Scuba diving in the tropics

[PSDave]

Originally Posted by Bede735

What about sharks? Would they be more likely to chomp on bare flesh rather than clothing? After all, the first victim in the Jaws film was naked.

You are right -- if you are scuba diving at Universal Studios in Hollywood there is a possibility that a big rubber shark may attack you. (the same one from the movie)
Actually you are in more danger from Moray Eels - their teeth can penetrate flesh or wet suits with great ease. (about 100 needle like teeth) In 25 years of Scuba I have only seen sharks once and they ignored me.

[area51tazz]

Originally Posted by Captain.Jammer

Sorry for being ignorant, Area51Tazz, but what is a PADI MSDT?

MSDT = Master Scuba Diver Trainer

[Captain.Jammer]

Originally Posted by area51tazz

MSDT = Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Thanks!

I did find out that PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.

Nice to know we have a SCUBA pro amongst us.

[Bede735]

I just watched the 1957 Sci-Fi film 20,000 million miles from Earth. It's set in Sicily and one scene featured a team of divers, who all just wore shorts to dive in.
Modern times - people are softer now - eh?

[Torchwatch]

The divers of Jacques Cousteau wore bikini briefs aboard Calypso and on shallow dives in warm water, but wore wet suits for deeper dives. Look on You Tube for films of their adventures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghxc33aZDE8

You'll enjoy the scene with the diving dummy @ 16 mins especially if you are about to go diving.

[Lap Counter]

There are 2 types of SCUBA divers:
- those who admit they've peed in their wetsuit
- damned liars

In really warm tropical water, divers will sometimes opt for a full body Lycra suit (similar to a unitard) but a thin (3mm) neoprene wetsuit is usually necessary to avoid getting chilled. The ocean acts like a giant heat sink, sucking the warmth out of your body.

The wetsuit also protects your body from chafing caused by your BC (buoyancy compensator) weight belt, and whatever else you've strapped to your body like dive knives, etc.

[Lap Counter]

Sharks seem to think SCUBA divers are big, noisy, and inedible. If you spot one diving, generally it's a tail view as he swims away.

[singletlover]

Tail view or not, I believe that would cause me to pee my wetsuit either way.