Compressor Room Upgraded for Nitrox and Trimix Gases

 

Compressor Room Upgrade

Over the past couple of months Island Watersports Compressor room has undergone some major surgery. Prior to this the room was used for the air compressor, the service bench and general junk yard for dive gear.

First we had to clear the room of the work bench, cupboard and everything else that wasn't needed. The old Posideon fill panel was removed and so was the high pressure rubber tube which wouldn't have met current regulations. When it was empty we were ready to fill any holes and start painting the compressor room.

The Installation Begins 

First job was to get the electrics installed for the Coltri Nitrox Membrane and Coltri MCH16 Compressor. The compressors arrived along with 4 50Litre 300bar storage cylinders.

After what seemed months of work, the new look compressor room was starting to take shape and we were seeing an end to it. Trimix panel installed and so was the double action booster pump, the high pressure regulators, one way valves and also the over pressure valves.

Coltri LP450 Nitrox Membrane and Coltri MCH 16 Compressor in place and modified for easy maintainance by adding locking wheels, this makes it so easy to move around by one person.

I would like to thank Sonia our Project Engineer, for all the paperwork, the final project and submitting all the forms needed for Industria to make us fully Legal in the Canary Islands and also to Paul from Air Equipo, I'm sure he enjoyed my daily calls asking stupid questions.

We have recently had our OCA inspection along with GEAS Gaurdia Civil dive centre inspection and we are a fully legal and upto date Diving Centre here in Puerto Del Carmen in Lanzarote, the Canary Islands.

Now when you dive at Island Watersports Lanzarote you'll have the choice of air or nitrox, technical and rebreather divers will be able to have their own mixed gases.

Some Statistics for the Compressor Room

The Compressors

Posideon P500 produces 33,000 Ltr/s air per hour

Coltri MCH16 produces 18,000 Ltr/s nitrox per hour

Storage Banks

Air Storage 23,200 litres

Nitrox Storage 25,000 litres

Our website is currently down for maintenance

 Our website is currently down for maintenance, we are uploading and testing our new website.

A Clean Sweep

 

What a Rubbish dive!

There was just so much debris on our first dive that we decided that we couldn’t leave it there any longer and that we just had to go back and collect it all.

The next dive we went bag in hand ready to collect every bit of rubbish and debris that we could find. The four of us set out to what we have nick named Beer Can Alley. I think you can guess why. See for yourself…

This was just the tip of the, no, this was more like just the ring pull on the beer can.

We got busy collecting all the rubbish, beer can after beer can, a few glass bottles too, making sure that nothing had made itself at home inside.

Amongst the more unusual items that we recovered there was: some fishing line, rope, a ladies’ hygienic product (not so sure she’s a lady as she dumped it in the ocean!) and what initially looked like a plastic propellor but turned out to be a broom head, making it a clean sweep!

 

Having successfully made a small difference to help save our oceans and despite all the rubbish and debris found on the dive, we also enjoyed some amazing marine life on our way back into shore.

We were lucky enough to spot this wonderful Octopus nestled in the rocks. Initially, his head was clear of the rocks and as we approached he gracefully slide back under his rocky hideout home.

 

As you can see, we ended up with a really full bag and I’m sure we’ll be back to keep on sweeping clean!

 

A Big Thank You to Angela, Barry and Bernd for being part of the solution on this rubbish debris dive.

Rapid Antigen Testing Now Accepted in The Canary Islands

Exciting News!

Rapid Antigen Testing Now Accepted in The Canary Islands

Confirmed today, 10^th December 2020, the rapid antigen test is now a legally accepted test to enter the Canary Islands.

What this means for you

Last night it was announced by the Canarian Government that the rapid antigen test will become the second accepted test for entry to the Canaries and this morning the new law came into effect with the new rapid test being accepted as of today!

Since November travelers to the Canary Islands have been required to have a diagnosic test for active SARS-COV-2 infection with a negative test result, within 72 hours of arrival, with the PCR test being the only acceptable test. Now the cheaper fast antigen test takes some of the stress and difficulties out of the process.

 

What you need to know

Your test must be carried out within 72 hours prior to your arrival.

Your test must be carried out by one of the authorised testing centres in either your country or the EU. Click on your country for the list of authorised testing centres:

UK

IRELAND

GERMANY         

FRANCE

SPAIN

ITALY

SWEDEN             

POLAND

If you live in a country where there are no authorized test centres, you may be able to access the services of those in another EU country. For example, if you live in Belgium or the Netherlands, then you should be able to access the services of the authorised testing centres in France or Germany.

More Info on the tests

The antigen test must detect SARS-COV-2 antigens with an accuracy of 97% and a sensitivity of over 80% as defined in the supporting documentation.

The test must come with a printed or digital certification that includes all of your details, the testing centres details and the accuracy and sensitivity of the test.

It is preferred that the test certificate is in Spanish or English.  

 

Is there anything else I need to do?

You will need to sign a Responsible Declaration and provide details of where you will be staying.

