reflection piece

During this whole blog experience I learned to post blogs and write about one of my all time faviorite hobbies

turrets syndrome

"Hey wanna arm wrestle"

My brother David Paul Keefe has been diagnosed with the Tourettes Syndrome.Tourettes  syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. The disorder is named for Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourettes, the pioneering French neurologist who in 1885 first described the condition in an 86-year-old French noblewoman.  The early symptoms of TS are almost always noticed first in childhood, with the average onset between the ages of 7 and 10 years. TS occurs in people from all ethnic groups; males are affected about three to four times more often than females. It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have the most severe form of TS, and as many as one in 100 exhibit milder and less complex symptoms such as chronic motor or vocal tics or transient tics of childhood. Although TS can be a chronic condition with symptoms lasting a lifetime, most people with the condition experience their worst symptoms in their early teens, with improvement occurring in the late teens and continuing into adulthood. Although his case is small it could get worse. My family is worried.  The cause of  Tourettessyndrome is unknown, although some studies suggest that the tics in  Tourettes syndrome are caused by an increased amount of a neurotransmitter called dopamine. A neurotransmitter is a chemical found in the brain that helps to transmit information from one brain cell to another. Other studies suggest that the defect in  Tourettes syndrome involves another neurotransmitter called serotonin; or involves other chemicals required for normal functioning of the brain. There is no cure for Tourettes syndrome. Treatment involves the control of symptoms through educational and psychological interventions and/or medications. The treatment and management of Tourettes syndrome varies from patient to patient and should focus on the alleviation of the symptoms that are most bothersome to the patient or that cause the most interference with daily functioning.
I LOVE YOU DAVID!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Turrets+syndrome

Open water diving compared to cave diving

The difference between open water diving and cave diving is that Caverns and caves are what experts call overhead environments environments in which divers do not have direct access to the surface. As for open water diving a diver who is without air and separated from his or her buddies can still make an Emergency Swimming Ascent (ESA). Being in an overhead environment takes away this important safety factor. Cave divers must exercise to protect irreplaceable cave formations from harm. While open water diving is more safe and less stress to worry about. Cave diving and open water diving are so different in many ways. They are both absolutely amazing though. The bottom line is that, despite the fact cave, and open water diving all take place in overhead environments, they are separate and distinct activities. Each involves a different set of risks, and each requires its own unique equipment, techniques and procedures.

http://www.cavediving.com/what/start/02.htm

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cave%20diving&view=detail&id=DD888A5441AE293918B4A6798708C2902500FF6F&first=91&FORM=IDFRIR&adlt=strict

http://www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com/faqs.php

Scuba Dive interview with my father AKA scuba Steve

 This is an interview I did with my dad on Scuba Diving. I chose my dad because he was the first person in my family to get certified.




1. Was it hard for you to become certified?
 -No but it wasn't exactly easy. It takes skill and studying
2. Where is your favorite place to dive?
 - Haven't dove there yet
3. What is your favorite thing about diving?
 - It's cool that you can breathe underwater
4. When do you want to dive next?
 -Before lobster season ends which is March 31
5.Where is the next place you want to dive and why?
 -Florida Keys because I'll be one vacation.
6.Where is the first place you have dived?
 -Looe Key
7.Who is the next person you will dive with
 - My family
8. Why did you get Scuba Certified?
 -I've always wanted to since I was a kid
9.Where is your dream dive?
 - Great Barrier Reef
10.Who did you take the Dive class with?
 - My two brother In-laws

my diving experiences

When I first got Scuba Certified I was only ten years old. My mom and brother took the class with me too because my dad was already certified. The class took about 2 weeks of class room time and practicing in the pool. Then we practiced in a lake. After that we had to take a test on everything we have learned. If we passed the test our class got to take a open water dive. We took our open water dive in West Palm Beach. It was my very first actual dive and that was such a good experience. We dove down to about 60 ft and we saw so many beautiful fish and marine life it was absolutely amazing. We went on two dives that day and they were both such a great experience. After the dives were over we saw a pod of Dolphins and they followed us and were jumping and playing in our boats wake. It was pretty cool. The next dive was in the Florida Keys, places that I had only snorkeled in the past. It was a different experience being able to go deeper and explore the oceans environment. I dove Checa Rocks which is a shallow dive but yet beautiful. I also dove Alligator Reef and Hens and Chickens which are deeper dives. I like to check out the Marine life and hunt for lobster and spear fish along the way. I’m still young and there will be many more experiences to come as I continue to Scuba dive. My certification that I have now is called Open water scuba diver. Next I would like to upgrade that to an advanced diver certification. Hopefully one day I will be a master scuba diver and I could have my own dive shop and teach people how to scuba dive.

http://watersideplaza.com/roller/blog/resource/scuba-lessons-couple.jpeg

How to become Scuba Certified

http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-PADI-Certified-Scuba-Diver

Diving is a fun, exciting, and relaxing sport. It can be quite dangerous, however, if you do not have the proper training before diving. It takes about a few days of training in a pool or in a lake along with classroom training. Classroom training explains the basic physics of diving (which helps divers understand the skills they will be learning and the function of each piece of gear). It also covers the all-important rules of calculating how long it is safe to stay underwater at different depths, the science of diving illnesses such as the bends and nitrogen narcosis, first aid, and concepts that will be practiced in the pool and open water parts of the course. In the pool, students learn to use the SCUBA gear in a safe controlled environment. (Note: The "pool" component can be taught off shore in tropical waters, in a shallow place with good visibility). Student’s practice assembling, putting on, and taking off gear, learn what all the controls are for, then practice descending underwater, breathing through the regulator, clearing masks, and performing emergency operations such as sharing air with a partner. The course is taught in simple steps, and even people who think they would be terrified to dive quickly start to feel very natural underwater. Pool drills are repeated until students feel absolutely comfortable with their gear and their ability to use it.Then at the end of the course you take a test and that determines if you pass the class or not. Getting scuba certified can be difficult for some people. Especially if they are nervous in the beginning, but there is nothing to be scared about. As long as you got the right trainers and equipment you will be just fine. Scuba diving can often be expensive at times, especially if you have a whole family that is getting certified. You have to pay for each one of their classes and all their scuba gear.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=diver+getting+certified&view=detail&id=72AD3A093E8A93E05EEB9F607DEFE218708369A4&first=31&FORM=IDFRIR&adlt=strict

Missing Diver

Everyday Scuba Divers become missing and they are no where to be found. The worst nightmare for a scuba diver is to ascend after a dive and find the boat gone. Or watch it up anchor and motor away. Being left alone to drift on the ocean is a very real, and dangerous, situation. Recently a diver was found dead at Alligator Reef in Islandmorada FL Keys. That’s scary because that’s where my family and I usually go diving every summer. I think some divers need to be more cautious and not dive alone. Many things could happen to you like, run out of air while your about 100ft below. Theres no one down there to help you. Diving alone is never ok.