Mohd Hasif Idris asked:


Scuba is the acronym that refers to Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, and it is through this equipment that many different kinds of underwater exploration are possible, though today it also means various groups all over the world that scuba dive for the enjoyment and wonder that it brings a diver. Almost every seaside destination has some kind of diving program that can help a person gain experience in the particular location of their choice, whether tropical or more coastal America, and it is these exotic locales that many people decide to visit in order to gain a great amount of experience in order to dive in more hazardous or plausibly dangerous spots.

Being self-contained, the diver does not need to be just a few meter below the surface of the water, but instead can get one of the closest contacts to the underwater ecosystem that happens to be there for the diver’s analysis. The diver carries all the necessary gear to allow for them to breath comfortably under the water, and in the environment of the water, the equipment doesn’t seem as heavy as it might feel on land. Some divers choose to rely solely on fins and their own strength to glide around the water, but others choose to use motorized small vehicles to propel them further along, still others attach themselves to devices that keep them tethered to a boat somewhere floating above them.

Scuba diving is still an evolving form of undertaking, but there are some general classifications that have appeared over the short time that scuba diving has been a valid term in use that aren’t limited to the terms as follows, such as recreational diving and technical diving though can also be taken to mean military and commercial diving as well. The category depends upon the choice of the diver, and the supplied equipment that is used depending on the diver’s particular need, all these things come together to better allow the diver to understand what they do and how to do it better.

Chico asked:


(If you don’t want to tell me the exact place at least the region!)
I just finished diving abroad and love it out there but I dived in the UK once and loved it. Okay, visibility is about as far as your hand and it’s colder than liquid hydrogen but it still worth doing I reckon!

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Andrew Regan asked:



So you’ve met the man or woman of your dreams and you’ve decided to make the ultimate commitment; but how will you choose the perfect location for your special day? You want your wedding day to be as memorable as possible - after all, it’s a once in a lifetime occurrence (or at least you hope it is!). But with so many places and styles of wedding to choose from, it’s difficult to know where to start.

The traditional church wedding is still the most popular way of tying the knot, and with good reason. Walking down the isle in a beautiful old church, with the organ filling the airwaves and the church bells ringing is the archetypal wedding that many have dreamed of from an early age. Add plenty of confetti and a classic car to whisk you away after the ceremony and you’ve got a recipe for the perfect day.

However, if you find the idea of a church wedding a little too traditional and you’re looking for something a bit more unusual then why not choose an exotic wedding? More and more couples are now saying their vows in all manner of bizarre locations - from snowy mountain tops with skis attached to their feet, to underwater coral gardens, whilst dressed in scuba gear.

If that’s a little over the top for your taste, how about getting married abroad in a place you both love? Some couples choose to combine their marriage with their honeymoon and get hitched in exotic locations such as Jamaica, Thailand or Les Vegas; and surprisingly, these types of weddings can actually be cheaper than a traditional British wedding.

If you don’t want to spend a large amount of cash on a single day, which could otherwise be spent on perhaps more needy causes, then consider a marquee wedding. In a backlash against overindulgent and extremely extravagant weddings, many couples are choosing more modest gatherings. By erecting a marquee in the back garden and offering simple but delicious buffet food, your wedding can be low-cost - but meaningful and fun at the same time.

But, for some couples, nothing but the best is good enough for the big day - and why not? Your wedding is a public display of your love for each other and you want to make sure it’s absolutely perfect. However, if you choose to hold this type of wedding, it’s a good idea to get sufficient help in arranging it. Many hotels for example, offer luxury wedding planning services, which can be tailored to fit your every whim and desire. From intimate gatherings to glittering galas, specially trained wedding staff will be available to ensure that the event runs smoothly, leaving you and your guests to enjoy the proceedings in the most luxurious of surroundings.

Weddings can be stressful, but with some forward planning you’ll be able to find the wedding location that is perfect for you and your partner.

Chris Chew asked:


Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is regarded as one of the world’s most popular scuba diving holiday destination. The Great Barrier Reef is situated off the east coast of Australia and it is the only living organic collective on earth, said to be visible from outer space.

