A Diving Trip to Limassol, Cyprus!

Every so often, we get the opportunity to travel down to Limassol and dive the wrecks that are located there. The trip is a fab day out, and one not to be missed!!

I've been very lucky the past couple of times as I have been the one that has made the journey down. I struck lucky for a third time, and I was able to take Alex and Michael down to Limassol.

It takes the whole day and has a similar layout to a Zenobia trip, however Limassol is a lot further. It takes roughly an hour and a half to drive down from our shop in Protaras, down to the Dive Centre in Limassol.

It is a lovely 6am start at the shop, which gives us time to analyse our gases and pack our equipment ready for the day. Once everything is packed and ready to go, final checks have been completed it is time to hit the road. Not forgetting the essential bakery stop on the way to stock up on tasty supplies for the journey!!

The journey down is beautiful with the surrounding crystal blue seas and the backdrop of the mountains, combined with great company, makes the journey very pleasant.

Once we get there, it is a case of unloading all of our equipment and setting up our kit ready for the dives ahead. It is time for a quick coffee break and then it's off to dive the first wreck of the day, the Costandis! The boat ride takes less than ten minutes. The scenery  from the boat is lovely there is the backdrop of the mountains with the coastline of the city just in front.

The two wrecks lie in a regulated no fishing zone. The wrecks have been purposefully sunk on a sandy bottom to create the best possible conditions for marine life to create their new homes in order to breed, and remain a permanent feature on the wrecks.

The first wreck sits at 24m, and is haven for fish life! it is home to large grouper, Amberjack, Nudibranc, octopus and shoals of mini fish to name a few. The vessel is an old bottom trawler, with plenty to explore. The engine rooms are very much intact. Very little has been stripped of the wreck itself, which makes it very interesting for us divers! The grouper in this area are particularly large, I remember one time, I was entering the engine room, and out the corner of my eye I saw two large bright eyes in the corner of the room, as I approached it, it was massive! it took up the whole doorway, in the "You shall not pass" stance! it was so cool!

After the first dive, it is a  trip back to the dive centre to refuel on snacks and plenty of coffee (which is ready and waiting upon our return!) and to swap tanks over whilst we have our surface interval.

The Lady Thetis is the second wreck of the day. She is a retired party boat that now rests at 18m.  The boat has three levels offering plenty of exploration, you can even sit at the tables on the upper deck. She like the Costandis, is great
for various types of Flora and Fauna which is great for photographers as well!

Both wrecks are very enjoyable, and the change of scenery makes for a very lovely day out! After we get back to shore, it is a case of loading all the equipment back onto the truck and making our way back home.

Of course there is a pit stop at McDonalds to break up the journey and to feed our hungry bellies; having done two dives it's safe to say I'm always starving afterwards!

Both the Costandis and the Lady Thetis have several points of interest including the engine rooms,bridges, Store rooms, a number of decks on different levels, doorways and hatches, stairwells, propellers and winches.

If you haven't dived the Limassol wrecks already, I would definitely recommend booking your spot for 2018!

Go Scuba Diving- Do nothing! It is harder than it sounds.

Having a fair few years of Scuba Diving and Diver Training behind me, I am often asked what is the hardest part of Scuba Diving?

Besides putting on a wetsuit, which is usually the part that causes the most problems, I would have to say that the hardest thing to do when scuba diving.... is doing nothing at all!!

How hard can it be to do nothing at all?

Seriously, when you consider the number of divers there are in the world, there are very few that can just stop in the water and hold their position. Even dive professionals can struggle with this pretty basic, fundamental diving skill and you can often see divers swimming in circles on safety stops and resting on the bottom to take photographs.


There are a number of factors that will allow you to perfect this skill including correct weighting, but for the most part it is down to practice.

The more diving you do, the more calm, comfortable and competent you will be in the water. You will develop a relaxed breathing pattern and this is also exceedingly important to good buoyancy control.



You can also consider taking a training course that will help you to develop the Fundamental skills of diving such as the GUE Fundamentals diving course. This was one of the best training courses I have taken in my diving career and I already had 20+ years of diving experience at the time.

This fundamental diving skill, once developed, will help you in other areas of diving such as Technical Diving, Underwater Photography and of course, with problem solving. You can multi task while diving without having to worry about your buoyancy control because that is already "squared away" and you don't even have to really think about it anymore.


So, go Scuba Diving and do nothing!  Give it a try. Can you do it?

Artificial Reefs in Protaras, Cyprus

An Artificial Reef is a man made underwater structure, typically built to promote marine life in areas with a generally featureless bottom in the hope of attracting tourism and enhancing the growth of marine life.

For years, governments around the world, have been purposely sinking outdated or damaged vessels such as ships, cars, tanks, and various other structures i.e nets, concrete blocks, boulders etc.

As part of an ongoing programme to promote dive tourism in Cyprus, the CTO (Cyprus tourist organisation)  and other authorities are purposefully sinking wrecks and artificial reefs which are available for us to dive on.

1.  Nemesis III

The Nemesis III, in its past life was a bottom trawler ( a fishing boat to you and me) which operated in the Mediterranean and Libyan seas.

It was sunk in 2013. The vessel sits in 24 meters of water just off the Golden Coast, located in Protaras.

Since the boat sank, it has attracted lots of marine life and still continues to grow and develop four years down the line.

It is home to Amberjacks, nudibranchs, Damsels, various types of wrasse, sea bream and Grouper. Rays, Turtles and even Dolphins have been spotted in the vicinity of the wreck!

