Florida Sea Base-Scuba
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Florida Sea Base
Subject: Florida Sea Base-Scuba
From: Joel Roth <jroth@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu>
Date: 1997/07/12
Message-Id: <33C76D31.1C24@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.scouting.usa
I am taking a group of scouts to the Scuba Certification course at the
Florida Sea Base in about 3 weeks. None of us have ever been to the base,
nor have any of us ever been scuba diving.
Any last minute suggestions, pointers or tips would be extremely helpful.
Suggestions for clothing, bug spray, equipment to bring, other activities,
etc.
YIS,
Joel Roth
ASM, Troop 512
Chicago, Il.
Subject: Re: Florida Sea Base-Scuba
From: Joe Yuska <jyuska@xylogics.com>
Date: 1997/07/14
Message-Id: <33CA832B.74EE@xylogics.spamblock.com>
Newsgroups: rec.scouting.usa
The first things that come to mind are as follows:
1. Advise the SCUBA participants to not bother bringing shiny watches
for the diving. As you are advised not to wear them while diving (the
glitter attracts moray eels and barracudas) the watches will end up
being valuable suitcase decorations.
2. I personally did not go on the SCUBA program (my group went on the
OutIsland Adventure), but the two most valuable bottles in my pack were
the Avon Skin-So-Soft for the biting gnats, and the waterproof
sunscreen. Even when you're 20-50 feet underwater, you'll still be
exposed to the sun. The SCUBA group from our troop ended up with 3 out
of 8 Scouts sunburned on their backs and shoulders.
3. A good supply of Dramamine ;)
4. It's been ten years since I was at SeaBase, but if I remember
correctly, they have an excellent mess area, so the usual eating
instruments aren't necessary. Maybe a single utensils kit should be
brought, but you shouldn't need more than that.
5. They are available at SeaBase and surrounding stores for rental, but
underwater cameras will add a stunning visual record to your photo
collection. Kodak's One-Shot cameras come in underwater form, and from
what I understand, work VERY well up to 50 feet down. You can also rent
or purchase professional-style 35mm cameras at several stores on the
keys, and most likely at a diving supply shop in the Chicago area.
6. Enjoy yourselves!
I loved my trip to SeaBase, and I'm sure you will too!
Sincerely,
Joe Yuska
Subject: Re: Florida Sea Base-Scuba
From: Mike Bruckheimer rec.scouting.usa
On Mon, 14 Jul 1997, Joe Yuska wrote:
> collection. Kodak's One-Shot cameras come in underwater form, and from
> what I understand, work VERY well up to 50 feet down. You can also rent
My son just took his final open dive for his SCUBA ceretification (at
home, not Sea Base) and asked me to pick up one of the one-shot
waterproofs. I got the more expensive one (rubberized case for grip). it
(both) were rated to 14 feet. He took it to 30 with no problems except
that the shutter spring would not return below about 14 (not strog enough
to overcome the added pressure, I guess) ymmv.
>>>---> Mike Any opinions expressed above might be mine unless denied. I
think that they are what I thought when I typed them. Now I am not certain,
but they are certainly not the opinions of my employer (except by coincidence
of which I have no knowlege) since I am not even sure they are really mine.
Subject: Re: Florida Sea Base-Scuba
From: "Pete Plocher" <pete.plocher@atlantaga.ncr.com>
Organization: NCR
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 11:48:06 GMT
Newsgroups: rec.scouting.usa
Message-ID: <01bc9115$6c90c920$d1284c99@PPlocher.AtlantaGA.NCR.com>
Let's emphasize the waterproof sunscreen. Although I'm not a scout leader,
my 12 year old scuba diving son is a scout - here our our suggestions:
Lots of sunscreen - you're getting double dosage of UV aound water
Drink lots of water - keep yourself hydrated
Wear a shirt, cap, etc. - in other words - keep your body covered
many of us who have been diving and around water for years wear loose
fitting body coverings at all times
Skin-So-Soft is great, doen't work on everybody, so (1) don't use any
perfumed after shave or deoderants (attract bugs) (2) keep the bug spray
handy
Meat tenderizer (non-garlic) for jelly fish encounters of the first type
(direct contact). IMHO works better than other preparations - apply as a
thin paste
Listen to the counselors and keep yourself hydrated - suggest bottled water
Pete Plocher, Scout Dad
YMCA Scuba Instructor