Good communication with your dive buddy is important, not just in an emergency, but also to monitor each other’s progress, share underwater experiences, and agree when to end the dive. The most effective method of communication is to use hand signals.

Using hand signals

Verbal communication is not an option underwater unless you are wearing a full-face mask, but most messages can be conveyed using a combination of hand signals and drawings on a slate. Using hand signals will allow you to exchange information with your dive buddy and even ask each other questions underwater. They can also be reassuring. Signal to your buddy regularly during a dive, as this will ensure that you remain in close contact and can easily notify each other of any problems that may develop. Repeat any sign that is not clear to your buddy, and acknowledge every signal that he or she makes with an “OK” to show you understand. If your buddy is slow to respond to a signal, check that they are OK. If you are diving at depth, sluggish responses may indicate the onset of nitrogen narcosis, which impairs reaction times and mental acuity. Signals are not just limited to showing each other how much air you have left or highlighting problems. They can also be used to inform your buddy of interesting things you have seen, or to alert them to something you are both looking for, such as a particular marine organism. There are numerous signals for marine animals, and you can develop your own within your buddy pair. A common example is the use of a straight, upright hand (representing a fin) on top of your head, meaning “I’ve seen a shark.” Signals for animals like turtles and rays can be readily improvised.

To make it clear that a signal refers specifically to yourself—for example, “watch me”—point to yourself first.

Common hand signals

There are a number of standard hand signals that are essential to all divers, and you can also improvise new signals with friends. Always review signals at the start
of a dive, especially if you are diving with a new buddy. Give signals to your buddy slowly and clearly, to ensure that they are understood. Use combinations of signals
to convey messages more precisely (for example, something is wrong/I can’t clear my ears). Below are some of the most important and common diving signals.

OK/Are you OK?
Form an O with thumb and index finger. Point the other fingers up.

Something is wrong
Tilt the flat of your hand from side to side, palm down.

Up/Let’s ascend
Point thumb straight upward with fingers clenched in a fist.

Down/Let’s go down
Point thumb downward with fingers clenched in a fist.

1,500 psi (100 bar) left
Form T-shape with hands to indicate 1,500 psi remaining.

750 psi (50 bar) left
Make a fist, with palm outward, to indicate 750 psi remaining.

I am out of air
Make a horizontal chopping motion across base of neck.

Stop
Present flat of hand, palm outward, to halt buddy or other divers.

Slow down
Move palms slowly downward together (pivoting at elbows).

Stay/Move together
Move index fingers together, until touching side by side.

Stay at this depth
Hold both hands horizontally and move one over the other.

Watch/Look
Point at your eyes, then at subject of interest, or self, or another diver.

I am cold
Hug yourself with both arms crossed to indicate chill.

I can’t clear my ears
Point at ear to indicate you are having difficulty equalizing.

Feeling breathless
If you are feeling out of breath and need to rest for a moment, you should use the flat of your hand to mimic your chest rising and falling.

]]> http://www.dailyscubadiving.com/scuba-diving-hand-signals/feed/ 1 http://www.dailyscubadiving.com/uwatec-galileo-luna-review/ http://www.dailyscubadiving.com/uwatec-galileo-luna-review/#comments Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:56:30 +0000 GULLIVER http://www.dailyscubadiving.com/?p=1983

The Galileo Luna computer from Scubapro is the most recent  addition to the Galileo family manufactured by famous Uwatex. The Luna dive computer has a full-tilt digital compass, extra large display  and a huge memory , as well as a choice of three pre-figured screen (Light, Full and Classic) displays and micro-bubble management. The Galileo Luna is a hoseless air-integrated dive computer.  There is an option to upgrade this dive computer  to read as much as four transmitters and support  three gas mixes up to 100%.  One the of great part of Luna is the ease-of-use. All three control buttons are clearly labeled and it is quite difficult to get lost. At depth Galileo Luna offers  its  data on its display with depth, dive time, psi and NDLs prominently displayed. Divers can setup  up to 6 micro-bubble suppression levels for additional safety.

Large display, choice of data screens and excellent digital compass, makes this dive computer an excellent addition to Galileo family. So it will be safe to say that this product is one of the most advanced dive computers currently offered in the market.

Prices vary but it seems that the best deal is offered thru LeisurePro

UWATEC Galileo Luna Hoseless Wrist Dive Computer Complete with Transmitter – $1299.95

What’s New

• Complete navigational system with integrated digital compass and bearing memory, virtually unaffected by tilt. Ease and accuracy, all in one instrument.
• Galileo combines an extra large dot matrix display with a huge memory for unprecedented flexibility:
• PDIS (Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops) optimizes your dive in complete security.
• Hoseless gas integrated computer: when used with a Smart transmitter you get tank pressure and true remaining bottom time (RBT) on the computer screen.
• Galileo can be reprogrammed through its infrared interface, meaning you can easily upgrade your computer with new functions and features downloaded from our website.
• Predictive Multi Gas algorithm: allowing you to enjoy the full benefits of high oxygen concentration mixes.
• User friendly graphic data display, shows you tissue loading and oxygen toxicity levels as a bar graph.