This is a fantastic wreck to dive, and is definitely one of our favourites here at Scuba Tech.

2. The Liberty 

The Liberty wreck sits very very close to the Nemesis wreck. This means we can dive both wrecks in one dive depending on how good you are on air, as it takes roughly five minutes to swim between the two.

Like the Nemesis, the Liberty was also purposefully sunk but a few years earlier in 2009.

It is a small Russian Cargo ship and lies in 27 meters of water. The biodiversity on the Liberty has taken slightly longer to develop than the Nemesis, however it really is starting to boom! The wreck is now home to various species such as Anemones, Grouper, Sponges and Nudibranchs to name a few.

3. Artificial Reefs - Golden Coast

The Artificial Reefs in Protaras is the newest structure to promote the growth of fish species and to create a special diving reserve in the area. It comprises of nets, boulders, concrete blocks and piping in order to do so.

Since the reef's formation in 2015, the amount of marine life already in the area is staggering. It is a haven for fish life and hopefully it will continue to grow and develop!

Between each structure, a line has been put in place which makes it very easy to navigate around the site. The Reefs start at 25m and finishes up at 18m. The reefs are very close in proximity to the Nemesis and Liberty wrecks.

4. The Kyrenia - Ayia Napa. 

The Kyrenia is the most recent wreck to be sunk in the Ayia Napa area.

It used to be a motorised patrol boat which, before it sank, used to be equipped with a front mounted machine gun. However this was stripped and cleaned of its guns before the boat went down.

She sits in 24m of water.

5. Lady Thetis and The Costandis 

These two wrecks are located in Limassol, around an hour and a half drive away from Protaras. Nevertheless they are wicked wrecks.

Both lie in a regulated no fishing zone, 200m apart from one another.

The Costandis used to be an old fishing vessel and she sits in 25m of water. This wreck offers a large engine room which is still very much intact and easy to penetrate.

The wreck is home to huge Grouper, shoals of Fish, Amberjack amongst many others.

The Lady Thetis is a retired party boat and was sunk in 2014. She lies in 18m of water.

The boat has three levels offering plenty of exploration, you can even sit at the tables on the upper deck.

Both wrecks are home to lots of marine life and it is still continuing to grow!

What do you think?

Have you dived these artificial reefs that have been sunk by the Cyprus Government to promote scuba diving in the area? What did you think of them?

Do you like the idea of artificial reefs purposefully sunk or do you prefer your wrecks to have gone down naturally?

Join the chat and let us know

Night Diving on the Nemesis III wreck

Night Diving in Cyprus on the Nemesis III wreck

The Cobra Dive Boat is now coded for evening trips, which means that, for 2017, Scuba Tech Diving Centre are pleased to be able to offer Night Dives on the wrecks.

Below is a video from the first ever night dive done on the wreck with Scuba Tech Diving Cyprus, Mark Robinson and Allister Fraser.

The Footage above was very kindly donated to us by Mark from his GoPro mounted atop a stills camera.

If you would like to book your night diving on the wrecks in Protaras, please do not hesitate to get back in touch with us here at Scuba Tech Diving Cyprus and live the adventure!!

Getting the most out of every dive

Scuba Divers! We are an easy bunch of people to please. A bit of water, a few fish and/or submerged twisted metal and we are happier than a dachshund on Stilts.


However, there are times when that little something goes wrong or doesn't happen and it leaves our dives incomplete. So, how can we change this to try and make the most out of every dive we do.

Check your Dive Equipment

One of the most common reasons we have seen for people missing dives on holiday is down to equipment failure.

We all know how important it is to have your diving equipment checked and serviced by someone who knows what they are doing regularly but if you are travelling with dive kit, it is just as important to make sure that nothing has been damaged in transit.

This happens so often that we ask all divers to make their first dive locally here in Protaras.  This allows us to be close enough to the dive centre (and all our tools) to fix any kit problems that may occur easily so no dives are missed. Also, it is a great opportunity to get in an extra dive and get weights sorted, making other dives more comfortable.

Air Accounts

There is nothing worse than having to end a dive early due to getting low on air.

It is possible to improve your air consumption when scuba diving by staying fit, being correctly weighted and getting plenty of dive experience. All divers find that the more they dive, the more comfortable they become in the water and the longer the cylinder will last.

However, there are some who just have big lungs and need that bit more air than others. If this is you, the best way to avoid having to end the dive too soon is to take the right size cylinder for your needs. Don't be afraid to ask for a 15l cylinder, if you need one. 

Equally, it might be worth considering a twinset or Sidemount training. You get more air and more options in the event of a problem with air supply underwater.

Nitrox Training

As a continuation of the last point, if you feel your dives are being cut short due to No Decompression Limits, you may want to consider some Nitrox training to allow you to extend your bottom times underwater.

Nitrox is most beneficial as a breathing gas to a maximum of 35-40m, after which I believe trimix is the only way to go. 

Nitrox is not a miracle gas though. It will NOT make your cylinder last longer than if you were breathing standard air (which seems to be a common misconception). Nitrox simply reduced the Nitrogen in the gas you are breathing, which exposes you to less nitrogen, extending your NDLs.

For even more time underwater, have a think about Technical Diver training and learning how to formally make decompression dives.

Listen to the Guide

To really get the most out of your diving, you want to listen to the people who know the dive site you are visiting. This may be the dive guide or other divers who dive there regularly. This way, you know what to look out for and what to expect on the dives.

