Dive From a Boat Like a Pro
13 tips on boat diving
Text Jim Bartlett
Boat diving is often more enjoyable and effortless than diving from shore, yet it also has unique procedures, challenges, and risks. If you're planning to dive a location where boat diving is the norm, or if you're new to the sport and unfamiliar with the options, here are boat diving facts – 13 tips to consider when preparing to "dinghy dive".
Arrive in plenty of time to get properly signed in and ready to board – usually an hour before scheduled departure. And don't board until invited, or unless you ask first: the boat may look ready, but the crew may not be.
In Scouting, young people are taught the Scout Motto – "Be prepared". This is a perfect maxim to follow whenever diving, and most critical when boarding a dive boat. Be sure you have everything you need (all gear, spares, tools, your C-card, logbook) with you on board the vessel before the crew shoves off. Lastly, prepare your body by getting plenty of sleep the night before.
Be prepared to sign the diver sign-in sheet, and any required liability releases – usually one for the dive shop, another for the boat, captain and crew. As with any legal document, be sure to carefully read everything before signing. Often you can request and review copies of these documents ahead of time.
To paraphrase Forrest Gump, "Safety is as safety does." Start by knowing where and how to stow your gear. Place it under the seating area, or another location that's out of the way. Keep all unused gear in your dive bag to prevent damage or loss. Place weights on the deck (floor) – not on seating surfaces where they could fall and injure someone. Be sure tanks are always secured in their slots with bungee cords provided. Take extra time to inspect your gear, check tank pressure, and to do a complete pre-dive safety check with your buddy before entering the water. On entries, always look first to avoid landing on another diver.
Attend all briefings, and comply with all requests and directives. Initial briefings will explain safety and diver recall procedures, location of emergency equipment (first aid kit, O2, life jackets, etc), boat policies, and regulations. Later briefings by the divemaster will cover dive site details, the expected profile, specific procedures unique to the dive, what sea life to look for, etc. If you think you may have missed something during any briefing, just ask! Your safety and that of others may depend on it.
Assemble your gear as soon as possible after boarding. Not only will this prevent getting behind, it's also generally much easier to gear up when the boat isn’t moving. On repetitive dives, switch tanks as soon as possible after exiting the water on your first dive, before a crewmember "pulls the hook".
Every boat has specific procedures regarding rinse buckets, dry areas, ladder usage, and the head (toilet). Marine heads are notoriously finicky; you’ll invoke the ire of everyone aboard if you stop up the head by not following procedures. Dry zones are for dry people and gear – know the areas you shouldn't visit whenever you're even slightly wet. Some ladders are designed for divers to keep their fins on while climbing aboard – others require that fins be removed. Specific tabletop surfaces and rinse tanks set aside for cameras should be strictly observed. Never rinse your mask or other gear in the camera tank! If you don't know which tank is which, ask!
Eat a good breakfast…you'll need the energy. Avoid greasy foods, carbonated or caffeinated beverages, and alcohol. Drink plenty of water (both before and after each dive), which will help ensure you stay properly hydrated. Pack some high-energy snacks: Granola bars, fruit, and ginger snaps are good choices. (Ginger is one natural food ingredient many divers claim helps them avoid seasickness.)
Speaking of mal de mer (sea sickness), avoiding it is key. Leaving port with an empty stomach is one quick way to become ill, and once you experience the symptoms there's no real cure, save sufficient time spent back ashore. Avoid breathing smoke, or diesel fumes. Stay on deck, amidships where the boat moves less than at the far ends. Don't go below or into the head! (If you throw up in the head, everyone visiting it later will probably follow suit!) Focus your eyes on a point near the horizon. Try pressure-point bands, which seem to help some divers avoid seasickness. If you do take medication, be sure to consult your physician and follow provided directions carefully. Be aware than many seasickness meds can cause drowsiness; a side effect that may be heightened when diving. If you do take an OTC medication such as Dramamine or Bonine, begin medicating the night before to establish a blood level of the drug. Taking your initial dose just before boarding the vessel in the morning usually doesn't do it. If you begin to feel uncomfortable, getting in the water quickly usually is the best solution.
Wear sufficient thermal protection, both in-water and between dives; it's impossible to simply exit and run straight home to warm up if you get chilled. Even 27°C water is still significantly below body temperature. Water can wick heat away from our bodies very rapidly, as it conducts heat 26 times better than air. Thus, wearing a full jumpsuit (versus a shortie) helps conserve energy greatly. In cooler temperatures consider wearing a hood or beanie as well – 40 per cent of heat loss in water is through the head and neck area. Once exiting the water be aware of evaporative cooling caused by air flowing across your wetsuit. If you feel chilled, peel off your wetsuit, dry off, and try to stay out of the wind.
If you surface and can't see the boat, keep calm. Fully inflate your BCD to elevate your head. Rotate slowly, scanning the horizon 360 degrees for the boat. Carry visual and audible signal devices to help attract attention. If you don't have a dive sausage, waving a brightly colored fin (fluorescent yellow or orange for example) can be an effective signal. Stay alert, and avoid expending unnecessary energy.
Be prepared to pay for extras, such as meals and air fills. What's included can vary from boat to boat. Know what items are included/provided by your dive boat on each specific day. Lunch is often provided. If not, you'll want to bring along a sack lunch (or money for food), as well as enough cash to pay for fills or other incidentals.
Divemasters and crew members typically are compensated primarily via tips, so be sure to have enough spare cash with you. Usually 10-15 per cent of your trip price is the norm. If you've been well served, be sure to be fair in tipping. If a crewmember bailed you out by loaning you her personal gear, be extra, extra generous!
Boat diving provides some of the best opportunities to see spectacular sites you'd never reach otherwise. Continuing your education through specialty courses taught by dive professionals is one way to hone your skills while preparing to get the most out of boat diving. So dive that dinghy!
How to Take Great Underwater Digital Photos
Digital photography has progressed to the point where almost anyone can take professional quality pictures. You can even use this technology to record dazzling images underwater.
Step 1
Understand the surroundings. There might be some indigenous fish that would make great subjects or the surroundings may contain obstacles, such as a delicate coral reef that cannot be touched. Find out as much as you can about the locale before going underwater.
Step 2
Control and use depth of field in underwater photography. Depth of field refers to objects in focus within a specific distance. A photographer controls the depth of field by altering the aperture on the camera. This is same principal that is at work when a person squints to see an object in the distance.
Step 3
Frame the subject of the underwater digital photograph. Rather than just snapping a picture of a subject alone, take the picture while peering through or around another object.
Step 4
Take the picture against an uncluttered background. This is most easily accomplished by getting below the subject and shooting up towards the surface. This way it is less likely there will be distractions that take away from the subject of the underwater digital photo.
Step 5
Pick the correct time of day to shoot the photographs. One challenge in underwater photography is the lack of available light. Sometimes pictures do not require much light or a person can use artificial lighting. However, if the photographer times the shoot correctly he can use natural light without any problem.
"DAN MESSAGE" DCS= Hot Shower!!!!
