BUOYANCY CONTROL
Boracay Scuba Dive - Calypso Dive Center & ResortJuly 31, 2013beaches, boracay, Diving, Education, PADI, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Scuba Courses, Scuba Lesson, Technical
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You moved like a fish
underwater! Why do you still have so much air after your dives and why are you
swimming so close to the reef yet not touching them? These were usually the
comments of my divers when we surfaced after diving. Well, good buoyancy control is usually my
answer to them then the next question will always be… HOW?!?
Proper buoyancy control is
the most important or sometime the most difficult skill for a diver to master
but maintaining neutral buoyancy is the key to easy diving, save more air,
avoiding damage to coral reefs and most important; enjoy the underwater
environment.
When I started diving
25years ago as a teenager, was not doing it for pleasure but was working as a
part time cleaner in a yacht club in Singapore over the weekends to make some
extra bucks for school allowance. I don’t even use a BCD when I was cleaning,
it was just a back mounted with the tank and regulator. I would usually go for
a short dive at the pier after cleaning the yacht, don’t know much about
controlling buoyancy. I was just using my lungs to fine-tune my buoyancy
underwater without the use of a Buoyancy Control Devise (BCD).
I became more involved in
diving when I entered the Army; I was introduced to different types of BCD. I
still remember using it in a swimming pool and trying to perfect in using it. I
was amazed by the Instructors how they were able to control their buoyancy
underwater, moving like a fish; slow and steady. I remembered asking myself how
could I be like them. Years have pass… I have dived for so many years and
certified more than 1500 students of all levels. Taught many students how to
control their buoyancy, how to conserve their air underwater and how to enjoy
the underwater world.
There are many information
written about Buoyancy Control but I am just going to share with you 3 tips on
how to control your buoyancy underwater. Hope these tips can help you to become
a better diver and enjoy the beauty of the underwater world.
1. Are You Properly Weighted?
Divers
usually have the idea of having more weights so that they will not have
problems with their buoyancy underwater, they are afraid of having difficulty
to get into the water but having more weights on will cause drag underwater.
When you feel heavy, you need more effort to move underwater. It is important
for us to be streamline as much as possible when we are underwater.
When
you fully deflated your BCD, do you sink like a stone? If you are then you are
wearing too much weight but if you have difficulty going down even you have fully
deflated the BCD then you are under weight and strongly recommend you to do a
buoyancy check. When you are properly weighted, you should be able to float at
eye level when you hold a normal breath. However; do take note that it differ
when you wear a different thickness or length of wetsuit. You also need to
check again if you use a different BCD.
As
you get more experience underwater you need lesser weights. When I started
diving, I needed 6kg of weights to bring me down but today; I am only using 2kg
of weights using the same length & thickness of wetsuit. As you get more
comfortable underwater, try using lesser weights and you will feel less drag
underwater.
2. Using Your Lungs To Fine Tune Your Buoyancy.
How
do you do that? You are so big in size and you only use 2kg of weights, how?
This is the usual comment of divers when they saw me putting on 2kg of weights
before putting on my BCD. I used my lungs to fine tune buoyancy. Do understand
that your lungs inflate as you inhale and deflate as you exhale.
When
you are going into the water, don’t just deflate your BCD but also exhale as
you go down and you will feel that you will get into the water much easier. As
you are diving underwater, use your lungs to fine-tune your buoyancy. Do
practice on a sandy bottom or swimming pool, trying fining around and breathing
deep and slow. You will see yourself moving gently underwater and use it in
practice, when you are swimming towards a reef, using your lungs to control your
buoyancy underwater.
3. Streamline Yourself.
Are
you having a Christmas tree decoration on your BCD? Do take note by having too
much things on your BCD will cause drag and this may also affect your buoyancy
underwater. Try to streamline yourself, having all hoses in place and do not
have too much things hanging on your BCD.
As
you are diving, do not use your hands as you are swimming. Keep your hands
close to you and move horizontally underwater. Be close to the reefs to enjoy
the beauty without touching or crushing the reefs. You don’t have to position
your body vertically to deflate your BCD underwater. As you are swimming
underwater and if you find that you need to adjust your buoyancy, remember
there is a dump valve situated at the bottom right side of your BCD. Just have
to pull the valve and air will also be released.
