Dive Training Blogs
What do I need for my first night dive?
By: John Bentley
Night diving may seem daunting to the new diver and, in many ways, it should! While night dives are a great way to shed new light on a frequented dive site, they’re accompanied by their own challenges. Being prepared for these challenges by following the tips below will set you up for having a great time.
A great light – actually, two great lights!
When purchasing your first dive light for night diving, look for solid construction, common battery types, sufficient brightness, and appropriate “hot-spot” for signaling. AAA, 18650 Li-polymer and 26650 Li-polymer are common battery types for dive lights. “Hot-spots” are the middle area of a beam where the light is most focused and brightest. These are critical in night diving for signaling your buddy, so you’ll want to avoid lights that have no hot spot. Your backup light should have all these attributes and should be well taken care of as it is an important piece of backup equipment if your primary should fail.
Be sure to review a dive site map and bring your compass…
… since your navigational skills will need to be fine-tuned to dive in darkness. If you’re uncomfortable with navigation use an extra glow stick on the anchor line for a backup reference (just don’t accidently litter!) and, with your compass, navigate a simple reciprocal heading. Since it will be dark when you exit you’ll also want to plan your path back to your car, or seat on the boat.
A careful aim
While there are plenty of nocturnal fish out at night you’ll also see some of your daytime friends. Be careful though, since they’re sleeping you won’t want to shine your light on them too long and wake them up.
Land lights
If you’re shore diving, grab a headlamp from your local dive shop or outdoor store so you can light up the parking lot and disassemble your gear. If you’re diving off a boat, keep your dive light off until the crew says it’s acceptable to use on-board.
Most importantly, you’ll need a great memory for your first night dive. Keeping track of the amazing and new nocturnal critters you’ll see will be the hardest part! Sign up for a Night and Limited Visibility course at your local SDI dive center soon to take a dive on the dark side.
To find out more about International Training, visit www.tdisdi.com.
Blogs
Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.
Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.
Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:
- 12 April
- 5 July,
- 20 September
- 29 November
Partnership with Casita Palma
If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.
Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.
Blogs
Scubility: Achieving Success through Adaptability
The Scubility Program in Action
In the last four events, we have enrolled many Scubility divers in the program. We also have a team of trained instructors and assistants; without them, this wouldn’t be possible. The main objective was to make safe and comfortable diving experiences for Scubility students. In fact, in the last Scubility program, which concluded in March 2023, we included a blind diver along with six other Scubility divers. We also had 8 instructors and more than 10 assistant participants to make this possible.
The main challenge for blind divers is to set up a communication signal. So, I designed a unique ‘touch signal’ for blind students where they just need to touch an arm to convey a message. For example, when an instructor touches your arm twice, it means he is asking, “Are you okay?”. In case of any emergency during the dive, the blind diver just needs to squeeze the arm of the instructor to get his attention to solve the problem. For each Scubility diver, there were at least two personnel, an instructor, and an assistant, assigned.
Impact and Emotions of Scubility
The most satisfying experience of this program was to see Scubility divers happy, with emotional, teary eyes. I could imagine that probably for the first time, or perhaps the only time, some of them could walk, stand, and move again underwater without a wheelchair, feeling alive again. Seeing a courageous Scubility diver overcoming all challenges and obstacles to make it possible definitely inspires me to organize more events like this.
“Scuba Diving for All” Event
The biggest local Scubility program, named “Scuba Diving for All,” was organized in Khao Lak, Phang-nga Province, south of Thailand, from October 30 to November 5, 2018. We invited international Scubility participant divers for this event. Leading up to this program, we put in lots of effort, preparing hotels and resorts in a friendly design, making sure of choosing good dive sites, and above all, to bring a smile to our precious Scubility students.
I hope that this endeavor will serve as an inspiration for people worldwide to achieve what may seem impossible, while also raising awareness about the importance of charity and kindness in our society. I look forward to welcoming you soon to our joyful underwater realm.
As an SDI TDI & Scubility IT, Dan Phutthakhun Prungkananon, owner of All Star Diving Academy located in Thailand, has a deep-rooted passion for ensuring safety and fun in the water. Keep up with Dan and the All Star Diving Academy via Instagram or Facebook and by checking out their Dive Center Facebook.
-
Blogs3 months ago
‘Simply the Best’ – Quintessential Red Sea Diving
-
News2 months ago
Hone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News2 months ago
Capturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs3 months ago
Creature Feature: Nurse Sharks
-
News3 months ago
Join Lembeh Resort’s Macro Photography Workshop with Scott Gutsy Tuason this April
-
Miscellaneous Blogs3 months ago
Book Review: The Lives of Seaweeds
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months ago
Creature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs3 months ago
A day in the life of Marsa Shagra with Sea to Sky