10 Facts on Lionfish

The Lionfish is not actually a specific fish but the name of a family of fish that share very similar characteristics. Most commonly Lionfish have a stripy coloration but all are noted for the long spines that seem to spray out from all over their bodies.

The lionfish is quite beautiful to observe as it often moves very slowly: they sometimes seem to just hover. However, encountering a group of lionfish on a night dive can often seem quite haunting for the same reason: at night their hovering manner can appear to be literally ghostly.

If you have never heard of lionfish (or even if you have) you may not be aware of much about them. This lionfish facts page is designed to provide you with some interesting details about this family of fish.

Facts About the Lionfish

1. Lionfish are generally found in the Indo-Pacific region. Having said this, the lionfish is spreading its wings (so to speak) nowadays and so can also be found in the Caribbean Sea and the East Atlantic.
2. Beautiful but deadly? Beautiful yes, but deadly no… unless you are very unlucky. Lionfish are classified within the family Scorpaenidae (sound like to scorpion to you?). Like scorpions, lionfish can sting. The flowing but sharp spines that cover a lionfish’s body deliver a potent toxin. The toxin is strong enough to kill a lionfish’s natural enemies but it is not likely to kill you. Having said this, being stung by a lionfish as a human can be very serious: a lionfish’s toxin can cause extreme pain, headaches, dizziness, vomiting and respiratory difficulty. Although the toxin is unlikely to cause fatality in humans, people more susceptible to it have died as the result an overly close lionfish encounter.
3. As a result of the above fact, the lionfish is one of the most toxic fish on earth.
4. Lionfish are also known as dragon fish, scorpion fish, fire fish and (who knows why) turkey fish.
5. There are several different varieties of lionfish such as:
   • radial lionfish
   • dwarf fussy lionfish
   • feathery lionfish
   • dwarf lionfish
   • fu-manchu lionfish
   • and volitan lionfish.
6. An apparently aloof and slow moving demeanour as well as cumbersome looking build conceal a speed merchant beneath: lionfish have very fast reflexes and can move frighteningly quickly when they are hungry or defending themselves.
7. Lionfish have an average lifespan of 15-16 years.
8. Lionfish eat shrimps, crabs and fish and…
9. … lionfish tend to swallow their prey whole!
10. The size of lionfish varies according to the particular species, but generally range from 10 centimeters to 0.4 meters!

As with many creatures, a lionfish will not bother you if you do not bother it. Hopefully the facts on lionfish above will help you to respect this very unusual looking individual!

Like the Rolex Submariner, the Rolex Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA is an elegant but extremely robust customer.

Rolex claim that the Sea-Dweller has come to life as the result of pushing the boundaries of what is possible to the limit. Okay… so it’s a cliché but is it true?

Features of the Rolex Sea-Dweller DEEP SEA

• Time and date functions.
• Waterproof to an incredible 3,900 meters (12,800 feet) through Rolex’s patented Ringlock System (a nitrogen alloyed stainless steel pressure retaining ring that protects the the crystal and case back).
• Like the Oyster Perpetual Submariner, the Rolex Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA also uses corrosion resistant 904L steel in its construction.
• Domed sapphire crystal.
• Titanium alloy case back.
• Stainless steel helium valve.
• Triplock winding crown.
• Unidirectional counterclockwise rotatable bezel.
• Highly visible luminescent blue markers on the dial, hands and bezel.
• Robust and reliable chronometric prescision movement that is extremely resistant to magnetic fields and shocks.
• The Rolex Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA is certified as a chronometer by COSC (Switzerland’s Official Chronometer Testing Institute).
• 904L steel strap that can be adjusted to fit over neoprene diving suits up to 7mm thick.

The Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA is another superb Rolex watch that can be enjoyed by divers who are willing and able to invest in such a timepiece. In terms of functions, the Sea-Dweller is not packed with a multitude of tools and widgets: a dive computer this certainly is not. However, as a diver’s timepiece the Rolex Sea-Dweller is the bees knees.

The Most Robust Rolex to Date?

The Rolex Sea-Dweller has to be a contender for the most hardcore diving watch on the planet. Water proof to an incredible 3,900 (12,800 feet) and super resistant to shocks and magnetic fields, recreational divers will find the Rolex Sea-Dweller practically indestructible. As such it may be a “sledge hammer to crack a peanut” scenario for shallow water divers… more likely the Rolex Sea-Dweller watch will appeal to commercial and deep divers. Of course, if you can happily justify the list price of the Sea-Dweller watch then it can of course be enjoyed by any diver out of the water too.

The helium valve will protect the Sea-Dweller from damage for professional divers who have to use underwater pressurised caissons at depth where helium gas mixtures are used: on ascent the valve will ensure that the watch remains undamaged after a stint in such an environment.

Rolex Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA Review Summary

Rolex Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA watches are, like all Rolex watches, elegant and extremely accurate. It is beautifully finished device that is certified by COSC as a chronometer and is quite literally a stunning watch… assuming you have money to burn.

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The Rolex Submariner is not a watch that most mortal recreational divers would ever consider as it is an expensive timepiece. So why is the Submariner so pricey and what are the features that make it worth the expense?

This review of the Rolex Submariner aims to answer these and other questions about this highly prestigious range of watches.

Notes About the Rolex Submariner Watch Range

In the main, the Rolex Submariner comes in a 3 different models:

• Rolex Submariner 40mm in yellow gold
• Rolex Submariner 40mm in rolesor
• Rolex Submariner 40mm in steel

The yellow gold Submariner 40mm is constructed in 18ct yellow gold, has a blue dial and a blue rotating bezel as well as a fliplock bracelet. The rolesor version is composed of steel and 18ct yellow gold but has the same color features as the yellow gold model. The 40mm Rolex Submariner in steel has a steel bezel and strap and a black face.

N.B. Throughout the years Rolex have also released a number of special edition Rolex Submariners, with different colorations and metal build combinations, many of which are highly valued by collectors. However, this Rolex Submariner review only focuses upon the models available from the current Rolex collection.

Main Features of the Rolex Submariner

• Waterproof to 100 meters (330 feet).
• Unidirectional bezel.
• Highly luminous markings on the hands, dial and bezel.
• Hyper effective triplock winding crown that seals water out.
• Perpetual rotor makes Rolex Submariner watches self winding.
• Highly accurate Rolex Oyster movement built to last a lifetime.
• Mechanism constructed of 904L steel (a corrosion resistant, stainless-steel alloy).
• Calendar function.
• COSC Certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.
• Highly elegant and recognizable design.

The Rolex Submariner is recognized in its own right as being one of the finest timepieces known to man. It is owned by many people who have never dived simply for its reliability and elegance. However, divers can take advantage the benefits that this beautiful watch has to offer above and beyond the aesthetic.

The Rolex Submariner 40mm range is designed to withstand massive pressures. It is guaranteed waterproof to depths of 100 meters/330 feet (although in fairness it will be waterproof beyond this point). Its triplock winding crown, which incorporates 3 gaskets, literally screws down like the hatch on a submarine making the Submariner impervious to pressures of 500 bars (equal to 0.5 tons per cm2).

The Submariner also includes Rolex’s ground breaking perpetual rotor mechanism: a mechanism that was invented by Rolex in the early 1930s. The perpetual rotor enables the Submariner to run continuously as the wearer’s wrist movements wind the mechanism.

Much of the Rolex Submariner’s parts are built using a stainless steel alloy known as 904L steel. 904L steel is corrosion resistant and highly durable making it tough enough to take on any diving environment.

In terms of time functions, Rolex watches are famous for their accuracy. The Submariner maintains this leagcy of near perfect timekeeping due to the high quality manufacture and materials of its moving parts.

Its unidirectional bezel provides you with a tool for measuring elapsed time while diving, whilst vibrant luminous markings on the hands, dial and bezel ensure that your timekeeping is not hampered by darker environments.

Rolex Submariner Watch Review Summary

Reliable, robust and accurate, the Rolex Submariner watch is a truly extraordinary timepiece for the diver who can afford it.

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The Dacor Nautica BC is a great all-rounder, which may not appeal to those who like lots of bells and whistles. But do not count it out on that point as the Nautica has more than enough for most divers who do not want to push the envelope.

Features of the Dacor Nautica BC

• Expanding belt system that contracts as you descend: BC inflation or descent does not interfere with the overall fit of the Dacor Nautica.
• High-positioned, pull activated dump valve.
• Weight system integrated into the back, which is suitable for ankle and block weights.
• 2 x front weight pockets with a 16lb combined capacity.
• Firm “FlexPak” cylinder locking strap holds your air in place.
• The Nautica’s air cell is of the single bladder variety: it expands away from the body so does not squeeze when it is inflated.
• An overpressure/dump valve positioned low on the Nautica makes for easy air release in any position.
• Ample padding at each body contact spot.
• 4 x useful D-rings.

Why Dacor’s Nautica is a Safe Bet

So we have established that Dacor’s Nautica is not the fanciest BC on the block but it delivers everything that most recreational divers would require. In fact many experienced divers continue to use the Dacor Nautica as a testament to this.

The Nautica is a comfortable and reliable buoyancy compensator ideally suited to all environments apart from extreme situations where a more rigourous BC would be required. As a result the Dacor Nautica is a more competitvely priced option for those who never intend to dive in wrecks, caves or under ice. Having said this it is made with a fairly durable nylon material and so it can take some rough treatment.

The Dacor Nautica also has some nice touches such as the weight pockets, which are well placed to enable an almost perfect swimming position, a well sized and positioned ditchable weight system at front as well as the air cell that inflates outwards. The Dacor Nautica is also well padded and comfortable and can be adjusted to fit many different shapes and sizes.

Dacor Nautica Review Summary

The Dacor Nautica BC is a nice little performer that is very well priced. It gives good lift and can be deflated easily and quickly. Although it might not tick every box for the hardcore extreme diver, the Dacor Nautica should be perfect for most others.

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Truk Lagoon (also known as Chuuk Lagoon) is situated within the territories of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The FSM is a federated nation which is composed of a number of islands in the Pacific Ocean north of Papua New Guinea. Truk Lagoon itself covers an area of more than 40 miles in diameter and descends to 300 feet.

Why is Truk Lagoon of Interest to Divers?

Truk Lagoon is of particular interest to divers as it is the final resting place for over 300 planes, submarines and ships. As a result Truk Lagoon is one of the best regions for wreck diving on Earth.

The History of Truk Lagoon

In WWII, Truk Lagoon was used by the Japanese as a base for a formidable naval fleet. The geography and geology of Truk Lagoon made it an ideal place to anchor such a fleet but of course its use drew attention from the U.S. military.

On 17th February 1944, the U.S. Navy mounted a surprise 3-day attack against the Japanese ships anchored at Truk lagoon. Around 400 tons of and torpedoes and bombs were used over the course of the attack, which resulted in the sinking of around 60 ships, from minesweepers and tugs to full blown battleships. The ships anchored at Truk Lagoon also counted aircraft carriers, so also as a result of Operation Hailstone over 250 Japanese planes were sent to the depths. The human cost too was great: some estimates state that around 2,000 Japanese troops met their deaths at Truk Lagoon during the attacks.

Truk Lagoon Today

The wrecks at Truk Lagoon have remained untouched for the most part since February 1944. As a result (and combined with clear waters and good accessibility), Truk Lagoon’s wrecks offer divers unique opportunities to visit a beautiful if rather sombre underwater landscape. For the most part, diving at Truk Lagoon will give you high visibility, current free dives where you can see very well preserved wrecks encrusted with brightly colored soft corals, sea fans, anemones and sponges. Divers at Truk Lagoon will also likely encounter large numbers of batfish, jacks, grouper and tuna as well as numerous species of shark such as black tips, white tips, grey reef sharks, leopard sharks hammerheads and whale sharks.

Diving at Truk Lagoon

It should always be remembered that this is the final resting place for many Japanese troops and so it is that many wrecks are home to the skeletons of some of those who perished. Truk Lagoon is really an underwater museum and should be treated as such. Consequently, divers are prohibited by Micronesian law from removing anything (artifacts or marine life) from Truk Lagoon and harsh penalties are meted out for trangressors.

If you wish to dive at Truk Lagoon you will need a “Chuuk Dive Permit”, which will likely be acquired for you by your dive operator. Diving equipment too can be hired locally if required.

Non-divers too have the chance to visit some of the wrecks which lie in shallower waters: some of Truk’s wrecks provide excellent snorkelling opportunities.

Truk Lagoon Diving Summary

Truk Lagoon has plenty to offer wreck diving experts and first timers alike.

Many of the wrecks are accessible for recreational divers (although there are several good wrecks located beyond the 30 meter mark for those divers that are trained to dive beyond recommended recreational diver limits).

Truk Lagoon has to be the single best location for wreck diving in the world due to the sheer number of wrecks in relative proximity, their state of preservation, the marine life they attract and the clarity and stillness of the lagoon’s water.

Truk Lagoon is one of THE places that all divers should strive to visit in their lifetime.

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The Aqualung Legend ACD Supreme regulator is lauded as being one the best performing regulators that Aqualung has designed: according to Aqualung it is lengendary… hence its name!

Why do Aqualung claim that the Legend ACD Supreme is so good? Are their claims about it justified? And what exactly are the stand out features?

Features of the Aqualung Legend ACD Supreme

The Aqualung Legend regulator includes the following specifications:

• ACD stands for “Auto Closure Device”. The Legend’s ACD keeps the inlet fitting of the regulator sealed (DIN and Yoke) whenever the regulator device itself is removed from your air tank. This means several things:
  • Water and other contaminants cannot enter the first stage. As a result, the first stage itself will retain its level of performance over time and makes it safer to use with Nitrox.
  • The sealed dry chamber also provides resistance to freezing, keeping the mechanics of the Aqualung Legend regulator both clean as well as dry.
• The second stage is pneumatically balanced to ensure consistently easy inhalation regardless of tank pressure.
• The Aqualung Legend ACD Supreme also comprises Venturi Adjustment Switch technology (VAS – controlable by the diver). The VAS prevents free-flowing air when you are at the surface but allows maximum flow beneath it.
• The Legend ACD Supreme also includes Aqua Lung’s Air Turbo System technology in its forward pressure ports which further enhances the breathing capabilities of the regulator.
• The Legend’s over-balanced diaphragm first stage design also improves breathing performance at depth.
• The Legend ACD Supreme regulator is coated with a polyurethane layer which protects its water facing metal parts from corrosion.
• It has 4 x low pressure and 2 x high pressure ports, which are positioned for the best possible configuration of your hoses.
• Recommended for cold water use below 10º C (50º F): the Legend ACD Supreme passes CE standards for cold water regulator performance.
• A removable lip shield on the second stage provides cold protection to your lips.
• 2 year manufacturer warranty.