This Australian reef is also regarded as one of the wonders of the world and was declared as a World Heritage since 1981. It is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem and being so huge, scuba divers are offered a large array of magnificent dive sites and bountiful marine life to enjoy.

The Great Barrier is more than 300,000 sq km (115, 831 sq miles) in size and is the home to more than 3000 smaller reefs. Deciding where to scuba dive in this huge diving destination can certainly be a happy problem because of the many astounding choices.

Wreck diving is a favorite scuba diving activity. Amongst the many wrecks are Captain James Cook’s ship “Endeavour”. Another popular wreck is the HMS Pandora, which sunk in 1791. All in all, there are about 30 shipwreck dive sites for scuba divers to explore.

An amazing 2 million people visit the reef annually spending about a billion US dollars collectively and entrenching tourism as the main pillar of the eastern Australia economy. Since tourism dollar is very important, it is thus vital for the Australian economy to protect the reef from destruction and hence the magnificent reef protected in many ways. As a form of protection, even recreational fishing is restricted to only certain areas and animals such as dolphins, whales, dugongs are protected species.

For the more adventurous divers, there are dives organized to view shark feedings, especially the ferocious man eater, the Great White Shark, which shot to stardom in the movie Jaws and its sequels. Divers are lowered into the clear water in steel cages to view these man eating sharks closed up.

Let us take a look at some of the popular dive locations in Great Barrier Reef :-

Cairns and Port Douglas - This is the area of the reef that is closest to the Queensland coast. It is because of this proximity to tourist centers and accommodations, the area attracts the biggest numbers of divers here than anywhere else in the Great Barrier Reef. There are some good dive spots here for beginners as well as for experienced scuba divers.

Southern Coral Sea - You encounter crystal clear water, steep drop offs, and pelagic fish when diving in The Southern Coral sea. Huge colorful soft corals and gorgonians sea fans are typical features in this dive spot.

The Coral Sea is a “must dive” location for braver scuba divers who get a thrill out of mingling with menacing sharks.

Southern Great Barrier Reef - This area is the largest section of the Great Barrier Reef. However, since it is further away from mainland Australia,it is less accessible and diving done here are usually from liveaboard cruises. The Heron Island and Lady Elliot Island in this part of the Barrier Reef offer the best accessibility.

If you are planning a holiday vacation to Australia, why not make a trip to The Great Barrier Reef and go scuba diving there?

Johan Hedin asked:


A whole new world
From the eyes of a sea creature living in the depths; a fish, a turtle or a crab looking up through the rays of sun streaming through the blue azure, a large grey-green object passes over head at the surface, its fins revolving at high speed-churning white froth and a grating whining noise that suddenly dies as the rest of the body glides to a halt. Then, a strange two legged creature plunges in from the side with its long fins propelling it down deeper. We can only try to imagine how we scuba divers must look to these creatures, yet at the same time make us realize what a wonderful, extraordinary world exists beneath our oceans.
 
When visiting Thailand, you should not only explore the culture, its people and its jungles, but you should also make the time to discover a whole new world beneath the waves.
 
Whether your passion is snorkelling on the surface or diving the depths, it’s always advisable to seek formal instruction of some kind before taking the plunge. Though extremely safe, complacency is a danger that cannot be ignored when it comes to any marine recreation, however once you have learned the ropes, you can enjoy the fun safely and free of accidents. The best way to do this would be to take up an introductory course in diving at one of the many schools in Phuket such as PADI Course Director Chris Owen’s Indepth Instruction. This school offers a wide range or PADI courses from beginner snorkel or scuba discovery courses to PADI IDC diving instructor courses.
 