Build the dives up, so you get the most out of your time. For example, when Zenobia diving, we ask all divers to complete the two orientation dives prior to making any decompression dives or penetration dives on the wreck. By doing this they develop an awareness of the wreck's layout and are familiar with the wreck before making more advanced dives.

So, to my mind, the best way to get the most out of your diving is to minimise the risk of equipment failure by checking your own kit after travel or, if you are renting equipment from a dive centre, make sure it is working correctly and you are acquainted with the controls.

Also, make sure you have the correct equipment and training to complete the dives you want to make and to do it properly, stay fit... with which I mean physically fit and dive fit.

Chat with others that know the area, be that other divers or dive guides in the area. Discuss what you want to achieve from your dives and then you can work out which dives are best for you with your training and equipment so you always feel happy and satisfied that you got the most from every dive!

10 things you should do in Protaras and Agia Napa, Cyprus

It is always great to book a holiday away somewhere hot and exotic but when you get there it can be difficult to find new ways to spend your time.

For some, it is easy enough to while away the holiday relaxing on a sun lounger around a pool or at the beach but if, like us, you prefer to get out and about the resort, here are a few tips of fun things to do and see around Protaras and Agia Napa.

1. SCUBA DIVING

Well, I am a diving instructor, so this was bound to be top of my list, wasn't it?!

Cyprus' East coast is full of great dive sites that you can enjoy. From easy dive sites perfect for beginners to more adventurous caves, deeper shore sites and wrecks that can only be reached from the dive boat, there is something for every level of diver.

To book your scuba diving adventure in Cyprus, get in touch with us via the website, Scuba Tech Divers, Cyprus.



2. BOAT TRIPS

When the sun is out and the weather is hot, there is nothing like living life on the Ocean Wave. See the East coast of Cyprus from a different angle on a half day adventure that usually sees you visit the border between Northern and Southern Cyprus, where you can see the ghost town of Famagusta.

After that, most trips will take you around the headland of Cape Greko with plenty of stops for swimming and snorkelling.



3. RENT A BIKE

There are numerous places that do bike rentals in Protaras and Agia Napa and you can usually ask at your hotel reception for information about this.

The East Coast of Cyprus is very biker friendly with a bike path running through the centre of Protaras, up through Paralimni (or alongside the motorway if you prefer), around Cape Greko so you can take in the viewpoints along the way and into Agia Napa.

Feel the breeze and see the sights but be careful not to burn with too much sun exposure... it is a hot country!



4. NISSI BEACH

The beaches around Protaras and Agia Napa are some of the best in Cyprus but if you want something a bit different, pop down to Nissi Beach in Agia Napa.

Hear the latest "tunes" from the beach bars and, on certain days, you can even find yourself at a foam party on the beach!



5. WATERWORLD

Enjoy an action packed day at Waterworld waterpark.

From adventurous rides like Icarus to the lazy river, the water park has rides to cater to all ages and all level of adrenaline junkies.



6. ENJOY A NICE MEAL

There are loads of great restaurants and tavernas in the Protaras and Agia Napa areas but we can particularly recommend 3 to you. Each for a different occasion.

Firstly, there is the Well Inn in Protaras. Run by Andreas and his wife Kathy, this restaurant offers superb food and excellent service. Anoula's Chicken is a particular favourite and teemed with his home made sauces and condiments, this will be a meal you are unlikely to forget.

Secondly, in Protaras, there is Mojitos Bar and Grill. Not particularly Cypriot but great food with something for everyone. A great pint and the best chips on the Island!

Finally, for something a little different, Los Bandidos Mexican restaurant in Agia Napa. Great value for money and you have to try the Strawberry Margarita while wearing a Bandido Sombrero.


7. SEASIDE PROMENADE

After eating your nice meal, you will probably feel the need to walk some of it off and Protaras has done a lot of work over the recent years to create a lovely promenade that runs the length of the resort along the coastline.

En route from one end of protaras to the other, you will find a number of ice cream vans for dessert and small bars for a refresher.


8. EARLY MORNING SWIM

The mornings are beautiful here in Cyprus with the sun rising in the summer at a very respectable 5.30am. It can soon get hot though, which is why, morning swimming is a great way to get your fitness in.

The air is in the high 20s, low 30s in the mornings in the summer and the water is lovely and warm. Currently (July) it is 28 degrees near the shore.

A perfect wake up to any morning!



9. PROFITIS ELIAS CHURCH

Also known as the church on the hill, Profitis Elias can be seen overlooking the resort of Protaras from its lofty position at the top of the hill.

Best saved for early morning or evenings for the walk up the stairs but the beauty of the Orthodox churches cannot be denied.



10. RENT A CAR

Cars can be rented at pretty reasonable rates here in Cyprus and it is well worth having a car for around 3 days to be able to go off and see the rest of the Island.

Aphrodites's rock and the ancient sites of Paphos along with the scenery and wineries in the Troodos Mountains are all unmissable attractions that will make your holiday in Cyprus epic!

WOMEN DIVING IN CYPRUS

The Scuba Tech Girls are at it again.

Join Shelley and Dawn, as they hit the water again. This time they head to Cyclops Dive Site in Protaras to see the fishlife and, in particular, the lionfish that are accumulating in the area.

www.scubatechdivers.com

Scuba Diving: A Burning Passion or Burned Out?

It is a brand new season here in Cyprus and before the mayhem begins in earnest, we decided to have a little holiday and refresh in preparation for what is to come.

