Matt Zimmerman

Why Nitrox on Shallow Dives?

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Why Nitrox on shallow dives?

A deep dive (pun intended) into the physics of nitrogen as a breathing gas and you will find a co efficient that measures the narcotic effect of the gas. How does this relate to the use of nitrox on shallow dives? What I do remember from my days as a younger open circuit technical diver hungry for information was clearly cemented in my mind by the example of nitrous oxide. That gas has a high coefficient that has measurable effects at normal atmospheric pressures. This piece of information made nitrogen narcosis, something I had never experienced, more real to me.

nitrox on shallow divesRegardless of whether you feel it or not, your body and brain is being effected by nitrogen the deeper you go. That’s just straight physics and not really an arguable point.  The body responds to a gas according to its partial pressure at the depth you are diving, not as the percentage in the original mix.  This explains why oxygen can become toxic when you go deep enough. Even though 100% oxygen at the surface is just fine. It also explains why the use of nitrox on shallow dives results in less nitrogen in the body.

Take Home Message about Diving Nitrox

Take home message: less nitrogen in your gas mix, i.e. nitrox, means less nitrogen goes into your body compared to the same dive on air.

So, if money is not a constraint, why not reduce the amount of nitrogen partial pressure you experience while going diving? Even if it is just a shallow dive? Some people report decreased fatigue after diving nitrox, some don’t.  But everyone that dives nitrox vs air on the same profile is putting less nitrogen into their tissues. I can tell the difference post dive in how I feel, not everyone reports that. That is pretty subjective. However, on the same dive profile, what is not subjective is that the nitrox diver put less nitrogen into their tissues that someone who dove air.

For information on a Nitrox course click here.  Only $125 (as of 5/22/2021)  and eLearning is completed prior to or after you nitrox diving experience.

James Donaldson

Matching Your Gear to Hawaii Diving

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Diving in Hawaii is an experience not to be missed, with the wrecks and the reefs and the caverns in between. Not to mention the wide array of coral, fish, and other sea creatures that remind you of the very different world underwater.

When planning your gear, you need to pick out what works best for the environment and the climate. Your next consideration is what type of dive it is. Let’s look at your basic gear, then some of the more specialized pieces you will need.

Matching Your Gear to Hawaii Diving

Neoprene full wetsuit

Hawaii is an area warm weather but with cool sea winds and cold seawater. If you plan to pick your dives on the site, one basic neoprene full wetsuit will do. It’s light and buoyant. The full coverage lets you adapt to anything from free diving to wreck diving. 3mm will do because of the warm weather.

On that note, even if you bring fins, you don’t need any fin boots. The weather won’t be cold enough to justify the extra weight.

45-pound tank

Most of the dives around Hawaii are light and beginner-friendly. Even when you are renting gear, expect to be given a 45-pound tank, which holds about 80 cubic inches of air. Should you require two for a sidemount harness, or for longer dives. it might be best to prepare that part of the gear yourself.

Lead weights

Hawaii is just off the Pacific Ocean, with currents to match. To stabilize your position in the water, especially with a buoyant neoprene wetsuit, don’t forget your lead weights. Whether you bring or you measure it out on the spot, remember this formula: the weight is 10 percent of your weight, minus 2 pounds. Learn more about lead weight and how they impact your dive.

Basic moral of the Hawaii diving story: think warm water and light gear. If you need to rent some scuba gear or buy some when you get here, Island Divers has you covered. If you are flying in and want to research travel scuba gear before your trip, we highly recommend that as well.

The Dive Sites

Wreck diving

Oahu has two of the famous wrecks you can dive in: the USS YO-257 and the San Pedro. To minimize risks to yourself, remember the following:

  • Wear a full wetsuit to protect your skin from cuts and scrapes
  • Wear gloves to protect your hands from the wreckage
  • Pick a light harness and fins that are made for control (not speed)

Usually you dive in daylight to be safe. Minimize contact with the wreck, not just to preserve it but to avoid eels that live in the hollows.

Reef diving

Reef diving usually starts with swimming straight down to the reef, hovering for a while, and then swimming back up (decompression stops as needed). This means buoyancy and control is key.

Your full-body neoprene wetsuit has air pockets that will keep you buoyant. The lead weights will help you stabilize for control. Don’t forget the fins, which will also lend you control and propulsion.

Nighttime / darkness diving

Wrecks and reefs are mostly daytime activities. However, some of the best marine diving is conducted in the evening, and one of the more fun man-made areas–a large pipe–is completely dark.

Your full-body wetsuit should keep you warm. Don’t forget at least three lights for safety, but don’t bring anything too bright or strobe-like. That might stress out marine life. For other areas like the pipe, bring a good camera for macrophotography.

