Scuba Certification in Northern Virginia: Tips for Underwater Navigation

Last November we looked at the PADI Underwater Navigation Specialty Diver Course and why it was worth taking.  Today, we will look at some basic tips to aid in your underwater navigation.

Pay Attention to the Dive Briefing
Prior to the dive the boat Divemaster will usually give a briefing regarding the upcoming dive.  The depth and topography of the dive and any interesting critters or formations to look for will be discussed.  The Divemaster will also alert the divers to any potential problems that might arise.  By listening to this briefing you will be aware of the best course to follow and the dive parameters (depth, time, currents, landmarks, etc).  This will make your navigation easier.

Note Your Surroundings
Once you are on the bottom and ready to begin your dive take a moment to note your surroundings.  Look for any unusual corals or landmarks.  This is like checking the row number of where you park your car in a parking lot.  When you return to the same area at the end of the dive it will make it easier for you to note that you are near the boat.

Note Your Course
Take the time to notice where you are as you progress through the dive.  Note your depth and how long you have been diving.  Naturally, make note of how much air you have remaining.  When you are working your way back this will enable you to verify that you are on the proper course back to the boat.

Use Your Underwater Compass Properly: Keep It Level
Refer to your underwater compass frequently during the dive.  Note the direction you are traveling and how long you have been doing so.  Be sure and keep your underwater compass level when using it.  If it is not level the disk or needle can touch the glass surface preventing the compass from giving you a true heading.

Maintain a Reserve: Air & Time
The Divemaster will give you a time limit for the dive and will also tell you to be back on board the boat with at least 500 psi of air in your cylinder.  Always allow extra time and air in the case of a problem.  Start back a little early both time wise and air wise.  If the weather were to become choppy or windy the extra air in your cylinder would allow you to use your regulator on the surface instead of a snorkel, making it less likely for your to swallow water.

Plan for Contingencies & Trust Your Compass:
Allow for current when you plan your route.  If you are navigating to a wall a good trick is to purposely navigate to the right or left then turn to the side you purposely missed.  This makes sure that you do not accidently miss it and not know which way to go.

Lastly, if you hold your compass properly, trust it.  We sometimes get nervous when navigating and think that we have been diving longer then we really have.  Trust your compass, it you use it correctly it will take you there.

Learning good underwater navigation and safety techniques will make your dive more enjoyable and safer.  It will cut down on long, tiring surface swims and will help you return to the boat with plenty of time and air to spare.  Good underwater navigation is the only way to dive.

Scuba Diving Equipment: Dive Travel Check List

Scuba diving has become a very popular sport.   Accordingly, scuba diving vacations are also very popular.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, we not only teach scuba diving but schedule scuba diving trips and vacations as well.  Nothing can ruin that long awaited and anticipated vacation faster then forgetting to bring an essential item of scuba diving equipment.  Today, we will discuss not only what scuba diving equipment to pack but some important accessory items as well.

Scuba Diving Equipment:

• Scuba Mask
• Snorkel
• Boots
• Fins
• Exposure Suit appropriate to the environment (wet suit)
• Gloves (if allowed in the area of travel)
• Scuba Regulator
• Buoyancy Control Device or BCD
• Dive Computer or Timing Device and Dive Tables
• Mesh Gear Bag to carry above items
• Certification or “C” Card

Scuba Diving Equipment Accessories:

• Mask Defog
• Dry Bag to carry on boat
• Dive Knife or Diver Shears
• Dive Light & extra batteries
• Back Up Dive Light
• Regulator Marker Light
• Surface Signaling Device (sausage & Whistle)
• Slate & Pencil
• Underwater Camera and Light if taking photographs

Scuba Diving Equipment – Spare Parts

• “O” Ring Kit
• Spare Snorkel Keeper
• Spare Fins Straps
• Diver’s Tool Kit or Diver’s Tool
• Silicone Grease
• Extra Lanyard and Clips
• Extra Regulator Mouthpiece
• Tie Wraps
• Pad Lock for dive locker

Non Scuba Dive Related Supplies:

• Sunscreen
• Insect Repellent
• Sunglasses
• Seasick Medication
• Ball Cap or brimmed hat to shade eyes and face

While this list might seem very simple and obvious, it is still a good idea to make a list and check it twice, so to speak when packing for that important dive vacation.  Forgetting an item is an annoyance at best but in some cases can really put a damper on your dive trip.

