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(File photo) Megalodon Rebreather Training

Rebreather Forum 3: Be RoSPA CCR Aware

To this end RoSPA worked with a number of rebreather industry experts to identify key safety issues.

RoSPA Video

The result was a film that gives divers and those new to rebreathers a solid awareness of the key safety factors for diving with rebreathers.

Eight years ago today – Friday 18th May 2012 – this film was unveiled at a very important international safety symposium called Rebreather Forum 3. In fact ‘CCR Aware‘ opened #RF3.

What were the aims and objectives of Rebreather Forum 3

Over the course of the following three days 400 experts, manufacturers, instructors, training agencies and divers from around the world gathered to improve understanding, with the hope that this would translate to improved safety across the board.

We can always do things better. So it is a rationality check to see if we can make things safer.

Dr Neal W Pollock

What were the aims and objectives of Rebreather Forum 3

Over the course of the following three days 400 experts, manufacturers, instructors, training agencies and divers from around the world gathered to improve understanding, with the hope that this would translate to improved safety across the board.

We can always do things better. So it is a rationality check to see if we can make things safer.

Dr Neal W Pollock

Rebreather Forum 3: Diving with Rebreathers

Richard Pyle is an early adopter of technical-diving practices and is known around the world as a rebreather diver and designer. He is a highly respected Ichthyologyist (in plain English a scientist who studies fish) and he has discovered many new species of fish.

A dive with a profound effect

When Richard Pyle was 19 he was living and diving the western Pacific Ocean off Palau. During his time there he suffered a very serious case of decompression sickness and became quadriplegic.

Free video tutorial from Brent Durand on unusual macro UW photo techniques

Free video tutorial on unusual macro UW photo techniques

Durand writes: “If you've been shooting for a while, you've likely read a number of articles with basic macro photo tips. These tips are largely the same (in my articles as well). And they're essential tips. But let's go beyond that and discuss macro photo tips you'll rarely see included in the general articles.”

Rebreather Forum 3: Anatomy of a CCR Dive: A Comparison / Contrast

RF3 was convened primarily as a platform for discussion of various issues that may have an impact on the safety of diving with rebreathers. It was attended by many expert presenters and rebreather divers who contributed to these discussions.

It was recognised however that the forum would also attract some divers who were not rebreather users, but who were perhaps contemplating purchasing one, or simply interested in learning about them. For this reason the program included this presentation on the basics of rebreather devices.

Take the X-Ray Mag Photo Challenge

Photos by Olga Torrey
Comparisons of colors, shapes and subject matter. Dorid nudibranch, Goniobranchus leopardus, on soft coral in Papua New Guinea (top right) compared to a crocus plant blooming early in spring in New York City (top left). Photos by Olga Torrey; Pair of ocean pouts on Resor wreck in New Jersey (bottom left) compared to a pair of juvenile great horn owls in Ephrata, Pennsylvania (bottom right). Photos by Larry Cohen.

Stuck inside? Using found objects at home, or what you can photograph looking outside your window, why not try recreating one of your own underwater photos from your image archives? The five best shots will be shared on our website.

What role does diving play in our lives and in our wellbeing? How important is it really?

Meet Maslow

It has already been way too long since we got wet and who knows how much longer it will be before we can go diving again, other than alone at a local dive site that may be open, if we are lucky.

The coronavirus outbreak is an eyeopener in so many ways. It is giving us lessons on what is important. When the pandemic hit in earnest, many of us suddenly found ourselves focused on more basic needs than usual. If not food and shelter, then at the least, safety and health, and the wellbeing of our loved ones, some of whom we were not permitted to visit.

DAN Extends Liability Coverage 90 Days to Help Professionals and Businesses

Funded 100% by DAN, this extension will apply to all policies in effect on May 1, 2020. For example, policies due to expire on May 31, 2020 will be extended by 90 days and will now expire on August 29, 2020. No action is required of the insured, and training agencies will be notified automatically.

Programs for New Customers

Corals in the bay of Aqaba, Red Sea
Corals in the bay of Aqaba, Red Sea

Red Sea coral resilient to climate change

In recent decades, many coral reefs around the world have been suffering tremendous damages as a result of global climate change. However, in the northern Red Sea, the situation seems to be somewhat different: Research has shown that the coral reefs in both Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat and Gulf of Suez are unusually resilient to climatic changes. Corals in the northern Red Sea regularly experience 4.0˚C - 6.5˚C daily changes in seawater temperature and seasonal variations that exceed 29˚C.

Staghorn coral
The staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a branching, stony coral with cylindrical branches ranging from a few centimetres to over two metres in length and height.

Coral restoration projects show promise in Florida Keys

Reef-building staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) was abundant and widespread throughout the Caribbean and Florida until the late 1970s.  The fast-growing coral formed dense thickets in forereef, backreef, and patch-reef environments to depths over 20 m. 

Diving in the Era of COVID-19

Diving in the era of COVID-19: How do we safely go diving again?

April 2020 — I come to you as a recreational and technical diving instructor, as a physician consultant for Divers Alert Network, and as a COVID-19 survivor. For me, it was just an occupational hazard. I tested positive for COVID-19 after seeing a patient in my cardiology clinic for an unrelated condition who seemed quite short of breath. He was admitted to the ICU and tested positive for COVID-19.