Koh Tao is known as one of the cheapest places to get your diving certification. A similarly priced island would be diving in the Gilis in Indonesia. There are many dive shops on the island offering different levels and agencies for the training. It is known to be a great beginner spot for diving.
There is also a good chance of seeing WHALE SHARKS around the months of April and September. There’s also a WWII shipwreck for training purposes. Koh Tao is generally on most backpacker’s list of places to check out when visiting Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
You can fly into Bangkok then take a flight to Koh Samui and take the 2 hour ferry to Koh Tao. Or take a bus or train from Bangkok to Chumphon (nearest city on the mainland) then take a 2.5 hour ferry (Lomprayah or Seatran) to Koh Tao.
WHICH DIVE SITES ARE MUST-SEE?
Chumphon Pinnacle (max. 40m) and SouthWest Pinnacle (max. 30m) are known as deeper dive spots with higher chances of seeing a whale shark or schools of barracudas. Sail Rock (max. 40m) is considered the best dive site in the Gulf of Thailand and is a deep site with a huge variety and number of marine life.
Chevron Barracudas on Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand
The Sattakut Wreck from 1942 was sunk off Koh Tao in 2011 and provides a great training ground for advanced level and wreck divers.
Twins (max. 18m), White Rock (max. 22m) and Japanese Gardens are known as beginner dive sites with a range of sand for training purposes, and also colourful coral.
TELL ME MORE
Boat diving is the most popular way of diving off Koh Tao. It is usually off a large boat that includes a marine toilet, refreshments on board and dry areas.
The furthest dive site in 2.5hours away to Sail Rock, with Chumphon Pinnacle and Southwest Pinnacle around 40-50 minutes away. Twins, White Rock and Japanese Gardens are around 10-20 minutes away by boat.
DO I NEED ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT?
The water is very warm around Koh Tao and a rash vest is enough. Some people dive in just a bikini! However, all dive shops offer 3mm shorty wetsuits to wear during the dives. You will see some dive masters and instructors wear 5mm wetsuits in the monsoon season!
You don’t need any equipment for Koh Tao. Everything is provided for you by the dive shop. There is no need for reef hooks, gloves or torches.
WHAT LEVEL CERTIFICATION SHOULD I BE?
As the diving is quite easy around Koh Tao, you can be an Open Water level diver. Many people come to Koh Tao to do their first Try Dive if they have never dived before. As an AOW level diver you will have more access to dive sites, such as Chumphon Pinnacle or the Wreck. Koh Tao is a great place to get your Advanced certification.
WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS?
Calm conditions in September on Koh Tao
The temperature is generally around 30 degrees celsius. It can drop to 26 degrees during monsoon, and even reach 33 degrees in dry season.
The visibility can range – in monsoon you can go to as low as 1 meter, but generally, it is 15-30 meter visibility.
April, May is the hot season with little rain.
December, January is now considered the monsoon season.
Koh Tao gets quite busy around the European school holidays eg. July, August, and December, January.
Koh Tao isn’t known for strong currents or drift diving.
HOW MUCH WILL I SPEND?
Most dive shops offer a package price for fun-diving. One dive is generally 1,000 Thai Baht, and with more dives, the price will drop to 800 Thai Baht. Open Water courses are 11,000 Thai Baht, Advanced is 10,000 Thai Baht.
Some dive shops may offer discounts if you have your own equipment or if you hold a professional certification.
WHAT TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE?
There is a wide range of accommodation on Koh Tao. Most dive shops will have an attached hostel or guesthouse or an affiliation with one. There may be discounts when you book the accommodation with your diving package. You can choose more basic accommodation with fan and cold shower, or Air Conditioning with sea-views, fridge etc. There is also a growing range of high-end accommodation or private villas on the island.
Prices range from 300 Thai Baht a night in a dorm, to 5,000 Thai Baht a night in a villa with a private pool.
WHERE DID YOU STAY?
We stayed at SB Cabana for 400 Thai Baht a night. This was with a cold shower (though it’s always lukewarm so it’s not too bad!) and a fan room. It was basic but fine for our diving course.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Koh Tao is a great place to get your diving certification or continue your diving training. At the time of my Open Water certification, it was the cheapest place to do it. It also has great beginner conditions for those who want to try a dive without getting their certification. The diving and the laid-back experience of the island was great so we decided to stay longer for our Advanced course. I would definitely recommend this place to my friends.
WHAT DO WE DO ON SURFACE INTERVALS?
There is a lot to do on Koh Tao when you’re not diving. We hired a scooter/bike to explore some of the viewpoints and beaches. There are some great snorkeling spots (Aow Lewk, Tanote, Shark Bay) around the South end of Koh Tao. There’s also a lot of hiking paths, steep and through the jungles, which opens up to some amazing viewpoints.
Along Sairee Beach there are some great restaurants and bars to watch the sunset, and when it gets dark, there’s Fishbowl, Jams, The Studio and more, to continue dancing and drinking! Koh Tao is a great place underwater and on-land. There are lots of local food places with Pad-Thais for 70 Thai Baht, and also fancier restaurants with steaks and proper burgers.
