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Basic Packing Checklist
The following packing checklist is not comprehensive. It is intended to provide a foundation to make it easier for you to customize according to the specific details of your trip. Copy, scan, or retype and customize this list, adding in any specialized equipment you need, as well as your clothing, toiletries, and other personal items necessary for your trip.

Essentials

• Certification card (C-card)
• DAN membership card
• Hat
• Nutritious snacks
• Sunscreen
• Water
• _________________________
• _________________________

Gear

• BC/BCD
• Booties/fins
• Cutting tool or dive knife
• Dive computer
• Exposure suit
• Gear bag
• Gloves
• Hood
• Lights
• Mask
• Reels
• Regulator
• Snorkel
• Surface signal
• Tank(s)
• Weight
• Whistle
• _________________________
• _________________________

Specialized equipment (optional)

• Camera and other photography equipment
• Diver propulsion vehicle (DPV)
• Oxygen unit
• Rebreather
• Speargun
• _________________________
• _________________________

“Save-a-dive” kit

• Batteries
• Clasps
• Defogger spray
• Duct tape and waterproof adhesive/sealant
• Fin buckles and straps
• Lighter
• Mask strap or extra mask
• Multi-tool (including an adjustable wrench and hex key)
• O-ring kit (including O-rings for high- and low-pressure hoses, an O-ring pick and silicone grease)
• Regulator mouthpiece
• Snorkel keeper
• Weight belt or buckle
• White trash bag (or some white working surface)
• Zip ties/cable ties and bungee cord/shock cord
• Zipper wax
• Dive tables
• _________________________
• _________________________

First-aid kit
Basics

• Nitrile (hypoallergenic)
• CPR barrier (oronasal)
• Tweezers
• Safety pins
• Scissors
• Soap (or antiseptic solution or wipes)
• First-aid guide

Dressings and bandages

• Adhesive bandages (such as Band-Aids)
• Gauze pads and rolls
• Triangular bandages
• Elastic bandages(such as Ace Bandages)
• Medical tape

Accessory items

• Vinegar
• Sterile saline solution
• Irrigation syringe
• Hot and cold packs

Medications

• Aspirin
• Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil)
• Diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl)
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibiotic ointment
• Dimenhydrinate (such as Dramamine)
• Loperamide (such as Imodium)
• Antacid (such as Tums)

Anxiety is a mental health condition that refers to an overwhelming sense of apprehension or fearfulness. Marked by physiological signs, anxiety can produce both psychological and physical symptoms.

Anxiety can cause uncertainty about the nature and reality of threats as well as self-doubt about one’s capacity to deal with situations. Physical symptoms of anxiety can vary widely, from the damp palms and quickened heartbeat associated with mild apprehension to the crippling, paralyzed feelings of a full-blown panic attack or phobic reaction.

Symptoms

Symptoms of anxiety can vary from person to person, situation to situation, and even day to day. Signs include:

• Dilated pupils
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Constricted peripheral blood vessels
• Blood flow diverted to the skeletal muscles
• Rapid breathing
• Increased perspiration

Some people who suffer from anxiety can experience severe panic attacks or debilitating physical symptoms. These may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Hot or cold flashes

Implications in Diving

The ocean can be a major stressor for some people. As stress increases, a diver’s ability to recognize and respond properly diminishes.4 In a demanding situation it is critical that a diver be able to recognize and break out of the escalating cycle of stress before it reaches the level of panic. Divers may exhibit some specific symptoms and behaviors, including:

• Rapid breathing or hyperventilation
• Muscle tension
• “White knuckle” grip
• “Wild-eyed” look or avoiding eye contact
• Irritability or distractibility
• “Escape to the surface” behavior
• Stalling, e.g., taking too long to don equipment or enter the water
• Imaginary equipment or ear problems
• Being overly talkative or becoming withdrawn
• Contact maintenance, e.g., clutching the swim ladder or anchor line

Dive professionals are taught to recognize signs and symptoms of stress, both in themselves and in students and new divers. In many cases, identifying and removing a particular stressor can help alleviate anxieties. However, there will be instances in which recreational divers remain apprehensive, and the reason(s) may not be readily apparent. Depending on divers’ motivations for continuing to dive and their willingness to work toward a resolution of their anxieties, there are psychological techniques that can be useful in overcoming these problems. Mild anxiety does not have to be a contraindication to recreational diving. Dive professionals learn to intervene before that stress becomes excessive and results in exhaustion, panic or a dive accident or fatality.

Common Stressors in Diving Include:

• Time pressure — Dive tables limit the time that can be spent at various depths. Planning and staying within no-decompression limits provides a significant source of stress, especially when accompanied by task-loading.
• Task-loading — This involves doing or managing too many things at once. An example is a scuba diver attempting to hold a light and camera while navigating in an overhead environment. It is easy to focus on one task to the exclusion of others when that task is complicated or particularly demanding. This is known as perceptual narrowing.
• Pushing limits — Diving beyond physical limitations or pushing oneself too hard, either physically or mentally.
• Environmental conditions — These include unfamiliar dive sites, currents and surface conditions and diving in cold water, reduced visibility or at night.
• Lack of readiness — Too little preparation or training for a particular dive can be a major stressor.
• Equipment considerations — Diving with new or unfamiliar equipment, or diving with equipment (a drysuit, for example) in which one is insufficiently experienced or trained.
• Diving for the wrong reason — This includes peer pressure, diving beyond safe limits “just for the thrill,” diving when you are uncomfortable or ill (seasick or hungover), diving because a friend is diving, diving to save face or diving due to fear of being left out.

Practice and additional training can help reduce anxiety. Instructors sometimes overlook the importance of patience and repeated practice in making students comfortable in the open water. Some students will need additional time and practice or require one-on-one instruction in particular areas. It should be emphasized that it is always acceptable to sit out a dive for any reason.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can produce feelings of anxiety: anemia, mitral valve prolapse (a cardiac condition), premenstrual symptoms, menopausal symptoms, diabetes, hypoglycemia (an abnormally low level of blood glucose), thyroid and parathyroid disorders, asthma and some systemic infections.5 Along with other stressors, one or more of these could amount to a potent and dangerous combination.

Overcoming Anxiety

There are ways to treat and overcome anxiety. Work with your health care provider to see what options are available. Treatment may include medication or working with a licensed professional or a combination of the two. An understanding of the mechanisms of anxiety help you understand how possible treatments and techniques might work.

~John R. Yarbrough, Ph.D.

References

1 Barlow, David H. (1988). Anxiety and its Disorders: The Nature and Treatment of Anxiety and Panic. New York: Guilford Press.
2 Professional Association of Diving Instructors. (1999). The PADI Divemaster Manual. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA: PADI.
3 Smith (1979) as discussed in Gilliam, Bret. (1995). Deep Diving: An Advanced Guide to Physiology, Procedures and Systems. San Diego: Watersport Publishing.
4 Hardy, William, Jr. (1997). Psychiatric Physician Assistant Protocol: A Handbook for Mid-Level Psychiatric Practitioners. Tyler, TX: William Hardy, MS, PA-C.
5 DuPont, Robert L. (1987). Phobia: A Comprehensive Summary of Modern Treatments. NY: Brunner-Mazel.
6 Gilliam, Bret. (1995). Deep Diving: An Advanced Guide to Physiology, Procedures and Systems. San Diego: Watersport Publishing.
7 Maultsby, Maxie C., Jr. (1984). Rational Behavior Therapy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Text by Nicolene Olckers

Are you planning an international diving trip? Whether you're heading to the crystal-clear waters of Indonesia or exploring the vibrant reefs of Mozambique or the Maldives, dive safety should always be a top priority. That's where DAN Southern Africa comes in. Our dive membership packages are designed to provide divers with peace of mind, ensuring safety and support wherever their adventures take them.

Let us walk you through how to secure your DAN Southern Africa cover, focusing on the Standard Plus and Master Pro Memberships — both ideal for international travels.

DAN Southern Africa is a trusted leader in dive safety. By securing a membership, you gain access to:

• Comprehensive Dive Accident Cover: Protection against unforeseen dive emergencies, including evacuation and hyperbaric treatment.
• 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Round-the-clock support for medical or travel-related emergencies.
• Global Coverage: Whether you’re diving locally or internationally, DAN has you covered.
• Diving Community Benefits: Access to dive safety resources, education, and support.

When planning international trips, the Standard Plus and Master Pro Memberships are highly recommended for their robust benefits tailored to frequent travelers and avid divers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Securing Your DAN Southern Africa Cover

Go to www.dansa.org to explore the available membership options and choose the plan that best fits your needs.

Once you’ve selected a membership plan, click on “Sign Up” or “Join Now.” Fill out your personal details, including:

• Name and contact information.
• Emergency contact details.
• Trip information (if applicable).
• Certification level and diving experience.

Secure your membership by completing the payment online. DAN SA accepts major payment methods to make the process seamless and hassle-free.

After completing your application and payment, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your membership card, policy documents, and important contact numbers. Keep these accessible during your travels.

Benefits of Standard Plus and Master Pro Memberships for International Divers:

• Emergency Evacuation: Covers transportation to the nearest medical facility equipped to handle dive-related injuries.
• Hyperbaric Treatment: Ensures you get the specialized care you need in case of decompression sickness (the bends).
• Medical Support Anywhere in the World: Dive with confidence knowing that help is just a call away.
• Travel Assistance Services: Coverage for non-diving medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and more (specific to plan details).

DAN dive accident coverage isn’t just an add-on; it’s an essential part of your dive gear. By securing your DAN Southern Africa cover before your trip, you ensure that you’re prepared for any unexpected situations, allowing you to focus on the thrill of exploring the underwater world.

Don’t leave your safety to chance. Secure your DAN Southern Africa membership today and dive with confidence wherever your adventures take you. Visit www.dansa.org to get started or contact us at mail@dansa.org or +27-11=266-4900 for assistance.

