Did you know that the YMCA was the first organization in the US to certify dive instructors and divers?  The Y started the program in Chicago in 1959 and has continued for almost 50 years until now.  Now that program is coming to and end.  

The dive instructors at North Suburban Scuba Instructors (NSSI), who have taught YScuba for over 15 years, have chosen NAUI as the new certifying association. Why …

What do you know about NOAA?  First, do you know what NOAA stands for? Second, do you know what NOAA does and third do you know how you can be part of NOAA?

NOAA is the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, a division of the US Department of Commerce.  “NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing …

Alert Diver, the DAN magazine, recently published an article by Dan Orr Your Gas Supply.  While I agree with many of the points made,  I think there is a simpler and safer way.  It is a procedure we teach in our YMCA class called The Rule of Thirds that I wrote about in a February article in Scubaology.com.

Dan’s article has five (5) major points;

Estimate - estimate how much air you …

Divers and snorklersare always looking for ways to identify the fish they see.  Some of us carry plastic ID charts, some have ID books.  Here is another to learn to identify the fish you see.  The Palm Beach County Reef Research Team has currently 23 fish ID quizzes on their site. 

REEF is another non-profit that …

The most common problem we see with new dive and snorkel students is mask clearing.  This is one of the BASIC skills required to pass the class.  Students must be able to demonstrate this skill in the pool and on their open water dive.  So why do some many students have problems with this skill? 

The main symptom that causes most students to have their problems is anxiety.  No one likes to have water in their eyes and/or up …

I have been diving for about 20 years and this article has realy great points.  Take the time to read it all.  I think you find some points which can help your diving.

Brian has been actively diving for over 20 years. He has been an instructor for over a decade and has certified hundreds of divers. Brian is one of over ten professionally trained scuba diving instructors at Scuba.com.  

  The following 25 tips …

10 Myths about Scuba Diving.  This article appered in the The Salt Lake Tribune
 * Myth 1 - Scuba diving is a male-dominated sport.
 Reality - About 50 percent of all new divers are female. Scuba diving appeals to a diverse group of people.
 
* Myth 2 - Scuba divers are prone to shark attacks.
 Reality - Most animals are afraid of things they don’t understand. The bubbles created by scuba equipment keep …

Snuba is a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving and gaining popularity in Hawaii.  Snuba allows you to be and breath underwater without having to be certified for scuba diving.  With snuba you breathe through mouthpiece that is connected to a hose that is attached to a scuba air tank.  The air tank sits on a raft that floats on the water above you.  The airline is 20 feet long, so you …

This week at our dive briefing at Shedd Aquarium we were asked a great question.  Now it is your turn.  Name the 8 types of sea turtles (answers near bottom).  Also here is a bonus question.  What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?

Most scientists recognize eight species of sea turtles:

1. Green-Chelonia mydas

2. Black (also know as Eastern Pacific green …

The weather was nippy and overcast and the water just chest-high, but a new scuba-diving pool in Paris has something Bali, Belize and other diving hotspots don’t: a terrific view of the Eiffel Tower.

To promote the sport, scuba instructors began offering free lessons Friday - with wet-suits, scuba gear and even a biodegradable towel - at the foot …