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WHY2025MARKEDATURNINGPOINTFORTHEDIVECOMMUNITY
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As this year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on how 2025 quietly reshaped what it means to be a diver in Southern Africa and beyond. The stories woven through this issue remind us that diving is never just a sport, a profession, or a pastime. It is a relationship with the ocean, with each other, and with the communities that make up our shared coastline.
Across every corner of this magazine, a single theme emerges: connection And not the passive kind, but a deliberate, wholehearted, and increasingly urgent form of connection the kind that calls us to do better, to show up, and to redefine what responsible diving looks like in a changing world
Much has been said over the years about safe diving, but 2025 brought clarity to something deeper: ethical diving Whether we are freeing a tiny fish from a discarded hook, monitoring shark behaviour at dusk, or assessing diver safety from within a portable hyperbaric chamber, one truth stands out: Every action underwater carries weight
The ocean is changing visibly, audibly, and undeniably Reefs are bleaching faster, waste accumulates more silently, and wildlife is adapting in ways we are only beginning to understand. And yet, every diver holds in their hands and in their buoyancy the power to either protect or harm.
This year, our community leaned hard toward protection We learned that stewardship begins long before we enter the water, in choices made at home, on the boat, and in the way we speak about the ocean when we return.
One of the most inspiring threads running throughout 2025 was the rise of communityled ocean movements. From Kalk Bay to Strandfontein and the Cape Flats, grassroots initiatives reminded us that the ocean belongs to everyone not only to those who grew up close to it, and certainly not only to those with the privilege to dive it
These groups are not only reconnecting youth with the sea; they are redefining ownership, access, and heritage They are weaving identity back into the water, teaching that care for the ocean starts with care for each other And in doing so, they have shown us that a thriving dive community cannot exist without a thriving coastal community alongside it
The diving world has always been a place of lifelong learning, but 2025 deepened that commitment Older divers stepped boldly into professional pathways, proving that passion does not expire with age Technicians, instructors, photographers, and medical professionals continued raising the bar not because they had to, but because they believe excellence saves lives.
Our teams explored new technologies, from portable chambers to advanced acoustic recall systems, not for novelty but for safety It is humbling to witness how innovation in our field is always tied to protecting the people who trust us.
And perhaps the most universal lesson of all came from freedivers a reminder that behind every personal best lies a personal story That our sport, no matter how calm it appears from the outside, demands emotional presence, honesty, and the willingness to confront our own limitations
If the ocean could speak, I imagine its message would be simple: “Come closer, but more gently Learn from me, but listen as
SAUHMA & STELLENBOSCH DEEPEN DIVE & HYPERBARIC MEDICINE TRAINING
In 2024 and 2025, the Southern African Underwater and Hyperbaric Medical Association (SAUHMA), together with Stellenbosch University, significantly expanded the opportunities for professional education in diving and hyperbaric medicine These developments reflected a growing demand in Southern Africa for structured training pathways that are internationally relevant yet locally grounded
STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
BSCMEDSC(HONS) IN UNDERWATER MEDICINE
Stellenbosch University’s BScMedSc(Hons) in Underwater Medicine provided the academic backbone for physician training in the field. The programme, offered through the Division of Community Health, continued to attract candidates from across South Africa and abroad.
DIVE SLATE
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Delivered partly online and with four days of contact teaching, this module equipped doctors to act as Diving Medical Examiners (equivalent to DMAC/EDTC Level 1). Graduates gained practical experience in diver medical examinations, lung function testing, audiograms, and ECG interpretation.
Building on Module 1, this module provided practical chamber exposure and prepared doctors for work in commercial diving operations (DMAC/EDTC Level IIa)
Higher-level modules focused on complex diving cases, hyperbaric applications, and research methodology, including epidemiology and biostatistics
Stellenbosch programme details: https://wwwsuacza/en
SAUHMA COURSES & TRAINING
SAUHMA continued to deliver hyperbaricfocused modules alongside the Stellenbosch curriculum, ensuring that chamber personnel, nurses, and doctors all had clear pathways for upskilling
Basic, Operational, and Advanced Hyperbaric Medicine courses offered progressive training in the medical use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Chamber Operator, Attendant, and Nursing courses supported the wider hyperbaric facility workforce.
SAUHMA courses overview: https://wwwsauhmaorg/courses
SAUHMA CONFERENCE 2025 – CAPE TOWN
The 16th SAUHMA Conference, held 9–11 April 2025 at Stellenbosch University’s Biomedical Research Institute (Tygerberg Campus), brought together local and international experts The event highlighted:
Updates in hyperbaric oxygen therapy research
Advances in diver health assessment and regulation.
Case reports from South African dive and hyperbaric facilities.
Sessions on environmental and travel medicine issues, including malaria prophylaxis and yellow fever vaccination for divers working in Africa.
The Cape Town setting also provided opportunities for attendees to dive False Bay’s kelp forests and discuss practical applications of diver safety research in realworld conditions
SAUHMA conference archive: https://wwwsauhmaorg/presentations
MEDTALKZ COLLABORATIONS
In 2025, SAUHMA partnered with MedTalkz to host several webinars aimed at broadening access to underwater and hyperbaric medicine education Notably, on 18 June 2025, Dr Jack Meintjes presented an Introduction to Diving Medicine, offering insights to both new practitioners and experienced clinicians looking for refreshers
MedTalkz past events: https://www.medtalkz.com
DAN Mission teams recently participated in a demonstration led by James Dalebozik, a hyperbaric chamber technician, on the operation and application of the SOS Hyperlite 1 portable hyperbaric chamber
The Hyperlite 1 is designed for remote or mobile settings Weighing just 110 pounds (50 kilograms), it packs into three cases for easy storage and transport While primarily intended as a hyperbaric stretcher, the chamber can provide various recompression treatments, including a U.S. Navy Treatment Table 6.
The chamber was initially designed and deployed for transferring an injured diver under pressure into a larger hyperbaric treatment chamber system It can also provide critical support in remote areas where the nearest recompression facility is out of reach
Dalebozik taught the DAN staff about the Hyperlite 1’s design, applications, and operation Staff assisted in setting up the chamber and served as chamber operators and attendants while conducting simulated treatments
While several staff members have extensive experience in chamber operation, some of them were trying chamber operations for the first time
Regardless of their background, everyone took away valuable insights into the evolution of hyperbaric technology and how chambers such as the Hyperlite 1 can help elevate diver safety in remote areas
Hands-on experience and education like this help DAN staff to provide the best and most up-to-date support for the dive community.
Smart travel begins with making informed decisions, and one of the most valuable tools available to South Africans is the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) travel advisory system These official notices provide guidance on potential risks and safety measures to protect South African citizens abroad.
DIRCO Travel Advisory page: https://www.dirco.gov.za/travel-advisory/ The advisories offer country-specific updates on crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health threats, natural disasters, and other hazards They help travellers assess safety risks before and during their journeys Whether you are travelling for business, leisure, education, or humanitarian work, understanding and using these advisories is a key part of preparation
DIRCO advisories classify countries according to safety and security risks These notices may highlight entire countries or specific regions that require additional caution
For example:
A stable country with low crime may have a general cautionary notice
A region experiencing protests or violence may come with a “reconsider travel” warning
Active war zones or areas with severe instability may be flagged as “avoid travel”
It’s important not just to glance at the alert level but to read the full advisory. Risks may be concentrated in particular regions or border areas. This helps you modify travel plans, avoid trouble spots, and take necessary precautions.
Beyond security, health risks are critical for South Africans travelling abroad
Malaria: South Africans often travel into malaria-endemic areas within Africa Consult the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) for current maps and prophylaxis guidelines: https://wwwnicdacza/diseases-a-zindex/malaria/
Recommended measures include: Using mosquito repellents containing DEET
Sleeping under treated mosquito nets Taking appropriate prophylactic medication (consult your doctor or a travel clinic for personalised advice)
WE DON’T TALK ABOUT
LOCAL DIVING
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Freediving is often portrayed as the purest expression of human connection with the ocean The images are often romanticised a diver suspended effortlessly in the blue: weightless, calm, and in harmony with nature. Many of us are drawn to the sport by this promise of peace and presence.
But beneath the surface lies a quieter reality: freediving, like any sport, has its shadows. Burnout, comparison, and hidden struggles are more common than we admit These challenges rarely make it into the photographs or social media posts, yet they shape the experience of many divers If we want our community to thrive in a healthy and sustainable way, we need to bring them into the light
One of the most seductive aspects of freediving is progress Numbers give us something concrete to hold on to: depth, time, metres But this same metric-driven mindset can become a trap
When personal bests come quickly, it’s exhilarating When they plateau as they inevitably do divers often begin to feel stuck, frustrated, or even as though they’re failing The drive to push harder can lead to overtraining or exhaustion, both physical and mental. And perhaps most concerningly, the joy that first drew us to freediving can begin to slip away, replaced by pressure.
In today’s world, freedivers don’t only measure themselves against their past performances; they’re also exposed to an endless stream of other people’s achievements Social media feeds are full of record-breaking dives, flawless techniques, and personal milestones
While these posts can inspire, they can also breed quiet comparison Even in supportive communities, divers may find themselves wondering who is progressing faster, who
has “natural talent”, or who deserves recognition For some, self-worth begins to feel tied to performance as if their value in the water, or even within the community, is measured only by depth or duration.
