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Bimini Spring Break Participants Update

Get ready for the scuba adventure of a lifetime!  Be prepared to dive some of the most exciting reefs, wrecks, walls and ledges the world has to offer.  Read all of the following information in this letter completely.  The check list of necessary items will assure you a safe and enjoyable trip.   Please feel free to e-mail:  ml@awesomeguides.com  or call (407) 678-1860 M. or C. Lopatka anytime should you have any questions!

Check out the Shark Research Institute Where real marine science research happens every day!

Emergency Contact Information

Let your family know that any emergency contact is through SCUBA BIMINI, 1-800-848-4073. Our US cellular phones, even ATT,  Bell South, etc. do not work in Bimini.  

Hotel - South Bimini Yacht Club, Bobby Epstein or Percy Duncombe  (202) 347-4444 no country code necessary, dial as though you were dialing in the US.  Fax number is (242)347-4511 and website www.scubabimini.com .  Email is info@scubabimini.col .

Airline - Bimini Island Air - Telephone: 954-938-8991  FAX: 954-938-9524

Very Important Forms

If you are taking a class, you should have received a blue PADI Student Record File.  Printed on the inside and outside of the folder are all the necessary forms to participate in your scuba class.  Before you can jump in the pool we must have these forms completed!  If for some reason you can't find your folder or never received one please click on the Liability Release and Express Assumption of Risk Form , and the Medical Statement Forms below.  Print a copy of the form and fill it out as soon as possible.  Of utmost importance are the Medical Forms .  You do not need a doctor's signature unless you answered "yes" to any of the medical history questions.  (If you need to print any of the forms below please be patient for them to load, especially the medical forms.)

Liability Release and Express Assumption of Risk Form

Medical Statement Forms

Boat Travel and Scuba Diving Voluntary Release, Waiver, and Assumption of Risk

Equipment Rental Agreement, Liability Release and Express Assumption of Risk

Check List:  
_____ 1.  Valid U.S. passport, or original (certified) birth certificate and a photo ID.
 
_____ 2.  Permission slip and all medical papers completed and signed.

_____ 3.  Bring all dive equipment (BCD, regulator set, wetsuit, mask, fins, snorkel, weight belt) except tanks and weights.  For those taking the open water course, wet suit, regulator, BCD are provided, but you need to carry these items with you.  Make sure that all of your dive gear is working properly and maintenance schedules are current.  There are NO repair facilities or dive shops in Bimini.  Those of you going on the night dive or taking the advanced class, please remember to bring all of the above:  underwater lights, lanyards, compass, and silo sticks.
 
_____ 4.  All personal items, including clothing, snacks, toiletry items, etc.  Bimini is a primitive island and although rustic, we will have running water, bathrooms, showers and electricity - same current as U.S.  However, there are few stores, so bring batteries, toothpaste, aspirin, etc.  The three types of dress are casual, casual & casual.  
 
_____ 5.  If you are driving on your own, you need to arrive at the Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport one hour before departure time. 

_____ 6.  Depending on the quality of the service . . . gratuities are customary on dive boats.  For the 5 plus dive trips we will go on $10 - $20 is the norm and house keepers usually get $1 per night.

_____ 7.  Water taxis cost $4 per person if we want to go to North Bimini and the golf carts on N. Bimini run $20 per hour. Transportation is provided to and from North Bimini free of charge, as long as the service is not abused.

_____ 8.  Federal Aviation regulation limits luggage weight to 40 pounds per person, including carry-ons.  A 50 cents per pound fee for any weight over 40 pounds is charged on a space available basis only.

_____ 9.  Remember to bring all scuba class materials (book, wheel, dive log and review questions).  We will be going over these before each dive.

_____ 10.  Bring your own fishing pole, tackle, line, etc.  if you intend to do any fishing - you won't be sorry, it is what they are known best for!

*Very Important Stuff*

• Pick up your scuba gear (BCD, reg and wetsuit) from Northwest Divers on March 18/19, 2005.  If you are completing the open water here in Orlando, you need to pick up your gear and tank on March 13, 2005. 

