How to Do Your First Night Dive?
Night dives offer a completely unique and distinct experience compared to diving during the day, even if you’ve already explored the same dive sites before. When you shine your flashlight on the underwater surroundings from a short distance, the colours become much more vivid and vibrant. Additionally, the light from your flashlight can cause many creatures to appear as if they are changing colours, adding to the enchanting experience.
Why some divers go for a night dive?
When the sun is setting and hanging low in the sky, there’s not much light that reaches beneath the water’s surface, making the underwater environment quite dark even when there’s still some light above the water. Diving at dusk can be a great way to begin your night-diving journey. It allows you to prepare and gear up while there’s still some light, which is more convenient, but once you start the dive, you’ll experience the full effect of a night dive with all its captivating beauty and mystery.
Night diving has several appealing aspects:
- Natural curiosity is satisfied as it allows a safe and controlled glimpse of the underwater world during the night time.
- The opportunity to observe nocturnal aquatic creatures that are rarely seen during daylight dives.
- It provides a fresh perspective on familiar dive sites, injecting new excitement into places that might have lost their allure during the day.
- Night diving offers a chance to witness the “true” colours of the underwater environment. Using a dive light up close allows for better colour visibility compared to daytime dives, where sunlight filters out some colours at depth.
- Diving opportunities are extended, as night diving enables after-work diving sessions for those who know how to navigate the underwater world in the dark.
The extra gear you’ll need for night diving
Most of the equipment used for night dives is the same as that used for day dives. However, it’s essential not to use any equipment that you are not familiar with. When diving at night, it’s crucial to feel confident and at ease with your scuba gear. The primary distinction between night and day dives lies in the use of lights, as proper illumination becomes crucial in the darkness of the underwater environment.
You’ll need:
A primary light and a backup light
You should have two dive lights with you while diving: a primary light and a backup light. Despite advancements in dive light technology, there’s still a chance of bulbs burning out, batteries running out, or lights malfunctioning if not properly maintained. The primary light is typically the brighter one and is used for navigating underwater, as well as for surfacing and getting out of the water. On the other hand, the backup light is usually smaller and less powerful than the primary one. It serves as a reserve option in case the primary light fails. You can attach the backup light to a clip on your BCD or keep it in your pocket for easy access.
A marker light / tank signal lights
The marker light is often attached to your cylinder valve. It offers the option to choose from various colours, allowing you and your dive buddy to use the same colour to distinguish yourselves from other divers underwater, making it easier to identify each other in the dark. These marker lights serve as a visual signal, helping maintain better communication and ensuring you stay together as a team throughout the dive.
Additionally, don’t forget to bring your compass! Having a compass is especially crucial during a night dive as it helps you navigate and find your way in the darkness. It also proves valuable in locating your entry and exit points, ensuring a safe return to the surface after the dive.
How to signal during a night dive?
Hand signal:
You use the same hand signals at night as you do during the day, but you need to be sure your buddy can see your signal. Shine your light on the hand signal – it’s best to signal at waist level.
Light signal:
- making a big and slow circle for “okay”
- slowly swinging the light side-to-side to get someone’s attention
- Rapid waving of your light (up-and-down, side-to-side or any other rapid movement) is an attention-getting signal that alerts another diver when something is wrong and in an emergency.
- Before reading your SPG, use your dive light to illuminate it, making the readings clear and easy to see.
Avoid shining your light directly into the eyes of other divers. Instead, when you want to identify or locate a fellow diver, point your light at their leg level. When passing by another group of divers, direct your light to the side away from them. it’s tough for your divemaster to see the “OK” sign with your left hand if your right hand is shining a light in her eyes.
Dive during the day before your night dive
If you know the location of the night dive in advance, it’s recommended to dive the same site during the day beforehand. This pre-daylight dive helps you get oriented for the night dive and plan your exploration effectively. Additionally, it offers insight into how each site transforms from day to night.
Keep in mind that night dives generally proceed at a slower pace compared to daytime dives. You’ll cover less ground, but this slower pace allows you to thoroughly explore the hidden nooks and crannies where unique nocturnal marine life resides. By taking your time, you’ll have the opportunity to witness fascinating creatures and experiences that remain elusive during the daytime.
Some more recommendations
- Always dive with buddies you are already familiar with when going for night dives. The only exception to this is if you have a professional divemaster with you who knows the environment well.
- Consider bringing a non-diving friend along when planning a night dive. This person can stay on the shore or boat and assist you with relocation lights, hand you any necessary accessories, and be ready to help in case of an emergency. Many divers opt for night diving from charter boats because they typically have someone on board to fulfil this role, making the experience safer and more enjoyable.
Training for night diving
For your initial dives, feeling a bit nervous is completely normal and understandable. However, experienced night divers often concur that after a couple of dives, the enchantment and splendour of being underwater at night will overcome any initial fears.
Can Open Water Divers participate in night dives? Yes, they can, but it’s essential to undergo proper training to make the experience more enjoyable. Through this training, you’ll learn valuable skills like navigating in the dark and discovering where the most fascinating creatures dwell. Your instructor will provide you with useful night diving tips. If you’ve ever been curious about what happens underwater after sunset, consider enrolling in the PADI Night Diver Specialty course.
Night diving can be thrilling due to the element of mystery, but excessive stress can take away from the fun. Taking this course will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills, making your first few night dives under the guidance of a professional PADI Instructor. Completing all three dives in the course will significantly reduce the stress you might have experienced had you attempted night diving on your own. This added confidence alone acts as an excellent stress reliever, allowing you to fully enjoy the magic of night diving.
Take this course if you want to:
- Avoid getting lost in the dark
- See familiar dives sites in a new light
- Try something new and exciting
- Make your first night dive with a pro
Learn how to:
- Navigate underwater at night
- Make ascents and descents in the dark
- Use your dive light for communication
So are you ready to learn to dive in Melbourne with us? We’d love to be a part of your underwater adventures! If you’d like more information or to make a reservation, fill in our online contact form, or send us an email to: info@oceandivers.com.au
Ocean Divers is a PADI Five Star Instructor Development Centre and a Scubapro Platinum Dealer. Established since 1972, Ocean Divers is the longest operating dive store in Melbourne.
We look forward to scuba diving in Melbourne with you soon!