Ability to store personal information

The diver can simply enter  his/her personal info  ( such as name, cert. numbers). Also the Luna can store information about your dive insurance , contacts,  some medical information (such as allergies); in case of an accident these information can easily be accessed at the touch of a button.

• Alarms and warnings appear on the large display in clear text in pre-chosen language, thus you’ll never misunderstand important signals while enjoying the beauty  of the underwater world. The beeps of alarms can’t be turned off, but you can do it for warnings. You have an option to choose to receive warning  of either only visual, only audible or both.
• Galileo’s interface is user friendly and quite easy to use. It’s like a cell phone so you can setup and view all interface elements for complete personalization without hassle.

The exclusive advantage of dive  computers from UWATEC is that they be upgraded. You can download the update packages from the Internet to add new features, new languages and so on.

For  additional amount of money  UWATEC Galileo Luna  can be upgraded with 2 additional features and they are available at your Authorized SCUBAPRO UWATEC dealer, these two features can be added quickly via: galileo.uwatec.com.

• Predictive Multi-Gas upgrade: Purchasing this PMG feature at a later time, or whenever you need it, allows LUNA to use up to 3 Nitrox mixes (21-100% O2) during the dive, calculating the ascent schedule for all possible combinations of the programmed mixes. The outcome of the different decompression calculations can be shown on the screen in a dedicated deco summary screen.
• Heart Rate Monitor upgrade: Galileo’s heart rate monitor, has been developed together with Polar (one of the world leaders  in the niche of heart rate monitors), not only measures and records the heartbeat during the dive but allows the dive computer to factor the intensity of the exercise into the decompression calculation, as it is reported by the diver’s physiology. The HRM is also ideal for Apnea divers, measuring heart rate and sounding an alarm if the heart rate drops below the set level.

Some great features which I like

• Full-tilt digital compass with bearing memory
• Extra large dot matrix display and huge memory
• Hoseless gas integration
• PDIS (Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops) for optimized diving
• Choice of 3 pre-figured screen display modes; Light, Full and Classic
• Easy to use interface, similar to a cell phone
• Personalize with owner or emergency or health information
• Oil filled technology
• User replaceable battery
• Infrared technology and PC download capability
• Heart rate monitor system and Predictive Multi gas features are available to upgrade. These are not included with item and should be purchased separately.
• True remaining bottom time (RBT) calculated using tank pressure, breathing rate, depth, ideal ascending speed and more.
• Nitrox compatibility
• Microbubble management.

Recently company Finis introduced its new waterproof audio player XtreaMP3 with 1GB effective memory to save your favorites musical files. Player is also shockproof and its kit also includes waterproof earphones. Player can be attached to your arm with neoprene bracelet , so you’ll almost forget its presence.

While ideally it might be great device for swimmers, it could also be helpful for people who have to do activities during the rain. Manufacture states that this device is great for

Swimming, Running, Surfing, Aqua Jogging, Kayaking, Kite Surfing, Paddle Boarding, Wind Surfing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Skateboarding, Cycling, Triathlon, Water Aerobics, Snorkeling, Rafting, Wake-boarding.

I know that most visitors of this blog are Scuba divers and I want to warn that this tiny device might not be suitable for Scuba diving activity as this device is submersible up to a limited depth of 15 feet ( 5m ).

Prices are ranging from  120$-149.99$. The most cheap price I was able to find was $114.95 ( at the time of posting )

System Requirements

• Windows 98SE, 2000, ME, XP, Vista; Mac OS 9 or Higher
• Intel Pentium II 233 Mhz or Equivalent
• 256 MB Ram
• 35 MB Available Hard Drive Space
• USB Port
• Internet Connection Recommended

Features

Regulator Cressi Ellipse Black MC5 is being recalled due to the detected problem with the port of high pressure.
Quantity: 200 units

Partial block of high pressure port can cause an incorrect evaluation of the gas pressure in the cylinder. The company has received three complaints about incorrect assessment of gas reserves using this controller. Accidents have been recorded. Product marks on Regulator: “Cressi MC5″ and “Cressi Black”. Regulators were on sale in the period from March 2009 to August 2009.

Users must immediately cease operation of these regulators and send them for free repair.

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands National Park is a series of strikingly beautiful granite and jungle islands with some stunning beaches and great undersea diversity. Diving here normally originates from Phuket and is done by live aboards running anywhere from two-day to two week trips. The water clarity and healthy reefs make these islands the focal point of regional diving. Varied and full of color, the southern islands are numbered one through nine and host a number of live aboards that launch from the western Thai coast. These numerous islands are balanced by the large northern islands of Ko Bon, a beautiful piece of limestone, and Ko Tachai, which has attractive sand beaches and some good offshore dives. Since the tsunami, the eastern coasts have been the favored aspect of these islands to dive. The terrain features stunning hard corals, soft corals, sea fans and immense coral heads, and they range from shallow to quite deep, and from no currents to pretty brisk ones. An extremely photogenic place, this is where many of the signature Thailand diving images are made, especially those with wide angle vistas and big gorgonian sea fans. Fish are also well-represented, with anything from mantas and leopard sharks to ornate ghost pipefish, blue spotted jawfish, Andaman sweet lips and nudibranchs to be found.

