All About Scuba Diving

How Does Nitrogen Narcosis Affect Scuba Divers?

2010-05-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

Breathing Nitrogen at the surface has no influence on the body, however, that changes when breathing it under pressure. At a depth of 30 meters/100 feet, nitrogen has a noticeable intoxicating effect, which is increasing if you go deeper.
Generally speaking, Nitrogen Narcosis has similar effects as alcohol and does affect each individual different. The Narcosis impairs the diver's coordination, judgment and reaction and can be crucial as it may create a false sense of security and can lead to foolish behavior. Th narcosis can also work the other way around for some divers and make them feel uncomfortable or anxious, which can lead to poor decisions and even panic.
The Narcosis affects also the same individual different from day to day, depending on the divers personal fitness, health or if he takes any kind of medicine. Under the influence of drugs or rest-alcohol, nitrogen narcosis can occur in shallower depth (hence the rule not to dive under the influence of drugs or alcohol).
Unlike Alcohol, Nitrogen Narcosis has no after-effect and diminishes when reaching shallower depth. Whenever you feel confused, uncoordinated or intoxicated, get your buddy's attention and ascend with him immediately to shallower depth. The Narcosis usually goes away quickly. If not, abort the dive and ascent with your buddy to the surface. If your buddy shows impaired or foolish behavior assist your buddy to reach shallower depth.
Nitrogen Narcosis is not harmful or dangerous itself, but creates a hazard by impairing the coordination and judgment a diver need to respond to problems if they occur and to prevent emergencies.
To avoid Nitrogen Narcosis, simply avoid deep dives. Make sure to dive with an experienced dive buddy and communicate with him frequently when planning dives into a depth where Nitrogen Narcosis can occur.

Maria has been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Her interests are outdoor activities. So come visit her latest website about wetsuits for kids that informs about styles and sizes to keep your kids safe and warm during wet outdoor activities.

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Spare-Part Kit For Scuba Diving

2010-05-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

Nothing is more frustrating as missing a day of diving because something insane like breaking a mask-strap and having no replacement. A small spare-Part Kit isn't expensive and doesn't take a lot of space in your equipment bag but you minimize the probability of missing out on dives due to minor equipment problems like a broken Mask-strap.
Make your spare-kit by collecting the sundries that are most likely to wear out and break at the worst time. Store them together with a view tools in a moisture proof container in your equipment box or bag. Here a list for you to get you started:
1.) Fin straps - Have a pair of them, if one breaks, the other one is usually not far behind. If you carry two fin straps you should replace them at the same time.
2.) Mask strap - Carry a "fabric/Velcro" type in your spare kit. Those are "universal" and fit virtually all masks.
3.) O-Rings - carry some different types of O-Rings on a key-ring, better a carabiner, so you won't lose them, don't squeeze the O-Ring (like it can happen with a Key ring) and have fast and easy access.
4.) Silicone lubricant - Silicon grease is better than spray. Use the grease very sparingly. A small container will probably last you your whole diving career or until you lose it.
5.) Pliers - Better a plier-tool like a Leatherman or similar
6.) Adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, hex-keys
With gaining experience you might add items to your scuba diving spare kit. If you have more space in your spare box, add some motion sickness medication, sunscreen (well sealed in a separate plastic bag) and some band-aid to it. Those are no spare-parts but very useful and you really don't want to be without them, even your dive-operator should have a first-aid kit always with his group.
Carrying those items with you is saving you and your dive buddy from the disappointment of a canceled dive. Control them frequently to insure all parts are in good and usable status.

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Guidelines to Avoid Potential Problems With Aquatic Life

2010-05-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

Nearly all problems and injuries caused by aquatic life (animals or plants) are caused by carelessness of the diver and are generally a defensive reaction. It does not need a lot scientific knowledge to avoid potential problems. Even injuries that may appear aggressive like eels, sea snakes or stingrays, actually results from frightening the animal and force them to defend their territory.
Following basic procedures and behavior under water helps you to avoid most problems when interacting with Aquatic Life.
1.) Treat plants and animals with respect and do not tease or disturb them by purpose
2.) Be extremely cautious in water with bad visibility where you put your hands and what you touch. Fish and other animals deal with the same bad visibility and may take you for prey.
3.) Avoid shining, dangling jewelry as theses can reassemble small prey or bait fish and might get the interest of other animals.
4.) Avoid touching any kind of Aquatic Life if you don't know what it is. Best solution: Don't touch anything!
5.) Stay clear of the bottom and maintain neutral buoyancy.
6.) Move careful and slow under water and watch where you are going, where you put your hands, knees and fins when you need to kneel down or hold on to something.
7.) Wear an exposure suite and gloves (not allowed in some areas). For warm water a thin dive-skin is also recommended as it protects the skin from stinging microscopic animals which can't be seen under water like some jellyfish or specific stinging plankton.
8.) Avoid contact with unknown animals and observe their behavior when approaching.
Very view aquatic animals are considered aggressive and it is actually very rare that diver get attacked by them. The reputation of some bloodthirsty animals like the Orca (wrongly called killer whale) results from inaccurate and distorted reports. Orcas would have the capacity to harm humans, but there is no single documented case of an Orca ever attacking a scuba diver and the majority of incidents between divers and sharks involve spear fishing or fish feeding, where the wounded fish or the bait stimulates the sharks feeding behavior.

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A Common Sense Guide to Buying Snorkel Equipment

2010-05-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Modern man still has that urge to "Go where no man has gone before." One frontier still untamed by man but easier to reach than the stars is the deep blue Sea. Man has figured a way to survive the depths and do a little exploring of this uncharted underwater world. Take your underwater camera or underwater camcorder with you to document this wondrous experience to share with your friends and loved ones. This is a common sense guide to help you purchase the proper equipment. Do not cheat yourself by purchasing low quality diving equipment this equipment is not only to make your underwater world more pleasurable it is for your safety as well.
Snorkeling - also known as "Free Divers" because they do not depend on clunky scuba gear to do this dive. I think they should be called "relativity free Divers" because the equipment is less expensive than scuba diving but not quite free. It is limited to close to shore diving or shallow water because visibility to the bottom is your goal underwater; the more water between you and your subject the less clarity. You will see there is very little equipment needed. This is a great workout sport it uses almost every muscle in the body and conditions the lungs as well. As it is with all strenuous activities you should be checked by your physician before attempting this sport. Being a powerful swimmer is not required just floating along with the fish is all you really need.The resistance of the water on your body causes more calorie burn off than a jog on land and is easier on the joints. Though professional instruction is not really necessary for this underwater sport I suggest you read books or do some research before attempting. Just goof around in a swimming pool first to get the hang of breathing through the snorkel. Never, Never, Never go alone if you do not have another partner to dive with make sure to have a buddy waiting on land in case of an emergency situation.
THE MASK - the mask is very important it is your window to your underwater world. You want a crystal clear view free of flaws. Make sure the glass is tempered it should say so somewhere around the rim a cheap plastic face plate can become scratched when you toss it into your sandy beach bag this will cause a foggy view like looking out of a dirty window. You may have saved a couple bucks but the view is the reason for the dive right? Speaking of the view those of us who wear glasses or contact lenses have a little caution here. The arms of the glasses will not fit comfortably under the mask strap and wearing contacts you run the risk of your mask flooding and washing out your contacts. Some dive shops carry masks with pre-ground lenses that may help you or if you plan on really getting into this sport you can have the lenses special ground with your prescription to be bonded into the mask you have chosen. Beside the view the mask also encloses your nose which helps to maintain a comfortable pressure while underwater. Not to mention keeping the ocean water out of your nose. Try it on make sure it is a good fit but not too tight ask the salesperson for advice.
THE SNORKEL - There are several designs, some have funny twist others are designed to follow the contours of your head and then bend opposite of your head so you are not giving yourself a "water torture" every time you expel water from the tube. The hard rubber mouth piece is special fitted so that it sits comfortably between clenched teeth. People with braces may need to speak with their orthodontist before they dive. Pressure from the hard rubber can cause irritation and bleeding of the gums even to those that do not wear braces. The tube of the snorkel has caused some conflict between divers, which is better the large bore which is known to make breathing easier but poor air quality because the expelled air hangs out inside the tube taking up space or the small bore which is harder to get a big gulp of air from but it has better quality oxygen levels because expelled air has no place to hang out. So you choose easier breathing/less oxygen or better oxygen quality/ harder to get a good gulp of air. This is a tough call for me.
THE SWIM FINS - Swim fins can also be purchased although not necessary if you just want to hang out in the calm shallow waters. The more adventuress part of you may not be satisfied staying in the shallow therefore you will need the fins because they do help boost the diver's control, speed and power immensely and assist the diver to go deeper. Fins come in two types the slip on (like slippers) or the suggested adjustable strap fin. The adjustable strap comes in three fin sizes small, medium and large you need to know the larger the fin the more water resistance, the more muscles used to propel you in the water. If you are a small framed person or not very athletic I would suggest you start with the small or medium fin. Neoprene booties are almost always worn with fins to keep the feet warm and comfortable they also prevent blisters.
THE UNDERWATER DIGITAL CAMERA - This is optional but I think you will live to regret it if you do not take one with you on this meaningful occasion when man tests the unexplored world beneath the Sea.
As you can see there is really not much expense incurred with snorkeling after trying it out if you fall in love with the sport or you want to swim in colder waters you will need to invest in a wetsuit and other accessories such as a nylon mesh bag to collect all of you found treasures, a buoyancy compensator and gloves. Have a wonderful safe time but always respect you underwater environment. As they say "Pack it in - Pack it out"

Claire Capes http://www.extremeelementscameras.com is a devoted Grandmother who loves to get her Grandchildren into soggy situations. She got the idea of underwater cameras and water proof Cameras by forgetting her digital camera on the picnic table when camping, an overnight rain shower hit and the camera never worked the same again. On a trip to Niagara Falls concern over the mist from the falls prevented some really good photo opportunities. After much research Claire and Her Sister decided to start an Extreme Elements Camera business so not to miss any more great shots because of cold or wet or even accidental drops. Stop by and visit http://www.extremeelementscameras.com we have done all the hard work of finding the best underwater or water proof camera for you so you can "Capture Your Memories in All-Weather"

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Diving in Indonesia

2010-05-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

Indonesia is the place to be if you want to go scuba diving. The place boasts of being one of the top scuba diving destinations in the whole world. The reason behind this is that it has around 20 percent of the worlds coral reefs nestled deep within its waters. Indonesia is made up of many islands, with the number reaching to 13,000 that are both occupied and deserted. It also boasts of the longest coastline of a country in comparison to the whole world. Having said this, it is only natural that to get the maximum scuba diving experience, you will have to pay Indonesia a visit.
If you choose Indonesia as your scuba diving destination, you will be able to witness more than 3,000 types of fishes and 450 species of corals. Whether you are a casual diver or you do this for a living, you will find that scuba diving in Indonesia will give you one of the best experiences you can ever get. The volcanic underwater mountains and the macro life will take your breath away. There are nearly a thousand scuba diving sites scattered around the shores which gives you plenty of areas to explore.
There are two most notable diving destinations in Indonesia. These are the Komodo and Bali.
Komodo - This island has made it through so many features and is considered a wonder even explored in movies. This is a place of great diversity. Diving in Komodo will bring you face to face with so many kinds of coral reefs of different colors and sizes. The shallow reefs are filled with marine life. If you are lucky or unlucky, depending on how you see it, you might even sport a shark or two. Other sea life that you may see includes sunfish, clown frog fish, eagle rays, colourful sponges and blue-ringed octopus.
Bali - considered to be one of the most beautiful summer destinations in the whole world, Bali is as popular as a diving destination as much as it is popular as a beach destination. Shore-based diving is extremely popular in Bali, if you are the more adventurous type. Should you choose Bali, you will be delighted to find out that there are a lot of vertical drop-offs, coral ridges, sea grass beds and one of the worlds prized wrecks.
Scuba diving in Bali is available all year round but if you want to get the special treatment, the best time to go diving in Bali is around April through December. The thing is, if it is raining, you would not be able to see as much underwater. However if you want to see certain marine life like sunfish or sharks then your best bet would be to go from June to September.
Diving in Indonesia cannot be matched by any other destination. The diversity and beauty of Indonesia paired with the unbelievably abundant choices for drop-offs, scuba diving in Indonesia will be an experience you will never forget.

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Scuba Diving Tanks

2010-05-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

Whatever your purpose is in scuba diving, whether you are doing it casually, for the first time, professionally or even if this is your job, scuba tanks are the most important gear in your diving experience. There was a time that divers did not have a breathing apparatus underwater. This made diving a shallow experience and it prohibited people from fully exploring the ocean and making groundbreaking discoveries in the world of marine biology.
It is remarkable how far scuba diving has gone especially with the invention of scuba diving tanks. A diver without a scuba diving tank is like a fish out of water. He will not survive an hour under there or quite possibly, even for just a few minutes.
The role of scuba diving tanks has been clearly evident in industry revolutionizing events like offshore oil drilling. Exploration of the ocean will be impossible without scuba diving tanks. We would probably be set back a few centuries back had we not been able to explore the sea and its wonders for the past years.
You can breathe underwater for a long period of time, enough to do what you have set out to do underwater because of scuba tanks. While every single scuba tanks have the same purpose, they come in different shapes, sizes and other variety.
Scuba tanks give the diver his own source of air underwater. In recreational diving, the breathing gas is air. These scuba tanks can be short, fat or long and skinny which can hold different amounts of air. Usually a scuba tank has between 50 to 150 cu feet of compressed air. Although some smaller bottles can hold just as little as 25 cu feet of compressed air.
Make sure the scuba diving tank that you get fits your frame and for the type of diving that you are set out to do. Each tank is made for a different purpose so make sure you get that which is specifically for you. Diving tanks are either made out of steel or aluminium. The less expensive of the two choices would be the Aluminium variant. Even though it is less expensive, there are some disadvantages though.
Aluminium is softer than steel so it would most likely suffer damages earlier than its steel counterpart. Some dive shops refuse filling aluminium tanks that are too old because they might be held liable if an accident happens. Steel tanks are good for about 30 years or more than that. So it is a much wiser investment to go for steel tanks rather than aluminium ones.
Aside from the sturdy material, another safety measure you must not forget to do is inspections. Your diving tanks should undergo several types of regular inspections and should be tested every five years.
Diving is an exhilarating sport and is kind to beginners and exciting to veterans, but before setting out on your underwater adventure you have to be sure you have the best gear and the appropriate scuba diving tank. Sure you might have mastered scuba diving and are ready mentally for the adventure but it do not matter if you do not have air to go on while under there.

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Seniors Can Still Learn to Scuba Dive

2010-05-04T08:44:00.000-07:00

One of the most commonly asked questions about diving is that if senior citizens can still be able to learn how to dive. Well if you are an elderly person then you will still be able to go out and learn how to scuba dive with out any problems.
Safety is not an issue
Diving accidents happen because there are a lot of people that are not aware of the safety precautions needed before diving. The majority of all the accidents that happen during a dive is due to the fact that many people dive without proper certification r knowledge about the diving equipment that they use. Many people are so arrogant that they do not want to listen to their instructors. They are there for a reason so it is best if you heed your instructors advice. When you do this, it is sure that even seniors will be able to go out and enjoy the different things that diving has to offer.
It will make you face your fear of water
Another thing most seniors ask is what will happen when you are afraid of water? If this is the case then it is alright since diving under water will allow you to go out and face your fear of the water. Once you feel the difference when you are underwater and when you are acclimated to the fat that you an breathe normally when you are underwater, there will be no problems then.
Technology will help you
Technology also plays a big par when you go out and dive. It is not like several years ago when it is very complicated when you want to go out and learn about the different equipments used in diving. Today technology is easy to handle and that you will be able to go out and handle this even if you are already advanced in age.
It is good exercise
On the plus side, there are also benefits when the elderly want to scuba dive. One thing about diving is that it is an activity that will allow you to test the limits of your body. When you go out and dive, you will be able to work out your muscles as opposed to being sedentary.
Remember that age should not be a barrier that will hinder you when you want to enjoy scuba diving. It is safe and that you will e able to go out and enjoy yourself as well as get the different benefits that it offers.

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April Scuba Diving Considerations For Cold Water Quarries

2010-05-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

When thoughts turn to scuba diving they normally dwell on coral reefs, multi-colored fish, and deep blue tropical waters.
And a heavy, longing sigh normally accompanies those thoughts.
Blue water isn't always readily accessible to divers who live in the mid-west, which accounts for a majority of those sighs of course. It's kinda tough to get away from the job for a scuba visit to the ocean sometimes.
But that desire to get wet is always with us, isn't it? From the first time we strap a tank on our back, and slap a mask over our eyes, we're already looking forward to our next dive outing as soon as our fins leave the water.
Many of us are addicted to diving, and we dread the possibility of our scuba skills seeking stagnation.
Ah, but we have our quarries - those rock-walled pits of cold water where we gather on weekends to talk about our most memorable diving adventures, and to immerse ourselves in that anti-gravity experience we call scuba.
Quarry diving only satisfies our basic cravings though. It's much different than diving in warm, clear water where you see for 50-feet in all directions, and your dive-buddy only needs wave a hand to get your attention.
Diving conditions on Sunday, 25 April 2009 brought those differences noisily to mind.
The day was beautiful with sunshine and temperatures above 80. I started sweating soon as I put my wet suit on. For a few moments I considered diving in only the shorty, and leaving the pants, hood, and gloves packed away. I didn't, and later was happy for that decision when I realized that my dive length would be shorter without that extra gear.
The water temperature at the surface dropped the thermometer to 63-degrees real quick, which wasn't so bad. That was still warm enough that I didn't feel cold, and it even made me more comfortable than I was in the air, sweating with the suit on.
I descended slowly to 20-feet and hovered for a moment letting the thermometer adjust, and getting a new temperature reading. At that depth I recorded 48-degrees.
This particular quarry doesn't get deeper than 23-feet except for one small hole that I once registered 25-foot in. For this dive my maximum depth was 22-feet.
When you're quarry diving you experience some extreme swings in visibility, depending on the time of year, weather activity, and the number of divers in the water.
Sediment from decaying plant life, and other runoff, layers the bottom of the quarry, and is rather thick in this particular dive spot.
Rain sets the sediment into motion and clouds the water, lowering visibility. Divers kick the sediment up when their fins create turbulence, sending clouds of muck flowing upward from the bottom.
This day a couple of visitors to the campground that adjoins this quarry were cruising around in a paddleboat, which stirred some sediment into motion also.
Because of all this activity the visibility, when there actually was visibility, reached no further than a foot-and-a-half.
Quarry diving is often solo diving because of the cloudiness of the water. Much of the time if you see your dive partner, you're bumping into him or tangling fins, which is usually your only indication that anyone is there.
No, visibility isn't always great, and if you feel nervous about diving alone maybe quarry diving isn't the most preferable activity. Still, if I can't make the trip to blue water, any time I have a chance to get wet, I jump in. It doesn't completely satisfy my addiction, but it helps.
I did see a couple of fish this day, but most of the dive I spent exploring gaps in the rocks, investigating mud.

Joe Jackson is a PADI certified dive master who just enjoys being wet. His eBook, "How To Enjoy - Little Tweaks That Make Your Air Last - And 13 Breathing Techniques To Help You Become An Air Sipper...Not An Air Guzzler!" offers methods for conserving air, and making every dive last longer.
Get more details at: Sip Your Air.
At Scuba Diving Underwater, you'll find scuba articles, books, dive gear, and diving accessories to magnify your scuba diving pleasures.

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Do Your Scuba Diving Habits Change With Age?

2010-05-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

Think back to the type of scuba diving you did during your early years of certification. How do those activities compare to diving habits you have today?
Looking through my dive log recently, I noticed that I dove year-round in my younger years of scuba diving. Depending on where you are perhaps you think diving 12-months a year is standard operating procedure.
But I live in Indiana, and the water here gets cold beginning in November, and it doesn't warm noticeably until late May or early June.
We either dive in cold water during those winter months - or we head south. And a person pursuing a career doesn't have much vacation opportunity for too many scuba trips to warmer waters.
The coldest dive I found in my logbook happened on a December day in a stone quarry at Hidden Paradise Campground, located just outside the town of St. Paul, Indiana. That particular pond doesn't get deeper than thirty feet, but the rock walls pull the water temperature downward in cold weather months.
The date of this dive was December 17, 1995, and one part of my log entry reaches out at my eyes just like highlighted words (they aren't). It's just a small statement, and it says, "Fingers got cold."
Around here the water normally keeps its warmth until mid-November, and cools quickly after that. That never bothered me until recently, but these days I shy away from diving after October.
My scuba club is nearing 50-years of existence, and when I joined, the club held a local dive every month, 12-months a year. The last few years diving scheduled for December, January, and February just went away. Most of the members are old enough now that jumping into cold water doesn't hold much appeal for them.
This year our March dive joins the list of "it ain't happening."
I don't mourn the loss of a March quarry dive. I too feel the cold penetrating deeper than I'm comfortable with when I jump into water that, though not at freezing temperature, is cold enough to set my upper and lower teeth slamming at each other almost hard enough to make me spit enamel chips.
I much prefer warm blue water diving these days.
That December dive presented me with the coldest water temperature I recorded on a dive. My maximum depth was 20-feet, and I dove in 37-degree water temperature at that depth. The temperature at the surface was the same, and back then I suffered more going into the water than I did staying in.
Coming out of the water I near ran to the campfire one of the members had blazing for warmth.
I never braved a January dive, which always involved cutting a hole in the ice, and I don't see any entries in my logbook for February, but once (for a few years) I dove 10-months a year in the cold waters of Indiana, and nearby states.
As I look back on those diving activities I wonder how I made those cold dives. Nobody ever accused me of having much sanity.
Now if I think about diving between October and March my thoughts include tropical islands. I never made a dive I didn't truly enjoy, but the pleasure doesn't start until after I'm wet and deep. And each winter I find it harder to strap on the scuba gear, and drag myself to the cold water's edge.
Interesting how our scuba habits change over the years.

Joe Jackson is a PADI certified dive master who just enjoys being wet. His eBook, Little Tweaks That Make Your Air Last - 13 Breathing Techniques To Become An Air Sipper." offers methods for conserving air.
Get details at: Sip Your Air.
Visit Scuba Diving Underwater, for scuba articles, books, and diving accessories.

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The Scuba Diving Flippers

2010-05-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

One of the most underrated piece of equipment in scuba diving is the flippers or fins. This plain looking piece of equipment's main function is to make sure that you can move under the water without exerting too much efforts. A strong flippers or fins is important in terms of getting yourself out of potential life threatening situation, such as when times you need to resurface faster. Without a proper fins, it is difficult to truly enjoy the joy that scuba diving can offers to divers.
One of the most important thing with your fins is that you have to make sure it fits your perfectly, to ensure that it does not come off once you're in the water. Although you've probably learn how to retrieve your fins and wear them in the water, you generally do not want it to happen because it can be very difficult and time consuming doing that.
Scuba fins and flippers are generally very flat as well as wide, the reason for this is it allows you to cut through the water without too much effort on your part. Typically, a scuba diver will not need to move their hands about underwater because they can easily move with their fins, not to mention the resistance if you're using your arms to move instead of only your legs.
Streamline is important in scuba diving, allowing you to conserve more energy and air. As such, more and more company are developing more advance fins that will supposedly do a few things for you underwater, such as saving your oxygen or needing less energy as compared to a less advance flippers.
If you've tried being underwater without flippers, you'll quickly understand why the fins are so important in scuba diving. You'll be expanding more energy without it and thus, consuming more oxygen in general. Diving should be a relax and enjoyable experience, and if you have to struggle just to keep yourself moving underwater, you should definitely take a look at whether you're using the correct size flippers or not.

The author is also currently working on his new websites on traditional leather sofas and traditional sofas.

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Rebreathers Are a Great Piece of Scuba Gear

2010-05-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

Self contained underwater breathing apparatus diving is a common leisurely activity in the 21st century. Hotspots for the specialized tourism abound throughout the world anywhere there is a sufficient intersection of accessibility, beauty, and water. One of the most common forms of scuba gear is the rebreather systems because their superiority in a variety of situations.
Before a full understanding of the supremacy of the systems can be understood, a technical understanding of the rebreather needs to be mapped. A rebreather works, simplistically, to recycle the air that you exhale, because it still has a high quantity of oxygen in it. On average, you only utilize one quarter of the oxygen that you inhale. With that understanding engineers set out to develop a method to recycle the air you exhale back into a rebreathable solution.
A simple rebreather system has a few universal parts. The first is the face mask. It provides the venue to breath in and out and connects your physiological system to the mechanical, light-weight system that is strapped onto you. The mask and linkage between you and your rebreather is called the loop. Gas sources are the next most obvious piece of equipment. Typically, you will need two sources. One tank of oxygen and another of breathable air or a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and various other gases at different percentages are required. Because of the potential for oxygen toxicity at depths greater than 10 feet, it is always recommended to utilize a gas mixture so that you will be breathing oxygen within a safe mixture range. If you're doing a deep dive you will need a mixture of nitrox or trimix in order to safely breathe the proper density of oxygen at depth. Pressure and mixture supply adjustments will be apparent on the system, and dive courses will teach you when to utilize those nozzle adjusters.
The next most important portion of the rebreather is the scrubber. This is a system of packed soda lime which removes excess carbon dioxide from your exhaled air. The scrubber is the sole portion of the rebreather which makes it a functioning item, and special attention must be given to this system, or else failure could occur. It must be tightly packed and sealed in order to function properly. A counterlung will also always be included. The purpose of the counterlung is to stabilize the pressure of the system, since the human lung is directly connected to the mechanical system. It holds excess air and buffers the pressure variation that occurs when you exhale/inhale by expanding/contracting in a countercyclical fashion to what your lungs are doing.
The last system, which is neglected by alpinists, is the bailout. Since the rebreather system recycles your oxygen supply, smaller tanks are required. However, if it fails, you will need a sufficient amount of a normal system in order to make it up to the surface from whatever depth you're swimming at, including decompression stages. Since the rebreather is an internalized system, you do not need to worry about decompressing, but the normal SCUBA system requires it, so a sufficient bailout will be capable of taking you from your maximum depth to the surface. Alpinists are hardcore divers who do not believe in the likelihood of a rebreather system failing, and so dive without the bailout.
The basic advantage of a rebreather is that it is lighter weight, and requires less gas than a typical SCUBA system. It is more versatile in protecting damageable environments. In ship dives, if you exhale oxygen within the ship, it will accelerate the rusting process. For military applications, the rebreather does not emit bubbles which can be seen on the surface, and in fact, it was a 1940s naval scientist that created the rebreather system. Lastly the system also prevents the user from being affect by decompression tables. The pros from this form of SCUBA gear typically outweigh the cons, although a major drawback is that it is more expensive than a simple tank and regulator.
When exploring the vast untouched reaches of the ocean, it is important that you have the proper gear so that your sightseeing trip is not cut short. Although expensive, the rebreather systems are worth the cost.

