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| Q: |
I was diving by the Coast Guard pier in Monterey and saw an eel that was yellow with big maroon spots. I have not been able to ID it. Any ideas?
John
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| A: |
Well, this was tough. We asked our divers around here, and no one seemed to know about a maroon-spotted yellow fish with an eel shape. We turned to our expert, retired marine biologist Steve Webster, for help. He said it was very likely a juvenile wolf-eel , a member of the family Anarhichadidae. Many marine animals look different as juveniles than as adults, so identifying them can be difficult. Great question!
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| Q: |
I've heard there's special SCUBA gear made for younger kids like me. Is that true?
Corky
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There's some exciting new equipment designed for kids that's called SASY (this stands for Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth). That's what we use in our summer Underwater Explorers program for kids at the aquarium, and other agencies also provide SCUBA adventures for kids using this system. SASY is like SCUBA diving because you use a tank and breathe air from it. The big difference between SCUBA diving and SASY is that with SASY, the tank and regulator are incorporated into a flotation vest. You stay floating on the surface rather than going down deep in the water. It's a fun way to get introduced to SCUBA diving!
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| Q: |
Hey Diver Dana, what does SCUBA stand for and who invented it?
Alex
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| A: |
Good question Alex! Would you believe SCUBA stands for see cute underwater big animals? Guess not. Actually SCUBA is an abbreviation for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. In 1943, French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau and engineer Emile Gagnan invented the Aqua-Lung, and SCUBA diving was born. Carrying a supply of compressed air on their backs, divers could stay under water for extended periods and swim about freely, exploring the sea.
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| Q: |
How old do you have to be to get SCUBA certified?
Rachel
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To be a SCUBA diver, you need to get special training and certification. Anyone 15 years old or older can become an Open Water Diver. Children between the ages of 10 and 15 can receive a Junior Open Water Diver certification. At the age of 15 they can upgrade to a regular Open Water Diver certification.
Junior Certification ages and agencies:
PADI - Age 10, NAUI - Age 12, YMCA - Age 12, SSI - Age 10
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| Q: |
Hi Dana, Is it possible to dive if you are disabled?
Sam
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| A: |
Many people who are disabled enjoy SCUBA diving on a regular basis. As a matter of fact some of our volunteer divers that help keep our exhibits clean are disabled. In our summer Underwater Explorers Program, we have set up 2 special days for kids ages 8-14 with exceptional challenges to join us diving in our Great Tide Pool. Those dates are July 20 and August 17. If you know a disabled child who would like to experience the underwater world of SCUBA here at the aquarium, find out more by calling our Underwater Explorers program staff at 831-644-7569.
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Helpful Resources
Project Aware
Become active in helping our world's oceans right where you live. Learn more about cool ocean animals, play games and enter contests.
Scuba Rangers
A cool SCUBA club for kids 8-12 years old. Find a club in your area and learn how you can be involved.
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