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Category Archives: Did You Know

The Magnehelic Gauge

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💥 A quick message to all divers 💥

The Magnehelic gauge is a unique device and tool used for testing and tuning your regulator. This tool displays the inhalation effort that a diver performs by taking a normal breath via inches of water.

Posted below are two photos showing the difference between one of Scubapro’s LOWER end regulator compared to another very POPULAR branded regulator (that we will not mention).

<— The left photo is Scubapro @ 1.2in
The right photo is the other @ 3.9in —>

This means that Scubapro’s LOWER end regulator takes 1/3 the effort to take a breath.

Why dive with 90’s SCUBA technology in 2019 when the technology is here that allows your dive to be more enjoyable and non-restrictive?

2 Magnehelic gauges

Beaver Lake

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Often when asked where we dive around this part of the country, we spout off Beaver Lake. That just happens to be where we all go dive. Granted some have dove in other lakes. But if you’ve been certified by Extreme Sports SCUBA, you’ve probably found yourself diving in Beaver Lake, at least 2 days. Not to mention if you participate in the New Year’s Day Dive, Memorial Day Fun Dive, the Safari Hunt, or the Underwater Pumpkin Carving. Plus, if you join us for one of the many weekends of certifying students. You know that if we’re there you’re always welcome to come to dive with us.

But have you ever been diving and wondered about Beaver Lake? Please tell me I’m not the only one {crickets}. Okay, well I sometimes get called the “Queen of Google,” because I notoriously look up information. So, I’ll share with you what I was about to find out about Beaver Lake.

Beaver Lake

As early as 1911, the Army Corp of Engineers were looking for a way to control flooding on the White River. It wasn’t until the Flood Control Act of 1944 that Beaver Lake became more than just a pipe dream. After some numbers are thrown around and finally an approval, the initial cost was set at around $60 Million Dollars. Continue reading→

Uh, I don’t feel so good

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You’ve arrived at your tropical paradise vacation destination, or maybe you’ve been there for a few days then one morning you wake up not feeling so well.  Maybe it was something you ate or drank, that’s not agreeing with you.  Perhaps your head and sinuses are stopped up.  This is not how you wanted to spend your days on vacation.  Nothing is more miserable than being on vacation and getting sick.

Now, let me get in my disclaimer here, I’m not a doctor, nurse or any other type of medical professional, nor do I play one on TV.  I have gotten sick a few times on vacation though.  Everything from sea sickness, to just a common cold, and several things in between I’ve come down with it while on vacation. Continue reading→

SHARKS!!!!

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One of the most asked questions if wanting to learn to SCUBA Dive is “what about sharks”? What about them? Sharks are an awesome and wondrous sight to see.  There are over 440 known species of sharks. However, we only get to see a few of these while Scuba Diving.

Nurse Sharks

Nope, they don’t wear a nurse’s hat. But that could be fun to see. They are however known as the “couch potatoes of the sea.” They prefer to dwell near the ocean floor. A nurse shark is able to rest motionless while other sharks have to keep moving to survive. Continue reading→

Black Friday Deal

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When the weather outside is frightful, normally Extreme Sports is off down in Cozumel feeling delightful. Sending back photos of the sand and the sun and of course all the shenanigans that they are doing. Trying to make those of us who were unable to go jealous. But, I’m here to tell you, this Monday the weather played a prank on ALL. OF. US.

Snow. We had snow. In November. Snow in November in this part of the country isn’t totally unheard of but it is very uncommon. Especially temperatures with highs in the upper 20’s or lower 30’s and lows in the low teens. But Mother Nature got a laugh in on all of us. Continue reading→

National Boating Safety Awareness May 19-25, 2018

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National Boating Safety Awareness Week

Most people mark the beginning of summer as Memorial Day Weekend. Did you realize that we are just three short weekends away from that? Summer is quickly approaching and after the spring we had here in the Midwest, I’m not sure anyone thought it would ever come.

This last week though the sun has been shining and the temperatures have been on the upward rise. Now would be the perfect time to discuss National Boating Safety Awareness Week which just so happens to fall next week, May 19-25, 2018.

