Sidemount Scuba When and why I became a believer in sidemount scuba. If you are thinking of making the transition to sidemount scuba, read on… It’s been several years since I first starting seeing divers using sidemount scuba. My first thought at the time was, “gee, that looks stupid.” From the beginning, I understood the […]
As mentioned frequently, the most popular local dive spot here is Lake Tahoe. We dive others fairly frequently as well, like Donner Lake, Pyramid Lake (although I personally find Pyramid creepy), and if the planets align and we get ice, several smaller lakes come into play. What they all have in common, even in the […]
In the diving community, especially the technical diving community, there are a lot of “facts” thrown around related to best diving practices, equipment, training standards, etc. If you do a little research, much of what is stated as “fact” isn’t supported with much, if any, verifiable data. There are many examples: “Bungeed wings catch on things, […]
My first set of scuba tanks was a pair of “tiny doubles” (1800psi 38’s, or so I’m told). I suspect they are actually 45’s, and, when filled 10% over, 50’s. They were manufactured by ScubaPro in 1972, but I got them used about 10 years after that. I was really excited to get them because […]
Don’t believe everything you read on scuba diving message boards I hate to be negative, but some of the most ridiculous things I have ever read about diving come from diving message boards. This is especially true at the technical level. For example, I read a lengthy thread a few nights ago where someone posted a […]
Mounting a GoPro to Scuba Gear recently got my hands on a GoPro Hero video camera. I honestly never gave GoPro much thought since I am in the media business and use a lot of high end video gear all the time. Underwater, I’ve been shooting with a slightly outdated Sony HD camera in a […]
I’m not sure if the world needed another free classifieds website or not, but here’s one more. I mostly created joeuw.com as a test related to another project, but now that it’s finished and live, I really like the site and would like to see people use it–especially after looking around at the few scuba gear […]
I have been using the OMS BC117, 94 pound-lift BCD (wing) for technical diving for quite some time. I’m not very active in tech diving forums, but I do haunt them from time to time, or read a thread or two when I’m looking for information. Oddly, within certain communities, there seems to be an […]
This is my harness/backplate/wing rig. I think it looks tough. It’s a huge pain to adjust, but sure fits right once you get it set. And, that’s the key. This is the OMS Deluxe Harness. I use the hogarthian, standard harness as well. In a way, I like it better because it is simpler. Come […]
Even though I enjoy poking at DIR diving purists, I do respect their commitment to the sport, safety and dedication to training and fitness. That said, I do not agree that you must live, breath and train DIR to be considered a competent and safe diver. One example (there are many) of a DIR requirement that […]
Bungee Wing Deaths – Does it Really Happen? This is hilarious. I’ve been getting a bunch of heat ever since my post about using an OMS wing with bungees. First of all, it is easy to orally inflate. In fact, I can’t even tell the difference inflating the bungeed wing verses a normal jacket-style or back-inflation […]
http://www.padi.com/scuba/news-events/default.aspx?id=16722 It’s not a huge surprise considering the rising popularity of closed circuit rebreathers, but it is nevertheless momentous that PADI will begin providing instructional programs for CCR. I haven’t paid any attention to the buzz surrounding the move, but I personally believe it is very positive. PADI has no doubt done a staggering amount […]
