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Yep, agreed. Get your cert first then start thinking about specific sites once you've found your ability and comfort level. Swim aptitude test is indeed a 200m swim - or 300m if you choose to use mask, snorkel & fins. You must also be able to float/tread water for 10 minutes.

Yes, I completely agree, and this is how most instructors add value and real life practical application when explaining and teaching the CESA to students. But the fact remains that PADI standards state the ascent must be taught and practiced from 9 metres max on a single exhalation, on the basis...

By standards watching the videos is a mandatory part of the course (unless unavailable in your language), but whether this is done as part of the lessons, or given to students to watch at home varies between dive centres. Personally, since instructors have to sign/check the box on the training...

I do agree with many posters that if you are taught the fundamentals properly, and continue to be a prudent diver who exercises good judgement, buddy team efficiency etc, that emergency ascents should be a completely unnecessary evil. But they do still need to be taught. The underwater world is...

'Silly bunt'? Really? How mature....Thanks for this, and to NWGrateful Diver, who also pulled my response to pieces. Jeez guys, its just my opinion! But...first of all I categorically did not state that I wander round punching people in the face - just that that's how it makes me feel when I see...

Yep, agreed. It makes absolutely no difference. PADI logbook, SSI logbook, bit of paper, toilet roll, whatever. The important part is the diving. How to choose to record that afterwards is entirely up to you.

Yep, it should definitely still be under warranty. In recent weeks, the sure lock weight pocket handles have actually been replaced by much more durable versions. This is a common and frequent problem for Apex & Aqualung BC's - I've now gone through many replacement handles for my Aqualung Pro...

I feel very strongly that marine life should never be touched or manipulated. Its their natural environment after all, not ours. Personally whenever I see or hear of divers touching/prodding/poking/riding sea creatures, it makes me want to track them down and punch them in the face. How to...

Yep, PADI say it can take up to 90 days, but generally its not nearly as long if its been processed properly. With SSI students must be registered within 48hrs, and it really depends on the dive centres location/card printer services after that. Where we're based for example, we have the head...

At recreational level, it really doesn't matter which logo is on your card. PADI & SSI quals are interchangeable, so if you do your Advanced course with a PADI instructor you'll be a PADI AOW diver, and this card will supersede your SSI OW. You can then continue to do rescue or specs with either...

Yep, we come up pretty close to Buadhai for Chumphon Pinnacle. We dive it from our speedboats regularly at off peak times where there are none of the big boats there. These are the coordinates from our own GPS system. Gets us there bang on every time :) Lat Long N 10,10,15 E 099,46,80...

Ah, grammar. The difference between knowing your s*it, and knowing you're s*it ;) For those with a grammar Nazi persuasion, I'd say 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' is the book for you :)

First of all welcome back to diving :) Here's an idea...why not complete your refresher as planned, and talk to your LDS about joining your buddy who's taking the full AOW as a fun diver. This way, you get to dive together and you don't need to pay to repeat stuff you've done already, but you...

I wouldn't worry about overspending on a dual scale SPG if it works out too much more expensive than the standard one scale. We work in bar and frequently have divers bring their own regs with psi gauges. Its absolutely no problem. As long as your dive guide/buddies are familiar with your...

Eating gluten free in Asia can be quite a challenge! I'd say your best bet is to plan your holiday as usual, and contact the dive centres and liveaboard operators you'd like to use, and ask them directly. If you can help them with a list of foods you can eat, or ways to work around it, the good...

A bit late to the party on this one but in general, a bit fat no! Definitely not as stupid as you'll look if you need it and don't have it!

We come across this fairly regularly as a dive centre in the tourist/holiday market. The number of times we get customers not wanting to pay the extra money for advanced training dives because other centres or diving buddies have already taken them well below their certified limits is...

The agency is not as important as the instructor. I'm a PADI and SSI instructor and to be honest at open water level there are really just a few minor differences between the two. These come mainly in the names attributed to some skills, and a few in the technique used to teach and practice...

I think it all comes down to how the gear has changed. As a rule of thumb I get students to put weight belts on 1st if using standards belt set up - much easier than fighting to get in on after once wearing a bunch of heavy gear. And as some of the others have said, modern BCs should not impede...

Buddhasummer +1, although I'd lean more towards the zoop as I find it a bit easier to use compared to the puck.