If
you would like to know more of controlling your buoyancy underwater to improve
your skills underwater, I recommend you to take up the PADI Peak Performance
Buoyancy Course with Sea World Dive Center. Email peter@seaworldboracay.com or +63
920 970 2728 for more information.
TECHNICAL DIVING
Boracay Scuba Dive - Calypso Dive Center & ResortJuly 30, 2013accommodation, beaches, Boracay Scuba, Education, Instructor Course, Scuba Courses, Sidemount Diving, Technical
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Technical Diving Is Scuba Diving's "Extreme" Sport, Taking Experienced And Qualified Divers Far Deeper Than In Mainstream Recreational Diving. Technical Diving Is Marked By Significantly More Equipment And Training Requirements To Manage The Additional Hazard This Type Of Diving Entails. Tec Diving Isn't For Everyone, But For Those Who Hear Its Challenge Call, The PADI Tec Rec Courses Are The Answer
What Is Technical Diving?
Technical Scuba Diving Is Defined As Diving Other Than Conventional Commercial Or Research Diving That Takes Divers Beyond Recreational Scuba Diving Limits. It Is Further Defined As And Includes One Or More Of The Following: - Diving Beyond 40mMetres Deep. - Required Stage Decompression. - Diving In An Overhead Environment Beyond 40m Of The Surface. - Accelerated Decompression And Or The Use Of Variable Gas Mixtures During The Dive.
Because In Technical Diving The Surface Is Effectively Inaccessible In An Emergency, Tec Divers Use Extensive Methodologies And Technologies And Training To Manage The Added Risks. Even With These, However, Tec Diving Admittedly Has More Risk, Potential Hazard And Shorter Critical Error Chains Than Does Recreational Scuba Diving.
How Long Has Technical Diving Been Around?
How Long Has Technical Diving Been Around?
Tec Diving Not Only Has More Risk, But It Requires Significantly More Effort, Discipline And Equipment. It's Not For Everyone, And You Can Be An Accomplished, Avid Top-Notch Diver Your Entire Life Without Making A Tec Dive. That Said, There's A Cadre Of Individuals Who Want To Visit Places Underwater That Relatively Few People Can. Many Spectacular, Untouched Wrecks Lie At Depths Well Below 40m. Deep Reefs Have Organisms You Don't Find In The Shallows. Some People Enjoy The Challenge And Focus Tec Diving Requires. Still Others Love Being Involved With Cutting Edge Technologies. These Reasons Make Tec Diving Rewarding.
The PADI Tec Rec Difference
The Tec Rec Program Debuted In 2000. Although Tec Rec Is Not The First Tec Diving Program (Cave Diver Training Has Been Around For Decades), It Repeatedly Receives Accolades For Its Merits. - Tec Rec Courses Are Integrated Into An Instructionally Valid, Seamless Course Flow That Takes You From Beginning Tec Diver To One Qualified To The Outer Reaches Of Sport Diving Using Different Gas Mixes. - Each Level Introduces You To New Gear, Planning And Procedures Appropriate To Extend Your Diving Limits. - The Tec Diver Course Is An Integrated Sequence Of Three Sub courses: Tec 40, Tec 45 And Tec 50. You Can Complete Them Continuously Or You Can Complete Each Level Separately With A Time Span Between Them. This Gives You Learning Efficiency, Instructional Integrity And Schedule Flexibility.
The Scuba Gear You'll Use
Prerequisites
- 18 Years Or Older.
- A Mature, Responsible Person Who Will Follow The Required Procedures And Requirements Strictly And Faithfully.
- Medically Fit For Tec Diving (Physician's Signature Required).
- Willing To Accept The Added Risks That Tec Diving Presents.
- An Experienced Diver With At Least 100 Logged Dives.
- Certified As A PADI Enriched Air Diver And PADI Deep Diver Or Equivalent (For This Program Equivalency Is Proof Of Training In Recreational Deep Diving 18m To 40m Consisting Of At Least Four Dives And Training In Nitrogen Narcosis Considerations, Contingency/Emergency Decompression, Making Safety Stops And Air Supply Management OR, Have A Minimum Of 20 Logged Dives Deeper Than 30m)
The Fun Part
The Fun Part Of Tecrec Is Rising To The Challenges As You Dive Deeper And Longer Than Most Divers Ever Do.
