Dive Gear Mask
Dive Gear Mask
What is required to go spearfishing in Southern California?
I am trying to become a spearfisher. I have all my gear, such as mask, snorkel, gloves, boots, fins, wetsuit, and polespear. I will be freediving. I still need to purchase a salt water fishing license, right?
Also, can I just beach dive off any public beach and start hunting? I may start at Redondo beach because it is the closest. Can I just bring my gear and jump in the water, take my meal, then walk back to my car with my dinner hanging around my body? Or will I get stopped even before I bring my spear on the beach?
The spearfishing regulations are basically the same as the rod and reel regulations -- you need a license, you have to observe size and possession limits, keep out of closed areas, and so on. Make sure you know the regulations -- lots of fish have minimum sizes, and there are zero limits on others, specifically the black sea bass (giant sea bass) -- the largest fish you're likely to see in nearshore waters.
(The regulations booklet is available in tackle shops where you can buy your license.)
As to going into the water from a public beach, if it's crowded, a lifeguard would probably stop you, worrying about you spearing an unsuspecting swimmer. (They'll also keep surfcasters off crowded beaches for the same reason.) But then, if it's crowded I doubt you would find much to be worth spearing anywhere near shore, especially in a heavily fished area like Santa Monica Bay.
When I was in high school I did some scuba diving off the beach in Malaga Cove (on the north side of PV, a few miles south of Redondo.) I saw plenty of fish, but nothing over about a foot, though I don't think I got out to water deeper than 20 feet or so. I saw many more fish when I was diving at Catalina.
Look for areas with rocky bottoms and kelp. Though you might find halibut in the sandy areas, remember they have to be 22 inches to keep, and most of them you see will be short. (Remember, fish look a lot bigger underwater.) I think your best bet is to probably look near cover for rockfish or bass, and check the edges for halibut or whatever else might be around.
For More Dive Gear Mask Info Click On The Blue Links Below
 H2O Sporting Snorkeling Set Gear Silicone Dive Mask Dry Top Snorkel Fins Bag US $65.33 
|
 NEW Dolfino Premier Dive Gear Pro Series Adult MASK Oversized Lens SNORKEL SET US $14.99
|
 Spearfishing Snorkeling Diving Mask Snorkel Gear Set US $49.95
|
 DIVER Street Sign scuba divers fins mask gear snorkel deep sea diving gift swim US $7.99
|
 Scuba diving ATOMIC MASK BEAVER dive gear BRAND NEW snorkel TECH kit frameless US $37.94
|
 Scuba Dive Frameless Mask Snorkel Boots Fins Gear Set US $119.95
|
 Air Diving Compressor DC Hookah Gear with 10m Airdive Hose10mm Mask Regulator US $132.40
|
 Scuba Dive Purge Mask Dry Snorkel Gear Set US $45.00
|
 Professional Mask Snorkel Set Scuba Diving Snorkeling Gear Set US $19.99
|
 NEW Panoramic Tri View Mask Scuba Dive Snorkeling Gear US $24.95
|
 Panoramic Purge Dive Mask Dry Snorkel Fins Gear Bag Set US $69.95
|
 NEW Scube Dive Gear Mask Dry Snorkel Fins Set Blue 2DaysShip US $42.75
|
 Scuba diving gear complete set bc regulator computer mask fins knife bag US $400.00
|
 NEW Snorkeling Dive Mask Dry Snorkel Fins Lady Gear Set US $49.95
|
 Zuma Reef Dive Gear DMX 200 High Quality Dive Mask NEW Bronze Durasil Series US $5.99
|
 Promate Scuba Dive Snorkeling Purge Mask Dry Snorkel Gear Set Black Silicone US $39.95
|
 Adult Snorkeling Dive Mask Dry Snorkel Fins Gear Set US $64.95
|
 Scuba Dive Snorkeling Mask Dry Snorkel Fins Gear Set US $59.95
|
 PROMATE Snorkeling Scuba Dive DRY Snorkel PURGE Mask Gear Set Titanium US $42.98
|
 DOLFINO PREMIER DIVE GEAR YOUTH MASK SNORKEL SET NEW SEALED US $14.99
|
What do you know about freeganism?
