(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Emirtati scuba diver Faisal J. Al Hammadi allays fears over sharks in the Fujairah waters . With the recent shark attack in Khor Fakkan, an expert diver has affirmed that there is no need to panic, and that can never be a phenomenon, and divers here are trained and equipped enough to deal with such emergency situations.
"I have come across so many sharks in the Fujairah waters with no harm at all," 35-year-old expert Emirati scuba diver and IDC (Instructor Development Course Staff Instructor) staff instructor Faisal J. Al Hammadi, told Khaleej Times.
Most of the sharks swimming in the UAE waters are not offensive or aggressive; they are so friendly and even run when they see divers; they just attack to defend themselves, he added.
Timely intervention saves diver's life
While divers here are not permitted to hold marine guns while diving, they are only allowed to hold knives for emergency cases like being stuck in anything such as fishing nets or old ropes.
Faisal J. Al Hammadi, an Emirati diver and instructor, was once diving in Abu Dhabi with other divers.
"We have agreed, as always advised, to remain in group of two by two, and never to dive alone."
The site where we dived was close to a sunken ship, named Jassim, he added. "Unfortunately, the ship was surrounded with old and torn fishing nets."
Al Hammadi wanted to get inside the old ship and explore part of its. "When entering the ship through an opening there I got stuck in old fishing net from behind."
The 10-year-experienced diver tried several times to cut the net with his knife and escape, but he could not as his back was stuck in the too many ropes which he could not see.
"My co-divers went to the other side of the ship and could not see me," he said. "I remained stuck for about five minutes during which I failed to cut the fishing net."
What made the situation worse was the low-level oxygen left in Al Hammadi's scuba. "The air reached a serious 70-bar level, and I could not even remove the scuba and diving suit which were tightly wrapped around me by the fishing net."
Suddenly, Al Hammadi's fellow diver appeared and discovered the problem after a while. "He first did not notice what was going on, and was about to leave, but discovered that I was stuck and luckily he cut the fishing net on time and rescued my life."
Al Hammadi could not continue his diving for that day following the narrow escape from the old fishing net. "We could not help canceling the diving session for that day after the oxygen in my scuba went down to only 50 bar, and that was hardly enough for safely diving up to the sea surface."
"I tried several times to take pictures with shark fish, but unfortunately they were always afraid, and ran away," he said.
Out of Al Hammadi's 10-year-experience in diving which he started in 2007, he believed that the recent shark attack of Khor Fakkan was for a solid reason.
"The shark might have been afraid or felt that the diver was attacking or planning to attack it by coming closer to it. The diver might have approached its breeding area as well."
Sudden and loud movements and diving close to other fish that the shark might want to eat, he explained. "Leaving no space for the shark to run away is an additional reason for shark attacks."
According to Al Hammadi, shark attacks in the UAE are very rare. "We have not heard about such attacks for a long time. I even doubt the boat shark attack reported in January 2016 as sharks are very friendly and never aggressive."
Training is mandatory
No one is licensed for diving unless he or she is totally trained and equipped for the same, he underlined. "There are certain skills that need to be mastered before going diving."
Al Hammadi, who started scuba diving in 2007 seeking adventure and exploration, said there are different levels of diving. "One should clear a number of courses at the hand of a certified diver to start diving."
Amateur or beginner divers are permitted to dive deep to maximum 18 metres , Al Hammadi who works with a government department in Abu Dhabi, said.
"To dive deeper to 40 metres, one should pass an advanced diving level during which he or she must acquire a number of critical skills."
Advanced level includes rescue mission, he pointed out. "This level is not only for entertainment and enjoying the coral reefs but rather for broader scope diving and rescue missions."
Most of the favourite diving areas in Khor Fakkan include the Shark Island and Martina Rock which are known for their charming and colourful coral reefs, clear water and soft currents which are suitable for diving, he said.
"There are so many places for diving in the UAE, but on top of these are Sharjah, Khor Fakkan, Fujairah and Diba; but the deeper and more frequent you dive, the more wonders you enjoy."
Marine guns are banned
Al Hammadi said that divers here are not permitted to use marine guns while diving.
"As per the directives of the bodies concerned, knives are only permitted for emergency cases, like being stuck in anything deep down the see."
Each and every diver must be equipped with certain tools and must clear a mandatory checklist to go diving.
"These include the Signaling device, mask defog, scuba cylinder, compass, mask, fins, snorkel, gloves, dive boots, dive hood, thermal protection, dive knife, dive light, gear bag, weight belt, weight system, BCD or buoyancy control device, regulator, pressure and depth gauges, bottom time, computer or eRDP."
Al Hammadi said there are enough diving schools in the country in general, but more schools are need in the eastern region. "Many organisations, like PADI and NAWI, are open here, and they have much helped produce competent divers who are not licensed for diving unless they clear very strict standards and tests."
Divers are first trained to be open water divers during which they can dive for maximum 18m whereas the advanced open water diver is quite different. "In this advanced level one can dive deeper, longer and at night."
Training differs from one level to another, but all start with detailed explanation of all the necessary skills to be obtained. "This is followed by diving for two or more days in the swimming pool, and then two or more days in the open sea.
There are so many types of shark fish, but none of the wild ones come to the UAE coasts, he said. "The wildest sharks, as far as I know, are in Australia, and they always hunt for food."
Al Hammadi did not expect diving sports to be put off in Khor Fakkan or elsewhere. "The diver hurt in the recent shark attack was not going diving, he was going for hunt, and was equipped with a marine fun for this reason."
Ahmed Shaaban Originally from Egypt, I have been in Dubai since December 2005. Before coming here, I worked as an English language instructor, chief En/Ar translator, proofreader, reporter in Egypt and Qatar. I have also worked as a reporter, correspondent and simultaneous translator with two satellite channels in Dubai. I have a masters degree in media, Cairo University, 2014, a bachelor degree in English language and translation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 1996, and three post-graduate diplomas in English language and Instruction. With over 19 years of experience in translation, interpretation, EFL instruction, and reporting. I am interested in technology, aviation, politics, as well as community, parliament and defence issues. I enjoy reading, writing, exercising, and surfing the web.
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