If you plan on diving in Europe or North America, most likely you would have come across a ‘drysuit.’ This is a piece of optimal equipment when planning cold water or a technical dive. But how does a drysuit work, and when would you really need to use one?
WHAT IS A DRYSUIT?
Simply put, a drysuit is an exposure suit that keeps you dry. Most commonly, a drysuit is used by scuba divers or snorkelers who are diving in cold or icy conditions. It keeps the person warm so that they do not get affected by the cold water.
HOW DOES A DRYSUIT WORK?
We lose body heat a lot faster in water than on land. This is why 20 degrees on land might be pleasant, but absolutely freezing when going on a 45-minute dive!
How does a drysuit work is by insulating your body with air instead of water. It will be watertight as the drysuit will have rubber seals around the neck and wrists of the suit. This stops the cold water from getting in and making contact with your body. Because your body will be dry, you can wear anything underneath! Thermals and cotton wear are typical as the drysuit itself is not heated. You can layer on however many items you want under your drysuit as long as it doesn’t affect your movements!
BUOYANCY WITH A DRYSUIT
Because your exposure suit is filled with air, this will greatly affect your buoyancy and you will float around like a balloon. This is why you would need more weights to dive than your usual amount when diving with a wetsuit. You will also need to compensate for the pressure change when diving deeper or shallower as this will affect the air in your drysuit. As you go deeper, the air inside will compress and you will have a risk of SQEEUZE – this is when you would add small amounts of air to your suit. And as you ascend and the air inside expands, you will need to release small air from valves on your suit. Because of the major differences in buoyancy when diving with a drysuit, you should always find an expert and first practice diving with your new suit in a controlled environment.
DRY SUIT DIVING VS WETSUIT
A wetsuit will get the wearer wet. This is because a properly fitted wetsuit works by trapping some water in-between your skin and the suit. Your body heats up this trapped water and you feel slightly warmer. Wetsuits will be made out of neoprene, an insulating fabric that is made out of synthetic rubber. Neoprene is flexible and long-lasting and spongy to the touch. This means it will compress and get thinner under pressure, for example, when you dive to deeper depths.
Wetsuits are very typical in the tropical scuba diving world as it provides some warmth and little restriction for diving. Typical thicknesses of wetsuits are 3 millimeters, 5 mm and 7 mm, with the thicker the wetsuit, the warmer it is.
Drysuits will keep you dry. These are used when a wetsuit is not warm enough for the conditions. This will differ for each person based on their comfort level.
WHEN DO YOU USE A DRYSUIT?
Choosing to use a drysuit will depend on your activities, how long you plan on being underwater and your comfort level.
For recreational diving most people will find that water temperatures under 15 degrees Celsius / 59 degrees Fahrenheit will be uncomfortable, even with a wetsuit, and will opt to wear a drysuit. If you are diving in Norway where the temperature of the water is usually 2°C / 35°F, or just barely above freezing. This is when you would definitely need a drysuit.
Technical divers will dive for longer and exceed our normal recreational dive limits. They may also use a different blend of gas to breathe. Because of the amount of time they need to decompress, taking hours and sometimes days to come back up, they will get cold after being in the water for so long. Even in tropical temperatures. This is when you would also be wearing a drysuit. Just make sure you take the drysuit off on land straight away so that you don’t overheat and get heatstroke!
Living in Thailand, the water temperature is generally a balmy 29°C / 84.2°F. But because we dive every day, our bodies get used to the warm temperature and when we suddenly find a temperature drop to 26°C / 78.8°F during monsoon, this is when some of us can struggle. Unbelievable I know, but a Divemaster colleague of mine bought a drysuit in the UK and brought it back to Thailand to use!
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN GETTING A DRYSUIT?
Photo by Thomas
The Fit of a Drysuit
Sizing and fit is very important when choosing a drysuit. How does a drysuit work is that it fits well and is not too tight or will leak. As the drysuit is already bulky and cumbersome, you do not want a suit that is too big and even more awkward to move around in. Most divers who wear a drysuit will have their own personalized and custom-made drysuit. Rental drysuits may cause a lot of problems if not properly fitted.
Carotid Sinus Reflex
While you will want the neck and wrist seals to fit snugly to stop water from getting in, you certainly do not want them too tight. Neck seals that are too tight can constrict your neck and breathing. This can also cause a condition called carotid sinus reflex, where your heartbeat can slow down and slow down the flow of blood to your brain. This can cause you to feel dizzy and even lose consciousness. Wrist seals that are too tight will be uncomfortable and may cause tingling and numbness in your hands, which you may confuse with symptoms of Decompression Sickness (DCS).
Heatstroke
Overheating can be a serious danger when using a drysuit. As funny as it sounds, my colleague loves wearing his drysuit in Thailand. However, when the land temperatures can get very hot and humid there is a very serious risk of overheating and getting heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heatstroke can cause dizziness, hot and dry skin, vomiting, rapid heartbeat and possibly be fatal. This means when you finish the dive, you should take the drysuit off completely and drink plenty of water.
