Scuba Diving FAQs: The Non-Divers’ Curiosities (Part-2)

By Amillson On August 30, 2009 Under diving FAQs

In this Part-2 of “The Non-Divers’ Curiosities”, we will look at another three of scuba diving most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that we’ve gathered through the years and years of active participations in scuba diving.

Most non-divers, innocently, ask all sorts of questions. Most certified and experienced divers find the FAQs so funny that they burst out laughing first – because they thought it’s a joke – before seriously responding to each FAQs.

That might be the case, but of course not entirely, and if any of these questions have been playing in your mind now then I would like to welcome you to this 2^nd series of articles where we’ll be focusing on this particular topic.

You might want to quickly skim through Part-I to see what we’ve covered earlier.

1) Can you catch any of those yummy lobsters or other fish? For food?

The answer for this one is the BIG: NO, NO! Scuba diving is a recreational sport or outdoors activity – which ever you like to categorize them. Therefore, all divers are required and expected to abide by the consensus of the diving community that is to only observe the underwater creatures and plants and as much as possible to minimize the impact or contact during each dives.

There are cases where you can catch fishes or other underwater creatures but only through breath holding a.k.a. apnea. Normally, breath-holding divers use spear guns to complete the task of underwater hunting. It is a selective kind of “fishing” – catch only those you want to consume and not for the sake of having fun.

It is described as “non-sporty” or “non-fair game” if divers on scuba (using scuba tanks) engaged in underwater collecting, catching or hunting of any sorts. Meaning, recreational scuba divers’ whole purpose is to do leisure a.k.a. fun dives only and not to harm any aquatic creatures that they may encounter on any dives; no matter where and no matter when.

2) Can you help me to collect some shells? Here is the list…

Stop right there!

Have you ever seen or read this: “take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but foot prints”? You may find this kind of reminder or signage at the National Parks, Rehabilitation Centres, islands and so on. The same applies to scuba divers: “take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but bubbles”.

Divers are not allowed, in general, and in many places, to collect any type shells: dead or alive. Student divers are thought, during the scuba diving course/lessons, to refrain from collecting any type of “souvenirs” from the underwater world.

Entertaining such requests will only encourage “harvesting” of delicate aquatic life that will eventually lead to extinctions of some marine species.

Of course there are many types of shells and other forms of marine life that are being sold at souvenir shops but the process of gathering all of that is not done by responsible scuba divers.

The coral reef systems need to be protected to ensure balance in the ecosystem. That is the reason why YOU should stop buying or collecting marine shells and so on for decorations or what ever you like.

3) So, you are an Instructor? Oh I see… What? You are a Divemaster? Wow!

I was once introducing myself, as an Instructor, to another guy at a bar somewhere in my hometown. He went… Ohhhh I see. I knew instantly that that guy was not a diver. I accepted the fact.

The chitchat went on and I mentioned later that part of the job descriptions as a scuba Instructor is also to do some Divemaster’s task and responsibility – which is the truth. This guy went: What? You are a Divemaster too. Wow!

I’ve had the same conversations (and of course with the same response) over the years. I had to explain, every time, the difference between an Instructor and a Divemaster in each situation.

Divemaster a.k.a. Dive Leaders is the first professional level you can achieve in scuba diving. In PADI system, Divemaster rating will be the fourth level of any scuba certification.

Instructor is the next professional level in scuba diving – after Divemaster. There are a few more instructor levels after that but lets not go into too much detail here.

I found it quite amusing because Divemaster sounds more superior to the ears of any non-divers. The name and the way you pronounce “master” is like pronouncing Kung Fu master or Master of Ceremony or Toast Master and so on.

Well, basically Instructors are also Divemasters; and not vice versa. But that’s how it works: you need to master certain discipline first before getting yourself qualified as a trainer or an instructor. The same applies to scuba diving.

That will be the three most frequently asked questions (FAQ) in scuba diving, by non-divers, in this article. Remember, as a diver we have to explain or answer every single question in a very simple and friendly way as much as possible.

If, at any point, you are still uncertain or want more information or elaborations on any of the FAQs, please do leave your message below or fill out the contact form (see ABOUT page) of this blog and I will try my best to give you some more straight forward details.