9 Facts About Squid

Defined as cephalopods with a long body, eight arms and a pair of tentacles, squid are some of the most unique creatures in the oceans. If you’re a seasoned recreational diver, you may have encountered a squid. While most common in the North Atlantic, they are found in saltwater bodies throughout the world. Squid are brilliant, seemingly mesmerizing, marine animals that are known for their graceful swimming abilities. In this post, you’ll learn nine fun facts about squid.

#1) Squid Are Camouflaged

Like octopuses, squid are camouflaged to protect against predators. It’s not uncommon for sharks, seals, whales, dolphins and even birds to prey on squid. Most of these common predators, however, hunt by sight. As a result, squid have evolved to develop camouflaged skin that conceals them in their natural habitat. Some squid are even able to change the color of their skin, allowing them to adapt to a variety of different environments. Known as active camouflage, it’s an evolutionary trait that’s used by squid to conceal themselves. If a squid is resting in yellow sand at the bottom of the sea, it may change its skin to reflect this yellow color.

#2) There Are Over 300 Species of Squid

There are over 300 species of squid known to exist. All squid are classified as cephalopods, but no two species are exactly the same. Marine biologists further categorize squid as either myopsida or oegopsida. The former type of squid typically inhabits shallow waters, whereas the latter type inhabits deeper waters.

Some of the most common species of squid include the following:

  • Giant squid
  • Vampire squid
  • Humboldt squid
  • European squid
  • Japanese flying squid
  • Caribbean reef squid
  • Longfin inshore squid
  • Neon flying squid
  • European flying squid
  • Firefly squid
  • Midwater squid

#3) Squid Are Fast Swimmers

Unlike seahorses, squid are incredibly fast swimmers. According to Animal Planet, these majestic cephalopods can swim at a speed of up to 25 miles per hour (mph). As a result, squid are the fastest-swimming invertebrates in the oceans. How are squid able to swim so fast exactly?

The fast swimming speeds of squid can be attributed to their use of jet propulsion. No, squid aren’t powered by the same jet engines as commercial airliners. Rather, they suck water into a small sac, followed by quickly releasing the water to “propel” themselves through the oceans. This process is known as jet propulsion — and it’s the reason why squid are such adept swimmers. When swimming, squid will suck water into a muscular sac. The sac essentially becomes pressurized, at which point the squid can quickly release the trapped water to propel itself through the water.

#4) The Giant Squid Is the World’s Largest Squid

Given its name, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that the giant squid is the world’s largest squid. According to various studies, the giant squid can reach lengths of up to 43 feet. With that said, female giant squid are larger than their male counterparts. While a fully grown female giant squid can reach up to 43 feet long, males typically have a maximum length of 33 feet when fully grown.

Unfortunately, little is known about the giant squid’s behavior. It wasn’t until 2004 when a giant squid was caught on camera. In 2012, a second giant squid was filmed off the coast of Chichijima. Marine biologists do know, however, that giant squid live in deep waters. Giant squid inhabit waters ranging from 980 to 3,280 feet. As a result, you probably won’t encounter these behemoth-sized marine animals when diving.

#5) Squid Release Ink as a Biological Defensive Mechanism

Even if you have limited knowledge of squid, you’re probably familiar with their ink-based biological defensive mechanism. If a squid feels threatened by a potential predator, it will release a thick black ink-like substance from a sac. The purpose of this ink isn’t to poison or otherwise harm potential predators. Rather, squid release ink to quickly conceal themselves in an effort to escape.

The ink itself is a solution of melanin particles. When released into the water, the melanin particles manifest as a black cloud. As the black cloud of ink encompasses the squid, it uses this opportunity to quickly swim away from the potential predator.

