Scuba Myth Conceptions
February 27, 2007 - 1:05pm — mikesscuba
There is nothing like it in the world, scuba diving is such a rush. There is something for everyone. For the laidback person, suspending weightless in; warm, clear water while floating over a beautiful coral would be relaxing. For the adventure seeker swimming through an old shipwreck in Lake Erie would be a thrill. For the hunter, uncovering a a million year old shark's tooth off the coast of Venice Florida would be exciting. The point is scuba diving has something to offer all skill and thrill levels.
Scuba divers dive any where with anyone.In watering holes as big as the ocean or as small as a quarry, I guarantee you will find a scuba diver. When divers are not in the water you will find divers socializing. Often times you will find scuba divers spending a long surface interval grilling and chilling while chatting to other divers. It is a great activity. So why are not more people diving? Myths!
Most of the myths started out as fear. Of course it is natural to fear something you have never done before. Myths contain little fact and a lot of fiction. So read on as we dispel some of these myths. Don’t let your fear keep you from exploring God’s little underwater acre.
Sharks eat divers. I saw it in the movies, Jaws and in Open Water.
Don’t always believe what you see on the big screen. Very few divers ever scuba dive and see a shark and when they do most species of sharks avoid divers. Sharks are too afraid of those bubble making things swimming above or below their heads. I have had the opportunity to swim with sharks, sand tigers to be exact. It was a real blessing to see these majestic beasts of the deep swimming close by.
Here is something I read in a scuba article from my Scuba Diving magazine. It is safer to dive in the ocean than take your dog for a walk. Evidently man’s best friend accounts for 4.7 million emergency room visits. 27 people died from being attacked by Spot compared to only four people who died from a shark attack in 2005.
I will spend a lot of money on scuba gear and that is just to get certified.
No doubt about it, scuba diving does require a lot of gear but for training you only need three things. A mask, a snorkel, and a pair fins. Why? You want a mask, snorkel, and fins to fit properly and these require a very personal fit. Therefore we recommend you invest in the basic gear that allows you to enjoy your underwater experience.
No doubt about it, scuba diving does require a lot of gear but for training you only need three things. A mask, a snorkel, and a pair fins. Why? You want a mask, snorkel, and fins to fit properly and these require a very personal fit. Therefore we recommend you invest in the basic gear that allows you to enjoy your underwater experience.
Through the class you will learn about the rest of the gear needed for scuba diving. Most of the gear you can rent and in our shop it is a part of the cost of the class. So don't let the cost of gear keep you away from the sport.
At some point as you achieve your certification you will want to purchase your own gear but even then you can take your time acquiring scuba gear. Most scuba shops have rentals available for gear you do not have.
I can't dive. I have a medical condition.
Get a second opinion. Doctors who do not understand the sport of scuba diving and its physiological effects on the body will err on the side of caution. So before you miss out on a great activity, have you and your doctor consult the experts at the Divers Alert Network (DAN). DAN is connected with the Duke University of Medicine and have spent many years studying the demands of scuba diving on the human body. They are a great resource for divers. Visit www.dan.org
I might get “bent”.
A lot of people have watched old TV shows and movies where a diver goes deep underwater and shoots to the surface only to start writhing in pain. During the tv show a doctor will tell the patient he is “bent”. Actually in the scuba community we call this Decompression Sickness or DCS. DCS occurs when you spend a lot of time at depth and you start to head to the surface to quickly. The tiny bubbles of nitrogen can not leave your body and so they enter your blood stream where they go to muscle and other areas of your body. DSC is a legitmate risk with scuba diving BUT very preventable.
You will learn in class all the skills you need to prevent DCS. The dive tables, numbers which tells you how long you can stay underwater, are very conservative and reduce the risk of getting DCS. You will also learn the rules for diving. Follow the rules and safe diving is ensured.
Snorkeling is just as good as scuba diving.
Snorkeling is enjoyable. It is a good introduction into scuba diving. However, snorkeling is like watching a football game on the television and saying it is as good experience as being on the 50 yard line 3 rows back. There is no comparison.
Diving is for men only.
Most TV shows and movies show bare chest men with scuba tanks wrestling squids, and villains underwater but actually the sport of scuba is seeing a large surge in female participation. The ratio for participation is around 60/40, Sixty percent men and forty percent women.
The number of women divers is escalating so quickly that equipment manufactures are building scuba gear specifically designed for women. From wetsuits, to buoyancy compensators women have more selection of gear and training.
Comments
key west flag
I've snorkeled a few times and key west, fla and it is exhilerating. I thought the Key West Flag was that red thing with the diagonal white slash through it, until i found out that it was the scuba symbol. it was everywhere down there. Must be awesome with all the coral reefers. Read up on the pirates and wreckers in key west, boyz, you'll get the itching to go down there and explore. By the way, Key West Flag is blue with a big conch shell and conch republic banner on it. they tried to break away from the usa about 22 years ago and i think it lasted a half a day. i'll hafta find some links.
cor
I did a story on SCUBA
way back as a teen I did a report on SCUBA, and took a lesson at Raystown. It is a simultaneous exhiliration/fear/freedom sensation!
We also snorkeled with nurse sharks (and sting rays, pre Steve Irwin) in the Dominican Republic, and they are amazing to see in the same area of liquid you are!
What a great business you are in!
OW Class
I remember my first Open Water class. Open Water class is that special time when every diver wanna be takes his first giant stride off the shore and goes underwater for the first time. My first time was at the Williamburg Blue Hole with Mike's Scuba. I have been diving for 6 years since then. Here are some pics from the class..... enjoy.
This was my first giant stride into the quarry. My good friend Rod is waiting in the water. It was his first dive as well.
Rod had to wear two suits that day. We were Mike's first OW class in several years and it was hard to find a suit to fit Rod. This did not stop Rod who is a phenominal diver.
I remember that day!
Work to Live, Live to Dive
Erin,
I remember that day. I was very nervous because it was one of the first classes that I had taught in awhile. You guys were GREAT students though and made my job really easy. Erin, you have helped me build the business into what it is today! Think of how far you have come since the first time you lost your weightbelt!!!
Mike
Lost Weight Belt
I forgot all about the lost weight belt.
For all who may be interested, I was scuba diving with Mike at the quarry. This would have been two months after my training. Mike was taking another class down to the submerged school bus. Things were going swell. I was making the turn around the back of the bus heading for the front driver side when my weight belt slipped right off. I mean it slid off my waist into the muck at the bottom. After the weight belt fell off I started to ascend to the surface pretty quickly. I grabbed onto the bus window and waited until Mike came back around. I gave the signal for distress and he laughed through his regulator as he retrieved my weight belt and proceeded to place the weight belt back on my hips.
It was a riot but a great story.