Scuba Shack Radio has wrapped up but there is more in store. Specifically - I will be launching a new podcast - Scuba Educational Alliance Ocean Podcast on September 19th, 2024. This new podcast will be dedicated to ocean health, sustainability and fostering a new generation of ocean stewards through scuba diving education. I hope that you will tune into the new podcast coming soon.

The time has come to wrap up Scuba Shack Radio. After 142 episodes, I have decided to end the podcast as I look to focus on other initiatives. The podcast has been a rewarding endeavor. I have enjoyed the research, preparation and delivery of a show every two weeks over the past 5+ years. As I began season 6 earlier this year I knew that someday I would move on and after a great deal of thought, here is the Round Up or final episode of Scuba Shack Radio.

It seems that we are using the term complacency to talk about various incidents or accidents in scuba diving. Is it really complacency or is is something else. Are divers being careless, irresponsible or reckless. As scuba divers we know the inherent risks of entering this incredible environment. So when we don't take the appropriate action to minimize this risk are we really being complacent. ========================================= Wet Notes updates include - Amazon plans to end use of plastic pillows in North America Iceland continues to allow whale hunting DEMA hosted a webinar on lobbying efforts for the scuba industry Treasure hunters in Florida find 214 coins and artifacts from 1715 shipwrecks Scuba divers find 25 kilos of cocaine while doing reef cleanup in Key Large REEFest 2024 is now open for registration Coming in July a new three part series from Brian Skerry - Sea Change - The Gulf of Maine

We hear the terms mastery, competency and performance when discussing scuba training, but what do these terms really mean. Let's talk a little more about these terms. How do we achieve mastery or competency? Should there be repetition standards? Are all the skills necessary for basic open water? There is a lot to think about when it comes to mastery, competency and performance in scuba diving. Wet Note discusses Faroe Islands Grindadrap continues Big Blue achieves UL 2054 certification Alert Diver 2nd Quarter 2024 edition published REEF finds an endemic fish in the Caymans Shackleton's last ship (Quest) found "The Last Breath" movie coming soon

Here is an update on my reading list for 2024. The second batch of books that I finished include: Arctic Drift - Clive and Dirk Cussler A Message from Martha - Mark Avery Built to Fail - Alan Payne Crescent Dawn - Clive and Dirk Cussler A Furious Sky - Eric Jay Dolin On my reading list for 2024 summer and beyond include: Poseidon's Arrow, Havana Storm and Odessa Sea - Clive and Dirk Cussler Losing the Signal - Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff Gone - Michael Blincowe American Buffalo - Steven Rinella Spartan Gold, Lost Empire and The Kingdom - Clive Cussler and Grant Blackwood Wet Notes Updates include Sharks in MPAs Sharkangels online auction Quagga mussels in Lake Michigan JetBlue flights from JFK to Bonaire Southwest flight changes to Grand Cayman G-Shock Frogman watch

Innovation, technology, and market forces can drive inflection points for business or industries. Inflection points are times of significant change and transformation is necessary for sustainability and growth. Whether it be new training models, like subscription-based learning or new products that create inventory challenges for small dive shops, these changes are signals of an inflection point. Local dive shops remain a key pillar in the creation of new divers and as more close, are we creating dive shop deserts? Listen for more of my perspective on this topic. Wet Notes provides updates on Aluminum cylinder laser engraving A dive mask with wiper blades The new Shearwater Peregrine TX NOAA's "State of the Stock" report Another right whale entanglement NovoScuba - a new subscription-based dive training agency

Becoming a competent and confident diver is a progression that involves training, gear and diving. We often call these the three Es - Equipment, Education, and Experience. But just taking the next course or buying another piece of gear is not the answer. Divers need to progress with the right training with the right equipment at the right time. Without the proper foundation in diving, training may not be effective and mastering the use of the new equipment can be problematic. Or maybe, the diving may be beyond their capability. Wet Notes updates SportDiver Ultra announcement DAN Professional Liability Insurance offer Another worldwide coral bleaching event Coral Reef Foundations 2024 Coralpalooza Sawfish rescue in the Florida Keys Europe chooses reuse

How would you rate customer service across the dive industry? How do you define good customer service for a dive operator, dive shop, or dive resort? Listen to an example of very poor customer service that we recently experienced plus some examples of how we think about good customer service Plus Wet Notes provides updates on The DIVE BOAT act The FISHES act Orca Torch ZD710 pricing and new products Scuba Diving Magazine's 10 best wetsuits Shearwater Research's new website Update on the April 3rd cave diving fatality DEMA Show registration opens

Martha was the last of the passenger pigeon species and died on September 1, 1914. The passenger pigeon was once the most abundant bird on the planet and within a few decades this species went from billions to zero. We need to hear the message from Martha to protect the ocean species from extinction including sharks, rays and whales. Loss of habitat, ocean warming, overfishing, plastic pollution and ghost gear continue to threaten our ocean creatures. Wet Notes updates us on Orca Torch ZD710 New Sola Goodman handle Lake Hydra news Q1 2024 Alert Diver Magazine Another right whale death New rules for the Endangered Species Act

In 2022, NOAA released recommendations for vessel speed restrictions in an effort to protect the North Atlantic right whale. NOAA not only expanded the area dramatically, they also expanded the vessels being covered. The new rules would restrict most vessels 35 feet or larger to 10 knots in these seasonal zones. Approval of this proposal however is stalled. There are too many competing interests and a large number of people are opposed to the changes. In the end the whales lose. Another calf was struck recently be a vessel and died. The North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered with less than 400 left so every death is devastating. These whales are very slow swimmers and cannot avoid the high speed vessels. Public comment on this proposal ended in October 2022. It is time to approve NOAA's recommendations. Plus Wet Notes looks at 2025 REEF trips Bizarre fish behavior in the Florida Keys New SeaLife SportDiver dome port Red Sea Liveaboard problems Secrets of the Octopus Earth Day 2024

Dive computers are powerful, reliable and an essential part of your scuba kit. There are many affordable dive computers on the market today that allow divers to fit this into their budget. Is it okay to tell divers that they don't need to use a dive computer because the dives are going to be shallow? This is not how we dive and not how we counsel our divers. In my opinion, a dive computer is as essential as any other part of your rig. Listen to hear about who is telling divers they don't need a computer. Also listen for some Wet Notes updates on: The Immerse Yourself Empress of Ireland presentation A humpback whale and calf encounter Humpback numbers are dropping SSI's new dive computer specialty Dive travel statistics Women Divers Hall of Fame Scholarship and Grant update