Night Diving Question

[AfterDark]

I enjoy night diving and have since the very 1st one. I always encourge those that are capable to do it, that being said the best advice was already given by DCBC in post 6. I would add use a lanyard on your light secure it to your BC/harness and a switch lock on your backup light so you can tuck it away with it getting switched on inadverently. Enjoy!

 

[Aquabear]

Previous posts gave good advice.
I say go.

Nite diving is pretty cool- no awesome!! but it's not for everyone. Most people do fine (my wife loves it and shes an OW newbie similar to your profile) but I did have a tuff NYC cop who - lets just say it just wasn't for him.

The shop ur using to nite dive may rent lights, I 'd say rent them (primary n backup)unless you plan to dive somewhat regularly. If so, I'd buy/own at least a small backup light and carry it with you even on a daytime dive - you'll be happy you did when looking under a rock to see that cleaner shrimp and take a pic!

Have a blast when you go!
Post the trip info when you get back

 

[Garrobo]

Night dive certified? What a joke. PADI thinks of everything, don't they? That is, how to make money. What's next, 30 meter shoes?

 

[keithdiver]

i agree, they have a cert. for anything and everything.

 

[RonFrank]

Night dive certified? What a joke. PADI thinks of everything, don't they? That is, how to make money.

Ahh let the PADI bashing begin! EVERY agency has a certification for just about everything. I find nothing wrong with that.

Some divers feel the need to have an instructor along when doing new things, or they want a structured supervised environment. PADI and other agencies recognize that need, and regardless of if some divers believe that the training is worthles, IMO training is rarely bad. Training can help newer divers build confidence and feel comfortable. I know a lot of good instructors, and have watched them train. They do their best, and the student benifits from having an experienced instructor watch their back.

So what exactly is wrong with that?

 

[AfterDark]

Ahh let the PADI bashing begin! EVERY agency has a certification for just about everything. I find nothing wrong with that.

Some divers feel the need to have an instructor along when doing new things, or they want a structured supervised environment. PADI and other agencies recognize that need, and regardless of if some divers believe that the training is worthles, IMO training is rarely bad. Training can help newer divers build confidence and feel comfortable. I know a lot of good instructors, and have watched them train. They do their best, and the student benifits from having an experienced instructor watch their back.

So what exactly is wrong with that?

Absolutely nothing as long as it's a choice. Night diving is something that can be learned by doing it with a person / people who do it if someone chooses to. I remember chuckling at the night diver patch that came out when the cert 1st came out. We thought it was cute. I just don't want to see the night when the charter wants a night diving cert.:shocked2:

 

[Scubaguy62]

I am a newly certified diver having completed OW certification about a month ago. Since becoming certified I have done two quarry dives with my buddy (my fiance who also just got certified). We did those dives on our own with no assistance or supervision from any dive master. We are going on a cruise this weekend in the Caribbean and will be stopping in the Bahamas for a day.

We are signed up for a two tank dive with Stuart Cove's, and had to limit ourselves to the afternoon dive as our boat doesn't dock early enough for the morning dive. We would also have time to do their night dive, but I am not sure if that is something a newly certified diver should be doing. Their website only requires that you be a certified diver, not an advanced diver or even having taken the night diving class.

My question is should we wait until we have more experience before doing a night dive, or is it ok to go ahead and do one? If so, should we ask about hiring an extra DM to accompany us on the dive? Is night diving in the Bahamas that much different from diving in the day other than having a light?

Night diving is a whole lot of fun and quite peaceful. The suggestion of whether you're comfortable with it is a good one, but how can you be comfortable with something you haven't tried? Buoyancy control is paramount at night, because of the loss of reference and you can get disoriented quite rapidly. I'll share with you what helped me when I started night diving; I walked into a fairly large and dark room at night, and closed my eyes for a short while. Then I opened my eyes and turned on a flash light. After about 10 minutes, I felt at home.

Remember that your vision will be affected at night as well and bright lights can temporarily destroy your night vision.

If you and your fiance feel comfortable with your daytime diving skills, go for it. Do hire a DM or an Instructor to monitor you, not to "babysit" you.

The Bahamas are nice and Stuart Coves is a very good dive operator. But remember that if for some reason you become uncomfortable, when in doubt, don't.

Good luck!

 

[Dantheengineer]

All good advice

Remember to have a good look up as you surface tho. You dont get as good peripheral vision with a flashlight and a boat on the head can tarnish an otherwise great dive!

FYI Coves normally require a minimum of six divers (or the equivalent cost) to do the night dive.
Lemme know if you need more bodies and i'll be happy to roust a few locals and join you.
Two night dives off the beach this week alone leaves one hoping for sites further out and away from shore!

Not Saturday night tho, we're off to the Blue hole to see the night time Silkies and the Loggerhead if it's still there!

The Will Laurie and the Vulcan Bomber at the Bond Wrecks both have fantastic soft corals that light up beautifully under torch light at night. The Will Laurie's a little more interesting as it's larger and near some reef too, but it is deeper. (VB's approx 40': WL's about 65')

Good luck!

 

[SnapSlap]

I would be hesitant to do a night dive already. Make sure you are 100% comfortable with all of your gear before doing this. Bring 2 sources of light!

 

[austriandiveress]

I agree that it can be very disorinenting; one of my first night dives was in Egypt, and the complete blackness really did bother me : not to be able to see which way was up; no sun nor surface lights; this disorientation affected my buoyancy as well. But now i love night dives, as there is truely a lot to see.
Do work out and practice how you will make important signals to one another with the lights; with one hand holding the flashlight you will have to make a few modifications; you can do this before the trip. If you are both really comfortable with this, then go for it.