What You Need To Know About Spearguns
What You Need To Know About Spearguns
Spearguns are the preferred equipment of fishers who want to pursue their prey in the deep. It allows the hunter to have a hands-on approach in fishing since he has to dive in the water and look for his game instead of just casting a net and waiting for the fishes to get trapped therein. For those who feel that they’re actually the prey whenever they’re scuba diving or snorkeling, they may find it very handy and reassuring to carry a speargun.
What is it?
A speargun is a tool which facilitates the propulsion of a spear towards a target. They come in different sizes and shapes. Common to all spearguns however, is the trigger mechanism that sets the spear in place along the barrel of the tool. Its primary use is to catch fish, but many treat it as a sporting tool or a personal underwater defense equipment.
Different Types of Spearguns
Spearguns vary according to size, appearance, and use. However, they are mainly categorized according to the means or mechanism of propulsion that they use in order to shoot the spear towards the target.
Pneumatic spearguns use compressed air to spring the spear forward. It is more easy to use and accurate than those which have rubber bands for a propulsion engine. One drawback though, is its lack of power. It also requires frequent maintenance.
Band guns, as the name suggests, use strong elastic rubber hands to thrust the spear forward. It provides a more powerful shot than the pneumatic speargun. Its shots are not as accurate as that of its airspring counterpart though, but it is capable of bringing large game down, such as tunas and giant trevallies.
Depending on Your Need
Despite the fact that there are various spearguns available in the market, choosing the best one for you is not that difficult. There are different spearguns that suit every underwater need and situation. Hence, you must first determine the purpose for which the tool is going to be used before you decide to purchase it.
1st String: First in Guadalupe Shark Diving Liveaboards
1st String: First in Guadalupe Shark Diving Liveaboards
Largest and Most Spacious White Shark Cage Diving Vessel at Guadalupe
The 1st String, is first in luxury and spacious traveling of the white shark diving liveaboards plying the water of Guadalupe Island offering comfort as only the 1st can. Quality orientated, the shark cages are custom built for the photographer and naturalist. They are designed to provide the best viewing angles over any previous cages used at Guadalupe to maximize your upclose encounters with the ocean’s apex predator. The vessels
The Shark Diving liveaboard is designed for your comfort and safety. It is the newest and most luxurious shark diving vessel in the California shark diving fleet, offering our divers a more comfortable, safe and relaxing diving experience. At 93′ in length and featuring a 25′ beam, the vessel is extremely spacious. The low to the water, exceptionally wide beam offers divers a huge deck area and a much more stable ride platform.
Features include
·Extremely large, modern air-conditioned galley with seating for 45 pasengers
·Fully equipped with TV and VCR
·Three large heads with hot showers.
·Electronics – Five radios, Global positioning navigational system, 48 mile radar, color side scanning sonar and fish finder, video plotter, and loran C.
·Power – Twin Turbo-Charged NT855 Cummins Diesel engines.
·Super large on deck bow.
·Sleeping accommodations are provided for up to 54 passengers in private air-conditioned staterooms and bunk compartments.
·A spacious sun deck that will seat 60 passengers.
The cost for 5 day White Shark trip in private stateroom is $2,550 per person; bunk quarters is $2,350 per person. TerraSea – Shark Diving Adventures is offering a $100 discount on 2006 reservations booked in 2005.
