What is the Best Watch Sized Diving Computer? | 2025
A comprehensive buying guide to the best watch sized diving computer in 2025. Explore the details & specifications to for the best informed decision!
Andy Davis Sidemount Technical Wreck Diving Blog
Articles for beginner to expert scuba divers
Andy Davis Sidemount Technical Wreck Diving Blog
Articles for beginner to expert scuba divers
Andy Davis
Passionate scuba educator, technical sidemount diving fanatic and wreck diving explorer. RAID, PADI, TecRec, SSI and BSAC qualified technical diving instructor. Subic Bay, Philippines. Former Royal Air Force officer. 30+ years of high-level global dive experience.
https://scubatechphilippines.com/scuba_blog/andy-davis-technical-diving/
Is Sidemount …? A comprehensive FAQ Guide
Answering the most common sidemount questions. Is sidemount...? What sidemount...? How sidemount...? A growing resource for quick answers.
Sidemount Cylinder Boltsnaps | Gear Setup Tips
Sidemount cylinder boltsnaps may seem insignificant but are critical for cylinder trim. Choose the right boltsnap with this quick guide.
How to Make a Sidemount Break Away Hose Connector
Learn how to make a sidemount break away hose connector in just 4 easy steps! This DIY guide shows you how to make one cheaply!
Sidemount Regulator Configuration
Discover the 3 types of sidemount regulator configuration. Learn the pros & cons of each setup to choose the best solution for your needs.
How To Set Up Sidemount Loop Bungee
How to set up sidemount loop bungee : an illustrated step-by-step guide by Andy Davis. Take the guesswork & frustration out of kit setup.
Does Nitrogen Narcosis Impairment Persist?
A new study on nitrogen narcosis challenges the long held presumption that nitrogen narcosis impairment dissipates immediately on ascent from depth.
Is Sidemount Diving Technical Diving?
Sidemount diving has soared in popularity since 2012, but some still debate whether it is technical level diving or exclusively suitable for only specific diving niches. Let's explore that debate!
Working as a Technical Diving Instructor
My thoughts on working as Technical Diving Instructor after two decades teaching tech, trimix & overhead diving as a full-time pro.
A Logical Application of Gradient Factors for OC Tech Divers
My systematic method for assigning effective gradient factors settings on recreational and technical open circuit dives.
Technical Wreck Course: What Is Advanced Wreck Training Like?
A technical wreck course is among the most challenging courses for scuba divers. Read this descriptive account of advanced wreck training!
The Secret To Improving Your Air Consumption For Scuba Diving
The secret to improving your scuba diving air consumption explained: it's probably not what you were told! Start making a real change today!
Bad Dive Buddy | How To Create A Safer Buddy System Dive Team
A bad dive buddy is stressful & dangerous. Follow this advice to develop a harmonious buddy system and boost your diving safety & enjoyment!
How To Build Your Own DIY Custom Sidemount Harness
It's pretty easy (and cheap!) to make a DIY custom sidemount harness for yourself. Sidemount diving tips and 'how to' advice.
Choose Wisely: Technical Diving Instructor Location
Discover the impact of technical diving instructor location on your training quality. Choose wisely for the most rewarding tech diving course!
The Scuba Diving Industry: Cost Versus Quality
Does the scuba diving industry actually empower the pursuit of quality?
Building Homemade Sidemount Equipment Setup
My thoughts and advice about attempting homemade sidemount gear projects. What does it take to create optimal DIY sidemount systems?
The History of Sidemount Diving
A complete guide to the history of sidemount diving: how it evolved and the principles that were shaped from differing environmental needs.
Sidemount Skills: Problems With Fine Motor Movements
My thoughts on experiencing problems with sidemount skills performance; particularly fine motor movements.
Nitrogen Narcosis Sedation & Consciousness
Nitrogen narcosis sedation is diminished consciousness: not the alcohol-like intoxication many divers are taught.
Top-5 Tips to Perform Technical Diving Valve Drills
Technical diving valve drills can be a problem on tech courses. These top tips will help you avoid some common errors!
What is Technical Diving?
Technical diving differs from recreational scuba in many ways. This detailed article explains everything you need to know about tech diving.
7 Diving Buoyancy Tips That You Need To Know
Divers often struggle with their buoyancy. These essential tips are game-changing to set you on the right path for consistent improvement.
