Whether you’re taking a trip to local islands or on a family vacations to the Great Barrier Reef, Down Under, there is always fun in store for the whole family, adults and children alike. Especially with the abundance of beautiful nature in the form of coral reefs, schools of fish and other gorgeous sea creatures. In this article, I&P Living takes a dive into two very prominent beach/seaside vacation activities that promises fun for the whole family: Snorkeling and Scuba Diving.
Scuba Diving
SCUBA, originally the acronym for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, is now a word in its own right. Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater. Scuba divers carry their own source of breathing gas (compressed air) this allows them great freedom of movement. It also allows them to stay underwater significantly longer than breath-holding techniques employed during snorkeling and free diving. A diver usually moves underwater with swim fins attached to his/her feet. External propulsion can also come from and underwater vehicle, or even a sled pulled from the surface. You may find yourself migrating to a more specific type of dive. You may prefer a dive where you are able to float with the currents while relaxing and taking in the sights. On the other hand, getting the adrenaline rush as you move with hundreds of hammerhead sharks might be more to your liking.
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| Up close & personal with nature |
Most people begin though recreational diving, as scuba diving can be performed purely for enjoyment. It also comes with a number of distinct technical disciplines to proliferate interest underwater, such as cave diving, wreck diving and deep diving. Recreational scuba diving does not have a consolidated certifying or regulatory agency, and is mostly self-regulated. There are numerous large diving organizations that train and certify divers and dive instructors, and many diving related sales and rental outlets require proof of diver certification from one of these organizations prior to selling or renting certain diving products or services.
Underwater Sightseeing
Being a rather popular recreational activity at tropical resorts and scuba diving locations, the primary appeal of snorkeling in the opportunity to observe underwater life without having to deal with the complicated equipment and training usually associated with scuba diving in an ultimately natural setting. It also has the advantage of appealing to individuals of all ages because of this simplicity.
Being non-competitive, snorkeling is considered more a leisure activity than a sport. It is generally accepted that a snorkeler’s outfit is made up of only a mask and a snorkel. As mentioned, snorkeling requires no special training. It only requires the ability to swim and breathe through the snorkel. For safety reasons, however, most people are advised to obtain certain instructions, which cover equipment usage, basic safety, what to look for, and conservation instructions (corals and the likes are fragile and are easily damaged by divers and snorkelers) and a brief orientation from an experienced snorkeler. In popular snorkeling spots, like in tropical resorts or famous reef spots, the individuals who rent out the snorkeling gear, tour guide or even a resort-hired instructor, usually handle this part. Similar to scuba diving, it is highly recommended that one refrain from snorkeling along, but instead with a buddy, guide or tour group. Snorkeling is possible in almost any body of water, however snorkelers are usually found in spots where there a minimal waves, warmer water, and something fascinating to see near the surface of the water.
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| Beautiful corals |
Staying Safe
Some of the most threatening dangers to snorkelers are small inshore crafts such as jet skis, speedboats and the likes. This is because a snorkeler is usually submerged under water with only the snorkel tube visible above and since these small inshore crafts can access the same areas snorkelers do, the chance for an accident is very likely. More worrisome are the sailboats and windsurfers; the quiet propulsion systems they possess could mean that the snorkeler may be unaware of their presence. To help preventing this from happening, choose to wear bright or highly reflective colors/outfits. Another way is to employ dive flags to ease being spotted by boaters and other visitors.
As for snorkelers’ and divers’, their backs will be exposed to the sun for extended periods and burn badly even though submerged under water, without being noticed. Wearing the appropriate coverings such as a rash guard, a t-shirt, wetsuit and, not forgetting, sunblock, will alleviate the risk of getting sunburnt. Another concern is dehydration. It is highly recommended to hydrate yourself well before going in, especially if you intend to snorkel for several hours. Proper hydration can also mitigate the risk of cramps. Some snorkelers can experience hyperventilation, which can lead to “shallow water blackout”. This is why it is paramount to have a snorkeling buddy and to be aware of your buddy’s condition at all times.
Finally, where snorkeling or diving near coral reefs, always remember to exercise great care to avoid contact with delicate (and possibly sharp) coral and its poisonous inhabitants. Wear protective gloves at all times and be aware of your environment. Booties and surf shoes are particularly advantageous as they allow trekking over reefs uncovered by low tide, to drop offs or deeper waters of the outer reef. Also, for ecological reasons, contact with coral should be ultimately avoided because even boulder corals are fragile. A soft touch can instigate decades worth of growth to be undone in mere seconds, and the coral may never recover.
Most would concur that it's for the sheer enjoyment of experiencing the underwater world. This world is a vastly unexplored environment for many people. Be it the beautiful and brightly colored marine life or the thrill of watching the power and grace of a school of sharks or discovering a cave and even artifacts such as a sunken ship, it is incredibly addictive because there are endless dive sites around the world. Ultimately, it’ll be the perfect addition of memories to your family album!
Written for AMG International, contract publishers of I&P Living Vol. 2
