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I've taken the DSAT Tec Deep course and I can't say I'm a great fan of it. Firstly, I don't think there is nearly enough emphasis on the basic skills you need for this level of diving. I've seen a number of people pass this course (me included) while still having significant difficulties with...

Hopefully you won't see anyone with a yellow backup either. Ideally the backup should be as invisible as possible because the last thing you want is an OOG diver trying to grab it. Personally, I use identical ATX50's for primary and backup - I just have the primary adjusted for easy breathing...

Hi All, Anyone done Gran Canaria recently and able to recommend and dive centres out there? TIA, Barry.

That's the beauty of capitalism - decent people will always be sent into bankrupty by the ruthless.

That's lucky - you can breathe from your buddy's Apeks when your Scubapros start freeflowing :D:D:D:D:D

Yeah, all us DIR guys can do this, I'm afraid - the secret is lots of practice. :D Seriously though, a large part of it is getting your weight positioned right. you could experiment just by grabbing a couple of kilo weights in your hands so you can easily shift them from your waist to in front...

For my DM project we actually mapped something that's been done dozens of times before - the most common local dive site. We redid it because we wanted to make a nice poster sized map with lots of underwater photos for the wall of the dive club - something for the student divers to see in...

I don't really see why. It sounds like a bit of an ego thing - that people want to be able to call themselves rescue divers even if they haven't practised a rescue skill in five years. Well, if you're happy fooling yourself with your ever valid c-card, fine...

Well, what do you know - I should have looked in the rescue diver instructor manual earlier: The PADI Rescue Diver course encourages student divers to periodically update and refresh their skills. The following outlines a rescue review program for certified Rescue Divers interested in...

Looking down on Sun readers is hardly elitist. Anyone capable of tying their own shoelaces can do it. Take a look at their website and see if you disagree.

I'd take a full 3mm - mainly 'cos I got stung on the leg by something last time I dived in Cozumel with a shorty. It certainly won't be too warm for a full 3mm. Anyway - you have to take a ferry over to the mainland and go cavern diving in the cenotes! A full 3mm plus a hood is necessary for...

Yes, I like that idea. What we really need is a Rescue equivalent of the PADI Scuba Review program. It wouldn't have to be a complete Rescue course again; perhaps just a pool session to practise the skills followed by a rescue scenario session.

To be honest, if they're just doing it for the plastic and not the skills then maybe that's a good thing. It has a 3 year expiry.

Is that "No. Rescue skills don't need refreshing", or "No. I don't want the extra work"?

The EFR first aid card only lasts two years, but the Rescue c-card is a permanent qualification. Is there a case for making a Rescue only valid for two years as well, after which an update course must be taken to keep the qualification?

Scubapro is a good make - their regulators and those from Apeks are really the only brands which are used widely by the tech diving community. Apeks are probably the better choice for cold water but for warmer water either is good. As for the computer, I'd get a basic, entry level nitrox...

You can find the video of the dive from Shaw's head cam and some extra documentary here: YouTube - The Last Dive of David Shaw

Erm, the first in water task for PADI OW dive 1 is a weight check. Did you do a weighting check? If not ask your instructor if he could teach the course you paid for, please.

I really think that exposure suits need to fit so well that you should get them somewhere you can try them first (or, even better get measured for a custom fit which is well worth the extra money). Get the stuff like regulators from the internet. Having said that, a good relationship with an...

Brand isn't really important - neoprene is neoprene no matter who's logo is stamped on it. What's important is good fit. Go to a dive shop that has lots and try some on. If you're lucky enough to have a standard body shape you can probably find a good fit off the shelf (though 3mm suits are more...