Kurt Kucera

Scuba Diver, Car Enthusiast, Outdoorsman

Getting the Most out of Your Diving Gear

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Getting the most out of your diving gear is what diving is all about. You will be in a position to enjoy diving when you use the correct diving equipment. The right gear makes all the difference when it comes to diving, and this means that you need to take some time out to consider how the kit works and how you will be using it. Taking time out to assess your diving gear is therefore essential.

 The first thing you will want to do is make sure that you invest in good quality diving equipment. This means that you should buy gear that reputable companies have produced. There is a great deal of equipment that has been on the market, and it is not always that you will be buying from a company that has produced good gear. It might be that you will be buying from a company that is making low-quality gear. This will mean that you could find yourself having to replace the equipment quite often, which could be a costly exercise.

 The next thing that you should look at when trying to get the most from your gear is the material from which it is made. Some people will tend to get gear made from steel, which is likely to be very durable. However, this can rust easily, and you could end up having to replace the equipment more often than you would like. The gear is made from needs to be very strong as this will make sure that it does not rust easily.

 Check the stitching and the seams that are there on the gear that you are looking at. This is another area where you will want to make sure that you are checking everything that you purchase. Getting the wrong gear might be a mistake. If you happen to buy equipment that is not as strong as you thought it was, it could prove a problem. You do not want to spend a lot of money because you did not check the gear properly.

 The next thing that you need to think about is the ease of use of the gear. This can vary from one item of gear to another. For example, if you use a scuba diving regulator, it needs to be easy to use. On the other hand, if you will be getting one of the heavier dive gear items such as a weight belt or a mask, you might not need to worry about the ease of use. However, these items are not easy to use, and therefore they need to be very well designed.

How to Travel and Dive Responsibly During the Pandemic

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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.

The Best Holiday Gifts for Scuba Divers

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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.

Best Spots to Scuba Dive in Florida

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slide-01Florida has some of the best places to scuba dive in the world. With an abundant coast line surrounding most of the state, there are amazing spots to see from Amelia Island to the Florida keys. All you have to figure out is what you want to see.

I want to see manatees.

You’ll have to stick to snorkeling, but you’ll definitely want to head to Crystal River where the sea cows are a plenty. They congregate in herds in the warm waters from November through about April. You won’t realize how impressive these animals are until you’re seeing one of these 10 feet, 1,000 pound gentle giants in person. Remember, they are protected and endangered, so don’t do anything that could harm them or their environment. Harassing or chasing them is strictly prohibited.

If you leave the posted manatee area and go for a dive, you can experience dozens of freshwater springs that boil from the underground aquifer, and you might spot tarpon, snapper, redfish, large mouth bass, and garfish.

I want to cave dive.

Head to Blue Grotto, a large clear-water cavern open to divers of all skill levels. The cavern reaches depths of 100 ft, but there is a compressed air-supplied bell at 30 ft where you can enter and take the regulator out of your mouth mid-dive and even have a quick conversation.

I want to swim with sea turtles. 

Head to West Palm Beach for some gulf stream drift diving. Cast moving water will take you past beautiful coral reefs filled with marine life. The current will take you effortlessly across miles of habitat, with your best chance of catching some sea turtles during the season between May and September. Groups as big as a dozen will happily drift alongside you.

I want to find shark teeth.

Venice has an ancient riverbed about a mile off the beach known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World.” Divers from around the world come to look for shark teeth big and small.

I want to see artificial reefs.

Of the shores of Miami/Fort Lauderdale are a string of wrecks, including three retired oil platforms called Tenneco Towers. The rigs are covered in corals and sponges and populated with a variety of schools of fish. Miami’s “Wreck Trek” includes an 85-foot steel tug, two M60 tanks, the 110-foot Billy’s Barge, Ben’s Antenna Reef and dozens of 100-foot plus freighters.

 

There are plenty of beginners lessons and easy sites for those just getting started. And if you’re really nervous, there’s still a ton of nature you can discover sticking to your basic snorkel and flippers. I’d recommend looking up a tour or lessons with an instructor who can lead you to the best spots if you’re a beginner or just not sure where to go.

There’s plenty to discover off the shores of Florida if you’re adventurous enough to get out there. From living reefs and marine animals to ship wrecks and historical sites, you’re just an air tank away from exploring them up close and personal.