It's every diver's dream: crystal-clear waters, beautiful marine life and an experience of a lifetime. It's a well-known fact that the Red Sea in Egypt has some, if not the best diving available anywhere in the world. From shallow coral reefs to deep wrecks, this place has it all.
Before you can experience the true beauty that the area holds, you will have to be qualified to dive. PADI (The professional association of diving instructors) are the world leaders in teaching diving qualifications. The basic open water qualification will allow you to safely dive to 18 meters (54 feet), which is more than enough to enjoy the diving you'll be taking part in. Visit http://www.padi.com/ for more details on their courses and to locate your nearest center.
It is possible to gain this PADI qualification, and gain others (such as advanced open water diver) whilst you are at the red sea. These are generally cheaper to take abroad, but they will cut down the time you have to do the things you want to do. These can take over 4 days, so if you're going for a week I would highly recommend becoming certified before you leave.
The most popular diving site in the red sea is Ras Mohammed national park. This offers everything a diver dreams about. There are beautiful coral gardens, drop offs and the awe-inspiring Yolanda wreck.
During your dives, don't be surprised if you see corals and animals ranging from lion and clown fish to stingrays, eels and triggerfish. The red sea is one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet, which is why it continues to draw even more divers there each and every year.
Diving in the red sea truly is a remarkable experience that you will never forget. I highly recommend that you do it as soon as possible, as only when you've been to Egypt and know first hand what its like, will you understand how amazing it really is!
If you're thinking of taking a diving holiday to the red sea, there are many different options available. For the full experience of a diving holiday, live a board boats are by far the best value and most fun. However, they do retract from culture which is to be experienced in Egypt. If you are wishing to sight see, it'd be better to stay close to a dive resort, but still on the mainland. The Egyptian economy thrives off of its diving culture, so there are many different places to stay for all types of tastes and budgets.
To get the best out of Egypt and the red sea, it is advisable to go during July and August when the water is at its warmest and there is the best visibility. During these months the water averages around 27 degrees centigrade with at least 30 meter visibility.
So ask yourself; what will you be doing next summer?
Sunday 2 November 2008
4 Skills All Scuba Divers Should Master and Practice
ll SCUBA divers know training is required before diving, that's why PADI and BSAC offer such valuable qualifications. Every diver started somewhere and has somewhat of a mountain to climb of skills that one has to learn to become a true seasoned and skillful diver. These are generally practiced in theory, a pool session then finally on actual dives. This experience is invaluable to any new diver and shouldn't be underestimated.
It takes time to master these skills; some may argue that a qualification and a few open water diving sessions are simply not enough to make a conditioned reaction an instinctive one. Some scuba divers hold many qualifications and a large log who have not even mastered some of the basic diving skills. Some divers disregard the simple aspects we will discuss, however in diving, what you don't know can (and inevitably will) hurt you, so its better to cut your losses, put the work in and make sure you are proficient in your skill and hobby.
1.) Buoyancy Management Skills
Buoyancy seems to be used by divers, to judge other divers ability. Neutral buoyancy allows for a more comfortable dive, more efficient use of air and can potentially stop a serious accident occurring. A minor ascent of 5-6 feet can cause the air in your BCD to expand and send you shooting to the surface if you aren't careful. People have, and continue to be seriously injured by this ever year. Because of this, it is the single most important skill a SCUBA diver can learn. This involves dry suits, weight belts and your BCD.
2.) Swimming
Not all dives are like the red sea, in the UK and colder climates, the temperature can really affect divers, as can currents. You should be physically fit when diving. Most instructors consider it apart of their job. You should too. Swimming back to the boat in a 3 knot current will drain you. Being dive fit will mean you can easily tow another diver, thus saving there life.
3.) Equipment Skills
Knowing your own SCUBA equipment can save your life, and it can save another life too. It goes without saying you should know your own gear like the back of your hand. Make sure if you need to reach for your octopus, your hand instinctively reaches for it. If you need to tighten a D-ring, you know where it is etc. Knowing your gear will mean you don't panic as much, and you know how to react should anything ever happen.
4.) Mask Clearing
As you know, you need an airspace in your mask so your eyes can focus. Getting water in your mask is not only cold and very annoying, it can also potentially be life threatening. Deep diving when a direct ascent to the surface is not available, coupled with diver panic and narcosis and you can have a serious situation. Any diver should be able to swiftly and efficiently clear there mask, if you have any trouble, just keep trying!
It takes time to master these skills; some may argue that a qualification and a few open water diving sessions are simply not enough to make a conditioned reaction an instinctive one. Some scuba divers hold many qualifications and a large log who have not even mastered some of the basic diving skills. Some divers disregard the simple aspects we will discuss, however in diving, what you don't know can (and inevitably will) hurt you, so its better to cut your losses, put the work in and make sure you are proficient in your skill and hobby.
1.) Buoyancy Management Skills
Buoyancy seems to be used by divers, to judge other divers ability. Neutral buoyancy allows for a more comfortable dive, more efficient use of air and can potentially stop a serious accident occurring. A minor ascent of 5-6 feet can cause the air in your BCD to expand and send you shooting to the surface if you aren't careful. People have, and continue to be seriously injured by this ever year. Because of this, it is the single most important skill a SCUBA diver can learn. This involves dry suits, weight belts and your BCD.
2.) Swimming
Not all dives are like the red sea, in the UK and colder climates, the temperature can really affect divers, as can currents. You should be physically fit when diving. Most instructors consider it apart of their job. You should too. Swimming back to the boat in a 3 knot current will drain you. Being dive fit will mean you can easily tow another diver, thus saving there life.
3.) Equipment Skills
Knowing your own SCUBA equipment can save your life, and it can save another life too. It goes without saying you should know your own gear like the back of your hand. Make sure if you need to reach for your octopus, your hand instinctively reaches for it. If you need to tighten a D-ring, you know where it is etc. Knowing your gear will mean you don't panic as much, and you know how to react should anything ever happen.
4.) Mask Clearing
As you know, you need an airspace in your mask so your eyes can focus. Getting water in your mask is not only cold and very annoying, it can also potentially be life threatening. Deep diving when a direct ascent to the surface is not available, coupled with diver panic and narcosis and you can have a serious situation. Any diver should be able to swiftly and efficiently clear there mask, if you have any trouble, just keep trying!
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