Sea Lice (bugs)

Sea lice are actually the microscopic larvae of jellyfish and sea anemones which contain the same nematocysts(stinging cells) as jelly fish. These larvae, sometimes half a millimetre in length or smaller. The larvae are large enough to be visible to the naked eye but become nearly invisible in the water. Unfortunately the only reliable method of identifying when sea lice are present is by the appearance of the rash on other swimmers or divers.

They can generate nasty rashes (refer to picture) and welts along with an itching and burning sensation. The stings are primarily annoying. The rash and welts can be treated with a mild soap and water wash. You can also use soothing creams or gels to ease the itching and burning sensation. Most people recover from sea lice stings without additional medical treatment.

The best way to deal with sea lice is to avoid them, which is easier said than done. You can prevent sea lice sting by wearing a wetsuit if diving in sea lice infested waters. You can also apply jellyfish or sea lice protection lotion like the Safe Sea product.

Deep Diving Course

After your first few scuba dives, you soon want to explore a bit deeper. There is something exciting and mysterious about the depth that attracts divers. It can be a 100 years old shipwreck or an underwater cave with interesting chambers or it could be searching for a rare corals at the wall. You may also want to spot the deep water marine life like the hammerhead sharks or the sunfish.

The fun part about this course is the opportunity to explore the deep. It’s exhilarating. You will learn techniques for diving in the deeper range of 18-40 metres and deep scuba diving equipment considerations. Learn how to experience in planning, organizing and making deep dives under the supervision of your PADI Instructor.

Divers always do it deeper !

Fun Of Night Diving

Since I did my first night dives on my AOWD course, it’s love at first sight (or experience). The diving experience makes me extremely calm and seeing a whole new world as many underwater creatures and plant life different from those I saw during the day. I can only see where my torch light shine, give me the excitements of spooky and wilderness.

During the night dives you will also see night predators out hunting. Also all the normally reef fish you will see out during the day, will be asleep. They will be tucked into any rock or over hang that they can find, in order to stop the night predators find and eating them.

Night dives can be great fun, but they're not without risks. Divers need to be fully aware of the additional risks associated with dangerous creatures, for example, sea snake and lion fish are much more active at night.

Ensure the following conditions are met:

-Good weather

-Good surface visibility, don't dive in high surge or heavy rain

-All divers to have main and backup torch

-Exit points are lit with coloured lights (to distinguish from other lights)

Night diving is strictly for certified Advanced Open Water Diver only. Let’s go for a night party underwater next time.

How Young Can You Dive?

I always received questions by hard core diving parents on “How soon can I get my kids certified” ? These are the parents whom are so eager to get their kids certified and start to plan diving holiday. Even I myself is counting days to get my little Alyssa to be a diver soon :D

These are the natural process to get the little ones ready for scuba diving.

1. Get them enjoy watching underwater cartoon. Nemo is my favorite

2. Bring them to swimming pool and let them comfortable with water

3. Bring them to island and let them enjoy playing sands and slightly wet with sea water

4. Get them to start snorkeling with life jacket

5. Once they start to enjoy snorkeling, you know it’s time to ‘upgrade’ them to be a scuba diver

Age 8+ – PADI Bubblemaker

Can only dive in the swimming pool and not deeper than 2m

Age 8+ PADI Seal Team

Similar to PADI Bubblemaker but you need to complete 5 Aquamissions. Missions like underwater photography, navigation, etc … Can only dive in the swimming pool and not deeper than 2m

Age 10+ to 14 :Junior Open Water

Similar to PADI (adult) Open Water course but cannot dive deeper than 12m

Age 12+ to 14: Junior Advanced Open Water

Similar to PADI (adult) Advanced Open Water course but cannot dive deeper than 12m

Scuba diving should be fun and enjoyable. The kid must not feel stressful and uncomfortable with the training. Else you will blow your chance to get them try scuba diving.

Ocean Sunfish (mola-mola)

On my recent trip to Bali, we spotted the elusive ocean sunfish. Attaching a video clip recorded by me and also excerpt from Wikipedia to share with my fellow divers and friends.

The ocean sunfish, Mola mola, or common mola, is the heaviest known bony fish in the world. It has an average adult weight of 1,000 kg. Average up to 3.5 meters. Many of the sunfish's various names allude to its unique flattened shape. Its specific name, mola, is Latin for "millstone", which the fish resembles because of its grey colour, rough texture, and rounded body. The ocean sunfish resembles a fish head without a tail.

Sunfish are pelagic and swim at depths of up to 600 meters. They usually stay in water warmer than 10 °C. As for Bali of Indonesia, the locals believe mola is there all year round. During the cold season, the mola will swim to shallower water, 30m to 40m. At this depth, it is accessible by recreational divers. Those months are now called the mola season of Bali and it's between August to October. So start planning your next trip to Bali at the right months.