SCUBA Diving

[Preparing to boat dive off Hateruma Island.]

I began learning to dive in 2003 in New Jersey at the Scuba Connection (Hillsborough NJ), where I did my book and pool work in preparation for the PADI Open Water (OW) license. I took private one-on-one rather than group lessons because of my schedule. Later on, I did my checkout dives at Dutch Springs PA, a former quarry, wearing a 7mm two-piece neoprene wetsuit (14mm torso) and thick hood and gloves with no feel. The water was cold, visibility was poor and the struggle to put on all the gear and lumber down to the water's edge was memorable. There were also virtually no life-forms present in the water to distract one from the training dives. Fortunately, diving in warmer climes is significantly less of a struggle and I have enjoyed diving in Mexico (San Carlos), Fiji (Manaluca islands), Okinawa (Hateruma and Iriomote islands) and Hawaii since then. I also have upgraded my certification to the PADI Advanced Open Water (AOW) level.

Diving and Exercise

In theory, SCUBA diving is not a strenuous activity. Instead of striving for maximum speed and workrate, one normally seeks to minimize unnecessary motion, air consumption and heartrate. However, prima facie observations can be deceiving.

In practice, I have found that there is a surprising effect on athletic performance. In particular, the power I can put out on a hillclimb, as measured by a SRM professional powermeter that is built into the crank on my bicycle, drops significantly after a dive. I did some informal experimentation with switching the order of diving vs. bike training on alternate mornings and found a consistent and measurable difference.

Equipment

Comfort and familiarity with equipment is very important for beginners to intermediates like me. I rented for about a year before beginning to accumulate (expensive) diving equipment. We're talking about life-support equipment here, so it's probably worth buying solid and proven gear for peace of mind as well as safety. If you're going to skimp, just rent instead.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the international travel baggage weight limit is generally set at 20 kg (44 lbs) unless one is traveling from the US. Domestic weight limits have also dropped for some airlines to 50 lbs; an important thing to bear in mind when taking SCUBA gear along.

• Currently, I have a ScubaPro Knighthawk BCD (back aircell style), shown here and in the above picture. Size M and it weighs XX.

• I also use the Atomic Aquatics SS1 combination inflator/regulator, shown here and in the above picture, in place of the regular ScubaPro inflator and a standard octo. This combination eliminates one hose.

• For the primary regulator, I have the Atomic Aquatics M1 model, shown here, which can be switched between Nitrox and air, should I ever want to get in Nitrox for more bottom time. The top-end T1 model, made of titanium, is much lighter but not cost-effective.

• As the picture above shows, I have only two hoses (one high-pressure and one low-pressure) coming from the tank instead of the usual four for wetsuit diving.

  Using a Suunto Vytec dive computer, shown here with the wireless air integration (AI) option eliminates the third hose. I wear the computer on the wrist and it's easy to monitor my tank pressure, remaining non-decompression time, projected remaining air time (based on the last minute's air consumption), depth and dive time without fiddling or fishing for equipment.

• Back in 2003, I began with lightweight Dacor Tiger fins, a leaky-for-my-face mask and a bulky snorkel, all purchased at the time I knew next to nothing about equipment. Now, I have more powerful Apollo Bio-Fin Pro split-fins in grey, a better-fitting prescription mask from GUL (no worries about contact lenses anymore) and the same ScubaPro Phoenix snorkel, which is bulky and is on the schedule to be replaced.

  Streamlining through body position and the elimination of as many drag items as possible is very important as any swimmer knows. You never know when you have to swim against a current or need extra air-time to get out of trouble.

• I have not picked up a wetsuit yet, which is the final item I need. I do not plan to dive in cold water. I'm hoping to get the Henderson Hyperstretch Aqua Suede when it comes out in late 2004. The idea of a wetsuit that dries almost instantly is of great interest. A soggy, cold wetsuit after your surface interval is not a pleasant thing.

In the end, the payoff is better air consumption and intuitive levels of familiarity, which makes for a better and more enjoyable dive experience.

Sandiway