Kurt Kucera

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How to Travel and Dive Responsibly During the Pandemic

March 16, 2021 by Kurt Kucera

A year into the Covid pandemic, many people are eager to get back out to travel. Preparing in advance is essential at this time. Anyone can have a wonderful and safe trip, full of great experiences and memories, but only by putting in the effort. 

Travel Planning

Before booking a trip, be sure to check into the travel restrictions based on location and type of transportation. Whether it is a country, U.S. state, or city, many places have their own rules. Venues may also have travel restrictions based on the location. For example, Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California are in two states and must comply with their respective state’s rules. For other countries, check the embassy website, which should provide covid guidelines. While it is rare to find travel insurance for Covid, carrying some travel insurance is a matter of good practice. Also, plan to bring along any documents, such as medical insurance cards, that could be useful in an emergency.

Covid Testing

Some countries and places require Covid testing before a flight. Check if rapid Covid testing is available while you wait, like at the Denver International Airport, or the requirement is to have a negative test three days in advance, which is the rule in the United Kingdom.

Covid Gear

There are several items every traveler should take to protect themselves from Covid. First, bring several masks. It may be easier to use disposable masks and throw them away after each use. However, if a cloth mask is more comfortable, be sure to bring enough for each day. Next, pack hand sanitizer as it may not be readily available. Finally, if possible, bring a forehead thermometer for venues that take body temperature before entry to any venue. Some businesses have the right to refuse access to their locations if customers do not meet body temperature requirements. 

Social Distancing

During travel and while at any venue, try to maintain social distancing. Some places have markers for social distancing or guides to remind visitors of the rules. While social distancing is not possible in every situation, it is best to observe the six-foot rule when appropriate.

Finally, enjoy the trip! Preparing in advance can give travelers the peace of mind they need to enjoy the sights and activities that drove them to travel in the first place.

Filed Under: Blog, Coral Reefs, Kurt Kucera, Scuba Diving, Sea Life, Travel, Uncategorized Tagged With: 2019, Artificial Reefs, australia, bahamas, Beginner Tips, Belize, Caribbean, Cave Diving, Compressed Air Cylinder System, Coral Reefs, Diving, Kurt Kucera, SCUBA, Scuba Diving, travel, underwater, underwater museum, Vacation

The Best Holiday Gifts for Scuba Divers

December 17, 2020 by Kurt Kucera

The holidays are around the corner. Therefore, people need to start preparing gifts for scuba diving enthusiasts on their gift list. The gift a person will give to a scuba diver friend will depend on their budget.

Choosing the best holiday gift for scuba divers can be challenging, especially for people who aren’t enthusiastic about scuba diving. Moreover, they are many gifts for scuba divers. Therefore choosing the best one can be confusing. People can find these gifts at local dive shops or online. Here are the best holiday gifts for scuba divers.

Ocean-Themed Jewelry

Scuba divers love the ocean. They enjoy scuba diving and taking photos or videos of marine life. Ocean-themed jewelry such as earrings, bracelets, and necklaces reminds them of ocean life.

If a scuba diver prefers to wear a wet suit instead of a suit, handmade bracelet cuffs with marine life designs can be a good holiday gift for them. Masks, diving helmet cufflinks, and snorkels are also great holiday gifts for a scuba diver.

T-Shirts or Hats

Scuba divers don’t always spend all their time underwater. When they are not Scuba diving, they are probably basking on the beach. Hats help protect their head from sunlight rays, which can be harmful. When people buy PADI gear hats, they somehow help keep plastic out of the ocean. It is because they use recycled plastic to make hats.

A t-shirt is yet another gift a scuba diver would love to receive. Before buying a t-shirt, it is advisable to ask the scuba diver which dive shop they prefer. The t-shirt can have phrases such as “I work well under pressure.”

Books about Sea Creatures and Scuba Diving

Before sending a holiday gift to a scuba diving enthusiast, the sender should consider the diver’s interests. If they enjoy reading books about sea creatures and scuba diving, then such books are the best holiday gifts.

For instance, National Geographic books inspire individuals to love and protect the underwater world. Books about scuba diving can also help them become better scuba divers and safe places to do it.

Scuba Diving Gadgets and Accessories

Thanks to technology, there are several gadgets that individuals can give to scuba divers. It includes a dive torch, GPS devices, underwater cameras, etc.

The above are some holiday gifts for scuba divers. The gifts should be unique and fit their budget range.

Filed Under: Blog, Coral Reefs, Sea Life, Travel Tagged With: Beginner Tips, Belize, Caribbean, Cave Diving, Compressed Air Cylinder System, Conservation, Coral Reefs, Demand Valve, divers, Exhaust Valve, fish rock cave, Florida, Kurt Kucera, Living Reefs, ocean cave, SCUBA, scuba divers, sea life, Sea Turtles, SECORE, Sharks, Ship Wrecks, Tips, travel, traveling, underwater, underwater museum, Vacation

Exercising to Support Scuba Diving

September 18, 2019 by Kurt Kucera

Whether you’re a veteran diver or a beginner, there are ways that you can improve your scuba diving experience. One of the best things that you can do is work on your physical fitness. 

Regular exercise strengthens your heart and lungs, which will increase your endurance and help you feel more comfortable under the water. Furthermore, the more physically fit you are, the safer you’ll be as a diver. Here are some quick tips to get you in shape for your next dive.

Walk regularly

It seems overly simple, but it’s true– walking can help you to live longer. Research has shown that people who walk regularly are 50% less likely to die from heart disease than non-walkers. This fact is significant considering that heart disease is one of the leading killers of divers. Try to walk about 30 minutes per day.