Tech Diving: Perceptions of Toxic Culture, Elitism & Clique Mentality
Uncover the contrasting views on toxic culture, elitism & clique mentality in technical diving. Is it ego and arrogance or misunderstanding?
What Are The Three Benefits Of Nitrox When Scuba Diving?
The three benefits of nitrox as a breathing gas for scuba diving. Is it worth the cost of training and more expensive cylinder fills?
Scuba Diving, Dehydration and DCS
Stay hydrated, stay safe:how to prevent dehydration and DCS in diving. Explore the impact of fluid balance on decompression illness.
Scuba Diving and Self-Discipline Failures
Uncover the psychology behind how failures in self-discipline occur when scuba diving. Learn about Ego Depletion & how it affects you.
The Desperate Dive Shop
Why do so many scuba dive shops struggle to profit or even go bankrupt? What are the mistakes they typically make?
Are You A Prestige Diver?
Let's take a look at diver motivations. It's easy to get side-tracked into superficial motivations. Who is the Prestigious Diver?
Is Solo Diving Safe?
Is solo diving right for you? Explore the safety considerations. preparation & personal factors needed self-reliant underwater explorations.
How to Choose the Right Dive Center: An Honest Pro Guide
Discover the ultimate insider secrets to finding the perfect dive center! An honest proguide on how to pick a high quality dive shop or resort
The Pro Guide To Scuba Diving Suits
Discover the importance of diving suits for underwater exploration. From material to design, learn about the key features to look for.
The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Starting Scuba Diving
This beginners guide has all the information you need for starting scuba diving & ensures you get the most out of your underwater experience!
The Best Budget Dive Computers For Entry-Level Divers 2024
The best budget dive computers 2024. Get value for money by understanding the features & functions. Unbiased advice to help you choose!
Best Liveaboards for Tubbataha Reef Natural Park in the Philippines
The best liveaboards for Tubbataha Reef. A liveaboard is the only way to experience this underwater treasure; find the right one for you.
Ultimate Guide to Sidemount Cylinder Trim
Sidemount cylinder trim is a headache for many sidemount divers. This illustrated guide will help you diagnose the problem & find the solution
Are You Ready For Solo Diving?
Examining the risks & personal factors that should be considered before attempting solo diving. Read this article before you dive alone!
The Best Diving Spots in the Philippines
The Philippines is a diver's paradise, with an abundance of stunning and diverse marine life, vibrant coral reefs, shipwrecks and crystal-clear waters
How To Find The Best Scuba Diving Course
Don't pay good money for bad training. Undertanding these factors will help you identify the best scuba diving courses available.
What is a sidemount pouch or pocket?
A sidemount pouch, or pocket, is used to stow ancillary diving equipment when sidemount diving. It clips to square D-rings on the read harness via two double-end boltsnaps.
Ultimate Pro Guide to Buying Dive Boots and Wetsuit Booties
Looking for the best dive boots? My ultimate guide covers all you need to know, from insulation & sizing to sole design & foot support.
Ultimate Guide: Positioning Sidemount Cylinder Bands
If sidemount cylinder bands aren't correctly positioned you'll struggle to achieve reliable cylinder trim. This illustrated guide will help!
Performance Development for Technical Divers
To excel as a technical diver you need to create a feedback loop to enable continual development. This article explains exactly how to do it!
Scuba Diving Buddy Separation Safety Protocols
Buddy Separation. An effective diving safety procedure that will minimize the chance of buddy separation and missing divers underwater.
Streamlined Dive Gear: A Huge Diving Performance Boost
The benefits of streamlined dive gear and how to achieve it with your own scuba diving equipment. Small kit changes can have big effects.
The Balanced Rig Principle For Diving
The balanced rig principle for diving describes a calculated approach to the amount of weight which can be jettisoned in an emergency
A Fatal Attempt: Guy Garman | Doc Deep World Depth Record Fatality 2015
Analysis of the individual and team psychological factors defining the fatal world depth record attempt by Guy Garman (Doc Deep).
Ultimate Pro Guide To Buying Scuba Diving Fins
Looking for the best scuba diving fins? My expert guide provides valuable insights and tips to help you make the right fin buying decision!
Equalization Made Easy: Pro Tips & Techniques for Great Diving
End your equalization troubles! My expert pro-guide provides proven techniques & tips to allow easy and reliable diving descents!
Sublime Scuba Diving: Achieving Flow State for Divers
Discover the transformative power of flow state in scuba diving. Dive into the zone and enhance your skills like never before. Find out how!