Aqualung Legend ACD Supreme Review Summary

The Aqualung Legend ACD Supreme is a cold water verison of the Aqualung Legend ACD and is a very reliable regulator largely due to its ACD technology.

The sealed first stage completely protects it from contaminants (when removed from the cylinder valve) in any environment. So cleaning and transporting this particular Legend model should not result in contaminant damage and any subsequent performance degradation over time. The ACD also means that the Legend ACD Supreme is highly suitable for Nitrox diving.

Further features are an overbalanced first stage diaphragm combined with a pneumatically balanced second stage. These features enhance air supply as you descend at the same time as reducing breathing resistance making it easy to inhale. As the second stage is pneumatically balanced it does not require any form of adjustment from you.

The second stage is small and lightweight and can be combined with a number of supplied mouthpiece fittings: an ultra-comfortable model, a standard spare and a reusable clamp.

A lip shield can be used to help keep your lips warm in colder waters, for which the Aqualung Legend ACD Supreme is extremely well suited.

The Aqualung Legend ACD Supreme is a reliable and easy to use regulator that performs well in both warm and cold water.

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A man named Jason Holmberg, who lives in Portland Oregon, is coordinating a global project to monitor whale-sharks.

Whale-sharks are the biggest fish on earth and one of the ocean’s gentle giants: whale-sharks can grow to 60 feet in length but do so on a diet that consists solely of plankton.

Encounters with whale-sharks (also known as blue whalers) are dreamt about by most SCUBA divers as the whale-shark is such a large but gentle creature.

Many divers who have come across a whale-shark on a dive declare the experience to be truly humbling. Indeed Mr. Holmberg himself comments on meeting a whale-shark, stating that its eyes “will track you; you can look at it, and it will look back at you… It’s like contact with alien life”.

Mr. Holmberg intends to help us to improve our understanding of whale-sharks though this research project: at the moment we know very little about blue whalers such as their life expectancy, reproduction or how social they are.

The Aqualung Pearl i3 is a BCD designed specifically for women. In reality it’s a variation of the Aqualung Sea Quest Pro QD i3 that has been re-engineered for female divers.

How so?

Well… the Pearl i3 has a sleek but elegant look as well as a number of design features that make it fit the female physique better than most other BCDs.

Main Features of the Aqualung Pearl i3

• Attractive, stylish and feminine design.
• Patented i3 technology that makes inflation and deflation much easier.
• Multi-dump function that permits the upper and lower dumps to simultaneously respond.
• One way flat e-valve design maintain a streamlined contour to reduce water drag. The one-way e-valves themselves keep water from entering the BCD.
• Ultra comfortable back lining.
• Neoprene roll-collar.
• Integrated sports bra that adds an extra touch of comfort and support.
• SureLock™ weight system that makes loading and unloading the weight pockets a simple act.
• Easy-deploy, pull-down inflator.
• 3 x zipped utility pockets.
• Traction pad to prevent tank slippage.
• Hardwearing and fade resistant Armorshield™ Cordura® construction.
• Multi-setting waist band that can be changed by up to six inches.
• A double adjusting strap across the shoulders enabling “best fit”.

Aqualung’s Pearl i3 also comes in several colors:

• Pearl i3 aqua
• Pearl i3 black
• Pearl i3 pink

The Aqualung Pearl i3: Style and Performance Entwined

The premise of the Aqualung Pearl i3 is clever: targetting female divers with customized dive gear. As such the i3 works on many levels: it looks very feminine, comes in several different colors and offers up all the features you would expect of a quality buoyancy control device.

The Aqualung Pearl i3 Review Summary

Comfort AND functionality have been well thought out. The Pearl i3 has successfully incorporated a padded back lining, neoprene rolling collar and built-in supporting sports bra. The adjustable (by 6 inches) waist-band gives divers the opportunity to find a perfect fit.

The design of the Pearl i3 BCD’s bladder means that it expands away from the back rather than to the sides, resulting in a more appealing shape when inflated. The overall contouring of the i3 also tends to enhance body shape.

The Aqualung Pearl i3’s easy-dump valves, easy-deploy oral inflator, cylinder traction pad, utility pockets and durable materials used in its manufacture shout quality.

The i3 is easy to put on and take off even when fully loaded, and once you are strapped into it adding or removing weights into the weight pockets requires little effort or discomfort.

The Pearl i3 also has useful, usable and well-sized utility pockets and a number of d-rings for clipping your required tools on to.

Combined with its feminine design, the features of the Pearl i3 are certain to make the Aqualung feminine BCD appeal to its target audience.

Chic looking, comfortable and above all truly functional, Aqualung’s Pearl i3 is a real winner.

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The Citizen Promaster Cyber Aqualand NX dive watch is a serious diver’s timepiece. It comprises a number of highly useful functions to such an degree that it blurs the line between dive watches and dive computers.

Features of the Citizen Promaster Cyber Aqualand NX

Citizen’s Promaster Cyber Aqualand offers up the following functions and features:

• Digital quartz movement.
• Water resistance up to 660 feet (200 meters).
• Dive log that memorizes up to 100 dive’s worth of data.
• Connectivity to Windows-based PCs.
• Alarms for ascent rate and max. depth as well as error alarms for Nitrox diving.
• Day, date and month display.
• Unidirectional bezel.
• Auto altitude adjustment.
• “No-Fly” time calculator.
• Rsidual nitrogen timer.
• Temperature display.
• Surface interval timer.
• Mineral crystal face.
• Stainless steel build.
• Size: Case 47mm x 16mm. Band: 26mm.
• Weight: 3lbs.
• Easy-buckle clasp.
• 5 year warranty.

So is the Citizen Promaster Cyber Aqualand NX a Watch or a Dive Computer?

As a watch, the Citizen Promaster Cyber Aqualand NX of course offers you time functions such as 12/24 hour (as well as day/date/month) displays, a world time function for 30 cities through 48 time zones, a 1/100th second chrono function, 99 minute countdown timer, alarm and calendar. But… make no mistake, Citizen’s Aqualand range are serious diving instruments and the Citizen Aqualand NX is no exception.

The Citizen Aqualand NX is built to function perfectly up to 200 meters below the water’s surface, providing features to suit both recreational and commercial divers: hence it has Nitrox functions, a large dive log capacity and PC connectivity for analyzing your diving performance.

Analysis of your dives is facilitated through the Aqualand NX’s software that provides super little graphics of your logged dive data. The graphical element also comes to the fore through the Aqualand’s nifty safety-stop graphic mode.

The Promaster Cyber Aqualand NX also features a face of scratch-proof mineral crystal and electro-luminescent back light to ensure that you you can see exactly where you are at with a minumum of effort. The Promaster’s functions are driven by a rechargeable battery that seems to go on forever.

On top of all this, Citizen offers a 5 year warranty on the Promaster Cyber Aqualand NX, which speaks volumes about Citizen’s faith in their product.

Citizen Promaster Cyber Aqualand NX Review Summary

So as an answer… the Citizen Promaster Cyber Aqualand NX is definitely a dive computer… that tells the time!

A professional grade dive computer at great value proving that quality does not always come at a price.

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SCUBA diving can literally open up a whole new world for most people but you can begin to appreciate that world by snorkelling. If you have never snorkelled before, then this page might help you learn how to snorkel so you can get started.

Snorkelling Safely

Before learning how to snorkel there are some pre-requisite factors that you will need to know about.

• Firstly, you cannot learn how to snorkel unless you can swim.
• Secondly, you should be aware of some fundamental snorkel safety practices. You can find further information about snorkelling safety here: how to snorkel safely.

Learning How to Snorkel

Below are 6 steps designed to help you learn how to snorkel.

1. Enrol on a Basic Snorkelling Course

   Many diving centers offer such courses alongside their diver certification programs. This may seem an obvious tip but a dive center can show you how to use your dive fins most in the most effective and energy conserving way possible to ensure you do not wear yourself out. Learning how to snorkel with a dive center will teach you all of the following skills.

2. How to Clear Your Dive Mask

   Sometimes when you are snorkelling your dive mask will take in water. This is something that occurs with all masks and is largely unavoidable. However, there is a technique that can be used to clear your mask while you are in the water which is fundamental to helping your learn how to snorkel.

   • Firstly, if you are on the surface you can of course just lift the mask off your face and tilt the bottom out to allow the water to run away.
   • Secondly, you can clear your mask while you are under the water. You simply use your hand to put pressure on the top of your dive mask between your eyes and gently breathe out through your nose. This technique drives the water out of the mask beneath your nose and replaces it with what you have exhaled. When you finish, your mask will go back into position without allowing water back in.
   • Thirdly, nowadays you can purchase dive masks that have a purge function. The purge function is activated when you apply pressure to the whole mask and exhale through your nose. The seal between the mask and your face is not broken but a purge function kicks in, expelling water from within.

3. How to Clear Water from Your Snorkel

   Clearing, or purging, your snorkel is another thing that you will come up against as you learn how to snorkel. Try to buy a snorkel that has a purge valve. A purge valve snorkel will enable you to remove any water that enters your snorkel accidentally or as a result of a “duck dive” beneath the surface. If you are using a standard snorkel (non-purge valve), you just need to blow out through your mouth in a short but sharp fashion to make a “tuh” sound. This will drive unwanted water upwards out of the snorkel.

4. How to Use Fins

   You do not need to use fins when you snorkel… but how you snorkel will be affected hugely if you do not. Dive fins help to propel you through the water in a much less invasive way i.e. you will create less splashing and therefore not frighten off marine life so easily. This same propulsion makes your passage through water easier: your leg “kicks” will be more effective moving you further with less effort. In order to get the most from your fins, you should keep your legs straight, with your knees bent slightly, and move them in a scissoring motion. This is the most efficient way to move with fins.

5. How to Avoid Squeezes

   If you perform duck dives to descend underwater you may experience a sensation known as squeezing. Squeezing is the sensation of pressure beneath your mask and within your ears that occurs as pressure causes air spaces to shrink. Learning how to snorkel safely and comfortably is paramount and dealing with squeezes is very important in order to avoid discomfort and even damage to your ears.

6. How to Conserve Marine Life

   Learning how to snorkel includes learning how to take into account the impact that your actions has on the environment. You should remember how to behave when snorkelling and remember that you need to be extremely sensitive to the marine habitat you are lucky enough to be experiencing. Do not touch the creatures you encounter as you may harm them or actually end up the recipient of a nasty bite or sting.

   Take care that your snorkelling equipment (snorkel, fins etc.) are not accidentally brushing against corals and fauna causing accidental damage. Coral reefs are very delicately balanced ecosystems, so please do your utmost not to tip that balance in the wrong direction.

Summary of How to Snorkel Tips

Do yourself a favor and learn how to snorkel correctly: you will be able to get the most out of the snorkelling experiences you have and also learn how to appreciate more fully what you see.

We all know that man has contributed to the serious damage of numerous reefs worldwide.

Many reefs that at one time literally teemed with life have been reduced to little more than skeletons by deliberate actions such as blast and cyanide fishing, or inadvertently by overenthusastic individuals who want to take a little reminder of their visit to the reef home with them.

However, not all of man’s actions result in the deterioration of coral reefs and the marine communities they help to support.

Miami’s Reef Builders

The Miami based company, Reef Builders, actively helps to promote reef growth by… making them! Reef Builders has been involved in a number of reef creation projects such as the Atlantis Memorial Reef Project (an artificial reef located 3.25 miles off Key Biscayne in Florida inspired by the Lost City of Atlantis). Reef Builders have recently been commissioned with another reef creation project in Florida: this one is called the Miami Reef Project.

The Miami Reef Project

The Miami Reef Project will be designed not to an artist’s impression of some lost world, but the reef itself will be comprised of the words “Save the Reef”. The words will be built with letters of 200 feet in height across 3,000 feet of Florida’s underwater real estate. The Miami Reef will be approximately 35 feet underwater and will provide over time a home for a multitude of Florida’s marine life. It is hoped that it will also become a huge draw for divers.

The planning and engineering of the Miami Reef Project is truly inspiring as is the passion of Reef Builders team to create a spectacular underwater environment that helps to sustain marine ecosystems.

The Omega Seamaster watch range. It’s good enough for James Bond… could it be good for you too?

Background on the Omega Seamaster Watch

Like the Rolex Submariner, the Omega Seamaster watch has become a classic diver’s watch. The Seamaster began its life in 1948 with the manufacture of the Omega Seamaster Standard and Chronometer ranges. However, in those days the Seamaster was really little more than a waterproof dress watch… it was certainly not a hardcore diver’s watch. It was not until the 1970s that the Omega Seamaster became more dive-centric.

During the 1970s the Seamaster was built to withstand serious depth as well as provide chronograph functions, rotating bezels and high-vis luminous dials to make them it easy to read underwater. In 1993 the Omega Seamaster Professional (a.k.a. the Omega Seamaster Pro) was launched. The Seamaster Pro is a model of style and substance for divers: it can be taken down to 300 meters (way more than necessary for recreational diving) and offers a host of useful functions for any diver.

The Omega Seamaster Professional Diver’s Watch

The Seamaster Pro is commonly known as the Seamaster 300m, due to its depth capability. It is available in quartz and automatic movements with versions for men and women. The men’s Omega Seamaster Professional comes in two models:

• One has the classic 1993 “skeleton hand”;
• the other has thicker hands known as the “GMT style”, which was released in 1998.

