Safe Scuba Diving 1. Listen and Follow your Guide Whenever we take out discover scuba divers, we make sure they know this first. Your guide- whether it be an instructor, divemaster or some sort of combination, knows the dive spot, skills and techniques best. Their sole purpose of running the dive is to make sure everyone is safe and having fun. That is why the top way to stay safe while scuba diving is to be in close proximity and paying attention to your guide.  2. Have a Buddy The secon...

What is equalizing? Equalizing is one of the most important skills you learn before you dive. Holding your nose and blowing sounds easy in theory, but it’s actually one of the most often encountered problems divers face. Here at Hawaii Eco Divers, safety is our priority- especially when it comes to your ears and sinuses! We’ve compiled a list of equalizing safety tips as well as an explanation to what equalizing actually is.    Tips for when you’re having trouble equalizing  ...

Scuba Diving with Sharks and Reef Life Here in Hawaii, our oceans are filled with life. The bright colors of fish and coral bring people from all over the world to scuba dive with us. One of the most desired underwater interactions is also one of the most feared: sharks, or mano in Hawaiian. Here in Hawaii we have lots of kinds: gray reef sharks, galapagos sharks, blacktip reef sharks, sandbar sharks, tiger sharks, whitetip reef sharks, even great white sharks, whale sharks and scalloped hammer...

My experience with Monk Seals Have you ever wanted to go diving with monk seals? Whenever we’re lucky enough to see a monk seal on a dive, the whole group is so excited. The way they swim through the water with elegance in their big, shiny bodies always amazes a crowd. Amazingly, there is so much more to monk seals than just their beauty. The Hawaiian monk seal is endemic to Hawaii. You can’t find them anywhere else in the world. The ancient Hawaiian name for them is ‘Ilio holo I ka uaua,...

In my rescue diving course, we learned five ways to not run out of air, and what to do if you do run out of air scuba diving: 1: Check Your Gauge  The easiest thing you can do to not run out of air is to check your gauge- well and often.  2: Calculate your Air Consumption The formula to do this is: PSI used/actual bottom time x conversion factor = surface air consumption rate.  The chart above lists the conversion factors to help you calculate your air consumption. For example, on a 40...

In this week’s segment of diving down with Mermaid Mikena, we will be talking about a recent special encounter with two Hawaiian Monk Seals. A Hawaiian Monk Seal swims overhead at Electric Beach, showing curiosity towards our divers. A Rare Moment We were floating along our dive with Hawaii Eco Divers, admiring the rays of sun shining through the ripples of waves. Then two Hawaii Monk Seals come cruising by overhead. We instantly stopped in our path to admire their beauty.  Not only di...

My rescue diver certification with Hawaii Eco Divers was a challenging yet rewarding class. I perfected my self rescue skills, and learned how to save panicked, tired, cramped, injured, out of air and unconscious divers among many skills. All the while surrounded by the beauty of the ocean in Hawaii. Now, I'm prepared for any emergency a diver might face, including CPR, first aid and how to save someone choking. I highly recommend taking the PADI rescue diver course with Hawaii Eco Divers.  ...

In our new segment, we'll be going beneath the surface with Mermaid Mikena to bring you awareness about the various marine life found in the oceans off Hawaii. Today's topic: Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is the most common seen turtle in the waters of Hawaii A Smiling Face to Descend Down to I can’t help but smile every time I see a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle. Floating gracefully through the ocean, letting the current gently sway them back and forth. It’s no wo...

At 123ft sits the Sea Tiger Shipwreck off the coast of Honolulu, providing a sanctuary for marine life and playground for divers We made our way to the Kewalo Basin Harbor in Honolulu to board the Kahala Kai with Hawaii Eco Divers. After a short boat ride, we tied up the boat to the mooring and prepared for our dive at the Sea Tiger Shipwreck. Exploring all the features of the Sea Tiger Shipwreck. Let’s Gear Up! The sun was shining and the excitement was building. We turned on our tanks...

The Most Important Things I Learned from my Online Rescue Diving Course Hawaii Eco Divers has assured two things in my rescue diving course: The most common cause of diver emergency is poor judgment and the most important thing about being a rescue diver is to not become a victim yourself.  There are many signs to emergencies. The ones rescue divers look out for are:  Giving distressed signals Struggling above or below the surface  High treading Rejecting equipment  Clin...