Why Dive With a Light?
Colors are lost through absorption when light enters water. A ray of light is made up of a visible color spectrum that can be seen when the light enters a prism or water particles to create a rainbow. The wavelengths of this spectrum display colors in a particular order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. You can remember this sequence using the acronym ROY G BIV.
The distinct colors in the visible spectrum are the result of different wavelengths of light energy. Red, which is on one end of the visible spectrum, has the longest wavelength and the lowest energy level. Violet, which is at the other end of the spectrum has the shortest wavelength and the highest energy level. As depth increases, colors are successively absorbed, starting with red and proceeding to violet.
Once the color is absorbed, it cannot be seen without using an artificial light source like a flashlight, video light, or camera strobe. Red disappears at around 4.5 meters, orange at around 7.5 meters, yellow at around 10.5 meters, green at around 21 meters, and blue disappears at around 60 meters. If any light penetrates to this depth, it will appear violet.
The picture below sums it up. It is the same reef without light and with light on a daytime dive to 35 feet. Diving with a light, even on a bright sunny day, will bring out the true colors of the reef.
What is the right dive light for you?
No one light will work for every situation, so ask yourself:
- When are you using the light? Daytime, night dive, while taking pictures?
- What color should the light temperature be? 2000 to 6000 Kelvin?
- What is the water visibility?
- How wide the beam angle should be?
- Alkaline or rechargeable?
- Will it be a primary light or a backup light?
These are just a few questions our expert staff can help you answer to get you the best light for your diving.
Stop by Sea Level Diving today and make your dive a more vibrant dive with the proper light!