5 Underwater Navigation Lessons You Could Be Missing Out On

by Brooke Morton - PADI BLOG

Divers who haven’t gotten their gear wet in ages don’t always understand the importance of taking a refresher course. Although the PADI ReActivate program touches upon navigation basics, a trend among divers returning to the water is actually to retake the Underwater Navigator course because they believe it includes some of the most important skills they have ever learned.

Like many other dive skills, practice will make you a competent navigator, which will open you up to a wider variety of diving possibilities. But whether you learn these skills in a classroom or from time-consuming, potentially risky mistakes is up to you.

5. Don’t rely solely on a compass.

A compass is a great tool, but it relies on the user to set it properly, making it prone to error.

It’s not unlike blindly following a smart phone; although the phone’s GPS doesn’t rely on user input, it’s still able to take us off course if we don’t visually compare our surroundings to what the device tells us.

In the same regard, we must stay alert to our underwater environments.

4. Remember: Digital compasses need to be recalibrated now and again.

Just as our computers rely on us to install regular updates, so, too, does the digital compass need recalibration. It’s needed, obviously, when the compass feature is frozen. The less obvious tell requires checking the compass settings.

3. When choosing natural-navigation markers, it’s OK to be picky.

Don’t pick one big feature, like a huge brain coral or a sand chute. Use that large feature as a starting point, then find something a little more inconspicuous—such as the huge brain coral with a two tube sponges on one side and a barrel sponge on the other.

 “Take your time choosing a marker. You may think you’ve found a really unique feature, but then you start seeing that feature everywhere.”

2. Set your compass before your descent.

“You don’t want to reach the bottom and be turned around,”  “To avoid this, set the compass heading to point toward shore before starting the dive and, when you start to descend, descend in the direction you intend to travel.”

1. Consider tracking air consumption, not kick cycles.

“Air consumption is the most important thing to watch,”

Tracking kick cycles becomes much more difficult when a current is added to the mix. If a portion of the dive occurred against a current and lasted 100 kick cycles, it could take 300 kick cycles to cover that same distance swimming with the current. So instead, try tracking air.

Granted, it’s not an exact science, making practice all the more vital—but with classroom time, the time it takes to acquire the skills is drastically reduced.

Cabo Verde Diving - Cave Dive Excursions

Introducing the New PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Program

The revised PADI Advanced Open Water Diver program launched past September, and while the changes are significant, the essence of the course remains untouched. Think of it as a shiny new car, but one that’s the same model as your old familiar vehicle. Three goals drove the revision.

First, PADI updated the content. Dive equipment and techniques have changed since the release of the last version of the course and content is updated to reflect this. Now, for example, there are references to electronic compasses in navigation and no references to film in digital underwater imaging. Also, the first dive
 of all standardized PADI Specialty Diver courses, Project AWARE’s Dive Against Debris™, and Shark Conservation Specialty courses and the PADI Rebreather Diver course credit as Adventure Dives. This means more dive opportunities no matter what or where you’re teaching.

Second, PADI modernized the instructional products. The instructional tools are now as state-of-the-art as the devices student divers access them from. While a paper manual will still be available, the revised program introduces a new, mobile-friendly PADI Advanced Open Water Diver digital product. All new images and video make these instructional products pop.

Third, PADI accelerated development of the hinking skills divers acquire through experience to build confident and conservative divers. There’s a new Thinking Like a Diver section that focuses on principles such as gas management, situational awareness and buddy communication. This encourages divers to think about what they’re doing before, during and after every Adventure Dive in the same way more experienced divers do. Consequently, they better understand how to improve their dives and manage risks.

There’s a lot that didn’t change, too. Philosophically, the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course still gives new (and experienced) PADI Open Water Divers the world over continued training and skill development under professional guidance. It’s still focused on introducing specialty diving. The Deep and Underwater Navigation Adventure Dives, plus three other Adventure Dives, are still required for Advanced Open Water Diver certification, and any three Adventure Dives qualify a diver for Adventure Diver.

The revised PADI Advanced Open Water Diver improves on an already great program, is easy and familiar to teach, and offers even more of the exploration, excitement and experiences that divers look for. Take a look at the third quarter 2016 The Undersea Journal, which has several relevant and detailed articles, and make a point of implementing the new program as soon as the materials are available.

