Hawaii Big Island Diving

Scuba diving is a fun, exciting, exhilarating sport. Scuba divers get to explore the depths of the mysterious underwater world in a safe way, assuming they follow the rules and regulations of scuba diving. When scuba divers get hurt, people refer to the incident as a “scuba diving accident.” However, a trained, careful diver should very rarely have an accident. A majority of scuba diving incidents leading to injury or death can be avoided. In other words, these incidents are not accidents, but usually failures by the divers to scuba dive safely and carefully.

If you were to analyze scuba diving safety rules and regulations, you would notice that they are designed to eliminate almost all chance for any accident to occur. Safe scuba divers follow these rules, leading to good diving habits, and unsafe diving is caused by bad diving habits. Almost all scuba diving “accidents” can be avoided by following good diving practices and creating good habits. Some of the most common bad diving practices leading to scuba diving accidents include deep air diving, diving alone, diving without the proper training, diving in a medically unfit or overweight condition and failure to maintain certification and proper training.

Good scuba divers who are generally able to avoid all scuba accidents never dive beyond the limits of what their training has taught them. They regularly practice and improve upon scuba diving skills and always dive with another experience scuba diver. They also stay in good shape in order to avoid accidents caused by being unable to swim for an extended period. Finally, they always plan their trips in safe locations and keep an eye on weather reports in order to avoid scuba diving accidents related to storms or choppy water.

It is also important to realize that not everyone can dive even if they receive the proper training. In order to avoid accidents, people who have breathing problems, are over-weight or are cluster phobic should not dive regardless of the extent of training they receive. People who have had bad experiences in the water, are poor swimmers or have an abnormal fear of drowning should also avoid scuba diving. It is also important to be able to react calmly and quickly if equipment malfunctions, or any other problem occurs, and therefore, people with panic or anxiety disorders should also avoid diving.

Although almost all scuba diving accidents are avoidable by maintaining safe diving habits, a small percentage of scuba diving accidents are unavoidable due to unknown external factors. For example, some years ago two German divers died in Yugoslavia when a local started using dynamite to fish at the dive-site. The explosion knocked the two men unconscious and they drowned. Scuba accidents like this are almost impossible to avoid, but luckily they are also very rare.

Suggested Reading:

+ Night Scuba Diving
+ Scuba Diving Vacations

Are you thinking of trying a night dive? It can be a little scary at first but once you try it, you’ll be hooked. It’s a whole new world down there. Here are some tips to make that first night dive go smoothly:

Keep it Shallow

A night dive is typically a shallow dive. I would say 60 feet is probably max with 30-40 feet more the norm. On our night dives we typically had a maximum depth of 35-40 feet.

Dive a Familiar Site

If this is your first time scuba diving at night, try and go to a site you are familiar with. In the Caribbean, many dive operators will do a night dive at a dive site that they went to during the day.

If you are thinking of doing the night dive, sign up to do a dive at the night dive site during the day. This way you will have some idea of what the area is like and may feel less apprehensive.

Get Some Light

You obviously need some dive lights when you are doing a night dive. It’s best to have a primary light and a backup light in case the first light fails. The secondary light can be small and could fit into your pocket.

You don’t need the biggest and brightest light you can find. In fact, it is fun, once you get accustomed to diving at night, to turn your light off and let your eyes adjust to the dark. You’ll be amazed at what you can see. Of course, it is up to you and get the light you would feel comfortable with while diving at night.

If you don’t want to turn your light off underwater (I’ve never had a problem turning it back on but you never know) you can always face it into your BC so you get the same effect.

Many dive operators will also attach a glo-stick or something similar to your tank. This makes it easier to spot someone underwater. One dive group may have one color, another group a different color or the divemaster will have a different color so it is easier to tell who is who underwater.

Please note that some areas do not allow the use of glo-sticks due to their chemicals. In this case, another device, such as a light, can be put on the tank.

Get Familiar With the Hand Signals

When you are night scuba diving, you need to discuss the hand signals before you begin your dive. Since it is dark down there, your buddy won’t be able to see your hands.

If you are on a dive boat, the divemaster will probably tell you what signals to use. If they don’t, just ask. There is nothing wrong with that.

A typical way to use hand signals is to shine your light on your hand so your buddy can see them. Another common night diving signal is to move your dive light in a circle to signify “OK.” Moving it up and down or back and forth can signify yes or no. Whatever you choose to use, just make sure you clarify before you begin the dive.

Take it Slow

There is alot to see at night. You will see a whole different world underneath at night than during a day. Take your time and look in those nooks and crannies.

The reef also looks brilliant and colorful in the beam of your light. Much different than during the day when you are diving deeper and the colors are absorbed.

Watch Where You Aim That Light

Be aware of where you aim your dive light. If you put the full force of that light beam into somebody’s eyes, you can momentarily blind them. It will take a little while for that diver to adjust his night vision again. So be careful.

I hope these tips will help make your first night dive a comfortable experience.

Have a great dive, Dianne Rein from www.scuba-diving-smiles.com.