Since we are also celebrating our 5 year anniversary of being Scuba Tech, it seemed like a great time to get together with some good friends and get away... and what better way for Dive Centre owners in Cyprus and Cyprus Diving Instructors to relax but... Scuba Diving in Egypt!

How can you call it a holiday when you are still doing your jobs you may ask?

Ever heard the old adage, a change is as good as a break.? Well, it is true. We love Scuba Diving and although it is work, it is also a hobby for us and to remain this way over the 25 years I have been a Diver has taken some effort on my part.

Whatever you do, wherever you are, once you get complacent with something, you can easily get bored. This is particularly true if whatever you are doing is repetitive.

For example, I used to work at a diving centre where the bulk of business came from PADI Discover Scuba Diving. When I first started to work there I quite enjoyed the feeling of taking someone in the water for the first time. Seeing the smiles as they came out of the water and the achievement each new diver reached, especially those who initially struggled was a highlight. However, after 3 years of doing these experiences 2-3 times a day, every day, the sheen soon wore off.


We call it burn out!

So, how do we stop this from happening or re-find our enthusiasm if it already has?

For me, I wasn't sure where to go. Initially, I considered underwater videos and photography and did a few bits with that such as; underwater adverts and even some footage for the tv series "My Greek Kitchen". However, we soon realised that was more Shelley's forte!

Eventually, I found Technical Diving and, although I had always said I would never do it, it rekindled a spark for diving that hasn't left me since.

I attribute this to every day being different. Some days I guide qualified divers, some days I teach Technical Diving, sometimes I dive or teach the Rebreather and sometimes I am servicing Dive kit in the workshop. There are even times when I take beginners for Discover Scuba Diving Experiences and the satisfaction of taking a brand new diver in the water has returned.

To ensure the variety, it is definitely worth investing in your diving so you don't get burn out. If you find you are getting bored of the same old routine, it is time to shake it up a little bit.

There are many different aspects of diving you can look into. Try wreck diving or take an underwater camera with you and develop your photography skills. You could consider Technical Diving or a Rebreather Try Dive or, like us, just take a holiday and scuba dive in a different place, see different things and meet new people.


Variety is the Spice of Life!

Finding your Path- Underwater Navigation in Scuba Diving

So, last week we started a blog series with regards to underwater navigation. Essentially, the concern is that we are training Scuba Divers to go Scuba Diving with a similarly qualified diver but, with the very limited Navigational Skills training on the initial training course, can we really say we have given them the tools they need to dive without a guide!

Now we will start to look at Navigation techniques that divers (of all level) can employ to find their way around a dive site, starting with the most common tool... Underwater Compass!

Underwater Compass

An Underwater Compass is usually liquid filled and the important elements you need to know about include; the Bezel, the Lubber Line, and the Card, which has graduated degree markings and the North Arrow.

Although it appears that the card moves, it doesn't. This is why the North Marking will always point North. The Compass housing actually moves around the card.

How do we Set a Heading

We like the Suunto SK-7 model, as it is very easy to use, so the instructions below are for this model. It is an indirect reading compass, which means it has degree graduation markings arranged clockwise on the Bezel, with 0 degrees (North) coinciding with the Index Marks. The card itself will show 180 at the top of the North needle... hence indirect!!

To use the compass, a diver simply turns the Bezel so that the direction heading we want to take sits at the top of the Lubber Line (which shows our direction of travel). You would then turn yourself with the compass so the magnetic needle sits between the index marks again and the Lubber Line remains aligned with the centre of your body.

So, if you want to take a 30 degree heading, turn the Bezel so 30 sits at the top of the Lubber Line (furthest away from you). Then turn yourself and the compass together until the North needle on the card sits between the index marks.

If that all sounds too complicated to you, you are probably over thinking it. The biggest problem I find with students learning to use a compass is that using it is simpler than they think. So, even though we spend ages practising on land before getting in, add water and they think they must be doing it wrong because it is too simple!

For a reciprocal heading, turn the bezel 180 degrees to head back the way you came.

To Navigate a square, the bezel turns 90 degrees (add or subtract depending on whether you want to turn left or right) while for triangles make 120 degree changes.




Things are even easier now with the advent of digital compasses that many modern computers
include. The newest of which is the new Shearwater Petrel 2.

It doesn't get much easier than this!

Some tips for using a compass for navigation on your dives

• Trust your compass. It is more likely that you are wrong than it is
• Hold the compass level 
• Be prepared to navigate around obstacles and account for currents etc
• Don't forget other essential skills such as buoyancy and air consumption. It's very easy to get transfixed by the compass to the detriment of all else.
• Practice with it so you are confident

A very handy tool to use but not the be-all and end-all of navigation, especially in clearer waters. Still, it is essential all divers know how to use a compass to find their route.

To touch or not to touch... that is the Question

Errrm, no. I am pretty sure if that is the Question, when it comes to Scuba Diving, the answer is  definitely  a big resounding NO!!!

I was out diving a couple days ago and I saw a beautiful sight. A turtle was swimming side by side with a Diver. I watched them swim together for about 5 minutes, neither bothering the other just enjoying company on their journey!

Another Diver soon entered the scene with a camera and even having this one sticking a flashy thing in the turtle's face didn't seem to bother hime too much. If he got too close to the diver with the camera, the turtle would gently turn to move around him.

Then I saw something which boiled my blood.

Said Diver decided to show off to the novices he was with and decided to grab hold of the turtle and try to ride on him.

