Though ocean currents are unpredictable and harmful at occasions, when Mom Nature affords a manageable push in the best path, the end result is likely one of the most enjoyable underwater experiences doable: drift diving.
At locations world wide well-known for this low-effort type of diving — South Florida, Tobago, British Columbia, Cozumel, French Polynesia, Palau, Indonesia, the Maldives and Crimson Sea — flying at excessive pace over scenic reefs the place large pelagics come to feed and play is a rush each diver ought to expertise. However to benefit from the trip safely, particular strategies, planning and tools issues should be made. For an professional’s perspective, I tapped Tim Massimino from Scuba Membership Cozumel. The Chicago native turned a dive teacher on the Mexican island in 1976, and he’s spent the previous 39 years incomes his underwater wings in among the most prime drift-diving circumstances on the planet.
“It’s all the time finest to take heed to the divemaster’s briefings and ask questions when you’re undecided about one thing,” Massimino says. “Watch the divers who’ve extra expertise than you, and you’ll be taught from their actions.”
Listed below are 5 of Massimino’s finest suggestions:
STREAMLINE YOUR KIT
“One of the best recommendation for drift diving is to streamline your tools, and ensure your hoses are safe and never dangling about,” says Massimino. Currents can exacerbate the potential hazards of an unruly package, together with entanglement and harm to the reef. Robust currents can rip first phases from mouths and swat masks off faces, so it pays to be aware and transfer your head slowly. He additionally advises to “all the time have a floor marker buoy and a whistle with you in case you floor away from the boat.” And apply the right way to use them earlier than the necessity arises.
CREATE A DRIFT-SPECIFIC PROFILE
Present complicates logistics. Your dive plan must be knowledgeable by up-to-date native data of the circumstances, and compensate for the added variables of pace and path.
“A standard mistake is swimming with the present,” says Massimino. Powered by the move, “you would possibly really feel like Superman, however you’ll cowl an excessive amount of reef too rapidly and probably run out of reef earlier than you run out of air.”
And know when to name the dive. “When you’ll be able to’t management the tempo of the dive, you would possibly expend extra vitality than you’re used to and get winded,” he says.
FOCUS ON NEUTRAL BUOYANCY
Practising correct buoyancy on each dive will not be solely safer, however additionally it is extra accountable. With the added velocity of a drift dive, it may be harder to keep away from collisions, and this diminished stage of management may be harmful to you — and the reef.
“Sustaining impartial buoyancy permits the diver to actually get pleasure from the most effective advantages of drift diving, which isn’t having to expend vitality to journey over the reef,” says Massimino.
Making small changes together with your respiration and steering subtly together with your physique could make the distinction between a easy flight and a demolition derby.
USE THE REEF TO CATCH A BREAK
Make the most of topography to your benefit. “Learn to discover the pure areas the place you’ll be able to duck down and get out of the present,” Massimino says. Search shelter behind coral heads, in pockets or small caves of the wall or different structural options, and within the lee of huge filter-feeding sponges, that are sometimes sturdy and plentiful on reefs swept by sturdy, nutrient-rich currents. Marine life invented this system; the quiet locations are additionally prime for critter recognizing.
RIDE THE WAVE
To dial instantly into the energy and path of the move, Massimino recommends watching the fish. “They normally face into the present and swim at a tempo that maintains their place,” he says.
And when you’re compelled to cease to benefit from the view, take {a photograph} or look ahead to a buddy; don’t kick into overdrive. “Gradual, regular kicks will all the time win out over quick and livid finning,” says Massimino.
Though ocean currents are unpredictable and harmful at occasions, when Mom Nature affords a manageable push in the best path, the end result is likely one of the most enjoyable underwater experiences doable: drift diving.
At locations world wide well-known for this low-effort type of diving — South Florida, Tobago, British Columbia, Cozumel, French Polynesia, Palau, Indonesia, the Maldives and Crimson Sea — flying at excessive pace over scenic reefs the place large pelagics come to feed and play is a rush each diver ought to expertise. However to benefit from the trip safely, particular strategies, planning and tools issues should be made. For an professional’s perspective, I tapped Tim Massimino from Scuba Membership Cozumel. The Chicago native turned a dive teacher on the Mexican island in 1976, and he’s spent the previous 39 years incomes his underwater wings in among the most prime drift-diving circumstances on the planet.
“It’s all the time finest to take heed to the divemaster’s briefings and ask questions when you’re undecided about one thing,” Massimino says. “Watch the divers who’ve extra expertise than you, and you’ll be taught from their actions.”
Listed below are 5 of Massimino’s finest suggestions:
STREAMLINE YOUR KIT
“One of the best recommendation for drift diving is to streamline your tools, and ensure your hoses are safe and never dangling about,” says Massimino. Currents can exacerbate the potential hazards of an unruly package, together with entanglement and harm to the reef. Robust currents can rip first phases from mouths and swat masks off faces, so it pays to be aware and transfer your head slowly. He additionally advises to “all the time have a floor marker buoy and a whistle with you in case you floor away from the boat.” And apply the right way to use them earlier than the necessity arises.
CREATE A DRIFT-SPECIFIC PROFILE
Present complicates logistics. Your dive plan must be knowledgeable by up-to-date native data of the circumstances, and compensate for the added variables of pace and path.
“A standard mistake is swimming with the present,” says Massimino. Powered by the move, “you would possibly really feel like Superman, however you’ll cowl an excessive amount of reef too rapidly and probably run out of reef earlier than you run out of air.”
And know when to name the dive. “When you’ll be able to’t management the tempo of the dive, you would possibly expend extra vitality than you’re used to and get winded,” he says.
FOCUS ON NEUTRAL BUOYANCY
Practising correct buoyancy on each dive will not be solely safer, however additionally it is extra accountable. With the added velocity of a drift dive, it may be harder to keep away from collisions, and this diminished stage of management may be harmful to you — and the reef.
“Sustaining impartial buoyancy permits the diver to actually get pleasure from the most effective advantages of drift diving, which isn’t having to expend vitality to journey over the reef,” says Massimino.
Making small changes together with your respiration and steering subtly together with your physique could make the distinction between a easy flight and a demolition derby.
USE THE REEF TO CATCH A BREAK
Make the most of topography to your benefit. “Learn to discover the pure areas the place you’ll be able to duck down and get out of the present,” Massimino says. Search shelter behind coral heads, in pockets or small caves of the wall or different structural options, and within the lee of huge filter-feeding sponges, that are sometimes sturdy and plentiful on reefs swept by sturdy, nutrient-rich currents. Marine life invented this system; the quiet locations are additionally prime for critter recognizing.
RIDE THE WAVE
To dial instantly into the energy and path of the move, Massimino recommends watching the fish. “They normally face into the present and swim at a tempo that maintains their place,” he says.
And when you’re compelled to cease to benefit from the view, take {a photograph} or look ahead to a buddy; don’t kick into overdrive. “Gradual, regular kicks will all the time win out over quick and livid finning,” says Massimino.