The inner challenges of freediving are rarely spoken about openly. Fear, shame, and frustration often accompany training, but few divers admit to them Equalisation struggles, difficulties with CO₂ sensitivity, or anxiety before dives are common experiences yet many divers carry them quietly
This silence can create isolation When someone feels stuck, they may believe they are the only one struggling After major events, another shadow emerges: the postcompetition blues Having trained for months towards a single goal, some divers feel an unexpected emptiness when it’s over The “what now?” can be disorienting
Breath-hold is, by its nature, a stressor When approached with awareness, it builds resilience and deepens our relationship with our own bodies But without balance, freediving can push the nervous system into a constant cycle of stress and recovery.
Some divers push through fear responses instead of learning from them. Over time, this can reinforce patterns of tension rather than release. Instead of the sport being restorative, it risks becoming draining the very opposite of what many seek in the water
The solution isn’t to abandon goals or stop celebrating achievements Numbers can be motivating, and goals are part of growth But to make freediving sustainable for both body and mind we need a broader definition of success
That begins with honesty Talking openly
Cape Town, particularly the peninsula, is world-renowned for its spectacular ocean scenes – sandy Clifton beaches, the colourful life beneath the canopy of the towering kelp forest, rollercoaster cliffs dropping deep into the vivid blue sea of Cape Point, and penguins peeking out from between the boulders in Simonstown. For many of us, the ocean here is the backdrop to our lives, whether we earn a livelihood from the sea or enjoy it as a playground Despite this, the sea remains a distant mystical place for several communities
Over the past decade, several homegrown organisations have stepped up to bridge that gap Using snorkels, surfboards, and science, these projects all seek to bring people, especially youth, back to the sea to learn about and in turn to shape ocean cultures Three brilliant examples include Sea The Bigger Picture, The Fisherchild Projekt, and the 9Miles Project – each with their own distinct identity but a shared mission – to reconnect people and the sea
Shamier Magmoet, an underwater storyteller best known for his documentary Rise From The Cape Flats, went on his first freedive at the age of 33 Wondering why it had taken this long for him to get below the surface, he and trusted dive buddies Chris Krauss (current director), Tash Krauss and Ben Wiid founded STBP in 2018. The goal was simple: to get kids from Shamier’s community into the sea. They soon realised the responsibility involved in helping youth safely navigate their way to the sea so they launched the Defenders of the Blue, a structured programme combining freediving and first aid training for all their mentors and marine science modules alongside snorkel experience for all youth participants By interspersing programme days throughout the year, they keep relationships with the participants personal and connective They work closely with the local high school teachers and recruit mentors with a mix of careers and passions,
they aim to send a clear message: anyone from any background can belong in ocean spaces Currently, teenagers learn to snorkel, study the basics of marine science, and explore people-sea connections under the careful guidance of a team that reflects the diverse communities they come from.
Why they matter – groups like STBP make the ocean a comfortable reality rather than a distant ideal Through their beach clean ups, science and snorkel programmes, all integrated into a fun weekend outing, the team is dismantling barriers to hands-on experiential education and training
The Kalk Bay fisher families have lived with the sea for generations, weathering numerous challenges of dispossession, rising costs and relentless pressures to move away. Yet the community persists, bound to their home as tightly as waves to shore Born from this lineage is Traci Kwaai, an activist, a marine historian, and a sixth-generation fisher child who founded the Fisher Child Projekt to blend her own love of freediving with storytelling, traditional knowledge and creative expression The project trains youth as freedivers and mentors building a community of dive buddies alongside an active culture of sharing history and traditions Many have since pursued careers in ocean conservation or gone on to further develop their own freediving achievements Fisher Child’s core principle is simple but transformative: to reclaim and renew traditional ocean knowledge using immersion (snorkelling and freediving), fostering reciprocity with the sea True to Kwaai’s cutting-edge spirit, the project has expanded into digital art Using virtual reality, they have begun to archive the oral histories and material culture of Kalk Bay’s fishers. Participants glide through recreated kelp forests, exploring photos and tugging on threads that offer up heritage stories. Even the elders enjoy the scenery of the kelp forest all from the comfort of an armchair.
For those of us without headsets, jars of community-made preserves carrying QR codes invite anyone to listen and learn
Why it matters – Fisher Child is a sophisticated model of integrating cultural memory with real life practice It speaks about connection to the sea not just as a recreational form, but also as a matter of heritage and place-based identity
The oldest of the three, this organisation was founded in 2013 by Nigel and Sher’Neil Savel to reshape the futures of their own Strandfontein community. Using surfing as a drawcard, youth are welcomed into safe and structured spaces where mentors could offer more than just wave-riding knowledge. All run from the coolest HQ, 9Miles afterschool sessions also offer literacy and numeracy support, computer access for homework and research, and leadership and skills development The mentors, many of whom grew up locally, model care, consistency and show that nurtured connections offer huge potential for personal growth and development Even beyond the waves, the project has mobilised for community-wide relief during crises (eg offering COVID-era food support) Twelve years on, 9Miles continues to grow having recently expanded to two additional locations since its founding and even organising a group trip to Jeffreys Bay, SA’s prime surf destination which every frothing grom should have the opportunity to visit
Why it matters – this more-than-just-a-surfclub has established programmes that combine physical skill with social and psychological support, providing communities of youth a space to be safe, to work on their homework, and to bring challenges to trusted mentors on an almost daily basis.
What makes these programmes so powerful is their low-barrier access to the ocean ecosystem alongside the deep rootedness of all founders within their own communities And just as “community” is never one thing, each organisation is shaped by the personality, the dreams and the drive of the people who built it Their embeddedness (lived, not borrowed) is what makes their work authentic and impactful Together they remind us that ocean connection isn’t reserved for the privileged or the expert, it can be fostered from wherever we stand Each of us has something unique to teach about care and courage and belonging in the sea Want to be a part of it? Follow their journeys on websites and social media to learn more, or share their stories far and wide
“Three grassroots organisations. One shared vision: getting Cape Town back to the sea.”
UNVEILING THE SECRETS OF SHARKS AT DUSK
LOCAL DIVING
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THE PERFECT SWIM BY, JUST A BIT LATE
THE PERFECT SWIM BY, JUST A BIT LATE
“Unveiling the Secrets of Sharks at Dusk”
Turning 40 doesn’t have to be milestone for slowing down it’s nudge to level up I'd been hooked on diving since age 28, getting my PADI Open Water and AIDA 2 Freediver certifications in Taiwan back in 2011 Over the next decade-plus, I built a following with Freediver HD on YouTube, the go-to channel for freediving tips in the early 2010s But life pulled me into software engineering in Taiwan, sidelining dives for deadlines By early 2021 I reignited the spark with tec diving, progressing from Tec 40 to Tec 65 Trimix – but still, despite a stacked logbook and multiple speciality certifications, I hit an invisible wall in the dive world
If you're nodding along maybe you're a seasoned diver in your 40s, eyeing the Instructor Development Course (IDC) but wondering if it's "too late" you're not alone.
TEXTBYDEANFREDERICKS
Many experienced divers face the same frustrations I did: operators treating you like a newbie, shops hesitating to rent tanks for independent dives, or your advanced qualifications making staff uneasy. It's not just personal; it's a systemic gap where personal passion meets industry professionalism. Becoming a PADI Instructor bridged that for me and it can for you too. Let us break it down, with real talk from my journey and actionable insights to make it less daunting
Like countless divers over 40, my main gig wasn't in the water I had the skills over 13 years of active diving, including technical diving and freediving but walking into a new dive shop, I'm suddenly back to basics "Sign this waiver like everyone else", they'd say My Tec certs? Sometimes they spooked operators who preferred Divemasters as the “standard” to dive independently
A Divemaster course is a solid step it's hands-on, builds leadership, and gets you assisting pros But internationally? It doesn't carry the same weight Quality varies by shop, and without that instructor stamp, trust remains local. PADI Instructors, though? That's the gold standard. You've aced an IDC to sharpen your skills, then faced a two-day Independent Examiner (IE) showdown to prove it. It's not just a cert; it's validation that opens doors trust, independence, dive leading, even side gigs teaching specialities.
For older divers, this recognition hits different It's not about starting over; it's about leveraging your life experience For me it felt frustrating to have so much experience to share, but not having the qualification to be able to do that Forums are full of 40+ divers sharing how IDC flipped the script: no more "prove yourself" vibes, just seamless integration into the pro scene
One 43-year-old on ScubaBoard asked if they were "employable" the consensus? Absolutely, especially for mature instructors who bring patience and reliability that resorts prefer
Back in Cape Town, I wandered into Dive Action to buy tanks and shared my background to Sarah Carter. She saw the potential and nudged me toward Divemaster. A year later, when they launched their first IDC, she called: "You in?"
At 90,000 ZAR, it wasn't a whim. I crunched numbers, weighed the ROI against my engineering salary, and signed up at 41. Our group had four candidates: me (oldest at 41), a 21-year-old fresh grad, and two in between The structure? Seven days of classroom grind PADI standards, teaching presentations, emergency management plus three pool sessions honing skills like confined-water demos and another day of open water dives With seven specialities under my belt going into the IDC, theory clicked fast The real prep was in PADI Standards and mock teaching at demonstration quality
Age, however, was not a hurdle it was an edge Younger candidates were driven by energy and enthusiasm; I leaned on dive experience and solid understanding of the theory to ace presentations. But here's the tip for 40+: Be prepared before you go into the IDC. Review your divemaster theory, or take an online course like PADI’s “Dive Theory”. The IDC is a process to review your existing skills and bring them up to standard – not to teach you from step 1
The IE? Two days of scrutinised skills and exams We bonded as a team during the IDC, which was critical before going into the IE Tip: Pick a supportive centre (Dive Action in my case) where staff take care of any obstacles or issues that arise on the IDC For me, that was Sarah Carter pulling strings to get antibiotic ear drops on a Sunday when the doctor's office was closed!
