Aquarium Diving

[pianobarry87]

To those who have gone diving in aquariums (not volunteers): I can understand the steep price (sort of) of diving exhibits in aquariums but why are the dives so short? On the Georgia and Baltimore Aquariums websites they say the dives are 30-45 minutes. Why can’t they just let you dive dependent on you own air supply?

 

[tomfcrist]

Probably because a 2hr aquarium dive will make you carve your eyeballs out with a spoon.

 

[KeithG]

To those who have gone diving in aquariums (not volunteers): I can understand the steep price (sort of) of diving exhibits in aquariums but why are the dives so short? On the Georgia and Baltimore Aquariums websites they say the dives are 30-45 minutes. Why can’t they just let you dive dependent on you own air supply?

Because maybe they are watching you like a hawk to make sure you do not do something stupid that might screw up their very tiny pond?

These dives are a source of income. You ARE NOT helping them, since you can not be trusted not to do something stupid. Regardless of what they may say in the predive briefing.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Some dive operators' boat dives are limited to 45 minutes, sadly. I don't think 45 minutes is unreasonably short by any means. A 30-minute dive is what I'd call short, but then again, you're in a tank, not going anywhere. Sitting in one spot watching the fish swim round and round (whalesharks in the case of the Georgia Aquarium), 30 minutes is enough for most people.

I also think Adiron's comment about supply and demand has merit. If enough divers to fill the available slots are willing to pay the $300 or whatever the aquarium charges, then I suppose the parameters of the dive are "correct."

 

[ystrout]

Two things I can think of.

1. To fit more divers in. Or they just don't want you in there because the customers may not want to watch divers. I think it's cool personally...
2. This second reason applies to coral reef exhibits. If they only allow 1 group of divers in per day for a short time, I would think that it's because they don't like divers in there. If it's a coral exhibit, there's a lot you can damage. This also applies to small exhibits where you're just floating there or standing there. They don't want you banging into things.

I can't see that being a problem in a large kelp forest exhibit like the Birch Aquarium and Long Beach Aquarium have. You can't damage the kelp, there's nothing wrong with standing in the sand (don't step on the skates and rays), and kelp forest fish actually really like swimming with divers so the fish would have fun.

 

[Damselfish]

I would be bothered by a 30 minute dive time (for no good reason) in the real world, and wouldn't patronize an op that did that. Aquariums, there are tons of possible reasons mentioned it may be short, but if you don't like it don't do it applies to that too. However, I'd think that's usually more than enough time in an aquarium anyway, and they certainly have to have some limit more than air supply - at those depths I could spend hours in an aquarium. I can see why they'd need everyone out at the same time.

The only aquarium I have done is Epcot. They gave a range of times, and our dive was past the upper limit. I think the range both gives them a way to keep on schedule, and an excuse to get out of the water if they have "problem children."

 

[Zef]

I would imagine that diving in an aquarium is one of those things that frequently comes with buyers remorse unless the people doing have very limited experience fish watching in the wild leading up to it.

In January I drove out to TODI near Antwerp Belgium (https://www.todi.be) which is big round tank/pool that slopes towards the center where it is 10 meters deep (average depth is about 6 meters if I recall). It is filled with lots of different freshwater fish and various structures to provide habitat and to make the diving more interesting.

It was a neat experience for the first 15 minutes...but by 45 minutes it was really kind of boring, and there is plenty of room to swim around as the diameter of the tank is 36 meters across. There is no monitor to shake an angry finger at you unless you do something severely out of line such as chase after the fish or purposely cause damage to the structures in the tank.

You get 2 hours for 30 to 37 Euros (depending on the time you go) and can pay for more time if you would like (the 2 hours includes the time to get dressed out for the dive and the time it takes to change back into street clothes).

It is one of things you do to say you have done it but is just kind of a meh experience that you would not rush back to do any time soon.

I can only imagine being confined in a smaller tank at an aquarium under the watchful eye and rules of the staff....after the fish swim by you 2 or 3 times you will be ready to get out and have a beer.

I really can't fathom being in that situation for more than 30 minutes...nor can I understand why anyone would pay the fees the aquariums are asking or putting up with the long waiting lists.

-Z

 

[RockiesFan]

Aquarium diving is overrated.

 

[Erich S]

What cert level do aquariums require?

 

[tomfcrist]

What cert level do aquariums require?

Not sure about GA, but I think Epcot is AOW.