San Diego, CA (DECEMBER 10, 2008) - In a rare sweep, broadcast coverage of DEMA's 2007 scuba certification trip for the Wounded Warriors, held at Captain Don's Habitat in Bonaire, won three regional Emmy Awards® during the presentation ceremonies held on Saturday, December 6, 2008.

For the Broadcast Program competition, in the "Human Interest - News" category, reporter Jay Cashmere and cameraman Tom Special from WPTV, NBC's West Palm Beach affiliate station, won an Emmy from among 9 nominees. Reporter Willard Shepard and cameraman John Lang from WTVJ, NBC's Miami affiliate station, won an Emmy in the "Feature News Report - Light Feature" category from among 10 nominees. Further, WPTV's Tom Special won an Emmy in the "Photographer - News" category in the Individual Achievement competition.

"We at DEMA are gratified that the Wounded Warriors and this wonderful event have been recognized. Both news teams demonstrated a level of professionalism and compassion for their subject matter that made their coverage most deserving of recognition," said Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA. "As certified divers themselves, both teams were able to report professionally on the event, but their empathy with the Warriors and their families was evident, as was their ability to understand the pure joy and freedom of learning to dive," concluded Ingram.

A number of entities came together to make the wounded veterans' trip to Bonaire to become certified scuba divers a reality. Bonaire provided participants and their families with complimentary accommodations, meals, vehicles, tours, a parade, dinner at the Governor's mansion and more. PADI provided the course material while dive gear was donated by Oceanic Worldwide, Henderson, Princeton Tec, XS Scuba and Scuba do Rag. Volunteers included DEMA's Big Wave Dave, his wife Carla, Tom Ingram, A-1 Scuba's Scott Taylor, HSA's Stewart Snyder III and Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports USA Project's Kathy Celo and Gregory Laffey.

Tom Ingram commented, "DEMA and the contributing DEMA members listed above are proud to be part of an event like this that provides us with a wonderful way to give something back to the service men and women who have risked their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and introduce them to an adventure sport like scuba diving that can help them maintain a healthy, active lifestyle."

To view WPTV's Emmy Award® winning broadcast coverage of the event, visit http://www.wptv.com/mediacenter/[email protected]=22. To view WTVJ's Emmy Award® winning broadcast coverage of the event, visit http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=160160.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, Technology & Engineering, and Business & Financial Reporting. Excellence in Primetime programming and international programming is recognized by its affiliate, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Regional Emmy® Awards are given in 19 regions across the United States including the annual Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards for television markets in the entire State of Florida, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles and New Orleans, Louisiana, Mobile, Alabama, Thomasville, Georgia and Puerto Rico. To view the full Suncoast Regional Emmy® Awards list of winners, visit the website at http://suncoast.emmyonline.org/emmy/2008Emmywinners.aspx.

DEMA, the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association, is an international organization dedicated to the promotion and growth of the recreational scuba diving and snorkeling industry. With more than 1,600 members, this non-profit, global organization promotes scuba diving through many initiatives including consumer awareness programs, media campaigns and sponsorship of DEMA Show, a trade event open only to companies doing business in the scuba diving, action water sports and adventure/dive travel industries. DEMA Show 2009 will take place November 4-7, 2009 in Orlando, FL. For more information on DEMA Show 2009, visit www.demashow.com. For more information on DEMA, call 858-616-6408 or visit www.dema.org. For more information on the Be A Diver campaign, visit www.beadiver.com.