Jennifer R. Scott has been writing for over ten years on a broad range of topics. She has a background that includes such diverse areas as environmentalism, cooking, animal care, and technology. If you would like more information on scuba diving, please visit scuba gear, a supplier of great diving products

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What You Should Know Before Becoming a Commercial Diver

2010-05-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

Many people from around the world enjoy the underwater world, using scuba gear. They might explore sunken wrecks, photograph coral reefs, or even search a lake bottom for old bottles. Scuba diving offers a unique experience to its visitors. For a select group of individuals, called commercial divers, this underwater world is the place where they go to work.
Commercial diving is an exciting career that is both challenging and unique. Generally, scuba certification is not sufficient to qualify as a commercial diving candidate. Typically, one must attend a specialized program or school to become an accredited diver. These programs tend to vary in length and scope. In selecting a program, it is important to keep in mind that many companies will retrain its divers to follow a company's own protocols. As a result, it would be advantageous to chooses a school that gives hands on training in specialty areas of interest such as underwater welding or similar fields.
Due to the nature of the job, commercial diving is not for everybody. Here are a few things to consider before becoming a commercial diver. Divers work either offshore or inland. Offshore work usually involves spending months on an oil rig and may not be conducive to a family life. A benefit of offshore diving is that it provides can provide experience working with specialty equipment such as large ROVs that are less common inland.
Inland diving includes working in lakes, rivers, ponds, nuclear reactor pools, and other aquatic structures. An inland diver may experience a broad range of tasks and will need to be able to adapt to a variety of circumstances. Though inland divers are able to spend more time with their families, the nature of the work often requires a lot of travel.
To succeed as a commercial diver, one must possess strength, ingenuity, dexterity, the ability to work with ones hands, as well as the ability to work calmly in hazardous environments. Frequently, commercial divers must perform their tasks in low light, murky, low visibility water. As a result, divers must learn to rely on touch to navigate structures and accomplish tasks.
Due to the dangers involved with this line of work, divers can be well compensated for their time. Often, divers will receive depth pay, hazard pay, and other bonuses in addition to their hourly rates.

James Cross Jr. is an outdoor enthusiast that has grown up around the inland commercial diving industry. He has also created a list of commercial diving companies in the United States and Canada to serve as a resource for future divers and general contractors seeking to connect with commercial diving companies.

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Whats the Difference Between a Diving Watch and a Regular Watch

2010-05-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving is becoming one of the world's most popular and favorite sports, no matter your young or old, there is always a place or a dive spot for you to visit. Not only they can be extremely fun and magical, diving with your buddy can also help improve the relationship. Because diving in it's nature is not a competitive one, almost anyone can become a scuba diver.
Because of that, there are many equipment and gears that floods the marketplace, and one of the most important gadget out there one serious diver should own is the diving watch. If you've been diving for some time, you'll quickly realize the importance of this because as a diver, especially if you're only diving by yourself without a instructor, diving without this proper piece of equipment is equivalent to driving without your head lamps on at night!
Why is a diving watch different than any other watches you can find? Firstly, the watch is full water resistance, which means that it can resist the underwater pressure up to about 300feet, this is important because if you dive with any other non water resistance watch, it will literally crack under pressure!
Another distinguishable function of a diving watch is that it has adjustable bezel, which instead of showing you the time of the day, it shows you the exact amount of time you've been submerged, which is a live saver because prolong submerged in the water can have adverse and serious effects on your health.
The vast amount of selection of a diving watch can confuse you on which one to buy, if you have no idea which to buy, be sure to ask the sales representative of what it does and what other additional functions it has. Because buying a diving watch is often more expensive than a regular watch, you want to make sure you pick one that can suit your diving style, skills, needs and your personal taste.

Find more information on your diving needs here! Tusa fins, tusa mask and other diving gears!

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Scuba Diving Watches and Computers For Your Diving Needs

2010-05-04T06:59:00.000-07:00

Of late, many people have turned to scuba diving as a means to escape from their daily life and a chance to experience first hand what it feels like to be underwater. This is in part thanks to the coverage medias have on diving. Diving might be a fun sport, but bear in mind that proper equipments and facilities are needed in order to have a safe and enjoyable dive trip.
Sometimes divers tend to get carried away by the beauty and the serenity of the underwater world, and this is especially true for those divers who might have just been granted their license or diving without a proper instructor. They will be tempted to stay underwater for a prolong period of time and this can be dangerous because we were not meant to stay that long underwater, and thus using special diving gadgets such as the diving watches can not only save your life, they can also be extremely stylish as part of your gears, kind of makes you feel like a special agent underwater.
You can easily find various styles, designs, and different type of diving watches if you take a look around. Each enhanced with new features that marketing gimmicks will want to trick you into thinking that it is a must have! The truth is, diving watches are only really meant for a few functions, any other functions other than these can be considered as extra benefits, because owning a diving watch can be expensive, you want to make sure that you're getting your money's worth when purchasing one. This article will talk about a few of the must have function of a diving watch.

Depth - One of the most important function of a watch is to show you your exact depth in meters when diving, this is important as with certain diving license, you are only allowed to venture into certain depth. And that is for good reasons because improper or incomplete training can leave you in risky situation, sometimes which can lead to death.
Traveled time - Knowing the amount of time you've spent underwater can help you decide if it's time to resurface, as prolong period of underwater breathing can leave you with serious health conditions. Therefore your watch or computer should be able to track the time you've been underwater.
Decompression - Knowing your decompression limit can help you plan your next dive trip, therefore your dive watch or computer should show you accurate information about the decompression time from your previous dive to help you with more accurate planning of your next.
Pressure resistant - No good dive watch will do without having the ability to handle the underwater pressure, where we know can be 10 times more than the pressure you have on land. Therefore your watch or computer should be one that can resist the pressure and not crack.

You can also find other scuba diving gears here, particularly the Tusa fins and the Tusa mask which is very popular in the marketplace.

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Various Equipment in Scuba Diving

2010-05-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving is becoming more and more popular among the general population because it allows an unique way for you to connect with the nature and to disconnect from your daily life. The only two noises you can hear when you're submerged in the water is your own breathing, as well as any passing boat. This provides an excellent opportunity for you to rest and relax, while getting the much needed rest you desire in your life.
Although it is a popular sport, scuba diving is still considered as a dangerous sports if not done properly. There are many equipments involved and this article will talk about the various functions and used of each different gears.
Mask
The reason why you must use a mask underwater is so that you do not choke underwater. A scuba diving mask will help suck and seal the air within the mask area so that no water can go in. Also be sure to defog your mask with the appropriate tools before you submerge because a foggy mask can seriously ruin the dive!
Fins
Using fins underwater can help eases the effort you might normally take to move underwater without one. The scuba fins or flippers will therefore act as an extension of your legs, allowing you to move underwater more quickly because of the design of the fins. Finding a powerful fins that requires less work of you can also help you conserve oxygen when you're submerging!
Buoyancy Control Device
This is essentially a jacket that you wear when you're submerging, it allows you to hang your various accessories such as your knife, torch, and your back up regulator or mouth pieces. The buoyancy jacket's main function is to help keep your buoyancy in check so you do not bounce up and down underwater.
Regulators
Also known as the octopus, this is your main supply of oxygen. There are two regulator hose that are connected to the oxygen tank, one is your main whereas the other one will act as a back up for either you or your diving buddy should the need arises. The main thing to look out for when buying a regulator is how easy or difficult it is to breathe using it, because that is the main function and thus you'll want one that allows you to breathe very easily and do not give you the feeling like you're suffocating or struggling to breathe!

If you're looking to shop for your scuba diving gear, consider the Cressi fins and the Cressi bcd! Cressi sub is one of the main leader in the market due to their unparalleled quality that is second to none!

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10 Tips For Choosing an Immersion Suit

2010-05-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

If you need an immersion suit, then it's essential that you get the right one, and that it meets your needs, even though you'll hope that you never need it.
Here's what you should look for.
1. An immersion suit is mandatory in many jobs, such as those who travel on or across water, such as pilots, sailors, and those on fishing vessels, gas and oil rigs. You'll need to make sure that you have one that is going to be suitable for the type of conditions you're going to be in.
2. It's essential that your immersion suit is designed to increase the chances of you surviving in water. If you need to abandon a sinking vessel, or survive a plane crash then you'll want to reduce the risk of hyperthermia.
3. It's important that your survival suit has both internal and external buoyancy so that you can stay afloat for longer. You might be floating for several hours, and so you'll need all the help you can get.
4. Having additional insulation to keep you warm is a good idea. As well as staying afloat, you'll want to stay as warm as possible if you find yourself in the cold sea.
5. Your immersion suit needs to be a good fit, so that it gives you the support and protection you need in an emergency.
6. You'll want a suit that has have gloves, a hood and booties to keep your extremities warm. You don't want to lose the feeling in your hand or feet, and you don't want to risk your head going underwater.
7. It's a good idea to practice putting on your immersion suit in all conditions, and in the day and at night. You'll need to be able to put it on very quickly, and you can't afford to get it wrong when you need to wear it.
8. Even though you might never need to wear it, it's essential that your immersion suit is stored where it can be easily accessed. A bulky suit will offer more thermal protection and buoyancy, but might be harder to store.
9. Although it's highly unlikely you'll need to abandon a vessel, or need to wear your immersion suit in an emergency, you'll want to know that you've got the right one, and that you have the best chance of survival and being found.
10. Because you can't put a cost on a life, it's essential that you get the right immersion suit to meet your needs, and that is right for the industry you're in, and the environment that you're likely to find yourself in. You won't want to be in a life or death situation where you regret your choice of survival suit.
Now you know what to look for, and why it so important you get it right, you'll be able to buy the right immersion suit.

If you need an Immersion Suit you can't afford to get it wrong. You'll want to make sure that you have everything you need to increase your chances of staying alive if you end up in the water. Find out how Helly Hansen Workwear can help you get the right workwear and survival clothing you and your workers need. Whether you're looking for survival suits, work trousers or a High Visibility Jacket, you'll find all the workwear you need at HellyHansen-Workwear.com. Why not see what work clothing you need today?

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Try the Different Schools in Scuba Diving Training

2010-05-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It has been a developing sport and is slowly endearing itself to a lot of people. Not only is it a sport nowadays but it is now also a type of profession that you can go into. However, since it is now a profession, you need to be able to do it masterfully. This is because there are a lot of equipment that you need to go out and use as well as the environment that you need to be familiar with. So, you also need to be trained in the art of diving.
The schools that will give you training is plentiful. There are a lot of things that you can do and you need to go out and look at them personally. You must keep in mind that if you do not have proper training in scuba, you will have a hard time and even be harmed. Another thing that you need to keep in mind is that since scuba is now a world wide profession, you need to go out and find a school that is accredited by associations world wide. Doing this will enable you to go out and have an easier time in finding a job.
There are also different environments in which you will be able to train. The first place that you will gain training is on the classroom. Here you will be given different manuals for you to master and get familiar with. The next thing that you will be going through is to go out to is to train in the pool. Here you will be able to familiarize yourself with the water. The next place and last place of training is on open water where you will be able to show off the skills that you learned. The open water training can be done in different bodies of water.
These include the seas, lakes, oceans, or ponds. There are also equipment courses that let you specialize n certain scuba equipment. And there are also schools that allows you to go out and study on a limited budget.
There are many schools in which you can apply and go to. It is your choice which dive training organization you will go to. Also, know that the different organizations will be having different specializations and that you will need to choose the best one for you.

Visit us at LED dive light for the latest scuba diving shirts.

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When Scuba Diving in the Maldives

2010-05-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

If you are an avid scuba diver then you will go out and find the best scuba diving location out there. One of the best locations that you can go to is the Maldives. The Maldives is a collection of 7,000 islands and is stretched over 1,200 miles. It is located just below India and the best thing about it is that it is very sparsely inhabited.
Divers know that islands are sparsely inhabited is a great place to go to because there are a lot of places that are not touched or contaminated by human hands. This means that you can enjoy nature at its best. Here are some of the things that you can do when scuba diving in the Maldives:
Discover the under water islands
Many tourists also make the mistake of knowing that the Maldives only has a few islands under its belt. This is because many of the islands that comprise Maldives is under water. These islands are under sea level and they can be enjoyed only when you go out and scuba dive
Discover the uninhabited islands and locations
There are plenty of uninhabited islands that you can go out and discover. The best places to go out and explore are the places that are uninhabited because it is very mysterious and you can be very adventurous for you. The different things that you can do and the untold mysteries that you can discover are plenty. Not only that but you can go out use a boat to access many of these places.
Visit the different tourist sites
There are plenty of tourist sites that you an go out and discover when you are in the Maldives. Here is a quick run down of where you can do and what you can do in these places:
Victor Wreck - there are many beautiful marine species that you can see in this place. This is because the place is very deep and you can reach up to 115 feet below see level. At that depth, this location is recommended only for very experienced divers.
Banana Reef - the name of this reef comes from the shape that it has. One of the best features of this location is that it can cater to what ever diving level that you are in. If you are a beginner then you can go out and try the upper part of the reef. On the other hand, if you want to have a diving challenge then you may want to try out the western side of the reef. It can go up to 100 feet below so be careful. Another great thing about this reef is that it is home to plenty of marine species in the ocean.

Visit us at underwater dive lights for the latest scuba diving clothing.

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How to Find Used Scuba Diving Gear

2010-05-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

Buying used scuba diving gear is one of the latest trends today. Since buying brand new gear is pretty expensive, buying used scuba diving gear is one thing that you need to go out and do. Used scuba diving gears are scuba gears that belonged to another person before. You can find these things in different places like the classified ads commonly seen in papers and magazines.

Other places where you can obtain scuba diving gear is when you go out and find retailers that will sell them to you at a cheap price. You can even try out and bargain with them for them to give you the best cost available. You can get your scuba gear that is lower in price. However, it does not mean that a cheaper priced scuba gear is lower in quality than other gears. It only means that it has been used before but the same high quality remains.

However, if you are in search of scuba gears, you need to know the ins and outs of the equipment that you are using or buying. This is because you need to go out and buy the product that you have confidence in and that you know how to manipulate well.

Only suits are the scuba equipment that is unsafe to use again. However, other materials like the gauges and the even the regulators are safe to use and reuse. You only need to go out and make sure that they are working and that they perform up to the standards that you want.

The places where in you can order scuba gear are plenty. You can go out and order online and you even can go out and order on the different scuba diving shops that are abound. Just remember to make sure that you know what you are doing.

Visit us at LED dive light for the latest scuba diving shirts.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Hemmings

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Scuba Diving Belize - Ambergris Cayes Top 5 Dive Sites

2010-05-04T05:29:00.000-07:00

Ambergris Caye located in Belize offers some amazing diving and has more than 40 dive sites for you to dive when you visit Belize.

I recently held a poll for divers to vote which of the dive sites off Ambergris Caye were the most enjoyable for the majority of divers and the following are the results of this poll.

Coming in at Number 5 is:

Pillar Corals Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Pillar Corals is located in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve which is a 7.5 square mile reserve located on the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. Average depth of this dive is 50-75ft and you are going down to see the cool Pillar Corals some standing 10ft tall. The site has a healthy array of marine life and lots of healthy Coral and is suitable for all divers.

Experience required: novice
Depth: 60-70ft
Location: South Ambergris Caye
Type of Dive: Boat

In at number 4 is :

Esmeralda Canyons

Located just a few minutes from San Pedro Ambergris Caye, is Esmeralda Canyons. This dive site offers a large abundance of fish life including a resident Moray and lots of tropical fish. The corals are abundant and generally the visibility is very good. Average depth of this site is 50-75ft and suitable for all levels of diver.

Experience required: novice
Depth: 60-80ft
Location: South Ambergris Caye
Type of Dive: Boat

Number 3:

Tackle Box

Tackle Box is located just 5 minutes from shore and is located directly in front of the Tackle box bar. This site is an excellent marine life dive with lots of Groupers, Nurse Sharks and lots of fish. Corals are healthy and this site also offers nice canyons and tunnels. Tackle Box is considered one of the best of Ambergris Caye. Average depth is 60-80ft.

Experience required: novice
Depth: 60-70ft
Location: In front San Pedro Ambergris Caye
Type of Dive: Boat

Number 2:

Cyprus Gardens

One of my favorite dives on the island, Cyprus Gardens is located in the Marine reserve and starts off in just 40ft of water averaging out to 60ft more if you head into the canyons.

The site is full of life such as big Groupers lots of shoals of fish, Nurse Sharks and the odd pelagic that swim by. This dive site was voted the 2nd best dive on Ambergris Caye and can be combined with the #1 top dive site on a day's diving since both are located in the Marine Reserve.

Experience required: novice
Depth: 40-70ft
Location: South Ambergris Caye
Type of Dive: Boat

And in at #1 Voted the Very Best Dive on Ambergris Caye Belize

Eagle Ray Canyons VOTED the #1 Best Dive on Ambergris Caye

This site is known for regular sightings of spotted Eagle Rays. I dove this spot with some friends from Rodale's Magazine. Steve, one of the dive masters, was guiding the dive and during his briefing guaranteed that we were going to see Eagle Rays, and was quite adamant about it. I asked him if he was sure because we now had some excited divers aboard who were expecting to see Eagle Rays and they would be disappointed if they didn't. Steve assured me and down we went, sure enough after 15 minutes we saw our first 3 Eagle Rays, 5 minutes later we saw an additional 5 a lot closer this time. In addition to the Eagle Rays, lots of coral formations, spur and groove formation and the usual congregation of juveniles.

This is a Marine Reserve so nothing may be touched or taken, we ask that you are careful with your fins and avoid accidentally touching the reef.

Experience required: Novice/Intermediate
Depth: 60-80ft
Location: South Ambergris Caye
Type of Dive: Boat

So there you have the Ambergris Caye's TOP 5 Dive sites and now you can request these dive sites when you visit the island.

There are so many other excellent sites in addition to these 5, and I was quite surprised that more northern sites were not picked such as M&M Caverns or Happy Hours Reef or Palmero canyons etc. I determined that the reason was that not as many divers get the opportunity to dive North Ambergris because it's further away from town and they are suggested less because of the fuel cost to get there. Let's face it if I can keep you happy with the closest dive sites why suggest sites further afield.

Be sure to add at least a day's diving north of town to get a complete feel of the diving off Ambergris Caye Belize.

This article may be reposted and published but the Authors name and website must remain with the article

Gaz Cooper
http://www.DiveBelize.com
The Compete Guide to Diving Belize

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Is Catherine Zeta-Jones Being Daft Or is Scuba Diving Really Dangerous?

2010-05-04T05:14:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help but notice a curious item in the "celebrities talking crap" section of the news this week. Some Hollywood actress named Catherine Zeta-Jones stated emphatically that she refused to follow her husband (some 1970s cop show star) scuba diving. Reason cited was that she was afraid of what might be lurking below in the waters. She said she admired her husband for his bravery in pursuing his pastime.

If it's so dangerous, why would someone let her near and dear one go scuba diving? Unless of course you're happy to have them risk life and limb. Imagine the conversation at the Saturday morning breakfast table "Hey, I think you're so brave for teaching yourself bungee jumping" or "I really admire your gusto in going landmine sweeping with home-made equipment... by the way, have you updated our life insurance policies?"

Seriously though, how "dangerous" is scuba diving?

Of course there are some risks

All activities have some risks. Only a foolish person would think they could strap a tank of compressed air on their back, jump in underwater without the necessary precautions and training be fine. You need to be in good physical and mental health to participate in diving.

According to a 2006 report on diving fatalities by the Divers Alert Network, there are strong contributors to diving-related deaths such as obesity, age and errors in judgment. The initial triggering event that began the sequence leading to death was most often insufficient gas (14 per cent), followed by rough seas and strong current (10 per cent), heart disease (9 per cent), entrapment (9 per cent), and equipment problems (8 per cent). The equipment problems may have been procedural or hardware related. The triggering event could not be established for 20 per cent of the cases.

Scuba diving is as dangerous as you make it

Accidents can almost always be attributed to human error - or to a series of errors. Life is about risk management and in scuba diving, reducing risks require:

* Training - to dive safely, and further/continued training to deal with problems and accidents

* Experience - for improving judgment and increasing confidence

* Good judgment - diving within your ability and comfort level

Diving is equipment intensive

As humans can't breathe underwater, we rely a great deal on the equipment. Divers must:

* Maintain their equipment properly - having it serviced professionally when required

* Be familiar with their equipment. This means knowing how it works and how to best deal with emergencies.

Creatures lurking below?

Yes there are dangerous creatures. The Titan Triggerfish has given me great fright on many occasions but it's the Cleaner Wrasse that has been my nemesis. But ask people who haven't ventured below and they'll say they are petrified of incredible sounding creatures such as the Megalodon Shark and the Giant Octopus.

It's quite baffling to hear people STILL cite Jaws (the film is 35 years old!) as a reason for their fear of entering the water. That fish was one influential rubber shark to have had such an enduring effect on popular culture and the collective psyche of would-be ocean goers. The tragic side of the Jaws hysteria has been the anti-shark sentiment that contributed to the needless destruction of many sharks.

Lets put things in perspective. Very few people are eaten by sharks. A holiday-maker to the warm climates might want to spend more time ensuring their vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis are taken care of. More than a million people die from malaria every year and thousands of tourists are stricken down with a variety of serious illnesses while travelling.

We can conclude that most healthy people with good judgment can dive safely and enjoy themselves. As for the fear of rubber sharks and giant tentacles, some people need excuses and drama.

If you found this useful, please see Sea Forever, a website dedicated to oceans and green living at http://www.sustainablewaters.com

Lou Kawakami is a consultant with a keen interest in the oceans and environmentally-friendly living. She has an extensive background in marketing, education and social policy. In addition, she is a scuba diving instructor who has travelled a bit.

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Thresher Shark Diving in Malapascua

2010-05-04T04:59:00.000-07:00

Malapascua Island has something for all divers, so come and dive the best kept secret of the Philippines - indeed of South East Asia. The Philippines is what Thailand was a couple decades ago but with much better diving and without the crowds. So make your next scuba diving trip to Malapascua Island. Malapascua diving offers the only daily thresher shark sightings in the world, whitetip sharks, mantas, hammerheads (seasonal), wrecks, mandarin fish, countless nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, cuttlefish, beautiful unspoiled coral gardens and a huge diversity of marine life.

Malapascua would likely have remained unknown outside of a extremely small collection of pioneer divers, if it hadn't been for some German photographers plus writers linked with leading German scuba magazines, who came along later on and told the story. After this, divers without doubt started coming to Malapascua, resulting in a few dive operators opening shops and resorts. The word further spread, when the late Steve Irwin came along and did a nature documentary on the thresher sharks at Monad Shoal. That perhaps was what really opened people's eyes to the beauty of the shy, silvery and bigeyed sharks.

Thresher sharks on the whole live in bottomless water and are nocturnal (night creatures), so are not often observed by divers. Although they are seen occasionally in other areas around the world, we know of nowhere else they can be seen so frequently. They have very small, sharp teeth and very big eyes to see in the dark. They eat squid and schooling fish such as herring and mackerel and it is thought that they use their tails to "corral" the fish into denser schools. The tail may also be used to stun the fish. They will sometimes "breach" and can jump completely out of the water.

The thresher sharks are not dangerous to humans and will swim over the side of the shoal if startled. Threshers like to circle, sometimes in twos and threes, so if we see a shark as it is swimming away, it is likely the shark(s) will soon come back into view. On dives, divers move slowly and stop and wait when sharks are sighted. If divers stay motionless and make no rapid movements, sometimes the sharks can approach so close you could almost touch them. Divers should never swim after the sharks or use camera strobes as this will scare them away.

It is rare to have a day when no sharks have been sighted at Monad Shoal. Thresher sightings fluctuate each year, so it hard to predict the top month. Traditionally the best months are July-October and the January-February are not so good.

Sadly, like most other shark species around the world, the number of thresher sharks in the world is declining due to over fishing for their fins and meat. Monad Shoal in Malapascua has recently been made a maritime park to help guard these creatures.