Grab your night gear and learn more about our Pelagic Night Dives.

Matching Your Gear to Hawaii Diving: A Must for Perfection

Hawaii looks like paradise, but it has its own dangers. To fully enjoy the experience, you need to fully prepare for the dive. To learn more about the best diving and deals at Island Divers, check out our daily scuba diving specials.

Lauren Smith

7 Extraordinary Sea Animals to Observe While Scuba Diving in Hawaii

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Green Sea TurtlesWe are passionately in love with our environment, and feel privileged to be able to show off the natural riches that can be seen underwater. Offering you an unparalleled scuba diving experience, we never tire of the thrill clients experience after their first dive.

Diving is not just a job for us – it’s a way of life. It’s our work and our passion, and we know this area like the back of our hands. We are proud to live here and to show off all the natural riches of our islands and their wildlife inhabitants. It is in this spirit that we’d like to introduce you to some of the extraordinary sea creatures that you are most likely to spot while scuba diving in Hawaii.

Green Sea Turtles (Honu)

We can honestly say that these gentle guys are our favorites. Though they are a threatened species worldwide, they are fairly common here in Hawaii. With green fat between their organs and shell, a large body, and paddle flippers, you can see them in shallow lagoons minding their own business as they peacefully munch on a meal of sea grass.

Manta Rays (Hahalua)

One of largest fish in the ocean, these graceful pelagic fish can be intimidating with their wingspan of 20 feet or more. Manta Rays don’t have stingers – so fear not, intrepid diver! –  they won’t hurt you. You’ll find them near the water’s surface, feeding on zooplankton.

Heller’s Barracuda

These toothy-grinned babies can be quite daunting with their long bodies, smooth scales, fang-like teeth, and large pointed heads. They will usually have dark blue, green, or gray upper bodies, silvery sides, and white bellies, with variations like black spots or dark bars on their sides. Up to seven feet long and 12 inches wide, they are fast and furious and often found near the top of the water, around coral reefs and sea grasses, or in muddy shallows. Attracted to shiny things, they can sometimes mistake humans for food, but we’ve yet to see anyone in our orbit attacked, so despite their reputation, there’s no cause for alarm.

Blackspot Sergeant

This is a chic and sleek underwater beauty, with its sleek black body and white vertical stripes. You will observe them in small groups around the reef areas, feeding on algae, invertebrates, and crustaceans.

Hawaiian White Spotted Toby

Another fashionable fish with a brown body, white spots, and green eyes, the Toby are also called the Sharpnose Pufferfish thanks to their elongated snouts. Less than four inches long, they usually swim in pairs, looking for algae to eat. While not really dangerous, they can be quite annoying and rambunctious, nipping on other fish’s fins and biting the skin of turtles.

Yellowtail Coris

As adolescents, these fish have reddish-orange bodies dotted with three white spots outlined in black, two white spots on their heads, and white tails. As adults, their tails become a flashy yellow, their bodies change to a reddish or greenish brown color, and their heads become red with blue lines or other variations. They are very funny to watch when they use their heads and mouths to flip over rocks in their search for crabs and sea urchins to eat. At 2.5 to four inches long, they usually swim alone.

Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin

Known for their acrobatics, these dolphins spin along their longitudinal axis as they leap into the air, which is quite a sight to see. They enjoy their rest in the shallow bays near deep water, going offshore at dusk to feed.

These are just a few of the wonders you’ll observe in our Hawaiian paradise. Drop us a line today to learn more about scheduling your amazing underwater dive experience!

Matt Zimmerman

4 Things You Should Know Before Going Scuba Diving for the First Time in Hawaii

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4 Things You Should Know Before Going Scuba Diving for the First Time in HawaiiBefore venturing into the deep blue for your first Hawaiian underwater excursion, there are a few things you need to know. First up: safety should never be compromised, as being properly prepared is the best way to enjoy a safe and secure dive. We want to make sure you feel relaxed and ready to explore the vast treasures of our beautiful underwater world by giving you a few tips before you venture forth.

Learn How All Your Dive Gear Functions

If this is your absolute first dive, you’ll be diving with equipment you have never used before. You need to become familiar and comfortable with each piece, and no question is a dumb question – so make sure you ask any questions to be sure. Our experienced dive team will help you identify and use all the necessary equipment that is required for scuba diving.

Techniques for Safe Diving

When diving with PADI-certified Island Divers Hawaii, you will get complete instruction in the basic skills for safe diving. From learning how to breathe through a scuba regulator, clear your mask of water, using hand signals, and other basics, you will feel totally comfortable before you do that first dive.

