LOCAL DIVING Gives YOU MORE Access and DIVE TIME!
While we all have that “special place” we must see, do not miss out on what we have close to home!
Years ago, I recall hanging out around the set of a TV station for an interview about diving. Teaching a local college diving program for many years had brought me the distinction of being somewhat of a “diving expert,” a nomenclature that I will always scoff at!
On the way to the interview, I thought of the places I’ve had the good fortune to dive and those I still would like to visit. I had it nailed in my mind. “Ask away; I’m ready!” I reflected. I sunk into the well-worn couch and waited for the first question.
I heard nothing but a murmur during the introduction process as I continued to rehearse my answer to the inevitable question, “What is your favorite place to dive?” Without a second thought I blurted out, ”Locally, right here at home!” I certainly didn’t rehearse that!
Despite my quick response, I still stand by my statement to this day. There really is no diving like local diving. Local diving gives you unequaled access and in most cases great variety if you are creative in your approach. Now you may be thinking, “but there’s only one dive site near me!” To this response, I ask: Have you ever seen it through the eyes of other divers? I can assure you the dive you make each time will be as unique as your dive partner if you simply insist they take the lead and ask them to point out anything they see of interest.
Local diving sites can offer many challenges and rewarding moments. They’re a great place to socialize, meet more divers to add to your contact list and a better place to try new gear or acquired techniques.
Here are a few suggestions to stir some interest in your local diving:
- Get the word out– A simple posting in the Dive Center, Divers blast e-mail, newsletter or social sites will work nicely. Set up a meeting- Don’t be scared. This isn’t meant to be a serious work meeting; it will be fun! Talk about local diving opportunities and places that someone in the group “has always wanted to check out.”
- Create a social gathering surrounding the dive– We all know that in the scheme of things a two- dive day does not require a lot of time. But having a barbeque, volleyball match or round of drinks will fill the day nicely.
- Set a date– Select a time each month to get together, dive, grab a coffee, see a movie or go bowling. After all, you share an important common bond: you are divers!
Remember, everyone’s definition of local diving will vary. One particular group of local divers invited me to one of their monthly rituals. Early on a weekend morning we met at the Dive Center, the regulars retrieving their coffee mugs that proudly hung on the wall. We grabbed a coffee and a donut and marched into the classroom, a destination they had selected last time they met a month ago. We arranged who was driving with whom, consolidated gear and headed out the door.
Any place that could be dived and return home in one day was considered local, but the adventures often spanned a full day. As we headed out the door, the group split, some heading to the 2/3 of a day option while I jumped in with the “let’s go for it all day!” crowd.
By the time we returned to the rendezvous point that night at the Dive Center, it had been long closed and we meandered to our vehicles. As I wearily pulled away, I was approached and asked, “Hey, want to join us for a cold one?” Their day was not over yet, but I was too tuckered out to continue.
You see, local diving is where the fun and friends are! You meet new ones to go explore and answer the ever-burning question: “Hey, I wonder what is at the bottom of …?”
So, what are you waiting for? Start diving locally! Make it happen & make it safe!
To Snorkel or Not to Snorkel: That is the Question
How did this become such a point of contention for so many?
A long debated issue amongst divers, instructors and training agencies is: do divers need to wear snorkels? Before we explore this topic, a little bit of history is in order.
In the beginning, snorkels were a very useful and important piece of equipment. In the early days of SCUBA training, free diving or snorkeling was a big component of the course, acting as an air management tool. Divers were taught to hold their breath and dive down to depths so instructors could assess their comfort in the water.
In addition to cylinder volumes being less, given that SPG’s were not a part of the regulator, the diver only knew the tank was full because the person that filled it said it was. Towards the end of the dive when the “J” valve stopped delivering air and the diver pulled the shepherds hook to get the reserve amount of air to get them to the surface, it was quite possible that the surface swim would have to be performed on the snorkel.
Fast forward to present day: we now have SPG’s, air integrated dive computers, snorkeling skills are not as big of a part of training, and our training materials teach better air management practices. Also, today more divers are going into overhead environments and diving in areas where snorkels become a liability and not an asset. So this brings us to the question: snorkel or no snorkel?
