From the Sinai Peninsular down to its southern reaches, the Egyptian Red Sea offers some of the world’s best diving opportunities, due to its clear conditions and rich biodiversity, with some 20% of species endemic to Red Sea waters. Away from the city breaks of Cairo and Alexandria Egypt holidays are often centered about diving excursions. Here are five of the best dives that Egypt has to offer.

 1. The Brothers is the name given to two islands, little more than rocks, in the South Red Sea, made conspicuous by the presence of a Victorian lighthouse from Imperial British times. Because of the Brothers’ isolation, this is a live aboard trip.

Seen from above, Little Brother Island would seem to taper away on one side, where there is a gentle slope down to the lower plateau at around 40m depth. This plateau is good for seeing resident grey and silver tip sharks, along with visitors of other shark species.

Little Brother drops away steeply on all other sides, where it is covered by fans and black coral. Copious amounts of fish school here too.

Big brother Island is a steep sided reef with healthy populations of tiny fish, such as anthias and sweepers. It is also home to two Twentieth Century wrecks: the Numidia and the Aida.

2. HMS Thistlegorm is a British World War Two cargo vessel of over a hundred meters, which was sunk whilst carrying a heavy compliment of war machinery, including motorbikes, tanks, planes, guns and trucks. Much of this remains in remarkable condition, both in the wreck and scattered around on the surrounding sea bed.

The main hull sits upright at just over 30 meters and the holds are fully accessible. There is so much to see that most people take two days diving this wreck. This abundance of features, in addition to the high level of preservation, makes Thistlegorm one of the most dived on wrecks in the world.

3. The strong currents produced in the Straights of Tiran draw large numbers of pelagic fish, including tuna, barracuda and shark. There are four reefs to dive in this area, named after the British men who first mapped them: Jackson Reef, Thomas Reef, Woodhouse Reef and Gordon Reef.

In contrast to the pelagic wildlife, these coral reefs attract multitudes of brightly coloured fish, eels and turtles, in addition to marauding predators, including hammerhead and white tip shark.

There are also several wrecks, including the Luilla, which struck Gordon Reef in 1981.

Be advised that there can be strong currents in some areas of the reefs and so full exploration requires some background experience.

4. Zabargad Island is the largest of Egypt’s national marine parks. From Turtle Bay you descend to 30 metres, where you are met by a maze of coral pinnacles, sporting multi coloured sponges, fans, nudibranchs and urchins, along with the usual reef species of fish, octopus, cuttlefish and ray.

North of the island is the wreck of the 70 metre Khanka, a Russian cargo vessel that sank in 24 metres of water and has stayed almost fully intact, so that the interior can be fully explored.

5. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef lie in the Ras Mohammed National Park; two conically shaped reefs in close proximity. These, most famous of Red Sea dives, play host to the vast majority of species to be found in this part of the world.

The East side of the reefs has a sheer wall and attracts hoards of large pelagic species. It has its own resident shoal of Barracuda and snappers, along with plenty of sharks. To the West, there is a shallower coral plateau, with multi-coloured anthias, rays, scorpion fish and jacks, to name a few.

The Yolanda Reef receives its name from the wreck of the Yolanda cargo vessel, with its load of toilet basins and other bathroom accoutrements. Most surreal!

image credit to divers adventure

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Buying your own scuba diving gear, especially when you are just starting out, can be overwhelming if you don’t have the right information to help you make informed choices. You want to get the best value and the best fit for your diving needs and you want to be comfortable with your selection for years to come. Our scuba experts can help, with a few pointers and suggestions for things to consider when making the important investment in dive gear.

Dive gear is an investment

First,  let’s start off by emphasising that last point. Dive gear is an investment. Yes, it can be expensive. But it also lasts virtually forever. Consider this: many dive professionals, who have logged thousands of dives, have done so on the same equipment year after year. With the right servicing and care, dive gear will last you years. In fact, unless your diving needs change, such as diving in new conditions, you may actually use the gear you start with for 10 or 20 years, if not more.  When considering the cost of your scuba equipment, plan to amortize it over the span of your diving career. And where possible, try to spend as much as you can afford on key pieces like regulators and BCDs, as you will truly feel the difference on your dives.

Dive gear is individual

Second, your dive gear will be yours and yours alone. It will be there with you on every single dive you make, and it will become an extension of you. It will be your life support system and it will be what makes or breaks each and every dive. In short, in scuba diving, your equipment is important and extremely personal, and it is critical you get exactly the right fit for your body and your diving needs.

This means that you should try on everything you buy, and try on many makes and models to see what works for you. We strongly suggest that all core components (exposure suit, fins, mask, boots, BCDs, regulators, etc) be purchased in person after careful consideration.

Plus, picking out dive gear in person is lots of fun. And the experience of asking questions and discussing gear often leads to discussions on technique and style, and can in fact be a great learning experience.

Not all dive gear was created equal

There are lots and lots of great scuba diving brands on the market, and chances are you’ve seen most of them around. Mares, Bare, Henderson, Scubapro, Zeagle, Aqualung, Hollis, OMS, Halcyon, DUI and Oceanic are some of the leading dive companies that come to mind, and they all make a lot of great gear. But, and this is a big BUT, most of them are better at some aspects of dive gear than others. Each of them has some specialities at which they excel. That might be a wetsuit, a fin, a regulator, a dive computer or a mask. Or they might excel at making gear for a specific type of diving, such as technical or cave diving, or for a specific body type.

But it doesn’t mean that everything they make will be the best fit for you. Which is why if you look at some of the more experienced divers around, you’ll rarely see them buying all of their dive gear from one company.

So beware of “complete packages” from one dive manufacturer as they typically only benefit the company themselves. Instead, expect to assess each critical piece of equipment individually, on its own merits. Don’t be afraid of buying a different brand for each component of your core diving kit. A good dive centre should be independent of any particular equipment manufacturers, should offer a variety of leading brands to choose from and should even be willing to special order something for you if that’s what you need.

Selective renting is a good thing

Still not sure what your needs are or what you like? You could try renting different kinds of equipment to see what works best for you. For example, at Action Scuba we rent both weight integrated and non-weight integrated BCDs, and if customers are not sure which they prefer, we encourage them to try both to see how they suit their diving style. If you are interested in a piece of equipment but aren’t convinced, why not ask your dive expert if you can test it out?

In addition, consider the different pieces of equipment you are renting, and determine which you would prefer to personalise the most, and make that your first purchase. For example, you may find that you can never get a rental wetsuit to fit you well, so you want to invest there first, while tanks are so standard that you might want to put those at the bottom of your wishlist.  Or you may care most about owning your own dive computer in order to track your dives, while you might want to rent a different wetsuit for every environment you dive in. The choice is really yours.

By selectively replacing rental gear with your own personalised choices, you can spend a little more to get the perfect fit on each piece, while taking the time to select each one, while still diving on more standard items until you have a better idea of what you want to fine tune there as well.

Buyer beware: used equipment

You may be tempted when starting out to seek out used gear and buy someone’s hand me downs off the internet. If you do, keep in mind the lessons learned above. Their gear was selected especially for them. Will it suit your needs? Don’t let a low price win out over fit and your own diving requirements.  And can you be sure it will work?  Don’t forget that your life depends quite literally on your dive equipment.

If you do decide to buy used gear, we suggest buying from a reputable dive centre. You can often get great deals on used rental gear, which despite potentially high use, is typically well maintained and in good working condition. Plus if you buy from a dive shop you can always go back to them if you have any issues, unlike a private sale over the web.

Warranties are essential

An often overlooked aspect of purchasing dive gear is that of the warranty, even though it is essential. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again; your dive equipment is your life support system. Therefore, it is important to keep it well maintained and in excellent working order. The best way to do this is by ensuring that whatever equipment you buy come with a warranty from the manufacturer themselves, and that the warranty covers the country in which you live and where you will be taking your gear for service.

Ever wondered how some online retailers can charge much less for the same regulator or BCD than your local dive shop? It usually has to do with the manufacturer warranty – there normally isn’t one. Or if there is, it’s for another continent, such as Asia, and won’t apply to your servicing. This is also usually the case with purchases made on vacation at foreign shops.  In the long run, this will end up costing you much more than your initial savings, because with each annual service, you will be required to pay for expensive parts that would otherwise have been covered by a local manufacturer warranty. Plus if something goes really wrong, you’ll have no recourse and will end up having to buy a brand new regulator or other pricy item.

Beware the commissioned salesman VS the expert consultant

When shopping for dive gear, you’ll know you’ve found a good dive centre if they ask you lots of questions. If someone proposes a dive equipment package without knowing your needs, chances are they selling what they want to sell, not necessarily what you need.

Some questions to prepare for:

• Where do I plan on doing most of my scuba diving? Cold water requirements are very different from warm water needs and you need to carefully select gear for the most demanding environment you will dive in.
• Do I plan on travelling with my dive gear? Weight, size, material and compactness will be important.
• How often will I be diving? Get durable, high quality equipment that will stand the test of time.
• What kind of diving will I be doing? Am I planning on continuing my diving education? Determine what experience you might want to gain over the next few years and select gear that will support you as you get there.
• What kind of diver am I? Are you a gear junkie, or do you like things streamlined? Do you want the latest and greatest or are you content with the basics? Does appearance matter or do you care only about function? Be honest with yourself so you can be happy with your investment.
• Your local dive expert will have many more questions to discuss with you.

Turn to the experts

There are lots of sources of information on selecting your dive gear. Dive magazines usually have equipment reviews, which can be really useful but you should bear in mind that in some cases they have paid to be there. You can also look at the diving experts around you, or those whose style you like, and see what they use. This may give you some ideas, particularly if they dive under the same conditions as you intend to. Plus, a good dive centre should be staffed experienced divers who can help guide you to the right selection of equipment for you. You can even ask your instructor what they suggest.

Happy diving

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when buying your own scuba diving gear. Always remember that ultimately you are the one who will be diving with it, and that this will be your life support system. Take the time you need to make the right choice. And then once you have found the perfect gear, enjoy it!

The team of scuba diving experts at Action Scuba are on a mission to make scuba diving safer and more enjoyable one diver at a time. www.actionscuba.com



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The idea for this article has been rattling around in my head for a long time. Deciding to write it was not an easy matter. You see, I am the one who required that therapy; along with other help during this last year. On January 7th, 2010 I lost my wife of nearly ten years to complications from Muscular Dystrophy. She was in hospital for nearly a month with pneumonia and an enlarged gall bladder that was discovered too late. Still we had hope that she would come home and it looked like she would up until the morning of the 4th. During the night before she took a turn for the worse and we were called to come to the hospital at 4:30 am. Without going into any more detail I will only say that by midday she was on a morphine drip to make her comfortable and I was on a round the clock watch. I had not drank coffee for nearly 3 years but started again to stay awake. I did not want her to be alone when she went so I did that to stay awake so that she would not leave this world without me holding her hand. When she did go I was there with her. She had not walked due to her condition for nearly 30 years but at 12:07 Thursday morning I told her that it was ok and that now she could run whenever she wanted.

