Sanibel Island Sharks? Heres The Real Scoop!
Sanibel Island Sharks? Heres The Real Scoop!
With the recent shark bite in the shallows of theGulf of Mexico off Sanibel Island comes the usual media blitz about the dangers lurking in the waters.
But let’s put this recent nip in perspective.
In the period between 1882 and 2007 there were a documented 5 unprovoked shark attacks in the WHOLE of Lee County the county where Sanibel Island is located. And regarding attacks leading to mortal wounds according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control 4406 people drowned in America during 1998. That’s about 550 times as many deaths as caused by sharks in an average year.
OK sharks exist and once in a great while one takes a human sample and more often than not the shark is just looking to see what species the human is before attacking: thankfully most of them are none too keen on the way we taste.
Five bites in all of Lee County in 125 years is hardly worth panicking over. But if you are the panicking type here are some suggestions for making your Gulf visits as safe as possible: 1. Always swim in a group. Sharks most often attack lone individuals. 2. Don’t wander too far from shore. Doing so isolates you and places you away from assistance. 3. Avoid the water at night dawn or dusk. Many sharks are most active at these times and are better able to find you than you are to see them. 4. Don’t enter the water if bleeding. Sharks can smell and taste blood and trace it back to its source. 5. Don’t wear shiny jewelry which does attract sharks.
But the reality is that it is unlikely that you will ever sight a shark on Sanibel much less be approached by one. And if you are approached stay. Erratic movements will just make the shark curious as to whether you are edible. So be calm in your movements.
All that said the risk of a shark bite is infinitely smaller than other “dangers” on this beautiful tropical island. And these can be easily avoided.
Sunburn heat exhaustion and sunstroke are much more prevalent than are sharks. So wear sunscreens hats foot protection sunglasses and extra clothing. Rent an umbrella or sit in the shade as much as possible. Drink plenty of water. Any time you visit the beach bag up and bring all these items and a firstaid kit down to the beach with you. A day at the beach or an entire family vacation can be easily ruined for each and all by bad sunburns headaches sunlight sensitivities heat exhaustion or worse.
Equally prevalent is the lightning storm that can generally be spotted well in advance. Florida is the lightning capital of the USA but not the world the international title held by Africa. Lightning storms ares a serious risk for those at the beach. When you see the skies darkening leave the beach and head home. Why take the risk to see if it will blow by as it often does?
The joys of a Sanibel Island vacation outnumber 1000 to 1 the dangers. And the dangers are largely preventable. So shouldn’t you be thinking of making plans to visit paradise now?
About the writer: Sylvia Guarino is a professional writer. Her territory is health and fitness. She also manages and markets vacation rental properties on Sanibel Island that she and her husband own. To view their properties go to: http://sanibelrentals.net
Precious Souvenir Thinking About Going Diving For The First Time?
Precious Souvenir Thinking About Going Diving For The First Time?
Arrival:
Twenty minutes after arriving on the dive boat whilst hoping the seasick tablet would work I took a nervous meander around the floating arena of strangers foreigners and braggers that I found myself on.
Well this guy seemedconfident; he knew exactly what he was talking about which was undoubtedly reassuring as he was the Instructor who was to take me on my first dive.
There was lots of equipment which I had only seen before on TV so many scuba tanks amongst other paraphernalia which hopefully was going to keep me alive while I was under the sea.
Dive brief:
‘Barracudas said the instructor I Immediately snapped to attention as he began the dive brief Do they not have big teeth and aren’t they 6′ feet long I thought to myself. Then he went onto to talk about Stingray’s Stingrays did one not fatally wound the guy who used to wrestle crocodiles for a living what chance have we got? asked a fellow beginner.
Sea snakes was he now trying to put us off the dive? He then went on to talk about sharks I was frightened nervous but also exhilarated at the same time. Nervously I laughed as he maid jokes about the size of their teeth and not to pull their tails. Pulla sharkstail I thought I’m not going anywhere near a shark let alone pull its tail.
Oh and don’t touch the bottom as there may be Scorpion fish down there he added which apparently are so well camouflaged that they are extremely difficult to spot and can leave you in agony for months if they sting you.