Similan Islands Dive Sites

1. CORAL GARDENS
2. BOULDER CITY
3. SHARK FIN REEF (HIN PAE)
4. EAST OF EDEN
5. WEST OF SWEDEN
6. ELEPHANT’S HEAD (HIN PUSAR)
7. BEACON POINT
8. BEACON BEACH
9. TURTLE ROCK
10. SNAPPER ALLEY
11. BOMMIES
12. SONGRAKI REEF
13. THE PINNACLE
14. KO BON
15. KO BON PINNACLE
16. KO TACHAI

Coral Gardens

Location: North side of Similan (Ko Huang)
Depth: 1-80ft (0-24m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Novice

Both snorkelers and divers will like this spot, as the reef runs along the island’s beach area and produces opportunities for rewarding snorkeling or a nice, long dive whilst checking out the variety of marine life on show. Just about every dive destination seems to have a ‘Coral Gardens’ dive site, and this is the Similans’ entry. A great variety of acropora corals, such as staghorns and table corals, mix with other plating and hard corals to form large life-filled patches and colorful scapes from deep to very shallow. The deeper sandy areas hold bluespotted stingrays that throw up clouds of sand as they dig for crustaceans. Swaying in the currents are garden eels, which disappear if you breathe too quickly or move too closely. They feed on current-driven morsels mostly too small for the eye to see. Move up to see more hard corals and fish life, like angels, parrotfish and lots of butterflyfish. This site was closed by the park authority at the time of writing, but check to see if it has re-opened.

Boulder City

Location: 1.6 nautical miles (3km) southeast of Similan (Ko Payan)
Depth: 40-130ft (12-40m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

This is a deeper site with a couple of moorings leading down to a series of large boulders. Close to Shark Fin Reef, it’s a good area to poke around in the deep at first, to see if there are any leopard sharks or mantas down at the southern end, before checking for other fish life among the boulders while working back up to shallower waters.The bottom can be as deep as 130ft in the south, with sandy areas 70ft to80ft and boulders rising to within 40ft to 60ft of the surface. Coral growth here is pretty, with sea fans and lots of glassy fish attracting lionfish and scorpionfish. Look also for various groupers, including big marbled groupers, coral groupers and peacock groupers. Finish up by heading back toward the center of the site, where the shallowest rock provides some fish watching before heading to the deco stop.

Shark  Fin Reef  (Hin Pae)

Location: 0.87 nautical miles (1.6km) southeast of Similan (Ko Payan)
Depth: 0-95ft (0-30m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

Southeast of Ko Payan, this is a well-visited site that has pretty coral gardens in the northwest and boulders, fish and swim-throughs farther south. The mooring is near the mid-point of these two features and divers can proceed either way. For those who want to see fusiliers, you’ve come to the right place. Seemingly endless schools of various types, including yellowback, neon and yellowtails, all roam the boulders in huge schools. These boulders also offer passages that are enjoyable to dive around and through. Look for stands of evergreen tubastrea corals with lots of small damsels, growing atop the boulders. Where the rocks pierce the surface in three places, they are said to resemble shark fins, giving the reef its name. Schools of five-line snapper also enjoy this environment. There can be some current here, which the big rocks deflect. The reef is more open to the north, with good coral gardens and fish diversity. At about 90ft whitetip and leopard sharks can sometimes be seen in the deeper sandy areas. The site also has some big coral heads and large boulders in the channels.

East of Eden

Location: East side of Similan (Ko Payu)
Depth: 10-118ft (3-36m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

Considered one of the must-do dives in the area, thanks to a beautiful coral bommie that rises from the deep, along with clear water and prolific coral growth, this site has two moorings toward the end of Ko Payu, on the east side. There is lots of hard coral here on a graduated slope. Many coral heads and small rocks are attractively decorated with an artist’s palette of soft coral colors and large sea fans. Manta rays have also been seen here on occasion, so it doesn’t hurt to glance out into the blue every once in a while. Sport divers may want to start at the mooring closest to the point for a longer, more leisurely dive along the coral gardens, while photographers should head down to the bigger bommies to get some of the very pretty reef shots this site has to offer. Look for shoals of glassfish and other small fish covering well-landscaped coral heads. Spotted groupers and lionfish are in heaven here with all the readily-available food, while deeper down look for fire gobies and blue-spotted stingrays in the sand. Coral cover runs up into the shallows, making this an interesting multi-level dive. Table corals with small damsels, sheets of plate corals with nudibranchs underneath and both star and brain corals all dot the reef. Up top a long deco stop in a beautiful coral garden is available. Some rubble patches may be the result of decades- old dynamite damage, but these are slowly being overtaken by broad branching coral patches that hold refuge for many reef fish, including leaf fish and juvenile emperors. The site has a good collection of anthias and basslets, including jewel fairy basslets. Look as well for the toothy moustache triggerfish that nest in some areas, groups of red-tailed butterflyfish roaming over the staghorn beds and schools of bigeye snappers. This makes for a good third of fourth dive that can be done at a leisurely pace, to observe and absorb everything to be found.