Stay safe and happy diving!

Disclaimer: Coverage details and benefits vary by membership plan. Please review the terms and conditions on the DAN SA website for complete information.

Join Fun Divers Zanzibar, the local PADI Dive Resort, and explore the pristine waters of Pemba Island with our exclusive Dive & Stay Packages for 2025. Book now to save 15% on packages and PADI courses from February to November. Immerse yourself in an underwater adventure that reveals the best of Tanzania’s stunning marine life.

Why Pemba Island?

Pemba Island is renowned for its untouched underwater world and extraordinary dive sites, featuring a mix of wall and reef dives suitable for all certification levels. Home to vibrant marine life and breathtaking underwater landscapes, Pemba is a bucket-list destination for underwater explorers.

We are the first locally owned PADI Dive Resort in Zanzibar and Pemba Island. Our professional team consists of experienced Zanzibari divers who grew up as fishermen, giving them unparalleled knowledge of the area’s reefs and marine life. Dive with our local PADI Pros for an authentic, unforgettable experience.

Seven Reasons to Dive With Us

• Green Paradise: Pemba Island’s lush vegetation creates a unique, refreshing climate
• Peaceful Escape: With its low population density and quiet villages, Pemba is perfect for relaxation 
• Crystal-Clear Visibility: Year-round clear waters and gentle currents make every dive spectacular
• Ngezi Forest: Explore this ancient forest, famous for its rare and towering trees
• White-Sand Beaches: Relax on some of the world’s most pristine, unspoiled beaches
• Wall And Hill Reefs: Most of dive sites in Pemba are drop-off and hills which allow huge fishes to come visit the island
• Big Fish Encounters: Pemba Island‘s extensive coral formations, underwater mountains, and steep coral walls offer excellent opportunities to spot large pelagic fish, especially for experienced divers

What’s Included in Your 2025 Dive & Stay Package

• Free rental of dive gear
• Complimentary scuba refresher course
• Personalized dive guidance from expert local PADI Pros
• On-site accommodation with breakfast

Affordable Pricing

Dive & Stay packages start at 323 USD per person.
Spaces are limited—don’t miss this chance to dive into adventure and uncover the wonders of Pemba Island!

View the available packages: Pemba Island Dive Holiday
Book Now!
Call: +255 773 116 436
Email: info@fundiverszanzibar.com
Web: fundiverszanzibar.com/diving-pemba-island

A Guide to Spotting Cryptic Fish While Diving in Cape Town
TEXT & PHOTOs BY Ofek Liepaz

SOME DIVERS PREFER THE FEELING OF EFFORTLESSLY GLIDING THROUGH THE WATER, taking in the larger fish and the sheer abundance of life that the underwater world has to offer. Others, like myself, approach each dive as a treasure hunt, eager to uncover the more elusive species that inhabit our oceans. It’s incredibly rewarding to work toward sightings, and finding marine life unseen by most people can give diving an entirely new meaning.

If you want to spot cryptic creatures on your dives, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Know what you’re looking for and look at photos beforehand. Having an idea of what various creatures look like is a great way to identify their shape and colour among the reef.
2.  Familiarise yourself with the behaviour of your subject. Learn about any potential symbiotic relationships, what food they tend to eat, or where they like to hide.
3. Dive slowly and look closely. Many of the ocean’s inhabitants hide in plain sight. All you need to do is take the time to look a little closer.
4. Use a torch to bring back colour and enhance contrast. This is also essential for taking good photographs of your discoveries. It’s recommended to use a red light for more skittish subjects, as they cannot see the red light frequency at depth.
5. Remain patient. Many creatures can be startled by sudden movements. Approach them slowly to increase the likelihood of a longer encounter.

6. Respect the environment and ensure your buoyancy is in check to avoid damaging the reef or harming any marine life.

False Bay is home to over 200 species of fish. Many of them seem to find you on your dives. With others, you need to be in the right place at the right time.
Fish like the two-eyed blenny, Cape triplefin blenny, and the smooth-skin scorpionfish are surprisingly more common than one might think. You just need to know where to look, and this article shares some of my secrets for finding them.

Two-Eyed Blenny (Chalaroderma ocellata)
The two-eyed blenny reaches a maximum length of around 7 cm. You’ll sometimes find them darting around the reef, but generally, these fish are quite territorial and prefer to stay close to their homes. They like to inhabit various holes and crevices on the reef, with their go-to hiding spots being empty worm tubes. This is a great place to look if you want to find these fish, and if you’re really lucky, you’ll even spot a blenny fiercely guarding its eggs along the walls of the tube.

When looking for two-eyed blennies, a good first step is to find steep, vertical walls on deeper reefs. Then, look out for worm tubes, and see if you can spot any small faces peeking out at you.

It’s worth noting that while these worm tubes are naturally white, they often get encrusted by various sponges, so be sure to watch for the tube’s opening! Two-eyed blennies can also be found hiding in other small crevices, so do keep an eye out for their distinctive faces when exploring the nooks and crannies of the reef.

When first approached, blennies will usually retreat into their hideout, but thankfully, they are naturally curious fish. If you wait and remain still, they will almost always pop their heads out to investigate you.

Smooth-Skin Scorpionfish (Coccotropsis gymnoderma)
Most people associate scorpionfish with the large ambush predator found in tropical waters. However, the waters of Cape Town are home to a significantly smaller, distant relative. Much like their larger tropical counterparts, these fish are highly venomous and have a sting that is said to be extremely painful. Thankfully, they are incredibly docile, and about the same size as your pinkie finger, meaning that the only real risk would be if you were to grab one with your bare hand, which is something you should never do with any fish, in any case.

Smooth-skin scorpionfish are generally found at the intersection of the reef and sand. They are usually spotted in the first 1-2 meters of reef or in the nearby sand area, among the substrate and empty mussel shells at depths of 10 meters or deeper.
They can also be seen tucked against the reef alongside invertebrates like sea cucumbers and feather stars.

To find them, look for a small, elongated teardrop shape with colours and patterns that are slightly brighter than their

surroundings. A torch is essential for spotting them, as the added light brings out the orange and brown colouring of their skin, making them easier to spot.

Cape Triplefin Blenny (Cremnochorites capensis)
This little fish can be found on almost every reef in Cape Town but is easily overlooked due to its remarkable ability to blend into the seascape.

They can blend in so well that I sometimes only spot them on my computer screen, hidden in plain sight in the background of photos I’ve taken of other subjects! These fish are frequently found nestled among the invertebrates that encrust Cape Town’s reefs. To spot a Cape triplefin, look closely among strawberry anemones, sea cucumbers, sponges, and crinoids, and watch for striking patterns and round, curious eyes. They generally like to stay anchored to the reef, which also makes them very fun fish to photograph up close!

Closing Remarks
Diving in search of small, well-hidden subjects is an incredibly fun and rewarding way to dive. It might be a bit frustrating if you don’t spot what you’re looking for at first, but don’t get disheartened! This just means that when you do eventually spot that blenny or scorpionfish, it becomes all-the-more special. Finding these creatures does require a trained eye, meaning that the more time you spend looking in the right places, the more regularly you’ll start to find these exciting cryptic fish!

Connect With Ofek
INSTAGRAM: @underwater_ofek
WEB: www.ofekliepaz.myportfolio.com

Empowering Divers to Protect Our Oceans
Text by Earth Legacy Foundation

DIVERS ACHIEVE REMARKABLE SUCCESS IN MARINE CLEAN-UP EFFORTS 
October 2024 – With ocean plastic pollution reaching alarming levels, Keep Fin Alive, in collaboration with the Earth Legacy Foundation and Go Dive Mossel Bay, has made significant strides in tackling the issue through its successful Clean Ocean Divers programme. Since its inception, the initiative has trained divers in safe underwater debris removal and conducted multiple clean-up dives, recovering over 10 km of fishing line, nearly 1,000 sinkers, and more than 350 hooks from sensitive marine environments.

Led by Esther Jacobs, founder of Keep Fin Alive, an Advanced NAUI diver, and Communications & Sustainability Manager for Earth Legacy Foundation, the Clean Ocean Divers programme equips divers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to make a meaningful impact on ocean health.Participants are trained to carry out "deep cleans" in marine environments, focusing on the safe removal of harmful debris. The programme not only educates participants on the dangers of plastic pollution but also provides hands-on training through clean-up dives, contributing to national efforts to address "ghost gear" along coastlines. Through its partnerships with Earth Legacy Foundation and Go Dive Mossel Bay, the programme continues to make a tangible difference in protecting marine ecosystems.

CLEAN  OCEAN  DIVERS MISSION. STATEMENT
"Empowering our diving community to preserve and protect our coastline by providing the knowledge, skills, and resources to keep our oceans healthy and marine life safe."

ABOUT KEEP FIN ALIVE
Keep Fin Alive is a dedicated marine conservation initiative focused on safeguarding marine ecosystems and wildlife through active engagement, education, and advocacy. With a mission to inspire ocean stewardship, the organisation empowers divers and non-divers alike to combat marine pollution and overfishing. Through collaboration with partners such as Earth Legacy Foundation and Go Dive Mossel Bay, Keep Fin Alive spearheads innovative programmes, including clean-up dives and awareness campaigns, to promote sustainable ocean practices and ensure the survival of threatened marine species for future generations.

ABOUT EARTH LEGACY FOUNDATION
The Earth Legacy Foundation is dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems through  education, conservation initiatives, and the promotion of sustainable practices. By partnering with local and global organisations, the foundation seeks to drive long-term efforts that support ocean health and biodiversity conservation.

