*Dolphincraft 2003*

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DolphinCraft Dolphin and Equipment Referance(sic) Book
Chapter 1: Dolphins: Echolocation
Echolocation is what dolphins use to see and get around in the water. Without this navigational aid, dolphins would be lost in the dark oceans with their extremely limited eyes.

First, to make the clicks used in echo-location, a dolphin will force air back and forth in air sacs located behind the melon. The sound travels into the oil-filled melon and amplifies the sound and projects it like a beam out in the water in front of the dolphin. It reaches something and bounces back to the dolphin. Then the clicks will travel back through and oil-filled channel along the jawbone straight into the inner ear. A special part of the dolphin's brain interprets the sound to make an image, and that is how a dolphin 'sees' with it's ears. But what's even more amazing is that the process happens within seconds because of the water's ability to carry sound at one mile per. second.

Depending on how long it takes the clicks to come back, a 'phin can tell how far away something is. It has also found that a dolphin can determinate plastic from wood and metal and so-on. This creates the impression that sonar has something to do with density.

Chapter 2: Dolphins: Skin
Dolphin-skin comes in various colours such as slate blue, gray-green, or gray-brown. The skin on the underside tends to be white or yellowish. It is very sensitive to touch, which is why dolphins love to be petted and stroked. The skin itself is 1.5 to 2 inches thick and has a soft, silky, almost rubber like feel to it. It is very durable especially to blunt attacks, though if cut, the skin tends to split even more.

The skin protects the blubber layer used to keep the dolphin warm. It also helps the streamline body move through the water with the least friction, giving the dolphin speed besides the camouflage advantage when they had predators of dark top to be observed from above, and light on the bottom.

Chapter 3: Dolphins: Excretory Function
Dolphin excretory function is similar to that of humans and other mammals. A dolphin's diet consists of many kinds of small fish, such as sardines and mullet. They swallow their food whole, some have been observed biting the head off their prey before eating it. The food travels down the esophagus or throat to the stomach. Dolphins digest their food very quickly, bones and all. Deep diving may have an effect on this, since in that case the blood flow is decreased, which would in turn slow bodily functions. The partially processed food then moves to the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. It then moves to the large intestine, where water is absorbed. What's left moves into the anus prior to excretion. Dolphin urine is also very like that of humans in composition. It consists of urea and other by-products of the blood.

Chapter 4: Equipment: Basic
The Dolphin Craft and members of Seahalls/Seaholds have several basic pieces of equipment that all dolphincrafters should be aware of and own. All of these items should be available with the @make command, but you are welcome to just rp/desc yourself as having them.

Swimsuits: Swimsuits are worn for lifeguard duties, most swimming lessons, and most dolphin lessons here at the hall. They are not recommended for ocean swimming with or without the dolphins as they provide no durability or warmth. All Sea Hall residents should own at least one basic swimsuit. For Dolphin Crafters a one piece swimsuit in the hall's colors of azure blue and white is highly recommended; Sea Crafters should also have similar suits only in the craft's colors of sea blue and white. For female crafters a racing cut with a high scooped neck, thick crossed straps in the back, and low cut along the hips is recommended to increase your aerodynamics in the water. For male crafters a simple pair of boxer-style trunks are recommended (Pern doesn't have speedos yet). Dolphincrafters should have the Dolphin Craft emblem of two, silver dolphins swimming side-by-side in an azure circle prominently displayed on the suit if it is to be worn in an official capacity. For Seacrafters including the Sea Craft emblem of a sea blue fish on a white background is recommended but not necessary as they do not work in their suits most of the time.