Leaking drysuit
Leaking in a drysuit would not be comfortable. A large leak in a drysuit would render the suit useless. Your clothes would get wet, and you would get cold very quickly. However, a small leak during a recreational dive can be managed and you can continue the dive if you wish. This is a personal preference. A Norwegian buddy of mine dives at home regularly, and he says that after getting his drysuit on, and carrying his equipment over a large distance of snow, a small leak is not enough to end his dive. He claims a small leak is not instantly recognised during a dive, except for when he takes off his drysuit and notices his clothes are all wet!
Change of Buoyancy
Buoyancy is super important during a dive. Even more so when using a drysuit. This is because the drysuit will act as a buoyancy device and will compress and expand as you go up and down. You will need to know how much air to add to your drysuit as you descend and you suit contracts. Drysuit squeeze can cause bruising, especially under the valves and zips. You will also need to know how to locate and release the valves on your suit so that you do not make a rapid and dangerous ascent.
Using accessories
Did you know most dive computers and compasses will usually come with an extraordinarily long wrist strap? This is to use with a drysuit as your arm will probably twice as bulky than normal. This is something to bear in mind before you cut the long strap off – if you plan on using the same computer/compass in cold water, keep the long strap!
Also bear in mind that gloves will make clearing your mask, pushing dive computer buttons, and using your drysuit valves trickier due to its bulkiness. Always practice using unfamiliar equipment before a dive.
Putting on and taking off a drysuit can be difficult due to the weight and the bulkiness. This means when nature calls, it can be annoying to keep taking the suit off and on. So what to do when you feel the urge to pee in a drysuit?
HOW DOES A DRYSUIT WORK WHEN YOU NEED TO PEE?
We get told to drink a lot of water and hydrate while scuba diving. This is mostly because we can get dehydrated easily when diving in a tropical and humid environment. But also important when you are doing strenuous activities such as carrying heavy dive equipment and swimming on the surface. Even in cooler climates. So if you drink a lot of water, then surely it must come out too. This is when you need to consider how to go to the toilet when using a drysuit.
Drysuit Urine Collection Device
For men, it is slightly easier. You will connect a P-valve system to attach to your inner thigh before donning your drysuit. It is a condom catheter that will collect your urine and release it out of a tube on the outside of your drysuit.
For women, it is similar, however, you will be using a cup-like device. Both gender systems, however, can and will possibly leak. So another alternative is wearing adult diapers which are designed to absorb your urine. But again this is not fool-proof. The other options are to just go freely and pee inside the suit, or take the advice of some divers, and eat something salty before the dive, which apparently suspends the urge to pee!
CONCLUSION
So you can see that a drysuit is a type of exposure suit that is most suited to cold water diving or longer duration dives. How does a drysuit work relies on the air surrounding your body to feel warmer, and it is important to keep your drysuit sealed and fitted for it to work correctly. Because of the air in your suit, you will need to carefully consider and practice your buoyancy to safely dive. You will also need to make sure you don’t overheat when on land, and think about the options to relieve yourself during a dive in a drysuit! All in all, a drysuit is a very useful piece of equipment when diving but it is different from diving in a standard wetsuit!
So you’re planning on doing a water sport; surfing, snorkeling or scuba diving! And you’re going to be wearing a wetsuit, maybe for the first time. But what do women wear under wetsuits? Is swimwear, sportswear or going naked appropriate? What will be comfortable and what do I need to consider? You might also want to think about a skinsuit (or rash guard) that can certainly help to put on a wetsuit easier!
So let’s have a look at the options and see what do women wear under wetsuits!
Everyone has different preferences on what they prefer to wear under a wetsuit. The most important thing is that you are comfortable and that it allows you to freely move with the wetsuit. Here are some great options for scuba divers and all the water babes out there.
One-piece Swimsuit
Women who prefer coverage for more freedom of movement can choose a one-piece swimsuit. Most one-pieces hug the body in all the right places and do not shift when it comes to the task of getting your wetsuit on or off (which we know can be an arduous task and create some nip-slips!).
As wetsuits are meant to be worn close to the skin, the wetsuit will press any decorative swimsuit features; such as knots, metal rings, and beads, into your skin and leave you feeling very uncomfortable. Simple one-pieces and athletic style swimsuits are preferable than your beach insta-look (which are less practical). Strapless swimsuits aren’t the best idea either as they may be pulled down with your wetsuit…
The best thing about a one-piece is that you can go snorkeling in your surface interval!
TYR Sport Women’s Solid Diamondback Swimsuit
Long-lasting fit
UPF 50 plus protection and chlorine resistance.
This swimsuit has no knots or decorations so it will be comfortable under your wetsuit!
Bikinis can be an option for you to wear underneath your wetsuit. As wetsuits can be a pain to get on and off, having a bikini can make it so much easier than having to hide under a towel or attempting to drape something over your shoulders with the worry of being exposed.
