Archive for March, 2008

Several Myths About Diving.

Posted in sport, travel, trip, vacation on 03/13/2008 02:21 am by Surfer

Myth: There are sharks in the ocean and they eat divers. Don’t try to deny it–I saw jaws and open water
Truth: Don’t tell Hollywood, but the factual record on shark vs. diver is pretty dull: Sharks just don’t make a habit of munching on divers. In fact, except in certain conditions and environments, they don’t even stick around when divers get in the water.

Myth: I have to buy a ton of gear just to learn
Truth: This is a gear-intensive sport, but you only need three basic items to start lessons–a mask, a snorkel and a pair of fins. These are personal gear items and they need to fit well for you to have a good time, so it’s worth buying them even if the shop provides loaners.

Myth: You have to be a speed-sporting competitive swimmer to be a diver

Truth: Sure, ultra-fit, competitive swimmers make great divers because they’re comfortable in the water and they’re in great shape, but if the logic of this myth were true, only Tour de France racers would ride bikes.

Myth: Diving is a macho sport that is not female-friendly
Truth: This might have been true, back in the 1950s Sea Hunt era when men of steel like Mike Nelson (played by the late, great Lloyd Bridges) were out there spearing fish with their bare hands and rescuing damsels in distress. Only it wasn’t really true then, either. The lovely Zale Parry, the actress who played the damsel, was one of the most accomplished divers on the set.

Myth: Diving will make my ears hurt
Truth: This one’s true–but only if you don’t equalize the pressure in your ears as you descend.

Myth: Certification is way too expensive
Truth: You don’t get out much, do you? Check the price for a decent dinner, movie tickets for two, throw in some popcorn, after-movie coffees and you’ll drop $100–easily–assuming, of course, there was no drive-through involved in ordering dinner. So, how does that compare to scuba?
Myth: Snorkeling is just as good as scuba diving
Truth: Don’t get me wrong. Floating around on the surface peering down on the reef from above is a great way to spend time between dives. But just as good? No way! Not if you like action.