{"id":1762,"date":"2021-03-08T00:49:56","date_gmt":"2021-03-08T00:49:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moderndayexploring.com\/?p=656"},"modified":"2021-10-03T07:32:05","modified_gmt":"2021-10-03T07:32:05","slug":"heres-why-you-shouldnt-scuba-dive-in-thunderstorms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craftofmanhood.com\/heres-why-you-shouldnt-scuba-dive-in-thunderstorms\/","title":{"rendered":"Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Scuba Dive In Thunderstorms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Have you ever been scuba diving while it’s raining? The rain alone makes visibility in the water dark and gloomy, which can be quite intimidating, especially to beginner divers. So, let\u2019s see if scuba diving in thunderstorms is a good idea?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is not recommended to scuba dive during thunderstorms due to the obvious wellbeing of the divers, which include but are not limited to: getting struck by lightning on the surface, impaired visibility due to rain, lack of essential equipment such as oxygen, loss of direction, and panic that could cause poor decision making.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are some magnificent diving spots in the ocean. I\u2019m sure we all agree on that! However, some factors come into play, especially thunderstorms, that make you think twice about that scheduled scuba diving trip. So, let\u2019s delve into more detail about why scuba diving in a thunderstorm isn\u2019t a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diving in a thunderstorm is not recommended for a few simple and obvious reasons. Once diving beneath the surface, you are at a slight risk; you can control where or what you do provide you with the right equipment and sufficient oxygen. Once you ascend to the surface, your risk increases drastically.<\/strong> It is unknown how close the lightning is until you reach the surface, so do not attempt to make any judgments while submerged underwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safety being the key reason,<\/strong> among others, visibility will drastically decrease as the storm gets worse. Some divers also risk panic, which could impair decision-making. It is important to dive within your limits. Cancel a scheduled dive or location if you feel the conditions are unsafe, no matter how tempting the situation may be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is expected to have more strikes nearer to land <\/strong>since that’s where the most heat and storms build-up, specifically in the summer. In winter, there are significantly fewer people in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lightning and thunder can occur at a similar time. The reason why we see the flash first is that light travels faster than sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Saltwater is also a better conductor<\/strong>, so the surface electrical discharge will spread further than in freshwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why is it not recommended to scuba dive in a thunderstorm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lightning does not strike in the same place twice. A phrase I\u2019m sure most people have heard or spoken of themselves. Well, the reality is, it does and can hit the same spot twice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lightning strikes are extremely dangerous; they can be deadly<\/strong>; this does not mean the lightning directly hits you. The majority of injuries, both serious and minor, are caused by the impact of the strike.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is not clear what is involved in the formation leaving room for some speculation; however, there are well-known physical elements that need to be present for it to occur. The key elements that must be present are cold air and warm air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lightning is a natural occurrence of sudden electrostatic release whereby two electrically charged regions in the atmosphere equalize. It is not yet known what the distance is of each strike; however, it can contain 100 million volts of electricity and reach temperatures five times hotter than the sun’s surface, so I would not take any chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The electrostatic discharge can occur in various ways; between clouds, within a cloud, or between the ground and a cloud, also known as the cloud-to-ground bolt.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy You Shouldn\u2019t Scuba Dive in Thunderstorms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How dangerous is lightning?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How does lightening occur?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n