Scuba Certification in Northern Virginia: Buoyancy Control Tips

Appropriate Buoyancy Control Device:
Proper buoyancy control starts with a properly fitted Buoyancy Control Device or BCD that is also appropriate for the type of scuba diving you are doing.  Scuba diving in cold areas requires a thicker wetsuit then scuba diving in warmer or tropical areas.  The extra thickness of the wetsuit means that the scuba diver has to wear more weight then a diver with a thinner wetsuit.  The extra weight means that the buoyancy control device needs to have more lift capacity then that of a warm water diver.  You can dive in warmer water with a cold water BCD but you may not be able to dive in cold water with a tropical weight BCD.

Maintain Proper Weighting:
Scuba divers wear lead weight to offset the natural positive buoyancy of the human body and pieces of scuba diving equipment like the diver’s wet suit.  If you do not wear enough weight you will not sink properly.  If you wear too much you will have to over inflate your buoyancy control device to offset the excess weight.  This will cause extra drag and resistance when diving making the diver work harder.  Working harder means wasted energy and that the diver will breath through his or her air supply at a much faster rate.  You can check to make sure that you have the correct amount of weight by floating on the surface in a face up position.  Let all of the air out of your BCD and inhale fully.  You should float at eye level.  When you exhale you should start to slowly sink into the water.  Remember that an aluminum scuba cylinder will become more buoyant as the air within it is used up.  For this reason a diver should add four pounds of weight to offset the excess buoyancy that will be present during the latter part of the dive.  Thus the scuba diver will be properly weighted at the end of the dive when doing a safety stop.

Maintain Proper Body Positioning and Stream Line When Diving:
The best position when scuba diving at depth is to be as horizontal as possible.  This means that the diver will have less drag and resistance and will not have to work as hard during the dive.  A proper fin kick will insure that energy is not wasted.  Keep your hands together and do not skull or use hand movements when scuba diving.  Hand movements merely create more drag and causes the diver to tire and to use air faster thus shortening your bottom time.  Streamlining also means having your equipment properly secured and pinned to your BCD.  This will prevent entanglements and insure that you are more streamlined.

Scuba Continuing Education-Practice Peak Performance Buoyancy
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors or PADI has a scuba diving course called Peak Performance Buoyancy.  It is designed to teach the scuba diver to wear appropriate equipment, practice good and safe diving techniques, be streamlined and wear the correct amount of weight when diving. These are the same suggestions that we just discussed above.  The Peak Performance Buoyancy course not only reaffirms these concepts but adds new insight like using breath control for minor adjustments instead of relying on your BCD inflator.  Those scuba divers who practice Peak Performance Buoyancy find that their air lasts longer meaning longer bottom times and that they not only enjoy the dives more but are less tired post diving as well.

Scuba Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia: What is the Scuba Regulator Annual Service?

Everyone knows that your scuba diving regulator is your basic life support system when scuba diving.  As such it is important that the scuba diving regulator be serviced on an annual basis.  Just what does this annual service involve?

Scuba Regulator Annual Service: Part 1 Bench Test
The first step in servicing your regulator is to attach it to a scuba cylinder and check it out.  The repair technician will check the regulator to see if it is functioning properly.  He will check the regulators internal pressure and how it breaths.  He will also note how the regulator and its accessories are configured.  This will give the technician important information as to what kind of problems to expect during the service procedure.

Scuba Regulator Annual Service: Part 2 The First Stage
The next order of business is to completely disassemble the first stage.  The casing and insides are then inspected for wear and cleaned in either an ultrasonic cleaner or with detergents.  Several of the softer parts, like O Rings and the high pressure seat need to be replaced on an annual basis.  These parts are discarded and new ones are added to replace them.  This is designated by the manufacture.  Occasionally the manufacturer will designate that the parts be replaced on a semi annual basis.  In this case the parts are inspected for wear, cleaned and lubricated then used again if in good condition.  The first stage is then reassembled.