West of Sweden

Location: North Tip of Similan (Ko Payu)
Depth: 0-130ft (5-40m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

The name of this site is a good example of Thai humor. Located west of the East of Eden site, local dive guides discovered this site around 2004 and started diving it frequently after the tsunami in December of that year trashed several of the popular area reefs. There are some small- to medium sized granite boulders, as well as a welllit swim-through near the reeftop that starts at 15ft and exits at about 40ft. There can be some currents and upwellings at this site that make the water a bit chilly at times. (This is generally true of dives at islands 7 and 8 in the Similans.) Divers have the opportunity to go quite deep here, as rocky ridges run west and drop from 35ft down past 140ft. Some beautiful orange gorgonian sea fans can be seen here, as well as bommies with sea whips, fans and soft corals. From about 40ft to 70ft there are some good patches of hard corals. Deeper down the ridge in the sand, look for whip corals, along with beautiful little harp or candelabra corals in shades of deep red. Small boulders and bog coral heads have some very pretty soft pink, purple and white corals. Keep a look out also down deep in the south end at the sand alley for whitetip reef sharks. Currents may bring in giant and bluefin trevally, as well as an occasional visit by a manta or sea turtle. Schooling butterflyfish, red tooth triggerfish and lined surgeonfish can all be seen here, as can neon and yellowback fusiliers. Smaller sea life found here includes frogfish and ghost pipefish. Ribbon eels are also seen poking from the sea floor and crevices.

Elepant’s Head (Hin Pusar)

Location: Between Similan (KoPayu) & Similan (Ko Similan)
Depth: 16-118ft (5-36m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

This is the area’s ultimate novelty dive, with huge boulders stacked across the ocean floor and protruding from the sea. These form an amazing maze of huge proportions which holds a lot of marine life and is a blast to swim over, under, around and through. Fish life includes whitetip sharks and occasional leopard sharks on the deeper outer reef areas, which are mostly sand and rubble. But it’s in around the rocks that the fish variety here becomes apparent. Whitetips also like to hide under cracks and deep overhangs here, and guides usually know where they hang out. These crevices are also hiding places for the solitary great barracuda. Some corals have attached to the boulders; look for small fans, soft corals and some big table corals that appear to be cleaning stations for blue-stripe wrasse. Pretty fish include powder-blue tangs and the odd unicornfish. Blue-lined angelfish and titan triggerfish also like to swim along the upper parts of the boulders, and a few sea anemones with pink anemonefish are also to be found at shallow depths. One can follow the slope of the elephant’s head giant boulder from below all the way up to where it breaks the surface. The sides are kept clean by grazing surgeonfish and other herbivores. A fun dive with lots to see and lots of finning to cover the area, it really takes a couple of dives to see it all.

Beacon Point

Location: Southeast end of Similan (Ko Similan)
Depth: 16-118ft (5-36m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

At the south end of the more sedate Beacon Beach, Beacon Point can be a deeper dive. Head down a long sloping drop-off to a sandy bottom at 115ft, where there are usually stingrays hidding in the sand or foraging for food. One can then work back up the slope whilst checking the hard corals for invertebrate and fish life, including Moorish idols and the similar looking bannerfish. Trumpetfish and lined snapper are also found on the reef, and the current may also bring schools of smaller fish, such as damselfish and chromis. Look also for the cleaning stations that often feature one or more fish hanging in parallel while cleaner wrasse pick over them. When finning along here, it is best to surface or head back to the shallows before going around the point of the island.

Beacon Beach

Location: East side of Similan (Ko Similan)
Depth: 20-100ft (6-30m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Novice

This site offers a broad variety of corals and good fish life, thanks to the artificial reef here which until 2002 was the charter boat Atlantis X. The boat’s captain had tried to beach it when it took on water, but it eventually sank and settled away from the beach in 50ft to 105ft of water. Coral and encrusting sponges, some crinoids and other marine life are gradually forming on the ship. Batfish, who seem to like shipwrecks, along with some lionfish, have also found their way here and set up home. The ship’s ribs are still intact and it has had some algae growth on it however, it’s not as pretty as some shipwrecks. The reef area is a hard coral slope with good lettuce corals, plating corals and bubble corals. Once hit by a crown-ofthorns starfish invasion, the area has bounced back well, showing how this natural occurrence can cull corals and leave space for new growth in a competitive reef. Bigeye snappers, goatfish, nervous hawkfish and roaming trumpetfish are all part of the fish scene at this site, which every level of diver can enjoy.

Turtle Rock

Location: Northwest side of Similan (Ko Similan)
Depth: 30-100ft (9-30m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

Located just off Ko Similan, some nice hard coral gardens here offer divers and snorkelers the opportunity for a good dive in a healthy coral environment. A turtle-shaped rock gives the site its name, as opposed to regular turtle sightings. However you will encounter lots of reef fish, including lined triggers, various parrotfish species and small schools of bannerfish. There are some nice anemones with pink anemonefish here, along with bluering and emperor angels, parrotfish and some grazers, such as surgeonfish. The reef has lots of branching coral beds and chromis are thick in the water column above, retreating to the safety of the beaches whenever a diver fins past or a jack slashes through their mass. Nearby Donald Duck Bay (or Campbell’s Bay) is often reserved for a night dive  and can also be good for snorkelers. It’s a popular mooring site for all sizes of live aboard and sailboats, so be aware of the traffic.