PADI TECHNICAL DIVING FLOW CHART
IS MORE FUN IN BORACAY ISLAND...
Boracay Scuba Dive - Calypso Dive Center & ResortJuly 04, 2013accommodation, beaches, boracay, Diving, hotels, packages, people., resorts, Scuba, scuba diving, tours, travel
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Boracay Island was awarded by Travel Advisor as the bes't beaches in Asia for 2012 and was also rated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world by Yahoo Travel in 2008 and in spite of the economic downturn in the world. There is a tremendous growth of 41% tourists in 2012 compare to 2011. The Government of the Philippines are doing as much to boast the travel industry in the Philippines especially; Boracay Island. Is indeed more fun in the Philippines but it is even more fun in Boracay Island!
Boracay Island is the no. 1 most visited island in the Philippines, not just the Filipinos taking a break in this island but a growth of travellers from Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Countries from Asia. There is also an increase of travellers from America & Europe especially the Russians.
There are 4 airlines that fly directly to Caticlan Airport and which airlines provide at least 8 schedules of flights a day. There are even more flights heading to Kalibo Airport, about 2hours away from Boracay Island. There are many connecting flight from different Domestic Airport in Philippines such as Manila, Clark, Cebu & Davao to Kalibo Airport. Since 2008, Kalibo Airport has turned into an International Airport with direct flights from Korea, Taiwan and different major cities in China.
The 4km White Beach known to be the "Finest beach in the world" with the surrounding water shallow and the sand is finer and brighter than most of the beaches in the archipelago. It feels like treading on miles of baby powders and enjoying the sunset of Boracay.
There are more than 100 resorts to be chosen in the Island of Boracay. The World most well known Hotels & Resorts Chain; Shangri-La is situated at the northern part of the island with over 300 rooms. There are also numerous Tripe AAA Resorts in the Island that are accredited by The Philippines Department of Tourism. There are also cheap accommodations to accommodate budget travellers.
Bargain shopping is a joy of a diversion while in Boracay Island. There are numerous souvenir shops in the island providing endless possibilities from trinkets and native accessories made of semi-precious stones to exotic or contemporary beach wear and fashion artworks. Dining is no problem in Boracay with most resorts having their own restaurants that serve both Filipino and International cuisines. There are also numerous restaurants at d'Mall and small snack bars line in the island. There are numerous Sea Sports Activities in the island, don't have time to feel bored. In the evening, there are many bars to be visited.
For more information of Boracay Island, please log on to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boracay.
GOLDEN TREE SPA BORACAY
Boracay Scuba Dive - Calypso Dive Center & ResortJuly 03, 2013Boracay Scuba, Education, Instructor Development, My Teacher_Steven Lim, PADI, Scuba Lesson, Sidemount Diving, spa, Technical
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Golden Tree Spa is located at Lapus Lapus Boracay
specializes in Stone Massage Therapy. It was designed in modern theme providing
an ambience of well-being and total relaxation and offers a holistic range of
touch therapy and restores to balance your mind and body.
Stone Massage Therapy creates a deeply relaxing and
healing treatment that helps the body’s energy and blood circulation. Using
both pressure and placement of warm stones on the body and combined with aroma
therapy, this therapeutic massage restores energy flow.
Your guests will be greeted by our therapists upon
arriving at the spa and you will be served with our authentic Marongay Herbal
Tea, its call The Tree of Miracle that provides lots of vitamins to the body.
There are 4 Aroma Oil to choose: Lavender, Peppermint, Green Spa and
Eucalyptus. Guests will be guided to the room by our therapists, we have 18
private rooms and every room have a private toilet and shower amenities. There
are over 30 therapists ready to serve you and your guests. While massaging,
your guests can enjoy the view of Boracay Sea and peaceful music of the spa.
Time of Session:
1. 1000hrs –
1200hrs
2. 1330hrs –
1530hrs
3. 1600hrs –
1800hrs
4. 1900hrs –
2100hrs
5. 2130hrs –
2330hrs
We provide pick up and drop off services in any place
in Boracay Island, guests are required to be in the spa 15mins before the start
of session. Is advisable to be picked up 30mins before the start of session.