Stop by Scuba Shack during the month of September for more details, but here’s simple the run-down. Note: This offer will be formally announced in about three days, but we’re giving Scuba Shack website readers the heads-up. Halcyon is still finalizing some offer details which are subject to change prior to the formal announcement.

Offer 1
Purchase two H-75P or H-50D first stage regulators with Halo and Aura second stages, and get a double tank hose kit, Halcyon submersible pressure gauge, and second stage regulator necklace for free.

The double tank hose kit includes:

• Primary hose: 7′
• Secondary hose: 22″
• SPG hose: 24″
• Stage bottle primary: 40″
• Stage bottle SPG: 6

Offer 2
Purchase a single H-75P or H-50D first stage regulator with Halo and Aura second stages, and get a single tank hose kit, Halcyon submersible pressure gauge, and a second stage regulator necklace for free.

The single tank hose kit includes:

• Primary hose: choice of 5’ or 7’ primary hose
• Secondary hose: 22″
• SPG hose: 24″

Offer 3
Purchase an Explorer 9/21 Primary Light system and get two HP LED Scout backup lights for free.

Offer 4
Purchase an Eos LED Primary Light (new for 2010) and get an HP LED Scout backup light for free.

A well deserved pat on the back to Fran Falanga, Paul Costanz, Jeff Kezeria and Erin Arai! Congrats … and maybe we’ll see you at the next IDC!

Last year, nine divers took Scuba Shack up on the offer to enroll in the special Black Card program and these four have completed training and the other divers are in the process of completing the program. If you’re interested in joining the professional divers at Scuba Shack, check out our 2010 Black Card Education Program that can save you more than $1,000 on your training.

If you took advantage of the Scuba Shack Black Card program in 2009, or if you are already one of our  practicing senior assistant instructors or divemasters, this program may be for you! The package program includes either the Assistant Instructor program or the full Instructor Development program (including Assistant Instructor).

If you just want to complete the AI course, the normal price is $600 which is currently discounted to $400, and if you want to complete the full IDC, normally priced at $1,300, the full IDC will be priced at $850.

If you are interested in either program, please contact Ed Hayes at Scuba Shack to make an appointment for a training counseling session.

*Pricing is subject to change at any time. Not all certified divers will qualify for this program. To learn more or to register for this program, the free personalized training counseling session is required and will answer all of your questions.

This package is designed to bring you closer to the PADI Master Diver certification, the highest recreational diving rating in the PADI system of education. To achieve this rating, you must be certified as a PADI Rescue Diver as well as complete five specialty certifications and complete at least 50 logged open water dives.

To pre-qualify for this program, you must have taken Scuba Shack’s Buoyancy & Control 101 program, and the PADI Enriched Air Nitrox class (or equivalent).

The Scuba Shack Advanced Training Package includes a diverse selection of classes at a reduced rate when purchased as a three-program package. (You must select at least three classes – paid in advance – to qualify for discounts.) Prices do not include required materials.

• Buoyancy & Control 201 – Special Price: $260 (normally $325)
• PADI Advanced Open Water – Special Price: $300 (normally $375)
• Emergency First Responder (EFR) – Special Price: $125 (normally $175)
• PADI Rescue Diver – Special Price: $300 (normally $375)
• Doubles – Special Price: $160 (normally $260)
• Recreational Stage Bottle – Special Price: $160 (normally $200)
• PADI Underwater Navigation – Special Price: $160 (normally $200)
• Digital Underwater Photography – Special Price: $160 (normally $200)
• PADI Wreck Diver – Special Price: $160 (normally $200)
• PADI Dry Suit Diver – Special Price: $160 (normally $200)
• GUE Fundamentals – Special Price: $475 (normally $650)

*Pricing is subject to change at any time. Not all certified divers will qualify for this program. To learn more or to register for this program, the free personalized training counseling session is required and will answer all of your questions.

For the Black Card program this year, you’ll need to pre-qualify as an Open Water Diver who has taken Scuba Shack’s Buoyancy & Control 101 program, and the PADI Enriched Air Nitrox class (or equivalent).

This package – which must be purchased in advanced to realize the cost savings – includes the PADI Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver and Divemaster classes, plus the Emergency First Responder (EFR) first aid and CPR program, and the GUE Fundamentals class. Although the program must be purchased in advance, payment plans are available.