Spring Time is Here, Time to Check Your Gear

2010-05-04T04:44:00.000-07:00

For all but the hardiest of divers our gear has had a long winter break. Now is the time, to spend a few minutes getting your gear ready, to avoid problems during the upcoming dive season. First let's "make a diver". Lay all your gear out as if you were making a diver on your floor, this will avoid the problem of missing any piece of gear and allow you to check off those pieces of gear that might need work.

Working from the top down start with your mask, we'll do all the wet or dry suit pieces together. Start on the front, is the glass chipped anywhere, how about the frame? Work back to the skirt, discoloration is ok but is the skirt torn or terribly deformed. Now the strap, don't forget to look at the buckles.

Look at your regulator. Pull back the hose guards on the hoses. This is a great place for mildew to build up. Do the hoses look frayed where the crimp meets the hose? Look at the filter is there any discoloration on the filter? Make sure the dust cap is firmly in place and try to inhale from the second stages, there should be a good vacuum, if not check the exhaust valves.. While you're here look at the mouth pieces. How much did you bite through them last season? Check the gauges. With no air tank attached the pressure gauge should be reading zero, is it stuck anywhere on the dial.

Blow the buoyancy compensator up as much as you can through the oral inflator, do the buttons stick? Once inflated spay some soapy water on your bc, start at the top and pay close attention to the seams and dump valves. Leave it on the side inflated while you finish the rest of the check.

Check your weight belt. Are the ends frayed? A quick pass with a lighter will burn the webbing and avoid any further unraveling. Is the buckle ok, slip the webbing in lock the buckle and give it a good tug. Does it hold?

Now let's move on to your thermal protection. If you have a wetsuit start with the hood. Is it frayed any where? Now is a good time to use a heated nail on the top to make a small vent if you do not have one. Are there any tears in the wetsuit? A small amount of wetsuit glue now will prevent further splitting of the material. Clean and lubricate the zippers. Are any teeth missing? Gloves and booties should all be inspected and treated the same as the main suit. If you have a dry suit, pay special attention to the zipper and seals. Seals should be checked for cracking and conditioned if necessary.

I f you have your own tanks start at the top does the valve look ok. Is the o-ring nicked, is it even there? Work your way down and look at the hydrostatic test date, remember it needs to be within 5 years to get filled. How about the vip sticker, it needs to be no more than one year old or it has expired. If you have a boot on the tank remove the boot and check the bottom.

Let's go back to that BC. Did it hold air? As a general rule I think small loss of air is OK if it has been longer than your average dive. Still check the dump valves with soapy water. The spring may need a quick stretching to get it working again. At this point I would assemble your tank/bc/reg set up. Check the Velcro on the tank to make sure it is holding. Do you hear any hissing sounds; a regulator overhaul may be needed. Make sure you connect the bc low pressure inflation hose and leave it deflated. Come back in a few minutes did your bc self inflate? You may have corrosion on the bc inflate valve.

Now with all your gear checked and anything that needs repair ready to go to your local dive shop it is time to pull out your phone book and call your diving buddy. Make sure he or she inspects their gear so that you two can enjoy a fun safe dive season.

Abyss Scuba is Westchester's only NAUIand PADI facilty. We offer classes every month. We offer repairs, trips and advanced training.

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Basics of Scuba Diving and How to Pick Up This Sport

2010-05-04T04:29:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving have become many people's favorite recreational hobby of late due to the attractiveness the aquatic world brings! Many have loved scuba diving because it is incredibly fun to do and even more and more people are turning their passion into a job! You can easily find underwater photographer as many people's choice as well as becoming a scuba diving trainer.

That being said, scuba diving can still be a dangerous sports and many should learn how to take care of their basic skill set first before attempting their first ever dive trip. Keep in mind that these basic skills are there to ensure that you know how to react when you find yourself in a dangerous position, which can sometimes lead to fatal accidents.

Most places that teach you how to scuba dive will explain how it works to you such as classroom theories and on hand experiences under water. This is to ensure that you fully understand how each and every piece of equipment are being used underwater as well as how to have an enjoyable trip instead of stressing every time you submerge underwater.

Some of the things you need to understand is such as how air and pressure react differently when you're underwater, as well as the physics of diving such as buoyancy. You'll also get the chance to learn about planning each of your dive trip, and taking into consideration of various aspect such as decompression time and safe decompression underwater.

Aside from theories, you'll also get the chance to learn how to properly maneuver underwater, and how to use your fins or flippers correctly to ensure that you do not expand too much energy and consume too much oxygen underwater. A trip cut short by over consumption of your oxygen can be not much fun, especially if your dive buddy still have half a tank of oxygen and you'll fully depleted yours.

You'll also need to learn how each and every piece of diving equipment are being used so that you do not abuse each of them and learn how to get the most out of it.

The best way to learn scuba diving is to head on to your local diving center and ask for a certification from a reputable organization, this way you can ensure that your safety is being taken care off too!

Aside from scuba diving, the author also enjoy playing pool in the comfort of his own home! Find his latest work on small pool table and used pool tables here!

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Experience Life Underwater With Scuba Diving

2010-05-04T04:14:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving is a means of experiencing an environment that will change your thoughts of normal. Humans take hearing, seeing and even breathing for granted. When you leave your environment and indulge yourself in a one filled with liquid instead of air, things change. Breathing cannot be taken for granted. You must prepare yourself for that first frightening breath underwater.

Breathing Underwater
Humankind has a natural fear of drowning. This comes from the first time you accidentally allows liquid to enter your windpipe. You start choking, coughing and trying to expel the liquid from your lungs. Everyone has experienced this frightening occurrence. Now, consider that you are surrounded by water and are at a point that air is not as plentiful as on the surface. If you are not prepared, it can be quite overwhelming. Prepare yourself, and you will open up a world like no other.

Certification First
Scuba diving is learning how to control yourself in an environment hostile to your existence. Scuba diving requires training that will help you to change from an air filled environment to a liquid filled environment. After you master the basic skills necessary of breathing underwater, safety requirements, and show self-control, you will be able to be certified. The certification allows you to rent scuba gear, and get air tanks filled.

Interact with a New World
Now that you have been certified you are ready to explore oceans, lakes and rivers in a manner unknown to those who have only viewed them from the surface. If you have snorkeled before, you get a view that could be compared to a person flying low over a town. You may see the people and the structure but you are hovering above. They are too far away to interact.

If you scuba dive, you can go down to where the activity is and be part of it. Imagine seeing a fish larger than you and swimming next to it. Wow what a thrill!

Your Eyes Can Deceive You
When you are underwater, visibility is considerably different than that of what you are use to. In our environment, we have developed the ability to judge distance and speed of objects. Underwater, this just isn't what you are use to. Its whole new ball game where objects are not as close as they appear.

Your Ears Will Fool You Too
One other thing is your sense of sound. Under water sounds travel different from sounds in air. Not only do you hear sounds but your body will also perceive the vibrations. Fish use this phenomenon as a means to find food and hide from predators. Scuba diving will give you a chance to rediscover your senses. Additionally, it gives you a greater sense of your place in the world.

Robert enjoys many business ventures and sharing his passion with others. As a businessman, he always has new projects going. Visit his latest business venture at http://bbqgrillparts.org where he shares his knowledge of BBQ Burners.

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Avoiding Scuba Diving Accidents

2010-05-04T03:59:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving accidents are not myths and are very real, in fact no attempt should be made in order to cover up the danger and risks of diving related accidents as the public should be well aware of it. As enjoyable as diving is, one must also take the proper precaution and steps to minimize this form of recreational sport from becoming a dangerous one.

Despite that, it should not hold you back from giving it a try because it can quickly turn into your favorite past time, that is because it is indeed a relaxing and enjoyable sport that many have enjoyed without losing their life. If you think about it, motor racing are also a dangerous sports but many have still enjoyed it because it can be done safely too, therefore the key is to learn about how to go about scuba diving safely.

Why do diving accidents occurred? The simple answer to that is because most accident happens to those who are untrained or not quite used to using the equipment properly. Therefore if you're planning to pick up this as a form of hobby, you should definitely undergo some sort of proper training given by reputable institution, currently most diving places will recognize divers who hold license and training from PADI.

If you have graduated from PADI and have not gone diving for a while, it is also advisable to undergo refresher course, especially if it had been a year since you last dived. Refresher course can refresh your memory as well as the proper steps in the case of an accident, which can save you life! Diving vacations are meant to be fun and safe, and one of the most important thing about diving is always to dive comfortably, if diving has become somewhat painful and uncomfortable for you, perhaps you should stop for a while and look at what is causing you to feel that way.

Other factors why scuba diving accidents happens is because of the diver's overconfidence and somewhat overlook the risks it poses. Remember that there are many things that can go wrong underwater, and thus not paying attention to your environment can no doubt quickly lead to you being in a dangerous situation. Always be aware of your surroundings and know how to react when it happens, and never ever let your confidence get the better of you because that is when you're most at risk to diving accidents.

Lastly, be sure to always dive with a buddy because this way both of you can cover and remind each other of the dangers of diving, not to mention that it is more enjoyable to have someone sharing your diving experience with than doing it alone!

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Responsible Scuba Diving

2010-05-04T03:44:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving is an incredibly exciting and rewarding activity and scuba divers are a privileged group. We have real life access to a world that others can only imagine from pictures and second hand accounts and we also have a responsibility to the oceans. Responsible diving is a part of the overall effort to protect the oceans as diving brings people in contact with marine life and as a result, divers become spokespeople for the marine environment they love.

Obviously, we don't want to be the ruin of the beautiful oceans that we're so fond of exploring. Unfortunately, some popular dive spots have become ruined over time because of poor management and irresponsible divers.

Skills, training and knowledge

Responsible scuba divers possess adequate skills. This requires practice and training for good buoyancy control. This is important especially when diving sensitive environments like coral growths and shipwrecks. You should avoid disturbing marine life, touching them - unless you are certain it is safe and OK for both you and the marine life - and getting in entanglements. Many organisms are vulnerable to even the slightest brushes.

Planning and preparing for dives is vital - don't put yourself or others in danger - not to mention marine life.

Dive within your means (training, ability and confidence level). You should be familiar with your equipment and know how to use it.

Your equipment should be streamlined. Dangling gauges and accessories are hazardous to you and to marine life.

Take specialist training - you need additional knowledge and training to dive overhead environments (such as caves and wrecks) or to venture to greater depths.

Responsibility and good practice underwater and on land

Do not take souvenirs and artifacts. You may - often unknowingly - be disturbing marine life by taking items out of the water. Collecting is also prohibited by law in many areas. Follow the popular saying: "Take only pictures and leave only bubbles."

Learn about marine life in the areas you'll be diving. Listen to professional guides, safety briefings and dive briefings.

Respect local customs and laws. If the reefs are out-of-bounds, there is probably a reason.

Do not litter or throw objects into the ocean. Litter is a hazard to marine life and to people. You can also help by picking up refuse and recyclables on the shore. Get involved in cleanup campaigns on shore.

Take advice from local professionals and follow their instructions.

Dive with responsible operators. Do some research. There are various national and international certifications and awards for dive shops, schools and resorts for good environmental practices.

Get involved with conservation projects - either in your local community or during your travels.

If you found this useful, please see Sea Forever, a website dedicated to oceans and green living at http://www.sustainablewaters.com.

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Swimming with Sharks - Scuba Diving in the Galapagos Islands

2010-05-04T03:29:00.000-07:00

Kicker Rock's name in Spanish may be the Sleeping Lion, but jumping into the water of the canal is sure to make your adrenaline rise. That fact is not due to the friendly sea lions that come to greet you - it's due to the Galapagos Sharks lurking just below the surface.

The Galapagos Islands are famous for evolution - it was where Charles Darwin came up with the idea. It's the only place in the world with sea going iguanas or hundreds of other endemic plants and animals that have all evolved in order to survive. Yet, with life evolving all around them, sharks have not changed for thousands of years. Sharks have sleek bodies, and skeletons made up of cartilage and connective tissues making them flexible and highly effective swimmers. Shark teeth are connected to their gums rather than jaws allowing them to constantly be replaced, and their jaws not connected to their cranium permits them to absorb powerful impacts all these factors make sharks them the ultimate aquatic predator. The reason why sharks haven't evolved when other animals have is simple - there was no need - sharks were already perfect.

Diving with Sharks is the #1 reason why people come to SCUBA dive in the Galapagos Islands. I remember, a several years ago, I met a good friend of mine for the first time, the first thing he asked me was "Are you afraid of Sharks" I told him the truth "of course not!" Thinking back - I guess that's not a normal response.

The waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands are home to a 32 different species of shark from white tip reef sharks, to hammerheads, and bullsharks to whalesharks. With all these sharks in the water it's hard to stop the theme to JAWS from playing in your head. But unlike the movie Jaws, shark attacks in these waters aren't really a concern - there is so much marine life that the sharks don't have any interest in you. If you ask a local dive guide about the dangers of diving with sharks, they tend to laugh and tell you not to worry - sharks in Galapagos are vegetarians.

Almost all visitors are assured some sort of shark encounter during their time in the islands. Whether you are snorkeling with sharks off the coast of Espanola or viewing sleeping sharks at Tintorares an islet just off the coast of Isabela - Sharks in Galapagos are everywhere.

from July to November, advanced divers from around the world descend on these islands. They make their reservations years in advance purely for the opportunity to dive with Whale Sharks and schools of Hammerheads at the northern most islands. Diving at Wolf and Darwin is easily one of the best dive sites in the world. Galapagos is consistently named one of the best dive sites by Scuba Diving Magazine.

Galapagos is a place where even novice and intermediate divers can enjoy the exhilaration of diving with sharks. There are many fantastic dive sites throughout the Galapagos where diving with sharks is the highlight. At Kicker Rock is an excellent wall dive located a few minutes away from the main port of Santa Cruz. Kicker Rock has good visibility and light currents yet diving here you are able to see Galapagos Sharks, white tipped sharks and hammer heads as well as octopus, rays, huge schools of fish. It's easy access and ideal conditions may make Kicker Rock the best day dive site in all of Galapagos.

North Seymour located just northeast of the island of Santa Cruz is a local favorite. Together with the neighboring sites of Daphne and Mosquera there is an array of dives with hammerheads, reef sharks, sea lions, sea turtles, golden rays and garden eels all waiting to be seen.

For the more advanced diver Gordon Rocks is probably the most well known day dive site in Galapagos. A submerged, partly eroded crater the site creates it's own strong unpredictable current which can be tricky for novice divers. Hammerheads are the highlight of Gordon, but there is so much more to see including Galapagos Sharks, mantas, jacks, schools of king angelfish, golden and eagle rays and sea turtles.

Though I don't think the sharks in Galapagos have evolved into vegetarians - I do know that diving with sharks is an incredible experience not to be missed.

Teresa is with Galapagos Online Tours http://www.galapagosonline.com a travel guide to the Galapagos Islands specializing in Galapagos Cruises, Galapagos Tours and vacation packages. And http://www.galapagosdive.com a divers guide to the Galapagos Islands.

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Staying Warm When Snorkeling

2010-05-04T03:14:00.000-07:00

If you have ever done any snorkeling, you will know the most uncomfortable thing about it is being cold. There is nothing worse than being cold when you are diving as it tends to take up your concentration. What this means is that instead of looking at the amazing underwater life you freeze and feel very uncomfortable. To combat this, a spear fishing wetsuit is a great option. You can get a huge range of spear fishing gear and wetsuits to keep you warm, but you want to get something which suits what you are doing.

SCUBA diving wetsuits tend to be around the 5mm thick mark, and these are not overly easy to move in. They are also usually closed cell wetsuits, meaning the neoprene 'bubbles' are closed and the internal lining of the wetsuit is easy to put on. For Spear fishing, wetsuits are usually 3mm open cell wetsuits. These allow the water to flow through them, but as you are moving around regularly you are still very warm. I have been told that a 3mm open cell wetsuit is as warm as a 5mm closed cell wetsuit.

The only issue with the open cell wetsuits is that the inside lining is like the outside of most wetsuits; rough and hard to pull on when wet. To combat this, you need to wet the suit before you slide it on. It then slides on very easily. If you don't have a wetsuit and you spend some time diving, I would suggest you look into getting one. I hate being cold underwater, and if you are warm you can hold your breath for so much longer. Look at the other spear fishing gear too, like the farmer jack wetsuit, hoods, booties and socks. The hood is one of the more important pieces of spear fishing equipment. A lot of your body heat is let out through the head; make sure you wear one!

To find out more about the required spearfishing items see Spearfishing Gear and if you live in a country where the water is at all cold see Spearfishing Wetsuits.

Happy Spearfishing!

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Best Scuba Masks

2010-05-04T02:59:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest sports on Earth today may be the underwater sport scuba diving. For those brave souls who endeavor to wiggle into a wetsuit and strap on an air tank, the view from beneath the waves is well worth the labor. With all of the equipment required of a scuba diver, the most important piece is the mask. The scuba diving mask allows for the diver to see clearly under the water. Anyone who has ever attempted to open their eyes under the water of a swimming pool, knows that the view is blurry and eye irritation is usually the end result.

To become a scuba diver requires minimal amount of training. Some of this training occurs inside of a classroom, while much of it happens in the water. Therefore, the first piece of equipment that a scuba diving student often purchases, is a scuba mask. However, selecting the best scuba masks takes a bit of knowledge. The most important aspect of selecting the right scuba diving mask is the seal. It is imperative that the mask does not leak. There is nothing more uncomfortable than water seeping into the mask while at 80 feet under the sea. Divers are trained to clear water from their masks at any depth, but a leaky one can ruin their day.

Most scuba diving masks are made with high-quality rubber, plastic, and tempered glass. Since the rubber itself is extremely flexible, it is also important that the mask not fit too tightly. This is because as the diver descends to depth, the mask will tighten dramatically due to the icrease in pressure. The term for this is known as "mask squeeze". Though this condition is rarely dangerous, it is quite uncomfortable and leaves a lasting mark on the skin itself. The deep red circular gouge around the face where a mask was, is never a good complement to that golden brown tan either.

The best scuba masks are rarely found at the local department store. The optimum place to find a good scuba mask is at a dive shop that actually engages in training. This is because the proprietors usually know from experience, how to fit the best mask with the individual scuba diver. After all, the greatest thing about scuba diving is a beautiful and colorful world beneath the waves. That is definitely something to see indeed.

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Diving in the Wakatobi - How to Get There

2010-05-04T02:44:00.000-07:00

The Wakatobi is a remote archipelago situated in the center of the Coral Triangle in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is home to Indonesia's second largest Marine National Park, covering 12,500 square kilometers of protected and pristine coral reefs, white sandy beaches and remote traditional villages. As such the Wakatobi is a great destination for scuba diving enthusiasts from all over the World. It is becoming increasingly popular with recreational divers, underwater photographers, marine biologists, and backpackers.

Until recently the Wakatobi has been a difficult to reach due to its remoteness, but that is now changing with the introduction of an airport on Wanci Island. There are now daily Express Air flights (except Mondays) to this airport. Wakatobi visitors can take early morning flights from Jakarta or Surabaya and transit in Makassar. From Makassar you can take a small 32 seater plane to Wanci, via Bau-Bau. Divers should be aware that the baggage allowance on these flights is only 10 kilograms, so pack lightly and consider hiring your dive equipment from your dive operator in the Wakatobi. You can pay for excess baggage, but it is often delayed if the flight is already at full capacity.

Upon arrival in Wanci you will need to embark on the next leg of your journey by boat. Most divers do not spend long on Wanci Island as the top Wakatobi diving spots can be found around Hoga Island and Tomia Island. From the airport jump in a taxi and head for 'Pelabuhan Mola'. From here you can take one of the daily public speed boats to Hoga or Tomia. It is advised to get there as quickly as possible. Flights usually get into Wanci at about 10.30am, so head down to 'Pelabuhan Mola' as soon as you get off the plane to ensure you do not miss your boat. If you do though, you can easily charter a small Bajo boat to Hoga.

Hoga boats depart anytime between 9am and 12 noon so it is often possible to catch one of these. Tomia boats generally leave between 9 and 10am, so if you are planning on visiting Tomia it is often necessary to overnight in Wanci first. If you are traveling with a group of 4 or more divers you can pre-arrange a chartered pick up with your dive operator in Tomia. It is difficult to charter boats from Wanci to Tomia without making an arrangement in advance, as it is quite a long journey and needs a large boat.

For the intrepid travelers with plenty of time there are other ways to get to the Wakatobi. For example you can take a PELNI boat from Makassar to Bau-Bau, or you can fly from Makassar to Bau-Bau with Lion Air or Express Air. From Bau-Bau there is a boat which leaves for Wanci at 9pm every night. It arrives in Wanci at about 6am, so you will be in plenty of time to catch one of the public boats to Hoga or Tomia.

In summary there are many ways to reach the Wakatobi, and the gateway is through Wanci. By far the easiest way is to fly, but the overnight boat from Bau-Bau is also a good alternative, especially if you're thinking of spending a couple of days diving in Bau-Bau beforehand. Once you arrive in Wanci you can travel by public speed boat to reach the top diving destinations of Hoga Island and Tomia Island.

If you found this information useful visit the Wasage Divers website where you will find lots more information and pictures. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
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Why Should You Wear a Wet Suit?

2010-05-04T02:29:00.000-07:00

It is very important to wear wetsuits while indulging in sports such as diving, surfing or snorkeling because there may be unforeseen hazards in the murky sea. You can swim better by wearing the skin tight and lightweight wetsuit which shall also protect you from cold. The following are some of the reasons why you must wear a wetsuit while engaging in water sports of any kind.

You can prevent the problem of hypothermia by wearing a wetsuit. You can lose your body hear quickly while you are in water and hence wearing a wetsuit can help you by preventing this condition.

Even if you happen to stay in water for a long period of time no harm will befall you because of the wetsuit worn by you. The main advantage of using a neoprene wetsuit is that it can form a protective layer of water to exist between your suit and your body. Water draws away the heat from your body because it is heat conducting.

However this water gets trapped into the suit and is not released. It thereby acts as an insulator and provides you warmth got from your own body. Further prevention of heat loss takes place because of the nitrogen gas bubbles that is present in the suit's lining which can help you stay warm even in cold waters!

Wetsuit can also offer you immense protection. It prevents any blows from harming your body because the wetsuit is made of neoprene material which is basically indestructible. This is another primary reason why you must wear a wetsuit before entering the deep seas for any purpose.

Wet suits also provide buoyancy which can be of great help to new or poor swimmers. You can float in a better manner because of the buoyant environment of neoprene.

A wetsuit will surely help you when you wish to master swimming. A wetsuit is an indispensable item for lovers of water sports. Water can rob your body of heat and you can start experiencing negative health benefits because of this over time.

You can select a surfing wetsuit and wetsuit boots to ward off the discomfort and select one that is suitable to your needs and taste.

Wetsuits cannot keep your body completely dry because they are mostly made using a synthetic fabric called neoprene. You can be insulated from the cold because the suits allow small portion of the water to enter through the suit and this combined with your body temperature helps in imparting the required insulation.

So there are plenty of positive reasons why you need to invest in a good wetsuit today! You can find plenty of designs and colors in which the products are available. You can seek the help of the salesman to make the best choice.

Wetsuits are an important part of your favorite water sport. When it is time to get a wetsuit you want a good name like body glove wetsuits and here is one of the best sites we've found on the web: http://surf-wetsuits.com/store/category/wetsuits_body-glove-wetsuit/

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Should I Learn to Scuba Dive Because My Partner Likes It?

2010-05-04T02:14:00.000-07:00

I have come across many people who dealt with this dilemma. As scuba diving is one of those activities that demand a lot of time and money, a keen enthusiast is going to devote his/her holidays and spare time to this pursuit. To a non-diver, a diver's commitments to his/her sport may seem odd or obsessive.

Put straight, a non-diver just doesn't get it. Why would someone spend their weekends going to a quarry or mudflat to get cold and risk an ear infection? Then there are the vacations, dishing out for over-weight airline luggage and scheduling all your activities around diving.

The question for the non-diving partner: Should you get into the sport to have common ground with your diving partner?

Love means never having to say "I'd rather go to the mountains this year"

A scenario I've seen a lot of these during my time involves a person signing on to an Open Water course with the "encouragement" of a partner. Sad to say, a majority of these are women. The student is unenthusiastic from the beginning. S/he just goes through the most basic requirements of the course and can't wait for the training day to end. S/he won't dive much after certification.

Another common scenario (and again, typically a woman): a partner in a relationship wishes to dive because his/her partner is a keen diver. The living vicariously principle is at work here. S/he may not really have thought of what scuba diving entails but is convinced that it'll be wonderful spending weekends or holidays together.

Yes it's nice to have a common interest but is it really your thing? This is worth asking because scuba diving can require commitments on funds and time and have a bearing on holiday choices (and even have a bearing on where to live for the most dedicated).

Do you love the pastime or the person?

Camilla was a twenty-something woman, highly educated. While taking a year-long break from her career doing volunteer work in Central America, she met Mark, a man who had made his career as a diving instructor and business owner. Naturally, his world revolved around scuba diving and Camilla wanted to get into this world. She learned to dive and her relationship with Mark flourished. Six months later, Camilla and Mark bought a small resort where she was consigned to working the shop accounts. She became disillusioned quickly and less than a year after opening the shop, demanded out.

There are happy accounts. Ron was indifferent after his girlfriend Jade learned to dive while vacationing with her mother. She really got into diving and was spending many Saturdays visiting the stone quarry near their home in England. To Ron, this sounded a complete waste of time and money until he saw a TV documentary on wreck diving in Micronesia. Two weeks later, he was certified and was looking forward to their first dive holiday together. Few years later, they are married and spend their holidays diving all over the world.

