Interesting ! Well done and timely
But requires a few comments;
1) The agreed upon and recognized proportions of the dive flag as established in 1959 was to be 5 units wide X 4 units high and a 1 Unit stripe-- his shirt and hat with the thin white stripe is to me very distracting. If you are an authority or reperesnmt your self as an authority figure - be absolutely correct in every aspect of appearance and and presentation
2) His lecture answered several previously unanswered questions in my diving
A) prior to the introduction of LA County's monumental work
"Underwater Recreation" in 1954 most of my tribe entered the water, - from either shore or boat- with our mask held in our hands,(which those who remain still do)
Prior to beginning the dive we would place the mask full of water on our face and snuff water up our noses, clearing the mucus out of out sinus cavities and cooling our faces to the water temperature . Unwittingly and certainly unknown to us at that time were creating an introduction to the mammalian reflex.
B) In the genesis of diving most all SoCal recreational spearfishing occurred in Baja Mexico. (see Skin Diver Magazine Volume 1 Number 1,. December 1951, page 5
"Spearfishermen enjoy a November trip to La Paz" ) This article lead the way for a SoCal migration to Baja for spearfishing.
It was noted many times on our trips that the initial dives were not too deep or too long - but with the passage of time and the increase in the number of dives we were transformed in to one with the water and the depth and underwater times increased dramatically.
We became the western version of the Japanese Ama and the Korean Hai No divers-- we were "Sea People" - we became one with the sea.
3) I would suggest that you as a very knowledgeable presenter might want to acquire Paul Bert's monumental 1878 work
La Pression Barometric which was translated into the English language version titled
Bert's Barometric Pressure by Hickcock ,1943, hard cover and a whopping big small print 1055 pages. Copies are scarce and when located can be pricey - But was worth every hard earned California or Florida dollar
Always thought after I retired 25 years ago I would read Bert's work I some how have had other distractions - Now son Sam IV who is a NAUI & PADI Instructor, SSI Pro 5000, "retired" Long Beach Neptune and a ET & Hyperbaric doctor is reading it is his 'spare" time and enjoying Bert's 140 year old work.. Especially since he was a breath hold spearfishermen and now a Hyperbaric doctor
Keep up the great work I enjoyed listening to your lecture - and sincerely hope to watch many more--- but alter the tee shirt and hat dive flag
Cheers from California - where it all began
(Dr) Sam Miller, III
And Dano of
@MAKO Spearguns a hearty thank you for posting this very interesting lecture
sdm
