BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Diving Bonaire: Diving with a knife
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2008-2009: Archives - 01-01-2009 to 03-31-2009: Diving with a knife
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris creviston (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Saturday, January 3, 2009 - 11:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My wife got me a really nice titanium dive knife for the holidays. We are coming to Bonaire at the end of this month and i was wondering if having this knife strapped to my leg when i dive is allowed?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mare (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2212) on Saturday, January 3, 2009 - 11:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Chris,
Diving with a knife in Bonaire's Marine Park is allowed. Just make sure it is in your checked luggage as it is not allowed in your carry-on!
Click on this link for the STINAPA Bonaire National Marine Park Rules.
Have a great time and enjoy your vacation.
Mare, who misses Bonaire

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris creviston (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 12:33 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

thanks Mare for the info....this will be our 2nd trip to Bonaire and am looking fwd to it...do you have any favorite shore dive sites that would be suitable for someone with 25 dives. something without much current...thanks again

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1853) on Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 7:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Chris.. I think you may find there really isn't much of a need to dive with a knife strapped to your leg on Bonaire.

I do however always carry a small pair of shears clipped to my BC in the rare event of ever becoming ensnared in some mono. Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3515) on Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 9:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

what I like to see is someone shopping in the supermarket with a knife strapped to their leg! Hunting for a good piece of steak...eh

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy P (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #836) on Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 1:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have no doubt that there are valid scenarios when a BFK is needed while underwater. I do not feel the waters of Bonaire will present those scenarios.

I too just carry a pair of EMT shears in a holster clipped to my BC.

In truth my confession is that there IS a titanium BFK in my possession sitting in its box since 1998 that has never seen water - LOL - maybe I should start using it in the kitchen or sumthin'.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ****Tink**** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8227) on Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 2:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

lol Michael, I've seen it too:-) Did you get my PM?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2905) on Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 3:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Knife or shears, a cutting instrument is as prudent in Bonaire waters as elsewhere. Divers choice.

The straps of a knife sheath strapped on the leg are also a good place to store a snorkel if you dive shore-to-shore or boat-to-boat as I do, hating having the snorkel flopping about as I swim and letting water leak into my mask.

Reading that 'a knife strapped to your leg' isn't necessary on Bonaire but 'I carry shears' leaves me smiling a bit and wondering what the knives are used for elsewhere. I know not many divers on Bonaire use knives to stab flounder the way they do in New England. :–)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1812) on Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 7:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I carry a small knife on my BC, and have used it on Bonaire. Just remember a knife is part of your personal saftey equipment, and should be worn on every dive... Better to be caught with it, then without it!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mare (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2214) on Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 7:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

In addition to cutting through old fishing line, my knife serves me well as an excellent tank banger! I don't bring it with me whilst shopping.
As for my snorkel, I sometimes stow it in the belly strap of my BCD.
Mare

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mare (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2215) on Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 7:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oopsie! I forgot to answer the question about which dive site is best for one with 25 dives.
I cannot say for sure which site will have no current! I've started out dives with the current running one way and then switching the other way for the return. The best advice I can give you is to dive when you are comfortable and, if at any time you are not comfortable in the water, get out, figure out what caused you discomfort, and review your dive to make sure that it does not happen again.
I like Oil Slick Leap. It is hard to get lost there. For a beginning shore diver, I would avoid dives that require long swims unless you do them on the surface to the buoy and make sure you are comfortable with recognizing the topography where the buoy is anchored so you know where to head to shore.
Do you own a compass yet? I like knowing where the shore and my exit point is. :-)
Mare

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris creviston (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Monday, January 5, 2009 - 9:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

thanks to all, or most anyway. ok so a bfk is maybe overkill and being relatively new to this sport I probably could come up with some other marginally goofy questions. i can assure you you will not see me at the local grocery testing the produce with my bfk. i do have a compass. I appreciate the advise. BT is a great forum, cheers

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cecil* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7160) on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 1:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris don't sweat the small stuff, we've all been there, done that, strapped a knife to our leg. It really is not the right answer on a few levels. A small pair of EMT shears on your left BCD strap (if right handed) is the best answer.

