If you are traveling through a tropical country, you should make each and every day an adventure. It’s not every day that you can swim in ocean blue waters and see all sorts of sea creatures. However, if you want to take your tropical vacation to a whole new extreme, you should really try out shark diving. As terrifying as the prospect is for beginners to swim with sharks, it is actually quite safe. You just need the right equipment to keep you safe. Here are 7 Pieces of equipment that are essential for shark cage diving:
1. Flippers
If you want to swim with sharks, you should make sure that you can swim properly. Nothing excites a shark more than to see potential prey floundering under water. So you should equip yourself with a good pair of flippers. The flippers will allow you to swim with ease and move with a surety and agility that will deter the sharks from coming at you.
When choosing flippers you should make sure that they are of the best quality possible. They should fit you perfectly. The flippers should also be the right length for you. For diving, it is advisable that you use notched fins because it allows you to mimic the natural path of your foot through the water.
2. Diving Mask
Aside from flippers, yet another essential piece of equipment you should have is a diving mask. The diving mask is meant to keep the water away from your eyes and nose. It is also designed to give you visibility during deep dives. When you choose a diving mask, it should fit you perfectly. It should be snug, but not too tight that you won’t be able to breathe.
When you purchase a diving mask, it is very important that you try it on first. Check if there are any gaps in the mask, and make sure that it fits you as comfortably as possible. Remember that your diving mask will allow you to see underwater, so you should take the extra time to choose them.
3. Wetsuit
When it comes to shark diving, you should be properly attired. Remember that you will need to move smoothly through the water. Wetsuits are great for shark cage diving because they are smooth and don’t have any loose threads or pockets that could get snagged on the cage. A wetsuit could also insulate you should the waters get cold.
4. Cage
Of all the pieces of equipment that you will need for shark cage diving, the cage is the most essential. You can survive without a wetsuit or flippers. You can even go without a diving mask if you have to. However, the shark cage is a must. Remember that sharks are apex predators. They are genetically gifted at one thing, which is killing. They are unpredictable creatures, and they can be placid one moment, and attack you the next.
So if you want to survive your shark diving sessions, a shark cage is a must. The shark cage can be wrought out of iron, fiberglass. Iron wrought cages are by far the most effective because they have less tendency to break. Fiberglass ones provide greater visibility, however, they are nowhere near as durable as the metallic ones.
Aside from the cage, you should make sure that the chain or rope supporting the cage is as strong as possible. Remember that it will have to support a great deal of weight, and survive any bumps or attacks that the sharks may launch at it.
5. Floating Pontoon
Floating pontoons are a necessity when it comes to shark cage diving because you will need a platform that can support the shark cage. The floating pontoon will also make it easier for you to climb onto the cage. Floating pontoons are predominantly made of buoyant plastic floats.
These plastic floats can be easily assembled through wires or chains. They are attached together with plastic connectors, and once they are attached to one another, they provide an extremely sturdy platform for you to walk on.
Manufacturers such as Hiseadock create various versions of these plastic floats and accessories. They also offer a floating pontoon guide for newbie floating deck owners, click here for more info. These guides will make the floating pontoon construction so much more efficient and hassle-free.
6. Bait
Although you should never try to aggravate sharks, they can be quite elusive. So if you want to actually see sharks, you should make sure that you bring the right bait to draw them in. The best bait is usually chum, which is a combination of fish blood, guts, and pieces. The guide should shower the chum around the area.
The scent of the chum will draw the sharks to your area. This will make it easier for your group to come in contact with the sharks. Just make sure that you don’t get any chum on you because it would make you a more enticing target for the sharks.
7. A Sturdy Boat
Sharks don’t usually come near the shoreline, so if you want to come in contact with them you will need a boat. Your boat should be as sturdy as possible because there is a possibility that the sharks will try to ram onto your boat. The boat should also be large enough to carry your shark cage and other pieces of equipment.
It should also be large enough for you to support both the shark cage and the floating pontoon. Overall, your boat is your lifeline to solid ground, so you should maintain it to the best of your ability.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a truly extreme way to spend your tropical vacation, you should try out shark diving. There is a certain exhilaration to facing a shark in its natural habitat. There is a sense of danger to being so close to such a creature. However, you should make sure that you are as safe as possible. With these key pieces of equipment, you’ll be able to do shark diving without fear.