In memory of Denise

I’m sorry if this story disturbs the reader but it was necessary to put the rest of this article in context. For you see she was responsible not only for me becoming a diver, but she also sacrificed much to allow me to become an instructor. It was this sacrifice and subsequent encouragement that gave me the resources to use SCUBA as a way to cope with such a loss. Under the surface of the water many of us feel at peace and one with our surroundings. For me it is as close to a religious experience as I’ve ever had. It became more than that following her death. SCUBA became a way to cope, to deal with feelings so intense that only the concentration required to be underwater kept them from swallowing me whole, and to begin to heal. SCUBA had become so much a part of my life and our lives that due to a commitment to a student I had made before she got sick, I was in the pool with that student doing a weighting and trim workshop two days after she was buried. I am sure that part of me was still numb, but being in the water was exactly what I needed as I look back on it now.

In addition to the workshop, I had begun the process of certifying my late wife’s cousin so that he could dive on his next work trip and do his certification dives with me. So two days after the workshop I was on a plane to Puerto Rico to complete his certification. While she was still lucid in the hospital she made me promise I would complete his certification. The plane tickets had already been bought and there was nothing holding me at home except my grief. The trip to San Juan was another important step in the process of dealing with the loss I had just experienced. Here I was traveling to dive in order to fulfill a promise based on SCUBA diving. It was also an opportunity to get away from the cold and snow of southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States for somewhere warm and sunny. Different surroundings with a relative and friend were not under the best of conditions, but the dives were an important part of what would come to be a long journey back from one of the darkest places I had been in my life. It was on that trip that I began to see the importance of maintaining some semblance of normalcy while also working through the feelings that would surely be coming.

SCUBA is, as many of us know, more than a sport or hobby. It is more than a way to supplement our incomes as instructors or to even make a living. It becomes a lifestyle filled with like minded people who for the most part look after each other more so than the general population. This was especially true when word got out to my friends who dive. Not just locally but from around the world I received words of encouragement, cards, emails, even offers to put me up for a few days if I needed to get away. In addition to this I developed many friendships that continue to this day with people emailing me out of the blue just to see how I’m doing. Using this type of encouragement I began the long process of working thru my feelings of grief, anger, loss, and despair.

Diving was, and is, more than just a way to deal with my inner self. It is also a way for me to deal with the world at large. When one suffers a loss it is often used as an excuse to withdraw from everything. It would have been very easy to do so. One can continue to go to work, school, etc, and give the appearance that they are coping well. The truth is that many times that appearance is just that – an appearance of making progress. In reality one goes through these motions while inside they remain desolate and empty. The hole left by a loss must in time be filled. But is this even possible? Perhaps not but another void that was unnoticed can be filled and so take the place of the other. The loss is still there, it always will be. We successfully learn to live with it by using it as motivation to do better in other areas. Those areas are different for every person. Some choose careers, family, work, etc. I chose SCUBA to make a difference in my life and the lives of others.

Grief was one of the first emotions where diving helped to deal with the effects associated with it. In diving we are surrounded by people who have a common bond. As noted earlier that bond carries over into many areas. All of us at one time or another has experienced loss of some kind. Yet none is the same. The worst thing one can say to someone is “I know how you feel” after a loss. This is not true. Everyone’s loss is different and no one can say they know how it feels to you. However they can say to you “I have also experienced loss and while I can’t even imagine your feelings, this is how I dealt with mine.” This is helpful, the expression of understanding without presumption. Divers by their very nature seem to be more compassionate and understanding than many others. Perhaps it is our exposure to each other at what could be considered our worst looking? Only divers can feel comfortable with wet hair, smelly boots, and other conditions we would never allow anyone else to see us in. Especially strangers. Yet divers have no problem with any of this. Our willingness to be open and perhaps vulnerable to others allows us to reveal ourselves to each other. This is important when dealing with an emotion like grief. To share our pain and get involved with others who do not judge is a great comfort. We have a myriad of topics we can discuss and at times deal it little pieces with the negative emotions. A discussion of a dive trip may allow us to reminisce about our loved one during happier times. This is a healthy expression of grief when we can talk about our loss and use it to bring us closer to those we rely on for support. In my own case the many friends I had and made were patient enough to listen and allow me to express the feelings that could have consumed me. In some cases I was forced to interact with people as an instructor. To stop teaching would have been a dishonor after so much was sacrificed to allow me to become an educator of divers. In my interactions with new divers was found a purpose and a goal. That purpose was to produce the most competent divers I could in the time I had to train them. The goal was to bring to the dive community as a whole through my students and now my writings more knowledge to new divers everywhere. To make them become more educated, skilled, and most of all safer.

Teaching others to dive also allowed me to work through the anger that inevitably accompanies a loss. Anger at others, at institutions, at the person who left, at ourselves, and at whatever we choose to acknowledge as our God. In the interactions we have with others, especially students, it is difficult to allow our anger to be seen. In fact we must keep it in check and only display it at those times when it is appropriate to do so. In this we learn to manage and deal with it rather than allowing it to consume us and dictate our actions. There are times when it is appropriate to express our anger and those times will come. But when we are with students or just diving for ourselves anger has no place. Instead it is beneficial to turn that anger into determination and concentrate on the task at hand. When we are underwater we are in a place that requires clear thought, a sense of purpose, and the ability to look after ourselves and our buddies. Others will say that anger turned to positive use is a healthy way to deal with it and I agree. Not to say that some of what might be called negative expressions is not called for. They in fact are so long as we do no harm to others or ourselves. By discharging a great deal of it in positive ways it becomes possible to display the negative in a more controlled manner that does allow it to do no harm. Dive planning, executing that plan, and safely returning from that dive gives us many opportunities to express our anger now turned to determination and concentration. In so doing we benefit not only ourselves but others we may be responsible for.

In my interactions with other divers I also found a way to deal with the sometimes overwhelming sense of loss that would come over me. In classes in my home or in the pool that void was filled by my students who put their trust in me. They also gave me their friendship and in doing so filled that space that was to lessen the void created by the loss. As an instructor I have found that students will do pretty much anything we tell them to. They do so in order to learn, to educate themselves, and to please us who teach them. It is one of the highlights of an instructor to see a students face light up when we tell them they have done a good job with a skill or academic exercise. It is the realization that we do indeed matter a great deal to them and our opinion is highly valued. The lesson I took from this and the therapeutic value it had for me was to make me feel that I mattered in someone’s life. That though I felt a profound sense of loss I still had a purpose and made a difference in the lives of others. That helped to minimize the feeling of loss that I felt and enabled me to function in all areas of my life. SCUBA was now helping to replace that sense of loss with a sense of friendship and of belonging. My students were giving me confidence as well. This would go a long way in other areas of my life.

When one loses a spouse after being with them for a long time there is in addition to the sense of loss a feeling of loneliness. Loneliness leads to despair as thoughts of being without a partner give way to the belief that we will never find another person to share our life with. The longer this goes on without a sense of feeling needed and wanted the deeper the despair. Diving with students eases that feeling. We become more than student and teacher. We become friends and in those friendships without knowing it my students gave me the confidence to begin to assert myself. Without going into detail I am now in another relationship with a wonderful woman. She also is a diver and that was how we actually met. Our love of SCUBA brought us together.

What I am trying to illustrate with this story is that there is more to diving than fun and sun. It has been shown that physical activity has been proven to be an effective treatment for many maladies both physical and mental. SCUBA is not only a physical activity but one that requires mental concentration as well. That concentration coupled with physical activity and the social aspect of SCUBA is what has me convinced that it can be a valuable tool for recovery from a number of conditions. And lastly the mere fact that we are underwater where gravity no longer matters, where we are able to just float and enjoy the feeling of being weightless, and where the water isolates us from the noise of the surface world, we are able to relax. And relax in ways that are not possible on the surface. For the diver there is a Zen-like quality to just being underwater. We become one with the environment and it allows us to process the thoughts that often race in our heads. It is underwater where life’s problems are often put into perspective and we see them for what they are. Rarely are these issues as important as we make them in our minds. Some are discovered as not being that much of an issue at all. But on the surface they stare one in the face and seem to demand attention. In the solitude of the depths of however they lose their power to control us and many times solutions are found. I am not a psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor. The only training I have to verify this assertion that SCUBA is a valuable therapy tool is my own experience with it. It not only brought me back from a dark place that could very easily have swallowed me whole but it gave me a purpose that has benefited a number of others.

Disclaimer: SCUBA as therapy may not be appropriate for everyone. Those who may be experiencing thoughts of self destruction or of harming others should not try to use the water as a way of dealing with those thoughts. They should seek out the assistance of those trained to deal with such matters. It should never be used as a substitute for professional medical and psychological help when those are called for.

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Divers Like It Dry!

Divers have a tough life sometimes, especially in a logistical sense (and in the way that they have to relax on boats and then dive in the most beautiful spots on the globe – it’s a tragedy!). A diver has to take a small fortunes worth of delicate gear from his home, on a plane, in a taxi, into a dive gear box, onto a boat and then into the sea. This lengthy chain of perilous activities tends to take its toll on dive gear, but usually dive equipment is pretty tough (and surprisingly waterproof!) and can handle the abuse. The really big problem arises when you want to bring non-dive gear along for the ride too, because most cameras aren’t waterproof until they are in a case and there are very few phones out there that can handle a heavy rainstorm. The solution, of course, is to protect your valuables, books, spare clothes and food from the elements in a bag. The best bag to take is a waterproof bag, the more waterproof the better! This conveniently brings us to the topic of the day; I have a lineup of waterproof gear bags to review, ranging from a tiny valuables bag up to a massive gear sack.

Feelfree are a kayaking company first and foremost, which has given them a lot of experience in keeping dry things dry. In kayaking you need a dry bag which is capable of being completely submersed in water and not leaking, this is so that if you capsize your kayak, your gear will remain free from moisture. This dedication to hardy, practical bags has made the brand very popular with divers (especially in rainy South-east Asia) who want to get wet, but keep their dry gear dry.

I don’t have the space to review every bag in Feelfree’s extensive lineup, so I’m only going to look at the bags that I think are the most practical or are the most popular.

Valuables Bag, “Waist pack” – 0.5 litres

Starting with the smallest is the little Waist Pack. This small storage solution is primarily for your camera, phone or money. You will struggle to fit anything else in there. It has a gender neutral design that isn’t particularly aimed at any demographic which means the whole family can wear one without feeling embarrassed. It comes with a detachable strap which allows the wearer to turn it from a belt clipped design, to a shoulder-strap bag. You may also choose to remove the straps altogether and simply use it as a dry pocket inside your backpack, gear bag or handbag.

The only gripe that you may have with the bag is that although it’s light, simple and attractive – it’s not as waterproof as you may wish. It will certainly take heavy splashing with no leaks, but I’m not sure how well it’d cope with brief dunks in the sea (despite it saying otherwise)

Small And Light, Ideal For Keeping Your Latest Gadget Dry!

