Scuba Diving Break

Going scuba diving is like traveling to a foreign land, off the beaten path, where only a few lucky ones get to visit. There are approximately 6 million certified divers in the world, which represents less than 0.1% of the world’s population (7.4 billion). Facts

The odds are that only a handful of divers will ever be visiting a specific dive site at the same time. An exception is the Night Manta Dive in Kona, Hawaii. This dive is crowded with divers and snorkelers alike, but it is an experience not to be missed—mantas always show up! We did it twice and would do it again in a heartbeat!

Every time I go scuba diving I feel like I’m on vacation. Exploring new places, discovering new things, meeting new creatures. Underwater, there aren’t any distractions like social media, email, phone calls, etc. The only things on my mind are: focusing on my dive, admiring sea life and taking pictures. I find that the peaceful and quiet environment is very relaxing and the sound of my bubbles calming which helps me disconnect and reboot.

Of course, one has to stay alert to ones surroundings to avoid harming and touching corals or sea creatures. Some species can be dangerous, toxic and even deadly. The general rule is:

“If it’s ugly or beautiful, don’t touch it!”

The beauty of our planet is reflected in the thriving sea life that inhabits our oceans. Reefs and wrecks provide shelter, hiding places and food sources for many marine species. The survivals of one species depends on the proliferation of another, where all life is interconnected by a delicate thread that needs to be protected from the harmful ways of man’s modern lifestyle. The introduction, by accident our not, of non-endemic species like the beautiful but harmful lionfish has a devastating effect in the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans. This fish belongs in the Indo-Pacific Ocean where it can live without competing with other fish species for food. I found this article from NOAA interesting.

Going scuba diving is similar to traveling, as it requires planning ahead, making reservations, packing and being prepared, a.k.a. having the proper training, equipment and insurance for emergencies. We’re members of Divers Alert Network (DAN). The cost is reasonable and they do a lot of good work. Scuba diving can be risky and security measures cannot be taken lightly. Keeping an eye on all those scuba gauges computers is essential to remain safe.

It’s also a great way to discover new places and make new friends.

Happy and safe diving!