#6) Squid Have Large Eyes

Aside from their tentacles, perhaps the most distinguishable feature of squid is their large eyes. A giant squid, for instance, can have pupils measuring over 3.5 inches in diameter, according to National Public Radio (NPR). Their large eyes allows them to see longer distances — and at greater clarity — than other marine animals with smaller eyes. The pupil size of an animal’s eyes affects how much light it’s able to detect. Animals with large eyes, including squid, are able to collect more light than animals with small eyes. Because of this, the large eyes of squid enhance their sense of sight, making them highly proficient marine predators while also improving their ability to escape from other potential predators.

#7) Diving With Squid Can Be Dangerous

If you see a squid while diving, you should maintain a safe distance. Since the 13th century, there have been dozens of reports of squid, as well as other cephalopods, attacking humans. With that said, however, squid are still docile marine animals that prefer to avoid encounters with potential predators, including humans.

Furthermore, only large squid pose a threat to humans. Assuming you dive at shallow depths, you shouldn’t encounter large squids like the giant squid or colossal squid. Regardless of size, though, it’s best to err on the side of caution by maintaining a safe distance from squid. You can look at squid while diving, and you can even take photos or videos of them. Just remember not to touch or otherwise disturb any squids that you encounter while diving.

#8) Squid Are Essentially Snails With a Shell

You might be surprised to learn that squid are essentially snails without a shell. Both squid and snails are considered mollusks, which are invertebrate animals that live in the water or other wet habitats. One of the primary differences between squid and snails, however, is that only snails have a shell.

As invertebrates, neither squid nor snails have a vertebral column. But only snails have a shell. Squid are essentially shelless invertebrates, making them vulnerable to other predators in the ocean. Squid aren’t the only mollusks without a shell. Others include banana slugs and octopuses.

#9) Squid Grab Prey Using Their Tentacles

When hunting, squid use their tentacles to grab prey. Using its large eyes, a squid begins its hunt by scanning the surrounding waters for prey. Once a squid sees a prey, it will attempt to sneak up from behind. Assuming the squid gets close enough, it will then grab the prey using its two tentacles. Next, the squid will pull the prey closer to its body, at which point the squid will constrain the prey using its eight arms. Squids have suction cups on their tentacles and arms that, like traditional suction cups, allow them to stick to surfaces, including the bodies of prey.

After a squid has grabbed a prey, it will use its beak to bite and devour it. A squid’s beak has dozens of small teeth that allows it to break down food into smaller pieces. In a typical day, a squid may consume up to 30 percent of its body weight in food. Depending on the particular species, a squid’s diet may consist of crabs, shrink, fish and oysters.

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8 Facts About Seahorses

Seahorses are among the most docile animals in the oceans. Characterized by their horse-like body — particularly their head, neck and tail — they live primarily in shallow, medium-temperature saltwater. As a diver, you’ve probably encountered seahorses while exploring underwater environments. Even if you’re familiar with their distinguishable horse-like appearance, though, there are probably some things you don’t about seahorses. Below are eight fun facts about seahorses that will help you appreciate these docile marine animals a little more.

#1) Seahorses Can Move Their Eyes Independently

As explained by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), seahorses can move their eyes independently of each other. In other words, their eyes can look in different directions. A seahorse’s left eye may look backwards, whereas its right eye may look forwards. Marine biologists believe that seahorses developed this evolutionary trait for hunting purposes. Because seahorses hunt by sight, the ability to move their eyes independently allows them to find prey more easily. If seahorses had fixed eyes, like most humans, they would struggle to find prey while scouring the ocean floor.

#2) There Are 47 Known Species of Seahorses

Marine biologists have identified 47 species of seahorses, according to Smithsonian Ocean. Of those 47 species, 14 were identified within the last decade. All species of seahorses are classified as fish in the genus Hippocampus. And they all share the same horse-like appearance. Of course, no two species are exactly the same. Each species has its own unique characteristics and traits that distinguish it from the rest.