Dry Tube – 5 litres to 40 litres

This is the most versatile bag in the range and it makes use of a similar design to all the other dry tubes on the market. The bag is simply a welded PVC tarpaulin tube with an open end at the top, fixed onto the lip of this top is a flexible band that allows the user to fold the top over. Once the top has been folded over three to four times, he or she can buckle the two ends of the band together which seals the bag tight. This design has been well proven to offer excellent waterproofness that will withstand full (although short) submersions in the water. It is also so simple that it is virtually indestructible.

I am also very fond of the strap system which is a simple shoulder band that makes it quick to put on or off. The thickness of the strap does mean, however, that a heavy load might hurt your shoulder. Also, the bag is not compartmentalised which leads to items rattling around inside. The long thin design can sometimes make finding what you want difficult, especially if the item you seek is at the bottom, which it will inevitably be!

For the casual beach goer, or the diver with some valuables, a camera and a change of clothes, I recommend the 10 litre bag. If you wish to haul around a families’ worth of stuff or you are going on an extended trip then opt for a larger size (just bear in mind that strap – heavy loads can be sore!).

The Dry Tube Can Be Bought In A Huge Range Of Sizes And Colours.

Laptop Case – 10 litres

The amount of divers I see on the boat with a laptop out in the open on the way home from a days diving is quite shocking. What is even more surprising is the fact that a lot of them just have the laptops in a foam case inside a normal backpack with no provision for heavy rain or dropping it overboard. The gang at Feelfree have attempted to solve this issue by creating a waterproof backpack that will swallow a laptop comfortably and hold it securely.

They’ve been clever about it too – they made it look smart enough that you could consider taking it to work (if you’re a games designer) but casual enough to wear on your back while cycling (or jumping onto a boat). It’s plenty big enough for your laptop, camera, snacks and maybe even a dry t-shirt or two. You can carry it with the comfortable shoulder straps or as a briefcase with the side handle.

My only issue with it is that it’s only splashproof, not submersion proof. Which is probably sufficient for most uses being as people rarely go diving with their laptop on their tanks, but I would rather not take chances and put my laptop into a dry tube which is more water resistant.

Slick And Practical, A Well Balanced Hybrid Bag.

Dry Duffel – 25 litres to 75 litres

I don’t need to talk about this bag too much simply because it is almost identical to the Dry Tube, apart from two major differences: one, it is carried horizontally and two, it opens from the side. This side opening is ideal for combatting the issue I have with the tube, i.e. The inability to get what I want out of the bag without having to pour the entire contents out to get it. It is just as waterproof, just as simple and slightly more comfortable (due to the padded strap) than the tube.

The duffel is designed to be taken as an overnight bag (or “overweek” bag in the case of the 75 litre!) so you may find it is a little overkill for a day dive, but ideal for a liveaboard.

The Duffels Are More Spacious And More Handsome, Just Don't Overload Them...

Dry Tank – 40 litres to 60 litres

The Dry Tank is a hybrid of the Dry Tube and the laptop case. It is a large rucksack that utilises the same design principles as the dry tube. The tank has a huge internal volume that is fairly easy to access because it has a wide opening. There still isn’t any compartments inside the bag so organising your stuff is finished when you chuck it in!

As a rucksack it performs well, using well padded straps and a sternum strap to distribute load. It is a comfortable way to move heavy gear about for extended periods. If I knew it was a long walk to the pier then I’d rather take the Dry Tank than the Dry Duffel because the Tank is much more ergonomically designed. Conversely, if I was flying with my bag I’d take the Duffel because the straps on the Tank are very easily tangled and will catch on everything!

The Dry Tank Is Great For Big Loads That Need To Be Carried Big Distances.

Horizon Gear Bag – 90 litres

I’ve presented a ton of ways to keep your dry things dry, but I’ve not discussed what you should do with your wet things…Feelfree have a solution for that too!

The Horizon Gear Bag is an enormous mesh duffel bag that allows wet gear to drain and then air while in transport. The bag can be worn with the shoulder straps like a rucksack which makes carrying a load of heavy gear much more pleasant (though you will probably get a wet back and butt, bear that in mind if you’ve just changed into your dry clothes!). There is also an array of handles in convenient spots to make handling the heavy stuff easier.

On the top of the sack (when it’s lying horizontally) is a dry pocket that can be used to store your dry valuables or spare gear. This is a nice touch that allows this gear bag to act as your only bag, rather than needing a dry bag and wet bag.

Vast Storage For Your Gear And Dry Storage For Your Valuables.

Final Thoughts

Feelfree have been thinking hard about what the modern adventurer needs, and have produced a huge array of solutions for a number of damp problems. They have managed to keep the designs simple and robust which are the two magic words in dive gear. My only problem with their design philosophy is the lack of compartmentalisation in their products which can lead to rattling gear. If they address this little issue appropriately then they will be onto a winner!

Do you have a Feelfree bag? What’s your favourite style in their lineup? Do you have any sad tales of people dropping things “in the drink”? Please share your thoughts with us using the comment section bellow.

Happy (dry) Bubbles!

By Jamie Campbell

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Some may think that unless a newly married couple are already certified divers there is no way to make scuba diving the focus of a exotic honeymoon.  In fact, training, certification, and those first few spectacular dives can be a great bonding experience for newlyweds.

Resorts, particularly those known to be located in the best diving destinations, frequently offer all-inclusive package deals. Online training can start before you leave for your honeymoon followed by pool-based and open water certification classes, all the gear you’ll need, and occasionally your first certified dive is even free. Rooms for your 3 nights (and days) in training are often at a discount, and some hotels and resorts even throw in a congratulatory 4th night’s stay free. For active couples seeking a unique honeymoon experience this is an opportunity hard to beat.

Destination choices are very important – especially for novice divers.  Australia, Micronesia, the Egyptian Red Sea, Belize, Hawaii and the Florida coast offer spectacular underwater views of marine life, journeys through shipwrecks, coral reefs, caves, and more.  Don’t forget Grand Cayman, Bonaire, Cozumel, and Bimini for Caribbean diving destinations along with Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Combine some of the most beautiful beaches and scenery in the world as a backdrop to your honeymoon, with PADI Certification and dives in some of the world’s clearest and warmest waters.

Most scuba diving destinations have packages and locations just for beginners.  Divers with more experience and advanced certifications can take advantage of customized cruises to less visited areas or stick to locations like the Galapagos – diving in this 80-island archipelago is for experienced divers only. Select your locations with care and make sure to check on the optimal diving season for your chosen destination.

Honeymoons are for making memories. Sharing your first diving experience is a great way to get started.

image via futuremrst @ Wedding by Color

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What is the diver responsible for?

I hope to convey to new divers and those considering taking up this activity just what it is you are getting into.  I am giving careful thought to this as I write it in order to not be overly alarmist but still convey the seriousness of dive training and the sport of scuba diving.

I sincerely hope that it makes one think and ask questions of their instructor, dive master, boat operator, resort, and fellow divers.  It can not be overemphasized how easy it is to become so enamored with the idea of diving that things can be overlooked that can result in the diver being injured or worse.  Divers can and have died when they surrendered responsibility for their safety to someone else.

First of all we need to look at where these decisions actually began.  Many times it began before the diver even entered the water.  Perhaps as soon as they chose a shop or instructor to train with.  It could have been because of a friend, relative, ad in the yellow pages etc.  But in any case it is likely that until that time they had not done any research regarding agency, training method, time required, etc.

Everything they know or knew about diving most likely came from that one person or business.  As such it is all too common for a new diver to be astonished to find out just how many agencies, training methods, and programs there are.  I myself had no idea what was available to me, and my instructor was careful to avoid discussing the subject of different methods of training.  I was clueless.  Had I known what I know now my path to instructor would most likely have been very different.

But in any case it came down to, that in my early training, believing that someone other than me was responsible for my own safety.  During training that is somewhat true when undertaking a new course that involves new risks and challenges.  Once that card is received however it is an entirely different story.  At that point it is the diver’s responsibility to look out for their own safety.  As certified divers we should be capable of diving with a buddy of equal skill in conditions similar to or better than what the training was conducted in without the assistance of a DM, A/I, or Instructor.  This is even stated as the goal of the Open Water training course by most if not all agencies.

If this is not the case then that diver should not have received a c card.  The diver should be fully capable of planning the dive, doing all the necessary pre dive checks, executing the dive, and exiting safely from the water.  This is the responsibility of the diver along with being able to make the decision to NOT DIVE should conditions or the dive plan be beyond the skill, training, or comfort level of the diver.  In cases where a Divemaster or other guide is employed it still falls ultimately to the diver to dive or not.  When they choose to follow another persons plan with no input of their own they end up doing what are known as “trust me dives”.  Many times nothing untoward happens on these dives.  But unfortunately the odds are against this being the case every time.  And when something does go wrong it may go as wrong as to result in serious injury or death.  When divers are led in groups on a site as seen below the odds of it becoming a “trust me” dive increase as divers get complacent and allow themselves to be led and start to not keep track of things they should.  Air pressures get ignored, buddies drift apart, and rather than having many persons to assist what often results is no one comes to the aid of the diver as they feel that someone else will.
Now we enter into a realm where the lines of responsibility may become blurred.  Perhaps the DM should not have let the person dive or taken them on the dive? Perhaps the operator should not have let them on the boat? Perhaps the divers buddy should have said something or maybe other divers on the boat who may have known of the lack of training or skill level of the diver? In any case the results do not change.  A diver is hurt or dead.

This sport is fun, exciting, educational, relaxing, and if practiced within the limits of one’s training and experience- SAFE.  BUT to go beyond one’s experience level, training, and even comfort level, too fast or too far is inviting disaster.  Every instructor should impart to their students that this sport can kill and do it in some very nasty ways.

But do you really know how serious these things are?  Do you realize what happens when a lung rips and air rushes into the chest cavity or sack around the heart and bloody froth comes out of the mouth.  Or an air bubble enters the blood stream and travels to the brain resulting in a condition similar to a stroke with all the after affects of a stroke such as paralysis, loss of memory, loss of muscle control, and death.

Who is responsible for an occurrence like this? Unless there is an underlying medical condition, THE DIVER IS! They were told not to hold their breath but did anyway, why? Maybe they panicked.  But if they panicked why did they panic?  Who is responsible for that?  In this instructor’s opinion it falls on the instructor to test the student with tasks that will help to determine the students’ tendency to panic.  What these tasks would be will undoubtedly vary with agency, instructor, and student.  They need not be dangerous or complex.  But simple task loading exercises such as having the student remove and replace a mask several times while swimming if this appears to be an issue with them.  In short what appears to give them difficulty should be repeated until the tendency to react with panic, apprehension, or nervousness is no longer apparent.  It also falls on the instructor to teach the Panic Cycle.  What it is, how it occurs, and how to break it.  This needs to be taught in the Open Water Class.

Maybe the diver was ok until they hit OW and became nervous.  But if they said nothing of their apprehension then that was the divers fault.  If they communicated their nervousness and the instructor did the dive anyway then that falls on the instructor.  Should the student become so nervous that the instructor feels additional time is needed, certification should be withheld until the training is complete.  If this results in the student losing interest or deciding not to dive it may be for the best.  In the long run it would be better for them to lose a little time and money as opposed to getting seriously injured or worse.  But once out of training it is the diver’s responsibility to dive or not dive.

