Here, in no particular order, are 5 places where this is possible and some of the highlights you can expect.

Number 1 the Bahamas

The shark highlight here has to be one of the organised shark feeds that allow you to have a remarkable encounter with a number of sharks all in one place. Caribbean reef sharks are the usual fish to be found in these shark encounters. Not the biggest or most aggressive by any means but when you have 20 or 30 of them swimming around you… Wow!

Number 2 the Maldives

There are some dives in the Maldives where sharks are just about guaranteed. White Tip and Black Tip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef and Silvertip sharks are all pretty easy to spot while diving in the Maldives. Some of the islands in the Maldives even have shallow lagoons that are used as nurseries by some of the local reef shark population. You may be able to snorkel with baby Black Tip Reef Sharks in less than a metre of water. How cool is that?

Number 3 Elphinstone Reef (Red Sea)

Elhinstone is best known for the opportunity to dive with the Oceanic White Tip Shark. The Oceanic White Tip is a large and powerful predator. All sharks need to be treated with respect but the Oceanic White Tip is justifiably considered one of the more dangerous sharks to be in the water with. Use common sense and obey some simple rules and you will be in for the experience of a lifetime.

Number 4 South Africa

Here you have the opportunity to experience the shark of most peoples’ nightmares. The Great White shark. This magnificent animal was the start of the film Jaws (sorry to all the human actors but it’s true) and in South Africa you can cage dive with these big powerful fish. Who remembers the line from the film? “you go in the cage, cage goes in the water, shark’s in the water.”

Number 5 Djibouti

Djibouti is a country on the Horn of Africa and here there is one of the best places in the world to encounter Whale Sharks. These gentle giants are the largest living fish in the oceans today and they can be seen year round in Djibouti, although they are more prevalent from October to February.

So, if you love sharks, if you want to get up close and personal, there a 5 places where you can.

If you are interested in SCUBA diving, want to know more about the basics, want to read equipment reviews or find out more about some of the greatest dive sites in the world then visit us at http://www.infoSCUBA.com.

If you love sharks, or you know someone who loves sharks, then come and look at what’s on offer at http://www.giftsforsharklovers.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ralph_Goldsmith

To the general public, the mere mention of the word “shark” conjures up imagery of a fierce marine animal with sharp jagged teeth able to tear into flesh and bone easily, constantly on the prowl in the sea, ever ready to pounce on the swimmer, snorkeler or scuba diver who has the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Thus, as a dive educator, besides instructing the total newbie diver on the skills and safety aspects of scuba diving, there is an added element of trying to reform misconceptions of the marine environment and sway traditional perceptions of dangerous marine animals, mainly sharks!

To simplify things, just put sharks into two categories, oceanic sharks and reef sharks. Oceanic sharks very seldom venture into shallow water coral reefs where it is warmer preferring the colder deeper open sea conditions. Reefs are too warm for comfort for these creatures.

Coral reefs are mainly in tropical zones and reef sharks thrive in this warm water conditions. Oceanic sharks are the type that fall into the more aggressive and unpredictable variety. Makos, Great White, Hammerheads etc. whereas reef-dwelling sharks are generally of the shy and docile type. Since a very significant part of dive activity is done in coral reefs, scuba diver’s encounters are usually with the reef sharks. To allay the anxieties of newly certified divers or for those who are in the process of diver certification training, when they go diving in a ocean environment, just be reminded of this fact.

Reef sharks are generally harmless. Encounters during diving are usually very brief before the shark swims off into the blue; they avoid encounters with people, mainly the annoyingly noisy scuba divers creating so much ruckus with their bubbles, in an otherwise tranquil setting. If they linger around slightly longer, its probably more out of curiosity towards the divers than aggression.

More on the Titan Triggerfish, gangster of the sea on my blog.

http://scubadiversions.blogspot.com/2009/07/triggerfishunderwater-thuggangster.html

I have been a freelance scuba instructor at a Malaysian island for approximately a dozen years,and have compiled a selection of articles about scuba diving for beginners,dive trivial for those who are just certified or those maybe considering signing up for a scuba course,articles inspired by the many frequent same queries from beginners through the years.Check out my blog to see if any of the articles can provide an answer to a query you may have regarding learning to dive or just starting out on your diving adventures.

