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Home » scuba

The History of Diving: CMAS

By Tec Clark Leave a Comment

CMAS

The History of Diving: CMAS

With the invention of the Aqua-Lung by Capt. Jacques Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnon in 1943, the sport of diving with the Aqua-Lung (later to be coined SCUBA) was becoming popular with water enthusiasts worldwide. An association of fishermen, underwater hunters and divers created the International Confederation of Sport Fishing which was founded on February 22, 1952. As diving became more popular in the 1950’s several members of the Sport Fishing Federation wanted to create an organization dedicated to underwater activities. So from January 9th to 11th, 1959 15 countries unanimously voted to form the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) – the English translation is the World Underwater Federation.

Capt. Jacques Yves Cousteau was elected as the first President of CMAS, and the organization formed standards for underwater sports, as well as scuba education and training. Thus making it the first international scuba training organization.
Capt. Jacques Yves Cousteau was elected as the first President of CMAS, and the organization formed standards for underwater sports, as well as scuba education and training. Thus making it the first international scuba training organization.

CMAS is represented in over 51 countries with over 3 million members. It consists of three committees – Sport, Technical and Scientific. These committees are overseen by a Board of Directors elected periodically at the annual General Assembly. The Sport and Scientific Committees oversee sub-committees known as commissions. Its headquarters are currently located in Rome.

 

CMAS is represented in the United States by two entities: 1. the Underwater Society of America for sports such as underwater hockey, underwater rugby, fin swimming, etc., and 2. Scuba Educators International for recreational scuba training.

 

CMAS utilizes a unique “star” system for diving certifications called the International Diver Training Certification System that consists of Diver, Speciality Diver, Technical Diver and Leadership Diver Training Standards. This system allows divers that have been trained in accordance with the prescribed International Diver Training Standards, to be recognized throughout the world in member countries.

 

For more information on CMAS click here

For more information on the history of scuba diving, I highly recommend the book Scuba America

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Filed Under: Blog, History Tagged With: CMAS, Cousteau, scuba

The Great Snorkel Debate: Should You Wear a Snorkel When Scuba Diving?

By Tec Clark 15 Comments

Should divers wear a snorkel while scuba diving?
Should divers wear a snorkel while scuba diving?

Summary:  One of the great debates in the diving industry is whether or not to wear a snorkel when recreational scuba diving.  In technical diving it is unanimous not to wear snorkels, but in recreational diving there are two camps and there are certainly pro’s and con’s on both sides of the camp.  However, the debate has a bit of a bite to it.  Many are quite judgmental to the people who disagree with their position.  In this unique article not only will we look at the top points for and against wearing the snorkel while scuba diving, we will also look at the pro’s and con’s of each point.  We will also look at considerations not often mentioned – considerations that are overarching rather than scenario-dependant.

THE “YES” TO WEARING A SNORKEL WHILE SCUBA DIVING CAMP
We will start here since this has been the diving industries’ historic position on training standards and equipment requirements for recreational divers.
POINT 1: The snorkel is good for surface swimming pre or post dive as it conserves air from the tank.
PRO: This is true as it will conserve air in the tank.  This also lets you see underwater while you’re swimming, which can aid in orienting and direction.  It is ideal when you need to keep your eye on something underwater while swimming at the surface.  Using the snorkel keeps that uninterrupted vision by keeping your face continuously submerged.  The snorkel is good for long surface swims in easy conditions where you would like to see underwater while you are swimming.
CON:  But, the amount of tank air conserved needs to be measured against conditions, distance and time.  At the surface (1ATA) the amount of air we breathe from the tank is quite small, as compared to the increased density of air consumed at depth.  For a short and simple surface swim, breathing from the regulator may not have much effect on air supply at all.  However, if there is a strong current or if the surface swimming distance traveled is long (let’s say 5 minutes or longer), then the amount of air used from the tank may be a factor and the snorkel may be a better option.  However, note that if the conditions are causing heavy breathing at the surface using a snorkel, this could be worsened by the “dead air” space (residual CO2 that remains in a snorkel after exhalation) that continues to be breathed in keeping the diver’s CO2 levels high, thus increasing respiration.  Also, if the surface conditions are rough, it may be better on the diver to abandon the snorkel swim and slightly descend and continue the swim underwater using the regulator.  This will cut down on the exhaustion that may set in from surface swimming in large waves.  Another con is the drift diving scenario when surface swimming up to a boat with its engines running.  I will often wait at the surface using my snorkel, but when the boat approaches, that nasty taste of diesel exhaust makes me switch right away to my regulator and breathe the regulator the whole time I am waiting my turn to get out – as a dive professional, I am always the last one out of the water for whatever group I am supervising, (see FILO article) so that would be a long time to sit with a snorkel breathing exhaust.

