You only need a few well practiced dive hand signals. By trying these out in advance with your partner and being aware of them at all times, you can save a life if needed. By testing them out in advance of your dives, you know the communication will be clear if needed.

Emergency Help Signal

If you get into trouble on the surface, raise and extend an arm and wave it up and down as if ready to slice the water. This signals that you have an emergency and need help. People on the boat should be watching at all times for just such an occurrence.

Trouble Signals

Under the water there are many signals used to indicate trouble. One easy signal is to simply point to the head and shake your head in a common ‘No’. That could indicate a problem with the air supply, for example. If that’s the trouble use the following to suggest buddy breathing. Lift your arm and bend at the elbow. Point a finger across your chest and move it back and forth.

External Danger Sign

For external dangers, extend your arm and point a finger, shaking your head no. Be sure not to confuse this with an ordinary expression of desire to show something interesting under the water. That should not involve head shaking.

Cold Signal

If you experience excessive cold it can cause serious damage within a few minutes. In extreme cases, nerve damage to hands and feet can be permanent. Before things reach this level, fold your arms, make fists and imitate a broad shiver. You should surface as quickly as safety allows.

Time To Head Up Sign

That ascension can be signaled by holding a fist at shoulder level and extending a thumb upward, then wave the fist upward. Take care though not to rise too fast when you can avoid it. You may start to feel the effects of nitrogen narcosis. If you do, point your finger toward your head and wave it around in the classic “He’s crazy” fashion.

Going Down Signal

When all is safe and you want to descend, simply reverse the ascension signal by making a fist at shoulder height and point the thumb down. Wave it downward a few times. Before you start to go, you may want to join your partner, so give the ‘buddy up’ sign. Extend your hand and put the index and middle finger together, like the Cub Scout sign.

OK Sign

When everything is okay, you can signal so by using the classic sign. Just make a circle with your thumb and index finger, with the other three fingers together and straight. In some cases, this is posing a question: “Are you OK?” Agree in advance on the meaning. In this case, you can use the same thumb and finger circle, with the other three fingers circled too, to answer “Yes, I’m OK.”

On the surface, you can use one arm circled and touching the head to signal OK. If you have both arms free make the circle by touching the tips of the fingers together over your head.

Knowing and using these simple scuba safety hand signals can save you or your partner. Safe diving ensures many more dives in the future.

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When you go diving, having a great dive watch can really help. Favorite Dive Watch is wonderful - usable while diving and topside, it is wonderful!

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Which Pro Scuba Diving Gear is Right for You?

Band masks and helmet are key elements of pro scuba diving gear. The Kirby Morgan 28 band mask has a solid reputation. As it is the task of the band mask to hold the faceplate, hood and mask together, the materials used in this piece of pro scuba diving gear are important. One style of the Kirby Morgan has a fiberglass and stainless steel front plate that helps to place the head in a neoprene helmet instead of in a hard shell. The other important element of the helmet is its seal.

This helmet includes a neoprene gasket and a breathing cup that seals the nose, mouth and chin. The nose and mouth cup is a very important piece of dive equipment. To equalize one rotating a nose dam that is situated in the nose/mouth cup and can be controlled with a knob. Give the crucial nature of equalizing when diving, it is essential that you choose your pro scuba diving gear carefully.

The faceplate, communications devices, and dry suit are also essential pieces of pro diving gear. The faceplate is made of reinforced glass and rests approximately three inches farther out. This structure encases the communications unit and check valve. While the communications unit connect the diver to the upper world, the check valve ensures airflow from the main air supply hose.

The helmet is also accompanied with a dry suit, a dive computer, knife, light, leather weight harness and also approximately 50 pounds of lead plus the bail-out bottle. It may seem to be very heavy but once the pro diver is underwater it feels much lighter and is also less cumbersome as compared to a scuba rig.

The Lite Menu

Even if you are not a professional diver, you need to know that your pro scuba diving gear will keep you safe and well protected. Pro scuba diving gear should also be light weight and easy to move with. The Aeris Competition with the Aeris A1 scuba regulator that is low profile and light in weight. While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the professional might require, it does meet safety and comfort guidelines.

This piece of pro scuba diving gear is Nitrox compatible to 40%, reliable and well-made. The Aeris is the result of years of research and development, and reflects some o ft he most current technology in pro scuba diving gear today. Its first and second stages are With low profile first and second stages, and one high pressure port plus four low pressure ports the Aeris can take care of most different types of arrangements of hoses. You will want to do some research to find the most suitable pieces of pro scuba diving gear for your needs.

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If you haven’t taken pictures while underwater, here is a great Underwater camera that is easy to use and creates beautiful videos.

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If you haven’t been diving for a while, this Recreational Diving Dvd can remind you of the essentials you may have forgotten.

For a fun movie with scuba diving, we recommend an old James Bond movie, Thunderball. It is very enjoyable. The technology used for the time the movie was made is great — and the scuba scenes are great!

So sit back and enjoy watching a scuba video!

