Catalina / So. California - What animals are dangerous

[cadiver67]

Hello,

I am wondering what sea creatures are dangerous here around Catalina Island and Southen California beach diving areas.

Aside from Sharks I didn't think there was much to worry about but I recently read that squid are aggressive and dangerous too, who knew.

A friend told me not to worry to much about being attacked by something - but to pay more attention to where I am going so I don't step on a ray or urchin.

So what should I be watching out for?

Thanks
cadiver67

 

[Jim Ernst]

Hello,

I am wondering what sea creatures are dangerous here around Catalina Island and Southen California beach diving areas.

Aside from Sharks I didn't think there was much to worry about but I recently read that squid are aggressive and dangerous too, who knew.

A friend told me not to worry to much about being attacked by something - but to pay more attention to where I am going so I don't step on a ray or urchin.

So what should I be watching out for?

Thanks
cadiver67

WHAT ANIMALS ARE DANGEROUS, only the ones that live in so cal!!! the humanimals. lol sorry guys just a little humor

 

[diversteve]

Your friend is right, a DM in San Diego once told me that he sees more injuries from people stepping on urchins and slipping on the rocks than anything else. I wouldn't get particularly close to the prettier Coneshells on the Kelp either, some of them are lethal.

 

[archman]

Humboldt squid are now considered year-long residents to the southern california shelf waters. Have fun with those things!

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

I'd say you're several thousand times more likely to slip and fall or wreck you car on the way to the dive site than to be attacked by something. Of all the dangers of getting to and into the water and diving, people really place too much emphasis on animal attack. Failure to safety check your gear before a dive is much more likely to hurt you than an attacking critter...

 

[CHUD]

You need to be careful of black-clad divers sneaking up on you underwater and cutting your air-hose!

 

[drbill]

IMHO there is no question that humans are the most dangerous creature you are bound to encounter in our waters. This includes fellow divers as well as boaters.

If one practices the principle of "do not touch," there is little that can do serious harm to you. Of course one must exercise care when near sea jellies, scorpionfish, urchins (I've never had a problem with them in 36 years of diving here), certain hydroids (ostrich plume and white feather), etc.

Many of the sharks that used to be commonplace are greatly reduced in number and encounters with them now are usually a rare delight. In 36 years I've never seen a great white underwater, just from boats and seaplanes.

 

[Mr.X]

In Catalina I would avoid the side streets from the Marlin Club. Some of the weaker patrons upchuck and it can get slippery. Do not try to catch any of the stray kitties there because they bite and do not pet the buffalo no matter how friendly they seem. Also, do not get into any arguments with some of the Catalina Express shuttle martinets.

Sorry...diving...watch out only during the summer when people get inebriated and drive their RIBS into human flotillas of unwitting sunbathers.

 

[IceIce]

I'm not really sure whether you can find these creatures in your place, but I know that they could also be dangerous:

1. Triggerfish, I had been attacked by them four times. They are territorial and will mostly attack during their mating season. What you have to do is swim backward horizontally and let it attack your fin until you are out of their territory. But on my last dive, me and buddy met Titan/Moustache (We almost always attacked by this species) who had very very big territory. It didn't let go my buddy for about ten minutes or more although we had finned away a lot. They eat hard coral and crown of thorns, so they have very strong teeth, worse case I learn is that they bit off a nipple of a diver.

2. Barracuda, the one you have to aware of is the solitary one, great or giant barracuda. They like shining things and will follow you if they think you are a meal.

3. I agree that more people have accident with sea urchin rather than sharks. They say vinegar would help, or ammonia. I had to pee on my finger and bit it with my booties to destroy the thorn, they what you need to do is wait for it to dissolve in the blood, unless it goes infectious than you need to see a doctor.

4. Stonefish, jellyfish. They sting.

5. Jewfish/grouper can be very territorial. I read in a book once that there is a case when a jewfish tried to eat a diver.

6. Seasnake, blue ring octopus. They are very venomous.

And many others. Guess you want to know in case you are traveling around in the future. But the key is to enjoy your dives, experiences will teach you a lot, and if you dive with responsible, it's unlikely that you will attacked by sea creatures. I will vote current, failed equipments and breathing habit as the more dangerous things you need to aware.
Down current, monster current and toilet flush are known to be very nasty.
Failed equipment is dangerous, such as failed gauge will mislead you, and things like O ring burst could make a good dive go wrong in a matter of seconds.
Breathing habit to avoid dcs and shallow water blackout.

That's about all I can share. Hope it helps.
Sorry I haven't been around often for anyone who remember my little contribution in the past.

 

[MissyP]

Hello,

I am wondering what sea creatures are dangerous here around Catalina Island ..

So what should I be watching out for?

Thanks
cadiver67

Well... you might want to watch out for Dr. Bill (ok I guess that only applies to females ).

heh, sorry Dr B...you knew I wouldn't be able to resist giving you a hard time..!