POINT 2: The snorkel is essential for surface swimming if the tank has no air.
PRO:  It’s true that we can’t breathe off the regulator if the tank has no air.  So, when maintaining a face-down surface swim, the snorkel is the best method.  I watched a diver with no air and no snorkel perform a surface search for his buddy who was still underwater.  He followed his buddy trying to get his buddy’s attention.  For ten minutes he swam at the surface lifting up his head every time he needed to breathe.  He came back on the boat with a raging hypercapnia headache caused by such high levels of CO2 for such a long period of time.  The snorkel would have helped greatly.
CON:  Let’s consider this question… is swimming face-down on the surface while wearing full scuba the most efficient surface swimming position?  Hmm.  Many instructors, myself included, like to teach all levels of students that a faster and more efficient method to surface swim while wearing scuba is to swim on your back.  This method rarely works with a snorkel.  Most divers with a positively buoyant BC are easily able to swim on their backs while maintaining a controlled airway even in waves – as now the airway is above the water line instead of under it.

POINT 3:  It is a safety tool, there when you need it.
PRO: By wearing the snorkel during a dive, it is immediately available when needed at the surface.  The scenarios of having it immediately at the ready are subjects of discussion as there are nearly endless scenarios to consider.
CON:  But, by wearing the snorkel during a dive, can all the con’s that we will see below outweigh the pro’s of having it readily available? The con side really does not see many “needs” for the snorkel that could trump all the con’s.  And those who see merit to both pro and con sides of the point of “it is a safety tool, there when you need it” often jump to the “collapsible” or “folding” snorkel.  (See “THE HYBRID” below.)

THE “NO” TO WEARING A SNORKEL WHILE SCUBA DIVING CAMP
POINT 1:  It tugs on the mask and is unwieldy in a current.
PRO:  In a strong current a snorkel may wobble, tug and pull on the mask strap.  This can cause the mask to leak and/or flood completely.  The wobbling snorkel may be a nuisance as it moves and bumps equipment or one’s head.
CON:  It is not fair to generalize this point as the design of the snorkel relates greatly to how much it will wobble, tug and pull in a current.  The more streamlined the design and the closer it is worn to the head dramatically reduces the snorkel’s profile in the water.  Plus, a slight tilt or turn of the head changes the hydrodynamics of the water rushing by one’s head and can also reduce the resistance of water flowing by the snorkel.

POINT 2:  It can easily get caught or entangled.
PRO: Having over a foot of plastic attached to the side of a diver’s head could be an object that gets bumped, caught or entangled.  The snorkel can get caught in throw/tag lines, current lines, down lines and reel lines.  It is also possible to get caught in other objects like monofilament line or on hoses when doing BC removal and replacement.  In overhead environments such as caverns, caves and wrecks students are emphatically taught not to wear snorkels for this very reason.
CON: Many pieces of equipment we wear underwater protrude slightly off our person.  What makes the snorkel that much different than the tank valve and first stage, the hoses, fins, gauges, etc.?  Proper training and experience allows for the diver to accommodate for those items.  We do what we can to minimize them (danglies) and we work with and around them.  Those who have worn snorkels for a very long time have a great sense of their presence and rarely have an entanglement situation with their snorkels.