The way the world learns to dive
If you fall in love with scuba diving like so many of us have, then you may even want to teach your passion to others. The Professional Association of Diving Instructors or PADI formed in 1966, is the world’s largest recreational diving membership and training organization of diving instructors. The PADI members consist of Diving Instructors and Divemasters and teach most of the world’s recreational divers. PADI courses are proactive based dive programs that start from entry level programs like PADI Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver to PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and Specialty Instructor Courses.
So are you hooked with the idea? Do you not only have a passion for diving but also a passion to teach? Regardless of your knowledge and ability to dive, you can take a 10+ day PADI IDC course that will enlighten your knowledge of the aquatic world and bring you closer to your goal. PADI Course Director Chris Owen can offer you this chance, a professional PADI Instructor Development Course for all divers with his PADI IDC Phuket programs!
Wonder of wonders
Don’t expect miracles over night, becoming a diving instructor will take time, but with a little effort and the proper training you can do it. PADI IDC classes are ideal for those who are not only not afraid of hard work, but also wish to achieve their goals, while at the same time enjoying the experience of a life time. Lots of fun and great moments.
With both confined and open water training, students utilize the accumulated knowledge and experience from his team of dive professionals, the team spirit you will encounter will aid you in your training and further improve your ability. Consider other advantages of signing up with PADI Course Director Chris Owen’s Indepth courses; small classes of up to ten students make team bonding that much easier. Class language is in English, French, Dutch, German, Danish and Swedish or Thai, but language assistance for other nationalities is also available. There is a 5% Early Bird discount for those who sign up early and another 5% Cash Incentive discount, a total of 10% discount off the whole package. The programs are so well structured; they aim to intensify training periods with equally long relaxation periods. Practise freely in the pools available to tune your diving skills and prepare you for the day you test in open waters.
Other
Other PADI IDC lessons include the very important safety features so that you will know what to do in emergency situations. One of the latest is the newly released PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Course where you will be taught how to give first aid and oxygen administration to divers in trouble. Needless to say, all PADI scuba divers and PADI scuba diving instructors must be prepared when faced with these types of emergency situations.
Other courses available include Emergency First Response Instructor; this allows PADI Divemasters, Assistant Instructors and divers who have completed an IDC to become Emergency First Response Instructors.
All this achieved in beautiful surroundings with state-of-the-art equipment and up to date facilities aimed at making your examination testing preparation a pleasurable and memorable experience.

gr8videofun asked:

Enjoy reggae music as I assemble my Scubapro R380 2nd stage.

Jason Keiller asked:


I have long desired to visit the famous Acapulco, ‘the city that never sleeps’, where the rich and famous have been visiting or residing since the 1950’s when Hollywood stars such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and the Kennedy’s would come to visit and mingle amongst the glitzy atmosphere that seems to be automatic along the Pacific coastline of Acapulco Bay. The perfect tropical warm weather year round, blue clear skies almost every day, the stunning sands of Acapulco Bay, and the endless choice of top class hotels, restaurants, shopping and entertainment was what I finally got to experience when I vacationed here with my family.

The holiday was one I and my family will never forget! It was both relaxing and exhilarating all at the same time. We stayed in two hotels, one being Las Brisas Hotel, one of Acapulco’s more luxurious hotels which made me feel like a millionaire for the week, took care of every possible desire I may have had, and was the perfect Acapulco vacation Rental and destination experience. The second hotel was the oh-so elegant and stylish Fiesta Americana Hotel, which once again surpassed every expectation I had of how one should vacation in Acapulco.

There is so much to do in Acapulco, that it is virtually impossible to get bored, even with children. One of the highlights of our vacation in Acapulco was the La Quebrada cliff divers, which put on an amazing show of bravery and skill when they perform their daring dives off the natural cliffs into the waters below. Diving displays are usually daily at 1pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, & 10pm (but check with your hotel for any variation to these times). Usually at least 3 divers will perform at each set performance time. There is a well placed public viewing deck where you can get a great view of the La Quebrada cliff divers. But I would suggest that, if you don’t have children with you, then take advantage of watching this amazing performance from the comfort of the Plaza Las Glorias Mirador Hotel. Mix the performance, a few cocktails, then a lunch or dinner on the hotel’s outdoor terrace, and it all makes for one very romantic outing.

For the children, there is an endless array of water sports for children of various ages along the beaches, and there are two beaches, Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla, which are smaller and located away from the tourist hustle and bustle that the main Acapulco beaches seem to have. Here you will find very calm, more shallow waters, with much shade, perfect for the younger ones. A water park, called Centro Infantil CiCi, located on the main street Avenida Costera Miguel Aleman, or known locally as “The Costera” features water slides and toboggans, a wave pool, roller coaster, and dolphin and seal enclosures with shows as set times during the day. There is also Mundo Marina, an aquarium, located between Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla, which has a variety of water slides, marine animal exhibits, restaurants and gift shops, which kept the children amused for some time. Also along The Costera, you will find a park with an array of carnival rides, roller skating rinks, skateboard ramps, and go karting tracks, to name but a few.

