A sunny day on the Akamas Peninsular, blue sky, soaring buzzards and goats!

Cyprus is well known for sun,sea and sand and for divers the most famous part is the wreck Zenobia.

Not so well known is the Akamas Nature Reserve coastline, this is a lovely area for diving, peaceful and with magnificent scenery, both under and above the water.
The Mediterranean has virtually no tides or currents and the visibility can range from 30 - 40 metres and depth from 1metre to 1000!

The fish life depends on the area you dive in, getting the correct dive guides who know where to look and what to look for, believe me there is life in the Med!
The underwater scenery is magnificent, with walls, gulleys, ravines, swimthroughs and a few sites lend themselves to underwater scooters or DPV.

Loggerhead and Green Turtles nest on the Akamas and surrounding beaches at certain times of the year, these are protected animals and recently their numbers seem to have grown, there is a sanctuary at Lara Bay, and all dive centres are on the look out to protect them and report sightings to the sanctuary.

The dives sites can be approached either by shore or boat one dive centre organises dive safaris, a 4×4 trip to the dive site and on all dives a picnic lunch during the surface interval.
www.polisdiving.com
this centre is in Polis about 45 minutes from Paphos.
The dive centre also organises snorkelling trips and training for both PADI and BSAC, servicing and air fills.

Polis and Latchi are small towns with a sleepy attitude to life typically Cypriot, the local saying is cyga, cyga slowly, slowly and it shows!
The food is international and local and there are various entertainments to keep you occupied and accommodation from luxury to clean and basic.

Cyprus now has an association for dive centres the Cyprus Dive Centre Association, look for this when diving, the dive centres in this have to comply with safety and servicing policies and it is supported by the Cyprus Tourist Organisation.

So why not go and enjoy Cyprus above and below!

http://www.polisdiving.com
Diving specialists in Polis, Cyprus, with hyperbaric trained staff and a member of the Cyprus Dive Centres Association

We offer sales, servicing, PADI and BSAC training, guided diving from shore and boat. team build activities on request. Our staff are experienced divers with more than 30 years diving experience and we offer excellent customer service- try us and see!

Since the human eye is not designed to see in water, anyone who enters the sub-aquatic realm must wear a facemask in order to see; the reason for this is that the optical density of water is completely different to air for which the eye is designed. Allowing for an air gap between the eye and the water overcomes this limitation - we can focus underwater and vision is restored.

A scuba mask is a relatively simple device, consisting of a glass lens, a rubber skirt that seals against the face and a strap to fasten it. The original face masks were often crudely fashioned at home from a piece of circular glass and bicycle inner tube, but by the end of the 1950s mask design was beginning to evolve from this circular design to an oval, allowing for a wider field of view.

A further development in the 1960s occurred when two panes of glass were added to the sides of scuba masks, further increasing peripheral vision but with the side effect of increasing internal volume, making this type of mask harder to equalize or clear. The solution was provided by the first low-profile scuba masks; whereas masks before this had been worn over the eyes and nose, low-profile masks featured a nose pocket below the lens that allowed the glass to be closer to the eyes, reducing the volume of air contained within the mask,.

Another difference in scuba mask design is in the material of the skirt; originally this was made from neoprene, but silicone has been used since the 1980s; it is more comfortable for the diver due to its greater flexibility and longer lasting because it is less susceptible to damage from sunlight.

Modern scuba masks generally consist of a lightweight plastic frame, glass lenses and a silicone rubber skirt. It is interesting to note that although silicone can be translucent, the skirt on modern scuba masks is often coloured black, just as with the original neoprene masks.

David Leigh regularly dives on Spain’s Costa Brava. You can read more about scuba masks at http://www.CostaBravaScubaDiving.com

Scuba diving equipment is designed to overcome the limits of human physiology in the submarine world and although the number of items may seem daunting to the beginner, everything has a clear purpose. Below we look at the main items of scuba diving equipment used in recreational diving.

Mask

Divers wear a face mask for the simple fact that it allows them to see underwater. The human eye is not designed to see in water, which has a different optical density to air. By simply having an air space between eyes and water the mask allows the diver to see, although the optical density means that all objects appear larger or closer when underwater. Traditionally masks were constructed from neoprene, which tended to age relatively quickly. Today’s scuba masks generally consist of a lightweight plastic frame, glass lenses and a silicone rubber skirt that seals against the face. Modern masks also allow a smaller volume of air between the water and the face, which is an advantage because it means it is easier to equalize the pressure in the mask and simpler to clear of water.

