Quote of the Day

15. February 2012 by KVaughn.

“Never hesitate to do what you know is right.”
From:  Life’s Little Instruction Book

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Quote of the Day

14. February 2012 by KVaughn.

“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.”

— Winston Churchill

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A few quotes from Unknowns to consider in your daily life..

25. January 2012 by KVaughn.

  1)    Two things define your personality.   1) The way you manage things when you have nothing.     2) The way you behave when you have everything.-         Unknown

2)    People will forget what you said.  People will forget what you did.  But people will never forget how you made them feel.-         Unknown

3)    Everyone in life is going to hurt you, you just have to figure out which people are worth the pain.-         Unknown

4)    Have you ever wondered which hurts the most: saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing and wishing you had.-         Unknown

5)    Crying is how your body speaks when your mouth cannot explain the pain you feel.-         Unknown

6)    Things omitted are often more deadly than errors committed.-         Unknown

7)    Before you assume, learn the facts.  Before you judge, understand why.  Before you hurt someone, feel their pain.  Before you leave, commit to staying.-         Unknown

    Love is giving someone the power to destroy you.. but trusting them not to.-         Unknown

9)    The worst thing about being lied to is knowing that you’re not worth the truth.-         Unknown

10)   Sometimes people put up walls, not to keep others out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.-         Unknown

 

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EFR Class complete

15. September 2011 by MarkN.

September 3rd at the Kenosha Public Library STARS staff and students got together to complete Emergency First Response Primary (CPR and AED) and Secondary (First Aid) training.  With props, AEDs and mannequins assembled from several sources (thanks to all who helped bring gear) we used two very comfortable conference rooms at the Library.

A big change from previous years protocols was the incorporation of more emphasis on chest compressions.  Compressions are started earlier, done at a slightly faster rate and depth.  It is now also acceptable to include provisions for performing hands only CPR.

Ismael, Cedric, Stephanie, Maurice, Javier, Nicole and Phil completed the training.

Congratulations to ALL!

Mark Niewoehner

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Congratulations to all and to all a good dive!

22. July 2011 by MarkN.

‘Twas the day after Scuba training dives when all through the Lake

not a fish was stirring because of the silt

the fins were all churning through the water with care

in hopes that diving certifications soon would be there

the students were all zipped up in their 7 mill suits

while visions of triangular compass runs danced in their head

And Kevin in his hood and I with no cap

Had just prepared for a long day of compass patterns

when out on the water there arose such a splasher

I sprang to the water to see what was the matter

into my wetsuit I zipped in a flash

ran down to the water and threw up my lunch

when what to my wondering eyes should appear

but a miniature diver propulsion vehicle and eight tiny sea creatures

with a little old diver so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be St. Neptune

more rapid than spotted eagle rays his coursers they came

using Sea Signs he called them by name

Now Lobster, Now ray, now crab and shrimp

On Eel! On Turtle! On Fish and Shark!

to the top of the reef to the top of the deep wall dive

Swim away! swim away! swim away all!

as silt on the bottom that before the wild diver’s fin flies

when they meet with a coral head swim over and around

pulling the descent line down to the lake bottom the coursers they sunk

with a DPV full of scuba toys and St. Neptune too

And then on the bottom I heard a diver humming

the pulling and pawing of the descent line

As I drew the line back up and was turning around

down to the bottom St. Neptune came with a bound

He was dressed all in neoprene from his hood to his boots

and his exposure suit was all tarnished with algae and silt

a bundle of dive gear he slung on his back

and he looked like an independent dive shop retailer opening his pack

Behind his mask his eyes twinkled and his dimples how merry

his cheeks were like a puffer fish,  his nose like a flounder

His droll little mouth was drawn up in an exhale

and the beard of his chin was a white as a beluga

the stump of his regulator he held tight in his teeth

and his exhaust bubbles encircled his head in a bubble ring

he had good buoyancy because of his round belly

and he shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly-fish

he had good air consumption a right jolly old salt

and I puked through my regulator when I saw him in spite of myself

A purge of his regulator and a clear of his nose

soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread

He Sea Signed not a word but went straight to his skills

With dive gear he filled all the newly certified divers stockings and turned with a fin kick

holding his power inflator up above his head

kicking off the bottom to the surface he rose

he sprang to his diver propulsion vehicle and to his team gave a whistle

and away they all swam like a hungry shark for his dinner

but I saw him use Sea Signs ere he swam out of my visibility range

Happy Diving to all and to all a SAFE ascent!

Mark Niewoehner

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What happens after Open Water?

20. July 2011 by MarkN.

We moved to the North side of Pearl Lake today, after silting (and puking see yesterday’s comments) up the east side it might

be better to give that side a day or so to settle out and detox.

Kevin and I made the students drill and drill the Navigation patterns until, . . . well, . . .

until they finally got it right.

There was some frustration, the heat, the sun and the silt were unrelenting.

Zero viz navigation isn’t easy.  But the STARS Students toughed it out, almost like it was a black op.

Four dives and many, many, many, many (did I say many?) ups and downs later, they were all done.

No rest for the weary.

Wait until you see what we’ve got in store for you tomorrow!

Search and Recovery, stay tuned!