Some of the most common species of seahorses include the following:

  • Dwarf seahorse
  • Northern seahorse
  • Long-snout seahorse
  • Short-snout seahorse
  • Japanese seahorse
  • Flat-faced seahorse
  • Tiger tail seahorse
  • West African seahorse
  • Hedgehog seahorse
  • Spiny seahorse
  • Zebra seahorse
  • Crowned seahorse
  • Zebra seahorse
  • Pacific seahorse
  • Pygmy seahorse

#3) Many People Seahorses as Pets

While not as popular as dogs and cats, seahorses are often kept as pets. They are attractive, fun-loving marine animals that are guaranteed to liven up an otherwise dull saltwater aquarium. With that said, raising a seahorse as a pet requires extra care. Seahorses don’t fare well in saltwater aquariums with other, faster and more aggressive fish. Attempting to raise a seahorse alongside a predatory fish, for example, may result in malnutrition. The predatory fish will consume the food, whereas the seahorse is left fighting for any scraps.

Seahorses can still coexist in the same saltwater aquarium as other fish — you just need to choose the right type of fish. Bottom-feeding “suckers” are perfectly fine because they don’t eat the same food as seahorses. On the other hand, you should avoid adding eels, squid or triggerfish to your saltwater aquarium if you’re planning to raise a seahorse.

Seahorses require specific environmental conditions to thrive and stay healthy when kept as pets. This includes a water temperature of 73 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit as well as a pH level of 8.1 to 8.4. If you’re not willing to constantly monitor the temperature and pH level of your saltwater aquarium, you may want to choose a different fish to raise. Nonetheless, seahorses can make an excellent addition to your saltwater aquarium, assuming you offer them an appropriate environment.

#4) Seahorses Are Slow Swimmers

Although they are majestic, seahorses are slow swimmers compared to most other fish. In fact, the dwarf seahorse is currently listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the slowest-swimming fish in the oceans. Found primarily in U.S. coastal waters, as well as the Bahamas, it has a top speed of just 5 feet per hour. To put that number into perspective, feet per hour translates into 0.01 mph. That’s slower than all other fish in the oceans.

One of the reasons seahorses are such slow swimmers is because they are small. Generally speaking, smaller fish swim slower and more poorly than larger fish. With their smaller size, they can’t fish underwater currents as easily as larger fish. This rings true for all small fish, and seahorses are no exception.

Due to their poor swimming abilities, seahorses struggle to sneak up behind prey undetected. As a result, they typically jerk their long nose forward to attack prey. It’s a swift and sudden attack that prevents the prey from escaping.

#5) Some Seahorses Less Than an Inch When Fully Grown

Did you know that some seahorses are less than an inch tall when fully grown? The dwarf seahorse is undoubtedly small, with most full-grown dwarf seahorses measuring just 2 inches tall. The world’s smallest seahorse, however, is less than half this size. Known as the pygmy seahorse, it has an average height of just 0.79 inches when fully grown.

Pygmy seahorses are found in the coastal waters of Southeast Asia, especially in and around the Coral Triangle. However, their highly camouflaged skin makes them difficult to spot. Pygmy seahorses often rest on the seabed where they blend into the surrounding seagrasses and corals. Combined with their small size, they are incredibly difficult to spot when diving.  You typically won’t see a pygmy seahorse until it begins swimming around, and that’s only if you have keen eyesight.

#6) Seahorses Can Eat Up to 3,000 Brine Shrimp Per Day

Don’t let their small size fool you into thinking seahorses are lightweight eaters. It’s not uncommon for seahorses to eat up to 3,000 brine shrimp each day. Furthermore, seahorses usually eat between 20 and 50 times per day, with each session consisting of hundreds of brine shrimp.

Unlike many other fish, seahorses don’t have teeth. As a result, they are unable to chew food. When hunting, seahorses simply swallow their prey whole. In addition to brine shrimp, seahorses also consume plankton, small fish and the occasional algae.

#7) Seahorses Mate for Life

Like penguins, seahorses are monogamous animals that mate for life. During the mating season, female seahorses will deposit over 1,000 eggs into a male seahorse’s pouch. For the next 10 to 45 days, the male seahorse will carry these eggs until they’ve hatched. The baby seahorses — known as fry — are then released from the male’s pouch, at which point they’ll go their own way. Unfortunately, research shows only about one in 200 fry survive to reach adulthood. Marine biologists believe seahorses’ low infant survival rate is the reason why they lay so many eggs.

