“Aye” Dolphin Divers of Sacramento,                                                          September 2024

Over the Labor Day Weekend we had a great time putting on our pirate costumes and dressing up our RV/Trailer/Tent like a pirate ship, or a pirate’s lair, for the “Pirates Gala” up north at Ocean Cove Campground in Jenner, California.  The weather was gorgeous and the sea in the morning was tranquil and fabulous! The afternoon winds came off the sea and the sun hit the water providing beautiful photo opportunities. With a light breeze the evenings were cool, and the sky had an orange glow. We had fun dressing up our trailers and campsites in the pirate theme. Each night we had a group campfire, and on Saturday we shared some fun dressing up in our pirate costumes, shared appetizers, and drank rum punch in our tankards. We also made up some pirate stories during the campfire to add some fun. On Sunday, the Spear fishing contest started, and they brought in a haul.  Jason Moore brought in the biggest on Saturday and is a contender for the biggest fish of the year.  You will need to come to the Christmas party to find out more!  We awarded prizes to those that won the contest and wrapped up the day with a raffle and hanging out at the campfire until late into the evening. There were a lot of positive comments and compliments, and I really appreciate all of those who helped with this Labor Day Event!

We have the Annual Christmas party coming up on December 7, 2024, at the Donte Club, and I encourage all of you to put it on your calendar. It’s going to be great fun! I will be hosting it again this year and have been thinking about some new games and events for the evening. I am open to any suggestions from members too! The board is working on all the details and will have more information coming out soon.

I look forward to seeing you at the next general meeting and hope you will come listen to Melissa from the Dolphin Dive shop talk about Shark and Manta Ray Ecology. Please note, our next Dolphin Club General Meeting will be held in-person on Wednesday, September 18^th, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Round Table Pizza (9500 Greenback Lane in Folsom), and via Zoom for those who would prefer to attend remotely. Marilyn will send information on the day of the meeting. You will not want to miss this meeting…everyone is welcome to join!

Hope to see you in the water and bubble’s up!!

Owen Autry,

President

Safety Officer’s Message
By: Brad Freelove

Don’t Be Afraid to Say NO!

For those of you that did not make it to our Labor Day dive event, you missed a good one!  A special time was had by many.  Thanks to Owen, Sandy, Marlyn and the rest of the folks that made the weekend a fun time.  The water conditions were almost perfect.  The wind did kick up a bit during the spear fishing contest but nothing serious.  I was fortunate to be included with some of our more experienced divers on a boat trip to dive south of the Timber Cove totem.  Was flat calm when we entered the water.  An hour later the wind had had shown up creating some unexpected wind waves and rough water.  As a group, we decided to find a protected site for our second dive.  We tucked in behind the north point of Timber Cove Campground and started getting ready. 

One of our divers decided to sit the dive out.  She was not afraid to say that she was a little cold and tired.  One very smart lady!  Instead of following the rest of the group, she chose to play it safe and stay on the surface.  Other divers might have followed us into the water just to prove that they could handle the cold.  Who knows how that would have turned out.  You get cold and tired and do something stupid.  Don’t be afraid to say NO to a dive.  The water looks a little rough for you.  Don’t do it.  Visibility less than you are comfortable with?  Don’t dive.  Just had a big lunch that is causing a problem in your tummy.  Stay on the shore.

To increase your diving ability, you do need to challenge yourself.  But don’t be afraid to say NO if you believe that you are getting into a situation that is way beyond your comfort zone.   

QUOTES FROM THE SEA

People come to me and say, “What’ll I do if I go in the water and see a shark?” You don’t have to do anything. The chances of that shark attacking you in any way is so remote. The sea should be enjoyed, the animals in it. When you see a shark underwater, you should say, “How lucky I am to see this beautiful animal in his environment!”
Eugenie Clark

“When you’re underwater with goggles on, a couple of your senses are taken away, and it becomes this purely visual thing. It’s just you and yourself.” Mark Foster

“I can mention many moments that were unforgettable and revelatory. But the most single revelatory three minutes was the first time I put on scuba gear and dived on a coral reef. It’s just the unbelievable fact that you can move in three dimensions.” David Attenborough

Please send in your favorite “Quotes from the Sea” if you have not already seen them here. I am always looking for more.

