Archive for June, 2009
Decompression sickness, also known as the bends, presents a significant hazard to reckless scuba divers. It can result from an ascent from a great depth, when tiny gas bubbles appear in parts of the body. The condition may be characterized by painful sensations in the large joints such as shoulders, knees, ankles and elbows.
A simple depth gauge can protect divers against the potential risk of decompression sickness. When used in accordance with a decompression table, a depth gauge provides divers with a valuable safeguard. Before beginning a dive, it’s important to note the water’s depth and figure out the amount of time that will be required to return to the surface.
I’ve been snorkeling in my free time for years now, but recently I’ve gotten a hankering for deep-sea exploration. It’s not that I ever grow tired of gliding gently through shallow water and marveling at coral reefs; I just wanted to add an extra element of adventure. I found the answer in scuba diving, which allows me to quite literally immerse myself in marine habitats.
Once I had acquired all my diving gear, a new problem presented itself: How can I tote all this stuff around on trips? It turns out that a lightweight, mesh dive bag holds my fins, my wetsuit and everything in between. Now that my new passion is easily portable, I book scuba excursions every time a vacation rolls around.
Snorkeling is technically possible in almost any body of water, but most snorkelers are most likely to prefer and to be found in locations (Hawaii, the Caribbean) where there are minimal waves, warm water, and something particularly interesting to see near the surface. Snorkeling requires no special training, only the ability to swim and to breathe through the snorkel.
Generally shallow reefs ranging from sea level to 3 to 5 meters (10 to 15 feet) are favored by snorkelers. Deeper reefs are also good, but repeated breath holding to dive to those depths limit the number of practitioners and raises the bar on fitness and skill level.
While snrokeling always be aware of your surroundings. By doing so you should avoid contact with coral heads as cuts or scraps from these can be very painful and can be easily infected. One solution to stop the infection is to apply a drop or two of tincture of iodine to the area to kill the bacteria.
It is important to remember coral is a living organism that can be easily damaged or killed so try to avoid any contact with it. This could mean not accidently having your fins hit it because you were too close or got excited by seeing that little spotted eel looking back at you or a spanish dancer.
Every fish lover should seriously consider getting into some tropical waters and spending time snorkeling. There are many places in the world that offer truly astonishing fish life, and this includes places like Australia, Hawaii, and more. Generally, places with warm ocean water and lots of coral or reef are prime locations for vibrant and diverse underwater life. Whether you want to see turtles or any number of fish, snorkeling is an easy way to gain this life experience.
There is one major thing to consider, however, when snorkeling. You always want to make sure that your dive mask fits well. If it’s too loose, water will get inside, and this can be uncomfortable, and it can also cause fogging. Once your mask is fogged, it can be difficult to alleviate that problem from the water. This can seriously hamper your snorkeling experience, because if you can’t see the fish, it negates the very purpose of snorkeling.
If you’re interested in experiencing the diversity and beauty of the underwater world up close and personal, it’s very likely that you’re interested in either snorkeling or scuba diving. With either endeavor, it’s important that your equipment is to your liking and specifications. After all, if you’re at all uncomfortable, you’re sure to miss some amazing and crucial moments of underwater life.
One item that you definitely want to make sure fits well is your scuba fins. If they are even just a little too big, they will rub and cause discomfort or even blisters. That’s why it’s always best to err on the side of your fins being too small. Also keep in mind that your feet are likely to shrink when you hit the cold water, so allow for this when you’re trying the fins on. They shouldn’t be so tight that they cut off circulation, but they should fit snugly enough that your foot doesn’t have any room to budge.