Scuba Diver's Travel Companion

by Jeremy Agnew

• ISBN13: 9780762726684
• ISBN10: 0762726687
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-07-01
• Publisher: Globe Pequot

Summary

Newly certified divers, those getting back into the sport after a hiatus, and casual recreational divers all have one thing in common: They want to choose a dive vacation that matches their skill levels. This practical guide takes the guesswork out of selecting the best dive getaways in the Great Lakes, Florida, Central America, the Caribbean, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Rather than profile individual dive sites, this guide provides essential information on thetypesof diving that each location offers, from 30-foot entry-level dives in the Keys to 100-foot wall dives off Saba. Are there divers of different skill levels traveling together? This book can help readers select a vacation spot that everyone can enjoy. The author also includes expert tips on what to bring and how to pack it; helpful hints about proper weighting and buoyancy; an on-board, pre-dive equipment checklist; and a roster of stinging marine life that divers commonly encounter, as well as how to treat their stings or bites. Whether vacationers are currently planning a dive trip or just hope to travel in the future, this handy reference will provide a wealth of indispensible information.

Author Biography

Jeremy Agnew is a master scuba diver with more than eighteen years of active diving experience in the United States and overseas. He has written outdoor articles for Empire Magazine and is the author of two previous books. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
1. Tips for Dive Travel	1	(22)
2. Worldwide Dive Destinations	23	(26)
3. Airlines, Packing, and Local Transportation	49	(16)
4. Masks, Fins, Snorkels, and Exposure Suits	65	(16)
5. BCs, Regulators, Tanks, Weights, and Dive Computers	81	(14)
6. Weighting and Buoyancy	95	(8)
7. Dive Equipment Accessories	103	(20)
8. Predive Equipment Checks	123	(14)
9. Enhancing Your Dive Skills	137	(26)
10. Breathing Gas Underwater	163	(10)
11. Hazardous Marine Life	173	(14)
12. Care of Dive Equipment	187	(14)
13. Expanding Diving Opportunities	201	(12)
Appendix A: Resources for Divers	213	(2)
Appendix B: Dive Checklists	215	(6)
Index	221	(6)
About the Author	227

Excerpts

The most popular dive sites are the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and Cozumel. Abundant coral reefs, tropical climate, and warm sun in the winter draw thousands of scuba divers to these islands. Nearly all of these islands are international destinations and some are relatively remote, thus requiring a little added complexity in terms of travel planning.

A benefit to international dive travel is the opportunity to experience different cultures and adventures, while enjoying outstanding diving. Caribbean destinations are all relatively easy to fly to from the United States and offer a full range of dive support, with accommodations ranging from the pampered ultra-luxurious resorts to pleasant and comfortable lodgings, from guest houses to economical small motels. For those who enjoy exotic experiences, there are opportunities to stay in grass-thatched huts, either on land or built on pilings over the water of a lagoon.

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Excerpted from Scuba Diver's Travel Companion by Jeremy Agnew
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