I have been a little lax over the last few weeks and not posting on the chronicles, but I have a valid excuse… the doc has given a big red light to my diving.
Even after 6 weeks of patiently waiting, pondering everything that may be going on under the blue in my absence, my doctor discovered a small hole still exists in the membrane of my left ear. Gutted. Diving is again off the radar for another 2-3 weeks.
In the interim I have taken the time to run through my gear and compile a checklist of diving equipment that is essential for diving in Tasmania’s temperate waters. If you are diving here in Tasmania or teetering on heading south for a new and exciting diving adventure, then run through this checklist. Some are obvious but it never hurts to state it:
- Mask and Snorkel
- 2-piece 7mm wetsuit (for winter diving)
- Fins
- Dive booties
- Gloves
- Catch bag and trash bag
- Weight belts and weights (an increased amount compared to tropical diving)
- Dive knife
- Wetsuit wash fluid
- Mark anti-fog
- Spear gun or Hawaiian sling
- Rash vest
- Regulators and dive computer
- Compass
- Dive torch plus backup light
- BCD
- Underwater camera
- Dive flag
- GPS device for tracking hard-to-find sites
- Tasmanian dive site book and maps
As soon as my doctor gives the green light to diving, I will be undertaking my Dive Masters qualifications to begin taking advantage of diving as more than a hobby and to help spread the amazing underwater experiences to others.
Here’s hoping I can get back in the big blue asap.
Have you dived at St Helens? Did you see anything interesting? I’m an Advanced Diver (Padi cert) and thinking of visiting a relative that has a house there. And perhaps do some scuba diving.
By: YMC on November 30, 2008
at 2:07 am
Definitely. The east coast of Tasmania has some of our most amazing diving. Close to St Helens you have Binnalong Bay which ranges from around 4m to 15m fairly close to shore and is a boulder covered bottom. You will find anything from giant 2m rays, southern rock lobster, and endless schools of fish. The rocky bottom gives a great vis of over 20m (great for Tasmania!).
If you are keen to travel a south about 50km, you can dive the Bicheno Marine Reserve which is stunning. 38m Hairy Wall drop offs, Ballroom swim throughs, and the Castle swim through are a few of 12 dive sites in the area.
Both sites are great and if you can, get around both.
By: Ben Cashman on December 2, 2008
at 6:23 pm