[malandrew]

Can you tell me more about the UV light diving? A cursory search doesn't seem to show up anything about the dive mask filter you mentioned. From what I found, it looks like the lights are similar to regular low-power UV-A black lights that are not a hazard to skin or eyes.

What was the model of dive light used? Was is a long-wave light like those in tanning beds or disinfecting lamps? I would imagine that any light unsafe for your eyes would also be damaging to the coral and fish.

[fullsailor]

I think you're right. I don't recall the specific equipment, we were visiting and only did a short training before. Now I've read more on it and I do feel (sheepishly) misinformed. The light may have been way less damaging than we were told. Thinking on it, I wouldn't have put it past the divemaster to troll us that way.

First, the kind of diving is more commonly referred to fluorescent diving and it doesn't use UV light, its blue (440-480nm) light. Second the filters were yellow light filters to remove the remaining light so that it didn't overwhelm the blue and you could see the fluorescence.