Snapper Alley

Location: Southwest tip of Similan (Ko Bangu)
Depth: 20-118ft (6-36m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

A formation of granite boulders makes a pleasant dive site, ranging from quite deep to more manageable depths. Evergreen tube corals (with attendant black damsels) like to grow on the boulders and reef bottom in the currents. Black coral trees can also be found, while current- fed areas have good soft corals. Sheltered undercuts of coral heads and boulders also make good refuges for some rather large lobsters and crabs. Look in the same area for lazy puffers and resting whitetip sharks. Lots of beautiful lined snappers form golden shoals over the upper reef here, giving the site its name. Enjoy them and the schooling yellowback fusiliers as you complete the shallower section at the end of this dive.

Bommies

Location: South side of Similan (Ko Bangu)
Depth: 59-80ft (18-25m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

Drop down to a series of five large coral heads (or bommies) which rise up from a beautiful and reflective white sand floor, at this lovely little spot along southern Ko Bangu. Like some of the other well-decorated Surin Island sites, this park dive also has a good array of sea fans and soft corals in red, orange and yellow hues. Look under the bommies for nudibranchs and small crabs, but be careful to watch your bubbles so they don’t rise up too close to the corals and scour them. Night dives here produce gorgonian crabs, spindle cowries and feather stars in the sea fans, and also bring out the odd sponge crab and decorator crab.

Songraki Reef

Location: Northeast side of Similan (Ko Bangu)
Depth: 40-140ft (12-35m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

One of Thailand’s newest sites, this holds some of the healthiest and best-looking hard coral cover of any reef in the Similans. Sometimes called Three Trees, it is located off the northeast tip of Ko Bangu and consists of a series of pinnacles and granite boulders that step down into the sea past 130ft. Brain, mushroom, staghorn and table corals that start in 40ft and are scattered around the slope and sandy bottom are contrasted by soft corals and whitepolyped gorgonian sea fans. Loads of tiny baitfish hover over this seascape. This site also makes for a great multilevel dive. Some of the mushroom corals are massive, starting in 70ft and rising up to top out at 40ft. Fish life includes schools of longfin batfish and chevron barracuda, and even an occasional manta. Whitetips and zebra sharks are frequently seen in the deep and on the bottom, and even reef blacktips have been seen roaming about. More than six species of butterflyfish have been observed here, making the reef bright and colorful with their presence. In the shallower parts of the reef, look for milkfish schools and wandering spearing mantis shrimp. This is also a favorite haunt of hawksbill sea turtles. New and exciting, this reef will please virtually every level of diver.

The Pinnacle

Location: North of Similan (Ko Bangu)
Depth: 16-110ft (5-32m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

This site is located north of Ko Bangu with a mooring leading to large rocks that extend down to 100ft, surrounded by a sand and hard coral environment. Coming as close as 18ft to the surface, the rocks and reef are stepped down, and the site features a very healthy and active Acropora or staghorn coral patch full of small tropicals, butterfly and angelfish, anthias and chromis. There are orange sea fans to observe and the site has a good collection of scattered large barrel sponges. There is even tubastrea coral growth in some areas of the reef. A small hawksbill turtle is seen here on most dives and the endemic (and sometimes solitary) Andaman sweetlips is also found on the reef. Lots of fusiliers keep the site lively, and mantas have been seen here as well.

Ko Bon

Location: 11 nautical miles (21km) north of the Similan Islands
Depth: 15-130ft (5-40m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

Ko Bon has become very popular in recent years, as there are a couple of manta ray cleaning stations on the reef, along with an area where these creatures like to feed and play. There seems to be a lot of boat traffic at times, but most divers swim/fin a lot here. It’s best to find a spot near the beautiful staghorn coral gardens on the west side, or just at the end of the sloping ridge at the south, then wait for big rays to swim in. Stay very low and breathe lightly, and you’ll be able to watch some very big (and somewhat shark-bitten) mantas cleaning, feeding and playing. Most dives start near a blowhole just prior to the southwest point, where the water churns into a froth. With reef on the right, one can swim out to the point and follow the ridge down past 100ft, where a small promontory offers hard coral cleaning stations and lots of current-driven fish life. Crevalle jacks, a ribbon-like yellowtail snapper school, big marbled groupers, longfin pompano and dogtooth tuna all ply these waters, as well as mantas and even a whale shark on occasion. Shallower areas on the west side and along the ridge have small soft corals and big table corals, bommies with lionfish and sweepers galore, orange-lined triggerfish and moray eels. On the southeast side there’s a sandy plain at 90 to 100ft where one can either hide from the current or catch it and drift to the ridge. Look for Andaman sweetlips along the rocky cuts and plates here. Hanging at the west side, the staghorn bed is very rewarding. There’s a manta cleaning station and lots of chromis. Stay low and mantas will circle many times as they get cleaned by blue-stripe and bluehead wrasses. The place is really fun at dusk with jacks and groupers wreaking havoc on the staghorn bed. Five species of trevally roam here individually or in packs, and moray eels and sea snakes can also be seen on the hunt. The site also has leopard sharks, lionfish, cuttlefish and even mating octopi. If there is no surge, try to come up close to the blowhole where boat traffic is low. As many as a dozen boats and ships have been counted here at one time, so use your head when it comes to surfacing and keep plenty of air on hand so you can swim to a safe ascent point. If you do get caught in an openwater drift here, use a safety sausage. Sitting far north, almost to the Thai and Burmese border, Ko Bon and Ko Tachai used to be considered a kind of no-man’s land, and have only recently been included in the Similans.