I've used mine (shears) three times in five trips to Bonaire, each case was to remove fishing line from the reef. I've used them other places to cut anything from three inch thick hawsers to steal leaders. A must have at all times while diving.

On the snorkel question it stays in the dive bag while diving. I did have a folding snorkel once that fit nicely in a pocket, the only problem, it leaked an amazing amount of water when used as a snorkel. It has a nice home in the garage.

My experience with a bfk. I had once in my original kit and strapped it to my leg on one of my early dives. It rests on the black bottom of Pawtuckaway Lake after it fell out. A few weeks later I was diving in Winnisquam Lake and saw what looked like a lobster claw sticking up out of the mud. It was the pointy end of a bfk.

I took that bfk on one trip to Tahiti where I did not take it diving but did use it to cut bait from the house moray. It also has a home in the garage.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1765) on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 1:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

i think our found-knife collection is up to four now...some pretty good, some not so good. i agree about carrying the shears...they can come in handy.

also, in addition to the knives, we've also found two snorkels, about 15# of weights, and at least one empty weight belt(no weights on the belt, no diver in the belt)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1766) on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 1:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

chris, we are also overlooking an important aspect of the knife. your wife gave it to you so go ahead and dive with it (take shears too but tell her how great the knife is). the girlfriend of a friend of mine gave him a custom made snare drum for his birthday. it doesn't match the rest of his set which includes another custom snare from the same guy who made the birthday present. but he uses the birthday present snare most of the time...insuring domestic tranquility....priceless.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Brewer (BonaireTalker - Post #53) on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 6:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

AHHH PAT ... words of wisdom

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Bridenbaugh, wife Kathy (BonaireTalker - Post #57) on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 8:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris

One of the easiest dive sites usually with little or no current, easy to enter, easy to know where to exit is: Wind Sock. Probably most would agree??

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1771) on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 8:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

jack, sometimes i even surprise myself.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Liz ... swimming with the fishies daily. (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #130) on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 10:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey, I used my BCD-mounted knife as a tank banger today (I hadn't even thought about using it for that purpose until I read this thread). It was the only time it's ever been out of its sheath. And, of course, I couldn't put it away smoothly when I was finished which resulted in great humor to my dive buddies.

Chris - dive Angel City (near Salt Pier). It is a lovely dive with little current (at least today) and a lot to see. The entrance/exit can be a bit tricky, as there are lots of rocks and uneven ground to deal with, but the dive was very much worth it (shallow double reef). Also, do Invisibles (probably more than once)....the first reef (double reef again) has some incredible stuff to see. You really need to do it more than once to see everything.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris creviston (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 10:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Liz, my infobonaire divemap has a 'salt city' listed just south of 'salt pier' is that what you are referring to as 'angel city'. You guys have convinced me to get a pair of shears, i actually never thought of using shears until this thread. and i am making note of all the dive spots mentioned. thanks for the kind words Pat. We just got my wife suited up with her own BC, reg, etc. and boy is she excited to get to Bonaire. Does anybody like to go to Klien Bonaire to dive?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1772) on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 11:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

chris, angel city is the site immediately south of the hilma hooker. we walk from our place to near the salt pier a lot of mornings and i ride my bike the other mornings so we get to know all those sites intimately...we can give you the order of the sites from punt vierkant to the salt pier and most of them from there to red slave.

a lot of people love klein for diving. but we do all shore diving. in our last 350 dives i think we've only been on a boat two or three times. one of my neighbors told me that he boat dives because he's too lazy to shore dive. i replied that i shore dive because i'm too cheap to boat dive.

