| If you have ever taken a sea cruise to say the | | | | (Don'ts): (1) Please Don't Drink and Dive. Intoxication can |
| caribbean or west coast around Catalina, you'll recall | | | | put a diver in a compromised position. One being, the |
| how blue and clear the water was. The perfect | | | | inability to use common sense, and make rational |
| location for underwater enjoyment. | | | | judgments, especially when it involves safety involving |
| I think that (If) you were into scuba diving, or maybe | | | | yourself and your partner. Leave the booze at home |
| not, and the cruise offered an underwater expedition | | | | to enjoy while your viewing your pictures. |
| you would want to sign-up. A big (If). If you sign-up, you | | | | (2) Forget to let someone know where you are going |
| would want to be in good physical condition and be an | | | | and approx. when you'll return. |
| experienced swimmer, and most of all be Certified. | | | | (3) Eat a big meal before making your dive. You should |
| Certification assures the cruise dive team you are a | | | | wait at least two (2) hours after eating before you |
| qualified Scuba Diver, the Grim Reaper also lurks | | | | make your dive. Diving on a full belly can put you in a |
| underwater. | | | | dangerous situation. Not only creates the possibility of |
| Scuba diving is one of the greatest sports activities in | | | | acquiring cramps, but also possible upchucking in your |
| the world, but there are certain knowledge involved | | | | mouthpiece making it difficult to breath. |
| before entering into your exciting journey. | | | | These are just a few of the Do's and Don'ts |
| Here are some Do's and Don'ts connected with Scuba | | | | connected with the sport of Scuba diving. |
| Diving. | | | | Here are a few topics in my Tid-Bit section you might |
| (Do's): (1) Be in good physical condition and be Certified. | | | | be interested in. |
| Physical Fitness and Certification are the two most | | | | Tid-Bits: Several centuries B.C. ancient carvings |
| important aspects of diving, make your journey | | | | revealed Assyrian soldiers crossing rivers using inflated |
| enjoyable and safe. | | | | goatskins. This the only documentation that inflated |
| (2) Have a check list. There are many items to | | | | goatskins might have been used as breathing devices. |
| consider, but these are the most important items to be | | | | I'll leave this to the readers imagination. |
| sure you have before leaving home. | | | | Leonardo de Vinci made the first known mention of an |
| Mask, Diving Fins, Weight belt, Regulator and Octopus, | | | | underwater breathing device. (UBD) around the 15th |
| Compass, Dive Light with backup, Dive knife, Dive | | | | century. He described it as Bad Human Nature, and |
| watch, Air Tank and backup, Dive flag, Spare | | | | gave no details as to how it worked. Mainly because |
| mouthpiece, First Aid kit, Flare gun-don't forget the | | | | using the (UBD) could possibly be used to sink ships |
| flares. | | | | and even used to commit murder. |
| (3) Have a diving partner. This will make your diving | | | | Waterproof goggles were first introduced in France in |
| more pleasant and safe, especially if you get into | | | | the 1930's. They were actually invented by Guy |
| trouble. Keep visual contact at all times, and try not to | | | | Gilpatrick to keep the salt water out of your eyes at |
| kick out you're partners mouthpiece. | | | | the surface. Thanks Gil. |
| (4) Have a third person. It's very important to have a | | | | The first Scuba Certification course in the USA was |
| third person along top side. They should have a cell | | | | offered by the L.A. Co. Dept. of Parks and Recreation. |
| phone handy in case of trouble, they can also assist | | | | The program was introduced by Albert Tillman and |
| you when getting out of the water. | | | | Bev Morgan. |
| (5) Take along an underwater camera and | | | | It was 1956 before wetsuits became available to the |
| underwater light and backup. You'll want to show your | | | | public. |
| friends and family pictures of your beautiful | | | | I will be adding Tid-Bits to upcomming articles. |
| underwater adventure. | | | | |