Muck diving explanation you never know you’ll need until today. Of all types of diving, there is one called muck diving.
This unusual diving activity is called Muck Diving. The term was first used by Bob Halstead in the 1980s when he was diving in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. Broadly speaking, muck diving is diving in waters dominated by deposits of sand, dust, and natural debris from dead coral reefs, and so on.
Usually, divers do muck diving to find or observe unique sea creatures that don’t exist in other waters. Compared to reef diving which is full of colors and various marine landscapes, muck diving is more focused on exploring the unfamiliar.
So, how do you do muck diving and what equipment do you use? Here is a full explanation.
Muck Diving Explanation
The Main Principles of Muck Diving
Just like other types of diving, muck diving has a set of principles that must be known, and adhered to, in order to have a pleasant diving experience.
First, so that the dust in the dive site doesn’t float around and interfere with your vision, you must first hone your ability to float. Try not to get the fins too close to the surface of the sand or sediment.
Move your feet slowly and try to keep the fins higher than your body. Every now and then, look behind you to make sure your footwork doesn’t pick up dust and annoy other divers.
Second, never touch coral or layers covered in sand and dust. This is not only important for the sustainability of the ecosystem, but also for the safety of divers. The reason is, that there are lots of fish or creatures hidden in the sand. Even if the diver wears gloves, the spines of a devilfish or scorpionfish can still penetrate, and the consequences can be fatal.
Muck Diving Special Gear
Actually, the equipment used for muck diving is exactly the same as that used for scuba diving. However, a stiffer fin will be very helpful so that the foot push doesn’t blow away the existing sand and dust.
If the floating technique is not very good, you can also bring a metal stick to maintain position when, for example, you want to take pictures or record something. The stick can also be used as a pedestal to rise to the surface without causing dust.
If you’re carrying a stick, remember to check the surface before “prickling” it. There could be fish hidden under the sand. Do not also use sticks to disturb the existing ecosystem.
Muck Diving Locations in Indonesia
Indonesia is known as one of the best places to do muck diving. However, the most famous of all muck diving locations in Indonesia is the Lembeh Strait.
This dive point can be visited all year round. However, avoid December-February as rainfall in these months can affect visibility in the water. Besides the Lembeh Strait, muck diving locations that can be enjoyed in Indonesia include Ambon, Dili, and Alor.
Those are some things you need to know about muck diving. Although the goal is not to see the colorful coral reefs and fish species, this activity is quite interesting and provides a different experience.
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