chris, when will you be arriving on bonaire? wonder if we'll be there at the same time. we leave in 30 days.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #329) on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 11:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I like to dive Klein because the coral formations are terrific and are still in good shape. Our dive packages come with some boat dives so we always take the group to Klein at least a few times, and to the northern sites not shore accessible for the other dives, like Rappel.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #284) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 6:42 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris - grab copy of Susan's BSDME - Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy. It will detail all these official and un-official sites for you. Excellent reference but somewhat outdated since Omar as far as entries and shallow water conditions. I understand she is working on a new edition.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1861) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 7:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris..Angel City is really a great dive. Here's a little twist on the normal dive there. Enter at Angel City and when you get to the first reef head north (hang a right). Stay in about 60-70 feet of water and in 15 mins you will arrive at the Hooker which will all of a sudden loom in front of you from the depths. Of course, before doing check if there's a current & if so always swim against the current on the first leg of your dive.
**Liz** Looks like you're enjoying your vacation but be careful using the knife has a banger. I've always found the plastic thingy on the elastic band around the tank is the way to go.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcio Bastos (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 8:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Chris, a have seen people diving without a knife, but carrying so many useless things that they looked like a christmas`s tree.
Your knife in diving is a tool that can be used as anything you can imagine: screwdriver, hammer, seesaw, bearing point, etc. and also a knife.
Use you knife, please your wife and be happy.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Liz ... swimming with the fishies daily. (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #132) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 8:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Vince....we are having a great time. Yeah, I have one of those elastic band/plastic ball thingies for my tank, I just usually forget to put it on the tank. Besides....I felt really tough whipping out my knife and using it to attract attention :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pegi Sue, PegiPie******************* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8047) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 10:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have a knife. I've never used it. It's attached to my bcd and so far it's just been for show...But I will use it next time I'm shopping for a good slab of meat!!:-)

When we went to Bonaire the first time, right after I got certified, we dove the Lake A LOT!! It was very easy entry and very relaxing. It just seemed a good place to be for getting more comfortable w/ my new skills. Then we ventured off for a more exciting entry...Buddy Dock!!LOL
:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1773) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 10:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

we use rattlers instead of tank bangers. the elastic band on our tank bangers would tend to break after a few dozen dives (maybe we were pulling too hard?). we bought the rattlers for about $25-30 US and have used them for well over 100 dives and i'll bet they will go another hundred.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #291) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 11:41 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The best rattlers are those with BBs or steel shot in some metal casing. I use sub-alerts just because I am so used to them teaching classes but I know folks like Larry on the east side really frown on them. They are very effective. I have not yet noticed any disturbance to the fish in the area but I do use it sparingly. I would imagine that prop noise from dive boats would be at least equally irritating to the creatures.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1777) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 1:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

dan, is the sub-alert the thing that works off your low pressure hose and sounds like a horn? if so, it would be strange that larry would object to it since that's what he used on dives when he worked at carib inn.

the rattlers we use were purchased on bonaire. they are about 6 inches long and maybe an inch in diameter and have steel shot or something in them. the sound really carries. the two of us have been on dives and have heard the rattle,looked at the other (we use the "same ocean" buddy system) and realized that someone out of our sight was rattling.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #294) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 1:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Pat:

Yes - you are correct on the sub-alert. There are 2 sounds that I know of. A loud horn which is great for a surface alert providing you have air in your BC. I used it once on Cozumel when I surfaced after busting me ear drum and had to get the boat's attention. That one is not so good underwater. The duck or quack sounding one is great underwater. But alas, Larry has told me personally that he will not let the "quacker" be used on his dives on the east side. I would not argue with him - of course.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1781) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 3:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

the first time i heard the quacker being used was about 8 years ago...and it was larry, leading a dive at salt pier, who was using it. go figure.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #331) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 4:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think the issue on the noise-makers is the person making the noise....and the quacker is simply a more irritating noise than most, especially if it is being used in excess. Also, if there are two similar noise-makers in use, because there is no perceived directionality underwater, where does one look when they hear the sound? If only the dive guide has a noise maker, then that's not so bad. But a group diving with clangers and bongers and bangers and quackers and squeekers is not a fun group!

Two people diving together alone (if you get my meaning) can bang/bong/quack away to their heart's content. Just don't dive with me!

I've personally solved the problem by having almost no high-frequency hearing left (age plus years on loud boats), so most every dive is a nice quiet experience.

