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Our freediver Carlos Estrabeau swims with bull sharks without a cage and feeds them!

phantom divers — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:18:28 GMT

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ous-shark.html

A ladies point of view on learning to Scuba dive here in Turkey

hamish13 — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:29:22 GMT

Scuba Diving � Part One � Old Bitch, New Tricks

Here is my partner Karen's blog on her starting to learn to dive from September last year. If any one needs more information please feel free to contact us
The Aegean is full of pristine, uncrowded dive sites
I�m kneeling in the squishy sand at the bottom of the Aegean Sea, three metres above my head the pale grey surface is lit with slanting sunlight, a small Bream is swimming bossily through the fat bursting bubbles in front of my mask and I�m reciting Tolkien to myself. �Earendil was a mariner, he tarried in Arvernien, he built a boat of timber felled in Nimbrethil to journey in��
I�m learning to scuba dive by taking my Open Water Diver course and I�m taking to it like a duck to roller skating, hence the Tolkien, which is a form of self hypnosis I�ve been using for thirty years (recite poetry, distract brain from physical yuck stuff). In this instance I�m using it to over ride the howling instinct which is telling me to bolt for the surface, right now.
Water has always been home to me; I was brought up on the sea, I sail, I snorkel, I surf, I swim like the proverbial, I�m actually happier in the sea than I am on land, probably because I�m built like a seal, and now, at the age of 46, to go from being totally at home in a medium to being totally alien in it is a weird and horribly disquieting feeling.
For the first few dives I hated it. Really hated it. I went from being beyond competent at something to being bloody useless and that frightened me. It was like being a baby and learning to walk again. To stay down, below the surface, for longer than I can hold my breath meant I had to override every long ground in instinct I have. To be clumsy underwater was an awful feeling; as I struggled to control buoyancy and not kick up enough silt and sand to obscure the whole Aegean I felt useless and control freaks like me don�t like feeling useless!
Nick, slightly smug AOW diver
Of all the things to struggle with when learning to dive this is a weird one. Most people struggle with the technical stuff, but I�m fine at that, it�s all mental for me. I would kneel on the bottom going through exercises � clear mask, equalise, buddy breath, remove and replace kit � and my fa�ade of competence was hiding a deep well of �not liking this.� It wasn�t helped by Nick, who is Advanced Open Water diver, being revoltingly good at all the exercises and obviously at home in his gear despite ten years away from diving.So why do it? Why try something this new and challenging at 46? Why not give up and stick to the snorkelling? There are a couple of reasons why I would put myself through this, one is practical, and the other is personal.
The surface is less than half the story, we have to go below!
For practical reasons I�d be an idiot not to learn to scuba dive; I live on the Aegean, right on my door step are fantastic, pristine, dive sites that are un-crowded, pretty, teeming with beautiful bright fish and are suitable for the beginning diver. Diving here is really accessible, apart from our local sites within a few hours drive we have the whole Aegean coast, we have wrecks and short hops over to Greek islands, we have dramatic underwater canyons and undersea hot springs, we have few currents, practically no tide, clear water and sea temperatures that make diving pleasant for eight months of the year. To ignore all that and stick to just the surface seems, to me, to be a waste of an amazing opportunity.Feeding the fish (in a pretty way!)
On a personal level I kind of need to challenge myself. I feel fear more than I used to, it�s an age and widowhood thing, it plays hell with your confidence, so every now and then you need to go and do something that pushes you, or you may as well give up right now. I�m no adrenalin junky, but I do think I need to feel a little fear and overcome it every now and then, or I wouldn�t really be living and that�s a betrayal of those who left this life before us, we have to really live because they can�t. Which probably sounds mildly bonkers, but there you go!So there I am, I�m kneeling in the sand reciting Tolkien, if things get really bad I may have to resort to Heinlein, because whilst the water is warm and the surface is only three metres away and the air comes easily through the regulator and the calm brown eyes of Osman, my instructor, never leave mine I am still struggling, mentally if not actually.
Active Blue Diving Centre at Pamucak beach, Kusadasi
They tell me I�m ready for a boat dive, for open water, that I�ll be fine, that deep water is easier than shallow water, that I�ll love it, there is so much to see. They say I don�t have to do it, I can stay is shallow water as long as I like, but honestly, deep water is better and technically I�m ready. Nick and Tagmac, the dive centre owner, Osman my instructor and Tim (Nick�s rescue diver brother), they all say the same thing, deep water and you�ll be fine, you can do this. Do I believe them? Hmmmm. Will I do it? I think I have to, everyone is encouraging me so much and I really, really want to do this.�As time and space came bending back to shape that star specked scene�..� Bugger, resorting to Heinlein, must be scared!
Learning to Dive in Turkey
The internet gives us access to so much and scuba diving organisations have cottoned on to this. Both PADI and SSI, two of the most popular recreational diving training organisations, now allow you to learn the theory of scuba diving online via their websites and then move on to the practical aspects wherever you choose once you have passed the online course which is free. So you can sit in the UK (or Kirazli) and watch the videos, read the training manuals online, take the written tests and then step into the water when you arrive at your dive school, be that Tonga or Turkey.
I chose to take my open water course through SSI because according to reviews I read they take a slightly less regimented approach and will work through things at the student�s pace, they have a very well reviewed dive school near us here in Kusadasi and their Turkish office is proactive and helpful when you need to contact them about procedural stuff.
In the family we have PADI divers, BSAC divers (Nick!) and now SSI divers, and honestly there doesn�t seem to be much difference between the training offered by the different organisations (apart from BSAC being totally brilliant and best in the world according to Nick) and I think the individual instructor/school will always trump the affiliate organisation at the end of the day and most schools these days are linked to more than one organisation.
I have a lovely instructor, Osman at Active Blue, he just exudes calm and that works for me. Both he and Tagmac the owner are totally clear that this Open Water course takes as long as it takes and whilst they are keen to get me in open water it is totally �me� led and there is no rush at all. They�ll stay in the confines of the bay until the end of November if that�s what I want!
Apart from the attitude of the people I�m learning with I think there are some major pluses in learning to dive here in Kusadasi. It isn�t massively busy, so classes are practically private and you don�t feel any peer pressure to move faster than you want to which you may do if you were part of a big class. The payoff is pretty immediate, as opposed to learning in a pool where you only see tiles you are in the sea and seeing the things you wanted to, pretty fish and shells and octopuses. The staff are massively qualified because most are coming from a navy background and with Active Blue they are the first response team for DAN (Divers Alert Network) so they are about as good as it gets and you�re going to be taught by someone who has maturity and experience and isn�t just doing this because they look good in a wetsuit and can get free tanks of air. That sort of matters to me!
If you want to try diving in Turkey or Kusadasi here are a few links:-
Active Blue Dive Centre Kusadasi Turkey, the best in Kusadasi Diving � Kusadasi dive centre. They have a dive shop in town down near the Marina, behind Garanti Bank, and they dive out of Ephesus Princess and Aqua Fantasy hotels on Pamucak beach.
SSI :: SSI Scuba Schools International :: take your dive @ diveSSI.com � Scuba Schools International, you can register online to take your theory training as well as check out dive schools worldwide in the area you want to dive in.
Taken from your site Scuba Diving ? Part One ? Old Bitch, New Tricks | Being Koy