Mastering the Basics in a Controlled Dive Site

At Island Divers, you will first learn the basics in a morning pool session. After this we take you on a two-tank afternoon dive from one of our dive boats, where you’ll be in good hands with a professional PADI instructor all the time. Dives typically last from 35 to 45 minutes, in water no more than 40 feet deep.

Getting Certified

If you want to get certified, you can do so with our three-day PADI Open Water Certification course, which includes academic work online or via book followed by a pool session. The second day will include a checkout dive from a boat in the afternoon and then a training dive at a selected site, which you will do again on the third day.

Before you dive for first time, you will need to know the weather conditions, including the state of the ocean currents in the area in which you want to dive. We always make sure that the coast is clear – no pun intended – with conditions that are conducive to your experience. We will also find the best location for your dive.

In general, it is always best if you consult with a local dive shop before you go out in order to determine if there are regular storms in a given area. It is also best if you go out with an experienced dive instructor to help orient you and keep you safe until you become a more proficient diver.

Fall in Love with Underwater Wonders

Your first dive is a lot like your first love. Seeing the underwater world for the first time will knock your socks off and rock you from your mask to your fins. Surrounded by wildly colored and mysterious marine life, along with familiar faces from photos and film, such as eels, eagle rays, octopi, and more, you’ll be clamoring for your next dive! Give us a shout today to schedule your adventure with Island Divers Hawaii!

Matt Zimmerman

4 Best Scuba Diving Spots in Oahu, Hawaii

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As Oahu’s premier dive center, we at Island Divers Hawaii definitely have the bead on the best scuba diving spots around the island. Because we live and breathe the diving lifestyle, we are super passionate about sharing our expertise and sense of adventure so that you can experience the same joy we feel every time we explore all that our rich waters have to offer.

Exceptional Underwater Adventure

The gorgeous island of Oahu has always been a top spot for adventurous souls. The capital city of Honolulu is here, along with the famed Waikiki, with its exceptional beaches and non-stop fun. With the phenomenal Diamond Head (Leahi) forming a stunning backdrop to an already pristine location, you will find exceptional underwater adventures here, whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced diver.

A Variety of Great Dive Spots

In addition to the many wreck sites that you can visit in Oahu, there are an abundance of other incredible diving spots that will take your breath away. We’ve decided to create a short list that fit the bill for beginner to advanced divers:

1) North Shore Diving – Waimea Wall is one of our favorite spots and is located on Oahu’s North Shore. From 25 to 60 feet deep, it is ideal for beginner to advanced divers. Here you are up front and center with a huge range of underwater life, including Whitetip Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Lobster, and assorted Shellfish.

2) South Shore Diving – Rainbow Reef and Magic Island make some of the best experiences for beginning divers, with no currents and a mere 20 to 60 feet depth. You’ll be swimming with some incredible companions, including Spotted Puffer fish, Moray eels, Triggerfish, Fantail Filefish, Manta Rays, Moorish Idols, and Green turtles, none of whom are the least bit shy about checking you out.

3) East Shore Diving – At 107 feet deep, Lanai Lookout is a challenging spot for advanced divers. With a great view to Lanai Island, this is the hidden habitat of eels, Whitetip Reef sharks, Spotted Eagle rays, octopi, green sea turtles, and much, much more.

4) West Shore Diving – If you are already an intermediate diver, you will love Mokolea, with waters from 35 to 70 feet deep. A seabird sanctuary, your underwater experience here will include parrotfish, goatfish, unicorn fish, Whitetip Reef sharks, lobster, Cauliflower coral, and Antler corals.

Begin the Exploration

For information on how to enjoy exceptional diving experiences with Island Divers Hawaii, please contact us today!

Lauren Smith

10 Amazing Fish to See While Scuba Diving in Honolulu

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Hawaii Turkey Fish (Hawaii Lionfish) 

Hawaii Turkey FishThe scientific name for this fish is Pterois sphex. It belongs to the Scorpionfish family.  A characteristic shared by the fish in this family is that they possess venomous spines. This is their defense against being eaten up by larger predators.

This particular species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. There are other fish of the genus Pterois elsewhere in the world. The Hawaiian species is smaller than its counterparts around the world.

Leaf fishleaf fish

The Leaf Scorpion fish is a very pretty and colorful fish that is a very popular subject for photographers. It is also commonly referred to as the ‘Paperfish’.  This fish species has a widespread distribution and can be found in tropical waters ranging from the Indo-Pacific to east Africa and the Red Sea. It is the only species in the Taenianotus genus.

