sea lice season?

[cbope]

The only time I've had experience with sea lice is when snorkeling off of Koh Samet in Thailand about a year and a half ago. I wasn't wearing any kind of exposure protection. I wouldn't describe it as painful, but mostly just unpleasant. Luckily I didn't develop any serious reaction or skin rash from the exposure. I found that they generally sting all exposed areas if you swim into an area where they are present. I also found that by simply swimming fast out of the area for several meters that I could get away from them and then it was ok. I continued snorkeling after several of these encounters.

[chilly willy]

I've done a dozen dives since saturday and haven't had a any problems. I've been using a skin and water temp is between 80 on the bottom and 84 on the surface. I asked at a couple LDS and they said it hasn't been a problem so far this year. Have fun and don't sweat it!

[DevilDiver]

When I was in Belize the last time I encountered what they called Bloodworms durring the full moon. They would swarm any light on night dives. There were millions of them, we had to turn lights off or cover them.

Has anyone ever encountered anything like this before?

[navyhmc]

I've heard about them, never encoutered them. I only have 2 night dives in Beleize though.

[DevilDiver]

In this photo we placed two lights on the sand facing the surface. You could not even see the second light, trying to hold a light got you a swarm in the face. Makes it hard to take pictures, I just turned off my small focus light and watched the others deal with it.

[DevilDiver]

Here is one of the locals taking advanage of the Bloodworm's. A Berried Anemone having a feast. You could see the worms inside of the Anemone.

[petronius]

Originally Posted by chilly willy

*Wear as little clothing as possible while swimming in water that may have sea lice.

So that's the explanation behind those microscopic bikinis - it's a safety issue!

[petronius]

Originally Posted by Desert_Diver

3. One guy covered his head with a large plastic bag while entering the water. Underwater he put the bag in pocket. When we were ready to exit the water, he put it back over his head. (He got stung anyway).

Was this a plastic bag, like a kitchen trash bag? And he wore it over his mask and regulator while entering? Sounds like it would be worth a picture...

Originally Posted by DevilDiver

Here is one of the locals taking advanage of the Bloodworm's. A Berried Anemone having a feast. You could see the worms inside of the Anemone.

That's a really neat picture!

[Desert_Diver]

Originally Posted by petronius

Was this a plastic bag, like a kitchen trash bag? And he wore it over his mask and regulator while entering? Sounds like it would be worth a picture...

That's a really neat picture!

I usually don't carry my camera on night dives because with the dive light and camera and strobe, I get to task loaded. But you're right, it would have been worth a picture.

The bag was about the size that we get crushed ice in at the local grocery store.

Art

[DevilDiver]

Originally Posted by Desert_Diver

I usually don't carry my camera on night dives because with the dive light and camera and strobe, I get to task loaded. But you're right, it would have been worth a picture.
Art

Desert Diver,

You should look at getting a focus light for your camera that would double as a dive light. It can be connected to your housing (if it has a shoe) or to the strobe arm with an adapter.
This would help with night photography and can be use during the day for low light situations plus it helps with focus lag with P&S cameras.

You can get a small one for around $50 if you are comfortable with this for night dives.....