Passing is not guaranteed on IE’s People do fail In my cohort, some candidates didn't pass the demo or exam on the first attempt and required a re-take on the second day to complete it (you are allowed one retake on the second day) However, with personal commitment, a reputable dive centre, and a skilled course director, it's achievable at any age
The hole in the bank account was real months of ramen followed. But perks surfaced fast, especially for mid-career divers like us.
On my annual tec trip to Subic Bay, Philippines, the course director lit up: "You're one of us now!" No customer treatment I was invited into the instructor's locker room, offered to lead dives, and post-dive debriefs like an insider. That trust? Priceless. Invites to co-teach specialities, as well as discounts like to getting the ‘instructor’ rates when booking boat dives.
For readers over 40, here are some more benefits:
Career Flexibility: Not quitting your day job? IDC opens part-time paths weekend teaching, fund trips, and keep your skills sharp, or pivot to resort roles later Some operators prefer 40+ instructors for their maturity
Community Lift: Instant belonging No more outsider you are guiding newbies, mentoring peers, forging bonds that outlast cert cards
Myth-Buster: "Too old for the physical?"
Nope PADI has no upper age limit; it's fitness, not years Forum threads are full of age 50+ success stories, proving experience trumps youth
At 41, IDC wasn't a reset it amplified everything I'd built. If you are 40+ with dives under your belt, frustrated by the "experienced amateur" label, this could be your unlock. It's intensive, costly, vulnerable but the independence, respect, and joy? Game-changers.
You've got the maturity; now claim the credentials What's holding you back? The ocean is calling, and at 40, you've got decades of adventures ahead
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: [Dean Fredericks], split his life between Taiwan and South Africa - current software engineer at ABB Robotics – turned part-time PADI Instructor, runs Freediver HD and shares Atlantic dive tips with Cape Town locals
upwards) but as always you get what you pay for
Expert knowledge provided by technicians trained and certified by manufacturers. These technicians must complete brandspecific training programs and maintain their certifications.
Warranty and liability protection Manufacturer warranties frequently remain valid only with documented professional servicing at the recommended intervals If equipment fails and causes injury, having professional service records demonstrates you took reasonable precautions and maintained your equipment properly
Proper tools and genuine parts, without guesswork or shortcuts
Safety assurance: knowing your regulator will deliver when you need it most
Confidence to focus on your dive instead of being concerned about your equipment
Bottom line, it’s a small investment compared to the cost - and the risk - of an equipment failure at depth
Is it illegal to service your own gear? No, it's perfectly legal to work on your own equipment. But it has significant drawbacks and here's the catch: once you do, you'll probably void your warranty immediately and or lose access to genuine parts. Dive operators and charter boats like to see their divers safe and using reliable gear They may refuse to fill your cylinders or let you dive with them if you can’t provide proof of professional servicing It is disconcerting to both you and any divers around you if your gear looks or sounds hazardous Your choice of buddy can be narrowed down quickly or even non-existent if you look like the risk factor everyone wants to avoid in their leisure time!
Your dive insurance might not cover incidents related to self-serviced equipment If equipment failure causes injury or death (to yourself or others), you could face civil liability without the protection that professional service records provide.
So, while it's legal, it's seldom a good idea. The risks simply outweigh the rewards, especially when professionals are trained, equipped, and insured to do the job properly Long term DIY options may seem cheaper but in terms of time and efficiency professionals get it right the first time
Deep down we care Do you? Getting your scuba gear serviced by a professional isn't about just following the rules; it's about both diving safe and smart Regular maintenance keeps your equipment performing flawlessly, it preserves warranties, and most importantly, keeps you enjoying your precious hard-earned time underwater Most of us don’t service our vehicles when they break down On the contrary, we do it to avoid breaking down (and that is on land not underwater!)
The next time it's due for a check-up, hand your gear over to someone who lives and breathes scuba maintenance. You'll thank yourself later…. somewhere near a shipwreck or on a coral reef and the bubbles you blow, it’s good to know you can rely on your next breath.
Whether for recreation, research, or commercial work, diving puts humans in a fundamentally hazardous environment Visibility, pressure effects, and sound distortion limit communication between divers and surface teams, making real-time coordination difficult Response time is critical in emergencies, and delays can be dangerous.
Diver recall systems are essential safety tools that bridge this communication gap, allowing topside crews to alert divers immediately when conditions change or an emergency arises, necessitating ending the dive or performing another emergency response
Surface crews can signal divers by banging a dive weight, hammer, or screwdriver against a boat hull or dive ladder Many divers report that it takes a while to register the recall, even when they expect it
Surface marker buoy (SMB) tags consist of a carabiner or bolt snap sent down a diver’s line with a note or mini slate attached Divers feel the tag hit their spool or reel and read the attached message that explains the situation This method requires a diver to
have an SMB deployed and the surface operator to reach the SMB and manipulate the line
Revving a boat engine is widely considered unreliable and inconsistent as a signal Divers often can’t distinguish it from normal boat noise, especially during deeper dives or in areas with heavy marine traffic.
A pyrotechnic diver recall system, often referred to as a thunder flash, is a specialised tool that uses controlled underwater detonations to send loud, unmistakable signals to divers When a thunder flash detonates underwater, it generates an intense shockwave in all directions The resulting sound and pressure wave travels efficiently through the water, and divers report hearing and feeling the detonation over a range of several hundred feet
Some are ignited at the surface and then dropped over the side; others are hydrostatically operated and go off once reaching a specific depth Each type has a disadvantage depending on your dive environment you may be shallower than a hydrostatic device’s minimum operating depth or have an ignition flame that can
injure the operator and spell disaster near oxygen tanks or fuel canisters
Thunder flashes are no longer common in the dive industry due to several factors. Recreational dive operations avoid them for liability reasons, as they can cause hearing damage, barotrauma, and significant disorientation. Environmentally conscious divers don’t like throwing disposable and non-recoverable units in the water
While not suitable for every dive operation, pyrotechnic recall devices are still used in some places when the urgency of recalling divers outweighs the potential risks They are also the primary method in various specialised dive environments where immediate, unmistakable signals are necessary Military units, commercial dive operations, and some public safety teams dive in conditions where underwater situational awareness is often compromised, there’s no time to deploy other recall methods safely, and quick reaction capability is critical
Acoustic diver recall systems use sound waves to transmit signals from the surface to divers underwater, allowing vessels and crew to alert or recall divers to the surface promptly An underwater speaker, attached to a cable, dangles in the water at an optimised depth to transmit sound An operator at the surface can transmit different tone patterns, siren alerts, and prerecorded messages, play music, or speak into a microphone to send direct voice commands and warnings to divers.
Transmissions are loud enough that a hooded diver at several hundred feet can detect them. Divers do not need special electronic equipment to hear acoustic recall systems the sound travels in all directions and is detectable by the naked ear.
The physical environment such as bottom topography and composition, physical structures, and currents can significantly affect an acoustic device’s performance The projection range and message comprehension can be substantially reduced, so operators should account for background noise and seek to minimise it as much as possible
Divers often report that exhalation noise hampers the identification of the source of a sudden waterborne sound When using recorded voice transmissions or speaking live to divers underwater, a siren or alert tone before the message can help get the divers’ attention and prepare them for the stated message
Extensive testing of acoustic recall systems also shows that repetition of precise, short phrases contributes to high intelligibility
Divers may misinterpret vague single-word commands or other complex messages if the specific directions are unclear.
Divers need to observe a safety perimeter from the speaker as outlined in the unit’s operating manual. The dive operator should communicate this safe zone during the predive briefing While these systems don’t cause anywhere near the physical discomfort level of a thunder flash or submarine sonar ping, these high-powered underwater audio transmission devices can cause permanent hearing loss or physiological damage if misused
Diver recall systems allow dive operators to alert or recall divers in an emergency Still, they do not eliminate the potential hazards inherent in diving or lessen the need for a thorough emergency action plan It’s necessary to understand your recall system’s benefits and limitations and recognise if the dive plan includes elements that limit the capacity to quickly recall divers, such as decompression obligations or drift diving
Divers must be briefed in advance on what primary and secondary systems are in use and how to respond when a recall device is activated.
Misidentifying or ignoring the recall signal can lead to confusion and compromise safety. If you have to respond to a recall, use your safe ascent rate and complete any decompression obligations before surfacing
“Innovation beneath the waves: Diver Recall Systems bringing safety and communication together.”
WHYBECOMINGASCUBAINSTRUCTORPREPARESYOUFORLIFELIKENOUNIVERSITYCAN
TEXTBYBARRYCOLEMAN
When most people picture a scuba instructor, they imagine someone suntanned, laid-back, and living in paradise That image holds a grain of truth, but it barely scratches the surface Becoming a scuba instructor is not just a job or a lifestyle it is one of the most intense, direct leadership and life-skills training programmes you could ever go through
If you are considering this path, understand this: you are not only learning how to teach people to dive You are building a foundation for life one that can propel you into almost any career you choose later
No lecture hall, no online course, and no MBA can replicate the lessons forged on dive boats and in classrooms A CV should never reduce this role to “Scuba Instructor – 2016 to 2025.” It should read: Leader. Communicator. Problem-solver. Risk manager. Resilient operator. Globally aware professional. Here is why!