But if you would like to get away from the beach and water based activities, then I would suggest to visit the Fuerte de San Diego, which is an impressively restored 17 th Century fort built to protect the city against pirate attacks. Within the fort is the Museo de Acapulco, which offers an interesting look into the area’s historical significance, and Mexico ’s rich cultural and traditional past. It is easy to reach, keeps the children entertained and interested, and is a good place to escape the hot afternoon Acapulco weather.

Some of my personal highlights, apart from the stunning beaches to relax at with a good book, or the shopping along The Costera at the Centro Acapulco Real Estate, would have to be the extensive variety of water sports, and the restaurant and nightlife. Firstly the water sports available all along Acapulco Bay is impressive. I had always considered myself to be an active outdoors person, but didn’t realise the variety of water activities available. I had a go at the usual beach water activities such as banana boat rides, a trip on a glass bottom boat, a cruise around the Bay on a chartered sail boat, peddle boats, and snorkelling. But I decided to venture out and try parasailing, which was very exhilarating and the quality and professionalism of the staff gave me all the confidence I needed to attempt this. I also hired a wave runner, which I didn’t expect to be as enjoyable as it actually was, which explains why I went back the following day for another go. The hire place gave me excellent initial instructions and the equipment for hire was of very good quality. Two things I didn’t try were hiring a small sail boat, and scuba diving. Although my husband went scuba diving and obviously had a wonderful time, as he went back a few days later with our eldest child.

The nightlife is truly what Acapulco is about from sunset to sunrise! Whether you are after a quiet romantic dinner, lively cultural meal experience, or would prefer to spend a few hours in a bar with live music, or dance the entire night away in one of the many impressive nightclubs. The nightclubs, mostly located along The Costera, range from the norm to the sublime. Such as Fantasy, which is popular with the thirty-something crowd which offers a great Spanish feel in music and food, with some great views over the town and Bay, to Alebrije which is a huge nightclub which seats around 1,200 people, where a typical Friday or Saturday night begins with a slower pace and quickly builds into a disco display of music, lights, and a dance floor full of people covered in foam! Alebrije opens at 10.30pm and goes all night long till dawn. Two other popular nightclubs are Andromeda, a techno club popular with the 18-25 crown where the theme is set on what feels like a submarine with the entrance over a dramatic torch-lit moat. And Enigma gives an Egyptian feel, where the music is predominantly Spanish but does vary, and it also offers a great view of Acapulco Bay from the glass-walled dance floor. For some great bar and restaurant experiences to make your Acapulco vacation more memorable, The Costera offers bars with varied atmospheres, and restaurants with specialised cuisine menus. Keep in mind that the restaurants vary greatly in price, although you don’t need to spend a fortune to get great tasting food and great service!

For the males who may not be so interested in spending the majority of a 2 week vacation in Acapulco either in the shops or lazing on the sandy beaches, there is always golf, fishing or tennis to keep you occupied. My husband spent much time on the golf courses around Acapulco . There are 4 championship golf courses, all located south, near the airport and easily accessible to from the main tourist area. The courses at the Tres Vidas and the Mayan Palace were what impressed my husband the most. Their challenging fairways, impressive scenic views over the Pacific Ocean , and the quality of the clubhouse, hire equipment and amenities kept my husband busy for several days on the greens. The other 2 courses are the Acapulco Princess and Pierre Marques which adjoin each other.

And a game or two, or three, of tennis in Acapulco is a great way to spend some time away from the typical attractions of Acapulco . The modern facilities at the Mayan Palace complex (within the same complex as the golf course) offers 13 courts open to the public, with lessons available, and shower facilities. Within the tourist district, the Park Hotel offers very reasonable rates for those non-guests who would like a game of tennis. The Club de Tenis Panoramic is a small tennis club which offers players 2 neatly kept clay courts, but book in advance for this tennis club as it is quite popular.