Scuba Regulator Annual Service: Part 3 The Second Stage
The second stage is now disassembled and cleaned.  Parts are inspected and the annual service parts are replaced.  Once this is completed the second stage is reassembled.  If there is an alternate air source it is now serviced like the primary second stage was.  Only one stage at a time is serviced.

Scuba Regulator Annual Service: Part 4 The Gauges & Hoses are Serviced
The regulator gauges are the next to be serviced.  If there is an analog submersible pressure gauge or SPG, the spool is taken out and the O Rings are replaced.  If it is a computer console the battery is checked and replaced as needed.  Hose O Rings and fittings are inspected and replaced as needed.  All of the hoses are checked for wear.  If signs of cracking are spotted the hoses need to be replaced.

Scuba Regulator Annual Service: Part 5 The Regulator is Tested
Once all of the stages and parts are serviced the regulator is reassembled and tested.  It must perform to factory specifications.  The internal pressure is adjusted and the “cracking effort” or ease of breathing is tested and adjusted.

Scuba Regulator Annual Service: Part 6 The Final Test
Once the regulator has been completely serviced is undergoes a final cleaning.  The hoses and stages are wiped with disinfectant and polish.  The second stage mouthpieces are double checked for wear and replaced as needed.  The final check is completed by a second technician who tests the regulator and breathes off of it to verify the breathing effort is correct.  The air is then turned off and the airlines are purged of all air.  The technician then breaths off of the regulator again.  He or she should not be able to obtain any air since the lines are turned off.  If any air comes through that would indicate a leak.  If a leak is detected it is traced and sealed to prevent the diver from getting a moist breath when scuba diving.  The regulator is then wiped down once again and is now ready for use.

Learn to Scuba Dive in Virginia: Boat Diving Tips

Scuba Diving from a boat is very popular.  A boat will put the scuba diver right on top of the reef or ship wreck making diving far easier.  It also enables the scuba diver to get to areas that that are located beyond swimming or shore scuba diving distance.  Scuba diving from a boat is fun and very easy to accomplish.  Today, we will list a few common sense suggestions or tips that I am sure you will find helpful when diving from a boat.

Purchase a Good Dive Bag. Boats most often have very limited deck space.  By packing your scuba diving equipment in a good Dive Bag it will not only make it easy to transport but will help you keep your equipment contained into a very small area.  Another nice thing about a Dive Bag is that even though it might be quite roomy, its space is limited.  That means unless you are sure that you will need an item, then leave it ashore.

Select a Dive Set Up Area. A typical dive boat has space for several divers.  Once on board, select a spot.  I personally prefer a spot under any awning to minimize my exposure to the sun.  Others prefer to sit in the sun.  Many often like to be away from the boat motors to minimize noise or diesel fumes.  Which ever you select, put your scuba equipment in that area and then stay there to minimize any confusion or loss of equipment.

Listen to the Boat & Dive Briefing. Coast Guard regulations require that a boat briefing be given prior to a boat dive.  In addition a dive briefing is usually given prior to the dive.  The boat briefing will include important information the location and use of life jackets, first aid and oxygen equipment.  The Dive Briefing will include information on the dive, which includes depth, length of the dive and other important parameters.  Pay attention to the briefings and be sure to follow the instructions of the Divemaster.

Know Your Boat. Instructions on how to get into the water and how to exit the water when getting back into the boat are usually given as part of the Dive Boat or Dive Briefing.  Pay attention and follow the instructions carefully.  This is important to avoid injury or confusion.  In addition, make sure that you know what your boat looks like, particularly underwater.  At the end of the dive there may be more then one Dive Boat tied to a mooring.  You should be able to identify your dive boat from the bottom during your dive.  Details, like the number of engines, the type of ladder, etc will enable you to easily recognize your dive boat.

Boat Diving is fun.  It will allow you to dive in areas that you would not be able to reach otherwise.  Make sure that you keep it fun and safe by following these simple common sense rules.

Scuba Diving Equipment in D.C. Metro Area: Aeris A300ai Dive Computer – A Review

The use of Dive Computers progressed in the last few years.  The computers have become smaller, lighter and serve many more functions then in the past.  On October 30, 2012 we looked at the use of Dive Computers and the benefits of the  PADI Multi-Level Diver Specialty Course.  Today we will look at one of the newer dive computers to see what it has to offer.