Mark Niewoehner

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Help Laps of Love support Diveheart

14. September 2010 by MSchirmacher.

While diving with S.T.A.R.S. this weekend at Haigh I had the chance to speak to a few of the Diveheart members that were present. They told me about a fund raising event they are doing and I thought I would pass it on to all of the S.T.A.R.S. members. Take a look and if you are interested in helping please contact them.

Diveheart is a not-for profit organization that focuses on teaching people with
disabilities and wounded veterans to scuba dive. My name is Jeffrey Urbahn, and
my dad and I are active with Diveheart. We are both buddy divers, allowing us to
take people with disabilities diving. Diveheart’s main mission is to build
confidence and independence in children and adults with disabilities. It is a truly
life-changing experience for the participants. These individuals are often told they
can’t do things. Now they can do something most of their able-bodied friends
can’t. Our goal at Laps of Love is to raise money for Diveheart. We will swim laps
in a pool for flat and per-lap donations. Money raised will go to Diveheart for
gear, trips, and life-changing opportunities. By donating some of your time to
Laps of Love you will be changing people’s lives. Scuba diving gives people with
disabilities self esteem and self confidence. There is no gravity underwater so
some physically-challenged participants gain new mobility in the water. The
participants learn new skills and in some cases even get job opportunities.
Participants look at diving in a new light after diving. Please help us. I have always
believed that the definition of time is not what time our clock says, but how much
time we have left to make a difference. Well, it’s your time; help make a big
difference in someone’s life! Come swim with us. It will feel great.

If you want to make a difference, contact me at: jurbahn@frontier.com

The event will be held at: The Sandwich Best Western Timber Creek

Time: 1-4 PM Registration starts at noon

Date: Sunday, September 26

Swimmers under 18 need waiver signed by legal guardian

Please bring sponsor sheets to the event.

Contact me for waivers, sponsor sheets, and flyers.

Visit us at Diveheart.org

Laps of Love Flyer

Laps of Love Pledge Sheet

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September 2010 Newsletter

24. August 2010 by MSchirmacher.

The September newsletter has been posted to the Newsletter Archives page. You can view this issue by clicking here or visiting the archives page.

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What other sports or activities could S.T.A.R.S. training benefit? – Week #9

15. May 2010 by KVaughn.

·         Volleyball or soccer because it helps with teambuilding, helping each other, finding new ideas to win without cheating.

·         Football or tennis, working together and making you able to maneuver at a moment’s notice.

·         It helps people on a team communicate and open up.

·         Any sport that requires teamwork.

·         Makes people try things they have never done before or that may have thought was too hard.

·         You learn to get things done with a partner or within a group.

·         Helps with communication and teamwork…becoming able to get along with your peers.

·         Football, getting me physically motivated and teaching me to be a better team player, leader, and follower.  It also helps me with my listening and responding abilities.

·         It would help all sports succeed… or teamwork has come together because of our communication skills.  We understand how other people’s fears could be changed by our support.

·         Swimming physically because scuba has a lot to do with swimming.  S.T.A.R.S. teaches you to work together and it helps with any sport.  Communication is everything. 

·         “Together we achieve, together we succeed”

·         Scuba symbolizes teamwork.

·         During soccer this year the program has helped me learn how to get along a little bit better with my team…. Has also helped me learn how to listen more to others.

·         This experience can help me with football and will apply well.

·         The program will help with getting physical and trusting me team to pick up the slack when I fall behind.

·         S.T.A.R.S. helps me work with anyone from any background.

·         This experience gears me up for working through problems and frustrations that sports can bring up, and the way to solve them.

·         S.T.A.R.S. so far has helped me get in shape with their physical conditioning.

·         The whole idea of “I’m In!”, NEVER QUIT, KEEP GOING, attitude.  Just “Think of others, and do it as a team changes the perspective of seeing things, you become more patient, tolerant, positive, and helping other reach their potential.

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Has your participation in the S.T.A.R.S. changed your career outlook, and if so how? - Week #10

14. May 2010 by KVaughn.

·         I am now looking for a job I will “ENJOY” rather than a job that pays well and brings the finer things in life.

·         It has made me look at many more job options like underwater welding, rescue diver/safety services, and even marine biologist.

·         My dream of becoming a photographer has expanded to include perhaps an oceanographer and a Divemaster.

·         A Divemaster/Dive guide job would be cool at a dive shop.

·         My original interest in being a vet now includes photography where I can show others what animals they are missing… tied into diving.

·         S.T.A.R.S. participation has encouraged me to take on a more physical job that I was planning, like Law Enforcement Officer, Conservation Officer, Forest Ranger, and maybe even a Technical Diver.

·         Yes, and No.  I have decided to pursue being a marine biologist because I want to learn more about this world under the water… however my interest in becoming a lawyer is still real.

·         The involvement in scuba diving has driven me to consider the space program and being an astronaut as scuba diving is a requirement.

·         My aspirations of becoming a doctor are expanded to include some part-time work in diving.  Diving is something I definitely want to continue.  Scuba Diving Rocks!

·         Although I like scuba, I still want to be a teacher….. Scuba may offer me a chance to become a diving instructor as it has driven me to be more open.

·         My career outlook is still unchanged, but I now have a valuable skill that makes me marketable and I can choose a field in the future.

·         My desired career now includes not only being a Marine in the armed forces, but a Navy Seal of Search and Rescue.

·         Although my career is set I would love to get involved in volunteering and marine preservation.

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