Scubadive West Dive Blog

We hope that you are enjoying RTE’s wildlife series ‘Ireland’s Ocean’ as much as we are!

The four part series airs on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm on RTE 1.

Last nights episode focussed on life that inhabits the shallows and it was possibly the most relevant an informative for us as divers. Ken O Sullivan’s underwater footage is spectacular as ever, and much of it was filmed here at Scubadive West.

If (like us) you were too busy diving yesterday, you can catch up with programme 3 and all previous episodes via the RTE Player.

Moon Jelly. Photo by Ireland’s Ocean

PROGRAMME 3 – LIFE IN THE SHALLOWS

The shallow seas around Ireland are some of the most fertile on Earth. Storms churn up nutrients from the sea floor which combine with sunlight to create a fertile and abundant ecosystem. Filmed during the late winter of 2013, when the largest ocean
storms on our planet hit the West coast of Ireland, we witness massive ocean swells crashing into our coast and look at their impact underwater.

The programme shows the abundance of life from microscopic plankton to the myriad of small colourful creatures and their inter-dependence.

We encountering thousands of breeding jellyfish off the Kerry coast in a scene never before filmed in Irish waters.

Dr. Cillian Roden outlines the potential impact of nitrate run-off from land to sea and
we see how invasive seaweeds are threatening areas of our coastal waters.

Dahlia Anemone. Photo by Ireland’s Ocean

The diving conditions are fantastic now, with calm weather through the month of June and blazing sunshine for up to 18 hours on many days! The water temperature  is 15 to 17 degrees at the surface, with abundant marine life fantastic visibility of 15 to 20 metres.

20th June 2014

No doubt you are planning your next trip to dive with us, so why not whet your appetite with some virtual diving in the meantime! Immerse yourself in ‘Ireland’s Ocean’  a major new four-part ocean wildlife series for RTÉ exploring the wonderful and diverse creatures that live in the seas around Ireland, from dolphins and sharks to plankton and the myriad of tiny colourful creatures that live in our shallow waters.  Some of the footage was filmed at Scubadive West! For anyone who knows Ken O Sullivan’s work, this promises to be a visually stunning treat and a commentary on our diverse waters.

The series looks at the history of man’s relationship with and response to the sea in Ireland, examining the common perception of creatures like dolphins and sharks . are dolphins highly intelligent, sensitive creatures capable of healing sick children? Why are worrying numbers of dolphins washing up dead on our Atlantic coast? Are sharks terrifying animals waiting below the sea surface to eat us? The truth transpires to be quite a surprise and leaves us with considerable food for thought.

In other areas, the series takes us on a journey into wild and the colourful underwater world in the seas around Ireland, encountering an abundance of exotic creatures, many documented for the first time in this area. Throughout the programmes, there is a strong sense of the interconnectedness of life, and natural balance within this world, as creatures depend on each other’s presence to sustain life.

The first programme will air on RTE 1 at 6:30pm on Sunday 22nd June.

Ireland’s Ocean

Emergency First Response Course: Sunday 22nd June, spaces available
Rescue Diver Course: Friday 27th, Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th June, spaces available.

Island Dive Safari: 5th & 6th July, spaces available.

Open Water Diver Course: Monday 16th to Friday 20th June, spaces available.

Deep & Nitrox Weekend: Saturday 2Ist & Sunday 22nd June, spaces available.

Adventure Day Trip Saturday 19th July, spaces available.

See our Calendar for further listings and contact us at 09543922 for more information and bespoke courses and trips.

Happy diving!

Preparing for a two day dive trip.

Our Dive Safari season is in full swing with 2 day excursions to Inishbofin and Inishturk through June, July and August. Departing from Scubadive West. Some of these trips for 2014 are fully booked at this stage, however we do have spaces available on our Island Dive Safari 5th&6th July.  So call us now to grab your places! 095 43922

Further information on our Island Dive Safari’s available on our dedicated Safari page at

http://www.scubadivewest.com/dive-trips-and-holidays/island-dive-safaris.html

More photos from our recent Island Dive Safari’s on our facebook page

SUUNTO DX

The world’s first watch-sized rebreather-compatible dive computer

THE ULTIMATE INSTRUMENT FOR OPEN CIRCUIT AND REBREATHER DIVING

The Suunto DX, built on the award-winning Suunto D9tx, is the ultimate tool for open circuit and rebreather divers. It’s the very first of its kind to feature CCR compatibility. The premium design and materials, combined with the new superior Suunto Fused™ RGBM, make it the must-have instrument for your dive missions and everyday adventures. Are you ready to conquer new territory?

Advanced Dive Computer with compass and Air integration

Suunto Vyper Air is an advanced gas-switching dive computer that includes optional wireless air integration and an advanced electronic 3D compass. If you’re looking for a full-featured decompression computer, Suunto Vyper Air is a great choice.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• 3 modes and gas switching
• Easy to use
• 3D compass, optional wireless air integration
• Easy-to-read matrix display

FLY 13D Rescue Wing is intended for mono tank diving. Donut shape supports the perfect trim!

Ready to dive, no assembly required – superior comfort.

• Two layer Wing 13 l / 133 N (30 lb) for mono tank 10 l, 12 l, 15 l
• Outer material: Cordura 2000 – Red
• Inner material: highly welded Cordura 500 TPU coated / alternatively 500 micron PU foil
• High Quality Inflator 50 cm (20 inch) with Rapid Exhaust Valve
• Integrated adapter for right position of the tank
• 3 exhaust valves
• YKK zipper
• 65 cm (26,5 inch) LP hose

Ready to Fly (underwater!)