The new A300 Dive Computer from Aeris is an air integrated dive computer that also contains an underwater digital compass.  An air integrated dive computer will not only calculate your no decompression dive time but will also calculate your air comsumption taking the guess work out of how long you can stay down on a particular dive.  The A300 dive computer is so sophisticated that is was awarded Scuba Diving Magazine’s SCUBALAB Testers Choice 2012 award

The A300 Dive Computer features:

• Advanced features for today’s technically-savvy diver, yet comes out-of-the-box-simple for new or less frequent divers
• Powered by Dual Algorithm® allowing you to choose the decompression algorithm that best suits your diving needs without compromising safety
• Patented Air Time Remaining Algorithm provides calculations in real time, allowing accurate gas management
• 3-Axis Digital Compass with Full Tilt Compensation
• Up to 4 Nitrox mixes – each with individual PO2 set points
• Deep Stop with Countdown Timer
• Intuitive user-interface with “Step Back” allows for easy settings preview and for settings to be changed while viewing the menus
• Customize your dive mode display with multiple data options
• Confirm common pre-dive settings – defined by the user
• User Replaceable Battery with Data Retention maintains settings and calculations
• Optional Quick Disconnect Hose
• Firmware Update Ready
• Complete FREE Online Tutorial when purchased and registered

The Scubalab review says that the A300ai computer has one of the most intuitive menu systems offered.    Dual Algorithms let you to decide on how conservative your scuba dive will be, you match your algorithm to the dive conditions encounter.  The underwater digital compass is unique in that it has a self correcting feature should you begin to drift due to current during your dive.  It even automatically calculates your reciprocal heading upon your return to the boat or shore.

We sell quite a few scuba diving computers at Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Northern Virginia, and the new Aeris A300ai is going to be a very popular.  This is a truly unique dive computer and is worth looking at should you be ready to upgrade to the next level of scuba diving computers.

Scuba Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia: The Dive Bag

Scuba equipment is bulky and sometimes heavy, especially when wet.  A scuba diving gear bag provides a sturdy container that makes it easier to carry, organize and protect your dive gear.  Whether you’re scuba diving locally or at an exciting vacation destination,  you will need a sturdy dive bag to transport your scuba equipment.

Most Popular Types of Scuba Diving Gear Bags: Regulator Bag, Gear Bag and Mesh Bag

Regulator Bag:
The scuba regulator bag is used to pack and carry your scuba regulator when traveling.  Many scuba divers prefer to carry their scuba regulator on board an airplane rather then check it.  This is to protect it from over zealous baggage handlers and to make sure that it arrives at your scuba diving destination when you do.  The regulator bag should be large enough to pack your regulator and gauges without sharply bending the hoses.  Ideally it should also be padded to provide extra protection for the regulator and delicate gauges or dive computer.  The regulator bag should be used for travel.  The scuba regulator should not be stored in the regulator bag for long periods of time.

The Mesh Bag or Duffel Bag:
The mesh bag or duffel is used to transport or to carry your dive equipment from your hotel room to the dive boat or dock.  The mesh is ideal for allowing the items in the bag to drain.  Many divers will even rinse their dive equipment after the dive by submerging the entire bag and it’s contents in fresh water.  The most popular type is the mesh backpack.  The backpack allows the diver to carry the gear on his or her back and still have hands free to carry other items, such as an underwater camera.  The mesh bag should be large enough to hold the majority of a divers gear.   The mesh should be made of a material that will stand up to carrying heavy items since scuba equipment can be quite heavy, especially when wet.  Reinforced seams and sturdy plastic zippers will prevent dry rot and rust allowing the bag to last longer.  A shoulder strap or backpack straps makes the bag easier to carry.

The Cargo or Wheeled Dive Bag:
The largest of the three most common dive bags is the cargo bag.  Most divers prefer a cargo bag that has wheels to make it easier to transport.  This bag should also have large corrosion proof zippers.  Extra pockets are helpful to stow gear in a way that is easy to organize and to find.  Drain holes with grommets will allow the bag to air out when it contains wet dive gear.  The material should be strong and durable and preferably made for scuba diving equipment.  Many good bags from high end manufacturers do not hold up well to wet gear, that is why most scuba divers will purchase their dive bags at their local Dive Center.

