News
Injured UK troops to help Egyptian children with additional needs experience scuba diving

On 10th December, four seriously injured British Armed Services personnel on the Deptherapy programme will help a group of twelve Egyptian children with additional needs from the town of El Quseir to experience scuba diving as part of HEPCA’s ‘Diving for All’, which seeks to make diving accessible to all people.
The event, supported by the four injured troops and Deptherapy staff, will allow the children to enjoy scuba diving in a confined water environment, similar to the PADI Bubblemaker programme.
The programme is being hosted by Steve and Clare Rattle at Roots Red Sea. Roots is the base for injured troops on the Deptherapy programme undertaking their PADI Open Water Course.
Working with HEPCA, the event is the brain child of Sharon El Shoura. Sharon, who is based in Hurghada and runs Splash Dive Centre, became involved with Deptherapy when she attended the Deptherapy Education Professionals’ Course which was run at Roots Red Sea in March this year.
Sharon, who has considerable experience of working with the injured and disabled, is keen to get people of all abilities diving and this event is part of her commitment to that aim.
The four British Armed Services personnel are Luke Morrison (single below the knee amputee), Gary Green (blinded in the right eye and PTSD), Mike Jones (back injury and PTSD), and Danny Martin (PTSD and cancer). All four plus their instructors and support team are looking forward to working and diving with the children.
Danny Martin, 23, said: “I am so looking forward to helping these Egyptian children. I know how important support and motivation is when you have suffered injury or illness. Going to war and suffering from PTSD was nothing compared to the battle I have waged against my cancer. Without the loving support of my wife Lisa, my children, family and friends I would not be where I am today. Deptherapy has come along and provided me with support – 24/7 if needed – and has given me a focus to my life. I want to repay this by inspiring these kids in the same way that Deptherapy has inspired me. Having children of my own I hope I can relate to those we will be working with.”
To find out more about Deptherapy, visit www.deptherapy.co.uk.
To find out more about Roots Red Sea, visit www.rootsredsea.com.
News
PADI Launches World’s First Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course with Octo Diver

Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.
This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.
The course modules include:
Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)
2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)
K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance
Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection
Power Inflator Servicing
Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment
Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance
Standard Service & Repair Reporting
It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.
This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.
Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.
Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.
For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com
Blogs
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort – A Hidden Gem in the Northern Moluccas

Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
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