The Leaf Scorpion fish is a small compressed scorpion fish, with a high long sail like a dorsal fin that is often lifted up. It has a variably developed ‘beard’ of fine appendages around the mouth and algae and hydroids can grow on its skin.  It is known to shed its skin periodically.  The Leaf Scorpion fish is extremely good at camouflage and divers often do not notice it as it blends in so well with its background.

devil scorpion fishDevil Scorpion Fish

The Devil Scorpion fish has venomous fin spines inflicting paralyzing venom into their prey or your foot, (if you step on them).   Fortunately, the most dangerous species do not occur in Hawaii. To avoid injuries, do not stand on or touch the reef. They are ambush predators of small fish and crustaceans, sitting motionless until prey blunders into range.  They are amazingly camouflaged in all different types of reef environments.

Frogfish

frogfish

From a distance, frogfish can resemble sponges or algae covered rocks, with loose, scale-less skin and color that matches the background. When the unsuspecting prey is close enough, the frogfish can open its mouth at least ten times wider than its resting position and suck in prey that is almost as long as itself. Frogfish can not only surprise prey that unknowingly comes too close, but they can attract hungry fish or invertebrates with bait and a ‘fishing pole’ that hangs from the top of the head directly in front of the mouth.

millet seed butterfly fishMillet Seed Butterfly Fish

The Milletseed Butterfly fish is readily seen by both snorkelers and divers at all depths.  Although plentiful in Hawaii, it is an endemic species, meaning that it is found only in Hawaiian waters. It gets its name from the rows of little black spots that resemble seeds of millet vertically arranged throughout its body. It is usually seen in great swarms feeding on the egg patches of other fish, and will sometimes clean other fishes.

Hawaiian chubhawaiian chub

A robust, skittish species quite rare in small groups on reefs exposed to surge at any depth, the population center appears to be the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  It is gray with faint brown lines, sometimes with a pale mid-body band, or charcoal gray with iridescent speckles.  It is a local popular fish to catch.

panther flounderPanther Flounder

The Panther Flounder is common on sand or rubble at any depth.  Forehead profile is rounded and the eyes are set close together.   This highly compressed fish is found partially buried, in or on the sand of lagoons, bays and sheltered reefs. They feed on small fish, invertebrates and worms. When they are born, they do not swim on their sides. Their eyes are also separate and one migrates to the other’s side as they mature.

Bluefin TrevallyBluefin Trevally

The Bluefin Trevally inhabits both inshore environments such as bays, lagoons and shallow reefs, as well as deeper offshore reefs, and atolls. Juveniles prefer shallower, protected waters, even entering estuaries for short periods in some locations.

The Bluefin Trevally is a strong predatory fish, with a diet dominated by fish as an adult. Juveniles consume small crustaceans, but transfer to a more fish based diet as they grow. The species displays a wide array of hunting techniques ranging from aggressive mid-water attacks, reef ambushes, and foraging interactions with other larger species, snapping up any prey items missed by the larger animal.   They change color for hunting and mating purposes.

baldwin pipefishBaldwin Pipefish                                              

Found in dark holes at scuba depths where it has been seen functioning as a cleaner for eels and cardinal fish. The Baldwin is brown with a red stripe and tiny tail.  The pipefish attains 4 inches.  It is in the same Order as the Seahorse making it a cousin of the famous fish.

 

 

Tropical Reef Trigger Fish (Humuhumunukunukuapua’a)tropical reef trigger fish

This fish is the official fish of the State of Hawaii.  You’ll have to learn how to say this gigantic word that has more letters than a centipede has legs. Here’s how you pronounce it: “who-moo-who-moo-noo-koo-noo-koo-ah-pooah-ah.”

Also known as the Picasso or rectangular triggerfish, they can physically lock themselves into openings in the rocks or reef, swim forward or backward, and grunt like a pig when approached or taken out of the water.

Triggerfish have unique defense mechanisms that keep them from becoming lunch for bigger fish. When being chased by a predator, they will dart into a hole, in the reef, erect the first of two dorsal spines, and use the second spine (the trigger) to lock the first one in place. These mechanisms prevent the predator from being able to remove the triggerfish from the hole.

 Contact Us

If you are interested in seeing the fish we have mentioned above, contact us today to schedule a scuba diving excursion!

Lauren Smith

10 Things You Shouldn’t Do While Scuba Diving in Waikiki

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10 Things You Shouldn't Do While Scuba Diving in WaikikiDive with unaccredited dive centers –

There are some dive organizations that market to tourists as “private” dive instructors and or divemasters.  Some might be certified by authoritative organizations but they do not have the security provided by a dive shop like Island Divers Hawaii, which has a meticulous emergency plan in case of a diving related accident.  Insured dive shops can also provide much more reassurance that you won’t be left alone to deal with any situation that may arise.