You could see the turtle was petrified now, as an army of other divers moved in to help the distressed turtle and make the idiot release him and as soon as he was free, the turtle swam away as fast as his fins would take him, never to trust another human being as long as lived.

When we Scuba Dive, we enter the home of the aquatic life that is native to that area. We should respect their homes and not intrude on their existence.

 

How would we feel if a big, water chuffing creature came into our living rooms and started prodding at us, trying to pick us up or sitting on our laps, while we try to go about our daily routine (...watching coronation street).

When we are diving, we are there to observe, not to intrude so spare a thought for the poor creatures whose lives we impact on every day and erspect the life under the sea.

So the moral of the story... be a considerate diver, don't disturb the fish life any more than you have to and DO NOT TOUCH!!

What's the old adage?

Take only memories and pictures, leave only bubbles.

Can I Tech it?... Yes you can!

merseydivers.com

There has long been a stigma attached to the realms of Technical Diving that has seen images of big guys lugging around bulky twinsets and copious stages, to go really deep underwater, so that, unless you can benchpress a small car, there is no way you can cope with Technical Diving.

In this day and age, this is simply not true and Technical Diving is opening up to so many new demographics, as those who just want to add a new dimension to their diving abilities jump on board.

The Kit!

Now, although it is true that Technical Diving Kit is generally heavier than single tank, recreational Diving kit, the extent of this really depends on the Diver themselves.


Of course, we are looking at using 2 cylinders and 2 sets of regulators instead of just one. That's for the Open Circuit Technical Diving. If you are looking at Rebreathers, you have also the scrubber unit and electronics to add to the mix.

There are options to make it more manageable though. We use lightweight 200bar cylinders on our twinsets, for those who want a lighter option and you can always swap out the commonly seen steel back plate for an aluminium one to save a couple kilos. Alternatively, some may find a 10litre twinset more appealing or, if you aren't going too deep and the RMV allows, twin 7s.


Sidemount Configuration has enabled those who can't take the weight of the equipment on their backs, to move it to the side and take some of the strain off. The beauty of technical Diving with Sidemount is that you can carry the cylinders to the waters edge and clip them off in the water, so only really have the weight on you in a weightless environment.


Even rebreathers are now bringing out smaller versions such as the Pathfinder and the Hollis that are suited to recreational depths but who said technical diving was about depth... certainly not my point of view.

Since we are on the matter, you can most certainly 'tech' it if you have no interest in going deep. Technical kit is fantastic for allowing you extended time in the 25-40m range too. Using a mixed gas; either nitrox for extended bottom time or a trimix for a clear head and improved work of breathing with the additional safety measures that come into play from using the Technical Equipment, means technical diving techniques can also be applied to recreational dives very successfully.

Add to that, your stage cylinders that can be filled with a rich nitrox mix of 50%-100% Oxygen and you can "pad out" your safety stop, adding in extra conservatism or accelerate any decompression you may have incurred on the dives.

 

For more information about the technical Diving Courses available here in Cyprus, Check out the Scuba Tech Diving Website


So, regardless of what size or sex you might be, if you have a responsible attitude towards diving, are over 18 years of age and want to increase your  knowledge and experience in the water, while improving your Diving safety and ability to help yourself on dives... you can most definitely TECH IT!!!

SQUID Pro Quo

Diving here in Cyprus over the past few weeks has been a  real treat for us Divers, as the Squid have returned for their Summer Stay.

Cyclops Dive Site seems to be where they have made their home this year and Divers who approach with care are often rewarded with fantastic shows of flambuoyancy and colours, as these large Cephalopods dance before you.

Like Sirens, you have to be a bit careful or they can very swiftly lead you off into the deep, especially if you are trying to get that perfect shot. Squid like to stay just outside the focal area of the cameras!

There are around 300 species of Squid that we know of but I am pretty sure these are the European Squid or "Loligo Vulgaris" to give the proper species name.

These squid are usually found at any depth between the surface and 500m but are most commonly seen around 20-250m. Here in Cyprus, they can be seen at the 15m sandy patch at the far end of the Dive Site.

Squid have the main part of their body enclosed inside the mantle. The Mantle Cavity contains the digestive and reproductive systems, gills and Siphon, which the squid uses for propulsion.

To enable movement, the Squid sucks water into the mantle cavilty and ejects it in a strong jet through the Siphon and the direction of the siphon can be changed to suit the direction of travel the squid wishes to go.

You will find a small swimming fin along the side of the squid's body but these are pretty redundant for locomotion, as the siphon is the primary means of movement.

Doctor Who has nothing on these elegant creatures who can also boast 3 hearts!!

Don't however, be fooled into thinking this makes them adorable, loving creatures, as alongside the 8 arms and 2 tentacles on the head, you will also find the Squid's Horny Beak, which it uses to kill and tear its prey into more manageable bite-size pieces.

They prey on other fish and crustaceans, which probably explains the masses of crab shells and broken crab legs we have been seeing recently around the Cape Greko area. Cannibalism is also not unheard of.

Squid beaks are often found undigested in the bellies of whales.

Eyes can be easily seen on the side of the Squid's head and, unlike the human eye, which changes the shape of the lens to focus, a squid's eye comprises a hard lens which can focus by changing the lens' position. Much like a camera or telescope.

The squid's flambuoyant colours come from Chromatophores that cover their body. These chromatophores allow the squid to change colour, enabling them to become almost invisible to prey and predators alike. On today's dive, our squids became almost translucent as a group of divers came swimming a little too close.

