My first DEMA show
Hi All 
I'm just back from Orlando where I attended my first DEMA show. That is an industry wide scuba show; it's pretty impressive. I have to thank the Handicapped Scuba Association for sponsoring me for this trip; without their encouragement I would not have attended. I met so many fine folks there. Many of whom I have read about for years, like Thomas Mullin from the Unlimited Abilities Foundation. I also had the privilege of having Jean-Michel Cousteau autograph his new book "My Father The Captain."
I had a great conversation with an athletic star named Stig Avall Severinsen and I had him autograph his book entitled "Breatheology- the art of conscious breathing". I look forward to logging into that website and reading/participating in the discussions. He is the world record holder for free diving and can hold his breath for twenty minutes. This is a lifetime accomplishment and so far the book is really great.
Of course, manning the Handicapped Scuba Association booth was great because I had some great conversations with Jim Gatacre and their webmaster, Victor Grimaldi. We can expect some great things from HSA in the years to come. Jim continues to travel the globe, certifying people to teach handicapped folks how to dive. We had many instructors from all over the world stop by the booth to check in with us. Remember, Jim has been doing this for over thirty years and has trained thousands of instructors worldwide. The HSA also has a strong connection with Divi Bon Aire and they were at the show in great spirits; great conversations with them.
I was also delighted to have some great conversations with the Dive Pirates and their friends from the Brac Reef hotel in Cayman Brac. As usual, these folks continue to lead their corner of the handicapped scuba realm. They look forward to sponsoring many more disabled veterans again this year. 2012 will be another year with lots of boats full of disabled divers. This year they will run two trips and both will sell out quickly.
There was plenty of interesting Dive Propulsion Vehicle information to be had as well. The Pegasus Thruster crew had an impressive display where I could stick the unit in a barrel of water and feel the thrust. That is really quite something to think about. The SeaDoo display was no less impressive because their new line of scooters are using lightweight batteries; very nice. Then the crew from Germany was prepared to show a novel attraction called the ROTINOR DPV. This is a scooter that the diver actually can strap into (around the waist and legs.) It is capable of leaping out of the water. The price was comparable, not totally outrageous, given the extended capabilities. The Torpedo folks were there, the Silent Submerge folks were there and maybe even a few others I missed. Those of you who know my love of my little SeaDoo GTi DPV know that I was happy to see so many different scooters in one place at the same time.
I'm also happy to see such an extended variety of handicapped scuba trainers. I could not investigate each one, of course, but there were plenty of conversations to be had, which could not be said twenty years ago.
Keep Diving!
http://www.armedforces-int.com/video/rotinor-diving-scooters.html
I'm just back from Orlando where I attended my first DEMA show. That is an industry wide scuba show; it's pretty impressive. I have to thank the Handicapped Scuba Association for sponsoring me for this trip; without their encouragement I would not have attended. I met so many fine folks there. Many of whom I have read about for years, like Thomas Mullin from the Unlimited Abilities Foundation. I also had the privilege of having Jean-Michel Cousteau autograph his new book "My Father The Captain."I had a great conversation with an athletic star named Stig Avall Severinsen and I had him autograph his book entitled "Breatheology- the art of conscious breathing". I look forward to logging into that website and reading/participating in the discussions. He is the world record holder for free diving and can hold his breath for twenty minutes. This is a lifetime accomplishment and so far the book is really great.
Of course, manning the Handicapped Scuba Association booth was great because I had some great conversations with Jim Gatacre and their webmaster, Victor Grimaldi. We can expect some great things from HSA in the years to come. Jim continues to travel the globe, certifying people to teach handicapped folks how to dive. We had many instructors from all over the world stop by the booth to check in with us. Remember, Jim has been doing this for over thirty years and has trained thousands of instructors worldwide. The HSA also has a strong connection with Divi Bon Aire and they were at the show in great spirits; great conversations with them.
I was also delighted to have some great conversations with the Dive Pirates and their friends from the Brac Reef hotel in Cayman Brac. As usual, these folks continue to lead their corner of the handicapped scuba realm. They look forward to sponsoring many more disabled veterans again this year. 2012 will be another year with lots of boats full of disabled divers. This year they will run two trips and both will sell out quickly.
There was plenty of interesting Dive Propulsion Vehicle information to be had as well. The Pegasus Thruster crew had an impressive display where I could stick the unit in a barrel of water and feel the thrust. That is really quite something to think about. The SeaDoo display was no less impressive because their new line of scooters are using lightweight batteries; very nice. Then the crew from Germany was prepared to show a novel attraction called the ROTINOR DPV. This is a scooter that the diver actually can strap into (around the waist and legs.) It is capable of leaping out of the water. The price was comparable, not totally outrageous, given the extended capabilities. The Torpedo folks were there, the Silent Submerge folks were there and maybe even a few others I missed. Those of you who know my love of my little SeaDoo GTi DPV know that I was happy to see so many different scooters in one place at the same time.
I'm also happy to see such an extended variety of handicapped scuba trainers. I could not investigate each one, of course, but there were plenty of conversations to be had, which could not be said twenty years ago.
Keep Diving!
http://www.armedforces-int.com/video/rotinor-diving-scooters.html
Comments