Kurt Kucera

Scuba Diver, Car Enthusiast, Outdoorsman

2019 Spring Travel Destinations

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Since we are starting to get into some of the coldest months of the year, it’s never too early to start planning your spring vacation. Right now you can see a lot of great winter discounts depending on where exactly you want to travel to. Your destination choice will also be contingent upon the activities you want to participate in and the type of weather you want to enjoy. Each travel spot offers different sites and activities for a vacation by yourself, with friends, a significant other or for the entire family. Now is the time to start looking forward to your spring vacation. Let’s take a look at some of the hot spots for 2019.

Mexico
Los Cabos, Mexico offers a vast array of marine life. It also houses one of the largest protected national marine parks in the world, which make it a perfect spot for anyone looking to add some wildlife to their vacation plans. Los Cabos offers many different experiences including the chance to pick your produce and prepare a meal with one of the visiting Chefs who own the local restaurant, Los Tamarindos.

Belize
Palencia, Belize is very different from other areas you would visit that include an extensive amount of resorts. Palencia is known as a fishing village with many beautiful styled homes that has become more and more popular. The new luxury resort, Itz’ana is making waves and creating a vibrant and cultured atmosphere for travelers. The resort uses Mayan artifacts to add to that culture and give visitors a piece of history.

Australia
Australia, specifically Brisbane, is becoming one of the most sought after cities to visit. With many historical sites and beautiful new architecture, there are so many things to do and see. The Brisbane river is one of the top attractions for locals and tourists alike. Labeled as the “river city,” they offer river cruises overlooking the beautiful city and landscape, restaurants, and tons of local culture spots.

Florida Keys
Since Hurricane Irma, the Florida Keys have been able to revamp and re-open a large amount of their best tourist locations and create updated and new hotel openings that are urging travelers to come vacation from all over the world. If you’re looking for a beautiful destination without traveling outside the US, Key West is an excellent spot for you. Key West also offers historical attractions in being the home of the novelist, Ernest Hemingway.

Best Scuba Sites in Mexico

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Scuba diving is one of the most eye-opening water sports you can experience while on your vacation. It gives you the chance to see parts of the world you may only get to see on the big screen. Luckily, there are places all over the world that offer an  underwater diving experience that will be unforgettable.

Mexico is home to some of the most beautiful travel destinations. Each coast of Mexico offers a different scuba experience, so depending on where you want to visit, you can venture out into the open waters and observe beautiful marine life.

Cozumel Islands
Cozumel offers opportunities for both experienced and beginner divers. These diving tours let tourists swim with turtles and other marine animals to make for an extraordinary experience. There are chances to drift dive and deep wall dive on your outing as well.  Aquaworld within Cozumel offers some of the best scuba diving packages.

Cancun
Cancun has been one of the most visited spots for tourist from all over. The sites and endless opportunities for things to do while there make it a vacation hot spot. One of the activities they offer is scuba diving in the Cancun Underwater Museum where you can see a large number of underwater sculptures, proven to be the best part of your travel experience.  

Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya is known as one of the best places for experienced and beginner divers alike. The warm waters give this diving experience a one of a kind feel, where you can venture out into the clear blue waters and cave dive deeper into the sea. It is also located right where the Yucatan Peninsula and the Caribbean Sea meet.

Acapulco
Acapulco resides on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The waters within Acapulco are a lot lower in temperature which makes it a little more difficult for the average or beginner divers. Scuba diving in these waters requires an expert instructor to accompany the diver, which are available when you visit this spot.  

Baja Peninsula
The Baja Peninsula also resides on the Pacific coast and has some of the lowest water temperatures in Mexico. It is one of the best spots for an advanced and experienced diver looking for a great dive. Divers who take on the Baja Peninsula can also enjoy seeing the giant ray that resides in the shallow waters on the coast.

Great Gifts For Scuba Divers

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Finding gifts for your friends and family can be a daunting task especially when it comes to those who have hobbies as unique as scuba diving. This is a common struggle among many people with friends who participate in scuba diving. So, let’s take a look at this list of great gifts for scuba diving enthusiasts.

 

Jackery Mini Portable Charger

The company Jackery designs many different models of their mobile portable phone charger, however, the Jackery Mini is great for its travel-friendly size. These chargers are compatible with most devices such as iPhone, iPad Mini, iPod, Android, Windows phone, Smartphones, Tablets, Gaming devices, and MP3 players.

 

iSea 4

This is iPhone housing unit that will allow you to record any underwater images or videos with your iPhone up to 200ft. While it may be a little pricey, costing about $250, it could be worth the money due to its versatility and how it adds to your iPhone.

 

iStabilizer Flex

This is another Apple compatible product. In fact, one of the leaders in universal lightweight compact tripods, steady cams, and other products for smartphones, tablets, and cameras announced that this iStabilizer Flex recently won the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award in the category for Best App/Gadget for Phone Pics.

