Wednesday May 16, 2012
Marine animal behavior can appear threatening to divers who do not understand the purpose behind the behavior. Many sea animals are completely docile but just "look scary," and some animals that appear friendly can actually be quite aggressive. Click through the following pages to learn about some of the animals that divers commonly fear and to discover which are dangerous and which are not. "Dangerous" Fish and Sea Animals
Aquatic life:
• Stoplight Parrotfish Change Colors
• Caribbean Reef Fish Identification
• Jellyfish First Aid
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Thursday May 10, 2012
Here's yet another reason I love diving. . . . This morning, I sat in front of my clients and spit. How many people can say that? They weren't offended; spitting in a mask is just something a diver does to keep his mask from fogging. I love diving because of the adventure of finding unexpected wildlife and the beauty of the underwater world. I love working in diving because I don't have to pretend to be anything more than the slightly uncouth tomboy that I am. Read more
What behavior does diving let you get away with?
• Share Your Stories of Dirty Diving!
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Tuesday May 8, 2012
The ocean is a comfortable 80 degrees Fahrenheit in Mexico where I guide and teach diving. The air, however, is frequently much, much warmer. Divers travel to tropical beaches to experience coral reefs that thrive in warm waters - the hot climate is part of the lure. Yet, many divers forget that the strong sun and high humidity of many dive destinations can quickly dehydrate. Add to this the tendency of many divers to consume above average quantities of margaritas and beer while vacationing, and the potential for dangerous dehydration becomes apparent. Read more
More dive safety articles:
• Why Make Safety Stops?
• Why Should You Know Your No-Deco Limit?
• How to Handle Ear Pain on Ascent
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Monday May 7, 2012
What do you notice about the design of a regulator second stage? At first glance a diver may notice the size, weight, or color. Perhaps you notice an interesting little knob on the second stage labeled "Dive/Pre-Dive," "On/Off," or "+/-". This switch or knob alters the airflow inside the regulator, making breathing either easier or more difficult. Turning the knob enables and disables something called the Venturi Effect, which regulator designers take advantage of to assist breathing. Click through the following pages to find out how it works, and when you should disable the Venturi Effect. Read more
More regulator articles:
• DIN vs Yoke Regulators
• What Is a Balanced Regulator?
• Definition and Basic Parts of a Regulator
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Image © Mares 2012, Mares Prestige22 DPD Scuba Diving Regulator