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DAN at DEMA Show 2021

DURHAM, NC – October 26, 2021 – For more than 40 years DAN has played a crucial role in the dive industry, championing diver safety, risk management, and emergency preparedness.

After last year’s virtual DEMA Show, we at DAN are looking forward to meeting with dive professionals from around the world in person once again.

Peter Sotis, pictured in 2013
Peter Sotis, pictured in 2013

Peter Sotis convicted of attempting to illegally export rebreathers to Libya

If the name Peter Sotis rings a bell, it is no coincidence. He was Rob Stewart's dive buddy when the filmmaker tragically lost his life on a deep rebreather dive in 2017, after which he was ostracised by the dive community as well as sued by Stewart’s family for his role in Stewart's death. Both the incident and the lawsuit have been covered in the magazine.

Immi Wallin, Jeff Lindsay and Paolo Costa each talked about wrecks and are nowtaking questions from the audience.

Back in business

It felt a bit surreal heading to the airport again for the first time in almost two years. I used to frequently attend various dive shows, events and conferences and go through the airport as a matter of routine. But that was before the pandemic shut everything down some 21 months ago.

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Short video sample of a presentation; Immi Wallin talks about her ongoing

Presentations aside

What also made this event extra pleasant was the great food, and that the temperature outdoors was very comfortable and balmy. When compared to so many other conferences, which are often held during late fall or winter in colder and darker regions, being able to sit outside and dine in pleasant temperatures and still be able to walk around in shorts and short sleeves was a real bonus.

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Fado

DEMA Offers Emergency Assistance to DEMA Show Exhibitors and Buyers

The DEMA Board of Directors has activated DEMA’s Disaster Assistance Program and Manufacturers’ Fund to help DEMA Member exhibitors and buyers struggling as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. “We understand that many companies are experiencing difficult times as a result of the pandemic,” indicated Tom Ingram, DEMA President and CEO. “The DEMA Board wants to help as much as possible so these professionals can gain education, learn about products and services and take advantage of Show-only specials that will help them make it through to better days ahead.”

First ever Human Factors in Diving conference recordings are now available

Gareth Lock, The Human Diver

The event featured world-leading speakers speaking on how applying human factors can improve diving safety, incident reporting and team performance.

The first-ever event of its kind, the conference provided a unique opportunity to share the knowledge and skills to make diving safer, more effective, and more enjoyable, by allowing divers and instructors to take more informed risks and reduce uncertainty.

Scuba.Digital postponed to April 2022

In an e-mail to participants of the upcoming event, the team of organisers write that they "have come across businesses that cannot even afford the very low prices that we are charging and that are choosing instead (rightly) to focus on supporting their staff through this difficult time.

"We also believe that this will pass and that most places will be much more open to diving in 2022, and they will need to focus on marketing their products be that equipment, travel or training."

Dan Burton (left) with X-Ray Mag's editor in Jordan 2019
Dan Burton (left) with X-Ray Mag's editor in Jordan 2019

Dan Burton dies in a paragliding accident

Dan Burton was known to the international dive community as a true pioneer who, among many other endeavours, explored using technical diving in combination with underwater photography.  At least that is what he was up to when we first met in the 1990s.

Sacha Dench was attempting a 3,000-mile journey in a motorised paraglider ahead of November's COP26 UN climate change conference with Dan Burton working in support as her cameraman.

DEMA Show 2021 Update

With the Show two months away, we are thrilled to finally reunite the industry after two years of being apart. Despite any rumors you may have heard, DEMA has no plans to cancel DEMA Show 2021. 

We understand the pandemic is an ongoing concern and we are committed to providing a safe and productive Show experience for all members, exhibitors, and attendees. DEMA will continue to watch and implement the health and safety requirements put forth by the state of Nevada, Clark County, and the Las Vegas Convention Authority.  

42nd Annual Underwater Treasure Hunt

This event is a true ‘treasure hunt’ where divers get to scuba dive off the rock jetty at Radio Island in Beaufort, NC. They seek treasure in the form of numbered oyster shells.

After numbered oyster shells have been found and collected, we then return to the dive shop for a pig pickin’ feast and the drawing for prizes. It’s all very exciting and makes for a really fun day! This event is one of the largest single-day gatherings of divers and like-minded people in North Carolina.