Doesn't seem to be a lot of information out there, which is kinda awesome (though I understand Sandles just built a resort out there, which is less awesome), but I'm looking for the best place to stay for muck diving. I'm leaning towards Bequia over St. Vincent, but some of the other locations look pretty awesome too.

I just bought an Orca Torch D700 which was on offer on Amazon. Having received it, I've just found out that it only has one setting - full beam (a whopping 1700 lumen). This is my first (and likely only) torch, so I'm now wondering if I should return it and get one that has multiple settings. The D710 for instance has low, medium and high beam options that range from 400 - 1700 lumen). I'm happy to buy another battery, so if I do need it for more than 2 dives in a day, that bothers me less. I'm more concerned whether the fixed 1700 lumens is just too much?

I'm based in the UK and planning on doing some wreck diving in 2025, so darker, murkier waters will definitely be a thing I'd imagine.

thought?

So I already have Open Water & Advanced Open Water Certification with PADI. I was thinking about going towards instructor, but I've since decided to go as far as Dive Master. So here is the route I'm thinking of taking aspirationally. I'm hoping people give their opinions and suggestions;

PADI Deep Diver: I want to dive at deeper depths.

PADI Underwater Navigator: Is this course actually worth the money? Or could I get this knowledge online without the need of personal instruction. I want to be able to navigate better underwater, but does it really take an instructor to learn how to use a compass? Genuine question.

PADI Night Diver: I want to be able to dive at Night

PADI Rescue Diver: Requirement for Dive Master + Something I'd like to learn

PADI Self Reliant Diver: I want to be able to do solo dives from time to time.

PADI Dive Master: Want to be able to lead dives or at least be able to know how to if the need arose. Also, when I started diving the idea of getting to dive master always seemed cool, even if its not very prestigious.

I also have another question. Regarding the first aid requirements, will First Aid + CPR + AED from a third party institution like red cross count or would I have to get that training from PADI themselves?

Hello everyone!

I think this is the best place to ask.

I am going on a cruise early February and 1 of the ports is Grand Turks. I have always wanted to try scuba diving in my life and I’ve heard grand Turks is a great place to. I’m a 26M and was wondering if there is any introductory dive offered here? What would be the best option since I only have 1 day here (morning till evening).

I don’t have any certification and this would be my first time.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to who I should dive with? Best value with regards to affordability would be great!

Any advice and information is appreciated!

Thanks!

Dear scubbits and dear hivemind,

I find myself at a sort of crossroads with regards to training. I am now well above 700 dives and considering to challenge myself a bit further in my diving journey and upgrading my photography rig. It's clear to me that this will not happen simultaneously, but I need to make a decision and winter is a great time to train.

The options I see is to either go down the sacred road of so many GUE warriors and get into doubles + wing ("it the reaaaal thing"), or to go with the "hype" and learn a to sidemount ("bro, i swear, it's so chill"). Both roads seem to have great challenges and a room to grew - but i am not sure which one's better for photography in the long run.

I am looking for divers who are involved in photography and have experience with side mount / doubles setups with a wing- what would you recommend?

First suggestions / insights seem to indicate that with doubles I might have more "space" for photography aka my hands free, given that the camera (currently single strobe / compact /ikelite housing with a bar) will also get a big bulkier down the road and "it might be in the way" with a tank under each arm diving a sidemount. Then again, yet have to meet a GUE diver not obsessed with drills and halcyon, but taking pictures. I am sure you're out there :)

I do have back issues and would like change my bulky, old BCD for something new, and would not mind having to mount tanks in the water - which is a clear plus for sidemount. Also seems faster to learn, given that GUE takes time (but teaches a lot more, i am aware of that).

75% of my dives are with drysuit, cold & freshwater, if it matters.

Thanks for any advice!

Honestly, how does one pick regulators? I've read some reviews, but it seems like you just have to 'go for it'? I'm a beginner with about 60 dives, but haven't even noticed difference in breathability and stuff like that. So when and how do you go about getting a reg?

Kind regards,

Hi

I have two Discover dives scheduled in Koh Lanta. Coming dec 21 in morning and afternoon. but I have a flight back to Bangkok on 22nd night 8:00pm. I have consulted with the dive instructor and he said its fine. But still I feel a bit paranoid regarding DCS. As this would be my first time diving. Although I know swimming very well but that's in a pool. I So please help me decide if I should book the dives or skip them?

Update: it's a 20min dive for max 12m depth. I'm going through lanta dive . Second dive can be longer or shorter based on my preference

I've tried 3 different ones, 2 womens and one men's. The men's small was the best fit but still bunching in the armpits and gapping in the thighs. since the women's 6 was too small in the shoulders but the women's 8 is huge everywhere else I'm stumped 😳 I've spent way too much at this point and I'm getting discouraged.

Hi everyone,

I am currently looking into buying an action cam for during my dives. I don't want to do anything crazy with it, prefer it to be a camera where I do not have to edit after taking the shots.

I was looking into the DJI and Insta360 ones. So much information online; but would like your opinions since I do not know much about tech.

DJI action 4, DJI action 5 pro, Insta360 ace pro or Insta360 ace pro 2. Is it worth the upgrades, or would I do fine with a DJI action 4 or Insta360 ace pro?

Would love to hear what you guys think!