 

So, now we know a bit more about the beautiful creatures we can see while Diving here in Cyprus and when we next see them, we can admire them that little bit more and enjoy them in the water rather than in the restaurant on the plate.

Dive with the Devil... on the Devil's Gas!!

This is the image I use to stamp people's log book when they come diving with me. I think it is quite apt, since I always dive on, what was once considered to be, the Devil's Gas

 

NITROX

 

 

 

Nitrox was actually one of the first specailties I took after certifying as a Scuba Diver. At the time, I had no idea how useful and well-used this certification would be but with time, it has become apparent.

 

What is Nitrox?

Nitrox is quite simply air, with a bit more Oxygen added!!

Back to school science, you may remember that the normal air that we breathe is made up of around 78% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen with a few other gases that barely make up 1% and so are negligible. For the sake of ease, we say 79% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen.

 

 



Nitrox contains more Oxygen, so something must be removed from the mix to accommodate for it. So, we have more Oxygen and less Nitrogen! As you can see in the diagram above, 32% Nitrox contains 32% Oxygen and 68% Nitrogen.

What's the benefit?

Think back to your initial Scuba Diving Training and Decompression Planning. The gas in your breathing mix, which limits your time underwater is Nitrogen.

While we breathe underwater, we have a certain amount of time we can stay at depth before our bodies have absorbed enough nitrogen that a direct ascent to the surface would not be possible. If we overstay this time limit, we have to complete decompression stops (as opposed to the Safety Stop that we all make in recreational diving) to prevent the nitrogen coming out of our bodies too fast and forming bubbles (decompression sickness).

By reducing the amount of Nitrogen in the gas we breathe, we can extend the amount of time we can spend at depth. With 32% nitrox, you can spend almost twice as long at 30m than you can when you breathe air!

Some Divers believe that nitrox makes them feel less tired after multiple dives than they would if they were breathing compressed air, although I don't think there is any substantial evidence to prove nitrox has any great influence on this. It is more of a personal thing

The biggest health benefit for Divers Diving Nitrox comes into effect when you dive Nitrox on air tables.

This means you take the conservatism of diving on air (shorter no decompression limits) but have the added "buffer" of increased Oxygen in the mix. This means the diver stays that bit further away from Decompression Limits and should be better for the Diver!!

Although, be aware, if you are using Dive computers set to air while you are in fact breathing Nitrox, you must know your Maximum Operating Depth so you do not accidentally exceed it because your computer says you can!


What's a Maximum Operating Depth?

Oxygen is not a deep Diving gas. In fact, the deeper we go, the less Oxygen we can use. Deep Divers, heading down to 100m will use a hypoxic breathing gas with around 12% Oxygen, which is too little oxygen to be breathed at the surface.

This is because, Oxygen becomes toxic when breathed at certain pressures. So we must know the Maximum Depth (MOD) we can safely dive our breathing mix to.

Nitrox is perfect though for the recreational limits between 15 and 40m and Divers must work out their MOD for the mix they are breathing. For example, 28% nitrox can be safely breathed down to 40m, whereas 32% nitrox can be safely breathed to a depth of just 33metres.

This all comes with the training.

For multiple diving around the 30m range, I don't think you can beat diving with Nitrox, simply for the benefit of the added time you get to spend underwater enjoying the sites and wrecks and it is definitely becoming more mainstream today.

All the major agencies now offer Nitrox training courses and it is, not suprisingly, one of PADI's best selling specialties.

So, if Nitrox is the Devil's gas, I am certainly the Devil...Gas me up!!!

 



Oooooh, you little NUDI!!!

Diving in Cyprus, we are fighting the long fight against the over fishing which is endemic in this region.

We can dive on a Saturday and see lots of various fish life in abundance all around the coast line and come back on a Monday to find all life has been decimated. It is a terrible shame, as the fishlife does not take long to replenish and if it could just be left to give the fish a chance to grow to maturity, we could start taking on the more established Diving destinations.

However, in the midst of all this, there is one sea creature, which never fails to be seen on a Dive in Cyprus. More abundant in the winter months when the waters are cooler but ever present in the deeper waters under the thermocline in the Summer, I am, of course, talking about the beautiful Nudibranchs.

Nudi's (as we like to call them) are a group of soft bodied, gastropod mollusks. Unlike others of this kind such as; whelks, conches and periwinkles, the nudi sheds it's shell after the larval stage.

The word nudibranch comes from a mixture of Greek and Latin meaning "Naked Gills" and they can be distinguished by their striking forms and exquisite colours.

Found everywhere around the world and in every ocean and sea, the number of species of nudi that have been described is around 3,000 and new ones are being identified almost daily!! They are most commonly divided into 2 types.




1. Dorid Nudi

Dorid's have the Branchial Plume that forms a cluster on the posterior of the nudi's body.





2. Aeolid Nudi

Aeolid's have Cerata instead of the Branchial Plume. Cerata are dorsal and lateral outgrowths on the upper surfaces of the body.







Here in Cyprus, the most commonly seen Nudibranchs are Aeolids. "Flabellina Affinis" (purple nudi) and the "Coryphella Pedata" (white tipped nudi) both have Purple bodies but while the purple nudi is entirely purple, the white tipped has (yes, you guessed it) white tips on their cerata!

These nudi's have simple eyes that can only really discern changes in light and dark. Instead , they
have sensitive antennae like protrusions called Rhinopores on top of their heads for detecting taste, smell and prey.