Ko Bon Pinnacle

Location: 11 nautical miles (21km) north of the Similan Islands
Depth: 60-130ft (18-40m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Advanced

This site isn’t for the faint hearted and it doesn’t hurt to be fit here either, as it can be tricky just reaching the top of the pinnacle when the currents are strong. You have to get down quickly and hope you’ve timed it well-enough to let the currents carry you to this deep site. A reef hook certainly doesn’t hurt when diving here. What makes it all worthwhile is the big fish action. Divers have reported as many as seven mantas and a mobula all swimming around the pinnacle on one dive, and whale sharks are known to come here as well, on a less frequent basis.

Ko Tachai

Location: 12 nautical miles (23km) north of the Ko Bon
Depth: 40-118ft (12-36m)
Access: Live aboard
Expertise Rating: Intermediate

The best diving at this northern Similan island is in the south, where two moorings lead to a ridge starting at 40ft and falling off to around 120ft at the sandy bottom. Known as Twin Peaks, the formation has a pinnacle on the north end and a big, round bommielike structure at the south. This attracts manta rays that come in to clean and do some feeding. One may have to hide to see some of the action, as this place can be rather currently, but when the mantas are at the cleaning area it can be beautiful, with low-lying coral gardens and lots of chromis and basslets giving life and color to the reef. Some of the nearby corals have good fans and soft corals growing on them as well. This is also a good place to see sponge life with big barrels filtering current-supplied nutrients. There’s an especially eye-catching neon green sea anemone at the south end at around 60ft, with Clark’s anemonefish and nice whitecap shrimp. Ghost pipefish, frogfish and leopard blennies are sometimes seen here as well, and sleeping leopard sharks are also a possibility in deeper areas. Look too for some great schools of fusiliers, batfish and chevron barracuda, along with pelagics like rainbow runners and dogtooth tuna. Pairs of red-tailed butterflyfish, small schools of grunts and silver sweetlips all like to face into the current here. Visibility can be quite good, but occasionally a thermoclime of colder and lower visibility water will rush in, reducing visibility considerably. But it does seem to increase fish activity when this happens and particularly right before it happens. This is a very active spot and can be enjoyed over multiple dives. Deco stops are often done at the mooring lines, or sometimes by drifting with the current for an open-water decompression – if that’s the case, be sure to use a safety sausage.

Dual Purpose BCs

Dual Purpose BCs are lighter in weight, more stingy with their hardware, and more compact than General Purpose BCs, so they pack easily for trips to the tropics. At the same time, they provide enough buoyant lift, ballast weight capacity and range of adjustment to be worn in cold water over thick wetsuits or dry suits. The thinking is, because they’re able to be used in both the Great Lakes and the Great Barrier Reef, you only have to own one BC for all your diving adventures.

Aeris 5 Oceans

Features

The minimalist back-buoyancy 5 Oceans’ rear air cell is made of stretchy BioFlex backed up with bungee cord, enabling it to offer loads of buoyant lift while maintaining a low-profile shape. The BC offers excellent shoulder, waist and sternum adjustments to guarantee the perfect fit. The QLR weight system has sectionalized pouches to accommodate partial ballast loads for warm water. Or, combined with the rear trim pouches, the system will easily hold enough weight for virtually any cold water application. There’s a single drop-down zippered pocket on the right side of the rig, a few strategically placed D-rings, plus webbing loops, hose clips, grommets, and a carabiner for attaching loads of gear.

Performance

No BC captures the essence of a Dual Purpose BC better than the 5 Oceans. It fit over our bulky dry suits to tackle a winter’s day of diving off the California coast, then snugged down to offer a clutter-free fit on a 3mm shorty for a dip in our warm water test pool. The BC is light and packs flat yet still offers over 40 pounds of buoyant lift and 30 pounds of ballast weight capacity. The Bioflex bladder eliminates any “winging” of the air cell. In fact, you feel like it’s not even there. With the contoured shoulders and first-rate adjustable waist and sternum straps, few BCs fit as snug or feel as stable at depth. The QLR weight system is one of the easiest to load and ditch, especially now that Aeris got rid of the Velcro backup patch, which was well-intended but just got in the way. The singular drop-down cargo pocket stays out of sight until you need it, then provides a large easy-access place to stow your treasures.

