Kurt Kucera

Scuba Diver, Car Enthusiast, Outdoorsman

3 Animals to be Aware of When Diving

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Scuba diving is a wonderful way to evade the hustle and bustle of daily life. There is something about being underwater and surrounded by sea life that helps divers find their center and experience a sense of tranquility that helps their souls heal.

While there are many benefits connected to diving, experienced divers know that there is also an element of risk. Experienced divers know that while many of the animals that call the ocean home are beautiful, many are also deadly. A single bite or sting from one of these ocean creatures can put a diver’s life in danger.

Stonefish

Many people don’t realize that the stonefish is one of the most deadly animals a diver could encounter. The good news is that stonefish aren’t aggressive. They don’t even pursue the reef fish they consume.

The problem with stonefish is that they are camouflage masters. They blend in so perfectly with the seabed and are so still, both fish and human divers often mistake them for a simple rock. If the diver inadvertently steps on the stonefish, the fish’s needle-sharp spine instantly injects a highly toxic venom into the diver. The diver will immediately experience extreme pain. The venom presents two dangers. The first is that it’s strong enough to potentially kill the diver. The second is that the diver may be in so much pain, they’re unable to swim to the surface and get help. With treatment, it can take 24-48 hours to recover from an encounter with a stonefish.

While the stonefish is native to the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, it has been found in the Caribbean and popular Florida dive sites.

Moray Eels

Moray eels are dangerous, though not quite as deadly as some people assume. Moray eels aren’t aggressive and will usually ignore divers. Most moray eel attacks are the result of divers inserting their hands into holes and crevices that the eels are using as dens.

Lionfish

Lionfish are gorgeous, but divers should give them a wide berth. The very spines that inspired their names are potentially deadly to divers. The spines are full of venom which can cause extreme pain if it enters the diver’s bloodstream. While it’s unlikely that the venom will kill a diver, the pain they experience could make it difficult for them to reach the surface. The venom is a protein-based neuromuscular toxin that inhibits the body’s nerves, brain, and muscle’s ability to communicate.

These are just three of the animals divers should be cautious of while they explore reefs and shipwrecks.

Diving in Croatia

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For all of those who have never tried scuba diving before, but always wanted to, Croatia is the place to go. With dozens of crystal clear springs, there are fish so colorful they don’t seem real. Sealife in this country is plentiful and you will be amazed at what lives in the water just beneath your feet. Diving in Croatia can be done by all levels of divers with one of the best spots being Trogir’s Castle on the island of Krk.

Top Reasons to Scuba Dive in Croatia

The Water is Pristine and Clear

Croatia’s waters are famously blue. Its lakes and rivers glisten and so do its seas. There are lots of fish and coral reefs in Croatia. And the best part? The fish don’t seem to mind visitors.

Various Islands to Visit

Visitors can explore the beautiful islands of Krk and Hvar, which are two of the most notable. Meanwhile, other islands can be found on the Croatian coast such as Culinary Island and Cres. These islands are a great way to begin your scuba diving experience.

Relatively Cheap Diving Courses

While the prices of courses may fluctuate, Croatia is not too expensive when it comes to scuba diving courses for beginners. In fact, there are numerous ways to find the money you need to pay for your classes and gear.

Warm Sea Temperatures

If you want to dive in a warm climate, then Croatia is the place for you. The sea temperature ranges from the high 60s to the low 70s in Fahrenheit, perfect for new divers and veterans alike.

Unique River Diving

Not only can you dive in pretty lakes and seas, but Croatia also has many rivers for divers to explore. The most popular river dive site is the River Plitvice, which is a series of lakes that flow into one another. Unlike many places where there is a strong current, the Plitvice’s water is slow-moving.

Exceptional Underwater Scenery

The scenery beneath the surface of the water has to be seen to be believed. The visibility here is great which means that you can explore the depths of the sea with both a camera and your eyes. The underwater scenery in Croatia can be said to be among the most beautiful in the world.

Safe Diving Environment

Croatia has one of the lowest drowning rates in Europe, so it is a safe place to learn how to dive. With good training, you are less likely to be hurt by accidents on the water or while diving.

