Here’s a closer look at some Entry and Exit methods to brush up your scuba skills for diving both from the shore and boats-

CLICK HERE if you missed our post on the Entry Methods for both Boat and Shore Diving

BOAT DIVING EXIT METHODS
Hard/ High Boat Exit With a Ladder
It’s almost certain that if a dive boat has high sides or a raised platform, there will be a ladder to help climb out of the water and get back into the boat. Depending on the conditions and type of ladders provided, you can exit wearing your fins or you may have to take them off to climb it.

- Don’t make your way to the ladder if anyone is already on it or still climbing up, keep a safe distance as they may fall back.
- Always watch your fingers as you hold the ladder, you don’t want them getting caught between the ladder and boat.
- If there are swell and depending on the conditions keep your mask and regulator in.
- Get a good grip on the ladder and climb up a couple of rings and pass up your weight belt first or use whatever kit removal sequence you’ve been told to follow by the dive guide).
- After you take your weights off, you may take off your fins before proceeding to get in the boat.

RIB Exit with No Ladder
To get out of a RIB or small boat or even a lower platform where no ladder is needed, you first hand over your weight belt and take off your whole BC kit while in the water. After handing these to a boat hand and keeping your fins on, you need to get a good grip with both your palms on the side ridge of the boat or platform. Then timing your push with a swell (if any), kick up with your fins as you pull yourself up, then twist and plop your behind on the ridge or platform facing the water. It’s just like sitting up on a wall or getting out of a swimming pool.

SHORE DIVING EXIT METHODS

Beach Exit
- Make your way to shallow water until you are roughly hip-level with the water.
- Deflate your BC so that your feet are firmly on the ground
- Facing the beach, remove your fins using your buddy for support.
- Walk back to shore.

Surf Exit Method
- Determine the best route for entry and exit before the dive itself.
- Move as quickly as you can and stand up as soon as you are able.
- If you are not able to stand up comfortably, shuffle up the beach, allowing the breakers to push you forward. Keep your hands in front of you to fend off obstructions.
- Avoid the highest part of the wave.

*Photo Credits: photos by Steve & Jemma Copley, Explore The Bruce on flickr

Scuba Basics: The Ins and Outs of Diving- Exit Methods was written by Noreen for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Here’s a closer look at some Entry and Exit methods to brush up your scuba skills for diving both from the shore and boats-

BOAT DIVING ENTRY METHODS
The Giant Stride Entry
Most commonly used while diving off a dive boat with a platform, but can also be used to step off a pier or jetty where the water is deep enough, this method can is best used only if the platform is steady.

- Kit up and don all your scuba gear on in the boat itself
- Put air in your BC to avoid making a negative descent
- Stand on the edge of the dive platform with the balls of your fins on the edge.
- Then holding your mask and regulator with the palm of your hand and fingers holding your mask in place,take a big step off the platform putting one leg forward.
- Once in the water bring your legs together to return to the surface, recheck your gear and signal the boat that you’re OK
TIP: Look up at the horizon when you step, to help maintain that upright position before you take that step and avoid jumping or hoping as the aim is to get as far away from the boat/platform as possible.

Backward Roll Entry
This is another common entry method and is preferred when diving from a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat)or small unsteady boat. The water needs to be deep for this method of entry just like in the giant stride entry.

- Put all your scuba equipment on in the boat itself
- Sit at the edge of the gunwale of the boat facing inwards with your tank facing the water
- Make sure no one or nothing is behind you in the water
- Then with your legs together bent at the knees, chin tucked in and one hand holding the mask and regulator in place, lean back and let gravity do the rest
- With the weight of the tank and gravity doing it’s thing you’ll be pulled into a full somersault and hit the water

Controlled Seated Entry
The controlled seated entry method is best used where the water is too shallow for a giant stride off the boat or where your boat/platform is low to the surface of the water or the platform is unsteady. A good entry method for disabled or older divers

- Start by kitting up on the boat itself
- Sit at the edge of the boat/platform and using your hands on each side of you, lift yourself up and outward with your hands and lower yourself into the water.
- Care should be taken while pushing yourself off the boat that you clear both yourself and your tank from hitting the side of the dive boat or platform.