Santo Antao Wreck - Sal Island - Cape Verde

Santo Antao Wreck grunt schoal - Sal Island - Cape Verde

Santo Antao Wreck - Sal Island - Cape Verde - Sept 2016

Divemaster Internship - Week # 2 slide show

DM / IDC Tips - Snorkel/Regulator Exchange Skill

Performance Requirement :

Clear water from snorkel and resume breathing without removing the snorkel from the mouth. Alternately breath from snorkel and regulator without lifting the face from the water for at least two exchanges.

Tip:
- must have good surface habits prior start the skill: positive buoyancy, Mask on and snorkel in your mouth

Do you know the differences between PADI DIVE CENTER & PADI RESORT Ratings ?

For most of avid active divers traveling all over the world, seeking for great dive experiences or continuing education or maybe brand new student divers or GoPRO candidates, it comes to light a common question when they are about to choose with WHO they are going to dive with on next dive holidays or dive trip: "Which one could provide me the best and safest service?
We all know that knowledgeable and competent dive staff  and state-of-art well maintained dive equipment make a GREAT difference on your costumer experience. But maybe knowing the Dive Center / Resort Ratings could help you out on your shortlist. So, let's take a look below:

PADI Dive Centers and Resorts are where scuba divers find diver education, scuba diving equipment and opportunities to go diving. You’ll find PADI dive shops and PADI dive professionals all over the world. The PADI Dive Shop Locator makes it easy to find a dive operation close to home or one in a faraway travel destination. All PADI Dive Centers and Resorts meet minimum requirements for dive services and many have earned higher ratings by offering additional training and services. Use the following descriptions to better understand the different retailer and resort levels.

PADI 5 STAR DIVE CENTERS AND RESORTS

PADI Five Star Dive Centers are progressive dive shops that provide a full range of PADI scuba diving education programs, equipment selection and experience opportunities, while encouraging aquatic environmental responsibility. These businesses excel in providing quality services to divers, present a professional image and actively promote the benefits of recreational scuba diving, snorkeling, dive travel, and environmental protection. PADI Five Star Dive Centers embrace the PADI System of diver education and offer regular continuing education programs to ensure divers have the opportunity to advance their skills and knowledge. These dive businesses are active in the community and are committed to providing customer satisfaction along with great dive experiences.

PADI Five Star Dive Resorts excel in providing traveling scuba divers with memorable scuba diving experiences by providing professional and outstanding service. These dive operations are progressive PADI Resorts that offer the full range of PADI scuba programs, have a good equipment selection and offer dive activities that promote aquatic environmental responsibility. PADI Five Star Dive Resorts are committed to providing quality diver training and continuing education programs that include dive experiences and environmental awareness. These dive businesses often cater to the traveling diver, but are also active in the local community promoting the benefits of recreational scuba diving and snorkeling.

PADI 5 STAR INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT DIVE CENTERS AND RESORTS

PADI Five Star Instructor Development Centers (Five Star IDCs) are dive centers that meet all PADI Five Star Dive Center standards, plus offer PADI instructor-level training. Five Star IDCs have at least one PADI Course Director on staff and are committed to offering PADI Instructor Development Courses and continuing education opportunities to dive professionals. These businesses excel in using the PADI System of diver education to introduce people to scuba diving, and then provide the continuing education that allows individuals to progress on to the dive professional level. If your goal is to become a PADI Scuba Instructor, find a PADI Five Star IDC to start earning the world’s most recognized and desired professional scuba rating.

 PADI Five Star Instructor Development Dive Resorts are dive resorts that meet all PADI Five Star Dive Resort standards, plus offer PADI instructor-level training. With a PADI Course Director on staff, these dive businesses offer PADI Instructor Development Courses and continuing education opportunities to dive professionals. Located in resort areas, these businesses often cater to travelers and can introduce people to scuba diving, then provide all the training up through the dive professional level. If your goal is to become a PADI Scuba Instructor, find a PADI Five Star Instructor Development Dive Resort to start earning the world’s most recognized and desired professional scuba rating.