It’s still a work in progress and will be added on with new articles relevant to the subject. Just follow the link. http://scubadiversions.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Hwang

Obviously, we don’t want to be the ruin of the beautiful oceans that we’re so fond of exploring. Unfortunately, some popular dive spots have become ruined over time because of poor management and irresponsible divers.

Skills, training and knowledge

Responsible scuba divers possess adequate skills. This requires practice and training for good buoyancy control. This is important especially when diving sensitive environments like coral growths and shipwrecks. You should avoid disturbing marine life, touching them – unless you are certain it is safe and OK for both you and the marine life – and getting in entanglements. Many organisms are vulnerable to even the slightest brushes.

Planning and preparing for dives is vital – don’t put yourself or others in danger – not to mention marine life.

Dive within your means (training, ability and confidence level). You should be familiar with your equipment and know how to use it.

Your equipment should be streamlined. Dangling gauges and accessories are hazardous to you and to marine life.

Take specialist training – you need additional knowledge and training to dive overhead environments (such as caves and wrecks) or to venture to greater depths.

Responsibility and good practice underwater and on land

Do not take souvenirs and artifacts. You may – often unknowingly – be disturbing marine life by taking items out of the water. Collecting is also prohibited by law in many areas. Follow the popular saying: “Take only pictures and leave only bubbles.”

Learn about marine life in the areas you’ll be diving. Listen to professional guides, safety briefings and dive briefings.

Respect local customs and laws. If the reefs are out-of-bounds, there is probably a reason.

Do not litter or throw objects into the ocean. Litter is a hazard to marine life and to people. You can also help by picking up refuse and recyclables on the shore. Get involved in cleanup campaigns on shore.

Take advice from local professionals and follow their instructions.

Dive with responsible operators. Do some research. There are various national and international certifications and awards for dive shops, schools and resorts for good environmental practices.

Get involved with conservation projects – either in your local community or during your travels.

If you found this useful, please see Sea Forever, a website dedicated to oceans and green living at http://www.sustainablewaters.com.

Lou Kawakami is a consultant with a keen interest in the oceans and environmentally-friendly living. She has an extensive background in marketing, education and social policy. In addition, she is a scuba diving instructor who has travelled a bit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lou_Kawakami

Snorkel
It might seem strange wearing a snorkel when you are 30m deep, but it is a useful piece of gear when you are on the surface. In choppy water you can use this to save the air on your back!

Fins (not Flippers, please!)
Another simple, but useful device. In short by increasing the surface area of your feet they allow you to push yourself through the water more efficiently. But be aware that buying fins that are too big can cause leg cramps.

Wet Suit / Dry Suit
A lot of diving takes place in water that is uncomfortable to swim in for too long, so we divers wear exposure suits to keep us warm. By staying warmer, our divers are more comfortable and they last longer. Wearing exposure suits also protects us from abrasions if you brush against coral, wreck surfaces and so on.

There are 2 main kinds of exposure suit. The wet suit is used in warmer waters and allows water into the suit, but slows down the movement of water around the body – it is only getting in and out through the edges. This gives the water chance to warm up and keep near to your body, rather than rushing off into the sea.

In a dry suit all of the suit is sealed so that (hopefully) no water enters the suit – only your face is exposed. These are suitable for very cold waters, especially with the addition of undergarments for extra warmth.

There is also the semi-dry, which is a half way house. The seams are almost as good as a dry suit, but water can get in, allowing only a little movement of water.

Air Cylinder
Air and special mixtures of air, but not oxygen! Well almost, some decompressions are done oxygen at shallow depths, but for most divers it is just straight air, that has been dried, cleaned and compressed. These steel or aluminium cylinders can be quite weighty, but are our way of carrying our own air supply.

Regulator & Gauges
Attached to the cylinder, the regulator takes the air from the cylinder and provides it to the diver’s mouth. At the same time it also reduces the pressure from the high pressure inside the cylinder to the same pressure as the surrounding water, to make it comfortable to breath.

