American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS)
EDITOR’S NOTE – January 2008
Welcome to the first E-Slate issue of 2008. We thank you for your continued input and wish you the very best in the New Year. Please send news and announcements to . Current and past issues of the E-Slate are available at www.aaus.org.
NEWS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
AAUS Welcomes New Board of Directors
With the New Year come new appointments and assignments for the AAUS Board of Directors (BOD). We welcome both new and continuing members and extend our appreciation for their efforts on the Academy's behalf.
AAUS Diving for Science Symposium 2008
The AAUS Annual Symposium will be held March 11-15, 2008 at the University of California-San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, CA. To reserve a room for the upcoming symposium at the Sheraton La Jolla, call 1-800-325-3535 and mention the American Academyof Underwater Sciences for the special rate of $165. Presentations may address the use of diving technologies, diving medicine, physiology, theory, techniques, training or standards. The new and final deadline for abstract submission for the symposium is January 5, 2008. Visit http://www.aaus.org or contact Christian McDonald ( or 858-534-2002) for more information.
Final Issue of the Slate Available Online
The 2007 Slate, Issue 4 is now available online at:
http://data.memberclicks.com/site/aaus/Slate_4_07.pdf.
VR3 Raffle Winner
Congratulations to VR3 raffle winner Marc Blouin of the United States Geological Survey and AAUS Board Member. Thank you for your support for the AAUS Student Scholarship.
AAUS OM and IM Fees Due
The AAUS Organizational Member (OM) and Individual Member (IM) fees are due for 2008. To pay member fees login to www.aaus.org and enter your username and password. Then go to My Profile and click on the Please Pay your Dues button. All members are also encouraged to update their information.
2008 UHMS Scientific Meeting - Call for Abstracts
The 2008 Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) Annual Meeting will take place June 26-28, 2008 in Salt Lake City, UT. The deadline for abstract submission is February 15, 2008. For more information visit: http://old.uhms.org/.
EQUIPMENT RECALLS
Recall of AERIS AT-400 First Stage Regulators
AERIS has been notified by its supplier that they have received isolated reports of AT-400 type Regulator First Stages exhibiting uncontrolled flow of air to the Second Stage. A specific batch of High Pressure (HP) Seats contained material that can deteriorate and fail to properly perform its mechanical sealing function, causing an uncontrollable free flow which could result in serious injury to or death of the user. The affected First Stages include those that were shipped to AERIS Retailers from the factory between May 1, 2006 and November 15, 2006. Other Diaphragm type First Stages that received annual service between May 1, 2006, and October 22, 2007, may also be affected. If you have an affected unit, you must discontinue further use of it and send it back to AERIS for a component retrofit at no charge. Visit:
http://www.diveaeris.com/safety_notices_dxseat.html.
Recall of Oceanic FDX-10 and CDX-5 Regulators Oceanic has been notified by its supplier that they have received isolated reports of DX type Regulator First Stages exhibiting uncontrolled flow of air to the Second Stage. A specific batch of HP Seats contained material that can deteriorate and fail to properly perform its mechanical sealing function, causing an uncontrollable free flow which could result in serious injury to or death of the user. In cooperation with the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the supplier is initiating a voluntary recall of all affected CDX-5 and FDX-10 (diaphragm) type First Stages. If you have an affected unit, you must discontinue further use of it and take it to the Oceanic Dealer where purchased or a local Authorized Oceanic Service Center, for a component retrofit at no charge. Visit:
http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/safety_notices_dxseat.html.
FUNDING/SCHOLARSHIPS
Nature Conservancy Marine Fellowship Program
The Nature Conservancy is launching a two-year Marine Conservation Fellowship Program to train recent college graduates to become the next generation of marine conservation leaders in Hawaii. Modeled after the Conservancy’s Natural Resource Managers Fellowship Program, its marine counterpart will provide training in all aspects of marine resource planning, management and monitoring. The two-year program is designed for four fellows: two will be hired in the first year and two more in the second year, with a one-year overlap. Fellows will be based in the Conservancy’s program offices on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island, and play an integral role in the Conservancy’s marine conservation efforts, working on community-based projects with senior staff, as well as staff from partner agencies. The Conservancy is seeking applicants with undergraduate degrees in ecology, biology, natural resource management, Hawaiian studies, environmental studies, geology, geography, conservation or other related fields. The deadline for submitting applications is January 2, 2008. For more information visit:
http://www.molokaitimes.com/articles/71217115215.asp.
NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings scholarship program is designed to:1) increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities; 2) increase public understanding and support for stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere and improve environmental literacy; 3) recruit and prepare students for public service careers with NOAA and other natural resource and science agencies at the federal, state and local levels of government; and 4) recruit and prepare students for careers as teachers and educators in oceanic and atmospheric science and to improve scientific and environmental education in the United States. Eligible undergraduates studying oceanic, environmental, biological, and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, physical and social sciences including geography, physics, hydrology, geomatics, or teacher education that support NOAA's programs and mission are encouraged to apply.The scholarship provides: Up to $8,000 of academic assistance per academic year for full-time study during the junior and senior years. A required, 10-week, paid internship during the summer between the junior and senior years at NOAA or a NOAA approved facility. A housing subsidy is provided if the summer internship location is greater than 60 miles from their home location. Travel expenses to the Hollings scholarship program orientation and conference at the completion of the internship. For more information visit:
http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/hollings_uspa/index.html.
UPCOMING EVENTS
DAN Technical Diving Conference
DAN is holding a Technical Diving Conference January 18-19, 2008 in Durham, NC. AAUS will be represented in a panel session. The conference will feature four half-day workshops. For more information visit:
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/news/article.asp?newsid=873 or phone 919-684-2948, fax 919-493-3040. Inquiries on registration and accommodations may be directed to DAN at 1-800-446-2671 ext 610 (email ).
Our World Underwater Show 2008
The 38th annual Our World Underwater Show is scheduled for February 15-17, 2008 at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The show will feature hundreds of booths on dive travel, equipment, environmental agencies, training, and retailers. A variety of workshops will be held during the show. For more information visit:
http://www.ourworldunderwater.com/.
37th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting
The 100th Annual National Shellfisheries Association (NSA) and 37th Annual Benthic Ecology (BE) meetings are being held back-to-back at the Westin Providence Hotel in Providence, RI, April 9 - 13, 2008. AAUS has been invited to host a session on scientific diving for the Benthic Ecology Meeting on Thursday afternoon, April 10, 2008. For further information, contact Ted Maney at . General NSA and BE meeting information may be obtained from Dr. Sandra Shumway at or phone 860-405-9282.
UHMS Medical Assessment Fitness to Dive Course
The next Medical Assessment Fitness course is set for April 29 - May 2, 2008 at the Westin New Orleans at Canal Place hotel. Those who attended the course three or more years ago can be recertified as an “Approved Medical Examiner of Divers” and those who have not attended the course previously can be certified by the Undersea Hyperbaric and Medical Society (UHMS) for three years beginning with the conclusion of the course. While this course is taught by physicians for physicians, UHMS has invited both Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners, whose practice includes giving diving physical examinations, to attend the course. For more information visit:
http://old.uhms.org/.
SPUMSAnnual Scientific Meeting 2008
The South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS) Annual Scientific Meeting will be held May 24-31, 2008 at the Liamo Resort, Kimbe West New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Themes include treatment tables, tropical medicine update and resuscitation update. The resuscitation update will include use of automated external defibrillator airway devices in field settings. Contact Dr. Chris Acott at or visit http://www.spums.org.au/annual_scientific_meeting for more information.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
Pollock NW, Natoli MJ. Performance characteristics of the
second-generation remote emergency medical oxygen closed-circuit rebreather. Wilderness Environ Med. 2007; 18(2): 86-92.
Vann RD, Pollock NW, Freiberger JJ, Natoli MJ, Denoble PJ, Pieper CF. Influence of bottom time on preflight surface intervals before flying after diving. Undersea Hyperbar Med. 2007; 34(3): 211-20.
Williams TM, Zavanelli M, Miller MA, Goldbeck RA, Morledge M, Casper D, Pabst DA, McLellan W, Cantin LP, Kliger DS. Running, swimming and diving modifies neuroprotecting globins in the mammalian brain. Proc Biol Sci. 2007 Dec 18 [Epub ahead of print].
The mission of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences is to facilitate the development of safe and productive scientific divers through education, research, advocacy, and the advancement of standards for scientific diving practices, certifications, and operations.
American Academy of Underwater Sciences
101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, AL 36528
Tel 251-861-7504 Fax 251-861-7540
www.aaus.org
Editor: Roxanne Robertson -
Editorial Board: Michael Dardeau, Walter Jaap, Neal Pollock,
Alma Wagner
AAUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Jeff Godfrey
President-Elect /Symposium Chair Christian McDonald
Secretary Nathan Schwarck
Treasurer/Statistics Co-Chair Michael Dardeau
Meetings and Publications ChairNeal Pollock
Meetings and Publications Co-Chair Christian McDonald
Scholarship Chair Bob Hicks
Scholarship Co-Chair Brenda Konar
Standards Co-Chair Casey Coy
Standards Co-Chair Liz Kintzing
Statistics Chair Philip Lobel
Statistics Co-Chair Michael Dardeau
Membership Chair Christopher Rigaud
Membership Co-Chair Nathan Shwarck
2008, volume 2, issue 1, page 3
American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS)
2008, volume 2, issue 1, page 3