The Seamaster Pro Diver and James Bond

The Omega Seamaster Professional Diver is one of the most popular watches in Omega’s collection. This is thanks, in no small part, to the James Bond movie franchise. The Bond character wore Omega’s Seamaster for the first time in 1995 in the movie Goldeneye. This brought not only the watch to public attention but launched Omega’s public profile enormously. The Omega Seamaster Professional watch is still appearing in Bond films.

Primary Features of The Omega Seamaster Pro

• Water resistant to 300 meters (1,000 feet).
• Screw-in caseback, screw-down helium release valve and screw-locked crown.
• Rotating bezel.
• Luminous hands.
• Self winding movement (includes 44-hour power reserve for when the Seamaster is not being worn).
• Chronometer.
• Highly accurate timekeeping.
• Date window.
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal.
• Stainless steel case with rhodium-plated strap.

Omega Seamaster Review

The Omega Seamaster watch is a near flawless example of watchmaking on any level. It is a highly attractive timepiece that sits easily on the wrist of anyone be they a diver or not. It is as a diver’s watch though that the Omega Seamaster Professional really comes into its own.

The Seamaster is extremely durable and tough (to 300 meters) and is highly visible to read underwater. You never have to worry about its batteries failing due to its self-winding movement and above all it is a highly reliable piece of equipment.

Its black face and luminous hands and markers make it very easy to read in dark and murky conditions, while its black aluminum rotating bezel with silver coloured ten-minute markers enables you to clearly monitor dive times.

Quite simply, the Omega Seamaster watch range is awesome… but the Seamaster Pro is sublime. It is a fairly expensive watch to own, but by purchasing an Omega Seamaster watch you are investing in something that will potentially last you a lifetime.

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The TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD (BCJ-3200) is a comfortable BCD designed for SCUBA divers of all levels of ability.

It’s also an economy BCD that incorporates a number of TUSA patented features.

But is the Tusa Liberator BC more comfortable than other BCDs in its class and price range? And does it offer more than your average BC?

What Does the TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD Offer?

TUSA’s Liberator Sigma BCD is constructed with heavy-duty 840 denier nylon shell to give it durability and strength. Its “Advanced Weight Loading System” has been designed to make loading and releasing dive weights a simple activity: the Liberator BCD’s AWLS design allows for the easy switching of weights into/out of “cartridges” located in the front of the jacket and shoulders. Thus the TUSA Liberator BC eliminates the need for an ungainly weight belt.

TUSA Liberator BCD and Stability

The Liberator Sigma BCD has a neat harness system that is independent from the BCD itself and includes two well placed rails in back. Your tank straps to the rails via a stabilizing harness. The harness in turn is connected to the Liberator Sigma’s shoulder straps, which help to support the full weight of your tank.

However, the stabilizing harness remains independent from the actual Liberator BC jacket, ensuring that your tank remains very close to your body regardless of the change in size of the BCD when you inflate or deflate it. This makes the TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD very stable and less likely to cause your tank to roll both underwater and prior to your descent before you even get wet!

Principal Features of the TUSA Liberator BC

• Attractive design constructed with 840 denier heavy-duty nylon for extra strength and ruggedness.
• Clever independent stabilizing harness that ensures tank stability and enhanced bouyancy control.
• TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD AWLS (Advanced Weight Loading System) that removes the need for weight belts.
• Two large and useful front zip-pockets.
• D-ring (made of stainless steel) at right shoulder for attaching accessories.
• Fast inflation and deflation (the TUSA Liberator BCD also includes a quick dump valve at the rear of the jacket).
• Easily-adjusted chest strap.

TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD Review Summary

The Liberator Sigma BCD builds upon TUSA’s solid range of BC jackets. It provides a comfortable fit due in a large part to its stabilizing harness system and the way in which it assists in holding your tank firm while you inflate and deflate your it during your dive.

Its hardwearing nylon ensures it can stand up to most recreational diving environments without complaining.

The Liberator’s weight management system is straightforward, and details such as the obligatory D-ring for clipping your odds and ends onto provide a nice touch. The Liberator Sigma BC also has two very usable and useful zippered front pockets.

Try-Diving’s verdict is that the TUSA Liberator Sigma BCD is a good budget BC jacket for divers of all competencies.

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The Princeton Tec Impact II is a flashlight designed for SCUBA diving as well as for outdoors use. It is a small but powerful light that is strong enough to withstand the pressures that diving and divers make of it.

The Impact 2 is a smaller version of the Princeton Impact XL flashlight and so has many of the same qualities. It has a strenghtned glass lens, a clip and ring that will fasten tidily to a BCD or harness and has a nice oval design that fits perfectly into a diver’s hand (not too small and not too big). The Princeton Tec Impact II also claims to use its power supply in a fairly efficient manner providing a pleasing 75 hours of usage per each new set of 4 AAA Alkaline batteries.

Princeton’s Tec Impact II has been tested in cold and warm water environments to depths of 100 meters (300 feet) and so it is more than capable of satisfying the needs of all recreational divers. Its proprietary optics system magnifies its Ultrbright LED turning it into a sharp and precise spotlight that delivers a targetted beam up to 28 meters ahead when the visibility is good. For such a seemingly small device the Princeton Tec Impact II delivers in spades!

Princeton Tec Impact II Technical Specifications

• Waterproof to 100 meters (300 feet).
• Utilizes high quality and extremely efficient blue-wite Nichia Ultrabright LED.
• Strenghtened Princeton Tec proprietary optical lens that powers the Ultralight LED to distances of up to 28 meters.
• Rugged Princeton Tec build.
• Ergonomically designed handle.
• The Impact II has a clip and ring for easy fastening to other equipment.
• Powered via 4 AAA alkaline batteries that give up to 75 hours usable light.
• Lightweight: 2.85 oz (81g) including batteries.
• Easy to transport/carry: Dimensions – 5″ (12.7 cm) length x 1″ (2.5 cm) diameter.

Princeton Tec Impact II Review Summary

The Princeton Tec Impact II is highly impressive diver’s flashlight. It is small and lightweight and can be easily attached to your kit, both underwater during your diving activities and overland when you are out and about.

Its efficient Nichia Ultrabrite LED gives just about as much illumination as you will need during night dives or wreck and cave diving (assuming reasonable visibility). Its plastic casing and strengthened lens make it a tough little performer that can be depended on time and again.

Princeton’s Tec Impact II is highly recommended for recreational diving and is well priced to make it accessible to all.

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The DUI TLS-350 drysuit is the drysuit of choice for many commercial divers, such as the US Coast Guard, Air force and Navy SEALS. However, DUI TLS-350 drysuits are also popular amongst “in-the-know” recreational divers who dive in cooler climes.

Why Does the DUI TLS-350 Drysuit Have Such Fans?

Most divers who have used the DUI TLS-350 claim that the fit feels like you are diving without a drysuit. This is largely due to the fact that the DUI TLS-350 drysuit is constructed using lightweight and very malleable trilaminate that is well suited to the the underwater world. TLS-350 DUI drysuits are also able to cope with harsh diving environments.

So what DUI TLS-350 drysuit owners get is a comfortable divesuit that:

• tends to be less restrictive than others;
• can perform well under demanding conditions;
• can be transported easily due to its light weight;
• dries quickly due to its trilaminate build.

Features of the DUI TLS-350 Drysuit

• Extremely lightweight trilaminate fabric (Nylon/Butyl and Rubber/Nylon).
• Diagonal zipper that allows front entry.
• Low profile exhaust dump and low pressure inflator swivel inlet.
• Warm neck collar for using along with warm neck hood.
• TLS-350 telescopic torso, which makes donning and doffing easier.
• Close fitting yet less restrictive than other drysuits.
• Includes a zipper guard that protects the dry zip.
• Incorporates an adustment cord inside the drysuit for a perfect waist fit as well as a strap and braces to hold the TLS-350 drysuit firmly in place.
• Rockboot system.
• Double layer trilaminate fabric protection covering the knees.
• Full DUI manufacturer’s warranty.

Summary DUI TLS-350 Drysuit Review

The DUI TLS350 drysuit is a really comfortable and travel friendly suit. It is robust enough to cope with tougher diving envrironments (such as caves and wrecks), gives enough room for you to wear underclothes in colder locations but remains not excessively warm when used in waters of a more moderate temperature.

DUI TLS350 drysuits are easy to put on and take off through their smart across the shoulder front-entry zipper and telescoping torso design, and they can be used in freshwater or saltwater. They also dry quickly when you are done using them.

What more could you want from a drysuit?

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SCUBA divers do not of course just SCUBA dive. Snorkelling is a great way to kill some time between dives, particulalrly on a liveaboard if you are out diving on a reef or such like. It is important to know how to snorkel safely in order that you can enjoy snorkelling properly without putting yourself and others at risk.

Below are our top tips for showing you how to snorkel safely.

13 Steps Showing How to Snorkel Safely

1. NEVER attempt to snorkel unless you know how to swim. You will never be able to learn how to snorkel safely unless you are a swimmer.
2. Do not dive into the water head first while you are wearing a dive mask. This is very dangerous as the glass in dive masks is not designed to take the impact of diving into water in such a way.
3. Never snorkel on your own. Just as with SCUBA diving, you should always buddy up with someone in case you get into difficulty.
4. Do not use ear-plugs when you are snorkelling underwater. Ear-plugs can get stuck in your ear and cause damage to your eardrums as the pressure underwater increases.
5. Never hold your breath for long periods under the surface. If you hold your breath for too long you could blackout and drown.
6. Never dive below any depth at which equalizing the pressure in your ears is not longer possible. If you cannot equalize, you can damage your eardrums and potentially cause permanent damage to your hearing.
7. Learning how to snorkel safely can often mean learning to snorkel comfortably. Always get out of the water if you start to feel tired or cold.
8. Never dive beneath the water if you have a cold or are congested. Colds and congestion can affect your ability to equalize and can lead to ear and hearing damage.
9. Relax. If you want to learn how to to snorkel correctly you should relax while you are doing it. Relaxing during your snorkelling will give you a greater appreciation of your experience and more awareness of potential danger.
10. Be sure to cover up to protect yourself from the sun. This includes slapping on sun protection cream so that you can snorkel safely and do not burn up.
11. Make sure that you drink plenty of water before you snorkel. The sun, salt water and the physical exertion of snorkelling can cause you to dehydrate quickly.
12. NEVER touch any marine creatures that you come into contact with. Aside from causing damage to or interfering with the creatures you meet, you could end up getting stung or bitten.
13. If you are snorkelling from a liveaboard or day boat, be certain that there is a diver’s flag flying to let other boats know there are snorkellers/divers in the area.

To be certain that you know how to snorkel safely, it would be a good idea to find out about a training session with a certified diving instructor.

A suitably qualified diving instructor can teach you some techniques that can make your snorkelling experience safer and more enjoyable. An instructor can also teach you how to snorkel with less effort and at the same time what to look out for whilst you are in the water.

There are dozens of fins to choose from as a diver. However, Scubapro tell us that the Twin Jet dive fins are “the fastest fins ever tested”, and that they can give you an effortless diving experience.

Why then should you invest in a pair of Scubapro Twin Jet dive fins? Do the twin jets have special properties? Or is Scubapro marketing pure hype?

The Design of Scubapro Twin Jet Dive Fins

Scubapro have designed the twin jet dive fins with a “split hydrofoil shape”. The hydrofoil design is inspired by the tail of a humpack whale, which has evolved in such a way as to drive its weight forward in the most efficient way possible. Nature then tends to back up Scubapro’s claim that by incorporating the hydrofoil split into the Twin Jet fins, divers have “more forward motion with less effort”.

The split-fin propeller design is patented and by all accounts proven to give divers enhanced forward movement with less physical effort than other fins. Most normal paddle type dive fins create underwater turbulence that tends to dissipate some of the energy genrerated by them.

By contrast, Scubapro Twin Jet dive fins redirect displaced water over the top and the bottom of each fin and create a pressure differential similar to an aircraft wing, apart from the fact that it does so in a forward direction. As a consequence, Scubapro claim that the Twin Jet fins range can help to reduce the effort required to fin, effectively reducing a diver’s consumption of air by between 30-40%.

Principal Features of Scubapro’s Twin Jet Fins

• Scubapro’s Twin Jet dive fins come in adjustable and full foot varieties.
• Twin Jet fins use Scubapro’s patented split-fin propeller design.
• Extra wide pockets for your feet.
• Can be used with dry suits, semi-dry suits and wetsuits.
• The adjustable Twin Jet fins have a quick connect design including a buckle that can be inserted from a variety of angles to make use with gloves easier.
• Twin Jets includes vents that are designed to reduce drag.
• Dense compound moldings that give a greater resistance in the water to enable more thrust.

Twin Jet Colors and Styles

There are several different styles in the Scubapro Twinjet dive fins range:

• Scubapro Adjustable Twin Jet
• Scubapro Full Foot Twin Jet
• Scubapro Adjustable Twin Jet Max
• Scubapro Full Foot Twin Jet Max

The standard Twin Jet fins come in full-foot and adjustable models as do the Twin Jet Max models. The difference between the Twin Jet and Twin Jet Max range is basically performance related: the Max models provide more efficiency and speed. Each Twin Jet model comes in black, red, graphite cobalt and hi-viz yellow.

Summary Review of the Scubapro Twin Jet Fin

Scubapro Twin Jet dive fins look great. The split fin design is neat and seems to achieve what it claims it can do, especially in diving environments where there is less current. Some advanced divers have backed this up claiming that Scubapro Twin Jet fins are more appropriate for less experienced divers for use in current-free environments, in which they are highly effective.

In summary, Scubapro’s Twin Jets are a little more expensive than traditional paddle fins, but the extra investment makes a big difference.

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One inescapable fact about the Great Barrier Reef is that it is a truly incredible natural wonder.

It is a World Heritage Site and is therefore a protected place, that is home to a huge variety of marine animals, some of which are extremely rare. It is also an extremely popular place for divers and snorkllers to visit.

The facts about the Great Barrier Reef below attempt to give you some indication as to why it is such a remarkable diving location, and why you might want to dive or snorkel there if you have not already done so.