So many fish on Susie's Bommie - Papua New Guinea: 19 May 2013

calypsonick — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:22:09 GMT

Three Dive Gear Essentials I Won't Dive Without

divemoreworkless — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:56:43 GMT

In almost 40 years of scuba diving, I�ve had the opportunity to try different types of scuba gear and refine my preferences in different diving situations and conditions.

Regardless of where I dive or what the conditions are, here are the three dive gear essentials that work for me:

1. Prescription Dive Mask
2. Seven-Foot-Long Primary Regulator Hose
3. Comfort-Fit Mouthpiece

To learn why these are my choices, read more here.

What are your dive gear essentials?

Shoot 12 MP Stills and full HD Video

Hollywoodivers — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:16:00 GMT

It is a great deal. Just got Better.
Panasonic GF3 With Nauticam Housing

Panasonic GF3 Camera with Panasonic 14-42 MM Lens. Nauticam Waterproof Housing, Nauticam Lens Port and Nauticam Zoom Gear for 14-42 Lens $2389.95 One at this Price ! This Package saves $250.00...all gear is new.
The Camera Body is Compatible with all Panasonic, Leica and Olympus Micro 4/3 Format Lens. This gives you the user more lens choices than any other Micro 4/3'ds Brand.
This package is a one time deal. Only one at this price. Get a Free Nauticam Handle to Handle Lanyard with Purchase. Worth 29.95

PADI Divemaster Course Requirements - What to expect...

