Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Truk Lagoon - December 14-21st, 2008 $2,895.00

Truk Lagoon Wreck Diving Adventure

Several open spots on a 7-day dive adventure on the Truk Lagoon Odyssey live aboard. Up to 5 dives each day, package includes one night accommodations at the resort and 7 nights on the dive boat. Dive boat includes all meals, drink and air fills including Nitrox.


Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime dive trip to Truk Lagoon December 2008. I’m sure you’ve hear of Truk and the incredible sights and dives. It’s a phenomenal dive trip for several reasons;

Marine Life, since the wrecks have been underwater for over 50 years they are covered in an abundance of corals fish and invertebrates. The colors vibrate with life in the 100’ clear warm water.

Wrecks, there are over 45 shipwrecks within diving limits including merchant ships, aircraft and even a submarine. All the wrecks are still in great condition with numerous penetration opportunities and the ship’s holds are still full of artifacts in many of the wrecks.

WW II History, this is where Truk shines. Truk was the “Pearl Harbor” for the Japanese Imperial Navy. The Allied forces sank over 45 ships, in a three-day bombing raid called Operation Hailstorm. The wrecks are still in-situ, many still have empty shell casing, artillery guns and even tanks on board just as they were in the midst of battle when they sank.

Package Details, the trip starts in Chuuk, where we board the Truk Lagoon Odyssey. A 132’ liveaboard dive ship. The Odyssey is geared perfectly for diving; they have their own compressor and Nitrox membrane onboard so you can get O2 fills up to 100% if certified. Mixes up to 32% are included in the package.

On board the Odyssey the amenities are consistent with the world’s top liveaboards.

Six staterooms (14’ x 8 ’) with either king size or 2 twin beds

Two private single staterooms (11’ x 6’)

One stateroom (10 ’ x 9 ’) with a double/twin bunk

ALL staterooms have private ensuite facilities, air-conditioning controls, DVD player.

Plus there’s a separate entertainment lounge with TV, VCR (PAL & NTSC), DVD, stereo, library, large slide table, and bar.

You fly into Chuuk on Friday where dive boat picks us up for 7 days of diving up to 5 dives each day.

Wrecks, Wrecks, and More Wrecks!

Recreational Diving

Technical Diving

Ken & Windy Pfau with Terry & Donna Miller have put together the dive trip of 2008 and you are invited to come along. We have only 12 spaces for this trip so signing up early will be an advantage. You can travel for the diving or travel for the training. Better yet do a little of both and travel for the diving, training, and fellowship.

We are offering two options for this adventure. Option 1 is as technical diver. You can continue your dive education in Chuuk. The water will be warm, clear, blue, and no there will be no sand. You can complete your technical diving in the warm clear water of Truk Lagoon, diving some of the world's famous ship wrecks. Can you think of a better place to do mask drills, gas shut-down drills, SMB drills, neutral buoyancy drills, and out of air drills? Now I have to admit that Truk Lagoon may not be the most fun place to take a written exam...but it will be warm and the sunsets are just off the scale. So bring your calculator, manual, and pencil with an eraser. Starting your technical diving education in Seattle is fun and exciting, finishing your training in Truk completing dives 7-12 in Chuuk is just plain cool. You can train with Ken, Donna or Terry on some of the most interesting wrecks in the world.

Option 2 says that you have come to Truk Lagoon to dive, enjoy friends, dive, take in the beauty of the islands, dive, enjoy great food, dive, have a beverage of choice, sleep and dive. The pool is open and your diving is entirely up to you.

Included in the $2,895 cost of this trip is your diving, all of your air, meals, drinks, sleeping accommodations, and boat crew tip. We are not arranging for airfare as many people have indicated that while in the South Pacific they may want to extend their vacation. Some say they may want to stop off in Guam or Hawaii on their way home, and yet others have air miles they want to use to maybe get a better seat on the plane. Ken likes to ride up front with the pilots...so we will meet in you Truk Lagoon.