1. LEADERSHIP UNDER REAL PRESSURE
Every day, an instructor is responsible for human life not figuratively Teaching people to breathe underwater demands composure, rapid decisions, and strong group management Leadership here is not theoretical; it is earned True leaders are forged when a panicked student looks to you eighteen meters below the surface Businesses dream of hiring people who can lead that calmly under pressure
2. TEAMWORK ABOVE, FULL RESPONSIBILITY BELOW
On the surface, instructors collaborate closely with crews and colleagues Once underwater, the responsibility shifts entirely onto them They must make decisions independently, safeguard lives, and guide the dive That dual ability to collaborate as part of a team yet act decisively alone is rare, and invaluable in management, operations, and emergency roles
3. COMMUNICATION THAT CUTS THROUGH FEAR
Picture explaining life-saving skills to someone who does not share your
language, is terrified, and is trying it all for the first time Scuba instructors master communication that is clear, adaptable, and empathetic They simplify the complex, build trust instantly, and learn to “listen” to body language These are the same skills required in sales, customer service, education, and leadership
4. RISK MANAGEMENT GROUNDED IN REALITY
Equipment fails Weather changes Medical issues appear Instructors cannot stop and consult a textbook they must act quickly, calmly, and with good judgment Over time, they become masters of risk assessment in real conditions Employers in logistics, hospitality, aviation, and healthcare prize exactly this kind of practical intelligence
5. RESILIENCE WHEN CONDITIONS ARE TOUGH
Let us be honest: scuba instructors rarely get rich. They work long hours, often in costly destinations, with few traditional benefits. Yet they persist adapting, problemsolving, and delivering high-quality experiences every day That resilience, grit, and resourcefulness cannot be taught in a seminar, but it shines in any career
6. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN ACTION Instructors coach people through excitement, fear, frustration, and joy They calm, motivate, and inspire across a spectrum of human emotions Over time, they build strong emotional intelligence the ability to read, support, and guide people from all levels of society These people skills are invaluable in HR, healthcare, sales, and leadership
7. GLOBAL AWARENESS AND CULTURAL FLUENCY
Many instructors work across borders They adapt to new legal systems, cultural expectations, and international teams They learn cultural sensitivity, negotiation across differences, and how to be effective anywhere in the world. In today’s globalised economy, which is an advantage that few traditional paths provide.
It was a routine dive with calm water, clear visibility, the kind of day that makes you grateful for the privilege of being beneath the surface As I hovered near a rocky ledge, something small flickered at the edge of my vision A blenny, no longer than my little finger, was suspended awkwardly in the water, its gills flaring in distress A closer look revealed the problem: a tiny hook embedded in its mouth, the fine line snagged around the coral
It may have been struggling there for hours, perhaps days, before anyone noticed. Carefully, I freed it, unravelling the invisible thread that tethered it to pain. The blenny darted away in a burst of life… a tiny, defiant victory.
That moment stayed with me long after surfacing Because that blenny, insignificant to many, represents the essence of ethical diving: understanding that every creature, every coral, every grain of sand has value
found in the deepest trenches As divers, we’re among the few who see these changes firsthand That gives us a responsibility far greater than just avoiding damage: it means actively protecting what we love
Being a responsible diver begins long before we descend The choices we make on land ripple into the water:
Refuse single-use plastics, which often end up on our coastlines or entangle marine life. Saying “no” to disposable cups, bottles, and packaging is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cut off pollution at its source.
Reduce waste by using less Every purchase carries a footprint from the energy used to make it to the shipping that delivers it Consuming consciously and asking, “Do I really need this?” helps lower both waste and emissions
Reuse bottles, cups, tubs, straws, bags, and other everyday items Choosing durable, refillable options means fewer plastics entering the ocean and less demand for the production of new ones
Most divers are familiar with the old adage: Take only pictures, leave only bubbles It’s a good start, but today, it’s not enough.
The ocean is changing faster than we ever imagined. Coral reefs are bleaching, sharks are disappearing, and plastic waste is now
Repurpose bags, jars, clothes, furniture, and more Upcycling is far better for the planet than recycling because it gives new life to existing materials without the need for energy-intensive processing Creativity, not consumption, is what the ocean needs most
Recycle if it can’t be reused or repurposed, make sure it doesn’t end up in landfill. Proper recycling keeps valuable materials in circulation and prevents them from becoming pollutants. Research what can be recycled in your local area.
Choose traceable, sustainable seafood (or opt out altogether) to ensure we’re not contributing to overfishing, bycatch, or destructive fishing practices Look for credible certifications, support small-scale fishers who follow ethical practices, or simply enjoy more plant-based, ocean-friendly meals
Support conservation-focused operators and resorts who walk the talk Dive with businesses that offset emissions, invest in marine protection, and engage local communities in stewardship Responsible operators protect dive sites as well as help protect the people and ecosystems that depend on them
Ethical diving is not a switch we flip when we kit up; it’s a lifestyle of ocean-conscious decision-making that follows us from the supermarket to the shoreline.
Equally important is awareness of your gear
A dangling SPG or loose octopus hose can wreak havoc on fragile reef structures Small adjustments make big differences, Streamlined gear, neutral buoyancy and quiet observation can turn a diver from a passive visitor into a true steward of the sea
Ethical diving also means giving back Across the world, dive communities are becoming citizen scientists, conservationists, and advocates
Taking part in ocean conservation doesn’t require a science degree, and every diver can contribute in meaningful ways Logging sightings of sharks, turtles, or rays provides valuable data for population monitoring and helps scientists track species trends over time. Joining clean-up dive workshops or reporting ghost gear can prevent countless animals from suffering slow, invisible deaths, while assisting with reef restoration or turtlenest protection projects helps to repair the damage that’s already been done.
Each small act strengthens the ocean’s resilience and is proof that the most powerful conservation tool is often a diver with purpose
Once we submerge, our impact is magnified. A single misplaced fin kick can crush decades of coral growth. A careless hand can stress or harm marine life. True responsible divers have learned restraint and that sometimes, the best way to connect with the ocean is to simply observe.
That includes being mindful with underwater photography It’s easy to get caught up chasing the perfect shot, but if the subject swims away in distress, the image becomes a record of disturbance, not beauty The best wildlife photographers understand patience, distance, and respect
As divers, we often travel far to reach pristine reefs or pelagic hotspots, but travel has its own footprint The carbon from flights and transfers contributes to the very ocean changes we witness underwater
Whenever possible, choose local dive destinations or shorter routes to reduce emissions and support nearby operators who protect their coastal ecosystems If you must fly, always choose economy as it uses far less carbon per passenger than business or first class You can also offset flights through credible carbon programmes or balance your emissions by volunteering with marine NGOs between dives, turning your holiday into hands-on conservation
Equally, respect for people is part of ethical diving Supporting local guides, respecting coastal community regulations, and understanding the cultural context of marine areas ensures that conservation uplifts those who live closest to the ocean
That tiny blenny was a reminder that our actions matter, even when they seem small Every piece of fishing line untangled, every cleanup bag filled, every conversation sparked about ocean ethics contributes to a larger tide of change
To be a responsible diver is to accept that our role doesn’t end at the waterline We are witnesses, advocates, and caretakers of a world most people never see
So next time you dive, remember: beyond the bubbles, the real work of ocean protection begins with you
And always follow our Earth Legacy Foundation motto, to “Preserve and cherish the Pale Blue Dot the only home we have ever known.”
True ocean stewardship doesn’t end when we hang up our wetsuits It’s in how we speak about the ocean and how we share what we see Divers have a unique power to change minds When we tell stories that spark wonder rather than fear, especially about misunderstood species like sharks, we shift public perception from apathy to empathy.
Social media, too, can be a tool for good. Instead of posting staged “touch” shots or wildlife selfies, we can use our platforms to highlight conservation wins, showcase responsible operators, and inspire others to explore mindfully
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Scuba diving is now a booming industry and a powerful gateway to the ocean's wonders, generating billions annually and attracting up to 14 million active diving tourists globally. It has evolved from a niche pastime into a widely accessible adventure, thanks to better safety, new tech, and a surging public interest in the vibrant world beneath the waves. One of the most significant evolutions is the rise of underwater photography and videography This creative niche has become a highly lucrative part of dive tourism generating approximately USD150 million in the Philippines and Indonesia alone Whether you are chasing the majestic dance of megafauna (like sharks and whales) or meticulously documenting the tiny, cryptic lives of nudibranchs and seahorses, there’s a captivating subject for every camera user Destinations like the Philippines and Mozambique are celebrated as photographic "paradises" for good reason With the advent of social media, our adventures are instantly shared, turning every dive photo or video into a story told to a wide audience Beyond the glamour, this visual medium plays a vital role in conservation and science, helping monitor environments and identify species
As camera equipment becomes more accessible and affordable, more divers of all skill levels are carrying a lens underwater. This is fantastic for expanding our community and documenting the ocean, but it brings a critical challenge: Diver behaviour Studies consistently show that divers carrying camera equipment, especially those focused on getting the perfect shot, tend to have more frequent contact with the reefs and substrate compared to their non-photographer buddies 1 This isn't always malicious; it is often a side effect of a goal-oriented mindset When a rare or charismatic subject appears, the quest for the ultimate shot can, unfortunately, override proper diving
etiquette and even conservation awareness
Researchers have even delved into specific types of photography like macro and 'muck' diving revealing that divers may not only disturb but also touch and manipulate their subjects 2. This is where the simple act of taking a photo can lead to considerable damage to delicate, slow-growing sessile species (like corals and sponges). Tools intended to help, such as extension poles (for action cameras) and muck sticks (for stabilisation or pointing), can inadvertently increase the risk of contact and damage
Why does this happen? The behaviour of underwater camera users is complex, driven by three key factors: Interests, Habits, and Commitment 3
Interests: Your focus dictates your behaviour If you’re a macro enthusiast, you’ll naturally be closer to the substrate, looking for those tiny, cryptic creatures If you are into wide-angle, you might stay further back
Habits: These are the established ways you operate Do you instinctively kneel to stabilise for a shot, or do you maintain a perfect hover? Some habits, like poor finning technique or an incorrect trim (horizontal body position), can lead to involuntary contact.
