#divingtrip

• Depth: 55ft/16.3mts

Great dive with Dive Adventure in Portobelo, Panama. Thanks to the Captain, Kike Full vid in YouTube https://youtu.be/KFKkAdmQ2hQ. #scuba #naui #diving #panama #underwater

Despite of our presence on Earth, as human beings, for billions of years, we have only explored a small fraction of the ocean and most of it still remains largely unknown. On the other hand, space exploration has been happening for several decades and has provided us with a vast amount of information about our solar system, galaxies, and beyond. All this, in spite of the opportunity technology has afforded us to see further and gather more data about space than ever before.

It is for that reason scuba diving is a fascinating experience and sport. The boundless opportunities to learn, research and explore of the underwater world is increasing our knowledge and understanding of the ocean and its ecosystems and provides an open canvas to our imagination and search for adventures.

Scuba diving is still a unique and exciting activity that is enjoyed by a few people around the world. It offers a one-of-a-kind experience, unlike any other sport or recreational activity. From exploring shipwrecks and coral reefs, to swimming with sea creatures, scuba diving offers a wide range of experiences and opportunities to satisfy people's thirst for adventure and excitement.

In this article I hope to share some of the many reasons I believe taking up scuba diving as a sport and recreational activity can be an incredible choice for you and people of all ages and backgrounds.

Access to the underwater world

Scuba diving is one of those activities that provides the opportunity for people of any background to explore the underwater world and its diverse environments, including coral reefs, shipwrecks, caves, and much more. It offers a unique perspective on the underwater ecosystem and the creatures that inhabit it. The underwater world is full of surprises, and every one of my dives, despite being familiar with the area, is a new adventure. With scuba diving, you can observe the beauty and diversity of the underwater world and learn more about the ocean, lakes, rivers and its inhabitants.

Physical and mental health benefits

Scuba diving is not just a fun activity; it is also good for your health. It provides a good workout and helps to reduce stress levels. Being underwater and breathing through a regulator requires a certain level of focus and calm, which can be beneficial for people who suffer from anxiety or stress. In addition, scuba diving is a low-impact exercise, making it a great option for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Is scuba diving a sport or a recreational activity? I found an article not long ago that put it best –“a sport activity involves physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment” - and while I am not competing with anyone or for any prices, I can tell you I am pretty tired, physically and mentally by the end of every dive.

Adventure and excitement

Scuba diving offers the thrill of adventure and excitement, with the opportunity to explore new environments and see things that are not visible to the naked eye. Whether you are swimming with sea turtles, exploring shipwrecks, or observing unique sea creatures, scuba diving offers a sense of adventure and excitement that is unmatched by other sports or recreational activities. Every dive is different and full of new experience and potential challenges.

A sense of accomplishment

Learning to scuba dive and becoming certified is a significant accomplishment, and it should be a great source of pride. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, there is always something new to learn and explore. The process of learning to dive and obtaining certification requires dedication, effort, and practice, and is a great way to challenge yourself and achieve a sense of accomplishment. I believe it is the uniqueness of this activity, and the mostly unfounded fears that keeps most from exploring it and a result, gives you the opportunity to brag about it.

Building friendships and camaraderie

Scuba diving is a social activity that can help you build relationships and make new friends. Whether you are diving with a group of friends, or with other divers, scuba diving provides an opportunity to connect with others who share your passion for the underwater and it is a great way to meet new people and make memories that will last a lifetime.

A connection with nature

Scuba diving provides an opportunity to connect with nature in a way that is not possible on land. It gives you the chance to experience the beauty and diversity of the underwater world, and to learn more about the ocean and its inhabitants. Diving helps to promote environmental awareness and encourages divers to take steps to protect the ocean and its inhabitants.

A sense of peace and tranquility

The underwater world is peaceful and calm, and diving provides a sense of escape from the stress and chaos of daily life. With the sound of your breathing as the only noise, diving can be a meditative and calming experience. No text messages, emails or phone calls to react to. This is a great opportunity to clear your mind and focus on the present moment.