What’s truly impressive about seahorses’ mating behaviors, however, is that they mate for life. Although there are exceptions, most species of seahorses continue to mate with the same partner of the opposite sex. Their faithful companionship is just one more trait that makes seahorses such a unique marine animal.

#8) Seahorses Use Their Tail as an Anchor

There’s a reason seahorses have a long horse-like tail: It’s used as an anchor. As previously mentioned, seahorses are slow and poor swimmers. If there’s a strong underwater current present, a seahorse may struggle to hold its position. To overcome this challenge, seahorses use their tail as an anchor.

After finding a nice place on the ocean floor, a seahorse will wrap its tail around nearby seagrass or coral. The tail essentially anchors the seahorse to the ocean floor, thereby securing it in place. Even when faced fast-moving underwater currents, a seahorse can stay in place by using its tail as an anchor. If a seahorse wants to move to a different area, it will release its tail from the seagrass or coral.

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10 Things You Didn’t Know About Jellyfish

Receiving their namesake from their jelly-like bodies, jellyfish are found in all of the world’s five oceans. As a diver, you’ll probably encounter them during your underwater adventures. Even if you’re familiar with the general appearance and behaviors of jellyfish, though, there are probably some things you don’t know about these marine animals.

#1) Jellyfish Don’t Have Bones

While us humans have over 200 bones in our body, jellyfish don’t have any bones. As a result, jellyfish aren’t classified as fish. Fish are marine vertebrates that have a backbone. Since jellyfish don’t have a backbone, nor any bones for that matter, some marine biologists have been encouraging the public to call them “sea jellies” or simply “jellies,” instead. So, what are jellyfish made of if they don’t have bones? Most jellyfish consist of an external epidermis as well as an internal gastrodermis. They still have nerves and muscles, but they don’t have any bones. Their lack of bones is responsible for their jelly-like appearance.

#2) Jellyfish Have Been Around for Over a Half-Billion Years

To say jellyfish are old would be an understatement. While it’s unknown exactly when jellyfish first appeared, marine biologists say they’ve been around for at least 500 million years. Considering that dinosaurs are just 66 million years, that’s pretty impressive to say the least. During that time, jellyfish have remained one of the world’s most resilient marine animals. They are able to survive in a wide range of aquatic environments while also reproducing at incredibly fast rates.

#3) Jellyfish Can Lay Up to 45,000 Eggs Per Day

You might be surprised to learn that jellyfish can lay up to 45,000 eggs per day. As the eggs mix with sperm, which is released by other jellyfish, they become fertilized. The fertilized eggs will then hatch to reveal flatworms known as planulae. Some of these planulae will then develop into full-grown jellyfish, whereas others will enter a polyp stage. When compared to other common marine animals, jellyfish have a complex reproduction cycle. But with jellyfish laying up to 45,000 eggs per day, they are able to quickly reproduce and spread. Their complex reproduction cycle is a key reason why jellyfish populations throughout the world are increasing.

#4) Jellyfish Are Comprised of Roughly 95% Water

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), jellyfish are comprised of roughly 95% water — with only the remaining 5% of their bodies consisting of solid organic matter like collagen and other tissues. The high water content of jellyfish allows these marine animals to swim more freely and easily. It essentially improves their buoyancy, thereby reducing the amount of physical effort required by jellyfish to swim. If jellyfish were comprised of less water, they wouldn’t be able to move so gracefully through the water, which would likely inhibit their ability to reproduce. Because jellyfish are comprised of roughly 95% water, though, this isn’t a problem.