ABOUT GO DIVE MOSSEL BAY
Go Dive Mossel Bay is a leading dive centre in South Africa, offering exceptional diving experiences with a strong emphasis on ocean conservation. As a key partner in the Clean Ocean Divers initiative, Go Dive Mossel Bay provides divers with opportunities to engage in meaningful ocean preservation efforts through specialised clean-up dives and environmental education.

TRAVEL SMARTER

WHEN YOU ARE IN AN EMERGENCY while diving from a boat, you and the crew can’t waste precious moments looking for safety equipment. Some safety items should be readily available on a day boat or liveaboard. 

• First aid kit: Cuts and scrapes are common in recreational diving. Proper bandages are necessary for stemming bleeding, and infection possibility is always high around seawater. Having the appropriate items to keep wounds clean and dry is important.
  
  
• Oxygen kit: You should ask to inspect the oxygen kit. All the components must be present and functioning. A missing hose or defective mask makes the kit almost useless. Also, check that the cylinder is full.
  
  
• Communications equipment: A simple radio may work, but if you will be far from shore, ask how the crew communicates with the main office.
  
  
• Life preservers: Every person on the boat should have at least one accessible life preserver. Make sure you know where yours is.
  
  
• Fire equipment: Fire extinguishers should be available throughout the boat. Make sure you know where they are and how to use them.
  
  
• Alarms: Make sure you know the difference between the alarms. Your response to an evacuation alarm is much different than a person-overboard alarm.
  
  
• Emergency action plans (EAPs): Ask to see the EAPs and whether the crew has regularly trained with them. There should be a written plan for each possible emergency, such as a fire, abandon ship, person-overboard, or missing diver. Ensure you can carry out your part so you can assist rather than get in the way.
  
  
• This equipment is useful only if the crew knows how to use it in an emergency. Ask if the crew is properly trained and certified in first aid response, use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), oxygen administration, emergency communications, and firefighting equipment. They should be able to tell you about regular training and practices for all types of emergency situations.
  
  These measures may not prevent an incident or emergency but can change its severity.

Finding My Passion Below the Surface: A Journey into Underwater Photography
text by Gabriela Guberman

THE BUSTLING, OTHERWORLDLY ACTION OF THE SARDINE RUN became tenfold better when I switched vessels to Mission 1 Ocean’s boat. From admiring the frothing seas brimming with life to helping film this world-class natural spectacle, I could hardly believe my luck. I was incredibly fortunate when these well-known French photographers and filmmakers welcomed me aboard—something that would quickly prove to be a life-changing experience. Allured by the peculiar-looking gear and the chance to speak the language I love, I approached the men with an endless stream of enthusiastic questions, a simple act that would become the catalyst for a new adventure. Little did I know they were the renowned Alexis Rosenfeld and Mission 1 Ocean / UNESCO.

For four whole days, I was captivated—totally enthralled and inspired. Their overflowing passion for capturing and preserving the ocean’s magnificence through film and education was contagious. I decided then and there that this was what I wanted to do. My childhood love for the ocean was brought back to the surface. They had planted a seed, but one that would have to wait until I came across Dive Action in Cape Town to properly germinate.
After hours spent dreaming and unproductively searching the internet, I was pointed towards Barry and Sarah at Dive Action—the only Nauticam dealer in South Africa. This would prove to be a vital step in turning my dream into reality.

A few weeks later, I bought the camera of my dreams and headed to Cape Town to pick it up. Much to my surprise, rather than just hand it over, the team at Dive Action went above and beyond in every way possible. They welcomed me for four days, not only showing me the ropes of my new camera but teaching me everything I wanted to learn—from how to edit photos in post-production to giving me a free course on Nitrox diving and even taking me on multiple dives.

This fantastic team from a tucked-away dive operation taught me the ins and outs of my new image-capturing marvel. Everything from how to assemble this complex contraption, to caring for it, and even countless nifty tips and tricks gained from years of experience. They lent me anything I needed without batting an eyelid, helping and encouraging me as I began finding my feet in this wonderful profession.

My first dive in the Cape was eye-opening. The sheer quantity of vibrant life filling these icy waters is outstanding. Huge schools of curious fish pulse in and out of the underwater forests, while carpets of bright, colorful marine life add an otherworldly dimension to the mysterious, watery realm. I was ecstatic, my excitement bubbling over despite being limited to hand signals for communication. The tiniest areas had me glued to the viewfinder, relishing every detail of the reef.

Armed with this fantastic new camera, the world is my oyster. I’m passionate about sharing the wonders of our underwater world with the younger generation—the future custodians of our planet. My goal is to inspire as many people as I can, introducing them to the amazing world found beneath the surface through my lens and pen.

FOLLOW Gabriela Guberman
Instagram: @the_passionate_pisces
WEB: patreon.com/ThePassionatePisces

TEXT  by Nicolene Olckers | Photos by Yvette Oosthuizen

“Hi! I’m Yvette—Aunty Vetty to the Twinadoes and known as @wildbluevetty on Instagram. I work in international nature documentaries and am a freediver exploring the beloved kelp forests where I live. I also capture underwater images, contributing however I can to conserving our natural world, especially my greatest love—the ocean. I hope these images inspire you to fall in love with it too!”

From creating music videos for world- renowned artists like Coldplay to photographing never-before captured marine life behavior, Yvette Oosthuizen brings a steady hand and (mostly!) a calm mind to her work in nature documentaries. Specializing in Line Producing and the often-challenging arena of securing filming permits, she’s played vital roles in acclaimed productions, including My Octopus Teacher, Penguin Town, and the BBC’s Blue Planet II series. To this day, she remains captivated by the natural world and especially by the mystery of South Africa's magical Kelp Forests.

Growing up in Pretoria, Yvette lived for the family’s annual road trips. “I didn’t realize it then, but those trips had a huge impact on me. Every December, we’d head to Palm Springs, a special place on the coast near East London. This meant huge ocean-based adventures for our family. The minute we arrived, my dog and I would jump out of our old El Camino and race straight for the beach,” she recalls fondly. Along with those experiences and her mom’s regular trips to beautiful wild places, which inspired a deep love for nature, the rest was history.

After a two-year stint in the dreary grey of London, she knew three things for sure:

• She needed to return home.
• She wanted to pursue a career in film, having enjoyed a brief experience on a film project.
• She wanted to reconnect with nature, building on the love she’d nurtured since childhood.

Upon returning to South Africa, Yvette began working at an equipment rental house after persistently asking friends for help breaking into the industry. “Once I had a job, I insisted a journalist friend in the film industry give me every wildlife filmmaker’s contact in South Africa,” she laughs.
Living in Johannesburg, she would phone each filmmaker monthly, hoping for a chance. Eventually, her perseverance paid off. Yvette’s love of nature—and the foundation laid during her childhood—drove her into wildlife documentaries. After a severe knee injury ended her adventure racing days, she knew she was at another crossroads and made the bold decision to move to Cape Town.

“I started over again, calling filmmakers monthly and sending out my CV daily. That’s how I met the Foster brothers.”
Working with the Fosters, she contributed to Shark Man, featuring Michael Rutzen, a South African shark conservationist and filmmaker who is one of the few people in the world that can understand and respond to shark behaviour and body language whilst freediving in the ocean.

Witnessing the decline in the natural world only deepened her passion for documentary filmmaking. “It’s a different picture now than it was a hundred years ago. The greatest grief in my life has been seeing the decline in our natural world. Being in wildlife documentaries felt like my own small way of making a difference,” she reflects.

Her journey into freediving began after seeing two freedivers emerge from the water, appearing almost magical. She and a friend took a freediving course and began exploring the coastlines. “I had done cold water diving with Craig Foster and have seen the kelp forests,” Yvette shares. Since then, she hasn’t stopped exploring the kelp forests and South Africa’s wild oceans.

Now, Yvette dives with a camera in hand, capturing the vibrant underwater landscapes. She’s known for her striking images of anemones and colourful reefs around Cape Point, False Bay, and the Atlantic seaboard.

“Through my images—something that doesn’t feel like work to me—I hope that people can say, ‘Wow, look at this world.’ Being part of a freediving community, I share my images within our freediving community, many of whom join me on dives. I’ve noticed a huge increase in freedivers and ocean enthusiasts. I think it’s partly because the great white sharks have largely disappeared here, but also the desire to see the kelp forests in person, creating a groundswell of interest and awareness about our oceans.”

Connect with Yvette  
INSTAGRAM: @wildbluevetty   

Text by Tamsyn Signe | Photos by MATT STOW - freediving africa

BETWEEN INSTAGRAM REELS OF OCEAN RAMSEY’S SEEMINGLY DEATH-DEFYING INTERACTIONS with giant tiger sharks and Alexey Molchanov’s regular world record dives to depths well below 130m, the public perception of freediving exudes an air of adrenaline and edginess, suggesting that ocean submersion is a risky business, albeit filled with the possibility of life-changing wildlife encounters and bucket-list adventures.

This image is bolstered by a plethora of adventure tourism options: swimming with whales in exotic destinations like Tonga and Mauritius, jumping onto a yacht in the Bahamas, Philippines, or Australia to join a yoga and freediving retreat, or diving with sharks in French Polynesia. You’d be forgiven for believing it’s a pastime of the rich, given the eye-watering price tag associated with these experiences. However, there’s much more to freediving than meets the scrolling eye, and I’d like to give you a glimpse into the world of possibilities that lie just beneath the surface if you know where to look!

Myth #1: Freediving is inherently dangerous
Truth: So is driving your car, working a stressful job, or eating chicken off the bone. Life is filled with risks, many of which can be well managed, particularly in freediving. By taking an introductory freediving course, you quickly learn basic safety concepts and feel more confident approaching the water with an understanding of the risks and what to do in an emergency.
In short, always freedive with a buddy, ensure proper weighting for safe buoyancy, know how to support a buddy in distress, and assess the environment you choose to freedive in.