They may be small but all nudibranchs are Caniverous animals. They feed off sponges, hydroids, other sea slugs and their eggs and some nudi's are Cannibals, preying on their own species!! Not so cute now are they?

It is believed that the nudibranch's derive their colour from the food that they eat. Some camouflage into their surroundings while others have bright colours that stand out with vibrance which acts as a deterrent to predators. As a general rule, we are all taught, "the brighter and more colourful it is, the more dangeous it usually will be".Some nudibancs can even retain the poison from their prey to secrete as a defence mechanism against predators.

However, even with all these defences, the lifespan of the average nudi in the wild is only up to a year!

 

We used to see many different varieties of nudi here in Cyprus including the Tri colour Doris or the elegant slug but these are becoming fewer and harder to find around the Island, so let's appreciate the ones we have while they are here!!

I for one, am a big fan of the little nudi.

Scuba Diving- A Beginner's Guide

Thinking back over my years as a diving instructor in Cyprus, I began to think about the number of Divers that have come through the doors and the mis-understandings and cons I have seen over the years.

The problem is, that unless you know better, you do not generally know what to expect with a Beginner's Diving course, such as PADI Open Water, BSAC Ocean Diver etc but there are a few things that you should get  with any of these courses.

Access to Diver Materials

Usually in each Diving course that you take, the chosen Agency produces a manual containing all the
relevant Diver theory you will need to pass the course and build a solid knowledge base for future training and Diving.

PADI insist that each diver have their own manuals for each course, enabling the diver to have a reference to any of the information from said course in the future, which is a very good idea because, as a beginner, trying to cram all that information into 4 days means only a fraction of it will be retained and a lot of it will probably be forgotten quite quickly.

With the advent of online learning, manuals can now be replaced with an online code, which allows you to do the knowledge portion of the courses on-line. Fantastic for some but, I still like to have the solid manual in my hands and it is always best to check whether it will be cost efective for you. I have found the online training usually works out to be more expensive and you don't have the benefit of your instructor there with you to answer questions you might have along the way.

By the time you get to see your instructors, you will have forgotten what those questions were!!

Skills Sessions and Open Water Dives

Each agency breaks down the Diving Courses into Open Water Dives and Confined Pool Sessions. An easy way to check what you should be doing on the Courses is to check out the Agency's own website and it will describe the components of the courses.

So, for example, the PADI Open Water Course has 5 Knowledge Development Sessions, 5 Confined Water Skills Sessions and a minimum of 4 Open Water Dives.

BSAC Ocean Diver has some theory and knowledge development, 5 Confined Water Skills Sessions and 5 Open Water Dives.

No portion of the course should be signed off until the diver is comfortable and competent at that level. Remember that these courses are supposed to take a minimum of 4 days and trying to squeeze it into 2 or 3 is not going to produce high quality divers that can look after themselves in the water.

At Scuba Tech Diving Centre, we try to give our student divers even more time for diving by incorporating an extra Open Water Dive after each skill session. This is beneficial to the Diver, as you can only improve at Scuba when you spend more time in the water. However, I stress this is an additional dive and does not count as one of the 4 mandatory Open Water Course Dives. Do not allow the Dive Centre to combine your Skills Sessions with these compulsory Dives, as it is breaking standards and, as a trainee, you will not benefit from less time in the water!

A Proper Certification Card



 I think back to around seven years ago and a Diver walked into the Dive Centre here in Cyprus as an Open Water Diver wishing to Dive Zenobia.

We explained that you must be a minimum of Advanced Open Water for us to take you on Zenobia and he expressed an interest in taking the Advanced Course.

On production of his certification cards, it appeared he didn't have any. Having done his training in Mexico, all he was given was a sheet of A4 paper stating "This Diver is certified to Open Water Training Level with the Diving Agencies; PADI, SSI, Naui, BSAC and CMAS" with an illegible instructor number at the bottom.

The gentleman in question was obviously devastated as he had paid a lot of money for something that wsn't real. He had even gone out and bought all his own equipment.

Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot we could do to help other than re-train and get him a proper certification card.

In resort, you should receive a Temporary Personal Identification Card (PIC) on completion of your training either in paper format from the dive centre or via email direct from the agency. These temporary cards last approximately 90 days, which should be plenty of time for your actual plastic card to come through the post to you.

If you do not receive the actual card, contact your instructor, who will be able to contact the Dive Agency direct to sort everything out.

Your certification card will usually have your picture on it too.

Supervision Ratios

Most Diving Agencies set ratios for the number of Student Divers that one instructor can teach at any given time. The maximum is usually 4 students per instructor but more students can join the group if the instructor has a Certified Diving Assistant.

Think about the quality of the training you will receive if you Learn to Scuba Dive in a big group like this. Sometimes, maybe it is better to pay a little more and get one to one training or just be in a small group of 2 divers to one instructor. Surely, this is better value for money!

So, there you have my guidelines for a Beginner's Diving Course. Regardless of which agency you decide to learn Scuba with, bear these tips in mind and know what you should be getting for your money and your Diver Training can be the best investment you will make.

Narcotics of the Deep... a Rapturous Dive

We all learn about Nitrogen Narcosis from our very first Diving Courses, be that with PADI, BSAC SSI, Naui, CMAS or GUE. It is an important consideration for any dives that we make but how well is it really understood in the Diving world?

What is Nitrogen Narcosis?

A Greek word (ναρκωσις) narcosis is derived from "narke", which means " temporary decline in, or loss of senses and movement".