For more information or reservations contact:
TerraSea -Shark Diving Adventures
1-800-403-8488 www.sharkdivingadventures.com
Lightweight Scuba System Goes From Tactical to Practical
Rapid Diver™ is a lightweight, all-inclusive scuba system that mates a tank, regulator and buoyancy module to a uniform-fit, load-bearing harness. (PRWEB) July 9, 2005 — Rapid Diver™ is a lightweight, all-inclusive scuba system that mates a tank, regulator and buoyancy module to a uniform-fit, load-bearing harness. It was created in response to public safety and military needs for a compact, versatile and easily deployed scuba system. Mission requirements called for a system that could be stored in a small space, donned and activated quickly, and worn in situations such as helicopter and boat operations in which conventional scuba gear would prove too cumbersome and restrictive. Comfort was also of great importance, as some operations would require the user to wear the gear for extended periods of time while engaged in complex, task-loaded missions. Though designed for professional use, many of the Rapid Diver’s performance characteristics make it equally suited to a range of civilian applications. It is the preferred system for introductory scuba experiences, due to its user-friendly design, universal fit capability and ease of transporting and storage. Persons who are unable to wear heavy conventional scuba gear – or who simply feel uncomfortable with the associated bulk and weight – appreciate the light overall weight and wearer comfort of Rapid Diver. These same attributes make it well suited for difficult shore entries, long walks to the water or water entry from ladders or small boats. In additional to recreational diving, Rapid Diver’s small size allows it to be stowed aboard a boat, where it can be deployed for underwater boat maintenance, anchor checks, and fast response to emergencies such as a fouled prop or suspected hull damage. With an overall weight of just 15 pounds, the Rapid Diver stores in a compact hand-carried pouch, and readies for use in less than a minute. It provides sufficient air duration for the average diver to enjoy a 15 to 25 minute dive at moderate depths. In addition to a low overall weight, the Rapid Diver features a unique load-bearing harness that distributes the weight of the tank evenly over the dive’s torso, making it possible to stand and walk comfortably on the surface, and to enter and exit the water without compromising balance – even when using a ladder. Key aspects of the rig are configured to mimic standard scuba equipment, with the regulator hose deployed over the right shoulder, manual and power inflation/deflation controls accessible by both right and left hands, and the pressure gauge position for easy viewing by the user or another diver. Other aspects of the Rapid Diver are proprietary to the system, including the option to use conventional valve and regulator combinations and refill without disassembling the unit, or a unique integrated valve/regulator unit that attaches directly to the tank to further reduce the rig’s profile and weight. This proprietary device also utilizes the Rapid Fill system, which allows operators to refill tanks by simply plugging in a quick-release fitting. Also unique to the Rapid Diver system is the ability to configure the rig for a wide variety of mission profiles. In addition to a compact front-mounted tank, the harness can be configured to carry a waist-mounted rear tank or a larger tank of up to 120 cubic feet in a conventional back-mount position. A variety of specialized and custom-configurable gas management options allow the user to configure the rig with a redundant air supply, and to use full-face scuba masks in conjunction with a gas switching block. Rapid Diver is a premium product manufactured in the United States by Zeagle Systems, the industry’s leading manufacturer of SCUBA BC’s. It is constructed using materials selected for extreme durability and wear resistance, finished to the same high standards as the company’s public safety and military products. For more information go to www.rapidiver.com
The Protection Of A Diving Wetsuit
The protection of a diving wetsuit
Wetsuits are meant to keep divers warm by giving them thermal protection. There are some important guidelines which a diver should learn regarding the wetsuit he might acquire and use. First of all, it is important to know that they are usually made from neoprene; most of the times open cell neoprene. Besides, when wetsuits have a coating added to the neoprene they are easier to be worn and taken off.
The practice of free diving and scuba diving imply the use of different kinds of wetsuits. While a 5 mm thick wetsuit would be ideal for keeping warm a free diver, a scuba diver would need a 7 mm thick wetsuit to achieve the same results. Besides, while most free diving wetsuits don’t have a zipper, most scuba diving wetsuits do come with them.
If you are looking for an open cell neoprene wetsuit, it is important that you have into account the fact that they can be easily damaged. If, for example, you are going to use jewelry under your open cell neoprene wetsuit, this could easily damage it and open it, so you should be very careful with it or try to find another kind of wetsuit instead of it. If you have long finger nails you should be careful as well since you could damage it while putting it on or taking it off.
It is also important to have in mind that free diving wetsuits should fit the diver in order to work well and give him the proper thermal protection. If a free diving wetsuit is loose or too tight it would not give the protection it should and it could even become a problem since it could be an obstacle to the diver’s movements.
There also are recommendations on how to maintain and store your wetsuit. In order to store it properly while you are not using it, you should hang your wetsuit up avoiding folding it since that could damage it. Besides this, you should make sure to wash the suit after using it and make sure to wash all salty water off from it.
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.divepilot.com. Please visit his website to discover the world of diving!
What Is Diving Certification
What Is Diving Certification?
Diving certification is a kind of certification given to someone who has finished a diving course, which primarily teaches the principles of scuba diving through lectures, pool work and actual open water scuba diving. Many scuba diving resorts, diving centers and camps require divers to be certified before they can go scuba diving. While there are some that permit non-certified divers to go for an underwater adventure, divers, especially the beginners, are encouraged to get a scuba diving certification.
Once Earned, It’s Good For Life
The best thing about this certification is that it never expires. Once you’ve earned it, you can enjoy the privileges that come with it for life.
So, what are the privileges?
First of all, since you have already learned how to scuba dive and all the basics of diving, you can enjoy more your underwater experience. No need to worry about the dos and the don’ts, how you’re going to safely take the plunge into the water and swim back up to the surface and other things, you can simply enjoy the spectacular underwater scenery because you already know what to do.
Secondly, the certification is acknowledged anywhere you go. This means that you can enjoy diving camps at all the hottest diving spots—yes, even those in other countries.
