8 replies to this topic

[NCScubaGator]

Hi, Im new to Single Divers. I saw on the Florida trip info that yellow fins/mask are not allowed. Ive never seen this before. Can someone explain? I like light colored equipment because its relatively easy to find.

Thanks!
Frank

[dive_sail_etc]

Hi, Im new to Single Divers. I saw on the Florida trip info that yellow fins/mask are not allowed. Ive never seen this before. Can someone explain? I like light colored equipment because its relatively easy to find.

Thanks!
Frank

Frank the dark/subdued colors including required full skin or wetsuit, gloves and hood are required by the shark encounter operator in order to present a monochrome appearance to the shark which lessens the possibility any part of you is confused with light colored fish flesh in the water. It is a liability coverage issue for them so I am afraid they are not flexible on this point. We can help arrange local rental of whatever yellow items you usually use.

[WreckWench]

 

Hi, Im new to Single Divers. I saw on the Florida trip info that yellow fins/mask are not allowed. Ive never seen this before. Can someone explain? I like light colored equipment because its relatively easy to find.

Thanks!
Frank

Frank the dark/subdued colors including required full skin or wetsuit, gloves and hood are required by the shark encounter operator in order to present a monochrome appearance to the shark which lessens the possibility any part of you is confused with light colored fish flesh in the water. It is a liability coverage issue for them so I am afraid they are not flexible on this point. We can help arrange local rental of whatever yellow items you usually use.

 

 

To be precise...you are welcome to dive ANY color gear when we are diving with Pura Vida. Its just when we dive in Jupiter with Emerald Divers with LARGE sharks swimming around nibbling on appetizers that we do NOT want any mistaken identity and light colored gear has been deemed to be too much contrast and too much contrast has deemed to be confusing to the sharks and anything that confuses the sharks can be BIG problems for us.

 

We hope you'll join us anyway...ITS SOOOOOOOOO WORTH IT!!!

[NCScubaGator]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I’m just getting back into diving after 20 year hiatus. Surprised to find much of my gear has shrunk! After a trip on the Belize Agressor I decided to replace my mask and fins and just ordered yellow ones (haven’t arrived yet). I chose the yellow fins for identification (in and out of water) but hadn’t heard this re: sharks. Is it because they’re feeding them, or the high concentration? It wasn’t a problem in Belize. I can return them if it’s going to be a problem generally.

Thanks again!
Frank

[dive_sail_etc]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I’m just getting back into diving after 20 year hiatus. Surprised to find much of my gear has shrunk! After a trip on the Belize Agressor I decided to replace my mask and fins and just ordered yellow ones (haven’t arrived yet). I chose the yellow fins for identification (in and out of water) but hadn’t heard this re: sharks. Is it because they’re feeding them, or the high concentration? It wasn’t a problem in Belize. I can return them if it’s going to be a problem generally.

Thanks again!
Frank

Welcome back to diving, Frank.   The bright color restriction is for the shark dives only; USA operators are pressured by insurance to take extra steps offshore operators are not. I would say go ahead and accept the mask and fins you ordered, if we are not able to get an exception on the shark dives there will be other members like myself with a couple of extra pair of fins you may be able to use. Are the yellow fins full foot or heel strap variety? If straps, do you have boots to wear with them?

[WreckWench]

Fl diving has changed a bit in the past few years. Certainly many operators cater to really new and novice divers but several of them offering truly the best of Florida diving require your AOW (ours do) and require nitrox (our shark vendor does due to the depths/times and doing 3 dives a day) and of course that you have been in the water a few times recently BEFORE the dives. (A pool counts but the ocean is better!)

 

Welcome back to diving and to SingleDivers.com!

[Cmdr. Clownfish]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I’m just getting back into diving after 20 year hiatus. Surprised to find much of my gear has shrunk! After a trip on the Belize Agressor I decided to replace my mask and fins and just ordered yellow ones (haven’t arrived yet). I chose the yellow fins for identification (in and out of water) but hadn’t heard this re: sharks. Is it because they’re feeding them, or the high concentration? It wasn’t a problem in Belize. I can return them if it’s going to be a problem generally.

Thanks again!
Frank

It's just at shark dive thing.  I did this same dive with yellow fins several years ago and the operator was not really happy about it.  Sharks are attracted to the contrast.  There is a video somewhere on Nat Geo or Discovery channel where the same diver jumped in with the same sharks twice.  Once wearing all black and once in a clown suit.  He was ignored in black but they swarmed him in the clown suit.  It could just be that these sharks are smart and realized that clowns are evil but probably not.  These dives are in open water with current so you may move into the bait stream.  There is no camo in open water so a shark will see the yellow in a place that smells like a fish and go for lunch.  That is the fear. 

 

My fins are yellow and they work fine at 99.9% of the places.  Just depends on if a lawyer watched Nat Geo the night before.  Borrow or rent on the shark dives and you probably will never have to do it again.  Its a very unique situation for those particular dive conditions.        

[NCScubaGator]

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the information. I thought it might be a shark issue. We saw several reef sharks in Belize, but never felt threatened. Not sure I’m comfortable with shark feeding, though. Never thought of myself as chum!

I got certified in Guantamo Bay in the mid 80’s and then lived in the Ft. Lauderdale area so dove a great deal there as well as a couple of trips to the Bay Islands. Recently did a dive in NZ while on cruise and am not getting back into the sport. Belize was my first Liveaboard which I REALLY enjoyed. The fins are open heal and I do have booties, computers etc. I’m PADI master and nitrox certified.

I’ve liked the idea of having colored gear to identify both above and below water, but based on these comments I may rethink yellow in favor of blue!

Again, I really appreciate your time and advice. I hope to meet you soon on one of the dives.

Frank

[WreckWench]

Blue is great! And works in ALL conditions.

You will NOT be chum...but you will have a front row seat....it can't be beat!!!!

We'd love to have you join us!

Once you do this Best of Florida trip...you WILL want to rinse and repeat...over and over again!