These practices lay a strong foundation for many happy, safe hours in the water. Choose an instructor who prioritizes safety, and never push beyond your comfort zone. As your experience grows, your comfort zone will expand organically.

Myth #2: You can only freedive if you are an athletic person with a long breath-hold or big lungs
Truth: Freedivers come in all ages, shapes, and sizes, and the ocean belongs to everyone. The human body has incredible capabilities, including the Mammalian Dive Reflex, a "superpower" you might not have discovered yet. Our bodies are programmed to operate differently underwater, and submerging the airways initiates a series of physiological changes designed to optimize oxygen efficiency during a breath-hold. The heart rate slows, blood is redirected from the extremities to the core, and a profound sense of calm descends. For a brief moment, time seems to stop, and as you absorb the beauty around you, it feels as though you may never need to breathe again. Eventually, the buildup of carbon dioxide triggers the urge to breathe, reminding you to return to the surface.

Almost everyone who has spent time underwater, whether in a pool or the ocean, has experienced this feeling. What few realise is that the urge to breathe is simply an early warning, and there’s usually enough oxygen saturation left for a safe return to the surface. Ultimately, the key to safe, enjoyable dives is relaxation. By calming the body and mind before a dive, you can achieve a meditative state that extends both the length and enjoyment of the experience. Tense muscles and a busy mind consume more oxygen, and holding tension in the torso can make equalisation more challenging.

Learning these fundamentals from a skilled instructor, along with choosing a safe, accessible place to dive, can lead to a zen-like calm found in few other activities.

Myth #3: You need to be a daredevil to freedive
Truth: You can experience the ocean in a safe, gentle way, making it enjoyable even for the most risk-averse. Although social media is filled with extreme examples, the essence of freediving is meditative immersion. With just a mask and swimsuit, swimming around just below the surface of a warm ocean and marveling at life on a shallow coral reef can be as fulfilling as deep, competitive dives. Exploring the accessible kelp forests of False Bay or swimming through underwater hoops at 5m in Lighthouse Bay, Dahab, offers a taste of freediving without intimidation.

Myth #4: Freediving is expensive and inaccessible to most
Truth: Freediving can be as affordable as you make it. A basic introductory course costs around R2000 to R6000, which is a worthwhile investment in understanding the fundamentals safely. After that, a set of plastic fins, a mask, snorkel, weight belt, and wetsuit covers your basic needs.

For those with budget constraints, community events offer affordable introductions to freediving. In Cape Town, for instance, several foundations work actively to democratize ocean access. With a basic set of gear and a safe buddy, the ocean becomes your playground. Join local freediving groups, discover dive spots, and explore easy shore-entry dives together.

As you dive more, understanding local conditions becomes second nature, allowing you to venture out independently with your buddy. Freediving is the easiest way to access the underwater world, with fewer financial barriers than scuba diving.

The physical and mental impact of being in the water is profound; I have yet to meet a freediver who hasn’t experienced health benefits. In a world filled with anxiety, stress, and constant demands on our time, the water provides a sanctuary where we can be present and reconnect with ourselves and our environment. After a dive, a sense of calm relaxation replaces anxiety, offering a magical escape from reality. Immersion allows mental rest and rejuvenates both the body and mind.
For scuba divers who venture into freediving, the minimal gear offers a new sense of freedom and connection to the underwater ecosystem, much like walking on foot through a game reserve rather than being in a game vehicle. Many freedivers find this freedom so addictive that their scuba gear often gathers dust in storage!
As the summer season approaches, let this be your invitation to experience the ocean more deeply through freediving.

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A Guide to Choosing the Right Underwater Housing
Text by GREGORY NORRIS | Photos by DANEL WENTZEL
SO, YOU’VE DECIDED TO TAKE THE PLUNGE—both figuratively and financially—into the world of underwater camera housings. The array of choices can be overwhelming, with countless makes and models on the market. To help you navigate this sea of options, here are some tips to guide you in selecting the right housing for your needs. While I may not be an expert, I’ve made and witnessed enough mistakes to offer valuable insights that might help you avoid common pitfalls.

It’s All in the Shot
The first step in your decision-making process is determining your photography style. Are you drawn to wide-angle shots of expansive seascapes or do you prefer the intricate details of macro photography? Your choice between the two will significantly influence the housing, ports, and lenses available to you. Consider the environments you’ll be diving in, the marine life you want to capture, and the overall visibility at your dive sites—each of these factors will shape your gear requirements.

Camera Choice
If you haven’t already purchased your camera, start by researching housing options. The availability of housings can give you a sense of which cameras are most compatible and widely supported. Similarly, your lens choice—whether wide-angle or macro—will determine whether you need a flat port or a dome port, both of which affect the overall image quality underwater.

Housings
Now that you’ve chosen your camera and lens, the next—and arguably most important—decision is selecting the right housing. Narrow your choices based on what's compatible with your camera and lens setup, but also consider potential future upgrades. Think about additional accessories like strobes and other lighting gear, as well as port adapters for lens upgrades. While affordability is crucial, it shouldn't be the only factor; you can’t buy what you can’t afford, but make sure to balance quality with your budget.

Material Choice
The choice between aluminium and polycarbonate housings is significant. Aluminium housings, though more expensive due to the engineering involved, often provide superior durability and performance. While polycarbonate housings can serve you well, especially for beginners or casual divers, aluminium is typically the better long-term investment.

Staying High and Dry
One critical feature not to overlook is a vacuum port. This device ensures the integrity of your housing before you even enter the water, reducing the chance of leaks. Originally designed to prevent lens fogging by removing air from the housing, vacuum ports now also offer peace of mind by testing the seal’s security.

Special Considerations
Ergonomics is another key factor. The housing should allow you to easily reach and operate all essential camera controls while maintaining a natural grip. Buoyancy is equally important; ideally, your setup should be neutrally buoyant, though achieving this can be challenging, particularly with larger dome ports.

Conclusion
Choosing the right underwater housing for your DSLR is a complex process that balances cost, functionality, and your specific photography needs. By carefully considering your options and prioritising what matters most—whether it's durability, ergonomics, or compatibility—you can find a housing that not only protects your camera but also elevates your underwater photography experience. Ultimately, the best housing is the one that fits your unique requirements, enables seamless camera operation, and brings out the best in your underwater adventures.
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 A diving safety concern?
Text by Guy THomas | Photos by Marcello Di Francesco

IMMERSION PULMONARY OEDEMA/EDEMA (IPO/IPE) might not be the most common safety concern or health problem during diving, but it is probably one of the most unknown ones. As we will see in this article, it might even be misunderstood by both the diver and his buddy, leading to wrong decisions during the dive that can have life-threatening consequences.

IPO, explained
When we scuba dive or do other immersion-related activities, such as swimming or freediving, the hydrostatic pressure of the water pushes substantially more blood to the central part of our body, where we have our heart and lungs. Therefore, our heart size and the cardiac filling pressure increase, and as a result, we require more workload from the heart. When we also have constricted peripheral blood vessels (vasoconstriction) caused by, for example, immersion in cold water or a high blood pressure, the backpressure or pulmonary capillary pressure increases as well. The blood pressure in the alveolar capillaries can increase to a level that makes it possible for the blood plasma to leak into the alveoli, where the gas exchange takes place. With this fluid in the alveoli (similar to drowning), we have a reduced gas exchange and, consequently, a reduction of oxygen levels (hypoxia) in our body. Additionally, negative airway pressure can worsen IPO. This negative airway pressure can, for example, be present during an ascent because, at that moment, the position of the diver’s head is higher than his lungs.

As a direct consequence, the diver can experience breathlessness, coughing (the victim may also cough up pink coloured frothy sputum), confusion and the inability to carry out normal functions. During the ascent, the decrease of the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs/body can make symptoms even worse and might lead to unconsciousness and cardiac arrest.

Although persons with a heart problem or a high blood pressure are more at risk, healthy individuals are not excluded from getting IPO. Several cases of fit military swimmers/divers with IPO have been reported in the past. As already mentioned, cold water will lead to vasoconstriction, but contributing factors such as stress and exertion can also lead to increased blood pressure. A good hydration level before the dive is important to reduce the risk of DCI, but overhydrating is not good either because this could increase the risk of getting IPO.

Recognising the symptoms
IPO obviously is a severe health problem, but we can make things worse without realising it. When a diver experiences breathlessness or finds it hard to inhale during the dive, he can erroneously conclude his regulator is not working properly or does not have enough breathing gas anymore. 

When he then signals to his buddy that he is in an out-of-air situation, the buddy will give an alternative air source to the diver, but this will not resolve the problem. While the diver becomes anxious, the buddy can become confused as he knows his alternative air source works perfectly. The buddy might conclude that the diver is just out of breath and panicking. As a reaction, the buddy might try to calm down the diver and do his best to avoid him rushing to the surface while panicking. The problem, though, is not the regulator or gas supply, and we just make things worse by trying to keep the diver down.
What we need to do is accompany the diver to the surface and get him out of the water as soon as possible, as this will reverse the effect of the hydrostatic pressure on our body, as earlier described. Do not have the diver surface by himself, because unconsciousness might occur during ascent or at the surface. 100% Oxygen should be administered while the diver is kept calm and placed in a comfortable sitting position, but do not give fluids. Keep the diver warm to reverse the effect of the vasoconstriction and activate EMS immediately for further treatment.
IPO is relatively rare and might not be the most common safety concern, but knowing what it is, how to recognise it and what to do in case of emergency can save lives.

