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Muzzle Mask Leaks
Common reasons for mask leaks, other than poor fit, include facial hair, head hair, hoods and purge valves.
For facial hair (usually a mustache problem) you can either shave it off, shave it back or slick it down with silicone grease or petroleum jelly. These goops may, however, discolor the silicone on your mask. Silicone grease is best, but there is no guarantee the mask will not suffer in appearance.
Your head hair and hood problem is easily solved by an attentive dive buddy. Have them make sure your mask has a clear seal, free of hair and your hood, before you enter the water.
Purge valves, usually located in the nose pocket, are a great for easily pushing water out of the mask but sometimes become inverted when you jump in the water. To prevent this hold your mask during your water entry with your hand covering the valve. These valves can also become clogged with sand or other debris. Rinse thoroughly after diving and check before your next venture into the deep.
Still got problems? Inspect the mask carefully to see if the skirt has separated from the frame or torn slightly. Also, don't overtighten the mask strap as this can pucker or collapse the skirt into an ill-fitting position. Finally, as we age, we gain more wrinkles. If you have had a favorite mask for a long time, and it starts to trickle water, it may not be your mask. It may be your face just getting older.
Disney Reverses Shark Plans
Hearing massive and swift reaction from ocean lovers globally, Disney has retreated from their plan to sell sharkfin soup at the soon-to-be opened Disney Park in Hong Kong.
In a press release Disney stated, “After careful consideration and a thorough review process, we were not able to identify an environmental sustainable fishing source, leaving us no alternative except to remove shark’s fin soup from our menu.”
Sharkfin soup requires the catching of large number of sharks, only to cut off their fins for the dish and throwing the shark back in the water live, only to die bleeding and finless.
Lots of Jellies & Stingrays
Jellyfish are pretty and stingrays cute but sometimes they hurt and their populations have exploded early this summer.
The ray causing the most problem is the thornback which resides in shallow waters in sandy surf zones. Most people are stung when they inadvertently step on the ray. For prevention, shuffle your feet. If stung, rinse the area with hot (not scalding) fresh water then remove the stinger and rinse again. Seek medical attention.
Most of the jellies visiting our waters are harmless but some can cause a painful sting. If stung, rinse the area with salt water (not fresh water). Do not apply ice. Rinse the area with diluted vinegar or dust with baking soda (do not use together with vinegar). Rubbing alcohol or diluted household ammonia will also be helpful. In a pinch, carbonated soda drink might work or meat tenderizer. Carefully remove any remaining tentacles and, if possible, shave or scrape the effected area. Treat again with the above mentioned chemicals.
Long Pt. Hours Fluctuate
Beach diving at Long Point(a.k.a. Old Marineland) on the Palos Verdes Peninsula is a popular activity at this remote rocky shore location. Access to the shore, however, is controlled by a benevolent land owner that, unfortunately, sometimes changes and then does not follow through on promised gate times. Recently gate opening times changed from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. In addition, the gates have often not opened until well past this time. If you are going to dive Long Point, plan on possible delays.
Charlie Royer Passes
Rather than a traditional obituary, I am going to share personal thoughts that, I believe, reflect the feelings of many in Los Angeles area dive community on the death of Charlie Royer.
In spite of his gruff exterior, Charlie Royer was a believer—he believed in the individual and their ability to pursue their dreams. That was usually just as simple as believing that you could explore the underwater world. When people came to wanting to touch the great unknown of the ocean, he believed that you could do it, in spite of your fears. He pushed you to your limits, just where you often needed the most to be pushed. And that gave you strength. It was his belief in you, as an individual, that you could do it that sent so many on a confident journey into the sometimes scary underwater world. This confidence and success in conquering the blue realm, and their fears, gave so many the confidence to continue on through difficult circumstances in their own lives, and to venture into the unknown with confidence.
Charlie Royer, as owner of West Coast Divers Supply, was the very first advertising client of California Diving News. Thank you Charlie, for believing in me, my dreams, and the dreams of so many others. The confidence you instilled lives on and beyond.— Dale Sheckler
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Return to Cover Page/Contents for August 2005 issue