• Our  departure date is Sunday, March 20th, 2005.  We will return on Wednesday, March 19th.  

• For those participants meeting us in Fort Lauderdale, you will need to be at the Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport at 9am.  Please allow 4 hours driving time from Orlando.  Directions to Bimini Island Air (BIA).

• For those participants leaving from Orlando, plan on meeting at EHS @ 4:30am and leaving promptly  at 5:00am.  

• Due to our early arrival in Bimini, you will need to bring money to cover lunch on the first day.  The meal plan starts at dinner.

• We will be staying in Bimini until Wednesday, March 23rd and departing at 1:00pm from Bimini. We  expect to be back in Fort Lauderdale at approximately 1:30pm for our trip back to Orlando.  

• You might want to consider purchasing your own wet suit,  it will fit you better than a rental, and you will be more comfortable.  You can also think about an insulated dive skin for underneath the wet suit to provide additional warmth.  We will be happy to advise you on products available and make sure that you get a coupon for your student discount.

• Those students taking a course will need to bring their own mask, fins, snorkel and weight belt (empty).  Your BCD, regulator, tanks, weights and wetsuit will be provided for you in Bimini or Orlando.

• Try to read a couple of pages in your scuba book every night and answer the section questions.

*Very Important Stuff cont*

• For those not taking a course - arrangements have been made for you to rent your BCD, reg. and wetsuit in Bimini or Orlando for a nominal fee and you still need to provide your own mask, fins, snorkel and weight belt.

• All entry level students will receive a FREE six month membership to Divers Alert Network (DAN) and complementary insurance coverage.  All those taking Advanced or pleasure diving should strongly consider becoming a member also.  Many divers purchase this insurance which can provide a large $ savings in case emergency treatment is necessary.  DAN is very inexpensive and covers diving expenses that your normal insurance may not.  Please log on to DAN for more info. Divers Alert Network (DAN)

• We need to know ahead of time if you are going to use a birth certificate or Passport.  If you are using a passport we must have the number to BIA on Wednesday.  Be sure you have gathered your original birth certificate or have already applied for your passport.

• Final payments are now due. Gradual payments were accepted on the following schedule:
  $200 deposit, $200 on 10/3, $200 on  11/15 and $250 on 1/15!

• You need to provide your own mask, fins, snorkel and empty weight belt.

• Complete and sign all medical papers.

Spring Break 2005 Participants Letter

The Bimini Spring Break 2005 Trip is getting closer and closer.  Many arrangements are being made for the trip.  Your instructors have already completed the PADI applications for your certification card (PIC) and college credit.  Your equipment, lodging and ground transportation have all been reserved.  Start thinking about who you would like to have for roommates.  We can accommodate 2 to 3 people per room.  We are still waiting on the flight schedules, so exact departure times are still not definite.

Your classroom materials have arrived and it is necessary for you to read them.  For those taking only the advanced class it is not necessary for you to attend the classroom session or pool, however you do need to read your Advanced book and complete the questions for chapters 1, 2, 3, 5 & 10.  

The open water book has 5 chapters and questions at the end of each chapter.  Please complete all of the questions before you come to the classroom session on March 12, 2005 at NorthWest Divers .  The Pool is on March 18/19, 2005 at the YMCA Aquatic Center on International Drive, Orlando  from 10:00am -4:00pm (arrive at 9:30) or the Bimini Sands Resort for those students not from the Central Florida area.  The open water training dives for those who have made prior arrangements to complete their certification before the trip will take place on TBA at a location to be announced.  The dive table is the most difficult part of the course so definitely come by and ask for help before the day of the class.  Please also paperclip a wallet sized photo of yourself to the blue folder.  This is for your PIC and is required.  

     It is very important that you complete the blue PADI Student Record File  before the first day of class.  If there are any medical history questions that you answer “YES” to, you must get a special medical statement signed by your physician before we can allow you into the pool.