News
Five resources to protect your Dive Business in the face of COVID-19
This statement from DEMA, the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association, is mostly relevant to US readers but there are also some useful ideas for all dive businesses:
With the uncertainty surrounding the spread of COVID-19 and the latest information that the effects of this National Emergency could continue into the summer, it is critical for dive retailers and all small dive businesses to stay in front of their customers and to utilize all the resources available to them.
DEMA suggests several resources from the federal government and from DEMA for Members to consider during this crisis.
STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE
Most important is the need for all to remain safe and follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These guidelines can be found on DEMA’s COVID-19 update page.
SBA DISASTER LOANS
The President has ordered that low-interest loans be made available to small businesses effective immediately from the Small Business Administration (SBA) in states affected by COVID-19. Congress has increased funding levels for these SBA Disaster Loans to $50 billion.
As of this writing, dive businesses in these states are eligible for these SBA Disaster Loans – businesses in the remaining states will be eligible when the Governor requests access to the SBA Disaster Loan funds. If your state has not yet requested access, you can send an email to the Governor requesting access by clicking here and asking the Governor to immediately request access to SBA Disaster Loans. An example email will populate the page for you, or you can include your own email verbiage.
Where SBA disaster loans are available, apply by calling the SBA at 1-800-659-2955, or start the application process here. To find and access to your local SBA resources, click here. Don’t wait – these resources are finite and may take time to process.
POOLS, EQUIPMENT AND TEACHING FACILITIES
The federal government is recommending that people gather in groups of fewer than 10. If you are running classes, keep your classes small and utilize online instructional resources when available. You can also host online events for your customers to let them know more about diving, about upcoming sales, and more.
If possible, consider teaching CPR/first aid to keep customers coming back to your store. Classes can be kept small, and your training organization’s proper cleaning guidelines can help protect you and your customers.
When possible, consider local diving – this is healthy exercise, and it means being out in the fresh air while using proper social distancing and following appropriate safety guidelines. Keep your customers active using local underwater treasure or Easter egg hunts, dives from local charters, and other ideas that allow divers to participate until they can travel more extensively.
Keep your dive equipment clean. Divers Alert Network has issued guidelines for sanitizing dive equipment, which can be found here.
With schools closing, pool facilities for teaching scuba may become scarce. Some stores with pools are willing to share. You can find contact information for other nearby retail dive stores at GoDiveNow.com. Now is a good time for all of us to work together.
MARKETING
It is critical to continue being visible and relevant to your customers and communicate about your operation, talk about diving, and keep customers and local divers engaged. Time after time, those businesses that continue promoting their operations and services come out better and faster following a crisis when they have continued marketing.
DEMA Member businesses can keep their continuous marketing efforts up and keep their cost down by utilizing the FREE professionally designed marketing materials from the Go Dive Now Member Toolkit.
USE INEXPENSIVE, TARGETED SOCIAL MEDIA ADS FOR OUTREACH
DEMA Member Retail Stores can stay in front of potential customers by receiving a FREE chart of local zip codes which contain the greatest number of target households with the highest per capita income who are good candidates for interest in learning or continuing to dive. These zip codes are ideal for targeting on social media, using Go Dive Now materials, free to DEMA Members.
DEMA will continue to provide access to guidance as more resources become available. If you have questions, please contact info@dema.org.
Source: www.divenewswire.com
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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