Why I like Shallow Dives
I am often a little miffed when I receive emails asking about depths of dives and the thought of seeing more when deeper. Is going deep when scuba diving always better?
It is one of scuba diving’s greatest myths that when going deeper you will see more creatures.
Coral reefs require clear water and sunlight to flourish and most of the best coral is found closer to the surface. The healthier the coral reef is the more marine life will be present. Many fish graze off corals and the coral becomes their major food source. More coral should equal more fish.
The closer you are to the surface the more light there is making it easier to see things. The easier it is to see thing the more you will find. Turn off the light inside you house or go outside at night and see how little colour there is. Light is the essential ingredient to color. Water slows light down and the deeper you go the less light there is, the less light the less colour. There are more colours closer to the surface.
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The closer to the surface the warmer the water is. Being an avid warm water diver I love diving in nothing more than board shorts and a rash guard. With most shallow dives you get to avoid thermoclines making the dive a lot more pleasurable.
My air will last longer. The deeper you go the more air you will consume so the shorter the dive time. Most divers can quite easily get an hours dive at shallow depth. I have seen certified divers use a tank in 20 minutes at depth. Shallow generally equals more time under the water.
Shallow dives are easier, safer and there is less chance of getting decompression sickness. Although we should never dive safely shallow general pose less of a threat in relation to no decompression limits, gas narcosis, air consumption and decompression sickness.
For me, a nice simple dive in warmers water with more colours and more fish is very appealing to me. There are always those that like to go deep and I don’t begrudge them that however for me, shallow is better.
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