Dive beyond your limits –

Hawaii has some of the deepest depths and lava tubes that can stretch for hundreds of yards.  Knowing your limits is so important so you do not put yourself and others at risk.  There are many ways to stay longer and go deeper, but you must have the right equipment and the enough experience to properly surpass the limits to dive. The depths can reach thousands of feet deep and the lava tubes run so long you can lose all light.  Know your limits and plan your dives accordingly.

Inexperienced diving in Advanced Waters –

Hawaii is unique in the sense that it is one of the farthest land masses from any continent. With this comes the collision of open ocean to land. This is what brings in the diverse marine life to our surrounding shores, and also causes some of the most unpredictable and strong currents. Sometimes, with such speech, you could call a drift drive a haul-ass drift drive! Sometimes the current is fair, but the surface and bottom currents do not coincide. There are many different factors that influence the difficulty of a dive in Hawaiian waters. One of the biggest things to avoid while diving here is to pretend you you’re an advanced diver when you’re not. Save yourself and your dive buddy from being put in an uncomfortable situation.  Get trained to deal with and understand advanced diving environments before attempting to dive these sites.  The best place to do this is Island Divers Hawaii, with many experienced instructors that are happy to pass on their knowledge to you.

Interact with aquatic life –

As we continue to learn more about the underwater world, we are seeing the impact that tourism can have on the marine life and environment if not properly monitored. It’s important to assume the role of the observer and avoid interacting with the creatures as much as possible. The joy of diving is to see the underwater world in its natural existence. When you interrupt the sea creatures, they act differently. Sometimes this is a minor impact, but when you start introducing food into the equation the exchange becomes more detrimental to both the marine life and yourself.  Some animals become dependent when humans feed them on many occasions and lose their instinct to feed in their natural environment. If you are the poor diver to happen to come across them with no food, you can be in serious danger.  There are many instances of eels biting fingers, stingrays becoming aggressive, and sharks… well you can imagine the damage they can do, when you don’t have the food they are looking for.

Dive without proper safety equipment –

The uniqueness of the Hawaiian waters calls for responsible diving decisions and to always dive with the appropriate safety equipment.  These include having safety sausage, signaling devices, torch/flashlight, dive knife, and surface marker (if shore diving). On the boats, oxygen on the boats, back up equipment, and other surface emergency equipment is important for all divers in the water.

Shore Dive without letting someone know where you are going and when you will be back –

One of the best attractions of Oahu is the ability to go shore diving, but always let someone know where you are diving, your entry time, and when you will be expecting to finish the dive.  If any situation arises that prevents your scheduled return, someone will be aware and alert the proper authorities as quickly as possible.

Touch the coral –

A scuba divers motto should be that “the only thing you take away from the ocean are the memories, and the only thing you leave are bubbles”.  This is especially true for coral reef systems, which are in danger of destruction and extinction.  It’s our duty, as members of the scuba diving club, to protect it and remember that with this fragile life form, even the smallest touch or break can kill the whole organism.

Take shells from the ocean –

Yes, shells are pretty, and it seems harmless to take one or two shells, but if everyone takes one or two, you are looking at hundreds of thousands being removed daily from the ocean, which does make a big impact.  The animals that live in these shells are also in danger of extinction.  What about those shells without animals inside?  You would think that they’re ok to take, right? Wrong! Nothing in nature  goes to waste.  These empty shells serve 9 times out of 10 as homes for other animals including hermit crabs, octopuses, and anemones.

Dive in Boat traffic –

Hawaii is a very popular maritime destination, and because of its size, there are many boating paths that overlap with dive sites.  It is a law here to always carry a surface marker when diving from the shore, but before you go in, look at the area you will be diving. Understand where any wake buoys may be marking boat lanes and determine where on your dive you would need to be more wary of overhead traffic.

Don’t dive in new sites without proper local guidance and orientation –

The currents swirling around this island and the topography of lava tubes and overhangs make this an amazing but complex diving destination.  Even the shallow dives can be confusing which way is which, and the currents can pose a threat to you staying on the dive site if you enter in the wrong area.  This is why it’s important to get a local orientation about the site you will be diving in.  Have a professional show you the dive site, give you the knowledge of the currents and tide changes, and the times you can and can’t dive the site during the season. These are our top ten “no-nos” when diving here in Waikiki, Oahu.

Remember to contact Island Divers for more information to provide you with the best dive experience you can have. Island Divers can provide you with the specialty training to enjoy the advanced diving experience (3-Day advanced course), learn how to penetrate the famous wrecks of Oahu safely (Wreck Specialty Certification), and learn the shore dives around Oahu with free guided shore dives on the weekends with one of our professional instructors.

Want to learn more about scuba diving the right way in Waikiki? Contact Island Divers Hawaii and dive safe with the professional diving experts.

