Head-up display for dive masks!
April 13, 2008
Video: New head-up display DataMask (HUD) for dive masks from Oceanic Worldwide allows divers to monitor gauge readings within their field of view.
The DATAMASK contains a miniature liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, proprietary Digital Optic System, microprocessor, depth transducer, wireless cylinder pressure receiver, diver replaceable battery, and controlling software.
The miniature LCD allows you to keep your eyes focused on the dive while presenting critical dive data including: current depth, elapsed dive time, cylinder pressure, and dive time remaining. The Digital Optic System provides a clear, highly magnified image of the LCD, which is viewable regardless of environmental conditions and may be seen clearly by the vast majority of people, regardless of vision.
Video from Live Science: Watch here
DataMask from Oceanic
Shock: first animal on earth was a complex jelly fish
April 11, 2008
Earth’s first animal was the ocean-drifting comb jelly, not the simple sponge, according to a new find that has shocked scientists who didn’t imagine the earliest critter could be so complex.
The mystery of the first animal denizen of the planet can only be inferred from fossils and by studying related animals today. To get to the bottom of that, scientists analyzed massive volumes of genetic data to define the earliest splits at the base of the animal tree of life.
The tree of life is a hierarchy of evolutionary relationships among species that shows which groups split off on their own evolutionary path first.
The new study surprisingly found that the comb jelly was the first animal to diverge from the base of the tree, not the less complex sponge, which had previously been given the honor.
From Live Science: Read more
Photography: Coral & Ice by Anne Doubilet
April 10, 2008
Coral & Ice: From the Ends of the Earth. Stunning photography from the depths of the ocean to the top of the world highlighting two of the most important barometers of the health of our oceans.
Photographer, writer and explorer, Anne Doubilet works with National Geographic Magazine all over the world including Papua New Guinea, Palau, Japan, the Galapagos, the Red Sea, all around Australia’s coasts, and the Caribbean. She has witnessed the disappearance of chorals she has photographed in the last 30 years and is committed to promoting conservation and awareness of the devastating changes on our planet through her work.
Well worth a trip to her exhibition at the The National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, NY if you’re in the neighborhood (open to 15th April).
Check out her incredible work at www.annedoubilet.com
Video: Satellites tracking the global melt
April 9, 2008
Fascinating video explaining how environmental monitoring satellites are tracking global warming by watching polar ice melt.
A study of polar bears in the south Beaufort Sea, which spans the northern coasts of Alaska and western Canada, found that adult males weigh less and have smaller skulls than those captured and measured two decades ago.
The study does not directly blame the changes on a decline in sea ice. However, fewer cubs and smaller males are consistent with other observations that suggest changes in sea ice may be adversely affecting polar bears.
From LiveScience: Watch the video
DAN clarification on “hands-only” CPR
April 8, 2008
“DAN (Divers Alert Network) provides some clarification on why “hands-only” CPR is not the best option for assisting unconscious divers”.
The American Heart Association recently released a position statement regarding the use of compression-only CPR without delivering rescue breaths. This statement, intended to clarify CPR training for lay rescuers, was issued to amend and clarify the “2005 American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC)” for bystanders who witness an adult out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest…
While this change is important with regard to lay rescuers providing emergency care in the event of a collapse on the street, it will not affect the care of an unconscious diver. Many dive injuries involving an unconscious, non-breathing diver begin with respiratory arrest and drowning. DAN Training does not plan to change any DAN courses to feature hands-only CPR, which is relevant to the world at large but does not affect diving circumstances.
If a bystander was previously trained in CPR and is confident in his or her ability to provide rescue breaths with minimal interruptions in chest compressions, then the bystander should provide either conventional CPR using a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio (Class IIa) or hands-only CPR (Class IIa). The rescuer should continue CPR until an automated external defibrillator arrives and is ready for use or EMS providers take over care of the victim.
From Dive News: Read more
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