Signs and Symptoms of Decompression Sickness

Every time we enter the water as scuba divers we’re entering an alien environment. There are inherent risks and, no matter what your personal background, qualification or skill level, the laws of physics remain consistent. We all face the possibility of contracting decompression sickness (DCS), also called caisson disease or the bends. What are the signs and symptoms of decompression sickness, and how do we mitigate our risks? Here’s what to look for and how you can do your best to avoid it.

When does DCS occur?

Decompression sickness manifests after inadequate decompression following exposure to increased ambient pressure while scuba diving. Some instances are mild and not immediately life-threatening while other instances can be quite serious, even deadly. If you get DCS, the more swiftly you begin treatment, the greater likelihood that you’ll recover fully.

Students learn the basics of DCS during initial open-water training. Many factors can predispose you to DCS, including illness, age, alcohol or drug use, extreme heat or cold, old injuries, proneness to blood clotting, obesity, medication, lack of sleep, extreme fatigue and dehydration.

Nitrogen bubbles forming at the joints are the cause of the joint pain experienced in a classical “bend.” However, the signs and symptoms of decompression sickness are also quite wide-ranging and, in some cases, divers may confuse them with other causes, leading to an incorrect diagnosis.

Essentially, we break down signs and symptoms into ‘Type 1’ and ‘Type 2.’

Type 1 symptoms of DCS

DCS Type 1 symptoms are generally milder and less immediately critical than Type 2 DCS symptoms.

Type 1 is often identified with musculoskeletal pain, such as the classic pain the joints at the elbow or knee. Alternatively, or sometimes in addition, they may also include skin symptoms. Skin manifestations include mild rashes and itching, which may present on the torso, such as around the stomach, chest or shoulders. Sometimes Type 1 DCS is associated with obstruction of the lymphatic system. Tissues surrounding the lymph nodes — such as in the armpits, behind the ears or in the groin area — may become painful.

Left untreated, symptoms of Type 1 DCS can intensify and become acutely painful. For example, a Type 1 DCS issue may originate as a gentle, throbbing ache in the elbow and increase in severity. Many divers instinctively clutch painful limbs in these cases, as holding the limb in one stable position may reduce discomfort.

Many divers experiencing these symptoms will impulsively deny that it’s DCS. Often, they’ll ascribe their symptoms to non-diving problems, such as straining when lifting their bags onto the boat. 

Type 2 symptoms of DCS

Considerably more serious and, potentially, life-threatening, Type 2 DCS symptoms characteristically fall into three categories: inner ear, neurological and cardiopulmonary.

Inner-ear symptoms may include a sensation of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or hearing loss. Linked to inner-ear damage, other symptoms may include dizziness or vertigo and, as a side-effect of that, impaired balance, nausea and vomiting.

Neurological symptoms may include numbness, a ‘pins and needles’ sensation in the limbs, or muscle weakness. This may also manifest in difficulty walking and the patient struggling to support his body weight. Physical coordination may diminish, and subjects may appear confused, lacking clarity and alertness. Bladder control can be affected as well, with some patients desperately needing to pass water but unable to do so.

Cardiopulmonary symptoms include a dry cough and difficulty breathing. This is sometimes referred to as having “the chokes.” Some patients report pain in the chest behind the breastbone and suffer dyspnea, a struggle to breathe. These are some of the most serious symptoms as the issues compromise the lungs’ ability to function.

Recognition and acceptance

In the most severe cases, signs and symptoms of decompression sickness can appear even before surfacing, during ascent or immediately on reaching the surface. Those outlined above usually appear within 15 minutes of surfacing, however, but may occur up to 12 hours after the end of the dive. The likelihood of symptoms developing after that window of time is low. However, symptoms may occur, especially if the diver flies home before the recommended time at sea level has passed.

Symptom denial is often a problem for divers. An instance of DCS is sometimes associated with divers making a mistake — overstaying their time limits at depth or ascending too quickly, for example. This stigmatization leads divers to hide or misattribute their symptoms rather than seeking assistance. In many cases, however, a diver will have done everything right and dived a safe plan, but a combination of predisposing factors led to the problem.