The gauges that are attached show the diver how much air is left and also the current depth of the dive.

Weights
It might seem strange to add weights to yourself before jumping into the water, but these reduce your buoyancy to enable you to adjust it throughout the dive. You want to be slightly negatively buoyant in the water when your buoyancy aid is empty.

Buoyancy Aid
This is not a life jacket, but an aid to allow divers to remain neutrally buoyant throughout the dive. By adding air as you descend, you maintain neutral buoyancy. This means that you hover in the water, rather than trying to fight to swim up or down.

There are loads more accessories and bits of diving equipment that you might want to add to this essential set-up such as diving knives to prod and poke and torches to see in cracks and crevices. Or maybe you want a fancy diving computer? There is a wealth of advanced diving gear to look at, if you want to know more, visit our diving equipment blog to uncover more information.

Written by Keith Lunt (PADI Rescue Diver)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Lunt

1.) Good Buoyancy control is the most important skill for scuba diving. It avoids struggling to maintain the divers position on the surface and underwater. It helps you to stay clear of the bottom, reducing the risk of aquatic injuries and protects the underwater life as well from being damaged as your equipment.

2.) Proper Airway control allows you to breathe easy if you have small amounts of water in your snorkel or regulator thus avoids choking. Simply use your tongue as a splash-guard.

3.) Avoid dehydration. Dehydration can cause cramps even in relaxed dives with good visibility and no current. If a cramp occurs be aware of the cramp removal procedures. Get your Buddies attention, stop, rest (hold on to something if necessary), continue n a slower pace or abort dive and surface with your dive buddy.

4.) Handle problems with your air supply correct. There are several options to handle this kind of problems and dive students learn them upon entry level. Keep practicing them with your buddy from time to time at the end of a dive during the safety stop. If you are into solo-diving (not recommended by most dive association) carry a pony-bottle or a self-contained ascent bottle.

5.) Vertigo (loosing sense of orientation and balance) can occur on deep dives or in mid-water when you don’t have any reference and is an unpleasant experience, therefore you need to respond correctly before it becomes a serious problem. Vertigo can cause stress and nausea. When feeling disoriented you need to get your dive-buddies attention immediately. Try to make contact with a fixed object or your buddy. Hugging yourself may work also. Watch your bubbles for your up-and-down orientation.

Following these guidelines will help you in a self-rescue situation. Practice and fine-tune your dive-skills frequently or enroll in a refresher program if you have not dived for a while.

Maria has been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Her interests are outdoor activities. So come visit her latest website that informs you about styles and functions to keep your kids safe and warm during wet outdoor activities.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Santiago

While Aruba may be better known for its beaches and casinos, it is also a good destination for the scuba diver. In fact, Aruba was voted the second best wreck diving in the Caribbean by Rodale’s Scuba Diving Magazine in 2006. So if you like wrecks, you may want to consider a trip to Aruba. Plus, you can always check out those casinos and beaches in-between dives!

Location

Aruba is situated 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela and is about a 2 1/2 hour flight from Miami. Given its popularity with tourists, this is an easy island to get to with many direct flights from the US.

Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, all located off the coast of Venezuela, form the ABC islands. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and is now a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Geography

Aruba is easy to explore at just 20 miles long and 6 miles wide. Like it’s sister island, Curacao, its landscape is dotted with divi divi trees and cacti.

The highest elevation on the island is Yamanota Hill at just 617 feet. It’s located near the center of the island and you can visit it by car. The northeast coast is rugged with cliffs and pounding surf.

The real draw here is the southwest coast and its beautiful beaches. Of the 3 ABC islands, Aruba has the best beaches. The most famous is arguably Palm Beach and Eagle Beach, which together stretch for seven miles. It’s home to the majority of hotels on the island. When you see its beautiful powdery white sand, you’ll know why. It’s also where you’ll leave from for most of your Aruba diving.

Reefs and Rides

Most of the dive sites in Aruba are best accessed by boat. The vast majority of Aruba scuba diving sites are along the southwest coast of the island. The reef is located on the south end with many of the wrecks on the north end. Boat rides from shore to the sites are normally less than 15 minutes.