Great American River Clean Up of 2024
By: Brad Freelove

Every year, Dolphin Divers of Sacramento joins forces with the Sacramento Seahorses Dive Club and other interested divers to float down the American River from Lower Sunrise Park to River Bend Park pulling out as much trash as we can.  While our group is on the water, hundreds of volunteers will be on the shore doing the same.  All of this is sponsored by the American River Parkway Foundation. 

This year, the event will take place on September 21.  Rafts are donated by the very generous folks at the American River Raft Rental.  We need boat handlers, helpers, and divers.  We will leave Lower Sunrise about 9 am.  When we arrive at the San Juan Rapids, we will take a short break then head on down to River Bend Park arriving around 2:30 pm.  Divers can free dive or use a tank.  One aluminum 80 is usually enough for the entire day.  The goal is to remove as many cans, bottles (both plastic and glass), towels and clothing, and anything else that does not belong in the water.   Along with trash, we always find a ton of lost sunglasses, several GoPro cameras, wallets, cell phones and other valuable items.

The flow rate of the river is about 2,200 cu ft. per second with a water temperature of 63.5 degrees F.   Just about perfect for our group.  A standard 7 mil suit is great for this dive.  A 5 mil suit will be a little cool but will work.

If you are interested in joining us for a fun day on and under the water, let me know.  Just respond to me via email.  I will be sending out more information as we get closer to the 21st.

Thanks for your help.

Member News

September 2024 Birthdays

Daryl Sager Sep – 5th
Joe Lawson Sep – 7th
Glen Ripley  Sep – 9th
Ken Takata Sep – 9th
Dianna Noyes Sep – 11th
Holly Little Sep – 11th
Larry Goldsmith Sep – 12th
Nick Byram Sep – 18th
Tanith Smith Sep – 19th
Jose Guerrero Sep – 24th

September 2024 New Members

Tyler Elston
Tricia Stevens

Are you interested in becoming a Dolphin Divers of Sacramento member?
CLICK HERE TO JOIN

September Meeting

The Evolution of Scuba Diving Gear:
Past, Present, and Future

The Evolution of Scuba Diving Gear: Past, Present, and Future

Scuba diving, a thrilling and immersive way to explore the underwater world, has evolved dramatically since its inception. Early divers faced significant challenges, from bulky, cumbersome equipment to limited underwater mobility. Over the decades, advances in technology have made scuba diving safer, more accessible, and much more enjoyable. In this article, we’ll take a look at how diving gear has evolved, where it stands today, and what the future might hold.

The Early Days: The Birth of Diving Gear

he origins of scuba gear trace back to the early 19th century when diving helmets and heavy canvas suits were used. The first practical diving apparatus, developed in the 1830s by the English engineer Augustus Siebe, featured a brass helmet connected to an air pump at the surface. This helmet, combined with a waterproof suit, allowed divers to stay underwater for longer periods, though they remained tethered to the surface. The equipment was massive and restrictive, and mobility was limited. These early systems laid the foundation for future innovations.

The Mid-20th Century: The Rise of SCUBA

It wasn’t until the 1940s that the modern concept of scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) emerged. The iconic “Aqua-Lung” was developed by Jacques Cousteau and Émile Gagnan in 1943. This revolutionary system used a high-pressure air tank and a regulator to allow divers to carry their own air supply, freeing them from the surface. The Aqua-Lung’s introduction changed the sport entirely, allowing for greater underwater freedom and exploration.

Over the next few decades, scuba gear became lighter, more reliable, and easier to use. The 1950s and 60s saw the introduction of modern wetsuits, made from neoprene, which allowed divers to stay warmer in cold water. These suits were much more flexible than their rubber predecessors, increasing comfort and maneuverability.