SHORE DIVING ENTRY METHODS
Beach Entry/ Surf Entry
Walking into the water may sound like an easy method of entry, but wading through the surf backward while wearing heavy scuba diving equipment is no easy feat. Depending on the condition and your waddling skills, you may keep your fins on or in your hand. Another great option for shore divers is the Amphibian FlipFins from Omega Aquatics to eliminate the problem of walking in fins while entering the water.

- Hold your fins securely with one hand. (For surf entry keep them on, along with your regulator in your mouth and mask on).
- Walk slowly backwards into the water. Make sure that your tank is facing the water as you enter the water to prevent yourself from falling face-first.
- Inflate your BC.
- Use your buddy’s assistance and support to put your fins on in the water.
- As soon as you are deep enough, gently submerge and move off into deeper waters.

Rocky Surface Entry
This is on of the toughest entries and can be quite nerve wracking for some, however, its not very uncommon especially for those diving in and around the UK. It’s very important to note the conditions before such a dive as rough rocks with high swells are a recipe for disaster if not while entry then potentially during exit as well.

- Avoid carrying any extra scuba accessories such as cameras or torches, so that you can keep your hands free to steady yourself. If you require such gear make sure you can attach it securely to your BC or it can be stowed away in pockets.
- Wear hard sole boots rather than soft booties for a better grip on the rocks and protection for your feet.
- Find a stable rock closest to the water where it’s deep enough for entry and sit or lean against it while securing your fins and mask.
- Sit down and edge your body towards the entry point slowly, in a seated position, until your legs are in the water.
- Time your entry with a swell (if any) so that you hit the water at the top of the wave and allow it to carry you out.
- Once in, fin hard to move away from the rocks.

CLICK HERE to see the Continuation of Exit Methods for both Boat and Shore Diving

*Photo Credits: photos by spartanjoe, waveneyavenue on flickr

Scuba Basics: The Ins and Outs of Diving- Entry Methods was written by Noreen for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

PADI’s “BWRAF” acronym is highly popular with divers, and is an easy to remember pre-dive check. BWRAF stands for

B – BCD & Buoyancy, Check your buddies Buoyancy Compensator, check the low pressure inflator hose is connected correctly and do a quick puff to ensure the inflator button doesn’t stick. Also deflate the BCD to ensure it deflates correctly. If you are performing the check in the water, also check your own buoyancy to ensure you are weighted correctly.

W – Weights/Weight Belt : Check that your buddies weight belt is on properly with the loose end tied correctly and tucked in a manner that will allow for quick release. Make sure you are familiar with the type of weight belt or integrated weights being used by your dive buddy and you know how to release them should you need to.

R – Releases: Check that your buddies BCD is strapped correctly and all belts are tightened. Also count the number of buckles/straps tugging at each one as you become

A – Air: Check that your buddy’s air is turned all the way on and half a turn back. Make him take a couple of breaths while you watch the pressure gauge for fluctuations in the needle, or simply purge the regulator while watching the needle. Check that the tank is full and check all air connectors for leaks. You should check your buddies alternate air source by taking a couple of breaths from it and ensuring that it is clipped on the BCD and visible.

F – Final OK: Final check is a cursory visual inspection, of fins, mask, snorkel and testing dive flashlights if necessary, take a compass bearing, and check your dive computer before giving the all Ok sign to your buddy to begin descent.

PADI uses a mnemonic to help divers remember the pre-dive check BWRAF, Begin With Review And Friend. However divers have come up with several different mnemonics to help them remember, here are some of the common and not so common funny ones:

• Beans With Rice And Fish
• Bruce Willis Ruins All Films
• Breathing Water Really Ain’t Fun
• Big White Rabbits Are Fluffy
• Because We Really Are Friends
• Blonde Women Really Are Fun
• Burgers With Relish And Fries
• Bunnies Will Run Away Fast
• Bangkok Women Really Are Fellas

* photo credits: photos by Barnaby_S , Robert Scales

Pre-Dive Safety Check Guidelines was written by Nevin for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