Divers in denial will assign the symptoms to another cause — tight exposure suits, heavy lifting, or even sea sickness often blamed rather than a possible instance of DCS. However, denial simply delays assitance as the diver hopes the symptoms will subside on their own. In some cases, symptoms may remain mild or even go away by themselves. Often, however, they strengthen in severity until you must seek medical attention, and they may have longer-term repercussions.

Treating DCS

If you feel unwell after a dive, tell someone. You may simply have a headache after a dive, most likely a symptom of overexertion, heavy breathing or dehydration. But if you’re experiencing any of the DCS symptoms outlined above following a dive, acknowledge them. If you’re diving independently with buddies, let them know your symptoms and consider if DCS might be to blame. If you’ve planned your dive trip correctly you’ll have oxygen, first aid kit and an emergency assistance plan in place. Now is the time to enact it. If you have any doubts, call DAN or your local emergency-assistance provider.

If you’re on a dive boat such as a liveaboard, tell the dive crew. The vessel’s trip leader will make an initial assessment of the situation. If they suspect DCS it will often be classified as an ‘emergency,’ (immediately life-threatening), ‘urgent’ (the diver is in severe pain but is stable) or ‘timely’ (symptoms are either inconsistent or have progressed slowly for several days). A responsible dive operator will have an emergency assistance plan onboard, administer immediate first aid and monitor the patient’s condition. They will simultaneously gather dive data for the past 48 hours and liaise with DAN and/or local EMS or chamber facilities to arrange the evacuation of the patient as required. 

Scuba diving is a safe sport. Nevertheless, diving safely and staying mindful of the predisposing factors of DCS — and how to recognize symptoms if they occur — will help you get the necessary treatment quicker and lessen the chances of long-term residual symptoms.

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Self-Care, A-Z: What Is Your Calm?

My calm is giving myself permission to be still; to do some things, and not all things; do this and not that. What is your calm?

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Celebrating the Anniversary of the Mary Rose

As part of the 35^th anniversary celebrations last year, divers who originally worked on the wreck of the Mary Rose in the 1970s and 1980s returned to the Mary Rose Museum for a special reunion. The famous Tudor ship sank in 1545, raised from the sea in 1982 by a team of dedicated divers.

Highlights of the reunion

For the first time since the wreck was out of the water, divers could see the whole internal structure of the Mary Rose without either the spraying system or drying tubes masking its structure.

 Divers were able to look into the areas they excavated and see the ship’s Tudor artifacts — some of which they might have lifted themselves — displayed in the three long, mirror-image galleries opposite the ship. As they enjoyed dinner in one of the galleries, the divers could also observe the ship through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Alex Hildred, now the Mary Rose Museum’s head of research and curator of ordnance and human remains, and Christopher Dobbs, head of interpretation and maritime archaeology, were among key staff who welcomed former colleagues from around the world. Old friends were some of the 500 divers who helped to excavate the ship. Even today, the project remains the largest underwater archaeological excavation ever undertaken.

The group reminisced about their shared experiences, focusing not only on the recovery of the ship but also on the discovery of thousands of Tudor objects contained inside.

“It was lovely to see so many of the old team, many of whom we hadn’t seen in years, if not decades,” says Hildred. “Diving on the wreck was always exciting, in spite of the poor underwater visibility and challenging conditions in the Solent. Our common goal at the time, the recovery of the Mary Rose, will forever bind the divers.”

“The recovery and subsequent raising of the Mary Rose were tremendously exciting to all of us who took part in the dives,” adds Dobbs. “The anniversary reunions not only enable us to look back at the past but also show that the Mary Rose project is a rich, ongoing project. We present the stories in the new museum in a way that is relevant to non-museum goers and to a twenty-first century audience.”

Festival of Archaeology

The anniversary celebrations also included the Festival of Archaeology. Through talks, special guests and hands-on activities, the museum team showcased the world’s largest underwater excavation, aiming to inspire future archaeologists.

The festival’s “Meet the Mary Rose divers” event enabled visitors to join some of the key members of the dive teams and hear first-hand about the trials and tribulations of excavating underwater.

To mark the 35^th anniversary, the Mary Rose also hosted two days of lectures, featuring historians and underwater archaeologists.

