What scuba training agency is best for technical diving?
Which is the best scuba training agency for your technical diving training? Understand the differences!
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/
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
Originally posted 2019-02-03 18:20:37. 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…
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
Originally posted 2018-11-05 06:10:54. 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. It’s the most comprehensive analysis of this key skill attribute…
Sheck Exley’s Razor – The Nature of Limits
Originally posted 2018-03-07 23:55:22. Sheck Exley’s Razor – The Nature of Limits By R.D. Milhollin (Blog editor’s note: This article was first published in the March-April 1995, issue of Underwater Speleology. I have added it here on my blog to preserve and…
Nudibranch in Anilao Nudibranch – Philippines Underwater Photography
Originally posted 2018-11-05 06:10:56. Anilao Nudibranch – Philippines Underwater Photography A gallery of colourful Anilao nudibranch photos, taken by Andy Davis, during a 1-week training expedition to Anilao in the Philippines. Anilao is often regarded as the ‘Nudibranch Capital of…
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.
Sidemount Diving | Book Release | Rob Neto
Originally posted 2015-09-30 12:45:42. Sidemount Diving – The Almost Comprehensive Guide book release by author Rob Neto Rob Neto, the highly regarded sidemount and cave instructor is releasing his first book, ‘Sidemount Diving – The Almost Comprehensive Guide‘ in the…
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!
What is the Best Technical Diving Computer? | 2024
My review of the best technical diving computer available in 2024. All the specifications and critique you need to make an informed decision!
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.
What is the Best Watch Sized Diving Computer? | 2024
A comprehensive buying guide to the best watch sized diving computer in 2024. Explore the details & specifications to for the best informed decision!
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. Learn about capturing stunning underwater photos of rare critters!
Muck Diving in Subic Bay, Philippines
Muck diving underwater photography in Subic Bay, Philippines. Experience the rare marine life to be found in this photographer's paradise!
How to Tie a Regulator Bungee Necklace
Technique and video showing how to tie a DIY regulator bungee necklace for your hogarthian or sidemount short hose regulator.
Shearwater Dive Computer Settings: A Guide to Gradient Factors
An illustrated guide to getting the best out of your Shearwater dive computer settings. Don't be intimidated by the advanced display options!
Technical Diving Valve Shutdown Drill Explained
Follow these 21 methodical and simple steps to effectively drill the technical diving valve shutdown drill for increased safety & proficiency.
Air Integrated Dive Computers with AI Sidemount Mode
AI sidemount mode differs from just having multiple cylinder transmitters. Discover the best air integrated sidemount diving computers!
XDeep Stealth Modifications: Low-Profile Waist Buckle
The benefit of adding a low-profile waist buckle to your sidemount system.
Pony Cylinders and Redundant Air Sources for Wreck Diving
What is a pony cylinder? Why are they recommended for wreck divers? This article answers your questions.
Nylon-Braided Regulator Hose Diving Emergency
Originally posted 2022-12-22 04:06:25. Nylon-Braided Regulator Hose Diving Emergency On Wednesday, 22nd July 2015, I had to complete a real-life diving emergency air-sharing ascent with a technical diving student because neither of his regulators was delivering gas at depth. If you’d…
XDeep Stealth Classic Modifications: Crotch Bungee
A nice modification to create a removable XDeep Stealth Classic wing lower attachment.
How Can I Make My Air Last Longer When Scuba Diving?
Make your air last longer when scuba diving by following these simply tips. Read the solution to end frustration of high gas consumption!
Sidemount Air Integration | Ultimate Guide to AI Transmitter Setup
Sidemount air integration. An illustrated step-by-step guide to configuring AI transmitters optimally for sidemount regulators. Perfect setup!
Recreational Diving Limits: Assessing The Grey Area Versus Technical Diving
Recreational diving limits become increasingly blurred with technical diving. Why are limits required & how do divers need to consider them?
How To Best Ascend When Scuba Diving?
Three important tips on how to ascend when scuba diving. Read this to increase your safety and enjoy less fatigue after your dives!