Wing Construction
FLY 13D Wing is approved to be used with one tank because of its span and inflator out of axis. It is not needful to use adaptor for one tank mounting. Stability is secured by a built-in micro-adapter that creates a “backbone” of the wing’s outer bag. When a single-tank is fastened with 2 tank bands, the micro-adapter locks it in place very firmly. The shape of the wing is donut. It is small, compact and yet it posses sufficient buoyancy power (approx. 133 N – 30 lb) for a wide spectrum of users. The outer layer of material is Cordura 2000. Its rough weaving is almost indestructible and durable. Both inner layers, Cordura 500 or alternatively 500 micron PU foil without a protective nylon fibre are sufficiently robust materials that records outstanding attributes in terms of strength and durability. It is also sufficiently resistant to temperature changes and any diving conditions in general.

Price €670

Safety first
FLY BCD comply with qualifications of European Standards and possess all important CE Certificates.

Available now at Scubadive West

call 09543922

[email protected]

www.scubadivewest.com

Full range of Technical diving Wings and harness available.

FLY Comfort Harness has a pleasant fit that delivers maximum comfort to its user.

It’s RED! Two weight pockets with buckle are included.

FLY DIR Harness is a plate with continuous fixed webbing, based on the DIR/Hogarthian philosophy.

FLY 25D. For Twin 18 Litre cylinders!

FINN LIGHT SHORT 3000

3000 lumens in a perfectly machined package allows for cord free operation. One hour of light for one unforgettable dive. Half power (1500 lumens) still outclasses most canister lights and provides two hours of usage. 300 lumen mode provides a bright light that is safe to use on the surface. Enjoy the freedom of the cordless “SHORT” light.

• 3 high efficiency LED Cree XM-L
• luminous flux 3000 lm
• 10° focus beam
• optimized beam for effective signaling
• 3 modes of operation – 3000 lm / 1500 lm / 300 lm
• Li-Ion accumulator
• running time – 1 h on full power (3000 lm), 2 h in 1500 lm, 12 h in 300 lm
• discharging and overcharging protection
• resistant aluminium alloy body
• borosilicate glass
• anatomic Goodman handle
• operational depth up to -200 m (655 ft)
• weight on surface 760 g (28 oz) – including handle
• weight under water 255 g (10 oz)

Source of light
There are  three powered LED diodes Cree XM-L providing 3000 lm used in FINN LIGHT 3000 series. They shine with cold white light 6300 K and guarantee 10 000 hours of permanent usage. Exceptionally effective optics concentrates the light in 10° angle and gives the optimized shape of beam! The spot of light allows the effective signalization to your dive partner.

Electronics
There is a proved, tried and tested electronics inside. The user can choose the mode of operation for his dive: full performance 3000 lm with running time 1 hour, 1500 lm for 2 hours or the safety mode 300 lm. In the safety mode it is possible to use the lamp on the surface (for preparing of gear or in dry caves for instance) and it shines up to 12 hours. The lamp is being manipulated with the improved magnetic ring on head. The first turn of the magnetic ring in any direction switches the light on 300 lumens mode. Another turn in clockwise direction swiches the light into the stronger mode (1500 lumens). You’ll get full power after third turn in the clockwise direction. Turning counter clockwise will lead to the reverse procedure
With the overheating protection the electronics protects the lamp against the damage and the user against the consequence of the accidental switch on out of the water.

Li-Ion technology
Li-Ion batteries are ideal source of energy for the LED. The electronics protects the batteries against the discharging and the clever charger against the overcharging. The batteries has no memory effect that means you can leave them on the charger during the night. Li-Ion batteries provides enough capacity for the long running time keeping the lamp small sized and lightweight.

Material and construction
The new head construction makes the switching easier. No more searching for the small button in the dark. The magnetic ring stops in accurately defined positions when changing the light modes. Cooling ribs on head create the unique look of FL 3000 series. The perfectly machined accumulator case and deliberate details come up to the superior design of this light. When using the light you feel safely as with the serious gun in the darkness.
With aluminium alloy covered with the hard eloxal coating the lamp is intended for the use in extreme conditions.

Safety first
FINN LIGHT lamps comply with qualifications of European Standards and possess all important CE Certificates.

Available at Scubadive West

call 095 43922

[email protected]

www.scubadivewest.com

FINN LIGHT SHORT 750
Cordless primary diving light for all scuba divers with enough capacity for 3 dives. Hard Elox surface which is resistant to abrasion and salt water.

Versatile and compact – high quality.

Source of light 
LED is the most effective source of light. We use revolutionary multi-chip LED with luminous flux 750 lm which provides cold white light and 10 000 hours of permanent usage.

Material
The casing is made of heat treated aluminum alloy resistant to corrosion and salt water. The surface is anodized with hard eloxal coating that is very durable and resistant to abrasion.

Li-Ion technology
Li-Ion batteries are ideal for LED source of light. Our advanced electronics ensures stable light output (700 mA) and protects the batteries against the deep discharging as well as overcharging. The light runs for 3 hours of full performance, then the intensity slowly decreases.

Goodman handle
Our own unique design provides convenient manipulation. Made of Delrin® that keeps its characteristics even in extreme temperatures.

Safety first 
Our lights comply with qualifications of European Standards and possess all important CE Certificates.

• multi-chip LED technology
• consists of a head and a container with batteries
• 750 lumen of luminous flux
• resistant aluminum alloy body
• hard eloxal coating
• borosilicate glass
• fixed light angle 6°
• cold white light 5 000 – 10 000 K
• Li-Ion batteries
• light switching by revolving its head
• 3 hours of full performance
• operational depth up to 200 m (655 ft)
• anatomic Goodman handle
• weight on surface 656 g (23 oz)(including handle)
• weight under water 240 g (8,5 oz)

Available at Scubadive West

Call 09543922

[email protected]

www.scubadivewest.com