He had a calming influence which you need if you take people underwater. He showed great patience in answering everyones questions. Explaining how deep we go also the effects of water pressure on our bodies he told ushow longwe would be under there for including how the equipment worked and even how we would communicate underwater something I was more familiar with knowing a few hand signals myself years of driving had made me the master hand signaler. He was dressed in smart pressed shorts a savethereefTshirt as were all the staff on the boat and was clean shaven I must admit I expected more of a beach bum like persona all in all a true professional.
.
Reality sets in:
Wait now just hold on a minute let water in the mask why? asked a young woman.
We had to perform several kills under the instructors guidance naturally.
If water enters your mask you need to know how to clear it otherwise it would make for an uncomfortable dive. A simple procedure if done correctly he assured the group.
The next skill we would learn would be to remove and replace the regulator from our mouths.
Take the regulator out of your mouth. Are you kidding man jumping out of a perfectly good plane without a parachute springs to mind. An American guy joked.
It was also quite easy to perform especially after watching the Instructor demonstrate all the skills first and obviously a necessary skill to learn.
We also had to equalize our ears or we would have felt discomfort. Similar to the pressure one feels while in an airplane due to the build up of pressure caused by the water as we descended.
“Pop your ears for every metre that you descend” he explained “If you can’t let me know”. By tilting your hand from side to side while pointing at your ears was the hand signal for this problem.
However breathing slowly and consistently while amongst all those wild creatures down there did seem a little optimistic to me. Though that is what one must do in order to maximize the amount of time one can stay under. For once the air is nearly emptied from your tank you must return to the surface something that was quite obvious to me but needed to said nevertheless.
The Dive:
I would be the first to dive out of the group as he preferred to take us on a one to one ratio.
“Now don’t jump step away from the boat like a marching soldier” he continued You will go under briefly but you will pop back up due to the air you have air inside your BCD the dive jacket.
My right hand was holding the regulator and mask securely onto my face so that I would not lose them when entering the water.
While making sure to look straight ahead and not down as a stinging slap in the face by the sea is something you should avoid. “You will only ever do that one time hahahaha” he says.
The Instructor was waiting in the water and with a reassuring smile and a few calming words from him it was now or never. Splash under I went and a mass of bubbles surrounded me I then surfaced after what seemed like the longest second of my life.
I took a sneak preview of what was to come. The sea was so clear it looked beautiful down there almost taking my breath away which actually put me at ease and I was ready to go.
He then instructed me to release all the air from jacket and as I start to descend I could feel the pressure change in my ears which I cleared effortlessly. I landed on the sand below and in the kneeling position I took my first few underwater breaths. What a strange feeling this was I could breathe underwater. My brain was saying this should not be happening I should not normally be able do this yet I was breathing underwater amazing.
The Instructor then signals me OK I return the signal then he signals You watch me and then proceeds to demonstrate the skills he had explained to me on the boat.
The Mask clearing and removal of the regulator went without a hitch as he showed me with the doseedo method. The regulator removal was not the most enjoyable part of the dive but it felt good after being told that mask clearing is the trickiest skill to master when learning scuba.
I soon started to marvel at my surroundings. Everything had a different look from what we are used to on the surface. The refraction which is cause by the glass in the mask and the water actually causes things to seem closer and larger than what they really are. The deep blue hue of the sea gave me an almost surreal feeling. To be submerged in this wonderful and exhilarating underwater world has to be seen to be believed.
Off we went I was breathing quite heavily at first but soon settled down it was noisy experience as I could hear every breath that I took. A huge variety of colourful fish were all around they seemed to swim effortlessly I must have seemed like an inept lump to them. Their colours were so vibrant the blues and greens the likes of I had never seen before.
A Moray Eel was lurking inbetween two large rocks its pointed teeth made it look quite formidable; I decided not to get too close to it. Then a turtle swam by with such ease and elegance unlike its lumbering relative the tortoise.