While you are waiting for your dvds to arrive, enjoy this simple scuba diving video from Cozumel. Beautiful tropical brightly colored fish, some eel and coral remind us of the simple pleasures of diving

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Given the inherent risks of diving deep into unknown waters, a wise scuba diver will seek out an insurance company that provides scuba diving and travel insurance designed specifically for divers. The policy should provide very wide coverage at extremely competitive prices and give the policy holder top-notch value for their money. Whether you need annual multi-trip or single trip policies, there are several options available.

* The Right Policy for Scuba Diving and Travel Insurance

The Annual multi-trip policy provides ongoing protection throughout the year and at anytime that one goes on a vacation. If you frequently engage in other sports this scuba diving and travel insurance will cover the policyholder for diving as well as for certain other sporting activities. Recreational divers should consider the single trip policy, which allows them to take out an insurance policy for a single diving excursion.

* What to look for in a Scuba Diving and Travel Insurance Policy

Some of the important features you should look for in your scuba diving and travel insurance policy are: cancellation and curtailment, personal accident, medical expenses, hospital benefits, baggage, personal effects, diving and winter sports equipment, money up to approximately US$1000, loss of passport, legal expenses, travel delay, missed departure, personal liability, dive pack, hire of dive equipment, and hi-jack.

While policies will vary, you need to be aware of your needs before you sign up for one. You will be required to honestly answer questions about your health and wellness in order to qualify for the insurance. If it is proven that you withheld any pertinent information your policy would be cancelled. You will receive the details of your scuba diving and travel insurance policy in the form of a policy wording that will include all important details.

Making fraudulent claims would make the holder liable for criminal prosecution. Property claims are settled on the basis of indemnity and not on new for old or even replacement basis unless specified in the policy.

* Planning for the Worst Ensures the Best

Imagine taking that dream scuba diving vacation only to have it ruined by missing luggage, serious accident or illness. Purchasing your scuba diving and travel insurance beforehand will minimize any losses and give you peace of mind. A scuba diving vacation can be an adventure of a lifetime. Take the time to make sure to make sure it’s the right kind of adventure.

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I will say that I have enjoyed diving in the Bahamas — and they are correct in saying shark diving is very popular. It was very common for the ship to stop and say “sharks” - and have the whole boat of divers jump out. (It was my first dive trip — and as such a bit surprising!)

I have enjoyed Hawaii as well. Seeing huge swarms of brightly colored fish surround you is hard to describe. You feel part of the sea in a way I haven’t experienced elsewhere just due to the pure numbers of fish.

Wherever you choose to dive, dive safely, and consider taking Take your camera underwater to truly capture the experience. Alternately buy one of the best underwater cameras out there: Nikon Nikonos V Camera

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Things to Take into Account When Planning Your Dives

Diving closer to home often takes less preparation as you already know the rules of the area as well as what is available. When you are going on a long distance trip, you need to research where you can legally dive, equipment rentals, weather, hotels, transportation times and availability.

Weather

Checking out seasonal weather conditions for your desired location can make or break a vacation dive. If you hope to dive for lost items you will want to know the local laws regarding treasure hunting and possible export. Knowing local support for refilling tanks, renting and repairing equipment is extremely useful.

Backup Destinations

Before departing for a long dive trip, having a backup location is a great precaution. Though, changing from the Hawaii to Australia usually isn’t practical, having one or more alternate locations in the same general area can be fabulous backups if your original destination is unavailable for some reason.

Boat Rental or Charter

Apart from researching hotels and flights you’ll want to book a charter or rent a boat. Making arrangements in advance is recommended especially during high travel times. Diving boats are often booked in advance.

Finding a Buddy

Follow the basic safety rule of having a buddy, and remember that having at least three divers can be extremely helpful. Diving can be dangerous and it may, for example, be necessary for one diver to surface for help while another stays with the third. A diver can be stuck, injured, in need of air sharing or a slow ascent. That person should have company while his buddy surfaces for help when possible.

Actual Dive Planning

In any dive, there should be one and only one leader. Usually that will be the most experienced diver and he or she should help plan the dive and guide the others under the water. There is still some freedom of movement, but keeping together helps minimize confusion and maximize safety.

Everyone should agree in advance on the major location, entry and exit points, activity and length of the dive. It may look exciting in the movies, but arguments under water are the quickest way to danger. Let that danger stay in the theater. Discuss with your dive partners a contingency plan that incorporates what to do in the most likely scenarios.

That could be swift underwater currents, injury, equipment failure, head pressure, fainting or a number of other possibilities. That will vary with location, diver experience, quality of equipment, etc.

Knowing where and when to dive — and for how long can make a huge difference. Follow that dive plan to the best of your ability for maximum safety. Changing your dive plan really should be from emergency need, not whim. You’ll be safer and able to dive new places next time.

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Rinspeed created this Amphibious Squba car - the first diving car with zero emissions. Car to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show (March 6th - 16th, 2008).

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