Lastly, make sure that the bag comes with a warranty and that it is large enough to hold all of your important dive equipment.  Don’t forget to weigh your cargo bag when you pack it to avoid any over weight charges by the airlines.

Dive bags make if far easier to travel and transport your scuba diving equipment safely.  Good quality dive bags will hold up for many years of use and will make traveling far less taxing.

SCUBA Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia – Underwater Cameras

One of the things that I like best about SCUBA diving is being able to take photographs underwater.  I love photography in general and Underwater Photography makes scuba diving that much more fun.  It allows me to relive my SCUBA diving vacations over and over again.  In order to become an Underwater Photographer you first have to get certified as a SCUBA Diver.  In this area you would start by finding a Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy a Dive Center in Northern Virginia. Aquatic Adventures offers both Scuba Classes in Northern Virginia and Scuba Dive Equipment in Northern Virginia.

Once you are Certified as a SCUBA Diver you can start taking underwater photographs right away.  However, some additional Scuba Diving Skills will come in handy.  PADI Specialty Scuba Diver Courses like the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy which will help improve you buoyancy in the water allowing you to take better photographs without stirring up the bottom.  Needless to say other courses like PADI Underwater Digital Photography will also allow you to learn to take underwater photographs safely and to prevent common underwater photography mistakes.

Now that you have obtained your SCUBA Certification and have taken some PADI Specialty Diver Courses you are ready to start taking photographs underwater.  Good underwater photographs start with good underwater cameras.   Selecting your underwater camera or camera system is not overly difficult.  Locally you find a Dive Center in Northern Virginia like Aquatic Adventures that not only carries Dive Equipment but underwater cameras and underwater camera systems but understands them and can help you and answer you questions regarding both the cameras and underwater photography in general, and will be able to pass on some tips enabling you to take better underwater photographs.

Underwater Photography is simple to do and easy to get started with.  You can start with a housed camera like the Sealife DC-1400 underwater camera and housing which will allow you to start taking underwater photographs almost immediately.   The Sealife DC-1400 is a 14 megapixel camera with a matched underwater housing.  It is rated to a depth of 200 feet.  The camera is capable of both underwater photographs and underwater HD Video.  As you gain expertise you can add an underwater strobe light and or a wide angle lens to allow you to get closer and thus have more color in your underwater photographs.  You can also start off with a complete underwater camera system like the Sealife DC-1400 Elite Camera System, which contains the camera, housing, strobe and wide angle lens in a deluxe carry bag.

Another option is the Sealife Mini II underwater camera.  This is a 9 mega pixel camera with a rugged exterior that is also rated to a depth of 200 feet.  This camera also allows the user to take both underwater photographs and underwater HD video.  This camera is also great for back packing or kayaking.

Which ever way you choose the next thing to do is go diving and start taking underwater photographs.  The more you take the better underwater photographer you will become.  Next we will look at the different type of underwater camera systems.

Some of the best opportunities to take underwater photos is on one of Aquatic Adventures Scuba Diving Trips.  Your next Aquatic Adventure starts here.

Scuba Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia: The Dive Light

Many people mistakenly think that the Dive Light is only for scuba diving at night.  This is not at all true.  Many scuba divers, like myself, make it a point to carry a dive light every time we scuba dive.  This is for both practical and safety reasons.  When scuba diving during the day a dive light enables us to look inside nooks and crannies to see critters that may be hiding.  Shrimp, crabs, lobsters, moray eels and even octopus can often be spotted during the day with the aid of a dive light.  In addition, the deeper yous scuba dive, the more color is washed from the coral and sponges.  By shining a Dive Light on the corals the scuba diver can appreciate the true color that is present but hidden.

Dive Light Styles

There are two basic styles of dive lights, with different options in rechargeable or disposable batteries, and the type of bulb it uses.

• Flashlights – These range from small, compact lights used during the day or as backups when diving at night or on wrecks and caves.  The larger dive lights are used as primary dive lights when scuba diving at night.
• Canister lights – Used primarily by wreck and cave divers.  The canister light has a large battery that is connected to a compact light by a wire.  The battery is quite large and is mounted on your cylinder or arm.  Canister lights are usually much brighter then flashlights.