About the author
Guy Thomas is an expert Diving and First Aid Instructor Trainer and works full-time as Director of Safety Programs at DAN Europe, where he is responsible for the development and implementation of the DAN Europe Safety Initiatives. He also is a member of the Special Rescue Team of the Italian Red Cross and operates as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer/Diver Medic, onboard a SAR helicopter of the Italian State Police.
Further readings

• https://www.scubadiving.com/ask-dan-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-immersion-pulmonary-edema
• Immersion Pulmonary Edema
• Immersion Pulmonary Edema in Scuba Diving: Understanding The IPE Risk

DAN medics & researchers answer your dive medicine questions

Q | I frequently get Swimmer’s Ear while diving. Can I do anything to fix it? 
Swimmer’s Ear (otitis externa) is an infection of the external auditory canal that frequently occurs in divers and swimmers. Lingering moisture in the skin of the ear canal results in an alkaline shift of the pH balance, which provides a good environment for bacteria proliferation. Any number of bacteria and other microscopic organisms can contaminate the water where we dive.

Antibiotics are the most common treatment for the condition, and you shouldn’t dive or swim until you’ve completed the treatment and your symptoms have fully resolved. As with many disorders, prevention is the best treatment. Keep your ear canals clean, dry, and free of waxy debris or buildup. We do not recommend cleaning your ears with cotton swabs, which often push earwax further in and can cause tiny abrasions, making you more prone to infection.
 
You can dry your ear by putting your head sideways so gravity can assist with draining or by using a fan or a hairdryer on a low setting. Some commercial eardrops can help, but a mixture of equal parts household white vinegar (not acetic acid) and rubbing alcohol or equal parts vinegar, alcohol, and distilled water can also create an environment less suitable for bacteria to proliferate.

If none of these conservative measures works, an otic acetic acid and aluminium acetate solution is another alternative but requires a physician’s prescription. A drying measure paired with an eardrop solution may be the most beneficial.
Leandra Lynn, NREMT

Q | Can I dive with herpes?
Herpes is a common infection — up to about 80% of people have oral herpes, which causes cold sores or fever blisters, and about 17% of people 14 to 49 years old have genital herpes. A herpes outbreak can be painful and a source of infection.

The pain associated with oral herpes can interfere with your ability to hold a regulator in your mouth, and a tight-fitting wetsuit’s constriction can exacerbate the pain anddiscomfort of genital herpes. Any restriction to regular physical activity caused by an outbreak can potentially put you or your dive buddy at risk. The discomfort could force you to end a dive early, which can also affect your dive buddy or group. Any physical restrictions during an emergency or strong current could increase your risk of serious injury.
 
All bodies of water are full of microorganisms, and any break in the skin provides a passageway for those microorganisms to enter the body and cause an infection. Diving in remote locations can be especially concerning if medical care is limited or unavailable. An infection left untreated or significantly delayed from appropriate health care can lead to serious illness or even death.

Generally, herpes is most contagious for seven days before and after an outbreak. Sharing a regulator or touching gear and other surfaces during an active herpes outbreak can put others at risk of contracting the virus, so communication with your dive buddy is important.
While herpes is not an absolute contraindication, we recommend not diving when experiencing an active herpes outbreak or any time you are not feeling completely healthy. 
Jevon Monaghan, EMT-P

TEXT BY STEPHEN FRINK | PHOTOS COURTESY OF OCEANX

YOU DON’T HAVE TO DIVE VERY DEEP into the world of finance to be aware of Ray Dalio. Journalist Bill Whitaker interviewed him in 2019 on the campus of Dalio’s firm, Bridgewater Associates, and introduced him this way: “This week on 60 Minutes we met Ray Dalio. He runs the most successful hedge fund in the world, and he is one of the wealthiest men in the United States.”

Submerged beneath the blue Caribbean in Dalio’s research submarine, they continued their chat. “Whether it is investing or exploration, Dalio goes his own way,” Whitaker said. “While your fellow billionaires — Bezos, Branson, Elon Musk — are all going into outer space — they’re headed toward Mars and the moon — you choose to go down. Why is that?”
“I find ocean exploration a lot more exciting, a lot more important than space exploration, right? And then you think about it affects our lives so much more,” Dalio replied.
“I don’t understand the resource allocation of space to the ocean, really, in terms of return on investment,” Dalio continued. “The return on investment down here is fabulous.”
How he came to that epiphany is not much different from most DAN members of a certain age. “My fork in the road was watching Jacques Cousteau on TV — well, that and Sea Hunt. I did both,” Dalio recalled, attributing his love for the ocean to those early television programs. He got scuba certified in 1970, but the day he took his kids diving for the first time set the hook. He knew then that the ocean would be integral to his life.
Dalio eventually acquired enough money to make his nascent dream of supporting ocean research begin to take form. The Alucia, a 184-foot (56-meter) research vessel, became the platform to support his vision of marine science, and he would get to tag along as his time allowed.

About the same time, Dalio’s son Mark worked at National Geographic. It was his first job out of college, and a synergy was beginning to form. James Cameron, a National Geographic Explorer at Large, had been involved with Alucia. Cameron’s media experience is legendary as director of Titanic, and the Avatar films, and his bona fides as a deep ocean expert include 33 dives to the Titanic and the former world solo deep dive record of 35,787 feet (10,908 m) to Challenger Deep in the Deepsea Challenger submersible.
 
Meanwhile, Alucia supported production as well, including the 2012 Discovery Channel and NHK collaboration that documented giant squid through 55 submersible dives with bioluminescent lures and lights with wavelengths invisible to the animals. These dives sometimes reached depths greater than 3,000 feet (914 m). Alucia also supported Blue Planet II; with that series’ success, Dalio had a glimpse of what an audience of half a billion viewers could mean for ocean conservation.

After 11 years, Dalio and Mark were ready to commission a new ship, the OceanXplorer, with four times the capacity of Alucia. The ship’s statistics are impressive: 286 feet (87.1 m) long, a maximum crew of 72, four wet and dry labs for tasks such as genetic sequencing and microscopy, media facilities including digital imaging capture and editing, and a recompression chamber. It’s the most advanced scientific research, exploration, and media production vessel ever built. Cameron and production designer C. Page Buckner consulted on the Hollywood-quality production facilities.

OceanXplorer carries a resident H125 Airbus helicopter, Zodiac Milpro MK6 HD inflatable boats, two crewed Triton submersibles capable of 3,280-foot (1,000-m) dives, and one large remotely operated vehicle (ROV) depth rated to 19,685 feet (6,000 m) along with a mini ROV that can operate in tandem with the main ROV. The sonar array can map at depths up to 26,247 feet (8,000 m).

Dalio’s acquisition of the ship, a former oil field support vessel, was timely because the oil market had crashed, and the ship was only 5 years old. It had to be stripped and rebuilt at enormous expense to meet Dalio’s demanding vision. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution gave insight into their wish list for ocean research, and Cameron advised on the lighting and design that give the vessel its ambiance consistent with a vision for a starship USS Enterprise of the sea. They would go where no one had gone before in style and functionality that had never been seen before.

OceanX, the nonprofit organization that Dalio co-founded and continues to advise, supports the ship’s expeditions, began to take on relatively short projects in places such as Norway and the Azores and others that might last multiple months at sea. Most recently they were in Indonesia, documenting what may be the world’s greatest and least discovered biodiversity. Discovery is a task for which the ship is uniquely capable.

Dalio requires “three thumbs up” to greenlight an OceanX project: excellent science, great media potential, and cost justification. He explains the cost justification as, “I’ve allocated a certain amount of money I’m willing to lose each year philanthropically, and then we seek symbiotic relationships.”

Currently, the most high-profile and symbiotic relationship is a six-part cable network and streaming series, OceanXplorers, that premiered Aug. 18, 2024, on the National Geographic channel. All episodes stream the day after release on Disney+ and Hulu. Cameron served as executive director and narrator.
 
If there were an awards category for Outstanding Production Design in a Science Series, OceanXplorer would clearly be in contention. The work Dalio and OceanX do is significant enough to warrant an award to honour them.

Text by Douglas Ebersole, MD

If a diver suspects recurrent DCS might be due to a PFO, they will usually undergo a bubble study. A surgical solution is a PFO closure, as Dr. Doug Ebersole is performing here. It is an outpatient procedure that normally takes less than an hour.

To clear up any confusion divers may have about patent foramen ovale (PFO), I will share how I explain the condition to patients. The heart has four chambers: two on the top (right and left atria) and two on the bottom (right and left ventricles). As our heart is forming before we are born, the wall between the two bottom chambers is solid, but the wall between the two top chambers is not.
 
One wall grows up from the bottom, while the other grows down from the top. Where they overlap is a flap — not a hole, as some people have described. The reason for this structure is that once we are born, the purpose of the right side of the heart is to pump blood to the lungs to get oxygen, and then the blood returns to the left side of the heart, where it is pumped to the body.

As a fetus, however, we don’t use our lungs; they are collapsed and full of fluid. Oxygenated blood comes from the placenta, empties into the inferior vena cava, and then goes to the right atrium. In the fetus, the right side of the heart tries to pump blood to the collapsed, fluid-filled lungs, which is difficult and results in higher pressures in the right atrium than in the left atrium. This differential pushes open the flap between the two top chambers and allows the oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the right side of the heart and enter the left atrium. From there, the oxygenated blood goes to the left ventricle and is pumped to the body.

When we are born, the lungs open, which makes pumping blood to them much easier. This results in lower pressure in the right atrium compared with the left atrium and slams the flap shut. In about 75% of people, this flap between the two atria will seal within the first year or so of life and make a solid wall. In about 25% of people, however, it never seals and is called a patent foramen ovale. The presence of a PFO is a normal variant in humans and not a disease.

In the 25% of divers who have this flap between the atria, bubbles that the lungs normally filter can cross from the right atrium to the left atrium under certain loading conditions, resulting in decompression sickness (DCS).

When doing a bubble study, we inject agitated saline into a vein, which results in tiny bubbles that reflect the ultrasound. This mass of bubbles enters the right atrium and should go to the right ventricle and then to the lungs. In people with a PFO, however, the bubbles will cross from the right atrium to the left atrium. We determine the PFO’s size by observing how many bubbles go across and if they cross at rest or require a manoeuvre, such as a Valsalva, to cross.
 
