Divers just know. They know they love the water, especially being under it. What they might not know is that water has tremendous healing power and there are demonstrable physiological reasons for this. Now, thanks to Wallace J. Nichols’ descriptively titled book Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do, interested divers can learn more about the science behind this amazing phenomenon.
Reconnecting People to Water
Nichols trained as a biologist and ecologist and he brought experts in sociology, anthropology and the cognitive sciences together with biologists to tackle a fundamental question: “What happens when our most complex organ – the brain – meets the planet’s largest feature – water?”
“There are lots of anecdotes, lots of personal feeling, lots of poetry, but what is going on?” Nichols asked while talking about his book in Seattle, USA. He’s conscious of how close he’s sailing to touchy feely shores with Blue Mind and is quick to keep things on a scientific tack. He quotes well-known neurologist Oliver Sacks, who studies the brain, “There’s something about being in water that alters my mood and gets my thoughts going like nothing else can.” Nichols explains that when you’re in water, cortisol (a hormone associated with stress) levels go down, your breathing and heart rate go down and you relax. Assembling data from electroencephalography (EEG) and, since the 1990s, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and using other scientific inquiry techniques, Blue Mind lays a solid scientific foundation and helps explain what happens when your “mind is on water.”
It’s a fascinating exploration and clearly relevant to divers around the world who will find great value in the pages of Blue Mind. It’s a treasure trove of good ideas and inspiration and the kind of book you’ll read once and find yourself returning to time and again. And it’s simply nice to know that diving is actually good for you.
When the Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF) was created in 1999, only 28 percent of divers were female. Now the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) reports that almost 40 percent of newly certified divers are female, thanks in part to the support of and inspiration from other women in the sport over the years — women such as those honored in the WDHOF.
“The organization is a way to recognize outstanding women divers and their incredible accomplishments, while also making a difference, paying it forward and giving back through our scholarship, training grants and mentorship programs,” said Bonnie Toth, WDHOF member since 2007.
Initially thought of as a “girls club,” the WDHOF has grown to include the most influential female divers from around the world. While some members are known to many divers — Sylvia Earle and Eugenie Clark, for example — each woman has accomplished some sort of “first” in the field of diving: the first woman to film manta rays and whale sharks (Lotte Hass), the first female scuba instructor in the U.S. (Dottie Frazier), the first woman to dive the Andrea Doria (Evelyn Dudas), the first American female to walk in space (Kathryn Sullivan, who also dived in submersibles to depths up to 8,000 feet) and the list goes on. With more than 200 members, six inducted each year, the number of “firsts” among this group of women is truly remarkable.
Even more noteworthy, however, is the humility of these women. When Sally Bauer — WDHOF member since 2011, medical doctor, aquarist, dive historian, the first person to raise clownfish in an aquarium and founder of the History of Diving Museum — was asked what it feels like to be a part of such an elite organization, she explained, “These women made history; I just tell it.”
Patti Gross, a WDHOF member since 2016, is a marine conservation educator who has created conservation-based dive specialty programs, serves as the dive safety officer for the Coral Restoration Foundation and has traveled around the world to outplant corals and train citizen scientists. Despite her many achievements, she said, “Throughout my life, I never thought I was doing anything notable. I have always lived by my passions. To me, water was always a passion.”
Perhaps their unassuming nature is what has allowed these women to create such an impactful organization for future generations. The members seem to agree that, while honored to be recognized among this elite group of women, they are most proud of the effects WDHOF has on the next generation, primarily through their scholarship program.
“WDHOF is more than an organization that recognizes the accomplishments of women,” explained Michele Hall, an award-winning underwater filmmaker and member of the WDHOF since 2000. “It is an organization comprised of accomplished women who strive to assist in passing the baton.… I believe that WDHOF’s greatest achievement lies within our outreach and our scholarship program. Through the funds we raise, we can help so many people each year as they strive to increase their skills and their own outreach. Being a part of that effort makes me immensely proud.”
