Open Water Certification Available with the Ajax Scuba Club

Equipment Checkup!

The first trip out in late spring, early summer to Marmora usually signals to divers that the season is indeed open.  All of the excitement and anticipation of being able to dive comes with but a few challenges. 

• Have you had a yearly checkup and are in good health to dive? 
•  Did you remember to have the tanks inspected? 
•  Did you check your wetsuit to ensure it fits…still?   

Whatever the reason is to get out and dive that first weekend, don’t wait to get your gear, inspected, repaired and in working order; by the time that weekend arrives, Dive shops will be overrun with requests, orders and repairs.

This makes the situation most stressful when waiting for equipment to be repaired the week before the dive trip.  Hoping and praying that your equipment will be ready and that you won’t have to rent unfamiliar gear.

First Checks

All equipment is different and requires annual/semi-annual safety inspections, replacement parts and preventive maintenance. If unsure check with the manufacturer.  Some certifying agencies also put out a ‘suggested’ preventative maintenance schedule. My Regs are in the shop once a year at the end of September for their annual checkup. I only trust the professionals with my regs.  They can test, adjust and replace.  I can always rest easy knowing I'm diving with full functional equipment.

‘Personally’ speaking, I like to start with my lights, and work my way around the things that I can check myself.

Lights: At the end of every season, I take out my rechargeable batteries and put them into an air-tight bag for the next dive. As we take them out in the spring, I fully charge and test the batteries; I like to leave my light on for 1h to ensure that the batteries are still fully functional.

Exposure Suit:  If you’ve already washed and pretreated your wetsuit from last season, then the only thing to do is to re-lube and test the zippers, do an inspection of the zippers and Velcro, check all the seams for small tears – use chalk to mark area’s that need repair prior to taking it into the shop.

               *Small tip?  Most tailors can repair/replace zippers – which might be a less costly option.

Knives and Dive Tools:  Clean and sharpen – If you don’t know how, seek out professional help.  A sporting goods store was able to sharpen a serrated blade for me, and also provided a silicone spray to help protect my dive knives/tools from rusting.

Fins:  Pull on the strap, adjust it, and inspect it for cracks.  Clean and treat the silicone, and moving parts.  If you’ve had to use your ‘spare’ strap during previous dives, then perhaps it’s time to order new straps.  Spring straps will also benefit from silicon lube spray.

If you have camera gear – clean, or replace o-rings and re-silicone in a clean environment.  A new o-ring for your camera might cost $5.00, but could save that $1000 camera from a leak.(the same goes for the o-rings on dive lights/torches)

Dive computers – Check and replace battery if needed.  Ensure the date and time is correct.

Patricia Sideris, ASC Communications

Some expert Tips From our Equipment Manager Joe;

We are well into the New Dive Season! Have you checked your dive gear YET?????

The following is a good start:

Mask, fins and snorkel:

·        Examine all straps for cracking or faulty latches.

·        How is the fit of your mask? Does it seal properly? Look for any cracking around the skirt.

·        Inspect your snorkel for cracked or ripped mouth piece. Look for tears or cracking on the webbing that holds the snorkel to the mask.

Regulator set:

Have they been maintained based on the manufacturer’s requirements? If so, the following additional checks should be made:

·        Check the mouth piece for cracking or tears. Replace if necessary.

·        Inspect hoses for defects on the exterior. Pull back hose protectors and look for cracking, bubbling or tears.

·        Verify that your compass and gauges are in good working order. (Make sure that the compass is properly seated in boot or gauge set! More than one has popped out at the wrong time!!!!)

·        If your gauge set is equipped with a computer, now would be a great time to replace the battery if it’s getting questionable! Many a dive has been lost due to a failed computer….

BC’s

·        Verify the exterior is in good condition with no tears etc.

·        Manually inflate your BC. Will it hold the pressure for 20 minutes?

·        Check the waist straps and latches for proper operation.

Tanks

·        Up to date Hydro and Visual inspection (Remember, Hydro is good for 5 years and the visual inspection is required every year.)

