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Editors note: This is the first in a series of articles involving scuba diving. The subject matter of the areticles is intended to educate and inform readers about the whole spectrum of this underwater experience.
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Hawaii is an ideal spot for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus divers to practice the sport, due to the warm climates, flourishing underwater life and easy to get to beaches around the island.
Many types of dives, including snorkeling, open water, night, navigation, boat diving and wreck diving to name a few, are available according to Shelly Rofrits, a marine biologist and scuba instructor with Dive Oahu.
A scuba certification is required before diving because of safety reasons. The levels of certification include basic open water, advanced, rescue and master diver.
"Basic open water qualifies you to dive in the element you are trained,” Rofrits said. “Anytime you go outside your element (you are trained in), you should go with someone who is comfortable diving in that element too.”
The sport can be pricey. Getting certified in Hawaii can cost anywhere between $300 to $600 and takes a week or less to complete, according to Rofrits.
Owning gear can also be expensive, a full set of gear can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $5,000, but there is also an option to rent gear for those looking to experience diving without the large financial commitment. Renting gear costs, on average, around $50 at many shops around the island, Rofrits said.
“They need to make sure it’s something they want to do,” she added. “The cheapest package we sell is $1,100, so it needs to be something they are going to commit to. We want them to have fun, we want to share the joy that we have and why we chose our profession with other people, so they can continue to do it.”
Knowing the different types of gear will aid in giving a comfortable dive experience, Rofrits said, but the main focus when choosing equipment is comfort.
“First and foremost it should be comfortable,” Rofrits said. “Gear that is not comfortable on the surface will be 10 times more uncomfortable underwater.”
Fins
A snorkeling fin is not recommended for scuba divers because it will not give a swimmer enough power to propel them through the water with all the gear. Diving fins are longer and thicker than a snorkeling fin.
Among the diving fins, there are a variety of styles to choose from. For example, paddle fins will push a diver through the water quickly, but exert a lot of energy to do so; a split fin cuts resistance and propels a diver through the water comfortably with smaller kicks, but will not make the diver move as quickly as the paddle fin; a free-diving blade uses less energy to maneuver and is more powerful.
Rofrits added the fins should be chosen based on comfort level for the diver.
Masks
When choosing a mask to wear, a diver should choose one that has a tight seal around the face and is snug. Divers should try on a mask without the strap, breathe in slightly through the nose to create a seal and test the fit when choosing a mask, Rofrits said.
Depending on the purpose of the dive, there are different colored “skirts,” the rubber around the eyepiece of a mask. Black, for example, is beneficial for underwater photography and spear fishing whereas clear will allow more light in the mask.
Wet Suits
Wet suits are optional and work as insulators to keep divers warm. The suits trap a thin layer of water within the suit and heat it with a diver’s natural body temperature, aiding in keeping the body warm while swimming.
Rofrits said most Hawaii divers use a 3 mm wet suit, but many people do not use wet suits.
Snorkels
Snorkels are a safety tool used by divers. In the event a dive tank runs out of air, a snorkel can be used near the surface. When diving with a full set of gear, a snorkel should be adjustable and fall away from the face to prevent obstruction with the regulator.
Choosing a snorkel depends on personal preference. Dry snorkels close off automatically underwater to reduce the water inside the tube, where as traditional snorkels don’t have that option.
Other Essentials
Dive gear includes a vest which holds the tank and regulator. Refilling the tank is determined by the size. Dive computers are an option for swimmers which tell the depth of the dive, how much air has been used and how much is left in the tank. Boots and gloves are also an option to utilize.
“It’s an amazing sport,” Rofrits said. “Once you are in the water, you are in awe. If this is something they want to do and will continue to do, then buying their gear is the right choice.”
Rofrits said the cost of the gear appears to be overwhelming to some, but it should not deter them from experiencing scuba.
“I taught a lady how to dive who wouldn’t even get her face wet in the shower,” she said. “We got her playing tic-tac-toe in the bottom of a pool with a mask on. After seeing that, anyone can work at it.”
Diving not only allows people to experience the ocean, but also teaches an appreciation for sea life and a reason to conserve it’s natural beauty.
“All divers have some level of conservation they want to keep for the ocean,” Rofrits said. “Once you get people in the water and they see the beauty that is under there, they appreciate it more and want to take care of it more. I just want to share it with people.”
| Date Taken: | 11.08.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2013 14:42 |
| Story ID: | 116501 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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