It’s not easy to catch a lobster. Geared up in scuba equipment, one must dive to the depths of the ocean, often more than 60 feet, in the dark. These crustaceans come out at night when predators can’t see them. Experienced lobster hunters say swimming far and fast, covering a lot of territory, is key to nabbing one with a swipe of the hand before it can scurry away. One must be quick (it only takes a tenth of a second for the critters to notice the presence of a human), but also careful — sometimes lobsters hide in holes with sea urchin, and a wild grab can land a diver in the hospital. Sharp spines on a lobster’s whipping tail can draw blood. Some do it for the thrill, and others for the tasty meal. Either way, La Jolla is one of the most frequented destinations in San Diego during lobster hunting season, which opened last month, bringing a slew of aficionados to its waters. San Diego Lifeguard Lt. John Everhart said the sport seems to be gaining popularity, but with that increase in popularity comes more people confronting the dangers associated with lobster diving. Since opening night, which fell on Oct. 2 this year, there has been one death and several rescues of lobster divers. “We increase our staff on opening night because a lot of people go in right at midnight when the season opens,” said Everhart. “During lobster season we get a fair amount of calls about people getting in trouble after dark.” Everhart’s team in La Jolla responded on Oct. 29 to a 9-1-1 call regarding two night divers who got caught in a rip current off Shell Beach near the Children’s Pool. They suffered minor injuries, and Everhart said it is likely the two weren’t familiar with the area, as the visibility of the water that Friday was not conducive for night diving. On Oct. 5 in Mission Bay, the outcome of a rescue was less fortunate. Luke Ausdemore, 25, of Tulsa, Okla., was free-diving for lobsters with a friend using a snorkel and goggles. The two had been separated for about 10 minutes when Ausdemore was found unconscious, reported the Tulsa World newspaper. He was then taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. “The number one safety tip is to know what the conditions are,” he said. “You need to research during the day how big the surf is, the surf size and frequency with which waves break.” Everhart said if the visibility is five feet or less it will not only be hard to find lobsters, but it increases the likelihood of getting tangled in kelp or running into a reef. One can call the San Diego beach and weather report at (619) 221-8824 to check conditions. He also said it’s important to get familiar with an area by diving there during the day before going out at night. As for Everhart, he said he’s gone lobster hunting before and it’s “certainly exhilarating.” “It’s rewarding if you are able to catch a lobster,” he said. “But it can be very hard to find them.” Lobster hunting rules from the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) • Recreational divers may only use their bare or gloved hands to take lobsters, and their bag limit is seven per day. • Trophy-size lobsters are becoming scarce, so fishing is prohibited in reserve areas. • A Spiny Lobster Report Card, which costs $7.50, must be filled out immediately after fishing. • For divers, report cards must be kept within 500 yards of the point of entry. • Fishers over 16 must have a fishing license and an ocean enhancement stamp. • Hunters must carry a device to measure the carapace (portion from the eyes to the tail). If less than three inches, it must be returned to sea. • The lobster must be measured and bagged before being taken out of the water.