Edit: maybe its useful to mention I dive to 30 meters

Hello everyone, I want to go for a quick diving trip somewhere in south east Asia for a few days and hopefully do my advanced as part of it. Are there any recommendations for spots in south east Asia, particularly near Singapore.

I would prefer to see bigger marine life such as manta rays or sharks and if possible have a wreck dive as part of completing my advanced.

And if there any specific dive shop recommendations, thank you

I’m starting my kit build with regulators (Snorkel/Mask/Computer already purchased). I was able to order two XTX200s through the recently-shared Black Friday deal. I grabbed one DIN, one YOKE fitting so I could venture into technical diving as I learn more. I suppose all that’s left is an inflator hose and an SPG/hose. Are there any remaining deals out there that’d cover these items? If not, I suppose I just need a recommendation for where to buy a basic brass/glass SPG and a basic inflator hose. I’m guessing Diver Gear Express would top the list for most here? Thanks in advance!

Okay so I know this sounds weird but hear me out. I often exhale through my nose/mask instead of my reg because it's quieter, so I can sneak up on stuff. I have two full-size masks and they bubble very quietly; I also have a Mares X-Free, which is quite loud (I think the skirt is thin, stiff, or both).

I’m going to be in Panama City, Panama over Christmas break on a family vacation. We have 3 free days and two of us (recently certified with 5-7 dives) are looking to do at least a day of scuba.

Does anyone have dive shop recommendations that would pickup from Panama City? The best reviewed shop we have seen in the area is Scuba Panama. We think Coiba Island is too far for a day trip. Any thoughts on diving on the Pacific vs Atlantic sides?

hey!

ive been wanting to take some pictures underwater and was thinking maybe you got something to recommend.

budget up to 100-120 euros.

I'm on Ontario and a dive shop down the highway has Dive Rite bpw has gear that I'm interested in. I'll like to progress to tech diving in a couple of years and would like to buy a rig now that will grow with me. Does anyone have reviews re Dive Rite and/or other reccos that don't break the bank?

I was hoping to explore the possibility of diving in Waiheke, which will be the first place we visit when we fly back from the South to the North Island. However, it seems the scuba place is permanently closed. Any insight on this? Else, any other doable options for a daytrip with scuba from Auckland? Willing to completely forego Waiheke to squeeze in a dive somewhere else if it's usually a good site!

Hi, I'm farely new to scuba and was looking for some fine recommendations

Normally I wouldn't really ask but I'm struggling to find something. I'm looking for very light fins, I was a dive and the fins I used kind of hurt my ankles as I was swimming. It might just be a me problem or something to do with how i was swimming. Im also looking for adjustable fins as I have a problem with my fins falling off now and then.

Any recommendations?

Hi everyone!

I‘ve just stumbled over the possibility to add lenses to the Sealife Sportdiver Case with an adapter.

Has anyone used the adapter and lenses to any extent? They seem a bit pricy, even for scuba adjacent equipment, so I was wondering if the are worth the expense.

Edit: Initial post was not specific enough: Wasn’t talking about visual adis for the mask but about acessories to the Sealife Sportdiver Case for photography.

Hi I recently completed my PADI open water and am planning a short trip (5 days or less) to do some diving - I’m looking at Jan and somewhere cheap and in the EU / close to UK. I realise the time of year means water temps will be lower and that’s ok. Any suggestions for spots? I was looking at Malta….

Thank you :)

Hello all! This will be my first season diving where I can dive year round(in the Midwest) thanks to having a drysuit and having places around me that are open year round. Also I will say that I have never been much of a camper so I own little outdoors gear. If you were planning on spending an 12 hour day out at a quarry in 20-40 degree weather, what would you want to have set up to make it comfortable? Any brands or links to things would be helpful as well.

Hello all, I have 2 quite specific questions about the Big Blue Lights helmets. 1)Does the official GoPro helmet mount work on the Big Blue helmet mount, and 2)Is there a way to use non-Big Blue lights with their mounting squares? There is very little info I can find on this range of products so any input from people who know anything about the helmets and relevant accessories would be welcome!

I’m a NorCal diver, Monterey and the north coast mostly. Longtime spearo and freediver, newer to scuba but definitely here for the long haul. All rec for the foreseeable future, but I plan to do a lot of it and will sign up for reef check as soon as I can do the next training.

I’m choosing between three setups all on Black Friday sale at my LDS.

Here’s the options with the sale prices:

1. Dive rite xt1/2 - $624

2. Scuba pro mk25/s620 w/ s270 octo - $1200

3. Atomic b2 w/ z2 octo - $1056

I’m wondering if there are restoration or monitoring projects which welcome or need scuba divers. I would like to leave the reefs in better condition than I find them.

I need some perscription googles, and no i will not use contacts. Suggestions please

Hello all.

Gf is looking for teal fins. She currently uses Dive Rite. Any brand out there you all recommend that are as rigid, or more? I know of the Sherwood Tritons and the Scubapro Gos, but not familiar with them in person.

TIA!!

Hello! I am the coach for a team of elementary and middle school students participating in the FIRST LEGO League Robotics League. As part of our challenge, the team is researching Nitrogen Narcosis, and they would like to learn from divers in this group about their experiences with this phenomenon.

We would greatly appreciate your help by answering this survey: https://forms.gle/92HmsdUyDGHLcXaEA.

Please note that this research will be shared only within the league for judging purposes and will not be used for any publications or symposiums. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Thank you!