If you are staying toward the middle of the island and want to dive the north end, you may want to (have to) take a short van ride to the boat. This is what we did when we were staying at the Tarmarijn and dove the Antilla and Pedernales wrecks.

Diving

The best Aruba diving is wreck diving. While there are walls and reefs, they are generally not as good as those on its sister islands. On many of the dives you can check out both a wreck and a reef for the best of both worlds.

Aruba is currently working to preserve its reefs and to maintain the quality of Aruba diving. Preservation and educational programs have been started, including a reef clean-up program. Dozens of mooring buoys have been installed to protect the reefs and a marine park has also been established.

If you go to Aruba, I hope you have fun exploring the wrecks galore. I know many people that have fallen in love with Aruba and, who knows, you just may be the next.

Dianne Rein is an avid scuba diver and runs a scuba diving website at http://www.scuba-diving-smiles.com You can read her article on Aruba scuba diving on her website as well as reviews of Aruba dive sites

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dianne_Rein

Have you done much cold-water wreck diving? If you’re used to Caribbean diving, this is a whole different experience. You’re going to want to get trained and certified for drysuit, and you’ll want to either buy one (check eBay), or find a shop that has one for rent in your size. You can try, but it’s really hard to rent a drysuit. If not integrated in your drysuit, you’ll also need a hood, gloves, and boots. If the conditions are just right, you might get away with a 7mm wetsuit on shallower dives, but when the water temps at depth get down into the 60s, 50s, and even 40s, you’ll be uncomfortable without a drysuit. You’ll need open-heel fins (slipper fins don’t work well with boots), main and backup lights, a tank light, and a wreck reel. Signaling devices are also a good idea, such as a safety sausage or a whistle. Many wreck divers carry a knife or shears, too, in case of entanglement. If you want to do more serious wreck penetrations, you should train for Wreck certification, too – you’ll live longer.

I’m not some serious, expert, North Atlantic wreck diver – I’ve only done two 2-tank excursions here in the NY Metro Area, and three dives one day in Lake Michigan (which is surprisingly similar), but I’ve logged over a third of my 91 dives at a cold local quarry called Dutch Springs, plus two at another quarry called Brownstone. I’ve also done the PADI advanced and Rescue courses, and completed the specialties to earn PADI’s Master SCUBA Diver certification, but I have no professional or technical training. I know I’m only a couple of North Atlantic wreck dives ahead of the rank beginners, but from my experience, I have two suggestions…

First, I’ve seen some rank beginner OW divers get into circumstances beyond their comfort level, and it makes for an unenjoyable (if not dangerous) situation for them. Education and experience will always be an advantage. Don’t stop at OW – take AOW certification – it’s not a terribly brilliant course of study, but it will give you experience in five different skill areas. U/Nav taught me to check my compass periodically, keep track of my surroundings and landmarks, and measure distance by time, air pressure, or fin kicks; until then, I always used to just blindly follow a dive master like a tour guide – it made me more self-reliant. Wreck taught me to lay and take up a line, ways to avoid stirring up silt, and to be aware of situational hazards. Drysuit and PPB taught me how to better control my buoyancy and trim. Night taught me to use lights and signals, and to be comfortable in low-visibility environments – it made me more confident. Deep, Multi-Level, Altitude, and Nitrox helped me understand more about the physiological effects of diving – awareness of my own body and mind help me prioritize and make better conscious choices, even while stressed, rather than let situations own me.

Most (albeit not all) instructors and many advanced students are also some very good divers, worthy of emulation. Spending more time training with them will improve your diving in ways beyond just the content of the training courses.