Lauren Smith

3 Things You Should Do If You See a Shark While Scuba Diving

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3 Things You Should Do If You See a Shark While Scuba DivingMost people believe that our ocean is teaming with ravenous, human eating sharks. This is not the case. Maybe shark encounters were frequent at one point in history, but not so much today. Our island is a great place to see some of the magnificent shark species inhabiting our waters but first, there are three things you should remember to do that will ensure you enjoy your first, and many other encounters with this wondrous underwater predator. So, what do you do when you see a shark while diving?

Stay Calm and Observe

If a shark comes close enough for you to even know they are there, they are just curious to see what you are.  Most people do not realize that typically there are not many organisms that blow bubbles underwater like you do through a diving regulator.  Some of the more curious species of fish and marine life will come and see that unique spectacle!  They are not interested in eating you or even testing to see if you taste good. Upon entering any animals’ habitat, you must be aware that it’s their territory, and you must beware if they are displaying any behaviors that suggest they are feeling threatened by your presence.  Such behavior include arched backs and downward facing fins. This would be a sign they are scared of you being there, or that you have encroached on their area where they are mating.  Just stay calm and swim slowly out of the immediate area.  They won’t typically react unless you provoke them.

Remember You’re Not on Their Menu

Contrary to popular folklore, Man-Eating Sharks are not a reality, not in the literal sense. Of course, there have been the occasional unfortunate surfers or swimmers that had a bite taken out of them, but it is a case of mistaken identity. The shark thought they were seals because of how they look while swimming. The sharks usually don’t go back for a second bite when they realize the unfortunate victim’s actual species. If you’re deep under the water, you are even less likely to run into the chance of being bitten by a shark.  Most sharks hunt at the surface, and others look for small injured fish, not large bubble blowing bulky divers.

Take Pictures and Share with Friends

The best part about diving with sharks are the memories. You get to be a part of the exclusive “I swam with sharks” club!  It is amazing to see these creatures glide effortlessly through the water and to observe their ancient body mechanics flex and contract as they make their way around the corals and fish in the water. Their ease through the ocean is mesmerizing and something only a few of us get to witness.

Whether you’re a first timer, or experienced diver, contact us today and see the sharks up close with the safest operation in Hawaii.

Matt Zimmerman

10 Tips To Help You Become a Better Scuba Diver

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10 Tips To Help You Become a Better Scuba Diver1. Take responsibility for yourself

Always thought that the Dive Guide would look after you, it was their responsibility, not yours? Well if you’re ready or not once you are a certified diver you are certifiably responsible for yourself. Interestingly enough, its not until you complete your Rescue Diver course that your view will change and you will learn the reality of being a certified diver. You are responsible for yourself, your buddy and, in fact sometimes anyone else that you come in contact with in a diving environment (i.e. those who come to you in an out of air situation). If anything went wrong, would you be able to deal with it?

The Rescue course is one of the best courses available and we recommend that everyone should at least complete their Rescue course as a minimum. Not only does the Rescue course provide you with invaluable in-water skills and rescue techniques, it also arms the participant with a sound knowledge base of diving related incidents and medical treatments. Arguably, the most important skill it teaches you is the ability to anticipate and prevent problems before they occur, whether for yourself, your buddy or another diver.

2. Know how to dive your environment

You are excited to dive new locations and that is what the scuba divers’ life is about; exploring the underwater world around you. The most exciting part of exploring new places is being comfortable enough to enjoy the experience. So it is important to know where you are about to jump in and if your skills are developed enough to feel comfortable in this new diving environment.

Listen carefully to the dive briefing and ask questions! No question is a stupid question when it comes to being safe and protecting yourself from injury, getting lost, and not enjoying your diving experience.

Is there a current? What are the procedures if you get lost from your buddy? What are entry and exit procedures? Are there any hazards? Are you fit enough for the rigors of this environment? Are you qualified and certified for the depths?

All of these questions you need to ask before attempting a dive in a new environment and it is ok if you are not ready. If you are planning a dive trip check all the questions above to assure you are not making an expensive trip to somewhere you are not prepared to dive. That way you can get the proper practice and certification to make your trip an enjoyable one.

3. Know how much weight to use

With proper weighting, you need to breathe out to sink, if you are over weighted, you do not ever learn this proper breathing technique, gravity just pulls you down! It is worth checking your buoyancy on a regular basis to see if you can adjust your weighting.
Rather than take the word of the Divemaster or Instructor that you may be diving with, check for yourself to avoid overweighting.

To check your weight at the surface simply:

  • Place your regulator in your mouth and take a normal breath in
  • Hold your breath (you can safely do this at the surface) and at the same time dump ALL the air from your BCD;
  • The idea is that if you are correctly weighted, you should float at eye level with an empty BCD whilst holding that normal breath;
  • Then, breathe out slowly and you should sink slowly In order to do this you need to keep your arms and legs completely still as you’ll never sink while kicking.

