Mauritius. This tropical Indian Ocean Paradise. “A drop in the ocean” Is only a dot in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Mauritius has a well-developed infrastructure and tourism industry. It hosts visiting tourist from all over the world in luxury hotels, apartments and bungalows. Besides the beautiful long white beaches and crystal clear tropical lagoons, scuba diving is one of the main attractions for tourists.

The excellent sea conditions and beautiful coral reefs make Mauritius a perfect place to learn to dive.

So both beginners and certified divers can be sure to have safe enjoyable dives in these perfect conditions. Especially on the north east coast where the lagoons and sea are protected from the trade winds, the Grand Bay and Trou aux Biches areas host the best tropical fish life and coral reefs. Usually all are boat dives to dive sites outside the barrier reefs. This is because the barrier reefs run almost completely around the Island with breaks or passes in the reef through which boats can pass to get into the open sea. The lagoons inside the barrier reefs are shallow and not suitable for diving. The sites in crystal clear water outside the barrier reef are very specifically located and easily accessible by boat. To get the best out of your diving experience in Mauritius it is advisable to dive with one of the accredited dive centers that will take you to all the best sites and ensure that you have a safe comfortable scuba diving Mauritius experience.

The Tourism Authority in Mauritius controls all registered dive centers and issues licenses to the boat skippers and dive operator that meet the require standards. All internationally recognized diving certifications are accepted and Mauritius has become a training ground for beginner divers because of the extremely easy diving conditions.

Unlike the reefs in Seychelles and the Maledives islands the coral reefs have not been bleached or affected by the warming of the ocean. The crystal clear water, the abundance of fish life and colorful reefs provide magnificent backdrops for underwater photography and filming. In the Trou aux Biches and Grand bay areas artificial reefs have been create by sinking wrecks at specific points. These wrecks, usually old Japanese fishing trawlers host an abundance of fish and coral life creating exciting dive sites and interesting backdrops for underwater photo and film. There are no real wall dives in Mauritius. In most areas the seabed slopes away gradually becoming deeper as you move away from the barrier reefs. Therefore most dive sites have a bottom at a reasonable depth making diving for beginners and experienced diver safer and less stressful. There are however small drops like ledges on some of the sites creating very interesting giant rock structure hosting larger fish life, gorgonian fan coral, some soft corals and in some spots black coral.

All round Mauritius is really a very safe and interesting location for a diving holiday. There is something for everyone.

Looking for quality diving holiday on a “paradise island”, come Diving in Mauritius.

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About the Author:
Kevin Cock is NAUI INSTRUCTOR, Founder and owner of Prodive Limited a South African with 23 years tourism and diving experience in Mauritius Prodive Limited is a professional scuba diving company at the Casuarinas Hotel at Trou aux Biches, Mauritius. They offer easy diving courses, full certification courses (PADI), diving excursions, private dives and exclusive dive charters. For more info visit http://prodivemauritius.com
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Some tips to keep your gear in good working order:

1. Have a professional Scuba technician maintenance your BCD regularly and at least according to the specifications outlined by the manufacturer.

2. Make sure it fits correctly and you are properly trained in using the equipment.

3. Disconnect all hoses after finished diving. Inspect and clean all hoses including the corregated hose for damage, cuts, slices, and splits. Remove and inspect weight pockets. If velcro weight pockets, then inspect velcro and clean with toothbrush. Don’t leave any dirt in the velcro. If they are locking weight pockets, make sure they snap back into the BCD with a loud snap. Weak snaps may mean a loose connection. In either case, make sure pockets release easily – but not too easily. Remove all knives and empty pockets. Clean independent of BCD.

4. Soak outside of BCD in fresh water after every day of diving. The longer the better, but don’t get crazy.

5. Fill BCD with water and air. Rinse the inside thoroughly. Shake vigorously with air and water inside the bladder. Repeat at least twice.

6. Make sure water runs through the Inflator Valve (inflate BCD with water and air and empty through inflator valve by holding the hose low and deflating). Use toothbrush to scrub around the inflator and deflator buttons. Repeat at least twice.

7. Fill bladder up with air and fresh water. Use dump valves to empty bladder. Make sure fresh water runs through dump valves. Remove and inspect dump valves. Look for rust on springs. Replace if rusty.

8. Inflate Bladder to full. Hold underwater. Inspect seams of bladder for leaking air. If leaking air, bring to Scuba Technician.

9. Hang Dry. Do not lie on the concrete floor.

10. When Dry, inspect thoroughly. Look for salt stains or dirt. If you find them, spot clean or repeat completely.

Consider using McNett’s BCD Life as a cleaning agent.