You often hear new divers say “I felt claustrophobic”, “I couldn’t breathe properly” or even experienced divers blame their dive equipment – “There was something wrong with my regulator” or stress out, “I felt a lot of pressure suddenly”. These thoughts and feelings are common because one feels out of control/practice or a lack of confidence in their equipment because they’re not familiar with it and sometimes it’s plain old nerves messing with you before a dive, either way the jitters can easily be overcome with these tips-

1. Get familiar with your equipment. If you own your own Scuba diving gear and equipment, make sure you check each piece of the gear before you leave for your dive trip. Try everything on, get the feel of things and get comfortable with them before your trip. Often when you don’t do this and then don all the gear just before a dive,the sheer amount of equipment can overwhelm you causing you to stress about what if’s and things that could possibly go wrong. If you’re renting make sure to get to the dive shop well before your dive to check and try on everything.

2. If it’s been a few months since your certification, consider a refresher course at your local dive shop or YMCA. At the very least, get permission from a local pool to test your gear out (if you have your own, or rented gear from your local shop if you don’t). Don’t wait till you’re on vacation – get comfortable with assembling and using Scuba equipment in the water now.

3. Go over hand signals and emergency scenarios with your dive buddy a day before the dive. If you and your dive buddy are on the same page and understand each other well, it’ll definitely make you more comfortable and calm some of those nerves.

4. Get to know the site you are diving. Ask the dive master in charge about the dive site. When you know what to expect like the depth, currents and so on it makes focusing on other dive aspects easier which will make you feel more comfortable. Comfort underwater is the key to a good dive it even influences other scuba diving skills like buoyancy control and air consumption etc.

5. Ask questions. Never be shy, intimidated or too proud to ask questions about anything that you are uncertain of. Scuba instructors and dive masters will always be ready to help no matter how ‘dumb’ you feel your queries are. If it’ll help you feel better prepared, don’t even think twice before asking.

At the end of the day, the better prepared you feel, the less nervous you’ll be during the dive. So eliminate those nerves by familiarizing yourself with the equipment, dive site and your buddy. The rest will vanish when you hit the water and see that first fish swim by.

*Photo credits: Photos by unwritten, Aenneken, Philippe Guillaume on flickr

Getting Over Initial Scuba Diving Jitters was written by Noreen for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

There are four basic types of water entry procedure for Scuba Divers that we will cover today: wading/shore entry, giant stride method, seated entry and back roll entry.

Wading Entry Method

The wading entry procedure is performed from a beach or the shore. It involves wading out to your dive site by walking backwards while shuffling your feet to avoid stepping on sharp rocks and to scare away bottom dwelling creatures like rays. While it may sound like an easy method of entry, wading through the surf backward while wearing heavy scuba diving equipment is no easy feat. Divers should wade with their BCD’s partially inflated and regular in their mouths and wade till the water gets around waist high after which one can swim. Avoid using the shore wading entry when conditions are rough, and surface is muddy, or you could end up losing a fin.

The Giant-Stride Entry Method

One of the more common methods of entering the water, and also one of the easiest methods is the giant-stride entry. Most commonly used while diving off a dive boat, but can also be used to step off a pier or jetty where the water is deep enough. The giant stride entry method can be used while diving into deep water or where the platform is steady. This method involves getting your scuba gear on in the boat itself, and standing on the edge of the dive platform will the ball of your fins on the edge. Then holding your mask and regulator with the heel of your palm on the regulator and fingers holding your mask in place, step off the platform with a giant stride forward. Once in the water bring your legs together to return to the surface, recheck your gear and signal the boat that you’re OK and your buddy to begin decent. The giant-stride method of entry is best used where all divers assemble at the surface of the water before descending together all at once. When currents are strong or surface conditions poor, this entry method should not be used.

Seated Entry Method

The controlled seated entry method is best used where the water is too shallow for a giant stride off the boat or where your boat/platform is low to the surface of the water or the platform is unsteady. Seated entry involves kitting up in the dive boat itself and while seated at the edge of the boat/platform, using your hands on each side of you, lifting yourself up and outward with your hands and lowering yourself into the water. This method of entry is great when you are diving near shallow reefs, where jumping in could cause the diver injury. Care should be taken while pushing yourself off the boat that your clear both yourself and your tanks from hitting the side of the dive boat.

