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It was a long, anxiety-filled week leading up to
the second annual "BCD" Dive to Survive. In addition
to the myriad last minute details that always seem to crop up,
Hurricane Isabel was bearing down on the mid-Atlantic region. We
kept our fingers crossed and hoped for the best. In many
respects we were fortunate. Despite the power outages and
flooding that plagued the region in the aftermath of Isabel,
Sunday dawned clear, sunny, and warm. Bainbridge Quarry was open
for business, although they too had lost their power, and the
BCD committee got down to business.
While several volunteers manned the registration
desk at the front gate, the remainder of the committee made
their way to Access A to prepare for the arrival of our
participating divers. Tables loaded with refreshments were laid
out and the many prizes for the treasure hunt (our main event)
were put on display. Also displayed were the terrific door
prizes donated by our many sponsors, including The Maryland
Lottery, Raimondi's Florist, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra,
BFPD, Umberto's, and Hair Attitudes, who donated a "LaGrande
Facial". At the same time, we sold raffle tickets for a
pair of Twin Jet Fins donated by ScubaPro, and held a silent
auction for an oxygen analyzer donated by Ocean Management
Systems.
To prepare for the main event, Divemasters Ted
Friel, Dave Irby, and Terri Jones, accompanied by Anthony
Brietenbach, took numbered and weighted glowsticks and placed
them throughout the quarry, no deeper than 60 feet, out of
consideration for the many beginner divers who were
participating in the dive. Each glowstick corresponded to a
prize on display. Shortly thereafter, Ted delivered the dive
briefing and the hunt was on. Beginner divers were given a five
minute head start, assisted as needed by Divemasters Dave Irby
and Steve Bradley, and divers Scott Legere and Ryan Wilder.
After the first round of divers came out of the
water and collected their prizes, several prizes remained
unclaimed and, after an appropriate surface interval, some of
the participants went back into the water to search for more
bounty. In the meantime, divers dug into the refreshments,
participated in the raffle, and found out who won the door
prizes. A special congratulations to Scott Legere, our top
fundraiser, who raised $383. Scott received an autographed Cal
Ripkin All-Star photograph. Our second runners-up, Ken and
Mechelle Barrick, raised $310, and received a autographed
Baltimore Ravens football. Well done!
Several representatives from The Susan G. Komen
Foundation attended the event, bringing literature on breast
cancer screening and giveaways such as a book of essays
entitled, "The Victoria's Secret Catalogue keeps on
coming", and sunglass cases. Lynn Clemens, from The Susan
G. Komen Foundation, made a few remarks stressing the importance
of events like ours in aiding the foundation in its fundraising
efforts, which goes towards research, education, prevention, and
early detection.
Thank you to the founders and volunteers, who
gave so much of their time and effort to make this event a
success. Founders and volunteers include Boni Sparrow-Carter,
Charlene Glahn, Terri Jones, Ted Friel, Karen Oakjones Friel,
Anthony Brietenbach, Diane Doheny, Steve Bradley, Susan Keiper,
Sandra Sparrow, Kathe Oakjones, Debbie Marcellino, Ryan Wilder,
and Dave Irby.
We would also like to thank our corporate
sponsors who so generously donated the funds and prizes, making
the event a resounding success. Corporate sponsors include:
Divers Den; The Emerald Tavern; Remax Advantage Realty; Federal
Hill Risk Management; Morrison Chiropractic, P.A.; Pickwick East
Apartments; Rachuba Builders; Long and Foster Realtors; Russo
Contractors; Cross Street Automotive; Mitchell's Bar and Grill;
Baltimore County Civic and Social Club; Bradley Electric; Arcade
Press; Danzco Hardwood Flooring; Monica's Salon Spa; Scittino's
Italian Marketplace; Arbonne International; KB Diver Services;
Magerk's Pub and Grill; Pyle Fence Company; Bel Air Produce; M.L.
Greenwalt, Inc.; Clayton Home Appraisals, Inc.; G.L. Shacks;
Overhead Door Company of Baltimore; Bowie Applied Chiropractic;
Dynamic Claims Management; CBP, Inc.; DJ & Karaoke Mike
Strebeck; Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County, Inc.;
Ballindullagh Barn Antiques; and finally, our host, Bainbridge
Scuba Center.
