View Full Version : Types of diving
craigdiver
06-07-06, 16:46
I'm quite inexperienced (45 dives), and at the moment enjoy shallow diving <20m which have plenty marine life in the way of fish. I have done a few wrecks (no penetration). I like these shallow dives as i'm quite heavy on air (dive with 12ltr 300bar) and it gives me a good time underwater.
I notice others are into caves (so to speak!:o ), and some into deep diving or wrecks.
Why do you like the type of diving you choose to do?
CraigDiver
Lizardland
06-07-06, 22:29
I do a fair bit of cave diving both in this country and in Europe. It's hard to explain the appeal, there's no life, it's all rock, it can be quite difficult getting into the water (I've been on dives that it's taken a few hours just to get the kit to the water's edge), you're spending a long time underwater. I suppose it's a similar mindset to mountaineering, you use whatever technique to get to a certain point. Cave diving I suppose is about the journey to your final destination rather than the destination itself as in, say, wreck diving.
I really like being in the outdoors, most caves are in mountainous or rugged regions, some really breathtaking scenery. And I like the challenge of it I guess. It's an amazing feeling knowing that there's maybe a mile of water between you and the cave entrance. Some caves also have the best conditions I've ever dived in -- there is one cave in the Alps that I remember being at the top of a big shaft and being able to read the stickers on the diver 50m below me the water was that clear. On the other hand some have the worst conditions I've ever dived, viz so bad that you cannot read your gauges and often very cold water (some places in France are 4deg in the middle of summer).
But I must admit my favourite diving is still probably the reefs around Oban or the Clyde wrecks.
Hi Lizardland have u tried cavern diving. I tried this for the first time 5 years ago in the Cenottes in mexico. Caven diving blew my mind and have been back twice to do diff caverns. The things that appeal to me are u drive to the site, u use a wet suit (temp 19 Deg), the water is gin clear over 100 meters, thats not an exageration. The rock formations are amazing, Stalagtites and stalagmites. Some creatures do live here but they have realy fancy names. Oh and they sell Tequila. What more could a diver ask for.
I think we need to organise a club trip to mexico?
Oh and they sell Tequila.
I think we need to organise a club trip to mexico?
Autumn 2007? Spring 2008?
Lizardland
07-07-06, 12:59
Hi Lizardland have u tried cavern diving. I tried this for the first time 5 years ago in the Cenottes in mexico. Caven diving blew my mind and have been back twice to do diff caverns. The things that appeal to me are u drive to the site, u use a wet suit (temp 19 Deg), the water is gin clear over 100 meters, thats not an exageration. The rock formations are amazing, Stalagtites and stalagmites. Some creatures do live here but they have realy fancy names. Oh and they sell Tequila. What more could a diver ask for.
I think we need to organise a club trip to mexico?
I've dived in Mexico a few years ago, there are some very nice caves there. The formations really are amazing. There is one cave where there is a 10,000yr old human skeleton inside it, about 1/2km inside. Amazing to think someone went that far inside so long ago with just a flame to guide him. There are also some places that have pits with the remains stone age fires still in them, all perfectly preserved underwater.
And they sell ice cold Corona :)
Cheers,
Stuart
Why do you like the type of diving you choose to do?
CraigDiver
Well, my favorite dives are probably wrecks - the ones that are covered in life! And i really enjoy diving intact wrecks too.
Most of the time wrecks act as an artificial reef, and the life on them i find is astounding!
If its an intact wreck its the best - kill two birds with one stone!
Really enjoy fast drifts too - just like flying!
Well, my favorite dives are probably wrecks - the ones that are covered in life! And i really enjoy diving intact wrecks too.
Most of the time wrecks act as an artificial reef, and the life on them i find is astounding!
If its an intact wreck its the best - kill two birds with one stone!
Really enjoy fast drifts too - just like flying!
Yea drift diving the clocest thing to being superman :D