Back Roll Method

The back roll or rear roll is the preferred method for entering the water from a small boat as fully kitted divers standing up in a small craft could easily upset the balance of the boat. To execute the back roll, the divers should be fully outfitted and seated at the edge of the gunwale of the boat facing inwards with his tank facing the water. Then with the chin tucked in and one hand holding the mask and regulator in place, the diver rolls backward moving through a full somersault into the water. While this method looks difficult, it is quite easy to perform and great for immediate descents with a group of divers off a small craft.

Apart from the four basic water entry methods shown above, there are several other such as feet first step off, while diving off high platforms, or donning the BCD once in the water, ladder entry etc. which are essentially variations of the basic entry methods. Once again the method you chose should always consider safety first, and the situation/platform you diving from. Over time water entry method selection becomes almost automatic to a diver.

* photos by: maplebed, Orang Asli, jeshua.nace, Barnaby_S

Scuba Diving Water Entry Methods was written by Nevin for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

William Henry was an English physician and chemist who in 1803 proposed what is now called Henry’s law, which states that “At a constant temperature, the amount of a given gas dissolved in a given type and volume of liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with that liquid. “

The Law essentially has two parts; one states that as pressure increases, solubility of gasses in liquids increases. The Second part states that as temperature increases, solubility of gasses in liquids decreases.

In simplistic terms:

• Under more pressure, a greater quantity of gas can be absorbed by a liquid
• Secondly, the cooler the liquid, more gas can be absorbed by it, as a liquid warms up, the gas escapes from it.

Mathematically the Law is expressed as:

P=KC     Where

P = the partial pressure of the gas

C = Concentration of the gas

K= Henry’s Law Constant

When trying to understand Henry’s Law, it helps to draw parallels to a bottle of Soda. Before the bottle is opened, its contents are under pressure, which causes the carbon dioxide in it to be soluble in the soda. As soon as you open the cap, you release the pressure causing the carbon dioxide gas to lose its solubility and escape in the form of bubbles or fizz.

In the same manner, as a diver descends, nitrogen inhaled has nowhere to escape and under pressure gets soluble in the bloodstream, muscles and tissues. This is no problem, until the diver begins his ascent.  As a diver ascends, the pressure is released and like the soda bottle, the nitrogen in the body tries to escape and may form bubbles if the diver ascends too quickly causing DCS or Decompression Sickness also known as the bends. This is the reason why divers ascend gradually, to allow the nitrogen to dissipate rather than form bubbles.

Henry’s Law also explains the reasons why divers are asked to not to take hot baths after a dive, or asked to abstain from doing strenuous activities or exercise. Based on the second portion of Henry’s Law, the increase in temperature caused by the exercise or hot bath may cause the nitrogen to become less soluble and increase the off-gassing possibly cause DCS or Decompression Sickness.

In the same manner, while diving in colder water, the on-gassing/absorption of nitrogen is greater, which should be taken into consideration, as it will allow the diver shorter dive times, and shallower dives.

Also Read: An Introduction to Scuba Gas Laws – Part 1 : Boyle’s Law
An Introduction to Scuba Gas Laws – Part 2: Charles’ Law

Photos Gaetan Lee, azteca90

An Introduction to Scuba Gas Laws – Part 3: Henry’s Law was written by Nevin for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

These agencies work by training and certifying instructors in their syllabus and teaching methods, and then allowing those instructors to certify individual divers. In addition to providing all levels of diver training, the agencies also regulate the sport as a whole and represent diving professionals such as dive masters, dive instructors and dive operators. They widely participate in researching dive medicine, promoting marine conservation as well as marketing diving as a sport.

At a beginner level, the certification agency doesn’t play too much of an importance as the courses they offer as more or less similar courses and any main agency will be recognized by dive operators anywhere in the world. Right up to the professional level training the agencies recognize each others qualifications for recreational diving. However, when it comes to diving professionally they may not recognize each others qualifications.

When you first start off diving, you need to consider the instructors experience and the dive center offering up the course rather than letting the agency dictate your choice.

