Archive for August, 2010
The Puget Sound is a unique area where the ocean has penetrated the mainland and created some beautiful seascapes. In addition, the Sound is home to several unique sea creatures, including sea cucumbers, Dungeness crabs, chitin, salmon, and some of the largest octopi in the world. This makes Puget Sound a great destination for scuba diving. But the Sound is also a bit different than most other scuba destinations. For one, the water in the Northwest is much colder than a tropical location, and also much murkier. You will need a diving flashlight and the appropriate scuba diving equipment to keep warm once you get out of the water or risk hypothermia.
Several Puget Sound homes located on the various islands and beaches are right on the water, and offer scuba diving literally in your own backyard. If you’re coming from out of town, however, you can always charter a private dive boat.
When I was little, my family lived at the pool. Both of my parents grew up in Southern California and were certified SCUBA divers, so an affinity for the water came naturally. While it may not seem like there is much entertainment in a giant hole filled with water, we found ample games to keep us entertained.
One of my favorites was a simple competition that I would have with my brother and sister. Two of us would close our eyes while the other sibling threw our parent’s keychain and keys into the pool. Once the keys sank, we would turn around and kick our snorkeling fins like crazy to see who could retrieve the keys the quickest. Although the game was extremely rudimentary, it was still able to keep us entertained for hours.
For those who are new to snorkeling, the prospect of having your face submerged in water for a prolonged period is often intimidating. Because of this, many people panic in the water and have difficulty maintaining the prone position. If you are having trouble staying afloat and want extra reassurance in the water, consider investing in a snorkel vest.
The vest will provide extra buoyancy and offer a sense of security. Even if you are comfortable in the water, it’s still advisable to wear a jacket whenever you are snorkeling. You never know when you’re going to be stung by a jellyfish or get a cramp hundreds of feet from the coastline, and the vest can help you stay above water until help arrives.