I looked down to see a stingray materialize from the sand it had concealed it self so well that if it had not moved I would never have seen it. Then seemingly from nowhere a black tip reef shark appeared it came so close I could have touched it it gave me such an adrenalin rush to be so close to one of natures perfect creatures; my breathing must have increased ten fold its power so evident I guessed that it wanted to know just who or what was intruding in its territory. Then with a swish of its tail it was gone leaving me with a memory of my first shark encounter something that I will surely never forget
The Instructor was by my side the entire dive; never straying more than a metre away. It must be quite difficult to have such control over a novice diver; the responsibility of having a novice down below the waves must be huge. .
New hero:
Before I knew it we were back on the boat and I had a new hero. The excitement stayed with me for the rest of the day and it still brings a smile to my face whenever I think of my first diving experience. This is one memory souvenir I will treasure forever.
I have since become an open water diver which is the first course one must take and enables you to dive with a buddy most places in the world and I am sure I will continue to dive for many more years to come.
Jason Butler is a free lance writer. He is currently residing in Thailand and enjoying life. Writing articles on Sharks Fishing and Steam engine models is a passion of his. He is also a scuba Diving Instructor with over ten years experience.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Jason Butler is a free lance writer. He is currently residing in Thailand and enjoying life. Writing articles on Sharks Fishing and Steam engine models is a passion of his. He is also a scuba Diving Instructor with over ten years experience.
www.johntom.com
Contact Jason divebutlerhotmail.co.uk
http://jasonstealinrubies.blogspot.com/
Perhaps The Best Single Reference Book Ever Published For Diversthe
Perhaps The Best Single Reference Book Ever Published For Diversthe 2009 Diving Almanac Is Now Available
The 2009 edition of the Diving Almanac amp; Book of Records www.divingalmanac.com edited by Jeffrey Gallant is now published and available. Considered as perhaps the best single reference book ever published for divers and the definitive general reference book on diving by the diving media this is the only almanac on the diving world packed with hardtofind information from around the globe. With 15 chapters covering subjects from military diving to freediving oceanography and equipment the 750 page third edition also contains nearly 500 diving records and 600 Whos Who of the Diving World. Its an engaging read for anyone diver or not keen to know more about maninthesea.
New features for the 2009 Edition include the Dive Business Directory The Yellow Pages of Diving. A thorough listing of dive resorts liveaboards charters and dive centres around the World listed by Country. Dr Alex Mustard has rewritten the Photo/Video Chapter whilst cave explorer/instructor Martin Robson has penned a new chapter on Cave Diving. Theres also a 100 page Year in Review September 2007 to December 2008. This chapter details significant diving events around the World as they occur month by month. Its a thoroughly engaging dive news summary wide ranging in its scope of deepsea and freshwater matter.
If youre looking for a unique published resource about the Diving World the 2009 Diving Almanac amp; Book of Records has so many facts and data for everything diving and is recommended for anyone with an interest in diving even someone just a bit curious about it. And for trivia junkies this book is a gold mine.
To order your copy of this oneofakind publication for only US42 simply log onto www.divingalmanac.com to benefit from free postage and pack.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Rosemary E LunnDiving Almanac Book of Records c/o Porbeagle Press PO Box 483 Drummondville QC Canada J2B 6W3http://www.divingalmanac.comEmail: salesdivingalmanac.com
Myths Busted About Dry Suits
Myths Busted About Dry Suits
Its time to bust some myths related to Dry Suits and give you a great understanding of what they are.
The dry suit itself will not actually keep you warm warmth is gained by what you wear underneath your dry suit. Typically people wear fleece or other garments to keep themselves warm.
Technically it is possible but quite unlikely with proper training on the correct use of a wetsuit this should not happen.
Air will raise to the highest point in the confined space inside the dry suit but with the correct training divers are taught on controlling this. There are also products to assist in this such as gaiters.
Dry suits are no different to wearing a full wetsuit and with practice this will be simple learn from others on the simple methods and tips.
Neoprene seals are durable they are much hard to get in and out of. When diving at depth neoprene compresses and will not provide as good thermal insulation as other materials. Using a high quality latex seal is the preferred material for most divers who use dry suits as they are more comfortable and if looked after right will last for years.
