“Bubbles up” is music to any scuba diver’s ears because it means you’re about to descend into the splendor of what lies beneath the surface.
Much of what I learned in school pales in comparison to what I’ve learned underwater. Watching the trust between a tiny cleaner shrimp and a bright green moray eel makes anything seem possible. The eel opens its mouth and the cleaner shrimp swims in and out cleaning the eel’s teeth and gums. The shrimp gets fed and the eel avoids plaque. As a diver, I’ve removed my regulator, opened my mouth and let a cleaner shrimp enter and exit -- it’s quite an experience. I quickly put my regulator back in to breathe and avoid full dental servicing.
Similarly, cleaner wrasse will remove dead tissue and scales from much larger fish. Remoras or sucker fish attach themselves to bigger critters for both protection and free travel.
So when you hear “Bubbles up”, imagine descending 20 to 100 feet to watch the most amazing water ballet on earth. Snorkeling can be fun but once you’ve seen critters at play a bit deeper, you’ll be hooked.
DAN – Don’t leave home without it!
Divers Alert Network
Whether you dive frequently or sporadically, DAN membership and insurance are well worth the investment. When I “got bent” in 2007, DAN was there for me, and I wouldn’t dive without being a member – plus DAN’s magazine ALERT DIVER rocks!