How to Nail Perfect Weighting for Your Dive: An Ultimate Guide
How to perfect your scuba weighting. Get this right & your buoyancy control will be much easier. Advice not taught in Open Water courses
Ten Essential Tips For Muffled Hearing After Diving | Ear Care For Divers
Expert advice for diving ear care. Know the important differences between ear infection, waterlogged ears & muffled hearing after diving!
Technical Diver Traits: Understanding Personality Factors and Dive Safety
Technical diver traits have a profound effect on dive safety and skill development. Learn about these traits and how to develop them!
Micro-Bubbles When Scuba Diving: Mild Bends And Sub-Clinical DCS
The effect of micro bubbles when scuba diving. Sub-clinical DCS may not merit a medical emergency, but should be understood and respected.
Which Sidemount BCD to choose?
Advice to determine which sidemount BCD will best fit your needs as a diver. Use these criteria to choose the most suitable dive gear.
Learning Scuba Diving Skills On Your Knees
Scuba diving skills taught in a kneeling position cause a plethora of problems for divers. Training in neutral buoyancy is very important!
A Guide To Expert Scuba Diving Skill Development
A 'how to' guide for scuba diving skill development. A systematic tiered approach to ingraining fluent & intuitive dive proficiencies.
DCS and the Immune System
DCS and the Immune System. How bubbles trigger an immune response that can make or break your body's fight against decompression sickness.
A Buddy System Strategy for Air-Sharing Diving Emergencies
Don't get gas mugged - The role of situational awareness in predicting and avoiding stressful air-sharing emergencies in scuba diving
What scuba training agency is best for technical diving?
Which is the best scuba training agency for your technical diving training? Understand the differences!
AI Dive Computers | Using Air Integrated Transmitters for Diving
Are AI dive computers a valuable investment for divers? Honest pro advice on using transmitters with air integrated dive computers.
What is the Balanced Rig Principle in Diving?
Balanced Rig Principle: improve diving safety with a calculated approach to the overall buoyancy dynamic. Survive BCD failures without drama.
Types of Decompression Sickness (DCS)
Decompression sickness types and symptoms. Medical catagorizations of DCS, along with sub-clinical DCS, aka decompression stress.
Prepare For Technical Diving Courses | 5 Simple Steps For Success
It is vital to prepare for technical diving courses. Follow these steps for the best chance of success in your tech training.
Using Your Hands Whilst Scuba Diving
Using your hands when scuba diving is inefficient for maneuvering. Learn how to break this habit and become a better scuba diver.
How to Judge Your Diving Ascent Rate Without a Dive Computer
Being able to judge your diving ascent rate is an invaluable safety skill if your computer or bottom timer fails. These tips show how!
What is the best way to prepare for technical diving training?
Improve your success in technical diving training by following these straightforward steps to prepare yourself before the course starts.
Top 10 Benefits Of Learning Technical Diving
Boost competence, comfort, and confidence by learning technical diving. Discover 10 surprising benefits that raise your ability as a diver!
The Physics of Diving – Scuba Gas Laws Theory
An explanation of the Scuba Gas Laws for Diving. Boyle's Law, Henry's Law, Charles Law, Dalton's Law, Oxygen Toxicity & Partial Pressures.
Decompression Stress: Post-Dive Fatigue and Subclinical DCS
Sub-clinical DCS, decompression stress and post-dive fatigue. The impact of microbubbles on diver vitality and health.
Technical Diving Experience: The Complacency Paradox
The technical diving experience paradox - acquiring more experience increases the opportunity for complacency to creep in & decrease safety.
Gradient Factor Comparison: 60m Trimix Case-Study
Comparing three gradient factor settings on a 60m trimix dive plan to discuss off-gassing efficiency and DCS risk.
Scuba World Depth Records – Science versus the Human Factor
Perspective on scuba world depth records: human physiology versus the limitations of diving science and technology.
Sidemount Training: How To Find An Effective Course
Sidemount training varies enormously in quality. Read these tips to identify the expertise and experience you need in a sidemount instructor.
How To Use A Pony Cylinder For Diving
A comprehensive 'how to' guide to pony cylinder benefits, selection, gas planning and usage. Everything you need to know about pony cylinders.
How Deep Can You Dive Using Air?
There are three governing factors which determine how deep can you dive using air. Understanding those factors promotes safe gas selection.
