My first scuba diving session

loumaggs · Mar 22, 2016

Although it's probably a pretty average dive for a seasoned diver, I absolutely loved it so thought I'd share it with you all

I also saw a couple of fish I'd never seen before

30reef · Mar 22, 2016

Really cool

Diving something I've always wanted to do, I'll have to try it sometime!
-RJ

loumaggs · Mar 22, 2016

Its sooooo goood! I think taht because I know what fish I'm looking at I probably enjoy it more than if I didnt have the knowledge

Bronc · Mar 22, 2016

Thanks for sharing that!

fab · Mar 22, 2016

loumaggs,

Diving as a well-informed fish enthusiast really does make for much better experiences below.

You may already have picked up on the value of paying attention to small detail on a dive, particularly when the visibility is not the best. Get close to rocks and corals, look for the tiny critters, in crevices, under overhangs, at sand's edge against a coral outgrowth. You will see so much more than just looking out over a reefscape at the big stuff. Enjoy both views. That will more than double your enjoyment of scenic diving.

One other thing, do take good notes on what you see, depth, light conditions, current, species. Note whether you tend to see individuals or shoals of fish, critters in crevices or out in the open and such. Time of year will change that. For instance Moorish Idols shoal in the Red Sea in May-June. Otherwise they are usually seen more in "onesy-twosies." So when you want to plan a dive trip, look up what behaviors you are likely to see at a location at the seasonal time of your trip. I've actually chosen the timing of a trip to catch a particular behavior of some critters. It really paid off.

Good diving to you,
fab

fab · Mar 22, 2016

Bronc, you are FAST! you must have remarked just as I hit the submit key. Glad you liked it.

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 22, 2016

Looks awesome! Hope you had a great time!

PatW · Mar 22, 2016

My wife and I are pretty dedicated divers. You did well in the tide pools. In scuba diving, if you go slowly and look carefully, you can see all kinds of marvelous small critters.

loumaggs · Mar 22, 2016

fab said:
loumaggs,

Diving as a well-informed fish enthusiast really does make for much better experiences below.

You may already have picked up on the value of paying attention to small detail on a dive, particularly when the visibility is not the best. Get close to rocks and corals, look for the tiny critters, in crevices, under overhangs, at sand's edge against a coral outgrowth. You will see so much more than just looking out over a reefscape at the big stuff. Enjoy both views. That will more than double your enjoyment of scenic diving.

One other thing, do take good notes on what you see, depth, light conditions, current, species. Note whether you tend to see individuals or shoals of fish, critters in crevices or out in the open and such. Time of year will change that. For instance Moorish Idols shoal in the Red Sea in May-June. Otherwise they are usually seen more in "onesy-twosies." So when you want to plan a dive trip, look up what behaviors you are likely to see at a location at the seasonal time of your trip. I've actually chosen the timing of a trip to catch a particular behavior of some critters. It really paid off.

Good diving to you,
fab