260px|thumb|right|A canister style dive light

Night diving is underwater diving done during the hours of darkness. It frequently refers specifically to recreational diving which takes place in darkness. The diver can experience a different underwater environment at night, because many marine animals are nocturnal.

There are additional hazards when diving in darkness, such as dive light failure. This can result in losing vertical visual references and being unable to control depth or buoyancy, being unable to read instruments such as dive computers and diving cylinder contents gauges, and potential separation from the rest of the diving group, boat, or shore cover. Even with a functioning light, these hazards are still present in night diving. Backup lights are recommended.

Training and certification

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Several diver certification agencies offer specialty training in night diving, and it was originally part of the training requirement for the second level of recreational diving (CMAS two-star scuba diver, etc.), but professional diver training will usually include it in entry-level training as it is considered a normal part of occupational diving.

Equipment and procedures

Normal requirements for night diving are a dive light, and adequate protection from exposure. and is essential if doing a decompression dive without a dive computer which can be read in the dark.

There are several advantages to night diving at a site that is familiar from diving there during the day. The diver who is more familiar with the site is less likely to be disoriented.

Black-water diving is the night time equivalent of blue-water diving which is mid-water diving in deep open oceanic waters.

Recovering divers

If a diver surfaces away from the boat, dive lights can be used to signal the dive boat. A surface marker buoy can be illuminated with a dive light at night to increase the visibility of the dive team to the boat. Reflective tape surfaces can also be used to increase visibility of the team on the surface.

References

  • Night Diving Guide
  • Breath Hold Training
  • Recreational Night Diving