Bottom Line

The 5 Oceans is without a doubt the do-it-all BC for back-buoyancy aficionados. Light and compact for travel with sufficient lift and weight capacity for local submersions, it’s our favorite BC in this use category, and in fact, our favorite BC of 2009

Customer Review

I’ve got 10 dives with this BC now and I’ve been very happy with the fit and balanced flotation. It is my first back buoyancy BC, but I really like the stability. I do wish that the BC had a pocket to put things like a car key or other personal items, but I guess that’s the point of a minimalist BC. It does have a pouch for small items found below, but doesn’t seem meant for personal items.

I’m not a big guy (5-9, 165lbs) and there seems to be a bit of space between my stomach and the abdomen strap, due to the integrated weights not flexing much (I’m keeping 10lb in each, due to diving in the Pacific NW). Also, the weight pockets on the tank strap can make putting the tank on a little bit annoying, but I’ve gotten used to it now. The integrated weight system is really easy to use and goes in/out with ease.

Surface flotation is great, even in rough water.

I’ve been very happy with this BC so far, and can’t wait to use it in some warm water

What other talking about this product

Today I have chosen a rather difficult and disputable topic to speak about. People all over the world still doubt whether children should be allowed to dive or not. Well, let us discuss.

The truth is that scuba diving is really a very difficult and risky occupation for all. One should thoroughly realize the seriousness of scuba diving and follow all the rules. Ignorance of a single rule may lead to crucial consequences. So, what do you think? Can a child realize the whole seriousness of the activity?

Some people claim that children should be allowed to dive, because they are healthier than the grown-ups, their organisms are strong, they are much braver and so on and so forth. Of course, on the one hand, these assertions can be quite acceptable. But on the other hand, let us not forget about the responsibility: the most important feature a diver should owe.

When speaking about children in scuba diving, we mean those over ten. There are some American scuba diving associations that accept kids from 10. PADI, for instance, generally accepts children at the age of 14. NAUI has a minimum age of 15. These associations accept children that have no health problems, are well-trained and can swim almost 200 meters without difficulty.

When we speak about scuba diving, we primarily imagine the incredible underwater life: the unique species of fish, the colorful sea-plants and reefs, the mysterious wrecks and caverns. There are many films and cartoons today that tell our children about the marine life and show them the beauty of the other world. And it is quite normal that most of them have the desire to enjoy the whole beauty themselves, to share the world of Nemo and the mermaid Ariel.

However, let us not forget about the great risks of scuba diving and about all the difficulties a child may face during the dive.

Let’s firstly speak about health problems a diver-child may run into. Though the child’s organism is said to be strong, it is not as developed as the adult’s. All of you know very well that the organism undergoes numerous changes while diving. A child’s organism may not react quickly to the changes, thus causing crucial results.

Besides, a child is more likely to panic in case of a slight joint pain or a scratch. As you know panic is divers’ worst enemy.

Let’s not forget that children are the most emotional creatures in the world. Sharp changes may lead to stressful situations. The underwater world is something different from the things a child sees every day. He may get into depression because of the unusual conditions or in case he fears from some marine creature.

I don’t want to sound too pessimistic, but the child may have a heart attack because of stress or fear. There have even been cases when several children died in the pool while learning to scuba dive. The doctors claim that the reason was stress.

Children are supposed to be more imaginative and flexible than the adults and grown-ups. But when they come across serious problems and have to react immediately, they lose their heads, becoming incapable of doing anything.

Of course, I do not deny the fact that there are children who are brave and have a good sense of responsibility. Such children can be allowed to scuba dive in shallow places, where the dangers connected with the diving area is reduced to minimal. However, these children should be under strict guard and protection.

A child should never dive alone, not even close to the shores. An experienced diver should always accompany him, whether the child likes it or not. No matter how responsible and skillful the child is, he needs to be protected.

Remember, the dives should not be too long-lasting. 20-minute dives are more than enough for a child-diver.

A group dive will be the best for a child. While diving, he’ll be surrounded with several people and will feel more confident and safe. This will allow him fully enjoy the dive.

Before entering the water, remind the child about the most important things he should remember during the dive. Do not remind him about the dangers. That may scare him. Just tell him to be attentive and responsible and not to panic. Assure him that he may always have his buddies’ help if needed. Later on, wish him a successful dive with a smile. Even if you are worried for the child, never show him that. He shouldn’t think that he’s doing something dangerous.

In any case, it is after you to decide whether you’d like your child to be engaged in scuba diving or not. If you feel that his wish is enormous, and he’ll be happy to scuba dive, turn to one of the numerous organizations that teach children to scuba dive. Before assigning for some course, consult a doctor to get assured that your child has no health problems.

Scuba diving is evolving day by day. Probably, in some years’ time, with the help of developed diving equipments, we’ll feel more secure for our diver-children.

Not often we speak about Europe, as a place to have great diving time. Most scuba divers, especially the beginners, prefer diving in the tropical waters of Africa, Australia and America.

Now I am here to introduce Europe’s top scuba diving destinations to you.

Let us start from the Zenobia, Cyprus. It is an ancient wreck of a huge ferry. The ferry was built to operate in the eastern Mediterranean. It sank while sailing from Sweden to Syria. The Zenobia sank within two days taking the 104 lorries it had on its board. The wreck starts at about 15 meters and descends to 42 meters. The Zenobia dive can be considered the best shipwreck dive in the world, thanks to its depths. The visibility there is good all year round, almost 20 meters in spring and summer seasons. However, in order to examine the shipwreck thoroughly, you need several dives. It is practically impossible to admire the whole ferry in course of one dive. The ferry weights 10 000 tones with a length of 178 meters.