Divesuits: All Sea Hall residents should own a basic divesuit. This is made of the durable fabric Celanese which provides a certain amount of warmth as well as durability and protection. They are useful for short (under 2 hours), oceanic trips with dolphins as well as useful for lessons in cold water. If the craft emblem is displayed it can also be worn on lifeguard duty. Divesuits come in many variations and styles. The collar can be a scooped neck varying up to a high turtle neck, sleeves can range from sleeveless to wrist length, and legs can range from mid-thigh to ankle length. Suit design basically depends on two things, 1) What are /you/ comfortable with? and 2) What does your climate require? Obviously, in colder climes a suit that covered more skin surface would be more useful, etc. For Dolphincrafters, your divesuit also serves as a means of identification. The suit can be any combination of colors, styles and panels as long as two basic principles are kept, 1) The colors are bold enough to be seen from a ship or out of the water and 2) the colors/designs are unique. The pattern you choose will help ship-bound Seacrafters as well as other Dolphincrafters identify you in the water. As with the swimsuit, the DolphinCraft emblem should be prominently displayed. For SeaCrafters a basic black divesuit is all that is required; panels in the craft's colors of sea blue and white are optional. Displaying the Sea Craft emblem is also strongly suggested but not required.

Belt Knife: All Ista Sea Hall residents should have a utility belt knife. For Dolphincraft it should be a double-edged, short blade in a well-oiled, waterproof sheath. Most divesuits and wetsuits will have loops for a belt to be worn on which the belt knife can be clipped. SeaCrafters can carry a regular utility knife in a leather sheath for the purposes of cutting rope, etc.

Chapter 5: Equipment: Advanced
Dolphineer Jacket: This is an article of clothing given to Dolphineers on partnering. It is a rank symbol and is your basic lightweight leather jacket decorated with the Dolphin Craft symbol stitched on the back in the craft's and diver's colors. Receiving this jacket signifies your shift from Dolphincrafter to full-fledged, partnered Dolphineer.

Dolphincrafters Pack: For expeditions longer then a couple of hours it is necessary for Dolphincrafters to carry a small waterproof pack that contains at the very least--fresh water. Again this item can be created as either a wearable object, clothing, or rucksack or its use can be rped. It all depends on your quota and how you want to use it. For longer mapping expeditions the pack is essential to carry the equipment needed for the trip.

Wetsuit: For information regarding aquiring, use, and design of wetsuits please refer to chapter 9.

Lead Weights: Once the basic technique of using weights is learned, Sr. Apprentices and Jmen can use sealed pouches attached to their utility belt that contain lead weights of various sizes. This becomes /especially/ important with the new wetsuits as these suits tend to be more bouyant and require added weight to maintain depth. In emergencies, the belt would be quickly removed allowing the Dolphincrafter to rise to the surface; retrieval of the belt then falls to one of the dolphins.

Chapter 6: Equipment: Wetsuits
The wet suit is designed on the basic principle that water can be allowed next to and held against the divers skin where it will be heated by the insulation of the suit as well as the diver's body heat. Once warmed, the water will aid in keeping the diver warm.

Design: The basic design is long-legged with attached shoes, long sleeved, lacings up the middle of the back with a high-necked collar keeping the throat of the diver protected and warm. Loops at the waist, gloves, and divers colors will be optional although recommended. The suit consists of three layers (/thin/ layers): The outer layer is Celanese--for protection and durability as well as helping the suit keep its form and shape. The middle layer is a thinlayer of 30% wool/70% flax--serves as absorbency (flax) and insulation (flax/wool blend). The third layer is a sisal liner against the diver to keep the scratchy wool off the skin of the diver--it is also /very/ thin.

Basic Care: Two things to remember about the basic care of these suits: a) The suits must soak for a brief period /before/ any extended trip to allow initial water absorbancy into the lining. b) The suits must be thoroughly rinsed in fresh water after each use, turned wrong-side out, and dried thoroughly before storage.

Aquisition:True wetsuits are fairly costly: commisions are accepted for them only from a high ranked official ICly (OOCly, just rp being sent for one). Each Dolphineer is supplied with a change of three upon promotion and partnering: A small store is kept in the hall of various sizes, and use of them by non-dolphineers is limited and regulated by head of the Crafthall. Most issued items are 'divesuits'. Less insulating, and made purely of Celanese with a low-grade sisial lining.