Commitment: This relates to your investment in both time and gear. Divers with more elaborate camera setups often have a greater specialisation. More complex equipment (like big housings and external lights) can increase the risk of accidental contact, and the investment itself can feed the goal-oriented drive to get a return (a fantastic photo) at any cost Interestingly, a diver's certification level does not always prevent risky behaviour Advanced divers with years of experience, if they're committed photographers, can still violate rules due to that intense goal-oriented focus They might even rationalise their actions,
seeing themselves as storytellers whose important mission justifies a little rulebending However, fundamental diving skills like buoyancy control and trim remain absolutely crucial, as they minimise the involuntary contacts that often cause damage.
A recent study in the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve (PPMR) in Mozambique a popular destination with rich coral reefs, sharks, and macro life put these behaviours under the lens By filming over 100 camerausing divers, researchers from TREES, NorthWest University (South Africa) gathered tangible data The findings were revealing: The average contact rate for camera users (approx 028 contacts per minute) was almost twice as high as that of divers without a camera The majority of contacts (70%) were voluntary, meaning divers intentionally braced themselves, often holding onto "turf" (low-lying algae/substrate) with their hands The highest contact rates were observed among divers with more elaborate camera setups (eg a camera with handles and lights), a primary interest in macro photography/videography, and the habit of getting close to the reef. This research helped define three main groups of camera users:
These divers are skilled (good buoyancy, good trim) but exhibit the most voluntary contact with their hands to stabilise for close-up shots Their commitment to the shot overrides their skill
Less Experienced Divers: Regardless of their interest, their contacts were mostly involuntary, often involving their fins accidentally kicking the substrate or delicate sessile species due to poor buoyancy and trim.
Precautionary Divers: A small group that maintained distance and avoided contact entirely
The data confirm that while experienced camera users are often more controlled in how they touch, the fact that they are choosing to touch is the problem Meanwhile, less experienced divers, especially those with basic certifications, pose a risk through accidental, involuntary damage
The challenge is clear: We must support the growth of underwater photography while ensuring it does not harm the very marine life we seek to capture This requires a collaborative effort from everyone in the dive community from certification agencies to dive guides and, most importantly, you, the diver What can we do?
Master Your Skills: Focus on achieving perfect buoyancy and trim Flawless hovering is your best defence against involuntary contact As a photographer, this is arguably the most important skill in your toolkit, allowing you to get the shot without bracing on the reef
Speciality Training: The industry needs to develop and promote speciality courses for underwater camera use. These courses should combine refining diving skills with essential etiquette, teaching divers how to use their gear responsibly, what the science says about impacts, and ethical standards.
Targeted Briefings: Dive centres must include specific, scientifically supported information about camera use and the potential ecological effects of interaction with local species in their pre-dive briefings
Ethical Storytelling: If you enter a photography contest, support those who promote ethical and responsible photography Competition judges and organisers should reject images where manipulation, contact, or disturbance is evident, sending a powerful message about sustainable practices
Underwater photography offers a priceless opportunity to share the ocean's beauty and fragility with the world By embracing better skills, adhering to codes of conduct, and prioritising the reef's health over the perfect image, we ensure that the diving industry and the underwater world we love remains vibrant for generations to come. It's up to every camera user to become not just a
better photographer, but a better, more conscious diver
1 Giglio, V J, Adelir‐Alves, J, Balzaretti Merino, N, Bravo‐Olivas, M L, Camp, E F, Casoli, E, & Ferreira, C E (2025) DiverReef: A global database of the behavior of recreational divers and their interactions with reefs over 20 years Ecology, 106(2), e4519 https://doiorg/101002/ecy4519
2 De Brauwer, M, Saunders, B J, AmboRappe, R, Jompa, J, McIlwain, J L, & Harvey, E S (2018) Time to stop mucking around? Impacts of underwater photography on cryptobenthic fauna found in soft sediment habitats Journal of Environmental Management, 218, 14-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.04.047.
3. Ma, A. T., Cheung, L. T., Lui, C. Y., Chow, A. S., Zhang, K., Lam, T. W., & Fok, L. (2024). Beneath the lens: Exploring the impacts of underwater photographers in marine-based tourism. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 47, 100796 https://doiorg/101016/jjort2024100796
As dive leaders we inherently add water to the mix of our leadership skills!
The ocean is our boardroom, and as leaders we need to model good judgement if we are all to have fun (and stay alive) in our world
The weather and sea conditions are our competition as opposed to the company next door
It is true that there are core leadership principles which are the same on land and in the water Effective communication, global awareness and teamwork all remain the same However, the execution of these principles requires different skills in action and the corresponding consequences that they can lead to require a completely different mindset.
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before you hit the water It’s not about our ego as a leader Our primary job is to bring everyone back safely (ideally after having had a good time if we are to keep our jobs!)
Boost diving safety Check yourself and check your buddy Set the scene for all to follow suit A good diving culture includes safety as the number one factor for having a good dive.
Finally, it is worth giving some credence to ‘leadership is an art’. Anyone can walk into a diving centre and ask to do a Divemaster (DM) course. However, we all need to grow and adapt to the role we wish to fulfill. There are extra, deeper skills required to lead divers safely underwater Indeed, dive leadership is unique and combines technical expertise with the ability to lead (without
using words) whilst managing risks where mistakes can be fatal
Advice? First, be a good diver Anyone can fall into the water and dive without any knowledge or waterman-ship grace The skill is to have fun and come back from your ocean visit safely and richer for it As for leadership, go to your local dive centre and see if you have what it takes!
“Have YOU Got What It Takes to Lead at DEPTH?”
In September and November 2025, researchers from the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS) had two encounters they did not expect. While conducting long-term spatial mapping surveys in the St. Sebastian area of the greater Bazaruto Seascape, outside the official boundaries of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, the team sighted two male juvenile whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) the first BCSS has ever documented in eight years of intensive monitoring
Both sharks appeared in shallow sanctuary waters between 5–10 meters, gliding slowly just below the surface One was initially observed feeding with its mouth open, passing calmly through a productive patch of water Neither showed injuries, scars, fishing lines, or any sign of disturbance Both were estimated at 5–6 meters, consistent with the juvenile size class that dominates most Western Indian Ocean (WIO) aggregation sites
For a region famous for dugongs, dolphins, manta rays, and large pelagic life, Bazaruto is surprisingly not known for whale sharks In fact, despite thousands of hours of boatbased surveys, BCSS had never encountered a whale shark here until 2025 Why now? And what do these rare sightings mean for divers, scientists, and conservationists working in Mozambique’s waters?
The Western Indian Ocean hosts some of the planet’s most spectacular whale shark sites From Djibouti to Mafia Island (Tanzania), Nosy Be (Madagascar), the Seychelles, and southern Mozambique’s well-known Tofo region, juvenile whale sharks aggregate around seasonal or yearround feeding hotspots
Across this range, scientific research (Rohner et al 2014, 2015, 2018; Cagua et al 2013, 2015; Prebble et al 2018) paints a consistent picture:
Whale shark populations are dominated by juveniles.
Their distribution is tightly linked to local productivity pulses.
Connectivity between sites is limited. Many individuals show long-term loyalty to a specific feeding region.
This contradicts the once-popular assumption that whale sharks roam the entire Indian Ocean freely and frequently Instead, studies show they behave more like residents than nomads moving widely at times, but consistently returning to familiar feeding grounds
That’s why the absence of whale sharks from the greater Bazaruto Seascape has long puzzled researchers
WHY BAZARUTO IS NOT TOFO AND WHY THAT MATTERS
Travel 400 km south of Bazaruto and you reach Tofo, one of the world’s most studied whale shark hotspots There, sharks occur year-round, drawn in by:
Three overlapping upwelling systems
Dense layers of plankton, especially sergestid shrimp
Warm, productive shelf waters
Coastal bathymetry that traps and aggregates prey.
Tofo is, in many ways, the perfect whale shark buffet. Long-term studies document high shark densities (up to 29 sharks per 100 km), strong coastal fidelity, and frequent surface feeding events.
But the Bazaruto Seascape operates under a different ecological script
BCSS’s long-term datasets show:
No whale shark sightings from 2017–2024.
Less intense upwelling and fewer productivity surges
A shallow, sandbank-dominated lagoonal system
More stable but less intense prey availability
Fewer dense prey patches that typically attract large filter-feeders.
In short, Bazaruto is a megafauna paradise but not a whale shark feeding ground. Which is precisely what makes the 2025 encounters so intriguing.
THE 2025 ENCOUNTERS: A BRIEF WINDOW INTO THE UNEXPECTED
September Encounter
The first shark appeared on a calm morning in September 2025 A 5–6 m juvenile cruised slowly through shallow water near St Sebastian, at the surface and open-mouth feeding a clear response to elevated prey density Its body showed no scars, hooks, or fishing-related injuries, often common among individuals in more heavily fished regions As the survey vessel approached, the shark maintained a steady course, indifferent to the presence of both the boat and swimmers
November Encounter
Two months later and roughly 2 km inshore of the Rollercoaster dive site, another (or possibly the same) juvenile whale shark appeared in similarly shallow water. Its behaviour mirrored the first encounter: calm, slow-moving, surface-oriented, and in excellent body condition.
