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DEMA -2007-ORLANDO--A CALIFORNIANS PROSPECTIVE
My son and I have attended many DEMAs together over the past 30 or so years, but it was our first in Orlando. We were met lovely sunshine which in an instant could convert to light sprinkles, to steamy humid weather...Too hot and too humid for this Californian.
However I enjoyed this DEMA more than all the others...It was a true father & son outing
I was very happy and proud that son Dr. Sam IV received his long overdue SSI Pro 5000. We discovered that we were one of the very few father (1993) son (2007) recipients of the recognition. Some of the 2007 recipients I have known for years such as Rusty Berry from Pomona, several others I knew only as correspondence friends for any many years; the Chicago wreck diver Gayle Peterson, and the well known Florida cave diver Jill Heinerth, and of course a few others I can't immediately recall.
The event was topped by the presentation of a number of small gifts from friends in recognition of Sam IV accomplishments. The famous underwater/adventure diving author and long time friend, Clive Cussler sent his latest book inscribed by Clive and his son Dirk to Sam IV. As a proud dad I presented my son with a 1913 copy of Merck manual and a 1905 edition of the US Navy diving manual, "A Manual for divers" the first ever published ...certainly can't find these items at Costco
The item of interest and possibly the wave of the future will be re breathers; There were a number of vendors marketing units in all sorts of configurations and in an equal number of price ranges. The unit I have always enjoyed and am more familiar with and certainly impressed me is the Steam Machines "Prism" which will be marketed via a license agreement with Bob Hollis. With this arrangement the price will be reduced considerably making it agreeable to most divers pocketbook. Its inventor Dr. Peter Ready and his lovely wife Sharon who have been close family friends since they migrated to the US about 20 years back. They have recently retired to a small town in the south, the same place I attended a Military Academy many years back. ... Life takes interesting turns...
An equal number of companies were marketing various components to be used in conjunction with re- breathers and mixed gas divers. I was somewhat shocked when my son ordered a gas analyzer at $1,100.00 hard earned California dollars--and that was a pro deal. It seems like only yesterday if a piece of equipment costs over a dollar we made it in the garage, Those days are gone forever.
Spent some time at the SCUBA Board booth which afford the opportunity to meet an number of the members. I was certainly impressed with the enthusiasm and excitement of the board owner, Net Doc aka Pete Murray . Had several very informative productive conversations with Pete over a period of several days regarding the conduct and sanctions of certain board members.
Visited with the new owners of JBL in their booth. After Joes passing the gun was sold to a very nice couple from San Diego area who will be carrying on the JBL tradition and making a number of improvements to the historical gun. I shared a life time of stories about Joe and his gun and all the wonderful adventures of the past.
As would be expected the Riffe both was always crowded with spear fishermen. The Riffe line is huge and apparently is enlarging every year. Interesting that Jay suggested that we check out another booth nearby that featured a gun made in Turkey which was almost but not quite an exact copy of the Riffe line! Good copy but not a winner!
Harry Rescigno also sold Sea tec/ inflatable systems to a very nice fellow who has also improved and enlarged the line. Of interest was the fully adjustable Manta BC designed by the master of American BCs, Harry Recigno who has been retained as a consultant to Sea tec.
When not walking the floor hung out with the other LA county UW instructors; Bev Morgan, Bill Mac Donald, Glen Egstrom, Zale Parry, Lorraine Bemis Saddler and Florida transplant Jennifer King....
When not hanging out with the LA co group spent some time with the Womens Diving hall of fame. Seems that at one time or another we had all crossed paths so the event once again acquired the flavor of catching up on missed chapters in our lives. What an asset to the diving world they are...the Womens hall of fame.
It was over all to soon..
I have returned retirement in a home overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Dr Sam IV has returned to his family in smokey San Deigo and his position as a Hyperbaric/Diving Doctor at Scripps.
We eagerly look forward to 2008 and the Las Vegas DEMA.