For more information, consider an Equipment Specialist Course at the Academy of Scuba

PADI Master Instructor, NAUI Instructor Trainer, SDI Instructor Trainer, Technical Dive Instructor, DAN Instructor, SeaSigns Instructor Examniner

http://www.academyofscuba.com
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Dive computers use algorithms to calculate these safe diving limits. They will make adjustments for both fast tissue groups and slow tissue groups. It uses this information to estimate the nitrogen in your body. Based on the amount of time you’ve been submerged and your depth, from this the computer then calculates how much longer you can safely remain underwater.

Different Type of Algorithms
Algorithms vary by model from each manufacturer and only a few algorithms are actually used. Some algorithm used may also be a modification of an existing algorithm. When you want to consider buying your next dive computer, the main feature to look at is the algorithm that the air decompression limit monitor uses.

Algorithms with different manufactures use some varying factors in their algorithms such as mentioned with fast and slow tissue groups. The solubility, permeability, and blood contact for a given tissue, say for example a kidney, is called a “tissue compartment or tissue group.” Dive computers use these “tissue compartments” to simulate the effect of a gas on your body at depth. The more “tissue compartments” a computer measures, the more accurate (theoretically) the computer can gauge the effect of a dive on your body. 9 to 12 compartments is fairly standard, but a few consumer models have 16 or more.

Here are four of the main algorithms used for dive computers:

Group 1: Haldane/Spencer Algorithm
The Haldane/Spencer model uses test results from PADI’s Diving Science and Technology and was developed by Rogers and Powell. Within their algorithm they use 12 separate tissue compartments. Oceanic and Sherwood use this algorithm model for their dive computers.

Group 2: Modified Haldanian Algorithm
This algorithm model was used by Mares and is based on nine tissue compartments. Now the latest Mares dive computers use the Reduced Gradient Bubble Model.

Group 3: Suunto Reduced Gradient Bubble Algorithm
This model is based in part on work by Wienke and Hamilton and uses nine tissue compartments. Suunto were the first to use the RGDM and now other manufactures are starting to use it too. The big difference of this algorithm is they consider micro bubbles that are in the blood stream as a result of nitrogen build up. The theory was they consider that these micro bubbles are a precondition of larger bubbles which can lead to DCS.

Group 4: Uwatec Buehlmann ZH-L8 ADT Algorithm and the ZH-L8 ADT MB.
This algorithm model uses eight tissue compartments and has been recently updated with two additional letters, the Buhlmann adaptive model has been expanded to be called the ZH-L8 ADT MB which stands for micro bubble. This algorithm is used by Uwatec and Scubapro.

Short fall of Algorithms
Algorithms may not be able to account for age, previous injury, ambient temperature, body type, alcohol consumption/dehydration, and patent foramen ovale(hole in the heart).

Which Algorithm is the best?
Removing of factors like cost, looks, other features etc then the more “tissue compartments” a computer measures, the more accurate (theoretically) the computer can gauge the effect of a dive on your body. 9 to 12 compartments are fairly standard nowadays, but a few dive computers are now using 16 compartments.

Even if two algorithms have the same results, manufactures will add there own factor of safety so they can set there dive computers to aggressive or conservative. An aggressive computer gives more bottom time than a conservative dive computer, and it’s wise to understand the properties of one’s own dive computer to ensure it fits the skill and comfort level expected.

Simon James has been diving for 15 years and is an authority in the field so take a look at this website called M2 Nocturnal Lights and SLX 300 Nocturnal led dive lights
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 The whale sharks come to the Donsol area from January to May due to the large amounts on plankton and also to mate.The snorkeling trips organized are limited by local law to a maximum of 20 boats at any one time and no more that 3 hours per trip (even the charter rate is controlled by law to avoid overcharging!).

 I had arranged 2 sessions of snorkeling with the whale sharks, and 2 days of diving.I was a little unsure of what to expect as we set out on the first day at about 10.30am.We had a group of 6, plus one guide and 3 spotters on our boat (a traditional Philippine outrigger style).For what seemed hours the boat just cruised around with all the staff just looking out to sea.Then suddenly one pointed and shouted “Bundanting!”(The local name for whale sharks), everyone quickly put on their fins/mask/snorkel and the guide told us to jump in…A few seconds later I was face to face with my first whale shark, about 10 meters long with its mouth open sucking up the plankton.It gently swam along only a few meters from the surface, and the whole group was able to swim beside it for a few minutes.Over the following few hours we had a total of 5 encounters with Buntunding; the best of which was one animal that tolerated our presence while it fed for more than 15 minutes!At times it came to less than 1 meter from the surface, and we had to actually avoid it!