Going ballistic — science meets conservation

Years earlier, divers had also raised more than 1,200 of the Mary Rose cannonballs from the seabed. But as seawater and iron are incompatible, corrosion had started to eat away at the metal, weakening the cannonballs’ structure.

Fast forward to 2018 and a ground-breaking partnership between the Mary Rose Museum, University College London and Diamond Light Source. The Mary Rose’s head of conservation Dr. Eleanor Schofield and her colleagues have been working at the cutting-edge of conservation science to protect and preserve the huge haul of cannonballs.

In a contradictory twist, however, the only way to uncover how to preserve the cannonballs has been to sacrifice the integrity of a few. The decision was made in June 2017 to cut a segment from less than 1 percent of the entire collection in order to save the rest.

The cut cannonballs were set in a resin and studied using the very bright light from a synchrotron, which reveals how iron changes as it rusts. This allows development of new protective techniques.

“People often ask me what science has to do with the Mary Rose; the answer is everything,” says Dr. Schofield. “We need the detail Diamond offers because this process often starts at the cellular and molecular level. Science is a vital part of conservation, and it’s great to know that we’re playing our part in preserving our cultural heritage.”

As such, the ship is an ongoing conservation project and divers involved in its recovery have helped raise magnificent Tudor treasures that continue to fascinate young and old alike. It is indeed a must-experience British icon, both enriching and entertaining. A world-class Tudor attraction, the Mary Rose is the like of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

By guest author Martin Macdonald

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Diving as an Adaptive Buddy

Recreational scuba diving appeals to people of all backgrounds. Recently, scuba diving has appealed to people with physical challenges and disabilities, due to the lack of constraints they may feel underwater and to the social aspects of the sport and lifestyle. Our previous article examined how dive professionals can qualify to certify divers with disabilities. Here, we’ll look at considerations for the recreational diver who dives regularly as an adaptive buddy.

Disabled divers may not generally need a dedicated guide unless conditions are quite challenging at a specific site. Often just having a buddy who understands a few specific procedures can be enough. Most people, while happy to help, might hesitate for fear of offending or saying the wrong thing to a disable diver. Usually, however, a certified diver with a physical challenge has been through rehabilitation. He or she is open-minded when it comes to assistance and how others perceive their injury.

A potential adaptive buddy can simply begin by asking if they need any additional assistance aside from the typical buddy check. Ask if their equipment differs in any way and how, for your own benefit as well. Here, we’ve outlined a few more things to note when it comes to diving as an adaptive buddy.

Surface assistance

On the boat or shore, a disabled diver will usually need the same or a bit more assistance as an able-bodied diver. They may need help gearing up or getting to the entry point to start the dive. They may also need a bit more time, so get ready in a shaded area and have lots of drinking water on hand, especially in warm, tropical locations. Divers with muscular dystrophy or paraplegics and amputees may prefer to don their gear at the water’s surface.

If there are strong surface currents they may need assistance to keep from drifting at the surface, on the descent/ascent, and on the safety stop. The diver may also prefer to remove his gear when exiting the water, so be prepared to take it. They may also need minor assistance in pulling themselves onto the boat or support on a shore exit.

Divers with hearing issues will struggle with verbal warnings and alerts. Make sure they understand potential hazards via written cues during the dive briefing. Be extra observant underwater.

Underwater

Amputees, paraplegics, and divers with muscular dystrophy may have higher-than-normal air consumption rates if they need to work physically harder to swim underwater.  If so, keep an eye on their air, particularly in currents. Help the diver with trim or buoyancy adjustments during the surface interval to improve air consumption on subsequent dives.

Forget the reflex to use hand clapping or tank bangers as an audio signal for deaf divers. Rather, observe in awe as two deaf divers have a coherent conversation underwater.

You can learn more about how to be an adaptive buddy in various agency training courses. In late 2017, PADI launched the Adaptive Support Diver course. Other organizations such as Disabled Divers International (DDI) offer courses as well.

Utila Dive Center has integrated the PADI/IAHD Adaptive Instructor program into its Instructor development training and offers Adaptive Dive partner training with PADI and IAHD as well.

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How to report stolen Instagram content.

In a perfect world, no one would ever steal photos or videos. But in this world, you need to know how to report stolen Instagram content.

