Dear Team Member,

I hope this message finds you healthy and well. We bring you plenty of uplifting news this week from the world of #teamdd. Let’s get straight to it!

Chuuk 3D Map Photo Database

We have had a couple of fun collaborations with Xavier High School in Truk Lagoon the past few years. A memorable moment from our last trip there was when we organized for Jill Heinerth and our team to visit, where Jill gave a presentation about exploration. Check out this video below that we just uploaded, an unforgettable welcome by the kids of Xavier High School before the presentation.

That is where we first started communicating with James O Connor, a teacher at the school. He reached out to us recently to collaborate on an interactive 3D map photo database of Chuuk that he is creating. This is a fantastic idea, miles more immersive than looking at a dive map and you are able to create an account and upload your own photos of the wrecks too!

You can visit the page HERE and set up your own account on the site. We look forward to all the #teamdd members uploading their favorite pictures of the wrecks so we can make this map as fun and interactive as possible. We just started to upload photos in there so remember to check in often. Any feedback you have please forward it to us and we will make sure it gets to James.

IMPORTANT TRAVEL UPDATE - GALAPAGOS

Since Monday this week, Ecuador will allow tourists who are vaccinated to enter the country without requiring a negative PCR test result! You simply need to present a COVID-19 vaccination card showing that you have had all the necessary doses. ⁠Moreover, travelers who are not yet vaccinated will have the option of showing the negative result of an antigen test (taken no more than 72 hours before arrival), instead of a PCR test.⁠ ⁠

For now, these change of entry requirements accounts only for the mainland of Ecuador meaning that you will still need a negative PCR test taken no longer than 4 days (96h) before traveling to Galapagos. However, we believe the local government will follow the same or a similar approach in the upcoming weeks. ⁠ ⁠ Our OC TEC/CCR only itineraries are sold out for 2021 but we have started taking inquiries for 2022.⁠

DAN COVID 19 RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESEARCH

DAN released an update on post-COVID 19 procedures from a recovery and ready to dive standpoint. With the resources listed on their blog about how COVID-19 impacts diving, they advise divers about how to mitigate the risks associated with this pandemic. Read more here.

DAN is also conducting a large study to investigate diving after COVID-19, and they are currently seeking divers who have had COVID-19 and wish to share their experience. Learn more here.

That wraps it up for this week. As always we look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team