·        If equipped, check under the plastic tank boot for debris and / or corrosion.

·        Check for damage to the tank o ring. Replace if necessary.

Last but not least, check your exposure protection for proper fit! MANY have been known to shrink over the winter for unknown reasons. (Suit manufactures are still trying to fix this problem!!)

Have a safe and enjoyable dive season all!

Joe Pascoe, Equipment Manager

More information about Diving, upgrading your current skills, or to try out diving in a pool during one of our Discover Dives simply contact us using the information below, it’s that easy!

Also, if you learn to Scuba Dive with us, your membership is included for your first year of diving.

We also welcome Divers certified by any recognized SCUBA training agency.

Just contact us:

info@ajaxscubaclub.on.ca or call (905) 619-2159 and leave a message.

Check us out:  www.ajaxscubclub.on.ca

Dive profiles and personal information updates

Hello Team,

With the spring warm up this week, I am sure all of you are day dreaming of diving– just as all of us,  on the ASC Executive team are anxious to get our fins wet!!!

With that in mind I have a small request from our Executive team;

It has come to our attention that contact information, emergency contact numbers and email addresses may need updating.

Our DM’s are requesting that everyone take a moment to update their personal information and dive profile on our website.

If you are a new member, or a returning one, we are simply requesting that double check to ensure all information is correct.

***If you have not renewed your membership, why not complete online now, and bring your completed paperwork with you to our Spring General Meeting

·         Ajax Scuba Club Guidelines

·         Ajax Scuba Club Waiver

·         Ajax Scuba Club Membership Form

http://ajaxscubaclub.on.ca/

SAVE THE DATE:

Our Spring General Meeting will be held at the Ajax Community Center, in the Commodore's room on Sunday, April 12th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

Posted on behalf of The Ajax Scuba Club

Patricia Sideris, ASC Communications

ASC Executives wish you a Very Happy 2015

Happy New Year Everyone! 

We wish to touch base with our Members and wish you all a very Happy New Year.

The First order of business is to share with you our new Executive lineup, and their contact information.

There have been a few updates, so please help us give a warm welcome our new Executives

Presenting your new executive members;

President                           

Robert Theberge             president@

Vice-president                 Vacant 

                               

Treasurer                           

Jinna Findlay                     treasurer@

Secretary                            

Pat Doherty                        secretary@

Training                              

Audrey Wood                    training@

Dive Coordinator            

Delsie Walsh                     divecoordinator@

Equipment Manager     

Joe Pascoe                          equipment@

Promotions                       

Paul Campbell                  promotions@

Communications            

Patricia Sideris                  newsletter@

Social                                   

Shelley Abbott                 social@

Web Master                     

Rob Cook                             webmaster@

All Executives can be contacted via their email address prefix followed by our domain; @ajaxscubaclub.on.ca

An now word from our ASC president.

Let me wish you all a good 2015 full of exciting dive experiences.

I would like to thank the outgoing members of the executive for the great work they accomplished in 2014. They improved our web site, stabilized our finances while handling the compressor issues. Because of their good work, our club is in good shape.

We are working hard to bring you another great dive season. You will be able to select your dives at the Spring General meeting to be held after Easter in April (exact date to be confirmed).

A great club is made of its members; the role of the executive is to be attentive to members needs and to facilitate their diving experience. However, we need your participation. The position of VP is still open and we are still accepting volunteers. We also need the cooperation of Dive Masters to make sure our dive schedule is attractive, complete and all dives are performed safely.

As we are a teaching club, my objective is to remind each of you of the courses we offer and to ask you to be our ambassadors to all the people you know and might be interested in learning to dive. By promoting our courses, you will promote our club and you will bring new members to the club who in turn will follow in your footsteps and will promote our courses.

See you soon

Have a good diving season and do not forget to renew your membership

Robert Theberge

Thank You, Looking forward to seeing everyone at our Spring General Meeting.

ASC Communications, Patricia Sideris