Archive for the ‘Accidents’ Category

Dahab, Blue Hole

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

The Blue Hole of Dahab, Sinai, Egypt has reached legendary status.

Not least of which a large cavernous tunnel at 50m+ leading into the open sea, called the Arch. The blue light entering through the arch gives the place an otherworldly feel. So much so and coupled with the sometimes lax requirements of the local dive operators that divers neither qualified nor outfitted with the appropriate equipment attempt the dive, with often fatal results.

You’ll need to have Nitrox, advanced Nitrox, extended range and decompression technique certifications – or Trimix – if you’re “bent” to do the Blue Hole.

Barracuda Attack

Friday, August 13th, 2010

I love Barracuda, both the solitary giant Barracuda resting just below the water, jaws agape, razor-sharp teeth bulging out, and also the huge schools of juveniles circling endlessly as a giant doughnut.

I’ve brought myself to ignore my instinctive fear to calm down, and know that this fish isn’t going to harm me. Just don’t get too close, supposedly don’t wear any shiny stuff nor thrash about to scare it away.

Sometimes, Barracuda can get confused, as when a guided tour was let into the water while the guides were feeding the fish. A barracuda bit a girl’s hand which was next to a floating bagel and the fish – probably mistakenly. Before the fish noticed the error, it’s sharp teeth had already caused significant damage.

I fault the guides for throwing fodder into the bathing tourists and no one else, also not the barracuda.