| Drift diving is can be an exhilarating form of diving. | | | | Just know the procedure. |
| When you do a drift dive you just float along with the | | | | The divers need to stay pretty close together on this |
| current and you can really get moving! It can be alot of | | | | type of dive so the boat can follow and pick them up. |
| fun. Here's an introduction to drift diving if you are not | | | | Now is not the time to go off sightseeing by yourself. |
| familiar with it. | | | | Underwater Drifting |
| Drift Diving: An Intro | | | | Once you are underwater, the fun begins. Depending |
| If you have never been on a drift dive before, you are | | | | on the current, you can either have a slow relaxed |
| in for some fun. On a drift dive, the boat does not | | | | dive taking in all the sights or have an exciting dive and |
| anchor or tie up to a mooring. Divers get in the water | | | | fly by the sights in a stronger current. Sometimes it is |
| together and then go along with the current. The | | | | hard to tell until you get down there. Currents can |
| captain on the boat will follow the bubbles of the divers | | | | change but you can ask the divemaster what the |
| or a dive float on the surface that a diver (the | | | | typical conditions are for this site. |
| divemaster in a guided dive) drags along behind him. | | | | The current will take you along and you normally don't |
| If this is your first time, it is normal to be a bit nervous. | | | | have to do alot of kicking. Just relax and enjoy. Go |
| Be sure to tell the divemaster your experience level | | | | with the flow. You certainly don't want to be going |
| and the fact that this is your first drift dive. If he isn't | | | | against it. That is one way to run out of air more |
| too receptive, just talk to the more experienced divers | | | | quickly. Keep track of your depth and air at all times. |
| on the boat. Most divers are more than happy to | | | | Depending on the formations, you can duck behind the |
| share their experiences. | | | | reef or in a channel to get out of the current. This is |
| Depending on the current, you may have to get off | | | | helpful if you are getting ahead of the group and need |
| the boat fairly quickly and close together. To be more | | | | to wait for them to catch up. Divemasters normally tell |
| relaxed, you can start to get ready early so you have | | | | you to stay behind them, so follow their directions. |
| time to get everything together and not have to rush | | | | When the dive is over, if the divemaster hasn't been |
| off the boat and forget something important (such as | | | | dragging a float, he will send up a surface buoy so the |
| turning on your air). | | | | diveboat will know where you are. Surface close to |
| Listen to the pre-dive briefing closely. The divemaster | | | | the group and the surface marker so the boat will |
| should tell you what to expect and what the | | | | know where you are. This is especially important if you |
| procedures will be for getting off and getting on the | | | | are in a busy boat traffic area (such as the case |
| boat. If you run out of air earlier than the rest of the | | | | when you go drift diving Cozumel). |
| group, you may have to surface with your buddy while | | | | The boat will come and pick the divers up. Normally |
| the rest of the group continues their dive. | | | | they will have a drag line you can hang onto while you |
| If you are not sure, ask questions so you will now | | | | are waiting to get on the boat. Get on the boat, take |
| what to do in this instance. It is not at all uncommon for | | | | off your gear and enjoy. You made your first drift dive. |
| some people to surface early so don't worry about it. | | | | Enjoy your dive! |