 After an exhausting session, (whale sharks swim a lot faster that it seems!) we headed back to shore; all with big grins on our faces!

 My second day of whale shark interactions started early at 7am, again with the same number of people/crew on the boat; but the experience was much different (or maybe my attitude was!).We spotted our first whale shark within minutes of reaching the area.Over the next 3 hours we had 9 sightings/swims (some with the same animal).But the most memorable moment of all, was halfway through the trip when we saw a 12 meter + Buntanding which actually surfaced towards us, swimming along less than half a meter below the surface it was tolerant of me swimming next to it; close enough to touch!This gave me a fantastic opportunity to take some very close up photographs.

 Photographs by James Costello, Dolphin Dive Adventures & Services

SDI Instructor Trainer with Dolphin Dive Adventures & Services, I have been diving around Asis for over 6 years.
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1. Any dive between 1000 feet and 10,000 feet is an Altitude Dive

2. There is relatively little test data for altitude diving, flying after diving or driving to altitude after diving.

3. At sea level, the diver is surrounded by one atmosphere of pressure. At 10,000 feet, the pressure is .714 atmospheres (a 30% decrease in pressure). This is the same pressure change as 10 feet of seawater, which we know makes a big difference in our no-decompression limits. As we’ll see, this must be accounted for when using the RDP or any other dive table or dive computer.

4. Besides decompression sickness, there are heightened concerns for Hypoxia and Hypothermia when divng at Altitude.

5. Unless the actual depth is converted to a theoretical depth for table use and special procedures are followed, at altitude the pressure ratio can exceed the maximum limit intended by the table or dive computer, increasing the possibility of decompression sickness.

6. There are several equipment considerations when diving at altitude: (1) Air, trapped inside the cells of a wetsuit, expands at altitude, possibly making you more buoyant. Do a buoyancy check. (2) Different Gauges act differently at altitude, check with your gauge manufacturer and know what kind of gauge you have and how altitude effects it. (3) Computers either automatically adjust for altitude, need to be manually adjusted for altitude or have no adjustment for altitude. Know your computer!

7. When using an RDP or Table to plan your dive, consult the Theoretical Depth Conversion chart first and plan your dive using your theoretical depth, not your actual depth. Adjust your safety stop accordingly.

8. Ascend from depth on an altitude dive at a rate not to exceed 30 feet per minute. Safety stops are mandatory on all dives.

9. Make no more than two dives per day when diving altitude.

10. When arriving at altitude, wait 6 hours for your body to acclimitize or adjust your dive profiles to account for the residual nitrogen in your system as a result of the increase in altitude. When diving above 8000 feet, always wait 6 hours.

11. When using charts and tables, always round conservatively – whether it be up or down.

12. Consult your certification agency or Divers Alert Network for recommendations on altitude or flying after diving. It is generally recommended not to increase your altitude more than 2000 feet for a period of 24 hours after diving.

13. Do not make repetitive dives at different altitudes. Always wait a minimum of 6 hours when diving between altitudes.

14. If you are diving at altitude, seek proper training and get certified. Tip sheets and articles found on the Internet are no substitute for training. Dive within your training limits.

Dive safe!

PADI Master Instructor, NAUI Instructor Trainer, SDI Instructor Trainer, Technical Dive Instructor, DAN Instructor, SeaSigns Instructor Examniner

Interested in becoming a great diver?
Please visit http://www.academyofscuba.com
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When your computer is changing our lives at the same time, many people’s vision on the monitor before quietly changing. Computer eye injury is an indisputable fact. According to the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety survey shows that every day in front of the computer work 3 hours or more people, 90% of eye problems, showing symptoms are: Dry eyes, headaches, irritability, fatigue, , difficulty with concentrating. In addition to food, sleep every day, almost always have to face the white-collar computer, how do?

Killer Computer vision

The computer screen is a small fluorescent APPLE M7318 Battery, these fluorescence is blinking, in order to see clearly need to keep our eyes to adjust. We do not feel it, but it truly exists, our eyes go to adapt to it prone to fatigue. At the time of typing, eye to keep the presentation, screen, keyboard between the transformation, the eyes continue to adjust the focus and the distance it will also cause eye fatigue.

