| Night diving conveys a different kind of thrill. Most | | | | thickness and a full suit type at that. To heighten |
| likely, the diver will discover a different environment | | | | insulation, comfort and protection, a pair of neoprene |
| under the sea that can't be observed during the day. | | | | gloves and boots will perfectly match your gear. |
| Exciting new creatures come to life during the night | | | | 3. Prepare the Right Scuba Equipment. Considering |
| that light up the corals with their their | | | | the temperature and visibility profile of a night dive, |
| bioluminescence. But the potential hazards of diving as | | | | seasoned divers would always recommend the use |
| an underwater activity is magnified when conducted | | | | of more specialized scuba diving equipment (along |
| in total darkness or in low-visibility dive locations. Night | | | | with a spare), particularly the regulator set and |
| divers need to keep in mind the following safety | | | | cylinder. An unbalanced first stage regulator would |
| guidelines to help them find their way through the | | | | suffice when diving recreational depths. But if you |
| dark waters: | | | | intend to go beyond that, better use a balanced |
| | | | regulator set to sustain the same level of breathing |
| 1. Take note of the Dive Site. It is a prerequisite to | | | | at all depths and irregardless of pressure. Meanwhile, |
| dive on a site you're familiar with. So during the day | | | | what is recommended for deeper dives in cold |
| where visibility is better, take the initiative to observe | | | | water, low visibility conditions (requiring longer periods |
| the site and get to know the trail at a preferable | | | | of decompression) is the use of an additional cylinder |
| depth of 60 feet. | | | | tank, apart from carrying a pony bottle. |
| 2. Be Comfortable with Your Gear. Your scuba gear is | | | | 4. Check Your Lights. Backup lights come in handy |
| your make or break into diving, so make sure that it | | | | during periods of emergency or when you are simply |
| is something you've worn before and pre-tested of | | | | longing to observe marine life at night. Also, be |
| its reliability, but nevertheless still in its topmost | | | | conscious of the way you handle your lights so as |
| condition. As much as possible get a good neoprene | | | | not to cause eye strain on your fellow divers and on |
| wetsuit to insulate your body effectively during a | | | | passing-by fishes as well! |
| night dive. The depths can be particularly chilly during | | | | 5. Always dive with a Companion. Buddies need to |
| the night, even in tropical dive spots. If you intend to | | | | stay closer to each other on this particular dive so |
| dive beyond the standard recreational depths, It | | | | that they can be on the lookout for each other and |
| would be best to get a wetsuit with a denser torso | | | | convey important signals in the dark. |