Open Circuit

September 27, 2021 by Eric Keibler

Local Diving It is Not the Caribbean but It Can Still Be Fun

On the east coast they say boating and watersports season runs from Memorial Day to Labor day. After that you put your boats and equipment away and get ready for your winter activities. There may be some practical reason for this up north becasue traditionally in September the cold winds start to blow and the temperatures begin to drop. But, we live in the South! Here the temperatures merely moderate and in fact it is just pleasent outside. Sailors all know that this is one of the better times for sailing becasue the winds blow steadier and it is not as hot on the water.

Divers too find that the weather makes being at the lake more enjoyable. The temperatures mean the barbq grills can come out again and sitting and talking during the surface intervals are more relaxing. The water temperatures remain warm so diving in lighter suits is still possible. Of course with cooler nights, the water temperature will drop but until November, you can add some layers to your wetsuit and keep diving. (I am a little bit of a wimp these days and when the temperature drops below 76-78 degrees I switch to a drysuit).

This past Sunday, Joe Henry, Zac Gay and Naomi decided it was time to get wet and go diving. I haven’t been in a rebreather for a while so it was a good opportunity to test the new cells and jump back into silent diving. Zac brought his rebreather as well and we both made Joe jealous (he is going to put his together and get some new cells now.) Diving in a Texas lake is definitely not the Caribbean, but it is wet and there are fish. We had about 8-10 feet of visibility which was not too bad considering we had some rain recently.

The thing about diving locally is you have the opportunity to work on your buoyancy and trim instead of fighting with it on your vacation. You can also try out different equipment configurations or even different equipment! Budding photographers can practice with their cameras and try new of different techniques. It is a good opportunity to practice gunning lines or running navigation courses. Remember, what you work on locally makes your next trip more enjoyable and your diving better.

So, I would encourage you to head out and go diving! Join us for a local dive or just pick a lake that is close and go for a day or choose one a little further away and make a weekend out if it. Your diving will improve and your attitude will also improve.

August 17, 2021 by Eric Keibler

Radical, Evolved, Exclusive – the Atomic T25 Anniversary Regulator

Oceanic Ventures has just received our first Atomic T25 Limited Edition Anniversary Air Delivery System (aka Regulator)! This is a very limited edition titanium regulator. We are very excited to have been selected to receive a unit out of the first build cycle of the T25’s.

What is so Special?

Representing 25 years of breakthroughs and breaking rules, the Atomic Aquatics T25 limited-edition anniversary regulator is a highly evolved version of the iconic T3 all titanium regulator. To achieve the T25’s unparalleled durability and performance, we started with solid bars of titanium alloy and precision machined them to our super-elite specs. But we didn’t stop there.

To achieve radical durability, we plated the T25’s machined body with a new, proprietary diamond-like hardness coating (DLC). The result is a “burnt titanium” that’s stunningly beautiful, ultra durable and 100% unique. In fact, with its rainbow-like burnt titanium finish, each T25 is highly exclusive—and no two regulators will share the same appearance.

How many have we received?

We have received one unit out of the first build batch. We are not sure how many more we will receive since this is a very limited edition unit and Atomic anticipates that the demand for the units will be high.

What is the cost?

The units are $2,799.00 which includes the T25 limited edition first and second stages as will as a special edition anniversary bag.

How may I purchase one?

The units are being sold on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested in purchasing a unit, please call Dive Mom with your credit card and tell her you want one. We will charge you for the unit when it arrives. But remember, the distribution of these special units is very limited and we don’t know how many we will have available for purchase.

August 12, 2020 by Stefanie

Facebook Live – The Sidemount Revolution

This week is all about sidemount diving! We will be joined by Hollis Brand Manager, Nick Hollis and cave diver Edd Sorenson to discuss the history of sidemount diving, its rise to fame, and where it stands today. We’ll dive into different sidemount configurations, what is used in different regions around the world, and Nick and Edd’s favorite setups. Don’t forget to bring your questions!

You can find the link on the Hollis Facebook page on Monday. We will also update this post with the link when they update it.

July 28, 2020 by Stefanie

VIP Drysuit Fitting Event

We are really excited about an exclusive event where our clients can get a new drysuit and some really cool accessories!

On Saturday, 8 August, 2020, our trained drysuit experts will work with you one on one to:

Discuss the optimal BARE drysuit for your upcoming diving plans
Personally measure you based on BARE’s factory recommended system
Identify the options that will improve your dive experience.

All in a COVID safe environment.

As this is a unique event, focussed on premium drywear we will be offering each of our guests a welcome cocktail, and a complimentary BARE package consisting of:

SB Duffel Bag

A dual-zippered duffel for transporting your drysuit to and from the dive site.

Gloves

5MM or 3MM all-purpose fully-featured dive gloves for cool-to-warm water temps.

Dry Hood

9MM or 7MM hood designed to mate with the BARE drysuit collar. Ultrawarmth Dry Hoods fit comfortably and resist flushing.

Worth over $200 value, free with purchase of a drysuit.

This event is by appointment only, as we will dedicate team members to focus on your needs. If you would like to reserve one of our twelve appointment slots, please send Dive Mom an email message or call us at 713.523.3483

Don’t Miss this Opportunity to Dive Dry in Your Own Suit!

