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First ever Human Factors in Diving conference recordings are now available
The event featured world-leading speakers speaking on how applying human factors can improve diving safety, incident reporting and team performance.
The first-ever event of its kind, the conference provided a unique opportunity to share the knowledge and skills to make diving safer, more effective, and more enjoyable, by allowing divers and instructors to take more informed risks and reduce uncertainty.
ISO Scientific Diving Standards Drafted
Earlier this month, a group of diving specialists met to draft the ISO Scientific Diving Standards.
A three-part standard is being written that will define training requirements for three levels of Scientific Diver. These will eventually be published as ISO 8804.
Scuba.Digital postponed to April 2022
In an e-mail to participants of the upcoming event, the team of organisers write that they "have come across businesses that cannot even afford the very low prices that we are charging and that are choosing instead (rightly) to focus on supporting their staff through this difficult time.
"We also believe that this will pass and that most places will be much more open to diving in 2022, and they will need to focus on marketing their products be that equipment, travel or training."
Dan Burton dies in a paragliding accident
Dan Burton was known to the international dive community as a true pioneer who, among many other endeavours, explored using technical diving in combination with underwater photography. At least that is what he was up to when we first met in the 1990s.
Sacha Dench was attempting a 3,000-mile journey in a motorised paraglider ahead of November's COP26 UN climate change conference with Dan Burton working in support as her cameraman.
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DEMA Show 2021 Update
With the Show two months away, we are thrilled to finally reunite the industry after two years of being apart. Despite any rumors you may have heard, DEMA has no plans to cancel DEMA Show 2021.
We understand the pandemic is an ongoing concern and we are committed to providing a safe and productive Show experience for all members, exhibitors, and attendees. DEMA will continue to watch and implement the health and safety requirements put forth by the state of Nevada, Clark County, and the Las Vegas Convention Authority.
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42nd Annual Underwater Treasure Hunt
This event is a true ‘treasure hunt’ where divers get to scuba dive off the rock jetty at Radio Island in Beaufort, NC. They seek treasure in the form of numbered oyster shells.
After numbered oyster shells have been found and collected, we then return to the dive shop for a pig pickin’ feast and the drawing for prizes. It’s all very exciting and makes for a really fun day! This event is one of the largest single-day gatherings of divers and like-minded people in North Carolina.
Certifications in the US Rebounded in Second Quarter 2021
Encouraging News!
Entry-level open water certifications rebounded in the USA in April, May, and June of 2021 but are still below the pre-pandemic level, an analysis by Darcy Kieran finds.
The second quarter of 2021 is still lower than the pre-pandemic level, with 37 thousand certifications this year compared to 42 thousand in 2019, which is a decrease of 13.8%.
Joe Porter - Founder of Wreck Diving Magazine - dies
He passed away on the evening of Monday 6 September 2021, after fighting a battle with Covid-19.
Joe, and his ground-breaking USA publication, were much admired around the globe. In 2008, the magazine won the inaugural EUROTEK Media Award because it had educated, inspired and influenced many divers in a positive manner.
Wreck Diving Magazine is dedicated to the men, women and children who lost their lives in the tragedies contained within our publication and website.
In Lieu of Flowers
Heidi Porter has requested that if you wish to send flowers at this time, please chose a charity that means something special to you, and make a donation in Joe Porter's name.
Families of 34 killed in liveaboard disaster sue US Coast Guard
Family members of the 34 people killed in a fire aboard a scuba diving boat off the California coast two years ago have sued the U.S. Coast Guard for lax enforcement of safety regulations that they say doomed the passengers, Associated Press reports.
Brian Pitkin, reknowned u/w photographer, has died
On Tuesday 31 August the international dive community lost one of the photography greats; Brian Pitkin passed away. Linda Pitkin wrote on her Facebook page: "My darling Brian died this morning, in hospital after suddenly becoming worse, but such a gentle and peaceful death, with no apparent distress for him."