For immediate release: August 14, 2018
History of Diving Museum – “Pushing the Envelope” A Look At People, Projects & Technologies Behind the Technical Diving Revolution (1987-1997) Featured Exhibit on display through 2018
The Opening Ceremony kicked off with guests enjoying light refreshments in the Abyss before meandering through the timeline of technical diving. The exhibit features a rich collection of “who’s who” as displayed through photographs, articles, charts, tech diving gear, and more. Presentations began with exhibit curator, Michael Menduno. He explained that the project was put together for the TEKDiveUSA conference. It also has grown over the years into an international collection. He provided an introduction to the history of tech diving and how the Florida Keys play an important role in its continuing development.
Other speakers included local legend Dick Rutkowski, founder of Hyperbarics International and also Capt. Billy Deans who founded the first tek dive shop, Key West Divers. Nick Jenny from PADI’s TecRec division and also Robert Manuel Carmichael of Global Underwater Explorers spoke about how technical diving. They also spoke about the use of rebreathers is becoming more mainstream and being used recreationally.
Immerse Yourself
The exhibit will be on display through December 31, 2018, and sets the stage for several upcoming rebreather and also tech diving oriented events at HDM. On Wednesday, September 19th at 7 pm, Lamar Hires will be the Museum’s Immerse Yourself! speaker. He will take listeners through the rebreather evolution and also how it has become what it is today. Later that week, on September 22 and 23, join retired U.S. Navy Saturation Diving Officer Joe Dituri Ph.D. (c) as he speaks on technical and saturation diving from the surface to the deep abyss including scientific missions to 600 meters using a one-atmosphere suit. The presentation will be followed by a double-dip dive on the Spiegel Grove.
In order to understand how we’ve come so far in diving technology, we are going back in time for Vintage Dive Days! The weekend of September 29 and 30, join HDM as they team up with NAUI Worldwide to provide divers in Key West and Key Largo the chance to use double hose regulators underwater. Visit our website at DivingMuseum.org and our social media outlets to learn more about upcoming events and also register for your spot!
“Pushing the Envelope” Featured Exhibit
“Pushing the Envelope” Featured Exhibit complements the History of Diving Museum’s core collection of rebreathers and also interpretive which date back to the late 1800s. The permanent collection items on display continue from early development through military use and also on to WWII, expand into the beginning of technical diving.
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). It’s a must see for anyone traveling along the Overseas Highway. Divers and non-divers alike are astonished by over 4,000 years of “man’s quest to explore under the sea.” Become a Member and also support special programming. Check out DivingMuseum.org to find out more or email programs@divingmuseum.org for details.
Speaker Capt. Billy Deans & curator Mike Meduno
Vintage Days
Visitors enjoying “Pushing the Envelope”
The History of Diving Museum
The Story of Man’s Quest to Explore Under the Sea
82990 Overseas Hwy – MM 83
Islamorada, FL 33036
Phone 305-664-9737 Fax 305-664-9736
Director@DivingMuseum.org | www.DivingMuseum.org