Diving And The Environment: Diving And The Environment Dr. Michael D. Mehta, Ph.D. Website: www.policynut.com


Always remember… it is both a privilege and a responsibility to access the world beneath the waves. So… take only photos and leave only bubbles!: Always remember… it is both a privilege and a responsibility to access the world beneath the waves. So… take only photos and leave only bubbles! Where else can you experience things like this?


Slide3: Wreck of a Corsair F-4U (Oahu, Hawaii)


Slide4: To gain a more comprehensive understanding of this world, we will examine: The Marine Environment The Freshwater Environment Ecology Topics Covered Today


The Marine Environment: The Marine Environment


Salt Water Diving: Salt Water Diving Buoyancy and other characteristics Sea water is 2.5% denser than fresh water*. You will need to add more weight to your belt to compensate for this. Various methodologies exist to calculate how much extra weight is needed in salt water diving. My preferred calculation is as follows: [your weight + weight of gear + weight of empty tank] multiplied by .025 EXAMPLE: [180 pounds + 40 pounds + 45 pounds] X .025 = 6.6 pounds (extra weight required)** *Note: 1 cubic foot of salt water weighs 64 lbs; 1 cubic foot of fresh water weighs 62 lbs ** You will also have to take into consideration exposure protection (e.g., drysuit v. bathing suit)


Slide7: Rinse gear with fresh water to remove salt crystals and other contaminants. Other considerations for diving in marine (salt) water environments Salt water has an unpleasant taste and will burn your eyes. A good fitting mask and proper technique for clearing your snorkel and second stage is helpful. The sunshine factor (direct and reflected exposure): Cover up with long sleeves, pants, hat, sunglasses Wear sun block (try to refrain from using until after diving) Stay in the shade Stay hydrated PRACTICE SAFE SUN!


Equatorial Currents & Counter Currents: Equatorial Currents & Counter Currents Currents north of the equator flow clockwise Currents south of equator flow counter-clockwise Warm surface water moves over the denser and colder water found at depth


Tidal Currents: Tidal Currents Most places on earth have 2 high and 2 low tides per day. The moon is the greatest influence on tides. Full moon / new moon – extremely high & low tides Flood tide: incoming tidal flow Ebb tide: outgoing tidal flow Slack tide: the period between flood and ebb tides, when there is little or no current. At certain times, tides and currents may conflict and create hazards to divers. In partially enclosed bays and at the mouths of coastal rivers, currents often collide and churn. Consult local dive shops or fishermen for optimal diving conditions. Tide tables are available to assist mariners.


Slide10: Bay of Fundy. Home to the highest tides in the world, the Bay of Fundy encompasses 1,705 km of salt water coast between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Each day 100 billion tonnes of seawater flows in and out of the Bay of Fundy during one tide cycle. This is more than the combined flow of the world’s freshwater rivers!


Rip Currents: Rip Currents Backrush of water returning to sea through a narrow opening. Current will be narrow, strong and pull you away from shore. Dissipates shortly after passing through restriction. Identify by waves breaking off shore and fan shaped area of water on the shore. Recognize and avoid. Swim parallel to shore for about 60 ft and clear the rip, turn and proceed to shore.


Long Shore Current: Long Shore Current Flows parallel to the beach; formed by constant waves striking the shore at an angle. Speed can be measured (distance/time). Boat will swing with the current (be cognizant of the wind). Go with the current and swim on a diagonal path to the shore. Continued on next slide


Slide13: Swim into the current first and return with the current using the rule of 3rds for air availability in your tank. Use a trailing line with a float off the back of your boat


Waves: Waves Crest: top of wave Trough: bottom of wave Wave length: crest to crest Wave height: trough to crest Wave period: time it takes two waves to pass a given point


Slide15: Surf and Surge Back and forth sub-surface motion. The rush of water up onto the beach then back out to sea. Makes entry and exit from shore tricky. Can cause feeling of motion sickness.


Entry in Currents: Entry in Currents Have all equipment in place. Slide or shuffle backwards. Once deep enough, turn around and swim out through the surf with the regulator in your mouth. Let back rush of water help you out.