11 Facts that Make the Great Barrier Reef an Absolute Must

1. Located along the north eastern coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is actually a collection of around 2,900 coral reefs. It is the largest collection of interconnected reef systems on Earth… so large in fact that it can actually be seen from space.
2. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest protected marine area on earth.
3. The Barrier Reef is approximately 2,500 kms long stretching along the coast of Queensland from the Cape York Peninsula at its most notherly point to the town of Bundaberg at its most southerly.
4. Contrary to popular belief, divers visiting the Great Barrier Reef are not destined to meet sharks. Most encounters with sharks on the Barier Reef are with black or white tip reef sharks.
5. The Great Barrier Reef is home to over 6,500 animal species. This number includes; 4,000 varieties of mollusc, 1,500 fish species and 400 different types of coral.




6. Another myth is that you cannot dive at the Great Barrier Reef during Australia’s summer months of October to March because of the lethal box jellyfish. The box jellyfish is a creature that remains close to the coast, and as the Barrier reef is located far offshore you will be unlikely to encounter one.
7. The Great Barrier Reef is also home to a number of creatures that are faced with extinction such as 6 of the world’s 7 types of enfangered turtles and the dugong (sea cow).
8. Every year, 30% of the coral species contribute to a mass spawning session. Great Barrier Reef spawning events takes place in November (inner reef) and December (outer reef). Spawning always occurs at night up to six days after a full moon.
9. The visibility of the water around the Barrier Reef is generally high although this can be affected by tides, storms and winds.
10. Approximately 1.5 million people visit the Great Barrier Reef every year.
11. Whales. In the shallower coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef you have a good chance to see humpack wales during the Australian winter months of April to September. The humpback whales migrate north from the Antarctic past the Barrier Reef in order to mate. You can also see a smaller whale species all year round: dolphins.

The fact is the Great Barrier Reef simply offers some of the best diving on the planet.

If you ever wondered how divng tanks are made, check the following video out.

http://www.youtube.com/v/qAgSU6BCpsY&hl=en

The Poseidon website has some great videos showing some fantastic cold water diving jaunts.

The one below is one of them filmed in 2006 in Lofoten, Norway when the divers encountered some orcas. I have to say that it looks chilly… the perfect conditions for a Poseidon Flexisuit!

http://www.poseidon.se/movies/Adventure_lofoten_2006.WMV

Many thanks to Poseidon for this fantastic video!

Situated on the north eastern coast of Bali (Indonesia) lies a place called Tulamben.

Tulamben is a very small town that has no great claim to fame other than the fact that a US Army ship called Liberty was passing near it across the Lombok Strait on 11th January 1942.

The Liberty was transporting materials for the U.S. war effort when she was attacked by a Japanese submarine named I-166. The I-166 torpedoed the Liberty damaging it severely, but fortunately injuring none of the crew.

Although the Liberty was salvagable, an attempt to tow her to the port at Singaraja proved impossible as she was taking in too much water from the damage to her hull. The US Army beached the Liberty at Tulamben and her cargo was duly unloaded. The Liberty remained at the shore of Tulamben for almost 21 years.

In 1963, Bali’s sacred Mount Agung (an active volcano) erupted. Agung is a prominent feature of Bali’s landscape but Tulamben is literally dominated by it. Mount Agung’s eruption created a series of tremors that sent the Liberty rolling off the beach into the sea. The Liberty has not moved since; broken at the bow and stern she now rests on a sandy slope facing out towards the Lombok Strait.

Tulamben: Diving the Liberty Wreck

The Liberty wreck dive at Tulamben is one of the best diving spots in Bali. It is highly popular for a number of reasons:

• Reaching the Liberty wreck is simple as it is situated around 25 meters (80 feet) from the shore at Tulamben.
• Open water divers certified to dive up to 18 meters can view a good deal of the wreck: the Liberty rests at 9 meters (30 feet) at the shallowest point, 30 meters (100 feet) at the deepest and tops out around the 5 meter mark.
• It is a fairly easy dive with little current.
• Very good visibility.
• It is a site that can also be snorkelled easily.
• The Tulamben wreck is teeming with marine life.

The Liberty Wreck and the Tulamben Diving Experience

Diving Tulamben’s Liberty wreck is a fantastic experience for anyone who wants to encounter any kind of marine life. Firstly, the Liberty is covered in soft and hard corals, gorgonians and anemones. She attracts a veritable horde of fish… practically every type of Indo-Pacific variety you could care to imagine, such as:

• Pipefish
• Angelfish
• Gobies
• Nudibranchs
• Trevally
• Butterflyfish
• Batfish
• Sweetlips
• Bream
• Anthias
• Fusiliers
• Napolean Wrasse
• Parrotfish
• Barracuda
• Lionfish
• Hawkfish
• and many, many others!

Tulamben diving offers you the chance to see enormous schools of some species (especially the trevally and fusiliers etc.). The Liberty wreck also offers an ideal night dive experience due to minimal current, good visibility… oh and did we mention the marine life? Night dives will show you the night shift crew of the Liberty, such as flashlight fish, spanish dancers and ghostly hovering scorpionfish.

Summary Review of Tulamben and the Liberty Wreck Dive

Anyone who has dived at Tulamben will tell you what a great dive the Liberty wreck offers any certified recreational diver.

It is a safe, enjoyable wreck dive, with good visibility and a dead-cert guarantee to see a wide variety of underwater life in large numbers.

The Liberty wreck at Tulamben is not to be missed if you visit Bali.

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If you are new to recreational diving, nitrogen narcosis is a subject that you should be made very aware of.

What is Nitrogen Narcosis?

Nitrogen narcosis (also known as inert gas narcosis) is a condition that divers can begin to experience upon reaching a certain depth while breathing pressurized air. It usually occurs around the 30 meter mark but in truth can affect anyone to some degree at much shallower depths.

What are the Causes of Nitrogen Narcosis?

The exact causes of nitrogen narcosis are not totally understood at the present time. Having said this, we do know that it is related to the way in which nitrogen gas dissolves into the neural nerve membranes under pressure, disturbing nerve transmission in the process.

What are the Effects of Nitrogen Narcosis?

Nitrogen narcosis is extremely dangerous. Most people will discern no obious effect above 30 meters but around the 30 meter mark and below the effects become increasingly vivid.

As its name suggests, nitrogen narcosis has a narcotizing effect on the body. Divers suffering from the condition can experience the following conditions and/or sensations:

• Loss of decision making capability.
• Impaired judgment.
• Impaired coordination.
• Loss of focus.
• Vertigo.
• Panic.
• Anxiety.
• Euphoria.
• Hearing disturbance.
• Dizziness.
• Paranoia.
• Depression.
• Sensations of tingling and numbness in the body’s extremities.
• Feelings of over-confidence and invulnerability.
• Fatigue.

Around the 90 meters mark, the effects of nitrogen narcosis becomes more extreme:

• Visual and aural hallucination.
• Unconsciousness.

What Causes Nitrogen Narcosis to be so Dangerous?

Clearly any impairment in cognitive or perceptual function when you are underwater is dangerous and can lead to basic mistakes in safety practices… or even the complete disregard of them. The effects of nitrogen narcosis can ulitmatley be disastrous, indirectly or directly leading to death.

Nitrogen narcosis can affect any diver be they; experienced or inexperienced, fit or unfit, healthy or unhealthy, fat or thin, old or young. Everyone is susceptible to it but some are more tolerant to it than others. However, nitrogen narcosis tolerance is unpredictable and so those more susceptible to it cannot be identified. Notwithsatnding this, no-one is immune to it and this is why its effects are potentially life threatening for all divers.

Avoiding Nitrogen Narcosis

Nitrogen narcosis can be avoided by avoiding its causes while you are underwater, i.e. keep to recommended recreational diving limits. Be aware of your depth at all times and take particular care if you are approaching the 30 meter mark.

Another way that nitrogen narcosis is avoided underwater is to use a modified air mix to limit or remove nitrogen intake. Where the use of such gases is required though, specialized training would also be required. For recreational divers, nitrogen-free/reduced mixes (such as trimix and heliox) are unnecessary as most basic SCUBA diving courses certify divers for depths above 18 meters only (more advanced recreational diving courses can certify divers to 30 meters).

In order to combat the effects of nitrogen narcosis the diver should simply ascend to a shallower depth: dealing with the causes of nitrogen narcosis in such a way stops the effects very quickly (almost immediately). However, any ascent that you make to mitigate the effects of the narcosis should always be managed properly to avoid decompression sickness, especially in cases where you have been diving near to recommended recreational diving limits.

Seabobs have to be just about the coolest looking DPVs created so far.

Seabobs have a fantastic design with sleek lines and an ergonomic shape, and each model comes in a wide range of colors to boot.

The Seabob Cayago Magnum is the special edition Seabob and is quite simply a knockout by anybody’s standards.

Driving the Seabob Cayago Magnum

All Seabob DPVs feature advanced and innovative control technologies.

Like all Seabobs, the Seabob Cayago Magnum is propelled by Seabob’s patented electric jetstream system. You control the Seabob via a pair of intelligent control Powergrips which feature Piezo technology.

The Seabob Cayago Magnum is powered by 30 Cayago-power high energy Li-Ion accumulator cells. The revolutionary accumulator gives the driver up to a staggering 4 hours of use before recharging is required.

The drive mechanism itself kicks in via one of the Seabob Powergrips, upon which you just have to press a sensor button to accelerate to the speed you require. Another sensor in the other Powergrip stops you on demand.

The Cayago’s cockpit is perfectly positioned for its driver. It has an LCD display panel, which provides you with technical details such as power and battery life and it also tells you about your depth and the temperature of the water.

Unlike standard Seabobs, the Cayago is suitable for extreme diving depths of up to 40 meters.

Fantastic!

Features of the Seabob Cayago Magnum

• Hard-integral plastic technology shell.
• 4 hour operating time (10-12 hour standard charging time).
• Max. depth: 40 meters.
• High vis LCD display panel.
• Easy controls and steering.
• 5.2 kW (7 HP).
• Max. torque: 22 Nm.
• Max. thrust: 734 N.
• Max. surface speed: 22 kmh (13.7 mph).
• Max. underwater speed: 16 km/h (9.9 mph).
• Quality navigation and location technology system
• Stunning design.

Summary Review for the Seabob Cayago Magnum

The Cayago Magnum is too cool for words really. It not only looks great but it delivers on every level performance-wise.

As the Cayago is a special edition model, you may find it very hard to get hold of one for yourself. If you are lucky enough to be able to get your hands on this limited edition Seabob (and can actually afford it!), you may find yourself in the next James Bond movie!

But don’t take our word for it… check this out:

The Seabob Cayago Magnum oozes style and yet has the performance statistics to justify looking as good as it does: it’s simply unbeatable!

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SeaLife specialize in the manufacture of underwater digital cameras. The DC600 then is another feather in SeaLife’s cap offering niche underwater camera solutions for the diving market. 

But does the SCUBA diving world need another trendy gadget or is the SeaLife DC600 offering just that little bit extra to make it an indespensible tool for your average diver?

What Does the SeaLife DC600 Have to Offer?

Well firstly, the SeaLife DC600 digital underwater camera is not just an underwater camera: like all  SeaLife cameras it can be usd above the waves.

Underwater, the SeaLife DC600 requires its robust and chunky housing, which helps it to withstand pressures of up to 200 feet (60 meters) without permitting a drop of water inside. But when you take the SeaLife DC600’s wet protection off, you are left with a small, lightweight and easily transportable digital compact you can slip into your pocket for dry shots.

So the SeaLife DC600 is truly versatile, but is it a jack of all trades and a master of none?

Main Features of the SeaLife DC600 Digital Camera

• 6.1 megapixels.
• SD memory compatible.
• 3x digital zoom.
• 4x optical zoom.
• 2.5 inch display.
• Safety lock function.
• Watertight to depths of up to 200 feet (60 meters).
• Very robust build designed to resist rough treatment.
• Good quality images both over and under water (the underwater white balance is extremely effective).
• The DC600 can be extended by adding SeaLife lenses and/or strobes.
• Lithium Battery and charger included.
• Its easy to use.

The SeaLife DC600 is a 6.1 megapixel camera that is very well designed for underwater use. Its polycarbonate case can take quite a beating… so accidental bumps against rocks, diving equipment and the like will not cause it much bother.

The case of the DC600 camera has an easy-opening clamshell design so that you can remove the camera for use on land, but you must be careful not to damage its rubber o-ring and ensure that no debris such as hair, sand or dirt stick to it when you close it as this might affect its ability to keep water out. When the SeaLife DC600 is in its case it is very easy to hold and use.

The controls of the DC600 are well marked and easy to use, and it can be further extended with SeaLife lenses and strobes. You can also mount the DC600 onto a standard tripod.

SeaLife’s DC600 has a slot for SD storage cards as well as 10MB of internal memory. It has a 5.5 to 16.5 mm focal length and a 30 fps movie capability (with sound… even when you are filming underwater) at 640 x 480 pixels.

A macro function gives the DC600 the ability to take close ups and a self timer, 3x digital zoom and built in flash further sweeten the deal.

SeaLife DC600 Settings

The SeaLife DC600 has 13 scene modes for use above water and 2 for below it.

SeaLife DC600 scene mode settings:

Portrait, landscape, panorama, night, sunset, sunrise, candlelight, sport, text, firework, spy, splash water, program AE and the two underwater modes, sea and external flash.

Summary Review of SeaLife’s DC600 Underwater Camera

SeaLife have produced another reliable digital underwater camera system in the DC600. It is sturdy enough to take the pressures that recreational diving can possibly challenge it with and it is able to produce good quality pictures at the same time.

The SeaLife DC600 digital underwater camera is a worthy digital compact for recreational divers who want a point-and-shoot but may not offer the quality and functionality that more serious underwater photographers require.

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The SCUBAPRO MK25/S600 regulator combination (a combination of the first stage MK25 and second stage S600 aparatus) is a very attractive system but how good is it?

SCUBAPRO claims that due to its patented design, the MK25/S600 combo is impervious to cold conditions… no small claim!

How is this possible?

