State of Chuuk Warnings Or Dangers Tips by kenmerk

Mind the Tables...

I was wondering what the hell this thing was when I went into the local dive shop at the Blue Lagoon Resort... Kinda looked like a rusty coffin or something....

Closer inspection found that it was actually the much vaunted Chuuk Hyper Baric Chamber, used to un-bend divers that didn't follow their safety stops....

Trust me, one look at this thing, and I guarantee u wouldnt want to spend 6 hours inside in a sickened state, trying to get the nitrogen out of your blood...

Something to consider way out here in the middle of nowhere...

Slaved Strobes

Beware of friends packing sensor trigger slave strobes. When u take ur picture with a flash, the light can trigger their flashes as well, with unintended results... (I think I nearly blinded a lion fish down on the Fujikawa maru with an unintended strobe chain reaction.)

Note the attached picture. I take of picture of this guy and his strobe automatically fires right back in my face... (I kinda like the pict, tho' it make his head look like the surface of the sun, sorta....)

These Jellies Sting...

I just came from Palau a few weeks back where swimming with the non-stinging jellyfish is the big thing and kinda forgot where I was....

Chuukese Jellies are not so accomodating. There were a few of them and they do give you a zap if you're not careful.... Oww oooh eeee yaaa !!!

Well they do take nice picture, though...

Live Ammo

Lots and lots of live ammo about in these waters... These arent santized artificial reefs that were scrubbed before sinking but actual warships and cargo ships with lots and lots of bullets, torpedoes, detonator, depth charges, and artillery shells about....

Best to mind where you touch, and kick as you pass through the ships....

Lousy Connections

Though Chuuk Lagoon (and pretty much all of Micronesia, for that matter) is quite the site to see, it is neither cheap, nor convenient to get here...

There are only about 3 flights a week from Guam to Chuuk, and so getting reasonable connections is pretty much a lost cause.... About the best I've ever done is a 16 hour lay over in Guam,,,, (Hence you will see more than a few camped out sleeping next to the Chuuk departure gate...)

Also, since Continental Micronesia is the only airline to service this route, the charge top $$$'s for the priviledge... I think I could fly to NYC from Taiwan for less than it cost to go here.... But again where would u rather spend ur free time, diving in Chuuk or touring the big apple ??.

I know the answer to that question, at least for me, that is....