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DIVE RIGHT INTO SCUBA

People who love scuba diving love the water--whether it’s being near it, on it, or in it! Whether you’ve never tried diving before or have logged lots of time underwater, it’s easier than ever to dive right in!

Boating and diving provide a natural and easy combination. Boats can take you to some of the world’s best scuba diving, whether it’s in the Atlantic or Pacific, in the Great Lakes, or more “tropical” destinations like the Caribbean, Bermuda, Hawaii, and even further afield. In addition to the Great Lakes, many other inland bodies of water offer great diving options to boaters.

Getting “certified” to go scuba diving has also become much easier (see “Scuba Diving 101” on page 19). Once certified in one of many ways, the world’s water is now your aquarium.

Boaters can get involved in scuba diving in a variety of ways. The primary possibilities include: going to a local dive shop and taking one of their excursions (these typically include the use of their filled tanks of air, as well as the availability of rental scuba gear); renting filled tanks from a dive ship (and possibly gear), then diving on your own with your boat (a popular option for many boaters); owning your own tank and equipment, while using the dive ship for air fills only; and having some sort of onboard system to go diving whenever and wherever your whims (and boat) take you (an option growing in popularity).

Boaters who fall under the spell of the underwater world tend to start out renting their equipment, but they quickly want the flexibility of owning their own gear. This typically includes: mask; fins (often including booties); snorkel (for time floating on the surface); regulator, hoses, and gauges (for breathing and monitoring air consumption); and a buoyancy compensator (BC) and weight belt to control your buoyancy below and on the surface.

Another more recent “equipment” option is something called the Mini-B (www.mini-b.com) system, which some private boaters have come to enjoy for its simplicity. Basically, the Mini-B system combines the BC, regulator, hoses, and gauges into one compact backpack-style unit.  You just add a tank and you’re ready to dive! Boaters using this system will still need to have their tanks filled with air and Mini-B does require either “regular” or Mini-B certification.

Those who prefer diving from their own boat tend to gravitate toward Brownie’s Third Lung systems (www.browniedive.com). They offer a wide range of affordable and flexible options, including gas-powered floating systems and battery-operated options.

Brownie’s Third Lung systems use an air compressor at the surface and a specially-made PVC hose that you use to breathe on and under the surface (referred to as “Hookah”). The beauty of the Hookah system is that it frees you of most of the equipment traditionally involved with diving. Along with the air hose running to the surface, you only need a simple weight belt to control your buoyancy! It’s also one-size-fits-all.

The floating gas-powered systems come in two sizes: F280 (two divers to 80 feet or three divers to 25 feet) and F390 (three divers to 90 feet or four divers to 60 feet). The electrical systems include the E140 (one diver to 60 feet) and the built-in yacht system (two divers to 60 feet), as well as several more “commercial” options and a fun pressurized “snorkel” option. Brownie’s also offers battery-powered systems that can handle one or two divers to 60 feet.

Many boaters, especially those traveling to world-class dive destinations, choose to use a local dive shop for one or more of their diving needs. Most local shops have the air compressor, rental equipment, and local knowledge to make diving enjoyable and safe. Whether it’s simply filling your tank or taking you on a full-outfitted dive excursion, local dive shops can be a boating diver’s best friend above and below the surface.

SIDEBAR
Scuba Diving 101: Easier Than Ever

The two largest certifying organizations are the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI; www.padi.com) and the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI; www.naui.com), but other “certification” possibilities through equipment manufactures like Brownie’s and Mini-B have made scuba diving easier than ever for boaters to enjoy. A certifying piece of plastic from one of them (often called a “C-card”) means the underwater world is easy to open to the cardholder for exploration.

Water lovers will find the typical certification process interesting and easy. The course is approximately thirty hours and divided into three parts: classroom (using a book, CD, or DVD, as well as other visual aids), pool (often called “confined water”), and “open water” instruction. The classroom and pool sessions generally take place at the same time, while the open water dives (typically, four of them) serve as the final test. Most boaters are already comfortable with the water, so it’s just a matter of becoming accustomed to breathing normally while underwater.

The entire certification process can be completed over weeks or packed into a few days at a sunny vacation scuba school. Certification to dive with Brownie’s and Mini-B equipment is even easier, though boaters should still consider doing a “regular” certification in addition to these more specialized dive offerings.

Many wonder when their children can start enjoying the underwater world (once they master snorkeling) and the answers vary. Programs like PADI’s Bubblemaker sessions introduce children as young as eight to supervised use of diving equipment. Several certification agencies offer junior certifications starting at the age of 12. Typically, 15 is the accepted minimum for full scuba certification.

Diving is definitely a great water-based activity for kids--and kids at heart!