DearDiveBuddy.com - The place where divers and their instructors stay in touch.

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Bubblemaker — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:06:12 -0600

DearDiveBuddy.com offers FREE WEBSPACE and web building tools for Dive Masters and Instructors to stay in touch with their divers. If you are a Dive Professional you get your own website with up to 5 GB of space for articles, galleries and videos. TO REGISTER GO HERE!! read more »

Circular bubbles. How to make them safely.

Martin P. — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:38:01 -0600

I will now reveal you the secret of the bubble trick. All the in’s and out’s of making circular shaped bubbles that grow as they go up, to end in an elegant swirl. How to make them safely. read more »

Compass use. The most applicable.

Martin P. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:11:19 -0600

After you’ve done the “square” swim in your advanced course, you may doubt the practical use of the underwater compass. When will you swim squares? So, some more practical examples of the techniques used by the dive guides. read more »

The difference between “dynamic” and “static” neutral buoyancy and some buoyancy exercises.

Martin P. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:02:41 -0600

Buoyancy control: Photo: Adam ButlerNeutral buoyancy, being weightless, is theoretical for a breathing diver on an open circuit. We will be slightly positive breathing in, a bit negative breathing out. This is an asset we can use to “micro” regulate our depth, giving us greater control by breathing consciously. read more »

A bit about recreational equipment set up. Within the standards

Martin P. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:18:09 -0600

A surface marker buoy (SMB)Why oh why most dive shops and dive centres still mount the alternate air source (octopus) on the right side? The right side is however, in my opinion, the wrong side. Sharing air with somebody in front of you results in a “S” in the hose. read more »

Pre-dive checks. Why and how.

Martin P. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:27:37 -0600

It is widely recognized that performing a pre-dive check can prevent most of the dive accidents that happen. As you remember from your Open Water Course a pre-dive check should be conducted on your buddy before entering the water previous to each dive. We try to remember it with sentences like “Burger With Relish And Fries”, not to mention the dirty ones, standing for BCD, weights, releases, air and a final OK. But, but, but ….. harsh reality shows us that forgetting is so much easier then remembering. read more »

Approaching sea life. How getting near and how near is near enough?

Martin P. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:39:14 -0600

On our first dive we are so occupied with ourselves that we don’t notice the sea life to much. The person that saw a whale shark on his first dive only told his wife later that he had seen something big and his ears hurt.

As we gain experience we get more attention for the surrounding. We tend to go closer and closer to the sea life read more »

Entry and exit techniques

Martin P. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:45:46 -0600

In the Open Water Course we have learned several entry techniques. To resume; sitting entry in the swimming pool or from a low or floating jetty, backward roll from rib boats and the giant strive from not too high jetties or boat platforms. All of which with full gear, mask on, regulator in and positively buoyant. I would like to add some. read more »

Groupers and moray eels hunt better together

Martin P. — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:53:07 -0600

Fish of two different species have been filmed helping each other to hunt. It is the first known instance of two unrelated species hunting cooperatively, except for humans. Like a hunter bringing a dog to flush out rabbits, groupers entice moray eels to hunt with them. Surprisingly, this might also shed light on how our own species evolved. read more »

Fining techniques. The most applicable.

Martin P. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:57:37 -0600

Up and down, that’s the way we learn to use our big blade somewhat stiff open-heel fins in the Open Water course. The fins are designed for this use and therefore it is this “normal” fin stroke that is the most effective. The one to use in most circumstances, long and slow.
However sometimes this high efficiency is not necessary and we prefer another technique. read more »