Things to consider when entering your vessel:

  • Safety Checks. What do they include?
    • Fire extinguishers
    • Backfire flame control
    • Sound producing devices
    • Visual distress signals
    • Lifejackets Continue reading→

Underwater Statues in Cozumel – Ramón Bravo

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Today, let’s cover the last installment of the statues located just off the coast of Cozumel and just to the right from Cozumel Marine World. The first statue we discussed was that of none other than Jacques Cousteau. The Second statue was none other than Sylvia Earle. Finally, the third statue is Ramón Bravo. So sit back, grab a cup of coffee or beverage of choice, and let’s learn about Ramón Bravo.

Underwater Statues in Cozumel

Statue of Famous Diver Ramón Bravo in Cozumel

Ramón Bravo

Ramón Bravo was a Mexican SCUBA diver, photographer, and underwater filmmaker who was born October 21, 1925. Bravo got his claim to fame initially being a famous Mexican swimmer who competed in the 1948 Olympics at just 23 years old.

This love of the water soon brought him to the sport of SCUBA diving. Once he was hooked, he became an underwater photographer, gaining both fame in American and Europe as an oceanographer. An oceanographer is involved in the study of the oceans physical and biological features. Continue reading→

Underwater Statues in Cozumel – Sylvia Earle

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For those of you who went to Cozumel, did you have a good trip? We can’t wait to hear all about it!! Today, I figured we might stay in Cozumel. Last week we discussed the Statues that are underwater near Cozumel Marine World. In fact, we focused on Jacques Cousteau. After that post went live, I got a message that they actually dove that site last Wednesday. How fun is that? Today, let’s look at another one of the statues. Today we’ll focus on Sylvia Earle.

Underwater Statues in Cozumel

Sylvia Earle Statue in Cozumel Mexico

Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle was born August 30, 1935, in Gibbstown, New Jersey. As a young child, she and her family moved from New Jersey to Florida. Her parents were outdoors fanatics and ecstatic when she showed an early interest in outdoor exploration. That love led her to earn an associates degree from St. Petersburg Jr. College, a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University, a Master’s of Science and Doctorate from Duke University. Continue reading→

Underwater Statues in Cozumel – Jacques Cousteau

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As most of you know (and if not I’m letting you in on a secret) we still have a group trip going on in Cozumel right now. Who is jealous? Especially of those who went for 2 weeks and missed out on the nasty cold weather last week. Since we still have a group in Cozumel, I thought it might be fun to do another post on Cozumel.

Today we’re going to feature the Statues that are underwater just to the right of Cozumel Marine World.

The Statues of Cozumel

Last year when we had a group down there, Deb and I were diving off the shore from the Cozumel Marine World Pier. That day we had a couple different groups go out. Everyone kind of dispersed in multiple directions. Deb and I went right. Not too far from the pier, we came across three statues. We knew one was Jacques Cousteau, but the other two were a mystery. Once we were back, I started doing some research and we found out that the woman statue was Sylvia Earl and the other male statue was Ramón Bravo. So the question is, just who are these people? I’m so glad you guys ask these questions ;).  Today let’s focus on Jacques Cousteau.

Jacques Cousteau

States of Cozumel - Jacques Cousteau

Jacques Cousteau is kind of known as the Father of SCUBA Diving. Continue reading→

How Often Should I Dive?

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I am now an open-water certified SCUBA diver, how often should I dive?

The answer: the more the merrier. Diving is like a lot of other sports –  The more you practice, the better you become at diving. The better you become at diving, the more your comfort level increases. The more comfortable you become, the better diver you become. Plus, you want to keep up with the skills you learned in class.

One of the most important skills a diver has is being a good dive buddy to your dive partner. Unless you are a solo certified diver, you need a dive buddy. This is a safety issue as you may be required to assist your buddy in times of need (i.e. air sharing, emergency accident, or entanglement, etc).

The more you dive and the more your comfort level increases, the better all-around diver you will be.
Continue reading→