A technique used to prevent a rope on, say, a dive boat from fraying and unraveling (and one that – especially in an age when ropes are increasingly constructed from man-made fibres – is sometimes superseded by simply melting and… Read More ›
TDI
“Shape up or ship out”
In successfully distancing recreational diving from the military-style teaching methods of yesteryear, the training organizations seem to have overlooked the economic potential of ‘boot-camp’ style fitness programmes that emphasise the ‘no pain, no gain’ philosophy. For the benefit of those… Read More ›
Getting Wrecked
Considered by some to be the ultimate diving challenge, the wrecks and remains of sunken vessels hold a fascination all of their own. Leaving to one side concerns about the rights and wrongs of removing artefacts from wrecks, there’s a… Read More ›
Picture this!
In an age when, from the comfort of a shore-side laboratory, scientists are able to view images of the oceans deepest depths and the habits of the often-bizarre creatures that dwell there, it’s difficult to conceive of the problems faced… Read More ›
Buoyancy and ballast
Despite its status as a core skill, buoyancy control often proves one of the most difficult aspects of diving to master. For many divers – conditioned by their training and encouraged by an instructor to perform basic skills like mask… Read More ›
Developments in the deco chamber
Back in 1670, when few people ever dreamed that anyone would spend extended periods of time underwater for work – let alone for pleasure! – Robert Boyle built a compression chamber in order to study the effects of increased air… Read More ›