Unusual Night Dive Experience

[jlayman800]

This happened a long time ago but I remember most of the details like it was yesterday. I was on a trip with my company to Northern Washington. I packed most of my scuba gear in hopes of getting in a dive or two. One day, after the meetings were over, I went to a local dive store and rented some lead and a tank and asked about a good shore dive. They pointed me to a nice inlet with an easy entry. It took a little while longer than expected to find the spot. Once I got parked and suited up, it was almost dark. As I was entering the water, the last of the light left the sky and it was pitch black except for a sliver of a moon. Not being one to waste an opportunity, I entered the water anyway. I didn't have a flashlight so I wasn't expecting to have much of a dive. The water was very clear and every time I would move the water would glow with phospherescence. By doign this, I could see a few feet in front of me. I had a great experience. Every time a bigger fish would go by, the water would light up a trail that looked like tinker bell was passing. It was like being in a different universe; as close to a drug trip as I will ever have. Somewhere around 20 or 30 minutes into the dive I turned around and headed back toward shore. There was a strong current at the surface so I had to stay on the bottom and pick my way along the rocks. The fish were very surprised to see me and gathered around.

I have never done another night dive without a light or two nor would I recommend doing so. However, the next time you are on a night dive in the ocean, turn off your light for a while to let your eyes adjust to the low-light conditions. If you are lucky, you will have a similar experience. It was really amazing.

 

[gypsyjim]

I never started a night dive with no light at all, but dives where the phospherescence was strong were truely wonderful and memorable dives. Some night dives you can just turn off the light and dive by the light of the moon, which is a different experience as you aren't focussed on the small area illuminaterd by the beam, but seeing the whole scene as a low light environment. Thanks for your memories, night dives are favorites of mine.

 

[liberato]

NightSea has some interesting products. I haven't tired anything yet. I will probably get one of the UV light filters.

 

[jlayman800]

We should start a new specality: Solo night diving without a light in a strange place with high currents. Those that live through the course would have a patch that would mean something.

Maybe it would mean an idiot wears this patch! Oh well, it was a fun once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 

[gypsyjim]

We should start a new specality: Solo night diving without a light in a strange place with high currents. Those that live through the course would have a patch that would mean something.

Maybe it would mean an idiot wears this patch! Oh well, it was a fun once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Rather than earning a patch, that sounds like a sure way to earn a plot. As another Board member said in anther thread: luckily Darwin was on vacation that night. Lessons learned?