POINT 3:  It gets in the way during a dive.
PRO:  My most recent rescue class had a student who went to put her Air II in her mouth during an air sharing exercise, and as she brought it up to her mouth the snorkel mouthpiece came up on top of it!  She put the wrong mouthpiece in and took in quite a gulp of water.  This is a classic example of the snorkel really getting in the way in what could have been a drastic level.  Sometimes the snorkel can be uncomfortable as it is hanging down next to the face and neck.  This can be very distracting during a dive.
CON:  Again, the profile of the snorkel and how it is worn has a lot to do with the comfort of wearing the snorkel.  Most seasoned snorkel wearers have become very accustomed to the snorkel and do not perceive it as a nuisance.  It is just another piece of equipment on their profile to which they know how to use and are aware of.

THE HYBRID:  “HAVING” A SNORKEL INSTEAD OF “WEARING” A SNORKEL
One solution that both camps often agree on is the use of a “collapsible” or “folding” snorkel.  Several brands exist wherein the snorkel can be folded up and carried either in a BC pocket or attached to the BC during the dive, then deployed and attached to the mask strap at the surface when needed.
PRO:  This seems to be the best of both worlds.  It is not worn while underwater scuba diving, and it is there when you need it at the surface.  It also works towards many training agency standards that call for a diving professional to carry a snorkel when teaching or supervising a dive.
CON:  Although their flexible design works for storage, some can bend in surface currents/waves and squeeze down upon a strong inhalation.  When you think of times when the snorkel may be needed, there is a strong chance that heavy breathing will accompany its use.  To have a snorkel that restricts airflow, even slightly, leads to high CO2 levels and is also extremely frustrating.  These folding snorkels can function as a snorkel in ideal conditions, but do they function well in robust situations?  Not really.  Many people give them good reviews for what they accomplish in theory, but when really used and put to the test they often come up short.

LET’S TAKE A TIMEOUT:  THE GREATER ISSUES AT-HAND
So we looked at many points, and the pro’s and con’s of those points.  As you can see scenarios really dictate the need to wear or not to wear a snorkel.  But we are missing bigger issues.  For this I must stand atop my soapbox…
SOAPBOX POINT #1:  We need to take a look at the modern-day snorkels hanging in dive centers everywhere.  They are huge!  With their ultra-hyper-uber-dry features they come with literal “domes” on top.  To make it so they get rid of water easily they have large purge assemblies under the mouthpiece.  To make it so they move out of the way when used with a regulator they add corrugation to allow the mouthpiece to drop away.  To make this large contraption fit on a mask strap, there needs to be a large keeper assembly.  With all of these conveniences comes lots of plastic.  This makes snorkels longer, heavier and bulkier.  When I wear these, I want to end my dive, ignore the divemaster’s briefing on what to put in a marine toilet, and flush them down the head!  The modern snorkel has, in my opinion, become ridiculous because of point two…
SOAPBOX POINT #2:  We’re getting lazy!  It is truly not hard to clear a snorkel – and I mean ones with no purge valves.  But instead we’ve relied on technology to design an easier product.  But that design has had a backlash as more and more divers are recognizing all the negatives to wearing these monstrosities while diving and they’re simply ditching their snorkels.  And since many scuba classes downplay snorkeling so very much, the certified diver is often uncomfortable and not proficient with the snorkel to begin with (yet it was required to buy for their class).

Sure technical diving is blending into recreational diving, but that is not the main reason for this large-scale rejection of the snorkel.  For these reasons above it is no surprise why divers of the last ten years are shying away from wearing snorkels and why this is such an area of great debate.

I am fond of low-profile, simple J-design snorkels – such as freediving type snorkels.  I am also completely proficient in their use.  That combination of user proficiency and low profile design allows me to comfortably and skillfully scuba dive with my snorkel in place.

Ah, to wear a snorkel, or not wear a snorkel… that is the question.

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Filed Under: Blog, Equipment, Training Tagged With: scuba, snorkel

What does SCUBA stand for and how did it get its name?

By Tec Clark 1 Comment

SCUBAAs a scuba instructor I am often asked “what does scuba stand for?”  The word “scuba” is an acronym for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.  Webster’s Dictionary defines scuba (scu·ba) as “an apparatus utilizing a portable supply of compressed gas (as air) supplied at a regulated pressure and used for breathing while swimming underwater“.  Although an acronym, the modern word scuba is acceptable in common case and does not need to be written as all capitals (SCUBA) nor with abbreviation (S.C.U.B.A.).

