Dear Divers, Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know more than you ever wanted to know about the COVID-19 virus. We wanted to reach out to our customers and diving family to communicate some thoughts and information relative to scuba diving and the COVID-19 virus.
First we want to thank you for being our customers, and we wanted to wish you and your family the best through this crisis, that is, if we can't do it in person because you don't have a trip planned to go diving with us in next few weeks.
As the virus and news cycle has progressed over the last couple of weeks, we have been getting some questions relative to the virus, from customers that are either diving with us or calling to make reservations. No doubt you've been getting some emails from various companies about enhanced cleaning protocols etc. etc. So, we wanted to tell you what we are doing at Rainbow Reef to make sure that if you are visiting us soon, you have full confidence that your health and safety are not just suddenly important, but have always been at the forefront of everything we do.
The main question we get is about dive gear, but specifically rental gear. "Is it safe to use?", "Can I get the virus from using it?" and things of that nature. Here is a great read from DAN (Diver's alert Network) about that very subject
Here are just a few of the many processes, protocols and/or precautions we take at Rainbow Reef to minimize any chance of the virus spreading should it somehow show up in Key Largo:
Rental Gear - Our process: First we rinse all of our rental gear with fresh water and then soak it in tub with Steramine. After that we rinse it thoroughly with fresh water and hang it up to dry. Steramine quaternary sanitizing tablets are used in many industries to sanitize non-porous surfaces including: glassware, utensils, countertops, tables, toys and much more. Works great on regulators, masks, snorkels, rebreathers etc. Important Note: We didn't just start doing this because of the virus, it has been standard operating procedure for many years.
Checking In - We went digital with our releases a couple of years ago by setting up Apple iPads stations for filling out forms. The tablets work great, it's fast, and we don't need to endlessly waste paper by printing and then store paper versions. However, in reviewing our processes in the face of the virus, we wanted to provide some options. So, starting immediately you can check in with your own phone or device, or use the iPads which get wiped down several times a day and after each check in period, or even do a paper release if you prefer. Simply choose the one you are most comfortable with to check in for dive trips.
YOUR Gear - Like all dive shops we have rinse tanks for your gear after trips and this seems to have worked without incident since the beginning of time. Rinse tanks will still be available, because it's still a good place to dip your gear to get the salt off. However, we wanted to enhance this by dropping a Steramine tablet into each rinse tank, and also providing fresh water hoses at the docks. So, if you prefer to skip the rinse tank but still want to rinse your gear after you get off the boat, you may do so with a hose.
Our Hotel Partners - Like other well-respected hoteliers, the Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday Inn and Marina Del Mar are all deploying enhanced sanitization protocols, schedules, and precautions to make sure your dive vacation is as clean and comfortable as it can be while you are on your "surface intervals."
The efforts to mitigate the virus with all these tournament, festival, concert and event cancellations, Disney closing, the NHL, NBA and MLB suspending seasons, and schools halting face to face classes does seem like bad news, or at the very least, unprecedented. However necessary these temporary measures may be, all of these precautions seem to be leaving people with precious little recreational options or fun ways to spend their time.
So, if you ask us, it seems like the perfect time to go diving! Dive in your local area, or if you need us, we are here for you, but just get some bottom time soon, after all diving is good for the soul. We are open, ready, running dive trips every day and teaching recreational and instructor level classes. If you are not comfortable with the idea of flying right now, don't forget you can drive right to us, gas prices have dropped, and you won't need to rent a car. When was the last time you took a road trip or went diving? If it’s been too long, go have some fun, go dive!
We hope to see you this month, this spring or this summer, and until then, we wish you the best in health, life and of course diving!
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