Kelp is only found in certain climates, namely the coastlines of North & South America, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.  Diving in kelp is not dangerous, but it can present challenges that can be easily overcome. Becoming entangled is one of the biggest fears of most new kelp divers. Avoiding entanglement is easy.  With practice, the experience of diving in the underwater forest of a kelp bed will be a wonderful experience and ultimately it will make you a better diver.

To get the most out of your kelp diving experience there are a few simple rules and procedures to follow:

1.      Become comfortable in the water by learning the basic skills of diving well enough to be completely at ease.

2.      Plan your dive in advance with your dive buddy. Be sure to note any unique characteristics of your dive site so that you do not become disoriented.  In case you get a little tangled up in the kelp, your buddy can easily determine where  a snarl is and assist you in getting clear.

3.      Think ahead of how you will end your dive, where you will exit and how much air you will need to do so. Take compass coordinates on the surface before you descend so you can navigate back to your entry point, either near the shore or at the boat’s stern/anchor line.

4.      Never dive in kelp without a knife and snorkel.  Both of these will be needed if you must use the kelp crawl.

5.      Always try to enter the water outside the kelp canopy, descending and then entering the kelp bed but if you are in the kelp canopy and need to descend, deflate your BC and slowly make a couple of 360 degree turns while your hands push the kelp away. This will make an open area in the kelp. Then descend feet first.

6.      Learn to control your buoyancy.  Mastering the technique of buoyancy, as a beginning diver will give you benefits that will increase your overall diving experience, keep you safer when diving in kelp and be less environmentally damaging.

7.

      Equipment preparation is important.   Streamline yourself as much as possible, which means tucking in and fastening down loose ends, straps, and anything that can be snagged. You’ll want to fasten and secure any loose gauges, octopuses, or fin straps.

On older fins, that don't have quick release buckles, you can put the straps through the buckle backwards so the loose end of the strap is between your foot and the rest of the strap.

Put your knife in a place where it is not likely to get snagged but also is more accessible, like on your BC shoulder strap or the inside of your arm. If you must wear a knife on your leg, wear it on the inside, not the outside.  Wearing a lead shot weight belt well less likely cause you to be snagged than the standard square weights. Also remove any unused clips and goody bags to reduce your profile.

If in spite of doing all this, you snag some kelp, just relax and unsnag it.  Frequently, just rolling your body to check on the snag will be enough to unsnag it.  If you do manage to get yourself all wrapped up in kelp, remember that the kelp will break easily if you bend it.  Staying calm and relaxed is the most important factor.

        8. When diving in kelp plan on being on the surfae with 500 to 800 psi in your tank since you don't want to be out of air in the middle of a kelp bed.  If you run out of air, and your buddy hasn't, swim out on your buddy's octopus.

     Remember when ever possible you should try to ascend in a clear vertical water column.

       9.    Ascending is critical so take the time to look up and find a clear area.  If you must ascend under a kelp canopy, use     your hands to part the canopy above.  Make a slow ascent while turning 360 degrees and pushing the kelp away, creating an open area at the surface.  When ascending be sure to hold cameras, spear guns, game bags and any accessories close to your body.

      10.  Relax and enjoy your kelp dive.  It will provide you with a wonderful experience.

In Basics of Diving in Kelp – Part 2 discover how to move through the kelp forest, marine life you may see, equipment to carry and how to swim out of kelp on the surface.