Kathy Weydig, the first president of the organization, requested $500 for the first scholarship In 2001. As the WDHOF membership has grown, so has the scholarship program. Now the organization awards tens of thousands of dollars every year. Since its inception, the WDHOF has awarded more than $500,000 to deserving recipients via a highly competitive application process. In 2019 the group awarded more than $80,000 in scholarship money to 59 recipients. All funds these women raise throughout the year go toward the WDHOF scholarship program.
The WDHOF currently includes women from 30 states across the U.S. and more than 18 countries. They come from hugely diverse backgrounds (education, science, conservation, the arts, business, media, medicine and exploration, among others), and the scholarship opportunities they offer are equally as diverse. “Due to our professional diversities, our outreach is far and wide, adding to our strength as an organization,” Hall explained. The varied grant and scholarship opportunities, which support both women and men, include fields such as dive training, marine conservation and underwater archaeology. As further proof of the dedication these women have to future generations, WDHOF members sponsor many of the scholarships.
Spanning multiple generations, the women are also a source of inspiration for each other. Gross has a National Geographic magazine from 1971 with an article and photos about Sylvia Earle conducting coral surveys — the article inspired her so much as a child that she kept it. When Gross met Earle in 2013, she had her mentor sign the magazine.
Hall, who understands that “our future lies in the hands of our youth,” is inspired by Margo Peyton and Annie Crawley, two WDHOF members who are devoted ocean educators. All the members set an example for young divers. “By providing an arena for recognizing achievements, we encourage and set examples and standards for others to emulate,” Hall explained.
“I am in awe of our members who are still out in the trenches,” Toth said, “diving, making their mark, speaking at the dive shows and representing our organization.”
Among the celebrations and events WDHOF members are preparing for their 20th anniversary is a “traveling watch” bearing the WDHOF logo. The first prototype of the watch will travel around the world and go to a different “sea sister” every 30 days for 20 months — one month for each year of the WDHOF. These women use creative avenues such as this world-spanning journey of a meaningful symbol to connect with each other.
While this group of women obviously includes extremely hard workers, they make time for some fun — they are divers after all. “We love to dive, we love having fun, and we love to have fun and dive together,” Hall said. “Some of my most fun dives and dive trips have been because I shared the adventure with my sea sisters.”
Coming from different countries with incredibly diverse backgrounds, these women share one passion: diving. What makes these women so powerful, special and worthy of celebration is what each of them has done with this passion. While the organization celebrates these accomplished women, WDHOF also celebrates the future by providing a platform for successful women to inspire each other along with future generations.
As co-founder Kathy Weydig wrote, the WDHOF is a reminder that “the power of women to help other women is alive and well.” Happy 20th anniversary to the WDHOF, and thanks for your inspiration and contributions to divers everywhere.
Here at SPE Dive School, we have been teaching safe diving practices for over 50 years. This experience allows us to delve into the essential precautions every diver should take after their underwater adventure. From seasoned enthusiasts to novices, discover the key steps to safeguard your health and enjoyment. In this post, we uncover 5 crucial pointers to remember after scuba diving adventure.
Pointers
Drinking
Exercising
Elevated altitudes
Hot temperature
Skipping surface interval
Drinking
As you may already know, allowing your body sufficient time to eliminate absorbed nitrogen is crucial post-dive. Avoiding anything that hampers this process is essential. Alcohol consumption accelerates dehydration, heightening the potential for decompression sickness.
To mitigate these risks, it’s advisable to refrain from combining alcohol with scuba diving. However, if you choose to drink after diving, wait several hours and ensure proper hydration beforehand.
Exercising
The next crucial guideline for scuba enthusiasts is to refrain from exercising immediately after diving. Engaging in physical activities involving intense muscle use or rapid limb movement can heighten the risk of decompression sickness. Examples of such activities include:
Weight training sessions at the gym
Swimming or running post-dive
Participating in sports such as beach volleyball or soccer
Even dancing in some cases
According to the Divers Alert Network (DAN), researchers advise waiting at least 4-6 hours before exercising following a dive. Previously, the recommended time frame was 24 hours, but this is now deemed impractical. Naturally, the longer the interval between diving and exercise, the lower the risk of decompression sickness, as with many other activities on this list.
