News
Book Review: Diving Equipment – Choice, Maintenance and Function

The Author
Jonas Arvidsson
Review by Jeff Goodman
First thing I have to say about this book is that every sports diver should have one.
In the past, diving manuals would often leave me cold and I would keep asking myself, do I really need to know all this? I wonder how many of us have had conversations about diving equipment, what to choose and how it works, without really knowing 100% what we were talking about. Please tell me I’m not the only one. This book ends all that with a very comprehensive table of contents and index, all fully supported by clear, precise and colourful graphics.
For many scuba divers, after their basic training is completed, they will happily buy, hire or borrow equipment to explore the underwater world. They often do this with absolute blind trust in the manufacturer, the salesman or the friend who has lent it. It is extraordinary really. This equipment is literally maintaining your life while you are underwater.
This well written and easy to understand book takes the reader through what each bit of equipment is for, how to choose what is best for you and how it works, from free diving and snorkelling right through to scuba and technical diving.
This book covers the options of cold water and tropical diving and looks closely at the different gear needed for each environment.
There is far too much in this book to cover in this short review but I’m sure that if you have a question about choosing your equipment and how to look after it then this publication is a must.
Diving gear is not cheap and can become a serious investment, so knowing what to choose and how best to ensure its long and reliable life is to my mind definitely worth the cost of this book.
About the author
Jonas Arvidsson is a former Head of Education at PADI Sweden, dive centre owner and PADI Course Director. He translated nearly all PADI training material into Swedish and has also instructed in Australia, the Philippines, and Thailand. A former biology and chemistry teacher, Jonas is now a writer, illustrator and translator.
Available now in paperback for £19.95 (ebook forthcoming) from Divedup.com, online and from retailers.
ISBN 978-1-909455-13-9 | 202 pages (including 100+ illustrations) | 234 x 156 mm
Competitions
WIN a Bigblue Expandable Tray!!!

For this week’s competition, we’ve teamed up with our good friends at Liquid Sports to give away a Bigblue Expandable Tray as a prize!!!
The Bigblue expandable tray (176mm-287mm) has fittings and screws to attach action and compact cameras. The base and handles are made from high grade aluminium with the handles having a neoprene grip. The package also includes clamps and adaptors for 1” ball and YS light fittings.
To be in with a chance of winning this awesome prize, all you have to do is answer the following question:
In a recent post on Scubaverse.com (which you can read here), we reported that the Handicapped Scuba Association South Africa has announced plans to host their 6th Annual fundraising event “HSASA 50hr Dive–A-Thon 2021” this year. But on what dates will the event take place?
Is it:
- A) 15th – 17th October
- B) 22nd – 24th October
- C) 29th – 31st October
Answer, A, B or C to the question above:
Dive Training Blogs
Jeff chats to… Jim Elliott and Tinamarie Hernandez of Diveheart (Watch Video)

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Jim Elliott, Founder and President of Diveheart, and Tinamarie Hernandez who is the organization’s Executive Director.
Diveheart is a US-based, nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization which aims to provide and support educational scuba diving programs that are open to any child, adult or veteran with a disability, with the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value to that person.
In their own words:
We’ve discovered the forgiving, weightless wonder of the water column provides the perfect gravity-free environment for those who might otherwise struggle on land. Underwater, we’re all equal.
Diveheart works with individuals who have a variety of disabilities, including physical and developmental disabilities, vision and hearing impairments, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and more. Diveheart seeks to help its participants “Imagine the Possibilities” in their lives.
Find out more about Diveheart and their valuable work at www.diveheart.org.
Rather listen to a podcast? Listen to the audio HERE on the new Scubaverse podcast channel at Anchor FM.
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