Deepwater diving

When it comes to deepwater diving, people who are into diving always have distinctive reaction. Inexperienced divers immediately start asking a lot of questions being interested in details. Those who have already dived deep a few times liven up and start sharing their experience. Amateur divers, who can dive not deeper than the recommended 30-40 meters, also have their eyes lighten up but they act calm, feeling respect to the difficult process.

Qualification of diving beginners is called Open Water and if you have one, than you can dive not deeper than 18 meters. This prohibition has a reasonable basis: these are exploration dives without decompression, gas flow and nitric narcosis. Even if you have dived for only a few times, but have already developed passion for deepwater scuba diving, than you will not get rid of it. Perhaps, you have a natural interest to explore the objects that are situated much deeper than 18 meters? This interest is quite justifiable.

Our dive-center AHLA-DIVE is situated in Israel, in a city of Eilat by the Red Sea in the Gulf of Aqaba. Water temperature is very comfortable both for learning and for diving. The lowest temperature is +21 degrees C, the highest is +29 degrees C.

AHLA-DIVE specializes in recreational diving training. We offer high quality courses, allowing you to improve the qualifications and increase the maximum recommended depths for diving. Diving in Eilat gives you an opportunity to explore new underwater objects, bypassing the restictions of the amateur level.

When we hear the words „Let’s go deeper“ everybody is thrilled with enthusiasm and anticipation of something new and unknown. Mystical depths, exciting adventures, breathtaking discoveries: all this is hidden behind the words diving, scuba diving training, diving courses, diving in Eilat, deepwater diving.

Qualified and experienced instructors carry out diving training with safety and comfort. You will get solid skills. We evaluate the level of qualification for our training staff with the system developed by PADI – professional association of diving instructors.

Training with the program of deepwater diving will reveal to you a whole new world of exploration of the underwater environment. The maximum recommended depth after the training is 30 meters and this means that many of the interesting spots will be available to you. Conditions in which you will dive after the course have to correspond to those you trained in or be better. These restrictions are the result of the necessity to follow security measures.

Sertificates issued by the diving courses of PADI sytem are accepted all over the world. You may not worry that the results of your training will not meet the requirements of some diving center. Certificates have electronic version, so don’t worry about a lost document as the information could be easily checked on the Internet.

Open the door into an exciting world of deepwater diving!

http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/glubokovodnye-pogruzheniya/

Master your skill of buoyancy

Human knows little about his body capacity, that is why he cannot hold his breath long under the water and rationally control his body movements. Would you like to learn to swim like a fish in the sea? Diving – is the best way to do it. To feel the level of proficiency it is enough to plunge down deep, where every move requires lots of effort without the skill.

Graceful moving in unison with the sea depth inhabitants singles out a person, who has mastered his skill of buoyancy. Many tourists thing that, paddling with fins vigorously is an effective way to spend energy, but it is a false belief. People, who learned to control their body and increase buoyancy make almost no use of the equipment at the time of moving under water. They are able to keep their body on the same depth within 10 centimeters. What is more, a huge part of buoyancy is the ability to control breathing. Poeple, who are professional divers, spend the air much more rationally as opposed to beginners. Remember that all this comes with practice and the only thing you need is desire.

Some tourists purchase diving tours especially to the Red sea. Regular dives reveal new beauties of the underwater flora and fauna. A large number of trips to the sea bottom does not indicate high skill of buoyancy. Only after finishing diving lessons with an instructor can one master this skill. According to the results of the training a diving school gives their student a certificate. The use of the received skills and knowledge not only gives a person maximum pleasure from diving, but also make a contribution to the environment. Professionals of their craft are able to move along the bottom not damaging the environment which is very important.

Specialist of this field advise the beginners to primarily learn buoyancy and go through a corresponding course. Only after mastering the required skills can beginners get real pleasure from scuba diving. Diving for children finds his true admirers of 12 years old. It is worth noting that learning at an early age is much faster and easier.

