Dive Right In Scuba

Category: Fossil Diving

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“What Do You Do with Your Shark Teeth?” – A Comprehensive Look at What to do with the Jars and Buckets of Shark Teeth Slowly Encroaching on Every Inch of Free Space in Your House (a working title)

By Tracy B.

Want me to read this to you in my phone voice? It’s your lucky day.

I post frequently about shark teeth I find scuba diving in FL/GA/SC/NC and almost every time I get comments and messages asking me if I sell my teeth. The resounding answer is “no” – which always leads to the follow up question, “what do you do with your shark teeth?” This, in turn, gets me thinking about all the options to utilize shark teeth. I’ve outlined some things you can do with your growing collection of shark teeth, including what I am currently doing with mine.

Here is a list of things you can do with your shark tooth collection:

  • Display It: Create a display case or shadow box to show off your collection. This can be a great conversation starter and an interesting decorative piece in your home. Ensure that the teeth are securely mounted and labeled, possibly with information about the species of shark and where and when you found the teeth.
  • Educate Others: Use your collection as an educational tool. If you have children or friends interested in marine biology or paleontology, you can use the teeth to teach them about different shark species, their habitats, their role in the ecosystem, and the history of these fascinating creatures.
  • Make Jewelry: Shark teeth can be made into unique pieces of jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. This could be a personal DIY project, or you could collaborate with a jewelry maker for a professional touch.
  • Create Art: Incorporate the teeth into a piece of art. This could range from a mosaic to a sculptural piece. You could also create a wall art piece by arranging them in an artistic manner on a canvas or wooden board.
  • Donate to a Museum: If you have rare specimens, consider donating them to a local museum or university. Researchers can sometimes use well-preserved shark teeth to learn more about shark populations and their historical ranges.
  • Trade or Sell: If you have a large collection, you might consider trading with other collectors to get different types of teeth that you don’t have. Alternatively, there is a market for shark teeth, and collectors are often looking to buy specific types.
  • Start a Blog, Social Media Account or YouTube Channel: Share your collection with the world. You could start a blog or a social media account dedicated to your shark tooth collecting adventures. This could also be a platform to discuss conservation issues related to sharks and the oceans.
  • Contribute to Conservation Efforts: Use your collection to raise awareness about shark conservation. You could host informational sessions at schools or community centers, or even set up a booth at local events.
  • Gift Them: Individual shark teeth can make for a unique and meaningful gift, especially to those who appreciate nature or the marine environment.
  • Craft a Personal Museum: If your collection is extensive, consider dedicating a space in your home to create a personal museum. You could combine this with other nautical or marine life collectibles.
  • Engage With Online Communities: Join fossil and shark tooth collecting forums or social media groups. You can share your finds, learn from others, and even get help with identification. My favorite online community for fossils is obviously Anarchy Fossil Club (but I may be a little biased).
  • Use Them in Educational Workshops: If you’re involved in teaching or workshops, you could incorporate shark teeth into lessons about marine life, evolution, or the importance of sharks in ocean ecosystems.

Here is the list of things I do with MY shark tooth collection:

  • Leave them in buckets in my bathroom.

The end.

Lol Just kidding. I have plans to do a number of the things listed above. I also have some select teeth displayed in my office, including some in cool containers I’ve collected or were given to me as gifts (thanks Nick!) that I fill with smaller teeth I’ve found. I’ve also donated and gifted a fair amount of my collection. Shark teeth are my love language. There are a couple of hurdles keeping me from moving forward with making progress with my shark tooth collection to-do list, though. In addition of time constraints and the fact that most of my shark teeth need to be cleaned, which can be a complicated process, I find that I’d rather use my available time diving for teeth than figuring out what to do with them once they’re dry! Not a bad problem to have lol.

I’ll write some follow up pieces on some of the topics I’ve written about here, but feel free to reach out to me with specific questions. I’m always happy to share my experiences and the knowledge I have (or point you toward other resources for things I may not have the best answer for).