Another thing, being a certified diver can be your fist step towards being a professional diver. Having a basic open-water diving credential is necessary for you to get advanced diving trainings like trainings on drift diving, night diving and navigational techniques.
Requirements for a Diving Certification
In order to get certified, you have to be proficient in swimming. You need not be an expert swimmer; you just have to prove that you can swim at least two hundred yards using any kind of stroke and float on water for about ten minutes. If you are able to do these and if you don’t have any health problems, you can most likely stay comfortably underwater without any trouble.
Where to Go for Certification
There are a lot of diving schools, universities, sport diver training centers run by diving instructors and divers associations offering diving lessons and certifications in the US alone. You can simply research online to get a list of diving centers offering diving programs in your area. You may also learn scuba diving and get certified right at the diving resort or dive destination you want to go to.
Most scuba diving resorts offer basic diving courses to beginners and advanced diving lessons and diving certification to experienced divers, certified and non-certified alike. Some of the advance diving courses you can take after your basic open water diving lessons are nitrox diving, wreck diving, cave diving, and search and rescue diving.
How Scuba Diving Tanks Work
How Scuba Diving Tanks Work
A scuba diving tank is an apparatus where high pressure breathing gas is stored. The term is actually slang since divers properly call it a diving cylinder. It is primarily known as an essential diving equipment that allows divers to stay underwater for long periods by providing them with a steady supply of oxygen. However, its value actually transcends the depths. It is used above water as a component of a storage facility for diving air compression stations. Persons suffering from hypoxia and myocardial infraction can also be treated by delivering oxygen to the patient through scuba diving tanks.
Parts of a Scuba Diving Tank – The Pressure Vessel
The main component of a scuba diving tank is the pressure vessel. This is the tank or container where high pressure gases are stored. It is usually maid of aluminum or forged steel. Diving resorts commonly use an aluminum cylinder that can store up to 80 cu. ft. of gas.
Both steel and aluminum cylinders are reliable and suitable for underwater use. However, it has an effect on buoyancy. Aluminum tanks are lighter than the steel ones. A lighter pressure vessel is more advantageous for divers who carry a number of heavy equipment. On the other hand, those who are wearing highly buoyant suits may want to use steel tanks in order to maintain a good balance underwater.
Other Parts
The pillar valve provides a bridge between the pressure vessel and the diving regulator. Its main function is to regulate the flow of gas to and from the cylinder. Rubber or halocarbon rings creates a seal between the metal of the diving regulator to that of the pillar valve’s.
Choose Wisely
Scuba diving tanks vary in size, capacity, and use. They can be very expensive, so make sure that you have already considered all relevant factors regarding the purpose for which you are going to use the cylinders. Rentals abound in almost all diving sites and can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. However, it would be wiser and more cost effective to purchase one if you’re going to the scuba diving tanks frequently and for a long period.
Suunto Diving Watches A Useful Diving Tool
Suunto Diving Watches – A Useful Diving Tool
Suunto diving watches are great underwater companions. Its dependability doesn’t only lay on its strong, waterproof architecture since it offers much more than that. There used to be a time when diving watches are solely gauged by their ability to continuously function even in considerable depths. Suunto revolutionized this by giving the user more vital diving information other than time. Underwater excursionists will greatly appreciate the benefits of having a Suunto diving watch.
Suunto Diving Watches Provides an Accurate Gauge of Vital Details
Suunto watches spare divers from having to carry numerous instruments to monitor vital diving profiles, such as depth and decompression requirement. All data are clearly illustrated in large graphical screens. For example, the cylinder pressure is presented both in numerical and graph forms. This easy-to-read format allows divers to concentrate more on their surroundings instead of the indecipherable details of their watches.
What these state-of-the-art equipment provide is precision. Before the advent of intelligent diving watches, every calculation regarding air sufficiency in the cylinder, as well as the distance and depth of the diver, is done manually. Some divers even resort to mental estimates which are very unreliable.
Showing More Than Just the Directions
The Suunto D9’s compass does more than just point where the north, east, west, and south is. This directional instrument can accurately pinpoint and guide divers to the location of their choice. It also shows one’s current bearing in degrees. These additional compass enhancements or capabilities can be life savers in case the diver gets dragged to unknown points by strong waves and currents.
Wrist PC
Suunto introduced the world’s first dive computer in 1987. It has since implemented the feature in its various lines of watches. Its D9 unit has both a digital compass and a dive PC. It also gauges cylindrical pressure wirelessly. Every data that is logged in the watch can be uploaded to a PC via USB.
