We are constantly getting customers/scuba divers who say the "Darndest Things" about what they have been told by other so called scuba divers. So we have decided to place the Scuba Rumor/Myth on this page and tear it apart with facts.

We hope you enjoy! By the way, if you have a rumor or myth that you would care to share or just have a question for us to clarify for you, bring it on!

THE CLAIMS:

• "The Subduck makes noise underwater that can be pinpointed."
• "You cannot dive with contact lenses."
• "Your brand new scuba tank & valve needs to be O2 cleaned before using with Nitrox."
• "I got ripped off!
• "You need a mask for salt water and one for fresh water"

THE CLAIM

"The Subduck makes noise underwater that can be pinpointed. You know exactly where to look for your buddy."

The "subduck" is a device that attaches to the lpi hose on the bcd and makes a quacking sound when it's button is depressed.

Recently we were told by one of our customers that he had been told this. He asked us if it were true. We reminded him that regardless of the origin of the sound made underwater that it still traveled at four times faster underwater and that determining the direction of the sound is impossible.

To make sure that we weren't wrong, we contacted Ideations Design, INC. and asked them the same question.

Their Answer:
"Whoever told you that was either lying or didn't know what they were talking about."
You can contact Ideations Design INC. at 1-800-275-4332.

This was a good one. Buyer beware!

THE CLAIM

"You cannot dive with contact lenses. You must have prescription lenses put in your mask."

We've had several people come through our doors inquiring about prescription lenses. I always ask if they wear contacts. If the answer is yes, I always ask them why they want to spend mega bucks for prescrition lenses when they can wear contact lenses. The answer is always the same. " We were told you can't wear those while diving." Well, someone was trying to get into their hip pocket. While not everyone who needs vision correction wears contact lenses, those who do can rest easy and know that you can wear them while diving.

The answer:
A very emphatic "YES YOU CAN!"

Check out the July 2004 issue of Dive Training magazine which has an article that expounds on vision correction for divers. Or, stop by the dive center and we'll show you the copy.

THE CLAIM

Your brand new scuba tank and valve needs to be O2 cleaned if you are going to use it for Nitrox.

The complaint:
I paid over $100.00 to have this done.

All scuba tanks, aluminum and steel, come O2 cleaned from the factory at no extra charge. The valves do not unless they are specifically requested O2 cleaned. It is illegal to pressurize enriched air above 3000 psi (DOT Regulations).

As for the complaint: Dude! What were you thinking? Your cylinder was already O2 cleaned. WHATS IN YOUR WALLET? (OR OUT OF IT)

Check it out at www.luxfercyliders.com and www.catalinacylinders.com

THE RIP OFF

This rechargable underwater light by IST is the most powerful light in the dive industry and well worth the $489.00 you are paying for it.

The Complaint:
My light is broken and flooding can you repair it? It is very expensive.

First of all we couldn't believe what we were hearing and better yet we got a little sick at our stomachs when we investigated this one. We saw the receipt. The Torch light which is distributed by IST (not a major brand of diving equipment) is a rechargable light that retails for $110.00. We contacted IST and asked them if this or any other light in their inventory ever retailed for $489.00.They said NO and asked who would do such a thing. So we told them. Since we have an account with IST we knew that this person had really been taken to the cleaners. Now the customer is outfitted with Underwater Kinetics lights which put out more light than this rip off ever did. So they are happy on one end and unhappy on the other. Whats in your wallet?

I NEED TWO MASKS, ONE FOR SALT WATER AND ONE FOR FRESH WATER.

Believe me my friend, I am an expert at diving and you must have two different masks, one for fresh water and one for salt water.

The almost got ripped off complaint:
I am here to buy a mask for salt water.

We liked to fell over when we heard this one. Fortunately we stopped this guy from wasting his money. It turns out he had three masks already. The same dude who did the flashlight rip off did this one too. We explained why he didn't need a fresh and salt water mask. We use our masks in fresh and salt water and have for many years. In fact, my mask is 15 years old and still going strong, in both fresh and salt water. Buyer beware. There are dishonest business people out there.