Ron got into diving because he was besotted with the idea of diving NOT because he was besotted by his partner. Lucky for him now, his partner shares his pastime.

Just DO IT but do it for the right reasons

Think about it hard if you're thinking of taking up diving. Is it YOUR initiative, your interest? And this applies to many other activities, not just scuba diving.

As for divers, do you really want a reluctant dive buddy? Do you think your partner is going to like a pastime just because you do? Like any activity, the enthusiasts often suffer from tunnel vision. Really, some things and some people are best left at home.

If you found this useful, please see Sea Forever, a website dedicated to oceans and green living at http://www.sustainablewaters.com.

Lou Kawakami is a blogger and a consultant with a keen interest in the oceans and environmentally-friendly living. She has an extensive background in marketing, education and social policy. In addition, she is a scuba diving instructor who has travelled a bit.

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The Wonderful World of Scuba Diving

2010-05-04T01:59:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving is becoming more and more popular among many people especially those in their 20s, many are so passionate that they actually quit their day job and pursue a career in scuba diving. This is indeed a strong and powerful statement about just how magical some have found the underwater world to be!

One reason why this could be the case is because when you're submerged underwater, there are only 2 things you can ever hear. One is your own breathing, and another one being the sound of a passing boat. While this 2 does not make for very exciting audio choice, but it does provide you with a form of getaway from your everyday life and away from the sound of a busy life.

Another great reason for the rise in scuba divers is that they get to experience an entire different world when underwater where they have to observe the underwater rules. This is indeed a different experience for most people and some even find it enticing because finally for once we are not the dominant force.

Not to mention that you get to see and interact with aquatic animals in a whole new different way, the feeling is different from being in an aquarium because you get to go up close to an animal and see it from different angles. However be warned that touching these fishes and animals when underwater are frown upon most of the time, this is because it could be potentially harmful for the animal as well as yourself!

It could be also due to the fact that you get to see so many different type of corals when you're submerged, most of the time corals by the shoreline are somewhat polluted and destroyed by our human activities, therefore you get to see some of the corals in their most natural and pristine state when underwater.

Whatever the reason might be, you should give scuba diving a go because it is also another great way for you to interact and meet new like minded people when going on diving trips!

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Gorgeous in Diving Holidays in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

2010-05-04T01:44:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been India? I think that every person should visit India once in their lifetime. It is one of those mysterious locations in the world full of exotics and myths and legends. If you want to catch one of these an exciting inspirational outings, plan a trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are located off the west of India and extend to more than 800 km into the Bay of Bengal. It is one of those perfect hot and tropical dream places everyone agrees upon, with white sandy beaches, green forests, welcoming people, with such a pleasant atmosphere awaiting for all.

The Andaman and Nicobar islands are an ideal place for exciting diving holidays. Complete with swimming, camping, hiking and other various pleasant leisurely pastimes. The capital of these nice islands is Port Blair. There is some small settlement like villages and a small town called Port Blair. Everywhere is felt the atmosphere of Indian market place.

Soaking up this nice Indian atmosphere allows you plenty of time for the odd excursion. The "Cellular Jail" is one of these unusual sightseeing places. Your visit here to this big prison will be memorable; it was built by the British in the early 1900`sand it plunges you into the atmosphere of the most awful conditions where many Indian freedom fighters were held and died. No doubt It will leave you with how barbaric the conditions and the British were leaving you with mixed impressions and emotions. Nowadays it is a monument for those fighters it held behind its bars.

To lighten the mode, you must catch the exceptional Sound and Light show, both in Hindi and English, it is truly brilliant and masterful in its presentation. Further tourist attractions in Port Blair are the Chatham Sawmill, the Anthropological Museum, and the Marine Museum.If you like marine wildlife and are green in nature then you must call into the Mahatma Ghandi Marine National Park will be a cherished experience time for you to undertake.

What is so special within the park? You can have great fun examining the fantastic coral reefs and other marine life variety through glass bottom boats; as well this, you are free to enjoy super snorkeling and scuba diving. The park encloses an area of 281.5 square km. Is it a good opportunity to have unforgettable diving holidays? In my opinion it is a great opportunity to have wonderful holidays getting right back to nature as she intended.

From Calcutta and Chennai you can reach Port Blair by sea. If you have Indian citizenship you can travel through the archipelago freely and easily, foreigners need to obtain a particular permission to visit, but your tourist centre can help you with that. You can one in Port Blair If all else fails. However, regarding scuba diving Andaman Island and Nicobar Islands it is not so simple to get permit, thus please make sure you arrange beforehand, if you get the access to this Garden of Eden you will have many beautiful diving holidays in these peaceful and gorgeous locations.

Do you want to experience an exciting time of diving holidays? You are welcomed to visit the best online portal in the web community. Scuba diving Andaman Island and Nicobar Island - is the best choice for every holidaymaker as well as diver.

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Diving in Maui

2010-05-04T01:29:00.000-07:00

Are you aware of where the beautiful island of Maui is situated? Many would guess and they would be right of course as it is one of Hawaiian Islands. Here there are super opportunities to partake in some of the most unforgettable diving holidays around the island. It may well help if we provide you with some useful pieces of information on how you can have scuba diving in Maui.You can partake in several types of underwater activities, such as snorkeling, individual scuba diving or in groups. Plan your underwater adventure with a professional instructor and you gain an ocean of positive experiences and emotions. You join a fully-equipped dive boat and enjoy diving with others during your trip.

Knowledgeable diving instructors and professional crew members will be at your disposal and can help you at anytime you need. Do not be at all worried about your level of experience as diving is a great fun for amateurs as well as sport for professional divers. You also are welcomed to enjoy the friendly price lists available to suit all budgets, where you can vary whatever takes your fancy and suites your purse.

Have you ever experienced diving in caverns and caves? You can and should take the tour with a professional guide and see places you have only ever dreamt about. If however you skill levels are not quite up to that do not despair take heart, you can have just as much fun snorkeling around the coves and pools, and if you are so minded you can engage the professionals to teach you how to join them, by going on one of the many courses available that can give you the certificate you need. When snorkeling, there are a tremendous amount of places and gorgeous coral reefs, exotic underwater living creatures and splendid marine life to investigate. Do not waste your time, if you can`t dive go snorkeling! Ask about a nice snorkeling location, hire a boat and crew with local knowledgeable and have fun!

For those ones wishing to dive but as yet are not certified as we said there are plenty of diving courses available. In classroom you will be informed about all the necessary theory and the details on diving. After that you will go and get some diving practice in a pool with instructor. For safety it is done in exactly this way, carefully and under professional supervision, so that you can understand and be made aware of what is needed. When you are ready for open waters you are allowed to go diving in the sea or and oceans of the world. For more information on this we suggest you navigate the cyber community and find a preferable place for you to partake in the courses you need. Equipment is normally provided by the diving centre and they will of course be ready to advise you of anything you may need during your adventures.

If you go diving holidays Maui, you should plan well in advance. This then alerts you to any unforeseen issues and allows you to avoid any unpleasant situations. One you have your destination sorted grab your passport, flight ticket and off you go. Remember to take camera with you, as it will allow you to take those memories and nice pictures for the tales by the fireside in the long winter months. Have a great diving holidays adventure!

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Selecting a Good Quality Dive Torch

2010-05-04T01:14:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving lights are used in a variety of different circumstances, such as night dives, wreck or cave diving, or even used lighting up an overcast day. Using your dive light on a dive will help bring back the real colors that are lost at depths and there is always that crack or crevice that will need lighting up.

Safety in diving is important and that is why every diver should carry at least two torches (three if your cave diving) and once your primary light has failures a dive should be called off.

Typically your primary light will be a much brighter light than your back up and it is tempting for the brighter is better when it comes to selecting the correct lighting for your dive trip. For example if the water has lots of particulars floating around you may find that if your light is too bright you will only be lighting up the particulars in the water and this will actually make it harder too see.

Even a underwater photographers will not use too bright a light as it will scare of fishes and may cause hot spots with the pictures. A 30W LED light will be adequate for any photography lighting.

Recreational divers who may be using them for night and day dives will find that a 5W LED light should be good enough for there needs. However a cave diver or wreck diver may need something a little stronger.

Understanding your needs before diving, a cheap $30 dive torch will work but will never give you the brightness or durability that you will need. For torches it worth investing in a good durable metal casing torch that will give you at less several years of use. Last thing you want is your torch failing when your doing your next night dive.

After durability the burn time is important, look for torches that will give you a burn time of at least twice as long as you want to dive. Consider the batteries that are used too, regular batteries can end costing a lot on a 5 day live on board. Several torches now a days use rechargeable batteries that will last you for ever.

Finally look at depth ratings, some torches are good for only 30m or less and with repeated dives at around that depth can fail and leak easily. Consider buying a land yard to ensure you will not lose your torch.

Take the above points into consideration when buying your next torch and you will find a good quality torch that will last longer. Remember investing in a good quality torch will make your dives more pleasurable.

Visit us at Scuba Diving Lights for the latest rechargeable dive torch.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Hemmings

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Things To Know About Night Diving

2010-05-04T00:59:00.000-07:00

You have now learnt to scuba dive and want take it too the next level, typically that will mean doing a night dive. You may think what the point is, but once you have done one you will realise that it is a new world down there. It is much like going to a day zoo and a night zoo, all the day creatures are sleeping but then all the creatures that sleep thought the day will appear at night.

So here are some tips to ensure a smooth night dive.

Stay Shallow

Typically on your night dive you will not be diving at great depths, usually 15-20m will be adequate for any night dive.

Dive at sites you know.

Nothing worse than doing a night dive on a site that you do not understand, typically dive operators will send you to a site that you done before during the day that way you understand the environment you are in. Once you have experience you may venture to different location.

Lighting

As you are aware its going be dark underwater, so lighting up the environment is key to relaxing and enjoying your dive. You will require two dive lights; the first is your primary light which is brighter and a secondary light as your backup. I would recommend minimum 5W torch to illuminate the dark.

Ensure your light is a high quality, durable torch that has an adequate rating for the depths you will be diving at. Do not just by the cheapest torch that you can buy, because after a year or two you will have bought half a dozen and could start a museum. Buy the right torch form day one and it will last with proper care.

Buy yourself a couple of glow sticks to attach to your tank as these will make it easy for everyone to see each other and your dive operator can know who are diving with him.

Learn your Hand Signals.

Before you start your dive, discuss with your dive e on the signals that you will be using, as in the dark it is hard to see any, sign your torch at your hands while giving the signal. Do not wear gloves too as they make it again difficult to see.

Most important is take it Slow

During the night there is much too see and you can only see within your torch beam, therefore move slowly and scan around you as you may well swim right past a sleeping turtle or something only feet away.

Hope these points help you enjoy your next night dive more.

Visit us at Rechargable Diving Torch for the latest LED diving torch.

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Green Neoprene - Can We Be More Eco-Friendly With Our Wetsuits?

2010-05-04T00:44:00.000-07:00

As divers, surfers and water enthusiasts, we need good equipment and apparel to keep us safe and comfortable. A wetsuit is an important component but could we be more environmentally-friendly with neoprene? After all, we take up water activities because we love the natural environment and want to do our best to look after it.

Neoprene
Neoprene, the mainstay of wetsuits, are synthetic rubbers made from petroleum. Petroleum is a non-renewable resource. With so many people in diving, surfing and other water sports, there are a lot of neoprene suits in the world. In addition to the material being not-so-eco-friendly, the manufacturing process of neoprene can leave a hefty footprint.

Manufacturers have experimented and substituted other materials. There have been wetsuits made of lower proportion of neoprene and greater use of other components such as polyester, limestone-based materials and bamboo. But neoprene remains the bulk and mainstay of most wetsuits. There are greener options but for efficiency, it's hard to beat neoprene.

So there really isn't a perfect alternative material for wetsuits YET. This is one for the Research and Development folks. But in the meantime, there are simple things we can remember to avoid adding to the landfills and waste mountains with our old wetsuits.

Recycling
Neoprene can be recycled. Its properties make it ideal for recycling. Items made from recycled neoprene include: footwear, laptop covers, medical appliances AND more wetsuits.

Rip Curl, a surf apparel manufacturer, launched a neoprene recycling program in 2007 and last year, their flagship shop in southern England held a national 'Wetsuit Amnesty'.

Some independent retailers have trade-in schemes and incentives for customers wishing to get new wetsuits. We need more of these efforts from both the retailers and the manufacturers.

If you want to purchase a new wetsuit, ask the shop if they'll do a trade-in. If not, see if any local sporting good shops have recycling bins for old apparel. In addition, second-hand stores and charity outlets may be willing to take your suit.

Hold on to your old suits
As with so many items, there are wearers who go with the fashion and throw away the wetsuit as soon as they see another one that they just "like better" or are in the latest cut and style. Visit a dive show and see all the "holiday divers" choosing suits purely based on the latest fashion trends. While it is understandable that looks matter, it really isn't necessary to change a suit every 50 dives.

By looking after the suits, they will last longer. Wash them after use and dry them before putting them away.

Small rips and tears are repairable. Hats off to all those with old wetsuit patched up.
Buy a good one

The bargain basement suit from a discount store are not good value for money. In order to be durable - and long lasting - the suit has to be made of good quality neoprene with high level of workmanship.

Not all neoprene suits are created equal. If a suit is efficiently-insulated, less neoprene material is required to provide the same level of thermal protection.

Like so many things in life, if you buy a good quality wetsuit, it will last you a long time. If we all did this, the landfills would not be as choked up. A wetsuit is an investment for the long haul and we're paying good money for it. It's an investment for the oceans, rivers and lakes as well as for ourselves.

If you found this useful, please see Sea Forever, a website dedicated to oceans and green living at http://www.sustainablewaters.com

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Diving Around Buton, Southeast Sulawesi - How to Get There

2010-05-04T00:29:00.000-07:00

Buton Island in Southeast Sulawesi is just a stones throw from the famous Wakatobi diving region, and it is becoming an increasingly popular scuba diving destination in its own right. Many Indonesian divers now know about Buton as a diving destination and it won't be long until the international diving community catches on too.

So how do you get to Buton?

It is simple really, and there are three ways you can do this:

� Option 1: Bau-Bau is the main town on Buton Island, and it now has a small airport with daily flights to and from Makassar. Airlines coming into Bau-Bau airport include Wings Air (a partner of Lion Air) and Express Air. You can fly from Jakarta, Bali or other big Indonesian cities, connect in Makassar, and take the plane on to Buton. Flights arrive and depart from Bau-Bau airport around mid-morning to early afternoon.

� Option 2: There are also two daily fastboats, to and from Kendari, giving you the option to fly into Kendari which has a much bigger airport, and then take the boat to Buton. Boats leave from both Kendari and Bau-Bau at approximately 7 am and 12.30 noon and the journey takes approximately 5 hours.

� Option 3: Another option is to take a PELNI ship from Makassar to Bau-Bau. Schedules vary and are only produced one month in advance, so call the PELNI center near to the time of your departure for details. But this option makes it difficult to plan your Buton trip in advance.

Things to think about when choosing how you are going to get to Buton include:

� Wings Air (Lion Air) uses 72 seater planes and has a baggage allowance of 15kg.
� Express Air uses 32 seater planes and has a baggage allowance of only 10kg.
� It may be best to leave your heavy dive gear at home and rent diving equipment when you get here.

So to summarize the easiest and quickest way to get to Buton in Southeast Sulawesi is to fly directly to Bau-Bau, but if you have a lot of luggage and more time you may want to consider one of the other options.

If you found this information useful visit the Wasage Divers website where you will find lots more information and pictures. Feel free to contact us with any questions. http://wasagedivers.com - This article may be used and posted elsewhere on the internet provided that Author Name and Website link are remain a part of the article.

Author: Mohini Johnson

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Get Suited For Success When Diving Deep

2010-05-04T00:14:00.000-07:00

Diving is a recreational adventure enjoyed by people the world over. We have always been fascinated with the world beneath the waves and have found ways to get down into the watery depths. Diving allows us to enjoy sea life up close, explore the terrain of the ocean or lake floor, and even hunt for the relics of ancient shipwrecks. For shallower depths, snorkeling is very popular since it does not require advanced breathing equipment. Going deeper requires Scuba gear. The word originated as an acronym for self contained underwater breathing apparatus but now is generally accepted as a word that designates the entire process of diving using advanced equipment. While recreational diving is most common, there are also commercial and industrial divers, as well as divers who engage in search and rescue operations.

Whether snorkeling or scuba diving, divers often don wet suits when the water or air temperature is cold. Wet suits prevent hyperthermia in extreme conditions, and simply make the diver more comfortable when the water is chilly but not dangerously cold. They also offer protection for divers doing underwater work.

Wetsuits come in a variety of styles. Full suits cover the torso, arms and legs fully. These offer the most protection, and when water is especially frigid, gloves and booties are also available for minimum exposure to the cold. Suits used for warmer diving, and often for surfing, extend to the elbows and knees but no further and are called "shorties" and other terms. They keep the diver's core warm, and provide some protection. Wet suits come in a variety of thicknesses, again for the purpose of matching the suit to water temperature and conditions. Serious diving enthusiasts enjoy diving during as much of the year as is possible. In addition, they often travel to places where the water is never very warm. For these reasons, owning thermal wet suits as well as shorties is essential. Divers who make a hobby of diving on shipwrecks typically wear full wet suits, especially if they are able to access the interior of the ship. The protection offered by full wet suits is appreciated when fitting through tight spaces where arms or legs might come in contact with splintered wood or rough metal.

Recreational divers that enjoy the hobby on vacation will find that having proper wet suits can make the difference between having a very fulfilling experience and one that is cut short because of cold. Check ahead on water temperatures, and make sure you pack the right wet suits for the conditions.

Save big at wetsuit sale. They offer a huge range of leading brand wetsuits Oneill, Body Glove etc. and have a comprehensive library of news, information, tips. Visit http://wetsuitsale.net/ today.

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Buton Diving Destination, Southeast Sulawesi - Why is it Becoming Increasingly Popular?

2010-05-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

Buton Island is becoming an increasingly popular scuba diving destination in its own right, and this comes as no surprise considering it is so close to the world renowned Wakatobi diving region. With the Wakatobi being famous for its spectacular diving and its location at the heart of the Coral Triangle, it makes sense that its close neighbours are going to share in that huge amount of biodiversity and be pretty good bets for discovering some great diving too. What surprises me is that Buton hasn't been discovered as a top diving destination before now.

So why is Buton becoming an increasingly popular diving destination?

Probably because in the last couple years a few keen divers living on Buton Island have got tired of trekking off to the Wakatobi for diving trips every weekend, and decided to start exploring the coral reefs a bit closer to home. They were excited by what they found and then started inviting other diver friends to visit and explore the diverse range of dive sites that Buton has to offer. Some have since started up as small dive operators and have also started promoting the area.

Another reason for Buton's increasing popularity within the Indonesian diving community at least, is its accessibility. Divers from Indonesia's big cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung, often don't have enough free time to visit the Wakatobi, which is slightly harder to access, so they often opt for long weekend dive trips to Buton, where they get great diving and can still get home in time for work on Monday morning.

The international diving community are also starting to take notice of the diving that Buton has to offer. Divers visiting the Wakatobi often have to transit in Bau-Bau, and it is becoming popular for them to hop off and spend a few days diving around Buton. Why? Because surprisingly the diving experience you get is very different to the Wakatobi diving experience. Many of the coral, fish, and invertebrate species which are commonly seen when diving around Buton are in fact very different to those seen when diving around the Wakatobi, and visa versa.

So what is the difference? In a nutshell the Wakatobi is mainly wall diving, whereas Buton has a lot of sandy slopes, hence the species residing in these two areas being quite different. Around Buton there are dive sites where you can see lots of reef sharks and pelagic fish, and whilst you can also see these in the Wakatobi they are often harder to find. There are also Buton dive sites which offer great muck dives and are always popular with Photographers. Favourite things that divers come specifically to dive around Buton for are; the elusive mandarin fish, frog fish, scorpion fish, ghost pipe fish, nudibranches, turtles, the white-tipped and black-tipped reef sharks, and eagle rays.

So that's my take on why Buton is coming a popular scuba diving destination. If you are diving in the Wakatobi and have time, try and include Buton in your trip too, as it really will offer you a more complete Southeast Sulawesi diving experience. Alternatively if you don't have enough time to visit the Wakatobi, Buton offers a great alternative for some top class diving.

If you found this information useful visit the Wasage Divers website where you will find lots more information and pictures. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

http://wasagedivers.com

This article may be used and posted elsewhere on the internet provided that Author Name and Website link remain a part of the article.

Author: Mohini Johnson

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Scuba Diving - The Beginning

2010-05-03T23:44:00.000-07:00

We have all heard of the word SCUBA, but what does it mean? IT actually stands for "Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus". By using scuba gear it allows you to be able to go beneath the water to see the wonderful water of the oceans. Though out the world you are able to see many different terrains, creatures and fishes depending on where you dive.

You probably heard of scuba diving from your last holiday destination or beach near your home. These are the locations that typically have these facilities. If you do not have any experience in scuba diving then a course is what you will need, these can be done normally at your holiday resorts or though clubs. Many people actually plan there holidays around diving as they want to experience and develop greater skills.

Most of us have snorkelled but this only allows you to get a few feet below the surface, where as scuba diving will allow you to get eye level with the underwater world. Scuba gear is heavy when on land and that scares most people away but once you are in the water the weight is opposite and it actually floats. Therefore a little weight will be added to allow you sink.

Once underwater you will need to gentle kick to move you along or you can invest in a scooter which will propel you along, but to start with use your own leg power.

Scuba diving can be broken down into about 4 key groups, such as recreational, technical, commercial and of course military diving.

Visit us at Learn Scuba Singapore for the latest scuba diving shirts.

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Diving Equipment For Beginners

2010-05-03T23:29:00.000-07:00

What gear of your own you will need will depend a lot on where you are going to be learning. If you are learning in the UK, for instance, then you will need cold weather diving gear whereas go to Mexico or Egypt and a lot less is needed.

Also, the dive centre or instructor that you are using will also dictate what gear you need. If you are learning with a small club, their stocks of gear to lend you might be small, whereas a holiday spot dive centre is likely to have everything that you might need.

So, apart from the demands of your trainers, a lot is down to personal preference and what you want to buy. But, I do recommend buying for yourself the more personal items on the divers inventory. These will include:

Diving thermals
Strangely enough, not something you encounter in the tropics! But if you are diving in cold water, such as Northern Europe, then you will almost certainly be learning in a dry suit, even in the summer. These are much warmer with the correct layers underneath. You can wear jeans and t-shirt, but I would not advise that.

Just a cheap set of thermals from anywhere will provide a good base layer and if you will be diving a lot in winter, then you might want a proper undersuit to compliment these. But, buy at least two pairs of thermals. During training, and leisure diving, you will almost certainly dive twice a day. If you get a leak in the cuffs and the thermals get wet, then a spare pare make you more comfortable.

Mask and snorkel
These are, in my opinion, an essential for all divers. Find a mask that suits your face shape and is comfortable and buy it for yourself. Masks do come in slightly different shapes and sizes, so make sure that you get one that fits you perfectly and avoid the risk of picking a less than perfect mask at the dive centre.

Fins
Again, something else that is quite personal to the diver is the fins (not "flippers" in diving circles). Longer fins will suit the diver with stronger legs, whilst some divers might prefer features such as split fins.

If you are ever likely to be using a dry suit then buy fins with heel straps rather than the closed foot variety. But with these you will also need to buy yourself a pair of wet suit boots to wear under the fins when you are not in a dry suit. This is to prevent the heel strap from rubbing on your ankle.

And that is about it for the beginner diver. Maybe invest in a nice holder for your diving log, but gear such as BCDs, regulators and gauges are not needed, unless your instructor cannot provide them and the location you are diving at cannot assist. But these are pricey pieces of gear.

Keith Lunt own http://www.godiving.org. If you want to know more about diving, then call into our scuba diving blog. Happy diving!

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Great white shark amazes scientists with 4,000-foot dive into abyss

2010-05-03T23:14:00.000-07:00

Posted By Scuba Diver Girls Margo on April 6, 2010

By: Pete Thomas, GrindTV.com

Monday, April 5, 2010 10:01am PDT

A great white shark known to frequent New Zealand waters has given new meaning to the term “Down Under.”

Scientists revealed that the 15-foot shark they’ve named “Shack” probed to 1,200 meters, or 3,937 feet, as it traveled across open ocean.

Malcolm Francis, principal scientist in charge of the tagging study, is calling this “the world’s deepest great white shark dive record” and said it extends the predators’ known vertical range by about 600 feet–which is substantial given that great whites, until fairly recently, were regarded as coastal predators.

If placed into perspective Shack might as well have been swimming upward into outer space: That’s how bizarre the marine universe is at the depth to which the shark delved.

It passed through the Mesopelagic Zone (600-3,300 feet), also referred to as the “Twilight Zone,” and continued well into the Bathypelagic Zone (3,300-13,000 feet), or the “Midnight Zone.”

This is the realm of alien-like sea jellies and squids. It’s also home to monster-like, needle-toothed predatory fishes and eels that utilize bioluminescence for light and have spawned nature TV specials and, subsequently, nightmares.

What was Shack doing in the company of viperfish, hatchetfish, dragonfish, sabertooth fish, fangtooth fish and gulper eels?

Unfortunately, nobody knows with certainty. Scientists at New Zealand’s National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research did not address this in a five-year study that also tracked the country’s white sharks migrating to warmer areas during the winter.

