Does finning around dive spots get boring? The Diving
Equipment Marketing Association (DEMA) wants to spice
up your dives by having you hunt for hidden treasure
using GPS. It just launched a campaign for a game called
DiveCaching, the underwater version of Geocaching.
How it works: Divers hide a treasure or "cache" underwater
and post the GPS coordinates and compass directions on
the website www.geocaching.com . Other divers get the coordinates
from the site and dive to locate the cache. When they
find it, they can photograph it, add their own treasure to the
container, or just note the discovery and share the experience
with divers around the world.
DEMA executive director Tom Ingram says DiveCaching
can be done anywhere, regardless of visibility or dive conditions,
and is a good way to explore new destinations. He
adds that it's a good family outing, and you can get non-divers
involved with land-based geocaching and social activities.
However, keep in mind that marine reserves may not
warm to the idea of you hiding booty around their reefs.
And those looking for real treasure will be disappointed,
as the actual cache may be simply a log book and something
to write with, or a few coins, keychains, beads. Swag,
basically. However, check out DEMA's YouTube video
(www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFdA6BjnJ9Y)or
its Facebook page on DiveCaching (www.facebook.com/divecaching ) and see if it's worth starting a hunt
or join in.