ECO DIVING TIPS
"Take only pictures and leave only bubbles!"

The marine environment is a very fragile place. Many coral reefs around the world are in decline. Here are a few diving tips that could help!

BUOYANCY CONTROL AND DESCENTS - Hone your buoyancy skills. As an divemaster, I can't tell you how many times I see divers, especially divers carrying a lot of equipment such as cameras, crash into the bottom on their initial descent. Unintended contact with the bottom is both dangerous to you and damaging to the environment. As you descend, keep aware of your speed and your proximity to the bottom. Add small bursts of air to your B.C. to slow yourself down. Use a descent line or anchor line, especially on your first dive. Make sure you aren't overweighted, do a buoyancy check at the surface and make adjustments if necessary. The fine art of buoyancy control also involves breathing control. Proper control of your breathing can allow you to use less weight and move in closer to fish and objects without disturbing them. Good buoyancy control not only protects you and the environment, but it also reduces air consumption and makes diving more relaxing and fun. Buoyancy control is a skill that must be practiced; just knowing the physics isn't good enough. If it has been over 12 months since your last dive, you should consider taking a Scuba Review class and/or practice in confined water.

SECURE ALL GEAR - Securely fasten your gauge console, dive computer and or/octopus to your BC to avoid incidental contact with the reef.

WATCH YOUR POSITION IN THE WATER COLUMN - Maintain a position in the water column, so that the water pushed by your fins doesn't disturb the sediment below you. Periodically check behind you.

HEAD DOWN POSITIONING - When coming in for a close inspection of something on the reef, maintain a head slightly down, fins slightly up position, keeping your fins away from the reef or bottom.

DON’T WEAR GLOVES OR OTHER UNNECESSARY PROTECTION FROM ABRASION - Diving is a finesse sport. Only wear necessary thermal protection (which might include gloves). If you wear padding you are going to dive like a football player. Corals and other marine wildlife are very fragile. I have seen many reefs ruined because of over diving by inconsiderate divers.

REDUCE STRESS FOR MARINE LIFE - Use slow and smooth motions while underwater. This will allow you to get closer to reef inhabitants. Avoid grabbing slow moving fish such as balloon fish and fragile sea horses; too much stress could weaken them. Don't pry octopus out of their hiding places; there is no safe way to do it. Don't ride sea turtles; it makes them weary of divers and if it is close to their breeding cycle, you could scare them from breeding. Sea turtles are an endangered species; please treat them with respect.

USE REPUTABLE DIVE SHOPS - Select dive operators that are environmentally aware and use safe mooring and anchoring procedures. Don't select dive operators that flush waste from heads before returning to dock. Conscientious dive operators will also brief customers on environmentally safe diving practices.