Charlie99
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Yet another reason why I love it when my buddies have bright yellow fins. :banana:Walter:
Charlie Allen
cut your risk of shark attack in half, dive with a buddy
What do you do to be seen?
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Charlie Allen
cut your risk of shark attack in half, dive with a buddy
O2BBubbleFree
Contributor
I was watching an episode of Deep Sea Detectives the other night where the local guide had one black fin and one white one. The white fin was definitely high-vis, and the fact that he had one and one was definitely distinguishable.
If I were an instructor, DM, guide, I would probably try to buy a pair of high-vis fins then talk another pro into trading for one of his black ones... Of course, I would have to trade with a pro that worked in some other country, or we could still have an underwater student swap...
Oh, and I don't particularly care how I show up in anyone's photos. Actually, I'd rather not show up...
If I were an instructor, DM, guide, I would probably try to buy a pair of high-vis fins then talk another pro into trading for one of his black ones... Of course, I would have to trade with a pro that worked in some other country, or we could still have an underwater student swap...
Oh, and I don't particularly care how I show up in anyone's photos. Actually, I'd rather not show up...
fisherdvm
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Quoted from quote by walter:
As a result, shark researchers laughingly refer to this color as "yum yum yellow!" Should one replace all these devices with more drab colored items? Of course there is a trade-off involved, but most would agree that the benefit of increasing one's chances of being rescued far outweigh the minimal risk of attracting a shark. By contrast (pardon the pun), divers and swimmers probably can reduce the chance of an interaction with a shark by avoiding bright swimwear or dive gear. I personally prefer to use dark blue or black fins, mask, tank, and wetsuit while diving and make a point of wearing my dive watch under the cuff of my wetsuit, thereby eliminating any chance of light reflection off the face of the watch attracting a shark or barracuda.
I think the folks who kept track of shark attacks said that cloting color makes no difference during shark attacks. My gut feeling is, your shadow against the surface is black, so it doesn't matter what color you wore, shadow against the surface still looks the same.
From the evolutionary stand point, most fish, incluiding shark, have dark top surface, and light or shiny bottom half. This is likely the colors most likely to prevent predatory attacks.
Evolution also put black eye spots on the tail, so predators, which usually attacks the head, would attack the tail... Thus sparing vital organs.
The ideal color for a diver would be a silver belly, and a dark top surface. Then put some eye spots on the fins to make it look like a head...
Like to see that design come out next year!
As a result, shark researchers laughingly refer to this color as "yum yum yellow!" Should one replace all these devices with more drab colored items? Of course there is a trade-off involved, but most would agree that the benefit of increasing one's chances of being rescued far outweigh the minimal risk of attracting a shark. By contrast (pardon the pun), divers and swimmers probably can reduce the chance of an interaction with a shark by avoiding bright swimwear or dive gear. I personally prefer to use dark blue or black fins, mask, tank, and wetsuit while diving and make a point of wearing my dive watch under the cuff of my wetsuit, thereby eliminating any chance of light reflection off the face of the watch attracting a shark or barracuda.
I think the folks who kept track of shark attacks said that cloting color makes no difference during shark attacks. My gut feeling is, your shadow against the surface is black, so it doesn't matter what color you wore, shadow against the surface still looks the same.
From the evolutionary stand point, most fish, incluiding shark, have dark top surface, and light or shiny bottom half. This is likely the colors most likely to prevent predatory attacks.
Evolution also put black eye spots on the tail, so predators, which usually attacks the head, would attack the tail... Thus sparing vital organs.
The ideal color for a diver would be a silver belly, and a dark top surface. Then put some eye spots on the fins to make it look like a head...
Like to see that design come out next year!
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I'm now diving shinny white tanks (both dual and single) I do have one old steel 100 that is yellow(might even be Yum Yum Yellow). Now that I've read this thread I'm also going to add reflective tape.
I guess I'll have to do something about my black dry gloves.
I guess I'll have to do something about my black dry gloves.
I've dove with DMs with two different color fins. One blue. One yellow. It helps to keep track of which DM is yours. I had a pair of fins with big smily faces painted on the bottom, but I got some splits now, so I'm thinking up something smart to paint on the bottom of those. Oh, and frog kicking is much easier in the splits than the last pair I owned, BTW.
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I've been diving for years with a DM who wears two different colored fins. She doesn't do it to be seen ... she does it because she lost one of her red fins, and someone gave her a replacement, but it was silver ... 
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
I didn't plan it that way but I had a pink tank, pink fins, pink mask, pink snorkel and pink BC. I used to have a mostly pink drysuit. That was when I was when I was a new diver and not real savy. Now I still have the pink tank and pink mask & snorkel (see my Avatar) but drysuit and rock boots switched me to blue fins. The pink drysuit (neoprene) died. I get a lot of comments that they know it's me when they see the pink tank so that is visible. Looks light purple at 50ft.
I go for the ninja look.
Black drysuit, black boots, black gloves, black fins, black wing, black harness, black hood, black mask. Yep. I am very visible. At least I use a bright light though!
Black drysuit, black boots, black gloves, black fins, black wing, black harness, black hood, black mask. Yep. I am very visible. At least I use a bright light though!
waynel
Contributor
Wow! I starting reading this thread out of curiousity. You see, living on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, dive sites in Gulf, the Keys and Coz are all quick trips for us. We don't ever have to wear a dry suit (I've never even seen one) and we complain if the viz is 30 ft. I have to say, I really admire "yall's" dedication to diving. I just can't comprehend diving in water that requires dry suits, lots of weight, and as being discussed in this thread, having to worry about being seen. I will never again complain about having to use a 3/2mm wetsuit (instead of a skin) and intergrated BC with 10 lbs. in it. Again, I admire you folks for your love of diving to go through all that.
KMD
Contributor
waynel:
Diving in cold water can sometimes be even more spectacular than warm water. True you often have to work harder to get those spectacular dives, but that just makes the experience that much sweeter.
Can I just say I hate seeing strobes and glow sticks in the water. Its like driving by an airport at night.
I also *really* appreciate when someone who is wearing a black wetsuit, black hood, black mask, black regs, and black gloves and performs hand signals to me right in front of his gear.