This is not correct if your trained from day one using a dry suit will come naturally and you will have no issue. Dry suits are used by a wide range of divers from professional to beginners and are used based on environment rather than skill level.
This is not true as by using Archimedes’s Principle when the dry suit takes on water you will only loose a small amount of your total volume your body/tank/etc will still displace plenty of water meaning you’ll be close to neutrally buoyant.
There is really no such thing as a semi dry suit you are either in a wetsuit or a dry suit. A dry suit is meant to keep you totally dry only if its poor fitting will water enter.
The drag caused by a well fitted modern wetsuit is almost negligible against the drag cause by all the rest of the diving gear being worn. The amount of weight will depend on the specific thermal requirements needed i.e. how the undergarments etc.
A dry suit is for thermal protection you can adjust its amount of thermal protection based on what undergarments you wear. So therefore it can be worn in a range on water temperatures.
About the writer: Simon James has been diving for 15 years and is an authority in the field so take a look at this website called M2 Nocturnal Lights and SLX 300 Nocturnal led dive lights
Learn To Scuba Dive
Learn To Scuba Dive
There are many different ways to learn to scuba dive. A friend or partner teaches someone in a pool. Others jump off a boat and descend holding hands with an instructor. The French system. Batem.
Some join a scuba diving club or sign up for a scuba diving course at their local dive shop. The best way to get a taste for it and having the greatest chance of having a safe enjoyable diving experience is at a holiday resort. Preferably on a tropical island holiday resort. Mauritius Island in the Indian Ocean is surely one such place Diving Mauritius. The calm clear water the relaxed atmosphere and your own relaxed state of mind will all contribute to the success of the experience.
Before signing on and paying your money for a full open water certification diving course. Participating in an easy diving lesson or resort course as it is also known would be the answer. An easy diving course or resort course usually starts at the pool and consists of a lecture or discussion by a certified instructor explaining about the pressure the equipment and everything that will happen on the dive. He will also go through all the basic skills that will be demonstrated and practiced in the pool. Seeing hearing and doing is the best way to learn.
After all is well understood the students go into the pool with full scuba gear donned. At a standing depth in the pool the instructor will group the students in a semicircle so that they can a see well what he is explaining. After some breathing exercises and regulator recovery at the surface the instructor will get all the divers to kneel on the bottom of the pool breathing and getting used to being underwater. The instructor followed by the students having to complete each of the skills will demonstrate some basic skills. The students need to complete mask clearing regulator recovery and some basic buoyancy control skills. These basic skills are required to ensure the safety of the divers as well as giving them confidents to participate in an open water dive. The instructor them allows the students to swim around at the bottom of the pool getting comfortable with the equipment and used to the feeling of weightlessness and breathing underwater.
Directly after the pool lesson is completed while the student divers are comfortable confident and relaxed from having had such a great time in the pool they go directly to the sea to complete a safe controlled open water dive. The sea dive is usually from a boat in crystal clear water to shallow sites that are perfect for beginners.
After the student divers have completed and enjoyed their first open water scuba dive. They surface with big smiles on their faces. The instructor will debrief them and explain how they may improve their diving knowledge and skills by doing a full certification open water scuba diver course.
This is by far the best way to learn to scuba dive.
Prodive Limited is a professional scuba diving company at the Casuarinas Hotel at Trou aux Biches Mauritius. They offer easy scuba diving courses full certification courses PADI diving excursions private dives and exclusive dive charters.
About the writer: Kevin Cock is NAUI INSTRUCTOR Founder and owner of Prodive Limited a South African with 23 years tourism and diving experience in Mauritius Prodive Limited is a professional scuba diving company at the Casuarinas Hotel at Trou aux Biches Mauritius. They offer easy diving courses full certification courses PADI diving excursions private dives and exclusive dive charters
How Not To Pass Your Open Water Course Similan Islands
How Not To Pass Your Open Water Course Similan Islands Dive Thailand
How Not to Pass Your PADI Open Water Test
A Whale of a time Similan Islands amp; Richelieu Rock Liveaboard
Article by Doug Olthof
Whale sharks are the true behemoths of the aquatic world they can grow longer than a bus up to 18 metres in length yet feast on the smallest of organisms plankton. However finding these big fish is not always that easy. Only 9 places in the world all located in tropical waters are so far known to have predictable whale shark visits. Thailand is one of the few lucky countries that whale sharks predictably visit.