The Present: Streamlined, High-Tech Equipment

Today’s scuba equipment is sleek, safe, and designed with the modern diver in mind. Regulators are more efficient and designed to deliver air smoothly at varying depths. Buoyancy control devices (BCDs) now come in various forms, allowing divers to adjust their buoyancy easily. Tanks are made of lightweight materials such as aluminum, making them easier to carry.

Modern wetsuits and drysuits offer superior insulation while providing a better fit, and masks are designed with low-volume designs to improve visibility and comfort. Dive computers have also become essential tools, tracking dive depth, time, and decompression limits to help divers plan and execute safer dives.

Photo By DiverDave

The Future: What’s Next for Scuba Diving Gear?

The future of scuba diving gear is exciting, with innovations on the horizon aimed at enhancing safety, sustainability, and comfort. One promising development is the rise of rebreather technology. Rebreathers recycle the air a diver exhales, removing carbon dioxide and adding oxygen, allowing for much longer dive times and reducing the need for heavy air tanks.

There is also increasing interest in eco-friendly dive gear, such as wetsuits made from sustainable materials and regulators that minimize air loss. Some companies are experimenting with advanced dive masks that include augmented reality (AR) features, which could offer divers real-time data on dive conditions, navigation, and even marine life identification.

Photo By EMDX

With the pace of technological advancements, it’s not hard to imagine that the scuba gear of tomorrow will be even more innovative, allowing divers to explore deeper, longer, and in greater comfort than ever before.

Conclusion

The evolution of scuba diving gear has transformed the sport from a risky and restrictive activity into one that is accessible and enjoyable for millions of people around the world. As technology continues to advance, the future of scuba diving promises to push the boundaries of underwater exploration even further, opening up new possibilities for adventure beneath the waves.

A prototype of the Divers Augmented Vision Display (DVAD) embedded within a dive helmet. (Image credit: U.S. Navy Photo by Richard Manley)

Just Laugh

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

For the full view click here…

Sept. 18, 2024	DDS General Meeting	Round Table Pizza	Owen Autry	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com
Sept 21st, 2024	GARCU Cleanup	American River	Brad Freelove	(916) 879-3853 bradlinda@frontiernet.com
Oct. 2, 2024	DDS Board	At Ken Takata’s	Owen Autry	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com
Oct. 16, 2024	DDS General Meeting	Round Table Pizza	Owen Autry	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com
Oct 19, 2024	Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest		Brad Freelove	(916) 879-3853 bradlinda@frontiernet.com

EDITOR’S NOTE
By: Joe Morgan

M LOOKING FOR MEMBERS TO SEND IN PICTURES OF DIVING, DIVING VACATIONS ETC.

• Trip Reviews: Let us know where you have been diving, what operator you used, the hotel you stayed at and how was the diving there. Let us know if the operator was safe and fun. Let us know if the hotel was a good deal, give us as much detail as possible and hopefully more Dolphin Divers will venture there in the future.
  
• Recipes: I was told that in the past Dolphin Divers gave each other SEAFOOD recipes that they loved so that everyone could enjoy the bounty of the sea, I hope to continue that each month with at least one good recipe.
  
• Dive and Camping yard-sale items you wish to include in the newsletter.
  
• Dive Activities: Please let me know if there are any dive-related activities you would like included in the newsletter.
  
• Pictures from your last dive. Please make sure to let me know how you would like the picture credited in the newsletter. -example – Picture by John Member, of a Silky Shark, at Roca Partida Mexico.

PLEASE MAIL ALL SUBMISSIONS TO

Editor@dolphindivers.org

DOLPHIN DIVERS OF SACRAMENTO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Owen Autry
Vice President: Ken Takata
Treasurer: Marlyn Sepulveda
Secretary: Brad Freelove / Corinne Fuerst
Safety Officer: Brad Freelove
Activity Chair: David Whiteside
Webmaster: Renee Viehmann
Promotions Chair: Tracy Clarke
Newsletter Editor: Joe Morgan
Historian: Jack Millard
Member at Large: Tom Mischley
Member at Large: Lalanyia Little
Member at Large: Ed Hurff
Member at Large: Sally Walters
Member at Large: Douglas Hillblom
Alternate Member at Large: Corinne Fuerst