An important diving skill is "situational awareness," so you are always able to get visual clues from your buddy or group. Much better.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #303) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 4:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mel:

I agree. I use the quacker very sparingly and since most of my dives are NOT in groups - just two and we both have quackers it is effective and not intrusive on the environment.

I too have had enough barotrauma to my ears in years of diving, including inner ear microsurgery, so I can relate and also enjoy some of the silence underwater. None of the divable Ipod crap for me! Not even full face masks with communication gear for pleasure diving. That stuff is best only for tech diving and working underwater in my opinion - not recreational diving.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2908) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 8:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When you dive Invisibles, use the last of your air about 100 yards south of the entry in 10 feet of water. Heck, do a whole dive there.

The last time I was there (before the last couple of storms) there was a sizable pile of staghorn rubble just full of juveniles with Trumpetfish hanging above them trying for lunch. All the species including a moray about 6 inches long. One of my favorite spots for watching fishes.

I didn't have a camera but it was a fabulous spot for photos and video.

Also, as you swim over the 'plain sand bottom' anywhere keep an eye out for Razorfish doing their disappearing act.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R J (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #119) on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - 9:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

On our past trips, we had boat dives as part of package, and did several on Klein. Great dive sites there and would be good chance to dive with divemaster before venturing out on your own.
You will Love Bonaire!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris creviston (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Thursday, January 8, 2009 - 12:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Pat, we are arriving the 24th of Jan.....my wife and i would love to meet up for a polar (or 2) if you have the time. There is alot about Bonaire we would love to talk about...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1783) on Thursday, January 8, 2009 - 9:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

chris, we arrive feb 5 on the AE flight. stop by if you're still around.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Skip C (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #157) on Thursday, January 8, 2009 - 4:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Back to Chris's OP, I don't think I could do without my dive knife in Bonaire. How else could I cut up limes for Brights.
Just my .02 worth.
Skip

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Jolly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #319) on Thursday, January 8, 2009 - 4:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

So Chris - why stop at 2 Polars ??????? Takes more than 2 to catch up on Bonaire affairs. Of course that assumes you have completed the daily dives!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boom starts with a Tara (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9153) on Thursday, January 8, 2009 - 9:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Skip :-)
Pat you win for the wisest words - keep the wife happy :-)
Chris - you couldn't choose a nicer guy to meet up with, don't miss your chance!
Enjoy your vacation and Happy Bubbles

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1786) on Thursday, January 8, 2009 - 10:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

tara, you're gonna make me blush....hope to see you again soon, either here in ohio, on bonaire, or maybe i'll get to california someday.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boom starts with a Tara (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9156) on Friday, January 9, 2009 - 3:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We'll meet up again Pat for sure. Once Guy retires, you two old retired firefighters have to break bread together!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1787) on Friday, January 9, 2009 - 8:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

hey....who you callin' old? oh yeah...me. i guess the shoe fits.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boom starts with a Tara (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9167) on Friday, January 9, 2009 - 8:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

HaHa --- it fits here too my friend. I won't complain as I'm not ready for the alternative quite yet :-):-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yo MO - Too much work - too little time (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4623) on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 5:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'll have to chime in on how nice Pat and his lovely wife are... Wishing we were going back to Bonaire this year but alas, it's the year of the house and yard so currently no vacations planned. DARN!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1816) on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 12:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

thanks mara we'll miss you this year. but we'll be sure to stop at cactus blue and have a drink in your honor.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris creviston (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 11:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Pat, well we have a week and 1/2 to go and getting anxious. My wife and and i are staying until the 14th of Feb. and am hoping we could meet up somewhere in town. We're staying at Eden Beach and could probably get ahold of you here on BT. Not sure how else tho. anyway, have a good trip down, cheers....chris

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Biersack (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Saturday, January 24, 2009 - 12:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My dive buddy got ensnarled in fishing net. Took several minutes to cut it away(ie., there was 3 of us with knifes). I always carry a knife that fits in my bc pocket, whether its allowed or not.

Fred

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration