Scuba Diving Myth Busters

There’s a completely different world underwater! What we see on the water’s surface is a far cry from what scuba divers get to explore in traverse depths. But unfounded fears of scuba diving brought about by myths, hearsay and lack of knowledge get in the way of experiencing the exciting sport. The gang at Blue Iguana Charters wants to help you experence this.

It’s natural to fear something you haven’t tried or do not have first hand knowledge of. The term SCUBA is derived from Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Scuba divers need special gears to be able to stay below the water’s surface for extensive lengths of time. The discovery of teeming aquatic life, breathtaking drop-offs and even mysterious shipwrecks are only a few perks of scuba diving. So read on to overcome your fears and enjoy the other wonders of scuba diving!

Myth #1

Sharks will attack me when I go scuba diving

Myth buster

Whatever Hollywood taught you is definitely an exaggeration. Majority of divers have never even laid eyes on large sharks. When they do, the shark species which they often encounter during scuba dives are typically timid and unwilling to approach, such as sand tigers, nurses, greys, bulls, and rarely, hammerheads. Most species of sharks are not to be feared. The kind that poses some danger is the Great White shark, but they are rare species which usually reside in selected areas in Northern California or off the south coast of Australia. Most will actually leave you alone if you will do the same for them.

As for the shark’s smaller “dangerous” counterparts that are believed to be a threat are actually great subjects for underwater photographers. Stinging marine creatures like sting rays, lionfish and jellyfish can be easily avoided and are not aggressive. An encounter with a moray eel is even a rare treat since they rarely go out of their caves and holes.

Myth #2

Scuba diving will give me “the bends”

Myth buster

Getting a diving certification requires each diver to take the corresponding course for each desired level. Among the many things that you’ll learn is how to prevent getting “bent.” Decompression sickness, better known among divers as “the bends,” is a diving disorder which can almost entirely be prevented. It is brought on by going too deep and coming up too fast, resulting in bubbles of inert gases (like nitrogen or helium) getting trapped in the organs, blood vessels and tissues.

Staying above 60 feet poses no serious risk. But once beyond that depth, a good preventive measure to off-gas nitrogen even further is to follow a dive profile which requires a safety stop of three minutes at 15 feet. Always remember to ascend at a slow pace, while continuously breathing. Keeping within the limits of your dive chart and following what your dive instructor taught you are the best tips to avoid “the bend.”

Myth #3

Scuba diving will cost me an arm an a leg

Myth buster

The rich are not the only people who can enjoy scuba diving. There are ways to go about money issues if you’re really interested in the sport. The most practical thing to do for beginners is to rent the equipment they will need for the actual dive. Professional dive centers have all sorts of gears for rent, catering to the diver’s basic or advanced needs, while varying qualities and different brands come in different prices. Renting will incur a minimal additional cost to the original fee of your diving course but will save you time and money than buying your own equipment. After several dives, you will be able to tell if you’re ready to commit to the sport and invest in your own gear.

Myth #4

Scuba diving is a life-threatening sport

Myth buster

With the growing popularity of scuba diving, divers now have more options to choose from. Today’s contemporary diving programs, development of diving vehicles and resorts, and technologically-advanced equipment are consistently making scuba diving a safer outdoor activity. The chance of acquiring injury is lower for diving that for any other adventure-oriented activities like snow skiing and snowmobiling.

If you do things correctly, scuba diving can be an activity you have almost complete control of. Start right -- review your choices, select a reputable diving school, choose an instructor you feel comfortable with, assess what program suits you, and complete the required training before an actual dive. Be a smart diver at all times -- check your gear before going into the water, use your instincts combined with wise judgment, never dive alone, and remember the cardinal rules of diving taught by your instructor.

Ten Top Tips for preventing Ear Problems while Scuba Diving

We at Blue Iguana Charters want your liveaboard experence to be the best possable. Here are some helpfull tips....

Ten Top Tips for preventing Ear Problems while Scuba Diving

It's one of the basic skills . . .

•Equalizing to prevent ear problems is something you need to do every few feet as soon as your head goes underwater. If you do happen to get an ear problem, tilt your head to one side, blocked ear to water surface to clear.

•The ear equalization process should begin even before you get into the water. To pre-pressurize using the Valsalva maneuver, blow through your nose gently before you begin descent.

•If you have a cold or a runny nose, don't dive as this will make equalization a challenge. Descending is one issue, but even while ascending, you could experience a phenomenon called "reverse squeeze" which happens as cold medications run out. Some people with colds continue to dive using cold medications, but do be aware of reverse squeeze.

•If you have trouble trying to clear your ears, go up a few feet to see if ascending helps. Try a few feet each time until you clear. If you can't clear, abort your dive to prevent possible permanent ear injuries. Be sensitive to your ears. This is probably the most important rule there is in scuba diving. Remember too, that while using the Valsalva method, blow gently, never forcefully to prevent ear injury.

•Ear Drum Pain (Myringitis) is commonly caused by clearing too hard, or striking the water too hard, or just a lot of going up and down during diving. You can prevent this by wearing a hood and gently clearing the ears. Myringitis can sometimes be relieved by plain olive oil or any soothing ear drop such as auralgan.

•Too much mucus can block your Eustachian tube. Avoid eating food that can increase mucus production such as dairy products before the dive. Alcohol and tobacco should also be avoided because they can irritate your mucus membrane and will produce more mucus that causes blockage.

•Look up to help you clear your ear. Extending your neck will open your Eustachian tube thus preventing blockage.

•Using a decent line is a good way to help you control the speed of your descent and avoiding pressure to your ear. It also helps you to quickly stop your descent if feel any pressure in your ear.

•Equilize often during descent and before you even need to. Remember that the deeper you go without equalizing, the harder it will be for your because the pressure increases as you go further down.

•Make sure that your mask is always clear of water. Water inside your mask can irritate your mucus membrane causing an increase in mucus production that can clog your nose and sinuses making it difficult to equalize.