One of my trainers, a surgeon, once put it simply, “the solution to pollution is dilution”. Well that might work for a wound infection, but it doesn’t address the growing concerns regarding the impact that bacterial and chemical contaminants have on our environment. Simply washing these problems “down the drain” is no longer acceptable. Our planet has shown the ability, to some extent, to neutralize biological contaminants, but has struggled with chemical pollution and now we are seeing more incidents of invasive waterborne bacterial and viral infections arising from our waterways. I recently spoke to a gentleman who suffered a relatively minor skin laceration while working on his boat in a nearby river. Within a few hours he was hospitalized with sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis requiring intensive care medicine, a prolonged hospital stay and subsequent multiple surgeries. He was very close to losing his arm not to mention his life and, most likely will have diminished use of that limb.

How these issues impact our public safety divers should be clear. We call upon these dedicated souls to go into environments that most of us wouldn’t want to touch with the proverbial ten foot pole, swim around in it for awhile and then get out bringing the mess with them. Now what do we do? Hosing down procedures might dilute the contaminants, but may only serve to spread these substances and create disposal issues. Adding chemical detergents and disinfectants have been effective in many circumstances, but unless chosen carefully these agents may end up being a pollutant themselves.

I recently saw a demonstration of a product that may be extremely useful for these situations and I would like to present the product information here:
When confronted with chemical or biological contamination, Intelagard equipment and EasyDECON DF200 provide an effective and comprehensive response. Public Safety Drysuit and easyDECON

EasyDECON DF200 is ideal for dive gear and drysuit decontamination:

* Expands the decontamination solution and provides even coverage to maximize contact with the contaminant
* Provides visual reference for coated surfaces so you can see what has been decontaminated
* EasyDECON DF200 is an environmentally friendly, non-chlorine based formula registered with the EPA and is completely biodegradable. Run off from the decontamination process does not need to be contained.
* Scientifically proven to be safe to use on all types of dive gear including personal protective gear, rubber, nylon, plastics, metal and fabrics
* Provides one step definitive decontamination against biological contaminants
* Best of all, EasyDECON DF200 decontamination solution is capable of killing or neutralizing a broad range of biological and chemical contaminants including those most likely to be encountered by public safety divers.
* Here is a partial list of those contaminants that DF200 will effectively decontaminate:
E.coli
Chlorine
Salmonella
Hydrogen Cyanide
Pfiesteria
Organophosphates such as fertilizers and pesticides
Giardia
Malathion
Fungus and Molds
Bacteria, tissues and odor from decomposition
Ammonia

And many more. Contact us if you have a question about a specific type of contaminant.

Easy Decontamination on a public safety dry suit. While EasyDecon DF200 does not neutralize hydrocarbons, it is a surfactant and will repel hydrocarbons for further definitive decontamination.

This revolutionary technology is available in a variety of containers such as the 22 ounce Personal Incident Decontamination (PID) Spray, 5-gallon pail kits, 100-gallon drum kits and 500-gallon tote kits. PID units can decontaminate approximately 1-2 divers and their gear while 5 gallons will decontaminate 10 divers and their gear.

DF200 should always be used at 100% strength to maximize its effectiveness.

EasyDECON DF200 is non-corrosive and adds no environmental load to the appropriate clean up operation. Kill time occurs within 1 - 30 minutes after application. Dwell time will vary depending on contaminant and environmental conditions.

For specific information regarding DF200, please visit www.DUI-Online.com and view the following documents:

* Contaminant Comparison, EviroFoam Technologies, Inc.
* DF-200: An Enhanced Formulation for Decontamination and Mitigation of CBW Agents, Biological Pathogens, and Toxic Industrial Chemicals
* SANDIA Report: Inactivation of Various Influenza Strains to Model Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) with Various Disinfectant Chemistries
* Efficacy of Sandia National Laboratories DF-200 Against Food Borne Pathogens
* Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas putida Biofilms Treated with Sandia National Laboratories Decon Foam-200
* Anti-Microbial Tests Conducted with DF-200
* Biodegradability of Easy Decon Using the CO2 Evolution Method
* Abstract Technical Report Envirofoam TechnologiesTM
* Usage of EasyDecon on Toxic Industrial Chemicals
* Summary of Biological Kill Test Results (Kinetic Testing)
* Material Safety Data Sheet

EasyDECON DF200 formula is licensed by Sandia National Laboratory and based on their technology. The
formulation has undergone extensive testing and meets or exceeds all of Sandia’s test criteria.