Strength train

Strength training will make everything in life easier, including lugging your 50lb oxygen tank around. Leg exercises will help you to swim better. Working your core will help you support your back. And don’t forget that muscles burn calories. That means that the more muscle you have, the easier is it to keep extra weight off and it’s best to be a healthy weight when diving. 

Work on your feet and calves

Your feet and calves are muscles that are most likely to cramp when you are scuba diving. Your feet and calves are not accustomed to the work required by extended dives. Working on these muscles not only strengthens them, but it also increases circulation. The more blood flow to a muscle, the less likely you are to cramp up. Try to do toes grabs and calf lifts as part of your daily exercise routine.

Filed Under: Blog, Scuba Diving Tagged With: Beginner Tips, divers, Diving, SCUBA, Scuba Diving

5 Things to Know Before Your First Scuba Dive

April 14, 2016 by Kurt Kucera

 

5 Things to Know Before Your First Scuba Dive - By Kurt KuceraUpwards of 70% of the earth is covered by water. Yet, the vast majority of people on this planet haven’t dove beneath the surface and experienced what life is like under the sea. Scuba, first developed in the mid-20th century, allowed humans to dive deeper than thought physically possible and for the first time admire the seemingly alien beauty of the depths of the ocean. If you are someone who hasn’t yet been scuba diving, here are a few things you should keep in mind for entering the water.

Get Certified

Certification means that proper training has been completed and all the necessary techniques have been mastered. There are different certifications that can be acquired, but most beginner divers start with a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Open Water Diving rating. More than 60 percent of divers are certified by PADI, according to their website. Through this certification, there will be lessons in the classroom, pool, and lake or ocean training. Additionally, the certification teaches you how to properly assemble, operate and break down the scuba kit. The certification also allows someone to rent or purchase scuba equipment, refill air at dive centers and participate in dives both professionally and recreationally.

It does not take very long to get certified with PADI. In order to complete the certification, divers must complete five confined water dives, five classroom sessions, and four open water dives. Depending on the dive center, this can take between one and five days. During the multiple dive sessions, basic skills will be practiced, such as mask clearing, regulator clearing, and air management. The classroom sessions including reading the manual on the equipment, watching tutorials and answering questions from the readings and videos. Most of the work is done at home, but the classroom environment allows for questions to be answered by professionals. The final test comes in the open water dives where you will be tested under conditions that will be typical for diving.

Also, certifications with PADI do not expire. So once the training is complete, you are able to dive for the rest of your life without having to retake the class or pay any renewal fees.

Buy Equipment

After getting certified, it is time to buy the equipment. There are about twenty pieces of equipment that can be used during each dive. This can be expensive especially if you only plan on using the equipment a few times. If scuba diving is something you plan to do multiple times a year, then it may be helpful to start purchasing all the necessary equipment. If you only plan on diving a few times a year, there are facilities that allow for rental of their equipment.

Some of the basic equipment includes a mask, fins, buoyancy control device (BCD), regulator, a submersible pressure gauge (SPG) and a wetsuit. A mask is critical when it comes to diving. This tempered-glass lens allows for divers to see clearly underwater without having to expose their eyes to the high pressure of the water. Fins are used with almost all forms of diving and help divers move through the water with minimal effort and maximum efficiency. Next is the BCD or buoyancy control device. This gives you control under the water, allowing you the ability to float near the surface or sink to the bottom to explore. This also houses your tank. A regulator makes scuba diving, scuba diving. The regulator delivers the air from the tank to you in order for you to breathe underwater. Along with the regulator, a submersible pressure gauge or SPG is needed. This shows you much air is remaining in your tank. This is crucial information, especially if you are doing deep sea diving. Finally, the wetsuit provides protection and warmth during the dives. These are just some of the pieces needed to complete the dive.

Find a Buddy

It is almost always helpful to have another person for safety with you when performing any task. scuba diving is no exception. It is recommended that whenever someone is scuba diving, they bring someone with them. This ensures safety because if something goes wrong underwater, there will be someone there able to help you. Although diving can be relaxing just floating through the vast amount of space, there is always a chance that something could happen and it is a good practice to have someone with you for those situations of panic. They can help you, but you can also help them. It is also exciting to share the experience with someone and be able to discuss everything that happened underwater when you get back on land.

It is not required, but having someone get certified with you can also be beneficial. Having another person to help answer questions or practice concepts with is going to benefit you.

Pick a Location

After getting certified, the equipment and a buddy, it is time to choose where you want to go. There are tons of places to go scuba diving. Realistically, anywhere there is water you can dive. Of course, check with local regulations to make sure it is legally allowed first. Decide if you want to jump into warm tropical waters to explore coral reefs or if cold water exploration is something that interests you. Either way, make sure to follow all local laws and scuba safety when diving.

Jump In

The time is now, your first dive. All the tests and practice dives have been completed, equipment has been purchased or rented, a buddy is by your side, and you have your location. So go out there and explore the open waters. Have fun diving, just be sure to always be safe. Check equipment before every dive, do not just trust that everything is correct. Make sure you and your buddy have a plan once you dive in. This will ensure safety and fun for the both of you. Finally, it’s time. Take a deep breath and fall in. Get completely submerged in the water and begin your exploration of what lies beneath the surface of the water.

Filed Under: Scuba Diving Tagged With: Beginner Tips, Diving, Scuba Diving, Tips

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