However, a Southern California-based researcher, who has tracked great whites to about 3,000 feet, believes they’re searching for food at deep-water haunts. The chief food source would be various squid species, including the fabled giant squid, whose epic battles with sperm whales are legendary.

Michael Domeier, who runs the Marine Science Conservation Institute in Fallbrook, has offered this theory based largely on anecdotal evidence.

His study has tracked white sharks from Guadalupe Island off Mexico to a vast, mid-Pacific area between Baja California and Hawaii. A similar tagging effort at the Farallon Islands west of San Francisco has followed white sharks to the same spring-and-early-summer habitat.

In this area there is little productivity. However, scientists have seen squid there, and they’ve encountered sperm whales, which might imply a squid-based ecosystem far below the surface. Domeier’s crew also found a giant squid carcass that had been chewed on.

Though other scientists do not qualify this as proof, the theory is not far-fetched (there are giant squid off New Zealand, too). And as for possible encounters between great whites and giant squid, that’s a TV special the “Shark Week” producers at the Discovery Channel ought to be working on without delay.

–Note: Sources for this story include scientists form the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Calif.

–Photos: White shark image courtesy of RTSea Productions. Fangtooth image courtesy of Monterey Bay Research Institute

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Undercover fish testing finds high mercury levels

2010-05-03T22:59:00.000-07:00

Posted By Scuba Diver Girls Margo on April 8, 2010

Our recent undercover investigation of grocery store fish counters led by GotMercury.org detected hazardous levels of mercury in almost every sample of swordfish and tuna. In addition to being toxic for humans, swordfish and tuna are caught in ways that kill thousands of endangered sea turtles each year. To read a copy of the Toxic Fish Counter Report please click here

All swordfish samples taken from 13 San Francisco Bay Area supermarkets exceeded the U. S. government’s mercury limits and one piece of swordfish was double the FDA mercury limit. Tuna also contained alarming amounts of mercury.

Protect your family from mercury

Women and children are most at risk from high levels of mercury exposure from eating tuna, swordfish and other seafood. Mercury ingestion can lead to memory loss, developmental and learning disorders, vision loss, heart disease and, in extreme cases, can result in death.

To respond to the mercury in seafood crisis and to end the destructive fishing methods often used to catch tuna and swordfish, Turtle Island Restoration Network created GotMercury.org. Use the free mercury calculator at www.gotmercury.org to make lower-mercury fish selections.

Join GotMercury.org in calling on food safety officials to require posting of mercury warnings wherever fish is sold and to cut by half the current 30-year-old mercury limits to better protect the health of women, children and anyone who eats tuna, swordfish and other seafood.

Simple actions you can take today

1) Sign the petition urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to require more consumer protections Click here to sign the petition

2) Sign up at www.gotmercury.org to receive alerts and news

3) Become a Fan of the GotMercury Facebook Page

4) Make a contribution to the GotMercury.org project. Every donation makes a difference!

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About The AuthorScuba Diver Girls Margo Comments blog comments powered by Disqus « ‘60 Minutes’ exclusive: Diving with the Sharkman Earth Choice launches first ad campaign to bring out environmental benefits »Products We Love____________________Chit ChatCool Stuff (74)Get Involved! (19)Our Friends (93)Our Reviews (13)Talkin' Diving (50)Watch Us Dive (69)Adopt a Shark____________________Diveheart - MakingPossibilities for Disabilities____________________ Energy + Hydration For Divers____________________Scuba Diving's NextGeneration Travel Company____________________Jimi Rock - Under theSea Adventures for Kids____________________Darkfin Gloves____________________Adopt a Sea Turtle____________________

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Earth Choice launches first ad campaign to bring out environmental benefits

2010-05-03T22:44:00.000-07:00

Posted By Scuba Diver Girls Margo on April 8, 2010

Youtube Video posted by: Mumbrella

Natures Organics is launching the first advertising campaign for its 20 year-old cleaning brand Earth Choice.
The ad carries the line “Stop torturing our aquatic life” and shows people using what appears to be a live duck, starfish and an octopus to clean their house.

The “Torture” camapaign, created by Clemenger Harvie Edge (CHE) Melbourne, will aim to highlight the environmental benefits of using the brand versus traditional cleaning products.

Jason Ross, CHE executive creative director, said: “We wanted consumers to consider where their waste water goes after it leaves their home. Showing aquatic animals in the cleaning process being ‘tortured’ by standard cleaning products dramatised this point.”

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More about the Earth Choice Product LineEarth Choice products are designed to assist you in the implementation of an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) cleaning products program. The program provides an overall best value, taking into account price, regulatory requirements, performance, environmental and human health impact.

Through partnership with the USEPA Design for the Environment (DfE) – Formulator Initiative, Clean Control Corporation has worked for the past several years to reformulate many of our products with a more positive environmental and human health profile. Our partnership also enables us to help companies implement an EPP cleaning products program.

The USEPA DfE – Formulator Initiative program encourages and assists formulators in designing products with more positive environmental and health profiles than conventional products. DfE provides formulators with information on chemical characteristics and toxicities of raw materials and additives. Through this effort, Clean Control Corporation has been able to provide environmentally preferable products for maintaining attractive and healthful conditions in the home and workplace. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/dfe/pubs/projects/formulat/formpart.htm.

Through USEPA Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative (SDSI), DfE recognizes environmental leaders who voluntarily commit to the use of safer surfactants. Safer surfactants are surfactants that break down quickly to nonpolluting compounds and help protect aquatic life in both fresh and salt water.

On November 19, 2008 in Washington, DC, DfE recognized Clean Control Corporation and over thirty other manufacturers and formulators as Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative (SDSI) champions. Champion status indicates we have demonstrated and documented a strategy for ensuring that only safer surfactants are used in our products.

For more information, USEPA Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative (SDSI): http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/formulat/sdsi.htm.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

Did you know environmentally preferable purchasing is becoming commonplace in many governmental and institutional organizations?

Proper sanitation and cleaning are important for a healthy building environment. Some cleaning products, however, can contain harmful chemicals that contaminate the environment and endanger human health. Implementing “green cleaning” practices can reduce these health, safety and environmental risks. Green cleaning involves selecting alternative products, using those products properly and taking other steps to reduce risks while maintaining a satisfactory level of cleanliness and disinfection.

Consider these attributes when deciding which cleaners and degreasers to purchase: safety, price and performance. Select products that maximize beneficial environmental attributes (such as biodegradability, recycled content and energy efficiency) minimize adverse environmental and human health effects (such as cancer-causing materials) as long as they remain consistent with traditional purchasing factors.

Remember, environmentally preferable purchasing is a process; not an outcome. Consequently, no product or set of products, including biobased, energy or water efficient or recycled-content products, will be environmentally preferable in every situation.

For more information, see the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Website Training Tools located at http://www.epa.gov/epp/ and the Florida Green Lodging Certification Program at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/recycling/GreenLodging/.

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About The AuthorScuba Diver Girls Margo Comments blog comments powered by Disqus « Undercover fish testing finds high mercury levels My baby is born…now I want to dive! Can I? »Products We Love____________________Chit ChatCool Stuff (74)Get Involved! (19)Our Friends (93)Our Reviews (13)Talkin' Diving (50)Watch Us Dive (69)Adopt a Shark____________________Diveheart - MakingPossibilities for Disabilities____________________ Energy + Hydration For Divers____________________Scuba Diving's NextGeneration Travel Company____________________Jimi Rock - Under theSea Adventures for Kids____________________Darkfin Gloves____________________Adopt a Sea Turtle____________________

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US > California > Los Angeles > Makodivers

2010-05-03T22:29:00.000-07:00

Posted By Scuba Diver Girls Margo on April 9, 2010

Mention you are a Scuba Diver Girls Fan and get 10-15% off class rates.

MAKODIVER is a unique and specialized professional diving service, with over 30 years of diving experience. We offer a variety of underwater and diving services.

We specialize in training and consulting for Public Safety Dive Teams: Police, Fire, & Lifeguards.

MAKODIVER also offers SCUBA classes for the public from beginner though Divemaster. Smaller classes = better divers. We place a strong emphasis on Diver Safety and Education.

In addition to dive training, MAKODIVER provides Stand-by & Safety Divers for on-location TV/motion picture productions, and other in-water events and activities.

MAKODIVER also provides Search & Recovery services for lost / sunken items – “no job too small”.

Makodivers on the Scuba Diver Girls Directory

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About The AuthorScuba Diver Girls Margo Comments blog comments powered by Disqus « My baby is born…now I want to dive! Can I? Dutch Caribbean > Bonaire > Golden Reef Inn Resort »Products We Love____________________Chit ChatCool Stuff (74)Get Involved! (19)Our Friends (93)Our Reviews (13)Talkin' Diving (50)Watch Us Dive (69)Adopt a Shark____________________Diveheart - MakingPossibilities for Disabilities____________________ Energy + Hydration For Divers____________________Scuba Diving's NextGeneration Travel Company____________________Jimi Rock - Under theSea Adventures for Kids____________________Darkfin Gloves____________________Adopt a Sea Turtle____________________

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Dutch Caribbean > Bonaire > Golden Reef Inn Resort

2010-05-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

Posted By Scuba Diver Girls Margo on April 9, 2010

Mention Scubagirls and get the following deals:
STAY, DIVE & DRIVE SPECIAL WITH FREE GIFT!
$549.00 PP – 7 NIGHTS 8 DAYSSTAY AND DRIVE SPECIAL WITH FREE GIFT!
$449.00 PP – 7 NIGHTS 8 DAYS

• Accommodations in a one bedroom condo apt.
• All Room Taxes
• Energy Surcharges
• Manager’s Free Rum Punch Party
• Bonaire “Oasis” Goodie Basket in your apartment
• FREE Unlimited WIFI access
• FREE International Calling
• Double Cab Pickup Truck OR Compact Car
• Airport Meet and Greet, Transfers
• 10% off all Spa Services, 10% discount on photographic services at Fish Eye Photo
• 15 Free minutes Internet access at Chat N Browse
• Unlimited Shore Diving Package including tanks, air, taxes and 24/7 access to secure gear storage and tanks (INCLUDED WITH STAY/DIVE/DRIVE ONLY)
• FREE NITROX UPGRADE

All packages based on double occupancy. Valid for stays as listed above. Thanksgiving Special valid with stay to include 25 November 2010/ Thanksgiving Day. Single Supplement add $275.00. Additional nights available at $99 pp diver/$79 non diver based on double occupancy, $125.00 pp diver/$105 non-diver single occupancy. Daily American Style Breakfast Buffet available at $10.00 pp/day includes taxes. Payment in full due with reservation, Cancellation policy: 25% returned if cancelled 31 days prior to arrival. Non-refundable if cancellation within 30 days of arrival. Cancellation fees can be used toward another stay within 1 year of original reservation date. Vehicle Insurance Extra: $7.95 pp/day includes CDW insurance, airport taxes and surcharges. CDW insurance/taxes/airport surcharge due on arrival. Specials cannot be combined with any other specials or previous reservations. Boat dives also available at $25.00 per single boat dive or $125.00 for 6 single boat dives2.) Name of your dive shop and link to website where product/service can be purchased (if applicable), or address and phone number where Scuba Diver Girls Fans can contact you for the special deal.Golden Reef Inn is a quaint dive resort started BY DIVERS, FOR DIVERS, Owner Liz Ginocchio, a certified and active diver for almost 30 years is also a certified recompression dive nurse, and volunteers in the new, state of the art chamber on island. GRI is known for their casual, homey atmosphere, personalized service, and attentive staff, along with comfortable and complete accommodations for divers!. All of our units have complete kitchens, cable TV with free premium channels, FREE WIFI, air conditioning, in room safes, large bathrooms, great relaxing porches and your choice of twin, double or king size beds!Golden Reef Inn Resort on Scuba Diver Girls DirectoryEmail Golden Reef Inn ResortBookmark It

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About The AuthorScuba Diver Girls Margo Comments blog comments powered by Disqus « US > California > Los Angeles > Makodivers Paul Spielvogel – Shark Photographer »Products We Love____________________Chit ChatCool Stuff (74)Get Involved! (19)Our Friends (93)Our Reviews (13)Talkin' Diving (50)Watch Us Dive (69)Adopt a Shark____________________Diveheart - MakingPossibilities for Disabilities____________________ Energy + Hydration For Divers____________________Scuba Diving's NextGeneration Travel Company____________________Jimi Rock - Under theSea Adventures for Kids____________________Darkfin Gloves____________________Adopt a Sea Turtle____________________

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Hotels With the Most Beautiful Views

2010-05-03T21:59:00.000-07:00

Posted By Scuba Diver Girls Margo on April 11, 2010

Yahoo Travel

By Jacqueline Detwiler

Travel experts say these breathtaking spots offer unique, inspiring beauty.

Going on the recommendations of several frequent travelers and travel experts, we found different hotels around the world, each providing jaw-dropping views. Among them are jungle scenes, ocean vistas, and massive displays of ice, rocks and valleys–all in some of the most unique locations in the world.

Lapa Rios

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Lapa Rios, Costa Rica

Set in one of the last remaining lowland tropical rain forests in Central America, this Costa Rica eco-resort has something for everyone, from beach bunnies to anyone who ever wore a “Save the Rainforest” button. Stay in bungalows three through eight for the best views; they all sit on a high hill, giving them the best angle over the rain forest and ocean. In 2003 Lapa Rios received the top level Certification for Sustainable Tourism, so guests can rest easy that they’re not intruding on the pristine natural surroundings.

Wolwedans

NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

Wolwedans, Namibia

This resort leaves 1,000 hectares of untouched land for every bed at the resort, so each separate camp provides sweeping views of virgin dunes, plains and the Nubib Mountains. Guests staying here can indulge in a private scenic drive or a hot air balloon ride over the reserve, then return to watch the sunset from the comfort of the Mountain View Suite, a cozy private lodge that is almost entirely open to the outdoors.

Jackson Lake Lodge

Jackson, Wyo.

Jackson Lake Lodge, Jackson, Wyo.

After a long day exploring the park, enjoy panoramic vistas of the Grand Tetons and big Wyoming sky from private terraces in each of 46 cottages, or stop in the lodge’s upper lobby to check out Native American artifacts next to 100-foot picture windows. Just bear in mind, the lodge is only open from May through October.

Enchantment Resort and Mii amo Spa

Sedona, Ariz.

Surrounded by massive rocks decorated with swirls of gold and red, guests get the feeling they’re wrapped in the sands of a giant hourglass. Stay in Casita No. 31 for the most unobstructed view of Boynton Canyon and the pristine Coconino National Forest.

Dreams Luxury Suites

Santorini, Greece

Dreams Luxury Suites, Santorini, Greece

Dangling 300 meters over the Aegean, the Dreams Luxury Suites resort is so small it only offers four accommodations, all with panoramic vistas over the Santorini caldera from Imerovigli, a quiet cliff-side town on the west face of the island. Featuring whitewashed walkways, private pools and colorful doors that open onto an endless expanse of bright blue ocean, the Foivos and Armonia Suites are the most lush.

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About The AuthorScuba Diver Girls Margo Comments blog comments powered by Disqus « Paul Spielvogel – Shark Photographer Sea Forester Plants a Rare Species »Products We Love____________________Chit ChatCool Stuff (74)Get Involved! (19)Our Friends (93)Our Reviews (13)Talkin' Diving (50)Watch Us Dive (69)Adopt a Shark____________________Diveheart - MakingPossibilities for Disabilities____________________ Energy + Hydration For Divers____________________Scuba Diving's NextGeneration Travel Company____________________Jimi Rock - Under theSea Adventures for Kids____________________Darkfin Gloves____________________Adopt a Sea Turtle____________________

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Scuba Diving Equipment Reviews

2010-04-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

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Buying your scuba diving gear may be a hassle free experience or a traumatizing experience. If you are new to scuba diving as a sport, you will probably be overwhelmed with so many things you have to remember when diving not to mention the plethora of gear you have to buy. Go to a training centre where you are comfortable, they will not only teach you the ropes they will help gear you up too.

After you have completed your introductory course and have learned everything that you need to learn about scuba diving, including the safety measures, then it is time for you to buy your own scuba diving gear. There are thousands of different kinds of diving gear in the market and the brands may confuse you especially if you are new to this. Normally the diving centre that you enrolled in would know firsthand what your needs are and will be able to help you in purchasing your own gear. But if you want to judge for yourself, you will have to go through various stores on your own but be sure to ask other peoples opinion too.

The primary thing that you have to consider is how to keep warm in the water. Water takes out your body heat so you will need a wetsuit to prevent water from coming in and taking all your body heat away from you. In the tropics it is recommended to buy a shorty wetsuit. As you move further away from the equator though, you will have to use a full length 5mm wetsuit. If you can, purchase the best wetsuit your money can buy because the enjoyment of your scuba diving activity greatly rests in the level of comfort your wetsuit manages to give you.

In buying a dive mask try on the different masks on display. These things can be fitted so do not be shy to test the dive masks. Sniff hard through the mask and listen for air leaks so you will know if the mask is a perfect fit. Press the mask over your nose and your bow to make sure that there is absolutely no contact.

If you have poor vision, some masks can actually be changed into prescription lenses. Ask the dealer which models can be changed into prescription lenses and go for that instead. When you receive your mask, test it out again; keep trying it just to be sure. If your mask fits uncomfortably on your face, you will not be able to enjoy diving as much as you could. This would be a tad shame. So if you are going to spend money on scuba diving gear, go all out. It is a worthy investment. Never be afraid to ask for advice. Experts know what they are talking about and you need all the help that you can get.

Fins will help you move and glide through the water. In choosing fins, make sure that it fits your feet properly. If it is a bit tight on your toes or the bridge of your foot, you know that it will be uncomfortable to use underwater since you have to apply force against the water current. A recent development in scuba diving gear called Split fin technology is an excellent investment and well worth your money. Try looking for a soft and medium flex fin.

These are just some of the basics that you have to cover before you go scuba diving on your own. Remember that you also need other gear such as the oxygen tank and other accessories which are designed to make your scuba diving experience enjoyable and exhilarating. It may be a bit expensive and hard on the pockets but buying good scuba diving gear is an excellent investment. It is better to bring out your money now than to suffer the consequences of faulty and uncomfortable gear later.

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Scuba Diving in Sipadan Malaysia

2010-04-15T04:58:00.000-07:00

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If you are looking for a scuba diving destination and you are considering the wonderful islands of Malaysia, you will be pleased to know that the most popular area in Malaysia where you can go scuba diving is in Sipadan. This island is practical a legend among other divers both amateurs and veterans.

Travellers and divers alike revel at the marine life that can be found within the waters of the beautiful island of Sipadan. There is no end to the diversity of beauty that you will find in Sipadan, Malaysia. If you like watching turtles, you will be surprised to find that there are lots of them here. It will be such a treat to watch them for as long as you can. You would see them munching on algae or sponges. They are adorable and majestic creatures despite their size. The amount of macro life you will find in the waters of Sipadan is overwhelming. You will not realize the time that has passed while you admire these tiny creatures. Sipadan is the most popular diving site in all of Malaysia, and it is popular for the following reasons:

Barracuda Point Reef - The name is just what it suggests. This place is well known for a lot of barracuda sightings. These barracuda sightings should not be taken lightly. It is just as dangerous as one might think. While diving, some divers have been reported to find themselves amidst a pack of barracudas so dense that their eyesight becomes impaired. It is a thrilling yet dangerous experience. Aside from barracudas, you can also see Grey reef sharks in this area.

The Drop Off - this is what people would like to call the best shore dive in not only Malaysia but in the entire world. The Drop off is located just a few steps from the beach. If you are to go scuba diving in this famous spot, you will find yourself enamored by a plethora of colourful corals and sponges on vertical walls. In the little spaces in between you will see crabs, shrimps and other macro life. If you are looking for the bigger marine life, this area is also home to large schools of exquisite marine life like bump headed parrot fishes as well as white tip sharks and turtles.

Coral Garden - If the thrill and exhilaration is not your thing and you want a relaxing diving experience rather than an upbeat one, you can find such experience in the Coral Garden. You can observe turtles move around lazily and feed on algae. Coral Garden is often the choice of scuba divers that want the soothing experience of an underwater exploration. Photo opportunities are abound in this place so make sure you bring a camera and prepare to snap away.

Scuba Diving in Sipadan is a legendary experience, truly one for the books since you would be going around the place best known for its scuba diving sites. If you are going scuba diving, why not go to the best place in the world to do so?

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What to Look For in a Scuba Diving Wetsuit

2010-04-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

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If you want to take up scuba diving as a sport, in additional to the training or introductory classes that you have to undergo, you also have to invest in the proper gear. This is only natural since you should consider scuba diving like any other support. You need the proper gear for it too.

The scuba diving wetsuit depends on what kind of a scuba diver are you and whether you are new to this type of activity or a seasoned veteran. Different people have different goals when they go scuba diving, it only follows that the wetsuit you wear corresponds to the type of activity that you are going to do. Whatever the condition that you will encounter will determine the kind of wetsuit you should wear.

It is a common misconception that if you are diving in warm water you would not need a scuba diving wetsuit anymore since warm water will not make you lose body heat. This is very wrong. The water in which we move around in, whether hot or cold is a conductor of heat away from the body. It does not matter if it is warm, you will still lose body heat in prolonged exposure.

Technology has made the wetsuit somewhat an evolution or a step ahead in industrial progress. The latest materials and development in technology has made a fully functional wetsuit that fits excellently no matter what the body type is. Before you choose a wetsuit, you must be properly informed of the different specifications.

Strictly speaking, the wetsuit is a layer of protection that shields your body from the harmful effects of prolonged immersion in water. Wearing a wetsuit prevents the loss of body heat. This will make you able to dive longer and enjoy the sport for a longer period of time. A wetsuit can also help you dive in water with very cold temperatures. The main factor that you have to watch out for when choosing a wetsuit is choosing one that is of perfect size and fit. It should be tight but not too tight that it cuts off blood circulation.

The scuba diving wetsuit must be tight because your goal here is to prevent as much water from entering your wetsuit as possible. The suit is made of neoprene rubber that will trap the water that is heated by the body, this process helps you maintain your body heat underwater.

The wetsuits thickness varies according to the conditions that you will find yourself diving in. If you plan to go diving on cold water conditions, you will need a thicker suit. If you do not want to spend so much money, try to research first and decide what kind of water will you braving in? If you are going for warmer water conditions, a thinner suit will suffice. There is a large variety of thickness and sizes that are available for you.

Before you make your big purchase, make sure you understand how the wetsuit works so you would know the role that it will play in your scuba diving adventures.

Visit us at LED dive lights for the latest scuba diving clothing.

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Looking For the Best Scuba Diving Gear

2010-04-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

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There are many ways to enjoy scuba diving. Some people get into the sport to observe the interesting marine plants and the animals underwater. They dive for the fun of being part of a world that they are normally not able to be part of. Other people do this for commercial or scientific purposes. Whatever your purpose may be, whether it is official or casual, you will need the best diving gear in order to maximize the potential of the sport.

One of the major fears of first time scuba divers is the safety of the endeavor. You will, after all, be flinging yourself in the almost endless ocean. What makes you so sure you will surface without injuries or what makes you so sure you will surface at all? However these fears are without merit because as long as you have the best scuba diving gear and have taken scuba diving lessons, there is no way for you to get lost in your way. Worried about the damage it will do to your pocket? Sometimes the best scuba diving gear comes in discounts and bulks. If you purchase a whole set you will most likely get it for less the cost rather than if you get it a piece at a time.

Most scuba divers wear the same type of diving gear. There is not much to variety as everyone needs the same level of protection underwater. If you plan on going deeper or going through colder areas in the ocean then you might need additional gear for that. To get the best scuba diving gear mean that you have to get what is appropriate to your activity as well. A typical scuba diving gear consists of the essentials: fins, wetsuit, mask, gauges, tank, watch and a compass. As was previously mentioned, if you are going through colder areas, you will have to wear a hood and gloves as well.

Getting the best deal for the best scuba diving gear means you have to do your homework first. You have to research on the different brands and reviews and testimonials from people who have actually used these brands. This will make you save a lot of money in purchasing diving gear that maximizes the bang for your buck.

Actually purchasing the best scuba diving gear is an easy process. All you have to do is go to stores to purchase the gear. You can find dive shops, classifieds, advertisements or you can search the internet in search of your gear. Dive shops are your best bet because you get to touch, feel and test the gear before buying it. It is not a very good idea to buy gear that you have not seen or tested. It can be dangerous and you will not just lose a couple of hundred dollars, you might get into untoward accidents due to faulty gear.

Visit us at diving LED lights for the latest scuba diving clothing.

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How to Find Scuba Diving Lessons

2010-04-14T04:58:00.000-07:00

Keith has worked in IT since 1992. Starting in large national companies, he left a well known home shopping chain in 2004 to set up ... Article Word Count: 470

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Tips For Putting Scuba Gear on Correctly

2010-04-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

Keith has worked in IT since 1992. Starting in large national companies, he left a well known home shopping chain in 2004 to set up ... Article Word Count: 538

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Scuba diving-a beginner's Guide to Basic open water Training

2010-04-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

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Getting started with scuba diving means that you have to learn extensive scuba diving and go through rigorous training from the best and most qualified diving instructors. The instructors to look for can be found in a PADI or NAUI affiliated diving school. When you are new to something it is important to learn properly from the best. Your training could go from a few days to as long as 11 weeks. A longer time for training is recommended because you have to condition yourself to spend a long time underwater. Bundled up nerves can get pretty dangerous underwater so they have to train you to be calm. Not to mention the fact that you have to learn about all the basic equipment and how to use it.