EasyDECON DF 200 Decontamination Solution has been successfully tested by the U.S. Military and a host of other accredited testing institutions on a number of live and simulated Chemical and Biological warfare agents.

These testing facilities include:

* ABC Laboratories Biodegradation Test Marine Corps Systems Command
* Battelle Research Institute (MARCORSYSCOM) (Live Agent)
* Central Command Urgent Needs Naval Surface Warfare Center
* Requirement Testing (Live Agent) (NAVSEA Dahlgren Division)
* Edgewood Chemical and Biological Rice University
* Center (ECBC) (Live Agent) Soldier Biological and Chemical Command
* Environmental Protection Agency (Live Agent) (SBCCOM)
* IIT Research Institute (Live Agent) West Desert Test Center (Dugway)
* Kansas State University (Live Agent) Proving Ground)

Intelagard and EasyDECON DF200 are powerful tools for any professional tasked with decontamination. When every moment counts, you’ll be glad you have the power of Intelagard and EasyDECON™ DF200.

In an effort to do what we can with the lionfish epidemic, and for those who object to killing lionfish just to kill them, we have started a compilation of lionfish recipes. This fish is good tasting and once we have 20+ we will publish a PDF cookbook available here on our site. If you want credit for the recipe leave your name and web site.

I have always considered myself a “tree hugger”, but not an activist, supporting environmental causes without taking up a banner and marching. Well as I dive more and more in our local dive spots off the North Carolina coast as well as unique locations in the Caribbean and beyond I am struck by the impact of man on our undersea world. From dead coral heads in Florida to the lack of any large fish on an otherwise beautiful Dominican reef, the touch of man’s hand is evident. Now comes the Lionfish; native to the Indo-Pacific proliferating in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It is controversial how this interesting fish came to this part of the world, most likely they were released from somebody’s fish tank in the 1990’s. The problem is this ain’t just any fish. The lionfish is a voracious carnivore consuming all manner of small or juvenile reef fish and crustaceans. Scientists from Oregon State University conducting studies of controlled plots determined that lionfish reduced young juvenile fish populations by 79 percent in only five weeks.

Natural predators in the Atlantic are scarce, in the Pacific other fish have learned to avoid the lionfish and there are some natural predators such as large groupers and possibly sharks. In the Atlantic native fish are not aware of the danger and about the only thing that will eat a lionfish is another lionfish. Seems they are not only aggressive carnivores, but also cannibals.

In the wild lionfish are easily identified by their large fan-like fins, red and white zebra stripes and aggressive posture. They seem fearless and will often swim right up to divers. From a distance the fish looks sort of like a white powder puff and 5 or 6 years ago you would rarely see one on a North Carolina wreck. Now as you descend in clear conditions wrecks are spotted with powder puffs. Those fins camouflage up to 18 needle-like spines packed with venom that can deliver a painful sting. Deaths have occurred in victims with heart conditions or severe allergic reactions.

Not only are these fish hearty eaters, but they are fast breeders as well. Fish mature quickly and a mature female can have several spawning cycles per year releasing up to 30,000 eggs per cycle.

I recently attended a program discussing long-term strategies to control the current population and prevent further spread. There is on-going research being done and volunteers are needed to help. The good news is that lionfish are good eating and one strategy is to encourage local restaurants to serve lionfish on the menu. Of course convincing and training fishermen to catch and prepare lionfish is a hurdle.

In my mind it is time for action. The only solution is to kill lionfish. I listened to the scientists at this conference try to be politically correct and talked about “more study is needed” and some animal rights groups were concerned about the manner in which these fish were being harvested for study and whether they were killed in a humane fashion. My suggestion is to get a pole spear with a barbless paralyzing tip and have at it. Stay as far away from the spines as you can. If you want to bring the catch to the surface for dinner you need to be very careful handling these fish dead or alive. A large mouthed heavy canvas bag may be effective to hold your catch and transport it to the surface. Spines can be cut off at the base with shears or the venom can be denatured using a propane torch. Fish can then be prepared like any other fish for cooking. Make sure you follow all local fishing regulations.

The bottom line – this is a true environmental emergency and the reality is we may not be able to control the problem, but it is time we gave it our best effort.

Good Hunting!