You need to download the RadarCOVID contagion alert app on to your smart phone. It is available for Android and iPhone and it will notify you of the risk of exposure to Covid-19 based on your location. Please ensure that your phone has location services turned on.

You may also find it useful to have a QR code reader on your phone as a lot of establishments are using them instead of traditional menus. 

Finally, we look forward to welcoming you back to Island Watersports, Lanzarote for some well deserved relaxation, sun and fun diving.

 

Click to download the RadarCOVID 

 

Island Watersports Re-Opens after Covid-19 Lockdown

Island Watersports Lanzarote, is now open and running again after the
Covid-19 Lockdown in Spain.

We are taking bookings for diving, however you must follow basic rules
and we have to have reduced numbers of divers around the center.

Dive In – What are you waiting for!

 

So, you have decided to try scuba diving while on holiday, diving in Lanzarote is easy and amazing.

Our Try Dive experience takes around 2.5 hours and at only 55€ per person it will be one of the highlights of your holiday.

We brief you on land and introduce you to the equipment you will be using before heading out to our local house reef.

All our beginner dives and courses are carried out in small groups, max 2 people per Instructor;  your safety is our No1 priority at all times.

Remember we fully understand that you may be nervous, there is no rush – relax and enjoy.

We have put together some pictures to show you a little of what to expect.

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  Getting to grips with some theory

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  Practise skills on land

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  Slowly does it , No Rush

OK, now that you are comfortable on land, lets get you into the sea to start your underwater adventure !

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  Looking good, all smiling

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  Lets get those fins on

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  Team talk

Time for those first breaths underwater and again there is no rush so just relax and breathe, once you are happy and comfortable we can descend a little deeper to try some basic skills. Don’t worry – we practise the skills in shallow water so you can stand up at any time.

• 

• 
  Take a look

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  • First breaths

    

  Skills underwater

 Your first dive is very special, take it easy and enjoy looking at our underwater world, there is so much to see, it really is a fantastic experience. Dive time is around 45 minutes.

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  Family holidays will never be the same again

• 

  Flora & Fauna

• 

  Angel Sharks are endangered but we can still see them in Lanzarote

• 

  Everyone’s favourite – Seahorses

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  He is a bit crabby!

• 

  We even get to see Stingrays

• 

  An amazing holiday adventure

• 

  We have had marriage proposals underwater – she said YES!

• 

  You can join us to try scuba diving from 10 years old

So there you have it, a little preview of what your first dive involves, we  hope this encourages you to give scuba diving  a try. There really is a truly amazing world down there and it is waiting for you.

Email us at info@divelanzarote.com.

  Check out our website http://www.divelanzarote.com

The Man Behind the Mask

So he started diving to get away from his girlfriend and he likes to Gamble!

Lets find out more about Iain Irving, Instructor/Co Owner Island Watersports Lanzarote.

Why did you start Scuba Diving?

Well, Marie and I went to Thailand in 2001 and the airline lost Marie’s case.  After 3 days of bad tempered girlfriend I needed to find something to do or one of us would not have left the Island!  I enrolled in a PADI Open Water Course and got hooked.

 

In your spare time what do you like to do?

Spare time? I like watching Rugby now as I am too old to play anymore and motor cycling.  I would like to buy an enduro  bike to tour Lanzarote but Marie wants a new bathroom first.

What drove you to become a Scuba Diving Instructor?

I always wanted to live abroad and totally agree with the old adage ‘choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life’. OK it is not that simple and it didn’t happen over night.  I really enjoyed my diving while Marie had  some fantastic holidays  along the way.

 

Do you have a favourite type of dive?

If I had to choose I would say Night Dives, it really is so different at night. I love encounters with the larger animals like Rays and we see them feeding at night which is just amazing. I enjoy all my dives, but seeing Angel Sharks and Rays on a daily basis is just a privilege.

Apart from Lanzarote, what is your favourite scuba diving destination?

That is such a difficult question, it really is, I have dived in some excellent locations all around the world. It’s not just about the diving , it’s also about the other divers you meet,  the friends you make and the memories.We have made so many great friends here in Lanzarote.

For the total experience I would say Barbados while diving with Ram on The Scotch and Soda in Carlisle Bay. Ram was the Instructor who got Marie to dive, now that guy had patience. We met some lovely people there and the horse racing at Bridgetown was a real bonus, I remember we won 1500 dollars on one trip.

 

 What is the Best thing about being an Instructor?

Whether it is a non diver discovering scuba for the first time, or a certified diver learning new skills, it is just a great job. I get as much enjoyment out of our students success as they do.

  

Why did you decide to move to Lanzarote?

We felt at home straight away, we visited with our dive club from the UK in February 2014 and by November 2014 we had moved here. That pretty much sums it up. Lanzarote is unlike any other Canary Island thanks to the influences of Cesar Manrique. Friendly people, relaxed safe environment and obviously fantastic diving for all levels.

Any Regrets?

Probably the obvious answer here is that I didn’t do it earlier.