News
RAID Announce Hollis Explorer Rebreather Specialty
Diver training agency RAID has announced the release of its Hollis Explorer Rebreather Specialty. Like all RAID rebreather programs, the materials include specific materials dedicated to the Hollis Explorer.
Much like the Hollis Explorer being a unique rebreather, so is the RAID program. Divers are introduced to the benefits of the Hollis eSCR (Electronic Semi Closed Rebreather) system via a bespoke, specific academic manual. In addition to this there are specific Confined and Open Water manuals outlining specific safety skills needed to operate the Hollis Explorer safely. There is nothing generic about this program; it is all about this one rebreather.
Instructors can now conduct the RAID Hollis Explorer program for those who have never dived before as well as experienced divers.
RAID worked hand in hand with Hollis to make the training agency’s Hollis Explorer Rebreather Specialty a reality.
Nick Hollis, CEO for AUP (American Underwater Products – Hollis/Oceanic) had this to say about the release of the program: “Hollis International is thrilled that RAID has designed a program as unique as the rebreather itself. Well done to all those involved at RAID.”
Edd Stockdale, the primary author of the program, was equally as excited: “The release of the new RAID Hollis Explorer Program is exciting, especially as it is the first course with material designed specifically for the eSCR. It has been a challenging six months developing not only the student manuals but all the other material for the course, both instructor level material and exams. I am extremely happy to see the program launched and look forward to developing both divers and instructors on this unit. A combination of RAID’s leading online education system crossed with unit dedicated course structure offers students the best program available to become a Hollis Explorer diver.”
The process for becoming an instructor is relatively simple. Existing RAID instructors need to complete the diver program and then gain 50 hours of experience on the unit before attending an Instructor program with a RAID Hollis Explorer Instructor Trainer.
Contact your RAID Regional Office now for further details: www.diveraid.com.
Watch a video of Edd Stockdale talking about RAID’s new Hollis Explorer Rebreather Specialty:
Blogs
TRAVEL BLOG: Jeff Goodman Dives SOMABAY, Part 3
Today we are diving one of the outer reefs from an inflatable. As we reach the bottom, a reef octopus eases its way into the cover of a small crack in the coral while displaying it’s incredible ability to change colour. They are arguably one of the most charismatic of reef dwellers and it is always exciting for me to simply hover and watch. I would have spent longer and waited for it to come and investigate me, but as dive time is limited we wanted to move on and find a turtle.
The waters around Somabay are well protected and hold a rich variety of marine life. The reef edges are thriving colonies of coral and shoaling fish, while nearer the sea bed plenty of wildlife is still to be found.
Then we located the turtles. They are very used to divers and so show little concern when slowly approached. In fact occasionally one will come over to see what you are doing. There is always huge excitement when diving with a turtle. The shear thrill of sharing a moment with another species.
What a fantastic way to finish a wonderful few days diving and I would like to thank SOMABAY, ORCA DIVING and THE BREAKERS for making my stay such a good one.
I had a great time, with diving everyday either on the house reef or on one of the offshore reefs by inflatable or larger day boat. Orca diving provided high quality equipment and facilities while the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. The Breakers was right on the coast with nice rooms, good food and once again friendly staff making the whole trip a real pleasure.
Soma Bay covers an entire peninsula and is home to several resorts as well as residential compounds.
As well as scuba diving, Somabay caters for many other sports and activities, and so is perfect for families as well as individuals and/or groups. And of course there is always time to lay peacefully on the beach under the Egyptian sun.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
Blogs
TRAVEL BLOG: Jeff Goodman Dives SOMABAY, Part 2
Day three of my trip to Somabay and we were spending the day on the Lady Christina and diving on the wreck of the Salem Express.
Diving wrecks for me is always one of mixed emotions. The excitement of diving a wreck is more than often tempered by the thought of loss of life when she sank. The Salem Express was a passenger ship and a roll-on/roll-off ferry travelling from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Safaga, Egypt. Most passengers were of poor class travelling home from their holidays while around 150 people were returning home from their pilgrimage to Mecca.
The ship struck a reef and sank within 20 minutes. Passengers were trapped below deck and the ship was filled with fear and panic.
The wreck area is strewn with personal belongings from the crew and passengers such as a transistor radio and a flat iron for clothes. A diver at sometime has put them in a prominent place to be seen.
Tragically only one life boat was launched while the others went down with the ship. More than 600 men, women and children lost their lives here.
It’s a stark reminder that the sea can be unforgiving and so when we dive on such wrecks we should do so with humble regard.
Returning to the surface, shoals of fish are gathered under our boat and seem to be welcoming us back into the light.
Back at the Breakers I sat in the dining area with a beer and a very good meal while my thoughts still remained with the day’s dive on the Salem Express.
Check in for part 3 tomorrow for Jeff’s last day of diving with Somabay on the off-shore reefs looking for turtles.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
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