Scuba Diving Adventure » diving gear http://www.scubadivingadventure.com The Next Level of Diving - and I don't mean "Techie" Wed, 05 May 2010 13:21:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 A Trip to Scapa Flow http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/scapa-flow/ http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/scapa-flow/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:56:32 +0000 admin http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/?p=46 One of the places that everyone is advised to visit at least once in their diving career is Scapa Flow. Scapa Flow is a sheltered area of water within the Orkney Islands just off the North coast of Scotland. It was here that the First World War captured German naval fleet was scuttled at the [...]]]> One of the places that everyone is advised to visit at least once in their diving career is Scapa Flow. Scapa Flow is a sheltered area of water within the Orkney Islands just off the North coast of Scotland. It was here that the First World War captured German naval fleet was scuttled at the end of the war. As a consequence it is one of the diving world’s Meccas, a must visit venue!

Scapa Flow is graveyard to a number of massive battleships and cruisers that it is impossible to do justice to in a single dive each. With visibility ranging from 3 metres to as much as 15 meters at certain times of the year it is impossible to take in the size of these ships, each hundreds of feet long. However, their immensity is apparent – and absorbing their mysterious presence is possible by swimming away from the wrecks and viewing their massive prows from a couple of metres away.

The wrecks are typically at depths of 35 to 40 metres and are not suitable for novices. To get the best out of the dives planning for at least a little decompression will give you a little more time to take in some of the detail revealed by a good bright torch at these gloomy depths. The scuba diving equipment used must of course be suitable for this.

I first visited Scapa fifteen years ago in July. The visibility was poor at that time of year, perhaps 3 or 4 metres at best. It was still a moving experience, to see these mighty ships at rest. The plan is to return next year in October when the visibility is hopefully at its best, the summer plankton blooms being over. It is hoped that the Scottish weather is not too inclement topside also!

A trip to Scapa Flow should be on your list – the journey up is a long one, depending on the area of the UK in which you live. Coming from farther afield means that you will definitely have to fly in. Flying means that you will be unable to bring your own scuba tanks within your scuba diving gear. However, most boats out of the local port Stromness have their own scuba tanks on board. Of course if your own diving gear includes more technical configurations the trip becomes harder, though it is possible to hire twin 12s and 10s from some operators. Other dive gear can also be hired from the local dive shop.

]]> http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/scapa-flow/feed/ 0 Streamline your scuba diving gear http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/streamline-your-scuba-diving-gear/ http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/streamline-your-scuba-diving-gear/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:06:56 +0000 admin http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/?p=43 Consider this: I was getting around forty miles to the gallon in my car before I added some roof rails to it. Now I get around thirty five miles to the gallon! Having the extra wind resistance is very costly in the extra fuel I need for my vehicle.

It is the same with scuba diving. [...]]]> Consider this: I was getting around forty miles to the gallon in my car before I added some roof rails to it. Now I get around thirty five miles to the gallon! Having the extra wind resistance is very costly in the extra fuel I need for my vehicle.

It is the same with scuba diving. If you have scuba gear sticking out and hanging off or diving gear that is not essential, you will expend a lot more energy simply swimming along than if you and your scuba diving equipment were more streamlined. It seems obvious yet it is very common for novices to allow their scuba gear to trail along or for more experienced divers to configure their diving kit in a way that adds significant drag to their profile.

The first thing to be considered is “…do I really need this extra bit of diving equipment?…” Do you need three torches, two reels, camera, goody bag, emergency flag, knife and two line cutters, slate and Spare Air for a leisurely sports dive around the bay? Yes, all emergency scuba diving equipment and spare items are essential and should be appropriate for the type of diving you are doing. But consider leaving your 100 watt lantern behind for a summer reef dive!

Assuming that all the equipment you are carrying is necessary, the next thing is to ensure that its configuration is comfortable for use and doesn’t create unnecessary resistance in the water. Having hoses crossing each other creates clutter around the diver and extra drag and so you should take some time to plan the feeds from back to front. Then the hoses and equipment needs to be secured properly to the body in the place where they are to hand when needed. The use of retractable bungees, clips and Velcro can make for a very neat diver who in turn will be more streamlined.

Inappropriate configuration can lead to loose scuba gear that might damage wildlife, or scuba diving equipment that is uncomfortable to wear and use and consequently potentially dangerous. And remember, dragging console mounted  expensive scuba diving computers through a wreck will definitely shorten their life!

]]> http://www.scubadivingadventure.com/streamline-your-scuba-diving-gear/feed/ 0