California Diving Events: Scuba Show and NorCal Diving Conference

Join PADI at Scuba Show 2011
June 4th and 5th in Long Beach, CA
Click here for a $2 discount admission coupon - you will need to present your PADI Diving Society card (see sample image above) to utilize this discount (all PADI Pros in the U.S. are PADI Diving Society Members).
For more information on the event, visit scubashow.com

Tec Xplor Day @ PADI Americas
Monday 6 June 2011 - Orange County, CA

Tec Xplor Day is an opportunity for divers to find out more about technical diver training and use technical diving equipment. See the Tec Xplor post for more details on this first-of-its-kind-event at PADI. Registration is strongly recommended for this event.

For additional Tec Xplor event dates, visit padi.com/tecxplor.



Nor Cal Diving Conference
Saturday 11 June in Suisun, CA

Activities include presentations from Dan Orr (DAN), Karl Huggins (USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber) and others. Purchase advance tickets and save $10. For complete details, visit norcaldiveconference.org

Tec Explorer Day at PADI Americas

Tec Diving Event at PADI Americas June 2011

Find out more about technical diver training and try technical diving equipment at PADI's Tec Xplor Day. This free event includes:

1) Scheduled talks from guest speakers, including discussions on sidemount, rebreather technologies, what new tec courses PADI will have available, and recounts of extreme tec expeditions.

2) The opportunity to speak with technical equipment manufacturers and PADI staff.

3) The chance to dive with the latest technical diving equipment in the on site pool, ranging from the latest technical diving computers to closed circuit rebreathers.

The event is free, but registration is strongly encouraged.


Read about the Tec Xplor event held in New Jersey earlier this year, or click here to see pictures.

Find out about PADI's new recreational rebreather courses at PADI's Tec blog.

Buy Four Get One Free Computer Specialty Apps

PADI Dive Computer Distinctive Specialty Promotion

PADI Instructors teaching for Oceanic/Aeris dealers can now utilize PADI-standardized distinctive specialty courses for Oceanic and Aeris dive computers. You can download the course outlines at the PADI Pros' Site*, the Oceanic website or the Aeris website.

* If the PADI Pro's Site link isn't working, be sure you're logged into the Pro's Site, then try the link again. If that doesn't work, type Oceanic into the Pro's Site homepage search box.

For the next two months (May and June 2011), PADI Americas Instructors can apply for five different Oceanic/Aeris distinctive specialty courses for the price of four (a savings of $67 US). For details, contact the membership department at; 800 729 7234 ext. 2495.

A computer specialty course provides added value to a computer purchase (something online retailers can't offer). Also, distinctive specialties count toward the five specialties a diver needs to become a Master Scuba Diver.

Ever wondered if there really is an underwater basket weaving specialty?
A couple years ago I combed the archives for PADI's most distinct distinctive specialties. Enjoy.

Project AWARE Shark Keychain Free Gift

Donate $25 or more to Project AWARE and receive this bitchin' shark keychain as a thank you gift. The shark keychain is available while supplies last.

Donate now.

PADI Dive Center for Sale: Redondo Beach, California

After 42 years in business, Sea D Sea in Redondo Beach, CA is for sale. The business includes the 1,200 square foot building plus lot, compressor, rental gear, etc.

Serious buyers only: please contact Barry Friedman by email:
email at SEADSEA dot COM

Poll Results: More Teaching Tips for PADI Instructors

Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual reader survey.

I am very happy to report: 64% of respondents said this website is your #1 source for PADI News. 

Whoa! I am sincerely honored and will work hard to make sure I keep publishing info that's valuable to you.


One of the questions I was most interested in was the posting frequency.

Looks like the majority of folks (in orange at the chart at right) are good with the weekly / semi-monthly updates (even though they're longer), so we'll stick with that. I'll put this question on the 2012 survey in case you guys change your minds. :-)








One thing that came through loud and clear: I should post more teaching tips!  Below are some links to teaching-related articles we have in the can already. I've also added a Teaching Tips tab to the top menu for quick reference.

• Equipment Specialist 
• Confined Water Pool Games
• Digital Photography  
• Project AWARE
• Most popular adventure dives
  

I'll get to work on future articles. Let me know if there are any specific courses you want to see? Divemaster? Advanced Open Water? Digital projector Reviews,
I just passed the IE - now what!!?!?

Please leave a comment below if you have any suggestions (email subscribers must click through to leave a comment).