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If you think diving is only restricted to daytime, you are wrong; night diving is also a thing. It brings diving experience to a different level, and you may not need so much, i.e., gear. The only thing about being underwater at that time is that you need to be a lot careful – asides from that, it is fun.
Nighttime is mostly when aquatic creatures come looking for food; thus, you might need to consider what you would take along. As a newbie to night diving, a dive light is an important accessory. Following your considerations for equipment and accessories, some life-saving skills and signals are also learned for a wonderful experience.
What Makes Night Diving Different from Day Diving?
Both night and day diving involves exploring open waters; however, the difference between them is when you go. Like the way you take diving courses to explore open waters during the daytime, you also need to do the same for night diving. This night diving course will introduce you to the skills essential for survival and the specialized gear designed for the occasion.
For instance, moving in low visibility is one of the skills you will have to learn in the course. Anything that challenges your mental alertness and vision in the dark is considered in the course.
A bigger step at night diving is Fluorescence diving or Fluodiving. It is a form of night diving, only that it requires a special blue light torch or ultraviolet light torch. These torches are designed with wavelengths suitable for the existing underwater environment.
Overall, night scuba diving is so much fun.
What Gear Do You Need for Night Scuba Diving?
What you use for day diving might also be useful for night diving; however, you will need some additions – mostly light sources.
Generally, night scuba divers are expected to come with two lights – the main light and a backup light. The main light provides light for visibility, and when it fails or runs out, a backup light takes up the role.
If you would like enhanced visibility, going with a BCD LED water-activated light or tank is a great idea. Asides from providing visibility, it is also guaranteeing safety.
In a nutshell, always ensure that you have a good light source before your night dives.
Read this premier guide to underwater photography.
Who Can Go Night Diving?
Interestingly, there are no restrictions for people who can go night scuba diving. So if you think you can take care of yourself underwater and use the right pieces of equipment or gear, you are good.
Besides, divers with Open Water Certification and more are eligible to go night diving because they are believed to have been taught the basics and other important things they should know. PADI and SSI are some of the best diving schools that take night diving courses if you ever wish to attend one.
PADI Night Diving Course, for example, features a 3-night dive session that teaches about marine life, entry, exit, and navigation. This course also teaches about how to communicate underwater in the dark. Furthermore, handling lights in low visibility is another concept taught before the certification is given.
What are the Tips You Need for Night Diving?
The truth about night diving is: it isn’t any different from day diving. All you just need to get accustomed to is diving and navigating in minimal visibility.
Before you proceed with the tips you need for this underwater night experience, you should get familiar with the water area during the day. Taking a daytime dive will help you make proper preparations and teach you how to navigate.
The following tips should be useful for your night scuba dives.
Go With A Dive Guide and the Right Gear
Since you are exploring somewhere you are not so familiar with at that hour of the day, i.e., night, you need a dive guide to help navigate the way. While you are at it, you should also ensure to pack the right gear, especially a strobe lighting or rechargeable light source for visibility.
Always confirm if your battery has enough power to get you through the night. Going with a backup light will always do you some good.
Turn your lights on, and get ready to jump.
Watch How You Jump
When and how you jump are two consequential things to consider when scuba diving at night. First, instead of jumping at pitch-back, you should dive at dusk and go slowly until your point of entry in low-light regions. It is much safer to do this, and at the same time, it allows you to enjoy longer dives.
Take Calm Dives
Diving in a new environment at a time you aren’t used to can be scary – you could panic and stop. However, you should go ahead with the diving because you may not be as confident another time. Therefore, what you should do is breathe slowly and dive in calm and shallow areas.
Avoid Getting Distracted
There is so much to see underwater at night; you could get distracted if you are not careful. As much as you want to explore and see how incredible marine life is at night, it would be best if you were mindful of your gear and diving depth. Air consumption is also another thing you should keep an eye on.
Stay Close
It is easy to get lost underwater, especially at night, so it is advisable to go with a fellow diver. During the entire experience, ensure to stay close to your buddy.
Likewise, you might want to signal underwater to draw the attention of people at the surface; what you do, however, is highlight your hands with the strobe lighting. Move the lighting in a circular motion until someone can see you.
Not, in any case, should you flash your light in a marine life’s eyes.
Conclusion
Regardless of your skill level, you can go night diving if you want. What is important is your ability to handle lights and navigate your way in the easiest ways possible. If you follow any of the tips above, you should have a great time underwater at night.
