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Currents
To
enhance the enjoyment and safety of a dive, consideration of the
direction and strength of currents is extremely important, wherever
you are diving; whether it is in the ‘kandu’, a pass between the atoll
reefs or ‘thila’ a shoal, inside the atolls. The success of a dive
almost always depends on these variables.
The
Maldivian archipelago is swept by ceaseless currents caused by the
monsoons; generally east to west during the northeast monsoon, from
December to April and west to east during the southwest monsoon, from
May to November. However this is not a hard and fast rule, as changes
in wind directions and tides can offset the influence of the oceanic
currents - especially so during the transitional period between the
two seasons.
Further,
the location of islands, reefs and ‘thilas’ cause great irregularity
in the flow of current streams inside atoll passes. Many local boat
captains show great skill in telling the direction of the current by
observing tiny ripples or wave patterns on the surface. However, the
dive guide often jumps into the water to determine the exact strength
and direction.
Strong
currents often make a dive site livelier, and that makes the
additional effort worthwhile.
Tides
Tides are an important aspect to consider when diving. Tides often
determine the strength and direction of the currents and often
visibility dependingn on where you dive. A rising tide brings in clear
waters from the ocean into the atoll, while receding tides carries out
less clear water from inside the atolls. For instance a drift dive
through a channel, taking advantage of rising tide and clear water
flowing into the atoll would offer an exciting dive with high
visibility. Therefore even though it may be easier to dive in slack
waters at high or low tide, it does not always provide the most
exciting of dives.
The time
between successive high tides is approximately 12 ˝ hours and divers
may take the advantage of the tides depending on the time of the day
when the tide moves.
Spring
tides cause the maximum variation in tides - highest at 110
centimeters. On the other hand during neap tides the variation can be
just a few centimeters.
Safety
With more than a 1000 dives being conducted each day in the Maldives,
dive accidents have fortunately been rare and far between. Increased
safety measures have further reduced the risk of accidents. However
utmost care should be taken when diving, especially in difficult
conditions.
Drift
diving is the most common type of diving in the Maldives. It gives
divers the opportunity of seeing more fish life and more coral and
rock formations than they would otherwise. Drift diving is easy and
safe when conducted with proper care.
These
exciting dives are staged on the outside reefs and channels - usually
with an ingoing current as they are safer. However if you are diving
in a channel with strong outgoing currents stay close to the reefs and
shallows on the outside corners. Only a knowledgeable divemaster would
be able to plan and instruct you on these dives and competent boatmen
are essential.
Tips for
safe diving -
Important
tips for safety in diving
-
Ensure you check your equipment and your buddy’s.
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Never dive alone, follow the buddy system
procedures.
-
Listen carefully to the pre-dive briefing and
follow the instructions carefully
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Start your descent without spending much time on
the surface, to avoid being swept off the dive point. It may help to
empty your BCD before you jump in.
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Stay as low as possible on the reef without
touching it or your equipment dragging on it. The lower you get the
easier it is to avoid being swept by the current.
-
Never swim against a strong current. The
protection of coral outcrops provide a place for a rest or a good
viewing point - hold-on only to dead corals if necessary.
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Make sure you do not exceed a depth of 30 metres.
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Avoid decompression stops in open water. You
could get swept for kilometres in a single stop.
-
For additional safety, make sure all your dives
are no-decompression dives.
-
Visibility is
usually good- do not underestimate distance based on visibility.
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Remember that these tips are particularly
important during night dives.
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Always carry a flag
or a surface balloon to signal in case of distress. Use this if the
dive boat cannot be seen when you surface
Dangerous fish &
corals
Although some of
the species of fish and coral are extremely attractive a small
percentage of them are sometimes extremely dangerous. However the
danger is not from the large predatory fish that are often portrayed
as villains in fiction or folklore.
Sharks for
instance, although implicated for attacking humans, are totally
harmless unless they are provoked by chasing or cornering them, often
failing to recognise their territorial posturing. Sharks are
gracefully powerful and beautifully awesome. In the
Maldives,
hundreds of sharks are encountered daily while diving. These creatures
are to be respected and observed. Playing around with them could only
pose any threat.
The real danger in
the reef lies in the small creatures, too small to see or well
camouflaged that they are able to blend in with the corals. These
creatures rely on powerful venom and lie quietly for its prey. One of
the most common species is that of the Scorpionfish which includes the
highly venomous Stonefish among them. They possess sharp spines which
are associated with venom glands. If these spines come into human
contact the fish inject a powerful neurotoxin, causing immediate
nausea followed by cardiorespiratory insufficiency, sweating and
fever. Soaking the part of the body stung in hot water can reduce the
effect of the sting.
Similarly the
yellow fire coral launches thousands of tiny venomous darts upon
contact.
While wetsuits
offer some protection the best criteria for protection is to avoid
touching or playing with any creatures big or small, leaning against
corals and not walking on reef tops.
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