As best we can tell, a PFO increases the risk of DCS by about fivefold. While that may sound bad, remember that it is a relative risk. The absolute risk of DCS in a diver with a PFO is quite small. For recreational diving, the risk of DCS is about two episodes per 10,000 dives. Therefore, a diver with a PFO could expect about 10 DCS episodes per 10,000 dives or one episode per 1,000 dives, which is a small absolute risk.

When a diver with a PFO gets DCS, we have to determine if the PFO is a contributing factor. Research indicates that four types of DCS are related to a PFO: cerebral, spinal, inner ear, and cutaneous (skin). 
 
Whether or not a diver with DCS has a PFO, the options are always to either stop diving or dive more conservatively. The issue is the inert gas load, not the PFO itself, so anything that limits inert gas loading will decrease the likelihood of recurrent DCS. We recommend diving shallower, staying within no-decompression limits, making fewer dives per day, using nitrox with your computer set to air, performing long safety stops, and not engaging in any strenuous activity for several hours after diving.

If a diver has recurrent DCS of any of the four types related to a PFO despite using conservative dive practices, we may offer a PFO closure, which is an outpatient procedure that takes less than an hour. After the procedure, the diver takes aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) for three to six months and then has a repeat echocardiogram with a bubble study. If that shows no right-to-left shunting, the diver can return to diving without restrictions.
Douglas Ebersole, MD, is an interventional cardiologist and director of Lakeland Regional Health’s Structural Heart Program in Lakeland, Florida. He serves as a cardiology consultant for DAN.

TEXT BY KYLE KRAY
PHOTOS BY STEPHEN FRIN

MOST DIVERS’ LOVE OF THE SPORT STEMS from a drive to explore a foreign environment. With exploration must come the ability to navigate. Nowhere else on Earth can one become more lost than in a liquid while simultaneously requiring constant individual concentration on safety techniques, breathing gas, buoyancy, horizontal trim, depth, and time.

When it comes to safety, many divers overlook navigation as a crucial tool for their survival. The ability to effectively and efficiently navigate underwater directly affects every aspect of a dive. It’s all too common to see a pair of divers go through a complete gear check and dive plan only to set off on their dive and quickly become lost. Divers who continually bounce to the surface to get their bearings can increase their risk for pressure-related problems such as squeezes, reverse blocks, and expansion injuries.

Orienting yourself underwater is one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome to make the dive a safe and enjoyable one. Different underwater environments and activities warrant different navigation strategies. Whether the dive is guided or not, every diver should be able to successfully navigate throughout the duration of the dive and find their way back to their entry point.

Open-Water Environments
Skilled divers use a combination of compass and natural navigation in conjunction with cognitive mapping and an understanding of underwater currents. Natural or environmental navigation sometimes referred to as pilotage, relies on visually referencing external cues. 
Divers use underwater landmarks to achieve their objective by going from one spot to another in the form of point-to-point navigation. It is best applied on sites with fair to good visibility and distinguishing natural features such as coral ledges, rock formations, or distinct vegetation zones. Most dive sites have at least one prominent natural or artificial feature.

Recognize checkpoints and space them out equally. Too far apart can cause you to wander off course, but too many points are hard to remember. Have a thorough mental picture of where you’ve been so you can visualize it and trace it backwards. Remember that features may look significantly different from the opposite side. Looking back at each checkpoint after passing it will help you identify it from your return direction.
 
As divers move through the water on a compass heading, currents will invariably move them off course. A current may flow from a different direction at the bottom from what can be observed on the surface. A diver might also enter an area where a current suddenly occurs or changes direction. When a diver obtains their best determination of the direction of an underwater current and its speed, they can anticipate the effect it will have on their navigational course and adjust for it accordingly. A cross or angled current requires a diver to maintain their compass heading and then adjust their kick direction into the current so their net movement is in their intended direction of travel.

Limited-Visibility Environments

Visibility drastically affects a diver’s ability to navigate underwater. Site conditions in some locations can change tremendously between visits and limited visibility may make natural navigation techniques impossible. A complete loss of orientation can cause uneasiness or panic in even the most experienced divers, resulting in uncontrolled ascents or descents, increased air consumption, and buddy separation.

Limited visibility also subconsciously hampers your progress underwater, reducing speed and kick cycles as you anticipate feeling the area in front of you to avoid colliding with a submerged object. It is possible to become disoriented enough in a limited-visibility environment to not recognize which direction is up or down, even when clinging to a vertical line.
 
Exhalation bubbles always rise, but finding which way is up by your exhaust is hard when a swift current pulls away your bubbles horizontally and out of sight before you can see them ascend. Gently tilting your head to the side and partially flooding your mask will give you a constant reminder of where the surface is regardless of your position, as water in your mask will always settle at the bottom.

If you dive long enough, there may come a time when you will be forced to rely solely on your gear for navigation. In these moments,

your skills practice, training, and preparation are crucial to successfully completing the dive. You will have to trust that your equipment works, just as you do with your regulator, that your practised techniques are solid and that you can successfully navigate to your intended destination.

In that dark space where you are enveloped by particles and can see less than a foot in front of you, you may look around and intuitively try to trend in the direction you feel you should go. Understand that weightlessness has already disrupted your sense of equilibrium and that visual sensory deprivation has compromised your sense of spatial orientation. The sense of direction you possess on land is not applicable here. Shut down those feelings and instead trust your equipment and your skills.
 
Overhead Environments
 
Overhead environments are confined spaces where a diver’s free ascent to the surface is not possible. Never enter an overhead environment without proper training, regardless of how simple you perceive navigating the enclosure to be.

Many divers consider caves to be the most complex overhead environments to navigate. Some caves have tangible and established flow patterns that allow divers to orient themselves. Others lack strong flow and require the diver’s keen attention to features of the cave, such as geological composition or sediment characteristics, as a supplement to their guideline.
 
Proper cave training is imperative for navigating these environments — incorrectly marking or having a false understanding of line markers can confuse and imperil yourself and others. Cave lines are marked differently depending on geographical location, and impetuously following lines and markers based on assumed meaning is a quick way to a slow death.

Navigating the internal structure of a shipwreck can be just as difficult as cave diving. Wrecks can rest on the bottom in every possible orientation, influenced by the bottom topography and the elements that led to the ship’s sinking. In even the clearest visibility, navigating inside a wreck with the floors, walls, and doorways at unusual angles can be dizzying.
 
Using a compass on top of or inside a steel wreck may be difficult or impossible — metal present in the components of a wreck can throw off the needle and give divers an erroneous reading. Wooden shipwrecks can also affect a compass if taking a reading too close to metal spikes, nails, or ferrous material present in submerged cargo.

As a wreck continues to deteriorate, it creates a myriad of obstructions and entrapment hazards, such as collapsed interior walls and dangling cables and wires. A diver can accidentally ascend or descend to a different deck level, finding themselves in a new passageway with no discernable way forward or back.
 
Diving in ice-covered water has its own navigational concerns. Depending on proximity to the magnetic poles in both polar regions, an analog compass may be rendered inoperable, and most digital dive compasses that still rely on magnetic principles will also be negatively affected. Extremely cold water also impacts a dive computer’s battery life.

Ice cover diffuses surface light, and sunlight becomes unavailable to assist divers as a positioning reference at depth for navigational aid. Ice cover also hinders wave action and the creation of ripple patterns on the bottom to use for natural navigation.

Silt-outs causing zero-visibility conditions can occur inside caves or wrecks. When diving overhead environments, plan for and expect silt-outs rather than fearing or trying to pray them away. The safest, best navigation practice is to never enter an overhead environment without a direct line that leads back to the point of entry, allowing you to safely return to the surface. Line laying and the use of wreck reels is a skill in and of itself. Divers who struggle with the basics of buoyancy and trim could become entangled in existing lines as well as their own.

Successful navigation begins before a diver enters the water and depends first and foremost on one’s ability to master the basic fundamental skills of diving. No magic pill or piece of dive gear will act as a shortcut and allow you to overcome a poor skills base.
Successful underwater navigation is directly linked to diver safety. Mastering navigation techniques will assist divers in conserving energy and air, limiting the need to surface, and offering divers the maximum exploration time allotted in their dive plan.

Whichever navigation techniques you follow, use them from the start of the dive until it ends. Failing to navigate to a known location or becoming lost underwater is an easy way to waste a dive and deplete your finite supply of air at depth.

Risk Mitiogation
Text by Francois Burman PE, MSc, and Mark Gresham

MOST DIVERS KNOW THEIR SCUBA CYLINDERS need a visual inspection every year and a hydrostatic test every five years (referred to as a requalification or a hydro). The actual regulations for cylinders and other dive equipment, however, are less clear.

• There is a veritable alphabet soup of rules and regulations, some of which are likely unfamiliar regardless of your experience. Let’s review these U.S. regulations and how they apply to recreational divers.
• The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 49 covers the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, some of which address the required stamping on your cylinder, how to handle and transport cylinders, and requalification. 
• CFR Title 29 covers regulations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which prescribes workplace safety and health requirements, including for dive operators, businesses, and professionals. It also defines hazardous materials (hazmat), which include cylinders and associated dive equipment. The OSHA dive regulations also apply to dive instructors and dive guides. 
• The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) publications introduce scuba cylinder and breathing-gas requirements and recommendations. CGA P-5 covers the care of high-pressure cylinders for underwater breathing. 
• Consumer protection regulations require dive equipment manufacturers to specify service intervals to prevent failure. If you do not follow these guidelines and an unfortunate accident affects you or someone for whom you are responsible — such as a dive buddy, friend or colleague, or other members of the public — you will be exposed to potential civil actions, more commonly known as liability suits. These regulations apply to recreational divers in terms of refilling cylinders, maintaining breathing-air quality, safely transporting cylinders in certain circumstances, and handling and caring for cylinders. 
• While the stipulations may start to appear overwhelming, they are likely things you already consider as safe diving practices. Injuries and fatalities from equipment-related accidents are rare. Typical failures include cylinder ruptures, regulator malfunctions, contaminated breathing gas, 

breathing hose ruptures, mechanical and heat damage, and mismatched threads when divers mix products from different manufacturers. The regulations help prevent these incidents and protect you and others from harm.