Where are these trainings take place and is it possible to learn buoyancy? Diving training takes little time, that's why you can spend a holiday by the Red sea in Israel with to your advantage. In Eilat on the shore the Gulf of Aqaba water temperature has the most comfortable figures for diving courses: from +21 to +29 degress C. It is here that AHLA DIVE diving center is situated, that organizes scuba diving trainings for tourists as well as professionals. Direct cooperation with the instructors of PADI association allows us to carry out quality training in a short tern. Recreational diving has long been under the interest of people, who cannot live without sea fish and other sea inhabitants. Having seen the beauty of the Red sea from the inside, you will definately want to return here again.

To learn the detailed information about the diving course "Perfect Bouyancy" you can visit our site: 

http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/bring_skill_in_mastering_the_buoyancy/

Diver’s note: to drink or not to drink?

People see drinking alcohol as an ancient national tradition. Can you still follow it when you dive 30 meters deep and even deeper?  This very question causes much controversy among those who are really keen on diving.

Is it possible to combine diving and alcohol without any risk of damaging health? The answer seems obvious. What is more, recommendation to restrain from alcohol before and after diving was not just made up. Alcohol is forbidden by the PADI standards.

Does the amount of alcohol matter at the time of diving? It definitely does. When a person drinks a bottle of vodka, he loses his coordination and ability to think rationally on dry land to say nothing of the depths of the Red sea. The situation with such high dose is quite clear.

What if we consider just a can of beer or a shot of vodka? Such a dose does not cloud reason, the reaction remains adequate, a person is still able to put on the equipment and pay attention to what instructor says. Everything seems normal but unfortunately it is so only on the outside. The body is already experiencing an insignificant degree of dehydration. This very physiological state is very dangerous for a diver. One of the dangers is decompression sickness that is familiar to many diving beginners. To be safe one needs to pay close attention to his or her health and listen to the advice and directions of instructors at the time of diving training.

It is no coincidence that a person feels harrowing thirst during a hang-over, because any kind of alcohol dehydrates the body. When it happens of dry land, it is noting critical. When it happens under water different rules apply. A dehydrated body under water has a strong chance of developing a decompression sickness.

Experienced diving instructors always recommend drinking a lot of liquids at the time of training. Water thins the blood and provides its normal circulation. Intensive drinking regimen – is a golden rule of a safe diver. It needs to be mentioned that for a person who drank alcohol recently or in the very day of diving this is less effective. The risk of having a decompression sickness after drinking alcohol for a diver increases drastically, even if all the safety norms and surfacing rules are precisely observed.

One more question that is really important to divers is whether it is acceptable to drink alcohol after diving and if so, how much is allowed? You shouldn’t grab a beer to celebrate a successful dive having just stepped out of the water. At that moment the process of retaining B.U.N from the body is not yet finished. That is why any factors that cause blood thickening (alcohol) may provoke decompression sickness. If it is impossible to completely avoid having a drink at the day of diving than is should be put off. The first safe drink of alcohol a diver can have only 4-5 hours after the surfacing. 

http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/diver_note_to_drink_or_not_to_drink/

Reliable mask – a key to incredible impressions!

Diving can be compared to a journey to a different universe, created by a talented science-fiction novelist. Sharp coral reefs, fantastic inhabitants of the underwater world, unusual plants and deep caves that keep secrets of the sea bottom and lots of other details give amazing emotions that will stay with you for a long time! No wonder that diving training has become one of the most demanded services – every person wants to plunge into this other universe, a feeling that is comparable with a flight in space.

How to choose a mask for underwater exploration?

Diver’s way is thorny and dangerous, but very interesting! Danger awaits the brave adventurer on every corner of his challenging path, but these are not monsters or predators that inhabit the deep caves. The main threat is in careless preparation before diving. The most common problem of all beginners is a leaking mask. When the “skirt” sealed to the frame does not match the face of the diver, the mask starts leaking. Experienced divers say that faces leak and not masks, but despite the harsh professional humour, the problem is still quite relevant.