Dive Light Features: 

Watertight & Durable

A dive light needs to be both rugged or durable and must be completely watertight.  Water proof lights are not designed for scuba diving and will leak at depth.  A good dive light is pressure tested to over 50 atmospheres of pressure, and is sealed by “O” rings to prevent water from entering the unit.

Disposable vs Rechargeable Batteries

Dive lights that use disposable batteries are less expensive in the short run.  The cost of replacing batteries will eventually make up for that in time.  In addition the rechargeable lights are much more ecologically friendly.   Always make it a point to remove the batteries from the dive light if it is not being used for a while.

Dive Light Bulbs

There are a variety of options in dive light bulbs.  Tungsten and halogen bulbs cost less but are not as bright as xenon bulbs.  LED bulbs are perhaps the most expensive but save you money in the long run by being very long lasting and having very long battery life.

PADI Specialty Dive Courses

Both the PADI Night Diver and the PADI Wreck Diver Specialty courses have sections that deal with dive lights.  Both of these courses are worthwhile and will show you tips and tricks to get more out of your scuba diving.

Scuba Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia: Buy Your Own or Rent?

Life is not cheap and the things that are more fun to do always seem to be the most expensive.  If you are asking yourself this question about whether or not you should buy your own scuba diving equipment, you have already invested some time and money in just getting certified.  It is assumed that you did this because you do want to go scuba diving.  Owning you own scuba equipment will make it easier to go diving and more cost effective when you do.

Why Rent Scuba Equipment?

Scuba equipment can be expensive.  In addition, it needs to be serviced annually to maintain it in optimum safe diving condition.  This also adds to the cost of the equipment.  When you go on a scuba diving vacation, if you own your own scuba equipment you have to pack it and take it with you.  It is far easier just to rent scuba equipment at your vacation destination, and less expensive in the beginning.

Why You Do Not Want to Rent Scuba Equipment?

Many pieces of scuba diving equipment are personally sized or fitted.  We all wear different size clothes, similarly many items of scuba equipment, like your buoyancy control device and scuba wet suit, come in different sizes.  Many of us have trouble just finding clothes that fit well.  Scuba diving equipment is even harder to fit and if it does not fit properly it will not work as well and can even be hazardous.  If the dive center that you are diving at does not have your size you will have to make due with something other than your optimal size.

Why Buy Your Own Scuba Equipment?

Every time you go scuba diving you will need the basic scuba diving equipment that consists of a regulator, buoyancy control device, gauges and exposure suit.  Yes, it is true that you can rent these items but if you scuba dive enough the rental quickly equals what it would cost to purchase your own equipment.  In addition, rental equipment is usually not the higher end quality equipment that you might purchase for yourself, nor is it maintained as well as your would your own scuba diving equipment.

There are a lot of different places to scuba dive and many different types of diving.  When you select your own scuba equipment with the help of your local Dive Center, you will select equipment that not only fits you properly but fits or matches the type of scuba diving that you like.

In short, purchasing your own scuba equipment is the better way to go because it is far less expensive in the long run.  You know that your own equipment fits you properly and you are familiar with it’s characteristics and how it handles.  You know it has been properly serviced.  Since quality scuba diving equipment will last for years, it is simply not only safer but much more cost effective then renting.

What Scuba Equipment Should I Buy First?

If possible it is usually best to purchase all of your scuba diving equipment at the same time.  You local Dive Center, can help you match equipment that works well together, and when you purchase everything together you can often obtain a better price.  Many of us, however, simply cannot afford the expense of buying everything at one time.  In that case the personally fitted items like the  Buoyancy Control Device and Wet Suit should be purchased first, followed by the non fitted items when you can afford them.

Once I Own My Own Scuba Equipment – What Next? The Scuba Diving Vacation

You have taken the time and effort to learn to scuba dive.  Following that you purchased your very own scuba diving equipment.  What is next?  The next thing is simply get out and dive!  Go on a Scuba Diving Vacation.  You local Dive Center probably runs trips to some very interesting dive locations throughout the year and is a great place to start.  Enjoy that next great Aquatic Adventure!