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I have only dived with Dressel Divers. I was impressed by their classroom prep (I wasn't involved in this) and instruction, and I found them to be a quality operation. A very happy and accommodating group. Many of the DMs/Instructors have been with them for quite a while.

I am from the SSI world and am not following many of the comments. It appears the SSI Dive Guide/Dive Master/Dive Con program works differently, or maybe it is simply taught differently at our shop. After Science of Diving, a fairly rigorous academic course, we started our Dive Guide training...

I agree- I find diving cheaper than several other hobbies, one if which is photography. I shoot wildlife, events, sports, landscapes, etc. 14mm to 600mm makes for an expensive hobby. Now add in UW photography- if this goes with Diving, not photography, then diving is catching up ;-) Good...

As I mentioned, it has more to do with the tipping structure. Not saying better or worse, but Europeans often suggest wages should be better, thus less for the tip. Americans are use to a very different scenario. I for one feel the European scenario (better pay) would be better, but I am...

In the US, for a short boat trip with reasonable service, $5 per tank. If a long haul (1hr plus one way), and decent service, I tend to tip $10 per tank. If they bailed my backside out for whatever reason, it goes up from there. Bad attitude or service, $0. A live aboard is another issue...

I tell all who will listen that Stress & Rescue is the hardest class (after DM) you will take, and the most satisfying- if you only take one more class, take that one. Taught well, I am sure any agency's class is rigorous. And all who have taken it, either being in the class or assisting with...

Actually, the only time I have been asked is how much TIME I have been underwater. SSI has as part of their Professional Standards that a certain number of dives and time underwater are required. IIRC, Dive Guide is 40 open water dives totaling 25 hours or more to start the program. When I...

It was divided basically into 5 sections of 20 questions, the first section dealing with Physics. The first part was impossible, said by this engineer. One of my fellow DG candidates was a full professor of physics at a local university and found the questions totally inappropriate, misleading...

I know after an OW class or a Stress and Rescue class I can feel totally wiped out after many accents from a 20 foot platform. Several of the Instructors and DiveCons have started alternating accents with the students, especially when there are 7 or 8 students. It has helped quite a bit, even...

While it is fun diving with similarly experienced divers, at your stage, if available, I would recommend finding a mentor that would be willing to work with you and others of your experience level and willing assist you in improving your skills. I do this a lot with the new divers who join our...

Electronic logs for me. MacDive and Dive Log. Being an UW photographer, I do attach pictures to a few of my more memorable dives. I also make a .pdf every 25 or so dives and keep this in a different location as a backup. 2 weekends ago I worked with with a Stress and Rescue class, guided 2...

Use a snorkel during classes, as it is required by SSI. Otherwise, I usually have a fold up one in my dive bag for a possible snorkel during a surface interval, but that is about it.

Wow, I don't know were to begin. I have been fortunate to retire early and travel often, only having been certified two years plus three days. I am in the middle of my DiveCon training, and as such I lead many trips (also because of available time) locally. I love spending time with newly...

OMD, Sea & Sea Strobes, Nauticam housing. Last week in Bonaire, my camera froze twice. It was several days apart, so 1,000+ shots between episodes. Had to get to land, take the battery out, then it was fine. Both times I was shooting the 12-50 (of course we had a visit from one of the largest...

I am a heavy user of MacDive and Dive log on my iPhone. And MacDive downloads very quickly and simply from my Suunto D4i. I have tried several others, but have found this a fabulous and reliable combination. I do know MacDive is only for Mac laptops. The developer has noted that it won't be...

You don't say in your profile, but I assume you are a fairly new diver. First, relax and move slowly. Pretend you are in slow motion. You will move over the landscape slower, and see more things- although often not in a quarry. Next, make sure you are weighted correctly, and TRIMMED...

My daughter and I dove Cayman Brac- flight from DC on Cayman Air was $350 each, no luggage fees- they make it easy for tourists. The resort in combination with Reef Divers was $1,250, including three fabulous meals, transfers, nice rooms and three boat dives a day. Only have to pay for...

As with several others, we experience low viz. This time of year in the quarries the viz is often 4 feet +/-. It does create some stress, but more than that it takes a LOT of concentration. I often feel wiped after these sessions. I just got back from Bonaire, and I was dreaming of teaching...

I have been tempted to go with a Air 2/3, but with teaching, especially in the first classes, we always have our hand on our alternate. It's one thing to zip out the alternate to the student while you breath your primary, but another to quickly donate your primary, put in your Air 3, all the...

Great fun to watch. Thanks, Terry