When a diver, for whatever reason, elects to do a dive beyond their level of training and experience and this is known to the operator, DM, boat captain, or instructor who may be guiding but not instructing on the dive, they should not let the diver dive or insist that they be accompanied by a DM or other pro.  But even then, had the diver received proper training in the first place it is likely they would have enough sense to follow that training and not do the dive without making arrangements for further instruction or a guide.

The instructor is responsible for making sure that the diver knows exactly what could happen to him/her regardless if it results in a diver perhaps electing not to continue training.  If the diver does elect to go on then it should be made clear to them that they are responsible for all aspects of their diving from the time they receive their card.

The DM on the boat does not plan your dives.  They give a briefing on the site, emergency procedures, boat etiquette, and times allotted for the dive.  They may even get in the water.  Many times they do not.  In any case no matter what you may hear or assume, THE DM IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for keeping you safe!  Neither is your buddy!  You are.

If you are not comfortable with this stay out of the water!  If you are not comfortable with being responsible for yourself your training was seriously lacking, you were not paying attention in class, or you need more time in the pool and should not be diving in open water.  At this point it is your responsibility to go to the instructor and communicate your concerns.  Or to communicate to your buddy that you are not comfortable with the dive.  Choosing the right dive buddy is also your responsibility.  My buddy below I met the day before our ice dives but I knew by talking to her that we were going to be ok.  We had similar philosophies and were both experienced instructors.

It is my contention that once a diver is certified he/she is responsible for their own safety and then that of their buddy.  Divers look out for themselves so that they can look out for their buddy.  To turn students loose in the water less than capable, with the idea that they will find out they need more training and come back to learn what should be basic skills, is a disgrace and a clear demonstration of greed.  To certify less than capable divers with the idea that they will be diving with a DM/Guide/Instructor anyway is no less a travesty.

Dive ops that allow unqualified divers to do dives beyond their ability are a disgrace to the industry.  It would be better to choose more benign sites or require the divers pay for a personal guide or instructor than risk the headache of a coroner’s inquest or police investigation.  Not to mention the personal injury lawyers that seem to come out of the woodwork looking to make a quick buck from others tragedies.  Being that there really is no governing body that regulates the industry, and should not be, it is up to the industry itself to insure that ONLY properly trained and qualified people are in the water.

It is up to the diver to decide how much training they wish to get.  It is up to them to do some research to find the best fit for them.  They should spend at least as much time as they would choosing a new car.  It really does come down to the potential diver to decide what their life is worth.  And decide just how much training they feel is needed to preserve their safety.

And what are we doing when we dive? Playing in the water? Swimming around underwater without having to surface as often? Seeing cool new stuff? Doing something different than a lot of other people? Yes to all of this.  But we are also doing this.  We are entering an alien environment that is normally hostile to human life without mechanical means.  We cannot breathe underwater.  We rely on a few pieces of metal and plastic to keep us alive by allowing us to breathe a finite amount of air that we must also carry.  Sounds a little more serious that way doesn’t it.  Did your instructor point it out that way to you? Chances are they did not.  Why not? It might have caused you to rethink this whole business.  If so, GOOD!

This is not a game.  Your life depends on the training you receive, the decisions you make based on that training, and the decisions you make after training.  You, the diver are responsible for your own safety regardless of what anyone else says.  Your buddy could get lost, the DM may get hurt, lost, or busy with another diver.  If an issue occurs, no one but you will be there to save your ass! Think about that! You may need to save your own life.  If that does not make you rethink the idea of who is responsible for your safety you might want think about finding another activity.  It is not fair to your buddy, the DM, the captain, the op, or the resort to make them responsible for your life.

The boat is a taxi to get you to and from the site safely.  The driver is no more responsible for you when you step off than the taxi driver who drops you at a hotel.  You would not sue the taxi company if you exited the cab, walked into your destination, and fell down a flight of steps.

The op has no way of determining your comfort level in the water if they did not train you.  They assume since you have a card or a referral that you are ready to dive or do your checkouts.  If they want to take you to 100 feet on your first dives and you say ok and then die who is at fault? Did they hold a gun to your head and force you to dive? Did you exercise the option to say no that you can do at anytime? And the resort is a place to eat, sleep, and relax.  They have only your word that you are a qualified diver.

The cave community has rule that any diver can end a dive at any time with no explanation given.  Once the signal is given the dive is over.  Period.  End of discussion.  Too bad this is not passed on in many OW classes.  Peer pressure, money, wishing to not look bad, all seem to take the place of intelligence and common sense.  Divers seem to not realize how a new environment or type of dive can change things.  It has not been adequately instilled in them that this is serious business and not as easy as many of us make it appear.  Years of training and experience have taught us that nothing should be taken for granted.  Experienced divers know that no matter how many dives they have done, how many times they have been to the same site, or how many times they have made it home safe, there is always that one time where a small error in judgment, lack of attention to a particular detail, or a change in conditions may result in them being seriously injured or killed.

Good instructors make sure that this is part of the training of new divers.  Skills are done over and over until they become as much instinct as anything else.  My greatest reward as an instructor is to task a student and see them react to a distraction or outside stimulus as a minor inconvenience instead of a big problem to the skill they are doing.  I had a student go from being unable to breathe from a reg with their mask off, without water going up their nose, to doing a no mask swim two lengths of the pool and then do a scuba bailout with absolutely no issues at all.  This did not happen overnight and was the result of much hard work on their part, patience on mine, a clear understanding of the skill to be done and WHAT COULD HAPPEN if they were to have their mask kicked off at 50 feet and they freaked.  The last had the biggest effect in them working through the urge to freak and finding out it’s not that bad.  Once a break through such as this occurs the student inevitably makes progress at a faster rate.  Why? They have shown themselves that problems can be worked through when they have received the proper training, worked through an actual issue, and as a result have more confidence and are more comfortable in the water.

This is another diver responsibility.  Developing a sense of confidence and comfort.  These two items are essential to diver safety.  They are not usually immediate but developed over time through not only training but experience.  The diver has a responsibility to themselves to keep their skills current and their knowledge up to date.  Not only as regards diving, but their knowledge of dive sites, resorts, and operations should not be left to a third party.  Questions about safety, practices, procedures, and even staff should be the norm.  Management changes, staff rotations, new dive sites, and sometimes boats change from one year to the next.  Never take for granted that XYZ op is the same as it was last year.

To do so and then find out upon arrival that nothing is the same is not the resorts fault if it presents an inconvenience or challenge to the diver.  Dive planning, when taught properly, is not only about getting in the water.  It may involve the flight, the transportation to the resort, the hotel arrangements, etc.  You need to be aware of this and plan accordingly.

Confidence is gained by working thru task loading scenarios or situations by degree.  It is not to be confused with bravado.  One who does all the necessary checks, has the right equipment, and does a 100 foot dive right out of open water class is not confident- he is a fool.  This type of person has little regard for rules, recommended procedures and safety, and is a danger to himself and every diver in the area.  The diver who does all the same things BUT does the 100 foot after further training, making a number of dives to ever increasing depths over a period of time, and taking time to learn from those dives demonstrates true confidence based on training, experience, and knowledge of their abilities.  This is the kind of diver who other divers benefit from.  They also have gained the knowledge that gives them a sense of comfort and allows them to dive relaxed and in control.  As a result, by them taking responsibility for themselves they are more relaxed, more knowledgeable, and ultimately the kind of safe diver that others look to as examples of what to do right.

Taking responsibility for yourself therefore not only makes you safer but someone other divers enjoy diving with results in a true sense of accomplishment. For more on responsibility and buddy skills see my book: SCUBA: A Practical Guide for the New Diver which will be released in March of 2011 and be available from www.udmaquatics.com

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So you have the basics, what is next in term of gear purchasing? For many it’s a Buoyancy Compensator and Dive Regulator. The BC is a crucial piece of dive gear. It not only allows us to control our position but also holds the tank. BCs come in two different basic configurations. The jacket style generally has a bladder that wraps around the diver as it inflates while the back inflate has the bladder entirely on the back. The jacket style is the perhaps the most commonly seen in use by new divers. The back inflate is however very popular with many experienced divers. A jacket is shown on the left and a back inflate on the right.

The BC has an air cell to inflate and deflate, and accomplishes that via the power inflator. A BC power inflator is a device that is connected to the bladder by a corrugated hose. This hose generally is located on the left side and connects to the BC in the area of the shoulder, though some are connected in the center of the air cell. The power inflator is also connected to the tank by the regulator’s low pressure inflator hose. By pressing a button air is allowed to flow into the BC. Another button is used to control a valve that allows air to escape the BC. When venting or allowing the air to escape the BC, the inflator needs to be raised above the level of the connection to the BC or a trap – similar to that under your sink – is formed and the air cannot escape. Many BCs however also have additional valves known as dump valves to allow air to be vented without using the power inflator. When using the power inflator to vent, some models require the diver to get nearly vertical in the water. Dump valves are often located on the right shoulder and the bottom of the BC on either side, allowing the diver to vent air without getting vertical. BCs may have pockets, D rings, pouches to contain weights, and numerous buckles to hold things together. There are some BCs that have very little beyond a few d rings; these are known as minimalist or basic harness type BCs. Commonly referred to as “back plate and wing” BCs they are fully customizable in size, features, and function and also tend to cost much less than other BCs. They consist of a stainless steel, aluminum, or kydex plate, a simple one piece harness made of two inch nylon webbing, and a bladder (the wing) that is removable from the set up. Wings are available in different lifts to suit the type of dives, cylinder or cylinders used, and the amount of weight the diver requires. They commonly have three or four D rings, a buckle, and little or no extra padding, yet are very comfortable in the water. Some believe that back inflate BC’s tend to push a diver forward in the water. This is a myth. Back mounted BC’s on a properly weighted diver DO NOT push a diver face forward into the water.

Jacket Buoyancy Compensators are more commonly used and often have many “extras,” but this does not mean they are the best choice for every diver. Pockets often seem to be poorly designed and inconveniently placed. There are often more D rings than the three or four found useful by most divers or on some models none at all.

How then do we choose a BC? The priorities must be comfort, quality, and features specific to the needs and preferences of the individual diver. Price is not a reliable barometer of any of these, and paying more does not guarantee you a “better” BC. What matters is what the BC will do for you and how it will suit your needs.

What I look for in a BC is function and simple is better. Why? Because unnecessary complexity creates a more confusing piece of equipment, as well as creating too many potential failure points; it also involves unnecessary expense. There is simply no need for a diver to spend more than a few hundred dollars on a BC. That it will serve you for many years doing the types of dives you do, is the ultimate goal in selecting a BC or any other piece of gear for that matter.

