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Essential Movies for Divers

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From the 1960’s onwards, we pick our favourite films that are dive related. We have picked 9. What would be your favourite – to bring our list to a neat and tidy 10?

Jaws

The film that instilled a fear of sharks into a generation. A masterpiece of film-making by Steven Spielberg and writing by Peter Benchley. Most of the shark shots used an animatronic model, called Bruce, however some shots were filmed at the Neptune Islands in South Australia with Rodney Fox. We chatted with Rodney about Jaws, and he recalled stories from the filming, one of which included the use of a tiny cage, with a dwarf body-double inside, to make the shark look much bigger! The Great White Shark managed to get its mouth all the way round the cage and the actor within decided that was enough for him and vowed to fly back to LA!

Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo is the ideal movie for divers, and their kids, to while away a rainy afternoon. For divers, watching this film and seeing the attention to detail on the marine creatures characters is a joy. Bruce, the shark, is named after the model shark used in filming Jaws. Soon we will have the sequel to enjoy – Finding Dory.

Thunderball

A classic Sean Connery Bond film, with plenty of underwater scenes, filmed in the Bahamas. One of the sites used in the film is now called Thunderball Grotto and is a great place to spend the day snorkelling. The film is a 1960’s 007 homage to orange wetsuits, twinsets and spearguns.

After reading the sequence in the script with the sharks in Largo’s pool, Connery feared that his life would be in danger, so he insisted that production designer Ken Adam build a special Plexiglas partition inside the pool. However, the partition Adam built was not a fixed structure and one of the sharks managed to pass through it.

“He never got out of a pool faster in his life – he was walking on water,” said Adam.

Big Blue (le Grand Blue)

Luc Besson’s cult film about freediving is a must watch for any diver. Sporting rivalry, friendship, romance and freediving wrapped in wonderful cinematic underwater scenes.

The Abyss

James Cameron combines his sci-fi expertise with a love of the depths and creates a classic. To make the film, the cast and crew endured over six months of grueling six-day, 70-hour weeks on an isolated set. At one point, actress Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio had a physical and emotional breakdown on the set and on another occasion, actor Ed Harris burst into spontaneous sobbing while driving home. Following the film’s release, Harris publicly refused to ever again discuss the film, saying “I’m never talking about it and never will.” Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio said of the film “The Abyss was a lot of things. Fun to make is not one of them.”

Men of Honour

Robert De Nero and Cuba Gooding Jr star in a US Navy classic.  It is inspired by the true story of Master chief petty officer Carl Brashear, the first African American master diver in the United States Navy.The film features the classic US Navy Mark V diving equipment used by the Navy from 1915 until 1985.

Sphere

Another heavy-weight cast and director combine to make another underwater alien encounter. In this case, the alien is called Jerry! The film is based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton.

The Life Aquatic

Completely nuts! Bill Murray and the cast have a blast, but does anyone know what is going on? And do you care?

Though the characters were inspired by such American novels as The Great Gatsby and The Magnificent Ambersons, the plot has been compared to Moby-Dick.

Deep Blue Sea

Samuel L. Jackson’s second film in our list. This has all the makings of a classic B movie. Sit down and prepare to laugh out loud! Scientists experiment on sharks to cure Alzheimer’s and it all goes horribly wrong.

Have you got a favourite dive related film that’s not on our list? Let us know in the comments section below!

For more from Nick and Caroline, check out our Underwater Photography Section or visit www.frogfishphotography.com.

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

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RAID: The Globally Respected Agency

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If you ever wondered what’s the exciting buzz around the RAID Diver Agency, we can tell you right here!

The prestigious Royal Thai Marine Police have chosen RAID as their trusted agency for their Underwater Operations Course.

learn to dive

This intense and rigorous course is designed to equip the force with the specialized skills and expertise needed for all underwater operations, ensuring they are totally prepared for the challenges of their critical missions.