When arriving in an unfamiliar place its always relaxing to receive a warm welcome. As our liveaboard boat approached the southernmost of the Similan Islands that warm welcome came by way of more than fifty dolphins jumping and playing in the dawn light beckoning us forward and giving us a glimpse of the treasures we would discover around these stunning islands in Thailands Andaman Sea.
Situated off Thailands west coast to the northeast of Phuket lie Thailands world famous Similan Islands. These stunning granite isles with their white sandy beaches and denselyforested yet rugged interiors would be ample enough reason on their own account to make the overnight liveaboard boat trip from Phuket. But what really make these islands special are the vast and varied reefs that lie off their shores. It is below the azure blue of these rich waters that you can experience another world one filled with creatures so colourful so beautiful and so bizarre that they defy belief.
These crown jewels of scuba diving in Thailand are often touted as one of the top ten dive sites in the world and can be accessed by speedboat from either Phuket or Kaow Lak but to truly experience the Similan Islands you must get aboard one of the many liveaboard boats operated out of Phuket. In this way you can take in the variety of diving experiences to be had all the while becoming spiritually connected to the sea as your body quickly adjusts to the gentle rolling of the boat beneath your feet.
Our journey to the Similans began late in the evening at Ratsada pier in Phuket. As divers arrived to the boat from various locations the friendly staff helped everyone aboard and quickly got to the task of setting up and organizing equipment. Every diver worth his or her salt knows that you check doublecheck and buddycheck your own equipment but having the staff there to set up and organize all that gear turned what could have been a chaotic scene complete with wetsuits regulators and bumping bodies into a relaxing first evening on board. At about 11pm after a delicious light meal we got under way under the moon and stars. The crew lit firecrackers off the bow to ensure a safe journey as we motored into the night. Of course there are those who were born to be at sea and there are those who need a bit of training. The first night was for some a little less than comfortable while others like myself found the gentle rolling of the waves reminiscent of the cradle and were soon dreaming of underwater adventures to come.
By the next morning with the joyful sight of such a large pod of dolphins spirits were universally high. The sky was clear and the calm waters had taken on an almost impossibly bright and inviting shade of blue. As the divemaster briefed the divers on the first dive of the day the test dive the excitement on board became palpable. By just peering overboard you could see that the crystal clear waters were teeming with life. After the briefing and a thorough check of our equipment we were in the water and ready to begin our first dive. The first dive of a trip always begins with a few minutes of uncertainty as even experienced divers have to get used to the idea of being a fish again. But soon we were all back in our respective comfort zones and ready to start playing our roles as guests in an underwater utopia.
After a stunning introduction to the natural wonders that would captivate us for the days to come we were rounded up by a crew member in a small inflatable motorboat and brought back to our temporary maritime abode. There we were helped out of the water relieved of our equipment and once dry we found a wonderful meal waiting for us on the upper deck. The trip was punctuated by one delicious meal after the next. Different boats cater to different tastes with some serving mostly Thai fare and others catering to the western palette but they are all Thai boats and this is a country where eating is priority number one. This means there is never a shortage of good food on these boats; throughout the trip we were constantly and contently stuffed.
Thus the divers on board quickly fell into an idyllic routine. A stunning dive would be followed by a delicious meal. Divers would then disperse to pore over fish guidebooks take a nap in the climatecontrolled cabins or compare stories of the wonders encountered below the waves. In the first three days we had seen several beautiful sea turtles numerous big red octopus bizarre frogfish curious garden eels befuddling ghost pipefish lethargic leopard sharks four massive and graceful manta rays and such an array of fish as to leave one breathless wellnot literally!.
