main course structure has not changed, the course content and associated teaching material have evolved. The Open Water Diver Course Instructor Guide and PADI’s Guide to Teaching section – “Open Water Diver Course – Conduct and Skill Recommendations” are also revised and will be incorporated into the respective products in 2014. In the meantime, you can download replacement pages for these reference manuals from the PADI Pros’ Site under Training Essentials/Curriculum. Similarly, the PADI Course Director Manual and PADI IDC Lesson Guides are scheduled for revision in English, with other languages to follow. PADI Course Directors can download replacement presentation notes and revised lesson guides from the PADI Pros’ Site under Training Essentials/ Curriculum/Instructor Development/IDC.

Ocean Revival - Algarve - Portugal

Ocean Revival - A Great Diving Site in the Algarve A unique diving site is now being created in the Algarve: Ocean Revival. This innovative project comprises of the sinking of four Portuguese Navy ships that will transform a zone of sand and mud into a very enjoyable place to dive. The ships will make an artificial reef structure, which will allow visits at different levels of difficulty. The underwater park will be located 3 nautical miles away from Portimao, in a calm water zone with temperatures ranging from 16 to 24°C / 61 to 75°F. Ocean Revival is a pioneering project supported by PADI Europe, Middle East and Africa and meets all the requirements to become one of the must-see diving sites of the world. The underwater park will have different levels of difficulty – from the simplest to the most technical type. You can be sure to find innovation, safety and a lot of fun at any of them. The bridge of the sunken ships will be at a depth of 15 metres/50 feet and the keel from 30-35 metres/98-115 feet. Therefore this will allow all kinds of diving, from the beginner to the technical diver. The first two ships – the Zambeze and the Oliveira Carmo – were sunk on 30 October. And the organization will sink the remaining two vessels – the Frigate and the Hydrographic Corvette – over the next year. Visit Ocean Revival website: www.oceanrevival.org

Client divers - Cabo Verde Diving - Meliã Tortuga Resort - September 2013

Our Happy client divers from September 2013 - THANK YOU GUYS !!!

With DSD divers from Spain: Carlitos, Jose, Jonas, Ester and Carlos. Sept 5th, 2013

STUDENTS: Celine from Germany - Laura from France and Ester & Carlos from Spain

Global Ocean Observing System for Climate

Global Ocean Observing System for Climate The global ocean observing system for climate, which contributes to the global in situ component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), has now achieved about 61% of its initial design goal. While this observing system, implemented cooperatively by over seventy countries worldwide, serves multiple applications, it is designed primarily to address climate requirements defined by the international Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). The U.S. contribution to the system, described here, is implemented as an interdependent set of observational subsystems that constitute about half of the over 8,000 observing platforms deployed by the world community. While designed to provide information that is critical to NOAA’s climate and weather forecast missions, global ocean observations also support: coastal ocean applications marine hazard warning systems (e.g., tsunami warnings) transportation marine environment and ecosystem monitoring naval and other applications Global ocean observation assets Primary Observational Objectives of the Initial Global Ocean Observing System for Climate This system strives to deliver continuous instrumental records and global analyses of the following phenomena, which serve as scientific drivers of the observing system: Sea Surface Temperature and Surface Currents, to identify significant patterns of climate variability Ocean Heat Content and Transport, to better understand the extent to which the ocean sequesters heat, to identify where heat enters the ocean and where it emerges to interact with the atmosphere, and to identify changes in thermohaline circulation and monitor for indications of possible abrupt climate change. Air-Sea Exchanges of Heat, Momentum, and Freshwater, to identify changes in forcing functions driving ocean and atmospheric conditions, and to elucidate oceanic influences on the global water cycle. Sea Level, to identify changes resulting from trends and variability in climate. Ocean Carbon Uptake and Content, to better understand the extent to which the ocean sequesters CO2 and how cycling among ocean-land-atmosphere carbon reservoirs varies on seasonal-to-decadal time scales. Sea Ice Thickness and Extent, to elucidate climate variability and rapidly changing climate at high latitudes. (top) The Observational Subsystems on the in-situ Observing System Tide Gauges Tide Gauges Tide gauges are necessary for accurately measuring long-term trends in sea level change and for calibration and validation of the measurements from satellite altimeters, which are assimilated into global climate models for predicting climate variability and change. Surface Drifting Buoys Surface Drifting Buoys Global sea surface temperature analyses are derived from satellite retrievals, but the satellite measurements must be continuously calibrated using surface in situ measurements. The design for the global surface drifting buoy array (GCOS- 92) calls for 1,250 buoys to be maintained globally, spaced approximately 500 km apart in order to adequately tune satellite measurements. Tropical Moored Buoy Network Tropical Moored Buoy Network Most of the heat from the sun enters the ocean in the tropical/sub-tropical belt. Past understanding of the role of the tropics in forcing mid-latitude weather and climate has been garnered through the observations of the tropical moored buoy array in the Pacific Ocean, TAO/TRITON (Tropical Atmosphere Ocean/Triangle Trans-Ocean Buoy Network), which now comprises 67 moorings. A similar array of 17 surface moorings in the Atlantic basin, PIRATA (Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic) is further improving forecasting capabilities and is elucidating causes of longer-term changes in the ocean. The Indian Ocean array, RAMA (Research Moored Array for African- Asian-Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction), whose system design calls for 46 moorings, will complete global coverage of the Earth’s tropical oceans; 24 RAMA moorings have thus far been deployed. Ships of Opportunity Ships of Opportunity The global atmospheric and oceanic data from the Ships of Opportunity Program (SOOP) provide the foundation for understanding long-term changes in marine climate. The ships of opportunity are commercial carriers that transit scientifically important trans-oceanic routes; they volunteer to take ocean measurements using NOAA-supplied instruments, or host NOAA technicians during the transits to take the measurements. Argo Profiling Floats Argo Profiling Floats The heat content of the world’s oceans and the transfer of that heat to and from the atmosphere are variables central to the climate system and are directly responsible for influencing worldwide sea levels. The Argo array of profiling floats, which measures temperature and salinity down to 2000 meters below the ocean surface, provides broad-scale, basin-wide monitoring of the upper ocean heat content. The initial goal of three thousand homogeneously-distributed floats in active service throughout the world’s oceans, providing data without temporal bias, was achieved in October 2007. Ocean Reference Stations Ocean Reference Stations Sustained time-series of oceanic and atmospheric climate-relevant parameters and air-sea exchange of heat, freshwater and carbon dioxide are central to documenting and understanding trends and variability in the climate system. To this end, NOAA, together with international partners, is implementing a global network of ocean reference station moored buoys to provide the most accurate long-term climate data records of oceanic and near-surface atmospheric parameters in key ocean regimes. Ocean Carbon Networks Projections of global climate change are closely linked to assumptions about the interactions among the atmosphere, land, and ocean that control levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. To this end, NOAA deploys carbon dioxide sampling on moored arrays and on Ships of Opportunity to analyze the seasonal variability of carbon exchange between the ocean and atmosphere. Additionally, in partnership with NSF, NOAA participates in systematic global ocean surveys that provide a comprehensive ocean carbon inventory once every ten years. Arctic Observing Network Arctic Observing Network Climate change is occurring rapidly in the Arctic, where the environment is particularly sensitive to climate variability and change. Therefore, a high priority program of sustained Arctic observations is being conducted utilizing ship-based cruises, permanent oceanographic moorings, gliders, ice beacons and buoys, supplemented by acquisition and analysis of historical and satellite-based data sets.