Here are the most recognized Scuba Certification agencies around the world today. Of these, PADI and NAUI are the most prevalent in the United States.

PADI- Professional Association of Diving Instructors
Based in the United States and by far by the biggest and most recognized dive certification agency in the world, PADI was started in 1966 to improve the training into a variety of different courses rather than just the one single universal course. prevalent at the time. PADI courses are very performance based dive programs. The introductory level emphasizes practical knowledge, safety and motor skills along with the foundations of diving physics, physiology and chemistry.

PADI centers are the most widely spread out across the world and you can find one in almost any dive destination. More beginner divers are certified by PADI than all other agencies combined. It has certified approximately 70% of divers in the United States and approximately 55% of divers worldwide.They are very active in promoting the sport and also in marine conservation through their Project AWARE operation.
Website: www.padi.com

NAUI- National Association of Underwater Instructors
Again a United States based agency, NAUI started in 1959 is the oldest recreational scuba certification agency. NAUI is a non-profit association which was started for the promotion of dive safety through education. Its diver courses are very similar to that conducted by PADI and SSI and it enjoys a status of being the second largest scuba certification agency after PADI.

NAUI boasts of a no. of celebrities and industry pioneers certified by them like Kevin Costner, Tiger Woods (NAUI divemaster member), Cameron Diaz, Jacques-Yves Cousteau (inventor of the aqualung) and many more. Many of whom have popularized the activity for NAUI. As of 1997 NAUI published standards for teaching technical diving as well.
Websites: www.naui.org

BSAC- British Sub Aqua Club
Founded in 1953 and based in the United Kingdom, BSAC is the largest dive club in the world. With over 50,000 members it has being recognized as the official governing body of recreational diving in the United Kingdom. BSAC operates through 1600 local independent dive clubs and over 400 diving schools world wide. Given that UK waters are relatively cold and have restricted visibility, BSAC training emphasis on rescue training very early in the programme.
Website: www.bsac.com

CMAS- Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques/ The World Underwater Federation
CMAS is the international umbrella organization for diver training organizations. Founded in 1958, CMAS is based in France. The organization offers the international framework for diver and instructor qualifications and members of the CMAS Council are representatives of the other recognized dive agencies.

The training philosophy of CMAS members originates from professional or military diving backgrounds and tends to reflect the full range of European and world diving standards.The difference in the philosophy for diving between CMAS and US-originated dive education is very distinct as their ideology is entirely about quality education over profit, which accounts for its courses being taught worldwide in more dive schools than dive shops.
Website: www.cmas2000.org

SSI- Scuba Schools International
With 35 Regional Centers and Area Offices around the globe, the 1970 established SSI is based in the United States. It has well over 2,200 authorized dealers and supports Dive Businesses and Dive Resorts. A major difference between SSI and other diver education organizations like PADI, NAUI, CMAS and others is that SSI is a Retail based organization, intended to ensure the quality of training worldwide.
Website: www.divessi.com

Other Agencies
IDEA- The International Diving Educators Association (www.idea-scubadiving.com)
ACUC- The American Canadian Underwater Certifications (www.acuc.es)
PDIC- The Professional Diving Instructors Corporation ( www.pdic-intl.com)
SDI/TDI- The Scuba Divers International/Technical Divers International (www.tdisdi.com)

To Shop for Scuba Diving Equipment and Gear visit LeisurePro.com – The Diver’s Emporium

SCUBA Certification Agencies- PADI, NAUI, BSAC, CMAS and more was written by Noreen for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

SCUBA which stands for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus is a very popular recreational sport which does however require a specialized training to get started. The requirements to complete undertake training are very basic, like you need to be in good health, not have any ear, sinus or heart conditions, you should be able to swim, feel comfortable in water and so forth. Close to 1 million people take up and become certified Scuba divers each year around the world.

Here are 3 steps to help getting you to take that first plunge underwater. Once under and before you know it you’ll be hooked and just wanted to keep diving.