Exits: Exits Surfacing from Depth Look up, arm above your head and rotate 360º. Returning to Shore Surface a short distance from shore to evaluate the situation & check wave action. Swim into waist deep water, remove fins, grip tightly & walk in. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Leave gear on (except fins) until on the boat or very close to shore Carry a whistle Carry a safety sausage Have buoyancy compensator inflated


Navigation: Navigation Descend facing the direction you will start going (verify with compass). Start your dive into the current. Be aware of your surroundings. Take note of rocks, coral or other objects to help you locate your entry point. Look behind you every so often to familiarize yourself with the topography on the way back. When diving from shore, the slope will indicate the direction to travel in order to bring you back to the surface. Your exhausted bubbles will give you the surface direction. Wave action will cause a sandy bottom to develop contours that run parallel to shore. Note that kelp and grasses will lean with the current and suspended particles will flow with the current.


The Freshwater Environment: The Freshwater Environment


Freshwater Diving Locations: Freshwater Diving Locations Rivers, Lakes and Quarries: 18% of the world’s freshwater is contained in the Great Lakes of North America


Thermoclines: Thermoclines The transition layer between the mixed layer at the surface and the deep water layer. The mixed layer temperature is roughly that of surface water. In the thermocline, the temperature decreases rapidly from the mixed layer temperature to the much colder deep water temperature. Protective clothing may be necessary. NOTE: Diving in cold water slows down cognitive processing.


Bottom Topography: Bottom Topography Rock or Coral bottoms Clearer visibility, but may cause cuts and scrapes Rocks often collect algae and can be slippery Urchins cling to hard surfaces May damage coral reefs if buoyancy not controlled Wear gloves, booties and wetsuits Sandy bottoms Will silt over if disturbed, reducing visibility Coral will die if covered with sand/sediment Become neutrally buoyant & stay off the bottom Mud bottoms May pose as a false bottom due to suspended sediment Take care to not disturb bottom Visibility may become obscured


Marine Life: Marine Life


Marine Plants: Marine Plants Kelp & Seaweed Algae, attached by holdfasts to anchor the plant. Grow quickly (up to 1ft/day). Act as barriers to the shoreline against wave action. Located worldwide: in fresh and salt water. Diving in Kelp/Seaweed Submerge feet first. Use arms to clear path. Stay calm, do not thrash, cut your way free. Vary kicks to minimize entanglement. Position knife, gauges etc.


Hazardous Marine Life: Hazardous Marine Life ABRASIONS OR CUTS Barnacles Coral BITES Barracuda Octopus Eels Sea Snakes Sharks Orca STINGS Bristle Worms Cone Shells Fire coral Jellyfish PUNCTURES Sea Urchins Venomous Fish Sting Rays


Abrasions & Cuts: Abrasions & Cuts


Barnacles: Barnacles Barnacles attach by means of an adhesive cement, produced by a gland, and secrete a shell around themselves. Form conspicuous encrustations on docks, boats, pilings, and rocky shores.


Corals: Corals Brain Coral Colonies of polyps, animal not plant. Hard and soft corals (each hard coral polyp produces an external skeleton made of calcium carbonate). Types: finger, branching, horn, encrusting, leaf, brain, etc Fire Coral (don’t touch)


Abrasions & Cuts: Abrasions & Cuts EFFECTS Redness, itching & pain Minor bleeding TREATMENT Clean the wound with soap & water (remove any debris) Flush well with clear clean water Apply antiseptic ointment PREVENTION Wear protective clothing (gloves, booties, wetsuits) Avoid contact – Control your buoyancy Be aware of your surroundings


Bites: Bites


Barracuda : Barracuda Description Found in warm tropical regions Great Barracuda (Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific) may be as large as 4 – 6 feet Bold and inquisitive, attracted to shiny reflective objects Hazard to Diver Very fast with sharp jagged teeth and strong tearing jaws can leave large bite wounds with severe bleeding. Shows that it is agitated when grey spots along their sides turn black The muskellunge (muskie) is often referred to as the freshwater barracuda