Requirements - if you plan to enroll in a scuba diving school, you have to at least be 15 years old. This is the earliest that you can participate in this but then of course, you have to have parental consent. If you are a parent, make sure that your child is going to enroll in a safe and trusted school. Health is another requirement that you have to meet. You have to fit the medical bill to make you qualified in such an endeavour.

Classroom Training - as with any type of course, you also have to sit down and take notes. While some people may find this boring and unnecessary, it is in fact a vital step. Learning the concepts in the mind first will properly equip you with knowledge that could prove useful to practical applications. You will learn basic diving techniques, safety measures, scuba diving equipment maintenance, and physiological effects of diving, planning and some basic skills used in diving. You will be given homework and exams just like in any other class.

Pool Sessions - In order to assimilate the practical application, you will be holding training sessions in the pool. This will help beginners in easing up their systems and mindset so they can grow accustomed to being submerged in water for a long period of time. You will be able to try out the diving skills you learned in class as well as all the other discussions that the class held in the pool. You can simulate open water conditions and consequently conditioning also your body to grow accustomed to this activity. Through pool sessions, you will be expected to master the basic techniques which you will in turn, use in open water.

Examinations - typical to any class or course, you will also have to go through examinations both written and practical. The coverage of the exams will be a comprehensive test of all that you are learned during the course of the training. You will be quizzed on theories, application of decompression tables and hand signals. These are all important parts of the learning process and you should know this by heart should you decide to seriously go into scuba diving. You are expected to get perfect marks.

Open Water Training - after the combination of classroom and pool training, you will then be put in what seems to be the most exciting part of your course: getting to test all your newly learned skills in open water. The purpose of the pool training will be evident here as the open water can appear to be more daunting and overwhelming than the pool. If you have managed to condition yourself properly throughout the training, you will find no difficulty in the following tasks. You will dive together with your instructor which will be perfect for beginners who might panic when submerged in water. The goal here is to familiarize yourself with your equipment and apply everything that you have learned in class. In the open water, your diving skills will be put to the ultimate test.

Visit us at Learn diving Singapore for the latest designs of scuba diving Apparel.

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Top shark dives

2010-04-13T04:58:00.000-07:00

For some folks the idea of swimming with sharks is their worst nightmare. But for other the thought of suiting up in their scuba diving equipment and taking a swim right along these fierce creatures of the deep is a dream come true. In fact, shark dives are growing in popularity, and for good reason; today it is now becoming more widespread knowledge that many of these previously feared undersea creatures are not the human blood thirsty monsters portrayed by the silver screen. By following strict protocols divers are flocking to these sites and here are the top shark dives you should plan on booking your next scuba holiday at.
While you may not want to take a plunge next to a great white without adequate metal reinforcements, that’s okay because that is all part of the plan when you go to Gansbaai, South Africa. You will be encased in a solid steel cage to bear witness to these hungry, razor sharp creatures, but don’t worry because they will only be feasting on the nearby seals or penguins. The best venues are from Geyser Rock or Dyer Island which are a mere 12 kilometres from Gansbaai itself. It is the blue sharks you will be tossing fish to in order to attract in Rhode Island, United States and you will want to come fully prepared with only the warmest of dry suits for this occasion due to the freezing water temperatures. As these sharks make their progression to South Africa you can catch up with them here behind the safety of a shark cage.
If you want to be peered at by the peripheral you could head to Cocos Island, Costa Rica to be surrounded by hammerhead sharks. You may be glancing back from behind your scuba diving mask, but their eyes may be left to wander and leave you wondering which one is looking back at you! This spot will plunk you down over hundreds of these oceanic predators and it is one of the top rated destinations worldwide for such a sport. And for all those most adventurous in spirit you can go sans shark cage in Nassau, Bahamas. Here the reef sharks are the big draw for the location and they are fed while you gaze in amazement by dive leaders donning chain-mail and offering up some chum. The majority of these sleek carnivores will be the white and blacktip reef sharks but it has happened on more than one occasion that the free feeding draws a great white too!
So whether you are spending the time behind some sturdy bars or taking the ultimate dive, when swimming with the sharks you are truly playing with the big boys!
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Australia voted as diving favourite

2010-04-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

Australia has been voted by the readers of a magazine as the best country in the Pacific to visit for scuba divers who do not wish to take a boat.Underwater enthusiasts are able to see beautiful marine environments from beaches of piers according to Scuba Diving magazine, while Australia also possesses some of the best shore diving sites in the world.Divers can visit Navy Pier in Western Australia, Rapid Bay Jetty in South Australia and Bare Island in Sydney if they want to experience some of the country’s diving highlights.While the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea remain popular, scuba divers heading to Australia may wish to take a look at any one of these alternative destinations.Elsewhere in the poll of 5,000 people, which ranked different diving destinations across the globe on a variety of criteria, Egypt was voted as one of the best countries for wreck diving and Thailand was recognised for being value for money.
Australia has been voted by the readers of a magazine as the best country in the Pacific to visit for scuba divers who do not wish to take a boat.
Underwater enthusiasts are able to see beautiful marine environments from beaches of piers according to Scuba Diving magazine, while Australia also possesses some of the best shore diving sites in the world.
Divers can visit Navy Pier in Western Australia, Rapid Bay Jetty in South Australia and Bare Island in Sydney if they want to experience some of the country’s diving highlights.
While the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea remain popular, scuba divers heading to Australia may wish to take a look at any one of these alternative destinations.
Elsewhere in the poll of 5,000 people, which ranked different diving destinations across the globe on a variety of criteria, Egypt was voted as one of the best countries for wreck diving and Thailand was recognised for being value for money.
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Scuba diving group opens new HQ

2010-04-12T12:58:00.000-07:00

The world’s oldest scuba diving organisation has opened a new headquarters in Florida.
The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), which has been awarding scuba diving qualifications since 1960, has opened its new base at Riverview, Tampa Bay.
Previously, the headquarters of NAUI were based at Broadway in Florida.
Marketing director of the organisation, Elizabeth Travis, said scuba diving students will be able to benefit from the improved facilities, and find more information on scuba diving classes.
The marketing and membership services of the NAUI will also be housed in the 17,000 sq ft building.
Now in its 50th year, the NAUI will be celebrating its presence worldwide by hosting parties in South Africa, Malaysia, Kuwait and the Red Sea.
Jim Bram, president of the NAUI, said the group is proud of the fact it is the “most respected” scuba diving organisation in the world.
He added: “We are nonprofit and focused on safety and the value of the underwater environment”
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Scuba Diving and Aquariums

2010-04-12T04:58:00.000-07:00

Scuba diving is a sport that many people would like to try, but with limited opportunities to dive in the UK and the often prohibitive costs of diving abroad, it is often beyond the reach of many. As an introduction to the underwater world that you can experience during scuba diving, a trip to the local aquarium or sea life centre could be a good first step.

For those who have visited aquariums, you’ll know the thrill of seeing amazing fish and sea creatures close up, perhaps for the first time. But can this ever come close to swimming with fish in the water, experiencing their natural environment, being part of their world on a scuba dive?

In aquariums the fish are always going to be constrained, however big the tank, and you can never really get close to them. You may see new types of fish but not experience how they naturally behave in the ocean. So how can this ever come close to the freedom of scuba diving.

If you are passionate about underwater life and are already an experienced diver, visiting an aquarium could serve as a quick fix between scuba dives. There are plenty of aquariums around Britain and the world where you can experience the beauty and grace of the fish as they swim by in large tanks, reminding you of the excitement of the ocean environment. They offer the chance to perhaps see fish that you may have already encountered on a dive or are likely to see on a future dive.

If you are really passionate about ocean life however, then an aquarium may be a place you’d find difficult to visit. Much like the argument about zoos, many people believe that the aquarium environment is un-natural and restrictive for the fish and sea creatures concerned. Seeing sharks and rays swimming up and down a tank could be a cruel reminder of when you last observed them in the ocean on a scuba dive, free to explore and hunt their own food. These creatures will never be able to use the instincts and skills they were born with in an aquarium environment.

On the other hand, some people argue that fish are well cared for in aquariums; they have their food provided, their water monitored and are not under threat from predators. Water parks and aquariums can also be great places to spark young people’s interest in the underwater environment. They are fantastic locations to take the family for a day out or for school parties to attend on an educational visit.

Keeping fish as pets in a tank at home can also provide an insight into underwater life and teach children how to respect and care for ocean creatures. All these things provide a chance to experience the wonders of sea life without being in the water.

Perhaps artificial aquatic environments are therefore a great chance to get more people, particularly the young, interested in the underwater world – which may then in turn lead on to an interest in scuba diving. For those who have not had the opportunity to see amazing fish and sea creatures whilst diving, the aquarium could be a good place to start a lifelong interest in and respect for the wonders of the ocean.

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Scuba Diving for People with Disabilities

2010-04-11T22:56:00.000-07:00

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Scuba diving isn’t a sport limited only for those people without physical disabilitiesScuba diving is an open sport for everyone, even for the disabled – may it be physical or mental, as long as they get the proper instructions and certifications

Scuba diving is a sport that offers a unique glimpse of the underwater world to everyone. People with disabilities should never be discouraged since scuba diving lessons aren’t limited to the able-bodied only. It’s never too late for anyone to explore the underwater beauty through scuba diving. Here are the ways to get scuba certified even for the disabled.

Train with a certified instructor/agency with a facility equipped to train disabled persons. You would be able to choose a program that would suit your promising scuba diving capabilities in accordance to the particular disability. This program would instruct potential scuba divers proper techniques and the necessary safety procedures.Scuba divers are categorized according to their diving capabilities. Level “A” divers must dive with at least 1 buddy. Level “B” divers are required to dive with at least 2 buddies. While the Level “C” divers must also dive with at least 2 buddies, with one of which must be a certified and trained CPR provider.After being certified in the open-water course, you could still achieve an advanced scuba diving certification. Scuba diving would never limit your capabilities for as long as you are willing to learn more and enhance your skills further.Click here to access www.MaldivesDiveTravel.com and learn more about scuba diving!!

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Preventing and Dealing with Muscle Cramps While Underwater

2010-04-11T22:41:00.000-07:00

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Maximize your enjoyment underwater by preventing muscle crampsLearn more in order to enjoy more

Muscle cramping is a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic muscular contraction that causes severe pain which oftenly occurs in the legs or shoulders as a result of chills or muscle strains. Aside from the physical distraction and discomfort, muscle cramps could also cause underwater anxiety, which could lead to further problems. And you know you wouldn’t want to have problems underwater. Nevertheless, there are still several things that could be done if you ever experience cramping underwater.

The initial thing to be done once you get a cramp underwater, of course, is to alert your dive buddy about the situation. In that way, he/she could help you mobilize underwater.Establish neutral buoyancy by breathing correctly. Neutral buoyancy would allow you to float steadily and stretch your muscles. Neutral buoyancy is always to be practiced in all scuba diving simulation exercises.It is recommended to stretch and massage the cramped muscle to ease the pain. If you ever experience cramping in your calf muscle, it would be best to pull the tip of your fin and pull it towards you to stretch the calf muscle. Or you could just have your dive buddy do it for you.Getting enough potassium in your diet would prevent your muscles from cramping. Bananas are a very good source of potassium, with 1 banana containing 451 mg of it. It would be good and healthy to include bananas during meals before scuba diving.MaldivesDiveTravel.com offers nothing but the best holiday packages that you could afford. Click here for more info and bookings!

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Diving Tips For Beginners

2010-04-11T22:26:00.000-07:00

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Scuba diving would take you into depths of amazement and beautyAnd every scuba endeavor would require the right preparation in order to maximize your enjoyment underwater

Before Diving

Before any dive, a beginner must be in a reasonably good shape and must be comfortable underwater. The last thing you would want in scuba diving is to panic underwater. Although scuba diving does not necessarily require rigorous swimming, it is best to feel comfortable underwater just as you are above surface. Beginners should always enroll in a certified dive school to get a genuine experience of diving in a safe and controlled environment. Aside from the basics taught by the qualified instructors, safety skills such as clearing your mask underwater, signaling, managing low air supply and reinserting oxygen regulators are also taught. The PADI is known to be the premiere diving certification in the world.

Gearing Up

All scuba diving activities should be done with the basic, appropriate gear, and these would be your mask, fins, buoyancy-control devices or your “BCD’s”, and your wetsuits. Most dive shops would provide the necessary equipment, but would-be divers might to consider having their own masks and snorkels because those masks in the dive shop might not suit your face pretty well, which would make you clear your mask more often when underwater. New divers are always required to dive with guides or “buddies” who could check and help with the necessary equipment.

The First Dive

It is also important to choose a reputable guide for your first dive. Not only would they have the best experience underwater, they would also be prudent enough in dealing with any problems that may be encountered underwater. Being relaxed is the most important thing when scuba diving. Experienced guides are also the ones who would take you to the best dive spots and would make sure that your first dive would be a memorable one.

Check out MaldivesDive Travel.com for more scuba tips and bookings!

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Maintaining Scuba Equipment

2010-04-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

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Scuba equipment should be properly maintained at all timesProper maintenance would not just prolong the function of your equipment, it could also prevent underwater problems

Caring for your scuba gear should just be as articulate as the required training before you dive. Proper functioning of your equipment is very essential for your safety and your enjoyment underwater, that is why we are to give you tips on how to care for your equipment.

The easiest part to maintain among all scuba gears is your mask. After each dive, you should always rinse your masks thoroughly with fresh water and toothpaste to get rid of the saltwater and to prevent your mask from fogging. The same is to be done with your scuba fins, sand and other objects may cause discomfort on your next dive. Store your equipment in a cool, dry place to prevent cracking and warping.Your Buoyancy Control Device or your “BCD” may tend to accumulate little salt crystals that can damage the fabric in time. Just pour a small amount of water into the bladder of the BCD and squeeze it out. You should also rinse the oral inflator with an antiseptic solution to kill off bacteria and germs that tend to congregate in your inflators. Also make sure to store your BCD’s partially inflated.

Proper care for your scuba tank can prolong its life for decades. It is best to make sure that your tank is never left totally empty. Be sure to dip your tank into fresh water to rinse the cylinder and the valve. If you won’t be using your tank for a few months, make sure to drain the oxygen to about 1000 kPa to reduce potential for corrosion. And always store your tanks away from direct sunlight.Always rinse the scuba regulator while it is still attached to the tank and after every dive. Keep its dust cover ssecurely in place and rinse it with a strong stream of fresh water. Make sure not to press the purge button while rinsing the regulator. Scuba tanks and regulators have to be professionally serviced at least once a year.Visit MaldivesDiveTravel.com for more scuba diving info and for bookings

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The Angaga Thila Dive Site

2010-04-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

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The Angaga Thila is one of the best dive sites in the Maldives It is located at the South Ari Atoll, South of Angaga

The Angaga Thila in is considered to be one of the best dive spots in the Maldives for advanced divers. With its rich marine life, the Angaga Thila has been known for its grey reef sharks and stonefish.

Rating: Intermediate to advancedDescription: Reef top lies at 8 – 10 metres, around the thila it is 20 metres. The edge falls over at 40 metres.Depth range: 10 – 30 metres.Marine life: Angaga thila is famous for the grey reef sharks that patrol the area when there is current. If you are lucky you will find stonefish, snails and cleaning crabs on the reef top. Hunting tunas, schooling barracudas, the fastest animal on earth – the mantis shrimp, octopus, a rare and beautiful patterned puffer fish, whitetip reef sharks, a school of banner fish, turtles and stone fish all make Angaga their home. Around the thila are some caves with good fish life. At the edge you are most likely to catch glimpses of some big game fish.Instructor’s comment: Fast overhead descent and free swimming safety stop necessary.

Angaga Thila

Location: South Ari Atoll, south of Angaga

Rating: Intermediate to advanced

Description: Reef top lies at 8 – 10 metres, around the thila it is 20 metres. The edge falls over at 40 metres.

Depth range: 10 – 30 metres.

Marine life: Angaga thila is famous for the grey reef sharks that patrol the area when there is current. If you are lucky you will find stonefish, snails and cleaning crabs on the reef top.

Around the thila are some caves with good fish life. At the edge you are most likely to catch glimpses of some big game fish.

Instructor’s comment: Fast overhead descent and free swimming safety stop necessary.

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The Bulhalhohi Caves Dive Site

2010-04-11T21:41:00.000-07:00

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At the Northeast of Rangali lies the magnificent beauty of the BulhalhohiThe Bulhalhohi offers a broad spectrum of natural beauty and exotic marine life

As the name implies, caves are the biggest attraction to this dive and can be found North East of Rangali. Diving here is only allowed on the Eastern and Southern sides. The largest of these caves can be found on the Southern side of Bulhalhohi. Visibility can lower and a lamp will be needed to dive here. Beautiful corals and a wide array of marine life inhabits these caves.

Location: South Ari Atoll, Northeast of Rangali

Rating: Intermediate to advanced

Description: Diving is only on the South and East sides, where grey reef shark and white tipped reef sharks swim past when there is current. The largest of the caves lie in the middle of the South part.

Depth range: 6 – 30 metres.

Marine life: In the caves are wonderful soft corals and fan corals. Big schools of batfish, turtles, reef sharks, nudibranches, nusiliersbig groupers and napoleonfish can also be found here.

Instructor’s comment: A lamp is necessary for this place. A fast overhead descent and a free swimming safety stop is necessary.

Click here for more info and bookings at MaldivesDiveTravel.com

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Underwater Visibility in the Maldives

2010-04-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

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Maldives is considered a diver’s paradise, considering its myriad of unspoiled dive sites and its glorious marine lifeAlong with diving equipments, the underwater visibility should also be given preference when scuba diving in the Maldives

The underwater visibility of the Maldives is mostly affected by the flow of the tides, so one thing that an experienced diver should know is the direction of the tidal flow. Planktons and sediments always occupy the the falling tide, and the incoming tides make the visibility clearer with its crystalline water. The underwater visibility is a very important factor in scuba diving, in order to experience the Maldives‘ marine beauty at its best. Ample lighting is also important even more so in night diving. Nobody would want to annoy big fishes in a night dive safari when you bump into their heads.

The visibility would also depend on how deep you are going. As you go deeper underwater, more light would be left behind and vibrant colors would come into sight. If you are 16 feet underwater, all red color is absorbed and red corals would seem to appear black. Within 32 feet, orange will lose its identity. Yellow would be refracted in 6 feet and by the time you descend 82 feet, green will appear to be black. And at last, blue will also cease to appear blue.

Underwater visibility in the Maldives is best down till 130 feet during the months of March to April. Sometimes, even if you descend 230 feet down, the visibility would not seem to be affected.

For more info and bookings, check out MaldivesDiveTravel.com

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Scuba Gear Checklists

2010-04-11T21:11:00.000-07:00

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A well prepared scuba dive would ensure maximum safety and enjoymentA checklist for your scuba gear would be very helpful in planning and preparing your dive

Most avid scuba divers have a bag of the basic scuba diving items called the “save-a-dive” kit. The kit contains the basic and necessary items for back-ups or emergencies. Since dive gear requires regular and articulate care, a checklist would be very helpful in providing the proper care for your valuable dive equipments.

The Save-a-Dive Kit

The save-a-dive kit can be purchased in most dive shops. Its function is to meet the individual needs of a diver who’s equipped with it. These components are compiled in a small, waterproof toolbox, or what they call the “dry box”. The dry box would contain items such as: O-rings, spare mask and fin straps, dive tool with adjustable wrench, batteries, flashlight bulbs, high-pressure and low-pressure plugs, neoprene sealer or glue, hair bands, lanyards and cords or clips, cable ties, alcohol wipes, bandages and duct tape. Additional supplies include dry suit powder, zipper wax, ginger tablets or Dramamine for nausea, analgesics and silicone grease.

The Basic Gear Checklist

The basic gear checklist would, of course, include your certification card, dive log and tables, mask, snorkel, regulator setup, computer/gauge and fins. A buoyancy compensator device or your “BCD” with appropriate lift rating that should be used according to the water conditions. Cold water diving may require a dry suit with undergarments, shoes, hood and gloves. Warmer or temperate water conditions may require a bathing suit, wetsuit or exposure suit and booties, along with gloves and hood if appropriate.

It is best to enjoy scuba diving with the proper training and certification. With these, you would get to learn all the essentials and even additional information about scuba diving.

For more scuba diving info and bookings, check out MaldivesDiveTravel.com

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How Safe Are Diving Holidays?

2010-04-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

If you have been on a diving holiday or are planning one, have you ever thought about how safe you really are?

You may be a very experienced diver, but things can still go wrong. It’s good to know before you plan your trip whether the destination you are heading to has local facilities, like a decompression chamber and clean hospitals in the case of an emergency.

Its not just in-experienced divers that suffer from the bends, there are several factors which could cause decompression illness. It can often be caused by tiredness or dehydration (possibly the largest contributing factor) when diving, not just by ascending too quickly.

So if you or your buddy were to suffer a decompression injury whilst on your diving adventure, wouldn’t you want to know that there are local facilities close by to help you recover? Insurance is great but only if the medical facilities are staffed and operating. We take this for granted in the UK but do you know the standards where you’re heading on holiday?

In 2008, an experienced diver, Jayne Bloom, 38 of Stockport died from decompression illness whilst on holiday with her fiancé in the Federated States of Micronesia. Jayne suffered from decompression illness after doing a 47 metre dive. She was taken to the local decompression chamber, and at the time there was nobody there qualified to operate it. Mr Keep, Jayne’s fiancé also said that the hospital was dirty, lacked facilities and that the doctors did not seem to be qualified to deal with a incident as serious as this.

So bearing this story in mind, would you think twice about your diving holiday if you knew the local facilities to deal with such incidents wasn’t up to scratch?

Next time you book your dive trip or holiday ask the tour operator the distance to the nearest chamber and hospital and are they staffed 24 hours a day?

Alex Brylske famously said in his book Beating the Bends – “there are no guarantees you won’t get bent, if you want a guarantee, buy a washing machine..!” With this lack of guarantee and the inherent risk of a bend from the most tranquil of dives, would you think twice about the local emergency facilities?

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Basic Scuba Diving Courses

2010-04-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

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Scuba diving offers a whole lot more than just a mere underwater sportScuba diving may start from simple courses and continue through the most technical ones, in which interesting and high-paying careers are made out of

Listed below are the basic scuba diving courses from the introductory to the advanced courses with short descriptions that could give you ideas and insights on how you want to really start your scuba diving career

Introductory courses allow you to experience scuba diving without any certification or license but are gateway courses if chosen to pursue for scuba diving certification.

> Discover Scuba Diving – (for ages 10 yrs+) Learn to use basic scuba equipment and get a quick and easy introduction to scuba diving> Bubblemaker – (for ages 8 yrs+) A good way to introduce scuba diving to children within six feet of water

Certification courses make you a licensed scuba diver once the requirements are met.

> Open Water Diving – (for ages 10 yrs+) Explore new adventures at deeper depths and earn your certification as a licensed scuba diver> Scuba Diver Certification – This certification allows for ample dive experience and is a good warm-up for the Open Water course and requires less time than the Open Water course but has a limited certification

Advanced courses enhance your skills as a licensed scuba diver

> Advanced Open Water Course – Introduces you to underwater navigation and to deeper water diving as deep as 18-30 meters or 60-100 feet> Nitrox Diving – Stay underwater for longer periods of time using a combination of nitrogen and oxygen gases

These are just a few of the many courses that could be taken in scuba diving and are the usual courses taken by starters. The other diver-level courses involve safety/first aid and adventure. If scuba diving should be pursued as a career, technical, professional and emergency response or rescue courses may be taken.

For additional information about scuba diving and for bookings in the Maldives, visit MaldivesDiveTravel.com

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The Worst Dive Buddy

2010-04-11T20:41:00.000-07:00

There comes a time in every diver’s life when your usual dive buddy (wife, husband, partner in crime, lifelong friend, annoying neighbor, twin, etc.) is not able to make the trip, but you are determined to dive anyway. Not to be deterred from the lure of the sea, you boldly climb on the dive boat and start scrutinizing the other divers to see who is going to be your assigned buddy for the day. Sometimes it works out, and a new dive buddy/lifelong friend is made. But, more often then not, you get saddled with , the butt of jokes and the basis of buddy comparison for all dives in the future. A few of the unfortunate buddy options:

ADOS Buddy

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Sharks in the Bahamas

2010-04-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

This is not a Great White, but he plays one on TV...

Another day, another shark feed. In scuba diving circles, the Bahamas are pretty well known for their sharks. Divers commonly see black tips, white tips, grey reef, and nurse sharks on dives. The only way to pack more of them into a dive is to feed them, which is what several companies have started offering in the Bahamas. While no shark feed is 100% safe, I chose one with an environmentally conscious reputation and an impeccable safety record. Better to stack the deck in my favor from the start.

When the dive boat tied up to the mooring ball I was surprised to see how close we were to shore. Specifically, how close we were to several large hotels. If the guests only knew what lay in the nearby waves, they would spend their time in the pool.

The shark feeder (we will call him Sir Fish Head in deference to the chain mail he wore) entered the water and plummeted to the bottom from the weight of his suit. He walked along the sea floor towards us in slow motion, like a knight in shining armor walking on the moon. I expected him to stop about thirty feet away from us, but he kept approaching us, closer and closer. He finally stopped six feet from our diver line.

Sir Fish Head pulled the first piece of fish out of the thermos and five sharks swooped in to grab it. They swam so fast I did not see them approach. They just appeared, grabbed the food, and disappeared, like aquatic magic. The fish feeder continued to pull bits of fish out, sometimes dangling it on the end of his lance to feed the sharks, sometimes handing larger pieces directly to their waiting jaws. The sharks began circling closer to us, their shyness replaced by their growing excitement over the fishy snack.