STEP 1: Talk to a Diver
A good way to know what you’re getting into is talking to someone who has been diving before. It’s better if you can find a dive instructor or a dive master to talk to, but even some one with a little dive experience should be able to help you out. Use them as a guide to help decide if that’s what you want to experience and if it’s right for you. You usually will be met by the diver gushing about the joys and experiences he/she has had on numerous dives and what makes it the best activity they have tried. But before getting completely roped in, ask about any concerns you have, maybe about sharks, jelly fish, risks, a worry about panicking or any other concerns you may have. Also, remember to ask them the organization they were certified by and how their course was.

STEP 2: Research Certification Courses
There are a number of international organizations and associations that specialize in Scuba training and certification of divers. Local dive shops, resorts, dive operators, YMCAs, colleges, and community centers, where you can sign up for a course are often affiliated with such associations such as PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques/The World Underwater Federation), SSI (Scuba Schools International) and a few other groups. However, in the United States, PADI and NAUI are the two biggest certification agencies as well as the most recognizable.Their sites provide plenty of information about certification courses close to you.

Each of these agencies have different philosophies and methods of training. They sometimes use different dive tables,offer the course for different prices, lengths and class sizes.It’s not easy or right to say one is better than the other as they are all very well reputed and specialized training agencies for Scuba Diving.

You are essentially looking to sign up for the Open Water/ SCUBA diver course which is the first level of diver certification, your ticket to an exciting adventure in the underwater world.

STEP 3: Signing up with a Good Dive Center & Instructor
What’s more important than the agency is that the dive center’s instructor you choose is well qualified and that they have not only experience but the ability to teach that knowledge correctly to you. He is your teacher and essentially the translator of the agency he represents, teaching with their material and pre-requisites.

Ask that the dive center show you their license to teach diving, this usually means the dive instructor’s C-card which should be valid and not expired at the time. Ask about class size and length that is offered by the dive center. Smaller classes mean more time spent with individual students, which is better for learning and leads to safer diving. The instructor-student ratio should ideally be no more than 1:4. Also, the length of the training ideally should be a minimum 4-5 days. While there are weekend classes or 3 day crash courses offered at cheaper price, ask yourself if you will you be able to absorb all there is to learn in such a short time and how many practice sessions can they cram into such a short span of time?

Choose a dive center and course that offers you a good number of practice dive time and pool or training sessions as well as classroom sessions. The key to diving is practice and if they aren’t putting you in the water enough and just focusing on theoretical knowledge it’s not a good choice to go with them. Don’t forget to get information on the study material they provide with the course, text books, log book, c- card (on certification), dive tables and so on. Also, inquire about the dive equipment you may be expected to have (usually just the dive mask, snorkel and fins) and what scuba equipment they would provide as part of the course or with a rental charge and boat fees.

1-2-3 and you are on your way to becoming a Scuba diver!
Once you’ve got these 3 steps sorted and follow them through, you’ll be a certified Scuba Diver in no time and I bet top dollar that you’ll be looking to do your next level of training soon, or planning your next vacation as a dive trip!

*Above images by Dan Hershman, Ed Bierman, highlander411, frerieke & * Lisa * on flickr

3 Steps to Becoming a Certified Scuba Diver was written by Noreen for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

I can distinctly remember my first day at my open water dive class, when our dive instructor asked us all to spit into our dive masks and put them on. Eyebrows went up in disbelief everywhere, and not to mention a few chuckles as well. When we asked our instructor why, his reply was simply “to prevent your masks from fogging up underwater.” We accepted this and proceeded with our class and found out quickly that the spit really did work well.

But have you ever stopped to wonder why spit? What makes ordinary saliva so effective against fogging of masks? Why do masks fog up in the first place? Why won’t simple water do the trick? To answer this, we have to get a little technical.

A Scuba mask fogs up when the inside of the lens is at a temperature below the dew point of the air inside the mask. So water condenses on the inside of the lens. But the explanation doesn’t stop there. The surface of the glass in your mask is potholed with microscopic depressions. Moisture is attracted to this uneven surface and adheres to the front causing the fogging. Decreasing the surface tension and creating a moisture film prevents fogging.

