Main reason I stopped diving or entering water is skin eating bacteria

[DBPacific]

Be safe and use repellents. I do that wherever I go to dive.

Bugs are drawn to me wherever I go plus I'm moderately allergic to them. I put my wetsuit half on to keep my legs safe ASAP. Right now I also have a hat with mosquito netting and a rain jacket that bugs can't bite through as my constant companions. And on top of that, repellent. I've heard a permethrin spray coating clothes will also repel insects and will stay on the clothes for multiple washes. That's on my to-do list for today to try and keep off the rest of the bugs. Hopefully with that I can stop smelling of DEET. Itching under my wetsuit drives me mad. At least the 8C water makes the bites numb when I'm under.

 

[Ana]

Woo wait... The water is finally perfect to go in without a wetsuit, this is not the time to talk about unlikely maybes.
Clean up after your dive and drink a stiff cocktail for follow up.

 

[The Chairman]

If you want to be safe in Florida, click on the hot link that applies to you:

Beach Water Quality

Red Tide Map

Algal Bloom Information

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Health Advisories

 

[STB]

If you want to be safe in Florida, click on the hot link that applies to you:

Beach Water Quality

Red Tide Map

Algal Bloom Information

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Health Advisories

excellent links I I had the red tide bookmarked will save the rest. however I'm convinced the real #s are twice what is published.

the water in the GOM gulf of mexico last weekend was 91* this from the local news for beach goer's. I assume at 80' or deeper basically blue water this temp. # is significantly reduced. I actuelly never go to the beach but have family that love the beach.

as for fly repellents I use the outdoors deet it helps but the biters still bite, I'm hoping the avon skin so soft will save me.

as for wet suit's in this hot water is a no go. I only have a 7mm farmer john.

but also wear a body glove spandex suit either under a suit or on it's own for jelly fish stings
or will jelly fish sting though the spandex.
Thanks Guys for advice

as far as beating a dead horse dude: what if that was you're mother

people need to be informed of the dangers and prepare for the worst.

as for yorgurt maybe the greek yorgurt I make cole w/ is the good bacteria.

I've been upgrading both speargun (w/ reel and float line w/ bungee) and pole spears so I'm kindof ready to get wet when I feel comfortable.
STB

 

[saxman242]

as far as beating a dead horse dude: what if that was you're mother

people need to be informed of the dangers and prepare for the worst.

It's unfortunate that this happen to that lady, but it continues to be a freak incident. Being prepared is important, sure, but one must also be realistic in their risk aversion. The biggest threat to your safety isn't in the water, it's driving to the water.

 

[Reku]

I for one welcome our new flesh eating overlords. It doesn't concern me enough to stop diving. Boats and Jet Skis scare me more than the bacteria.

 

[Lorenzoid]

It's unfortunate that this happen to that lady, but it continues to be a freak incident. Being prepared is important, sure, but one must also be realistic in their risk aversion. The biggest threat to your safety isn't in the water, it's driving to the water.

Exactly. Most people don't live their lives by "preparing for the worst." To lead a reasonably satisfying life, we weigh the risk and decide whether the risk is worth the reward.

 

[michael-fisch]

Bug repellant and latex seals on a drysuit love each other. Before I learned I had to replace almost new neck seals twice on my drysuits.

Michael

 

[The Chairman]

excellent links

Easy enough to find but I will probably never use them. When the water gets above 82 or so, I stay out. I just don't find it relaxing. It's why I live in Cave Country and dive in the aquifer. 68 year round and no cooties.

 

[michael-fisch]

Easy enough to find but I will probably never use them. When the water gets above 82 or so, I stay out. I just don't find it relaxing. It's why I live in Cave Country and dive in the aquifer. 68 year round and no cooties.

Yeah, but the mosquitos in cave country occasionally abduct a nubile young human female that is never seen again.
And the rest of us sometimes need stitches because of the bites.

Michael