Entering an equipment store beginners are lost because of the wide selection. The “skirts” of the masks used to be made of rubber. Due to the features of this material the number of colors was limited to black and green. Technological advance has brought divers silicone that became a new step to a more comfortable diving. This material is long-lasting and doesn’t irritate skin as much as rubber does. Composite materials are more complex – their characteristics depend on the initial components.

We recommend using equipment of famous brands. Large manufacturers live up to their reputation and try to provide a customer with a quality product according to the price. Cheap equivalents of Thai handymen are no match to masks of European producers. Cheap masks are less reliable.

Checking how well a mask fits the face is quite difficult in regular conditions. Most beginners learn about the leaking only after the immersion. Pressing the mask against the face and breathing in is useless – you will feel that the “skirt” is tightly adhere to the face, but at the time of diving the water will still penetrate through small holes.

Mask adjusting should be done in the water. We recommend you to check how easy it will be for you to block the nostrils in a thick glove. If you find it difficult during a check then during equalizing you will surely experience problems. Check if you can adjust the mask strap with one hand. At the time of our underwater journey your other hand may hold a video camera, a torch or a photo camera – then you will have to adjust the strap with one hand.

The lighter the mask the tighter it stays in the place. The number of lenses doesn’t really matter. The most popular are twin lens masks – they are comfortable and very clear. Additional lenses at the sides provide a fuller visibility and simplify reading of the devices such as pressure gauge. Men should choose the mask even more carefully if they don’t want to lose their facial hair before going to the dive-center. Some masks, that provide total tightness, may leak because of a mustache or a beard. A good diving mask is a key to the fullness of emotions from a fascinating journey in the underwater world.

http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/reliable-mask-the-key-to-incredible-experiences/

5 rules of more efficient underwater orientation

Diving is beautiful, interesting, fascinating and surely dangerous. It is necessary to remain calm under water, properly execute all the operations and not get lost. The last one is quite difficult because every sportsman can have trouble in finding the way back. In this case staying calm is quite difficult. And to prevent this, one needs to know the basics of underwater orientation. It is the knowledge without which diving training would not be complete. So, what rules do you need to follow?

Rule No.1: learn the environment

Orientation should begin before going in the water. It is very useful to have special literature that describes the area. Maps are ideal for this. It is even more important if you do not dive together with your partner. One more option is diving off the rented boat. It is more convenient because in this case there is a supervisor that has valuable knowledge. It is important to listen to and remember everything that he says. Usually professionals tell about the depths and currents and help the sportsmen make a plan of actions. Definitely discuss all the key moments, mark the time or pressure to be the point of return. Thorough preparation to the process is half the success. Do not forget that before this stage is preceded by a process of checking the diving equipment for efficiency and wholeness.

Rule No.2: follow the guide

One of the divers has to act as a guide – in such case discipline and consistency are the best assistants. It is necessary to split the responsibilities: the guide leads the way and the other diver minds the distance, time and depth. This strict cooperation will prevent you from missing something important.

Rule No.3: choose your diving spot thoroughly

If we are talking about diving off a boat, than it should be done right in the place where the boat is anchored. When the place is chosen is should be reached on the water surface missing the waves. These simple rules work for absolutely all places including diving in Eilat or any other place.

Rule No.4: remember orienting points

Experienced diving trainers advise the beginners to pay more attention to the natural orienting points. These are objects that are fixed to one place and can later show the way: corals of different kinds, sand spots and rock formations. The key is not remembering the existence of an orienting point, but precisely memorizing its features and peculiarities. The more information you get on the way the easier it will be to find the way back.