Dr. Christian Lambertsen
Dr. Christian Lambertsen

The acronym was coined by Dr. Christian Lambertsen in 1954.  While at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Dr. Lambertsen worked on the first prototypes of rebreathers for military frogmen. He created the Lambertsen Amphibious Respiratory Unit, a.k.a the Lambersten Lung.  Dr. Lambertsen gave these units the military code name of S.C.U.B.A. as they were a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

After his graduation from medical school, the Office of Strategic Services hired him as a 1st Lieutenant with the Army Medical Corps.  He made significant contributions to amphibious units of the U.S. Military with his focus on breathing gases and decompression theory.  Dr. Lambertsen laid the foundation for the modern-day rebreathers and for the use of enriched-air nitrox.  He, along with Cmdr. Doug Fane, were the first to use rebreathers to exit a submarine in 1948.

Dr. Lambertsen went on to be medical faculty of the University of Pennsylvania.  He is also the founding president of the Undersea Medical Society, now known as the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS).  The U.S. Navy Special Warfare community gave him the distinction as “The Father of U.S. Combat Swimming”.

Dr. Lambertsen is featured as a Legend in Diving in the International Legends of Diving.  You can learn more about Dr. Lambertsen here.

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Filed Under: Blog, History Tagged With: Lambertsen, nitrox, rebreather, scuba, UHMS

How to Defog a Diving Mask

By Tec Clark 9 Comments

Why Does a Mask Fog?
First, what is happening when a mask “fogs”? Simply put the “fogging” effect you see on the inside of the mask is condensation. That condensation is present due to the water vapor in the air (humidity) meeting with the cooler glass (or plastic) lens and forming microscopic water droplets on the lens. This is similar to you pouring a tall glass of iced tea inside your kitchen. With our modern home air conditioning units our cool dry air conditioned house may have 40% to 60% humidity. When you look at your glass of tea, there may be a little condensation or wetness on the outside of the glass. But, as soon as you go outside (especially in a tropical environment), you’ll notice your glass looks like it’s sweating. Big water droplets appear, coalesce (join together) and run down the glass where a big water ring forms on the table. In this case, the temperature of the glass and contents did not change, but the outside air has now changed to about 80% to 90% humidity. So, the more water vapor in the air, the more condensation on the outside of the glass.

How these microscopic water droplets form inside a mask is factored by the surface tension on the lens, the humidity of the air inside the mask, and the temperature of the water. The use of a surfactant like commercial anti-fog or defogger solutions or even spit reduces the surface tension smoothing out the droplets on the lens. When condensation takes place on a surface that has surfactant applied it is less visible since the droplets coalesce creating a uniform moisture layer. That uniform moisture layer is easier to see through than the “fog” effect of microscopic water droplets.
So, what surfactants are available for de-fogging your mask? Well, there are a few considerations. But first we must understand the importance of “treating a mask” that is brand new prior to its first use.

How To Pre-Treat a Mask
First, many times when a diver experiences consistent mask fogging it is because there is something on the lens which enhances the fogging effect.  This substance could be the original residue from the manufacturing process as seen with new masks, or it could be as simple as a little sunscreen was on ones finger when they applied defog to his or her mask.  In these cases we need to “prep” or “pre-treat” the mask prior to its use.  This is a special process, so to learn how to do it see my article and two-part video How to Pre-Treat a New Dive Mask.
Now, treating the mask won’t prevent your mask from fogging on each dive, so we have to defog our mask prior to each use. Here are a few methods.

