DIVER IN CAVE

 

 

THE DIVEMASTER'S TOP TEN LIST

The "TOP TEN " reasons why divers on vacation wear too much weight.

#10 "I LIKE TO JUST SIT ON THE BOTTOM."

# 9 "THAT'S HOW MUCH I WEAR BACK HOME IN THE QUARRY."

# 8 "I LIKE TO BE A "LITTLE HEAVY."

# 7 "I CANT SINK."

# 6 "MY BREAST IMPLANTS FLOAT."

# 5 "MY INSTRUCTOR BACK HOME TOLD ME TO."

# 4 "I ALWAYS SHOOT UP TO THE SURFACE."

# 3 "I LIKE TO HAVE AIR IN MY BC."

# 2 "I HAVE BIG LUNGS."

And the number one reason divers wear TOO MUCH weight...

# 1 "I'M A FLOATER."

Diving Odd N' Ends

For many years the record for deepest dive on compressed air was the October 14, 1968 dive by John J. Gruener and R. Neal Watson, to 437 feet off Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. On February 14, 1990 Bret Gilliam dove 452 feet of the coast of Honduras (Roatan). He descended in 4 minutes 41 seconds and stayed at depth one minute 40 seconds. Then on March 18, 1994 Daniel J. Manion, M. D. dove to 510 feet on Clifton's Wall, Nassau, The Bahamas. The dives by Gilliam and Manion were solo dives and, as reported by the divers, went without a hitch. Both men made many dives prior to achieving their records, Both made decompression stops before surfacing.

Finally, both men acknowledge the extraordinary danger in diving to such depths on compressed air. Although the dives are necessarily short, death can occur as result of oxygen toxicity, nitrogen narcosis, air embolism, or decompression sickness. Many deep divers have never returned.

 

Dive Shows Coming Soon to Your Area

 

Summer Odin - Fax 619-697-0123 - waterpubcr@aol.com

Kim Scheckler - Fax 310-792-2336

Summer Odin - Fax 619-697-0123 - waterpubcr@aol.com

Linda Hutton - Fax 303-892-6322 - ieimktg@abwam.com

Frequently Asked Questions

DRINKING and DIVING

Many divers have asked me if drinking and diving are dangerous. Much of the research has shown that there is a definite reduction in the ability of the individual to process information, particularly in tasks that require divided attention for many hours after the blood alcohol level has reached 0.0%.This means that the risk for injury of a hung-over diver is increased significantly, particularly if high BAC levels were reached during the drinking episode. The AMA upper limit of the BAC for driving in the US is 0.05%.

The individual who has been drinking may not feel impaired or even appear impaired to the observer but definitely is impaired and continues for prolonged periods of time. Drinking alcohol also creates dehydration. Dehydration is considered to be one of the prime causes of decompression illness. Alcohol in any form has a direct effect on the kidneys, causing an obligatory loss of body fluids.

All of the following behavioral components required for safe diving are diminished when alcohol has been consumed in the prior 24 hours before diving:

* Visual tracking performance,

* Concentrated attention,

* Ability to process information in divided attention tasks,

* Perception (Judgment),

* The execution of psychomotor tasks, and

* Reaction time.

Do you have any nagging dive questions you have been wondering about. E-mail me and I will include your questions on the Diving Master Web Page.

 

Dive Site of the Month

 The featured site this week is located on Grand Cayman's East End.

Snapper Hole

SNAPPER HOLE has been called the best shallow dive in the Cayman Islands. If you like abundant marine life, dramatic underwater topography, big fish, and tunnels, tunnels, tunnels, then you will love Snapper Hole. Snapper Hole is the result of thousands of years of reef growth and erosion. Snapper Hole is located outside of the fringing reef that protects Grand Cayman's East End. This is the windward side of the island which means that the reefs are subjected to a constant pounding of waves. The heavy wave action stimulates coral growth and at the same time causes continual erosion. The end result are reefs that have grown upwards and outwards and at the same time are undercut with tunnels and swim- throughs.

The reef top at Snapper Hole starts in about twenty feet of water. Elkhorn corals and purple sea fans dot the reef top along with large colonies of star coral. A few feet below, channels cut through the reef and radiate seaward from the "smurf house". The "smurf house" is an enormous mushroom shaped conglomeration of small star corals that shelters Spanish lobsters, cleaning shrimp, fairy basslets, schoolmasters, jacks, and an occasional large barracuda. Leaving the "Smurf House", several sand channels lead to a virtual maze of swim throughs, overhangs and tunnels. Large tarpon hang motionless in many of the tunnels and under most of the overhangs. The tarpon can be approached to within inches. Rainbow and Midnight Blue Parrotfish amble past divers. Between breaths, divers can hear the crunching of the Parrotfish powerful beak-like jaws as they scrape algae from coral rocks. Squirrelfish and bigeyes lurk in the shadows and coral crabs and lobster hide in crevices in the reef structure. Most of the tunnels empty onto sand flats in 60 feet of water where stingrays and spotted eagle rays can be seen feeding in the sand. As an added bonus, there is also a large anchor embedded into the reef. The anchor no doubt comes from one of the many older wrecks that have long since been demolished by the heavy wave action common to the East End.

My favorite part of the dive is the central cavern. While most of the tunnels on this site are open and allow access to the surface, the central cavern is confining and darker. However, the darkness is interruppted by shafts of light that penetrate through the ceiling. The overall effect is a mesmerizing display of shadow and light rippling across the sides and bottom of the chamber. During the summer months thousands of silverside minnows form enormous shoals that cascade around divers as they pass through the cavern.

There is so much to see at Snapper Hole, one could easily dive here several times without seeing all the attractions. While there is often heavy wave action, surge and strong current. The site can easily be dived when the weather cooperates. During the summer months, the prevailing winds die down and seas can be flat for days and weeks at a time. It is impossible to safely access the site as a shore dive. This is one site where I would recommend following a guide as it is easy to get lost in the maze of tunnels. The guide can also point out all of the major attractions of the site. Enjoy!

 

 

If you've heard any stupid tourist questions or silly stories, they are always welcome here. Feel free to e-mail them to me and I will add the material to the web page.

 

CONDOS FOR SALE

Looking for an Island Getaway and a great investment! How about a beautiful Condo on Grand Cayman. The best dive sites in the world right out your front door plus a 10% return on your investment. Or why not buy your own Dive Shop. Several to choose from on Grand Cayman. We even have Time Shares at Morritt's Tortuga.

For Information email

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  Recommended Video

 Caribbean Reef Discovery

 

This is a must have video anyone interested in the undersea world. You will explore the coral reef like never before. Whether you're an avid diver, an armchair explorer, or just a little curious about the undersea world, Caribbean Reef Discovery will open your eyes to a whole new understanding of the amazing place called the Coral Reef.

Order here!

Links

Gotta' have your "C" Card, and Train, Train, Train!!!!!

 

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