ScubabunnyCR — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:37:27 GMT

One of the most common questions for anyone looking to go pro really is,"what exactly do I have to do?"

So on this blog I am going to give you a complete rundown of all the requirements, every thing you need to complete to gain your PADI Divemaster certification, which is your first stepping stone on the PADI ladder to professional diver.
So first up is your prerequisites. Before you even start the PADI Divemaster course you need to have your rescue diver certification and a current (within 24 months) CPR and first aid card. You also need to have a medical form signed off by a doctor saying you are fit to dive. Here in Quepos you can visit our local doctor for just $20 and get your medical signed off.
You will need to have your complete PADI Divemaster crewpack, eRDPml and at least 40 dives to start. If you are completing your Divemaster training as part of an internship then this is very easy to accomplish. Some dive centers will run internships and others won't. You want to make sure you research the program you are entering in thoroughly as you don't want to end up playing "tank rat" whilst you are completing your training. Tank filling and air station operation is an essential skill if you are looking to work in the dive industry but it it not supposed to dominate your whole afternoon (or morning!)
Okay, so we are good with your prerequisites so know what challenges do you face? First up, you will start your course with an introductory video, the PADI Divemaster video. This will give you a run down of what to expect, duties of Divemaster, skills to cover and much more. Following that you will role into a introductory talk on "Role of a Divemaster" by your instructor. This is a good chance to sit down with the instructor that is running your program and cover important issues like expectations, both yours and theirs, roles and responsibilities. We like to use it here in Go Pro Costa Rica, as a real intro to the staff, who to talk to and go to as your mentor, expectations and more.
With this wrapped up it is on to your academics. With 9 chapters to cover in the PADI Divemaster Manual there is some serious ground to cover. The first goal that we set out is the first 6 chapters of the book. These cover amongst other things, supervising dive activities, assisting with student divers, diver safety, Divemaster conducted programs and specialized skills and activities. In conjunction with the video it is a lot of information to take in but offers you a good groundwork to start on your program. Following those academics you get the wonderful delight of sitting your first exam. Yeah! I hear you cry!!! This exam covers all of those first few chapters. At this point, you can then start assisting in the water with students and divers and moving through your various Divemaster challenges.
There are 3 more chapters of the PADI Divemaster Manual, which cover the business of diving, Awareness of the environment and Dive Theory. Specifically the last chapter covering dive theory is very Loooooonnng. This covers all of the 5 areas of dive theory, specifically physics, physiology, equipment, dive tables and dive skills. It is these areas that you will be tested in on your second exam. This exam we schedule for about half way through the program to give you a chance to get a thorough understanding and if unsure of any parts, the chance to cover them with an instructor.
Phew! All of this and we haven't even covered the water work yet! Check out part 2 to get familiar with all of your water work, during the PADI Divemaster program.

An Uncommon Encounter with Geriatrics Gone Wild

divemoreworkless — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:54:17 GMT

Hey, this blog is G-rated, so if you�re expecting to see naked senior citizens skinny dipping at night, you won�t find that here. However, this is exactly what we encountered one evening as we completed a night dive at one of our favorite dive sites on Bonaire!

The site is named Something Special, and this name took on a whole new meaning after diving it almost every night straight for over a week.

To read more, click here.

Take care of yourself, update #1

DivemasterDennis — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:43:46 GMT

The battle has begun, and the first round of chemotherapy went suprisingly easy. So far, no nausea, and other side effects are minimal. I am greatly encouraged, and anxious to get through another round or two and then see via per scan the impact of treatment.
It was tough to have to formally relinquish some upcoming training planning, and cancell the June dive trip, but you guys here on the scubaboard have been very encouraging and uplifting. I won't be blogging constant progress reports here, because let's face it, it's not that interesting. I will share from time to time, especially if it comes to having to have a massive scuba equipment sale, which, if I am ever am to that point, will rival the inventory of most local shops! But I have learned a one simple dietary tip that I will share with all of you that want to be healthy, stay healthy or get healthy. After all the lengthy diet books and nutrition guides, I think heathy eating can be stated in a few brief words:nuts, berries, anything green, lean protein. Eat other things too, but eat dally mass quantities of these things and you will be less likely to have cancer, and will probably maintain a great body weight. Happy Diving everyone.
DivemasterDennis

A second attempt at video with Canon T3i - Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea

calypsonick — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:34:11 GMT

Diving off of the North Coast Haiti

calypsonick — Sat, 11 May 2013 10:07:58 GMT

Can you identify this first stage?