2 piece bikinis are also great when on a long dive trip. It makes it easier to take off your bottoms to use the marine toilet or when ducking behind a bush after a shore dive.
When choosing a bikini, try to avoid features such as knots, metal and bead decoration may dig into your skin and cause discomfort under the wetsuit. You may also find thicker straps more secure than thin straps. Especially when trying to peel off a tight wetsuit! I’ve definitely seen my share of ‘nip-slips’ on the dive boat!
Avoid knots, and metal or wooden decorative beads. These can be uncomfortable under a wetsuit.
Sports Bras
Sport bras and sports underwear is a great option when deciding what to wear under a wetsuit. They are generally very secure and give you great chest support and are generally thicker than normal underwear or bikinis. They are long-lasting and made for sweat and wet environments. Most will be quick-drying too which is a bonus when drying your stuff in-between or after your dives.
HydroChic Women’s Water Sports Bra
Designed by women for women. This supportive sports bra is made for all activities in and out of the water.
Xtra Life Lycra/Nylon material is lightweight and dries very fast.
The padding on this waterproof sports bra is designed to be totally see-through proof. Perfect for watersports!
Skinsuits can be worn with or without a wetsuit. It is generally a stretchy, lycra-type material. Similar to leggings. These suits are a lightweight option to wear underneath your wetsuit. You can get full-body length, or just top or just bottoms. You can find many options to suit your style, available in various fabrics and thicknesses (mm).
Most people who purchase full-body suits tend to purchase a 1mm. This allows great freedom and flexibility, even when you layer it up with a wetsuit. Skinsuits also make it easier to slide the wetsuit on and off!
There are lots of great brands with amazing designs; a whale shark pattern, mermaid scales, tiger shark prints, and more! Popular brands include; Slipins Skins, Waterlust, and Aurora.
Skyone Full Body Rash Guard
Made with spandex to give you a extremely soft, breathable and lightweight fit
UV sun protection and a defence against cold temperatures, jellyfish, sea lice, etc.
Slip-on design with front zipper is durable for easy entry and exit
Diving or Bicycle Shorts
Diving shorts are designed for divers to layer underneath their wetsuit – they have a tight fit and don’t shift or move around during a dive. Like bicycle shorts, neoprene shorts allow your wetsuit to glide easily over your thighs and offer that extra warmth.
They also provide extra thermal protection, but remember that as a material, neoprene is buoyant, so you may need to use slightly more weights on a dive to compensate for the increased buoyancy.
Bicycle shorts are cheaper but may not be long-lasting. However, their fit and coverage is a great option when looking for more secure coverage around your bottom.
Rash Guard
If you’re diving in temperate waters, you may only wear a rash guard instead of a wetsuit. However, they can also be used underneath a wetsuit for cooler dives and extra protection. Rash guards are available in a range of materials, including neoprene and spandex and you can choose from short or long-sleeved options.
American Trends Womens Long Sleeve Rash Guard UV
Zip on the front to make it easy to put on and take off.
High-density fabric protects your skin from harmful UV blocking.
Quick-drying and made of a super stretchy fabric. Cute design!
Thin neoprene rashguards give divers additional thermal protection when layered under a wetsuit. Some brands are bringing new, innovative styles to the market, such as fleece to provide you with extra warmth. Many rash guards offer UV protection, so you’ll also have solar protection during your surface interval.
You will want to make sure the rashguard fits quite tight on you before layering a wetsuit over it. If you wear a loose rash guard under a wetsuit, this will bunch up and can be uncomfortable or restrict your movements.
This stylish rash guard is perfect for warm water, or layered with a wetsuit.
Wearing Nothing and Going Naked
Wearing nothing under a wetsuit is not super common but can be an option. This allows the wetsuit to fit tight against your skin and provide slightly better insulation. You might also find your movements are less restricted and you feel more ‘free’ without the constraints of underwear. Though bear in mind where the zips are on the wetsuit, and zip them up carefully!
So, WHAT IS A WETSUIT?
A wetsuit is a type of exposure suit. There are three basic exposure suits – the wetsuit, dry suit, and skinsuit (or rash guard). Use of these different styles depends on where you’ll be diving because of varying water temperatures worldwide; from tropical warm waters to ice diving in Norway!
A wetsuit is a garment made of neoprene, which is worn by scuba divers and others who engage in watersports, providing thermal insulation and exposure protection. It provides divers protection from cooler ocean temperatures, and potential exposure to things that can sting, cut or scrape. It also protects you from sun rays on the surface.
HOW DOES A WETSUIT WORK?
Wetsuits get their name (funnily enough!) because you still get wet while wearing one. When wearing a properly fitting wetsuit, some water will get into your suit. Your body will quickly heat up the thin layer of water that is inside your wetsuit. This warmer water will be insulated from the cooler surrounding water by the neoprene of the wetsuit and you will feel warmer!
Women’s Wetsuits
If a wetsuit is too loose, then the water will flow in and out too quickly. This means it won’t have the chance to warm up, and keep you warm. This is why you want a wetsuit that fits snug but not tight.