How scuba diving brings peace and a new perspective It’s so easy to get swept away in the hectic nature of modern life. Our world runs 24/7 – packed with technological wonders that pervade every free moment of the day. And while technology like the Internet and smartphones have connected us, making our world feel smaller, it seems that in many ways this change has carried us farther away from nature. Sunset after a dive.If you’re looking to reconnect with Mother Earth and all the wonderful beings within the sea, there’s no better option than scuba diving. When you head under the waves you’ll be surrounded by a whole new reality. Below the waves is a place that allows you to think, focus and find your natural rhythm. This feeling of escape is one of the reasons diving is such an addictive hobby. When you are underwater, life goes on above the surface as usual, but you don’t have to worry about those day-to-day stressors. No matter if you are a hardworking professional, busy parent, current student, or a combination of these, scuba diving can be the temporary retreat you desire. It’s a wonderful release from the daily grind and helps even the busiest of people find balance – a therapeutic activity that helps each person gain a big-picture perspective. Whether you’ve never dived before or you did it once on a vacation a few years back, now is a good time to learn more by taking a PADI class such as the PADI Open Water Diver course and you can even start online. You’ll meet new friends, learn new things, and above all else, be able to find the peace you want within the water.

Client / Student divers - Meliã Tortuga Resort - August 2013

http://www.projectaware.org/update/dear-ocean-weve-got-your-back

Mr. Otto Verkerk from Holland - great PADI Rescue Diver - just completed Wreck Diver Specialty course - Congratulations for your achievement and great performance !!! Well done! July 18th,2013

Photos with clients / students divers - July 2013

Here i post some Photos with clients / students divers - July 2013. I want to THANK YOU guys for coming to Sal Island to dive with us @ Meliã Tortuga Resort. Please let me know your comments, ideas and feedback. I also would be glad to have you added on my Facebook and Twitter in order we could keep in touch. As i always tell my students, if you have any question or issue about SCUBA DIVING, dive travel, equipment, just drop me an e-mail and i will be glad to advice you. Looking to hear from you Divers !!! My very best regards and KEEP ON DIVING! Leo Saldunbides - PADI MI/EFRIT #184808 e-mails: divewithleo@gmail.com / saldunbides@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/leo.saldunbides Twitter: https://twitter.com/saldunbides

Congratulations to new PADI OW Divers: Adilson, Helio and Alberto.

Staying Alive! During April, EFR presented 2013 EFRI Update webinars to assist lapsed EFR instructors regain Teaching Status and to refresh renewed but inactive EFR instructors. These hugely successful webinars covered a number of topics including changes to Guidelines 2010 CPR protocols. One of the points highlighted was the reinforcement by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) to push the chest to a depth of “at least” 5 cm for adults and children (4 cm for infants) and at a rate of “at least” 100 compressions per minute. The reason for this minor adjustment in wording was to encourage lay responders to continuously push “hard and fast”, focusing on providing effective, high-quality chest compressions with minimal interruptions. To help your EFR participants achieve this, why not get them compressing mannequins in time with the chorus of the famous Bee Gee song, Staying Alive? It's accepted that this rate is effective and optimal when delivering chest compressions and, because the tune is well known, your participants may get value out of using it as a guide. Search YouTube “Staying Alive CPR” to find a number of associated video clips. While, chest ompression only CPR is recommended for bystanders with no formal CPR training, the ERC still recommends chest compressions accompanied by rescue breaths for lay responders who have been taught CPR and are comfortable delivering rescue breaths in a life threatening emergency.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ut1U4pdxySY#!

                                                         Bom Rei Wreck - Madeira Island

                                                          with Filipa and Carlos

                                     After 5 days in Madeira Island we left sadly, but we will be back!