News
Fighting Red Sea Debris

BSAC Dive Leader Lucy Deans is one very determined environmentalist. In less than 3 months based in El Quseir in the Red Sea, she has cleared up and recorded data on no less than 9,762 pieces of litter and 1172m of fishing line amounting to over 460kg of debris …. and she is still collecting!!
On assignment from Cumbria University where she is studying a degree in Environmental studies, Lucy is conducting hands on research in to the source, amount and resulting damage of the continuous flow of debris that blows in and washes down the coast from the main resorts of Sharm El Shiekh, Safaga and Hurghada.
Based at Open Ocean Science Centre in Roots Red Sea, Lucy is also conducting research with the flow of recreational divers asking them to complete a short survey enquiring about their perceived impact on the state of the very health reef system at El Quseir.
Would you like to help Lucy this summer? Roots Red Sea are offering FREE accommodation in a shared Eco Hut for the months of May, July & August. You are required to assist with Lucy’s clean ups 5 days a week. These could be beach or underwater clean ups; beyond that your time is your own to dive, relax or just sleep.
For full details email info@rootsredsea.com.
News
Introducing the Cinebags Dome Port Case CB74

The CB74 Port Case is a heavy duty case to protect and carry your compact sized dome port. Designed to protect and transport 6″-8″ ports from Nauticam, Zen, Sea&Sea and similar sized ports.
The CB74 is made of a heavy duty tarpaulin fabric with padded sidewalls to protect your dome port in your dive luggage. The oversized zippers allow for quick easy access to the port pouch.

A small velcro pouch is located in the back compartment of the CB74 for small parts like spare o-rings, or o-ring grease.

The front of the CB74 has a neoprene carry handle to make transporting the port case a breeze. The opposite side has an area you can write your name and also label the pouch so it can be easily identified.
Features:
- heavy duty tarpaulin fabric
- padded sidewalls
- oversized zippers
- mesh pouch for accessories
- mesh pouch to store port cover
- neoperene carry handle
The CB74 Dome Port and other CineBags Underwater Products are available through the dedicated underwater dealer network.
For more information visit the Cinebags website by clicking here.
Dive Training Blogs
When is it a good day to dive?

By Rick Peck
The standard answer is “It’s always a good day to dive.” The real question is: When is it a day we should not dive?
There are several factors that go into a decision for a dive day.
- Weather
- Waves
- Tides (if applicable)
- Physical condition
- Mental condition
- Water visibility
Weather
We would all like to dive in bright sunny conditions. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. It is always a good idea to check the forecast before a dive day. The weather directly before a dive might be bright and sunny, but in some areas, thunderstorms roll in quickly. While it may be an interesting experience to see a lightning storm underwater with the strobe effect, we do have to come up sometime. A 30+ pound lightning rod strapped to your back makes for a very dangerous exit.
Wind is also a concern. Storms that roll in quickly can bring gust fronts that make for dangerous conditions. It could be flat and calm when you enter, and you may ascend after the dive into 5-6 foot chop with a dangerous exit onto the boat. Having a boat drop on your head or getting tangled in the ladder is not fun.
Waves and Tides
Shore diving in a coastal area makes waves a concern. Waves are generated by wind speed, duration and fetch. If there is a storm offshore you could be seeing big waves with very little wind in your area. Linked to the wave action is the tide. At some sites, waves tend to fizzle out at extreme high tide, making for easier entry and exits.
Tides can also affect your dive in an inlet. There is a popular dive site in my area that normally dives from a half-hour before high tide to a half-hour after high tide because of the current generated by the tidal change. The tidal currents can become so strong that an average diver can’t overcome them. The question is: does the tide change match the time you have available to dive? Your local dive shop should have recommendations on where and when is the best time to shore dive. As we learned in our Open Water class, local knowledge is the best.
Physical Condition
Are you healthy enough to dive? Do you have the physical conditioning to safely do the dive you are planning? Pushing your physical limits directly after a cold or allergy attack could lead to an ear injury or worse. If you have been sick, maybe you don’t have the energy reserves to rescue yourself or a buddy if required. The typical “Oh, I’ll be alright” could put not only you but your dive buddy at risk as well. Don’t let your ego write checks that your body can’t fulfill.
Mental Condition
You could compare diving to driving a car. We have all heard of distracted driving. If you are mentally upset or dealing with a great deal of stress, it might be prudent to evaluate whether it’s a good day to dive. Frustration and an urgency to get into the water to “relax” could mean you are skipping items on your buddy checks and self-checks. Unless you have the mental discipline to set these worries aside, it is probably better to dive another day.
Water Visibility
While there is a segment of the diving population that likes to “Muck Dive,” in general we prefer to see what is around us. One type of diving where visibility is important is drift diving. It is a two-fold problem, if you stay shallow enough to avoid obstructions, you can’t see anything. If you go deep enough to see the bottom, depending on the speed of the current, there is a possibility of being driven into a coral head or some other obstruction that you don’t see approaching. It is also much easier to become separated from your buddy. Remember to discuss and set a lost buddy protocol before the dive.
Summary
While it seems like all the stars and moon must align in order to safely dive, it’s really simple. Check the weather, check the tides (If applicable), do a self-assessment, and don’t be reluctant to cancel a dive if the conditions warrant it when you arrive at the dive site. A little planning and forethought will lead to a safe enjoyable dive. Always remember to dive within the limits of your training, conditioning, and skill set.
To find out more about International Training, visit www.tdisdi.com.
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