Happy Birthday to the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber!!! As you may or may not know, the Catalina Chamber is dedicated strictly to the treatment of diving accidents on a 24/7/365 basis. Although we hope you'll never need it, having the Chamber available gives divers a vital safety net in the event something should go wrong with your dive. Although there is a grant from LA County, and the Chamber gets income from some outside activities, Chamber Day provides a significant portion (close to 50%) of the Chamber's annual budget. The great thing about this event is that ALL the monies raised goes to the Chamber. No administrative fees are deducted from the proceeds, the local SoCal boats donate their time and services, the manufacturers donate gear for raffle prizes, the Aquarium of the Pacific donates their facility for the evening event, hundreds of volunteers donate their time, and you (hopefully) donate your money. Last year we raised over $120,000 and we know - especially with the economy - that that's going to be tough to top this year. But, with your help, we're going to give it our best shot. Here's what's happening: · · · The main event is Chamber Day, a full day of diving (two dives) at Catalina plus a walking tour of the Chamber at the Isthmus. Cost for this is $90 (plus $30 for food & airfills) which gets you the diving, the tour, a t-shirt, and five raffle tickets. · · · For those who can't take a day off but would still like to participate we have the Flying Dutchman, a mythical boat but a big part of Chamber Day as it's the perfect place for those who can't do the event. Those who choose to "dive" the Dutchman get a special limited-edition t-shirt (available ONLY to those who sign up for the Dutchman) as well as raffle tickets.

· · · There's also the Chamber Challenge, where the diving community is "challenged" to raise extra funds for our Chamber, through specific donations (usually $100, but also $500 and $1000), which then hopefully challenge your friends to match your generosity.

In October, our Chamber turns 35. So we thought it would be appropriate this year to turn Chmaber Day into a Chamber Birthday Bash. And we're happy to say that registration is now open for the 21st annual Chamber Day, to be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

· · · And this year - as part of the Challenge - we're including the "Chamber Birthday Cake" where you can sponsor a candle which will not only help our Chamber, but which will also get you invited to a special Chamber Birthday Party that will include cake and a chamber dive to 165'.

We also have plenty of tickets for the daytime raffle (you need not be present to win) whether you're going on a boat or just want a chance at winning some fabulous prizes.

Chamber Evening is the cap to all the Chamber Day activities and is co-sponsored by the Aquarium of the Pacific. It features full access to the Aquarium, a sit- down dinner in the Great Hall (underneath the life- sized model of a Blue Whale), some awards, a separate raffle, and the presentation of the final check to Karl Huggins, Director of the Chamber

Full information on this great event can be found of the web at "www.chamberday.org. Sign up by coming to the shop OADC has the Sundiver for this event and we also have two table at the evening event or by calling 310.578.9391

But no matter how you do it, we really hope you'll get involved with Chamber Day & Chamber Evening this year.

Can't afford a vacation this year? Take a mini cruise aboard one of Ocean Adventures charters to one of the many islands off our coast! Your cruise includes a bed, meals, airfills and diving at some of the most beautiful sites in the Pacific. People come from all over the world to dive California's islands and you need only drive to Ventura or Long Beach Harbor! Staycations need not be landlocked, get on a boat and get cruising on your mini dive vacation. free refresher course!

Haven't been diving for a while? Sign up for the March 29th boat to Catalina or the April 4th boat to Anacapa and you will recieve a FREE refresher course worth $100!! Call OADC today, 310.578.9391.

We all know how hard the recession has hit everyone lately and buying scuba gear may not be at the top of your list. We at OADC decided that now is the best time to do our part to boost the economy by holding a huge sale on select Scuba Pro & Aeris dive computers! We are practically giving them away!

Stop by the shop and check out the selection and prices, if you have been looking to purchase your first computer or upgrade from your old one, now is the time to get the best deal ever! We also have sales on select BCDs and regulators as well. Come early to the Dive Club Meeting and check out this sale!