Night Dive Jitters

[susan6868]

Okay, I finally worked up the nerve to ask this question.
I've been diving for a few years and have been dying to try a night dive.
So far, I haven't been able to take the plunge. We'll be going to Grand Cayman in a few weeks and have the opportunity to do night dives from the shore. The posts in the Cayman forum suggest that this paticular spot is a good one for beginning night diving.
Not too deep, and even if your navigation is off, the worst that can happen is that you're in for a bit of a surface swim. So here's the question. (Please don't make fun)
Is there a substantial risk of being bit or attacked when in the water after dark?
When I lived in Virginia Beach, we were always told to stay out of the water after dusk because you were more likely to get hit by a shark. And yes, there were attacks in the ten years I lived there, two fatal, both late in the day. An aquaintance of mine was also struck in the face by a barracuda at night when his buddy's light reflected off his mask. This happened in Utila where I also had the opportunity to night dive from the shore and passed after meeting and actually talking to the victim of this incident.
I'm absolutely dying to do the night dive while in Cayman because it seems like a perfect way to start but I need to hear from more experienced divers that it really is relatively safe. While there is never a guarentee, I'd like to think I'm as safe at night as I am during the day with respect to what's in the water. I can control navigational issues, but wildlife is another thing altogether!
I've wanted to post this question for so long but was afraid I might be laughed off the boards. If you have any advice or wisdom you could impart, I'd really be grateful
I'm really hoping for a shot of courage before I get there!
Thanks for your help (and for not cracking up!)

 

[fabasard]

Susan, there is nothing in the water in the night that isn't there during the day (cept you of course). Its true that preditors hunt at night, but in truth (of the 300+ species of shark, there are only 3 that are known to be man hunters) and the risk of meeting one of those in Grand Cayman is slim (dare I say, non existant). Night dives are a BLAST, you will see things that you have never seen, and dusk and dawn are the best times as thats the "shift change". GO and be not afraid. If you are concerned about cudas, just don't wear any jewelry, they love shiny things, which I am certain what prompted the light/mask/attack. Have fun, your gonna LOVE IT!!!

 

[KazooDiver]

Although I have never had the pleasure of diving in Cayman, I say if your wanting to do a night dive then JUST DO IT.

Actually on my night dives I have found them to be some of my best dives! I have not been attacked by anything in the ocean, on this summers fresh water night dive...I ticked off a large pike by comming too close to his nest and took off right in front of me...but was about 6inches a way...

YEP, night diving can be scarry! Gosh, things go Bump in the night right....

I may be wrong and please if someone knows better then speak up...To my knowlege it is DUSK that is the dangerous part of the night because the angle that the light enters the water makes it that way... Besides most night dive your getting ready for the dive at that time...

If you do decide to go on the night dive, come back and let us know how it was!

 

[proffumdiver]

for a start i wouldn't be DYING to do a night dive anywhere there have been attacks by sharks.as much i love sharks and have studied them for quite some time...
simply wait untill u get the chance to dive somewhere a little more safer b4 taking the plunge. at the end of the day even if something not so life threatening were to happen it could freak u out as it does with many night dive's. then u may never want to dive again.. sharks do feed at night more so if through the day time if they are over run with divers i.e chassed away from their daily feeding habits, but for u get some more easy night dive experience first. good luck.

 

[BKP]

I wondered about this before my first night dive, as well... Sounds like the attacks you mentioned were at dusk, as opposed to night. Even so, in TEN YEARS of what must have been thousands of night dives in your area, without trying to sound obvious, those are very good odds (I won't quote the car accident or lightning strike thing -- they're old and tired, and you've heard it already).

Once I did my night dive, I got hooked. We actually were accompanied by a couple of nurse sharks on that dive (which *was* actually twilight), and it was the most spectacular (not to mention cool) feeling and sight (which is *why* we dive... no?).

Bottom line... night diving is a fabulous experience. It will be like the first time you did an open water dive -- a little anxious, a little trepidation, and then once down all you can do is think... ohhhhh myyyy Goddddd...

 

[jonix]

initially i was quite wary of night dives...but after 2 awesome night dives i came to the conclusion that i like it even more than day dives. the reefs are much more alive. i'd say go for it.

if you think you're not comfortable doing your first night dive with sharks around you than you could probably request a site where you would be more comfortable (no sharks or monsters of the deep). don't push your comfort zone, everything will be fine after a few dives.

good luck!