Second, take things one step at a time and don’t get in over your head. I had already completed Rescue certification, a bunch of the above-mentioned specialties, and 60-total dives, including many in the cold-waters of Dutch Springs and Brownstone before I ever went out on a North Atlantic wreck dive. Visibility was just past arm’s length and the water temps at depth were 59-degrees (in late July!). I’d gotten used to such temps at Dutch Springs, but add in low viz, chop, current, a touch of sea-sickness, and the lack of personal space on a “cattle” boat, and you’ll see how the stress and task-loading start piling on. Reflecting back on it afterward, I realized that there were a lot of mistakes my buddy and I made on that dive, despite all the training I’d had at that point. Everything turned out well, but tying our wreck reel to the anchor line was a classic newbie error, for example. My buddy was less-experienced, and was relying on me, to some degree, since I had some fraction of the requisite skills for the circumstances. If I had to advise anyone else getting into such diving, I’d say, take it one step at a time:

1. Get AOW and Drysuit certified
2. Get a drysuit and get used to it; practice the Drysuit controls, buoyancy, and trim in a pool
3. Practice more at a protected local quarry or lake
4. Practice more skills and/or earn specialties for Night, U/Navigation, Deep, and of course, Wreck
5. Practice night dives
6. Practice laying, following, and taking up line with a buddy; using a wreck reel is a skill all it’s own, and you can even practice it on the silly little wrecks at your local quarry or lake
7. Do some local night dives at your quarry or lake and try the line exercise again with a buddy – get capable of using a reel and lights at the same time
8. Once you’re good at it, look for some deeper wrecks; everything is more challenging when you’re cold and deep – once you’re comfortable with that, do it again on a night dive
9. Last, but not least, before you go on your first serious open-ocean cold-water wreck dive, I can’t overstate the value of Rescue training; don’t think of it as training to enable you to save lives – think of it as training to make yourself a better, more-aware diver. Before my Rescue class, I used to be just another tourist on a dive boat – now I get my gear squared-up early and I’m more aware of the divers around me. I can observe and help the less-experienced divers, and watch and learn from those more-experienced. An important lesson from the Rescue course is to foresee and avoid situations where rescue would become a necessity.

Brian Blum is the founder, president, and chief consultant at Maverick Solutions IT, Inc. Maverick Solutions provides affordable IT consulting and technology support services, primarily to schools, NFPs, and SO/HOs in the New York Metro Area. Maverick Solutions is the alternative to keeping your own in-house IT staff, and we’d be happy to help you get more value from your existing technology investment. Visit our Website to learn about the services we offer, or read our blog, Maverick Ramblings, for assorted tips, tricks, and information of technology interest. When he’s not geeking it up, Brian enjoys SCUBA, skiing, cigars, travel, reading, and motorcycling. He’s a PADI-certified Master SCUBA diver with specialty certifications for Wreck, Deep, Night, Nitrox, Drysuit, DPV, U/W Navigation, U/W Naturalist, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Altitude, and MultiLevel. He’s been logging recreational dives while trying to decide whether to pursue technical or professional certification next.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Blum

A shipwreck is a haven of wonderful discoveries for the scuba diver. It is a historical relic filled with secrets carefully concealed by the ocean. Over the years, it has also been the home of various sea creatures and plants. Wreck diving is a rare opportunity for scuba divers to hone their diving skills, discover a significant heritage in history and be a part of an important archaeological find. This great opportunity however entails responsibility on the part of the diver. So here are a few guidelines to take note of before pursuing the dive:

Precautionary Measures while Diving

• Remember that a shipwreck has been underwater for quite some time and the superior find have been submerged for decades, or even centuries. Many sections of a sunken ship may be fragile and would disintegrate without notice, so bear in mind to keep those fin movements steady and slow. The possibility of encountering marine animal and plant species inhabiting the wreckage is highly likely, so exercise extra care so as not to disrupt their habitat.
• There is also the risk of entanglement with fishing nets or ropes, so bring along an emergency tool such as a Tech Dive Knife in hand.
• Keep extra lights handy just in case primary sources of light run out.
• A guideline may also be utilized to ensure the exit route of the wreck diver.
• Never overestimate the capacity of your cylinder tank. It is best to be safe than sorry. The rule of the thumb is to allocate 2/3 of the air reserve for use upon exit. As much as possible, carry a second tank or bring along a pony bottle.