Methods of Defogging a Mask
1. Commercial Defog Products – AKA “mask defog” is commercially available in just about every dive center. A couple products I have used and like are the McNett/AquaSeal Sea Gold® Defog and 500PSI® Mask Defogger. Priced each around $6-$10 dollars per bottle their value comes from how good and efficient they work. Both come in small two ounce sizes, and since small drops are used at time a two ounce bottle can last the typical diver quite a while with its advertised hundreds of applications per bottle. Plus, one application may last two to three dives.
• Simply put one drop on the inside lens of a DRY mask and rub evenly with clean fingers (no sunscreen residue – sunscreen will remove the surfactant).
• Rinse briefly in either fresh or salt water.
• NOTE: DO NOT rub the lens or touch the lens during or after rinsing.
2. Spit – There’s nothing more fun than welling up a big one and planting it in your mask to be rubbed around! For some, this is downright disgusting. Whatever your take on the method, it actually works and remains one of the more common methods for defogging a mask. Saliva makes for an okay surfactant. It’s easy and cheap albeit gross. However, it does not last as long commercial defog products and usually needs to be applied just prior to every dive. The method of application is similar to the commercial defog:
• Simply work up some saliva in your mouth and spit on the inside lens of a DRY mask and rub evenly with clean fingers (no sunscreen residue– sunscreen will remove the surfactant).
• Rinse briefly in either fresh or salt water.
• NOTE: DO NOT rub the lens or touch the lens during or after rinsing.
A couple points worth noting about spit. 1. Some divers and dive professionals strongly discourage the spit method for defogging the mask. They claim that the high bacterial content in saliva is bad for eyes. But consider this, reports of eye infections associated with diving are rare. And, we have to remember that a slightly coated lens that has been rinsed simply does not have a high likelihood of getting into eyes – even when doing partial and full-flooded mask clears. Compare that to the plenty of waterborne bacteria in the ocean, lakes, freshwater springs and even swimming pools. Doing full-flooded mask clears or mask removal and replacement will expose the eyes to far greater amounts of bacteria, than that of the fine saliva coating on a mask lens. 2. Under NO circumstances should you spit in a mask and then rinse it in the rinse bucket of a dive boat! This is an almost certain way to spread viruses! The rinse bucket on a charter dive boat should be reserved exclusively for those using commercial defog or the dive boats’ preferred defog solutions. All it takes is one sick person spitting in a mask and briefly dunking it in the rinse bucket to contaminate the bucket.
3. Baby Shampoo – Here is a defog solution that is catching on in popularity. Baby shampoo is inexpensive, comes in travel size containers, is biodegradable, and won’t sting the eyes. It can be applied directly in small amounts or mixed with water and delivered through a spray bottle. Many charter boat operators are going with the spray bottle solution next to the rinse bucket. The steps, you guessed it, are pretty much the same as above:
• Simply dab or squirt the baby shampoo on the inside lens of a DRY mask and rub evenly with clean fingers (no sunscreen residue– sunscreen will remove the surfactant).
• Rinse briefly in either fresh or salt water.
• NOTE: DO NOT rub the lens or touch the lens during or after rinsing.

Be cautious of swishing the solution during the rinse and dumping it out on the deck of the boat. The soapy nature of the shampoo can create a very slippery deck.

Another NOTE: You may have noticed I keep saying use on a DRY lens. Go back to the first paragraph about surface tension and surfactants. If water is present on a lens before a surfactant is used, it will not work as well. Sometimes you notice just one or two spots on a lens is continuously fogging. Many times that is a result of defog or spit being applied to an already wet mask where water spots were already present. As an instructor trainer I often play a student during an instructor or divemaster class. I will intentionally wet my mask before putting whatever method of defog the instructor candidate tells me to use. Then, underwater my mask fogs over and over again totally confusing and frustrating the candidate. Ah… that’s good fun! Okay, in fairness I am also employing another instructor trainer problem solving challenge – exhaling through the nose increases the likelihood of mask fogging – which leads us to our final point.

