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No, unless you have some potential condition that contradicts diving. I have to get one for scientific diving every two years. An annual physical can be beneficial, but mandatory, no.

CocoView Resort in Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras. Kona coast of Hawaii in addition to the places others listed

Yes, lots of it. Logistics can be a bit of challenge unless you have a boat. When I moved up here 22 years ago everybody in California was telling me "there is no diving in Alaska." They were misinformed.

yes, the industry is largely self policed despite LA County's and other jurisdictions in the early days. Another way of looking at the situation may be protective regullation or competitve regulation. Scuba is largely a competitive regulation scheme; that is, associations seek to limit entry...

Common knowledge by a dive industry that wants to sell you a $7 bottle of defog vs a $3 bottle of sampoo. Been using baby shampoo on the mask for 20 years and have notice no degradation. I agree that masks should not be placed in rinse tanks. I noticed one resort has two rinse buckets. They...

I have done a lot of diving at Channel Islands National Park. I think that october is one of the best months for diving there. Days are clear and sunny, visibility is excellent, water is still "warm." For me, the Channel Islands diving has always taken place in a 7 mm with hood, althought...

Big Island Divers has an excellent manta dive. I had used another operator but switched a year ago after being bumped on two of my four days.

You can call DAn for advice. They might tell you that the problem is that yur symptoms might mask a decompression illness or make your problem worse. In either case, treament to discriminate between the two may require a trip to a chamber. They gave me similar advice when I asked about diving...

My experience is bit dated, but I flew to Fiji precovid in 2019. At LAX, they came through the boarding lounge prior to the flight and weighed everyone's carryon. If you are on a liveaboard or going to a dive resort, check to see if they offer a discounted second checked bag discount. I was on...

I would try to book directly. Failing that you can try a broker but you might find it useful to find a dive shop that has a group charter to whereever you want to go and book spots through them. That has worked for some people I know in the U.S. Not sure how that works in other places

A friend of mine, Brandon Cole, recently wrote an article for Scuba Diving Magazine on diving in Japan. You may find some of his insights useful. Note the company he used to arrange his dive trip, World Tour Planner. Link is in the article...

Kona Brewing Company, Magic;s Beach Grill (adjacent to Magic Sands Beach) Jackie Ray's are three of my favorites

Looks interesting. subscribed

Did not see this thread until now. I dived Roatan in early January. Bleaching was evident, heavier in some places than others, but I agree with your assessment plenty of life and color.

yes. I use a nut driver or socket ratchet to tighten and loosen the lock nut

Welcome. I got my drysut cert in the DC area in 2000 in a pond out near Front Royale. An interesting experience and a very damp one as the drysuit did not fit properly. The dive was scheduled early, a scout troop was getting certified the same day and my instructor wanted us gone before they...

I have used a Mares Cruise dive bag for years. It has rollers and padded shoulder straps which tuck away when not in use. It has external fin pockets. The fins give the side of the bag rigidity. When empty, the bag folds into itself occupying minimal space when stored.

Your question reminds me of the road trip I took from San Diego to Puerto Escondito south of Loreto in December 1990 in my pickup truck. Three divers with all our gear, camping equiment, etc. We must have looked like the Clampetts. The police never stopped us and we often saw the tourist...

The diving around Kona is not challenging or complicated. When I did the two tank dive for mantas a few months back, we had a lot of mantas and dolphins intoxicated on puffer fish toxin. Quite a show. The advanced dives are usually drift dives but all dives of the boat are guided. I never...

Shops want their instructors to exhibit the equipment the shop carries. The influence of the instructor on dive equipment purchases by students has long been recognized to the point it is now a truism. I have found the requirement applies less so to divemasters in general and student...