We would also like to thank the many scuba
equipment manufacturers for their generous donations for the
treasure hunt, raffles, and silent auction. They include:
ScubaPro; PADI; Henderson Aquatics; Ocean Management Systems;
Divers Alert Network; Trident Diving Equipment; Rock &
Sports; Deep See; JBL; Ikelite Underwater Systems; Sea Pearls;
and Seadive.
Special thanks are extended to the Baltimore
Orioles, the Baltimore Ravens, and Cal Ripkin for their signed
donations. Additional thanks to Mary Sue Snyder for her donation
of a week long Ocean City condo stay; Michelle Eline for her
donation of a longaberger basket and certificate for raffle; and
to Peter Doheny and Frank Gartland at Federal Hill Risk
Management for their donation of four Ravens tickets. We also
need to thank Bobby Diem from the Emerald Tavern, who helped us
organize our pre-dive fundraiser / karaoke night on September 8,
where we held multiple raffles for Ravens tickets, a basket of
cheer, and the week's stay in Ocean City. The Emerald Tavern
donated all the food and drinks for this event, arranged for the
entertainment, and donated a huge basket of cheer, all of which
enabled us to raise nearly $2000 in one night!
Finally, thank you to all the divers who
participated in the event. We recognized many of you from last
year and hope to see you again next year!
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BCD Dive to Survive 2003
BCD Dive to Survive 2003
DIVE
NEWS
Stay current with the latest information
on gear, recalls, local diving, and more. To receive notification
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CPSC,
Halcyon Manufacturing Announce Recall of SCUBA BC Inflators
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the
following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below.
Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless
otherwise instructed.
Name of product: Halcyon SCUBA Buoyancy Compensator (BC)
Inflators
Units: About 4,000
Manufacturer: Halcyon Manufacturing, of High Springs, Fla.
Hazard: The SCUBA BC bladder can have a slow leak because
of imperfections within the machining of the stainless air barrel
of their inflators. This can cause unexpected buoyancy problems
with divers, possibly resulting in decompression sickness.
Incidents/Injuries: Halcyon has reports of 10 incidents of
BCs leaking. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
Description: Halcyon is recalling all stainless steel power
inflators. They have a stainless steel oral and power inflate
button. Inflators made of plastic are not included in this recall.
The repaired inflators have a groove at the base of their retainer
nut. The BCs sold with these inflators are black and the Halcyon
logo is on the front and collar of the BCs.
Sold at: Dive stores nationwide sold these inflators
individually from October 2003 through May 2004 for about $46. The
inflators also were sold as part of BC units ranging from $270 to
$600.
Manufactured in: United States.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using these BCs immediately
and contact Halcyon for information on receiving a free repair.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Halcyon
Manufacturing at (800) 425-2966 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET
Monday through Friday or visit their Web site at www.halcyon.net
CPSC,
Pelagic Pressure Systems Announce Recall of SCUBA BC Inflators
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the
following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below.
Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless
otherwise instructed.
Name of product: Oceanic-brand Reliant Buoyancy Compensator
(BC) Inflators and AERIS-brand AW3 BC Inflators
Units: About 11,600
Manufacturer: Pelagic Pressure Systems, of San Leandro,
Calif.
Hazard: The Power Inflator Buttons can stick, which can
cause uncontrolled inflation of the BC. This could cause divers to
ascend too fast, resulting in decompression sickness as well as
the danger of an embolism.
Incidents/Injuries: Pelagic has received eight reports of
the buttons sticking. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall includes Oceanic-brand Reliant BC
inflators and AERIS-brand AW3 BC inflators. The Oceanic
Reliant-type inflators have three flow-through holes in the hand
grip of the lower inflator mechanism. The AERIS AW3 inflator has
one flow-through hole in the hand grip of the lower inflator
mechanism.
Manufactured in: Taiwan.
Sold at: Authorized Oceanic dealers sold BCs fitted with
Reliant inflators nationwide from February 2004 through June 2004
for between $320 and $550. Authorized AERIS dealers sold BCs
fitted with AW3 inflators from May 2004 through June 2004 for
between $400 and $560.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using BCs fitted with the
recalled inflators immediately and take them to any authorized
Oceanic or AERIS dealer to get a free repair.
Consumer Contact: Call Pelagic toll-free at (888) 854-4960
between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, send an email
to service@oceanicusa.com
or info2@diveaeris.com,
or write to Pelagic Pressure Systems, 2002 Davis Street, San
Leandro, CA 94577.
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