When considered against eight years of total absence, these two sightings within the same small area are more than just chance observations
They are ecological signals
WHAT COULD BE CHANGING? FOUR POSSIBLE DRIVERS
Scientists caution against overinterpreting two data points but in long-term datasets, rare events often carry outsized meaning Several hypotheses may explain the sudden appearance of whale sharks in the greater Bazaruto Seascape:
1. A Localised Productivity Pulse
Even relatively stable systems sometimes experience short-lived surges of nutrients triggered by:
Wind events.
Internal wave mixing.
Small-scale upwelling.
Offshore eddies pushing productive water inshore.
The open-mouth feeding observed suggests the sharks encountered a dense patch of prey, even if only temporarily present
2. Shifts in Movement Corridors
Changing regional oceanography driven by warming, current fluctuations, or altered prey migrations could temporarily redirect whale sharks through seldom-used habitats Satellite tagging studies in the WIO show sharks can travel widely, even if they tend to remain loyal to primary feeding grounds
3. Climate-Linked Variability
The Western Indian Ocean is warming faster than most other oceans This affects the strength of the East African Coastal Current, eddy formation, and plankton distribution A slight shift in these large-scale dynamics could bring sharks into contact with new or marginal habitats.
4. Statistical Rarity
Eight years of absence does not guarantee an area is unimportant. It may simply reflect that whale sharks pass through infrequently, unpredictably, and briefly and BCSS was finally there at the right time.
CONSERVATION CONTEXT: WHY EVERY SIGHTING MATTERS
Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, whale sharks face mounting pressures across their range In the WIO, major threats include:
Gill net bycatch in coastal fisheries
Boat traffic and vessel strikes
Disturbance from tourism activities
Offshore industrial expansion
Shifting prey distribution driven by climate change
Critically, research shows that connectivity between WIO populations is low Juveniles seen in Tofo do not routinely mix with Mafia Island, Nosy Be, or Seychelles sharks This means:
Local declines cannot easily be offset by immigration. Each region requires its own conservation strategy and sustained monitoring
Even though whale sharks rarely appear in Bazaruto, the greater Bazaruto Seascape may serve as:
A marginal but valuable feeding corridor
A climate refuge in shifting ocean conditions
A juvenile exploration habitat
A temporary productivity hotspot during rare oceanographic events.
Documenting such rare appearances helps scientists map how whale shark ranges may be changing over time.
BCSS has operated one of the longest continuous boat-based spatial mapping programs in the Western Indian Ocean
These year-round expeditions collect:
Water column temperature and salinity
Plankton density and composition
Megafauna sightings
Bathymetry
Behavioural observations
Photographs and video
This kind of consistent effort is the only reason the 2025 whale shark encounters were captured with scientific accuracy
For divers and marine enthusiasts, the message is simple: Rare moments don’t happen in the lab—they happen because someone is out on the water, day after day, watching carefully.
One of the most compelling aspects of the 2025 encounters is who was on the boat
Alongside BCSS researchers, the sightings were witnessed and documented by participants of the BCSS Scientific Training Program a hands-on, field-based program that immerses early-career scientists in real marine research
Participants learn:
Photo-ID protocols for megafauna
Plankton and productivity sampling techniques
Behavioural recording and field note protocols
Species identification
Data analysis workflows
Oceanographic sampling
Ethics of wildlife interaction.
For many, seeing a whale shark for the first time especially in a region where sightings are nearly unheard of is a defining moment in their scientific journey.
For BCSS, it demonstrates why training programs are essential: they build capacity, support long-term monitoring, and turn rare encounters into lasting scientific contributions
For divers especially those familiar with Mozambique’s southern coast these observations raise both hope and questions
Hope because Bazaruto may host more megafauna diversity than previously understood.
If whale sharks occasionally pass through, even unpredictably, divers may be among the first to spot them
Questions—because changing encounter patterns may be linked to climate-driven shifts
Understanding these shifts is essential for safety (large animals near boats), conservation, and sustainable tourism planning.
Responsibility because whale sharks are vulnerable to disturbance.
The 2025 sharks showed no interest in people or boats, and maintained calm trajectories. Maintaining distance, avoiding blocking the shark’s path, and minimizing surface noise remain essential diver best practices
LOOKING FORWARD: WHAT BCSS WILL DO NEXT
BCSS is now taking several steps to build on these encounters:
1. Running Photo-ID Matches
Submissions to global and regional databases will help determine origin and connectivity
2. Continuing Year-Round Surveys
Long-term datasets are essential to detect rare events like these
3. Collaborating with WIO Whale Shark Researchers
Partnerships can help build a broader picture of regional movements.
4. Investigating Local Productivity Drivers
Why did sharks feed in St Sebastian in 2025? What environmental conditions triggered it?
5. Training More Young Scientists
Future megafauna discoveries depend on skilled observers in the field.
Whale sharks are among the most charismatic animals divers can ever encounter Yet their appearance in the greater Bazaruto Seascape a region monitored weekly by scientists went unrecorded for nearly a decade
Until two juveniles glided into shallow sanctuary waters in 2025
For the BCSS team and Scientific Training Program participants, it was a moment of awe For the scientific community, it was a new data point in a region hungry for information For divers, it was a reminder that the ocean is changing, often quietly, and sometimes in ways we only notice because someone is out there looking
FITNESS TO DIVE WHAT DIVERS TOLD US ABOUT HEALTH, FITNESS, AND SAFETY
DIVE FITNESS
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We all know that diving is more than just slipping beneath the waves it takes preparation, stamina, and good judgment But how fit are divers really, and how much does health play into the decisions we make before and during a dive?
To get a clearer picture, we asked nearly 300 divers about their exercise habits, cardiovascular health, and how often they take fitness into account when planning or adjusting a dive After removing a few incomplete responses, we analysed 281 completed surveys What came back was both reassuring and eye-opening
Most of our respondents weren’t brand-new divers In fact, more than 70% were over 45, with about 40% older than 55 That’s an experienced group, and it means fitness and heart health are not abstract concerns they’re very real factors in safe diving Certification levels told a similar story: about half identified as recreational divers, while more than a third were professionals, with a handful of technical divers in the mix
On the positive side, divers are active More than two-thirds said they train three or more days a week, and a solid group keeps up with five or more. That’s encouraging, but here’s the catch: only about one in three follow a structured fitness program like a gym routine, cardio plan, or flexibility schedule. The rest are active, but without much focus.
When asked to rate their own fitness, just over half called themselves “good” or “excellent” A smaller but important group admitted their fitness was only “fair” or “poor” That honesty matters because it shows that while many divers are confident, others know they’re not in peak shape and may be more cautious as a result
Cardiovascular issues are a fact of life for divers as they age About one in five
respondents reported a diagnosis like high blood pressure or arrhythmia That’s not surprising, given the age profile, but it’s significant for dive safety.
The good news? Most divers are getting checked. More than half said they see a doctor for a medical review either annually or every 2–3 years. On the other hand, almost a quarter said they only get checked when required, or rarely And while most denied any problems, nearly 8% admitted to chest pain, dizziness, or breathlessness with exertion Those are red flags that deserve medical attention
Self-monitoring things like checking blood pressure or heart rate was split right down the middle About six in ten said they do it at least occasionally, while the rest don’t bother That’s an easy win: a home blood-pressure cuff or fitness watch can give divers useful data to share with their doctor
Perhaps the most encouraging finding was how divers put awareness into action More than 80% said they always or sometimes factor fitness into planning dives Even more telling, one in five admitted they’d modified or aborted a dive because they didn’t feel up to it. That’s not weakness it’s good judgment.
A small group, about 5%, reported experiencing a fitness-related incident underwater. It’s a reminder that while these events aren’t common, they do happen and preparation can make the difference.
Divers also told us how they recover after a dive day About 44% said they allow 12–24 hours before resuming normal activity, while others bounced back faster Recovery is individual, but the message is clear: fatigue management matters, especially for older divers
On the lifestyle side, caffeine was by far the
most common companion three-quarters of divers said they use it on dive days Alcohol (about a quarter) and energy drinks (about 8%) showed up too. Not inherently unsafe, but worth thinking about when combined with exertion, hydration, and sleep.
Here’s where things get exciting: nearly three-quarters of respondents said they would welcome or might consider personalised fitness guidance tailored to diving Comments reflected this:
“I’d love to see a fitness routine designed for divers”
“As I get older, I want to keep diving but also protect my heart and stamina”
“It would be handy to know what fitness is needed for different dive scenarios”
These voices show that divers don’t just want warnings; they want tools
This survey paints a picture of a community that is active, aware, and committed to safe diving However, it also highlights areas where we can improve Most divers are engaging in sufficient activity to stay healthy, but relatively few are training with a
lies with each diver Knowing your body, being honest about your limits, and taking action when you’re not at your best are the keys to safe, enjoyable dives.
Train with purpose. Being active is good, but structured cardio and strength routines are better.
Get checked regularly. Especially if you’re over 45 or have risk factors Annual or biannual reviews should be the norm
Listen to your body Don’t ignore chest pain, unusual breathlessness, or dizziness
Plan and adjust Factor fitness into dive planning, and don’t hesitate to modify or abort a dive
Recover smart Build in 12–24 hours of recovery after demanding days
Watch the extras Manage caffeine intake, avoid alcohol on dive days, and stay well-hydrated
DAN can’t make divers fitter or healthier that’s up to you But we can help with guidance, resources, and reminders that connect fitness with safety By listening to divers’ experiences, supporting education, and encouraging medical vigilance, we can all work together to keep diving both safe
Q | I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and will now require insulin. Will I be able to dive again?
A diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabetes poses many significant health issues to consider, but it does not necessarily mean the end of your dive journey. Each dive requires thoughtful planning and medical oversight.