Preventing Vertigo While Diving

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Diving can be a fun and rewarding experience. It gives you the opportunity to overcome challenges and experience the world around you in a different way. However, it also presents a certain set of dangers, one of which includes experiencing vertigo while diving. While most divers have experienced vertigo at one time or another, there are certain things that you can do to limit its severity. In some cases, you might be able to prevent yourself from experiencing it all together. This is imperative in order to dive safely, as complications from vertigo can have severe consequences.

What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation that the entire world is moving or spinning, even when you are completely stationary. You might think of it as a severe case of dizziness that becomes worse whenever you move your head. Some people experience vertigo on a routine basis because of chronic disorders. For most divers, it has a lot more to do with the pressure inside the inner ear. There is a delicate balance of pressure that is regulated by your inner ear. It is essentially what allows you to turn your head or be in any moving vehicle and still maintain your sense of balance. When this pressure is no longer equalized, you start to feel dizzy.

Potential Complications of Vertigo While Diving
Obviously, this can present a certain amount of danger while you’re driving, especially if the vertigo becomes severe. The condition can range from a bit of lightheadedness to severe dizziness, nausea and vomiting which essentially prevent you from functioning normally. If you are underwater and you can no longer disseminate which direction you need to go in order to ascend safely, you could find yourself in real trouble very quickly. In addition, severe cases of vertigo can cause you to lose consciousness. Clearly, this is not something that you want to experience while you’re diving. Fortunately, you can take some control of the situation by making small changes to your diving routine.

What Can You Do?
Your first step is to realize that there are a lot of pressure changes when you are diving, thanks to the changes in pressure underwater. You don’t have to go very far underwater to experience these changes. This is where most drivers get in trouble. They have a tendency to underestimate how quickly the pressure can change as they dive down. It’s usually far less than most drivers initially calculate. The key is to dive down slowly and give yourself a few breaks where you are simply maintaining your position in order to give your middle ear a chance to adjust. If you start to feel dizzy, stop where you are and give it a few minutes. This is even more important when you ascend. It’s imperative that you ascend slowly and that you give yourself time to adjust whenever you start to feel like something isn’t quite right.

By simply descending and ascending at a slower rate, you can dramatically reduce your chances of experiencing vertigo while diving. Remember, it’s important to stop where you are and give yourself a chance to adjust to the pressure if you start feeling unwell. This will allow you to dive in a safe manner. In addition, it gives you the chance to enjoy your adventures to the fullest.

The Best Diving Spots In Thailand

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The best diving spots in Thailand can be hard to pick out for first-time visitors, which makes local guides your best resource. Thailand is rich in marine life and home to over more than three hundred named spots. With so much coastline and so many different areas to dive in, there is a dive spot for divers of every skill level.

These are the best diving spots in Thailand.

Hin Muang

Dive spots in the Andaman Sea are among the favorites for local guides and the type of dive spots worth traveling around the world for. Beautiful corals, rare marine life, and several species of sharks and other large fish that you only see when deep diving are all within easy diving range.

Koh Kradan Wreck

Wrecks make incredible dive sites and the Koh Kradan Wreck is definitely one of the better spots. The Japanese destroyer is entirely covered by corals, sea fans, and other underwater growth where marine life is bountiful throughout the entire year.

Hin Nok

The beauty of diving in Thailand is that the environment in each dive site is so unique that you can dive for days and see something different every time. Hin Nok features a large plateau and gullies that you can spend days exploring. Sea turtles are commonly found in this area and the elusive and strange Ghost Pipefish.

Shark Point

Named for the sharks that frequent this dive spot, leopard sharks are able to be seen here year-round. Other interesting species that can be seen here include the cute cuttlefish and seahorses. The gullies here protect divers from the strong currents making this a great dive for newer divers.

Koh Dok Mai

Koh Dok Mai is a great cave dive and night dive spot, but it is a spot for strong divers and swimmers. The cave you dive into leads to a cavern that is filled with sea snakes, leopard sharks, and eels.

While there are plenty of dive options in Thailand it is best to pick the spot that matches your dive abilities and offers you a unique experience among the many different types of dives that are offered.