Elevated altitudes
Flying or driving to high altitudes after scuba diving poses significant risks, as pressure changes can affect the release of nitrogen from your body tissues. This could potentially leading to decompression sickness (DCS). The pressure inside an airplane cabin decreases as altitude increases, similar to a rapid ascent during diving. The longer and deeper the dive, the more nitrogen is absorbed into your system, and ascending too quickly can cause nitrogen bubbles to form, resulting in DCS, also known as “the bends.”
To minimize these risks, it’s crucial to wait before flying or driving to high altitudes after diving. As a general rule, experts recommend a 24-hour surface interval before flying to allow for the safe release of nitrogen. Similarly, driving or hiking to high altitudes should be avoided within the first 24 hours post-dive to reduce the risk of DCS.
If combining mountain climbing and diving on the same trip, it’s advisable to prioritize mountain climbing first in order to minimize potential DCS risk. After climbing or hiking, ensure adequate rest and hydration before moving on to your dive.
Other High-Altitude Activities to Avoid for 24+ Hours After Diving
Parachute jumping or skydiving
Paragliding
Parasailing
Skiing or snowboarding
Air ballooning
Hot temperatures
As the body heats up and circulation enhances, the likelihood of bubble formation also rises. According to insights from the Divers Alert Network:
Since the solubility of gas is inversely related to temperature, tissues will hold less in solution as they warm. Warming tissues with significant gas loads can promote bubble formation.
When you transition to a hot shower, hot tub or sauna immediately after a dive, especially following a colder dive, tissue warming precedes increased blood flow. Consequently, bubbles may develop more rapidly than circulation can safely remove them, elevating the risk of decompression sickness.
Skipping surface interval
Scuba diving can be incredibly addictive. After resurfacing from an exhilarating dive, surrounded by captivating marine creatures, the temptation to plunge back into the depths for another adventure can be irresistible.
However, it’s crucial to understand that your surface interval is non-negotiable. Following a dive, your body still retains nitrogen. Due to this, you require time for nitrogen to dissipate sufficiently in order to safely undertake another dive. The duration for the interval varies depending on factors such as the depth, duration of your previous dive, as well as your next dive. Skipping the necessary surface interval heightens the risk of decompression sickness.
Moreover, taking a surface interval provides an ideal opportunity to explore the topside wonders, swap stories with fellow divers, and indulge in much-needed relaxation before your next underwater excursion.
Conclusion
Wrapping up your scuba diving adventure, it’s crucial to follow key precautions: avoid alcohol, delay intense exercise, wait before traveling to high altitudes, avoid hot temperatures, and respect the necessary surface interval. By prioritizing safety, you not only protect your health but also enhance your diving experience. With over 50 years of experience, SPE Dive School emphasizes these precautions for divers of all levels, ensuring each dive remains safe and enjoyable. Explore our website to find out more about us or just show up to one of our free orientation time slots.
If you’re experiencing ear pain on your dives, you need to improve your equalizing technique. This important skill prevents ear pain by (you guessed it) equalizing the pressure in your middle ears with the pressure around you. Your middle ears are connected to your throat by means of your Eustachian tubes, which are normally closed. Opening them is the key to equalizing. Read on for a few easy tips.
Listen for the pop
Swallow a few times. You should hear a slight pop about every other swallow. This is the way to naturally open your Eustachian tubes.
Prep early
Get ready to equalize during your dive a few hours before. Chewing gum is a great way to encourage the above mentioned pop and open those tubes, allowing higher-pressure air from the throat to access the inner ears.
Feet first
Air rises up the Eustachian tubes, and mucus flows downward. When you descend feet-first, you make it easier to equalize.
Use a descent line
Descending an anchor or mooring line helps you accurately control your descent rate and makes equalizing easier.
