Do You Need A Scuba Refresher?
Whether you’re a seasoned scuba veteran or haven’t been in the water since your certification, it may be time to ask… do you need a refresher before diving back in?
You love scuba diving. I love scuba diving.
We all love scuba diving!
But as much as we may love diving, sometimes life gets in the way, preventing us from getting in the water as much as we’d like. So whether you’re a seasoned scuba veteran or haven’t been in the water since your certification, it may be time to ask… Do you need a refresher before diving back in?
What Is A Scuba Refresher?
Our Scuba Refresher consists of a light theory review, followed by a reintroduction to scuba equipment, and ending with basic skills practice in Half Moon Bay. The purpose of a Refresher is to ensure you remember how to do those essential underwater skills, like:
Clearing your mask
Clearing and recovering your regulator
Hovering/buoyancy control
Buddy breathing in the event of an emergency
Signals, descents, and ascents
After all, the longer you spend out of the water, the easier it becomes to forget the basic skills you need to be a safe and competent diver.
Who Needs A Refresher?
At Roatan Divers, our policy is that if it has been more than one year since your last dive, we may require you to complete a Refresher before going into the open water. However, the reality is a bit more nuanced than that. For example:
Experience. How experienced was the diver before going on a hiatus? A diver who only does one to three dives in a year, and then takes a break, is a lot different than someone who does twenty to fifty dives in a year, and then takes a break.
Outdated Training. Refreshers don’t just clear out the cobwebs. Those who were certified a long time ago may also wish to complete a Refresher, as new skills have become part of the program that they may not have learned! Take SMB Deployment, for example.
Environment. Keep environmental experience in mind! If you’re used to diving in lakes, a Refresher can help detect any weighting or buoyancy adjustments that need to be made before going into the ocean.
Certification Level. If you were freshly certified and haven’t dove since your certification - even if it was only three to six months ago - you should definitely complete a Refresher! This is because the skills you learned weren’t repeatedly practiced. However, a certified Divemaster who took a two year hiatus due to, say, COVID, likely would not need a Refresher.
If you’re an Instructor that’s been out of the water for a while, sites like Jooble may be able to help you find a job and get back in the water!
The Final Conclusion
When in doubt, refresh it out! In order to react quickly, calmly, and safely during an emergency, both muscle memory and comfort come into play. Practice makes perfect, and will ensure you can easily complete these essential skills in case they are needed. After all, concern and awareness for yourself, your buddies, and the environment are all the ingredients that make for a great diver!
Are you in need of a Refresher?
Macro Diving In Roatan: Unique Critters
Let’s go macro diving in Roatan! Learn about the unique macro critters on Roatan’s reef - and get tips on where to find them.
Going diving in Roatan? Find joy in the little things! While eagle rays and large schools of fish are certainly fun to look at, the reef is also teeming with small creatures that are easy to miss. Next time you’re in the water, try searching for some of the unique macro life that calls Roatan home. It’s not only a wonderful exercise for your eyes, but a surefire way to impress your dive buddies too.
Photo By Tam Warner Minton
Painted Elysia (Thuridilla picta)
Who knew so many colors could exist on something so small? While the main body of the Painted Elysia is green, there are also vivid lateral bands of orange, red, blue, yellow, and neon green. This sap-sucking slug can be found in shallow sand patches or on certain kinds of algae. But look closely! They average a size of 1.25 inches.
Photo By Jeff Hamann
Cassiopea Dondice (Dondice parguerensis)
If you’ve ever been diving with Roatan Divers, you’ve likely been taken to our favorite macro site ever - Shallow Blue Channel! Within this dive site you can find a plethora of upside down jellyfish. And within those upside down jellies, you can find the Cassiopea Dondice. A beautiful type of nudibranch that can grow as large as 2 inches.
Photo By Adrien Weckel, DORIS
Common Squat Lobster (Munida pusilla)
Don’t be intimidated by their outstretched claws - this crustacean is only about the size of your thumb. Appearing to be an interesting mix of crab and lobster, the Common Squat Lobster enjoys hard, rocky bottoms and can often be found in rubble created by tilefish.
Photo By Mau Riquelme
Juvenile Shortnose Batfish (Ogcocephalus nasutus)
If you’ve ever wanted to see a teeny tiny underwater unicorn, look for a juvenile shortnose batfish. While difficult to find, you may be able to come across this thumbnail sized juvenile in sandy patches or coral rubble.
Striped Bumblebee Shrimp (Gnathophyllum americanum)
Next time you’re swimming past a sea cucumber, double back and take a closer look. If you’re lucky, you will be able to spot the sea cucumber’s resident Bumblebee Shrimp. Dressed to impress, this pea-sized crustacean sports an eye-catching outfit of yellow and black stripes, accentuated with a pair of goggley blue eyes and a wispy translucent tail — the epitome of cute. These commensal shrimps also have symbiotic relationships with sea stars and sea urchins.