Andy Davis Sidemount Technical Wreck Diving Blog

The USS New York Wreck, Subic Bay

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Dive site details for the USS New York wreck in Subic Bay, Philippines. History, dive details and video of this famous shipwreck for divers.

Undeserved Bends: The Facts and the Myths of Unexplained DCS Hits

undeserved bends the facts and myths of unexplained dcs hits

Unexplained DCS hits can leave divers puzzled. Dive into the facts and myths of undeserved bends to understand and mitigate your DCI risks.

The Role of Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness in Diver Development

Learn how emotional intelligence and self-awareness contribute to the mastery of diving skills and the mitigation of dive safety risks.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect and Risk Judgment in Scuba Diving

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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

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Unlock the secrets of developing perfect buoyancy control in this comprehensive step-by-step divers guide!

Diving Stress Management: Scuba Diver Panic & Anxiety

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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

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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!

scuba diving descent speed rate narcosis hypercapnia

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.

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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!

A Guide to Diving With Sharks: Thrills, Chills, and Safety Skills

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Crucial tips for diving with sharks. Safety measures, statistics, types of shark diving, & the best global destinations for shark diving.

L2D Tabby Aircraft Wreck Photos | Subic Bay

Showa L2D Tabby aircraft wreck subic photos

More photos of the L2D Tabby wreck in Subic Bay. It is a Japanese Air Force wreck dating from WWII. The dive site is 45m/150ft deep.

What is the Difference Between a Divemaster and Dive Guide?

When taking a scuba diving vacation it's important to know whether you have a dive guide or a divemaster. Learn the crucial differences here!

Achieving Perfect Diving Trim: Your Path To Effortless Dives

How to develop your scuba diving trim and become a more comfortable, confident & competent diver. Follow these simple tips for swift progress!

How To Maximize Enjoyment as a Scuba Diver!

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Getting the most enjoyment from your scuba diving. Turn gratification into passion! A philosophical & psychological path to diver fulfillment.

10 Traits of Highly Competent Divers: A Diving Mindset To Excel!

Want to excel as a diver? Discover the 10 common traits that define highly competent divers. Implement these concepts to enhance your diving!

Decompression Sickness Treatment & Recovery

Richard Pyle's educational account of his experience with decompression sickness, treatment & the recovery. A valuable read for divers.

How To Find The Perfect Height For Your Sidemount Tank Bands

Get your sidemount tank bands at the right height to preserve arm mobility & keep your tanks in perfect trim! Follow these 2 simple steps!

Choosing A Wreck Diving Instructor: How To Find Specialist Expertise!

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Finding a legitimately expert specialist wreck diving instructor is critical for becoming a safe and proficient wreck diver. Choose wisely with this honest pro advice!

How much experience is needed for technical wreck penetration?

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How much dive experience is necessary to do technical wreck penetration diving? An honest guide from a 20-year technical wreck instructor.

DIY Sidemount Helmet Instructions

How to make a DIY sidemount helmet for wreck and cave diving. An illustrated and comprehensive guide.

Wreck Diving Risks: Hazards, Dangers, and Precautions

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What are the wreck diving risks & how can wreck divers avoid those hazards? This essential dive guide explains everything you need to know!

The Lost Guideline Search Procedure in Advanced Wreck Diving

A detailed guide to the lost guideline search procedure for advanced wreck divers. Learn the best practices in this step-by-step explanation!

Technical Scuba Diving Books You Must Read!

My shortlist of the best 'must read' books for advanced and technical divers. Lot's of knowledge and some good stories

Diving Certification: Do You Need To Get Qualified To Scuba Dive?

Scuba Diving Q&A. Andy Davis. Professional dvice tips how to diver dive sidemount technical tech wreck questions answers

Learn the benefits of obtaining a scuba diving certification, including improved safety, access to more dive sites, & enhanced diving skills.

Ultimate Guide: How To Set Up A Sidemount Harness

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There are just a few simple steps to the methodical setup of a sidemount harness system. Knowing those right steps can save you lots of time and frustration.

An Evaluation of the Modern Scuba Diving Training Industry

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An evaluation of the modern scuba diving training industry, focusing on diver commitment demographics & expectation management.

Nitrogen Narcosis: Why It Is Hard to Know You Are Narked

How do scuba divers perceive nitrogen narcosis? Is it possible to gauge your susceptibility to narcosis & make sound judgments to manage it?

What are the Risks of Technical Diving?

Discover the risks associated with tech diving and how they can be mitigated. Learn how to stay safe while exploring deeper depths.

Scuba Gas Planning: Gas Management For Divers

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Learn scuba gas planning for your dives! A step-by-step guide to gas management for divers. Enhance your dive knowledge & safety underwater!

Optimizing Configuration For Your Backplate and Wing BCD

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Discover how to perfect your backplate and wing diving rig with DIR and Hogarthian principles for the perfect diving experience!

Avoid Costly Mistakes When Buying Dive Gear

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Honest expert pro tips to help prevent costly mistakes when buying your dive gear. Don't regret your scuba equipment purchases!