With RAID‘s comprehensive training, the Royal Thai Marine Police will be well-prepared to handle the demands of their underwater tasks.

learn to divelearn to dive

Why RAID? Truly Different?

The RAID philosophy is we are divers, not Recreational or Technical, just divers.

We all start with our first breath underwater with limited knowledge and experience. How much theoretical knowledge individuals may want is a personal choice.

However, when it comes to practical experience, there should be no difference to the required skill foundation and learning the fundamentals of diving is crucial.

With the roots of RAID International being founded in a technical background, the ethos is to provide all divers with solid fundamental skills of diving buoyancy, hover & trim which provide a robust platform for any future training in whatever direction they decides interests them.

How do RAID do that?

RAID conduct all dive skill training how you would use it practically. Perfect buoyancy with good hover and trim position.

learn to dive

Other agencies teach you to sit on the bottom and do skills! Do you go to the bottom every time you want to clear your mask?

learn to dive

learn to dive

Dive training in a class of its own.

RAID FREe-Learning.

No smoke and mirrors with RAID, there is nothing to hide.

Everyone can access any and all of RAID course theory and skills manuals online and downloadable without any charge or commitment.

Truly FREe-Learning

You bet that wasn’t popular with the book selling agencies!

If that wasn’t enough, additionally, all the skills videos, are available on YouTube with FREE access.

The core of RAID‘s ethos is to provide all divers with solid fundamental skills of diving buoyancy with perfect hover & trim providing a robust platform for any future training.

To enable that, RAID Professionals must have skills honed to the highest level, always performed with consummate ease and completely naturally.

To access the whole FREe-Learning library completely without any commitment or cost, simply register with RAID by scanning the QR code.

No one will contact you, you are free to download and peruse whatever you want to.

Should you decide you would like to know more or would like to take a course contact James at RAID UK and he will direct you to your local RAID centre.

RAID UK 
James Rogers
www.diveraiduk.com
info@diveraiduk.com
+44 191 4324644

RAID – A Global Agency

RAID has Regional Offices around the world all fully embedded in the governing bodies of diver training.

WRSTC Member USA, ERSTC Member EU, Worldwide ISO Certified, RTC founding member.

RAID Dive Centres are in all corners of the UK!

All ready to offer divers and beginners a friendly welcoming new standard of service. Whether you are ready to take your first breath or an experienced exploration diver, make visiting a RAID Dive Centre your next step.

Here are just a few suggestions.

Bay Divers
Swansea
www.baydivers.co.uk
+44-7859-018970

West Coast Diving
Kilmarnock
www.westcoastdiving.co.uk
+44-7904-539512

SevernTec Diving
Shrewsbury
www.severntecdiving.com
+44-1939-291303
 
 
 
 
Pirates Dive Club
Tyne and Wear
www.piratesdiveclub.co.uk
+44-7969-825646
 
 
 
 
 
Dive South
Poole
www.divesouth.co.uk
+44 7976 392686
 
 
 

RAID – Holiday Destinations

Looking to take a dive trip with your club or personally, here are just a few popular RAID dive holiday destination ideas for the UK based diver.

Egypt 
Maldives 
Bali 
Thailand 
South Africa 

Click to contact the Regional Office for a full list of dive destinations in that region.

EGYPT

Pharaoh Dive Club
Roots Red Sea, El Quseir, Egypt
info@pharaohdiveclub.com
www.pharaohdiveclub.com
+20 10068 22000

Multi award winning centre offering special ‘Dive & Stay’ packages

Scuba Dreamer Diving College
Park Regency, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
www.scubadreamer.it
info@scubadreamer.it
+20 122 7150550

Based at Park Regency & Beach Promenade providing a full 5* package

MALDIVES

Fehivina Dhangethi &
Dhodhi – Dhiffushi – North Male’ Atoll

www.scubadivinemaldives.com
scubadivinedhangethi@gmail.com
scubadivinedhiffushi@gmail.com
+96 07913075