But the biggest treat came for us on the final day of our voyage and when I say biggest I mean that quite literally!On the morning of our fifth day at sea we motored north out of the Similan Islands National Park towards the famous Richelieu Rock. After listening to the divemasters briefing we were donning our equipment when a diver on another boat excitedly babbled that there was a whale shark in the area. The adrenaline level onboard immediately shot through the roof. We could not wait to get into the water for the chance to witness the passage of this gentle fragile giant the largest of all the fishes up close and personal. I stood at the back of the boat with my Buoyancy Control Device and tank strapped on chomping at the bit. Then suddenly right in front of me I saw a shape. A very large shape.
W w w whale shark !!!!
I immediately dived into the water. The rest of the divers followed suit and for a few divine minutes we swam beside one of the most beautiful products of natures limitless creativity. When the gentle giant dove below we got back on board yelping babbling highfiving and smiling from ear to ear. Though Im sure we would all have been very happy with the trip even if the whale shark had not appeared we all knew then that this had been a special trip that we would all remember for the rest of our days. Whatever was to come of the rest of our dives that day we were satisfied. But it wasnt over yet.
We descended to Richelieu Rock and instantly knew why so many consider it to be the best dive site in Thailand. It is a massive feature that is every inch covered in life. The tiniest most bizarre creatures such as harlequin shrimp tiger cowries sea horses and a multitude of beautiful nudibranches can be found alongside large dogtooth tuna giant trevally cuttlefish and beautiful schools of laserlike fusiliers. The list goes on and on. But as we explored the rock that day we were in for yet another special treat. As we rounded a corner I turned around to see my dive buddy facetoface with another whale shark this one much larger than the last. Followed by its attendant cobias remoras and a small school of trevally this enormous creature circled back and forth past us for fully half an hour!
After making our safety stop and returning to the boat we sat speechless while the boat motored back towards Phuket. As the sun began to dip in the western sky our smiles remained fixed on our faces. We had truly discovered treasures beneath the sea. Treasures in my opinion more precious than gold and silver. And as the Similan Islands became specs on the horizon I scanned the sea for our dolphin friends in the hope of offering a little thank you for their hospitality but they were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they were busy preparing to welcome their next group of guests to what I can only describe as paradise.
Whilst in Thailand why not check out one of Thailand’s best three beach destinations
Koh Lao Liang: http://www.andamanadventures.com/kohlaoliang.shtml
Ao Nang: http://www.andamanadventures.com/ao_nang.shtml
Railay/Tonsai: http://www.andamanadventures.com/railaytonsai.shtml
About the writer: Runs Andaman Sky Co. Ltd specialising in Thai climbing and diving trips.
How Important Is A Scuba Diving Or Snorkeling Mask
How Important Is A Scuba Diving Or Snorkeling Mask
Lets face it the time you have underwater is precious and limited. Dont be inconvenienced and waste valuable time fixing problems with a scuba mask on your next scuba dive or snorkeling experience. It can also be embarrassing if you hold up the entire diving group or miss the dive altogether because of faulty scuba gear.
Theres a lot more to consider when investing in a scuba diving mask than you might think. Everyone has a unique face and head shape. Its important that the mask conform to your face and create a water tight seal. A mask that doesnt seal properly can be very frustrating and limit the enjoyment on your trip.
Here is a good way to test for a suitable fit. Take the mask and put it on your face the way it will be when diving without the strap used to hold it. Inhale slowly and the mask should stay put. If inhaling harder is required or the mask falls off most likely this isnt a good fit. The goal is to restrict the amount of water seeping into the scuba mask to as little as possible.
Comfort is also important when it comes to scuba gear. Be sure the silicone strap fits nicely around your head and doesnt pull your hair. Adjustments of the strap can be made on both sides of the mask to achieve the best comfort while diving.
Another option to consider is the type of lenses in the mask. Two basic choices are the sideview lenses or the flat regular type. Sideview lenses can improve your field of vision. If you wear glasses a good idea is getting a mask with optical lenses prescribed to your needs.
Try to prevent a difficult and possibly dangerous situation before it happens. When purchasing scuba equipment or snorkeling gear do your homework and get what is necessary to meet your recreational requirements.
About the writer: Tom Gardner is an expert in Scuba Diving and has been a certified scuba diver for many years. He currently runs a website where he sells Scuba Diving Gear. Browse all varieties of Scuba Diving Gear here!
