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Blog: What defines a Technical Diver from a Recreational Diver…
What defines a Technical Diver from a Recreational Diver? Some say it’s the diver in heavy black suit of armour, dripping wet as they emerge from the sea on a sun-scorched beach, or the muscular athletic build of a mid-40s descendant of Thor complete with battle scars carrying that rebreather on their back, or that arbitrary look of distain from your instructor guru when you get the mathematical formula for trimix gas calculation wrong… well thankfully none of the above!
A wee bit of knowledge can be a bad thing, but I say, it’s worth building on that knowledge and inspiration to become the best diver you can be! But hold your horses a bit, easy tiger, let’s not jump in at the deep end first.
Technical diving is not just about taking a bunch of cylinders down to the ocean abyss, or wearing as many lights, or computers as your arm will take, or other gadgets. We’ve heard the term “all the gear and no (little) idea”. Unfortunately, some accessories named above including scooters, are far too easy to acquire when you have the cash. It’s more sensible to invest some money to further your abilities to handle these accessories in the water and be confident and safer! Incidentally, in order to buy a new rebreather, there has to be some training involved! Divers are actually far more admired and respected for being safer, rather than for being ego driven by depths, equipment or just being plain down right stupid pivoting on the limits.
Back in 1991, a friend of mine Michael Menduno, actually coined the term “Technical Diving”, and he published “The Journal for Technical Diving”, as founder and editor of the hugely influential AquaCORPS Journal (1990-1996). He talks about the pioneering of Helium in mixed gas back in the 1930’s, discusses protocols in technical diving, safety, accident analysis and rescues, narcosis and decompression theory.
Buying yourself a Ducatii 1198cc doesn’t make you a World Superbike rider, but you can learn to use it safely first, learn the corners and power curves of the engine, but most of all respect and keeping within your own limits. In just the same way in diving, we learn how to dive, buy our kit and progressively take courses to the limits we enjoy.
One of the biggest challenges I hear a lot, is about how difficult the transition from recreational to technical diving is. Erroneously, if you think for a moment, you may find you’ve incidentally created yourselves new paths and goals when you realise you’ve actually become safer and more confident through better training.
Well it might not come as a surprise, RAID have produced some pretty inclusive courses allowing divers to transition smoothly between recreational and technical diving. One of the biggest transitions is to think differently and simply be more aware.
I wish I could say for the most part of my early training the transition to technical diving was smooth, however for me back then, it was pretty much a steep learning curve. However, over the last few years courses have been formatted to be easier to digest, nothing removed, in fact more added and just easier to absorb.
The most intrinsic core skill any diver could have, the one at the top that governs everything else… is awareness.
Awareness isn’t just the ability to judge your distance from something or someone as you swim along. So let’s break this down into three categories: Personal awareness, global awareness and the domino effect.
Personal awareness focuses on your mental state of mind before, during and after the dive; gas management and observation; confirmed dive plan; reserves; equipment working; your skills including finning and balance on the dive.
Global awareness is a spherical metering between the diver and everything around them including your team mates. A 360degree radius in every direction at any depth of water column.
The Domino effect basically looks at the knock-on effect that not being aware in the first two instances has a consequential effect in the future moments. For example, poor finning technique near to the floor could reduce the visibility for the diver behind or damage something. Not sticking to a dive plan could leave you and your team not knowing or guessing what to do and when, building anxiety and increasing SAC rates. Not looking after your equipment or servicing it, may cause a premature failure on the dive. Being dehydrated could make you feel nauseous or anxious, which could lead to other things including DCI. Poor trim will, in essence, have a knock-on effect on your buoyancy, your breathing rate (SAC/RVM) and your ability to think clearly. Every diver feels the advantages of good balance/ trim, as you relax, you can hover and you can deploy an DSMB easily and without stress.
All the above and much more tends to hone the skills of a good technical diver, but in reality, these are the same skills every diver should have. Some of you may already have acquired these skills, which essentially means the transition to technical diving will be seamless for you.
RAID have already released all of our courses, from Open Water to Cave2, for public viewing globally during this pandemic, allowing anyone to decide if that course is the right one along their path.
Regardless of training or pleasure diving, we all need to keep ourselves sharp on every dive by defining awareness to our consciousness, this will make us better divers, safer and allow us to enjoy diving even more.
Garry Dallas – www.simplysidemount.com
3rd AUGUST 2024 – 1 or 2 WEEK PROGRAMMES
Daily water programme with Snorkelling & Scuba Diving.
Beginners or qualified, something for all.
Leave the kids with the Splash Team for days of Excitement, Fun & Adventure!
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
There are various options for accommodation with options for 2, 3, 4 or 5 guests.
Eco Huts provide accommodation for families of up to 4. The best option to enhance the adventure and closest to camping with basic facilities. For August we will provide central air cooling for all the Eco Huts.
Deluxe Chalets are only suitable for 2 guests. Fully air conditioned rooms with private bathroom and other facilities.
Boutique Rooms are available for families of up to 5.
Individual bespoke rooms fully air conditioned with private bathroom and other facilities.
Eco Huts: £675 per adult / £425 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Deluxe Chalet: £830 per adult / £505 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Boutique Room: £925 per adult / £550 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
This is a truly unique opportunity to have a Family Desert Adventure totally away from it all! You will be based at the remote Roots Red Sea on the coast of the Egyptian Eastern Desert, 140km south of Hurghada city.
