Dive Procedures and Equipment Rental

Medical fitness

The following statement appears on all Mike Ball Dive Expedition 'Booking Form':

I state that I am in good health for diving. I have no medical history of heart or lung disorders, asthma or epilepsy, neither am I an insulin dependent diabetic. I will not dive on your expedition if I am feeling unwell or I have a chest cold or respiratory congestion on the expedition. I understand if I have any medical condition contrary to these requirements I must produce a diving medical certificate completed by a diving medical specialist.

You are authorized to make medical and transport arrangements as may be determined in my best interest. I agree to pay expenses incurred on my behalf which may be charged against my credit card.

Alcohol

Consumption of alcohol is restricted until after your last dive for the day. 

Depth Guidelines

Depth guidelines are based on the diver’s experience and industry standards. The maximum recommended depth for divers with appropriate experience is 40 metres (132ft). Dives in excess of 40 metres (132ft) to a maximum of 50 metres (165ft) can only be undertaken by divers with a minimum experience of 100 dives with 25 deeper than 30 metres (100ft) including one to a depth within 3 metres of dive being undertaken. 

Equipment

Dive Cylinders - Approx 2/3 of the cylinders available to guests are 10.3 litres/88cuft and 1/3 are 11.3 litres/88cuft.

Cylinders Valves - Air and Nitrox cylinder valves are compatible with US yoke regulators ( UK A clamp) not the European DIN regulators.

Safety Items - All divers require an alternative air source, safety sausage and whistle. A dive light plus back-up light or chemical light sticks are required for night dives.

Equipment Rental

For equipment rental prices and details please click here.

Flying after Diving

The Mike Ball 'Fly/Dive' flights are at an altitude of 200 to 300 metres. This does not exceed the '600 metre Flying and Diving ceiling' requiring adherence to the 'Flying after Diving' procedures.

Commercial Flight Considerations: The surface interval between your last dive on Mike Ball Dive Expeditions completed at 5pm Sunday and flying out of Cairns on Monday is approximately 18 hours.

Dive Computer Considerations: Normally on completion of diving at the end of your expedition your computer's 'No Fly' times are less than 18 hours. Wait an appropriate amount of time (as indicated by your computer) before flying in excess of 600m.

Dive Table Considerations: PADI's recommendation after 'multi-day diving' is a minimum pre-flight surface interval of 18 hours. 

Guided Dives

Most of our guests prefer to plan and dive independently with their buddy. Single divers are teamed up with other singles and with our staff. It is not our policy for all dives to be divemaster led. We cater to guests who prefer more supervision with a combination of complimentary orientation dives to enhance skills, a scheduled morning and afternoon guided dive and the opportunity to dive with our staff on an ad hoc basis. This service does not provide constant guided dives or a personal dive guide.

Personal Dive Guides

•  Daily Dive Guide (4-5 dives per day) - $250/day (+ berth cost for guide) 
•  Personal Per-Dive Guide (approx 2 dives per day). Available on most expeditions subject to staff availability - $50 per dive.

Note: Please request at the time of booking. 

Jellyfish

As in all oceans, including the Great Barrier Reef , there are a variety of jellyfish (also known as 'stingers'). The majority of stings that can be inflicted by jellyfish such as hair jellyfish (Cyanea sp.), blubbers (Catostylus sp.) and bluebottles (Physalia sp.) can be irritable to painful but can be prevented by wearing a "Stinger Suit" (available for purchase onboard).

The box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) may be present in North Queensland from November to May/June and are found along the coast and estuaries. These stings can cause fatalities in extreme cases however with the right prevention and medical treatment the risk is minimal. There is a small box jellyfish commonly known as the 'Irukandji jellyfish' (Carukia barnesi) one of a series of species that can give rise to 'Irukandji Syndrome'. Fortunately the stings are rarely life threatening, medical aid must always be sought as soon as possible. Immediate first aid is to wash the area with vinegar and seek medical assistance. 

Junior Divers

Age 10 to 14 years (15yr+ junior diver depth limits are the same as the non junior certification)

• Junior Diver Certification, less than 12 years old, not available.
• Please review Rental Equipment Sizes (we recommended children bring their own equipment),
• Junior divers requiring supervision are charged a ‘Dive Guide' fee,
• Participation on some dives may be prevented due to conditions,
• Junior diver depth restrictions are not compatible with Coral Sea conditions.

Age Depth Conditions:

• Junior Scuba Diver 10-14 years 12 meters (40ft) Must dive with an instructor. Includes rental equipment (see note above) and one dive per day; extra dives $50 each.
• Junior OWD & Jnr. Adventure OWD 10-14 years 12 meters (40ft) <12 yrs, first dive with an instructor, subsequent dives with: parent/guardian or Dive Master/Instructor >12yrs can dive with adult (18yrs+).
• Junior Advanced OW Diver 12-14 years 21 meters (70ft) >12yrs can dive with adult (18yrs+). 

Main Vessel or Tender Dives

Most of our dives are from the main vessel while moored over the dive site. Each vessel has two inflatables for more personalized diving plus drift and night dives. The inflatables are large and stable with substantial rear entry ladders. 

Nitrox (EANx32)

Nitrox fills are limited to 32% oxygen and a maximum operating depth of 40 meters (132ft). Nitrox divers are required to dive on computer. A complimentary computer workshop is offered to those hiring a computer. FREE Nitrox fills during expedition are included with Nitrox Course. Nitrox prices

Rebreather

For full information please read Rebreather Service. 

Safe Scuba System

Dive site selection is based on the best dive sites available. Less experienced divers receive complimentary "orientation dives" as necessary while experienced divers are given the freedom to plan their own dives. 

Snorkelling
Fly Dive Cod Hole itinerary - Sites are suitable for competent snorkel divers.

Fly Dive Coral Sea itinerary - The first day of the itinerary is suitable for snorkelling. Note: we do not provide suitable sites or supervision for snorkelling in the Coral Sea.

Coral Sea Safari - Snorkelling limited to Ribbon Reef sites, Coral Sea sites not suitable. 

Solo Diving

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions Safe Solo requirement:
Minimum age: 18 years if dive master certified or 21 years with proof of 100 ocean dives with 5 in the last 12 months.

Equipment Required:

• Redundant air system (minimum 6 cubic feet).
• Safety sausage.
• Dive light on dive if within 2 hours of dusk.
• Dive knife and compass.

Rental pony bottle units are available see equipment rental

Skill Evaluation:

• Surface snorkel 100 meters wearing scuba and be familiar with use.
• Demonstrate use of safety sausage.
• Navigate 100 meters at 5 meters with 75% accuracy.
• Hover at 5 meters for 3 minutes, clear mask.
• Slowly surface using redundant air source.

 We also offer the SDI Solo Diver certification onboard.  For more information please click here.

Unlimited Diving

Most divers do 2 morning, 2 afternoon plus a night dive most nights. Normally we have an ‘open deck’ at a single site in the morning and visit 2 sites in the afternoon - this may be reversed.  This provides divers with the freedom to dive as much or as little as they want.