Rule No.5: time estimation

If you properly plan the time and follow the above mentioned rules, you will not face any trouble. The time span, during which the diver swims off the initial spot, is determined beforehand. As soon as the time is up, the diver needs to turn around and swim backwards. In case of a current, it can be used in the beginning of the way. However this fact should be minded during time estimation of the time on the way back. Besides, divers mustn’t forget the golden rule of “the third”. It implies that one third of the air is spent on the way from the initial point, one third is spent on the way back and one third is spent on exploring the area around the boat as well as on decompression stops.

If you follow these simple rules than diving in Israel will be without any problems or stress. You will be able to fully enjoy the given opportunity and get loads of positive emotions.

<a href="http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/5-rules-to-better-orient-under-water/">http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/5-rules-to-better-orient-under-water/</a>

5 rules of more efficient underwater orientation

Diving is beautiful, interesting, fascinating and surely dangerous. It is necessary to remain calm under water, properly execute all the operations and not get lost. The last one is quite difficult because every sportsman can have trouble in finding the way back. In this case staying calm is quite difficult. And to prevent this, one needs to know the basics of underwater orientation. It is the knowledge without which diving training would not be complete. So, what rules do you need to follow?

Rule No.1: learn the environment

Orientation should begin before going in the water. It is very useful to have special literature that describes the area. Maps are ideal for this. It is even more important if you do not dive together with your partner. One more option is diving off the rented boat. It is more convenient because in this case there is a supervisor that has valuable knowledge. It is important to listen to and remember everything that he says. Usually professionals tell about the depths and currents and help the sportsmen make a plan of actions. Definitely discuss all the key moments, mark the time or pressure to be the point of return. Thorough preparation to the process is half the success. Do not forget that before this stage is preceded by a process of checking the diving equipment for efficiency and wholeness.

Rule No.2: follow the guide

One of the divers has to act as a guide – in such case discipline and consistency are the best assistants. It is necessary to split the responsibilities: the guide leads the way and the other diver minds the distance, time and depth. This strict cooperation will prevent you from missing something important.

Rule No.3: choose your diving spot thoroughly

If we are talking about diving off a boat, than it should be done right in the place where the boat is anchored. When the place is chosen is should be reached on the water surface missing the waves. These simple rules work for absolutely all places including diving in Eilat or any other place.

Rule No.4: remember orienting points

Experienced diving trainers advise the beginners to pay more attention to the natural orienting points. These are objects that are fixed to one place and can later show the way: corals of different kinds, sand spots and rock formations. The key is not remembering the existence of an orienting point, but precisely memorizing its features and peculiarities. The more information you get on the way the easier it will be to find the way back.

Rule No.5: time estimation

If you properly plan the time and follow the above mentioned rules, you will not face any trouble. The time span, during which the diver swims off the initial spot, is determined beforehand. As soon as the time is up, the diver needs to turn around and swim backwards. In case of a current, it can be used in the beginning of the way. However this fact should be minded during time estimation of the time on the way back. Besides, divers mustn’t forget the golden rule of “the third”. It implies that one third of the air is spent on the way from the initial point, one third is spent on the way back and one third is spent on exploring the area around the boat as well as on decompression stops.

If you follow these simple rules than diving in Israel will be without any problems or stress. You will be able to fully enjoy the given opportunity and get loads of positive emotions.

<a href="http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/5-rules-to-better-orient-under-water/">http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/5-rules-to-better-orient-under-water/</a>

Scuba diving for the whole family

Do you want to spend a holiday together with your family but you don’t know what program to choose so it would be interesting and exiting not only for adults but also for the children? You need to go to Eilat in Israel and visit AHLA DIVE diving center.

Scuba diving in the open water is the best kind of active family recreation. Nowadays diving in Eilat is preferred by many Russian and foreign tourists. They set off to the shores of the Red sea to practice scuba diving and enjoy the underwater beauty.

At what age can children start scuba diving?

There are established norms that diving training for children can start at the age of 12. But as a rule the decision when a child starts diving training course has to be made only by the parents.