Avoid Exhaling Through Your Nose – The air between your face and mask lens remains warm and moist. And with an occasional puff out your nose to equalize your mask as you descend, the airborne water vapor collects on the lens and disperses if there is a proper surfactant in place. But, if one were to continuously exhale through their nose, now there is a continuous supply of warmer and highly humid air. The stagnant air temperature warmed by the face is also cooled by the water temperature affecting the glass lens and the skirt. However, air that is exhaled from the lungs is substantially warmer and has a relative humidity of 100%. This means an ever increasing amount of condensation will form, eventually washing away inadequate surfactant like spit or inadequately applied surfactant. There are many reasons why divers exhale through their nose: a poor fit or leak lets water enter the mask and the diver regularly has to clear the mask by exhaling. Most divers do not efficiently clear their mask with just enough air to get the water out. Instead, it is a dramatic production complete with large exhalations of air into the mask. Another issue is for divers that have a sinus condition. Mucous production discomfort forces them to exhale into the mask. For others, a mask that is too tight is temporally relieved on face when exhaled air through the nose pushes the mask off the face ever so slightly. Another issue is overexertion, the harder a diver breathes the more likely for the nasal tracts to engage exhaling air into the mask. And, of course, we are all nose breathers primarily. For many, shutting off the nose breathing is difficult and they incorrectly inhale through their mouth and exhale through their nose. So focus just on inhalations and exhalations through the mouth only.

Whew… I know this was more information than you were expecting. But knowing why your mask is fogging will really help you understand what changes you need to make and what tools you can now use to prevent your mask from fogging.

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Filed Under: Blog, Equipment Tagged With: defog, mask, scuba

How to Pre-Treat a New Dive Mask

By Tec Clark 23 Comments

I have seen it countless times; a diver with a new mask so fogged you can’t even see his eyes – even after repeated applications of a defog solution! This can be extremely frustrating and even dangerous. What is happening here with new masks is that during the manufacturing process a thin film of silicone accumulates on the mask lens. This silicone is resistant to any of the conventional de-fogging measures. The solution is to “pre-treat” or “prep” the mask by removing this film prior to its use.

1. To remove the film, use a slightly abrasive agent like toothpaste. Avoid gel type toothpaste and go for common white toothpaste. NOTE: THIS IS FOR GLASS LENSES ONLY, NOT PLASTIC (POLYCARBONATE) LENSES. Plastic lens masks, such as the freediving favorite AquaSphere Sphera mask, scratch easily and may even come with an anti-fog agent already applied to the lens. Toothpaste, or other abrasive agents, as well as fingernails may scratch and ruin plastic lenses! If you decide to pre-treat your plastic (polycarbonate) lens with toothpaste, do so at your own risk. One way to minimize scratching plastic (polycarbonate) lenses is to use a soft, wet washcloth and rub lightly in a circular motion.

2. Take a thimble-sized amount of toothpaste and rub it on both sides of the DRY lenses. Give it a good circular rubbing with your CLEAN fingers.

3. Rinse the lens while rubbing away the toothpaste. Note that toothpaste may accumulate in the edges, so use a little more water pressure if needed to remove it, or you may use a soft, wet washcloth.

4. Once the toothpaste is rinsed away, DRY the lens with a clean towel or rag.

5. Repeat these steps, drying the lens in between each application, 5 to 7 times.

Watch the very detailed and very informational two-part video series:

A couple items for you to note: Some instructors say not to use mint toothpaste as it will sting the eyes. This may be true, but a very thorough rinsing after each application should be fine.

A note on SoftScrub®: Also, many instructors say to use an abrasive cleanser like SoftScrub® to remove the film. SoftScrub® claims it is safe to use on glass but I am not a fan of abrasive cleansers for treating a mask. They have several chemicals that may be harsh on the silicone skirt and harsh on the skin. And, if a mint flavoring can sting the eyes if a little is left in the edges, imagine a cleanser – that could really be problematic. If you decide to go with a SoftScrub® cleanser to pre-treat your mask, follow the method above and in the video, using a very sparing amount, rinsing and drying thoroughly. DO NOT use SoftScrub® products that contain BLEACH! And DO NOT use SoftScrub® on plastic (polycarbonate) lenses! Again, it is best to avoid the abrasive cleanser and go with plain ole toothpaste.

A note on Fire: Floating around in the cyber-expert world is a technique of using fire to burn off the residue coating on a lens. DO NOT DO THIS! There is no need for this procedure as there are simply too many things that can go wrong and could easily ruin your mask.

Be safe, gentle and conservative when pre-treating your mask. And use some good common sense – like no fire, nor bleach. Following these steps and the instructions in the videos should get your mask ready to go! Remember, that pre-treating the mask does not prevent it from fogging on every dive. You will still need to de-fog your mask properly before each and every dive. For more information on that, see my article How to Defog a Diving Mask.

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Filed Under: Blog, Equipment Tagged With: glass lens, mask, polycarbonate lens, pre-treating, scuba, toothpaste

About Tec Clark

Tec Clark is a diving industry expert who has held very elite positions in the dive industry including Managing Director of the University of Florida’s Academic Diving Program and National Director of the YMCA Scuba Program. He holds over 40 professional certifications with over 15 diving agencies. Tec has received numerous honors for his instructional abilities and has co-edited several diving texts. He also appeared as a diving expert on A&E, The Learning Channel, and Outdoor Life Network. He was Captain of the US Freediving Team and is the founder of both Reef Ministries and ScubaGuru.com. Tec is the Associate Director for Aquatics and Scuba Diving at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Read More…

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Welcome to ScubaGuru.com!  The ScubaGuru brand is dedicated to giving dive professionals tools and techniques to be GREAT LEADERS – leaders in the classroom, leaders underwater, and leaders in their diving businesses.  With unique leadership skill-sets, the dive professional can create:

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See what we mean by Go Beyond the Standard and enjoy the rewards of being truly great at what you do!

Sincerely,

Tec Clark

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157 In-Service Training for Dive Pro’s

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In this episode of The Dive Locker Podcast we look at how to set up and implement in-service rescue training for dive professionals. Welcome To The Show! Welcome to The Dive Locker Podcast, the podcast for … Continue Reading...

The Dive Locker Podcast

156 The Power of Friendliness in Diving Businesses

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In this episode of The Dive Locker Podcast we share why friendliness could be the most important value in a diving business. Welcome To The Show! Welcome to The Dive Locker Podcast, the podcast for dive … Continue Reading...

The Dive Locker Podcast

155 Making Safety Essential in 2023 with Gareth Lock

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In this episode of The Dive Locker Podcast we share a great resource to make dive safety a priority in your diving operations. Welcome To The Show! Welcome to The Dive Locker Podcast, the podcast for dive … Continue Reading...

The Dive Locker Podcast

154 Diving Industry Status Report: Post DEMA Show Reflections

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In this episode of The Dive Locker Podcast I give a diving industry status report based on my experiences at the DEMA Show 2022. Welcome To The Show! Welcome to The Dive Locker Podcast, the podcast for dive … Continue Reading...

The Dive Locker Podcast

153 What to Expect at The DEMA Show 2022 with Tom Ingram

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In this episode of The Dive Locker Podcast we learn all about the upcoming DEMA Show 2022 in Orlando with DEMA President and CEO Tom Ingram. Welcome To The Show! Welcome to The Dive Locker Podcast, the podcast … Continue Reading...

The Dive Locker Podcast

152 Interpreting the Ocean Environment Without a Marine Biology Degree

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In this episode of The Dive Locker Podcast we look at an outstanding resource to help dive professionals interpret the ocean environment. Welcome To The Show! Welcome to The Dive Locker Podcast, the podcast … Continue Reading...

The Dive Locker Podcast

151 Incorporating Weather Into Your Emergency Training Scenarios

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In this episode of The Dive Locker Podcast we look at how dive professionals can incorporate weather issues into your emergency training scenarios. Welcome To The Show! Welcome to The Dive Locker Podcast, the … Continue Reading...

LXD062 : Joe Dituri

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Joe Dituri – Hyperbaric Medicine Researcher & Exploration Legend In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Divers I chat with legendary hyperbaric medicine researcher and diving explorer Joe … Continue Reading...

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LXD061 : Jeff Bozanic

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Jeff Bozanic – Scientific Diving Legend In this episode of The League of Extraordinary Divers I chat with legendary scientific diver and explorer Jeff Bozanic. Today's guest is one of the premiere scientific … Continue Reading...

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