FL Lobster Season 2014 - Know Before You Go. Be Prepared, Be Safe, Happy Hunting

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Status
Not open for further replies.

mselenaous

Island girl
ScubaBoard Supporter
Scuba Instructor
Messages
5,118
Reaction score
1,965
Location
Key Largo, FL... Dive Capital of the World
# of dives
I just don't log dives
Each year divers from all over descend upon Florida for the annual recreational lobster season. This year "mini-season" is on July 30-31, 2014.
Each year the number in diving and boating accidents, near-missed, and sadly fatalities sky-rockets.
Here are some things to keep in mind:

A few profound words from Diver's Alert Network


These are FWC's websites:



There is also a NEW FL Dive Flag Law.
That discussion is here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...orida-dive-flag-law-coming-july-1-2014-a.html

There are plenty of threads on this subject of past learning experiences. Feel free to search the Accidents & Incidents Forum and the Florida Forum.

Additionally, there are multiple events throughout the state promoting safe lobstering practices while having fun.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-diving/482121-bugfest-sea-lobster-mini-season-2014-a.html

Please stay close to your vessel. Divers can get caught up in current easily. Keep someone on the boat who is capable of driving the boat, following and retrieving divers, and who will remain sober enough to recognize problems and react quickly. And this gadget can be immensely helpful, when :censored: hits the fan.
Don't let this happen to you: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...63171-more-near-misses-incidents-fl-keys.html

Here is my 2psi worth of advise:

​My first mini-season, I had 3 rescues on day 1 and have avoided being anywhere near lobster opener madness since. Yes I lost a dive club buddy on a lobster opener when he ran out of air at 90 ft desperate to take home his limit.

If you search, you will find a large number of dive & boating accidents, fatalities, & near misses occur at this time every year!
If you must join in:
Make sure your dive skills are dialed-in, current and refreshed.
Dive sites that you already know.
Don't attempt a dive you haven't done before, like jumping in 1 hr before sunrise if you've never done a night dive, or dive deeper than your experience level.
Ensure your gear is in top notch working condition.
Do NOT insta-buddy with a stranger for hunting. Divers have become so task focused on the hunt, that they lose focus of their buddy, their gas management, and even self-preservation.
Same applies to boating. Go with a paid charter where the professional captain is focused on your safety, rather than an unknown private boat where you dont know the skill level (or sobriety) of everyone aboard or if the boat has all the safety gear like O2 kit and AED.
Watch out for the mosquito fleet of Captain Morgans, Ensign Budweisers, & Gilligans driving out there who don't see you & your flag in their path.

No lobster is worth your life. Please stay focused on safety.

I think I will go cave diving

Happy Diving!
Elena
 

Attachments

  • Lobster_Brochure.pdf
    464.6 KB · Views: 79
Status
Not open for further replies.
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

Back
Top Bottom