bathypelagic zone

The open oceans or pelagic ecosystems are the areas away from the coastal boundaries and above the seabed. It encompasses the entire water column and lies beyond the edge of the continental shelf. It extends from the tropics to the polar regions and from the sea surface to the abyssal depths.

The open ocean, called the pelagic zone, is the largest area of the marine ecosystem. Most life in the open ocean is found in the photic zone. Animals, protists, plants, and bacteria that float or drift in ocean water are called plankton. They are moved around the open ocean by surface currents and wind.

Like ponds and lakes, the ocean regions are separated into separate zones: intertidal, pelagic, abyssal, and benthic. All four zones have a great diversity of species.

Ocean zones and what creatures live in them

• Sunlight Zone. This zone extends from the surface down to about 700 feet.
• Twilight Zone. This zone extends from 700 feet down to about 3,280 feet.
• The Midnight Zone. This zone extends from 3,280 feet to 13,125 feet.
• The Abyssal Zone.
• The Trenches.

epipelagic zone

Most Chondrichthyes species only go as deep as the bathyal zone.

• Anglerfish: Some species of this fish are considered demersal while others swim and live in the upper portions of the abyssal zone.
• Tripod fish (Bathypterois grallator): Their habitat is along the ocean floor, usually around 4,720 m below sea level.

3 months

You’ll learn all about the gear you need, underwater hand signals, how to equalise your ears, as well as other techniques and skills you may need. You can expect a PADI Open Water Diver certification to cost between $350-$500 depending on where you learn. But I promise, the cost is worth it.

Air in a SCUBA cylinder will not spoil. Without moisture, the oxygen in the air is not a factor in corroding the metal of the cylinder.

Whilst it’s not illegal to dive alone, it doesn’t mean you should. Whilst you can scuba dive by yourself, you learn in your scuba diver training about the dangers of diving alone. All diver training is taught on the buddy system. This means that divers should always dive in pairs for safety.

No newbie open-water divers should ever dive alone,” Michael says. “Nearly every dive professional is solo diving whether they admit to it or not. I personally would prefer to dive with at least a loose buddy system, though I must say I am a big advocate of the training and the experience and education it provides.

Yes, scuba diving is an expensive hobby. You can expect to spend roughly $300 to receive your diving certification, anywhere from $200 – $2,000 on scuba diving gear, and anywhere between $75 – $150 per dive. Renting your gear instead of buying can let you scuba dive on a budget.

It is all stated in the PADI website. And as said previously, no matter where you dive, if it is a PADI dive shop, they can access your data on the web in just a few clicks so you can continue diving without your card.

PADI insists on issuing a plastic card for new divers, while charging exorbitant prices for the electronic version. They say they pride themselves as stewards of the ocean while preferring to charge you for a modern convenience that would reduce plastic use.

As an PADI Open Water Diver, your certification is good for life. If you do not actively participate in scuba for an extended period of time, however, it’s a good idea to refresh your skills through the PADI ReActivate class.

PADI eLearning programs are valid for 12 months from the time you first log on. Prior to the end of this 12-month period, you’re reminded via email at 90 days and again at 60 days before the expiration date.

If you fail, you can retake the test. See ‘PADI confined water tests’ below for more. Open water dives: you must complete four open water dives in which you demonstrate your skills.

approximately 12 to 15 hours

18 metres/60 feet