Octopus: Octopus Description North Pacific Octopus (30ft) Californian (1 inch) Acute sense of touch Capable of problem solving Excellent eyesight Ink toxic only to itself Changes color to blend into surroundings Hazard to the diver Entanglement Bite from parrot–like beak


Blue-Ringed Octopus: Blue-Ringed Octopus Description Found in shallow reefs & tide pools from Japan to Australia Small, 20 cm (body mass the size of a golf ball) Usually dark brown or yellow, will change to vivid yellow with brilliant blue rings when angry Effects Bite is often painless Produces a neuro-muscular poison in its salivary glands (10,000 times more potent than cyanide) leading to weakness, numbness, nausea, blindness, paralysis and respiratory failure


Sea Snakes: Sea Snakes Description Approx 52 kinds, found everywhere except Atlantic, Red Sea and Mediterranean (Examples: Yellow belly, coral sea snake…) Hazard Bite and inject venom (deadly) Effects No redness, swelling or pain Delayed toxic reaction (20 min) Anxiety Muscle spasms Respiratory difficulty Convulsions Shock FYI: Due to a persistent bite reflex, sea snakes can bite & inject venom for up to an hour after death!


Eels: Eels Wolf Eel: Pacific Northwest Powerful crushing jaws Eat sea urchins Moray Eel Have poor eyesight, good sense of smell & sharp teeth Nocturnal, live in holes or caves in the reef and snatch hapless fish that wander by.


Sharks: Sharks Over 250 species (6 types known to attack humans) Located in temperate waters worldwide Unpredictable: attacks can be unprovoked Lack air bladders so they need to keep swimming to maintain buoyancy Indiscriminate scavengers (will follow boats & eat garbage) Sensitive to sound, keen sense of smell (directional) Lateral line sensors (runs the length of their body assisting the shark in sensing predators or prey nearby) Most sharks prefer cool waters, so in warm tropical oceans they (usually) swim deep below the surface.


Slide37: GREAT WHITE Torpedo shaped body, pointed snout, crescent shaped tail. Gray to blue-gray on top with white belly. Avg 12-16’ long MAKO Short-finned, has a conical snout and long gill slits. Gray-blue on top with white belly. Avg 5-8 ft long


Slide38: TIGER Tiger-like markings on a dark gray-brown back with off-white belly. Large thick body with blunt snout. First dorsal is much larger than the second, with dermal ridge running between the two. Avg 10 ft long HAMMERHEAD Distinctive wide thick head, gray-brown color with off-white belly, large very pointed dorsal fin. 9 species of Hammerheads ranging in length from 3ft – 20ft long


Slide39: WHITE-TIPPED Gray back, white belly with bright white tips on Dorsal and Tail fins. LEMON SHARK Deep yellow back, off-white belly. Avg 8-10 ft long


Orcas: Orcas Resident orcas live in small life-long pods, travel near coastal areas and tend to feed on fish. Transients tend to hunt in packs for marine mammals including other whales. Offshore Killer Whales live in large groups (30-60 individuals) in open waters feeding on schooling fish and possibly sharks. 27 – 33 feet long Distinctive white & black markings Average orca will eat 550 lbs of food/day. Swim 30 mph+ Inhabit seas worldwide Live 50-60 years


Sharks & Orcas: Sharks & Orcas Hazard to diver Unprovoked attack / watch for shark posturing: Exaggerated swimming motions, back arching, raising of the snout, lowering of the pectoral fins, and head swinging. The message is a clear one: BACK OFF! Massive wounds and death Note: Spear fishing is a strong attractant to sharks and other predatory fish.


Turtles: Turtles Description Fresh and salt water Snapping Turtle is Canada's largest freshwater turtle defensive if confronted on land, but in the water, they usually slip quietly away from any disturbance. Hazard to Diver Bite Effects Severe bite Pain swelling


Avoiding bites: Avoiding bites Do not handle marine life. Do not antagonize. Sharks: watch for posturing Back away facing the animal – do not turn away until clear. Do not wear shiny metal objects (barracuda). Avoid carrying fish or speared game. Don’t feed eels or stick your hand in their homes. If bitten do not pull hand away quickly as teeth are slanted back. Avoid thrashing on surface (sharks).


