ScubaBoard Invasion Central 2016 Philippines

[ROXANNE]

Okay Crew, here's the last T Shirt design!

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[Freakita]

Wow, great designts!!

About the stick and the hook... I´m still and inexperienced diver, so I´m triying to avoid using a stick so I do nt get used to it instead of learning proper buoyancy.
But I´m thinking about the hook, just in case I get anxious in strong current, I think mentally I will feel beter if I know I can hook somewere.

 

[snowdog61]

If you're looking for a muck stick - this was my pick. Decent price, stainless, and a handle. Scuba Tank Banger Dive Aqua Tickle Muck Stick Tool Lung Noise Maker Underwater

 

[Damselfish]

About the stick and the hook... I´m still and inexperienced diver, so I´m trying to avoid using a stick so I do nt get used to it instead of learning proper buoyancy.
But I´m thinking about the hook, just in case I get anxious in strong current, I think mentally I will feel beter if I know I can hook somewere.

Doesn't hurt to take both, but don't get wed to which you should be using or not based on anything other than local conditions (and rules.) When we last dove the Dumaguette area muck sticks are what the guides used on many of the dives, and soon _everyone_ else. We did lots of drifts over sand with scattered stuff. Planting a stick was the way you could stop and look at things, and does not necessarily replace buoyancy control. Hooks wouldn't have been appropriate to use in that area, or been very useful for seeing the stuff you were there to see.

 

[Freakita]

Thanks, that is quite useful information!
I will get a stick for sure.

 

[Audsred]

Hi Freakita,
You typically only use a reef hook on certain dives as the hook would cause to much damage to the reef to use regularly or randomly. I've only used the hook in Palau and on only two dive sites. The divemaster let us know ahead of time if we needed to bring on our dive. the muck stick can be very nice for people who take pictures or video- I used it to balance my camera to keep it steady.

If you have any questions feel free to ask as it always seems each dive location has unique practices or tools

Audrey

 

[Freakita]

Thanks for all the tips, it is really complicated in the begining to understand that there are not perfect practices, and what is OK in one places is not in another.
I read one forum and they are like "Mud sticks are the devil!!" "Reef hoocks kill!" "You are not a good diver if you cannot swim backwards and do a full helicopter with your mask off!!!"

In the reed sea I got really tired in a bad current, my buddy put his hook ona rock and we rested there waiting for that shark to come closer. I thanked it, but it makes sense, is not something you should be doing all the time everywhere

 

[LowVizWiz]

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This is a fantastic video!
I spoiled myself and bought a macro port for christmas.
I need to get out and practice, thanks for the inspiration Dennis.

 

[LowVizWiz]

Hi Freakita,
You typically only use a reef hook on certain dives as the hook would cause to much damage to the reef to use regularly or randomly. I've only used the hook in Palau and on only two dive sites. The divemaster let us know ahead of time if we needed to bring on our dive. the muck stick can be very nice for people who take pictures or video- I used it to balance my camera to keep it steady.

If you have any questions feel free to ask as it always seems each dive location has unique practices or tools

Audrey

I have vivid memories of some of us using forks while diving The Santa Rosa Wall in ripping current during the first Coz. Invasion. I remember trying to hover, masks into the current and as close to the sand as possible while we waited for a group of divers to fly over us and then finding a huge yellow sea horse. I wonder if someone has pictures of that.

 

[MNJoe]

I remember the forks and the people that used them LOL!!!! I also remember we were side by side in that current, at the time we didn't know why we were waiting, then it was our turn. I have pics, but they suck.

And that is why I bought a new camera set up!!!

Keith aka MNJoe