A significant immediate concern is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can cause impaired judgment, confusion, seizure, or loss of consciousness underwater In the long term, poorly controlled hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can result in a range of organ system impairments that can affect the visual, renal, and cardiovascular systems These considerations could impact your safety and ability to assist a dive buddy in an emergency
Before diving again, it’s essential to establish stable glycemic control and become familiar with how your body responds to insulin, food, and physical exertion You should be able to recognise the signs of a falling blood glucose level and act quickly
An adjustment period of three months to one year after diagnosis will help you evaluate your glucose control to ensure you have a stable treatment regimen. Consult with your endocrinologist about the required procedures for your treatment plan before and after entering the water.
In general, insulin-dependent divers should do the following:
Obtain medical clearance from their physician team that includes a dive medicine physician
Maintain excellent management of their diabetes without other organ system involvement
Avoid coldwater, deep, or technical diving, including overhead environments and decompression dives
Use proper thermal protection
Always carry a source of fast-acting glucose, and dive with an informed buddy
Many divers with diabetes return to safe recreational diving with the proper precautions, training, and support from their care team
- Diana Rodriguez, NREMT-P
Q | Can breast pain after diving be a symptom of decompression sickness (DCS)?
Yes, breast pain can be a symptom of cutaneous DCS or lymphatic DCS It is essential to make sure that the pain is confined to the breast’s soft tissues and is not chest pain
Cutaneous DCS often manifests in the skin overlying adipose tissue Adipose tissue, commonly known as body fat, is connective tissue that stores energy as fat The most common areas for cutaneous DCS are the abdomen, back, thighs, and breasts
Lymphatic DCS can manifest anywhere there is lymphatic tissue, a specialised tissue that plays a critical role in the immune system The breast contains a network of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes
Type 1 or mild DCS is usually characterised by musculoskeletal pain, skin rash, lymph
node swelling, and itching or raised skin. Obstruction of the lymphatic system is less common with Type 1 DCS but can result in swelling and localised pain in the tissues surrounding the lymph nodes
Breast pain associated with DCS can often be overlooked when it is the only symptom Divers have described their breast pain symptoms as itchiness, pain to the touch, and a feeling like the breasts are engorged The feeling of engorgement is possibly the inflammatory process in the lymphatic tissue, which impedes fluid drainage from the associated tissues These symptoms can be present with other, more common cutaneous and lymphatic DCS symptoms
There are other nondiving causes of breast pain that a physician should consider, especially if a diver’s history and physical exam are not consistent with DCS
- Jevon Monaghan, EMT-P
WHYDAN’SLEISURETRAVELBENEFITSMATTERS
TEXTBYGORDONYUILL,HEADOFWEALTHASSOCIATESRISK-N-SUREADVISORS
When it comes to diving, safety is paramount – having the right insurance is a vital part of responsible dive planning DAN Southern Africa (Divers Alert Network Southern Africa) is widely recognised as the region’s leading authority on dive safety, emergency medical support, and travel protection for divers. Their Leisure Travel membership plan offers comprehensive protection whether you’re exploring local waters or venturing abroad
DAN Southern Africa is not an insurance company Rather, it is the insured party under a blanket insurance arrangement with leading insurers DAN-SA negotiates and manages this cover on behalf of its members, extending insured benefits that are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of divers With decades of experience in dive medicine, emergency response, and member support, DAN-SA has earned a reputation for reliability and excellence When you join DAN-SA, you gain access to a trusted network and a safety net tailored for your diving lifestyle
A Diving Journey is any trip from your principal place of residence or business to a destination for the purpose of diving, regardless of distance. Whether you’re heading to a local reef just 20 km away or embarking on a multi-country expedition, if the primary purpose is diving, your journey qualifies for diving-related coverage.
DAN Southern Africa ensures that divingrelated medical and evacuation benefits are always active during a Diving Journey This includes:
Emergency Medical Expenses: Cover for diving-related injuries or illnesses such as decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, or barotrauma, from the moment you leave home
Emergency Evacuation: Full cover for emergency evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility, including necessary medical staff.
Hospital Confinement Cash Benefit: Daily cash benefit for each full day of hospitalisation due to a diving accident or illness.
Follow-up Treatment: For certain divingrelated conditions, follow-up treatment may be covered, provided it is approved by the DAN medical director and relates to the original injury
Key Point: Diving-related coverage applies regardless of how far you travel Even if your dive site is less than 100 km from home, as long as your trip qualifies as a Diving Journey, you are covered for diving-related emergencies
A Local Journey is defined as a trip of more than 100 km from your principal place of residence or business, with both the start and end points within your country of residence This threshold is important, as it determines when certain non-diving-related benefits become available
Coverage for Local Journeys
For Local Journeys, DAN Southern Africa extends cover for non-diving-related injuries or illnesses that occur more than 100 km from home. Benefits include:
Emergency Medical Expenses: Cover for non-diving related injuries or illnesses while on a Local Journey
Emergency Transport / Evacuation:
Emergency transport from the scene of the accident or illness to the nearest suitable medical facility, including costs for accompanying medical staff
Hospital Confinement Cash Benefit: Daily cash benefit for each full day of hospitalisation due to a covered event
Limitations
No cover for routine medical expenses or non-emergency treatment within 100 km of home.
Non-residents of the Area (Southern Africa) are not eligible for Local Journey benefits.
Prior authorisation from the DAN Hotline is required for emergency transport.
Diving-related coverage during a Local Journey is only active if the trip qualifies as a Diving Journey In other words, if you travel more than 100 km for a dive, both diving and non-diving related benefits may apply
An International Journey is any trip from your home to a destination outside your country of residence This is the broadest category of coverage and includes both diving and non-diving related events
Coverage for International Journeys International Journeys offer the most comprehensive benefits:
Emergency Medical & Related Expenses: Cover for both diving and non-diving related injuries or illnesses abroad
Emergency Medical Evacuation / Repatriation: Costs to transfer you to the nearest appropriate facility or repatriate you home, including necessary medical staff.
Follow-up Treatment in South Africa: If you receive treatment for a non-diving related illness or injury abroad, follow-up treatment in South Africa is covered if incurred within 30 days of return
Hospital Confinement Cash Benefit: Daily cash benefit for hospital or ICU confinement due to covered events
Extension to Family Members: Benefits can be shared with registered family members travelling with you
Prior Authorisation: All emergency transport and medical expenses must be authorised by the DAN Hotline
Limitations
Medical expenses incurred within South Africa during an international journey are not covered.
Non-residents of the Area are not eligible.
Cover for medical expenses continues until you are deemed fit for repatriation if you choose to remain abroad, further expenses are for your own account
For trips less than 100 km from your principal place of residence or business, nondiving related medical and evacuation benefits do not apply The membership plan is designed to exclude routine, shortdistance travel from coverage, as these risks are considered lower or may be covered by other forms of insurance
However, diving-related medical and evacuation benefits are still available if the trip qualifies as a Diving Journey This is a crucial distinction: if you are travelling specifically for diving, even a short trip is covered for diving emergencies.
DAN Southern Africa’s Leisure Travel policy offers robust protection for divers and travellers, backed by decades of expertise and a reputation for excellence As the insured party, DAN-SA negotiates and manages group insurance cover with leading insurers, extending these insured benefits to its members Diving-related emergencies are covered regardless of distance, as long as the trip qualifies as a Diving Journey For non-diving related events, the 100 km rule applies for local travel, while international travel offers the broadest coverage
Before you travel, review your membership plan benefits, ensure you understand the definitions, and always contact the DAN Hotline for prior authorisation in an emergency With DAN Southern Africa, you’re not just covered you’re supported by the region’s most trusted dive safety network, ready to assist wherever your adventures take you.
The automated external defibrillator (AED) was developed as a portable medical device and released for public use in the 1960s The operation of AEDs has gotten simpler over the years, and the devices are now widely available for use by lay providers with basic training
The benefits of the quick application of an AED are undeniable. In many reviews of cases involving a lay provider, we see a survival rate of around 5% to 9% of cases involving CPR without an AED. With the timely application of an AED, the survival rates leap to 30% to 40%
The use of an AED is invaluable in cases of sudden cardiac issues Some common misconceptions, however, make many laypeople hesitant to use one We hope discussing these fallacies will help lay providers be more confident using an AED
Misconception: An AED restarts a flatlined heart. An AED will recommend a shock only when it detects certain (shockable) dangerous heart rhythms that cannot effectively pump the blood An AED will not deliver a shock to a fully stopped heart with no detectable electrical activity
Misconception: I cannot use an AED on a wet floor or in the rain. Studies show that being in a wet environment is not a concern if the pads are well-adhered to the chest Drying the chest before applying the pads results in better adhesion
Misconception: Do not use an AED if the injured person is on snow or ice. Snow and ice are not good conductors, so you can use an AED on someone lying on snow or ice.
Misconception: I cannot use an AED on a metal dock or boat. You can use an AED when the injured person is on a pier or boat if you make sure the pads are not touching the metal when delivering a shock The electrical shock can move further across the body rather than just across the chest, so be especially careful that no one is touching the injured person The current travels between the pads along the path of least resistance; however, it does not go to the ground
Misconception: Do not use an AED on a pregnant person. You should still use an AED It will not recommend a shock unless the heart is in a shockable rhythm that needs to be addressed for the potential survival of the person and the baby
People expect recreational diving to be an enjoyable experience of adventure and fun Divers are explorers and retain a sense of optimism regardless of how many dives they have done While we dive with great expectations, incidents do occur often when we least expect them
For more than 15 years, each quarterly issue of Alert Diver has featured harrowing tales of dive incidents in our recurring Incident Insight column All these articles share a critical element in common: They are reallife, anecdotal stories from our readers The situations often begin under ideal or routine conditions and quickly escalate into lifethreatening or fatal emergencies
A recent review of these cautionary tales highlights their themes and reminds divers of what they can learn from these stories and how to avoid similar situations.