What season is the most suitable for diving lessons?

Diving courses are generally conducted the whole year. Experienced divers make plunges at any season. But if you want to go on a vacation with your children, you better choose summer diving tours because this time of year the weather and water temperature is the most comfortable.

How dangerous is diving for children?

Every parent has to understand that when children are isolated from the outside world, they are missing out on the opportunity to become independent, learn to count only on their own strength and deal with difficult tasks. Is it really dangerous and should your children be taught diving?

Specialists of AHLA DIVE have certification that allows them to carry out diving training not only for adults but also for the children. Diving courses for children will teach them to follow all the necessary rules making this kind of activity totally safe. What is more, diving and snorkeling help eliminate numerous health problems connected with child’s skeletal system.

http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/scuba-diving-for-the-whole-family/

Diving is a place for extreme in our life

Can extreme kinds of sport be called a safe pastime? Specialists of AHLA DIVE confirm that in order for diving to be considered safe a diver needs to follow the basic rules of behavior under water:

• do not dive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• always go diving with a company
• treat the preparatory step to diving responsibly
• do not haste while descending and do not ascend to the water surface fast.
• promptly inform other group members of occurring problems
• quickly react to the signals of difficulties from other participants
• Clearly know what actions will be of help under water.

Based on the given information here are the fields that should be accented at the time of diving training:

• rules of safe communication under water
• means of communication among group members
• theoretical and practical basics of help in case of emergency
• Peculiarities of ascending and descending

Professional instructors will recommend beginners to strictly follow all the instructions of the group leader. This way introductory dive will be a safe and interesting underwater adventure. Traditional diving for beginners should be carried out at the minimal for sport diving depth in order to control not only the work of equipment but also the actions of the beginning sea bottom explorer.

Besides the classical kinds of diving, professionals can advise you to try such underwater entertainments as:

• snorkeling
• introductory dive
• Underwater photo shooting
• wedding at the bottom of the sea
• nighttime diving

http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/diving-is-a-place-for-extreme-if-our-life/

Diving and back health

While doing such a popular kind of sport as diving many beginners face such problems as back traumas of different degrees of severity. It happens as a result of neglecting the safety measures and disregarding the advice of experienced divers. Consequences of such traumas and injuries can come out in later life. To help you prevent making these common mistakes due to which one can have a back injury, specialists of AHLA DIVE made an analysis and made a list of all the available recommendations and useful advice.

Handling the equipment

In the process of training as well as in the ongoing plunges, divers use different kinds of equipment. To prevent injuries you should follow the rules of handling the equipment:

• do not overestimate your strength, it is always better to ask for help. Unnecessary heroism can lead to unpleasant consequences.
• cylinders should be carried with both hands, embracing them across the chest.
• any, even introductory dive starts with equipment. It is necessary to use outside help while putting all the elements of equipment on in order to distribute the weight evenly.
• avoid twisting and bending moves with your shoulders with weight on your back.
• Try to keep the heavy equipment closer to the body to lower the weight.

Training program

According to the specialists of AHLA DIVE the best diving starts with a proper system of exercises on stretching and back strengthening. When you warm up and stretch your muscles you not only prevent injuries but also get rid of a chance of getting problems with your back in the future.

http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/diving-and-health-back/

Notable events in diving history (Part 2)

XX century is rich in outstanding events that influenced diving evolution and development.