#5) One Species of Jellyfish Is Immortal

The Turritopsis dohrni has been dubbed the “immortal jellyfish” because of its ability to revert to a sexually immature stage. Other species of jellyfish have a typical life cycle in which they develop from polyps into sexually mature adults. The immortal jellyfish is unique, however, because it’s able to revert back to a polyp. As the immortal jellyfish grows old, it uses some of its existing tissue to trigger a growth reversion process known as transdifferentiation. This process turns back the hands of time, so to speak, allowing the immortal jellyfish to revert to sexual immaturity. As a result, the immortal jellyfish doesn’t die from old age. It can still die from other causes, such as predators, but it’s natural ability to revert to a polyp allows it to outlive most other species of jellyfish.

#6) Jellyfish Can Weight Hundreds of Pounds

Jellyfish can grow incredibly big, with some species weighing hundreds of pounds when fully grown. The Nomura jellyfish, for example, is the world’s largest jellyfish. There are reports of Nomura jellyfish growing to up to seven in feet in diameter and weighing over 500 pounds. Nomura jellyfish are commonly found in the warm waters separating China and Japan. In a period of just six months, a single Nomura jellyfish can grow from the size of a rice grain to over 6 feet in diameter. Therefore, the Nomura jellyfish isn’t just the world’s largest species of jellyfish; it’s the world’s fastest-growing species of jellyfish.

#7) Jellyfish Have Millions of Stinging Cells

Jellyfish have millions of stinging cells, which they use to stun prey. The stinging cells are attached to long tentacles. When a jellyfish comes across prey, it will wrap its tentacles around the prey. The stinging cells will then inject toxin into the prey, resulting in paralysis. Of course, the severity of a jellyfish’s sting varies depending on the species. In humans, some species of jellyfish only cause minor pain. Other species of jellyfish, however, can cause severe pain or even anaphylaxis shock. In the Philippines alone, it’s estimated that jellyfish kill approximately 2o to 40 people each year, making them significantly more deadly than sharks.

#8) Some Jellyfish Inhabit Freshwater

Not all jellyfish live in the oceans. While most species inhabit saltwater, a few species of jellyfish inhabit freshwater. The cosmopolitan hydrozoan jellyfish is one such species that’s known to inhabit freshwater ecosystems. With an average size of just 2.5 centimeters in diameter, it’s not a particularly large species of jellyfish. Furthermore, the cosmopolitan hydrozoan jellyfish is one of the few species of jellyfish that doesn’t sting. It’s most notable characteristic, however, is its preference for freshwater over saltwater ecosystems. Unlike most other species of jellyfish, the cosmopolitan hydrozoan jellyfish is able to live and reproduce in freshwater ecosystems.

#9) Jellyfish Are Considered a Delicacy in Some Cultures

It may sound unusual, but jellyfish are considered a delicacy in some cultures. In China and Japan, for example, there are restaurants that serve jellyfish as sushi. Prior to being served, the jellyfish is first soaked in a bath of alum and salt. The combination of these ingredients essentially neutralizes the jellyfish’s stinging cells. As a result, the jellyfish can safely be consumed without fear of being stung.

There are even special chefs, known as “jellyfish masters,” who prepare jellyfish for consumption. They spend about 20 to 40 days drying and processing the jellyfish. When drying jellyfish, some jellyfish masters use an excessive amount of salt to create a crispy texture. Other jellyfish masters prefer using less salt to maintain a natural consistency. It’s important to note that not all species of jellyfish are safe for human consumption. Only about 12 certain species are caught and processed for human consumption.

#10) Jellyfish Travel in Large Blooms

Finally, jellyfish are known to travel in large groups known as a bloom. It’s not uncommon for a bloom to contain over 10,000 jellyfish. Some blooms, in fact, contain over 100,000 jellyfish. Jellyfish blooms form as a result of environmental conditions like temperature and ocean currents. When the environmental conditions are right, jellyfish will travel hundreds of miles to gather in a single location, thus forming a bloom. As the bloom traverses through the sea, the jellyfish will consume plankton and other prey with which they come into contact. The bloom will eventually disperse, though many of the jellyfish will stay together in smaller groups.