John C. Ratliff — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:44:20 GMT

Originally Posted by John C. Ratliff

One thing a lot of people don't realize is the reason for that LP outlet on the top of the first stage. It came about because Scubapro was embarrassed by the U.S. Navy Experimental Dive Unit tests which showed it's less expensive model (Mk II?) with only one LP outlet on the top out-performed the Mk V. This is because of basic fluid dynamics which show that when you bend a flow 90 degrees, you place a lot of turbulence into the flow. By having the flow go straight out of the piston into the hose without having to make a turn, the internal turbulence is lessened, and the regulator performance is enhanced. I had a commercial diver show me his rig, and he had a Scubapro first stage hooked up to a full-face mask. I told him that if he had a particularly strenuous dive, he should hook up that main LP hose to the top of the regulator. This is not well publicized even now. So looking at the most regulators' setup, the regulator will perform better, especially on deep dives, if the second stage is hooked to the top, rather than a side, port. It may be a bit inconvenient for hose routing, but it works very well.

SeaRat

St. Croix SCUBA - Trip Review

stcroixscuba — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:45:22 GMT

Originally Posted by Kryssa

We are just back from our family cruise and dove with St. Croix SCUBA while we were in port on the Celebrity Summit. It was really a great excursion.

We are unique group in that we had 2 certified divers and 2 experienced divers that love to resist certification so they just take Discover Scuba over and over and over...

Ed suggested we do a quick discover scuba lesson then demonstrate the skills right where the boat docks so we could be off on our 2-tank morning dives without wasting time in a pool. This really worked out. We met up with Mike at 8:30 am and he went through the lesson, then the boat arrives and we loaded up. The 2 discover divers hopped off the boat and did the skills and we were on our way.

Mike and Erica were excellent. We were the only group on the boat, so it was an extra special day. We did 2 tanks and the diving was great, and I can only imagine it gets better when the other half of the family get certified and we can do the famed wall dive on our next visit. The only complain I can come up with is that there is no camera bucket on the boat. An added plus is they pick you up direct from the cruise ship pier. I am always lugging my gear with me so the shorter the distance to the boat, the better!

We would dive with St. Croix SCUBA again and would recommend them.

Papua New Guinea - Underwater Gallery

calypsonick — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:02:24 GMT

Kissed by the darkness - Cave training as it should be

looka — Sat, 04 May 2013 12:29:08 GMT

Just another cave diving story, enjoy:

I close my eyes, push back all the thoughts that want to come out and clear my mind and suddenly feel warm and comfortable, like the cave just wrapped me in a soft sensual hug. I can feel Yolly's hand grabbing my elbow, the guideline locked in my right hand and the noise of my own bubbles. My breathing is slow again, and so is my heartbeat.

[Read more...]
http://backpackandsunnies.blogspot.h...-darkness.html

Cheers,
Luca

Take care of yourself

DivemasterDennis — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:13:04 GMT

DivemasterDennis here, scuba snob, PADI pro, avid diver, and now cancer patient. I have been told no diving for the indefinite future, and I never thought that would be the case. I still feel good, but cancer cells have taken up residence in more than one body part, and I am starting to have impact on my respiratory system. I share that news as a 6o year old white male who is in good , very good health, or thought I was. A persistent cough sent me to the doctor and VOILA, look what they found! My diving friends, do not neglect your health! I haven't smoked since 1981, but being a non-smoker does not mean you can't get cancer in your lung ( and elsewhere). Even if you feel good, look good, and can do all you choose to do physically, get checked out regularly and don't get blindsided like I did. Have a physical, have a chest x-ray. Make sure that you are as well as you feel. I hope to follow up this post with a positive report of treatment outcomes, but frankly, I am a little scared right now. As medical bills mount I want to thank everyone who has ( and will ) by our books ( The Scuba Snobs Books). Treasure your health, enjoy your diving, and write about it a bunch on scuba board. My diving for a while will be through your eyes, and I love reading about your trips, experiences, and encounters. Good thing there is no more "Whine and Cheese" Forum, or I might just be their whining about this latest turn of events. As it is, I have untold memories of diving around the world with Debbie, and when I dream, I re-live the best of those moments. Happy Diving everyone. If you need another reason to dive, do it for me. Thanks.
DivemasterDennis