What do I mean by stolen Instagram content? When someone takes an original video or photo that you’ve posted and shares it as their own without giving you credit. That’s intellectual property theft and it sucks.

The good news is that Instagram does actually have an official way to report stolen content, and they usually do take action on the reports if you take the time to file one.

Continue reading How to report stolen Instagram content. at Diamonds in the Library.

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Blue Shark Diving in Rhode Island

In the warm(ish) summer waters of New England, 30 to 50 miles (50 to 80 km) off the coast of Rhode Island, divers will find some of the world’s best blue- and mako-shark diving. Although the waters still only range from 60 to 70 F (15 to 21 C), the blue shark diving in Rhode Island from June through September is worth the chill. The ocean here is bursting with life this time of year, filled with nourishment for the migrating sharks.

Blue shark diving in Rhode Island

Numerous shark-diving operators depart from southern New England harbors in search of these sleek predators. Many run cage-dives, which allow for a safe interaction. Several of them, however, offer the chance to swim with sharks outside the cage, offering divers the chance to experience the shark’s world in close proximity to the animals themselves.

Most Rhode Island shark charters attempt to lure the sharks with chum, although of course a sighting is not guaranteed. Most operators will wait for up to four hours on the water before making the long return to shore.

Although visibility can reach up to 80 feet (25 m) during the summer, plankton blooms frequently reduce clarity to an average of 40 feet (15 m). Divers often regard these emerald-tinted waters as the most exciting conditions, since you’ll rarely see the sharks approach until they’re quite close by.

Blue and mako sharks

It’s most common to see blue sharks on these dives, with the more-elusive mako shark a rarer spot. Blue sharks are impressive migrators, traveling across vast bands of the Atlantic throughout the year, from the waters off the United Kingdom coast all the way to the coast of Newfoundland.

They often aggregate in larger numbers than mako sharks, and divers will frequently spot up to 15 individuals on an hour-long dive. Blue sharks are scavengers, usually feeding off carcasses in the pelagic waters. Makos are predators, feeding on birds, tuna and other marine species. Makos don’t often aggregate to feed, and if divers are lucky they’ll see one or two of these bolts of lightning pumping through the water with their muscular body. The short-finned mako is the fastest shark in world, reaching speeds of up to 46 mph (74 kmph) to capture prey.

The New England coast offers a wide variety of other marine life as well. Divers may spot mola mola, tuna, billfish and even the rare dolphin either underwater or on the journey to the site. Even basking sharks, the second- largest fish in the ocean, sometimes inhabit Rhode Island waters during June and July.

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Caribbean Coral Roundup: Cactus Coral

Bright, multicolored cactus coral grows in every habitat from the shallowest to the deepest parts of the reef and make the perfect subjects for coral photography. Once scuba divers and snorkelers know what to look for, they should have no problem identifying these corals.

Cactus corals grow into thick, encrusting plates or large domes and are fairly common throughout the Caribbean. And they only grow in the Caribbean — nowhere else in the world.

There are five species: knobby cactus coral (Mycetophyllia aliciae); low-ridge cactus coral (Mycetophyllia danaana); rough cactus coral (Mycetophyllia ferox); ridged cactus coral (Mycetophyllia lamarckiana); and (Mycetophyllia reesi). The last coral, M. reesi, is a ridge-less deep-water species. Here we’ll focus on the first four.  

Telling the species apart is less important than just being able to identify this type of coral. If you’re new to coral identification, here are a few introductory articles to learn the basics of coral identification and helpful terms.

Knobby cactus coral (Mycetophyllia aliciae)

This one gets its name from the short knobs that develop in the center of the coral. You can also distinguish this coral by looking at the white marking that resembles flowers surrounding each polyp.

Perhaps the most important feature, and what sets this coral apart from other Mycetophyllia species, is the number of corallites between each ridge. If you find two or more rows of polyps between ridges, the coral is most likely a knobby cactus coral. Other Mycetophyllia species typically have one row of polyps, or two sets of polyps near the edges in younger developing colonies.

Low-ridge cactus coral (Mycetophyllia danaana)

This coral forms round plates with low ridges. The coral is thicker in the center of the colony tapering to a narrow perimeter. The low-ridge cactus coral is the chunkiest of the Mycetophyllia species.