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Sea Turtles and Endangerment: What You Should Know

The sea turtle is one of the most majestic creatures in the oceans. Featuring a leather-like shell with a retractable head, they have a natural docile disposition. If you’re an avid diver, though, you may have noticed fewer sea turtles in the oceans. Over the past half-century, sea turtle populations have steeply declined, resulting in many species being classified as endangered.

Overview of Sea Turtles

Also known as marine turtles, sea turtles are marine mammals that, like other turtles, have a hard and leather-like shell. It’s unknown exactly when sea turtles first appeared, though some marine biologists believe they’ve been around for over 110 million years.

Sea turtles are an important part of marine ecosystems. They consume large amounts of jellyfish, for example, thereby controlling jellyfish populations and preventing overpopulation. According to Oceana, sea turtles also help to maintain coral reefs and seagrass.

Here are some fun facts about sea turtles:

  • Sea turtles can grow up to 9 feet long.
  • Sea turtle eggs must be incubated for 50 to 60 days in order to hatch.
  • When pregnant, a female sea turtle will lay roughly 80 to 120 eggs.
  • Once hatched, baby sea turtles will crawl into the ocean from the beach.
  • Sea turtles can’t breathe underwater. Rather, they must resurface periodically to avoid suffocation.
  • Sea turtles and barnacles have a symbiotic relationship in which they mutually benefit each other.
  • It’s not uncommon for sea turtles to migrate thousands of miles.
  • Some sea turtles can weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
  • Although they are quite smart, sea turtles have small brains compared to the rest of their body.
  • Unlike sharks and most fish, sea turtles don’t have teeth.
  • The average lifespan of a sea turtle is about 30 to 50 years. With that said, some sea turtles have been known to live for up to 150 years.
  • It takes female sea turtles about 20 to 30 years to fully mature.
  • Only about one in 1,000 to 10,000 baby sea turtles will survive to reproduce.
  • Sea turtles live mostly in isolation. They only come together during the mating season to reproduce.

The 7 Types of Sea Turtles and Their Endangerment Classification

Contrary to what some people believe, not all sea turtles are the same. There are actually seven different species of sea turtles, each of which has unique biological features and behaviors. As a result, some species of sea turtles are less common than others. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) — a global organization that tracks wildlife populations and classified them according to endangerment level — has given the following endangerment classifications for the seven species of sea turtles:

  1. Green Sea Turtle: Endangered
  2. Loggerhead Sea Turtle: Vulnerable
  3. Olive Ridley Sea Turtle: Vulnerable
  4. Hawksbill Sea Turtle: Critically Endangered
  5. Flatback Sea Turtle: Not Classified
  6. Leatherback Sea Turtle: Vulnerable
  7. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle: Critically Endangered

As you can see, with the exception of the flatback sea turtle, all species of sea turtles are either vulnerable or endangered. The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) published an even more grim assessment of sea turtles. In the ESA, all seven species of sea turtles, except for the flatback sea turtle, are classified as endangered. Neither the IUCN nor the ESA has even data on the flatback sea to give it a proper and accurate classification. The evidence is clear, however: Sea turtle populations throughout the world are declining at an alarming rate.

Why Sea Turtles Are Endangered

Several factors play a role in sea turtles’ ever-declining populations. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), overfishing is a primary factor in their endangerment. As the world’s global population increases, the negative impact of fishing on marine life increases as well. Some nefarious individuals fish specifically for sea turtles. Other individuals inadvertently catch sea turtles when fishing for other marine life. Regardless, sea turtles have become endangered partly because of overfishing. Unless countries and coastal communities take action to stop overfishing, their numbers will likely continue to decline.

Another reason why nearly all species of sea turtles are endangered is because of plastic. How does plastic affect sea turtle populations exactly? As previously mentioned, jellyfish is a main source of food for these marine mammals. When plastic bags blow into the sea, sea turtles often mistake them for jellyfish. Of course, sea turtles can’t properly digest plastic bags. They get the plastic bags stuck in their throat or stomach, eventually leading to death.

