Are You A Scuba Diver?

June 4, 2008

Scuba divers are those strangely garbed people who flip-flop in an ungainly manner down the beach toward the sea, or roll into the sea from the side of a boat.

Once in the sea it is a different matter. Within safety parameters the diver is free to explore, to cruise along weightless. Nowadays scuba diving has a large following and many head for the reefs. It isn’t surprising really, what better place to explore than a wild coral reef. Down in the domain of the fish, seeing more or less what they see.

I’ve had the good fortune to have had a look at reefs in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Red Sea etc and they truly are wonderful. But not as a scuba diver.

When in the Maldive Islands, Indian Ocean, for a holiday, I intended to take a training course to become a qualified scuba diver. Diving goes in stages, and the initial qualification is to dive to a maximum 60 feet. Then, if desired, further courses can be undertaken for wreck diving etc. Anyway, I wanted the initial course.

It didn’t happen though. I haven’t a problem with my ears until I get into the sea. I should say get under it to any depth. As the depth increases, say beyond 10 feet, the pressure causes considerable ear pain. I tried ear plugs to no avail. The instructors didn’t understand the problem, but of course – no diving course.

An acquaintance on the same course also had trouble, not with his ears but his face. No, he didn’t come out in spots – he had a ‘craggy’ face, deeply lined. When under the sea his face mask flooded and this happened every time no matter what was tried. So no diving course for him either.

I spent my time on the reefs with snorkelling gear. This gives a great ‘overview’ of the reef and everything is still wonderful to behold. I will always remember putting my head down for the first time and seeing powder blue surgeons, what a sight! An Emperor Angel majestically cruising along the reef face. Lots of memories.

I don’t feel as though I’ve missed out at all, I’ve seen some amazing things and got close up to a lot of them. A bit too close sometimes – waves pushing me onto sharp coral was a bit too close, or a large eel appearing in front of my face made me back off. I managed to dive down to perhaps 6 to 8 feet if something caught my eye.

So if you are a scuba diver, I’d have liked to have been in the club. If not or you don’t fancy it, if you’re going anywhere near a reef have a go with snorkelling gear.

Related Posts

What Is PAR? When this topic arose I wondered what to do with it. The reason I wondered is that this website is designed for beginners and ‘earlier-on’...
Aquarium Additives and Soft Corals Keeping a seawater aquarium nowadays is a generally straightforward affair. Provided the design and setting up is satisfactory and the aquarist does the necessary periodic...
Danger And The Saltwater Aquarium What wonders our reef or fish only aquariums are. There can be no argument that they are a thing of beauty, with inhabitants created by...
Aquarium Temperature - How To Control It The aquarist has a responsibility in his/her aquarium to maintain stable water conditions, and this applies for fish only systems and also particularly for reef...
Aquarium Lighting - What Are Your Options? Water quality (in which I include water movement) is top of the list in importance when it comes to keeping a saltwater aquarium. Closely following...

Related Websites

The Rise of Historical Criticism CHAPTER I HISTORICAL criticism nowhere occurs as an isolated fact in the civilisation or literature of any people. It is part of that complex working...
Dream Ocean Perfume Review, Giorgio Beverly Hills This is a review of the Giorgio Beverly Hills perfume known as Dream Ocean perfume. This is a phenomenal cologne for men that was created...
Locals The people of Bimini are quite fantastic. Gia Makes Friends Easily Big Al came into our lives in a shabby dinghy that he paddled over...
How To Gain Muscle And Lose Fat At The Same Time How can I gain muscle and lose fat at the same time? That’s right up there with “How do I get six pack abs” as...
Princeton Tec Shockwave LED Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Water Sports Light Dive Divers Lite Rafting Canoe Camping Night Dive Boat Flashlight Authorized Dealer Full Warranty Princeton Tec Shockwave LED Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Water Sports Light TEC-LEDFULL MANUFACTURER´S WARRANTY!!!THE ULTIMATE PRIMARY LIGHT300 TIMES Longer Bulb Life - 10,000+ Hours!BATTERY LIFE: 6...