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Yeah, not done in CESA, because it is both "Controlled" and "Swimming". The buoyant ascent however, when uncontrolled, especially with a drysuit, is a completely different thing - it is the equivalent of an ICBM launch where you can do nothing but exhale and aim at the stars. Done that from...

It's normal to struggle. Drysuit diving comes with its challenges at first. Adding a little bit of weight is also common - IF you are underweighted. Doesn't sound normal. You must carry too much weight. Reduce weights. Dive in the shallows. You need four feet of water to dive. Once that...

Of course you can! Technically, at least. Laws do vary from country to country and from state to state. I would be surprised though, to find a mention of an octo in any law. Duty of care maybe, if you are a professional... This is not legal advice, remember. You need to do contingency...

That's a really tough question. If I would be a holiday diver, I'd probably choose PADI as it's widely available and recognized. But I am not a holiday diver. I have a bunch of their cards though. All GUE trained divers I've met (they are plenty) have been really good, albeit restricted to...

GUE does.

Partly, yes. But the study materials are also relevant. And each instructor represent their agency. And agencies can audit their instructors. Some actually do.

People should do their job they are paid for.

I meant SSI but the topic was SDI. I got confused. Now, having experienced a TDI trimix course, one was enough, instructor of the year, I'm not that convinced that their rec branch SDI is great either. This is from personal experience and is based on one course only. Very few agencies teach...

So... why does an insurance company accept SDI then and not PADI? Is there a difference in the raw number of incidents or in the percentage of dives that lead to incident? Insurance companies tend to rely on probability theory. They employ mathematicians.

Is this because of a lacking certification? The self reliant diver course does not comply with some I$O standard?

It also shows that certifications mean nothing but money to them. This puts in question their training. Is it for the safety of the diver or only for profit?

I believe that the relative risk depends on what you are prepared for. Cave diving comes with many serious risks, but so does open water dives in oceans. About 3% of my dives are at sea. Hence, I do not know the environment, and it almost ended badly. I always felt safe in caves and all was...

Open water = no ceiling. However, for some people open water diving equates diving that's allowed for "PADI Open Water Divers". To all: State your definition.

At first, I would agree. It's a ridiculous idea to even claim that cave diving is safer than ocean diving. Please note my terminology. Ocean diving, not open water diving. Things are not that simple, however. One third of my dives are cave dives, mine dives and ice dives and the only dive that...

There can be strong currents in caves. Caves are often formed by running water. No storms in caves, but the tide may affect some caves, blue holes. That could get you killed. No such things in caves... Oh... Ever heard of silt? Visibility can be totally lost, and many have died. A...

Attitude when it is no longer a no-brainer, but you actually need to think and plan a safe return. Normal openwater dives are quite simple to perform. I cannot see them as "technical".

You want to do dives with mandatory decompression stops and penetration dives in wrecks without even basic training in buddy rescue? The rescue diver course does not make you a rescue god, but you'll learn some basic techniques and IF your instructor is good, you'll learn something about...

Something that's loose fitting and thin? That mask and ear cups assembly already has two straps: one at the back and one on top. Are you sure you need it better secured? If you do, get a thin hood that is not too tight (as the ear cups seem to be quite big and you really only need them to be...

100% agree.

And hey, not a log, a diving diary...