SCUBAPRO has included large holes in the MK25 design to allow more water to pass around it. This means that the cold, depressurised air entering the first stage has a greater chance of being “warmed” by the slightly warmer water that surrounds it. The MK25 also has external fins which add more heat sink properties and at the same time helps to prevent ice from forming up the outside of the MK25’s body.

The SCUBAPRO MK25 also includes SCUBAPRO’s Thermal Insulation System technology, which comprises special material and coating products for the parts of the regulator that move. This in turn reduces the likelihood that ice will cause the moving parts to stick.

Features of the MK25 First Stage Regulator

• Machine turned titanium body and parts.
• Chrome-plated marine brass build.
• SCUBAPRO’s patented Thermal Insulating System.
• Air-balanced flow-through piston system.
• Externally adjustable inter-mediate pressure.
• Dual HP port and 5 port LP swivel.

How Does the S600 Second Stage Contribute?

The SCUBAPRO S600 second stage regulator is a wonderful piece of equipment to breathe through. It is lightweight and small but packs a lot of quality. It includes an adjustable inhalation-resistance knob as well as a dive / pre-dive switch, which has been designed to stop free-flowing air while you are floating at the surface.

Features of SCUBAPRO’s S600

• Body and components made of Technopolymer.
• Diver-adjustable Venturi Initiated Vacuum Assist (VIVA) and inhalation control.
• High-flow exhaust valve.
• Air-balanced linear-flow valve.

SCUBAPRO MK25 and S600 Combination Summary Review

SCUBAPRO state that the MK25-S600 combination regulator is an amalgamation of its top performing 1st stage paired up with its best selling performance air balanced 2nd stage. It is by all accounts SCUBAPRO’s “ultimate” regulator rig.

The SCUBAPRO MK25/S600 combo is designed to stand up to all diving conditions (warm and cold water).

The emphasis of the MK25/S600 regulator system is clearly focused on ease of breathing (through the balanced flow valve), and diver preferences (adjustable inhalation control). The Venturi Inititiated Vacuum Assist controls further contribute to easy inhalaion and high flow exhaust valve aids exhalation. Combined with the super flow hose, breathing underwater has never been so easy!

The various elements of SCUBAPRO’s MK25 and S600 are lightweight (titanium and technopolymer) which are either machine turned or precision molded. The use of anti-freezing materials and coatings make this particular SCUBAPRO regulator combo very resistant to corrosion and assist the whole system in colder water conditions.

The SCUBAPRO MK25 and S600 regulator system is easy to transport and performs exremely well in a variety of environments.

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The Try Diving Contact page is now live. Please feel free to use it to ask us questions or just drop us a line about anything related to SCUBA diving.

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The AKONA AKB234 (AKONA’s deluxe mesh backpack) is a natty little sack for storing your diving gear. The AKONA AKB234 is a 30 x 15 inch pack, having some 5,658 cubic inches of carrying capacity. It’s not a hardcore diver’s backpack for lugging heavy weights, but it is a nice little package for carrying around your diving gear.

Features of the AKONA AKB234 Diver’s Backpack

• The AKONA AKB234 is made of a 600D poly-natural fiber blending with an interior that is polyurethane coated; this makes its mesh construction very strong, highly durable and resistant to water.
• Easy-grasp AKONA designed carry handles.
• Padded backpack straps that are fleece lined and contoured to the shape of the average back.
• Sternum strap for extra stability.
• Internal full-length zip pocket. The double coating of PVC on the bottom as well as nylon seams prevent water from entering.
• Water resitant external pocket including key-clip.
• Rust and corrosion resistant zips.
• Hardened rubber luggage tag.

Summary of the AKONA AKB234

The AKONA AKB234 is very well ventilated making it an ideal backpack for your wet diving gear. Its strong mesh design means that it can take the demands that most kit owning recreational divers make of it.

In terms of its size, the AKONA AKB234 should be able to take a couple of sets of fins, snorkels, masks and towels with space left over for one or two other accessories. Its large internal pocket is great for keeping items such as wallets and t-shirts dry and the external pocket is perfectly sized to keep things such as loose change, your camera, some sun cream etc. close to hand.

The AKONA AKB234 is a really neat backpack for transporting your dry dive gear in also, although it’s not really designed to be put into the hold of an airplane… though it could perhaps be used for hand luggage! When you’re not using your AKONA AKB234 for carrying your diving equipment, it packs down to a nifty 12 x 12 inches (flat) making it easy to store in your actual luggage for transportation.

The AKONA AKB234 has a nice large opening for easy loading and a zipper on the side so that you can easily access the items at the bottom of the sack.

A strong mesh sack that provides well thought out stroage and carrying options, the AKONA AKB234 could be the helping hand you’ve been looking for on your diving activities.

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The Sherwood Tortuga BCD is marketed as a comfortable utility buoyancy control device that offers many convenient features.

But how does it stand up?

At a Glance Features of the Sherwood Tortuga BCD

• Simple to use inflator (for both oral and power inflation).
• 3-D air cell which comprises controlled expansion to ensure maximum lift and minimum squeeze.
• Adjustable shoulder area so that you can get in and out of the Tortuga easily.
• 2 x well placed and easily usable zip-pockets.
• Self adjusting waist strap.
• A vent valve on the right shoulder side.
• 4 x stainless stell D-rings.
• Heavyweight 1000 Denier (urethane coated nylon) build.
• Built for QuickClip™ and AKONA BC Pro Kit.

The Sherwood Tortuga: Built for Comfort?

The Sherwood Tortuga is a very comfortable BCD that’s for sure.

The inbuilt soft neck pad around the Tortuga BCD’s shoulders really adds another dimension of comfort over and above other BCDs in its class. The backpack itself is almost sumptuous and padded for maximum comfort.

The way in which the Tortuga is put together gives the wearer a good deal of mobility in that it does not restrict movement as some other BCDs tend to do. There are dump valves on the main inflation hose, on the opposite (right) shoulder area and another on the lower part of the 3-D air cell. The D-rings (there are 4 of them) are made of stainless steel and 2 zipped cargo pockets for your convenience, located in such a way that you’ll be able to find them easily when you are underwater.

Buoyancy and the Tortuga BCD

The word “tortuga” is a Spanish word meaning “turtle”. You can see why Sherwood has named this particular model so. The Tortuga is a back-inflated model that swells up like a turtle’s shell.

Due to its wraparound design and self adjusting harness the Tortuga BCD never gives you a squeezing sensation. As you descend underwater, the width of the bcd allows more space than most for wetsuit squeeze, which again creates a sensation of comfort that most other BCDs do not provide.

As stated, most of the lift provided by the Tortuga BCD comes from the 3-D air cell, most of the surface area of it being in the back area. However, the air pockets wrap around the sides to give you further bouyancy in all the right places.

The design of the backplate and harness of the Tortuga BCD also works very nicely, with emphasis being placed on how it handles weight. Sherwood has included its CQR2 system into the Tortuga, which means that the harness and backplate support all the weight placed on the BCD by tanks and other accessories. The Tortuga’s CQR2 system also includes 2 releasable weight pockets at the front of the BCD, giving the wearer very easy access to them.

Summary Review of the Sherwood Tortuga BCD

The Sherwood Tortuga BCD provides the wearer with good lift and stability but does not restrict movement. It is a comfortable BCD that is easily adjustable and easy to fine tune to your requirements. It fits easily over 7ml suits and is good for warm or cold water use. The rear weight pocket is a little small but this is a relatively minor complaint.

All in all, the Tortuga is a great buoyant little package!

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If you enjoy diving, you owe it to yourself and others to act responsibly in the water. Below are 19 practices to make sure you are a safe diver:

• Make sure that you plan all your dives before you get into the water.
• Make sure that your deepest dive of the day is also your first dive of the day.
• The deepest part of each dive that you plan should be reached at the beginning of your dive.
• Try to avoid exerting yourself during your dive. You should also avoid physical activity for half an hour after your dive has finished.
• Check your dive computer and/or guages often throughout your dive.
• If you are diving in cold water or after strenuous activity, make sure that you begin your ascent before you reach your no-decompression limit.
• Always act in compliance with the ascent rate that is indicated by your dive computer.
• Always carry out a 3-minute safety stop between 20 feet (6 meters) and 10 feet (3 meters).
• Try to avoid decompression stop dives and be absolutely certain not to dive deeper than 130 feet (40 meters) unless you are a specially trained deep diver.
• When you are doing a decompression dive, prolong the decompression stop nearest to the surface.
• After all of your decompression stops, ascend to the surface very slowly.
• Always make sure that you are not “yo-yo” diving (repetitively ascending and descending under the water).
• Do not carry out any dive until the desaturation time, as dictated by your previous dive, has passed.
• Avoid repeatedly diving to a single depth deeper than 60 feet (18 meters). N.B. Repeated diving to the same depth is known as “square diving”.
• Be sure to separate any repetitive dives by at least a 2 hour surface interval.
• If you are planning repetitive dives for a number of consecutive days, be sure to take at least one day off from diving each week. The recommended number of consecutive time diving should not exceed 3 days i.e. take 1 day off every 3 days.
• Be certain that you do not go mountain climbing or take a plane flight for at least 12 hours (preferably 24 hours) after a dive.
• Finally, never try to exceed the limits of your experience and skill.

The Suunto Vyper Dive Computer is an older model than Suunto’s D6 and D9 dive computer models and so as you might expect does not offer the same number of functions packed into those two models. However, that does not mean to say that the Suunto Vyper should not be considered if you are looking for a dive computer offering performance, ease of use, a bunch of useful functions and of course good value.

Features of the Suunto Vyper

The Suunto Vyper has numerous functions to make the most choosey of divers (both advanced/professional divers and those relatively new to diving) go weak at the knees. Suunto has built into the Vyper full decompression functions, standard air or Nitrox mix modes, a depth gauge function and a timer including a profile memory.

Like Suunto’s D6 and D9 models, the Suunto Vyper also records and saves information about your dives so that you can look at it at a later date. This is achieved via a PC interface and software enabling you to examine, analyze and compare your diving experiences and your performance throughout them. All of your data can be converted into graphical representaions to eanble you to identify trends in performance or to highlight areas of weakness that you should focus upon.

At a Glance Features of the Suunto Vyper

• Electroluminescent display.
• Maximum depth: 492 feet (150 meters).
• Suunto RGBM decompression model.
• Full decompression data.
• Ascent rate monitor and alarm.
• Safety stop function.
• Air, Nitrox and gauge modes.
• Built-in dive simulator.
• Dive planner.
• Multiple memory functions.
• 50 hour logbook memory.
• Audible alarm.
• Temperature display.
• Low battery warning (the battery itself is user-replaceable).
• 12/24 hour watch and calendar functions.
• Suunto Dive Manager PC Suite and interface.

The Suunto Vyper: Summary Review

The Suunto Vyper is a a stalwart of Suunto’s dive computer range these days. It’s not the flashiest of models but its reliability is undisputable… just ask ask anyone who owns one. Although it has some advanced features and is a fairly tough model, it is most likely to appeal to the advanced recreational SCUBA diving market.

As with Suunto’s D9 and D6 models, the Vyper uses the same Reduced Gradient Bubble Model (RGBM), which considers the possible formation of small gas bubbles within body tissues.

The Suunto Vyper is very simple to use and consequently extremely user friendly: its three button configuration enables you to navigate through the menu options quickly and easily. Suunto’s Vyper is also easy to read even in extremely dark conditions due to the power of its electroluminescent display. This is of course always a useful feature for night or wreck dives. All the dive information that the Suunto Vyper outputs to its owner is logically presented and very clear to understand making it very safe to use.

In short, the Suunto Vyper is a great model for those who do not want to pay the earth for a lot of stuff they will seldom use. However, it will still provide more than enough features for most divers and most diving environments.

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The Mares Nemo Wide is one of Mares’ offerings in the dive computer niche. Mares claim that the Nemo Wide is “the best interface between man & sea”.

Is it actually so?

The Rationale Behind the Nemo Wide

The design brief for the Nemo Wide was to create a dive computer that was easy to read and reliable, that promoted diver safety and was intuitive to use. Has this been achieved and if so how?

The Mares Nemo Wide dive computer has a very large display (the reason it is called the Nemo Wide). The large display means that there is plenty of room for the large digits that make reading the Mares Nemo Wide easy.

Combined with a strong back light and the brightness of the digits on the display itself, there are not many dive computers available on the market today that can claim to be as diver friendly in terms of readability.

The Nemo Wide is also very easy to use dive computer. It is ergonomically designed to make operation of the computer simple through its four large buttons: Mares calls this its “Easy Access System”.

At a Glance Features of the Mares Nemo Wide Dive Computer

• Maximum depth 492 feet (150 meters).
• A wide face with a high contrast display.
• Large digits make for easy reading.
• 170° viewing angle.
• Intense backlighting.
• Mares 4 button “Easy Access System”.
• Mares-Wienke RGBM: a new algorithm designed to reduce risks of micro-bubble formation.
• Multiple dive modes: bottom time, Nitrox and air.
• Residual nitrogen clear.
• Digital and analog ascent rate readout.
• Deep and safety stop functions.
• Logbook function stores 38 hours of dive information.
• Audible alrams.
• Altitude progams included.
• Usable in salt and fresh water.
• Tough, mineral glass face.
• User replaceable alkaline batteries.
• Upgradeable software.

Summary Review of the Mares Nemo Wide

The Nemo Wide is possibly one of the most usable and user friendly dive computers you can buy.

Its display could not be clearer and can be viewed easily from multiple angles.

With the many advanced features and functions inbuilt as well as its robust build and advanced ergonomic design, the Mares Nemo Wide is a dive computer created to withstand the toughest of diving environments.

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The SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER GTI is the step up from SEA-DOO’s Dolphin and Aquanaut propulsion vehicle models. The GTI leaves the propulsion-vehicles-for-fun market aimed at kids and adults, to become a much more serious player in the adult SCUBA diving market. As such it is much more the sort of product you would associate as a true Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV).

What does the SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER GTI Offer?

Well, as stated, the SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER GTI clearly sits squarely in the DPV category. Consequently, the GTI model offers variable speed control up to 4 kmh (2.5 mph) designed to help you minimize air usage and maximize dive time.