If possible don't miss it!
sdm
My son and I have attended many DEMAs together over the past 30 or so years, but it was our first in Orlando. We were met lovely sunshine which in an instant could convert to light sprinkles, to steamy humid weather...Too hot and too humid for this Californian.
However I enjoyed this DEMA more than all the others...It was a true father & son outing
I was very happy and proud that son Dr. Sam IV received his long overdue SSI Pro 5000. We discovered that we were one of the very few father (1993) son (2007) recipients of the recognition. Some of the 2007 recipients I have known for years such as Rusty Berry from Pomona, several others I knew only as correspondence friends for any many years; the Chicago wreck diver Gayle Peterson, and the well known Florida cave diver Jill Heinerth, and of course a few others I can't immediately recall.
The event was topped by the presentation of a number of small gifts from friends in recognition of Sam IV accomplishments. The famous underwater/adventure diving author and long time friend, Clive Cussler sent his latest book inscribed by Clive and his son Dirk to Sam IV. As a proud dad I presented my son with a 1913 copy of Merck manual and a 1905 edition of the US Navy diving manual, "A Manual for divers" the first ever published ...certainly can't find these items at Costco
The item of interest and possibly the wave of the future will be re breathers; There were a number of vendors marketing units in all sorts of configurations and in an equal number of price ranges. The unit I have always enjoyed and am more familiar with and certainly impressed me is the Steam Machines "Prism" which will be marketed via a license agreement with Bob Hollis. With this arrangement the price will be reduced considerably making it agreeable to most divers pocketbook. Its inventor Dr. Peter Ready and his lovely wife Sharon who have been close family friends since they migrated to the US about 20 years back. They have recently retired to a small town in the south, the same place I attended a Military Academy many years back. ... Life takes interesting turns...
An equal number of companies were marketing various components to be used in conjunction with re- breathers and mixed gas divers. I was somewhat shocked when my son ordered a gas analyzer at $1,100.00 hard earned California dollars--and that was a pro deal. It seems like only yesterday if a piece of equipment costs over a dollar we made it in the garage, Those days are gone forever.
Spent some time at the SCUBA Board booth which afford the opportunity to meet an number of the members. I was certainly impressed with the enthusiasm and excitement of the board owner, Net Doc aka Pete Murray . Had several very informative productive conversations with Pete over a period of several days regarding the conduct and sanctions of certain board members.
Visited with the new owners of JBL in their booth. After Joes passing the gun was sold to a very nice couple from San Diego area who will be carrying on the JBL tradition and making a number of improvements to the historical gun. I shared a life time of stories about Joe and his gun and all the wonderful adventures of the past.
As would be expected the Riffe both was always crowded with spear fishermen. The Riffe line is huge and apparently is enlarging every year. Interesting that Jay suggested that we check out another booth nearby that featured a gun made in Turkey which was almost but not quite an exact copy of the Riffe line! Good copy but not a winner!
Harry Rescigno also sold Sea tec/ inflatable systems to a very nice fellow who has also improved and enlarged the line. Of interest was the fully adjustable Manta BC designed by the master of American BCs, Harry Recigno who has been retained as a consultant to Sea tec.
When not walking the floor hung out with the other LA county UW instructors; Bev Morgan, Bill Mac Donald, Glen Egstrom, Zale Parry, Lorraine Bemis Saddler and Florida transplant Jennifer King....
When not hanging out with the LA co group spent some time with the Womens Diving hall of fame. Seems that at one time or another we had all crossed paths so the event once again acquired the flavor of catching up on missed chapters in our lives. What an asset to the diving world they are...the Womens hall of fame.
It was over all to soon..
I have returned retirement in a home overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Dr Sam IV has returned to his family in smokey San Deigo and his position as a Hyperbaric/Diving Doctor at Scripps.
We eagerly look forward to 2008 and the Las Vegas DEMA.
If possible don't miss it!
sdm
