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I always advise divers to take on DAN coverage. Dive insurance is extremely important - especially if you travel abroad and dive. Their coverage is fairly extensive - in terms of types of accidents covered, and geographical reach. ALSO, very important - many travel insurance plans that...

I've taken my BC as a carry-on on couple of occasions with a small regional airline - there was an issue about check-in luggage weight limits and I had to "rearrange" at the last minute. I didn't actually wear it but slung it over my shoulder and the staff didn't count it as a second bag.

Are they full-foot fins (the ones you wear without boots) or are they strap fins (ones you do wear with booties)? If you tried them on in the shop with the inserts, the real fit may be a bit different. Are they snug when they're on your feet and adjusted? They should not move around...

Is there another spelling for that? Or it might be a newly discovered site? I'm curious now.

Thanks Ken, good stuff! I know the macro fans are out there somewhere...:D

Between SSI and PADI, the courses are recognised by both agencies and you can go between agencies (until you get into the professional levels as someone already mentioned). You continue from whichever point you've been certified at and you do not have to go back to scratch. The courses are...

Generally, I think diving's healthy - a good day underwater puts you in a great state of mind. However, the apre-dive activities may not be so healthy - especially on holidays - yes, be honest: pub, heavy meal, the rest of the evening.......:shakehead:

There are some marketers and sales reps who will tell you that splits is the modern and only type of fins for effective diving. I've heard one saying at a trade show that if the split is the computer then the paddle fin is an electronic typewriter (????!!). Splits are seen as the sellable...

Cert card - before cert records were computerised and made available online.... I've seen a lot of people forgetting the MOST OBVIOUS things for their trips (mask, dry/wetsuit, tank for local dives). It's probably because we make titanic efforts to not forget any of the little important...

I have done quite a bit of solo travelling and in my experience, the good operators usually match up non-paired divers by experience - cert levels, number of dives and types of dives done - and interest (no point in a macro-photographer being paired up with someone who wants to cover as much...

I'm going to vote for the Red Sea if it was just for the diving. Judging from your itinerary, the Red Sea trip sounds like it'll give you greater diversity and challenges. But I think Fiji can be a great place to travel and dive if you want to chill out a bit more and hit some beaches.

Best to wear a wide-brimmed hat on land and on boat and try to sit in the shade where possible. Nice to hear someone who's concerned about the effects of sunblock on marine life.

A question for those who are: A) Certified scubadivers who dive at least once per year AND B) In a relationship - married, living with a partner or seeing a partner on a regular basis Is your partner/spouse/significant other a certified diver (any level)?

Having never been to Bonaire, I can't say second or third (or first) but for nice shore dives, I will say Dahab - with the Blue Hole being a must dive - and Gozo (something different) with its nice underwater formations.

I'm very fortunate to have experienced few whale shark encounters - diving and snorkelling - while living and working in the Gulf of Thailand. The best and luckiest time was on a diveboat with just two students doing a surface interval on OW day one and our captain got a radio call from a...

If you're willing to travel a bit, The Red Sea (with the Thistlegorm wreck being a highlight) might be worth considering. The northern region - based in Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheik - is a popular destination for "beginner" level divers and you can do either land-based or a liveaboard. The Red...

Thanks Allison this sounds really interesting and I wanted to read some more but the link doesn't seem to be working. Is it me or is it the link? Thanks

I always think it's a really good idea to do a skills circuit on a regular basis. Go through all the skills you did on your OW course and if there are any you have difficulties with, practice them. This is great to go over anything you're not sure with and to increase your confidence. Other...

Cold water diving is a different experience to the nice warm dips and it may take a bit of getting used to. My first thought - as you mentioned getting a headache at one point - is that your hood may not be providing you adequate thermal protection. An ice-cream headache can bring on a very...

Hello Rusty, As previous responces had noted, do have a look in the Thailand and Australia-related sections. I'll just put in my favourites - out of so many! If you get a chance on the east side of Australia, The Yongala wreck out of Townsville would be a great side trip to your work...