All in all, our family vacation in Acapulco was a once in a lifetime experience. There was something for everyone, there was no boredom over the two weeks and the perfect mix of relaxation and excitement. Everything mentioned above and much, much more went in to creating some lasting memories for each and every family member. I can see why Acapulco attracts millions of tourists each year. I had fantasised about taking such a holiday as this, and I was not disappointed!

Author: Jason Keiller

David Cowley asked:


American Lobsters
Lobster hunting is becoming a favorite pastimes for many divers.  These tasty crustaceans, also known as bugs to divers, are delicious.  But in order to capture a lobster you must first find them.  Lobsters need places to hide from other predators so prefer corral reefs, rocky area, old shipwrecks and man made areas where there are plenty of holes to hide in.
Lobsters are nocturnal feeders and they rarely venture far from their hole during the daylight hours.  You will find them sitting on there front porch of there chosen home with just there antennea sticking and there back end inside the hole.  Then threatened they will simply scoot back into there homes and then push down with there legs and brace there backs against the surface of the hole.  This defensive action, also known as locking-up, makes it very difficult to pry the little buggers out.
Blue Lobsters
While I have heard of people snorkeling or free diving during the day, most lobster hunting is done at night with scuba tanks.  Hunting for these elusive crustaceans in their natural environment has become a sport and after you have a little experience under your belt you may want to enter some of the contests available to the hunters.  Prizes are given for the first lobster found, the largest one, the most found and anything else the promoter of the event can think of.
The first thing the new treasure hunter will need to accomplish is to become scuba certified.  Follow the PADI rules set down for scuba divers and please use common sense.  The PADI rules state that you always surface with 500 psi of air left in your tanks.  It does NOT say surface with 500 psi of air left in your tanks unless you are lobster hunting.
Spinney Lobsters
The most common PADI rule violated is to always dive with a buddy.  You may start with a buddy in the water but when both of you are chasing after a fast moving lobster you will become quickly separated and very rarely will two divers make the effort needed to find each other again.
Gloves.
Next you will need a pair of good quality gloves.  The claws of the lobsters are a great defense and if the bug should get a hold of you with them they can cut right through the cheep gloves and can give you a nasty cut.  It has been said that the larger lobsters can crush a coke bottle with his claws and they bite as well.  Not all lobsters have claws, such as the spinney lobster, but they make up for them with the spines on the underside of the tail, hence the name.  Another hazard of night hunting is digging broken sea urchin spines out of your hands when you do not have a pair of good quality of gloves.
Yellow Lobsters
Underwater Light.
The more powerful the better.  The wider the beam of light the easer to spot the bugs wandering around.  Do not shine the light directly at the lobster until you are ready to make your final darting run at him.  The light will blind him for a second or so just like a dear in automobile headlights.  When he freezes you may just have enough extra time to make the capture.
The capture.
If the lobster is out in the open, do not try to grab them, just pin them to the bottom of ocean floor with your hand.  Watch out for sea urchins, this is why most night divers will be digging sea urchin spines out of there hands after the dive is over.
If you discover a lobster sitting oh his home porch grab him by his head just below the antennae.  If you grab him by the antennae they will just break off.  Once the capture has been made point his tail at your capture bag and just let go.  He will swim tail first right into the bag.
If you have missed your first grasp at him all is not lost.  He will wedge himself into his crevice with the locking up maneuver.  Grab him by the head and give him a good shake.  If you are able to throw off his equilibrium he slide right out.
Size Limit
All divers are required to have a lobster gage with them at all times.  It is used to determine if your catch is of legal size limit.  If you do not have a gage with you the Coast Guard will give you a heavy fine.
Happy Treasure Hunting.

susanakapo13 asked:


I want to be a SCUBA-diving instructor,but I cant just go to a commercial dive school because my family would disown me if i didnt get my bachelors degree,and i guess i want to go to college anyways.Should i major in Marine Biology?,or are there any SCUBA specific majors out there?

scubadvd asked:

Underwater images shot around Cayo Largo, Cuba in Dec. 2006. Stunning unspoiled dive sites. Shot in HDV (not that it shows here:-)) looks great on a proper HD monitor