Mastering Competency in Scuba Diving: The Path From Novice to Expert Diver
What is scuba diving competency? How does it differ from skills & experience? Learn how to improve your competency and why that matters!
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
Scuba Diving
Read MoreMastering Competency in Scuba Diving: The Path From Novice to Expert Diver
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.
Diving Psychology: The Benefits & Applications For Divers
Learn about the science of diving psychology and how it can enhance your skills, safety, and enjoyment underwater.
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?
Ultimate Solo Diver Guide: Independent & Self-Reliant Diving
Must-know advice for a pathway to being a safe solo diver. Honest dive pro insights on self-reliant training & independent diving abilities.
Undeserved Bends: The Facts and the 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
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 & Anxiety
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!
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!
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
Crucial tips for diving with sharks. Safety measures, statistics, types of shark diving, & the best global destinations for shark diving.
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!
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.
Diving Certification: Do You Need To Get Qualified To Scuba Dive?
Learn the benefits of obtaining a scuba diving certification, including improved safety, access to more dive sites, & enhanced diving skills.
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?
Scuba Gas Planning: Gas Management For Divers
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
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
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?
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
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!
What is the Best Technical Diving Computer? | 2025
My review of the best technical diving computer available in 2025. All the specifications and critique you need to make an informed decision!
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!
Technical Diving: Redundant Computers vs Backup Timer & Tables
Discover the pros & cons of redundant computers versus backup bottom timers & tables in technical diving. Which option is best for you?
Scuba Diving FAQs: Common Dive Questions and Expert Answers
Scuba diving FAQs answered by an expert professional diver with 30 years of dive experience! Essential tips for safe & enjoyable dives!
Scuba Q&A: Deep Diving Below Recreational Agency Depth Limits
Scuba Q&A Question: I was taught that “recreational divers plan all dives to be no stop dives” and also that most agencies consider 40m /130 feet as the maximum depth for recreational deep diving. That seems inconsistent when my…
Scuba Q and A: Diver Stress, Relationships and Comfort Zones
Scuba Q and A: QUESTION: I am a recreational diver and I dive mostly with my husband. Our relationship issues (bickering) caused me stress. Is this a factor I should consider when scuba diving? Andy’s Answer: [no_toc] I know of…
Scuba Q&A: Why Do Decompression Divers Use Nitrox?
Why do technical decompression divers use nitrox in the shallower part of their dive? Using nitrox and oxygen reduces deco time & DCS risk.