New Jersey Scuba Diving

Snapping Turtle

Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Size: to 15" (body)

Habitat: hides on the bottom in any type of water

Notes: Generally docile and easily approached in the water, but should be treated with respect for its powerful bite. This turtle can easily amputate a finger or toe and becomes pugnacious when landed. If you have the patience, try to see how long this turtle can go between breaths. A lot longer than you or me, that's for sure.

Snapping Turtle — In the water, these turtles are inoffensive, but don't tempt fate!

Snapping Turtle

On land is a different story. I pulled over and used a stick to push this nasty little guy off the highway. He was not the least bit appreciative, and snapped at me repeatedly - the long neck gives this turtle a very quick snake-like motion. Spring seems to be the season for Snapping Turtle wanderlust, and they turn up in the darndest places.

Regulators - First Stages

regulator

First stages come in several forms. Your main options are generally:

balanced or unbalanced
piston or diaphragm
sealed or unsealed

Manufacturers will try to make a big deal out of these and various other features. Here's what I think:

balanced or unbalanced - Today only the very cheapest regs are unbalanced designs. Breathing performance will suffer, and any reg that cheap will likely be deficient in other areas. There is no reason to buy an unbalanced first stage.
piston or diaphragm - This doesn't much matter, there are good designs that use both systems - worry about other things.
sealed or unsealed - This refers to whether or not water can enter the first stage. If water can enter, then so can sand and grit, which will inevitably cause a malfunction, probably while you are in the water. Also, for cold-water diving ( not ice diving, just cold water, say 45°F ), the water inside the first stage could actually freeze, with the same result. Do not buy an unsealed regulator for use around here. In fact, don't buy one, period. Sealed designs are generally more expensive to buy and maintain, but it is worth the extra cost. Some regulators ( Genesis, Sherwood ) accomplish the same effect without technically being sealed. This is just as good, maybe better, because the design is simpler.

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