Beware of claims that exotic BC features will make you a better diver. The only thing that will make you a better diver is good training and diving regularly. I can take any BC that I can get on –regardless of size, style, or configuration and within 10 minutes get horizontal and have full control over my buoyancy. This is the result of practice, experience, understanding the effects water has on me and my equipment, and proper weighting and trim. None of this is beyond the grasp of the average OW diver who wants to achieve this level of competence. A BC is a tool, and as with any tool, simple is usually better. The next items we’ll look at are dive regulators.

Dive Regulators

The item that allows us to breathe underwater was invented many years ago in a number of different forms. Regulators were used in industrial applications long before their relatively recent adaptation for underwater use in SCUBA. The modern SCUBA regulator is commonly attributed to two Frenchmen, Emile Gagnan and Jacques Cousteau. In the 1940s, they began to work on a design that allowed a diver to descend into the water and be supplied air at ambient pressure (i.e. as the water pressure increased the amount of air the regulator delivered also increased). This kept the pressure of the water from collapsing the diver’s chest cavity – a very good thing indeed! It also opened SCUBA to the average person. In the early days of diving, regulators (and most SCUBA gear) were sold in sporting good stores and through mail order. Dive shops were rare and training was done by ex-military divers or one bought a book, ordered the gear, got air from somewhere, and went diving! Things are arguably much better now.

Those early regulators were of the double hose design (above) made famous by shows such as Sea Hunt. They worked well and were the most common type in use until the single hose we know today came into regular use in the 1950’s. The single hose regulator is commonly divided into two basic types: the piston and the diaphragm. Each of them has subtypes known as balanced and unbalanced. The balanced regulator basically delivers air at the same rate regardless of the pressure in the tank. Unbalanced regulators tend to get stiffer or breather harder as the tank pressure drops. What concerns us in this work is what reg do we really need and why.

A complete regulator set consists of several parts: the first stage, second stage (there are commonly two of them, a primary and an alternate), the submersible pressure gauge (SPG), and a low pressure (LP) inflator hose. Each of these plays a vital role in breathing underwater. We’ll look at each of them in turn and then try to offer some advice on choosing a set.

The function of the first stage is to reduce the high air pressure in the tank to what is known as an intermediate pressure and distribute it to the other components in the regulator set. This intermediate pressure varies from regulator to regulator but is usually in the 135 – 145 PSI range. This is the pressure that is sent to each second stage and the LP inflator hose. The SPG receives the full pressure in the tank though it is restricted by a much smaller diameter orifice in the first stage and at the gauge itself. The hoses to each component that receive the intermediate pressure are of the same type and have the same size fitting at the first stage. The high pressure (HP) hose to the SPG usually has a larger diameter fitting. This is purposely done to avoid putting a low pressure hose on the high pressure side that would result in a rather spectacular failure of the hose and possible injury to those nearby. The second stage on many regulators is a demand lever type. The user inhales or pushes the purge button and the diaphragm collapses onto the lever, allowing air to enter the chamber and be inhaled. The first stage responds to depth and pressure and by way of the demand valve in the second stage, delivers a proper volume of air as depth increases or decreases. Many second stages have adjustment knobs that will allow the diver to fine tune the amount of air they receive and/or vary the inhalation effort required to depress the lever. While a very nice and convenient feature, it is not absolutely necessary for the average recreational diver to have. It adds to the cost of the unit and for the casual diver, makes no real difference over a well – tuned, non – adjustable one.

The primary second stage (the one in the diver’s mouth), often has adjustment knob and a lever known as a venturi lever that is open or closed. Open, the venturi lever allows air to flow unobstructed to the diver. Closed, it deflects some of that air back up against the diaphragm making it harder to depress and accidentally cause a free flow.

The LP inflator hose has a quick disconnect fitting that attaches to the low pressure inflator on the BC; it allows the diver to add air to the BC. With some exceptions, these are standard connections. Non – standard connections are used on BCs that have a different type of inflator, known as an integrated alternate, integrated octo (short for octopus), or integrated safe second.

These inflator mechanisms combine a secondary breathing regulator with the power inflator. Hoses on these regulators have fittings that will only fit those mechanisms. The integrated octo is the subject of much debate. It does eliminate a hose from the regulator, which theoretically improves streamlining. It is also said to be easy to locate at the end of the power inflator. However, it also requires the donor in a low or out – of – air situation to donate the primary. There is nothing wrong with that for those who have been well trained in donating in that manner.

The problem is that many, if not most, new divers are not trained that way; they have been taught using standard setups that have a separate octo. If you choose a BC with a non standard inflator as described above, it is completely reasonable to ask the shop to provide instruction in the water on its use. If they refuse, walk away. Do not attempt to use or purchase one of these units without instruction. You must control your buoyancy while donating, and for one trained on a standard set up this means venting while ascending. To vent with one of these units while breathing from the secondary, you’ll have to remove it from your mouth repeatedly or use the shoulder dump on the opposite side (if the BC has one). This is not something one wants to do in a stressful situation without being completely comfortable in doing so. I do not recommend these units to my students and I will not permit them in my Advanced Open Water class without seeing the diver use it. There are some class exercises in which this type of unit cannot physically be used at all. Another issue with these BC/regulator combinations is that if the diver decides to travel with one, it is also advisable to also take a spare hose for the integrated alternate because if that hose fails it may be difficult to find a replacement at the travel destination. It is advisable in any case to have a spare standard inflator hose for the regulator normally used with the BC equipped with this unit. In the event that the diver is unable to use their BC they can still use their regulator with a BC equipped with a standard inflator. If this is the case they will still need to have a standard octo that they can put on the regulator or be fully familiar with buddy breathing as they no longer are able to use the integrated second stage that is still attached to their own BC. I personally see too many unnecessary issues that can develop with the use of the integrated octo to make it a viable alternative.

While no part of the regulator is more important than another as they are all vital, the Submersible Pressure Gauge (SPG) is the most important gauge one can have. It tells you how much air is in your tank. In the early days of SCUBA, divers did not use them; they had another mechanism that indicated when they were running low on air. Called a “J” valve, it had a lever that functioned as a reserve supply. In the up position this lever gave the diver roughly 300 PSI of air that could be used for the ascent. The issue with these valves was that if the lever got hit or accidentally tripped, the diver might not know it! When the regulators began to breathe stiffer – indicating the air supply was getting low – the diver would reach back and pull down on the steel rod connected to the lever on the valve. With the valve already tripped, the diver had no reserve and had to make what could be too rapid an ascent to the surface, or hope a buddy was close enough to donate for a safe ascent. The SPG was a major step in resolving this issue.

The SPG is a simple device; it measures the pressure in the tank and indicates the reading on a dial, in most cases. While there are digital gauges available, including ones integrated into the dive computer, they offer no additional benefit but do add an additional potential failure point, as they are dependent on batteries. SPGs often indicate pressures up to 5000 PSI and 4000 PSI gauges are common. They are relatively maintenance – free other than rinsing, and changing the O rings in the connection to the hose. As with any mechanical device they can fail, especially if water accidentally gets into them via the first stage and is not removed before the regulator was re-pressurized. In such a case the gauge can be destroyed and the diver put at great risk. Anytime an SPG begins to act strangely it should be replaced. Gauges can be had from $40 to $80 depending on quality. Spend the money; your life is worth much more than that.

We’ve now looked at the essential parts of the modern SCUBA regulator and have briefly described their function. If you want to buy one, what should you look for? First of all, how much do you realistically have to spend? Do you want a piston or diaphragm? For the average recreational diver, it really makes no difference no matter what the shop may tell you. Balanced or unbalanced? This one can make a difference. A balanced unit will deliver the same volume of air with the same effort no matter what the depth may be or how low the tank gets. This is important in my opinion, as it eliminates one potential cause of diver stress (i.e. variable breathing effort). Anything that does that is good, so a balanced one it is!

The next consideration is the water temperature where the diver expects to dive. Warm water (for most regulators this is defined as above 40 degrees Fahrenheit) makes no real difference. Colder or cold water does. Some regulators are not designed to be used in cold water and should not be, due to freeze – ups. Diaphragm regulators tend to be more resistant to this, so if it’s the Great Lakes or deep inland quarries, a sealed diaphragm makes the most sense. Another factor to consider is water quality. Some regulators are known as environmentally sealed, in that no water or other contaminants get into the first stage at all. Some allow water into parts of the first stage. No special unit is required for diving in warm, fresh water that is relatively clean, or for saltwater when the unit will always be carefully rinsed. If there is a lot of sediment in the water or other gunk that could cause a problem, a sealed regulator is called for whether piston or diaphragm. For the strictly warm – water diver who takes good care of their gear, most any first stage will be more than adequate. For anything else, I’d personally only choose an environmentally sealed first stage of the diaphragm type.

Now, what second stages should we consider? The temperature of the water continues to have some influence here. For cold water, I like the adjustable second stage that helps to regulate the amount of air I can get at one time. It reduces the chance of a free – flow due to the first stage freezing as a result of too much air being delivered. In warm water, I use both adjustable and non adjustable second stages. One feature I also look for in a second stage is whether I can disassemble the stage underwater to clear it of anything that might get inside it; all of my personal regulators enable me to do this. I have seen dirt, twigs, and other stuff get into a regulator; being able to fix that without surfacing is convenient, while preventing the need for the diver to surface. The next item to consider is the mouthpiece. There are many choices and no diver should have to deal with an uncomfortable one. There are even custom ones that can be molded to the diver’s mouth. The mouthpiece should be comfortable enough to allow the diver to do a dive of any length with no jaw pain or fatigue.

It might seem prudent to save a few dollars by buying an alternate second stage (octo) that is cheaper than the primary; after all it will hardly ever be used. However, when it is used it will be during a high stress situation (you are donating to an out of air diver) and that is not the time to be dealing with inferior equipment. The octo should be of equal quality to the primary. You should be able to adjust or detune it enough to prevent it from free – flowing and still deliver an adequate volume of air. Again I do recommend that divers choose a standard octo over the integrated type. There is less maintenance involved, they are most likely what you were trained with, and usually they do cost less than the integrated. Standard octos can also be used on most BC’s the diver will ever rent or borrow. The brief summary on second stages is this: For warm water, any second stage of reasonable quality will do. For colder water you should get an adjustable second that can be disassembled under water. Match either with a standard octo of equal quality.

The LP hose is a simple matter of finding one that is the right length for the BC one is using. It should also have the correct connector for the LP inflator. Remember that if the hose has been used on a BC with an integrated inflator it most likely will not work on a standard BC. A second LP hose can be added if one chooses to get a dry suit. This will be connected to the inflator valve on the suit.

The high pressure hose and SPG are the last parts of the regulator that we need to look at. The most common configuration new divers are likely to be exposed to is the console set up. The console will always include at least the SPG and a depth gauge or dive computer. There may also be a compass. If you do plan on getting a console setup, make sure it is organized in the way that suits you best. If it has a compass, try to get a console that will allow you to see both the compass and the depth gauge at the same time; some do not and make it difficult to successfully navigate a course. When choosing a hose length, select one that allows you to easily lift the gauge to see it yet without excess length to get in the way otherwise.