Not included in the cost of the trip is the cost of your O2. But it isn't too expensive and it really is a must for those technical diving.

What to bring...your dive gear; technical or otherwise, lights, cameras, some clothes (but they are really overrated and you spend a lot of time in shorts or wet suits) a tropical wet suit 3.5 mm is recommended and a long suit is highly recommended as there as some sharp corners on these wrecks and a few jelly fish...well more than a few. Bring a save a dive kit inclusive with tools; once on the boat dive repairs are left to the divers and the crew, and the crew is not a well stocked dive center. The Blue Lagoon Dive Shop is a long ways away.

Interested in diving Truk Lagoon? A $850 non-refundable deposit holds your space. We anticipate this trip to fill up quickly as it is advertised throughout the diving community world wide. So secure your space and let the wreck diving adventure begin.

Questions on expectations? Talk with Donna, Terry or Ken.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

New PADI Specialty


PADI introduced a new Specialty for divers that are interested in testing the water in tec. Details are below, I'll publish a schedule of my first class soon.


PADI Tec Basics

(New this August 2007)

Course Overview: The course is designed to be a bridge from PADI courses to DSAT courses providing recreational divers an opportunity to gain exposure to tec diving and learn and practice entry level tec diving skills. It introduces recreational divers to tec diving without them having to make the larger commitment (in terms of equipment, time and cost) of the DSAT Tec Deep course. PADI Tec Basics dive scope is within recreational limits, using segments from DSAT Tec Deep 1. Likewise, this specialty course may be credited toward DSAT Tec Level 1. In addition, the course provides DSAT Instructors a recognition level for students who choose not to continue on to full technical training.

Diver Prerequisites

1. PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or qualifying prerequisite certification.

2. PADI Enriched Air Diver or qualifying prerequisite certification.

PADI Rescue Diver is recommended.

Student Equipment Requirements

1. High capacity single cylinder with Y or H valve. Twins with dual manifold and isolator valve are recommended.

2. Primary and secondary regulators – primary regulator must have seven foot / two meter hose for air sharing.

3. SPG

4. Harness with shoulder and rigid hip D-rings.

5. BCD – wings (redundant buoyancy is not required for this course; however, students should be aware that redundant buoyancy device is required for Tec Diver 1)

6. Dive Computer

7. Appropriate Exposure Suit

8. Weight System

9. Dive Reel

10. Knife / cutting device

11. Slate

12. Compass

13. Lift Bag

Required Student Materials

DSAT Tec Deep Diver Manual

Minimum Age:

18 years of age

Maximum depth:

80 feet.

Dives (Confined Water)

2 dives

Dives (Open Water)

2 dives

Academic Content:

Students must read chapters one and two in the Tec Deep Diver manual and complete the Knowledge Reviews for each. This must be done as pre-study. There will be one classroom session to review missed questions on Knowledge Reviews and any other questions students have.

Practical Applications:

Divers learn how to calculate turn pressures based on rule of 3rds, SAC rates, standard gear configuration and additional tec diving basics

Confined Water:

Conduct Training Dives One and Two as outlined in the Tec Deep Dive manual where divers practice shut-off drills, S-drills, deco bottle staging and deployment of lift bags.

Open Water:

Repeat Training Dives One and Two in open water applying the skills to the open water environment. Students calculate a turn pressure based on thirds and write it on their slate. Students also list the skills for each dive on their slate.

Course Credit:

Since the PADI Distinctive Specialty Tec Basics is actually a portion of the DSAT Tec Diver 1 course, Tec Basics may credit toward Tec Diver 1. Tec Basics divers should know that if they choose to move up to Tec Diver 1, their instructor may request a repeat of some confined water sessions and practical application sessions, depending on the interim between Tec Basics certification and the start of Tec Deep 1. Divers who do not complete Tec Basics in doubles and / or have not been diving in a technical rig should have sufficient time for practice in doubles prior to doing any dives in open water. Training Dives One and Two, Practical Applications One and Two and Knowledge Reviews One and Two may be credited toward Tec Diver 1.

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