And how would you expand on these points?
1. At what point does one lose ownership over his/her stuff?
2. Is the junk in the trash for communal or individual use (i.e. should good stuff be donated for the public good or be a free for all?)
3. Is there a '2 second rule' akin to the dropping of food on the floor, if perhaps you find food in the dumpster?
4. What is the proper technique? Dive head first (literally) or do you need to be careful?
5. Proper gear: do you need rubber gloves? helmet? goggles? bug spray? mask?
6. Are warranties still valid if the item was found in the dumpster?
The truth that you think Americans have much free time to go to these things ...
So you are thinking about getting your scuba diving certification but aren't sure what it entails? We'll go through the details here. Scuba diving is a wonderful sport and you will be able to enjoy it for many years to come. There's nothing like floating effortlessly underwater and seeing all the beautiful fish, coral, wrecks, etc. Certification will open up a whole new world for you.
First, let's start with the basics. What exactly is scuba diving certification?
In order to go scuba diving with any reputable dive shop, you must have a certification card (more commonly known as a c-card). You obtain this card by taking and passing a dive certification course. Once you pass this course, you receive your c-card and you are good to go.
The two main certification agencies are PADI and NAUI. Other agencies, such as YMCA and SSI, also offer scuba diving certification but NAUI and PADI are the most widely recognized.
The dive shop (or other entity) that you take your training from will be affiliated with one of these agencies. That is who you will receive your card from.
The most common scuba diving certification for recreational divers is the open water diver. Once you finish this course and pass the tests and dives, you receive your c-card. Once you receive your card, you are certified for life. There is no other mandatory training. There is other optional training you can do, but nothing more is required before you can start diving.
What are the requirements for taking a certification course?
As far as age goes, for PADI you must be 10 or older to take the course. Students younger than 15 will receive the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification. It can then be upgraded to PADI Open Water Diver certification upon reaching 15. For Naui, you must be 12 or older to take the course.
Basically you should be in good physical shape and be comfortable in the water. A clearance from your doctor would be a good idea if you have any doubts.
During the course you will have to be able to swim 200 yards. However, you can use any stroke and there is no time limit on how long it takes. You also have to tread water or float for 10 minutes. Again, you can use any methods you want.
The course itself can be broken into 4 major segments:
1. Book work
2. Exams
3. Pool training
4. Open water dives
The amount of time it takes to get our scuba diving certification depends on what avenue you take. There are intensive weekend courses where you can do all your book work and pool work in one weekend. This option usually involves advance reading. I think this could be a bit overwhelming if you have no prior experience but many people opt for this route.
At the opposite end are the options where you meet over the course of several weeks to do your book and pool work. This is the option I chose. The class met once a week for 6 weeks. The first part of the night involved the classroom (about 1 1/4 hours) followed by pool work (about 1 1/2 hours).
A recent introduction are the on-line certification courses which allows you to do the book portion of your scuba diving certification from anywhere.
You get a referral to do your open water dives after you successfully complete the book and pool work. Your open water dives are usually done in a lake, quarry or ocean. You typically do these dives over the course of 2 days. Certification usually requires 4 or 5 successful open water dives. You also have to do your open water dives within a certain amount of time of receiving your referral.
During your open water dives, you will perform the skills you learned in class for the instructor. This involves such skills as clearing your mask, buddy breathing, etc. Once you successfully pass the open water dives, you will receive your c-card.
As far as the cost of certification, prices for the course and pool work portion can range anywhere from around $150 to several hundred. I think $200-$250 is probably about average. If you take book portion online through PADI, the course currently costs $120 (you still have to pay for your in water training and open water dive portions).
Adding in the cost of your open water dives, the total cost of dive certification will probably be about $350-$450.
Hopefully I have answered most of your questions about getting certified. Give it a try, you won't regret it!
Dianne Rein runs a scuba diving website at http://www.scuba-diving-smiles.com You can find more information about scuba diving basics, necessary scuba gear and much more on her website.
Many thanks for reading our Dive Gear Mask article
Recent Dive Gear Mask deals on ebay