Top-5 Best Books For Diving Instructors!
The best books for diving instructors to improve teaching ability & train better divers. None of this was taught in your dive pro courses!
What are the two styles of sidemount BCD design?
There are two styles of sidemount BCD: Mexican cave & Florida cave. Understanding the differences allows the best choice for your needs.
XDeep Stealth Modification: Redundant Buoyancy
This XDeep Stealth modification adds redundant buoyancy to the Classic, Tec or Rec sidemount BCDs. It is a simple oral inflation system.
A Guide to Modern Sidemount Diving
A comprehensive guide to sidemount diving. What it is, the history, the equipment styles, how it is configured, gear setup and everything else you need to know.
What is Diving Experience? Can it Define an Expert Diver?
Divers often talk about diving experience. But what does that mean? Learn the difference between an experienced diver and an expert diver!
Deep Diver Courses: What You Really Need To Know!
An honest appraisal of the training given on recreational Deep Diver courses versus the risks that exist on deeper dives.
The Best Ascent Speed for Scuba Diving
Learn the best ascent speed for scuba diving. Contrary to assumptions, slower is not always safer when it comes to diving ascent rate!
Why Do I Feel Tired After Diving? How To Avoid Post-Dive Fatigue
Do you feel tired after diving? Read this article to understand what REALLY causes post-dive fatigue & the simple steps needed to avoid it!
Pro Tips For Choosing The Best Scuba Diving BCD For Your Needs
Honest pro tips on how to buy the best scuba diving BCD for your needs. Learn about BCD features, functions, designs and suitability!
Scuba Diving Regulator Buyers Guide
This honest and impartial scuba diving regulator purchase guide will save you money. Avoid making costly mistakes when buying expensive dive gear.
What are the Risks of Deep Diving?
Deep diving risks are badly educated on many dive courses. This article is a comprehensive guide to the hazards of deeper recreational diving.
Why Do More Diving Courses After Open Water Diver Certification?
What is the value of doing more diving courses after open water diver certification? It all depends finding a high quality course. Read how!
Problems Reaching The XDeep Stealth Dump Valve
There are 6 issues commonly causing problems reaching the XDeep Stealth dump valve. Read my simple advice to easily fix those issues!
Underwater Photography in Subic Bay, Philippines
Originally posted 2018-11-05 06:10:45. Underwater Photography in Subic Bay, Philippines Welcome to underwater photography in Subic Bay, Philippines! Subic Bay is a world-renowned destination for wreck diving, but is often unknown by underwater photography enthusiasts. With its diverse range of…
Ultimate Guide to Diver Propulsion Vehicles: DPVs and Diving Scooters
Everything you need to know about DPV diving! Learn about the features, functions, price ranges, and suitability for different types of diving
The Ultimate Guide to Full Face Masks: FFM for Scuba Divers
Learn everything you need to know about diving with Full Face Masks (FFM) in this very comprehensive diver guide. Buyer's advice and pro tips!
How To Use A Long Hose Regulator Configuration For Recreational Single-Tank Diving
Discover the art of safe diving with a long hose regulator! Explore this comprehensive step-by-step guide for recreational single-tank divers.
Underwater Metal Detectors: Ultimate Guide For Treasure Diving
Underwater Metal Detectors add adventure to your diving! This guide explains how they work, their features, effective operation & safety tips!
Diving Mask Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: Everything You Need To Know!
Learn the secrets to buying your perfect dive mask with this comprehensive divers guide. From features to fit, these pro tips will help!
Adaptive Diving: Redefining Scuba Diver Independence & Inclusivity
A comprehensive guide to scuba diving for people with disabilities through the liberating and therapeutic opportunities of adapative diving.
Solve Dive Mask Fogging: Your Expert Guide To Prevent Mask Fog
End the frustration of mask fog with my comprehensive guide! Say goodbye to dive mask fogging forever with this 100% working solution.
The Ultimate Diving Gloves Buyers Guide For Divers
Get the best diving gloves for your needs with this comprehensive divers resource. Essential information & pro tips for the perfect purchase!