If it hurts, don’t do it
If you’re having a particularly hard time equalizing, come up. Your ears are delicate, and pushing through pain can damage them.
To learn more about equalizing, along with all the ins and outs of diving, call SPE Dive School at 301-657-2266 to book a diving lesson today! We’ve helped many new and experienced divers in the DC area have fun, rewarding diving experiences.
Scuba diving is a great way to get some exercise, have fun, and explore the underwater world. An easy way to get started scuba diving is to take some beginner scuba classes. These classes are designed to help you get familiar with the water and learn how to scuba dive safely. When you’re ready, you can enjoy different types of scuba diving, like the ones covered in this post, to take scuba diving to the next level.
Night Diving
Nothing can compare to seeing the underwater world at night. Many types of marine life only come out at night, so you’ll really get to see some amazing things. You’ll use a bright underwater flashlight and communicate with it so you’re safe at all times. If you really want to experience the ocean in its true form, diving at night is a must!
Drift Diving
Drift diving is a freeing experience because you use the energy of the currents around you to dive and drift with the water without using a lot of energy. It’s very relaxing for the diver, and is sometimes likened to flying. Drift diving is typically recommended for scuba divers with a lot of experience.
Cave Diving
If the idea of exploring excites you, cave diving is for you. Imagine exploring underwater passageways as you marvel in the cave’s formations. It’s very exciting thinking about who has explored the cave before you and what life it once held. It’s the ultimate adventure!
Deep Diving
Deep diving is for more experienced scuba divers, but it’s a great goal to work towards. Deep diving is when you dive deeper than 18 meters and requires training and planning in advance. It’s a great opportunity to explore old, wrecked ships or see marine life that you wouldn’t otherwise see.
These are just a few of the types of scuba diving you can train and plan to do after your beginner scuba diving classes. Once you master the basics of scuba diving, it’s like another world opens up and is waiting to be explored. What are you waiting for? Schedule your beginning scuba classes with SPE Dive School today by calling 301-657-2266.
There are some people who are under the assumption that they need to invest hundreds and, in some cases, even thousands of dollars in order to start scuba diving. This myth couldn’t be further from the truth! When you work with a company like SPE Dive School, you can start scuba diving right away without spending a fortune on scuba equipment. This isn’t the only myth about scuba diving that exists, either. Here are five other common myths:
You need to be a competitive swimmer to keep up in scuba diving
Being a strong swimmer will certainly help you when scuba diving. But many people believe you need to be an excellent swimmer to start scuba diving in the first place. This isn’t true. As long as you have some experience swimming and don’t mind learning how to swim with all of your scuba gear, you will be just fine when you get into the water.
You can’t scuba dive if you have a medical condition
There are some medical conditions that will prevent you from scuba diving. But there are others, like asthma and diabetes that are no longer the roadblocks they used to be when it comes to scuba diving. You may need to take extra precautions because of them, but by working with your doctor, you can figure out which conditions will keep you out of the water and, more importantly, which ones won’t.
You will damage your ears if you scuba dive
If you don’t equalize the pressure in your ears before doing a deep dive while scuba diving, you may feel some discomfort in them. But this is an easy fix. By using what’s called the Valsalva maneuver and blowing against your nostrils while pinching your nose, you can provide yourself with some relief and avoid any uncomfortable feelings in your ears.
You have to be a man to scuba dive
What?! This one might be the worst myth of all. While many scuba divers were men many years ago, there are men and women who enjoy scuba diving in 2017. Regardless of your gender, you will enjoy it once you try it.
You can get the same experience snorkeling as you would scuba diving
Snorkeling can be a lot of fun. But make no mistake about it: Snorkeling and scuba diving are not one in the same. Scuba diving will allow you to experience something completely different than snorkeling will. So if you’ve only ever been snorkeling, you should open yourself up to the new experience that scuba diving will provide.
Would you like to give scuba diving a try? Register for classes with SPE Dive School or call us at 301-657-2266 for more information on how we can help you start scuba diving today!
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