PADI DIVE CENTERS AND RESORTS

PADI Dive Centers are professional businesses that engage in the retail sale of recreational scuba diving equipment and instruction. These dive shops use the PADI System of diver education to offer courses up through the PADI Divemaster level. Local and visiting scuba divers will find the services they need at a PADI Dive Center, including scuba equipment rental and repair, compressed gas sales, scuba diving and snorkeling activities, and travel  opportunities.

PADI Dive Resorts are dive operators who cater to vacationing scuba divers and snorkelers with activities like scuba and snorkel instruction, Discover Scuba Diving experiences, guided scuba diving tours, snorkeling excursions and scuba equipment rentals. Other services may include dive equipment sales as well as various watersports activities in addition to scuba diving. Resort dive operators are typically located in resort areas and may be directly affiliated with hotels and resorts offering accommodations to the traveling diver.

PADI RECREATIONAL FACILITY

PADI Recreational Facilities operate a business with a body of water that can be used for recreational snorkeling or scuba diving, or offer PADI courses through established health clubs, purpose-built scuba diving facilities, or similar recreational facilities. PADI Recreational Facilities cater to local recreational scuba diving businesses, recreational divers and snorkelers while providing dive support services, such as gas fills, dive equipment rental and repair and underwater scuba training platforms.

PADI TEC REC CENTER

The PADI TecRec Center rating is awarded to PADI Dive Centers and Resorts that teach PADI technical diving courses. With a   PADI TecRec Instructor on staff, these dive businesses can offer technical open-circuit training, tec sidemount courses or tec programs for Closed-Circuit Rebreather (CCR) diving. 

PADI GREEN STAR AWARD 

The PADI  Green Star™ Dive Center Award is granted to PADI Dive Centers and Resorts that demonstrate a dedication to conservation across a wide range of business functions, including water conservation, energy use, environmentally friendly transportation practices, use of sustainable materials, conservation leadership and a donation to conservation through Project AWARE. The Green Star Award identifies dive businesses that care about the environment and are acting to protect it.

PADI 100% AWARE DIVE CENTERS AND RESORTS

100% AWARE Dive Centers and Resorts are committed to engaging divers in education and conservation efforts, and ensure all their student divers receive the Project AWARE version of the PADI certification card. All donations received support ocean protection efforts and actions worldwide.

Lift bag Use

Performance Requirement: Use an appropriate lifting device to safely rig and bring

to the surface an object that weighs no more than 10

kilograms/25 pounds.

GoPRO Divemaster Trainees Cape Verde October 2015

PADI Divemaster Training - CESA

Performance Requirement: Simulate a controlled emergency swimming ascent by
swimming horizontally for at least 9 metres/30 feet
while emitting a continuous sound.

GoPRO - Divemaster Course: Things you should evaluate before choosing a Divecenter for your Divemaster Course / Internship

If we search on internet for a divemaster course, we will find loads of links to divecenters offering Divemaster Courses & Internships. Some offer courses in record time, other almost free, and still others just take the money and all the rest are “easy bits”. Certainly in the middle of it all we were confused and here comes the great question:

What should i take into consideration in order to choose the right divecenter to do my divemaster course / internship?

This is a very common question and who's out of the market sometimes does not have a parameter to take such an important decision in the best way. So, I will tell you the  things you should evaluate before you choose your divecente:

# 1- INSTRUCTOR CURRICULUM

The instructor's curriculum is one of the main points that you need to evaluate before taking the decision. Imagine yourself doing a course with an instructor who just graduated and have not enough work experience to mentor a new divemaster candidate. What will happen? Hopefully he will just follow course standards, but cannot share any experience.

The Divemaster is perhaps the most important course of his whole diving career. It will be the foundation for all other courses that will follow and the activities you will perform after certified as a PADI PRO. So you need to look at this item very carefully. When evaluating the curriculum of your instructor, check:

·         Instructor Level - The higher the level of best instructor. A higher level means that the instructor has invested in his career. 

·         Number of Specialties that the instructor can teach. The more specialties instructor teaches means more is engaged in diving.

·          Time working as an Instructor - Time working as an instructor is critical! Your instructor is a MSDT Instructor or IDC Staff, but only 2 or 3 months he completed the training level? Check the instructor’s number of certified students and the number of dives - The more, the better. Greater experience, more experienced situations, more guided dives, etc.