The sharks were so numerous and so close that I would have come into contact with one had I shifted any body part too much. The closeness of the sharks unnerved me, but also enthralled. I could see the detail of their black marble eyes and the electrical sensors on their snouts that looked like enlarged pores. One shark had a large hook in the side of its mouth, the result of a fisherman’s bait theft gone badly. Their faces grinned with rows of large teeth, exuding menace even when the sharks’ mouths were closed.

When the food disappeared from the water the sharks disappeared from sight. The divemaster ushered us back to the boat. Sir Fish Head stayed behind to distract any remaining sharks in the area, keeping them away from us as we ascended. I took many photos of the event with my underwater camera, though I had not paid too much attention to the viewfinder in favor of focusing on the real thing in front of me. When I developed the pictures they were all of parts of sharks: a tail, a head, some fins. The sharks had been so close that the lens had not captured a single one in its entirety.

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Diving the Wrecks of Truk Lagoon, Micronesia

2010-04-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

Chuuk Atoll (also referred to as Truk) in the Caroline Islands of Micronesia is infamous for its enormous lagoon. The lagoon is the final resting place for more than 100 ships, planes and submarines – the legacy of a fierce World War II battle in 1944 between the Imperial Japanese Fleet and Allied carrier planes. The majority of the wrecks lie off DubIon, Eten, Fefan and Uman Islands. Their cargoes of tanks, trucks, airplanes, mines, bombs, machine gun bullets and thousands of other artifacts like china and sake bottles are there to be explored. These wrecks are now fully incorporated into the environment as “artificial reefs,” but also stand as monuments to those lives that were lost in the battle. A healthy dose of respect and reverence as well as a

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Irrational Scuba Phobias

2010-04-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

Neoprene is not the most forgiving of fabrics...

Creature of the Deep Terror (the Unknown Fish Phobia) -

Rationally, I know that 99.999999999% of all creatures in the ocean have no intention (or appetite) to eat a human. We are too big, too bony and we tend to fight back when chewed. For some reason, however, my Creature of the Deep Terror tends to increase the moment visibility decreases. The minute I can no longer see clearly (say during a night dive or when the diver in front of me kicks up silt) I start to envision unknown sea creatures stalking me from the shadows, just waiting to use their teeth, tentacles or other persuasive parts to turn me into dinner. This phobia seems to be shared by many, as according to Jacques Cousteau:

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Scuba diving group opens new HQ

2010-04-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

The world’s oldest scuba diving organisation has opened a new headquarters in Florida.

The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), which has been awarding scuba diving qualifications since 1960, has opened its new base at Riverview, Tampa Bay.

Previously, the headquarters of NAUI were based at Broadway in Florida.

Marketing director of the organisation, Elizabeth Travis, said scuba diving students will be able to benefit from the improved facilities, and find more information on scuba diving classes.

The marketing and membership services of the NAUI will also be housed in the 17,000 sq ft building.

Now in its 50th year, the NAUI will be celebrating its presence worldwide by hosting parties in South Africa, Malaysia, Kuwait and the Red Sea.

Jim Bram, president of the NAUI, said the group is proud of the fact it is the “most respected” scuba diving organisation in the world.

He added: “We are nonprofit and focused on safety and the value of the underwater environment”

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Lionfish Threaten The Ecosystem Of The Caribbean Sea

2010-04-11T04:58:00.000-07:00

Fishermen in the Bahamas are being threatened by the arrival of this alien species – the Lionfish. Marvin, a fisherman from Long Island said he first saw the arrival of the Lionfish in 2004. In 2005 he would see two or three Lion fish each dive, the next year, five or six each dive. He says he has never seen a species multiply as quickly as this.
The Lionfish is a very poisonous fish which has no predators. There are lots of different types of Lionfish that vary in size. In native sea’s the most common Lionfish is usually 30cm to 35cm, while the smaller Lionfish are about the size of a tennis ball. The one’s found in the Caribbean are often up to 55cm in size.
This species is one of the most venomous fish in the ocean. Their venomous dorsal spines are solely uses for defence. If they are threatened, the Lionfish will usually face it’s attacker upside down which brings it’s spines to bear. Lionfish do not usually attack humans and you will find they the do their best to avoid you, but if you are stung by one it is not usually fatal, but is very painful.
Lionfish have a very veracious appetite and eat everything. They primarily hunt between late afternoon to dawn. They corner their prey using their large fins and then use their quick reflexes to swallow the prey whole.
Fishermen are now spending most of their time trying to catch this poisonous species because they are quickly transforming the ecosystem of the Caribbean Sea.
Nobody knows exactly how the Asian Lionfish ended up in the Bahamas, but it is believed that they were washed out of an aquarium in Southern Florida when Hurricane Andrew hit the area.
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Fiji Shark Diving A tourism project in Benga Lagoon in Fiji is...
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A Thrilling New Scuba Experience

2010-04-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

With the acceleration of world travel, it has become easier to try out your favourite sport in a variety of fantastic and remote environments. Capitalising on this, many holiday companies have for a long while offered specialist sporting trips – such as holidays tailored specifically around scuba diving.

With more demand from the public for greater adventure, could the combined sports trip now be a big thing? Many people want to experience unforgettable adventures during their lifetime and are now more able to do this if they have both the money and inclination. Tailored beach holidays are increasingly available for the discerning customer and there is no reason why this cannot also apply to sports adventure trips.

Scuba divers are used to the thrill of swimming in different oceans, experiencing a range of environments and water temperatures, exploring unknown underwater worlds. But now there are new, high-octane experiences that combine scuba diving with various other sports for the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Black Tomato are an innovative travel company that are offering the ultimate sports adventure, sky diving followed by a scuba dive…..in the arctic circle! If you have a basic PADI qualification, this extreme environment can offer the experienced scuba diver a dive like no other.

Plunging below thick ice will provide an opportunity to view an all new aquatic world, with the chance to see seals and sea lions in their own environment and experience the beautiful ice formations and colours of the arctic water. This forty minute dive will surely be the scuba diving experience of a lifetime?

The north pole is a unique landscape and this trip also offers the chance to see its wonders from above as you sky-dive. Whether you have sky dived before or not, this five minute jump must surely be unique. There is also the chance to enter the Guinness World Record books as this north pole trip is a one-off, never done before travel adventure!

It is a great thing for those in the scuba diving community to be offered a chance to experience something like this arctic circle adventure from Black Tomato. If you are a frequent scuba diver with the resources to dive around the world, it is always great to find a way to push your experience to a new level. However, with highly experienced tandem sky-divers and arctic divers on hand to assist on this scuba and sky dive, there is also a chance for those with less experience to enjoy this exciting opportunity.

Going on extreme adventure holidays like this means that by visiting thrilling environments, your interest in scuba diving can remain fresh and that you can also experience different extreme sports on the same trip – widening your general sporting interest. After all, surely sky diving and scuba diving at the north pole would be the ultimate sporting adventure that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

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Fiji Shark Diving

2010-04-10T12:58:00.000-07:00

A tourism project in Benga Lagoon in Fiji is proving sharks are worth more alive than dead.

A bowl of shark fin soup in a resturant is over $100 per bowl, but tourists will gladly pay that each to see these sharks including bull sharks and the mighty tiger shark alive in their natural habitat. And dives take place several times each week.

To protect the sharks the marine at Benga has been declared a marine reserve, this has the added bonus of protecting the other fish in the area as well.

Before the Benga reserve was establish the marine had been over fished. Seeing even one shark in the area was a rarity, today the divers regularly see 30 sharks at one time!

Some of the money raised goes to local villages as an incentive not to kill sharks. The other advantage of the reserve is that some of the fish spill out of the reserve into surrounding waters and local fisherman have been reporting larger catches than they had in previous years before the reserve was set up.

Fijians have long respected sharks. Their ancestors viewed sharks as gods who kept them safe from harm, they would feed sharks, not hunt them. Their children continue the tradition, the main shark feeder who dives with the tourists comes from a local village where the shark is still viewed as a god.

Bull Sharks are regularily found in the area and can grow up to 3.5 meters in length making them one of the larger shark species, they have an agressive reputation even for sharks.

More rarely seen are Tiger sharks. These sharks are massive, they can grown in excess of 5 meters long and are the largest specie of shark in Fiji.

Here you can the video on the Fiji reserve as part of the BBC’s documentary series “South Pacific” looking at remote south pacific islands.

Lionfish Threaten The Ecosystem Of The Caribbean Sea Fishermen in the Bahamas are being threatened by the...

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Castaway

2010-04-10T04:58:00.000-07:00

One gentleman Peter Agnew from Esperance in Western Australia was left as a castaway last weekend as his diving trip didn’t go as he had planned.

Mr Agnew set off on a scuba diving trip last Friday, unaware to him that he wouldn’t be returning home that evening. His trip turned into more of a nightmare when he surfaced from his dive only to realise that his boat had drifted away.

Peter, very tired after his long dive, found the energy to swim to the nearest island, Sandy Hook, where he took refuge for the night.

Luckily for Mr Agnew, one of his friends had known that he was setting off on his diving trip and reported him overdue to the Esperance police at 7pm on Friday.

The police searched for Peter all through the night, but were unfortunately unsuccessful.

Saturday arrived, and although being extremely tired and dehydrated after not eating or drinking for hours, Mr Agnew saw that there was a fishing boat just anchored of the island so he swam out to it for help. He was returned safely home and was taken to hospital to be checked over after suffering with serious dehydration.

Peter was very lucky to have found the fisherman. He said that he had checked the anchor on his boat was in securely, but it can’t have been enough.

Although we all dream of being Castaway on a beautiful island, it really isn’t that idyllic when you have no food, no water or the energy to fend for yourself. So the next time you go on a diving trip, think and let people know where you are and make sure you have safety gear on board.

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Scuba Diving Europe: the United Kingdom and Ireland

2010-04-09T20:58:00.000-07:00

Scapa Flow blockship at low tide
Mention scuba diving, and most people conjure up images of warm, tropical locales in the Caribbean or the Pacific. But many places in Europe offer great diving too with the added bonus of some very interesting topside cultural experiences. In particular, the United Kingdom and Ireland offer fantastic diving, enhanced by the water that surrounds them as well as their rich history.
So, yes. The water is cold up there. In winter the ocean temperature ranges between 45-55F degrees. And, yes. The visibility is not always crystal clear, like in some warmer climes. BUT, if you get past these small challenges, there are some amazing wrecks to dive and even spots of prolific sea life to explore. Some examples:
Scotland
Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands is one of the most famous dive sites in the UK. Numerous warships from the early 1900’s litter the ocean bottom. These wrecks are in remarkably good shape, in particular the Blockship Tabarka, scuttled to prevent a submarine attack during WW2. The Tabarka is covered in sea life and offers a fascinating window into the past. On this and some of the rest of the sunken fleet, huge guns protrude from the wreckage. Sea life includes wrasse, brittle stars, large jellyfish, sea urchins, sponges and starfish, which are often seen on the wrecks and in the kelp forests nearby. Divers may also be joined by seals on the surface.
Oban, on the west coast of Scotland, also offers high quality wreck and wall dives. This area is known for visibility that allows divers to easily explore the wreckage of several ships, such as the shallow Shuna and the more demanding Rondo. The abundance of wrecks is a result of the bad weather that plagues the area. Rocky outcrops, such as Calve Island, provide interesting wall dives with faulted ledges and overhangs. The water is generally clear and green and there may be strong currents, particularly after a lot of rain. Life is abundant and varied, with dogfish, pollack, octopus, cuttlefish, wrasse, corals, crabs, hydroids, nudibranchs, plumose anemones and sea squirts being found. Sometimes even porpoises and whales can be seen here.
England
Eddystone Reef around the Eddystone lighthouse lies 10 or so miles outside of Plymouth Sound. Visibility here is okay, usually at about 40 feet. The reef is from 8 to 60 m, and encompasses large boulders, walls and plenty of crevices that encourage sea life. The numerous rock gullies are lined with kelp and house anemones, sponges and sea fans. Divers can spot dogfish, bib, pollack, congers, wrasse, lobsters, edible crabs, star fish, urchins and loads of cucumbers. Lucky divers might even spot smooth hound and basking sharks. On the way back to shore, a second dive can be made on the James Egan Layne, one of the most famous dived wrecks in the UK.
The Mohegan Wreck sits on the Manacles granite reef off the Lizard Peninsula. The bow is at a depth of about 65 feet with the rest of the ship deeper. This ship sank in 1917 after repeatedly hitting the reef. Pieces of the ship, including the boiler, can still be seen, while a great deal of sea life has moved in, including jewel anemones and coral fans. Visibility varies, but can stretch to 65 feet on a really good day. Over 200 wrecks lie around the Manacles, making it an excellent area to see multiple wrecks on a single dive trip. In the months of May and June basking sharks are regularly seen as well as orca whales and dolphins.
Ireland
North Wall, Rathlin Island of the coast of Northern Ireland is an amazing, high-vis wall dive with sometimes fierce currents. The wall starts at the shoreline with a steep descent, after which it plummets to 200m. A sea arch and a series of large sea caverns are found at depth. The kelp forest in the shallows hides healthy communities of wrasse, sea hens, mackerel, pollack, and sometimes even moon jellyfish. Huge numbers of actinithoe anemones cover the bottom, and nudibranches of many varieties can be found in abundance.
Fanore, located about 7 miles south of Black Head, offers what some call the “nicest shore dive in the country.” This Atlantic site offers crystal clear water, but is very exposed, so it can only be dived in fair weather. All along this reef there are ledges and overhangs, which teem with a great variety of fish. Lobster, crayfish, pollack, congers, ling, bib, whiting and wrasse are here in abundance. Also spotted here occasionally are John Dory, shark and even electric ray. The underwater topography doesn’t disappoint, either, with an enormous rock feature called “The Cathedral” that looms over the curious diver.
Diamond Rocks, Kilkee is a very popular, cold-water dive site situated on the South West Clare coastline in a natural break in the cliff wall facing the Atlantic. The bay is fairly sheltered, but is graced with high visibility and filled with rocks and gullies to poke around. There is a reef teeming with sea life at about 6-9m deep, which protects a deep valley about 30m deep between itself and the shore. Two circular holes at the narrow entry to the reef are often filled with crabs. The sea face of the reef falls in steps from about 20m down to 40+m, and has lots of sea life hiding in the cracks and crevaces for a diver to find. There are over twenty surveyed dive sites in Kilkee, so pair this with another of the many nice dive sites in the area for a great day of Irish scuba diving.
Fastnet Rock, near Cape Clear Island in Roaringwater Bay sticks straight out of the water and is topped by a stone lighthouse that can be explored by foot on calm days. The visible rock is in the middle of a narrow reef running SW – NE about 1km in each direction with depths of 45m. Strong and sometimes erratic tidal flows and deep water all around the rock make diving here only for the experienced during calm weather and water. But when conditions are right, the clarity of the water can be incredible, and the underwater scenery is spectacular with huge shoals of fish and fantastic growths on every rock face.

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Great Diving in the Mediterranean

2010-04-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

Blue Hole, Gozo

Unlike the cold European waters to the north, the Mediterranean Sea is frequently thought of as a scuba diver’s dream destination. Many places in the Med offer great diving with the added bonus of some very interesting topside cultural experiences. Some interesting sites in the Eastern Mediterranean include:

Cypress

The Zenobia is a 178 meter long ferry that went down in 1980 with over 100 large vehicles onboard, giving this dive plenty of exploration possibility and making multiple dives here a must. It lies on its port side which starts at a depth of 15m and descends to 42m. Visibility is usually quite good; some days it stretches to 35m. Experienced divers can penetrate the wreck to see the interior, including two trucks still hanging upside down from their chains, but visibility can drop drastically in the confined spaces. Though the wreck is the main attraction, triggerfish, barracuda and enormous grouper can also be spotted here.

Manijin Island is a very scenic dive with a wall, a spectacular algae covered cave and a swim-through with a blowhole to keep a diver continuously engaged through the dive. This dive is ideal for beginners as well as experienced divers with dive depths ranging from 5m to 24m. Marine life highlights include slipper lobsters, big grouper and large shoals of saddle bream. Also, octopi are relatively common around Cyprus, so taking the time to peer into the nooks and crannies on this dive is frequently rewarded with at least one good critter sighting.

Egypt

Alexandria boasts no significant reefs or colorful tropical fish, but rather a wealth of archeological treasures such as sunken cities, palaces and numerous wrecks. Experts estimate that some 7000 monuments belonging to the Pharaonic and Roman dynasties are preserved under Alexandria’s waves. The Underwater city of Cleopatra and her Palace, located just inside the Eastern Harbor, dates back to 300 BC, and was built by Alexander the Great. The city collapsed and fell into the sea after several earthquakes. Divers can see Cleopatra’s royal districts, the statue of Mark Anthony, Cleopatra’s sun boat and the wreckage of a 2nd World War plane that exists inside the ruins. Various monuments, carvings and building ruins can be seen throughout the site.

Crete, Greece

Navagio Wreck, the wreck of a German WWII Messerschmitt 109 fighter, lies 20km West of Agia Pelagiaat at depth of 24m. The wings and fuselage are intact and you can see inside the cockpit. One of the machine guns is clearly visible with one of the ammunition belts lying on the sea bed nearby. Though the plane’s parts are still identifiable, they are covered in a wide variety of coral and sea life, with groupers and moray eels calling the place home. A healthy reef covered with anemones and small colorful fish schools sits nearby in shallower water, offering the diver an interesting way to work off some of the nitrogen after the deeper wreck portion of the dive.

Malta

Cirkewwa offers 7 different dive sites amongst crystal clear blue waters. One in particular, the Rozi tugboat wreck, offers more to see than a diver can possibly accomplish on one dive. The boat was sunk in 1991 as an underwater attraction by a company offering submarine trips. Lying in a depth of almost 40m, the wreck can be seen completly due to the exceptional visibility which is frequently over 30m. This wreck can be dived from shore or by boat. The abundant sea life in the area includes: barracuda, morays, octopus, cuttlefish, wrasse, bream, nudibranchs, scorpion fish, morays and even dolphins. Some parts of the wreck can be penetrated, but with so much going on around it, you may forget to do so once you get down there.

Blue Hole, Gozo is a hike to get to in your gear, but worth the trip. Divers drop over the lip into the calm blue waters, surrounded by fascinating underwater topography of rocks worn down by the tides of time. At about 5m deep, an opening leads to the sea. Outside the opening divers can see coral gardens, small caves and plenty of sea life, but the star of this show is most certainly the natural formation.

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Diving the Oil Rigs of Southern California

2010-04-09T04:58:00.000-07:00

Diving an oil rig has always seemed a daunting task to me both in terms of accessing the site as well as taking on the monstrous-looking structure. On the surface, many people find these rusty rigs to be an eyesore, a hulking man-made blight on the beautiful ocean surface. But, under water it’s a very different story. The thick metal supporting beams of the oil rigs act as a magnet for a vast array of marine plants and animals, creating a kind of artificial reef, a haven for sea life in the middle of the open ocean. Twenty-three oil platforms breach the waters off the coast between Oceanside and Santa Barbara, with names like Eureka, Ellen-Elly and lots of other girly monikers.

Diving the rigs requires special permission. All divers must sign a safety waiver, promising not to touch the structure or harvest any of the creatures that live on the beams. Your best bet for easy, comfortable, and legal rig diving is to go with one of several companies take charter boats out to the platforms. Anchoring is impractical due to depth, and tying off to the rig is prohibited. This type of dive is best handled by intermediate or experienced divers due to the conditions. Surge is common. Visibility can be 10 feet one day, 100 the next, with 50 feet the average. Currents, too, are ever-changing and can be strong, but it’s nearly always possible to shelter behind pilings and girders. The best marine life is found from the surface down to about 80 feet. Prime diving season is generally June through December.

And when I say ‘prime diving’ I really do mean prime. The underwater structures are absolutely teeming with sea life. Upon entry and exit divers usually see sea lions and dolphins, some which may even follow the divers around during the dive. The structures themselves are covered wall-to-wall with strawberry anemones, enormous scallops and mussels, acorn barnacles, and a variety of sponges. On top of all of that growth crawl, crabs, nudibranches, huge sea stars, multi-colored brittle stars, and scorpion fish. In the water column swim a variety of fish including calico bass, sculpins, gobies, sheephead, jellyfish and garibaldi, California’s bright orange state marine fish. Fish schools are common too, with hundreds of mackerels, groups of sardines and packs of halfmoons cruising the waters together.

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Whaleshark Season Is Just Around the Corner

2010-04-08T20:58:00.000-07:00

NOT a pony...
The coastal south of Belize is not an international tourism hotbed. It is, however, authentically beautiful to humans and whale sharks alike. For nine months of the year, the few people who do visit enjoy the peace and tranquility of the sugar-sand beaches with absolutely no crowds. The place is the antithesis of Cheers, the famous TV bar; there nobody knows your name and few care to, either.
Then the spring comes, and everyone goes crazy because of the fish sex. During the April, May, and June full moons, the whale sharks visit to dine on the spawning Cubera Snapper eggs, bringing excitement to the sleepy waters of the offshore formation known as Gladden Split. Crazed divers from around the globe overrun the largest coastal town near the Split, Placencia, using it as a base from which to launch their whale shark efforts, hoping to spot the nomadic, majestic animals.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to swim with these ginormous beauties off of the Split. The creatures amazed me, as did the profoundly odd way in which some humans reacted to them. Therefore, I propose the following things NOT to do when you see a whale shark:
Do not make like a plankton – I once heard a fellow diver complaining that he was afraid of being eaten by an enormous whale shark. I’m not sure if he would have fit in the shark’s mouth, but I do know the shark would not have wanted him in there. Whale sharks are filter feeders, passing large volumes of water through their gills and straining out the tastiest that float about. If you are not a planktonic tasty, then remove sacrificial shark feedings from your list of “to do’s” when meeting a whale shark.
Do not break out your saddle – There is something about the ocean that turns some divers into fondlers. Though on land they seem to be able to keep their hands to themselves, once submerged they inexplicably want to touch everything. A whale shark is not a pony. It does not want to be grabbed and ridden. Even more importantly, touching all manner of sea life is usually detrimental to the item being fondled, as it frequently messes up their external chemistry and introduces disease. If you must touch something, go find the dog that belongs to the scuba shop and give it a good scratch. (Then wash your hands…Scruffy absolutely has fleas.)
Do not announce you have seen better ones in an aquarium – There are places in the world where you can see whale sharks in captivity, for example in the Osaka Aquarium and the Georgia Aquarium. I myself have dove with the whale sharks in the Georgia Aquarium and enjoyed the experience immensely. But nothing can compare to seeing them in the wild, where their appearance during your dive is never guaranteed and their behavior is not dictated by the tank walls. (cue the Born Free movie theme here…)
Do not deploy your fishing gear – Unbelievable as it sounds, there are some people, especially in Asia, who see a whale shark and think…lunch. I have read that the shark has the consistency and taste of tofu. So, why not eat tofu, and leave the poor fishie alone? The tofu has got to be easier to catch than the shark anyway.

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The Great Exploding Whale

2010-04-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I am surfing the net looking for blog post ideas, I really struggle to find unique, humorous topics to discuss. This is not one of those days. Thank you, National Geographic, for making my job so easy.

The NG Channel has an interesting series on the science behind wild animals and natural phenomenon. Last night they ran a fabulous episode, but don’t worry, they are re-running it several times.

“In January 2004, a dead sperm whale weighing over 50 tons washed up on the coast of Tainan, Taipei. On the way to Tainan University for research, the whale exploded due to volatile gas build up in its abdomen.”

So this already deceased whale washes up on shore (if they had killed it I would not run this story), and someone comes up with the brilliant idea to strap it to a flat bed truck and drive it over to the research lab at the University to determine the cause of death and study the species. Oh yes, there are pictures of it riding the flat bed. Apparently there are no back roads in Taipei, so they have to take it straight through town. Oh yes, there are pictures of it cruising the town. At about the same time the whale is touring the sites, a very unlucky man parks his car in front of the local supermarket and runs in for just a few items. Oh yes, there are pictures of the formerly white car. Oh no, I don’t mean the dead whale leaked a bit on the way there. It actually exploded forcibly, spewing its unfortunate contents all over the street, sidewalk, passersby, cars, etc.

There are other fascinating photos on the NG website, such as a worker hosing whale entrails off the street (really now, what else could they do?) I also like the quote in the story that “Local residents were overwhelmed by the stench from the whale.” Strangely absent, however, was any quote establishing that “Local residents were surprised by the appearance of the whale outside their apartment windows” in the first place.