How to Find Sea Turtles When Diving

Even with their dwindling populations, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of encountering a sea turtle when diving. First and foremost, choose a location to dive where sea turtles are common. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is well-known for its large and healthy populations of sea turtles. Other locations where sea turtles are common include Maui Island in Hawaii and Sipadan in Malaysia.

Another tip to increase your chances of spotting sea turtles is to dive shallower depths. Sea turtles can go pretty deep. In fact, leatherback sea turtles have been known to dive to depths of up to 4,200 feet. Whether it’s a leatherback, green, loggerhead or any other species, however, all sea turtles must resurface periodically for air. Therefore, you are more likely to encounter these marine mammals when diving at shallower depths.

What to Do If You Encounter a Sea Turtle in the Ocean

When you cross paths with a sea turtle in the ocean, remember to look but not touch. Many divers feel compelled to touch these majestic marine mammals. After all, it’s not everyday that you can encounter a sea turtle when diving. While reaching out to touch a sea turtle’s shell may sound harmless, though, it isn’t a good idea. If a sea turtle feels threatened by your presence, its natural instinct may kick in prompting it to bite you. Sea turtles don’t have teeth, but they do have sharp beaks that cause serious and painful injury.

Assuming you have a waterproof camera, you should use this opportunity to take a photo of the sea turtle. It’s perfectly fine to take photos of sea turtles as long as you don’t touch them.

What to Do If You Encounter a Sea Turtle on the Beach

You may encounter sea turtles on the beach as well. Pregnant sea turtles, for example, will walk ashore several times each season to lay eggs. If you happen to stumble upon a sea turtle while traversing a beach, try to stay as far away as possible. If you get too close, you may scare the sea turtle back into the sea. And assuming it’s a pregnant sea turtle that’s trying to give birth, she may not return to finish laying all her eggs. By keeping a safe distance, she can lay all her eggs in peace, which in turn increases the number of sea turtles in the oceans.

Pregnant sea turtles typically lay eggs during the cover of night. Unfortunately, this had led some beach-goers to shine flashlights on nesting sea turtles. The problem with flashlights, though, is that they often scare nesting sea turtles. If you happen to shine a flashlight on a nesting sea turtle, she may go back into the ocean without laying or incubating all her eggs.

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History of the Dive Flag

Consisting of an angled white stripe against a red background, the dive flag has become an important icon among recreational and commercial divers alike. As shown above, it features a simple yet highly visible design that’s instantly recognizable. If a boat approaches an area in which a dive flag is deployed, the captain will know that a diver is present in the waters nearby. Even if you’re familiar with the basic design of the dive flag, though, you might be wondering how it was created. In this post, you’ll learn more about the history of the dive flag, including when it was created and who was responsible for the original design.

What Is the Dive Flag?

Before “diving” into the history of the dive flag, let’s first take a look at its purpose. The dive flag is used to notify boat captains, as well as other divers, that someone is diving in the waters below. It’s typically attached to a buoy that floats on the surface. If you’re planning to dive, you can deploy a dive flag to create a safer diving environment. While boat-related injuries among divers are rare, they can and do occur.

A dive flag can lower your risk of injury by informing boat captains of your presence. Upon spotting the dive flag on the surface, boat captains will immediately know that you are diving below. As a result, they can adjust their course to avoid piloting their boat in your direction. Failure to use a dive flag, on the other hand, may leave you susceptible to boating-related injuries. If you happen to resurface directly over a passing a boat, the boat could strike and injure you.

Origins of the Dive Flag

The origins of the dive flag can be traced back to the early 1950s. Prior to this period, diving was a fairly dangerous activity due to the lack of regulations. There weren’t many laws governing diving, nor was there an official dive flag. Combined with questionable diving equipment — equipment that’s now obsolete by today’s standards — divers were a greater risk of injury. This all changed, however, thanks to U.S. Navy veteran Denzel James Dockery, who went by the nickname “Doc,” and his loyal wife, Ruth.