But how can i see the instructor's curriculum?
Usually the divecenter’s websites have a summary of instructor’s curriculum vitae , but you can also see if the instructor has a personal website , you can ask the CV or simply ask him to show you his current dive credentials.

  

# 2- EXPERIENCE

Experience is everything that your instructor has lived beyond teaching dive courses. He's just an instructor in a dive center or he has worked elsewhere or accumulate job positions as, for example, chief operating officer, photographer or manager of the dive center? Did your instructor travelled, dived and most important, WORKED as an instructor in many different countries?

If he only has got the instructor role, it's cool, but maybe he misses a bit of busuness experience and vision of the other side of the diving market. While an instructor who act as dive center manager will provide you tips on career, hiring and a dive center looks to hire a divemaster, because all these things are his responsibility and therefore has a much broader vision.

# 3-DIVECENTER INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure is as important as the instructor. Imagine you make a divemaster course with a good instructor, but he does not have a classroom or a boat  to go dive with students.

It is essential that the divecenter has got a good infrastructure such as:

·         Classroom well equipped and with a reference library

·         Pool / Confined Water on site

·         Boats

·         Internet access 

·         Busy and diverse Dive Operations  – shore diving, boat diving, reefs, wrecks, drifts, etc.

·         Courses range availability – open , advanced, rescue, specialties, IDCs, etc.

The more dive operations and dive courses they have, the more you will learn !

A simple calculation, you will start your divemaster course with 40 dives and need 60 to finish. Also you will need to participate a 4 Practical Assessments in a full open water course (confined and open water training sessions), certified divers  and some more continuing education course (ex. advanced or rescue or specialty), if the divecenter has only one operation per week, imagine how long will it take you to complete your course.

# 4- EXTRA benefits

Although not common, some divecenters offer some extra curricular workshops during its course. This is important because it will open your horizons and also the doors of the labor market.

The more training and knowledge you have, the better prepared you will be to face the labor market and easier to get work. With workshops you will have the opportunity to learn things other than what is taught in textbooks.

Some important workshops are:

·      Compressor Maintenance and Tank Filling - Techniques to fill diving cylinders and care that must have

·         Equipment Maintenance - How to keep the equipment in good condition

·         Costumer Experience - How to provide the best experience for other divers

Other important items are

·         Accommodation - If the dive center offers accommodation that will reduce the cost of your investment.

·         Internship after the course - The "hands on"  internship experience you gain more experience "running" a dive center on daily basis and ensures differential for future employers.

# 5- THE COUNTRY

You must be wondering what COUNTRY has to do with my divemaster course, right? Imagine you live in a large center, which takes traffic and traffic jams and takes hours just to get to the dive center. Not to mention that everything is expensive and nothing is close. To get from the divecenter to the pool where you have classes, you have to go by car or public transport.

On the other hand, imagine the opposite, living in a town where you feel isolated from the world. No internet access, no leisure options, without a bar to have a beer after a day full of classes and dives. The first two days it can even look cool, but you're already in the third and fifth bothered you ever want to run away!

So, the country atmosphere is a very important point . Ideally, you have the middle ground. A place not too big where you can move to walk, that everything is close, where the cost of living is not expensive (after all it is one of the factors that influence more in total cost of your course). Where in your day off you can enjoy a nice beach, a cold beer with the rest of the dive staff or enjoy a movie.

# 6- VALUE ​​COMPARISON:cost x benefits

This is a KEY point!
As I said there at the beginning , each divecenter has its prices and policies, but why the prices differ?

One thing we see quite often in divecenters  that offer very cheap divemaster courses is that NEITHER the training dives NOR all required PADI materials  are included in the price. In those cases what happens is that after you book the course/internship, it begins to appear extra expenses. Worse than that, you will do the course without all required PADI materials, affecting your learning.

Some tips for you to consider prior choosing where you will do your divemaster course:

·         To start your divemaster course, it’s required 40 logged dives. If you do not have yet, usually the value of these dives is not included in the package and there may be a difference, it is a considerable value. Some divecenters exchange those dives for work as a trainee, but remember that you are not a trained divemaster, and therefore you cannot accept role and responsability as a professional level certified assistant.

·         Are you using ALL required PADI materials?

