Diving is almost a magical experience when you let the currents take you wherever it leads. Drift diving offers that relaxation wherein you could feel the force of the currents flowing through your body like a 'natural massage'. It also gives the opportunity for spontaneous discoveries underwater - such as navigating further on coral reefs. Here's a checklist to serve as a guide for you on your planned drift diving trip:
Check the local dive shop for information on local tides, current actions, underwater debris and animal life to expect, and of course the ideal time to proceed with drift diving. The location will not be a good spot if the current is too strong and it would also be a shock to encounter hideous oceanic creatures if you have not been briefed about them earlier on. Moreover, diving in popular drift dive areas can be quite challenging with the numerous boats and divers abounding the site. Knowing the likely scenario ahead of time will help you and your team prepare for reinforcement.
Always have a back-up person on board the boat. Drift dive with a dive master or someone who can determine the direction and strength of the current very well. Before you realize it, the drift may have already taken you away quickly from your drop off point and at a distance farther than you intended to, so it's best to have someone on the boat to check your bubbles, follow you around and pick you up as you ascend the surface.
Go with the flow, not against it. What may appear as a mild current can actually be a strong one and you'll realize that when you attempt to swim against it. In the first place, drift diving was conceived as a recreational activity that would allow divers to ride the current effortlessly. Go against its direction and you'll soon find yourself low on air and generally exhausted.
Get the Right Scuba Gear and Equipment. Since you will not pursue thermocline depths or dive for longer periods of time, a 2mm shorty will do for your diving wetsuit. Getting a good diving buoyancy compensator (BC) should be on your priority list though since you will be needing to establish neutral buoyancy as soon as you hit the water and maintain it a certain depth. Getting a durable pair of diving fins [http://www.scubasuppliers.com/site/1408308/product/F-2] will support your movement and counter the resistance caused by your equipment.
Never go in for the drift without a signaling device. Get an inflatable marker to signal the dive master of your ascent so that the boat can fetch you consequently. The marker will also come in handy during times of emergency.
Of course, don't forget to undergo prior training and obtain a drift diving certification. Drift diving is not as simple as it seems and would even require a few good solid dives on your part.
Felix Tero produces web content for Scuba Suppliers, Inc. Get the Scuba Equipment that's right for you at [http://www.scubasuppliers.com]
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