PSP, mobile phone

Even in the shaky buses, crowded subway, even in the elevator, the influx of people are forgetting to play in the hands of the PSP, iPod or MP4, playing games, watching movies, coupled with a cell phone used to keep a close eye mad by SMS long focused their attention on a narrow screen, easily tired people’s eyes.

Lenses

Our corneal oxygen directly from the air intake of breath, and now covered with a layer of “veil” of oxygen uptake will be far less. Moreover, contact lenses, after all, is a foreign body placed in the cornea, the eyes twinkling every Fujitsu fpcbp95 Battery, will cause the surface of contact lenses and eye have some friction. Therefore, a long time or continuous wear contact lenses, will cause the cornea in a constant state of hypoxia, causing corneal epithelial edema, erosion. If there are bacteria or viruses exist, may lead to keratitis, and even the formation of corneal ulcers.

Long drive

Siding in front of the eyes, the spirit of high tension, which is a daily morning and evening peak motorists to experience. With viaduct, and out of tunnels going around in circles just make the eyes glare suffering from different angles test. Although not enough on the fatigue driving, but the eye has been very tired.

Stress

Due to emotional bad, the pressure is too large, the Dell Latitude D610 Battery balance is broken and the intensity with eyes too large, will directly affect the normal operation of the eye. This is because, when the body of tension, anxiety and depression and other negative emotions, the pituitary, adrenal hormone secretion will be reduced, allowing binocular vision and visual information processing function of conductivity are at a low level state, it will directly lead to crystals and eye uncoordinated muscle contraction and relaxation steps.

Main conditions:

Dry eye: some people tear secretion is 0!

Symptoms: If you face the computer every day, there Suanzhang eye, sensitive to light, there are foreign body sensation, increased secretions, etc., then you have to vigilant, because you have a significant potential risk of dry eye.

Expert analysis: Southeast University Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Chien-Ning Huang, director of eye doctors, told reporters in the past suffered from “dry eye” are mostly middle-aged women over the age of 40, due to fluctuations in the level of estrogen in vivo may occur violations of the lacrimal gland, salivary gland and other exocrine gland of Sjogren’s syndrome, characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth. Now, the occurrence of dry eye are getting younger, the main reason is that Yongyanguodu.

Normal eyes have been able to maintain a black and  Shui Ling, in addition to its own organizational structure necessary for specific things, and the tears of the moisturizing and protective role of the inseparable. Generally rely on our eyes moist wink, under normal circumstances we blink about 15 times a minute, but when you look at the computer, and we are often too focused and forget blink of an eye, resulting in excessive tear evaporation.

How can I tell that he is an ordinary eye fatigue, or dry eye. In general, the hospital will conduct an experiment tear secretion and tear film break-up time checks. “To the young people here, and some tear secretion turned out to be 0!” Chien-Ning Huang, director says that the normal standard 10-15 mm to 5 minutes.

However, many patients will have had their doubts, “I obviously have tears, watching movies will shed tears when the emotion, and sometimes Yingfengliulei will be, how could not tear secretion?” In this regard, Chien-Ning Huang, director explained that people have two sets of lacrimal gland, the main lacrimal gland lacrimal gland and vice. Secretion of tears during the day, wet eyes from the role of the conjunctiva and cornea, but in the human sleep, then stop secretion of tears, which is the basis of secretion, in normal physiological conditions and do not stimulate the circumstances, by the Deputy lacrimal gland secretion. The main lacrimal gland is responsible for the reflex tears, mood swings, or is subject to cold stimulation, you can reflex to the main lacrimal gland secretion caused by hyperthyroidism.

The extended-wear contact lenses, likely to cause decreased sensitivity to the surface of the eye cornea, resulting in decreased tear secretion, relatively more likely to have dry eye problems.

Glaucoma: the eye continued to swell unbearable

Symptoms: The most common clinical glaucoma,  are two: open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. The latter particularly prevalent in the 50 years of age or older. The open-angle glaucoma prevalence in the population over 40 years the rate of 1% -2%, especially in the high myopia and family history of glaucoma who are prone to every day computer use a large number of white-collar workers have this disease risk.

Expert Analysis: Chien-Ning Huang, director told reporters that the formation mechanism of glaucoma more complex, but generally without any symptoms of early stage, when the lesions developed to a certain extent, may be a mild eye swelling, visual fatigue and headaches, vision in general is not affected, while the vision is gradually shrinking. The tube was late when the narrow field of vision, mobility, and night blindness occurs. Therefore, open-angle glaucoma early diagnosis is very important.

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But let’s put this recent nip in perspective.

