THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

BUY A GOOD FLASHLIGHT-one that has a wide beam. Be careful when gearing up that you don't shine your light in other diver's eyes. You will lose your night vision. Don't turn your light on until you are in the water, preferrably under the water.

HAVE A BACKUP FLASHLIGHT-a mini-light is fine. You can also use it in the daytime to investigate the nooks and crannies.

USE A LANYARD-put your lights on it to protect from losing them. If they get caught on something you can pull your hand free.

USE A MARKER-a marker light is good to wear, so your buddy can find you. Use an electric marker light instead of a chemical light stick. Chemical sticks break or get lost in the water, and they create a litter problem. Don't pollute! Bonaire doe not allow chemical lights.

REFLECTIVE TAPE-add strips of tape to your BC or your tank. You will show up better when lit, and you will be more visible on the surface.

HOOK UP YOUR CONSOLE-Snap your console to the front of your BC, so it won't get caught on something and you should able to read it just by looking down. You need your hands free to hold the light.

CHARGE YOUR INSTRUMENTS-before you enter the water, make sure you shine your dive light on them for 30 seconds to enable the phosphorescence.

THE DESCENT

KEEP YOUR HEAD UP-by descending feet first, you will be less likely to become disoriented.

FOLLOW THE LINE-Descend on the anchor line. It will be easier to control your descent rate and you will feel less anxiety and disorientation while you become accustomed to your surroundings.

WATCH YOUR FEET-There a many venomous creatures to worry about, ie sea urchins, and they come out at night to roam on the bottom.

STAYING ORIENTED

KEEP IT SIMPLE--before leaving the anchor line, take a compass reading and follow a simple path. Head out in that direction for a certain number of minutes and then return on the same path for the same amount of time. The anchor line and the boat should be nearby.

CHECK YOUR INSTRUMENTS-check your gauges and your compass more frequently than you do during a day dive. It is easy to become disoriented in the dark.

IF YOU BECOME DISORIENTED-fix your eyes on the water in your mask, or make bubbles and watch where they go.

BE NICE TO YOUR BUDDY

ALWAYS DIVE WITH A BUDDY-many tasks you need to do at night require more than one person, ie, refastening a loose buckle.

NO SHINING LIGHTS-don't shine your light in your buddy's face, and don't dangle it on the lanyard when it's lit. It will dazzle everyone's eyes, making night vision difficult.

USE A SLATE-at night hand signals are difficult to see, so write down messages to your buddy.

MAKE SIGNS-use your light to make signals to your buddy. A circle means "okay." Wave the light side to side to get his attention, and up and down means you need assistance. Remember not to shine the light in his face.

WHERE'S MY BUDDY-sometimes you lose track of each other. Just cover your light and look for the beam from his.

A SAFE ASCENT

GO SLOW-Make sure that you ascend slowly. Anxiety and disorientation tends to make you speed up. Remember your safety stop.

CONTROL YOUR SPEED-hold your inflator and console in front of you and slightly above your head. Shine your light on your console and your bubbles. Watch them both to make sure your ascent is slow and steady. This will also keep you from getting disoriented, and the light will find the bottom of the boat before you do.

RESERVE AIR-Make sure that you have 1000 pounds of air instead of the usual 500 pounds when you hit the surface. You may find yourself far from the boat.

SIGNAL THE BOAT-shine your light on your head, so that the crew can locate you. Don't wave the light, as it may blind them.