 

UK Pro Pole 38HDF

Compatible for the GoPro or any other underwater camera, the UK Pro Pole 38HDF is a unique floating telescope pole that is perfect for watersports, traveling, sailing, and any other activity where you will need maximum flexibility in shooting to go along with security in water. This also makes it a perfect gift for those who enjoy scuba diving.

 

Sharkbanz

It is a fear for all divers to encounter sharks during their dives which is why Sharkbanz are a great gift for those divers. The Sharkbanz wristbands include a patented magnetic technology which deters sharks away from the divers wearing them. Now, keep in mind, many divers do enjoy encountering these majestic creatures, especially due to the fact that they are so unlikely to bother divers. However, these Sharkbanz are great for those divers who to add a little peace of mind during their dives.

Best Winter Diving Tips

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Most of the time, when people think about scuba diving, they think of something tropical. They also think about it being primarily a summertime activity which isn’t true. In fact, if you live in British Columbia, Canada, some of the best diving comes during the late fall into the early spring. Now, when it comes to the winter months, it is obvious that no one enjoys being cold. So, the idea of being cold in water can put off many people considering diving in the winter. However, you could be missing out on some of the best diving conditions many places have to offer. The colder periods produce water that transforms into a beautiful shade of blue along with days where visibility can reach up to 20m. So, here some tips for scuba diving in the winter.

 

Layers

Layering up is going to be a sure fire way for you to stay warm in the water. You can typically lose between 30-40% of your body heat through your heat, hands, and feet. So, by adding a hood or a hooded vest along with gloves and socks, you will significantly reduce the amount of body heat that you lose in the water making the experience much more enjoyable. Another option you have is to use a Dry Suit. These are great pieces of technology, but they also require the correct layering to remain warm in the water.

 

Start The Dive Warm

You will want to arrive at the boat with plenty of warm clothing along with a dry bag to store it all in. Keep in mind that when you finish your dive, you should have a change of clothes that are easy to put on. Some examples would include track pants or something of the sort, and bring extra just in case. If you plan on diving from the boat, the wind-chill might be a major factor to consider. So, try wearing a Sharkskin Chillproof vest as they are windproof and fleece lined. They also have rapid drying which makes them the perfect layer to beat any chills on the boat.

 

Bring A Thermos

One of the holy grails when it comes to winter diving is a thermos filled with warm soup. You will want to use this to refuel and reheat from the inside out. It adds both a physiological and psychological benefit when you eat/drink something warm in between dives and you will enjoy the second dive much more. Although, you will want to avoid eating anything too heavy between dives because it could cause stomach discomfort which is why soup is the ideal winter diving companion.

Common Scuba Diving Injuries

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Scuba diving is considered a primarily safe recreational activity. However, like any other activity you choose to do, there are some risks. The top three scuba diving injuries include decompression sickness (the bends), barotrauma, and animal envenomation. Diving injuries are avoidable if you know the symptoms and signs of injury. Keep these common scuba diving injuries in mind when planning your next dive.  

  • Decompression Sickness – Also known as “the bends,” decompression sickness is an injury that occurs when there is a quick decrease in the pressure surrounding a diver. Bubbles then form in the bloodstream and body tissue because of nitrogen absorbed at depth. A few symptoms of this sickness include: skin rash, itching, joint pain, dizziness, fatigue, and bladder problems. Symptoms will appear about one hour after diving, but could also show up 24-hours later. Severe symptoms include severe neurological trauma such as coma or paralysis. One primary way to prevent decompression sickness is to not push time or depth limits and to keep breathing throughout your entire dive. Oxygen should be administered right away to help alleviate symptoms and divers should then go through recompression therapy.
  • Ear Barotrauma – Ear barotrauma is the most common injury for scuba divers. According to the Divers Alert Network (DAN), “Barotrauma occurs when the pressure outside the ear is greater than in the middle ear space, and the diver does not sufficiently equalize.” If you have ear barotrauma, you will experience: a “full” sensation in your ear, severe ear pain, dizziness, and hearing loss. The best way to avoid this injury all together is to equalize often. However, if you do show symptoms of ear barotrauma see an ears, nose, and throat specialist right away.
  • Animal Envenomation – The ocean is filled with a variety of sea creatures, and it’s important to know that some species could injure or even kill you. DAN explains that envenomation “occurs when direct contact is made and the venom or toxin is injected by bite, puncture or sting.”  Envenomation comes from jellyfish, sea urchins, sea snakes, lionfish, and coral. Stings, bites, and punctures can cause severe irritation; in some cases, they may cause respiratory distress and hypotension. If you experience envenomation stop diving and seek medical attention as soon as possible. The best way to avoid this type of injury is to never handle any marine life.

For a successful, injury-free dive remember to breathe throughout your entire dive, equalize, and never handle sea creatures. All of the common scuba diving injuries are preventable if you take proper action. If you do experience any of these injuries, contact a medical professional right away.