In the period between 1882 and 2007, there were a documented 5 unprovoked shark attacks in the WHOLE of Lee County (the county where Sanibel Island is located). And regarding attacks leading to mortal wounds, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control, 4,406 people drowned in America during 1998. That’s about 550 times as many deaths as caused by sharks in an average year.

OK, sharks exist, and once in a great while, one takes a human sample (and more often than not the shark is just looking to see what species the human is before attacking: thankfully most of them are none too keen on the way we taste).

Five bites in all of Lee County in 125 years is hardly worth panicking over. But if you are the panicking type, here are some suggestions for making your Gulf visits as safe as possible: 1. Always swim in a group. Sharks most often attack lone individuals. 2. Don’t wander too far from shore. Doing so isolates you and places you away from assistance. 3. Avoid the water at night, dawn, or dusk. Many sharks are most active at these times and are better able to find you than you are to see them. 4. Don’t enter the water if bleeding. Sharks can smell and taste blood, and trace it back to its source. 5. Don’t wear shiny jewelry which does attract sharks.

But the reality is that it is unlikely that you will ever sight a shark on Sanibel much less be approached by one. And if you are approached, stay. Erratic movements will just make the shark curious as to whether you are edible. So be calm in your movements.

All that said, the risk of a shark bite is infinitely smaller than other “dangers” on this beautiful, tropical island. And these can be easily avoided.

Sunburn, heat exhaustion, and sunstroke are much more prevalent than are sharks. So, wear sunscreens, hats, foot protection, sunglasses and extra clothing. Rent an umbrella or sit in the shade as much as possible. Drink plenty of water. Any time you visit  the beach, bag up and bring all these items and a first-aid kit down to the beach with you. A day at the beach – or an entire family vacation – can be easily ruined for each and all by bad sunburns, headaches, sunlight sensitivities, heat exhaustion or worse.

Equally prevalent is the lightning storm that can generally be spotted well in advance. Florida is the lightning capital of the USA, but not the world, the international title held by Africa. Lightning storms ares a serious risk for those at the beach. When you see the skies darkening, leave the beach and head home. Why take the risk to see if it will blow by as it often does?

The joys of a Sanibel Island vacation outnumber 1000 to 1 the dangers. And the dangers are largely preventable. So shouldn’t you be thinking of making plans to visit paradise now?

Sylvia Guarino is a professional writer. Her territory is health and fitness. She also manages and markets vacation rental properties on Sanibel Island that she and her husband own. To view their properties, go to: http://sanibel-rentals.net
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 Well, here are some real facts about these misunderstood creatures!

 Titan’s are extremely territorial, and especially during the breeding season on April/May they will protect there nest aggressively. During these months the male will guard the nest against all on-comers, including divers; the ‘Protection Zone’ goes directly up from the nest in a cone shape (as they can se upwards).

 Their eyes are independently rotating, heavy armored scales; they are the largest member of the Triggerfish family and can grow up to 75cm!

 There bites can cause infection as they contain a natural poison called Ciguatoxin, which can have serious affects on humans; in extreme cases causing heart attacks or paralysis. They may also use ramming techniques to scare other creature’s away (including divers).

 Titan’s are generally short sites, so can not see well at distance.

 They usually feed on hard corals or hard bodied invertebrates and algae, NOT divers!

 The most important thing to remember here is that we are invading there world and territory; they are only following there instincts with regard to what they think is a threat. Now unfortunately, so divers act aggressively back to them either hitting them with points/knifes/etc. This is understandable considering the stories that get told, but this can also have an aggravating effect. The titan will learn that divers are even more dangerous, and hence attack them more (even when not provoked).

 I am a bit of a fan of titan’s, I must admit… Some of my friends have said I`m crazy, but they have a certain attraction; kind of like the misunderstood kid in school. I now have many photographs of them (close up), and find them very interesting to watch and study.

 Personally I have never been attacked by a titan, but I know people who have. One of them is a dive master friend; he was leading a dive in Tioman when a large titan charged at him. I moved him to one side, and took the front position. The titan circled for another attack… It hovered about 4 or 5 meters from me starring at me, so I took the opportunity to take a photograph of it! Which obviously made it made, it charged at my camera strobe; as it came close I gently pushed its body away from my camera. It swam off a little way then looked at me again and swam off, and we didn’t see it again. Just proving that there is a non aggresive way to deal with them, remember they have a right to lead a peaceful life too!

Photo`s by James Costello, Dolphin Dive Adventures & Services

SDI Instructor Trainer with Dolphin Dive Adventures & Services, I have been diving around Asis for over 6 years.
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