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Who revived this thread and how is it stuck on diver training and training agencies. There is not a certification in the world (unless someone in Palau is writing one) that is going to teach you to snorkel over the tip of Peleliu and determine if the bottom conditions are acceptable for you...

I voted on this one and found I was in the minority by a long shot. I won't teach with one. There are some skills in OW where I need to be able to get the primary or my octo back in my students mouth. To have to worry about spitting out my primary, jamming that into your mouth and then finding...

I think the variety of species are very comparable. I think overall numbers of fish favor Bonaire. In deference to Saba we did see seven grey reef sharks over two dives. Even the guides agreed was out of the ordinary and it wasn't one of those shark roundup nonsense dives, this was au-natural...

Winair from St. Martin offers frequent flights to Saba, and gives you a generous 44kg per person allowance if they know you are divers. This allowed us to bring all of our own gear, including camera housing, strobes, and lights, plus hiking boots and clothes. However, because the planes are...

You need to be truthful with your insurance agent and insurer. Keep in mind when you put in a claim (hopefully never) it is deemed a financial loss to the insurer. If there is an out for them, like you die diving and they happen to discover you were certified and pursuing further training before...

Another NeilMed user. Had sinus surgery 4 years back and the ENT recommended a daily rinse with salt water/baking soda. What other product can clear your sinuses and give you the sensation of drowning in the comfort of your own home?

Does anyone charter a 6 or 8 pack in bonaire, with or without a guide for a day of 2 or 3 tank dives? Despite having been to Bonaire 5 times in the past 3 years I have done all of about 2 days of boat diving. I am going down with a group of 6 experienced divers and we would like to do our own...

Who brought this thread back to life, and how the heck did this turn into the bash PADI olympics? If you are not going to say how your agency would have done better, than lay off the PADI bashing nonsense. I am a PADI instructor, I lived and worked in Palalu for a year (and not on a live...

Allison, First off see if you book directly with any of the liveaboards if they have any last minute space available bunks. If you don't mind, or even can share a cabin with someone, that would be dead cheap. Don't even think about paying list price. They like to fill space if at all...

I recently saw him on the Military Channel / History Channel. They have been running a 1 hour clip for the past month on the taking of Peleliu and Anguar. It is incredible to see the film footage of what then was an island blasted down to its coral base. Today it is so lush you would need a...

The only thing I want to see 15 of underwater are sharks or manta rays. 2/3rds of the earth is covered with water, so spread the people out some. My typical class size is 4 people. I like to see OW ratios in the 2 or 3 range per instructor/assistant. People shop on price then want to find...

About half of what was written about Sam's shocked me, the other is just plain life. I am headed back to Palau in a week, I lived there in 00 - 01 and even worked for Sam's while I was out there. I don't know who you dove with at Sam's, but let the battered remain nameless, but let us know...

You can do a reel, or you can smartly wind your SMB and save the weight in your suitcase for something else. With a 50lb limit from the states I would not relish having to pack a reel just for a SMB. I agree that with 20' of cord tied to a SMB you can rocket to the surface as well so you...

I will be in palau in t-minus 13 days. Leave your reel at home. In places they will use a ball attached to a wreck reel line so that you can keep a suface marker bouy while you are underwater. This is the way I saw it done in West Palm & Jupiter. In Palau the only one that may be carrying a ball...

It was the writer of the story that gave the misimpression Fish-N-Fins was involved. They run a safe, tight operation with a lot of experienced local guides and boat drivers. When I left there in '01 almost no one dove with the DM carrying a 'ball' as a surface marker. The only operation...

The slideshow was great. I miss the Pacific, lived in Palau for a year in 2000-2001. Always bring a raincoat as it sprinkles about every day. February should be the dryest time of year, but since you are only 4 degrees from the equator, it is bound to rain. I am headed back from the 24th...

Just got off the plane from Bonaire today. STAY AWAY FROM AIR JAMAICA. (PERIOD). I was supposed to fly from Philly to Bonaire via Montego Bay. I check my e-ticket two days ahead of time and guess what, I arrive 1/2 hour after the Montego Bay-Bonaire flight leaves. Did anyone call me or...

I have 4 1/2 with my wife's rig. I never wanted to service my own gear until I found myself overseas with my newly serviced Sherwood that would not stop freeflowing. I came to find out the numbskull that serviced it set the IP for 160psi. Luckily the guide knew how to fix this, knew what the...

doole - right on the mark. I second that. Once you have introduced something to the distribution chain, you have no control over it, period. That is why agencies like the CPSC and the FDA are the public voice of a recall. If a Mfg. can account for all of its defective products, and...

I know as an instructor I should say 'take a specialty class', but in all honesty AT LEAST seek out someone that has a lot of dry dives under their belt. Take at least two shallow(er) dives and really nail your bouyancy, dumps, and roll skills. You should be able to dump air and straighten...