Our World Underwater 2012 - "Won't You Please Come To Chicago!"

“From the bottom of the ocean


To the mountains on the moon


Won't you please come to Chicago


No one else can take your place”



- lyric from CHICAGO by CSN&Y



OUR WORLD UNDERWATER 2012 in Chicago is now less than one month away. If you believe the Mayans have accurately "predicted" the end of the world on December 21, 2012 with one of their calendars, then this will surely be the last Chicago Dive Show you will have the opportunity to attend. This annual consumer dive show features two excellent Film Festivals, over 80 Seminars and Workshops and Special Events, including an Art Fair for the adults and the Radio Disney Road Crew Show for the kids at the Show on Saturday.



Kathryn and I are presenting three seminars:



• Shoot Like an Underwater Pro: Tips for Getting Your Images Published in Scuba Diving Magazines.
• 

Working with U/W Models: Tips & Tricks for U/W Models & Photographers.


• Descent into the Maelstrom – British Columbia’s Nakwakto Rapids.



For more information, go to the OUR WORLD UNDERWATER website: http://ourworldunderwater.com

The Alaskan Ronquil: Bathymaster Caeruleofasciatus.

Alaskan Ronquils inhabit rocky reefs and retreats into holes or crevices. They are found only in North Pacific and Arctic waters and are most closely related to eelpouts and prowfish. The name, ronquil, derives from the Spanish ronquillo meaning "slightly hoarse". The family name Bathymasteridae can be translated from the Greek to mean "deep searcher". Not sure what this has to do with this particular ronquil that I photographed on an Alaskan shipwreck other than I was pumped to see my first one.

Whispering Words Of Wisdom.

Great words of wisdom. I would add, "Strive to be noble and, by your words and deeds, make those who love you, proud."

 

"Do One Thing Everyday That Scares You." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt.

Randomly came across this today and liked the message it conveys...

Seeing Red - Light & Motion's Sola 600 Dive Light!

Canada's DIVER Magazine published our review of Light & Motion's SOLA 600 Dive Light on their October 2011 issue. The review is now posted on DIVER's website at the following link:

www.divermag.com/seeing-red

James Dean As Jett!

Throughout my entire lifetime, people have often asked, "Where does your name come from?"

My first name, Jett, comes from the name Jett Rink, a character James Dean portrayed in the 1956 movie, "Giant", which also starred Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor in an epic tale of a multi-generational Texas cattle baron family led by Hudson and Taylor. "Giant" was the last of James Dean's three films as a leading actor, and earned him his second and last Academy Award nomination – he was tragically killed in a car accident before the film was released. Nick Adams was called in to do some voice-over dubbing for Dean's role.

Following his untimely death, Dean was nominated for two Oscars – one for "Giant" and one for "Rebel Without A Cause". In 2005, the film "Giant" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Underwater Council Of British Columbia: Dropped Weight Replacement Program.

The Underwater Council of British Columbia (UCBC) recently implemented a FREE weight replacement program for any diver who drops their weights in an emergency situation. Establishing positive buoyancy at the surface is one of the most important things you can do to survive a diving emergency. Please note the fine print:

 

"Requests to replace lost weights can only be accepted from certified divers who are current residents of British Columbia (proof required). Weight will be replaced at no cost to the individual but UCBC request consent to publish for educational purposes, a report detailing events and conditions that led to the emergency situation."

Please share this and help UCBC spread the word to all your buddies. More details about this program can be found at:   www3.telus.net/smeixner/ucbc/weights

Cressi Sub - Travel Light Buoyancy Compensator.

Picked up a Cressi Sub Travel Light BC before leaving for our Cozumel adventure and I've got to say I'm really very pleased with it. Apart from packing up small, it performs well above and below the surface.

Caribbean Puffer Fish - Up To 1,200 Times More Poisonous Than Cyanide.

Although they look cute, Puffer fish are generally believed to be the second–most poisonous vertebrates in the world, after the golden poison frog. Certain internal organs, such as liver, and sometimes the skin, are highly toxic to most animals when eaten.

Almost all puffer fish contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them foul tasting and often lethal to fish. To humans, tetrodotoxin is deadly, up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide. The toxin paralyzes the muscles, including the muscles in our diaphragm, which is essential for breathing. The victim eventually dies of asphyxiation. It is estimated there is enough toxin in one puffer fish to kill 30 adult humans, and there is no known antidote.

Symbiotic Fish Behavior.

Witnessed a lot of symbiotic fish behavior during our Christmas trip to Cozumel. Kathryn and I did one dive in front of the resort over the eel grass bottom and photographed numerous fish species. This Puddingwife wrasse was being closely shadowed by this Bar Jack. The Bar Jack is using the wrasse for cover to be able to get close to unsuspecting prey species. This is similar to what trumpetfish do.