Archive for the ‘Technical Diving’ Category

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Important Facts About Scuba Diving

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

The first one is that you need to have a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. These high pressure tanks that are strapped to the back of the diver, provide air to the diver that is regulated through a breathing device. This lets the diver go very deep in the water without worrying about coming up for oxygen.

Next of the facts about scuba diving is that you need specific diving apparel to protect your body and allow you to swim easily. Such apparel includes wetsuits, gloves, hoods, computer watch, etc. The next fact about scuba diving is that nearly anyone can be certified for scuba diving. More than one million people get certified for scuba diving each year. As long as you can put on a heavy tank filled with compressed and dive down deep, you can become certified.

The next of the facts about scuba diving is that the diver must make a decision on what type of underwater adventure would be preferred. You could dive in warm or cold water, or explore locations of shipwrecks. If you are on a cruise or in other specific instances, you may not have to get certified before going scuba diving. In cruises to the Caribbean, Acapulco, and the Florida Keys, you can get a one day crash course on scuba diving before you go exploring.

Breathing-wise, you need to be able to breath solely through your mouth. This is one of the most important facts about scuba diving, because otherwise you won’t be able to stay under water. When it comes to equalizing, you need to know how to “pop” your ears. When you go deep in the water, there is a lot of pressure that builds up in the ears, and so you must “pop” your ears in order to equalize the pressure. To do this correctly, you will need to consult your scuba instructor or a doctor.

The last of the facts about scuba diving is knowing whether you have any physical conditions that might limit your ability to scuba dive. Such conditions include being overweight, fatigued, having diabetes, heart conditions, or any other ailments, and prone to drowning. It is always a good idea to get a physical done by a doctor before scuba diving. For information on purchasing scuba diving apparel and equipment or finding scuba diving lessons, start searching online. You are sure to find everything you need.

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Technical Diving Courses

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Technical diving is a relatively risky activity; therefore, the training course follows stricter rules when admitting students. The instructor has the right to refuse non-suitable candidates onto courses such as technical cave diving and re-breather diving. Generally, students participating in basic technical diving courses should have at least two to three years of diving experience, perhaps even as certified recreational diving instructors.

There are about five international training centres in Hong Kong, including the founding agent IANTD and PADI. Several points should be considered when selecting a training centre: equipment availability and standard, insistence on reasonable and correct training procedures, the experience of the technical diving instructors, and the opinions of ex-students. Though cost could be another point to consider, the difference of a hundred or a thousand dollars is meaningless compared with the value of your life.

The course structure of a technical diving course is similar to a recreational one in that everyone starts from a basic level, even if you are a qualified instructor or experienced diver. The technical deep dive course comprises three different levels under the IANTD and PADI systems. The basic course is named Advanced Nitrox Diver (IANTD) or Apprentice Tech Deep Diver (PADI). It teaches the student the benefits, hazards and proper procedures to dive to a 45m depth using high content oxygen for rapid decompression. It is important to strictly follow the time and safety stops procedures for surfacing, otherwise decompression sickness (the Bends) could result. If a diver spends 30mins at a depth of 45m, they will need an extra 40minutes for decompression.

After finishing the basic course, the student can move on to the Technical Nitrox Diver (IANTD) or Tec-Deep Diver (PADI). In this course, the student dives as deep as 55 meters with two oxygen-rich tanks (one is pure oxygen) for decompression. The 30-minute deep dive practice at 55m will necessitate another 50 mins for decompression. Apart from the deep dive practice, the student thoroughly studies the high pressure impact on the diver and psychological changes and works on improving posture and buoyancy control technique.

The final course is Trimix Diver. The diver uses a combination of low oxygen, low nitrogen and high helium gas mixtures for an 80m dive. This gas mix is essential for such a deep dive as ordinary pressurized air places negative impacts on the diver’s body at depths of more than 55m. The 21% in air after 55m depth will cause the diver to conrulse and even lose consciousness – this is oxygen toxcity. Inappropriate usage of the trimix gases, however, will also cause problems; therefore, specialized training is a must.

All the technical diving courses include lectures, pool work and deep water practice. The ratio of instructor to student is much lower than in recreational diving courses in which one instructor handles 3 to 4 students and the ratio is even stricter for certain courses, to account for the more complicated nature of the course.

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Ways to Learn to Scuba Dive

Friday, February 6th, 2009

In case you are fixated on a method or way to learn to scuba dive, allow me to introduce you to the different ways to learn to scuba dive. One instructor may teach you in a pool. Another may take you by the hand and practice descending off a real boat in a real sea. Others will join a scuba diving club or register for a full course at the local dive shop.

Way to learn to scuba dive is to do so while on holidays in resort islands such as Phuket, Mauritius, Tioman, etc. Firstly, you are in a totally relaxed mood. Secondly, the waters are clear and the environment creates a wonderful and beautiful atmosphere. So the next time you want to pay a sum of money upfront for a full diving course certification, save it for your resort trip. Normally, participating in the beginner diving course is enough for you to get started.

The certified instructor will explain everything you need to know about pressure underwater, equipment, and other practical tips you need to be aware of when you are in the water. Obviously, there will be a full demonstration of the basic skills. Once you have fully understood, you are now ready to get ready to put on your scuba gear. Usually, you together with other participants will be grouped together and stay at a point in the pool where you can have full view of what he is saying.

You will probably start first with breathing exercises and regulator recovery at the surface. After that, you will be asked to kneel on the bottom of the pool and start breathing. This is necessary for you to get used for being underwater. The instructor will then ask that you try out each of the skills taught which include complete mask clearing regulator recovery and buoyancy control. Once students are ready, they will be asked to demonstrate these skills. After this, the instructor will allow the students to swim around near the pool bottom to get used to the equipment and breathing.

Everyone is comfortable with their equipment, breathing techniques, etc when the practice at the pool is considered complete. This also means that you can now get a chance at your first open water scuba dive. This normally takes place from a boat in clear waters or shallow sites where it is easy to handle. Usually, the instructor will highlight the importance of some common mistakes or ways to improve your diving skills. He will probably also encourage you to obtain a full certificate in open water scuba diving. This is arguably the best way to learn to scuba dive.

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