Red Sea Splash main focus is Snorkelling & Scuba Diving but that’s not all, we provide a rounded week of activities in support.
Pool& Field Games – Arts & Crafts
Marine Biology Workshops
Cultural Activities – Orienteering Adventures
Roots Red Sea have established strong links with the local communities of Hamerwain & El Quseir affording our guests to have a true taste of the local culture, SPLASH CAMP embraces this opportunity and bring in the local children to join in the fun with our adventure seekers.
During the day, families are welcome to take part in all activities together or the kids can be left with the SPLASH CAMP team while the parents enjoy the facilities or go diving themselves!
At the end of the day, its family time while the SPLASH CAMP team take a break. For those with the energy, there are family evening activities planned a few evenings.
Open Air Movie Night – Desert Star Gazing Walk & Talk
El Quseir Evening City Tour
The second week is very special, we head off on the Big Blue for a liveaboard safari around Fury Shoals.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
U-8 Splash Club
Sadly we can’t offer Scuba Diving to the Splash Club but we can have lots of fun Snorkelling & Free Diving!
Splash Club includes:
Certified Snorkel Course – Marine ID Games – Intro to Free Diving
Arts & Craft Sessions – Adventure trails – Cultural Playtime – Pool Games
U-12 Explorer Club
In addition to an exciting snorkelling and Free Diving Programme in the Splash Club we can take you under the water on SCUBA to a whole new world of fun and wonder. If you are under 10 your first breath under water will be as a Bubblemaker and continue with daily Seal Team Missions. From 10 we will complete a Discover Scuba Diving experience in the amazing Red Sea. Alternatively we offer a full junior certification programme to become an international qualified Scuba Diver.
U-16 Adventurer Club
For qualified Scuba Divers regardless of age it’s the Adventurer Club and exploration of the local reefs and marine life. There will be 2 dives every day with the Open Ocean marine field station team who will introduce you to Red Sea marine life and workshops on marine research. Alternatively there are opportunities to continue your scuba diving certifications with our instructional team.
Parents are welcome to join the club activities and join the courses.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Big Blue might seem like the new kid on the block, but the team behind the highly acclaimed liveaboard is far from that. They have been running Red Sea safaris since the late 1980’s and were in fact part of the early pioneers who ventured out to the unknown on vessels that in today’s world, really shouldn’t have left the harbour! It’s that experience and the years of operating the award-winning Roots Red Sea resort which truly set Big Blue apart from the crowd!
Large lounge area, spacious sun deck and terrace deck.
Airy restaurant with five tables with up to six chairs per table, serving a varied and delicious menu with special dietary requirements catered for.
The spacious cabins have side by side beds and a large walk in wet bathroom.
Ample dive deck for divers & snorkelers.
Safety is everyone’s priority, whether you are relaxing on board, swimming, snorkelling or diving.
On board Big Blue is fitted with smoke alarms, emergency lighting and a fire alarm system. The lower corridor has a full-size door fire exit at the bow and open stairs to the stern. There are evacuation plans in each room along with life jackets, glass breaker tool and a fire extinguisher.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Red Sea Splash at Fury Shoals is a very rare opportunity to get involved with marine biology expedition for children and adults. Open Ocean biologists are on board to provide fascinating and entertaining facts about the marine life you will see. The team will provide workshops on marine life identification and survey methods both of which, should you wish, you will have the chance to put into practice during your safari.
The week is open to snorkelers, scuba divers and non divers too!
Fury shoals is perfect for first time mariners as it offers plenty of protection from the weather.
We board at Port Ghaleb on Saturday evening and prepare to set sail early on Sunday morning.
Heading south, our first day will be diving the reefs of Abu Dabbab before sailing overnight to reach our ultimate destination the Fury Shoals.
Here we will spend four days swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving amazing reefs. This includes guaranteed DOLPHIN encounters at Sataya Reef! After the last dive we haul anchor and head back to Abu Dabbab for our final two dives before disembarking our boat BIG BLUE.
Camp Extension Cost*
Adult £650 per adult
Under 16 £350 per child
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
FURTHER INFORMATION – INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM
TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
If you’re passionate about the underwater world, listen up! We’ve got an incredible opportunity for you to experience the vibrant reefs and majestic marine life of Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Pure Dive Resort isn’t just another dive centre; it’s a team of experts dedicated to providing world-class scuba diving and freediving adventures around Nusa Penida, Lembongan, Ceningan, and even Bali.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or completely new to the sport, Pure Dive Resort has something for you:
For certified Divers: Discover stunning dive sites, encounter manta rays, seasonal mola-mola (sunfish), and a dazzling array of marine life.
For beginners: Embark on your scuba journey with beginner programs like Try Scuba and Basic Diver, Open Water and Advanced certifications.
Freedivers: Explore the depths on a single breath with guided freediving experiences and courses.
Exclusive Scubaverse Offer: Save on Your Next Adventure
As a valued Scubaverse follower, you get an exclusive 10% discount on any Dive & Stay or Learn & Stay package booked at Pure Dive Resort for 2024. Dive into the crystal-clear waters, explore breath-taking reefs, and create unforgettable memories in this diver’s paradise.
Visit https://www.purediveresort.com/package-offers/ to explore amazing packages and claim your discount with the code: SCUBAVERSE10
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Ready to make a splash?
See you in Nusa Penida!
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