Range of accommodation options available

Jerrys Dive Club
Rasdhoo, Maldives
www.jerrysdiveclub.com
hello@jerrysdiveclub.com
+960 772 7876

Stay at Jerry’s Guest House

BALI

Prana Dive
Kabupaten Karaangasem, Bali, Indonesia 
www.pranadive.com
info@pranadive.com
+62 813 3877 5345

Why not stay with us at Teratai Boutique Resort

THAILAND

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Roctopus Dive
Ko Tao, Thailand
www.roctopusdive.com
‍info@roctopusdive.com
+66 99 470 4566 
Not just a dive centre; a vibrant community of ocean enthusiasts deeply rooted in the tropical waters of Koh Tao.
 
Roctopus Dive excels as a premier dive center on Koh Tao, celebrated for our exceptional partnership with RAID dive training. With a robust focus on professionalism and safety, we’ve cultivated a team renowned for their dedication to diver safety and education.
 
 

SOUTH AFRICA

Adventure Mania
Sodwana Bay, South Africa
www.adventuremania.co.za
info@adventuremania.co.za
+27 82 653 7824

Adventure Mania takes pride in providing personalised, eco-conscious dives that highlight the beauty of protected coral reefs and marine life. This family diving business, nestled within a Marine Protected Area, offers a diving experience that is as educational as it is exhilarating.

Adventure Mania’s expert instructors and staff have a deep-rooted passion for ocean conservation. They not only guide divers through breathtaking underwater landscapes but emphasise the importance of marine preservation. Teaching diving with Adventure Mania goes beyond imparting technical skills; it embraces fostering a respect for the ocean.

ScubaCo
Durban, South Africa
www.scubaco.co.za
info@scubaco.co.za
+27 79 779 4242

ScubaCo is a boutique RAID Dive Centre operating on the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline of South Africa. ScubaCo are specialists in both shark and reef diving as well as featuring the annual Sardine Run migration as they are so well positioned to offer the best of the best.

Many clients enjoy our wonderful packages with ScubaCo Guest House accommodation coupled to amazing dive options – Shark Diving, Big 5 Safari & Diving the Sardine Run.

This destination is a must for every Diver and should be on your bucket list for dive travel.

Make sure to add Aliwal Shoal to your next Diving holiday and let Tamara and her team take fantastic care of you while in South Africa.

Dive & Travel the RAID way

When you see the RAID emblem at a dive centre around the world you can be assured that the  highest standards of diver training are being provided, knowing all RAID professionals have met the testing criteria to achieve their professional rank.

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The BiG Scuba Podcast Episode 180: Dawn Kernagis

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Dawn Kernagis

Gemma and Ian chat to Dawn Kernagis.  Dawn joined DEEP in 2023 as the Director of Scientific Research.   DEEP is an ocean technology and exploration company with a mission to ‘Make Humans Aquatic.’ DEEP’s undersea habitat and submersible systems, combined with multi-phased diver and human performance training, will create the next evolution of subsea science, research, and exploration capabilities.   Dawn is a NASA-trained NEEMO Aquanaut, Explorer’s Club Fellow and Women Divers Hall of Fame Inductee and who is also tasked to establish DEEP’s first US presence in North Carolina.   Dawn has also been a diver with numerous underwater exploration, research, and conservation projects since 1993, including the mapping and record-setting exploration of some of the deepest underwater caves in the world.

https://www.deep.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-kernagis-995383152/

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/.  There is currently a code for you to use for purchases and the code is  BIGSCUBA2024.

If you are interested in the INSTA360 action camera we discussed then please click this link:   https://www.insta360.com/sal/x3?utm_term=INRAI8S

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★, leave a review, and tell your friends.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram                     @thebigscuba

We are on Facebook                      @thebigscuba

We are in LinkedIn                          https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                  www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                                https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe – Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.

🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.  ISSN Number 2752-6127

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