To a new diver, propulsion is achieved by any means necessary.  The use of legs, arms, hands, large marine animals, currents and other divers are all useful elements in completing the journey from Sponge A to Coral Head B.  In defense of the new diver, rarely is propulsion explained let alone practiced in a basic or advanced scuba class.  A new diver might be told to kick from the hip, point their toes, don’t bend the knees, don’t bicycle kick, etc.  To a new diver propulsion means wiggling your feet until you get to the other side of the pool and if that is too difficult you can buy a different pair of fins that will be easier on the legs.

For DIR education, proper propulsion techniques are an essential part.  After a diver develops a solid base of buoyancy control along with body mechanics and trim, different propulsion techniques are added to the divers’ useful resources.  A collection of propulsion techniques will benefit the diver in many ways.  It does not take a new diver very long to appreciate the ability to swim efficiently forwards as well as backwards.  The menu of DIR propulsion techniques which are taught in the beginner Open Water/Recreational 1 level include a Proper and Modified Frog Kick for efficient and tireless motion, a Modified Flutter Kick for power, Backwards Kick for stability, positioning and control as well as 360 degree Helicopter-Turn.

When many divers swim they kick with their entire body.  The kick begins in their brain as they try to move themselves to another location.  The synapses fire and motion is generated in the leg, and the whole leg is involved with the kick.  Along with the calf, quads and glutes; the back, chest, shoulders and neck are also thrown into an explosion of muscle contractions in an attempt to generate movement.  Unfortunately, the return from all of this expense is usually wasted energy and CO2 build-up.  The answer is not to purchase easier kicking fins or build stronger muscles; it is to understand the muscles needed to generate propulsion.  We learn to use only the muscles that are efficient and productive; disregarding the inefficient and wasteful movements. It is important to develop a controlled use of the smallest and most efficient muscles through muscular compartmentalization of the body.  Instead of using the entire leg to kick, we learn to use only the muscles we need to use.

Any DIR class that teaches these essential skills will include a thorough understanding of proper propulsion techniques.  These skills are the building blocks for future development and their importance cannot be understated.  Along with proper body mechanics, buoyancy control, trim and technique, the propulsion techniques you develop in your DIR training will take your diving to a new depth of skill and ability.

For more information on developing these and other DIR techniques look into the UTD Essentials or Intro To Tech classes.

www.unifiedteamdiving.com

Or contact James Mott at

jm@unifiedteamdiving.com

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PUT SEA TURTLE FLYING OVER SANTA ROSA WALL HERE

All sea turtle species (green, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, loggerghead, and olive ridley) are officially classified as either “threatened” or “endangered.” They are in trouble for many reasons. One is natural predators: Turtles are menu favorites for tiger sharks, and hatchlings are devoured by sea-birds as they scamper across the beach seeking safety in the waves.

Hawksbill Turtle Flying Over Santa Rosa Wall

But their most significant threat is from earth’s number one apex predator: humans. Coastal development destroys nesting and foraging habitats. Shore lighting confuses turtles’ navigation ability, since they rely on moonlight and starlight. Commercial fishing gear (gillnets, baited long-lines, trawl nets, etc.), kill thousands of turtles every year as wasted “bycatch.” Finally, tens of thousands are taken directly by humans annually for eggs, meat, and decorative jewelry.

For more about threats to sea turtles, visit this link:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/threats.htm

Sea turtles have been called “Ambassadors of the oceans” because these world-wide travelers migrate thousands of miles during their long, estimated 80-year, life spans. Since they cross both coastal and deep sea environments on their journeys, they are an important indicator of the ocean’s health. Females return to the same beach on which they themselves began their perilous life, to lay their eggs. Odds of reaching sexual maturity are against them: only about 1 in 1000 will survive to breed.

One of the many benefits sea turtles provide for other reef residents is food, in a symbiotic relationship. For example, this 30-second YouTube clip I shot in Cozumel shows two buddies, a hawksbill turtle and a French angelfish, enjoying a sponge lunch together. As you watch the turtle chew a chunk of sponge, one of its favorite foods, the angel fish snaps up the floating crumbs.

As divers, we feel privileged to visit these magnificent creatures in their home environment. Check out this short YouTube video and watch a friendly hawksbill spend a few moments with our lucky dive group in Cozumel.

Think back to your last dive, what could have gone wrong?  If something did go wrong would you have known exactly what to do? When was the last time you practiced diving emergency drills – has it been since your open water class 10 years ago?   The point of the exercise is to get you to think about the unexpected, a diving emergency.

Sooner or later with enough dives something will happen, it probably will be something minor but are you prepared? Consider getting some training as a Rescue Diver.

Rescue training is sometimes referred to as the “ultimate dive buddy training” because you learn to become a self-reliant, and competent diver. The main focus of training is to learn how to deal another diver in the event something goes wrong.  Remember back to your basic scuba class you were taught to “stop, think and then act”.  Did really understand the “act” part?  Rescue training will teach you the “act”: locating a missing diver, surfacing an unconscious diver and providing in-water resuscitation, getting the victim back to the boat or shore and accident management.  You also learn to be prepared for other problems, how to plan for and how to prevent problems from occurring.

Many additional skills are gained that make you a better overall diver.  For example you will become more observant of other and your “global awareness” will improve.  Recognizing pre-dive stress in others and how to best handle those situations is a key skill on the prevention side of the equation.  As your awareness increases you will understand common causes of diving incidents and more importantly, how to properly deal with them correctly.

Every diver will benefit from this training for the simple fact of understanding physical demands of rescuing another diver, especially in the ocean.  Think of your regular dive buddy, could you tow them a couple hundred yards while simultaneously providing in-water resuscitation?  Now add a little current, get the picture?

Diving is a safe and fun activity.  Serious accidents are rare, but an underwater adventure can turn to tragedy in a flash. Rescue training helps you develop an awareness to anticipate potential problems before they strike. The ability to recognize and prevent problems is a very valuable skill, one that could save a life.

So as you think back to the beginning, put yourself in the picture and ask yourself ‘If something were to go wrong am I prepared, am I confident in my rescue abilities?  If your answer is anything but an enthusiastic “yes” contact your local dive shop and get into the next rescue course.

The old saying goes:

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

To learn more about rescue training visit www.NAUI.org and learn more about the author visit www.scubajax.com

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