Overconfidence in Scuba Diving: The Psychology of Diver Hubris
The psychology of diving overconfidence exposed. Learn how you are predisposed to overestimating your ability & how that lowers your safety.
Scuba Diving Risk Management: Heuristics And Dive Safety
Learn how heuristic thinking harms scuba diving risk management. Read this to safeguard against cognitive biases for safe & successful dives!
A Diving Hood Buyer’s Guide: Stay Toasty, Dive Cozy
Choosing the right diving hood has never been easier with this comprehensive guide. What you need to know to dive with warmth and comfort.
Top-10 Tips: How To Prepare For Technical Diving Training
Technical diving training is HARD! Increase your chance of success with these top-10 tips on how to prepare for your tech diving course!
Normalization of Deviance: Insidious Drift Into Dangerous Diving
A must-read guide to normalization of deviance: the dangerous slide into irrationally justifying bad diving judgments & avoidable accidents.
Experience is overrated. Diving ability matters!
Diving experience isn't the path to mastery. Read this to learn what is really necessary to develop expertise as a scuba diver!
Situational Awareness: The Most Neglected Diving Safety Skill
Discover the key to safer diving: situational awareness. How can poor training diminish it? And what steps can you take to improve it?
The USS New York Wreck, Subic Bay
Dive site details for the USS New York wreck in Subic Bay, Philippines. History, dive details and video of this famous shipwreck for divers.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect and Risk Judgment in Scuba Diving
The impact of Dunning-Kruger Effect in scuba diving risk assessment. Dive into the psychology of over-confidence & flawed diver judgment.
Scuba Diving Mastery: The Deliberate Practice Approach
Deliberate practice is a methodology for the most efficient skill development. Learn how to fast-track your diving competency with this guide.
Altitude Diving Adventures: All You Need to Know
Altitude Diving Demystified: A complete guide to high-altitude underwater exploration. Expert tips & insights for unforgettable experiences.
Ultimate Buoyancy Control Guide: Dive with Effortless Precision
Unlock the secrets of developing perfect buoyancy control in this comprehensive step-by-step divers guide!
Diving Stress Management & Scuba Diver Panic
A realistic examination of scuba diving stress management. What does it REALLY take for a diver to overcome panic when a dive goes wrong?
PFO – Patent Foramen Ovale and DCS Risk in Diving
What every scuba diver should know about PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) and DCS risk. Is your heart putting you at risk?
Scuba Diving Anxiety & CO2 Narcosis
Did you know that scuba diving anxiety can arise from CO2 narcosis? Learn why descent speed, gas density & exertion can affect your dives!
Grading Wreck Diving Restrictions
Defining grades of wreck diving restrictions. How to assess the severity of restrictions when planning your dives in backmount and sidemount
Scuba Diving Descent Speed: What You Need to Know!
This article has everything that you were never taught about scuba diving descent speed! What effects and issues does the descent rate have?
Skin Bends: A Guide to Cutaneous Decompression Sickness
A guide to Cutaneous Decompression Sickness, aka skin bends, that result from inadeqate deco, fast ascent, or PFO issues when diving.
Understanding Inner-Ear Decompression Sickness (IEDCS) for Divers
A guide to understanding Inner-Ear Decompression Sickness, aka IEDCS or verstibular bends, that result from IBCD or PFO issues when diving.
What is Fluorescence Night Diving? A Guide to Fluo Diving & Glow Diving.
Discover the magical world of fluorescence night diving. Dive into neon colors & biofluorescence with fluo diving! Tips, gear & the science!
Showa L2D Tabby Aircraft Wreck | Subic Bay
The L2D Tabby aircraft wreck in Subic Bay. Dive site details, map, history and photos of the wonderful Tabby wreck in Subic Bay Philippines.
Your Ultimate Night Diving Guide: Dive into Darkness
Explore the thrill of night diving safely and confidently with this comprehensive guide. Learn the gear, techniques, tips and marine life!