To sum up about dive regulators: For warm water dives any regulator (piston or diaphragm), by any major manufacturer will be completely satisfactory. There is no need for a warm – water diver to spend extra money for a cold – water regulator. An environmentally sealed first stage is always a good option though. For cold water divers, the best choice would be an environmentally sealed, diaphragm first stage, coupled with an adjustable second stage to lessen the chance of a free – flow. For both setups I recommend a standard octo rather than an integrated one. Most new divers are trained with the standard setup and if you are partnered with a new buddy it will lessen or eliminate any confusion in a low on or out of air situation. Finally choose a console if not going with wrist mounted gauges – that will allow you to view the compass and depth gauge at the same time. For more in depth information on choosing equipment watch for my new book that will be available in the spring of 2011. “SCUBA: A Practical Guide for New Divers” will be available on disc, pdf download, Kindle, and in limited print editions.

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What Is Tech Diving?

Tech diving (short for “technical”) is both a new branch of diving and a very old tradition. In essence Tech diving is a crossover of longstanding commercial diving techniques and modern recreational diving goals. A Tech diver will use very sophisticated dive methods and equipment that have been developed and refined in military and commercial diving to achieve personal, fun goals. It is a hobby, a passion and an adventure. Tech diving isn’t for everyone, many of the rewards that Tech diving can bestow are not given up lightly; often Tech divers go through discomfort and must train for a long time in order to go where they wish. It is not all clear water, designer wetsuits and beaches; it is often hard work, risk taking and tedious waiting that brings the results the Tech divers seek, not to mention the exorbitant cost of the training and specialist gear!

Tech Divers May Look Funny (And Smell Funny) But Their Devotion To The Sport Is Serious

So If It’s So Hard, Why Do People Tech Dive?

Tec diving is a peculiar sport because, to many other divers, it seems an awful lot like hard work when a normal diver can have a great dive at ten metres and spend comparatively little money. The reason the Tec guys do it however, is simple; Tec divers like to do things to extremes and thus they need extreme methods and equipment to accomplish what they desire. So, what does a Tec diver desire?

To Go Deeper, For Longer

The primary reason that Tech diving exists is because standard recreational diving has many, very difficult limits imposed upon it such as air consumption, water temperature and nitrogen buildup. These factors all impose boundaries on what can be done during a dive, they especially restrict the maximum depth a diver can reach and for how long he can stay there. If a diver wishes to stay longer or go deeper than the standard recreational tables recommend then he must use other techniques and equipment, thus he becomes a Tech diver. For instance, if a standard diver went to thirty meters he’d find that his computer gave him a very short bottom time because of nitrogen buildup, he’d also notice that his air was being used up very fast and he’d probably be getting fairly chilly too. The Tech diver aims to solve these problems by breathing modified gasses to extend his bottom time, he would carry more than one tank of breathing gas to extend his air supply and he’d likely wear a high quality drysuit to take care of the chills. There are many techniques and pieces of gear that a Tech diver has in his armory, but almost all of them are used purely to let him dive deeper, for longer.

Tec Diving Is Not Just About Going Deep, It Is Also Used To Stay Shallow For A Long Time.

Divers Love Gear

I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again; diving’s popularity as a sport is massively aided by the fact that people like to buy things, use tools and customize stuff. The fact that the dive industry is so glamorous proves this – people aren’t just buying a lump of technology to let them go diving, they are buying the latest airmax master turbo super gasblaster regulator airflow system! Diving is a “cool” industry and manages to maintain it’s “cred” by selling funky gadgets. I’d argue that a large proportion of Tech divers got into extreme diving purely for the gear that comes with it. The case and point being the re-breather which is the ultimate in James Bond type gadgets. The re-breather is an excellent tool that can achieve much, but its beauty lies in its complicated nature, the fact that a true disciple of technology will be blissfully lost in manuals and tool for hours getting it set up and ready to use is a large part of its appeal. Tech divers are gadget freaks, the clue is in their name!

Tec Divers Are Suckers For New Gear...

The Adventure!

So why on Earth would anyone want to go through all the training, spend the crazy money, endure the hardships and take the risks purely so they can go deep? The answer is often because Tech divers are an adventurous bunch who want to go places that others cannot or dare not. They want to dive on wrecks that have never been seen by the human eye since the day it sunk, they want to find deep fish that have never been named and they want to explore cave systems that are barely even known of, let alone mapped. The equipment and training that Tech divers use allows them to truly go where no man has gone before, and that is a very potent lure for some.

To Challenge Themselves

Ok, so you can accept that there are people out there who do expensive and difficult things to go down for longer in order to see stuff that nobody else has seen, but ultimately what’s the point? The Tech diver has an answer for this too; the challenge! Why else would somebody do horrible and dangerous things? To challenge themselves with a serious obstacle (in this case: the human body vs the whole ocean), learn and train how to overcome it and then do so triumphantly. Nowadays there are few frontiers left; Everest is crowded with families on vacation, you can barely see the sun for all the skydivers, the poles have gift shops on them and it is verging on dangerous to sail on the oceans now from all the one man craft zipping about. The only really hardcore frontier left on Earth is the Deep itself. Instead of climbing mountains, Tech divers drop into bottomless pits and do their damnedest to get back out again.

The Gear And Techniques:

Nitrox and Trimix

Tech divers need to beat the bottom time calculator in order to go where they want, which means using specialist breathing gases. Nitrox is the first port of call when looking into Tech diving because it allows you to extend you dive time beyond standard tables. Nitrox is basically a breathing gas that has had the nitrogen reduced and the oxygen increased. This means that the diver’s body absorbs less nitrogen during the dive and allows their computer to be more lenient. This gas mixture can be varied for the depth the diver plans on going. He may even take more than one mixture to allow him to swap during the dive to make his computer read more favorably still.

There is a limit to what Nitrox can do though because highly concentrated oxygen has adverse effects on the human body, which means there is a balancing act between how much oxygen is put into the mix versus nitrogen. The way this issue is alleviated is by adding a third gas, usually helium, which is a noble gas and therefore has very little reactive qualities. By adding helium to the gas blend, a Tech diver can make a concentration that will (at the appropriate depth) allow him to breath very little nitrogen but not get hurt by the oxygen. This gas switching is the primary reason that Tech divers require so much training, so many tanks and so much money. This really is technical!

It Is Not Uncommon For Tec Divers To Carry Up To Eight Tanks Containing Different Breathing Gas Mixes.

Decompression

Even with all the gasses and mixes available to a Tech diver, his computer will eventually run out of no-decompression time, which means that before he can come to the surface he will be required to do at least one decompression stop. This allows the nitrogen in his body to escape in controlled bursts, thus preventing DCS. Depending on the depth, time and type of gas he is breathing, a Tech diver might be required to decompress for a few hours! Which means being bored and cold for a long time!

Redundancy

Tech divers go very deep, for very long and often they dive solo. This means that they require all their gear to function perfectly at all times. Of course, humans aren’t perfect which means that gear will inevitably falter at some point for some poor guy. The way Tech divers deal with this possibility is by carrying a spare of every item of dive gear. He will carry two knives, masks, computers, lights (maybe three) and several regulators. A Tech diver might be required to decompress for hours, which means lots of breathing gas is required, so many Tech divers have their decompression gasses suspended from a line at the appropriate depths. This means they have redundant gas mixes too. Tech divers do take risks, but the techniques they use are designed to reduce them to almost negligible levels.

One way to tell if a diver is a Tech diver or not is by looking at his BCD, if it looks like a jacket then he is probably not a Tech diver, if it looks like a metal plate with a big ballon on it and compression straps then he is. These BCDs are designed to compensate for the massive amount of weight these divers carry in the form of redundant gear and extra tanks.

Final Thoughts

Whenever I hear stories about people who have done amazing things by working hard and learning new skills I am always impressed, but none impress me more than Tech divers. I feel this amazement because a Tech diver is one of the few people in the world who has the chance to see something truly new. They are the last voyagers on Earth and their commitment to exploration and challenge is inspirational… and I also love their gear!

Do you wish to start Tech diving? If you are already Tech diving, what’s your favorite dive story? What mixes and gear setup to you favor? Please share your experiences by using the comment section bellow.

Happy (gas-blended) bubbles!

By Jamie Campbell

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Know Your Ocean!

I love to read facts about things, especially when it turns out that something that you take for granted is actually an astonishing force of nature. We all like the sea; some of us only like to watch it from the comfort of a cafe window or park bench, some of us like to sail it and others like to get into it and explore as much of it as we can!

The Ocean Is An Awesome Force, And The More I Learn About It The More I Want To Dive It!

There are many reasons that divers love the seas, but none can be as compelling as the fact that we know very little about this vast expanse of our world. We have explored little of it and have fully examined a tiny fraction of its area. The ocean is impressive in many different ways, yet we know very little about it. This makes me even more keen to strap a tank on my back and go find out for myself!

What I’ve done here today is complied a list of amazing, impressive, humbling and depressing facts to inspire your sense of wonder, and to widen your eyes to its delicate balance that we are upsetting. I’m no eco-warrior, but the facts below make even me think twice before I buy fish without researching its origin. You might already know a few of these facts, but I’m sure there will be a couple of gems in there that you can whip out at the pub or on the dive boat to impress your friends!

The Physical Ocean

Earth has five major oceans. The largest is The Pacific, located between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia and the western hemisphere, over an area about 15 times the size of the USA. It contains more than 25,000 islands.

The Challenger Deep is the lowest spot in all the world’s oceans, located in The Pacific. To put its depth into perspective, if you dropped in Mount Everest (8,850 metres high), there’d still be more than a mile of ocean above it!

The Submarine Trieste Was The First Sub To Venture To The Deepest Point On Earth.

The Dead Sea is the Earth’s lowest land point with an elevation of 396m below sea level.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef covers an area bigger than Great Britain and can even be seen from space. The Reef is a collection of islands which are home to over 400 types of coral and among which live more than 2,000 species of fish.

The Barrier Reef Is True Wonder Of The World, It Can Be Seen From The Moon!

The Earth’s longest mountain range is underwater. The Mid-Ocean Ridge runs around the globe from the Arctic to the Atlantic, via Africa, Asia and Australia. That’s four times longer than the Andes, Rockies and the Himalayas combined.

The oceans occupy nearly 71% of our planet’s surface

More than 97% of all our planet’s water is contained in the ocean

The top ten feet of the ocean hold as much heat as our entire atmosphere

The average depth of the ocean is more than 2.5 miles

The sea level has risen with an average of 10-25 cm over the past 100 years and scientists expect this rate to increase. Sea levels will continue rising even if the climate has stabilised, because the ocean reacts slowly to changes. 10,000 years ago the ocean level was about 110 m lower than it is now. If all the world’s ice melted, the oceans would rise 66 m.

The average temperature of all ocean water is about 3.5°C.

Antarctica has as much ice as the Atlantic Ocean has water.

The oceans provide 99 percent of the Earth’s living space – the largest space in our universe known to be inhabited by living organisms

More than 90% of this habitat exists in the deep sea known as the abyss

Less than 10% of this living space has been explored by humans

The Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon is deeper and larger in volume than the Grand Canyon

The Antarctic ice sheet that forms and melts over the ocean each year is nearly twice the size of the United States

The average temperature of the oceans is 2ºC, about 39ºF

Water pressure at the deepest point in the ocean is more than 8 tons per square inch, the equivalent of one person trying to hold 50 jumbo jets.