Happy hunting/collecting/diving!

Trace

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Review of the Shearwater Research NERD 2 (Stand Alone) Computer

Want me to read this to you in my phone voice? It’s your lucky day.

If you’re familiar with the Shearwater Research NERD 2 computer, you likely know about it because of it’s use in closed-circuit rebreather diving. With a rebreather, the NERD (near eye retina display) is an amazing device that attaches to the diver’s loop and sits directly below their eye. The diver is able to see a small screen that shows all the same screen components as the larger computer sitting on their wrist. This is particularly helpful for rebreather divers because they are constantly monitoring their PO2 on their computer during their dive. Having this information within the diver’s field of vision at all times is incredibly helpful in operating their unit (and therefore keeping them alive lol). While I believe the NERD 2 is an invaluable tool for technical rebreather divers, there is also a place for this computer in open circuit diving.

Shearwater makes a separate model of the computer called the NERD 2 SA (Stand Alone). This particular model clamps onto the diver’s second stage regulator hose, and displays the same screen they would see on any open circuit Shearwater product. But with a price tag significantly higher than other open circuit Shearwater computers, what real benefit does an open circuit diver gain by sitting the computer directly under their eye, when a quick lift of their wrist will show them the exact same information?

So the answer to that is the digital compass.

Let me pause for a moment. If you don’t use a DPV (scooter) in open water, you’re not a fossil diver or you’re not someone who is just into gadgets, this is your stop. (This computer probably won’t impress you…. Check out this one instead: Shearwater Research Perdix 2 computer.)

If you’re still with me. Let’s talk about the compass. As a recovering “cave-only” diver, I didn’t have much use for a compass in my diving journey. When I started diving for fossils, I had to brush up on my navigation skills. I have found the digital compasses on (all) Shearwater products to be reliable, and I’ve stopped carrying an analog compass for that reason.

The NERD 2 has the same digital compass as the other Shearwater computers, but putting it against your eye gives both DPV and Fossil divers advantages for different reasons.

DPV benefit: Its easy enough to mount an analog (or digital) compass on your scooter, however depending on where you mount it, you may have some interference with the electronic components of the vehicle. I don’t think I need to explain why that is an issue lol. Wearing a NERD 2 on your second stage moves the compass far enough away that you don’t have those interreferences. (Its possible your experience may differ, but I have found this to be the case with my diving.)

Fossil diving benefit: Hands free bitches! Lol. Having to hold your compass in the exact right position takes a hand away from your fossil collecting, not to mention it can be uncomfortable if you’re wearing a wrist-mounted compass and need to hold a heading for the majority of your dive. When the compass is sitting just under your eye, you don’t have to worry about positioning it, or taking the few seconds to orient yourself. You just glace down from time to time and you’re golden.

“But wait, Tracy, doesn’t the screen get in your way and keep you from seeing fossils?” Not at all. In fact, you have to remember to look at the computer to see it, otherwise it just blurs out of your vision like optical magic.

If you don’t believe me, here are all the fossils I found on a recent fossil charter with Top 2 Bottom charters in Venice. I didn’t find all of that with just one eye lol.

 

There are a couple of things to keep in mind if you decide to buy this computer.

1. There is an internal rechargeable battery. This is becoming more common with dive lights, so remembering to charge your gear before a dive is less of a burden these days. The NERD 2 also comes with an external battery to add juice to your computer if you are on a longer trip, but the battery lasts a decent amount of time. I get 6-8 90 minute fossil dives on my computer before I have to recharge.

2. There is a short adjustment period to position the NERD 2 right where you want it. This took me one dive/adjustment, which was easily done on the dive boat during a surface interval without the use of tools. I’m only mentioning this because I don’t want someone to open the box and throw the computer on your reg and expect not to have to mess with it juuuust a little bit. But for me, this was a quick set-it-and-forget-it situation.