Like its contemporaries in the SEA-DOO sea scooter range, the GTI is compact and easy to transport, having a weight of 18lbs (7kg). It is therefore small enough and light enough to make it easy to take to the beach by hand for shore dives where you might want to initially use it to get you to the drop off point rather than swimming to it.

The SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER GTI can descend to depths up to 100 feet (30 meters), so is perfect for recreational diving. Alternatively it is a great to use at the surface to take the legwork out of snorkelling.

SEASCOOTER GTI Features List

• The GTI can propel you to a maximum depth of 100ft (30m).
• Variable speed control with a top speed of 4 kmh (2.5 mph).
• Adjustable buoyancy.
• Automatic power off.
• Protective grille.
• Totally Waterproof internal circuitry.
• Weight: 12lbs (easy to carry with one hand).
• Dimensions: 612 x 385 x 312 (mm)
• Rechargeable quick-release battery (fully charged battery gives 2 hours of use).
• Supplied with its own SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER GTI branded carrying bag.

Summary Review of the SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER GTI

The GTI model is the entry level DPV from the SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER range. It gives a high degree of performance enabling divers to dive to recommended recreational diving depth limits with a reasonable top speed. The 2 hour battery life is also a great feature, but like all battery operated products a spare will always come in handy. Finally like most SEA-DOO products the GTI looks cool!

The SEASCOOTER GTI is a serious contender in the recreational DPV arena.

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The SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Dolphin is the slightly older sibling of the SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Aquanaut inasmuch as, unlike the Aquanaut, it is a propulsion vehicle for children and adults. A further difference between these two models is that the SEASCOOTER Dolphin may be used in swimming pools and lakes whereas the Aquanaut is really only designed for pools.

What Can the SEA-DOO Dolphin Do?

SEA-DOO’s Dolphin will propel its users at speeds of up to 3.2 kmh (2 mph). As it only weighs 12lbs it is another lightweight model that is easy to transport: indeed it can actually be carried in one hand. It is designed for use by children of 8 years of age up to adults although obviously you should supervise children at the younger end of the age spectrum.

The Dolphin will dive to depths just shy of 16ft (15.5ft to be precise) which means you’ll be able to descend a little when you are skin diving: N.B. the SEASCOOTER Dolphin is NOT intended for SCUBA diving usage.

Similar to the Aquanaut model, the Dolphin’s rechargeable battery will last for approximately an hour. The batteries are easy to change so if you are serious about owning a SEASCOOTER Dolphin it might be worth investing in a spare battery to keep everyone satisfied!

The SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Dolphin and Safety

The Dolphin sea scooter has a floating chassis making it naturally buoyant, an auto power-off function and protective grille covering the propeller blades. The Dolphin also has a safety lock and waterproof internal electrics.

DISCLAIMER: As with any type of product that minors can use in water, you should never leave your children unattended while they use it. You may wish to ensure that your children wear appropriate bouyancy aids when the are using any item such as the SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Dolphin. The SEA-DOO Dolphin is intended for recreational use but NOT for recreational diving use.

SEASCOOTER Dolphin Features at a Glance

• For use by children of 8 years and older to adults.
• SEASCOOTER Dolphins can be used up to 15.5ft under the water.
• Maximum speed of 3.2kmh (2mph).
• Bouyant chassis.
• Dual trigger control with automatic power off (the Dolphin shuts off when the grips are released).
• Protective grille covering the propeller.
• Waterproof electronics.
• Lightweight at 12lbs.
• Easy transportablility.
• Rechargeable batteries that are EN and ASTM Standards approved.
• 180 day warranty on all SEA-DOO’s parts.

Dolphin Sea Scooter Summary

A step up from the Aquanaut model in terms of where it can be used and by whom, SEA-DOO’s Dolphin offers great fun for most of the family. It can be used outside of a swimming pool but is not suitable for salt water usage and is certainly not a hardcore DPV, as it will only allow you to depths less than 15.5ft (for more robust models, visit our SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER page).

Notwithstanding, the SEASCOOTER Dolphin is another value priced “fun” propulsion vehicle from SEA-DOO.

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The SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Aquanaut is the baby of SEA-DOO’s propulsion vehicle range. It is designed for use in swimming pools and can be great fun for children… so maybe it’s a little out of place for a feature review on Try-Diving.net. However, the SEASCOOTER Aquanaut can be a smart way to develop your children’s confidence in the water by introducing another fun activity for them to enjoy… and that IS something worth promoting.

Aimed for children between the ages of 5 to 10 years (max. weight 100lbs), the Aquanaut sea scooter can be used for snorkelling (depth up to 8ft) and swimming or just cruising around in the pool. Its rechargeable battery lasts for up to an hour giving your children a propulsion vehicle with a top speed of 1.2 miles per hour.

The SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Aquanaut and Safety

The Aquanaut sea scooter is equipped with waterproof circuitry, a protective grill covering the propeller and a power shut off that activates when your child lets go of the handles. The Aquanaut also has a positively buoyant chassis which makes it naturally tend towards the surface.

DISCLAIMER: Although the SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Aquanaut is designed for children’s use and comprises numerous safety features, you should never leave your children unattended in water. Allowing your children to use the SEA-DOO Aquanaut for snorkelling would indicate that a life preserver may be an advisable item for them to wear whilst doing so. The SEASCOOTER Aquanaut should NOT be used for SCUBA Diving.

SEASCOOTER Aquanaut Features at a Glance

• For use in a pool by children between 5 and 10 years
• Usage up to 8ft depth
• Top speed of 1.2 mph
• Floating chassis
• Auto power shut-off
• Propeller safety grille
• Waterproof circuitry
• Lightweight at 7.3 lbs
• Extremely compact and easy to carry
• Rechargeable battery that satisfies all EN and ASTM standards
• 180 day warranty on parts

The SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Aquanaut will be no good for mums and dads who are looking for a DPV for extreme diving jaunts (for more grown up models, visit see our SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER page). However, the Aquanaut will have a huge appeal for their children.

The Aquanaut then is a fantastic propulsion unit for kids to use in the pool at an affordable price for their parents.

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SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER products are founded upon the reputation of the SEA-DOO recreational watercraft range. Unlike most other SEA-DOO products though, the SEA-DOO SEA SCOOTER is intended for those who want to have fun beneath the surface: SEA-DOO SEASCOOTERS are Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs).

SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER MODELS

The SEASCOOTER range is currently comprised of several different models:

• SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Explorer
• SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER GTI
• SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER VS Supercharged
• SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Aquanaut
• SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER Dolphin

Each of SEADOO’s SEASCOOTERs have slightly different features and are designed for different uses, users and environments.

SEASCOOTER Design

All DPVs have a kind of a fantasy appeal to many as they appeared to be the underwater transport method of choice for the earliest of James Bonds! The SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER range certainly taps into this through the highly desirable design of the outer shell casing.

Each model in the SEASCOOTER range gives a fairly powerful performance in a small and easily transportable package. This makes them ideal for use not just by divers wanting to make certain shore dives perhaps more accessible. SEA-DOO SEASCOOTERs will also cry out to snorkellers who will find the experience of gliding along just beneath the surface a dream or alternatively enjoy the ability to descend easier and deeper on one breath.

N.B. There are more in depth reviews of all of the SEA-DOO SEASCOOTER products to look at what each particular model has to offer within Try-Diving.net.

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When you start to learn about any new subject or develop a new skill area it can be very difficult to keep up with the vocabulary and technical terms that seem to roll off the tongue so easily for those who have more experience in that area. This is especially true in the case of SCUBA diving, which can become extremely technical and scientific due to the importance of understanding how gases respond differently under pressure and how this impacts our bodies’ ability to absorb and disperse them.

Consequently, Try Diving now has a new Glossary page designed to help you get up to speed with the langauge of diving if you are a recent convert to the underwater world… or maybe a cheat sheet if you are a hardened pro!

You can find our new diving vocabulary page here: Diving Glossary.

More than likely you have seen the movie Jaws.

Regardless of whether you have seen Jaws or not, it is more than likely that your perception of the Great White Shark has been either directly or indirectly affected by it.

Below we have listed Ten Great White Shark facts to help to balance the post-Jaws world’s view of this amazing creature. Hopefully you will learn something more about this truly astounding creature than most media views often present.

Great White Shark Facts: 1-10

1. The Great White Shark is also known by the following names: the White Pointer, the White Shark and the White Death. Its scientific name is Carcharodon Carcharias.
2. Contrary to perceived facts, the Great White Shark’s favorite food is not people but pinnipeds (seals and sea lions).
3. The Great White is one of a few species of shark who lift their heads out of the water to look at objects on the surface. This practice is known as “spyhopping”.
4. The maximum size of Great White Sharks averages approximately 6 meters (20 feet) with a maximum average weight of approximately 1,900 kilos (4,200 pounds). The largest Great White Shark ever caught was listed by the Guiness Book of World Records as being 11.3 meters (37 feet) long.
5. A Great White Shark fact you may not be aware of is that they have extra sensory powers. Great Whites (like all sharks) have sensing organs known as Ampullae of Lorenzini located in the pores of their skin at their business end (their heads!). These sensors enable the Great White to pick up electromagnetic fields generated by the movements of living creatures. When a creature moves underwater a Great White can detect the electric field it generates as a result. A Great White’s apullae are so sensitive they can detect a staggeringly small amount of electrical current (up to 1/2 a billionth of a volt).
6. Contrary to popular belief, the Great White Shark is not a mammal but a fish. As such it is the largest known fish swimming in our oceans.
7. Great White Sharks still remain a fairly mysterious creature: we know little of their mating habits or social structures.
8. An adult Great White may not eat anything for up to two weeks at a time.
9. It is estimated that the Great White Shark has a lifespan of between 30 to 100 years.
10. There are approximately 100 shark attacks worldwide every year. Of these 100 attacks 30 result in a fatality. It is assumed that around 10 to 15 of these fatalities are due to Great White Shark attacks… most of which are NOT divers. To put this another way, more people are killed in the United States each year by dog attacks than by Great White Shark attacks.

The Great White is a very efficient predator: it is at the top of the food chain. It is true of course that some encounters with Great White Sharks have resulted in people suffering horrific injuries, some of which have been fatal.

Having said this, we should not be irrationally frightened by them. In order to conquer our fears it is important to learn the facts about the Great White Shark rather than just dismissing it as a mindless and frenzied killing machine.

This mini SeaLife camera is a nice addition to the underwater digital camera range.

SeaLife Reef Master Mini Camera: Features at a Glance

• 6.0 megapixel CCD sensor
• Water resistant to 130 feet (40 metres)
• Built-in flash
• Fast start-up
• Fast shutter response
• 2” TFT Reefmaster LCD to help you frame your shot or view the result
• Video including audio
• Weight: 295 grams
• Compatible with SD and MMC memory types (also includes 4MB internal memory)
• Ruggedised rubber casing protects the Reef Master Mini from drops up to 6 feet (2 meters)
• The Sealife Reefmaster SL320 can be used on land as well as underwater.

The Reef Master Mini SL320’s size is a handy 78mmx12mm x43mm, having a weight of 295 grams: this makes it a good size to carry with you underwater although it is a little tricky to operate there. It has a standard 2” TFT LCD, which is a nice feature but a slightly larger screen would make it really useful.

Like all SeaLife cameras, the SL320 is nicely wrapped in rubberised armour, which protects it from on-land drops of up to 2 meters and also gives good traction so it feels nice to hold in or out of the water.

SeaLife Reefmaster Picture Quality

The SL320 has land and sea modes to enable you to take photos of equal quality in the dry or wet. It also has a built-in camera flash, which is useful for close range underwater shots but also has an external flash mode for use with external SeaLife camera flashes. The color of underwater images can be enhanced by the camera itself using Sealife’s color booster “Sea” mode. The combined results of these features means that the Reefmaster camera creates nice, sharp and color rich pictures with well-balanced underwater blue color effects.

SeaLife’s Reef Master SL320 also offers you wide angle options to enable panoramic and close up macro functions making it a very versatile digital underwater camera. On land the Sealife Mini camera lens tends to cause minor vignetting but the results are still strong.

General rating for the SeaLife Reefmaster Camera (Mini SL320) is generally high. It is a robust and versatile model which generates a reasonably good picture quality. Like many underwater creatures it is slightly more sluggish on land but not painfully so. The size of the LCD screen suffers in comparison to some models especially underwater but for the price SeaLife’s Reef Master Camera offers good value for the performance and features it offers.

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The S.S. Yongala is a wrecked passenger ship that sunk around 48 miles off the coast of the city of Townsville in Northern Queensland, Australia.

The Yongala sank as a result of its encounter with a cyclone as it was travelling from Melbourne to Cairns in March 1911 and resulted in the deaths of its 122 passengers and crew.

Although the S.S. Yongala’s demise occurred in 1911, its actual wherebouts remained a mystery until it was discovered by accident at its resting place off Townsville in 1958. The story of the Yongala is perhaps the biggest catastrophe in Australia’s maritime history.

Since 1958 however, the S.S. Yongala has become an extremely important marine ecosystem and a highly popular location for recreational scuba diving.

Where Exactly Does the Yongala Lie?

The Yongala lies approximately 0.8 hectares within a 500m radius at 19°18′27″S 147°37′31″E / -19.3075, 147.62528. It is around 48 miles east of the Townsville coast and 22 miles north-east of Ayr in the Coral Sea within the zone of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The Yongala is a Heritage Site as listed by the Queensland National Estate. Divers are strictly forbidden from entering the Yongala as CO2 bubbles left inside the wreck could contribute to its deterioration.

The S.S. Yongala: A Good Dive Location?

Undoubtedly.

The SS Yongala is one the best wreck dives in the world but many divers actually consider the Yongala to be THE best dive spot bar none!

The Yongala rests in approximately 30 meters of water on a flat, sandy bottom. There is nothing else around the SS Yongala for literally miles, and as the ship is 110 meters in length she is not difficult to spot when you are in the underwater vicinity.