Instead of listing titles, chapters, document numbers, and other hard-to-locate publications, we can distil the information down to following the practices that divers learn through training.

• When you learn to dive, your instructors should make you aware of the hazards of handling cylinders and how to take care of your equipment. Remember these lessons, especially when the cylinders are full. Use common sense, such as not storing your cylinder near a furnace and securing it well in your car. 
• Make sure your cylinder is in date. You may be disappointed if you travel far and discover the local filling station refuses to fill your cylinder. Use only authorized filling stations, which should do regular air-quality testing and have the certificates to demonstrate it. Service your dive gear at the recommended intervals, and remember that if it fails you, it also fails your buddy.
• As with cylinder filling, use only authorized repair centres and testing stations, and make sure they have trained employees with visible certificates. They are responsible for telling you your equipment is no longer safe to use. 
• Do not become complacent. Our scuba gear is life-support equipment that we fully depend on when underwater. The risks never change, even if our perception of them does. It is usually complacency that injures or kills. Rules and regulations help protect you and those around you, but they will work only if you know and abide by them.
• Divers may wonder if they are subject to the laws of the country where they are diving. The answer is generally yes — ignorance does not get you off the hook. Good safety practices will help prevent accidents and protect people. Most countries that host dive tourism have health, safety, and hazardous equipment laws. In the U.S., Canada, Europe, and other more-developed regions, the requirements are not difficult to locate. In some less-developed areas, the rules are not as clear — but this does not mean that they don’t exist. In an unfortunate accident, not knowing the laws might make the outcomes significantly worse.
   
  Most countries follow similar trends in terms of high-pressure equipment to help mitigate incidents. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an excellent example of multinational collaboration, and its standards are well-respected worldwide.
  Understanding dive equipment regulations and following safe practices will lower your dive accident risk. 

Genomics Tools for Conservation Of Southern Africa's Sharks and Rays.
T ext by E X T B Y Jessica Winn, Mia Groeneveld & Karla Redelinghuys

Sharks, rays, and skates (elasmobranchs) have persisted through several mass extinction events to claim their position as one of the oldest living lineages on Earth, with an evolutionary history spanning 450 million years. This predates the dinosaurs by 200 million years!

The current Anthropocene era, marked by unprecedented human-mediated environmental change, has led to a staggering 70% decline in the global abundance of elasmobranchs in just the past 50 years. This rapid decline has pushed sharks and rays into the category of the most imperilled animals, with over a third of species facing extinction due to a variety of threats. The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated.
 
Biomass depletions from large-scale fishing efforts, habitat destruction, and climate change are reshaping the ecosystems that these species inhabit. Elasmobranchs hold important roles in community functioning as apex- and meso-predators, and their eradication has the potential to catalyse trophic cascades in ecosystems. This not only negatively impacts the species relying on those ecosystems but also threatens to deplete resources that humans depend on and ultimately impacts the health of our bio-economy.

All  sharks and rays interacting in an ecosystem contribute to its stability. However, a few charismatic species tend to dominate the public realm. South Africa’s waters host an abundance of biodiversity, with 191 Chondrichthyan (cartilaginous fish) species, 70 of which are endemic - meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. Species such as the Flapnose Houndshark and Ornate Sleeper Ray occur along only a few hundred kilometres of coastline. The mportant question is how do we go about protecting this biodiversity? 

Our research group in the Genetics Department at Stellenbosch University is dedicated to using molecular tools to study the evolutionary relationships, population dynamics, genetic diversity, and adaptive potential of shark and ray species, particularly those that are threatened or endemic. We believe that genetic diversity is the key to survival, and understanding how to preserve it is crucial. We also believe that each one of us, including you, can play a role in creating species management strategies that lead to the revival of threatened populations while still ensuring a sustainable form of income for local fishing communities.

Phylogenetics and phylogeography enable us to decipher the evolutionary relationships and historical distribution patterns of different shark and ray species to design unique management strategies. In the shark and ray world, species often look very similar but cannot breed and exchange genetic material. Assessing a group of species as a single unit can compromise estimates of their true population size and conservation requirements. The same can be true for populations belonging to a single species that are reproductively isolated from each other by geographical barriers.

Genetics can also be an asset in forensic investigations, which aim to identify the species and origin of confiscated shark products to combat illegal trade. Additionally, uncovering patterns of genetic evolution allows us to pinpoint adaptations to specific environmental conditions, paving the way for informed conservation strategies that can prevent further declines of species faced with environmental challenges. When combined with data from marine scientists and other experts, genetic insights guide the prioritisation of protection efforts.

For example, measures such as catch limits and Marine Protected Areas are being developed, which enhance species recovery and preserve biodiversity in vital coastal breeding regions.

The field of shark and ray conservation in South Africa has grown exponentially, with many different organisations, research groups, officials, and public stakeholders dedicated to protecting our species. Although there is still a long way to go, we must acknowledge the great strides that have been made so far. Many stakeholders attended the 7th South African Shark and Ray Symposium in Umhlanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal, highlighting the growing collaborative network emerging between seasoned experts and the next generation of scientists.

Equally noteworthy is the increasing presence of women making significant contributions in this field, marking a commendable milestone. However, the potential of genetics as a powerful tool for conservation in this domain is still sometimes underestimated due to the science not being well understood. In an attempt to navigate this, “Science Saves Sharks” was cofounded by three postgraduate students: Jessica Winn, Mia Groeneveld and Karla Redelinghuys. Through our organisation, we aim to achieve four main goals, which are all interconnected.

We strive to raise awareness about the threats facing sharks and rays. We are focused on demonstrating how genetic approaches can be applied in synergy with other marine sciences to add real value to conservation efforts. We also aim to make scientific findings more accessible and highlight the incredible work that scientists are doing to a broader public network. We hope to create a community that unites different ocean stakeholders for the common cause of ensuring healthy oceans for our future.

Science Saves Sharks Links
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sciencesavessharks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/science_saves_sharks/ 

A  Glimpse into the world of Freediving Competition Deep Safety
Text by Tams Signe
Images by Alice Cattaneo & Matt Stow

“Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Official top. Plus one. Plus two. Plus three-“

Having taken her final breath, packing every last drop of air into her lungs, the athlete rolls over, submerging her airways, and begins her competition dive. As she disappears into the azure depths, the platform operator’s countdown is replaced by her depth readings off the sonar display. Around the line, the safety team becomes hyper-focused. Tasked with escorting her safely to the surface, our role in this performance is critical. If anything goes wrong, we will be the ones to intervene, protecting her airways and returning her to the surface, where we will support and revive her if needed. The first safety with the scooter will meet her at -40m, and the second and third safety will meet her at -30m and -20m, respectively.

Deep competition dives can be over four minutes long, amplifying the risk of both hypoxia and nitrogen narcosis for the diver. Timing of safety dives is critical: dive too soon, and you’re going to be waiting at depth for the diver to appear from below, extending your own dive and putting yourself as well as the athlete at risk; too late, and you won’t get to the designated depth in time, leaving the athlete alone on a part of the ascent where they’re expecting to see the safety diver, and reaching the riskiest part of their dive.

Although the competitor is doing a much deeper dive than the safeties, the risk profiles of their dives are very different: the athlete wears a lanyard connecting them to the main line at all times, and a counter ballast system is in place that will be activated immediately should the diver not appear from depth at the announced time, bringing them back to the surface. The safeties are self-reliant: they are not attached to anything, diving well into negative buoyancy where they will wait for the diver, relying only on their own judgment and ability to keep them safe.

This particular dive has an announced length of just under three and a half minutes. The athlete in question is one of the deepest women in the world and always exhibits impeccable form. We have watched her collect white cards for indomitable performances time and again, executing competition dives with clockwork precision, which gives us no reason to question her announced dive time. Newer competitors might make less accurate announcements than those of the pros, and we use experience to adjust our safety dives accordingly, but the sharp end of the field is reliable, their announcements honed to the second through weeks and months of training and calculation. Although the depth is over 100m, this dive is only two metres deeper than her last successful attempt and should be uneventful. With an estimated 90 seconds of the dive remaining, first safety dives with the scooter to meet her at -40m.

I am on second safety. Breathing up to dive, I keep one ear out of the water so that I can cross-check my forecast of her depth against the callouts of the sonar. As first safety descends, something feels off: she is still deeper than she should be, and her ascent rate feels excruciatingly slow.On a textbook dive, I should depart 20 seconds after first, but I decide to hold off 10 seconds to create a bit more safety margin, because she is slow today. Anything that increases my heart rate at this point is simply going to make the dive more challenging, so as I slide below the surface and start finning down, I focus on nothing but the very moment I’m in. Perfect streamlining. Gentle finning. Don’t rush – that generates CO2. Become even more calm dropping. Passing through -15m, I glance down, hoping to see the ok sign from my teammate deep below me indicating that the diver is in sight, but there is none. He is suspended below, waiting. I tuck my chin back in and keep finning. A couple of seconds later, another glance reveals no change. She’s late.

As I freefall through -25 m, I know that this is going to be a long dive, not only for the athlete but for all of us. I let myself sink a little past -30m before rotating to a head-up position. I can see first safety below me, and a speck appears in the depths below him. She is on her way, moving upward through the water column at a glacial pace. As she creeps towards the surface, he closes in, the scooter blipping intermittently as he gives tiny bursts of power to synchronise his ascent with hers. His proximity communicates concern: if the athlete looks strong and lucid, we give them space; if their body language indicates distress, we move closer so that, should intervention become necessary, there is no delay in responding.