Essentially, it is an alteration of consciousness as a result of the gases in our breathing mixes acting under pressure and a mixture of Dalton's and Henry's laws.

For those of you that don't remember them, this is the science bit... concentrate!!! (sorry L'oreal)


Dalton's Law

Dalton's Law states that the total pressure exerted by the mixture of non-reactive gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of individual gases.

We use it mostly in diving to work out our Partial Pressure of Oxygen at a given depth or our END (equivalent Narcotic Depth) for trimix

Henry's Law

 Henry's Law States that at a constant temperature, the amount of a given gas that dissolves in a given type and volume of liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with that liquid.

This goes back to decompression theory and the fact that, in the most basic terms, as we go deeper and the ambient pressure increases, more of the inert gas that we breathe dissolves in the body to balance the pressures of gases in the body with the surrounding pressures outside.

How does that work then?

Very interesting, you say! I remember those laws now but what does that have to do with Nitrogen Narcosis?

Well, let's look at what we believe to be the history and mechanics of Narcosis first.

Narcosis was first described back in 1834 by Victor T Junod, who was a French Researcher. His description referred to symptoms of intoxication being present and he surmised this was due to the increased ambient pressure increasing the blood flow in the body, which stimulated the nerve centres.

There were a few more theories over the years and much of our knowledge of Narcosis today is based on the study of anesthetics. The best theory we have for Nitrogen Narcosis at the moment is the Meyer-Overton Rule.

Around 1900, Meyer and Overton (independently) observed the potency of general anesthetic gases by testing their solubility in a simple organic solvent. They used Olive Oil as the organic Solvent, which represents the lipid bilayer found in our bodies, which make up the cell membranes of almost all living organisms and viruses.

Inert gas dissolves into the nerve cells lipid bilayer (Henry's Law) and causes narcosis by altering the nerve transmission in many diffuse areas of the brain resulting in symptoms described as; Euphoria, Over Confidence, Anxiety, Loss of Judgement and/or Paranoia.

We Diving instructors often teach our students about Narcosis by describing the "Martini Effect". This is a comparison between the way we act as we go deeper underwater and the way we act when we consume alcohol. Essentially, for every 10m we descend, it is likened to drinking one martini.



Even Jacques Yves Cousteau famously called it the Raptures of the Deep!!



Nitrogen Narcosis is a depth related problem. As we go deeper, the ambient pressure increases and so does the partial pressure of our inert gas (Dalton's Law). Beyond 30m, where the partial pressure of Nitrogen (PPN2) is above 3.16ata, we usually can begin to feel these symptoms

Is it just Nitrogen that causes Narcosis?

As Divers, we don't just have to worry about Nitrogen causing Narcosis at depth. It is widely accepted that all breathing gases have a narcotic effect but to varying degrees. Below is a list comparing the solubility of some gases in the Organic Solvent. Remember the Bigger the number next to the gas the more soluble it is and the more potency it has for Narcosis

GAS	SOLUBILITY
Helium	0.045
Neon	0.300
Hydrogen	0.600
Nitrogen	1.000
Oxygen	1.700
Argon	2.300
Krypton	7.100
Carbon Dioxide	20.00
Xenon	25.60

As you can see, our two primary gases in the breathing mix; Nitrogen and Oxygen are similar in Narcotic Potency with Oxygen being slightly more Narcotic than Nitrogen.

So why don't we worry so much about Oxygen Narcosis?

It is believed that the Narcotic effect of Oxygen is actually lessened becasue our bodies metabolise it but, to be safe, we are taught to assume Nitrogen and Oxygen have the same Narcotic Potency.

The suprising Gas I think is Carbon Dioxide. With such high solubility in lipids, we can see why it is such a dangerous gas and how Hypercapnea can kill a Diver.

Carbon Dioxide causes increased blood flow to the brain and is therefore, believed to increase and augment the narcotic effect of the other Gases too. This is why it is dangerous to complete hard, strenuous activity while diving and Skip Breathing or Shallow Breathing is BAD!!!!

As you can see from the table, the least Narcotic breathing gas is Helium, which is why deeper divers tend to opt for a trimix containing lower percentages of Nitrogen and Oxygen and filling the gap with Helium.

Some agencies even advocate trimix within recreational limits. For example GUE (Global Underwater Explorers) suggest that below 30m, breathing mixes should contain helium for less narcosis and better Work of Breathing.

Prevention and Management

The full complexity of Narcosis is not yet fully understood. However, the mechanism and primary agents responsible seem sufficient at the moment for us to make good decisions with regards to the gases we should use at certain depths while diving.

Recognising symptoms can be difficult due to the impairment they cause. The most dangerous aspect of Narcosis is the loss of good judgement and decision making abilities. If not recognised, these can lead to drowning. Good job we have our buddy there to help us out then!!!

To prevent Narcosis, avoid deep diving, strenuous activity, being cold, stress and Carbon Dioxide retention. If you are diving deep, use the correct gas mixes for the depth and keep your Equivalent Narcotic Depth above 30m.

Should you feel the symptoms of Narcosis, simply ascend and you should feel the symptoms diminish, although I have read reports recently that they may not vanish altogether until hours after you have surfaced.



We just don't know!!

Narcosis seems to be another Diving Problem that we are still only just learning about. It is dependent on the individual Diver's susceptibility to Narcosis and their health on the day of the Dive and many other variables that we just do not know enough about.

Be prudent, be conservative with your dives...

and if Nemo looks like he needs your reg more than you do, you are probably narked!!!