You may be aware that Scuba 2000 has been a big supporter of the Starlight Foundation over the years. They provide funds to help a terminally ill child have some fun. We've raised thousands of dollars over the years for The Starlight Foundation. Our plaques can be seen near the front door of the store. At the moment, Scuba 2000 is helping promote the efforts of the Wal Mart/Tide Racing team raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. To date they've raised 5.7 million dollars! The race team is touring the various Wal Marts around Canada for that purpose. Visit Wal-Mart.ca for more information and hopefully you'll get to meet the racers and help this very worthy cause. Here's Alec with the race team (Ford of course) in Richmond Hill.

We have some very exciting diving vacations planned just for you. We are currently offering a fabulous trip below. For details, check out the Travel Section of our web site or call Scuba 2000. Note: All travel services are arranged by and paid through Carlson-Wagonlit Travel TICO # 2927509

In a recent, world-wide on-line survey of divers, Scuba 2000 was rated as one of the best dive facilities in the world. We can now display the Diversclick Award logo on all our literature. Thanks for your support.

We started having Scuba Splash Birthday Parties several years ago and they are now a regular feature of Friday evenings in our pool. We can take up to 9 guests and they enjoy a complete scuba diving introductory in the pool after which we have a party room, pizza, pop, birthday cake and prizes for everyone (have you heard Diana sing Happy Birthday?). Everyone simply loves it including the parents who often join in but who at least like the idea of not having a mess to clean up at home. Think about it and if someone you know is having a birthday, give us a call. By the way, it's not just for kids birthdays!!

Photography - by Tom Wilson U/W Photographer and Instructor
As you learned in your open water course, objects under water appear larger and closer than they actually are. This causes a real problem for underwater photographers when they point a flash where the subject "appears" to be. This causes them to aim the strobe in front of the actual subject, lighting up particles in the water and causing backscatter. To avoid this you can use a strobe with a built-in modeling light, or attach a normal dive light to the strobe so they both point at the same spot. This also frees up a hand on a night dive and reduces the amount of gear juggling necessary. Another option is to use two laser pointers which intersect at a predetermined focusing spot. This is a great technique which does not disturb fish, and works very well for macro photography.

Dive Travel - by Laurie Kennedy OWSI and World Diver
When you are traveling and out on a boat or on the shore for a period time it is always important to consider the appropriate sun protection. This applies to both warm and cold destinations. The following are a list of tips you should remember:

• Don't forget to bring along protective clothing, such as a hat, t-shirt and jacket;
  
• Sweatproof and waterproof sun lotion with UVA and UVB protection with an SPF factor no less than 15 is a must;
  
• The lighter your skin the higher the SPF factor, such as a 30;
  
• Reapply sun lotion every hour and after each dive;
  
• Be aware if you are taking any photosensitizing medication while on your dive trip, such as tetracycline and retin-A for acne;
  
• Avoid prolonged exposure between 10am and 3pm when the ultraviolet rays are the most intense and harmful.
  

Instruction - by Jason R. Houle PADI Master Instructor
When teaching a Divemaster or assistant instructor course you will find that the Padi slates are invaluable for recording student presentations. These slates are an investment in your dive career but are fragile if precautions are not taken early. To ensure that you don't break or damage your slates simply get a plastic cutting (bread) board. Lay the slate on top of the board and drill and hole in corner. Then take a quick tye (tye wrap, zip tie) and secure the slate to the board. This gives you a strong and very effective slate for teaching. Why not be creative and get a blue, red or yellow board from Ikea?

Skills and Safety - by Tyler Clair MSDT
Practice your diving more by diving. Dive with a buddy you trust, dive with a group you trust, dive with an operator you have researched and trust. Just dive more and you will become a better diver. Please always remember common sense and our speed limit. Never exceed 1 foot per second on ascent.

Equipment - by Alec Peirce
One of the most common practical problems we face is finding a convenient method to attach the console to our BC. On a spearfishing trip to Florida, I tried one of the recoil devices which clips to my BC and attaches to the side of the console. Of all the different ways I've used to hold my console this was the very best by a long shot. The console was always in exactly the same spot when I reached for it, it was easy to pull out to any length so I could read the gauges or use the compass and it instantly returned to it's proper spot when I let go. It also never fell down between my legs, banged around when entering the water or caught on rocks or the wrecks as I swam through them. Try it. It may be the perfect solution for you too.