The SS Yongala Experience

Visibility is generally very good and the wreck of the SS Yongala itself is impressive to say the least. The hull is in good condition but you can also clearly see the rudder, masts, engine room, toilets, port holes and most of the ship’s name is also apparent.

The Yongala is literally encrusted with highly colorful hard and soft coral. You will also see abundant hydroids and sea fans swaying gently in the sea breeze. As such the Yongala appears like an oasis in a sandy desert and as a result it attracts an enormous array of marine life. On any dive there you will likely see some, or maybe even all, of the following on a good day:

• Barracuda
• Many varieties of ray
• Sharks
• Turtles
• Giant gropers
• Giant sized wrasse
• Sea snakes
• and much, much more!

Diving Trips to the Yongala

You should be able to find many operators in Townsville offering dive trips to the Yongala. Be well aware though that tides and currents can make the Yongala a relatively difficult dive so it is important to choose the right time to dive.

You also need to be aware that the Yongala is a very popular diving location (around 10,000 divers vist her annually) and so you will likely not be there on your own.

Also due to varying conditions dives to the Yongala can be cancelled at short notice: high winds or strong currents particularly affect Yongala dives as she is relatively exposed, having no protection from reef etc. However, given the right conditions diving at the site of the SS Yongala could just about be one of the best diving experiences of your life.

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A Review of the Big Blue (Le Grand Bleu) by Luc Besson

The Big Blue was a massive hit in many European countries (particularly in France – its director was the Luc Besson after all), but was actually a minor commercial flop upon its release in other countries. Since its theatrical release though it has become a huge cult classic due to its fantastic cinematography (both over and underwater), wonderfully ambient soundtrack (composed by Eric Serra) and an almost tangible existential/philosophical feeling that permeates most of the film.

The Big Blue Story Outline

The Big Blue focuses on the character Jaques Mayol and the relationships he has with a childhood contemporary called Enzo Molinari (Jean Reno), a woman called Johana (Rosanna Arquette) and the sea (the Big Blue of the title).

Jaques and Enzo are freedivers: two of the best in the world. Throughout their lives they have pushed eachother onwards to greater depths. Jaques is an introverted character who witnessed the death of his father in a diving accident when he was a young boy. Enzo is a proud and amusing character in the movie, providing a counterbalance to Jaques’ introversion. The main protagonist is Jaques though, and we see two worlds through his eyes… a world above water that Jacques has difficulty comprehending and another that he understands perfectly beneath it.

The Big Blue must have inspired thousands of people to take up SCUBA diving, even though the movie itself is about freediving and not SCUBA. What is inspiring about the movie is not the story or the characters but the whole experience of just watching it. The underwater scenes are truly magical and the soundtrack, although dated now in places (the synthesizer was all the rage in the 1980s remember), is simply stunning. Combined they produce a magical, mysterious and really moving experience.

If you have never seen this movie (or heard the soundtrack), watching the Big Blue might inspire you to try diving sometime soon!

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Scubapro’s Titanium Diver’s Watch is a very nice underwater timepiece.

The Scubapro Titanium has a 25-jewel Swiss-made mechanized movement that is protected by a water-tight (to 700 meters) solid titanium case.

The Titanium is a kinetic style watch meaning that it is wound by the natural movements of the wearer’s wrist… so you will never need to change batteries underwater!

Main Features of the Scubapro Titanium Diver

The Scubapro Divers Watch has the following specifications:

• Highly luminous dial and hands
• Water resistanance to 700ft
• Swiss movement
• Scratch-resistant crystal glass face
• Magnified date display
• Engraved screw-type case back
• Strap exchanging tool
• Sporty black backup strap
• and titanium all over the place!

Scubapro Divers Watch and Titanium

This particular watch is well named as it comprises multiple titanium components. It has:

• a solid titanium machined casing
• a screw-down titanium crown
• a rotating titanium bezel
• and a titanium strap.

Because the casing, crown, bezel and strap are all composed of titanium and the face cover is crystal glass, the Scubapro Titanium is very light and practically immune to damage.

Usability

As you would expect from any good dive watch, the dial and hands are easy to see.

Firstly the face of the watch is not over fussy (always a good usability design feature) and the important parts of the hands and dial are marked with a highly luminous paint making the Titanium a very easy timepiece to read underwater.

The Scubapro Titanium is also resistant to around 700 feet… more than enough atmospheres for your average recreational oxygen divers… in fact pretty handy for commercial deep divers too!

An understated but great diver’s watch, the Scubapro Titanium is a little nugget.

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The XTX200 regulator from APEKS is a premium quality regulator incorporating attractive design and performance. As with all APEKS regulators, the XTX200 is feature rich combining the following elements.

APEKS XTX200 Features

• Converts from a right to left-handed configuration through RVS (Reversible Venturi System) N.B. Conversion should be carried out by an authorized APEKS service technician
• Includes DCE – Diver Changeable Exhaust System
• Durability
• Improved purge function
• Improved breathing performance
• Approved for cold water diving

The Cleanliness of the APEKS XTX200!

All APEKS regulators are of a generally high quality but the APEKS XTX200 is one of the top models. The XTX200 is more ergonomically friendly than most through the RVS, which enables conversion from a left to right configuration and at the same time reduces the build up of grit ingress.

APEKS Regulators Diver Changeable Exhaust System

The DCE system of the XTX200 means that a diver can regulate the size of the exhaust tee you use from a small to a large exhaust. The result of such an ability means that you can choose the flow of exhaust you require for different dives: small for times when space is an issue (easier for travelling or for using as an octopus) or large to minimize bubble interference (important if you want fish to smile at your camera). Breathing performance on XTX200 regulators is also improved through the newly designed silicone exhaust valve.

Durability

The APEKS XTX200 regulator range is also robust and durable. The front cover is composed of a strong plastic and chrome plate to protect the sensitive parts of the demand valve. It also looks nice!

Purge

An improved open purge function means that the XTX200 purge self-clears preventing the build-up of regulator damaging debris. Coupled with a Venturi lever, APEKS’ XTX200 further reduces the problem of grit ingress.

Swivel Hose

The XTX200 range of APEKS regulators can be modified (for a price) to incorporate a swivel hose connection, which permits the demand valve end of the connection to rotate. This can possible make it a more comfortably fitting device for you.

APEKS XTX200 regulators ares a seriously slick addition to the regulator pantheon, combining stylish design, useful features and high performance. The XTX200 also comes in a Nitrox version, but all models are usable in cold or warm water.

The APEKS XTX200 regulator is truly a thing of beauty!

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The Swedish dive equipment makers Poseidon have launched a revolutionary new drysuit product. It’s called the Poseidon Flexisuit: Flexi because it incorporates the weight, flexibility and manoeuverability of wetsuits along with the insulating properties of regular drysuits.

The Flexisuit is made with a specially formulated type of neoprene (3mm thick) that is covered with durable Armatex nylon on the outside. This gives the Flexisuit durability, stretch, heat insulation and comfort.

The consequence of these design factors mean that the Poseidon Flexisuit is slim (especially compared to other drysuits) so that air movement is reduced, flexible in a similar way to westsuits but you can still wear at least one layer underneath it.

Flexisuit Technical Specifications

• 3mm HD neoprene
• Outer layer of Armatex nylon and Kevlar
• Separate hood with ventilation
• Frontside zip
• Anatomical prebent arms and legs
• Wrist seals in stretch neoprene
• Neck seal in stretch glideskin
• Sandwich SCS face seal
• Swivelled inlet valve
• Kevlar reinforcement on the back, arms, knees and socks
• Adjustable volume outlet valve
• Soft boots

Is the Poseidon Flexisuit Built to Last?

You bet!

The Flexisuit has Kevlar reinforcements on the back, forearms and knees which make it resistant to the rough treatment that drysuit-necessary conditions invariably dish out. But the Flexisuit has a tender side too: its front zip is easy to open and close and the seals in the wrist and neck areas are fashioned with a nice almost soft and springy neoprene.

Poseidon’s Flexisuit is also not bogged down by the standard rubberised boots found on other drysuits. No sir! Instead, the Flexisuit has reinforced Kevlar socks which provide a relatively thin but fairly robust sole. This makes the Flexisuit a much more mobile drysuit and it’s easier to swim in too as you can wear most fins with it.

Flexisuit Sizes and Accessories

Flexisuits come in sizes from XS to XXXL but they can be configured and manipulated to fit all sorts of shapes and sizes through bespoke orders. Accessories such as Poseidon rock boots, hoods and gloves can all be added to your Flexisuit to complete your look!

Information About Poseidon

Poseidon has been designing and making dive gear for the commercial and recreational diving markets since the 1950s. Founded by diving enthusiast Ingvar Elfström in 1958, Poseidon was the first company to develop a single hose regulator. The Poseidon Flexisuit is another innovative string to its bow.

Look out for the Poseidon Flexisuit in colder environments… it’s a real winner.

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Xcel Wetsuits are made by a company that has a true passion for wetsuit technology!

It’s focus centers upon the design and development of wetsuits for tropical and cold water conditions. Consequently, Xcel make wetsuits for year round surfers and SCUBA enthusiasts.

Xcel’s Beginnings

Xcel began life in Sunset Beach, Oahu in 1982. Its owner, Ed D’Ascoli, had a wide ranging experience of making and exporting surfing equipment to Japan from Hawaii and also helped to establish the international brand presence of the Japanese Victory Wetsuits company in the late 1970s/early 1980s. In July 2007 Xcel was acquired by Billabong as a strategy to strengthen Biilabong’s position in the global wetsuit market.

Xcel Sun Protection and Wetsuits

D’Ascoli began Xcel’s journey by targetting the surfing and canoe paddle niches. Xcel’s success in these areas prompted a move into the manufacture of commercial diving wetsuits as well as wetsuits for the United States military. Today Xcel wetsuits and sun protection wear are the mainstay of the Xcel brand.

Does Xcel Make Wetsuits for All?

Since the mid 1990s, Xcel have provided westuits for the recreational diving market. Today, Xcel design wetsuits for everybody: men, women and children alike. One thing that Xcel guarantee is the quality of their wetsuit materials and build: each Xcel wetsuit is carefully made with durability, stretch and fit kept firmly in mind. With Billabong’s backing, the Xcel wetsuit range could literally blow off the hook..

Xcel Dive Related Product Lines

Xcel dive wetsuits come in the following product ranges:

• Xcel Flex Core Warmer Shorty
• Xcel Vortex Fullsuit
• Xcel SCS Polar Tri-Density
• Xcel Hydro Tri-Density
• Xcel Polar Quad-Density
• Xcel Hydrospan
• Xcel Icon wetsuits

Xcel also make the following lines for diving:

• Xcel Infiniti Hooded Vest
• Xcel Neoprene Boots
• Xcel Glideskin 6.5mm Sole
• Xcel Titanium 6.5mm Boots
• Xcel Titanium Gloves

The Future For Xcel Wetsuits?

Xcel wetsuits remain at the forefront of wetsuit technology: in recent years Xcel has won the Surf Industry Manufacturers’ Association “Wetsuit of the Year” title.

Cutting edge techniques and materials and assuming the backing of a super rich parent means continued investment this can only be good news for the Xcel brand.

Body Glove is a pioneering global brand that specializes in clothing, swimwear and Body Glove wetsuits for diving and surfing. Body Glove was started in 1953 by Bob and Bill Meistrell, who were passionate divers and were two of the earliest formally recognized SCUBA dive instructors in the world.

Body Glove and Neoprene Wetsuits

The Meistrell twins were the first people to recognize the potential of neoprene. In fact, the development of the Body Glove wetsuit range began when they took advantage of the insulating properties of neoprene. The Meistrell’s incoporated neoprene in the formation of the first practical wet suit design, which made year round diving and surfing possible for those who would otherwise pack up their kit for the cooler winter months. As the neoprene wetsuits were made to fit like a glove, the Body Glove wetsuit concept and brand was born.

Today, Body Glove wetsuits are considered pretty hip, having been taken up most famously by the surfing fraternity. But Body Glove dive wetsuits offer the same mix of quality and attractive design for the hip generation.

What Dive Wetsuits Accessories are Available From Body Glove?

Body Glove produce the following wetsuit styles:

• Men’s and women’s full suits
• Men’s and women’s spring suits
• Men’s and women’s first layer tops
• and Body Glove Booties, gloves and hoods.

N.B. Body Glove wetsuits are complimented by a Body Glove dry suit product.

If you are into looking good and keeping youself warm under the big blue, Body Glove wet suits could be an option for you.

Are you nearsighted and have you had trouble finding a suitable solution to help you enjoy the visual side that the SCUBA diving experience can (and should) provide you with.

What have you tried so far? Are you still looking for an answer?

Well… if you are among the 15% of divers who wear contacts to correct nearsightedness above water and have yet to find a satisfying solution, the HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD may provide you with the best imaginable answer… permanently!

What is So Special About the HydroOptix Mega 4.5 Double Dome?

Did you know that flat masks impede approximately 75% of everybody’s “natural” visual range. The HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD provides a solution to the tunnel vision effects of a flat mask and in the case of nearsighted divers actually gives near perfect underwater vision!

The Double-Dome™ design puts the divers eyes literally in the middle of a large dome. This geometric positioning enables divers to see underwater objects at their actual size, shape and distance. But it is the shape of the water against the HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD that creates the secondary visual phenomenon enabling nearsighted divers to reap the full benefits of the mask.

Not only this, but using the HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD as a nearsighted diver provides an improved underwater visual ability over and above the abilities of divers who have 20/20 vision. This has prompted some divers with perfect vision to make themselves nearsighted by wearing contact lenses in order to use the HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD to its full potential.

Understandably this sounds completely nuts, but by all accounts many instructors and recreational divers now pack disposable contacts so that they can use the HydroOptix Mega 4.5 Double-Dome™ mask!

What are the main Features of HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DDs?

• HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DDs offer a view up to 5X greater than flat masks can offer
• They give the ability to see the true size and shape of objects as well as their actual distance from you
• HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DDs also give a crystal clear view wherever you look.