Using your BCD or a Drysuit for Buoyancy Control?
Should you choose your BCD or drysuit for buoyancy control? Find out the advantages and disadvantages of each option in this article.
When To Drop Your Weight Belt On A Scuba Dive?
Learn when to drop your weight belt to survive a scuba diving accident. Tips and advice on weight belts and technqiues.
CO2 Narcosis and Hypercapnia When Scuba Diving
Did you know that mild CO2 retention (hypercapnia) causes acute CO2 narcosis symptoms when you are diving? Don't assume it is nitrogen!
Changing to an AIR-2 Octopus AAS
What are the pros and cons to changing to an AIR-2 regulator inflator octopus (AAS) system? What needs to be considered? Best AIR-2 systems?
The History of Subic Bay
The History of Subic Bay A concise history of Subic Bay, charting 500 years of turmoil, conflict and occupation The history of Subic Bay reflects many centuries of war and turbulence. The Bay has strategic significance as a protected deep-water…
How To Overcome Fear of Mask Removal When Scuba Diving?
Learn how to overcome fear of mask removal when scuba diving with these expert tips. Improve your skills and confidence underwater.
Scuba Diving Cylinders: Steel or Aluminium?
Understand the characteristics, benefits & drawbacks to scuba diving cylinders. This article helps you decide between steel & aluminum tanks.
Technical Diving Skills | Reaching Your Valves
This article, posted at DiveDIR, gives great advice on how to reach your valves when conducting valve shutdown procedures.
Sheck Exley’s Razor – The Nature of Diving Limits
A re-published article discussing Sheck Exley's 'Razor' and the consideration of limits for overhead environment and technical divers.
Nudibranch in Anilao Nudibranch – Philippines Underwater Photography
Anilao nudibranch: Philippines underwater photography from one of the prime muck and macro dive locations in the world.
The Complement System When Diving: DCS And Immune Response
The Complement System and Diving by Dr. Ernest Campbell. The role of the immune response in sub-clinical DCS & decompression stress issues.
The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide To Choosing A Scuba Diving Wetsuit
Looking for the perfect scuba diving wetsuit? My buyer's guide for divers will help you learn about materials, sizes, features, care & more!
Risk Assessment in Scuba Diving: The Key Steps To Safer Dives
Learn a step-by-step process for risk assessment in scuba diving and why it is vital to ensure your safety as a scuba diver!
Top-5 Best Sidemount Fins 2024
Choosing the right set of sidemount fins is an important decision. They have a profound effect on diver trim and control. With that recommendation in mind, here is my pick of the top 5 warm-water sidemount fins.
Advanced Wreck Diving: The Ultimate Guide
A comprehensive guide to advanced wreck diving techniques, equipment, skills and protocols. A must-read for wreck divers at all levels.
Dive into Fun: A Parent’s Guide to Youth Scuba Diving for Kids
Discover the joy of youth scuba diving for kids. A parent's guide to safe and thrilling underwater adventures for children and young adults!
A Simple Guide To Dive Computer Algorithms
Not all dive computer algorithms are created equal. Learn the differences and make an informed decision when buying your next dive computer.
Drysuit Gloves: An Ultimate Divers Guide To Dry Glove Systems
Everything about drysuit gloves! Dry glove materials, seal systems & thermal inners. Uncover the secrets to a comfortable cold water dive!
Tropical And Cold Water Diving: What’s The Difference?
Discover the difference between tropical & cold water diving. Learn the right dive gear & techniques for safe, enjoyable diving experiences.
A Guide to SMBs and DSMBs for Scuba Diving
Learn how to choose, deploy, and maintain surface marker buoys (SMBs) and delayed surface marker buoys (DSMBs) for safe scuba diving!
A Guide To Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) For Scuba Diving
Learn about Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) for scuba diving. A divers guide to choosing, using, and maintaining a PLB for dive safety.
The Essential Guide to Emergency Signaling Devices for Scuba Diving Safety
Level up your scuba diving! A guide to emergency signaling devices: types, features, proper usage, and maintenance. Dive with reassurance!
The Ultimate Guide to Blackwater Diving
Discover blackwater diving with this ultimate guide! Learn about gear, safety, techniques, photography, marine life & best destinations.
The 10 Best Muck Diving & Macro Photography Sites in the World
Explore the 10 best muck diving sites for macro photography in the world.