When a wetsuit is snug and properly fitting then it makes a big difference for what to wear under a wetsuit! This does mean you will need to consider what to wear under a wetsuit to make it comfortable and give you freedom of movement.
Whether your dive destination is cold or warm, the temperature above water (wind, rain, etc) is an essential factor to take into consideration. As divers, we often experience different temperature fluctuations during one dive and making the right decision for your undergarment is so important to keep you comfortable, whether it’s a full-body, one-piece or bikini. A lot of garments on the market today offer high UV protection and can protect you against stings, cuts, and bites by being that extra layer between your skin and the environment.
What do women wear under wetsuits is something you may need to consider when deciding where you will be putting on and taking off your wetsuit. If you are going to be on a crowded dive boat, then it might be good to plan on what to wear under your wetsuit!
Here are some reasons when considering what do women wear under wetsuits.
Insulation
One of the main reasons for wearing undergarments under a wetsuit is the added protection and insulation from the elements. The extra layers provide the warmth our bodies need at a range of depths underwater (and out of the water!), especially in colder temperatures. Rather than wearing a very thick wetsuit, which can be restrictive for movement and deplete you of energy, divers do choose to wear thin layer(s) to help with comfort from the cold.
Hygiene
If you are renting a wetsuit, it’s not a nice thought to think of your bare skin rubbing against places where other people’s skin has previously been, particularly in ‘those’ areas! It’s worth mentioning that some people do pee in their wetsuits, which is even more of an incentive to pop something on underneath your wetsuit. One-piece swimsuits would suffice, although for peace of mind, a full-body would be the best protection. Wetsuits should be cleaned with disinfectant after every dive by your dive operator.
Comfort
Some divers do go nude under their wetsuits, which can sometimes be uncomfortable, not to mention painful due to the constant rubbing of skin against the inside material of the wetsuit.
There are areas that tend to chafe when diving (especially when diving for longer periods), such as the neck, crotch, behind the knees and armpits, which are the usual places. To avoid this, you can apply anti-chafing gel or cream to avoid this inevitable problem, alongside your undergarment if wearing a one-piece for example.
Decency
Being a diver isn’t as glamorous as it sounds (only some of the time!), especially when having to change in public areas; often busy beaches / packed out boats and this can come with little privacy. If you’re diving somewhere tropical, you may be feeling a little hot and bothered in your wetsuit, wanting to get out of it as quickly as possible and this is a time where you do want something on underneath. Wetsuits are notoriously hard to put on and take off, which means it’s not something that can be done discreetly or quickly.
Wearing an undergarment, such as a one-piece, bikini, rash guard, full-body can avoid those embarrassing moments and provide you with the coverage you need to enjoy your time above the water.
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF A WETSUIT?
Wetsuits are made from closed-cell neoprene with big, even bubbles that provide insulating qualities. It’s normally lined or coated with sprays or a type of fabric to add strength, but this can also make it easier to slide into the wetsuit. Without this, bare neoprene on the inside of the wetsuit doesn’t make for easy use, but it does reduce water circulation within the wetsuit.
The varying thickness is key to the warmth you’ll receive when diving. Thickness of wetsuits can range from 1mm and progress all the way up to 9mm. The most common thickness you’ll get in a dive centre when renting a wetsuit is 3mm (which is commonly used for warm water diving).
There are different styles of wetsuit to choose from – shorties, full body suits and two-pieces (for example, a neoprene jacket paired with boardshorts or leggings).
Shorties are one-piece suits that come with short sleeves and thigh or knee-length legs and cover your torso with around 3mm of thickness.
Full body suits fully cover your arms and legs. They have either a long front or back zipper for ease of getting it on.
Two-piece wet suits are popular because when you use them together, you get double the insulation. You can also use the pieces separately. They are also much easier to put on!
There may also be additional features that come with wetsuits.
Some come with an attached hood to prevent water from flowing into your wetsuit from the neck as you’re exploring the underwater world.
Wrist and ankle seals minimise water entry, kneepads and elbow pads to minimise impact on sensitive areas that could be exposed to sharp edges or rocky bottoms.
And pockets, which are good for carrying things such as slates, camera gear or gloves. Pockets are most commonly placed on the thigh or calves.
HOW DO I CHOOSE WHAT TO WEAR UNDER MY WETSUIT?
So, you now know your options, now it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty detail. What is right for you and your diving needs? Do I need to wear anything at all?
In warmer climates and waters, you can choose to wear undergarments with minimal coverage (swimsuit, diving shorts, bikinis etc), or nothing at all. If you plan to rent a wetsuit, you’re most likely going to want to wear something underneath.
For cooler climates, adding layers is recommended for comfort and protection. There are many options to choose from and if you have a thinner wetsuit (2mm-4mm), you can add a rash guard, full-body suit, or any other type of undergarment that will provide you with the added insulation you require. This will save you money on having to buy or even rent another wetsuit.