Wet suit

While a wet suit is the most common type of suit worn in recreational diving, it is not the only type. Primarily to prevent the diver from losing body heat to the water, which conducts heat from the body at a much faster rate than air, a wet suit consists of a layer of low density neoprene which acts as an insulator and traps a thin layer of water between the neoprene and the diver’s skin, also helping to minimize heat loss. The secondary function of a wet suit is to protect the diver from abrasions and other injuries, including stings and venoms.

When the water is too cold for a wet suit to be used divers can wear a dry suit, which as the name implies keeps the diver dry by sealing at the neck and wrists, while in warmer water divers can wear a lycra body suit which provides no thermal protection, but prevents against scrapes and stings as well as sunburn.

Fins

In the same way that fish glide through the water by moving their fins, scuba divers are able to propel themselves through the water by kicking their fins. Usually made of neoprene for the foot and rigid plastic for the blade, there are two main types; full foot and adjustable. With the former the diver simply places the boot of the fin over the bare foot, while adjustable fins have an adjustable heel strap and are usually worn over wet suit boots.

Scuba tanks

The scuba tank - also commonly known as a cylinder or a bottle - contains the divers breathing gas at high pressure. Usually the breathing gas is air, although in some circumstances other mixtures are also used.

The standard configuration in recreational scuba diving today attaches the tank to the BCD (buoyancy control device), often known simply as a jacket. The tank is attached to the rigid backplate with an adjustable strap and the BCD is then worn like a waistcoat and fastened at the front with a cummerbund.

As well as providing harnessing the scuba tank, the BCD is designed to allow the diver to adjust buoyancy in the water by either adding or reducing the amount of air held inside. Many modern BCDs also have pockets to hold lead weights, traditionally worn on a belt around the waist.

Regulators

The first stage regulator is attached to the top of the tank and reduces the pressure from the tank to supply the second stage as well as providing the air for BCD inflation. The latter supplies the diver with air at ambient pressure and is located in the mouthpiece on most modern equipment.

Scuba diving computers

Until relatively recently divers used tables to plan their dives, designed to reduce the possibility of decompression sickness. A depth gauge a dive watch were essential items to ensure the dive was within the limits of the table.

While divers are still taught dive table theory, most recreational divers quickly move on to buying a dive computer, which effectively calculates a custom table for each dive. More sophisticated models also connect to the air supply, so that they act as timer, depth gauge and air pressure monitor all in one.

David Leigh usually dives year round in the Costa Brava in Catalonia. You can find more information about scuba diving equipment at http://www.CostaBravaScubaDiving.com

Over the last few years, one of the most popular pastimes for any holidaymaker has been that of scuba diving. Just the sheer relaxation and feeling of peace and solidarity makes up for any expense that the excursion may cost. Although you may associate this activity with the likes of Australia and the Bahamas, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that there is also excellent scuba diving in Florida, specifically the Florida Keys.

Since this area of Florida shares similar temperatures and environments to the Caribbean, it makes for a superb diving location. This is especially true of the Upper Keys area, where you will find coral reefs with a variety of wonderful sea life. Since the Keys don’t really suffer from traditional winter weather conditions, and the summer brings a hot and humid period from June to September, it’s an area unlike the rest of America and this makes it perfect for scuba diving.

There are two main areas that scuba divers tend to frequent when diving in Florida. One of the most popular destinations is the South East, where you will find the coasts of Boynton Beach and West Palm. With a water temperature that can reach up to 84F during the summer months, it’s as warm as any tropical destination. The variety in fish once under the water here can often be stunning; with a mixture of moray eels, turtles, barracuda, jacks, grouper and even the odd shark now and again, there really is a good variety on offer.

As well as these fish, you can also view the likes of many tropical fish, as well as snappers and little grunts. Since this is such a warm area, you will also encounter multi-colored corals and sea sponges when scuba diving in the Florida Keys. With the ability to dive to up to sixty feet, the reefs here offer a great diving experience.

