All posts by Kevin Alexander

 From the depths of the ocean, the worst feared creature is the shark. Whenever we think of sharks the first image that plagues our minds is Jaws or Great Whites. Shark experts have said there is no need to fear the shark since we are not its natural prey. With warnings towards bleeding or splashing in the water, we still are not completely at ease with these territorial creatures. The question is even more pressing for those wishing to dive out in the open ocean where shark numbers increase from the occasional sandbar drifter. 

  Instead of asking “Do I need to be scared of sharks while Diving?”; ask “Is it dangerous to dive with sharks?” or “Which sharks are dangerous?”

The answer to that question depends entirely on the situation. There are many ways to avoid and prevent shark attacks. Fear is not one of them. Keeping a level head, and knowing the facts will help keep you out of harm’s way.

Adverse Conditions

     Divers must keep in mind that certain conditions are harmful to everyone, even shore dwellers. Conditions in the water that attract sharks are the following:

• Dawn or dusk. These times are feeding times for the sharks and most charters leave in the broad light of the morning and board before the sun starts to set. Even though feedings are usually around the sandbar, the risk of a shark encounter is higher for shore swimming and people out in the open ocean. Most shark attacks have occurred between 8 am and 6 pm, but that is because humans crowd the waters more between these hours. Most people steer clear of the seas before and after this time frame. 
• Stormy waters or after the storm. If storms blow through you can guarantee that will stir up trouble. Unlike dolphins who prefer calmer waters to make guest appearances, sharks prefer the rough waves. Rough waves stir up ocean prey and attract sharks to the action. 
• River openings and canals. Wherever freshwater meets saltwater you are more likely to be spotted by a shark. You would assume otherwise given the idea that sharks mainly go out into the deep seas. Canals and river openings can be deep and are especially dangerous after a storm as debris and freshwater fish flock to the area. Shark sightings are especially common in these debris-ridden areas.
• Murky waters, waste, sewage, or fishing piers. Murky waters allow limited viability for divers. Certain places like the Northern Atlantic are murky due to silt, debris, limited light, and large seaweed content. Waste, sewage, and fishing piers attract sharks with the smell especially since sharks are looking to feed on flesh. Human waste can be mistaken for fish food or attract ravenous hungry sharks. Most diving boats are in the middle of the open ocean, just ensure that there is no garbage barge or fishing boat nearby. Also going to the bathroom in the open ocean is not ideal. 

High-Risk Areas

• Florida and East Coast United States. Most Shark attacks occur in the highly populated counties of Florida on the East Coast for obvious reasons. Bull sharks which are one of the most aggressive shark breeds are brought there by adverse conditions. They also reside in the Gulf but are easier to spot in the calm waters. With more people flooding Florida’s East coast the risk of an attack rises. The other Eastern States like South Carolina and the darker waters of North Carolina are murky and tend to have more swimmers out in the warm seas. New England has fewer reported shark attacks because of the less frequented beaches, however in pre-modern times when people traveled fewer shark attacks increased when unsuspecting people splashed around the shark-ridden seas. Great whites have also been known to vacation here in the Summer. 
• Queensland and South Wales Australia are home to the Great White which have been known to kill humans and are rumored to like the taste of human flesh. If you enjoy diving with Great Whites this not be a negative, but make sure you take certain precautions while diving with these demons of the deep. 
• California and Hawaii. The Pacific Ocean attracts the Great White and also has a high human population which attracts more sharks. If you are diving though don’t stress as long as you can see what’s coming. 
• Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea is well known for spearfishing and unfortunately, this attracts many carnivorous sharks. The likelihood that a diver will be attacked is lower than that of a fisherman who spears dives. However, ensuring your surroundings are safe is first and foremost important. 
• Brazil is known to have the most shark attacks due to its high populations. Keep an eye out if you are diving near populated shores.
• South Africa is known for the highest attacks and is the Great White dive capital.

Dangerous behaviors

• Splashing, urinating, and bleeding all attract sharks.
• Diving with Great Whites puts you at risk, but well-engineered cages can keep you separated from these great fish. Ensure that you chart your Great White dive with experienced charters who have a good reputation. 
• If you happen to encounter a shark, and cannot get away try pushing back on them. This will usually intimidate them. However, if a shark is aggressively approaching, stand your ground and punch them in the face. If this does not work grab them by the gills or poke them in the eyes. The more you attack their senses and the harder you hit the more you are not worth the bite. 