Ultimately, it does depend on the environment and climate that you are diving in, how sensitive your body is to the cold, wind speed, and many other variables that can sometimes be out of your control. What do women wear under wetsuits will also depend on your comfort level. Being prepared is key!
As you can see there is no right or wrong way when deciding what to wear under a wetsuit. The main thing is that you are comfortable and that whatever you decide to wear does not restrict your movements when scuba diving. When figuring out what do women wear under wetsuits, you should try to avoid any bikinis with knots or any protruding decorations. And also bear in mind that when taking off a tight wetsuit, your bikini straps might come undone on the boat! You can also choose more coverage and opt for one-piece swimsuits, sports bras, bicycle shorts, rash-guards and more.
If you know the water temperature of your next dive, then head over to our wetsuit temperature guide to find out ‘what thickness wetsuit do I need’ to ensure your comfort and keep you feeling nice and warm!
The ocean is one of the most beautiful places in the world! But it’s not all flowers and glitter down there. It’s home to some dangerous animals that you do NOT want to mess with. It’s festering with animals with venomous bites to poisonous skin to those with over-territorial tendencies. See below for the top 10 most dangerous marine animals that you could meet underwater.
But fear not! These animals shouldn’t pose a threat to you or me. Scuba diving and snorkeling are perfectly safe activities when you respect the ocean and the marine animals who live there. As a general rule when you’re in the ocean, always respect the creatures who call it home. Keep your distance and respect their space. Look but don’t touch! You may want to admire the following dangerous animals from a distance. So let’s have a look at the top 10 most dangerous marine animals that you might come across!
Top 10 Most Dangerous Marine Animals
Portuguese man-of-war
These harmless-looking blueish blobs are secretly dangerous animals! Their bodies are only as long as a ruler, but their tentacles can be up to 50 meters long. That’s over 25 really, really tall humans head to toe. And they’re covered in venom-filled cells. They won’t kill you but their sting packs a punch and can paralyze most of its prey. They’re sometimes found washed up on shore – but beware! They still sting from their graves.
Titan triggerfish
Ask any scuba diver what’s more dangerous – a shark or a titan triggerfish? They’ll say triggerfish every time. These fiery fish are found in coral reefs all the way from Australia to Thailand.
On a normal day, they’re territorial but friendly enough. But during their mating season, they’re a fair match for any human! They can bite through fins and flesh and cause a decent bruising. They’ll only attack if you are unfortunate enough to stumble across their nesting area.
You’ll know when a titan triggerfish is going to attack because it’ll erect its first dorsal spine showing you that it feels threatened. These fish also roll on their side, showing off how big they are, while giving you their big beady evil eye! If you see a triggerfish in this position, give it a wide berth and swim either side of it – but not above! Their nesting area goes upwards in a cone shape.
That’s a good nugget of knowledge to know during the heated mating season of these feisty fish.
Sea snakes
Let’s face it – snakes can be scary on land. And that doesn’t change once they get underwater. There are over 50 known species of sea snake and all are venomous. They only live in tropical, warm waters of the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. So if you’re hanging out in the Atlantic – don’t panic!
The word on the street is that beaked sea snakes are responsible for more than 50 percent of all sea snake bites. So we suppose these are the ones you want to keep an eye out for.
Sea snakes seem terrifying but they’re for the most part, harmless. Snakes that dwell in the sea tend to be smaller than those on land and have smaller mouths. So even if they wanted to bite you, they couldn’t get their little jaws around you anyway.
You’ll see most scuba divers swimming in harmony with sea snakes, and usually even try to get a little closer for a better view!
Textile cone snail
Believe it or not, cone snails are some of the most dangerous animals under the sea. They may be beautiful to the point that humans have been collecting their shells for years. But when they’re alive, they have enough venom in their concealed, harpoon-like teeth, to kill a human.
There is no antivenom. These guys are colloquially known as “cigarette snails”. Why? Because you have enough time to smoke a ciggy before you drop dead. Nice.
Great white shark
Sharks! We have to mention them because you’d think we’re mad if we don’t. The most famous of them all, the great white shark, can weigh over 1,000kg, swim up to nearly 60kmph, and has about 300 teeth.
On paper, they sound terrifying. Hollywood and the media make them sound scary too. But sharks aren’t all like in JAWS! On average there are less than 100 shark attacks a year – and that’s across ALL species. Statistics show that one-third of those attacks are provoked – i.e. the human was asking for it. And of those attacks, only five were fatal.
You’re actually more likely to be harmed by taking a selfie, your flip flops, coconuts, icicles, your bed, and vending machines. Even hot dogs are more likely to harm you than a shark!
What we’re trying to say is that sharks have a disproportionately bad rap. As long as you respect their home and follow local guidelines, you will be safe, and maybe don’t wear the color, yellow…
Stingrays
Stingrays received some bad press when the “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin fell prey to one in 2006. As always, one piece of news in the media can get blown up and give a bad rep to a whole family of animals. But calm yourselves – your chances of being attacked are approximately zero.
