Six tips for safe safari safaris and cruises

Text: Caren Liebscher

Diving cruises are an extremely popular form of vacation spending for divers. They live on the ocean and devote the whole day to their favorite activity: relaxation and adventure in every sense of the word. But what sounds like total freedom to some people can represent boredom and discomfort to others. In order to prevent a dream vacation from turning into a bad memory, we've put together some tips and advice specifically for vacationers about to book their first cruise.

Medical considerations

As with any diving trip, it is important to be in good health. There is not always a doctor on board, so as the refrain says, prevention is better than cure.
Make sure you do not have dental problems, that you are in good vaccination order, and that you bring the prescription drugs you need, as well as remedies for seasickness, diarrhea, constipation, colds and ear problems. Also take into account your own limits (disabilities, illnesses, allergies, etc.), which could become more troublesome once on board.

It is always good to be in orderdiving fitness exam in accordance with the requirements of diving or hyperbaric medicine organizations.

Other elements are taken into account in the event of a medical emergency during a cruise. The boat can be moved away from the coast, making evacuation more complicated. Arriving at a medical establishment can therefore take longer than usual. Also remember that this type of evacuation is generally more expensive. Therefore, it is recommended to take out a good diving (and health or travel) insurance, and note the emergency telephone numbers.

Diving training and experience

If it is important to have completed full diving training, a solid experience diving is also a significant asset. In most cases, it is not possible to take a course starting on board. In addition, the additional skills required during a diving cruise can only be acquired once the basics of diving have been mastered. Diving cruises in particular require good buoyancy control, and can involve drift dives, dives along deep reefs, wreck dives or even night dives.

Diving equipment and spare equipment

Make sure that your scuba gear is in perfect condition, that it is properly adjusted to your size, and that you are familiar with its use. It is also a good idea to have spare parts ready in case something goes wrong. Indeed, you will not be able to buy anything during the cruise if an element were to be damaged: you are in the middle of the ocean!

Here are the pieces to remember:

• Mask and fins straps
• Replacement tip
• Small emergency lamp
• O-rings
• DIN / INT adapter
• Protective caps for valves and regulator
• Tool kit
• carabiner
• Cable ties

Choice of wet suit

It usually depends on the destination. Keep in mind that during long dives in particular, water causes significant caloric loss, even in relatively warm water.

This factor is all the more significant during cruises, which often involve the completion of several dives per day. At the start of the day, when you first enter the water, the water temperature may seem pleasant, but this sensation changes with the course of the dives. For example, it will seem much less pleasant to put on your cold and wet wet suit for night diving. If you are going on a diving cruise in winter or spring, especially on the Red Sea, consider bringing a thicker wetsuit.

Note also that a scratch caused by coral, however small, will take a long time to heal in seawater, and that direct contact with sea anemone filaments can be very painful. A thin coverall covering the arms and legs helps prevent this kind of discomfort. Such a wetsuit will also protect against sunburn when snorkeling.

What about the boat / dive center?

Do you want to make sure that the chosen dive center and boat can guarantee a holiday in safety and peace of mind?

Here are the main characteristics that cruise ships must have:

• an optimized space
• attachment points for diving equipment, especially for tanks
• a large diving platform at the stern (entry and exit point)

Before booking, get the following information

• Name and dimensions of the boat
• Layout of cabins (e.g. single or bunk beds, air conditioning, individual or shared toilets / showers, space inside the cabins)
• Can of fresh water / additional desalination system
• Power supply / generators running 24 hours a day, possibility of recharging lamps and other electrical devices
• Bottle size and material (aluminum bottles are lighter and require more ballast), type of valve (DIN, INT)
• Maximum number of dives per day, possibility of night dives, limitations on dives (duration, depth, residual pressure, etc.)
• Living room, deck and platform area
• Possibility of guided dives on request
• Compressor located on deck (annoying noise) or under deck? Danger of aspiration from the stale air compressor, such as the exhaust from the boat engine or the gases coming from the galley? Possibility of nitrox filling?
• Non-slip deck, also in wet weather?
• Presence of handrails?
• Availability of spare parts or diving equipment on board?
• First aid equipment and oxygen available on board and stored away from bad weather, water and shocks?
• Presence of emergency equipment such as inflatable life rafts or boats, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, radio, radar and GPS?

Once you've got all of these questions answered and made sure you're prepared for the cruise, don't forget to pack your camera to capture some unforgettable moments.

We hope you find these tips useful, and wish you great adventures wherever you go!

Benefits of a diving cruise

- Easy dives without having to carry heavy equipment.

- Access to exclusive and unspoiled dive sites.

- The ability to share your favorite hobby with a group of like-minded people.

Potential disadvantages

- Life in a confined space with foreigners of different nationalities and having varied habits and interests: not everyone is made for that.

- The risk of being confronted with long-lasting storms.

- The scarcity of drinking water.