These programs, individually priced at $2,375, has been set at a price so low you’ll be calling Ed Hayes at Scuba Shack to double check we did not make a typo. The package price for this program is $1,325 – a savings of more than $1,050.

We have two Advanced Open Water Divers classes on the calendar, plus EFR programs on a regular basis. For more information, set up an training counseling session – which is required – with Ed Hayes by calling Scuba Shack at (860) 563-0119.

Is diving dry worth the expense? Most agree it is – and you will too after one or two dives diving dry at Portland’s Brownstone Park.

This year, Diving Unlimited International (DUI) will be bringing more than 100 suits to the event with a variety of thermal undergarments in sizes ranging from XXS to 6XL so everyone will be able to try a drysuit. DUI staff will be on hand and plenty of volunteers are available to help you gear up and answer questions.

What should you expect?

• Two massive tents filled with DUI dry suits and accessories
• Plenty of different options to configure what’s best for you
• Professional fitting – even the proper neck and wrist seal sizing
• Plenty of new diving buddies to meet and dive with
• Support staff from local dive centers throughout southern New England
• A free DUI Test Diver hat for all participants
• Free barbecue lunch on Saturday and Sunday
• Not just one dive … but how about two dives to check out the gear!

Where can I buy tickets?
You can buy advanced purchase tickets online at the DUI website for only $10. That’s right … $10. Ensure you select the correct location when purchasing tickets. Brownstone Park admission is not included, but if you are an Adventure Sports season pass holder, there is no additional fee over the $10 DUI DOG Day Rally ticket price.

Where can I find more information?
DUI now has an entire website dedicated to answering questions about the DOG Rally & Demo Tour. Learn about the event by watching the promotional video below.

Hey do you need any volunteers?
The answer to this one is YES. These events take a lot of community support. DUI is looking for experienced DUI drysuit instructors, divemasters, divers and others. Can you flip burgers? We’ve got a job for you. To volunteer please contact us at Scuba Shack as we are helping to coordinate efforts.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xcKhOr0LzY

Halcyon Eos LED Primary Light

The Eos also reduces battery consumption with an efficient array of dual intensity LEDs totaling 12 watt; a quick flip of the switch and you more than double the battery’s run time.

For more information on the Halcyon Eos LED primary light, stop by Scuba Shack.

This history along with countless hours “on the trigger” has culminated in two collaborative dive vehicle designs that represent a superior blend of performance and reliability in addition to the right balance of speed, thrust and power consumption.

HDV-R14 Hi/Lo speed control

The new Halcyon Dive Vehicle (HDV) offerings have the appropriate mix of features needed to cruise your favorite reef, cover bow to stern on your favorite wreck and push the end of the line in virgin cave.

Whether your dives are decidedly recreational or progressively more extreme, Halcyon offers a Dive Vehicle that is suited to your particular diving style with simple intuitive functionality, effortless maneuverability, compact design, easy adjustment for fresh/salt water use and a world class warranty that comes complete with worldwide support and service.

The new Halcyon Dive Vehicles will be arriving in June, and pre-orders will be accepted. If you have questions, stop by Scuba Shack.

Halcyon responds to their growing customer base with the new Infinity BCD system. You can purchase the new Infinity system for $820, or upgrade your current system to add the backplate and shoulder harness pads and/or the patent pending Cinch quick-adjust harness system for $100 each.

Here are some details from the Halcyon Web site.

Cinch Quick-adjust Harness
The Halcyon Quick-adjust harness sets a new standard in recreational and technical BC systems. The Cinch (patent pending) can be used with single or double tanks and allows easy harness adjustability while avoiding “quick-release” buckles and dangling webbing. Simply push or pull the webbing and your size adjustment is complete.

This quick, easy-fit system allows divers to size a snug harness without compromising easy removability. It is also ideal for student training and rental departments, or for divers that wear suits of varying thickness. The system is easily adjustable in or out of the water, making it ideal for convenient, in-water equipment removal. The Cinch is also very effective during emergency situations.

Deluxe Harness Pads
Your Halcyon deluxe padding is specially designed to allow exceptional comfort without sacrificing any of the features you have come to expect from Halcyon. Shoulder mounted D-rings can easily be moved to the desired location without affecting the Halcyon shoulder pad. Meanwhile, a specially designed backplate pad provides exceptional comfort without sacrificing adjustability or the utility of the Halcyon storage pocket.

Click on an image to enlarge, or better yet, stop by Scuba Shack to try on the new system – customizing the fit for you is a cinch.