Breeds that are Attack Unprovoked

• Great Whites, Bull Sharks, Tiger Sharks, and Oceanic Whitetips are known for attacking unprovoked. Not all the Whitetips and Great Whites have been recorded, but historical accounts of random attacks are common. 
• The Great White will usually attack humans if they cannot find enough fish to sustain their hunger.
• Bull Sharks and Tiger Sharks are very territorial and will attack for you invading their waters. They do not like competition of any kind and will go out of their way to attack a peaceful bystander who is in their surrounding fishing ground. 
• Bull sharks and Tiger sharks are more likely to be angered by your presence, but Great Whites and Whitetips are looking for food.

Shark presence in the ocean is inevitable. Looking for an experienced charter and avoiding dangerous conditions will lower the risk of a dangerous encounter. If you want a radical Great White encounter try to pick times when the shark has finished feeding to climb into the cage. This way you can experience nature and still limit dangerous exposure to the ocean’s greatest carnivore. If you wish to plan a safe adventure drop by to speak with Kevin at By the Shore SCUBA Instruction.*

*By the Shore SCUBA Instruction offers courses on SCUBA safety and full PADI certifications from certified PADI instructors. We are not certified to work with or handle animals. Our information regarding sharks is drawn from the expertise of marine biologists and personal experience. We are not marine biologists and do not guarantee that divers will be safe from any marine wildlife attack. Any diver must assume the risk of a shark attack, and choose to research a reliable charter as to lower their risk of death or bodily injury.

Many people question the safety of Egypt’s Red Sea. It holds some of the hottest salt springs in the world. Also, the color changes from the cyanobacteria from blue-green to copper-red. Cyanobacteria is toxic to humans. However, these things should not intimidate people from ever SCUBA diving in the Red Sea. As long as you research and follow safety recommendations, you can enjoy the wonders of the Red Sea while keeping danger at bay.

Avoid the “bloom”. Before you venture into the Red Sea make sure the Cyanobacteria is at bay. Cyanobacteria are also known as the bloom and, it is toxic to humans and most animals. The reddish-pink bacteria here is very rare, and unlike modern bloom, it has been a regular part of the Red Sea cycle. The mangroves usually start to bloom first and should be avoided for the most part. 

Visit During the Winter. For a warmer vacation, the May through March timeframe is recommended by some as the best time to visit. Winter is safer because the water temp is lower. Lower temperatures mean cyanobacteria are less likely to thrive. Also, the shark attack incidents are lower in the Winter. A higher number of humans increases human to shark interaction. You will also find the seas less crowded. This way, the water has better visibility.

Avoid using SCUBA diving groups on the blacklist in Egypt. CDWS.travel is an Egyptian travel site that has regulations and rules for diving in the Red Sea. They also have blacklisted different SCUBA companies that are not following PADI safety regulations. Illegal SCUBA companies are also listed, so you are less likely to stumble across a local scammer. Your best bet is charting your SCUBA excursion beforehand that complies with Egypt’s regulations. 

Avoid visiting hot springs that are not regulated. Hot Springs in the Red Sea is a unique beauty to this ancient body of water. However, there is not a whole lot of information on the safety of the hot springs. Avoid these areas unless you are with an experienced research team or are visiting a designated National park. Reach out to a CDWS.travel representative for more information on safe hot spring sites to visit. 

Take a cavern module course for SCUBA diving the caves and caverns of the Red Sea. The Red Sea is known for its magnificent rocky cliffs. SCUBA diving around cliffs and caverns requires safety training. You will need to speak with your SCUBA instruction for the best course to take. You may need one module or more, which will depend on the location of your dive. 

The Red Sea has a unique and beautiful underwater habitat. The focus of the Red Sea is its history and shipwrecks. You can fully immerse yourself into a lost and mysterious world of artifacts under the sea. Due to Covid-19, the regulations of booking a dive and traveling to Egypt have changed. Keep up with the country’s updates if you have any intention of visiting the Red Sea. Right now, they are currently open to visitors. If you want to certify in the cavern SCUBA diving check out By The Shore SCUBA Instruction in Raleigh, NC.