• 1908 – physiologists John Scott Haldane, Arthur  Boycott and Gabon Damant carry out a research dedicated to decompression sickness. Achieved data is later used to save lives of numerous divers.
• 1933 -  foundation of the first diving club “Bottom scrapers”
• 1936- Eve le Prior organizes a diving center for people who are keen on underwater world exploration.
• 1938 – Edgar End and Max Noll plunge for 30 meters under water in a pressure chamber. They spent about 27 hours inside of it and at that time one of them experienced signs of decompression sickness.
• 1939 – a first successful case of rescuing 33 casualties from a wrecked submarine.
• 1943 – introduction of a modern-day aqualung, that was created with the help of Jaques-Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnan. Five years later this equipment was used to perform a plunge for 106,8 meters deep it was a world record at the time.
• 1950 – Georges Houot and Pierre-Henry William reach the depth of 4623,8 meters inside a special apparatus called bathyscaphe.
• 1959 – foundation of World Underwater Federation.
• 1960 – Professional Association of Diving Instructors starts its work, based on which our diving training is carried out with later certification.
• 1962 – underwater  houses are projected
• 1983 – dive-computer Orca Edge is invented
• 1985 – Ruins of the “Titanic” are found with the help of remote controlled cameras
• 1993 г. – прошло 50 лет с момента появления акваланга, в этом году в мире сертифицируется 515 тыс. новых дайверов.
• 1993 – fifty years after the invention of scuba and on this date 515 thousand divers were certificated.

http://ahla-dive.com/eng/important-events-in-the-history-of-diving-part-2/

Notable events in diving history. (Part 1)

The history of diving evolution goes back for hundreds of years – and since then people have managed to explore the underwater world greatly. AHLA DIVE offers you a chance to get acquainted with the list of the most prominent events in the history of conquering the sea depths. This information will be of interest to professionals as well as beginners who plan to go through diving training courses.

• 1530 – Introduction of an underwater vessel that can be filled with air.
• 1650 – a German physicist Otto von Guericke develops a compression device that is later tested on animals by Robert Boyle.
• 1690 – Edmond Halley an English scientist designs a sphere with a pipe attached to it and a cask with air. The construction could be plunged down for 18 meters and kept under water for an hour and a half.
• 1715 – John Lethbridge introduces a special diving mechanism to the world. It is made in the form of an oak costume that allows a person to stay deep under water for about half an hour.
• 1823 - Charles Anthony Deane invents a protective helmet for life guards that is later used in diving. Together with his brother they strike out how this device can be attached to diving equipment with the help of straps.
• 1843 – the first school is opened in Great Britain where people interested can learn underwater swimming. The institution was different from modern dive-clubs – its graduates became professional dive-rescuers.
• 1865 – two Frenchmen  Auguste Denayrouze and Benoît Rouquayrol invent an underwater breathing apparatus. It required compressed air, a valve for diver to breathe and a hose to connect it to the surface. This construction was improved and updated and is still used in diving centers.
• 1876 – a sailor Henry Albert Fleuss designs an aqualung that uses compressed air.

http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/important-events-in-the-history-of-diving-part-1/

Safety in diving: diving cylinders

In professional diving a diving cylinder is one of the most important parts of diver’s equipment. Even if you exploit used equipment following the rules of operation will lengthen this element’s life-time.

Rules of exploitation

Having done a systematic analysis, specialists of AHLA DIVE made a list of rules of exploitation of diving cylinders. At first, all beginners who signed up for diving training courses have to look through the “not to do” list:

• do not subject the device to any mechanical damage, don’t drop it.
• do not exceed pressure-gauge’s maximum value
• never dump the cylinder completely, it can lead to water getting inside
• Do not use equipment with any, even insignificant, external defects.(scars, hollows)

Having learned the forbidden actions beginners should carry on their diving training and learn some of the rules of storage and transportation of equipment:

• store the equipment in a cool and dry place far from sources of heat. It is necessary to check whether you can hear water splashing inside the cylinder and that there is no damp smell.
• make a visual check of the equipment regularly and a systematic hydraulic test according to the list of established requirements as well as cleanse the cylinder of the sea water after every usage
• If you need to move or transport a cylinder, make sure that the valve is tightly wrenched.

Following these rules every diving amateur will not only avoid unexpected problems in the process of diving but also will be able to help their partners.

http://ahla-dive.com/eng/blog/safety-in-diving-tanks/