Stings: Stings


Cone Shells: Cone Shells Description 400 poisonous species, 6 dangerous types Found in Indo–Pacific and Australia Bottom dwellers, buried in sand during day and emerge to eat at night. Effects on Diver Speared from narrow end, releasing poisonous dart Pain, numbness, tingling around lips & mouth, respiratory distress, coma and death


Sea Nettles: found from BC to Mexico (and on the East Coast). Golden brown bell up to 10” in diameter, tentacles can trail for several meters.Sea Wasps (aka Box Jelly):found in most oceans and seas. Almost clear they are difficult to see; bell ranges from 3-4.5” in diameter: Sea Nettles: found from BC to Mexico (and on the East Coast). Golden brown bell up to 10” in diameter, tentacles can trail for several meters. Sea Wasps (aka Box Jelly): found in most oceans and seas. Almost clear they are difficult to see; bell ranges from 3-4.5” in diameter JELLY FISH Hazard to Diver Stinging tentacles (nematocysts) Effects Stinging, burning shooting pain Redness, swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, respiratory distress, delirium & convulsions A large sea wasp is potentially deadly


Portuguese Man-Of-War: Portuguese Man-Of-War Colony of four individual animals Blue with iridescent shades of pink or green Floats on the surface Tentacles as long as 165 feet Float is a pear-shaped sac that secretes its own gas and with aerodynamic properties can catch the wind like a sail to change course Dead ones on shore still dangerous


Bristle Worm/Fire Worm: Bristle Worm/Fire Worm Description Found on most reefs Tan colored segmented bodies; covered with tufts of bright pink to orange or red & white sensory hairs Hazard to Diver Tiny stinging bristles cause burning, red spots


Treatment: Treatment No anti-venom for cone shells Pressure bandage to stop venom from spreading Keep victim still and transport to medical facility Do not rub the area (fire coral or jellies) Remove embedded bristles with tape (fire worms) Soak the stung area in vinegar, rubbing alcohol or diluted ammonia Ice for local relief Jellyfish stings – baking soda solution or meat tenderizer


Avoiding Stings: Avoiding Stings Do not handle If you must pick up a cone shell, handle from the wider end (no assurance you still may not get stung as the spear can reach the length of the shell) Check local reports to see if there are Jelly Fish in the area When surfacing from a dive where jellies are present, exhaust air from your octopus to displace any jellies in your accent path. Wear protective gloves, booties and wetsuit Stay alert, be aware of the environment


Punctures: Punctures


Sea Urchins: Sea Urchins Description Purple sea urchin (Western coast of US and Canada) clings to depressions in the rocks 4” diameter Pencil Rock-boring (Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico) Found in rock burrows created by the scraping action of their teeth 2” diameter Spines may be short & blunt (cold water) or long and needle-sharp (warm water), are used as a defense against predators Hazard to Diver Spines puncture skin and break off Effects of penetration Intense burning, swelling, pain Irregular pulse and respiratory distress


Atlantic Ray: Atlantic Ray Hazard to Diver Puncture or laceration from serrated spine near end of tail Effects Local pain, muscle cramps, weakness, nausea and shock


Stonefish: Stonefish Description Found in Indo-Pacific/Australia Lies on bottom Excellent camouflage Hazard to Diver 13 venomous spines


Lionfish: Lionfish Description Found in Indo-Pacific region coral reefs, especially in shallow waters, hovering in caves or near crevices.  Elongated dorsal fin spines and enlarged pectoral fins. Each species has a particular pattern of zebra-like stripes. Hazard to Diver Venomous fin spines - fatalities are rare.


