Freediving Basics: Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen, and the Urge to Breathe
Check out the most recent article by guest freediving author Julien Borde: "If I hold my breath for a whole minute, I will die!" Or will you? This is a common fear of those with no freediving training. Many people have little knowledge of their natural breath holding capacities. As a professional freediving instructor, I am convinced that every person who undergoes freediving instruction can learn to hold his breath for at least two minutes! All it takes is a little knowledge and a little practice. Here is basic information about phsyiology of breath holding that every freediver learns during his initial training. Read more >>
Travel - Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Why would anyone want to book a dive vacation to a destination with very little coral reef? Cocos Island off the coast of Costa Rica in Central America has the answer - big life. Scalloped hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and even whales flock to Cocos Island because of its unique ecology and location. Read More >>
What Is the Definition of a Squeeze in Scuba Diving - Dive Basics
A squeeze occurs when the air pressure inside one of a diver's body air spaces is less than the pressure of the surrounding water. This condition can cause discomfort and even pain. Read More >>
Inspiring Divers - David Hosick
David Hosick is a world traveler, a cyclist and an experienced scuba diver. What makes David noteworthy is that he has accomplished all this without using his legs and with only limited use of his hands and arms. David is quadriplegic. Read More >>
Sea Turtle Identification Guide
How many of the seven species of marine turtle have you seen while diving? Click through this guide to learn more about what makes these animals so special, how to properly identify turtle species while diving, and why they are considered endangered species. Read more >>
Types of Sea Turtles:
• Green Turtles
• Leatherback Sea Turtles
• Australian Flatback Turtles
Where Should a Scuba Diver Attach His Alternate Air Source? - Dive Basics
Alternate air sources are standard scuba diving gear and are required for most scuba certification courses. An alternate air source regulator is a back-up mouthpiece and air delivery system carried by a diver in order to allow another diver to breathe from his tank in the unlikely event of an out-of-air emergency. Where should a diver carry his alternate air source? Read general rules and suggestions here. Read more >>
More General Knowledge Questions:
• How Does a Wetsuit Keep You Warm?
• What Is the Most Important Rule in Scuba Diving?
• What Is a Reverse Block?
CITES 2013 - Victory for Marine Conservation
Despite dramatic reductions in the populations of many commercially valuable species over recent years, marine species have received little attention. However, this was not the case at the recent March meeting held in Bangkok; a positive step in the right direction for marine conservation. Sharks and Manta ray populations can breathe a little easier now! Read more >>
Conservation for Scuba Divers:
• The Ocean Food Web
• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
• Guide to Coral Diseases
Leo Morales - Inspiring Divers With Disabilites
Leo Morales achieved the world record for deep diving with a physical disability on December 8, 2012, in Cozumel, Mexico. During his record-setting dive, he used eight tanks and descended to 410 feet. With asked about the record, Leo smiled warmly and explained that he is just a normal guy. That's the whole point. "I am not an astronaut, I am not an alien. If a regular guy can do an amazing thing like this, then anyone can do this, anyone can do amazing and inspirational things." And it's true. For a regular guy, he has made some astonishing achievements in a relatively short period of time. Read more >>
Equipment Safety Recall: Trident HP Hoses
Equipment manufacturer Trident has issued a recall on batchs of "smooth black rubber" and "braided" high pressure hoses.
Smooth black rubber high pressure hoses: A batch of about 200 high pressure hoses sold in the US from Novemeber 2011 to June 2012. The hoses may leak. Divers may identify a faulty hose by the following: Read More...
Addendum: Additional Consideration for Preventing Water in Scuba Tanks
In a recent article, I outlined the general protocol for preventing water from entering a scuba tank: never completely empty a tank. An About.com Scuba reader wrote in to share another way that water can enter a scuba tank. He explains: Read More...