Benefits of Scuba Diving Equipment

April 13th, 2009

The art of scuba diving has opened up the possibilities – allowing you to journey where you were previously unable to explore. Of course, the reason that scuba diving is successful on this front is because of the scuba diving equipment that renders you physically able to stay underwater.

Scuba diving can be an amazing experience and one – for obvious reasons – that many find themselves addicted to after just the first time. But diving safely depends not only on the skill of the diver, but on the dependability and proper use of extensive scuba diving equipment.

The first layer of scuba diving equipment is that which covers the diver. The wetsuit, made of a thin layer of synthetic rubber and lined with nylon, forms a protective barrier between the diver and the water. The diver’s skin is kept completely dry and the material of the wetsuit actually traps body heat against the skin guarding against hypothermia. It is important, for this reason, that the wetsuit be as snug as possible against the diver’s body. In addition to the wetsuit, the scuba diver also wears flippers as part of their scuba diving equipment that allows them to maneuver effortlessly through the water.

Of course, the scuba diving equipment that most people associate with scuba is the oxygen tank. The oxygen tank is the most essential piece of scuba diving equipment as it allows the diver to stay underwater for extended periods of time. The oxygen tank is carried on the back of the diver; its size depends on the length and time of the dive. Most tanks also include equipment that allows the divers to closely monitor the amount of oxygen they have left so that they can resurface safely.

The facemask – another piece of scuba diving equipment – is placed over the mouth, nose, and eyes of the diver. Oxygen is pumped into the mask allowing the diver to breathe. The mask also enables the diver to see underwater without obstruction.

Scuba instruction of any kind will include comprehensive lessons on the safe and effective use of scuba diving equipment. It is imperative that scuba divers – beginners and veterans alike – use their scuba diving equipment respectfully and in complete accordance with operating instructions. Using these safety measures will ensure your safety and the rest is pure enjoyment.

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Scuba Diving Rules For a Safe Dive

March 18th, 2009

Scuba Diving can be a dangerous sport if you do not take a ‘be safe always’ approach when entering the water. There are some steps every diver should follow to ensure he has a safe dive.

Scuba Diving Safety Rules:

Get proper training

Being comfortable underwater will go a long way towards having a safe dive. Proper training is one key to being comfortable underwater. The beginning of proper training is to get your open water certification. If you go diving in caves, caverns, wrecks, etc., you should also have the proper training for this type of dive.

Never dive alone

Always dive with a buddy no matter where you are. This is key. When you do dive with a buddy, keep an eye on him/her to make sure everything is OK (and hopefully they are doing the same). If something happens, that buddy can be the difference between life and death. Never violate this rule. Also do a pre-dive equipment check with your buddy.

Be in good physical shape

You don’t have to be a triathlete but you should be able to swim and take the stress of diving. A physical exam is a good idea before diving.

Don’t hold your breath

Remember to always breathe slowly and in a relaxed manner and to exhale fully. Don’t take short, shallow breathes and never hold your breath.
Holding your breath underwater can lead to lung injuries and worse, in the extreme case.

Ascend slowly and with control

As you ascend you are ridding your body of nitrogen in your tissues and bloodstream. If you ascend too quickly, you risk decompression sickness. Always do a safety stop at 15 feet for at least 3 minutes after deeper dives. After your safety stop, do not propel yourself to the surface either. Ascend that last 15 feet very slowly also.

Check your equipment

Checking equipment is especially important if you are renting. If you own your regulator and haven’t dove in a while, it should also be serviced to make sure it is working properly. Do a check of the regulator hoses also.

Relax

Being relaxed and comfortable underwater is key to a successful dive. If something happens, stop, breathe, think and act. Do not panic and rush to the surface. But observing this safety rule could be key to a safe dive.

Plan your dive and dive your plan

You will hear this in your training (or you should) and you should follow this advice. Prior to going under, you and your buddy should know the max depth you will go, the amount of bottom time you’ll have and how much air you will start to ascend with. Check your air supply often. You should also agree on the hand signals you will use to communicate underwater.

This is just the beginning of scuba diving safety rules. However, if you follow the above list you increase your chances of a safe dive.

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Bali Liveaboard Scuba Diving

February 24th, 2009

What can be a more adventurous and fulfilling scuba diving vacation experience than liveaboard luxury yacht cruising and scuba diving in the tropical islands of Bali? Contrary to what many scuba divers think, liveaboard scuba diving may not be as expensive as you think. In fact if planned properly, live on board diving vacations may even save you money and inconveniences. Firstly, you will on transportation time and costs traveling to your dive operator’s boat and then after your dive, returning to your hotel or resort lugging your cumbersome scuba diving gear with you and repeating the same process for the next couple of days during your vacation in Bali.

Next, you save money on hotel or resort accommodation because since that you are living on the dive boats, there will be no need for hotel or resort bookings. Furthermore, you do not need to hunt for expensive meals in your hotel or resort since all liveaboard scuba diving packages will include delicious meals which will also mean that you will be probably having very fresh and delectable sea food caught by the crew while you are enjoying your cruise or are scuba diving.

The highlight of your liveaboard Bali vacation is that you can dive in many exotic dive locations instead of only the dive spots near where you stay. This is because since that you need not return to your resort or hotel to retire for the day, the liveaboard dive yachts will cruise away to far flung scuba diving locations while you are sleeping. This again saves you time and best of all, you get to save more money by diving in more places for the same price.

Visit one of Bali’s most interesting street on the way to Pemuteran & Menjangan North West Bali which will also include a stopover in View Point Restaurant Sanda. You will scuba dive in Pemuteran House Reef & Reef Project or Secret Bay in Gilimanuk. Your liveaboard boat will cruise to Menjangan Island. You will be diving at the National Park, Walls, Anker Wreck, Coral Garden, buffet lunch on the white powdery sandy beach of the island. The boat will then land and send you to the north coast and visit a well kept secret Waterfall and a hot spring.

Scuba diving activities will be at Amed Tulamben or Secret Spot, Drop Off, Liberty Wreck Dive (American battle ship sunk during WW2) & some wall diving. Some land excursion to enjoy the view of Bali’s world famous terraced rice fields in the morning. Then your liveaboard yatcht will take you diving at the Blue Lagoon & White Beach. There will also be a night dive at the Blue Lagoon. Continue your Bali vacation by cruising to Gili Mimpang & Gili Tepekong or Gili Biaha for fantastic dive sites.

More scuba diving activities at Gili Biaha or Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan. The sea at these diving locations could be rough at times, so the dives would very much be dependant on the weather. However, if the weather allow, you will be scuba diving in one of the most breath taking underwater scenery in the world. More scuba diving at the Blue Lagoon, White Beach and the Channel and then off to Bali airport to your next scuba diving adventure.

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