Kirsten’s guide to using a reef hook:
Attach the Hook: Securely attach the reef hook to a D-ring on your BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) – preferably in the waist area and in the centre. Ensure it’s easy to access but safely stored to avoid accidental deployment.
Find a Safe Spot: When you encounter strong currents, locate a solid, non-living surface. This should be either a hole in the seabed or a dead rock on the bottom. NEVER hook onto something that is colourful and, of course, NEVER hook onto some living coral.
Deploy the Hook: Swim against the current, face into it, and gently place the hook onto the secure surface. Make sure it is firmly anchored before relaxing into the current.
Maintain Neutral Buoyancy: Inflate air into the BCD until you get lifted up from the bottom. Adjust your buoyancy so the current holds you in place without tugging on the hook. You should be floating without pulling on the reef or stressing your gear.
Unhooking: Make sure you deflate your BCD before unhooking. A trick to put the rope back is to start where the hook is and make a little loop. You simply take the rope and go into the loop and pull it, again into the loop and pull it, into the loop, pull it until you come to the end of the rope. The last loop you secure with the carabiner (see our video for Kirsten’s demonstration). Stow it properly to avoid it dangling or snagging on anything during the rest of your dive.
There is no doubt using a reef hook (carefully!) will make certain dives immeasurably better.
Kirstin explains: “Some examples are, let's say we are in a channel and we hook on. The calmer we get, the calmer our heartbeat gets, the sharks, they will come closer to us.
“Basically we want to stay as calm as possible so the marine life can come closer to us.
“The same for cleaning stations. Whenever we hook on and we do not make too many movements and the chances are much higher that mantas are coming or mantas are staying.”
#maldives #scubadiving #scuba #howto #reef #liveaboard