This coral’s ridges can connect in the center of the coral, forming long, meandering valleys. The ridges can also break apart, forming little nodes called monticules. It can be challenging to differentiate between species of Mycetophyllia. While some will be clearly distinctive, others straddle the line between two species, especially between the low-ridge and ridged cactus coral.

Rough cactus coral (Mycetophyllia ferox)

Spot rough cactus coral tucked into caves or on the side of rocks, particularly on dives deeper than 30 feet (10 m). This species forms thin plates with narrow valleys and short ridges that often connect around polyp mouths. This is the only Mycetophyllia species that has ridges that connect around polyps.

Ridged Cactus Coral (Mycetophyllia lamarckiana)

The ridged cactus corals have distinct scalloped edges and continuous ridges that run from the edge of the colony toward the center. The ridges, however, do not connect in the center, which is a distinguishing characteristic of this species.

Coral identification is not easy, and it can be tricky to tell these four species apart. It’s easy to mistake small colonies of ridged cactus coral for low-ridge cactus coral. Some scientists think ridged cactus coral could just be juvenile low-ridge cactus corals that haven’t developed their full skeletal ridges. It’s most important to recognize the coral as part of the right family by looking for the fleshy surface and bright, colorful patterns.

To learn more about Caribbean corals with a detailed description of each one check out this guide to Caribbean corals.

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Responsible Eco-Friendly Refrigeration Solutions

Refrigeration units place significant strains on electric grids. In addition to their annual running costs, units often contain hazardous materials that require proper disposal and recycling as they are phased out of inventory.

Providing a foundation to build an eco-conscious facility starts with the installation and use of environmentally safe products. Refrigeration units are no exception. The government monitors and rewards organizations who meet or exceed standards, reinforcing the importance of having discussions on the sustainability and eco-friendliness of initiatives during all parts of the planning and implementation process.  

As manufacturers continue to enhance and develop models, upgrading or installing eco-friendly refrigeration units makes both business and environmental sense. 

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It's Not Too Late! Customized Mother's Day Promotion

In North America Mother’s Day is one of the biggest “gift giving” holidays of the year. Salons and spas are perfect businesses to benefit from a Mother’s Day promotion that translates services and retail products into great Mother’s Day salon or spa packages. Remind consumers that gift cards, service packages and pampering retail products make memorable gifts for moms, grandmothers, aunts, wives and daughters.

Marketing studies tell us that Mother's Day spending peaks in the week between the 5th and the 12th of May so make sure to implement your Mother's Day campaign as soon as possible. Make this year’s Mother’s Day the most successful one yet, attract the right consumers to your salon for their gift-giving needs.

Run your campaign like this:
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Top Places to Scuba Dive in the United States

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

Monterey Bay, California

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary contains Point Lobos State Marine Conservation Area, one of the richest marine habitats in California. This pristine area, particularly Whaler’s Cover and Bluefish Cove, allows no more than 30 divers per day, so advance online reservations are necessary. This dive restriction results in a beautiful site, with several sightings you may not find at other California locations, such as harbor seals, abalone, leopard sharks and rock cod. Conditions are typically favorable year-round and navigation easy is thanks to the rock formations running parallel to the beach. During the day, check all the nooks and crannies for eels, shrimp and juvenile fish, and watch for hunting nudibranchs on night dives.

With its clear water and sheltered coves, Monterey Bay is accessible to all levels of diver. Water temperatures ranging from 50 to 60 F (10 to 15 C) even in the summer, so you’ll want a drysuit. Visibility ranges from 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 m).

Santa Catalina Island, California

There are several sites around Catalina, but Ship Rock is one of the best. Two miles off the coast, the site features garibaldi, sheepshead, Pacific octopus, leopard sharks, and angel sharks swimming among the kelp. Ship Rock’s underwater topography provides ledges and canyons that draw pelagics, such as yellowtail tuna and sunfish. It’s worth the trip, as visibility is much better than closer to shore and the kelp forests are extremely healthy and very large. Since depths range from 20 to 135 feet (6 to 40 m) and visibility ranges from 40-100 feet (12 to 30 m), this site is good for all dive levels. You’ll want a drysuit or thick wetsuit however, as water temperatures range from 55 to 72 F (13 to 22 C).