If you are perfectly weighted at the start of your dive, chances are you’ll be a little light towards the end of your dive. Tanks become more positively buoyant as you consume the air from them. Being light at the end of the dive may make completing your safety stop a challenge. It is worth adding a little extra weight at the start to compensate for this.

The first few feet of a descent is tricky if you are correctly weighted for diving and many divers make the mistake of over weighting themselves so that they can easily get down. To descend you need to stay completely still, relax and breathe all of the air completely out of your lungs.

Once you are down, changes to your buoyancy via your BCD should be minimal if you are correctly weighted. You should not need to constantly be adjusting the amount of air in your jacket, if you do need to do this, you are over weighted. If you need to constantly kick to stay at the same level, again, this is a sign that you are over weighted.

4. Learn Buoyancy control

  • You should be neutrally buoyant at the surface with a full tank and no air in your BC and your lungs half-full. (This is represented by your eyes being right at water level)

Your goal is to be neutrally buoyant at your 15 foot safety stop as well. This method is also cited in articles on DAN’s website (Divers Alert Network, a non-profit organization that provides emergency medical advice and assistance for underwater diving injuries. To do so you might need to add extra weight.

This does not mean to put 5 extra lbs. on your weight belt. A safe bet is to put 1-2 lbs. extra on and go from there.

  • Be Patient and Add air in Small Increments

If you add or release air from your BC, give it time to take effect. It will not be instantaneous. If you don’t give it a bit of time, you will have the tendency to overinflate (or deflate). A few cycles of breathing should be enough time. Also, just give the BC short releases of air each time you have to add air.

  • Empty Your BC

If you feel you are underweighted, first make sure your BC is empty of all air before adding more weight. Sometimes air bubbles can get trapped inside, the effect of which will be magnified as you ascend.

Some tips to get the last of the air out of your BC:

  • If you are upright (head towards the surface) hold the inflator hose straight up and back behind you while pressing the release button.
  • Twist side to side, back and forth, and see if any air escapes
  • Hold the right side of your BC against your body and tilt a little to the right.
  • Go upside down and pull the dump valve on the bottom of your BC. Roll back a little and give your BCD a little shake.
  • Stay Horizontal

You should be horizontal in the water as you are diving so your kicks propel you forward and not upward. Proper weighting plays a role in accomplishing this. It is also learned through experience, so be patient.

  • Breath Control

When exhaling, let all of the air out of your lungs. Do not hold your breath – which you know already. Besides being dangerous, it will give you extra buoyancy.
Eventually you will get to the point where you can ascend or descend a few feet solely by breathing in or out.

  • Get trained

The PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course refines the basic skills you learned as a PADI Open Water Diver and elevates them to the next level. You learn How to trim your scuba gear so you’re perfectly balanced in the water, how to streamline to save air and move smoothly through the water, and how to hover effortlessly in both a vertical position and a horizontal position.

5. Further Your Diving Education

Furthering your certifications in specific courses can further your confidence as a diver which makes you a better diver and dive buddy. Going from Open Water diver to Advanced Open Water certification is the first step. This transition gives you more dive time and allows you to qualify for deeper dives.

After your Advanced Certification you can take advantage of many specialty certifications to hone your skills in different aspects of diving such as Deep Diving, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck Diving, PROJECT AWARE, and many other specialties that will add to your ability to be a competent diver.

As discussed earlier, becoming Rescue Diver certified is a key diving classification to learn your responsibilities as a diver.

6. Learn how to deploy a Safety Sausage (SMB) safely

Surface Marker Buoy is a must have piece of dive safety equipment, which, in many cases, is required by local law. Safety sausages are invaluable for marking your location in instances where you may have been “navigationally challenged” and surfaced a distance away from the boat, allowing you to be spotted from a much greater distance.

They are also essential when you are Drift diving and require a boat pick up at the end of your dive. In this instance, a Delayed SMB is even better.

A Delayed SMB is a safety sausage that is deployed at depth rather than on the surface. DSMBs are essential in areas of high boat traffic. Delayed SMBs are also useful when completing a safety stop in a current, allowing the dive boat to track you

DEPLOYING YOUR SMB

  • Step 1: Avoid Entanglement

A key part of helping to avoid entanglement is to be extremely diligent in winding the reel up after use. This is one area that it is well worth being very methodical about. So, after use, reel the line out, attaching the end to a fixed point and lay the line out flat, then, slowly reel the line back in to ensure the line is neat and tight.