Following Are A Few Dos And Donts Related To Scuba
Following Are A Few Dos And Donts Related To Scuba Diving
Those who have been on a cruise to the Caribbean or Catalina know that it is the perfect place for diving as the water there is so blue and clear. You would definitely want to try scuba diving there even if you are not into it. In order to sign up for that though you have to be in a good physical shape be an experienced swimmer and be certified. Only if you are a qualified scuba diver would the cruise diving team let you dive after all danger is everywhere including underwater.
Before you embark on that extreme experience there are facts you need to know. Following are a few Dos and Don’ts related to scuba diving.
bull;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Scuba Diving Dos:
1nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The two most important requirements are the good physical shape and certification. If you lack any of those do not risk your life.
2nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The things you need to take: mask diving fins weight belt regulator and octopus compass dive light with backup dive knife air tank and backup dive flag spare mouthpiece first aid kit flare gun do not forget the flares!.
3nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; It is safer and more pleasant if you have a diving partner. Do not forget to constantly keep visual contact and try not to kick out their mouthpiece.
4nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; A third person is a must. They stay on the boat have a mobile phone and help when getting out of the water.
5nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; If you want to bring back a souvenir take an underwater camera with you together with underwater light and backup.
bull;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Scuba Diving Don’ts:
1nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Do not drink and then dive. Think about your own safety and the safety of your partner.
2nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Do not forget to tell someone where you are and when you will go back.
3nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Do not eat too much before diving; before diving wait for at least two hours after eating. Otherwise you might get cramps or troubled breathing.
These are only some of the useful tips related to scuba diving you need to take into consideration. Always inform yourself before diving.
Following are some other topics you mind find interesting:
bull;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The only documentation of the use of inflated goatskins used as breathing devices is carvings depicting Assyrian soldiers crossing rivers with the help of the devices.
bull;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The first to mention an underwater device was Leonardo da Vinci the 15th c.. He called it Bad Human Nature and did not explain how it works most probably because it could be used for the sinking of ships and even for murdering.
bull;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Guy Gilpatrick invented the waterproof goggles in the 1930s France. Their function was to keep the salt water out of the eyes at the surface.
bull;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The L. A. Co. Dept. of Parks and Recreation USA offered the first scuba diving certification course. The wetsuit was introduced to the public in 1956.
About the writer: Sov Sto is an author of Scuba Diving. S Scuba Diving dot com is the newest blog you can read fresh articles about scuba diving gear scuba diving travel scuba diving holiday.
Fear Conquering Scuba Diving
Fear Conquering Scuba Diving
Now that the chicks are out of the nest I’m nurturing a new side effectfearlessness. Okay not exactly fearlessness but I’m finding that I’m more drawn to crazy antics than I used to be. Perhaps this effect is common in empty nestersor at least with the baby boomer ones. Were we not the VW bus driving worldchanging stickin’ it to the man tryanything generation? There must be some latent drive lurking beneath my exhelicopter mommy exteriorand dammitit’s getting my attention. So I crammed my notsoperky butt into a wet suit strapped 16 pounds of weight around my waist apparently I’m very buoyant and jumped in. And immediately FREAKED OUT.
There I was in the ocean treading water like a madwomen embarrassed and humbled. What happened? I aced the preocean part of the lesson. In the swimming pool I was amazinga scuba diving machine if there ever was one. I was practically one of those Discovery Channel shark chasers. My mind frantically tried to grasp where things went terribly awry…
On the boat I was excited. I even had builtin inspiration. A couple in their freaking 70s taking on a 100 foot dive with three generations of their family. My new heroes maybe I could be one of their kids for the day. I was in awe.
We dropped anchor and the septuagenarians headed down with their REAL children the heartless brats leaving us newbies behind. The strapping on of the paraphernalia got underway. Before long I stood there with an air tank on my back air is WAY heavier than one would think a weight belt and an extremely binding vest with fifty bazillion tubes hanging off of it. Overwhelmed the meaning of the tubes started to escape me. Led to the edge of the boat in flippers with little peripheral vision because of the mask I was wearing I began to unravel. This was not cool.