Suunto diving watches have made many underwater gauges superfluous. The company has also improved those instruments as far as portability and ease of use is concerned. These innovations will now allow divers to explore the depths without having to worry too much about their location or the amount of air that they have left on their cylinder.
Why Scuba Diving With A Wetsuit Is So Important
Why Scuba Diving with a Wetsuit is So Important
If you have interest in scuba diving, you will need to learn about the equipment, which includes the tank, the mask, fins, and other items to include the scuba diving wetsuit. Keep in mind that water conducts heat from a diver’s body 25 times better than air. Therefore, when diving, you can reach hypothermia relatively easy, which is why diving with a wetsuit is so important. The wetsuit is designed to trap a thin layer of water between your skin and the actual suit. Then, body heat heats the trapped water, which keeps you warm.
As you begin to shop around for your own scuba diving wetsuit, you will probably be surprised by all the choices. In addition to brand choices such as Dacor, Henderson, Body Glove, and Jet Pilot, among others, you will also need to decide between thickness and material to include neoprene, rubber, nylon, titanium, polyurethane, silicone, Lycra, and more. Obviously, you want the best wetsuit designed for the type of scuba diving you plan to do. In this article, we will summarize some of the more popular choices.
? O’Neill Reactor – 3-2mm Full Suit Women’s – This type of scuba diving wetsuit is designed with seamless flex zones to eliminate both discomfort and rash. In addition, this design offers excellent fit, durability, and high function at a great value. The shoulder and sleeve panels are made with FluidFlex, neck area is fully adjustable, and the knee panel has a Krypto Padz for ergonomic neoprene support. Constructed with 3mm Fluid Foam SL on the chest and back, along with 3mm Fluid Foam on the lower body and 2mm Fluid Foam in the under sleeve and side panels, this wetsuit is a favorite for the women.
? 75mm Women’s NeoSport Full Wetsuit – Also available in men, junior, and children’s sizes, this scuba diving wetsuit is a one-piece that is warm, comfortable, and extremely durable. The features include an adjustable collar, flexible kneepads, water temperature rating of 62 degrees and up, 75mm for the torso and 5mm on the extremities, neoprene construction, sealed seam construction, and a full back zipper.
? Jet Pilot Men’s 3/2mm Storm Wetsuit – Great for colder water surfing and scuba diving, this wetsuit provides warmth, comfort, and mobility. The anatomical design means better form fitting for less resistance. The construction is made from 3/2mm neoprene with an articulated, pre-bent design. This wetsuit has closed cell Flex Lite neoprene panels that help conserve heat by reducing chill. The wetsuit also comes with an adjustable collar for rash resistance, neck seal, flexible titanium metal lining that retains heat with reflective qualities, ultraflex waterproof silicon seam tape, and a Flex Lite neo barrier for extra leak protection and warmth.
scuba diving regulator
A scuba diving regulator is the invention which makes scuba diving possible.
It reduces the pressure of air delivered from the oxygen tank to the ambient water pressure and sends it to your mouth. Put simply scuba diving regulators make scuba diving possible.
Diving regulators have two parts knows as first stage and second stage which are connected by a hose. The first stage connects to the tank, and the second stage is behind the mouthpiece. Both are critical to air flow regulation in a scuba system.
First stage scuba regulators
The first stage of the scuba diving regulator has a valve to lower air pressure from the tank. An important part of understanding how to dive is understanding the regulator’s function. Similar to how a water tap works, it controls the rate of flow of air, reducing the flow from 2000psi to around 140psi. However the great thing about these regulators is that they self adjust to suit the ambient water pressure around you as your dive depth changes. First stage regulators have several outputs. High pressure to go to the tank pressure gauge, and low pressure to connect to the second stage, BCD and an octopus.
Second stage scuba regulators
Second Stage Scuba Regulators sit behind the mouthpiece and manage the inhalation and exhalation of breathe. Through a series of valves and balance chambers, a second stage regulator makes breathing feel natural and effortless despite these complexities. It also has an exhaust or purge function which lets used air out without letting water in.
How to choose the best scuba diving regulator?
