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 Diving Spots for Beginners

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Scuba diving is a fun hobby or vacation activity everyone will enjoy. It’s a great way to explore the ocean and get a whole new view of life under the sea. If you have never gone scuba diving before, here are the best diving spots for beginners:

 

The British Virgin Islands

Not only are the British Virgin Islands a beautiful and relaxing vacation spot, but it is also an incredible place to go scuba diving. This is great for beginners because it has a huge span of protected coastlines and reefs. It also offers a lot of wreckage to explore to find souvenirs to take home.

 

Bonaire, Caribbean

The diving at Bonaire, Caribbean is a beautiful experience and very easy for beginners to handle. They’re also very affordable and known as one of the best places to dive in the world. This is a great area to explore either on your own or with a dive guide if you do not have enough experience to dive on your own yet.

 

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia is an amazing location of breathtaking views and an abundance of sea life. While it isn’t as full of life as it once was due to global warming, it is still a great place to dive and explore the sea. Beginners will find shallows reefs that are perfect for inexperienced divers. 

 

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.