February 4, 2020 by Stefanie

Accept the Master Diver Challenge

When Ann was certified, she was so excited about diving that she dove every opportunity she could get. Since she started a Scuba Boutique at around the same time, she had the opportunity to go diving a lot! In 2004 Ann wondered, “how could a new diver do 100 dives in their first year of diving?” She proceeded to look at how it could be done doing mostly local diving with one trip to Cozumel thrown in. Every year since then she has challenged our new divers to commit to the 100 Dive Challenge. To date only three people have successfully completed making 100 dives in their first year.

SSI loved the idea and the Master Diver Challenge was born. Since then, the Challenge has grown to become a national program where dives have the opportunity to win prizes including being eligible for a live aboard trip for 2.

So, while we still challenge our divers to meet the 100 Dive Challenge, we also challenge all of our divers to accept the Master Diver Challenge!

Oceanic Ventures has partnered with SSI to offer you the opportunity to become a Master Diver. SSI even partnered with the Aggressor Adventures to offer the winner of the 2020 SSI Master Diver Challenge an exclusive 7-night, all-expense* paid, trip for two onboard the Roatan Aggressor! On this exciting dive adventure, you will enjoy the best of the Bay Islands. These Islands have some of the best diving Honduras has to offer, with sheer walls, beautiful shallow reefs, spectacular wrecks and offshore seamounts. This trip is valued at over $6,190!

BECOME A MASTER DIVER IN 2020!

Join the growing ranks of the most exclusive Master Diver Program in diving and enter for a chance to win an exotic dive vacation.

EVERY DIVE COUNTS….

We love diving! Every time you log your dive, your dive counts towards numerous SSI Recognition ratings, including the Master Diver rating. So whether you are diving as part of a Course or just for fun, each logged dive gets you one step closer to earning your Master Diver rating.

BECOMING A MASTER DIVER IS EASY AND FUN!

The Master Diver program is designed with you in mind. Choose from a wide variety of Specialty Courses and participate in those that you are interested in. To become a Master Diver, you need to complete a minimum of 5 Specialties with one being Diver Stress and Rescue and log over 50 dives. It is that easy!

Not an SSI Diver? No problem! Up to 2 Specialties from a recognized agency can count towards your 5 SSI Specialties. SSI Diver Stress and Rescue not included.

HOW DO I ENTER THE SSI MASTER DIVER CHALLENGE?

Divers certified as an SSI Master Diver between January 1 and December 31, 2020, are automatically entered to win. The Winner will be chosen on January 15, 2021.

WIN OTHER PRIZES TOO!

Every Diver who reaches the Master Diver Level in 2020 will receive a special Master Diver Challenge Coin! Divers who have already achieved their SSI Master Diver Rating can come buy their coin in March when they arrive.

December 16, 2019 by Marc

Suunto Dive Computer Special Through December 31, 2019

Limited time offer: save over $300 when you purchase a D5 or Eon Core with a Tank Pod Wireless Pressure Transmitter.

Travis Hershey Stars as the Scuba Santa — Santa Said Dive Computers Make Awesome Holiday Gifts!

Suunto has announced a very special price, $100, reg $439, for a Tank Pod when you purchase either a Suunto D5 or and EON Core die computer. This special runs until 31 December 2019.

Explore in Color with the Clear, Customizable Suunto EON Core

The compact Suunto EON Core is a great dive companion whether you are new to diving or an experienced pro. The clear, color display is easy to read. The key details of your dive are displayed with large, prominent numbers and graphics. Use the customizable profiles to adapt the EON Core display and dive logs to suit your needs. Bluetooth connectivity and FREE apps make it easy to manage and share your logs. This full-featured, air-integrated dive computer is your reliable partner down to depths of 80m/260ft.

The Suunto D5 Wrist Computer

The EON Core and D6 finally combined. The Suunto D5 Wrist Computer is a watch-sized dive computer with all the functions and menu from the EON Core and more. Featuring compatibility with 3-gas mixtures, four dive modes, 3D digital compass, the Suunto D5 can deliver all your crucial data in an easy-to-read interface with three-button menu design. Use the Switch Window to choose what data you want to see first. The Suunto D5 also keeps you aware of your location, air levels, and depth. Its new feature, Vibra, gently vibrates on your wrist to alert you of safety stops, air levels, depths, and time, offering you more than just the regular audio alarm. Connect to the Suunto app and access all your data from your phone. Its LED backlight is adjustable for easy use in low light. Wear it only as your dive watch and the battery lasts up to two full dive days. When used as a day-to-day watch, the Suunto D5 can last you up to five days on a single charge. With the Suunto D5, you can dive to depths up to 330 feet/100m. And whenever you want to switch things up, simply change the straps. Whether you’re in the water or on land, the Suunto D5 fulfills all your needs in style and functionality.

Suunto D5 Wins 2019 ScubaLab Tester’s Choice!

From Scuba Diving Magazine November 2019:

The three button operation of the air-integrated D5 is so simple that you can confidently navigate menus before even glancing at the manual. That earned the D5 a very good score for intuitive operation. The high-contrast color screen uses a reflective technology that enhances visibility in a wide range of light, and was easily visible in full sun – sometimes a weak spot for color displays. “Super easy to see in dark, sun or in between,” noted one test diver. The display packs a lot in without being cluttered, partly by putting some info in a changeable window at the bottom. The display makes good use of attention – getting colors, and audible and vibrating alarms are unmissable. Divers rated the display very good overall for quality of data – though not all liked the hash-mark indicators for minutes, which to non-metric minds can mean feet. Slightly liberal in our chamber dives, the D5 was simple to set up, see and understand, and test divers chose it as an overwhelming favorite. The D5 is our Testers Choice for computers over $500.