Scuba Diving is not only for summer vacation. In Winter, a world of possibilities opens up. For the Northern Hemisphere, Winter opens up a world of warm locations South of the Equator. However, there are also cold locations that host a slew of unique wildlife during this time. For the extreme diver who enjoys Winter Polar plunges, ice dives are also a plus during this time of the year. 

First, decide if you are interested in a warm vacation on the Equator, a temperate dive in the Southern Hemisphere, or colder dives in more polar regions closer to the Northern axis or Southern axis. Below are the recommended locations to take your Winter SCUBA diving excursion.

The Equator

For individuals looking for a bearable dive, the Equator offers locations that are warm year-round. For those looking to escape the winter chills, the tropics and Mediterranean are an ideal escape. Check out our favorite unique equilateral locations. 

• Raja Ampat, Indonesia, located right below the Equator, is a scuba diver fanatics paradise with 76% of Earth’s different Coral reef species. With everything from reef sharks to almost 30 species of whale, creatures are plentiful. There is plenty of macros and micro life to explore. Dugongs, which are related to the West Indies Manatees, offer a unique mammal experience. The pristine waters are temperate and offer interesting terrain like in Northern Raja Ampat, where cliffs rise out of the blue waters. Raja Ampat is not affected by human development. You can support the diversity by keeping your dive groups small and bringing revenue to the small Raja Ampat travel agency. Your help can preserve one of the Earth’s most vivid and colorful coral communities. 
• Socorro Island, Mexico, is a tropical and remote getaway in the Western Hemisphere. The visibility is good, and you are likely to catch a glimpse of the highly sought after the whale shark. For mammal enthusiasts, this dive location is one of the few places where officials allow you to swim with the humpback whales. With Cabo San Lucas only a few miles away, your resort location is only a short distance away from a beautiful dive location. Sip margaritas, dive, watch the sunset and repeat. 
• The Cayman Islands is probably one of the most alluring tropical destinations for beach dwellers and divers alike. However, ill-timed Summer vacations can mean running into Hurricanes. That is why this balmy destination is best visited in the Winter when divers can safely explore the blue waters. Here divers will find almost a cinematic experience as they explore the birthplace of drop-off diving. With shipwrecks, shallow-water coral reefs, and cliffs all in blue waters, your dive will never be lacking. 
• The Red Sea in Egypt is a unique dive located near the Equator. Instead of tropical islands, this dive location offers a historical and mystic escape for the archaeologically intrigued. The waters this time of year are colder, and divers are few this time of year. The North Red Sea is best known for shipwrecks such as the Thistlegorm wreck. It also has beautiful coral reef wall formations. If you are looking for an even quieter getaway, the South Red Sea is also teeming with reefs and various reef sharks. Still, the North offers famous shipwrecks and will give divers a chance to practice in-depth exploration.

Temperate Southern Hemisphere 

For divers looking for a switch from the Northern Hemisphere Winter to a Southern Hemisphere Summer may find these locations South of the Equator enjoyable. With certain sea life migrating south for the Winter, it may be easier to book an excursion to these destinations in the Winter rather than wait for sea life to reemerge during a Northern Hemisphere Summer.

• Ari Atoll of the Maldives in India is an ideal location to visit during the winter months so that you avoid any monsoons set to come. The pinnacles and channels are very open, giving individuals the option to drift dive if they chose. The blue waters and colorful channels allow those seeking Indian ocean dives the perfect chance to explore. This atoll is one of the biggest atolls and the best way to dive in the Maldives. For ecological enthusiasts, this location offers divers a chance to take a closer look at Pelagic species. (These are oily species of fish that we typically consume.) Turtles, manta rays, and hammerheads are common here as well as circular coral reefs. For those who love to swim in the open waters, this location is ideal and safest during the Winter months. 
• The Galapagos Islands offer the perfect dives for creature enthusiasts. The winter months are warm in the Galapagos as the wet weather emerges. It has one of the best locations for large marine life. These include loggerhead turtles, sea lions, Galapagos sharks, whales sharks, and little seahorses. Because of the Southern Hemisphere Summer and limited human population, December through March is the best time of year to explore these lively mammalian waters. 

Northern Hemisphere Winter Wonderland

It is a matter of opinion, but icy dives offer more visibility, inflammation relief, and unforgettable natural beauty. During the winter months, you may avoid venturing too far away from the Equator. However, if you like colder dives, these locations are best visited for the curious diver over the holidays. 