A Different Type of Training RequiredThere are wreck program organizations that require scuba divers to take a PADI specialty course in wreck diving before they can join excursions. The course will orient the scuba diver on the advanced skills and scuba equipment necessary to maneuver in and out of wrecks. More importantly, the scuba diver will be able to learn the proper management of air reserves in the course of diving. Deep diving is a specialization required in the conduct of wreck diving trips; thus the wreck diver must be knowledgeable on the use of dive tables as well. Dive tables reveal what depths (at certain times) are safe to cruise without decompression. An Aeris XR-2 Wrist Dive Computer [http://www.scubasuppliers.com/site/1408308/product/10.2610] is a convenient gadget that will come in handy to alert the diver of safety parameters.

Safety is the biggest concern for all scuba divers but even more so for wreck divers. There is a risk of becoming trapped or lost in a wreck. Special training is available to scuba divers where they learn how to use special equipment. Reels of line are used to lay down a safe path through the maze of a ship wreck. Extra tanks of air are slung from the diver. Powerful underwater lights are required to light up the darkness. Wreck divers learn how to plan their dives so that they use one third of their air to reach the wreck, one third of their air to enjoy the wreck and return to the surface and hold the last third in reserve in case of emergency. Wreck divers have to especially cautious of hazards such as sharp and jagged metal.

Many recreational divers enjoy diving on artificial reefs. These are ships that have prepared and sunk on purpose in especially designated spots. Divers can practise their skills in the relative safety of a ship wreck that is well-mapped and sitting a safe depth. These ship wrecks are called artificial reefs because they soon become the habitat for corals, anemones and creatures of all kinds. Some artificial reefs will host up to four times their own mass in living creatures.

Most divers adhere to a policy of “non-disturbance” This means they do not interfere with the wreck or carry anything away. It is only fair to leave the ship wreck untouched so that other divers can enjoy it. But the environment soon starts to change the wreck. Breakers pound the metal or bust up the wood. Down deeper, currents carry away loose pieces and scatter them across the ocean floor. Even the creatures that make the wreck their home slowly start to break it down.

There is a compelling beauty to a sunken ship and great sense of adventure and challenge to learn the skills and become a wreck diver.

Rocky Boschman is a marine biologist and founder of Scuble.com. (http://scuble.com/) He has been actively promoting conservation for many years. Scuble.com is an online community and a great resource for information about the oceans. Join now, its free.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rocky_Boschman

These guides are well acquainted with the underwater terrain and know all the dangers, such as predator fish and underwater currents, that might be lurking in the diving area and how to combat them. Most of all, these supervisors are highly trained in life-saving exercises and mainly shark attacks. Some locations are famous for wreck scuba diving training as well and attract scuba divers from far and wide.

Importance of Wreck Scuba Diving Training

Wreck scuba diving is a dangerous activity, and ample training must be imparted to the scuba divers before allowing them to undertake an exploration of an underwater wreck. A wreck is a ship that may have sunk off the coast or out at sea. The older the wreck grows, the more dangerous it is to swim among the sunken vessel. The parts deteriorate and may collapse at any time and trap the diver.

There may be weeds growing in the passageways of the wreck, which can trap a swimmer, and no one will be able to locate him or her in time. Wreck scuba diving training imparts all the knowledge one must have to survive in troubled times underwater. This includes the SOS signals one must use in order to attract attention and how to use the safety equipment, such as underwater flares and safety equipment.

Know Your Depth

Many wrecks are mapped. This means that the divers are taught where to swim and dive and where to not venture. Some wrecks have safety signs and identifiers. If a diver gets stuck or trapped, he can signal his location to another diver and have rescuers on the way before long. Many wrecks are located at vast depths of the sea and oceans.

Divers must have the relevant knowledge of how deep they are allowed to dive and how long they can stay there. Deep sea diving has its hazards. Prolonged diving can produce symptoms of the “bends,” a very painful situation where the diver suffers from excessive nitrogen dissolving in the blood because of the pressure of the sea. It is a life-threatening situation, and divers must know the early symptoms of the bends and return to the surface well in time.

The sights of wrecks and the experience of wreck diving can captivate a diver who may lose track of the time spent underwater. Wreck scuba diving training makes divers aware of the dangers of the deep and imparts the necessary training they need to counter the dangers as well.

Click here to check out places for scuba diving trips. It works out cheaper when you take a scuba diving package. Also find places that offer scuba diving lessons here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Al_Falaq_Arsendatama