Channel Islands, California

The islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Barbara make up the Channel Islands National Park, where cold, nutrient-rich currents from the north mix with warm water from the south. This creates an extremely bio-diverse environment with consistently good visibility. In fact, many dive operators cater specifically to photographers because of the water clarity. California sea lions and harbor seals are ready for their close-ups and a variety of nudibranchs and garibaldis make for colorful shots. Thick, towering kelp forests provide wide-angle seascapes and you are likely to see rays, giant sea bass, black sea bass and small wrecks. Santa Rosa and San Miguel are best for advanced divers because the winds make for more challenging conditions, but Cathedral Cove on Anacapa is a highlight for all diving levels. Water temperatures range from 55 to 70 F (13 to 21 C).

Southeast Florida

This region offers one of the longest continuous reef structures in the West Atlantic, with 23 miles running from Miami to Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The Gulf Stream current flows close to shore here, providing warm, clear water on the 100 or so reef and wreck sites. Several reefs are accessible via shore dives, and since both the reefs and prevailing currents run parallel to shore, drift diving is great. Any dive operation in the area can drop you off at the top and pick you up at the end.

From May to September, it’s common to see a dozen or more turtles riding the current with you. If you keep an eye out to the blue, you may see a shark or sailfish, since the reef is on the migratory path of whales and other big ocean creatures. And one of the nation’s best shallow-water muck dives awaits at Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach. The area is an artificial reef hotbed, as well. Just offshore, a string of wrecks are part of an aggressive artificial-reef program, including three retired oil platforms called Tenneco Towers.

Florida Keys

The Florida Keys offer everything from reefs to famous wrecks, many part of the Shipwreck Trail. Wrecks sit in a variety of depths and offer conditions suitable for all divers, beginning with the USS Spiegel Grove and ending with the Vandenberg in Key West. Strong currents are common on the Spiegel Grove, so it’s best for advanced divers. Coast Guard cutters Bibb and Duane, in the same area, are home to barracuda and oceanic jacks and are more suitable for novice divers. Additional wrecks litter the waters all the way to Key West, where the 524-foot (160 m) Vandenberg awaits. Sitting in 45 to 150 feet (14 to 46 m) of water, the wreck is suitable for all levels. This truly massive ship used to track Russian missiles during the Cold War and is the second-largest purpose-sunk wreck in the world.

Morehead, North Carolina

If you’re an intermediate diver who likes sharks and wrecks, Morehead, North Carolina will deliver. Local dive shops conduct day-long charters to the Spar, a sunken 180-foot USCG cutter that is very much intact at 110 feet (34 m). The site is also easy to navigate for those interested in penetration training. And while there are never any guarantees, you are likely to see anywhere between five and 20 sand-tiger sharks, also called “raggies.” Although the raggies are not overly curious, they generally stick around and make for an exhilarating dive. The sharks are drawn here by the Gulf Stream, which delivers an abundance of prey with no need to chum or use other artificial feeding methods. Other nearby wrecks include the Aeolus, Papoose, Atlas, and Caribsea all well-known hangouts for raggies.

Bonne Terre, Missouri

For something completely different, check out the Bonne Terre mine, an hour south of St. Louis. Once used to extract lead to make ammunition, the mine fell into disuse once resources ran out. After the mine was abandoned without packing up or clearing out any mining implements, the area flooded with fresh water.  Today you can dive the mine with a guide on any of 24 routes. You’ll find picks and shovels, ore cars, a machine shop, geology lab, offices, a movie theater, and a drinking fountain. Non-divers can take walking and boat tours to explore the 17 miles of “coastline,” while you explore the submerged world in 100-foot visibility. Water temperature is 62 F (17 C) year-round, so bring a thick wetsuit or drysuit.

Flower Garden Banks, Texas

Freeport is your gateway to the Flower Garden Banks. Located 100 miles (160 km) offshore, Flower Garden Banks consist of three banks in the northernmost portion of America’s coral reef system and offers just about every type of fish indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico. Although there’s lots of small stuff, it’s not unusual to see spinner dolphins, silky sharks, whale and hammerhead sharks and manta rays. Coral polyps spawn after the first full moon in August, creating a spectacular underwater spectacle and drawing in thousands of animals to feed.