What is the difference between a safety stop and a decompression stop in scuba diving?

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The important distinctions between safety stops & decompression stops in scuba diving. Understanding no-stop limits versus mandatory deco.

The Risks of Scuba Diving: Understanding the Hidden Dangers Underwater

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Understand the potential risks of scuba diving and how to minimize them. Learn about the most common dangers and how to stay safe.

Scuba Equipment Shopping: How To Buy The Best Dive Gear!

When scuba equipment shopping it's easy to waste money on disappointing or inappropriate dive gear. These honest pro tip helps avoid costly mistakes!

Mastering Horizontal Diving Trim: An Effortless Balancing Act

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Stable diver trim is the foundation for good buoyancy control and efficient propulsion. It also helps conserve the marine environment.

Gas Density in Diving: Research, Risks & Recommendations

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Discover how gas density influences diving safety. Learn about the latest research, risks to divers, & recommended limits for safe dives!

The Truth About Diving Emergency SAC Rates

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Are you underestimating your dive emergency SAC rates? Studies reveal far higher gas consumption than you'd expected!

How To Choose The Best Wreck Diving Course?

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Detailed guidance for choosing the best wreck diving course. Wreck diving can be dangerous; so it is important to choose expert instruction

Single Tank Sidemount Diving: An Essential Configuration Guide

Learn how to configure for effortless single tank sidemount diving with my illustrated guide. Expert regulator setup & hose routing tips!

10 Tips for New Divers to Rapidly Improve

Maximize your diving potential with these 10 tips for new divers to rapidly improve confidence, comfort and competency on your dives!

How To Use Less Air When Scuba Diving?

The best way to use less air while scuba diving is to address the root cause of higher air consumption, not to focus on the symptoms.

What are the benefits of sidemount diving?

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An honest explanation of the benefits of sidemount diving. The pros and cons of sidemount versus backmount gear for recreational, technical and cave divers

The Changing Technical Diving Mindset: Issues in Technical Diving

Technical diver mindset: an analysis of change over two decades. Contemporary issues in technical diving and certification.

What is the biggest risk in technical diving (and how to avoid it)

Risk in technical diving and the need for humility and self-awareness. The temptations to ego driven pitfalls and how that risks diver safety.

Top-10 Tips For Safe Wreck Diving Penetration

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Essential tips for safe wreck diving penetration. Don't risk your safety - learn how to avoid wreck diving dangers like an expert!

Backplate & Wing BCDs for Diving: Ultimate Guide To BP&Ws

Backplate & wing BCDs demystified: A detailed guide on their pros, cons, setup, & why they're a top choice for beginners & serious divers!

The Most Iconic Technical Wrecks: A Bucket List for Tech Divers

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Discover the most legendary technical wrecks around the world with my ultimate extreme diving bucket list for tech divers!

UNESCO Marine World Heritage Sites That You Can Scuba Dive!

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Discover 29 stunning UNESCO Marine World Heritage Sites for your diving bucket list. Awe-inspiring dives that promote marine conservation!

Immersion Pulmonary Edema in Scuba Diving: Understanding The IPE Risk

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Learn the risks of immersion pulmonary edema (IPE) & understand its impact on divers. Understand the issues of this emerging diving concern!

RAID Instructor Cross-Over: My Course Review

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My detailed account and insights of the technical diving instructor level crossover to RAID. Held in the Philippines in 2017.

Technical Diving Development: Goal-Setting For Success!

How To Set Goals For Your Technical Diving Development

Don't waste time & money when developing as a technical diver. Create the best training plan to succeed in your tech diving ambitions

Top-20 Best Wreck Dives in the World

Discover the bucket list wreck dives around the world, from the hauntingly beautiful SS Thistlegorm to the majestic shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon.

10 Tips To Horizontal Hover When Scuba Diving

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The ability to horizontal hover when scuba diving is the benchmark of fundamental skills proficiency. These tips will help you master hovering

Diving Equipment: Bungee Secured Safety Spool

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Safety Spool: How to configure for wreck or cave diving to be secure, yet easy to access quickly in an emergency.

How to Choose the Best Sidemount Instructor

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Learn how to select the best sidemount instructor to guarantee maximum performance & a high proficiency outcome! Don't waste money on cowboys!

Master Scuba Diving Buoyancy Control Like A Pro!

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Achieve effortless diving with these expert step-by-step tips. Master breathing, weighting, trim, & more. Use less gas & increase your safety!

Top-5 Best Vacation Diving Travel Fins 2024 | Dive Gear Review

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Lightweight diving fins that don't compromise on performance! Here is my pick of the best vacation travel scuba diving fins

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

sidemount break away hose connector how to guide assemble make diy long hose

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

Sidemount Loop Bungee Set Up copyright 2019 Andy Davis

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?

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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?

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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?

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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 and 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

elitism ego clique in the technical diving community

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

Self-Discipline Failure Diving Judgment Safety Ego Depletion

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

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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

guide-to-choosing-the-best-dive-center-for-scuba-divers. Best dive shop near me advice.

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

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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 Diving Spots 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