Stingrays are dangerous because their spines are sharp stinging machines. If one pierces you, it could be fatal. A stingray will only sting if stepped on and it releases its barb to protect itself.
So as always, don’t stand on anything in the ocean and you can happily observe these beauties from a safe distance.
Saltwater crocodile
A list of dangerous animals couldn’t be complete without something as grand as a crocodile! The Aussie’s endearingly nickname them ‘salties’. This sounds a bit cute given they can weight up to 1,200 kilograms. And they have a bite ten times more powerful than a great white shark. It’s the most powerful bite in the world!
If you do happen to stumble across one, and it’s hungry, your chances may not be high. They do only kill two people a year though, so the stats aren’t so bad.
Flower urchin
Flower urchins may appear to be beautiful inanimate objects. But each of their ‘flowers’ has sticky points that hurt to step on. AND their spines contain potentially fatal poisonous venom! It’s so savage, it’s even won awards for its venomousness from The Guinness Book of World Records.
They can cause paralysis, respiratory issues, and disorientation. This can lead to victims drowning, so yeah, they’re pretty dangerous.
Lucky for you, they don’t move too fast and they do not hunt humans. So as always, as long as you’re not treading around carelessly on the ocean floor, you’re safe!
Blue-ringed octopus
Small but deadly! The blue-ringed octopus weighs in at sub 30 grams but packs enough poison to kill more than 20 grown humans. Ouch.
Their venom is over 1000 times more powerful than cyanide and will paralyze you in much less than a hot minute. And alas, there is no antidote. The only treatment is to sit it out until the symptoms stop. This can take a very long 24 hours. Bizarrely, you may not even know if you’ve been bitten as it isn’t painful.
Don’t sweat it, though. You’re in luck, yet again. These captivating creatures don’t want anything to do with you. They avoid human interaction and only release their venom if they’re stepped on or provoked.
So… must we say it again? Don’t provoke, touch, harass, or get too close to marine animals. Especially dangerous animals!
Box jellyfish
Box jellyfish, marine stinger, Chironex – they go by many names but they’re all the same deadly animal! Arguably the most poisonous animal on the planet, these guys can kill their prey in seconds.
They have 5,000 cells that sting their victim which activate when they notice the chemical on the external layer of the prey. Spooky. A sting can cause instant shock or heart failure, which usually leads to drowning. People have been known to survive but are often in pain for weeks.
Keep your eyes peeled – you can recognize this jellyfish by its boxy shape and its 15 tentacles up to three meters long. There aren’t any official tallies, but sources say there could be around 100 people a year who die due to box jellyfish stings.
What can you do? Wear exposure protection like wetsuits and rashguards. These can help to protect you from stings from creatures like this in the ocean.
DO YOU STILL WANT TO GET INTO THE WATER?
There are many seemingly dangerous animals in the ocean and these are just the top 10 most dangerous marine animals listed. The reality is that they aren’t that much of a threat though. So long as scuba divers, snorkelers or any ocean-going humans respect the fact that you’re in the home of these animals, they’ll be fine! Most animals are more scared of you than you are of them. Unless they’re provoked, they will go about their daily life.
Humans are actually the most dangerous animals in the world! Our species has lead to actions that have destroyed the habitats of many underwater creatures. We have changed and killed part of the natural food chain. And we have made the accidental error of bringing invasive species around the world. The little guys under the sea should be more scared of us!
We’re sure you still want to go swimming – so there are some things you can do to make sure you’re always safe out there.
Always keep your distance from marine life and respect their space. If an animal appears to be territorial or angry, then give it a wide berth. Many conservation projects suggest giving animals like rays and sharks at least a 3-meter berth.
Never swim above these creatures – they may think they’re being hunted if you do. Don’t chase and definitely don’t touch marine life! It will protect you, and them.
If you’re a scuba diver, learn how to be a buoyancy expert so you don’t accidentally knock into corals or something like a flower urchin! If you’re in a new place, always ask locals for advice about marine life so that you are prepared when faced with the top 10 most dangerous marine animals!
Scuba diving is a fun sport that can be enjoyed by most people of all ages and levels of fitness. But with any activity, there are rules and risks. One of the most important rules in diving is to always ascend slowly, no matter from which depth. In fact, it’s more important to ascend slowly from a shallower depth as the pressure change is greater.
Learning how to ascend in scuba diving safely is something that every diver will learn, regardless of skill level. You will need to watch out for passing boats above so that you don’t get run over, and you will need to go up slowly to reduce your risk of decompression sickness. So why is it important to ascend slowly in scuba diving and what are the steps to be a safe diver?
Ascending slowly in scuba diving is so important. This is because you want to reduce the risk of Decompression Sickness (DCS), which can cause tingling in your arms and legs, pain in your joints, and even death.
When we go diving, we breathe in (inhale) air from our tank. This air is a mixture of roughly 21% Oxygen and nearly 79% Nitrogen. This is very similar to what we are currently breathing on land. Our bodies will use that oxygen to live, but we breathe out (exhale) that nitrogen that we don’t need.