The BCD also known as “Bad Conduct Discharge” kidding - I mean, also known as “Buoyancy Compensation/Control Device”.

The BCD is an essential piece of equipment for the scuba diver. It is worn like a backpack and attaches to the scuba tank. The BCD allows you to control your buoyancy, or how high or low you float in the water. You can inflate it with air to float up and deflate it to sink down. It also has straps that allow you to adjust your position in the water. In addition to controlling buoyancy, many BCDs also have pockets and D Rings to hold your dive accessories and a safety feature that allows you to quickly inflate the BCD in an emergency. 

Which type BCD should I get?

It is a popular question I hear from those starting to make their first serious investment, among one of the many significant investments into the scuba journey, and while popular, the answer is loaded with - it depends -. Yes, it depends on your scuba journey. We all have one and at times it organically changes, with our experiences and as our knowledge growths into this exciting sport.

So, to make this decision one must first understand the many types of BCDs used in scuba, which by the way is by no means this an exhaustive list but like much in the diving industry I find the technology has not changed much in the past 10-20 years and while new models claim to be revolutionary are simply aesthetics, type of material or gimmicky.

With that said, there are several types of buoyancy control devices (BCDs) used in scuba diving, including:

Jacket-style BCD

These are the most common seen type. It is shaped like a jacket that wraps around the diver's torso. They have a large bladder in the back that can be inflated or deflated to control buoyancy. It is easy to use, comfortable and allows you to keep nearly half your body above water, which to an apprehensive new diver provides great comfort. Newer models integrate the weight/ballast system with the jacket so no more weight belt to worry about, has large pockets and D rings that are easily accessible. Among the notable cons include how heavy and cumbersome they are to travel with, will hinder the diver’s mobility and are less streamlined than other types of BCDs.

Back-inflation BCD

These BCDs have the bladder located on the back of the diver, allowing for greater diver mobility and a more streamlined profile. Usually smaller and lighter than a Jacket-style BCD, known to be great for travelling. On the negative side, there are a lot of claims of not being comfortable and harder to control buoyancy, which I believe are criticisms hurled by less experienced divers that, with time, they will learn to control their own trim and buoyancy and this type of BCD will be a great improvement from the style they’ve started with. Full disclosure here, this is my go-to type of BCD and the one I use today. (Picture of my actual model below)

Wing and Back Plate BCDs

Wing BCDs have a large bladder that wraps around the diver's sides, similar to a "wing" shape. They are popular with technical divers due to their ability to provide the necessary lift for multiple tanks however, they tend to be bulky and unless it is used for its intended purpose, difficult to move in the water. On the other hand, the Back Plate BCD have a separate bladder (like a wing BCD) that attaches to the backplate, this type provides more mobility and streamlined and are great for keeping the diver horizontally underwater. The Black Plate option also allows for many different alloys and materials that make this BCD modular enough for assembling, customization and expanding its capabilities as well as making them easy to travel with.

What is the average lifecycle of a BCD?

Well, here is where the quality of materials and how well you care for your BCD needs to added to the algorithm. If well taken care of, a superior quality BCD will last you for about 8-10 years with constant diving. If a BCD is not used, its lifecycle could potentially be a lot less so get in the water!

Ultimately, the type of BCD that is best suited for a diver depends on your diving preferences, experience level, and the type of diving you will be doing. Jacket-style BCDs are great for beginner divers, while more experienced divers may prefer a back-inflation or wing BCD. Plate BCDs are typically used by technical divers.

Remember to never rush out to invest into a complex model just because you want to appear to be more experienced. I always recommend, you go to your local scuba shop, speak to them about your level of experience, your planned future dives and I can assure you that not only you will learn a lot about BCDs but you will end up buying a great BCD to fit your lifestyle and perhaps even a new friend!