Scuba diver becomes completely disoriented in gigantic tuna bait ball

Scuba diving is a thrilling sport that allows people to descend into a world that humans were never meant to see. Strapping a tank of air onto you back and slipping beneath the waves is an exhilarating and beautiful experience. But those who do so are aware of the many potential dangers that await them under the enormous pressure of the water above. They rely on specialized equipment to precisely deliver pressurized air to keep them alive. They are also aware that they cannot rapidly change their depth without consequences. For a scuba diver, ascending too quickly is one of the worst causes of catastrophe.

Bait balls are mesmerizing and inviting. The flash of millions of fish darting in unison can take a diver's breath away. But when the enormous school of fish envelops a person, the diver will lose all sense of where they are in relation to the surface or the bottom. It can be easy to breath in deeper, filling the lungs and becoming more buoyant. The diver will begin to rise and will accelerate toward the surface if they are not careful. The fish swim from side to side, but also up and down, removing all frame of reference.

A wise scuba diver will focus on controlled breathing and they will closely monitor their dive computer to keep their depth consistent. Even with the aid of the computer, a diver's eyes will give conflicting information as the fish create a sense of chaos. It is also possible to see large predators following the tuna, which can present their own hazards if the diver is mistakenly bitten.

This scuba diver was exploring the area near Darwin Island in the remote waters of the Galapagos. The animal life here is like nowhere else on earth. The wildlife is famously unafraid of humans, creating opportunities for close up encounters at every turn.