I join the formation, assessing both the athlete and safety. She looks stable, albeit a little spaced out; he, however, looks stressed and indicates to me that he is out of air. A quick exchange of sign language tells me that I must watch the athlete because he may abort the dive and head to the surface.

We could be in a complex scenario at a moment’s notice. If the athlete requires assistance, I will help her, but that means that my eyes are no longer on him; if he needs help, third safety will need to get involved, assisting him while I watch the athlete. This is not standard protocol, but the situation is dynamic, and we will do what needs to be done for the best possible outcome for everyone.

Only 20m to go, but the surface feels a million miles away and time expands. Eventually, we emerge. As the near-hypoxic athlete manages a shaky surface protocol, clearly affected by the unplanned additional 30 seconds of dive time, I watch my teammate like a hawk as we both do strong recovery breaths and position myself close to him in case he needs help. He is ok, only because he is an exceptionally strong, wellexperienced safety diver who stays icy calm under pressure. It’s one of the reasons he’s on my list of favourites to be on duty with. We have a full conversation through quick eye contact and a flicker of the eyebrows without a word being spoken.

That was intense, and it’s six minutes to the next dive. Time to reset and dive again. A question that doesn’t get asked enough is ‘Who safeties the safeties?’ Earlier in my career, it felt as though we were on our own, but as I garnered experience and was involved in more and more rescues, I learnt the principle of no blind spots from my mentors. The role doesn’t begin and end with competition dives: it requires constant awareness of everything going on in the water at all times – a gruelling always-on mentality that demands a particular type of mental grit that few have.

Good safeties are resilient, reliable, strong divers; great safeties are all that, with an additional nearsupernatural level of awareness of the threedimensional environment and the ability to forecast major and minor issues before they materialise. This includes subconscious monitoring of everyone on the team, and seeing risk unfold and preparing to act. It’s not for the faint of heart. The million-dollar question is obvious: what is the motivation to join the ranks of these seemingly mad divers who are prepared to put themselves between those at the thin end of the competitive wedge and potential disaster?

It’s certainly not the paycheck – a financially successful competition means perhaps breaking even with careful budgeting. Routine dives can go bad in seconds, and the escalation of an emergency has seen more than one safety diver go well beyond the call of duty and act outside of his required parameters to save a diver in the moment, ignoring the potentially catastrophic consequences to him- or herself. After a gruelling week on duty with long hours in the water and dive accretion that both exhausts my body and frays my nervous system, the answer is elusive, but once large quantities of steak and chocolate have been consumed in between recovery naps, the pull to get back in the ocean and look after my friends returns.

Time and again, I reach the same conclusion: it’s a calling, and can’t be ignored. In the words of photographer extraordinaire Daan Verhoeven, “As a former safety diver myself, I might be prejudiced, but I reckon the safeties tend to be the most fun bunch, as they’re all there for the love of the sport, and we all have a screw loose as we’re not fazed at all by watching our friends blackout. But I think that’s an interesting screw to have untightened.” Anyway, it would seem rude if those affectionately referred to as safety angels didn’t show up when duty called, wouldn’t it?

Photographers Paradise
Text & Images by Adam Sokolski

I am an underwater photographer, and I love macro photography. One of my favorite destinations for diving holidays is Anilao in the Philippines. I recently returned from my fifth visit there, and it never ceases to amaze me. Anilao offers an incredibly rich biodiversity and diverse underwater life, providing endless opportunities to discover and photograph rare and fascinating marine creatures. Each dive is an exciting adventure, making me eager to return again and again. Located in the province of Batangas, Anilao is just a three-hour drive from Manila, making the trip quite convenient. Dive centres can arrange a car to pick you up from the airport, eliminating the need for domestic flights or ferries. Anilao offers a wide range of hotels and dive centres, many of which specialize in underwater photography.

These centres offer facilities and services tailored to the needs of photographers, such as dedicated camera rooms, special washing and air-drying areas and photography workshops. They also employ guides who are experts in finding and identifying macro subjects. They can point out the smallest and most elusive subjects that might otherwise go unnoticed, increasing the chances of capturing great images. If you're an underwater photographer, choosing a professional dive centre will enhance your diving experience and provide valuable learning opportunities for the owners and other divers.

My favourite place in Anilao is the Anilao Photo Academy, run by Rina, Wayne and Tim. The owners and their team have extensive knowledge of underwater photography and are always incredibly helpful, making it an ideal spot for both learning and enjoying your dives.

Anilao's underwater ecosystem is teeming with life, especially small subjects like colourful nudibranchs, frogfishes, octopuses, crabs, shrimps and even rhinopias. It is truly a haven for underwater photographers. The highlights of our last trip were two hairy frogfish (one orange and one grey) and different kinds of Pikachu nudibranch(Thecacera).

The area features world-class diving sites, each offering unique underwater landscapes and experiences. The visibility is usually good, and the waters are relatively calm, making it easier to focus on small subjects without the distraction of strong currents or poor visibility.
Dive sites are a mix of coral reefs and muck diving locations. All dives start in shallow water, with maximum depths of 18-20 meters. Only on special occasions, such as searching for pygmy seahorses, you need to go a bit deeper. The shallow dive sites also mean longer bottom times, allowing photographers to focus on the composition and experiment with different angles and lighting

Anilao, with its incredible macro life and professional dive centres, is a dream destination for underwater photographers. Whether you're an advanced photographer or a novice, you will definitely enjoy diving in Anilao.

Connect with Adam
Instagram: adam_sokolski_bluepix

DAN Instructor
Caitlyn Monahan

I started diving in August of 2021. I’ve been fascinated by the ocean for as long as I can remember, so much so that when I was young, I wanted to be a mermaid when I grew up. But, most importantly, I’m obsessed with sharks. I decided to get my Open Water qualification so that I could finally meet my favorite characters in their natural habitat. After my first ocean dive, it was immediately obvious to me that, even if I couldn’t grow gills, I needed to be under the water as much as humanly possible.

I’m the head instructor at Go Dive Mossel Bay, which means that I live under water, and honestly can’t get enough. At Go Dive, we love sharing our passion for the underwater environment with everyone. Whether it’s through helping new divers take their first breaths underwater, boosting competency and confidence of qualified divers through continuing education courses, training the next generation of dive leadership through Divemaster and Instructor Training Courses, or simply by sharing our favorite dive sites with clients, we’re here for an adventure! Some of my favorite excursions to guide include our offshore pelagic trip to find blue sharks and makos, and Sardine Run!

My favorite part of my job is seeing the ocean through the eyes of my brand new divers, when everything is mind-blowing… our common fish, starfish, sea urchins, all of the little things that those of us who dive every day take for granted. As a dive community, we're privileged to be able to breathe underwater, a fact that the joy I see on our new mermaid’s and mermen's faces won't let me forget.
● Contact details
○ caity.monaghan@gmail.com
○ +1 610 417 8087
○ Instagram: @caitlyn_carissa

DFA Instructor
Dylan Bowles

Dylan is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor based at Gozo-Azul Diving, Ponta D’Ouro, Mozambique. He embarked on his diving career in 2001 is hard at work to qualify as a Master Scuba Dive Trainer in the near future.

AS a DAN Diving First Aid Instructor his aim is to train anyone in need of first aid training and to help different communities and institutions to better their first aid skills. He is certified to train all current DAN First Aid for Diving Injuries courses. Through this he will also promote safe diving.

DFA Instructor
Ryan Capazorio
My name is Ryan Capazorio, and I’m a RAID diving instructor with a deep passion for the ocean, people, and the life-saving skills that connect us all. I believe that diving goes beyond exploring underwater worlds. It is about building a supportive community of adventurers who care for each other and our environment.

Alongside my commitment to diving, I’m equally passionate about teaching first aid, empowering others with the knowledge and confidence to respond in emergencies. Community matters to me, and I strive to create a welcoming, inclusive space where people can learn, connect, and grow both in and out of the water.

He is based in Kempton park , Gauteng. He started his diving career in 1994 and is  currently a Speciality instructor .

*Connect with Ryan
0832943628
Cappy@deepcalling.co.za
Instragram: @deep_calling_

DFA Instructor
Tyrone Lubbe


Tyrone is based in Pretoria, South Africa.
He completed the an open water scuba diver certification in 2019 and progressed to the Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) level. “I have taught scuba diving in South Africa, in Sydney (Australia) for 6 months, and in Nice (France) for a year.

DFA Instructor
Tyrone Lubbe


Tyrone is based in Pretoria, South Africa.
He completed the an open water scuba diver certification in 2019 and progressed to the Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) level. “I have taught scuba diving in South Africa, in Sydney (Australia) for 6 months, and in Nice (France) for a year.
Safety is everything in diving. “I wanted training that went beyond basic first aid, said Tyrone.  The DFA for professional divers  course given him that edge, helping him to stay sharp and ready for emergencies. With the DAN certification, he is better equipped to offer a well-rounded, safety-first approach that gives everyone peace of mind

 said Tyrone.  The DFA for professional divers  course given him that edge, helping him to stay sharp and ready for emergencies. With the DAN certification, he is better equipped to offer a well-rounded, safety-first approach that gives everyone peace of mind

He is currently based in Pretoria, Gauteng and is a PADI Master Scuba Dive Trainer.
Started diving in 2019 in Sydney Australia and completed Advanced up to instuctor in South Africa.

He has a compressor operator qualification with CMAS. “I do a little bit of freediving when I get a chance to.” He is Interested in delving into a little bit of tech diving to understand the science behind it.

Contact him
Cell 0722483163
Email barnardpj71@gmail.com