Diving with jumbo squid in CA rare?

[H2Andy]

holy beewhatever....

what an experience, but i get this feeling you are lucky to be unharmed

 

[archman]

Not to poo poo here, but everytime I hear about these dives I wonder what the point was. I can understand the wildlife photographers' motives and the odd recreational dude, but this is pretty bloody dangerous and it doesn't contribute to science. I know guys that have had their masks and regs ripped off, and expensive gear (cameras and lights mostly) "stolen". Their beaks are razor sharp and are capable of (in fact they HAVE) snipping through hoses, or your finger/hand. And like that article mentioned, they'll drag you down if they can. They're a heck of a lot smarter than sharks and fishes, too (squid prefer to think before they attack, SCREW THAT).

I think I'd rather do some of that "lava diving" before I gambled on a Humboldt squid dive. My super-dive prof agrees with me. I also haven't heard an argument against using an acrylic "croc tank" on these dives. They'll keep the squid out, certainly. I think many of these divers are looking for drama or some sort of "rush", tempting the things to attack them. Eek!

 

[Scubaroo]

Scubaroo,

I heard the Humboldt was dangerous, but can you tell me more about them attacking divers? I had not heard that before, only that occasionally a swimmer gets a bite from one.

The quoted article was once source. I had a buddy from the south Bay Area when I was living in SF that had been a safety diver on an expedition with an oceanographer to study these.

 

[Jambi]

Gives me the heebijeebis



Jambi

 

[Benthos]

I'm trying to poast the pic's to the scuba board gallery but it keep's saying "Problem running JPEGTRAN". It's just a JPEG file. Anyone know whats wrong?

 

[Wijbrandus]

Ok, I did a search on these things last night.

I'm no longer as scared of sharks. These things are evil.

Wow.

 

[pasley]

Rich,
What a beautiful experience. I for one do try to avoid the physical contact as you just don't know how an animal will react and some are down right dangerous. Blue ringed octopus for example, I was surprised to learn they are venomous! In addition it can stress the animal. Now don't get me wrong, sometimes I too can be lured by curiosity and give in to temptation and touch.

We would love it if you would post your dive reports on the SoCal forum.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=528997&postcount=1

 

[archman]

Blue ringed octopus for example, I was surprised to learn they are venomous! [/url]

Didn't you watch Octopussy? That's what made the things famous!

All octopods are venomous, by the way.

 

[CelticRavenVA]

Video of these guys can be found here:

http://www.dvfootage.com/oceans/search/search/Giant+Humbolt+Squid/owner=bobcranston

 

[Mo2vation]

Video of these guys can be found here:

http://www.dvfootage.com/oceans/search/search/Giant+Humbolt+Squid/owner=bobcranston

That one clip where the thing clamps onto the camera, and is sort of chomping away with the beak... No thank you.

Thanks for the link.

K