Should you head northwest instead, you’ll find a wondrous cave diving experience, as well as crystal clear waters and springs. The temperature here never falls below 72F, even in the winter, so it makes for an ideal solution to the less traditional winter scuba diving. Places like the Devil’s Den offer the diver a sixty-foot excursion into a deep and dark underwater cave, surrounded by beautiful fauna and sea plants. This is typical of the northwest, and makes it easy to understand why this is such a popular stop for scuba diving in Florida.

Regardless of which direction you aim in, this part of the United States offers a surprisingly extensive area in which to find both fish and corals, and with temperatures as good as the Bahamas, ensures scuba diving in Florida is just as enjoyable as other, more traditional parts of the world.

Marco Cello is the owner of NewScubaDiving.com. Visit us if you want to learn more Information on Scuba diving in Florida.

Scuba diving is increasingly popular. It is a sport that you need to gain qualification in and it is one that teaches you to be disciplined in your approach to it.

Log Book Essentials
When you start diving keeping a log book helps you and your club keep track of what you have achieved and where you are up to in your diver training.
This is a place you can record your diving qualifications as you progress and a good record of your dive details for future review.

Your Log book must contain:
Date
Place
Depth
Time
Description

While you are still learning to dive have your instructor verify the entry in your log book along with their qualification and dive centre.

Making a note of anything specific you noticed on your dive can be of great interest when discussing dives with your colleagues.

Basic Rules for Diving
Always plan your dive
Always carry out pre dive checks
Never dive alone
Never dive withouta buoyancy compensator or othe form of compressed air life jacket
When diving where there is a current take a surface marker buoy
Avoid deep dives that require decompression stops until you have more experience or are diving with someone with the appropriate level of experience

Pre Dive Checks
Do these with a diving companion for each other.
Ensure all quick release catches are working
Ensure air and bouyancy compensator hose are properly connected
Ensure you have full tanks and they are switched on
Check your mask fitting if good
Ensure you and your companions recognise and understand the diving signals
Go over your dive plan

During the Dive
Adjust your buoyancy
Practice mask clearing if it is a while since your have done this
Clear ears at short intervals
Equalise mask pressure when required
Stay close to your companions
Move with currents where possible
If you experience problems, signal your companions and ensure they are aware of what the problem is
Never breathe when you are ascending and never hold your breath.
Do not take unnecessary risks
Try to ensure you maintain a good level of air in your tanks, approx 50 bars, to provide you with a good safety margin

Enjoy your dive!

Rex Reservoir - ex diver and submariner http://diving.vpsware.co.nz/

All scuba diving equipment can be hired through a number of outlets and this may be a good way to try out various item before you decide to purchase your own.

When you start off diving you will probably hire some or almost all of the equipment but over time you will no doubt put together a kit of your own.

Basic Equipment
Diving Mask - make sure it fits well
Snorkel
Fins - must fit well
Suit - essential in colder climates, wet, semi-wet or dry
Weight belt and weights
Buoyancy compensator - get advice from you club
Watch
Depth gauge
Compass
Knife
Torch
Boots
Gloves
Whistle - great to use when you surface to attract attention
Catch bag

Hire or Buy
Tanks - Steel or aluminium. Both suffer from corrosion and need to be maintained. Steel being stronger than aluminium usually results in a lighter tank. Research has shown what a well maintained steel tank has a service life of 35 - 40 years or more, whereas an aluminium is considerably less, even as low as 15 - 20 years.
Regulator
There is a large range of regulators to choose from. Discuss the options with your club members. Visit a good dive shop that has knowledgable staff to talk you through the many makes and features. This is an expensive and extremely important piece of equipment, choose it carefully.

Optional
Dive computer - very accurate and a wide range is available. It is best to discuss a purchase like this with members of your dive club for advice and to discover any recommendation they may have. Always ask if they have any negative things to say about a specific model, you don’t want to make a purchase you will later be dissatisfied with.

Once you have purchased your own dive equipment make sure it is well looked after and maintained.

When best to hire
When travelling long distances to dives where you don’t want to lug all your own equipment along with you. Check out local hire facilities before arriving and book ahead of time to avoid being disappointed on arrival.