3. With a price tag of $1650, this is going to be one of your more spendy gear investments for your open water kit. I still found it to be well worth it to have my hand free and my compass oriented for the entire dive. Don’t forget to use the attached tether string on your regulator hose. This will keep you from losing your investment if something happens to the mount mid-dive.

There you have it. The NERD 2 stand alone is a great tool for open-circuit open-water DPV or fossil divers. If you find yourself regularly participating in one or both of these small subsets of diving, definitely take a look at this computer.

As always, Safe diving!

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Shark Tooth Fossil Auction – In the Memory of Alan Devier

Want to listen instead of read? Use the file above.

When I finished my last blog, I decided the next topic I wanted to write about would be a series on shark tooth fossil hunting. Its a new hobby I’ve only picked up in the last year, but I have become pretty much obsessed with it. While writing my next blog, something unthinkable happened. A very well respected member of the fossil diving community, and a wonderful friend, passed away while he was diving. Before I get into my diving experiences in later posts, I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about Alan and the fossil auction fundraiser his friends started in his memory.

Alan on a surface interval. Photo
provided by Mrs. Kim Devier.

The Cooper River in South Carolina may look like any ordinary coastal river from the surface, but to divers and fossil hunters, its and endless treasure hunt. On many dives, we can only see but a few inches in front of us. But among the gravel beds on the river floor are scattered fossils and artifacts from prehistoric creatures that have been extinct for millions of years. The river is dark and the currents are swift and the dives are challenging, but we are drawn to the area from all over for the large concentration of prized Megalodon Shark teeth.

Alan Devier knew the Cooper River better than any other boat captain. Fossil hunting wasn’t just his profession, it was truly his passion. When Alan wasn’t loading up his pontoon boats with a group of eager divers, he was out there diving himself. Looking for new spots and exploring the ever-changing river to make sure his friends and customers had the best experience possible.

Alan preparing for a dive in Port Royal Sound.
Photo provided by Jimmy Armstrong.

Alan’s reputation and knowledge of the river wasn’t the only thing that drew people to him. In an industry full of fake and questionable personalities, Alan was genuine and sincere. And I don’t mean just compared to divers; to many of us who were lucky enough to know him, Alan was one of the best people we knew. He was kind and loyal and honest. Someone who would quite literally give you the shirt off his back. He went out of his way to make sure everyone had a good time. And boy did we have a good time. Losing him has left a void in the dive community that can never be filled.

But something else happened when we lost Alan. The dive community pulled together in a way that I have never seen before to support the one thing Alan loved more than diving. His family. A close friend and dive buddy of Alan’s, the very sweet Debra Powell, put together a brilliant fundraiser where fossil hunters from all over donated beautiful shark teeth and fossils from their trips with Alan. The auction items quickly grew to include unique experiences, jewelry, artwork, equipment, etc., all related to sharks and fossils, to be auctioned off, with 100% of the proceeds going to Alan’s family. Alan’s wife, Kim, has been kind enough to post items from his personal fossil collection for those who would like to own a genuine “Alan tooth”.

The Alan Devier Fundraiser Facebook group continues to grow its members and new auctions are added frequently. The group is open to everyone but tends to attract scuba divers, shark tooth collectors and fossil hunters. The bid items are excellent quality and come from good and honest sources. If you have ever considered purchasing a shark tooth, fossil or shark related gift, it is by far the safest place to do so, with many experts in the group to provide feedback and answer questions. The group is clearly a reflection of how loved Alan was by his friends.

Diving the Cooper will never be the same for me or the countless other divers Alan has touched.

If you’re a diver interested in getting into fossil hunting or diving for shark teeth, there are multiple locations available for varying skill sets. I’ll be writing some follow ups to talk about my experiences with some different places I’ve been diving, but feel free to reach out to me directly or join the Anarchy Scuba Spot Facebook group to connect with other experienced divers.

Thank you for reading/listening,

Tracy

#megalodonteeth #fossilhunting #divemore