The Gulf Stream off the Atlantic seaboard of the United States flows at a rate nearly 300 times faster than the typical flow of the Amazon river, the world’s largest river.

The Gulf Stream Moves A Crazy Amount Of Water, Like A River In The Sea!

The Ocean’s Contents

The worlds oceans contain nearly 20 million tons of gold

A new form of life, based on chemical energy rather than light energy, resides in deep-sea hydrothermal vents along mid-ocean ridges

A swallow of seawater may contain millions of bacterial cells, hundreds of thousands of phytoplankton and tens of thousands of zooplankton

The grey whale migrates more than 10,000 miles each year, the longest migration of any mammal

More than 90 percent of the trade between countries is carried by ships and about half the communications between nations use underwater cables

More oil reaches the oceans each year as a result of leaking automobiles and other non-point sources than was spilled in Prince William Sound by the Exxon Valdez

Fish supply the greatest percentage of the world’s protein consumed by humans.

Eighty per cent of all pollution in seas and oceans comes from land-based activities.

By 2011, 80 per cent of people will live within 60 miles of the coast.

Conservation

Plastic waste kills up to 1 million sea birds, 100,000 sea mammals and countless fish each year. Plastic remains in our ecosystem for years harming thousands of sea creatures everyday.

Although coral reefs comprise less than 0.5 per cent of the ocean floor, it is estimated that more than 90 per cent of marine species are directly or indirectly dependent on them.

Tropical coral reefs border the shores of 109 countries, the majority of which are among the world’s least developed. Significant reef degradation has occurred in 93 countries.

There are about 4,000 coral reef fish species worldwide, accounting for approximately a quarter of all marine fish species.

Nearly 60 per cent of the world’s remaining reefs are at significant risk of being lost in the next three decades.

The major causes of coral reef decline are coastal development, sedimentation, destructive fishing practices, pollution, tourism and global warming.

Less than one half a per cent of marine habitats are protected — compared with 11.5 per cent of global land area.

The High Seas — areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction — cover almost 50 per cent of the Earth’s surface. They are the least protected part of the world.

Although there are some treaties that protect ocean-going species such as whales, as well as some fisheries agreements, there are no protected areas in the High Seas.

More than 3.5 billion people depend on the ocean for their primary source of food. In 20 years, this number could double to 7 billion.

Populations of commercially attractive large fish, such as tuna, cod, swordfish and marlin have declined by as much as 90 per cent in the past century.

The blue whale can grow up to 30 metres in length; the heart alone can be the size of a car. By the early 1960s blue whales were nearly extinct, but in 1966 whaling was banned and there are currently around 10,000 blue whales in existence.

It Makes Me Sad To Think That This Huge Creature Could Ever Be Threatened By Man.

Each year, illegal longline fishing, which involves lines up to 80 miles long, with thousands of baited hooks, kills over 300,000 seabirds, including 100,000 albatrosses.

As many as 100 million sharks are killed each year for their meat and fins, which are used for shark fin soup. Hunters typically catch the sharks, de-fin them while alive and throw them back into the ocean where they either drown or bleed to death.

Final Thoughts

…and you can now pick your jaw up off the floor because that’s the end of the wonder-fest. If you’re like me you will feel a mixture of emotions having read the above articles – you will probably feel a strong sense of awe at the sheer scale of the big blue, but you might also feel a touch worried about the fragility of the ecosystems that the ocean supports. I, for one, didn’t realise that blue whales had almost went extinct, that made me really angry and sad at the same time, I love blue whales and it is my greatest wish that I should get to dive with one someday. The final fact about the shark de-finning was place last for a reason – to give you a real idea of what our race is capable of. I urge you to go and research the plight of sharks further, one organisation I recommend is Sea Shepard, a very active anti-over fishing group that really do make a difference.

Do you have any interesting ocean facts that I’ve not listed here? Are you as enraptured by the sea as I am? Do you feel a burning sense of curiosity that makes you want to go diving right now? Are you as disgusted with the over fishing and shark finning as I am? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Happy (factual) Bubbles!

By Jamie Cambell

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In my experience as a diver and now Open Water Scuba Instructor it has come to my attention that many divers possess less than optimal skills when it comes to the area of navigation under water. What I hope to convey through this article is to simply address the benefits of developing the skill, pass on some tips as to how this can be done, offer advice on practicing the skill, address the safety concerns, and make using Underwater Navigation fun. If these items are addressed and convince divers to develop the skill it will have served its purpose. If nothing else I hope it will at least get divers to think more about how it can benefit them and instructors to address it to a greater degree than they do now.

When I first got certified as an Open Water Diver there was another diver who was going thru his Divemaster internship. One of his tasks was to lead me on an underwater tour. This was on my first dive post checkouts and leading up to AOW. We were diving the same spot that I had during checkouts. The difference was instead of following the lines we followed a compass and natural features course that he knew well. During that dive we used buoyancy control, he had me monitor our depth, note features, and most of all stay in proper position for ease of communication and in case one of us would need any type of assistance. What stuck with me though was his seemingly uncanny sense of direction. We went on a swim of nearly 45 minutes in 10-15 foot vis and came back to within a few yards of our starting point. This has stuck with me throughout my diving career and influenced much of my learning.

First of all what it did was give me an example of what kind of proficiency is possible if you work at it. This can be applied to any skill set. Next it demonstrated the value of mastering buoyancy control as on several legs we swam back along a reciprocal course and had we not been in good trim and using anti-silting kicks we would have had serious difficulties. And it also clearly demonstrated the value of swimming slowly, taking our time, and not rushing around using up air, missing landmarks, or overshooting distances. All of these benefits are available to any diver who wishes to work for them. And all are a result of striving to improve Underwater Navigation skills.

Let’s begin with the basics. There are generally two types of navigation used by recreational or open water divers, compass and natural. Natural is actually a subjective term since much of what divers use for natural features may actually be manmade or deliberately placed. Lines in quarries from platforms to boats or markers are actually used to aid navigation. They help divers find their way yet do not often require a compass. Compass navigation while taking a bit of skill and practice is not difficult. Although like my early mentor there are divers who make it look like magic. In order to be effective at underwater navigation we need to have a few other things in place first. Being really comfortable in the water is one, some experience with dive planning, and most importantly good buoyancy control and trim. As seen below in the divers using natural navigation while maintaining optimal position for communication.

Let’s take a brief look at these before getting into actual techniques and the real benefits of being a successful navigator. Comfort in the water is often taken for granted by divers with some experience. And frankly it should also not be an issue for new divers. Unfortunately we all know that this is not always the case. When we introduce a new task to a diver, being comfortable in the water goes a long way towards achieving success at that task. Every diver should take the steps necessary to feel comfortable in the environment. It is the duty of every conscientious instructor to see to it that the diver they issue a certification card to have the necessary level of comfort in the water to successfully plan, execute, and return from a dive.

Like diver comfort, the ability to plan a dive is in the basic description of every agency when it comes to the open water diver. It is commonly stated as the ability to “plan, execute, and return from a dive with a buddy of equal skill and training in conditions equal to or better than that in which they’ve been trained without the assistance of a dive professional”. We all know that this is too often not the case with newly certified divers. So how can we use underwater navigation to aid the new diver? It is my opinion that by introducing and offering the skill sets needed in UW Navigation we not only can encourage the new diver to improve their skills overall, but add to their confidence level. These can not help but have the effect of increasing their overall comfort. It is my contention that we not look at Underwater Navigation as simply a course in itself. I like to look at it as a way to improve every aspect of the dive experience. By simply being able to find your way to one point and return to your starting point you utilize more than just a compass, line, or a few features. The diver is required to use good dive planning, buddy skills, buoyancy control, and gas management. In short a good navigation course can greatly add to every facet of a diver’s skills!

Now what does a good navigation course consist of. Nearly every certification agency offers a course in underwater navigation. Some are more extensive than others but all contain some basic items in common. These include using a compass, using natural features, discussing some hazards and obstacles, measuring distances, and the dives themselves. These can vary in number and duration but are usually in the range or 3-4 dives. While this is usually sufficient to impart the basics it is often done without assessing the divers other skills. If one, for instance, has poor buoyancy control none of these dives will result in the student actually getting the full benefit of the exercise. One of the things I recommend to those wishing to take a Navigation course is to take an honest look at their basic skills. Mainly in these areas:

1.     Buoyancy control. What used to be taken for a basic skill is now often overlooked in OW classes. For this reason it pays to take an honest look at how well you are able to control your place in the water column. If for example you are still having issues with using lung volume to adjust your depth then perhaps you need to work on that before undertaking a serious Navigation course. In order to successfully navigate over a silty bottom or one with many obstacles you do not need to be grabbing your inflator every two seconds. By mastering using breath control to make these adjustments you actually reduce the amount of task loading. One of the best ways to manage task loading is to reduce the number of tasks you need to manage. Practicing good buoyancy control should ideally begin the first night in the pool on scuba. If it does not what often happens is that bad habits begin to form and once they do it takes real effort to break them. Proper weighting, another skill set that should be introduced in OW class is essential to buoyancy control.

2.     Trim. Trim goes hand in hand with buoyancy control when it comes to successful navigation techniques. Ideally a diver is horizontal in the water with the feet slightly elevated. Using either a modified frog kick or frog kick. In this posture they are able to swim and not disturb the bottom. This is very handy for divers behind them and when they need to retrace their course. If you are not able to hold good trim, as with buoyancy, getting the most from a good nav course will be seriously hindered. An honest assessment by an instructor or an experienced diver with good trim is the best way to determine your level of proficiency when it comes to trim. As with buoyancy control, weighting is also critical but here positioning of the weights is as critical as the amount.

3.     Propulsion techniques. For most recreational diving the standard flutter kick is sufficient. As long as the diver remains a reasonable distance from the bottom. When we actually begin to get serious with navigation it is frequently not the best choice. When using natural features especially where the bottom is used as one of the features, the flutter or scissor kick is more of a hindrance than a help. It is here that the frog or modified frog is the best choice. If you have not found your “inner frog” as yet now is the time to do so. Not only does a good frog kick result in less disturbance of the bottom but it is easier on the legs. Practice with the kick will also result in the diver being able to maintain a steady pace for longer distances which is a key aspect of navigation under water.

4.     Turning Underwater. Turning underwater goes along with propulsion techniques as a skill useful for navigation. When doing squares, triangles, or reciprocal courses the technique known as a helicopter turn saves time, reduces effort, and helps to keep turns more accurate. A helicopter turn also eliminates the need to get vertical in order to make a turn as many are taught to do. By simply moving one ankle a diver can rotate about a fixed point and therefore keep in trim and stay focused on his/her compass. Making course changes more accurate and easier.

