STARS Open Water Diver Manual

Index

Orientation
Transform into a Fish on Your Holidays
Certificate of Fitness for Diving
Certification Card (C-Card)
 
Dive Equipment
Mask
Snorkel
Fins
Gloves/Boots
Diving suits
Weights
Tank
Regulator
Backup Scuba
BC
Gauge
Other Equipment 1
Other Equipment 2
Other Equipment 3
Equipment Setup
Equipment Maintenance
 
Underwater Environment
Topography and Artificial Structures 1
Topography and Artificial Structures 2
Ocean Conditions 1
Ocean Conditions 2
Poisonous Sea Life 1
Poisonous Sea Life 2
Aggressive Sea Life
 
Underwater Physiology
Light and Color
Sound
Drag/Buoyancy
Heat Absorption
Air Composition
Breathing and Circulation Mechanism
Diver Breathing /Air Consumption
Pressure
Pressure and Gas Volume
Lung Over-expansion Injury
Air Embolism
Gas Poisoning
Hyperventilation
Skip Breathing
Decompression Sickness (DCS)
The Human Body’s Air Spaces
Squeeze and Equalization
Specific Squeeze Types
Reverse Block and Equalization
Specific Body Air Cavities and Reverse Block
 
Plan and Rules
Diving Site Selection
Leader and Member
Buddy System
Equipment
Health Maintenance
Refresher Course
Cancellation and Modification
Emergency Plan
Communication
Air Consumption Ratio
Dive Table
Change of the internal nitrogen quantity
Comparison of the internal nitrogen quantity
Constitution of the Dive Table
No-decompression Dive Limit
Residual Group
Surfacing Time
Nitrogen Disappearance Time
Surface Interval Time
No-decompression Dive Limit for the second diving
Residual Nitrogen Time
Residual Group for the second diving
Decompression Stop
Safety Stop
Time Until Safe To Fly
Other attention
Work Sheet
Making a Dive Plan
Multi-Level Diving
Manners
 
Diving Skills
Donning Snorkel Set
Snorkel Clear
Fin Work
Donning the Weight Belt
Head First
Equipment Setup
Entry
Descent
Regulator Clear
Mask Clear
Regulator Recovery
Buoyancy Control
BC Donning and Removal
Weight Belt Donning and Removal
Equipment Release
Dealing with Emergencies 1
Dealing with Emergencies 2
Dealing with Emergencies 3


Ocean Conditions 2


■Thermoclines

Where warm and cold ocean water or where fresh water and salt water meet underwater, the scene seems to dim and flicker and vibrate – this is a thermocline.



■Water Clarity and Visibility

Underwater, plankton and other floating matter as well as silt stirred up from the ocean’s bottom can worsen water clarity and visibility. When these are bad, both seeing around you and at a distance are difficult, so it is important not to become separated from your dive buddy. In the opposite case, when clarity and visibility are extremely good, depth perception is slightly off and you can easily overshoot your planned maximum depth, so caution is required here, too.



■Ocean Currents

Ocean currents flow like rivers. These currents occur partly due to differences in water’s density. Along Japan’s Pacific Coast flow two main currents - the warm Black Current as well as the cold Kurile Current.



■Tide and Tidal Currents

Due to the gravitational effects of the sun and moon on the earth, twice a day we have high and ebb tides. Tides, causing the ebb and flood of water levels, create tidal currents.
Generally speaking, at new moon and full moon, tidal currents are strongest (spring tides), while neap (low) tides and long tides’ tidal currents are weakest. When ebb and high tides are at their apex, the tidal current stops. The Japan Coast Guard publishes tide tables which you can employ in your dive planning.



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