I switched on my panic mantra people do this everyday and do not die people do this everyday and do not die… and jumped in. Needless to say after making it down about a whopping five feet I gave the distress signal the only thing I remembered from the swimming pool and was hoisted back onto the boat like a defeated whale. Not my finest moment.
The kindly boat captain and I became fast friends as we sat alone for 45 minutes while everyone else was having the time of their lives. I was angry jealous and resolute. Luckily this was a twotank drive. I had another chance and I wasn’t going to blow it.
The elderly couple who I now hated with every fiber of my being climbed out of the sea like Jacques Cousteau and started talking with my husband no less about all the fabulous creatures they saw. Now I was REALLY angry jealous and resolute. Apparently this is the very mindset I needed to be in.
I jumped in again and down I went along the safety rope. My instructor the very patient Shelly stayed right in my face. I was petrified but I was determined people do this everyday and do not die… terror would not win this time. Reaching the end I clung to the bottom of the rope like it was my job. At this critical point I realized that my main fear was that I was sinking when I normally would be floating. Being a control freak this wasn’t sitting well with me at all. My brain was telling me that if I let go of the rope I would continue to descend slowly until I was stuck forever on the ocean floor. I had forgotten that I had fins strong legs and a capable instructor. I let go.
Shelly took my hand and lead me to a sting ray hiding in the sand. Kneeling close by this strange and beautiful creature my Darth Vader breathing noise transcended to a calming yogalike hum. The ray deciding it wanted nothing more to do with us got up and “flew” away. I gave chase. I hadn’t even realized that my fear was gone. I was one with the ocean.
Next stepcertification. And just maybe I’ll have my own Discovery Channel shark chasing showall I have to do is punch the mean ones in their noses right?
Veronica GypsyNester.com
About the writer: David amp; Veronica are experiencing the collision of baby boomer with empty nester. They have decided to grab life by the horns sell the nest and become GypsyNesters. Read more at www.GypsyNester.com
Diving Sulawesi And Coral Reefs
Diving Sulawesi And Coral Reefs
Over 58 genera and sub genera of hard corals have been recorded in the waters that surround the Bunaken National Park a province of North Sulawesi in Indonesia. This is almost three times that what you might find from the reefs of the Caribbean.
The ideal water temperatures for coral reefs to flourish are between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius. They also require clear waters; this is because most corals rely on an algae species known as zooxanthellae for their source of food. The algae use photosynthesis to create food of which the excess is passed on to the coral. This is known as a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit. In fact it is the algae that creates the colors of the reef and not the coral itself.
Corals are colonies of the same animal individually referred to as polyps. They are joined together by a thin layer of common tissue. As they grow they secrete a calcium carbonate structure which enables them to bind together with some other type of material.
The coral reefs of Sulawesi support an incredible diversity of marine organisms including thousands of different fishes crabs sea stars sea cucumbers snails clams and worms. Coral reefs provide a solid habitat for these organisms to survive on. The coral reefs around Bunaken Island also generate income from divers who wish to dive Sulawesi.
The most predominant type of reef in the Bunaken National Park is fringing reef. Fringing reefs grow along the edge of landmasses and islands. Close to the islands of northern Sulawesi are mangrove forests from here most commonly youll find sea grass beds from which the reef flat usually extends for 30 50 meters before reaching the reef crest and reef slope more commonly known as the drop off. Each of these habitats will be preferential to different marine life. For example mangrove forests are ideal grounds for juveniles as they provide protection sea grass beds provide a feeding ground for hungry turtles and the reef flat will allow corals the opportunity to flourish.
Coral reefs are in desperate need of protection The North Sulawesi Watersports Association is an organization set up by local dive operators to ensure the protection of the area. Let us hope that diving in Indonesia keeps its high standards with the efforts of this organisation.
About the writer: After ten years of worldwide dive travel and professional employment we created a travel company that seeks to enter Asia’s most remote and exciting locations for experiences above and below the surface Dive Safari Asia. For photos video footage destination guides and details of our tours visit Diving Asia.