5.     Pace. The pace at which you swim can make or break a navigation exercise. Hopefully you were told over and over that under water it is not a race. When you have your kick down and begin to use it on a regular basis you will begin to swim at a pace that is comfortable, affords good control, and is easy to maintain. It will also likely be a less than flat out sprint. By slowing down and being aware of your speed and at what speed you are able to perform basic tasks you will adopt and use this. One other major factor in the pace of the dive is the speed of your buddy. Ideally it was also stressed that the slowest diver sets the pace of the dive. Period. End of discussion. If you and your buddy are constantly playing catch up it is difficult to successfully work as a team. And Navigation is a team skill as much as it is an individual skill.

6.     Position. When divers are navigating as a buddy pair or team the position of the divers becomes another important part of the exercise. Ideally they should be in such a position as to make it a matter of a slight turn of the head to know where each person is. By having the divers in such a position it is easier to concentrate on the actual task of navigation, communicate with each other, and lessen the chance of diver separation. It is also important when diving as a team in proper position to determine who will be doing what tasks. For example if the diver using the compass will initiate turns then the other should be on whatever side will not cause a problem for the compass holder. I.e. if you are turning right the compass user will be on the right to avoid a collision.

Once you have taken a look at these areas and are satisfied with your skills in each of them it is time to start taking a look at the skills you will need to successfully begin developing your navigation skills beyond the basics. It’s at this point that you will need to work on your compass skills, observation skills, data recording, and documentation or map making skills. While all of these sound obvious they evidently are not among many recreational divers. Otherwise there would be no need to discuss the issue. Divers would be told of the importance of being able to navigate from day one. Even if they did not get all the skills in OW class they should at least be told how to use a compass and natural features to find their way around underwater. And get a chance to practice those skills on one or more of their checkout dives. Many agencies require the use of a compass on one dive and instructors will give a briefing of the site. This is usually sufficient to meet the standards of the agency but does not do a whole lot for the student as far as reinforcing the idea that UW Navigation is a very good skill to have. I actually do the following with this. I will take one dive, give the students a heading and allow them to lead me on the dive. This reinforces the idea of compass skills being important and gives them a real chance to see for themselves.

Once we have established these basic skills, UW Navigation is a relatively simple matter to teach. The most common methods of navigation we can ask of students are compass, and of course natural. Taking compass first there are only a few fundamental skills they need to use in the beginning.

They include holding the compass level, knowing how to read it, how to set a course, change a course, and actually trust the compass. For natural navigation the skills of observation, recording of details, and knowledge of the environment are the most commonly used and needed. If we take each by itself they can also impart valuable lessons that will benefit the overall skill of the diver. Let’s look at each one.

1.     Holding the compass. Depending on the type of compass used there are a few ways to hold it. How depends on a few things such as is the compass in wrist mount, console, or on a retractor. It may even be mounted on a slate. No matter the type of mount the primary thing to keep in mind is to hold the compass level. Not holding it level can result it the needle or compass card getting stuck and giving a false reading. There are compasses that are supposed to be accurate even though held at up to a 30 degree angle. Regardless of this not holding it level is a bad habit to get into. Because at some time you will get a compass that cannot be tilted like this and the course you take will be off. Holding it level is accomplished in several different ways. First is the two hand method in which the console, or compass if using a retractor, slate, or module itself, is cupped and the elbows tucked in tight to the body. Holding the compass in this manner allows one to keep the lubber line in line with the body. It also necessitates the use of good buoyancy control and horizontal trim. Another method with a wrist mount is usually taught by extending the arm the compass is not on in front of the body, and grasping just behind the elbow to form a right angle. The compass/lubber line is then again in line with the body. But if the divers buoyancy and trim are off then again the course will not be accurate. A big benefit of using these methods is it requires the diver to work on his/her buoyancy and trim. Something that is all too often lacking in new divers today.

2.     How to read a compass. A compass is read by looking at it from the top or by using the sight window if it is so equipped. We read it by setting a heading and lining up the point of the needle in between the reference marks. Sounds simple, and it is. By itself. But when we are also required to monitor depth, time, air pressure, and perhaps natural features it becomes a real exercise in task loading. As such there are number of real benefits to the divers other skills. In addition to the previously mentioned buoyancy and trim we are now required to maintain a steady pace, swim without rocking from side to side, and have more situational awareness. One way to do this is to add to our resources by using our dive buddy to handle some of these tasks. In doing this we gain the added benefit of improving our buddy skills. Again we all too often see buddies who are no more than same ocean/lake/quarry buddies. They do not swim together or at the same pace. Beginning in OW class they hear about the buddy system but they are not required or even shown how to properly implement it. By practicing UW Navigation their skills in the area of diving with a buddy are improved.

3.     How to set a course. Setting a course is another relatively simple matter. You take a heading as noted previously and maintain it. When actually setting the heading though there are a few things to consider in conjunction with your buddy. First of all is whose compass do you use. Compasses can vary by up to 10 degrees in their readings. If both are using their own then this needs to be determined before setting out on a course. To do this take a bearing on a fixed point on the surface and compare readings. Do this for several points to be sure of the deviation if any. Then select the course or point you wish to find and decide who will do the navigating and who will monitor the other key factors of the dive. It is best to choose one compass and stay with that throughout the dive. The chief benefit of doing this is that it improves the communication skills of the divers in addition to their navigation skills.

4.     Changing a course- Changing a course is another skill that when done properly results in greater accuracy and less stress on the divers. This has the tendency to result in better air consumption and less effort. Changing course properly starts before the dive even begins. The buddy pair or team will decide on the objective, note when course chances are to be made, decide on positioning, and execute the dive. To do proper course changes with a minimum of deviation it will be necessary to master swimming pace, and precise turns. Also called helicopter turns these are used by tech/cave/wreck divers to navigate tight spaces without causing silting. They are just as useful for recreational divers and simple to learn with a minimum amount of instruction from an instructor or mentor who is well versed in them. They as well require good buoyancy and trim and once mastered have the same benefits as previously mentioned with the added benefit of being able to maneuver with great precision. When a diver is able to execute good helicopter turns changing course is easy. When turning to the right we add to our original heading and turning left we subtract. To make 90 degree right turn from a 130 degree heading we reach the turn point, in a horizontal position we stop, turn the compass to the new heading of 220 degrees, and execute the turn remaining horizontal and in good trim. Practicing these turns along with the other skills has the potential to turn an average diver into an exceptional one with buoyancy and trim skills far above what is many times encountered.

5.     Trusting the compass. This last skill in compass navigation is often the most difficult to master and usually takes the most practice. Many of us believe we have an “internal compass” that seems to really kick in when we actually need it the least. Such as when we are midway through a dive and another diver ruins the visibility by stirring up the bottom. We know we should trust the compass but after swimming for what seems too long and not seeing what we expect we begin to doubt it. Then the internal kicks in and says “dummy, you must have been off by a few degrees!” So we turn this way, then that way, the in an effort to settle it once and for all, perhaps we surface, locate our exit point or point of interest and find out that had we stayed on the compass course for another few kick cycles we would have been right where we wanted to be. What happens here is that we fall back on a basic idea that our senses are more reliable than a mechanical device. This is not at all exclusive to use of a compass or even diving. What we need to work on is the ability to trust something outside our selves to aid us in task. The benefit of this in other areas is that we develop a degree of comfort with our abilities. This translates into again diver confidence, comfort, and safety. It also teaches the diver to rely on his or her equipment which requires the diver to become more familiar with it.

Natural Navigation is similar to compass navigation except that the tool we use is the actual underwater environment itself. As stated earlier natural is a subjective term because the “natural” features we may use could have been placed, abandoned, or otherwise deposited by man. In any case what are required for natural navigation are some new abilities in addition to those used in compass navigation. Noteworthy of these are the following. The ability to record or other wise recall details, choose points of interest, and document the site. As we did with compass navigation we will look at each of these in turn and assess their overall benefits beyond navigating a course.

1: Record and recall details. When we use natural navigation we need to pay attention to details as these are the items we will use to find our way back to our entry point. But simply paying attention is not enough. We must have some way to recall these details. If we were not task loaded enough with just the act of being underwater on scuba we now have to contend with multiple points, in a specific order to allow us to return to our starting point or to find a specific point or location. This is mentally possible for some people, especially after a bit of practice, but in the beginning actually recording these details are the best method. As we all know there are different ways to record such items. We can use a slate or wetnotes. Whatever method we choose we need to realize we may only have limited space and time to record these details. As such we must choose a way to make notes that are clear, concise, and above all, brief. There is no set way to do this. It is up to the individual diver or team to determine the words, symbols, characters, or pictures you will use to do this. Once you have selected a method stick with it. Become proficient in its use and make use of it whenever possible. By doing this you will develop a routine that will reinforce other things you need to do on a regular basis. Equipment checks, weight and bubble checks, and planning the overall dive are all necessary for successful diving. When we establish routines they become instinctual and second nature. The result of this is a safer dive due to greater attention to the details that make a safe dive.

2: Choosing points of interest. Once you select a method to record details and points of interest you now need to actually decide what points to select. There are so many variables here due to location, conditions, the availability of actual points, etc. So what are some general guidelines we can use when selecting features? In general we want to pick objects that first of all are stationary! If it moves it may move between the time we select it and the time we come back. This is not a good thing! There are times when a non stationary object may be used if we can be sure that it will be there when we get back. Such an occasion may be when there are no other divers in the water and we ourselves place some type of marker to use as a reference. But usually we do not do this. Now the features we select can be truly natural ones or those that have in some way been placed by man or the elements. In any case we need to consider some other factors in addition to the object staying put. We need to be sure we can distinguish the object upon our return. This means choosing truly distinctive ones and once selecting them looking at them from the angle we will be returning to them! In fact we need to look at them from every angle if there are other similar features such as coral heads, tree stumps, etc. The benefit of doing this is that it increases our situational awareness, observation skills, and sharpens our senses. This in turn leads to greater safety in the water and again increased confidence and comfort. This brain coral would make an excellent reference as it sits on a nice sandy spot by itself and would be easy to relocate.

3: Documenting the site. When I speak of documenting the site I am talking about map making. Map making need not be elaborate or a work of art. It needs to be legible, clear, concise, and above all usable by all who intend to use it. Creating a map is done by first using the details we have recorded, getting an overall view of the site sketched out, and combining the information. Once we have done the initial map we now need to augment it by adding details. We do this by returning and diving the site over an over. Each time we add details by changing our course just a bit. The more we do this the more detailed the map becomes. The more detailed the greater the knowledge of the site. The benefit to our other skills is as already stated in addition to more time underwater. This gives us the opportunity to improve our basic skills, propulsion, buoyancy, and trim. In short we dive more and stay sharp.

We could at this point begin to cover in detail the many different ways to navigate a course and actually do an exercise using them. But that is not the point of this presentation. I hope that by covering the things I did that I gave you food for thought. That you now have some idea of the benefits of using underwater navigation and perhaps taking a good Underwater Navigation class. Not only will you improve your navigation skills but by doing so improve your overall dive skills and adding to your confidence, comfort, enjoyment, and most of all safety.

By James A Lapenta SEI Instructor #204

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