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Scuba Diving with Octopi

2010-04-08T04:58:00.000-07:00

Sexy Cephalopod
Few creatures are as exciting to spot underwater as an octopus. They are smart and good at camouflage, so finding one is always a treat. Plus, they are just beautiful animals to see, with lots of color, shape and size variations. These creatures come in a wide range of options, some as little as an inch, some as large as 16 feet across. The octopus inhabits many diverse regions of the oceans around the world, especially coral reefs, and can exist in water depths from tidal pools all the way down to over 200 feet. For defense against predators, they hide, flee quickly, expel ink, or use color-changing camouflage. Scientists say that most of an octopus’ behavior is learned, not innate, a minor miracle since their lifespan is so darn short (5 years at the absolute most!)
There are about 300 recognized octopus species in the world, too many to cover in depth. But, some are amazing, even by octopus standards, and are worth a mention:
Mimic Octopus – This octopus only lives for 9 months, but boy it accomplishes a lot during that time. This crazy cephalopod takes on the appearance of other species to scare off predators and find food. Imagine a creature burying all but its eyes and two arms below the sand, leaving in view a long thin object with white and black bands running across the elongated body that looks just like the local sea snake. Now you’ve got the mental picture of why the Mimic Octopus is so unique. It usually imitates venomous species, like a lionfish, sea snake, or a poisonous flatfish, though people have also described it looking like a stingray, a crab, and other types of less lethal sea life. Divers can find this octopus off the Indo- Malay archipelago, especially around Sulawesi. Don’t worry though, it isn’t poisonous to humans.
Caribbean Reef Octopus – The Caribbean Reef Octopus isn’t the best looking octopus out there, but if you have been scuba diving in the Caribbean and seen an octopus, chances are this is the most likely suspect. It is common throughout the Western Atlantic, Bahamas, Caribbean and the coasts of northern South America. It is often found at night feeding on reefs and sea grass beds. They have a distinctive blue-green color with occasional mottled-brown markings. Because their blue-green skin is so reflective, they are easy to spot at night with dive lights. Like other octopus species, the Caribbean reef octopus is solitary animal and able to quickly change color using specialized cells in their skin known as chromatophores. They can weigh up to 1.5 kg, but have been known to wedge themselves into miniscule reef crevices and wreck holes.
Wonderpus Octopus – The Wonderpus Octopus has got to be the sexiest cephalopod out there, with a striking color pattern of white bars and spots over a brown-red background. It’s characterized by a small mantle (the part of the body that contains the mouth and vital organs), which is about an inch to an inch-and-a-half long, and long arms that measure about five to seven times the length of the mantle. Its patterns of spots (on the body) and stripes (on the arms) are unique to each individual adult wonderpus, making identification of a specific creature possible. Divers can find the wonderpus in shallow waters from Bali and Sulawesi north to the Philippines and east to Vanuatu, and will fare best looking for the creature when it is most active in the twilight hours of dusk and dawn. This creature is a relative newcomer to the fish identification guides, with the first identification happening only in 1980. Go ahead, say it: won-der-pus. Even its name is sexy.
Blue Ringed Octopus
Greater Blue-ringed Octopus
– No discussion about octopi could be complete without mentioning the little one we love to hate, the Blue-ringed Octopus. Unlike its southern brethren, the Blue-lined and Southern Blue-ringed octopuses that are found only in Australian waters, the range of the Greater Blue-ringed Octopus spans the tropical western Pacific Ocean. Greater Blue-ringed Octopuses can weigh between 10 and 100 grams, though the average is 55 grams. The blue-ringed octopus is the size of a golf ball, but its venom is powerful enough to kill humans, and no known antidote exists. Remember the James Bond movie Octopussy? Yes, it’s that one.
White-spotted Octopus – Humans have been watching the white-spotted octopus since 1826 when it was first spotted off the coast of Nice in the Mediterranean Sea. It spends its adult life on the ocean bottom, and although divers usually see this octopus hanging out near-shore it sometimes it can be found much deeper. This octopus has long arms, with the first arm pair being the longest and stoutest, and has shallow webbing among the arms. It also has a higher sucker count than most octopuses. This is a nocturnal creature, waiting until night to find its favorite snacks of clams and crabs. The white-spotted octopus only lives for 1-2 years after which it goes out with a “bang” (literally) after a single breeding season.
Giant Pacific Octopus – This is the big daddy of all octopi, the Giant Pacific Octopus. As the name would suggest, it is the largest species of octopus in the oceans, averaging 16 feet across and weighing an average of 120 lbs. It is also the longest lived, at 4-5 years. Divers can spot this behemoth from southern California, northward along the coast of North America, across the Aleutian Islands, and southward to Japan, though they usually hang out quite deep, typically at around 215 ft. But just because they are big doesn’t mean they are beautiful: Giant Pacific octopuses have huge, bulbous heads and are generally reddish-brown in color. Like the other members of the octopus family, though, they use special pigment cells in their skin to change colors and textures, and can blend in with even the most intricately patterned corals, plants, and rocks.

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Why Scuba Dive? 5 Great Reasons

2010-04-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

Neoprene is not the most forgiving of fabrics...
Frequently after I end a great dive I wonder why more people don’t take up the sport of scuba. Sure, there are your usual shark, drowning and wetsuit phobias, and not everyone lives near water worth diving into, but still – what excuse does the rest of the world have? It’s not that I want to fill dive boats up to capacity world-wide (although that would be a nice boost to the scuba economy), but I really think people are missing out, especially when it comes to exploring the substance that covers 2/3rds of the world’s surface. Therefore, I propose these 5 Good Reasons to go diving:
You don’t need to provide your credit score to get a scuba tank – It’s not the cheapest hobby ever, but there are a lot more expensive ways to spend your time. I think some people assume that a diver has to fork over a ton of bucks, especially in light of all of the gear needed, but it’s just not true. And, many dive shops offer discounts if you book with them for more than one day. It seems everyone is holding their hands out waiting to grab some of your hard-earned cash; make sure you are getting something life-changing in return!Voices don’t travel well underwater, so it’s easier than ever to tune them out – Pick your own brand of annoyances: politicians, fanatics, your in-laws, maybe even that nosy neighbor with the eternally barking dog. Though topside you can’t escape them, underwater they are blessedly silent. There is something incredibly zen-like about the lack of everyday sounds underwater, replaced by the more tranquil sounds of sea life, water and an occasional boat overhead. A little bit of exercise that feels good might be nice – Some dives I have done, like a nice drift dive over Palancar Reef in Cozumel, are so mellow that I bet I burnt more calories sleeping. Others, like those involving a roaring current or acrobatic acts to climb through wrecks, will leave you almost breathless and completely exhausted by the time the boat returns to the dock. Scuba can be a great way to get some exercise. Best of all, there is so much for your mind to absorb underwater that you won’t even notice you are doing something good for your body. “Hey, there’s fish in there!” – Fish, inherently, live underwater. Ship wrecks are, by definition, wet. There are some incredibly interesting things to see in the ocean, but only if you take the time to go under the waves. Squinting at an aquarium in your dry clothes just isn’t the same.
Keep your New Year’s resolution – Go ahead, look at Twitter or Facebook notations on New Year’s resolutions. By far the most common stated intentions for 2010 are scuba diving, sky diving and losing 10 pounds. I can’t help you with the sky diving thing nor the weightloss, but I can say that learning to scuba dive is a great goal for the year, one that you’ll appreciate not just now, but in the future years to come as well.

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The Scuba Shuffle

2010-04-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

We made it to the dive site and geared up. My mask, fins, tank, scuba vest, and various other tubes, valves and bits were all in place, giving the overall impression of a medical supply warehouse, rather than a diver. Now came the most awkward part of any diving experience on a large boat: the Scuba Shuffle to the back.

The Scuba Shuffle is an aquatic conga of sorts, but without the maracas. The divers, who had plenty of time to suit up, all stood up at once due to some lemming-like intuition that drives divers’ behavior. Invariably the wind picked up at that moment and the boat began to sway. Queue the tin-pan music and the bongos. While invaluable underwater, fins are the least graceful piece of sports equipment one can possess on land. A diver can’t simply walk to the back of the boat and jump off, he or she must do a duck-like shuffle and flap, complete with the corresponding shrrrr-whup shurrr-whup sound. Like me, the others in the conga line were leaning forward to avoid falling backwards from the gear weight, but appearing as if we all found something fascinating on the rear of the person in front of us. Shuffle flap, shrrr-whup.

The boat continued to roll in the waves, picking up momentum as I shuffled past the more challenging boat features like the swinging wetsuit locker and the oblivious snorkelers with arms shooting in all directions at once. Snorkelers are generally not welcome on dive boats because they always seem to be in the right place to create the maximum hindrance to divers transporting and preparing gear. Much to our dismay, almost half of the tourists on the boat were snorkelers. We would consider using a different company the rest of trip.

Rather than jumping in, a logjam of divers formed at the back of the boat due to various forgotten pieces of equipment and irrational fish phobias. Like salmon in a swift current, the divers creating the jam could not get back upstream until the rest of the conga line passed. Shuffle flap, shrrr-whup. Finally, it was my turn at the back of the boat. I put my air regulator in my mouth, held my mask, and took a giant stride into the sapphire blue ocean. Unfortunately, my over-excitement caused an extra spring in my big step, thus loosening my right fin, which went swirling into the depths unattended. I can only imagine the fish thoughts below as they watched it sink to the bottom: “Oh look! Decorations for the calypso party!” One of the staff on the boat handed me down an extra fin and off I went into the blue.

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Great Dives of Palau

2010-04-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

Jell-O at Jellyfish Lake
In the 1960’s Jacques Yves Cousteau claimed Palau’s underwater walls, reefs and drop offs as the world’s best. Forty+ years later, divers still agree with this assessment. Palau, formally known as the Republic of Palau, or Belau to native Palauans, is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean about 2000 miles south of Tokyo, but with less baseball. The Spanish, Germans, Japanese, and finally the Americans have all played Gilligan’s Island in Palau, leaving a pinch of customs, language, and technology here and there. Palau was a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which the U.S. headed at the end of World War II. In 1994 the Republic of Palau moved out of their parent’s basement and became independent.
This island nation has cultivated their underwater tourism by encouraging hotel development around the capital city, Koror, and by establishing numerous dive operators. But the true fuel of the dive trade in Palau isn’t manmade: the nation boasts 100+ pristine dive sites and healthy, diverse, and prolific sea life. Palau has over 1500 types of fish and 700 coral and anemone species. Most of the dive sites are sure to produce sightings of the 6 different kinds of sharks and 5 different kinds of turtles found there.   While there are too many fantastic dives to name, below are a few of my favorites.
Read moreBlue Corner – Listing this site is not surprising, as it is the most famous one in Palau and is lauded in dive magazines and books alike. But, it is hands-down my favorite dive in the whole world, so it gets the top spot on the list. Here a finger of land extends out into deep water off the southwestern area of the Ngemelis Islands, creating a unique outcropping of rock and coral.   Sand gullies cut through the reef, which drops down to a large ledge in about 50ft, before disappearing into the endless blue. A wicked current usually whips around this point bringing tasty nutrients and hungry fish. Local dive guides invented the “reef hook”, a lanyard that attaches to your BC and hooks into dead piece of coral. By slightly inflating the scuba vest and facing the open ocean beyond the edge of the wall, divers can watch the activity unfold without getting tired and using up all of their air. Visibility is good, ranging from 60’ to 90’.If conditions are at their best then expect to see swirling schools of barracuda and jacks, snapper and bass, huge Maori wrasse and dozens of whitetip and grey reef sharks. On several dives there, the most curious of the sharks would swim right towards us, veering off at the last moment before we soiled our wetsuits. I imagined them picking each of us off one by one, in Goldilocks and the Three Bears style: that diver is too thin, that one’s got too much gear, that one’s just right. Other sea life highlights at this site include: pink and violet coral, pyramid butterflyfish, spotted eagle rays, square anthias, yellowtail fusiliers, sargent majors, moorish idols, emperor angelfish, midnight parrotfish and stingrays.
Jellyfish Lake – Jellyfish Lake is on one of the rock islands, Mecherchar. The lake is completely isolated, although the limestone allows for an exchange of salinity with the ocean. The lake is filled with mastigias and moon jellyfish. Because of their isolation from predators these jellies have lost their ability to sting, so they have adapted to feeding on symbiotic algae instead. It is an excellent study in evolution, an example of function driving form that Darwin would have loved. Of course no adventure in Palau is an easy one, but if you can get over the difficulties of accessing the site, it is completely worth it. In order to get to the lake one has to hike 20 minutes up and over the lip of the island. In some places the trail is good and even has a rope to steady the climber. In others, it is just a mud slide. Along the route there are several instances of an indigenous tree that leaks poisonous sap. And, of course, every once in awhile there is the tour bus of saltwater crocodiles that seem to appear at all the good Palauan activities. Scuba is not allowed in the lake because of a toxic layer of hydrogen sulfide found at 50 feet, so technically this is a snorkel, not a dive. But, inconveniences aside, swimming through the water with the jellies is like pushing handfuls of Jell-O. It is an experience like no other in the world.
Wreck of the Iro – This wreck, the most famous in Palau, is located at Urukthapel Bay. It is 470ft long and weighed 14,050 tons. The Iro was one of a fleet of 10 Shiretoko class freighters. She sank on 31 March 1944 and rests upright on a silt and sand bottom 130ft below the surface. When you descend, you’ll come across a large gun mounted on the bow. The deck is still relatively intact as is the starboard anchor. The bridge has easy access, but the crews’ quarters underneath require you to penetrate the hull. There is a gun that is still fixed to the stern. Divers can peer into the engine room because its ceiling had been demolished. The masts and kingpost have attracted a wide variety of invertebrate life; from sponges, to staghorn coral, sea whips, black coral, giant clams and oysters. Batfish, large pufferfish, 8-banded butterflyfish, orangebanded butterflyfish, and small big-eye trevally are commonly found along the ship.
The Blue Holes- This site consists of four uniquely formed blue holes in the reef that drop into a large cavern which then opens out on the reef wall into the surrounding ocean. In the inside of the cavern, visibility ranges from 45 to 120’. On sunny days great shafts of light beam down through the upper openings, lighting up interior all the way to the bottom at 110ft, like a large cathedral. In inner walls are covered with a variety of cup & stylaster corals and huge whip corals sprout from the cavern roof. Look for fish swimming upside down on the ceiling of the cavern. But, this geological anomaly delivers not only a cavern dive, but also a drift and wall dive once divers exit through one of two openings on the reef face. Grouper, napoleon wrasse, triggerfish, moorish idols, butterflyfish, anemones and turtles are all found here.
German Channel – Located with Ngemelis Island on the left and Ngedebus Island on the right, German Channel was built in the 1900’s, when the German administration blasted through the reef to complete the natural channel and allow ships to pass from the southern islands of Peleliu and Angaur to Koror. Today it is used as passage through the south-western barrier reef to many of the outer dive sites. It is not actually in German Channel that people dive, but at the entrance to the channel at an area usually known as German Channel Wall or Drop-Off. Here, some 200 yards from the entrance to the channel itself, the seafloor, at a depth of 50-60ft consists of a sandy substrate interspersed with large individual coral formations. This dive is popular for its manta cleaning station, where the manta and the occasional reef shark come to be cleaned by cleaner wrasse. You can also see other kinds of rays including sting rays, spotted eagle rays, and ornate eagle rays.
Ulong Channel – This drift dive site is situated on the west coast of Palau, close to Siaes Tunnel. The entrance is covered with coral gardens and the channel itself stretches some 500m – at an average width of 33m – to the lagoon. There is a sandy bottom at the entrance where shark gather together to feed on the fish that are swept inside.   The bottom varies in depth from between 10-15m and is clear of coral, but the sides are decorated with soft coral and sea fans. Diving Ulong can only be done on an incoming tide; fresh, clean water is pushed into the channel and you essentially hitch a ride and go with the flow. If the current is really ripping then you have almost no chance of back tracking if you see something of interest. About half way the channel splits into two – the left hand route is the best, as a huge stand of green lettuce coral grows along the flank of this section; amongst the corals large anemones are home to clownfish and shrimps. The right hand route also has some good fan corals, but is not as good. After 20 minutes drifting down the channel it breaks out into the lagoon. Divers will be able to see tons of plate coral that houses squirrelfish, glasseyes and soldier fish. If the current is strong there will be as many or more sharks concentrated at the mouth of the channel as at Blue Corner on a good day.
Saies Tunnel – This site is an enormous underwater cavern with three openings into the chamber from the side of the reef wall. The entrance to the cavern starts at approximately 100 feet and the bottom is over 140 feet. The sheer wall that starts at the surface drops down to 200 feet and beyond to the open ocean. Often, sleeping whitetips and stingrays can be seen relaxing at the back of the cavern. The roof and walls of the cavern are covered in a variety of cup corals, black coral, stylasters and hydroids. The bottom slopes up toward two large sea fan-covered windows that allow light to penetrate the cavern and provide exit points to the reef wall. The bottom of Saies Tunnel is deep – about 130ft – so time spent in the interior is short, but upon exiting there are rewarding opportunities along the reef itself – wonderful hard corals, sea fans and tropical fish, including pyramid butterfly fish and brightly colored anthias. A great dive, but not for novices.
Peleliu Cut – Peleliu Cut is part of a vertical wall, which runs along the western side of Peleliu Island, turns and extends to Peleliu Corner at the most southerly point within the main island group of Palau. This section of the reef, which includes Peleliu Wall, is the deepest reef structure in Palau. The top of the reef is a plateau that gradually drops from 30 feet in front of the WWII monument to 90 feet where Peleliu Expressway and Peleliu Cut merge to create Peleliu Corner. The top of the plateau hosts large numbers of tropical fish including pyramid butterflyfish, square anthias, moorish idols, sergeant majors, yellowtail fusiliers, palette surgeonfish, bumphead parrotfish and purple anthias. It is also common to see large congregations of jacks, batfish, and snapper. Dense concentrations of bright yellow soft corals, long strands of cable corals, big bushes of black corals and sea fans decorate the sheer reef wall. An insane amount of pelagic fish have been seen at the Cut and the Corner, including sperm whales, whale sharks, tiger sharks, bull sharks, orcas, sailfish, and blue marlin. The swift, unpredictable currents here make this an advanced dive not appropriate for the faint of heart!

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Scuba Diving for People with Disabilities

2010-04-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

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Preventing and Dealing with Muscle Cramps While Underwater

2010-04-06T04:58:00.000-07:00

Maximize your enjoyment underwater by preventing muscle crampsLearn more in order to enjoy more

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Titanium Dive Watches - Why Titanium Diving Watches Are So Common

2010-04-05T04:58:00.000-07:00

Many modern day dive watches are now manufactured from titanium. This has many benefits as titanium possesses several qualities that make it perfect for deep sea watches. Titanium is known as a "space age metal", it is strong and corrosive resistant and is encountered all over the planet in bodies of water and soil deposits. Discovered in 1791, it is possible to combine it with other elements to produce useful, lightweight alloys that have be utilized by the aerospace industry as well as dentists and the military. The metal is found in a variety of sporting goods, automotive products, jewellery, mobile phones and sports watches.

First used in watches in 1978, by the International Watch Co. (also commonly known as IWC) located in Schaffhausen Switzerland and was partially owned by Ferdinand Porshe in that era, the company utilized Titanium to produce the world's first watch bracelet. On the heels of this success, the company designed an entire Titanium case and bracelet for another watchmaker in 1980 although that company was subsequently forced to withdraw from the project leaving IWC - a maker of internal movements at that time - to take complete control of the manufacturing process for titanium cases.

Making a watch out of titanium was not a trivial process and IWC managed to refine the process of creating polished titanium watch cases down to a fine art. They released the world's first chronograph watch in Titanium that originally sold for around $1300 - a bargain considering how revolutionary the engineering process was at the time.

The trend caught on and titanium watches are now everywhere. Nearly every watch manufacturer on earth has a titanium watch within their product lines. The Citizen watch company is the largest, using titanium in their sports and diving watches. Titanium is 30% stronger and 50% lighter than steel, is corrosive resistant, and hypoallergenic. While it is more expensive than steel, can scratch easily and stain, watch makers like Citizen overcomes these problems with a glass multi-layer coating that prevents scratching.

There are several factors that have led to the increase in the number of diving watches that use Titanium in their cases. Titanium is the ideal case material for dive watches due to it's strength, lightness and resilience in seawater environments. Titanium watches feel lighter on the wrist and there is an abundance of Titanium metal available.

The list of dive watch makers who utilize Titanium metal is endless, Seiko, Citizen, Omega, Rolex and Invicta and the list goes on... Prices tend to start around $250 for these watches and can retail for much higher in the top quality watches. More titanium dive watches are being produced every year. From space age material, to a practical underwater, deep sea resistant watch case for divers, the titanium trend is likely to continue for many years to come.

Visit our website to learn much more about dive watches. Check it out here. Diving watches.

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Pros of a Divers Watch - Buying a Scuba Diver Watch For Total Peace of Mind in and Around the Water

2010-04-04T20:58:00.000-07:00

A divers watch is a special kind of sports watch that is designed for divers who need an accurate and sophisticated timepiece that can operate in an underwater environment. A divers watch must at a minimum be able to withstand water pressure at 10 atmosphere units which is equivalent to 100 meters or 330 feet, although a typical divers watch can withstand much more than this and are usually capable of achieving depths up to 200 meters or 660 feet, with some capable of going much, much deeper.

The International Organization for Standardization (or "ISO") has a special standard for dive watches. A certified dive watch must pass a series of tests and possess certain qualities to be ISO-compliant. A genuine diver's watch must pass a series of tests put forth in ISO 6425 and is is permitted to print the words "DIVER'S" on the case if it qualifies. A sports watch with this marking is guaranteed to be at least suitable for recreational diving.

A diver's watch that passes ISO 6425, has met certain requirements such as possessing a bezel that surrounds the watch face that must rotate unidirectionaly (if an analog watch). It must feature markings at at least five minute intervals and a pre-select marker to denote markings and specific minutes. The face minute markings must be clear and easy to read and these watches must be legible at 25cm (9.84 inches) from the wearer in complete darkness. Diving watches must be chemically resistant and must pass a test whereby the watch is immersed in a solution for 24 hours to test for rust resistance.

Diving watches have become more standardized over time, but in the early days were developed to meet the needs of professional and military divers. Many believe Omega is celebrated as the worlds first dive watch maker. The first Omega diving watch was the Omega Marine which first entered the market in the year 1932.

Soon after the release of the Omega Marine, other companies introduced functional diving watches for serious or recreational scuba diving missions. Designed as tool watches, many are also highly fashionable and sought after for their look rather than their features. More modern and sophisticated diving watches come in digital format and offer computer-like features, making them ideal for serious divers who need to keep abreast of a lot more information during their dives.

Dive watches are designed for both women and men and because they must be resistant to the galvanic corrosiveness of seawater, are manufactured from materials such as resin, plastic, titanium, ceramics and stainless steel. More expensive diving watches include the Breitling Avenger Seawolf Chronograph, the Omega Seamaster 300m Diver and the IWC Aquatimer minute memory. There are many cheaper, quite capable diving watches too, such as those from Citizen, Invicta and even Casio.

A divers watch is a robust sports watch, due to its requirement to comply with ISO 6425 and makes a great fashion accessory as well as a capable scuba diving tool. Unlike the average sports watch, and because of the rigorous testing it must satisfy, a certified diver watch offers you total peace of mind when you are in and around the water and despite a higher price, will last you many years.

Visit our website to learn much more about the divers watch and other scuba diver watch choices.

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Tough Watch Heavyweights - Why Diver Watches Are the Toughest Sport Watches on Earth

2010-04-04T12:58:00.000-07:00

One of the coolest things about divers watches, is that they are amongst the toughest watches on the planet. These highly specialized sports watches are designed with functionality first on the watchmaker's priority list. This is because as a watch is subjected to greater depth, the tougher it has to be to guarantee safe operation in a pressurized environment.

How Divers Watches Are Tested

There is a strict international standard that a true divers watch must satisfy in order to be a certified diving watch. Watches must pass a series of tests laid out in ISO 6425, to earn the right to print the words "DIVER'S WATCH" on the case. Any watch bearing this marking will have satisfied the ISO 6425 testing procedure that is a special type of guarantee that the watch will hold up under submarine conditions.

The first test in the ISO 6425 procedure is a condensation test. The test involves heating a plate to around forty to forty five degrees centigrade, the watch is then placed on the plate and left for a period of ten to twenty minutes. Over this period the watch will heat up to this specific temperature. Onto the watch's crystal face, a drop of water at room temperature is placed and left for one minute and then wiped off.

If there is any condensation seen to be forming beneath the crystal face, then the watch fails the testing. No further testing is conducted from that point on.

Another test in the procedure requires that watches be tested at depths that are 25% below their rated depth in still water conditions. Slight weather variations can cause the density of seawater to differ from between two and five percent and it is also well established by science that seawater is denser than fresh water.

Thermal shock testing is also applied to the dive watch as part of the testing procedure. The testing involves rapid temperature changes. For a period of an hour, the watch is first placed in forty degree water, then when the time expires, is rapidly transferred to five degree water. The watch is left for a further hour before being moved back to the fourty degree water again for a final hour.

By far the longest test in the ISO procedure is to test the watch's resistance to the corrosiveness of seawater and involves the diving watch being submersed in thirty centimeter water for a period of over two days. This is why most diving watches are manufactured from stainless steel, titanium, plastics or ceramics as these materials do not rust.

Using A Diver Watch Under Water

Diving watches are also tested for the practical application of using a sports watch underwater. It is mandatory that all diving watches have some mechanism for keeping track of the total amount of time since the start of the dive.

Most analog diving watches use a unidirectional rotating bezel to track dive length, the bezel can only be rotated one way and as part of the standard is required to have distinctive markings at five minute intervals and a scale of sixty minutes. The watch is required to have its 60/0 minute mark be legible at twenty five meters below the surface and the reading of the time legible itself. Analog diving watches achieve this with luminescent watch hands, whereas most digital diving watches implement this with a back lit watch screen.

Divers watches must also indicate that they are working, both at 25 meters and in complete darkness. Analog watches have a running second hand with luminescent tip. When the battery runs out they must present an "EOL" (end of life) indicator.

Divers watches are among the most rigorously tested sports watches on the planet, meaning a good one will likely last you for many years and be completely safe to use in and around seawater, whether you are scuba diver or not.

Visit our website to learn much more about divers watches. Check it out here. diving watch.

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