 Divemaster Manual + Instructor Manual with decal hologram + Divemaster slates +  Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving + eRDPML + Diving Knowledge Workbook

·         To finish your divemaster course, it’s required  60 logged dives , ex.: between training dives and internship, you need to make another 20 dives during your course. Make sure that they are included in the course’s price.

# CONCLUSION

The quality of the training is key to a successful career. So do not choose your GoPRO career plan based only on financial matters. Believe me, money spent on your dive education is an investment and not an expense! 

Prior comparing prices between divecenters, take your time to evaluate the dive staff curriculum that will teach your divemaster course and make sure the items and the extra benefits included in your package are the same.  

#gopro #becomeapadipro #padiinstructor #divemasterinternship #divemastercourse #padi #padi50 

Divemaster Internship on Sal Island - Cape Verde 2016

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How to study efficiently to PADI IDC / I.E.

Hi Guys!

 I really hope you are fine and doing well. 

It s time to start your studies well in advance if you are intending to attend the PADI IDC / I.E. within the next 6 to 12 months! 

 I am pretty sure you have build a solid base of Knowledge during your Divemaster Course, but maybe i are a bit "rusty" because you haven't been studying very often, or simply you want to be more efficient on your studies and avoid wasting so much time reading so many things that will not be 'targeted" during the IDC and Instructor Examination. To do so, i do recommend you study by my IDC SUMMARY, WHICH I CAN SEND YOU along with some I.E. like DIVE THEORY / GSP exams for FREE of cost by e-mail, in order you can customize your studies and avoid wasting time. 

Studying exactly what you will find of utmost importance during the exams on the PADI IDC / PADI Instructor Examination. 

 Follow these tips and advises below to boost your studies, in order to refresh your Diving Knowledge for your IDC / I.E.: 

  DIVE THEORY exams: Try to do as many questions by yourselves, but in case you don t know, LOOK for the answer on the IDC SUMMARY i can provide you. This is a great way to cement the subject in your heads. Another tips could be: - Get and answer (or re answer) the OLD PADI Divemaster (prior 2010) exams - topics: PHYSICS, PHYSIOLOGY, EQUIPMENT, SKILLS & ENVIRONMENT, DECOMPRESSION THEORY & RDP. - Answer the questions of the topics described above on the DIVING KNOWLEDGE WORKBOOK along with your ENCICLOPEDIA of RECREATIONAL DIVING. Check all answers and the provided comments. 

  General Standards and Procedures exam: use you PADI INSTRUCTOR MANUAL to search for the answers. Most of the anwers you will find in General Standards & Procedures Guide OR the  Instructor Guide of the specific course. On this 1st phase, take your time, relax and try to find as many answers as you can. And of course, you'll go over again and again during the IDC. 

 In addiction, i STRONGLY RECOMMEND you watch again the 24 DIVE SKILLS of the PADI OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE and read again some chapters of your PADI manuals below: 

  * ADVANCED OW: - Navigation (compass navigation is really important!) - Search and Recovery (especially regarding the use of LIFT BAG and the 3 most important KNOTS = bowl line / 2 half hictches / sheet bend); 

  ** RESCUE DIVER: this one i recommend also you watch again if possible the skills below on video: - Panicked Diver on the surface (2 approach methods - SURFACE & UNDERWATER) - Tired Diver on the surface - EX. 7 - UNCONSCIOUS DIVER ON THE SURFACE ( VERY IMPORTANT ONE!) 

 Probably you ll have some doubts and / or question, so please let me know and i can check it and send you a feedback asap. 

 I also ask you to take note of my skype and add me on Whatsapp (+238 953-2154) in order we are able to communicate during this phase of your preparation.

 I wish you a good study phase and hope to see you in the near future during our IDCs in 2016. 

 Kind Regards. 

Leo Saldunbides PADI Course Director # 184808 

EFR Instructor Trainer 

DSAT - Tec Deep Instructor / Tec Sidemount Instructor 

Contacts: Facebook: Go Pro PADI Leo Saldunbides

e-mails: gopro@worldwideinstructortrainer.com / saldunbides@gmail.com 

Skype: saldunbides 

Scuba Earth: Leo Saldunbides 

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/saldunbides