DEMA ANNOUNCES THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EXTENDS COMPLIANCE DATE FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS FOR POOLS

The United States Department of Justice has issued an extension on the compliance date for the ADA Standards for Accessible Design for existing pools and spas provided by state and local governments and by public accommodations. The new deadline is now January 31, 2013.

DEMA submitted comments on behalf of the diving industry on March 23, 2012 in favor of delaying the deadline date for certain requirements of Titles II and III of the ADA. The extension of the date for compliance with the new requirements relates to provision of accessible entry and exit for existing swimming pools and spas outlined in the ADA Standard for Accessible Design.

 

“With the understanding that proper entry and exit equipment is necessary for training facilities used to teach diving to physically challenged individuals, DEMA and the diving industry are gratified the compliance date has been extended,” commented Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. “The deadline extension will allow for clarification of the requirements and which businesses must comply, and allow for a longer lead time for impacted Industry businesses to budget and plan for necessary changes.”

 

DEMA will provide additional information to the diving industry on compliance requirements over the coming weeks. For more information on the current ruling click here.

DIVE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS GATHER TO STRATEGIZE FUTURE GROWTH FOR THE INDUSTRY

** DEMA Hosts 2020 Vision Session in Affiliation with Scuba Show 2012 to Continue Gathering Recommendations for the Future of the Diving Industry**

DEMA’s 2020 Vision brainstorming sessions were conceived as a way to get member input on the future needs for the diving industry which could be utilized by the DEMA Board of Directors as strategic plans are made for the future of the diving industry, and have been conducted in several locations this year. In order to keep up with the changing needs for recreational diving DEMA is actively soliciting industry member’s input so that DEMA can be both proactive and responsive to the needs of Members.

These sessions help the DEMA Board formulate future purpose, plans and programs as the industry evolves and moves into the future.  Input from Members is valuable in formulating strategic plans for the association to assist in providing what is needed by the industry.

These sessions have generated lots of interesting discussions about the industry and the needs of dive businesses everywhere as well as how to meet those needs.

At the most recent 2020 Vision Sessions, held in affiliation with Beneath the Sea in Secaucus, NJ and Scuba Show in Long Beach, CA, participants brainstormed in discussions on how the industry can achieve key action items which were discovered during 2020 Vision Sessions in 2011:

• Sell the "Diving Lifestyle" along with dive travel
• Support & develop professional retailers and their staff
• Create various benefits for retailers, including health insurance and other benefits
• Adapt to new media and use social media
• Make dive travel easier
• Put the "edge" back in diving - make it more exciting
• Promote to a younger audience
• Create a positive first experience for divers
• Provide a local purpose to dive after certification (Promote and use "Local diving")

DEMA encourages all industry professionals to review the brainstorming notes from these sessions and develop their own thoughts to share with us:

·         At a future 2020 Vision Session at 2012 DEMA Show (details coming soon)

·         By requesting to be a part of our online LinkedIn Group

·         By email at 2020Vision@dema.org

If you have any questions regarding these or future sessions please contact us at 2020vision@dema.org or (858) 616-6408.

PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT CREATED TO INCREASE FIRST AID KNOWLEDGE FOR DIVERS INTERACTING WITH LIONFISH

** DEMA and DAN Partner to Create Public Safety Announcement Providing First Aid Instructions to Those Diving Near Lionfish, An Invasive Species Harming Ocean Life in Atlantic Waters **

San Diego, CA – (Monday, May 7, 2012) Representatives from the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) and the Divers Alert Network (DAN) recently collaborated on a public service announcement aimed at providing effective basic first aid instructions for Lionfish related injuries. The PSA is in response to the increasing number of reported injuries which have been attributed to the species’ alarming population increase and invasion into nonnative waters.

The :30 PSA provides divers with fundamental knowledge on how to immediately and effectively treat an injury sustained due to a Lionfish encounter . The PSA is available online on the Be A Diver YouTube channel and viewers are encouraged to share the PSA with others. The PSA is already being used on Cayman Islands television.

"With the Lionfish population growing at an alarming rate, encounters are far more frequent than what we have seen in the recent past and it is imperative for divers to equip themselves with proper first aid knowledge,” explained Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. “By creating this campaign with our partners at DAN, we hope to empower divers with the knowledge necessary to quickly and properly handle an encounter with the venomous Lionfish."

Lionfish are an invasive species already spread throughout the Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Their simple presence along with organized culling increases the likelihood of envenomation by recreational divers and fishermen. You can find more detailed information about the Lionfish Invasion and how you can help at www.reef.org/lionfish.