Now let us move to Malta to dive at Cirkewwa. Cirkewwa is a wonderful place to go diving. The area is filled with colors and adventure. During your dive you’ll admire the variety of Malta’s underwater flora and fauna. Cirkewwa is an excellent diving site, that habitats jellyfish and cuttlefish, dolphins and sharks, barracuda and morays. When in Cirkewwa, it is a must to dive the Cirkewwa Arch that stands in the depth of 18 meters. It has actually been a cave. Throughout the time the cave has collapsed and, thus, an arch was created. Now this arch is famous among the divers as the Cirkewwa Arch. Summer is the best season for diving the arch, as the visibility reaches to 35 meters at that time.

The next scuba diving destination in Europe I want to speak about is the Chios Islands in Greece. The underwater world of Chios Islands is like a fairy tale: small undersea caves, rocks, with neat paths between them, vertical walls, colorful reefs and small shipwrecks. During your dive in the Chios Islands you’ll witness colorful funny wrasses, shoals of salpae, tunnies, and of course, perches and combers, that greet the divers with great happiness. I’d advise you to dive in the Chios Islands from April to June and from September to October. The visibility is perfect there in these months. Besides, there are numerous diving trips the nearby diving centers organize in these seasons.

When speaking about Europe’s best diving sites, one can’t ignore the Isle of Man: The Booroo. The marine life is so rich here, that you may easily get lost between the colorful reefs and walls. We do not promise historical shipwrecks or other interesting sunk objects here. We promise a colorful and amazing dive. During your dive you’ll see brightly colored fish and sea-plants. However, one should be an experienced and flexible diver not to harm the rich reefs and walls. Because of such abundant nature, it is nearly impossible to find the bottom.

Secca della Colombara, Italy is the next destination I am going to tell you about. Secca della Colombara is one of the best diving spots in the Mediterranean. It is a habitat for numerous species of fish, colorful sea-plants, richly inhabited walls and coral reefs and a shipwreck. The 75m ship has sunk recently, in 2005, while carrying slabs of marble. Within one dive you may admire white breams and crayfish, barracudas and dentex. The visibility in Secca della Colombara is rather changeable. July and August are the best diving seasons. The water is heavenly blue in these months. Most divers claim that they like Secca della Colombara because of the color of its waters.

If you’d like to admire hundreds of fish species, we advise you to consider Fanore, Ireland. Fanore is a quite calm diving destination. Fanore doesn’t stand out for its world-famous wrecks or huge walls and reefs. It’s a quiet and silent diving destination, which is rich in underwater flora and fauna. We do not promise you dives, full of adventures and extreme. Instead, we promise crystal clear Atlantic water with tiny reefs, splendid caverns and unique fish species. The best diving season here is from March till October.

After enjoying yourself fully in Ireland’s waters, you can continue your diving vacation at Eddystone Reef, England. The reef reaches to 60 meters in height. Hundreds of animal and fish species can be found on the Eddystone Reef, let alone the incredible colorful plants. You may also examine some shipwrecks in these waters. The visibility here reaches its height in summer seasons.

Here are the diving sites in Europe I wanted to tell you about. All the above mentioned diving destinations have their peculiarities and are worth visiting. Your dive in the underwater world of Europe may become the best diving adventure you’d ever have.

Deep See’s Aquaglide snorkeling fins boast patented split blade technology that gives you twice the propulsion with half the workout, letting you comfortably extend the length of your dives.

Finally, a lightweight snorkeling fin that is easy to fit to any size foot! For ease of kicking and reduced leg fatigue, the Aqua Glide snorkeling fin provides a great alternative to the typical “paddle-type” snorkel fins.

Twice the speed with half the effort

• Open heel snorkeling fin with adjustable strap and Neoprene heel pad
• Soft, flexible foot pocket for great comfort and fit
• Split blade technology provides efficient waterflow to increase power and speed, with less effort
• Water accelerates through the split like water jetting out of a hose
• Co-molded flex zones to cup and channel water

Get Deep See Aqua Glide Snorkeling Fins on sale – $19.95

Aeris Roller Duffel has massive storage ability that’s easy to handle.  Take the massive carrying ability of a duffle bag, add easy-access fin compartments, wheels, and a telescoping handle, and you’ve got the Roller Duffel.

Everything you need in one bag! The Roller features everything you need for trips of any length: durable all-terrain wheels, retractable handle, removable Regulator Bag, full padding, and secondary external access compartments for quick storage when you’re short on time.

* Large wheeled duffel style bag with 2 position retractable handle
* Ballistic nylon construction with reinforced wear areas
* All-terrain wheels are ultra-durable and make short, smooth work of stairs, curbs, and other obstacles
* Self-healing YKK zippers with pull tabs
* Large zippered compartment with oversized fin pockets
* Spacious built-in dry compartment
* Dimensions: 30″ x 15″ x 15″