I've just taken up scuba diving. The salt water/chlorine and the tight hood could potentially do some damage to hair.
Of course at my current length it's not a big deal but I'm curious if guys with longer hair have gotten into this exciting sport and what effect it has on their hair...
I took the PDIC certification course about 3 years ago. I enjoyed it, but I didn't have much hair back then. I haven't been diving once since because it can be quite expensive. I think you could avoid snaging your hair on your wet suit even if you had the hood if you just tied it up right while you were still dry. If it was me I would tie my hair up like when I wear a helmet and that would probly work just fine. Salt water can dry out hair, but it isn't as harsh as chlorine, so don't worry about that. Having facial hair is much more of a problem than cranial hair for diving I would think. I had a full beard when I took the course, so water kept getting in my mask. Lucky for me I was good at getting the water out of my mask underwater, so it wasn't a problem. All in all it was fun, go for it. Expensive but fun
I'm a scuba diver. I learned in Saudi Arabia of all places, and I got to dive the red sea! Don't pass up an opportunity like that!
Salt water is very good at drying out your skin and hair, especially in hot weather. But I'm sure there's a remedy for it that won't mean damaging long hair. Rinsing thoroughly with cold water was what I used to do, and that seemed to help when my hair was short.
Hope you enjoy the diving! It's the best sport in the world :)
Whilst im not a scuba diver... the very thought of it scares me! (im afraid of big nasty sharks!) to combat the salt water/chlorine pool water you could apply a generous amount of a silicone serum to your hair after your last wash before your due to go. This would effectively make your hair none pourus(sp?) so the chlorine would not damage it... tho you'd need to use a clarifier to get it out.... which may lead to dryness I guess... hmmmm I guess this would only be good if you went now and again, excessive use may prove counter productive. Alternatively you could just wet your hair and apply some oil like jojoba again to make your hair waterproof in a sense, oil would be the best option in the long run I think.....a leave in cond works in a similar way but I tried that swimming once an it nearly blinded me when the water ran in my eyes!!
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I've never gone scuba diving, though I've thought of it.
I am an avid, die-hard sky diver though! I have over 800 jumps from perfectly good aircraft. In fact, I'll be adding a jump this afternoon!
I agree with you there. . . . I've never done either but I want to take up skydiving (whenever I have the free time. . . )
Really!... now i'd definately do this.. I was supposed to do it over the easter hols but never got around to booking it. I'll definately do it over the summer tho. Would you recommend tandem for the first time? it lets you exerience free fall right? Theres not many places that do it in the UK but one comp sent me a video for free an it looked amazing!
As an English teacher, I must remind you that it'd "definitely", not definately".
I'm not familiar with the way things are in the UK, but here in the US your first jump has to be tandem. Tandem does allow for free fall, which to me is the best part of the jump. Once the chute opens, for me anyway, the fun part is over.
Keep in mind that skydiving can be very expensive. Fortunately, throughout the years I've had friends and friends of friends that have been able to make it very inexpensive for me.
Try it, you'll like it. The first jump is scary. The second jump gets you addicted, and you'll never want to stop!
I used to be an excellent speller actually, however im a mathematics student so I dont get to write down words much, so i've kinda forgot how to spell!! : (
In, the UK we can choose to either do tandem with a half hour training lesson, or by yourself with a three day training session but its not as high and I think the parachute is opened automatically (some sort of line is attached to you...it has a name but I dont know... you probably do tho) its very expensive actually, around £250 for tandem ~=$500(?). I'll book it soon probably : )
Not one myself, but my best friend (also a longhair) is a scuba diver, and his hair is great (he also uses plain soap and no conditioner. . .go figure). Another friend of mine (who just started growing his hair out) is planning on starting soon.
I've been diving for about 4 years in the cold water of the Pacific Northwest. I've had my long pony tail all that time. I either braid my hair or use multiple bands to wrap it while diving to keep from tearing or breaking the strands too much. After, I rinse with cold water and then I shampoo & condition as soon as possible. I've had much less breakage using this method but also by learning to be very careful with when putting on or taking off my hood and dry suit.