NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver
98 Other Diving Specialties
LEARNING GOALS
In this chapter you will:
1. Be introduced to some of the other underwater
activities that are available to divers.
2. Understand the precautions associated with feeding
fish.
3. Be introduced to spear fishing and the need for
responsible practices that will preserve the environment
for those who follow.
4. Be introduced to underwater hunting of shellfish,
lobster and the like.
5. Be introduced to underwater collecting of rocks,
bottles, artifacts and shells.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
By this point in your Advanced Scuba Diver course,
you have probably already selected an underwater activity
you wish to pursue and in which you would like to
become more proficient through training and experience.
Diving allows you to engage in many above water hobbies
underwater. It also offers opportunities not available to
those who are unqualified to visit the underwater world.
No matter what your interests, however, diving has something
special to offer you. In addition to the more popular
special interest areas presented already, there are many
other diving specialties. If you aren’t already convinced,
you are about to discover that diving has something for
everyone.
Maybe you simply enjoy visiting the world beneath
the waters. There is much to be said for just sightseeing,
exploring, observing and identifying aquatic life. These
underwater pastimes appeal to many (figure 10-1).
Fish, shellfish, and plant identification guides are
available on waterproof paper and on plastic cards. A
great deal of satisfaction can be achieved by identifying
animals you observe underwater. For many, underwater
life identification is an ideal way to spend diving time.
Generally, it is not a good idea to feed animals
underwater. Although it may be exciting and fun,
remember that these are wild animals that can always
react unpredictably. Also they become habituated to
being fed by divers, and some fish have been known to
become obnoxious and belligerent when divers appear
without food. In some areas, such as Stingray City in
Grand Cayman, where the creatures are fed as a matter of
course, excursions to feed them are very popular. If you
want to feed the fish, you should learn how and where to
do it from others with experience.
There is a sense of adventure in diving new locations.
Newness is not reserved for faraway places, though.
Unique things are commonly discovered when diving at
well-known sites. Coming across new things keeps many
people excited about diving. Sightseeing and exploring
are special interests just as much as wreck diving or
underwater photography. Some divers are every bit as
excited about observing something new as others are
about taking something new from our waters.
FIGURE 10-1. Encounters with aquatic life can be exhilarating.
Many dive operations offer such excursions.