There are still dive sites that require a surface swim, and a snorkel will conserve the air in the cylinder for the dive. There are also locations where snorkels are required by law. In these situations, snorkels are a must.
Where do snorkels become more of a liability? On high current dives, snorkels create a drag and tend to cause the mask to flood. In overhead environments, such as wrecks, swim troughs and caverns, they can cause the divers mask to be dislodged and cause a leak or flood. When diving around kelp or areas where monofilament line is known to be, snorkels become an entanglement hazard.
Another deciding factor is the comfort level of the diver; are you comfortable wearing a snorkel or not? One thing a snorkel should never replace is proper planning of air supply. Divers should always surface with enough air left to make a surface swim to their exit point, be it a boat or shore.
By breathing off the second stage, the diver avoids the possibility of breathing in water that has entered the snorkel due to choppy surface conditions, waves or poorly aligned snorkel (snorkel leaning too far backward or forward). A variety of pocket snorkels have also entered diving, allowing the diver to “always have one with them” although not necessarily attached until it is needed. With all these details, it’s easy to see wearing a snorkel or not depends on the type of dive that is planned.There is possibly no better exercise and opportunity to interact with sea life than going out for a swim across the surface of the ocean, lake or river. In this case, a snorkel is exactly the right tool for the job. With the brightest sun light, it attracts the highest concentration of life. Find a good fitting snorkel, mask and fins, and the experience is sure to be amazing!
Underwater Journal
Underwater Journal
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Did you know… the UWJ is the official publication of SDI™/TDI™/ERDI™, a diving certification agency, and is included in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Information Exchange for Marine Educators Archive of Journals?
Did you know … that issue 20 of the UWJ is ready for download?
Here is what one of our readers had to say:
“Many scuba magazines are
about ads and superficial topics. ‘UWJ’ gives me details that
I can’t find elsewhere and
covers all aspects of my favorite
activities in great depth.”
– Vance A. Barr, Glenville, NY
You’re really going to enjoy issue 20. We’ve included some compelling tales of dive destinations both near and far. Doug Ebersole tells of the wonders that can be found just off the coast of Vancouver at a site called God’s Pocket; Tim Rock takes us to Guam to visit marine preserves, and a team of French adventurers travels to Iceland to report on a unique thermal vent found in the relatively shallow depths of a northern Fjord.
History buffs and wreck divers will enjoy the vicarious discovery of a World war II British fighter in Greek waters, and will be pleased to learn that the easily-accessible wreck of the USS Massachusetts awaits in shallow waters just off Pensacola, Florida. And, as always, we’ve added a mix of product reviews, dive medicine and ocean science to round out the issue.
Stay tuned! We’ve created our first-ever underwater video contest. Slated to run from June 1 to June 30, the contest will give UWJ subscribers the chance to showcase their video, and anyone can vote on favorite entries. All the details will soon be posted on the website.
Whatever your adventure is this summer, we encourage you to share it with fellow divers and with us,. Whether you’re capturing the underwater scene on video for the chance at a great prize, simply posting us a note, or sharing a photo.
Next issue is due out June 15.
Cheers!
PS – Don’t forget, UWJ is iPad compatible.
Lost or Forgotten C-Card… Here’s the Scoop
Oh no… It’s the night before your next dive and you can’t find your c-card or even worse… You arrived at the dive site or dive boat and you can’t find your c-card for check-in. First things first, don’t panic! We have a solution. Don’t cancel your dive. Read this article to learn more about how our digital c-cards can save the day.
Headaches and SCUBA Diving
Diving headaches have spoiled many dive trips. As there are different causes associated with headaches and diving, it can be as simple as a mask squeeze, an excessive constriction around the neck by thermal protection, a dental issue, cold water around an inadequately insulated head, or saltwater aspiration.
SDI vs TDI Nitrox: Which One and Why
We are often asked why we have two nitrox programs, one under SDI and one under TDI, and why should someone choose to teach one course over the other…. or even consider both?