Finally, as with all HydroOptix masks, the HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD comes with patented “Twin-Turbo Purge Valves”, which exhaust bubbles at the back of the mask via large sized diameter flapping valves.

HydroOptix’s Twin-Turbo Purge Valves facilitate the fast and easy clearing of water from your dive mask.

Awesome!

All HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DDs come with:

• SeaGold™ anti-fog gel by AquaSeal®
• A customised hard-shell case
• Neoprene lens covers
• A monocle, including lanyard
• and a CoverLens with retractor

For divers with myopia the HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD may be the answer to your prayers.

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Is near sightedness causing you problems when diving?

Do not suffer in a blurry silence. SCUBA divers today have several options available to them if they are near sighted.

• SCUBA diving masks with pop-out lenses are available. Check with your local SCUBA gear store to see whether they carry replacement near sight lenses (some will carry common sizes for near sightedness). For a more precise fit you should take a prescription from your GP or doctor. Try to avoid "testing" lenses for yourself in a shop: remember that the properties of what you look through on dry land will almost certainly change underwater.
• Disposable contact lenses can be used… under your dive mask of course! If you do wear disposable lenses on your dives be sure to dispose of them every time you dive to minimize the risk of contamination: aquatic microorganisms can cause some nasty ailments to your eyes if given the opportunity.
• Check out the masks available from HydroOptix. HydroOptix make a range of "bug eyed" masks for near sighted SCUBA enthusiasts that are hard to beat. Although quite costly, HydroOptix dive lenses can give you almost perfect underwater vision.

Suunto creates another winner.

The Suunto D9 is the first dive computer in the world to integrate wireless cylinder data reception and digital compass technology…

… it also comes in a stunning titanium casing! How do you like those apples?

What Are The Main Features of the D9?

Like the Suunto D6 the D9 features the following:

• Complete timepiece functions
• Full decompression stop information
• Adjustable Suunto Reduced Gradient Bubble Modelling
• Ascent rate indicator
• Air, Gauge and Nitrox operating
• Integrated digital compass
• Audible alarms (including a maximum depth alarm)
• Numerous memory settings
• USB compatible PC interface and software

Unlike the D6 the Suunto D9 has:

• Wireless transmission
• Optional luxury Suunto titanium strap
• Gas changing (3 mixes 21-100%)

The Suunto D9 incorporates all the vital information you need on your dives, such as time, depth, tank pressure, direction and decompression status. The principal benefit of this is you have just one instrument to monitor rather than several, which can significantly improve your dive experience. However the D9 can of course be of use to you on land: the D9’s integrated digital compass does not just function underwater and neither does it stop telling the time!

Monitor Your Tank Pressure and Air With the Suunto D9

The Suunto D9 has an optional wireless transmitter, which can help you to monitor the pressure in your tank and your consumption of air. Consequently, the D9 is able to give you real-time information (graphically or numerically) about how much air you have left.

Gas Switching

The Suunto D9 can be used with up to 3 gas mixes (21-100% oxygen) enabling you to switch gases during your dive. Like the Suunto D6 dive computer, the Suunto D9 calculates decompression information through Suunto’s Deep Stop Reduced Gradient Bubble Modelling (RGBM). Suunto RGBM facilitates iterative deep stops as opposed to a single safety stop in cases where you intend to deep dive (you can wear your Suunto D9 up to 200 meters (660ft).

Suunto D9 Dive Profiling

The D9’s digital logbook will give you a real time graphical representation of your dive whereby you can analyze and assess factors such as tank pressure and water temperature.

Stylish Suunto D9 Titanium Casing and Strap

If you thought the D6 was an attractively packaged dive computer (it is) the Suunto D9 titanium model will blow your socks off. The D9’s titanium housing is simply stunning.

A dive computer that ticks all the boxes, the Suunto D9 might just about be the coolest diving gadget your money can buy.

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Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Edward A. Ferns has upheld a decision to process a $4m lawsuit filed by a recreational diver who was left behind when the dive boat he had been on returned to land without him. The diver allegedly spent several hours bobbing about without any idea of whether or not the boat crew would come back for him.

The diver, a fifty year old resident of Santa Monica, filed a lawsuit against Sun Diver Charters and Ocean Adventures for negligence, fraud and infliction of emotional distress when he was left by the Ocean Adventures boat crew off of Santa Catalina Island in April 2004. Due to good fortune and fair winds the diver was rescued by some Boy Scouts who happened to be passing by in a boat.

Sun Diver Charters and Ocean Adventures argue that as a diver the man must assume certain risks befitting such an “extreme” recreational sport and thus waive the right to blame the operators responsible. However, Judge Ferns disagrees stating that being abandoned at sea is not an inherently risky event that one should accept as a diver.

Fortunatley for the diver he has been able to get his case to court… anybody seen the movie Open Water?

The Dive Rite company is a supplier of high end technical SCUBA diving gear for more advanced diving environments such as caves and wrecks.

The Dive Rite Product Range

Dive Rite’s product range extends from breathing apparatus such as regulators, buoyancy control devices, wetsuits, drysuits and lighting equipment.

Dive Rite’s Beginnings

Formed in 1984, Dive Rite is the brainchild of two cave diving instructors who saw what they perceived to be a lack of technical diving equipment for more advanced recreational SCUBA diving environments such as cave diving. Mark Leonard and Lamar Hires formed what was one of the earliest specialist technical diving equipment suppliers. They began by promoting products designed specifically for underwater exploration such as canister lights and robust wings.

Dive Rite in the 1990s

Just over a decade later, Dive Rite became one of the first makers of a dive computer that was Nitrox compatible. The first Dive Rite computers were called the “Bridge” range. In the mid 1990s Dive Rite launched the Dive Rite TransPac harness alongside their range of Dive Rite computers.

Where Can I Find Dive Rite Products?

Today, Dive Rite has launched over 300 products for advanced divers. Not only that but Dive Rite has operations all over the world, for example:

• Dive Rite USA
• Dive Rite Australia
• Dive Rite UK
• Dive Rite France
• Dive Rite Japan

For more information about Dive Rite products and their availability in your part of the world visit diverite.com.

The Suunto D6 is a specialized dive computer designed for wear on the wrist. It is an advanced dive computer built for demanding dives and dive locations.

What Are The Features of the Suunto D6 Dive Computer?

• Full decompression stop information
• Ascent rate indicator
• Adjustable Suunto Reduced Gradient Bubble Modelling
• Gas changing (2 mixes 21-99%)
• 3 operating modes – Air, Gauge and Nitrox
• Fully integrated compass (digital)
• A host of audible alarms (including a max-depth warning)
• Dozens of memory settings
• PC interface
• Eyecatching black or metallic strap

Versatile and Robust: Suunto’s D6

D6 dive computers are literally packed with functions to make your diving experiences more safe. During all points in your dive the Suunto D6 will help you to manage your depth and times as well as providing you with constant directional data.

The D6 and Suunto’s RGBM

The D6 also helps you to manage decompression stops to get the most from your dive. Suunto’s Reduced Gradient Bubble Modelling algorithms allows you to select a deep stop model enabling iterative stops at depth instead of a single safety stop. This gives you maximum enjoyability with maximum safety.

The Suunto D6 and the Suunto Dive Manager Software Suite

The Sunto D6 dive computer is able to store data about your dives for you to analyze your performance later on your PC. Suunto enables this by providing the Suunto Dive Manager software online, free of charge.

The major benefit of the Suunto Dive Manager is that it can help you to create a more detailed account of your dive to add to your logbook.

The Suunto D6 is a highly recommended piece of kit for your dive.

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The Blue Planet is a fantastic documentary made by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC). It was filmed over the course of five years and explores the beauty, savagery and diversity of our marine ecosystems. These ecosystems include coastal marshes, trenches in the deep oceans, the freezing waters of the polar regions and tropical coral reefs.

The Visual Feast that is the Blue Planet

The Blue Planet is an absolute joy to watch, always educational with eminently beautiful imagery: indeed in many cases the Blue Planet captures events from and interactions within the marine world never previously captured on film.

The Blue Planet also brought to light two new species of ocean dweller: a fish (now known as the Hairy Angler) and an octopus affectionatley dubbed “Dumbo”.

The narrator of the the Blue Planet is Sir David Attenborough, the British broadcaster and naturalist and brother of the famous actor and director Sir Richard Attenborough.

Blue Planet DVD Features

• 80 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage
• Interviews
• Deep Trouble – An exploration of the impact of civilization on the marine world
• Photo Galleries
• Fact Files

Blue Planet Boxed Set Format

• Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Number of discs: 5
• Running Time: 392 minutes

A superb DVD box set, the Blue Planet is guaranteed to entertain and educate all who view it.

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SCUBA Diving is Dangerous

Proabably the biggest myth of them all is that SCUBA diving is dangerous. Statistically you are more likely to suffer a fatal accident on a boating trip, when you are swimming or even (nowhere near the water) just being in your home!

Recreational Diving is Expensive

This is simply not true. Many dive centers nowadays offer very reasonably priced courses to help you get qualified (PADI, CMAS etc.). Buying the basic trio of snorkel, mask and fins will far from cost the earth and most of the other required SCUBA gear (cylinders and air, BCD, weights etc.) will likely be bundled into any dive package you purchase from a dive center.

You Have to be a Good Swimmer

You DO NOT need to be a good swimmer to enjoy diving. The very nature of SCUBA diving, i.e. being weightless (or at least neutrally buoyant), makes your passage through water easier.

You Should Not Dive If You Suffer From Claustrophobia

Many people who are claustrophobic are able to dive. For some people their claustrophobia is not a problem at all, while for others diving has helped them to overcome their fears.

Recreational Diving is not Considered a Sport

What is a sport? Recreational diving is most likely not a competitive activity but it certainly requires training and special equipment, mental focus, skill, dexterity and teamworking abilities.

Diving is Only for Men

Further statistical evidence shows that SCUBA diving is becoming increasignly popular with women: large dive training organizations claim that up to 50% of all dive certifications today are for women.

Diving is Only for Adults

Most diving centers require that divers be 15 or over.

Divers Are Shark Bait

The movie Jaws has helped to propogate this particular myth. Sharks do occasionally bite people, but most of them are either swimming or surfing. Although sometimes these attacks can be serious, you are more likely to die from a dog attacking you than a shark.

Diving is Not Environmentally Friendly

Most divers and dive organizations are extremely aware and sensitive to the marine eco-systems they visit. In fact, most people that take up diving gain more of an appreciation of the beauty and mystery of all life on our planet. It could be argued that diving helps to make people more environmentally aware.

The Diving Experience is Only Good in the Summer

The weather does not have to be hot to go diving. If you dive in colder climes you can wear dry suits which keep the water away from you body thereby allowing you to wear clothing.

It should not surprise you that an extremely important part of being a diver is ensuring that your diving equipment is in full working order; after all it is designed to keep you safe underwater and to facilitate an enjoyable marine experience.

If you dive with any frequency and either own or intend to own your own SCUBA diving equipment, you must understand the importance of keeping your dive gear clean.

How do you do this? Simply by washing it.

Why Wash Your Diving Gear?

You have to recognize and embrace the fact that washing your diving gear is one of the primary responsibilities of being a diver. Washing your equipment can help to prolong its life giving you safe divetime in the process.

How Often Should You Wash Your Dive Equipment?

You should wash your dive kit at the end of every day of diving. The most favoured technique is to put your gear into a large tub or sink full of clean, fresh water (not sea water). If you have the space you should consider two tubs: one containing water and detergent for your wetsuit, boots and gloves and another containing just fresh water for any other diving gear you have been using. Make sure that you wash away any dirt or sand before you put your kit into the tubs for their scrub and rinse.

Looking after your dive equipment can save you money and help to eliminate the chances of encountering an equipment problem during your dives.

The Zeagle Ranger is considered by many to be THE classic BCD for some time and is one of the most copied designs.

Zeagle BCDs are highly regarded for the following reasons:

• High quality Zeagle construction and a heavy duty build
• Rear flotation design
• Versatility – it can be used for cold water and tropical diving due to its modular build
• It can comprises single and /or twin tanks
• Compatibility – the Zeagle Ranger BCD is compatible with a number of accessories such as pockets, bladders, backplates and many other diving aids and tools.

What are the Main Features of the Zeagle Ranger BCD?

• 30lb capacity Ripcord® weight system
• 44lb lift capacity Ballistic bladder
• 20lb capacity rear trim weight system
• PFS Modular Sizing
• 11″ grommets for twin cylinder mounts (single or twin capability)
• Heavy duty reinforced 1050 denier Ballistic nylon build
• 2 x zipped utility side pockets
• Elastic waist panels that can are easily adjustable
• 4 x stainless steel angled D-rings on shoulders
• 2 x stainless D-rings on vest
• Adjustable chest strap

The Zeagle Ranger BCD is one of the best buoyancy control devices available on the market. It is durable, extremely versatile and compatible with a multitude of dive accessories and and custom dive tools.

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The Seiko SKX175 watch comes from Seiko’s Dive Technology collection targetted towards men.

How Does the SKX175 Look?

Style and Substance: The SKX175

The SKX175 is a very stylish and robust watch as a result of its stainless steel housing, comprising a one way rotating elapsed timing bezel and screwdown crown and caseback, which makes it resistant to 200 meters.

Its design features the eyecatching nautical colors of navy blue, red and white.

What are the Principal Functions of the Seiko SKX175?

In terms of functions the Seiko SKX175 divers watch has the following attributes:

• Water resistant to 200 meters
• A scratch resistant “Hardlex” crystal face
• LumiBrite® hands and markers making it easy to read in darker environments
• Stainless steel strap with a double-locking-fold-over-clasp
• A twenty one jewel dive watch
• An automatic mechanism for winding itself as you move your wrist around – it does not require batteries.
• 12oz weight
• An English and Spanish day-date panel
• ISO standards approved
• 41mm diameter and 13mm thick case
• 3 year manufacturer warranty
• Three hands.

The Seiko SKX175 dive watch is highly recommended in its price range and is both stylish and built to last.

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Welcome. This is the first blog post of our newly designed site!

Over the coming months we will be posting lots of news and reviews that should interest you diving fanatics.