Go, go, go! At our skiff driver’s urging, we slipped into the water as quickly and quietly as possible, in hopes of snorkeling with the pod of false killer whales that was hunting in the bay. Again and again, we attempted to intersect their path, but our timing or positioning resulted in views of them in the fleeting distance or not at all.
Standing on the swim step, trying to time my entry with a gap in the dozen or more lemon sharks circling directly below me was a bit daunting the first go around. Of course, the sharks knew this routine well and skillfully avoided my clumsy splash into the water. The reward waiting beneath the surface was an assemblage of sharks that cannot be collectively encountered anywhere else in the world.
How big is the technical diving market? What trends can we see? How many technical divers are out there? What are their typical careers? And what do we know about them and their purchasing behavior? Three studies in brief shed light on these questions.
While the first PADI Women’s Dive Day in 2015 underscored PADI’s dedication to strengthening female participation in scuba diving, it has become evident the positive influence of the day extends beyond gender. This year’s events took on conservation and community-minded causes at their core, giving divers the opportunity to take action, give back and be a force for good. A few highlights from this year’s festivities include:
Every year, as the summer heat descends on the Yucatan peninsula, an amazing phenomenon takes place in the waters to the northeast of the small holiday island of Isla Mujeres. Local fishermen call it the Afuera (Mexican for “outside”), in reference to those deeper waters offshore from the tip of the Yucatan where, come July and August, the largest known gathering of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) takes place.
The Malaysia International Dive Expo hit new heights in its 14th year, taking place at the Putra World Centre in Kuala Lumpur on 3-5 May 2019. This year, there was a 20 percent increase in visitors, totalling 12,656 from 50 countries.
NAUI’s complete digital program guide is available at https://www.naui.org/media/2304/dema-special-section_2019.pdf.
“This year’s schedule of seminars and workshops are deisgned with industry leaders in mind,” said Rick Lorimor, NAUI Executive Director. “The seminars will better enhance diver training and improve business capabilities while providing educational support.”
Sony’s highest resolution full-frame camera ever, the new Alpha 7R IV delivers stunning image quality with high resolution and wide dynamic range while maintaining outstanding focusing performance, high-speed continuous shooting and much, much more, the company writes in a press release.
Through analysis of these tragic deaths, researchers at Divers Alert Network® (DAN®) have identified the most relevant contributing factors and most important safety practices for divers participating in the annual event. These tips probably won’t surprise you, but sometimes the most basic precautions are the most likely to save a life. If you’re planning to hunt for lobsters this mini season, keep the following in mind:
