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I've only got a few SM dives myself, but I'd done plenty in BM with other divers in SM using SMS75 or SMS100 or Diverite wings. It was enough for me to get a specific SM harness, so much neater and much more comfortable. The convertible rigs work but I don't think they work well, much bulkier...

It would be interesting as to how many tech divers are hypoxic trimix certified. Not many if the number of instructors are an indication. Reg performance at that depth is something considered by a very select group.

Failure rate is extremely low, loss of comms is extremely low, and my SAC rate is pretty consistent. I just don't feel there is a plausible risk of losing AI, and having to end a dive. If it still does occur I don't think I'll have a single moment of anxiety getting back to the boat.

Time in the water, solid skills to manage task loading, the ability to learn and revise the theory, and the ability to 'tune' your gear to work for you, these are a few things to make you a good technical diver. A good instructor (but also one the compliments you) and a solid amount of time and...

Congrats. Whatever direction your diving is headed, its a regulator that will take you all the way. If they offer the 5th port conversion, give it some thought. Its not useful in a single tank setup, but if you ever go to doubles or sidemount, the 5th port is the shizzle. Its also not necessary...

I wouldn't buy them, but that is personal to my set up rather than an indictment on the regulator. I don't like the configuration. The Apeks Tek3 is the same but with an extra LP port, and I really dislike the Tek3 hose routing and its versatility. I prefer the turret regulators with a 5th port...

The free kits is a marketing gimmick that you carry the cost for. Not sure about Oceanic but the Aqualung deal was I had to pay for annual servicing. I abandoned it with my Legend, the free kit only applied if I paid the store to service it. The reg did not actually need a service and I had to...

The difference between Apeks and Aqualung is pretty marginal, the difference between all the high-end regs is undetectable (in my opinion) and the gap between mid-tier regs and top-tier regs is mostly the glossy brochure, pretty face plates and fancy coatings. The XTX50 and XTX200 second stages...

I started with SSI, it was knees based. When I went to PADI it was knees. If that shop was still running it would be interesting if they would teach NB, because the tides/currents and the wave surge were a handful for divers with 1-4 dives in their lifetime. I've paid zero attention to how SDI...

There is huge value in seeing feedback as a gift. People that give feedback are interested in your development, people with no interest will shake their head and mutter and walk away. Receiving feedback is hard, accept it gracefully and reflect on it honestly. Feedback also has to be given with...

I'd agree getting up the ladder with bottom gas, BM or SM, is the baseline. If you cannot that is fine, but its requiring additional support that the boat may not be able to provide. The idea of climbing a ladder with double 12s and a 7L stage; its hardly impossible but for every dive it is...

Actually it would seem your 'opinion' has been building for some time, and you finally saw enough to decide you were right. The fact you feel the need to thank Marie's LDS for "unveiling the truth about Marie13", when it affects you how? Even the dive shop appears to hold no malice, they've just...

Pro tip - power inflate from you LP inflator hose. Its the shizzle. The dump valve keeps it from over pressurising, woooosh, and up it goes.

Keep trying. There are stiff frame masks and flexible frames, different volumes, etc. Different head shapes affect things, everything is a variable. I have two favourite masks, both low volume freediving masks. Older is a Pelagic that I wear very loose, it it's even remotely tight it leaks...

On a drift we always had something up the whole time, the boat carried marker buoys on a reel for this. My wreck diving has always been in manageable water, so never had to fire the DSMB in anger. The plan has been if we've lost the ascent line, send the orange one up ASAP, we would practice...

I believe you learn more about the gaps in your knowledge and dive planning and problem solving when you're the diver everyone looks to. When people defer to you, or ask for advice it makes you properly consider things. A bit of perceived pressure sharpens you up, your buoyancy was probably...

I found some RayBans for a 12/13yr old a few months back. She dropped them in 11m of murky water, no way she was getting them back by herself.

I have a Suunto D9, great computer but quite behind the times now and I've outgrown it and it just sitting on my shelf wondering if it has any resale value. The DX is better than the D5, but it has a lot of functionality that you might never use if your diving future isn't technical. If you do...

Yeah, that would make my OCD act up. My ring it reasonably locks in and only rolls. Another guy I know through other people just fitted some fancy Sump UK rings that replace the rear loop and the sliding d-ring with a single bracket. Pics look fancy but I haven't seen them in the flesh.

The ring is free to roll, even with the belt tight. There is another groove that you can thread through which makes the rolling d-ring much tighter. Its then like mounting the d-ring on a tri-glide, which do not glide, or slide. If I get what you mean there is no rotation, the flat side of the...