Because it’s so far offshore it takes eight hours for the boat to reach the reef, and currents can vary from strong to non-existent. Because you cannot bet on the weather, keep your plans flexible if you want to visit Flower Garden Banks. Currents and waves can make for some challenging diving as well as boat exit and re-boarding. Trips are sometimes cancelled at the last minute as well.

Bellingham, Washington

Cold water and strong currents set this area apart from the rest. In fact, those divers unfamiliar with pinpointing slack tides should only dive with an instructor. Either way, you must take special care at the end of the jetty or you could be fighting the outer current and risk being pulled into the path of the local ferry.

Although the currents here are no joke, the diving is worth it. Fort Casey State Park is your entry point where the 250-foot (76 m) Keystone Jetty hosts a wall blanketed with white anemones. You’ve also got a good chance to spot the giant Pacific octopus out of its den here. Other cold-water dwellers you might find on this 45-foot (14 m) dive include wolf eels, lingcod, rockfish, decorator and mossy-head war bonnets, as well as a variety of nudibranchs.  Visibility is 10 to 50 feet (3 to 15 m) and the water temperature is 45 to 52 F (7 to 11 C) degrees, so a drysuit is a must.

Puget Sound, Washington

There are more than 75 shore-diving sites in this area just an hour from Seattle, including fjords, rocky reefs, wooden and steel wrecks. Local marine life includes sea lions, giant anemones and killer whales, along with other cold-water dwellers since the water temperature is 50 F (10 C) year-round. Once you are over the shock of the water temperature, head to Edmonds Underwater Park. Start watching at about 30 feet (9 m) for ratfish, a bizarre fish believed to be a link between fish and sharks as they have both bony skeletons and cartilage.

An eight-minute drive from downtown Tacoma, at Point Defiance, is one of the country’s best wall dives, Dead Man’s Wall. This sheer sandstone face starts at 90 feet (27 m) and is a habitat for giant Pacific octopus, skates and lingcod. Day Island Wall is on the other side of Point Defiance. Divers have fed wolf eels here, so don’t be surprised if they approach. The wall is also full of invertebrates like sunflower stars, kelp crabs and anemones. Bring drysuit and dive during the fall and winter while the algae is dormant for the best visibility.

Baranof Island, Alaska

If you’re interested in jellyfish diving, Smudges is the place to do it. You will have to find an operator to get you to the site, though, as it is slightly offshore. Though the presence of jellies can be seasonal due to current shifts and temperature changes, if you go during the summer, you should see massive colonies of harmless moon jellies that extend to a depth of 80 feet. When you’re not diving, you can experience true Alaska, as your view will include a high-sided fjord with a snow-covered glacier and waterfalls, as well as potential grizzly bear sightings.

Lake Huron, Michigan

The Presque Isle coastline is 65 miles (104 km) long but has only a few lighthouses. This may be why the area has claimed 75 ships, including a steel steamer, a wooden steamer, and three intact and upright schooners. Fifty of the ships are in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where visibility can reach 50 feet (15 m). Shipwreck Alley features the Cornelia B. Windiate in 180 feet (55 m) of water, with its three masts still intact and tattered rigging flowing in the water.

In Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve you can see the Metropolis, a schooner lost in a snowstorm in 1886. The debris field ranges in depths of only 8 feet up to 120 feet (2 to 36 m) of water.  Another schooner, the Yuba, sits in only 15 feet (4.5 m) of water and is a great dive for beginners. Wreck diving possibilities in the area are nearly endless.

From cold-water locations to the warm waters of Florida, each of these sites has unique characteristics and marine life. With them all right here in the United States, at least a few should make it onto your bucket list.

The post Top Places to Scuba Dive in the United States appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Switzerland: Tamedia acquires Basler Zeitung

Tamedia in Zurich, Switzerland, is acquiring Basler Zeitung from Zeitungshaus AG and in return selling their interests in the Tagblatt der Stadt Zürich, Switzerland’s oldest newspaper, and other freesheets to Zeitungshaus AG.

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