Rex Reservoir - ex diver and submariner http://diving.vpsware.co.nz/

Will I be using the snorkel for snorkeling, scuba diving or both, that is the first thing you need to ask yourself. Believe it or not snorkels are designed with that question in mind. A snorkel designed for scuba diving may not be the best for snorkeling and snorkel designed for snorkeling may not be the best for scuba diving.

What makes a good snorkeling snorkel? For many folks a dry snorkel is very popular. That means that water doesn’t enter the snorkel. When diving under water or when a wave washes over you, water won’t enter the snorkel. No water in means I don’t have to get the water out to breathe. Be careful when selecting a dry snorkel that it is not overly big and bulky. An ideal snorkel should be low profile. Ok…what does that mean? Simply stated the snorkel should not be big and bulky. Bulky snorkels weigh enough and cause enough drag in the water that they can pull on the mask strap wear they are fastened and make your mask leak. Nobody likes a mask that leaks. All too often people get frustrated with their mask wondering why it is leaking when they know it fits correctly. Taking the snorkel off the mask solves mask leaking issues for many people. If this happens to you chances are your snorkel is big and bulky. The snorkel should have a good system for attaching it to the mask strap. The snorkel should be able to slide up and down and side to side on the mask strap. This will allow you to position the snorkel in your mouth comfortably without pulling on the mask strap.

Be careful when selecting a snorkel with all the bells and whistles. Having features such as a dry top, 2 purges, and a flex tube mouthpiece may provide certain benefits, however, typically make for heavy bulky snorkel. I don’t know of any snorkel that is designed with all these features and can still be considered low profile. You may still select a snorkel with all these features, just know what you are getting and the potential drawbacks.

What makes a good scuba diving snorkel and do I even need one for scuba diving? First off, the answer is yes, you should have one for scuba diving. I was on a trip two weeks ago in Cayman Brac and watched a diver struggle on the surface because he didn’t have a snorkel. The diver ran out of air and was still a long way from the dive boat. He had a back inflation style Buoyancy Compensator which floated him face down in the water. The waves were high and he was having trouble swimming to the boat. The dive boat crew saw that he was in trouble and had to go get him. If he would have had a snorkel he could have easily swam through the waves back to the boat. A snorkel will also help you preserve air in your tank while on the surface. This means more dive time under water…everyone likes that.

These sound like good reasons to scuba dive with a snorkel. So, why are so many people getting rid of their snorkels for scuba diving? The answer is that there snorkel may not be a good design for scuba diving. It is even more important that a snorkel be low profile for scuba diving. Because the snorkel is used much less while scuba diving it should be small and drop comfortably to the side of you face when not in use. I use a snorkel while scuba diving and for the most part don’t even realize it is there until I come to use it. My snorkel is not a dry snorkel nor does it have an accordion style mouth piece as these features add size and bulk. Simply stated, the snorkel I use for scuba diving is plain-jane with no bells or whistles.

Can I find a snorkel that works for both snorkeling and scuba diving? I think so. Even though I primarily scuba dive, I still love to go snorkeling. I use the same snorkel for both. Be sure to get the right scuba gear. For Snorkels, determine what your needs are, analyze the features and benefits, how they apply to snorkeling and scuba diving, and make your choice.

Rick VanRaden has been diving for over 30 years. Rick is a life long, dive shop owner and certified instructor. Rick can help you select scuba gear that is right for you! Learn at http://www.scubasuppliers.com

Man is designed to live on land. Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are all designed to
work on the surface. Try sticking your head underwater with no mask or snorkel.

What can you see? Yes you can see but it is not very clear, the human eye has not been
designed for seeing under water. With a mask there is a marked difference on the ability
of the eye to see but it does create a tunnel vision effect. Also rays of light that strike the
glass in the mask may be reflected and also reduce vision.

What can you hear? Yes you can hear and sound travels very well in water. However
communication is difficult because it isn’t easy to speak clearly underwater without specialised equipment and therefore hand and rope signals are essential.

What can you smell and taste? Without a mask on you had better not try to smell
underwater. You will find water being sucked up your nose and the end result could be
disaster. Smell and taste are closely related. For the diver the only smell that is
experienced is that coming from the breathing set. You may detect impurities in the air
mixture and possibly experience a metallic taste, this may be an indication of nitrogen
narcosis and if you smell or taste anything unusual it is best to abort the dive and clean
out the breathing set.

