What you should know about Scuba Diving and Flying

A simple rule that is sometimes overlooked even by experienced scuba divers. It is mentioned in almost all the scuba diving courses that it is not a good idea to scuba dive after flying or the opposite, fly right after scuba dive.

It does not matter if you took a two hour flight to a Caribbean island or a 20-hour flight to Phuket, Thailand; during flights your body suffers dehydration and it is affected by changes in pressure. To get a sense on how pressure works on your body, next time you are in an airplane try this: before the airplane takes off remove your shoes, then after a while (typically when the seatbelt sign goes off), try to wear your shoes again…sometimes you can’t.

NOAA’s Scuba Diving Manual has tables showing a ‘rough’ recommendation in terms of length of time that you will have to wait to dive or fly. As a general rule, most of the instructors and scuba related institutions recommend a 24-hour waiting period after flying. There are more accurate calculations based on some key elements of scuba diving (mix, time and depth), but I have never tried to do an accurate calculation.

The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) has very interesting books and publications related to this topic, I think anyone interested in become a scuba diver should read the book titled “Diving Physiology in Plain English” by Dr. Jolie Bookspan. I am sure this book will help you to answer any simple or complex question related to diving physiology (The study of how the body works underwater).

Some divers and instructors say that if you do not wait for certain period before diving you increase your risk for decompression sickness. I think that statement makes sense, I am not a doctor but I try to be informed, according to Divers Alert Network most of the accidents occur in the first day of a multi day dive trip, is that a coincidence? Of course not!

Sometimes we (me included) are so obsessed and tempted to jump into the water on the very first day of our dive trip that we try to convince ourselves that there is no risk involved by doing that. The bad thing is that in case of emergency we do not have many choices underwater.

Remember, as soon as you arrive to your destination: rehydrate, get some rest and wait 24 hours prior to enjoy your scuba diving time!

Shoo Shark Shoo

Two weeks ago the company Shark Shield made the public announcement of their new electronic shark deterrent systems product line. These devices are the next generation in shark attack prevention systems based on the not so old PODs (Protective Oceanic Device) designed to be used by scuba divers, snorkelers and surfers.

The unit, according to the manufacturer creates an elliptical field that surrounds the user with an electric shield up to eight meters in diameter. I think this is a neat mechanism to prevent shark attacks. The Shark Shield will only deter sharks, rays and skates; it will not affect any other animals so, you can enjoy underwater photography or underwater video without disturbing the star of your movie or picture. By the way, it will not scare any seahorses or jellyfishes! :-)

The Shark Shield uses three-dimensional electronic waves that create muscular spasms and discomfort in the Ampullae of Lorenzini, one of the main the sensing organs of the sharks. These sensors are capable of detecting with accuracy electric fields, voltage and temperature in the water. What an incredible technology, no? I am referring to the shark’s sensors!

For almost US$600, this device can save you from one the worst underwater nightmares: a shark attack. An increasing number of companies and divers are buying this protective system for work or recreational purposes. Prevention and safety are good things, but also is good to know that a representative of the manufacturer said that the device worked 90% of the time repelling sharks, but it is not very effective when sharks are in an extremely agitated state.

In any case, there is always risk involved when diving with sharks.

Visit The Atlantis Diver - Scuba Diving, Dive Equipment, Exotic Places and more!