  • Step 2: Detach the SMB from your gear prior to use

If you have the reel attached to you, always ensure that it is detached prior to the deployment of the SMB.
An SMB that jams on deployment and is still attached you will shoot to the surface in an uncontrolled dangerous ascent.
Another tip to avoid an uncontrolled ascent is you want to ensure you are ready to quickly dump your own air in your BCD as you fill the SMB. For this reason, it is worthwhile being slightly negatively buoyant to minimize issues with being dragged up during inflation.

  • Step 3: Inflating the SMB

Inflation may be performed by gently purging the alternate air source into the SMB opening or a valve inflation using an inflator hose or oral inflation technique.

Where oral inflation is required it is worth considering the risk associated with removing your regulator to inflate. With this in mind, it may be worth considering an SMB which does not require oral inflation. If you are a competent diver, the risk associated with regulator removal would be minimal.

For open ended SMBs that are inflated using an alternate air source, the principles of inflation are the same as that of operating a lift bag. Roll out the SMB and then hold the open ended part above your alternate air source. You need to ensure the opening is fully open by prying it open with your fingers. Place your alternate air source (mouthpiece facing up towards the surface) at the opening and purge small quick bursts of air into the sausage.
Remember you do not have to fully inflate the SMB at depth before you release it, as whatever air is inside will expand with the decrease in pressure on ascent.

7. Use Passive interaction techniques with Marine Life

Don’t be that diver that kicks the coral and harasses the marine life around you. Other divers look at you like your some tourist that has no respect for the world outside of their own.

  • Keep your hands close to your body
  • Slowly approach the marine life (not like a child to an ice cream truck)
  • Hover and slow your fin movement when observing
  • Wait your turn to observe something if you are with a larger group of divers
  • Be respectful to not interfere with the marine life’s normal behavior, that is what you are there to observe, how they behave in their environment.
  • OBSERVE and do not TAKE!

8. S.A.F.E (Slowly Ascend From Every dive)

This is a great acronym to remind yourself before every dive and share it with the diver around you! The majority of diving incidents can be avoided by always controlling your ascent to the surface in any situation from a normal dive to an emergency ascent.

9. Dive Boat Etiquette

Arrive on time- Sometimes the boat doesn’t get off exactly on time, but don’t make it your fault everyone is getting in the water late.
Don’t load onto the boat until the Captain or Divemasters ask you to- many dive centers have a method to the madness of who goes where and why. An example of this is a beginner diver and course instructional area or having advanced divers closer to the dive platform to get off the boat first with a chance of having longer bottom times.
Listen to the boat safety briefing- The briefing will cover important safety information regarding emergency procedures and helpful tips such as the location and use of the marine head (toilet) and the location of drinking water and rinse buckets. Be sure to take note of underwater diver recall signals. Keep in mind that ignoring the briefing is disrespectful. While you may have already heard the briefing, others on the boat may have not, and your chatting or distraction can keep them from hearing important information that can save their lives or yours.
Keep your heavy objects on the floor of the boat- don’t put weights, cameras, or gadgets on higher platforms that they might fall and injure yourself, other divers, and/or crew.
Assemble gear before reaching the dive location- No one wants to sit on a rocking boat for long so make sure you are geared up and ready to take your turn on the dive platform.
Be ready to go when on the Dive Platform- Again make sure no one is waiting for you. Do all of your pre-dive safety checks before standing on the platform.
Follow guidelines on boarding the boat after the dive- There is a reason there are exit strategies for getting out of the water onto the boat. Listen to your pre dive briefing and remember the required exit strategy for that dive boat. Not all dive boats are the same and some require different things such as removing all of your gear and handing it to the crew on board, or climbing the stairs with all of your gear still on. Conditions and boat design can change this method so be aware of what you were instructed and follow all safety guidelines.
Wait to use the Head until after everyone is on board- some divers might just be completing their safety stop and would get a nasty surprise when you flush the toilet, so remember it is customary to wait til everyone is on board before using the facilities.
Don’t Compete with other Divers on the boat- One of the most annoying between dive situation is divers bragging about how much air they have left after a dive, and comparing it with other divers’ tank pressures. No one cares. Try to keep the posturing and bragging to a minimum, and be polite and respectful to other divers.
Tip the Crew and Captain- They work hard for the love of the sport not for the monetary value they receive. There is a lot safety responsibility they take upon themselves, and training they maintain to make the trip as safe as possible. Remember that and try not to tip based on what you didn’t see but on the service you received.

10. Dive Dive Dive!

Most important rule is to get some dives in. The more you dive, the better your air consumption will be, you will have better buoyancy, more experience with a variety of diving situations and other divers, and most of all you will have great stories to share when interacting with other divers on your boat.