Some features to consider when purchasing a scuba regulator are:
- easy to hold and a comfortable ergonomic design
- controls such as the purge button are easy to operate even in thick gloves
- non corrosive materials
- piston v diaphragm mechanics
- always buy new – this is a critical piece of equipment to your diving safety – don’t buy other people’s problems
- warranty terms and length
- the hose should be flexible and soft
- the second stage should have swivel joints for better movement
We highly recommend the Aeris Atmos Pro as the Scuba Diving Regulator which offers the ultimate combination of high performance at a value for money price. The Aeris Atmos Pro has all of the features you would expect and even more:
- pneumatically balanced
- self adjustable inhalation effort
- compatible to 40% Nitrox
- adjustable second stage
- ‘venturi assisted’ inhalation
- First stage swivel attachment to the regulator hose to reduce hose pull and resulting jaw pull
The Aeris Atmos Pro Regulator features pneumatic balancing, adjustable 2nd stage and is sure to provide you the best performance for years. The pneumatic balance in the second stage provides the lowest possible inhalation effort. The adjustment in the 2nd stage allows you to adjust and fine tune your breathing effort throughout your dive.
A venturi assist deflector vane controls air flow from the valve to the mouthpiece. At the surface, the venturi assist can be turned down to prevent regulator free flow. The first stage of the Aeris Atmos Pro Regulator is a balanced diaphragm for long term performance.
Overall the Aeris Atmos Pro is a great model at a low price, and it comes bundled with a free bag with every purchase.
We have a huge range of scuba diving regulators which will help you dive safely and comfortably, you can choose from the simplest ScubaPro models to the Poseidon regulators developed for long duration dives. We also have many regulator accessories. We also offer low fixed price annual service and free parts for units purchased from us. Our range of products from ”the Best” manufacturers allows you to shop from the comfort of your own home. Compare the products at a time which suits you with no pressure to buy.
For “Top Quality” Scuba Diving Regulators, check out these awesome products from ScubaToys.
scuba diving computer
Scuba diving computers are a modern addition to diving gear, which continually monitors a dive.
Worn on the wrist by a diver and looking much more like a wrist watch than a computer, they keep the diver informed to ensure a safe dive. Scuba diving computers record diving depth and ambient temperature, and can inform divers about required decompression breaks. They can also generate diving tables for the specific dive, which can be compared against standard diving tables.
Wrist dive computers are quickly becoming a necessity for recreational divers. Compared to traditional dive tables, they can increase the duration spent underwater, and improve your dive safety.
The data logs recorded by wrist scuba dive computers contain time series of tissue saturation and dive depth. This information can be useful for:
- diving instructors for evaluation of learner divers
- diving supervisors to monitor dives
- clinicians who may need to diagnose decompression illnesses
Understanding Diving Computers
Basic Functions – All dive computers will advise of time spent underwater, maximum depth during the drive, current depth, and remaining time within the safety curve, advising the next required decompression stop and duration. After the dive they can also advise of de-saturation time remaining, surface time and no-fly time. Generally, most units have visual or audible alarms to advise of possibly dangerous situation such as missed decompression stops. These computers can also help you plan your next dive by examining residual nitrogen time and showing how this affects the safety curve. They can adjust altitude either manually or automatically as well as keeping detailed logs of previous dives.
Extended Functions – Scuba diving computers can offer much more than just these functions though. For example, air integrated computers are gaining popularity. These computers measure pressure within the tank, indicating remaining pressure and remaining air time. These models can be connected to the high pressure hose, or by a wireless transmitter. With the increase in Nitrox diving, the major diving gear manufacturers have produced Nitrox scuba dive computers. The specialized computers assist in planning and executing enriched air dives, informing about conditions specific to partial gas pressure which may occur during such a dive.
Features to consider when choosing your dive computer:
- do you need or want an integrated air computer?
- would a wireless setup or console mounted instrument work best for you?
- will you require Nitrox capabilities?
- is the display visibility suitable for your diving conditions?
- is the display sufficiently back lit?-
- does the unit allow you to download data to a PC?
- does the unit automatically turn itself on and off?
In our opinion, the scuba diving computer with the best combination of features at a value for money price is the Aeris Atmos 2 Wrist Computer with it’s unique combination of styling, technology and function. The Aeris Atmos 2 Wrist Computer has all of the features you would expect in an advanced wrist scuba dive computer, and even more:
- Data is PC downloadable
- Water and manual activation
- Flashing LED and audible alarm
- Batteries are user replaceable
- Alarms which the user can set Backlit
The Aeris Atmos 2 Wrist Computer is flexible and can be worn on the wrist or on a Retractor. It also has the excellent function of a Safety Stop Count Down Timer. The Aeris Atmos 2 Wrist Computer comes with software, a download cable is just $50.
We have a massive range of dive computers available to suit all requirements and budgets. From integrated air computer models which feature PC downloadable data to accessories such as wrist straps, you will surely find something to suit your unique needs. Our range of products from ”the Best” manufacturers allows you to shop from the comfort of your own home. Compare the products at a time which suits you with no pressure to buy.
For “Top Quality” Scuba Diving Computers, check out these awesome products from ScubaToys.