However, when we go under pressure or go diving underwater, the pressure is greater. This means we are breathing in more oxygen, and ultimately more nitrogen, but we cannot exhale that nitrogen fast enough. It then gets absorbed into our blood cells, which is fine when it can be released slowly. But if we ascend too fast, then that absorbed nitrogen will pressurize and can bubble out of the blood stream. If these nitrogen bubbles get caught and stuck in our blood stream then this is when we can get DCS.
SIMPLIFIED: Imagine your body is a can of fizzy drink. If you shake it and open it, then the pressure will explode and your drink will be all over you. But if you shake it and open it slowly, release that pressure bit by bit, then you will be safe from a messy drink, and also safe from DCS!
So how to ascend in scuba diving slowly and safely?
HOW TO ASCEND IN SCUBA DIVING
The best way to ascend is the safest way. For this we need to do the following steps:
LOOK UP
Look up and watch for boats above. If you see a shadow of a boat above you, then move to another spot to make your ascent.
LISTEN FOR BOATS
Listen for boats and motors that may be above you. If you hear a loud motor, then wait for it to pass before making your ascent. If it is still running, then move to another spot where the sound is not as loud.
INFLATE A SURFACE MARKER
Inflate your Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) and release it to mark your ascent spot. This warns boats and people that you will be ascending and to keep clear of the area. But remember, in waves or low visibility, sometimes the boat will not see you. This means it is mainly your own responsibility to look and listen for boats.
Alternatively, you may have a Dive Flag already above you. Remember to stay close to this.
MAKE A SAFETY STOP
Make your safety stop if you have not already done so. This is usually staying at a depth of 5 meters / 15 feet for 3 minutes to give your body some extra time to unload the absorbed nitrogen from the dive.
SLOWLY KICK AND SWIM UP
When you are ready to ascend, hold your inflator hose in your left hand and have your finger on the deflate button. You should start to kick up slowly, while continuously releasing air from your BCD. This stops the air in your BCD from expanding too much and pulling you up too quickly!
DEFLATE AIR FROM BCD TO STOP IT EXPANDING
If you notice you are going up too fast, then slow down your kicking and make sure to release the air from your BCD.
WATCH YOUR ASCENT RATE
Watch your dive computer and follow the ascent rate on the computer. If you go up too fast, most computers will start to beep to warn you to slow down.
If you are using a DSMB, make sure you are not getting tangled in the line. Reel it up slowly or keep the line out in-front of you.
PROTECT YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR RIGHT ARM
As you get closer to the surface, look up and scan the surface for any people, boats or obstructions. You don’t want to pop up in-between someone’s legs!
Raise your right arm above you to protect your head in case of any last minute obstructions. Better to lose an arm than your head to a passing speedboat!
BE READY TO INFLATE WHEN ON THE SURFACE
Make sure you left arm is on the inflator hose and ready to press the inflate button when you break the surface. Inflate your BCD fully when you are on the surface. Remove your regulator and mask if safe to do so and swim back to your boat or shore!
So let’s say that you couldn’t release enough air from your BCD and it pulled you up quicker than you expected. Or you kicked a bit too hard and swam up too quickly. Your computer is beeping like crazy, and you pop up to the surface wondering if your limbs are going numb and clutching your joints thinking you have pain.
There are 2 ways this could go.
Option 1 is that you go back to the boat, fearing for your life, but you feel no pain. This is when you should lay down, take it easy, have emergency oxygen on stand-by and play the waiting game. You and your buddy will monitor yourself for any symptoms of DCS. Symptoms can still arise after 12 hours, so make sure you are not alone and have someone to call.
Option 2 is that you feel symptoms of DCS, whether it’s straight away or later. Make sure you lay down, breathe 100% oxygen and have someone call Emergency Medical Services (EMS). If severe symptoms persist, then they will put you in a recompression chamber or hyperbaric chamber. In the chamber you will be exposed to increasing pressure, simulating a dive and compressing the nitrogen bubbles in your blood. The chamber will then slowly release that pressure, over a long period of time, as if you were ascending slowly. This allows that nitrogen to properly release and your symptoms should subside. The duration you are in the chamber will depend on your symptoms, generally it will be several hours over a few days.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS (DCS)?
Here are some of the symptoms of DCS at a glance.
MILD
joint pain
Extreme fatigue / feeling tired
Itching
Tingling or pins and needles in your arms and legs
SEVERE
Extreme tingling
Dizziness
Confusion
Memory loss
Chest pain
Trouble walking
Trouble speaking
Losing consciousness
CONCLUSION
Scuba diving is a safe activity (safe enough for children) but like with anything there are some safety rules. One of the most important rules is to always ascend slowly as this allows your body’s absorbed nitrogen to release and not build up in your blood stream. If you do go up too fast, you will have a real risk of DCS which can be painful, paralysing and in worse cases, fatal. However, this is just a risk and not a guarantee that you will get sick. So the best way to avoid the risk is to learn how to ascend in scuba diving safely and slowly by following our tips!