Venomous Fish: Venomous Fish Effects Redness, swelling, pain, Muscle spasms, Respiratory distress and shock Temporary paralysis which may result in death if not treated Worse when more spines have punctured or deep penetration


Catfish (freshwater): Catfish (freshwater) Description Global Hazard to diver Venomous spines on dorsal and anal fins Powerful neuromuscular sting Effects Puncture wound Pain, swelling Nausea


Treatment of Puncture Wounds: Treatment of Puncture Wounds Remove spine or stinger if present Induce bleeding Soak in non-scalding hot water for 60 to 90 minutes Seek medical attention: antibiotics, anti-venom Be sure your tetanus immunization is current X-ray of the wound to detect any presence of broken spines Local anesthetic may provide relief in most cases.


Avoid the hazard: Avoid the hazard Shuffle feet when entering the water Wear protective booties and wetsuit Maintain good buoyancy control Do not handle – avoid contact


Common Freshwater Animals: Common Freshwater Animals Freshwater mammals include manatees, otters, muskrats and beavers. Amphibians – frogs, toads and salamanders Fish, crawfish, freshwater shrimp, insects Turtles, snakes, alligators, crocodiles The waters of the world are rich in biological diversity. ACUC encourages divers to respect the waters of the world. NOTE: ACUC discourages spear fishing.


Ecology: Ecology


Chemical Pollution(Oil Pollution/Black Tides)Spills from ships, offshore drilling, pipelines, routine bilge cleaning, leakage from wrecks, etc.: Chemical Pollution (Oil Pollution/Black Tides) Spills from ships, offshore drilling, pipelines, routine bilge cleaning, leakage from wrecks, etc. 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska


Other Chemical Pollutants: Other Chemical Pollutants Mercury, Dioxins, PCB’s, Radioactivity Sources: air pollution, manufacturing, bleaching paper, making some herbicides, hydraulic fluids, burning wood & coal, nuclear waste, etc… Effects: Humans: birth defects & nervous system damage, cancer, developmental problems in children, etc.. Marine Life: accumulates in their systems and is passed down the food chain, toxic/deadly, genetic mutations, reproductive problems, etc…


Does this happen locally?: Does this happen locally? Refueling recreational boats on our lakes & rivers Improper disposal of used engine oil or hydraulic fluids results in seepage into our waterways Oily road runoff from a city of 5 million could contain as much oil as a large tanker spill Air pollution from cars & industry: rain washes the hydrocarbons from the air into our lakes and oceans


Bacterial Pollution: Bacterial Pollution Swimmer’s Ear: Bacterial infection from polluted water Burosol solution If prone to swimmers ear, use a small amount of rubbing alcohol in each ear after swimming or diving to assist with evaporation & disinfection. Hepatitis A, cholera, Salmonella, E.Coli Contracted by ingesting contaminated water Entomoeba Encephalitis: through a cut you could contract a virus resulting in encephalitis (swelling of the brain)


Junk PollutionAnimals or fish (or divers), drown or strangle from entanglement. Animals and fish can become ill or die from ingesting plastics & other garbage: Junk Pollution Animals or fish (or divers), drown or strangle from entanglement. Animals and fish can become ill or die from ingesting plastics & other garbage Cans, bottles, shopping bags Barbed wire Fishing line Bicycles, shopping carts Guns, VCRs Vehicles Bank machines!


Putrification: Putrification When large amounts of nutrients provided by pollution enter fresh water and cause vegetation overgrowth. Chemical fertilizers from crops Pesticides Waste from cattle farms Plants die and rotting process absorbs oxygen in the water and produces lethal methane gas that kills animal life.


Acid Rain: Acid Rain Industrial smoke stacks emit substances that form acid when mixed with water vapor in the atmosphere Results in rain and snow with high acid levels that cause freshwater creeks and lakes to turn acidic. Recognized by decrease in life forms - frogs and salamanders.


Red Tide: Red Tide Description Population explosion of toxic naturally occurring dinoflagellates. Toxic blooms color the water reddish brown. Factor which favor growth Warm surface temps High nutrient content Low salinity Calm seas May - Sept


Shipwrecks: Shipwrecks Each wreck is unique. A complete wreck has more esthetic value than a skeleton. Vandalism erodes the value historically and recreationally. Deterioration of wood and metals in salt water. Promote shipwreck conservation. Never enter a wreck without specialty training.


THE END: THE END