 

[chewie]

dive the site you are going to do the night dive in earlier in the day so you would know the contour & layout. you can also gauge different markers while navigating. this is for you to familarize yourself with the site before darkness falls.

when its time for your night dive. be sure to check all your gear & lights. make sure that you have a backup in case your primary *******s up. plan your night dive shallower than normal to have a margin of safety. sometimes, there are still currents that may drag you down. relax & enjoy. you'd be fine!

 

[HilaryRN71]

Hi there. I live on the Florida coast and we have our little rules for staying out of the water, but I follow those for swimming as opposed to diving. Your profile is so much different (as in the appearance you present to predators) when you dive vs. when you swim. Diving...you're big and loud and bubbly. Swimming...you're thrashing around like their prey. So that being said...I 've done night dives with HUNDREDS of sharks around (literally) and never was worried. You will find that a night dive is so much nicer and easier than a low viz dive, your eyes adjust and you can actually see. And the reef is so alive...it's really beautiful.
I think your fears are ones we all faced when we are contemplating a new experience. Just stay in your comfort zone, and go with what feels right! If you go, you'll love it. If you decide to wait...the ocean will still be there.

 

[Doc]

Susan- your comment about a fear of being "laughed off the boards" could point-up a geater problem. Get over the fear, talk to your Instructor, DM's, experienced divers.

Chewie gave you the best advice. Get to know the dive site well before the night dive. All liveaboards make their night dive mooring in time for at least one daylight dive. No coincidence.

First on your mind is Sharks, or probably in a larger sense, fear that something is going to eat you in the dark. Your chances of this untimely fate decrease directly in proportion to the amount of time you sit in the bar. Fortune rewards the brave. If you want the experience, if you want to step beyond your co-workers in the office who still thrill with vacations at Six Flags, here's your chance.

Sharks don't get that big by being stupid. Sharks are much more likely to eat carrion, that is- dead stuff lying about. "Why mess with something that could hurt you?", Mr Grey asks. Sharks simply do not like open circuit (bubble blowing) common SCUBA gear. I have seen numerous Shark feeds (and everyone believes that the Sharks are being desensitized to divers) and the critters go to great lengths to be cautious of/avoid exhaust bubble making humans.

If you want to worry, study the microscopic creatures that will invade your skin and grow big and fat inside your body. It's the little stuff that'll kill'ya. So, either "move-on" past your Selachophobia (fear of Sharks) and enjoy the ocean, or not. If you believe that we are descendant from Apes, consider this: Monkeys don't SCUBA dive. Take a hint. Go ride the roller coaster. Yes, you're just going to have to decide.

I would suggest you hire a qualified DM and confifde all of your issues. That will begin the process with a guided dive. On their own, they should take you there in the daylight or ascertain your familiarity with the dive site.

Sharks aside, truly the greatest and most prevelant fear of any diver (night dive or day) is: "Okay I'm diving, now how do I get back out?" Essentialy it's the fear of being lost.... forever. This is where the familiarity with the dive site is so important.

Curiously, people adorn themselves with every imaginable light. Czyalume light sticks are popular but useless. They are only good in groups where they are placed in an odd location so you can tell who your buddy is among the masses. They can't be seen very far underwater and are a pox upon an island's disposal system. If you must use them, take your garbage home. Strobes are for emergency surface signalling. They should never be used u/w. Many dive boats hang strobes over the side to show divers the way home. If a diver is wearing an activated strobe (or worse yet- one of those dopey yoke blinkers), quite often he is leading a crowd around in a trail- they think "he's the boat"!

I have done maybe 700 night dives, 99% of them in warm-water pretty-fish locations. The best I have found is at CoCoView Roatan for some very basic reasons. The shore dive is called the "Front Yard" so it is just in front of the resort, no more than 300' out. That's where you will find the "landmarks". First, a 140' Tanker Shipwreck sitting upright in 35-65fsw. It is linked by a line to a DC3 aircraft. The ship's heavy anchor chain leads from the ship, slowly ascending through the coral heads, into the shallows, right to your room. This is the same dive that you are able to see twice a day at a minimum on your way back from the "drop-off" dives.

My dive buddy (and SO) did her first night dive long ago and was in a dead funk panic. She recently did a solo night dive at CCV's Front Yard at logged dive #140 and was just as happy as a clam. Why? She knew the terrain like the back of her hand.

Talk to the DM.

 

[runamonk]

Start off slow. Do a dusk dive, this way when you go down there is still some ambient light but as the dive continues it will gradually get darker. Before you know it, you're on a night dive.

All the critters come out at night, it's really really cool.

The fears you have are quite normal, my wife feels the same way. She's fascinated by all critters and stuff but totally worried that a seal or sea lion could come up on her and start tugging at her fin or something. Which would probably give her a heart attack hehe.