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As a PADI and SSI instructor, I'm not familiar with SDI performance requirements. That being said, most MSD programmes in general require 50 logged dives & 5 specs. You've already met the prerequisites.

+1 for Suunto, I have a d4i and love it. Although I've never used either of the others you mention, so feel free to take that how you will!

I've had mine for over a year now. I wear it as a watch when not diving, and its done in excess of 200 dives with no battery problems so far. They've got pretty good warranty's on them too.

Yep, Suunto all the way imo, I'd vote on the d4i too. Great computer with easy to use - and easy to read - features. Does everything you need/want it to do for recreational diving, and also doubles up as regular watch should you wish to leave it on. I have one myself, as do many of our instructors.

Right now the bleaching is mainly confined to the shallows, but shallow OW dive sites are slowly becoming affected too. Typically though, damage in deeper areas is (for now!) mainly restricted to the tops of formations that face the surface directly. I'm no marine biologist, but soft corals...

To answer the original question, I agree with the others that if you're used to diving in holiday/resort locations having a DM is considered normal. But where local diving is concerned its often the exception. Being more educated on the rescue side of things is never a bad thing though...

As a few others have mentioned, political disturbances are not new to those living/working in Thailand. In fact its a fairly regular occurrence. Some are just publicised more than others. In terms of the current situation, tourism destinations - especially the more remote areas and islands...

We're also seeing El Nino effects in Thailand, although unfortunately not in a positive way. Water temps have risen considerably so we're starting to see a fair amount of coral bleaching - especially in the shallows, where extremely low tides mean some corals are exposed for part of the day. If...

Here on Koh Tao one would not know there was a coup or curfew in operation. All businesses are operating normally and there has been no effect on night life or restaurants. The curfew has not been enforced and tourists and locals have been free to move as they please around the island. All...

It sounds like the site chosen for your buoyancy training dive could have been better, those conditions sounded a little difficult. Seasickness is never fun but preparation really is the key. There are some things you can do to help try to minimize your discomfort. Unfortunately short term, in...

You can clip gear onto your rig, or you can glue / sew pockets onto the legs of your wet suit.

We fin the magnetic octo clip holders to work well. You attach the base round your hose and then can clip on anywhere. A sharp tug will release the magnet and the hose easily.

In June you will find better conditions in the Southern Gulf of Thailand rather than Andaman Sea / Phi Phi / West Coast. Thailand has split seasons where monsoon on the Mainland and West Coast runs from May - October and the monsoon in the Gulf of Thailand is in November. You ca fly from Hing...

In agreement with all of the others here. You already exceed entry requirements - many DMT's start with way, way less than 120 dives. Also from your description you seem comfortable in the water and happy with your skills set so far. Therefore, although taking both of those specs would negate...

No worries Fareez, hope you'll have a blast on your DM. Yes, of course we remember Tanya, she's an excellent instructor - and lots of fun to boot. So I can imagine your advanced course was pretty awesome! We were really sorry to lose her when she headed back to Oz. Give her our best and a big...

Or.... you could just enjoy your holiday, relax, and let the internet get stuffed for a while. Just throwing it out there ;) There's a certain enjoyment to be found in disconnecting yourself for a while and just kicking back.

No worries. Good luck & enjoy your DM :)

I'd say your assessment of what happened is the most likely. As an instructor myself I often find that students run lower on Navigation dives than on others. I put it down to a combination of the following: 1) When focusing intently on any new skill for the first time (compass work, dive...

The reason for the differing ascent rates between agencies comes down the differences in the tables they use for dive planning. The SSI tables are based much more closely to the original US navy tables (although they have been adapted from their original form) - whereas the PADI tables have been...

Hello. We're a dive centre in Koh Tao. All bias aside you are probably better off diving Chumphon Pinnacle from here. You can do it from Samui & Phangan - I think there's a couple of centres (on Phangan at least, not sure about Samui) that do the 'golden triangle' where they hit up Chumphon...