After being discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1949, Doc used the skills he learned while serving in the Navy to build a homemade diving rig. As a former sailor, Doc acknowledged the need for a universal dive flag. He was firsthand the dangers of piloting boats close to divers. This prompted Doc and Ruth to develop a flag that divers could deploy to notify nearby boats of their presence.

Doc recalled how the Navy used an all-red flag to signal danger. Doc didn’t want to use the same design for a dive flag, however, so he and Ruth began brainstorming new ideas. The couple’s first design consisted of a single horizontal white stripe running through the middle of a red background. Although they were initially happy with the design, they soon realized that it was Austria’s official flag. Dockery and Ruth then altered the design by running the white stripe vertically rather than horizontally. Unfortunately, the Navy was already using this design for a numerical signal flag.

With the couple’s two previous designs already on use, Doc and Ruth decided to use a diagonally oriented white stripe for their dive flag. The design was pretty much the same as their previous two designs. Rather than using a vertical or horizontal white stripe, though, Doc and Ruth used a diagonal white stripe, thus leading to the creation of the modern dive flag.

In the 1950s, Doc and Ruth opened a diving business in Flint, Michigan where they sold diving equipment, including their newly created dive flag. The couple also offered a safety course where they taught divers how to increase their visibility and protect against boat-related injuries. During this course, Doc and Ruth explained the importance of using a dive flag.

In 1956, Ted Nixon, a sales representative for U.S. Divers — one of the country’s largest vendors of diving equipment at the time — visited the Doc and Ruth’s shop in Flint, Michigan. Nixon was immediately impressed with the couple’s innovative product, so much in fact that he wanted to distribute it nationally. The couple happily agreed, resulting in widespread exposure for their dive flag. As news spread about the couple’s dive flag, diving magazines and organizations began to showcase the flag. It wasn’t long until the Doc and Ruth’s flag became universally recognized as “warning: divers nearby.”

Michigan Adopts the Dive Flag

To further spread the word about their newly created dive flag, Doc and Ruth approached lawmakers in their home state of Michigan, asking them to adopt the design as the state’s official dive flag. With the help of his local dive club, the couple was successful in their efforts. Michigan then passed a law declaring the couple’s design as the state’s official dive flag. In 1962, a court case involving a diver who was injured from a boat strike cited the use of a dive flag. This was the first time Michigan — or any other state for that matter — recognized the dive flag in law.

While Michigan was the first state to adopt Doc and Ruth’s design as the official dive flag, other states soon jumped on board. Today, nearly all U.S. states, as well as the federal government, recognize the couple’s design as the official dive flag. It’s even become recognized as the official flag for North America. Throughout most of North American, you’ll see the red-and-white design used as the dive flag.

How the Dive Flag Is Used Today

The dive flag is used primarily to indicate the presence of a diver or dive group in the waters nearby. Either before or immediately after entering the water, a diver will deploy a dive flag that floats on the surface. With its red and white design, dive flags are highly visible against the blue ocean waters. When a boat captain sees a dive flag floating on the surface, he or she pilot the boat in a different direction.

While the primary purpose of a dive flag is to signal the presence of a diver, they are used for other purposes. Dive shops, for example, often display the dive flag to attract customers. If you’re vacationing in an area unfamiliar area and see the dive flag displayed in front of a business, it’s safe to assume that business sells diving equipment and services. You’ll also see the dive flag displayed on dive logs and other equipment.

North American vs Alpha Dive Flag: What’s the Difference?

In North America, the official dive flag consists of a single white stripe that runs diagonally against a red background. With that said, territories outside of North America typically use a different dive flag. Known as the Alpha or Alfa dive flag, it features a white inward-pointing triangle on the right side against a blue background. Aside from its appearance, though, the Alfa dive flag serves the same purpose — it notifies boat captains of the presence of a diver.

Let your friends and family know of your diving habits with the Red Dive Flag Scuba Log Book.

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