• Norway may seem like a frostbitten diving location, but you are more likely to catch pods of orcas in the Winter wonderland than any other time of year. Orcas swim further away from the mainland in the Summer, making them harder to locate. You will also get to experience the Northern lights and deep-frozen fjords in the best Season. The icy waters not only help with inflammation but offer a unique Winter wonderland. 
• Lake Baikal, Russia, is one of their best-kept secrets. The World’s oldest lake, Lake Baikal, is home to the most alien-like and crustacean creature in freshwater. The water is more visible than the Caribbean, and you will find the water calm and eerily serene. Nerpa seals and their adorable furry pups live in this massive ancient lake alone. Along with ice fishing, you will need a chainsaw. After you find an opening, you will only need a team to monitor your dive. This Siberian dive is for extreme divers who do not mind a dive beneath the meter-thick crystal clear ice. 
• The White Sea in Russia offers an even more unpredictable yet unforgettable experience for Winter diving. You will need to be ice dive certified and have a crew above the ice prepped for your descent. Capture rare and beautiful photos in the winter waters of the White Sea. With soft, colorful corals and sea anemones, this Wintery dive is picture perfect and offers something around the Wintertime where other dives lack. 

Antarctica 

The Polar plunge of Antarctica is only survivable during the Winter months. Dives to the icy continent are limited in availability and require divers to have a certain amount of cold-water dives and dry-suit dives under their belt. Antarctica dives are almost a once in a lifetime opportunity and open up divers to unforgettable creature experiences they will not see anywhere else. Emperor penguins will sometimes interact with divers out of curiosity, and you will watch them speed past to catch fish in the icy waters. You can see the leopard seals chase the penguins as the circle of life takes place before your very eyes. Large whales and other sea mammals are close by during Summertime in Antarctica. The trip will allow you a unique scientific experience.

Whether you are looking for beautiful temperate dives or unforgettable Winter dives, prepare at By the Shore Scuba Instruction. We can help you prepare for your dive and help you make the right decision based on your experience level.

Experienced Scuba divers are always learning new modules and techniques to improve or expand their diving experiences. In recent years, side mount SCUBA tanks have become increasingly popular. Take the time to read through and familiarize yourself with side mounting.

What is a side mount SCUBA diving certification? Side mount SCUBA diving is when you take your diving equipment and mount them on either side of your body.

Why would a side mount SCUBA diving certification be right for you? If you are an experienced diver looking to streamline or balance your movement, try side mount diving. This option is ideal for the swimming enthusiast who wants to cover more ground (or water) and the individual who needs less pressure on their spine. You will use less oxygen because of weight distribution. With the cylinders distributed on the sides of your shoulders and hips, your spine will have more flexibility, and you won’t intake as many breaths.

Where would you use your side mount SCUBA diving? Side mounting originated for cave diving and wreck diving so a diver could easily carry back-up gas or release their tank in case of an emergency. Now recreational divers are switching to this method so that they can easily hold their back-up tanks. This method is a win-win for all divers.

How long does it take to become a successful side mount diver? The short answer is two-four days. The duration of your certification depends on your skill level and your instructor’s schedule. However, side mount diving will take less time for experienced divers. The in-water portion alone may take a few days, but learning the equipment setup will begin before the certification course. You and your instructor can determine how long you need to assemble your equipment. It may take a few practice-runs if you are inexperienced.

What are the steps to the side mount certification? First, you need to make sure that you are a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and have at least 30 logged dives on record. Then you can enroll in a Technical Side mount diver course. Most PADI instructors will recommend that you have taken a PADI Enriched Air Diver certification course. This technique will ensure you get maximum oxygen usage. Usually, you will train for one session in confined water and two open water dives. The timing will vary based on the instructor. When setting up your equipment, you will need a buoyancy control device that comes with a wing-style harness. You might want cylinder-mounted weights that will allow you to adjust during your dive. Most configurations will use a bungee to hold the tanks in place.

There are a lot of specifics when setting up your equipment that will vary based on your specific dive. Your local instructor will be able to help you make the right adjustments to your gear. If you live near Raleigh, NC, visit By the Shore SCUBA Instruction to help you get started in your side mount or any SCUBA endeavors.