So how does Spit help? Saliva acts as a surfactant. Surfactants are wetting agents that lower the surface tension of a liquid, allowing easier spreading. The term surfactant is a blend of the words surface acting agent. As a surfactant; saliva decreases the surface tension of the droplets. The water from the condensation does not mound up as beads or droplets but, instead breaks to form bigger droplets that just roll away into the mask.

Ok so why use Spit? Well simply because it’s the most conveniently available surfactant and it works really well too. You could just as easily use shampoo, detergents, toothpastes, soaps, alcohols, or glycerin all used by divers as a spit alternative used to the same effect. You could also purchase manufactured defogging solutions. But spit is free, plentiful and doesn’t require a wetsuit with pockets to carry around!

Photographs by Many Cats 4 Me and rainspoo

Why do divers spit in their masks? was written by Nevin for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Visit Scuba gear on Polyvore.com for details on the gear pictured above or visit www.leisurepro.com

Mask & Snorkel: Needless to say Dive Masks are your windows to the underwater world. Keeping water out of your eyes and making your view of coral, fish, sea mammals and other life that much more clearer. Masks prove very important as they are have an air pocket in front of your face which allows you to equalize your ears while descending.  The snorkel on the other hand is not really considered a necessity but proves useful when breathing at the surface before descending, without having to use the air in your tank.

Dive Booties and Fins: Fins are to a diver exactly what a tail and fins are to a fish, a means for movement and propulsion underwater. Diving fins are important in terms of helping a diver move with ease, navigate and work again currents. When a diver moves easily and effortlessly underwater using good Scuba fins they in turn conserve more energy, thus using up less of their air supply.  Dive booties are neoprene boots worn with fins for a snug fit. (See How good dive fins can make a difference.)

Wetsuit: Wetsuits are more than just dive apparel. Their primary function is for warmth. Made from neoprene, wetsuits preserve body heat by trapping a layer of water against the skin through the material. This water warms up because of body heat and acts as an insulator. Wetsuits unlike dry suits are not good insulators against very cold water but are decent protection from minor thermo clines (changes in water temperature at different depths) and are available in different thicknesses making them suitable for diving in different water temperatures.

Tank: A Scuba tank is where the air a diver breathes is stored. A common misconception about diving is that a diving tank is filled with oxygen, which is not true. For Scuba diving, the regular air we breathe is compressed at about 3,000 psi and filled in the tank/cylinder divers use. It has the same composition of regular air which is around 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and the remaining other gases.

Buoyancy Compensator (BC)/ Buoyancy Control Device (BCD): A BCD or Buoyancy Compensator is a vest like fitted jacket to which the tank is strapped on and worn by a diver. The BC is connected via a hose to the tank and has air pockets which can be inflated and deflated with a push of a button allowing you to control your depth in the water and also compensating the weight of all the equipment including the tank used by a diver. Another way of inflating a BCD is manually as they have a mouth piece you can blow into.

Weight Belt: People are positively buoyant and therefore need weights to help them descend and stay underwater while diving. Typically weights are added to a belt that goes around your waist or in some cases weights can be put into your BCD pockets. The amount of weight needed differs from person to person depending on body fat and a person’s natural buoyancy.

Regulator: A Scuba regulator is what allows you to breathe underwater. The regulator attaches to the top of the tank and then has a hose connecting it to a mouthpiece allowing you to inhale air underwater. The main function of the diving regulator is that is reduces the pressure of the air that is stored in the tank from 3,000 psi to a safer level and more breathable 140 psi. (See How a Scuba diving regulator works.)

Alternate air source: Your alternate air source is a spare regulator used incase your primary regulator for some reason fails or if you need to share air with your dive buddy if he/she runs out.

Pressure Gauge: Also connected to your tank your pressure gauge indicates how much are is left in your tank during a dive. This gauge is also normally accompanied with a depth gauge on the same console. Sometimes a compass and dive computer can be added to the console.

Dive Computer: All dive computers tell you 4 basic things- Your current depth, your maximum depth during the dive, length of time underwater and how much longer you can stay safely underwater at any particular depth. Depending on the model of computer, it can also tell you much more information and have a lot of different features.

Basic Scuba Gear and Equipment Guide for Beginners was written by Noreen for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World