Inside Scuba Issue #15

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Byron Conroy & Andy Deitsch
August 25, 2024

Welcome to Issue #15 of Inside Scuba

Welcome to the 15th issue of Inside Scuba! We’re thrilled to have many new subscribers joining us this month. Whether you're a seasoned diver or just starting your underwater adventure, you’ll find valuable insights in every edition. For those looking to catch up, all of our past articles and newsletters are available online at Inside Scuba. Dive into this issue where we explore essential gear maintenance, make the switch from DSLR to mirrorless, and discover the ultimate wreck diving destination.

What’s happening in this edition?

The Essential Guide to Regulator Maintenance: Insights From a Seasoned Pro

Introduction

In the world of scuba diving, your regulator is more than just gear—it's a piece of life-support equipment. Proper maintenance is crucial to ensuring your safety underwater. To provide you with expert advice, I spoke with John Ball, the owner of Adirondack Scuba, who has serviced over 5,000 regulators in his 35-year career. John’s extensive experience offers valuable insights into why regular maintenance is essential and how you can take care of your regulator to keep it in top condition.

The Importance of Regulator Maintenance

Most major regulator brands, including Aqualung, Apeks, Oceanic, Hollis, Zeagle, and Atomic, recommend that regulators be serviced annually (typically annually for an inspection and every other year for a complete overhaul). Following this schedule not only ensures your safety but also keeps you within the terms of warranties like the “Parts for Life” programs offered by some of these brands. Under these programs, parts are provided free of charge during overhaul, provided you adhere to the maintenance schedule. However, once you miss a scheduled service, you may lose this benefit and face a bill of around $90 for parts alone. Labor is always additional and as of the time of this article, John’s labor charges are $45 per stage for an overhaul and $20 per stage for an inspection.

John emphasizes that maintaining the necessary documentation, such as your original purchase receipt and maintenance records, is crucial. Some dive shops keep copies of these records, but it’s ultimately the customer’s responsibility to provide proof of ownership and service history when needed.

John Ball of Adirondack Scuba in his workshop.

Common Regulator Issues and How to Avoid Them

One of the frequent problems John encounters is with alternate second stages that are filled with mud or sand. This issue is particularly common among divers who…

In each issue of our newsletter, we will curate some top dive news from around the world. Links to each of the original articles are available.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Want to explore a Lake Michigan shipwreck? Wisconsin’s marine sanctuary just made it easier.”

The News Tribune: Tacoma, Washington’s Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is now offering their “Eye-to-Eye Shark dives experience.

CNN: (Sicily) “Final body, believed to be that of tech tycoon’s daughter, recovered from wreck of sunken Sicily superyacht”

BBC: “The 16 minutes that plunged the Bayesian yacht into a deadly spiral”

New York Times: “Diving Into New York’s Murky Green Waters, Searching for Treasure. It’s hard to see through the water, and too easy to find trash, but divers are finding joy in exploring New York.”

The News & Observer: “Diver vanishes 24 miles off North Carolina. He drifted 3 miles before rescue, USCG says”

Dive Magazine: “Malaysian resort denies responsibility for death of teen diver”

Scuba Diver Magazine: “Discover the incredible diversity of the Philippines at GO Diving Show ANZ”

Photo Tip of the Week - Switching from DSLR to Mirrorless: Is This the Right Move for Your Underwater Photography?

The world of underwater photography is constantly evolving, and one of the most significant shifts in recent years has been the transition from DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) cameras to mirrorless systems. For underwater photographers, this change represents both an opportunity to embrace new technology and a challenge in adapting to different shooting techniques and equipment. This article delves into the key aspects of making the switch from DSLR to mirrorless cameras for underwater photography, including the advantages, potential drawbacks, and practical tips for a seamless transition.

I had been shooting with high-end DSLRs for a long time, mainly using the Canon 5D series. A few years ago, I tried a Nikon Z7 underwater for the first time. While there were many things I liked about it, it still didn’t feel like the complete package. I appreciated the instant review from the viewfinder, but beyond that, I wasn’t overly impressed. Then, last year, I did a dive with Alex Mustard, who had the new Sony A1 with him. I borrowed it underwater and immediately felt like I was shooting the future. It finally felt like the right time to switch systems, as the Sony A1 felt so fresh and up-to-date. I ended up choosing the Sony A7RV instead, as it offered some savings over the A1 and provided the high resolution I wanted. A year later, I’m very happy with my decision. In this article, I’ll share some of the things I’ve learned along the way and how they influenced my choices.

Differences and Benefits of Mirrorless vs. DSLR

To fully appreciate the shift from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, it’s important to understand their fundamental differences. The most notable distinction lies in the construction: DSLRs use a mirror mechanism to reflect light into an optical viewfinder, whereas mirrorless cameras eliminate the mirror, directing light straight to the image sensor and displaying the image on an electronic viewfinder (EVF) or the rear screen.

Is Truk Lagoon the Ultimate Wreck Diving Destination for You?

After diving for about five years, I had completed my technical diving courses and explored several wrecks in places like Malta, Mexico, and other warm-water destinations. However, most of these wrecks were either purpose-sunk for diving or the primary dive site at a given location, making them incredibly crowded. After some research, I realized that Truk Lagoon was the perfect place to take my wreck diving to the next level.

What I found there exceeded even my wildest expectations. The diversity of wreck types, depths, and artifacts was incredible, and there were almost no other divers. Every time we explored a wreck, we had the entire site to ourselves. This article aims to provide all the information you need to plan your own journey to Truk Lagoon.

Truk Lagoon, a wreck divers paradise

Friends Stacey and Andrew Hassard are currently in Tonga and shared this incredible video of a curious male humpback whale interacting with snorkelers. Stacey mentioned that even after they got out of the water for lunch and to give the whale a break during a mandatory rest period, the whale stayed near the boat, patiently waiting for the divers to return.

Summary

As we wrap up this issue, we hope you’ve found inspiration and practical tips to enhance your diving experience. From the importance of regular regulator maintenance to navigating the transition to mirrorless photography, we’re committed to bringing you the best in dive knowledge. Don’t forget to check out the incredible humpback whale video shared by our friends in Tonga. Keep exploring, stay safe, and we’ll see you in the next edition!

Andy & Byron

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