What about touch? As the other senses decrease touch becomes increasingly important.
Eventually it may be the only sense remaining that is functioning at any useful level. The
diver must learn to recognise parts of his equipment by touch only and be able to locate
each item quickly and operate it effectively. You can be diving in conditions where
visibility is really impaired and touch is basically all you have.

Pay particular attention to your senses when you begin to dive. Try judging distances
underwater, practice finding essential parts of your diving gear with your eyes close,
using touch only. It pays to become as familiar as possible with how your senses are
affected by being underwater while you are in a relatively safe environment and with
companions who are there to assist and teach. Take turns practicing. Learn your hand
signals they are extremely important and should be second nature to you.

Keep safe and enjoy your diving.

Rex Reservoir - ex diver and submariner

Diving has been around for hundreds if not thousands of years. Firstly this was in the form of free diving without any apparatus. Using hollow reeds as a snorkel and primitive goggles to create clearer underwater vision followed this.

Diving suits were designed to allow air to be pumped down to the diver. This continued and allowed man to do tasks underwater and to explore the underwater environment.

In 1828 a patent application was lodged in France by D’Augerville for a diving apparatus similar in design to modern day equipment, but this faded into obscurity.

In 1943 Jaque Cousteau and Emil Gagnan invented the modern scuba equipment and this has opened up the underwater world to millions of people.

Advances continue to be made and these enhance the enjoyment of today’s professional and recreational divers.

If you are considering scuba diving this is something you MUST DO.

Locate and join a diving club. This is where you will get proper training and the best advice. Don’t just buy a snorkel and fins at your local sports shop, try it out at sea and think, “Hey this is easy!” then buy a used tank and regulator and think you are ready to go. This is a recipe for disaster.

A good club will not only teach you how to dive, they will teach you about potential hazards, what to do and what not to do. They have divers with 10’s of years of experience diving in many different conditions. They have access to the best equipment; know about good location for the beginner and the very experienced and they love to get new people involved.

You will find good clubs all over the world. You can even take a vacation with a “Learn to Dive” theme to start you off. Look on the Internet, all good clubs have a website that will provide you with the contact details to get you started.

Remember, you must get good training, being underwater is a foreign and potentially dangerous environment so get yourself off to a good start and JOIN A CLUB.

This is just the beginning. You are about to enter a marvelous world where you will discover as much about yourself as you do about the underwater environment.

Rex Reservoir - ex diver and submariner

There’s nothing quite as mysterious as that which is contained underwater. Since the beginning of time, man has attempted to explore the deep of the sea; to investigate the secrets it holds. The modern equivalent of this exploration is scuba diving - a one-man voyage that can yield enormous adventure. But before you can dive, you must crawl, so to speak.

Deciding whether scuba diving is right for you depends solely on your personality. If you’re someone who enjoys swimming, exploring, and adventurous activities, then chances are you will thoroughly enjoy scuba diving. However, in order to complete the training and scuba dive safely and successfully you must also be in good physical health.

If you have an interest in scuba diving you can get your feet wet through scuba instruction. In order to participate in scuba diving in open water, you must be trained and certified in scuba. You can find a host of training facilities in towns and cities throughout the world - regardless of whether or not you live near the ocean. Scuba diving instruction is given in indoor pools because of the controlled environment. But before water work even begins, students are given extensive classroom instruction to familiarize them with the essentials of scuba diving.

Once in the pool, the instructor will put the classroom instruction into practice, allowing students to practice techniques associated with scuba diving. Scuba diving instruction can take place over many weeks; it is imperative that students receive thorough training in order to ensure their safety. The culmination of training will be your certification in scuba diving. And you’re on your way.

Reputable instructors can certainly point you in the direction of finding scuba gear that will be essential for your dives. Equipment necessary for scuba diving includes a wetsuit, flippers, eye and face mask, and oxygen tank and accessories. You also have the ability to rent equipment prior to any dives; just be sure that you are taken out by scuba professionals who are reputable and experienced.

Scuba diving can be an unbelievable experience that will forever transform you. Take the steps necessary to ensure your safety and the rest is pure enjoyment.

For easy to understand, in depth information about scuba diving visit our ezGuide 2 Scuba Diving.