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Thank you for all your feed back guys - much appreciated and all comments are noted. I agree that the fin pivot exercise is very important and under-rated. When I am training my students (yes knowone I do train my students, not just pump them out of a sausage factory, but I guess the narrower...

Just thought I would copy my latest blog post about buoyancy control, for any new divers who may find it interesting: Buoyancy control is the most important skill a scuba diver can master. Many divers believe their buoyancy control is good, but when put to the test it fails to come up to...

Unless you are making your open water dives in fresh water, its probably not that beneficial to practice in a pool, because of the differences in your buoyancy between fresh water and salt water. Make sure you are correctly weighted before you dive by doing a proper buoyancy check. Remember that...

I quit smoking 8 months ago :) I am a very experienced diver and instructor, and don't feel it made any difference to my air consumption. HOWEVER I do feel a hell of a lot better in general! So glad I quit!

If when speaking to your prospective instructor, they don't have the patience to answer your questions, get out of there! If they don't have patience and interest in you before you start the course, then they certainly won't do when you get in the water!

A check-out dive normally refers to a short dive with one of the resort / dive centre staff. It is becoming more common in a lot of areas to have a Divemaster lead you on your dives, but in areas where this isn't the case they will normally give you a check out dive. They will just be checking...

A good post. I agree that the number of divers an instructor has certified is not always an accurate reflection on how good an instructor they are. In fact I would be wary of an instructor who has a high level of certifications in a short period - quantity doesn't mean quality. Ask if you...

Be very clear from the beginning what you expect from your dive guide or ask to dive with just a buddy - you are after all a certified diver. Some divemasters don't understand their role properly. If they insist on you diving with the group, be very clear on how you like to dive and what you...

Nothing wrong with doing your Advanced Class straight away - more experience under the supervision of an instructor is a good thing. Just make sure you choose your instructor and dive options carefully and you'll have a great experience and learn a lot. A lot of the things taught on the Advanced...

Very few people are comfortable without their mask when they first start out, but it a very important skill. Just practice, practice and follow the tips you have been given on this thread. You will get there and then will wonder what worried you so much. Happy diving!

Congratulations of becoming Open Water Certified :) To broaden your options with regard to depth you will need to take your Advanced Open Water course. The course is made up of 5 'Adventure Dives', and yes has to include the Deep Adventure Dive and the Navigation Adventure Dive - the other 3...

A good thread and an interesting read. Unfortunately at entry level training too many instructors don't seem to want to spend the time teaching proper breath control and simply massively overweight their students under the misguided impression that it makes their lives easier as their students...

If you don't want to go far from Bangkok, Koh Chang is your best bet. The diving is not amazing, but pretty good for the Gulf. I would recommend White Sand Dive Centre in WhiteSands or BB Divers in Bang Bao. I would agree with the others about Pattaya - the diving isn't as bad as people say...

Try Koh Chang from September onwards - diving is not amazing, but not bad either for the Gulf and the island is lovely and only 4 hours from Bangkok. Dive either with White Sand Dive Centre in White Sands or BB Divers in Bang Bao

There are many options available - simply type in PADI Divemaster / Instructor Training in the US into google. Make sure you choose your centre and instructional staff carefully. If you are interested in a career in the industry, it is important you get good and thorough training. Don't skimp on...

PADI still primarily teach tables, but there is now a computer only option. Whichever method is chosen, teaching dive planning is COMPULSORY. If the computer only option is taught, there is a REQUIRED extra manual on top of the Open Water Diver Manual. If the instructor didn't cover dive...

Most importantly make sure you are not overweighted so that you reduce your drag in the water, relax and practice your breath control - breathing should be deep and slow to make sure you don't build up carbon dioxide in your body causing you to breath faster. As everyone else has said it comes...