WHENTHEUNTHINKABLEHAPPENS
PREPARATIONMAKESTHEDIFFERENCE
TEXTBYKYLEKRAY
If one thing is clear from reviewing 15 years of Incident Insight articles, it’s that “It is a perfect day for diving” is not a safety plan
“WEATHER”
Nearly half of our Incident Insight articles feature calm seas, sunny skies, and clear visibility. These accounts start with perfect dive conditions, only to turn dangerous in seconds. This abrupt pivot from peaceful diving to a serious incident indicates that ideal weather conditions are no guarantee of safety.
From shark bites to equipment failures to panic responses, these stories remind us that emergencies can occur in any weather conditions Incidents don’t depend on current or temperature; they can happen in calm, shallow water during checkout dives or while training in indoor pools
Do not allow the weather to foster a false sense of security in your dive activities The sudden chaos of an emergency in idyllic conditions can catch even the most experienced diver off guard
Complacency is a major recurring contributor to these stories Divers sometimes skip routine checklists or rush their dive plans They may dismiss potential issues such as fatigue, equipment wear and tear, and a lack of recent dive experience as minor threats to diver safety.
Our readers share how seemingly minor problems can rapidly escalate into injuries and fatalities: A diver with a flooded mask bolts for the surface, or mild inattentiveness to air consumption leads to an out-of-air emergency Divers on vacation may be less vigilant about their safety, or a dive team may mentally check out before the end of their trip’s last dive, resulting in someone suffering the consequences
A casual attitude toward hazardous marine life sometimes results in life-changing or lifeending experiences Divers delay treatment of decompression illness because they don’t take their symptoms seriously or don’t believe it could happen to them
We have published all these types of stories and more The simplest insight from all these different incidents is that the most dangerous dive is the one you underestimate. Ignore no symptoms, make no assumptions, and take no unnecessary risks.
These stories also highlight the critical role of a prepared response in an emergency Stories with a favourable outcome typically involve the successful implementation of an emergency action plan (EAP), skills training, and the proper use of first aid equipment
When time is of the essence, survival hinges on someone recognising the problem and reacting quickly, which depends on their planning in advance of the actual emergency The absence of an EAP and general preparedness can prove fatal The Incident Insight column frequently highlights the need for an EAP, particularly when you are confident that nothing will go wrong When your dive is so simple that you think you don’t need an EAP, that’s when you need one the most
The perishable nature of dive skills is another typical lesson from this column Divers cannot afford to let their skills degrade. If you haven’t reviewed air-sharing techniques, practised emergency ascents, or done a thorough buddy check in months or years, you won’t be ready to react when things go wrong.
First aid success stories are among the most heartening to read and raise an important point: First aid supplies are effective only if someone is properly trained to use them Few stories are more distressing than fatal incidents where first aid skills or equipment, such as oxygen units, could have prevented the outcome
“When the Unthinkable Happens, Preparation Makes the Difference”
RAID DIVE MASTER, SIDEMOUNT DIVER , SIDEMOUNT CCR DIVER & CAVE DIVER NADINE WALES SMITH CRUISING ON ROONIES IN SODWANA | IMAGE BY STUART SKENE
RAID DIVE MASTER, SIDEMOUNT DIVER , SIDEMOUNT CCR DIVER & CAVE DIVER NADINE WALES SMITH CRUISING ON ROONIES IN SODWANA | IMAGE BY STUART SKENE
From the depths of flooded caves and sumps across the world from the Cenotes of Mexico to the Mines of Europe, the springs of Australia, and the Karst systems of Asia sidemount diving slowly emerged from its shadowy origins and broke into the sunlight of the mainstream scuba world
It didn’t just arrive quietly; it burst onto the scene, sweeping through the global dive community and finding fertile ground almost everywhere it landed And for good reason It brought with it innovation, flexibility, and a kind of fresh energy that hadn’t been seen in recreational diving for years
The benefits are many and if you ask anyone who has dived sidemount, the list is almost endless. Sure, there are the technical
advantages, but beyond all that, two things stood head and shoulders above the rest: sexiness and comfort Let’s be honest sidemount looks cool. There’s a certain confidence, a kind of understated swagger that comes with it. And it’s not just about looks it’s also one of the most comfortable ways to dive once you’ve got it dialled in.
As the configuration spread, something unexpected happened Divers who had never even considered entering caves suddenly found themselves fascinated by the idea The lure of that streamlined freedom, the promise of independence, and the sheer versatility of sidemount bled across disciplines, and the cave diving industry boomed as a result Manufacturers scrambled to keep up with the growing demand for dedicated sidemount BCDs, regulators, lights, and accessories The surge in sales caught everyone off guard sidemount wasn’t just a niche anymore, it was a movement
Then, a few years ago, the sidemount wave hit South Africa And it hit hard
Suddenly, everyone and their cousin seemed to be doing it Inland dive centres pushed sidemount courses to every diver who walked through the door, and coastal dive operators looked on in a mix of awe and curiosity as this “new style” of diving swept across the country.
I’ll admit, it took those of us on the coast a little time to catch up But when we did, sidemount seemed to offer exactly what our industry needed something fresh, exciting, and full of potential
And for a few years, that promise held true Sidemount gave divers a renewed sense of enthusiasm, and for a while it really did feel like the start of something lasting But then, slowly, the momentum began to fade
The economy tightened, and with it, the appetite for new gear and training waned But that wasn’t the whole story The deeper reason sidemount lost its sparkle in South Africa was that we, as an industry, missed a trick.
We never truly explored what sidemount could become beyond weekend fun dives or personal dive time records. We treated it as a novelty rather than a foundation. And in doing so, most of us, not all of us, overlooked one of its greatest strengths its potential in open-circuit technical diving
Mention technical diving and you’ll still see a few eyes glaze over It conjures up images of heavy twinsets, complex gear, and long, cold dives Fair enough that reputation wasn’t entirely undeserved But here’s the thing: sidemount changes all of that
Agencies like RAID International, amongst others, have been instrumental in this resurgence, with modern training philosophies that encourage modular, realistic, and performance-based approaches RAID’s emphasis on skill mastery, streamlining, and diver independence fits the sidemount ethos perfectly
We are slowly seeing a re-emergence of interest in Sidemount in the coastal regions of South Africa and especially in KZN and in the Western Cape A recent collaboration with Dive Action in Cape Town, during October 2025 saw us running a joint Sidemount course as well as running Sidemount Try Dives, with the intent of driving this re-emergence. Another set of courses will kick off in Cape Town in December 2025. Long may it continue.
Sidemount diving didn’t vanish it just evolved The early hype may have faded, but what’s emerging now is something far more sustainable and mature
Sidemount represents more than just a configuration It represents a way of thinking about balance, independence, and adaptability Whether you’re a recreational diver chasing comfort and freedom, or a budding tech diver exploring deeper, sidemount offers a path that’s both accessible and empowering
After all, sidemount isn’t about where you hang your cylinders It’s about how you approach your diving
S T O R Y
FILMMAKING ON A SINGLE BREATH
SPECIAL INTEREST
TEXT&IMAGESBY BETHNEALE
Ironically, it was sharks that brought everything full circle The first time I saw a shark while freediving, I expected fear. Instead, I found grace. Watching these powerful fish glide through the blue dissolved decades of misunderstanding both mine and society’s.
Since then, I’ve used my camera to challenge those old narratives to show that sharks aren’t monsters, but essential guardians of balance Through film, I hope to help others see sharks and the ocean through new eyes
Today, my work has expanded beyond my own dives One of the films I’m currently producing is The Zulu Divers the story of Chester Gumede and Zandi (Zee) Zikhali, two Zulu freedivers from Sodwana Bay Chester taught Zandi to dive, and together they overcame extraordinary challenges to become instructors They now work for Dive St Helena on the island, continuing their dream It’s a story of resilience and transformation proof that the ocean connects us all across backgrounds and boundaries I’m also producing for Carte Blanche, telling meaningful ocean stories that reach and inspire audiences across South Africa.
The ocean gave me my purpose and, in many ways, my family too. My daughters, four-year-old Neve and one-year-old Nera, are growing up in the water, learning to hold their breath and trust the sea Experiencing a dolphin swim with Neve was the most extraordinary moment of my life and of course, we filmed it Watching them dive reminds me that storytelling isn’t just about cameras and scripts it’s about legacy
Miles and I even hold a Guinness World Record for the longest underwater kiss a joyful way of sharing “ocean love” with the world, and proof that conservation stories
can also make people smile Through our work, and through our girls, I’m reminded that every story like every dive begins with a single breath. Watching them discover the ocean reminds me why I started to pass on a love that begins with one breath.
Beth Neale is a four-time South African freediving record holder, Pure Apnea Master Freediving Instructor, and filmmaker She is the founder of Freediving Diaries and shares her work with global audiences as @OneBreathBeth and can hold her breath for 6 minutes
I’m often afflicted by earworms while underwater It doesn’t matter whether I’m swimming laps or scuba diving; little snippets of music come unbidden to my mind and repeat incessantly
I was in Little Cayman this past May, and a lyric hit me on the first dive: “Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last.” I had been invaded by Simon and Garfunkel’s 1966 hit “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy).”
That made sense because I hadn’t visited Little Cayman in nearly a decade, and the Florida Keys and the Caribbean had suffered environmental challenges since then Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) had made its way from island to island throughout the Caribbean Basin, affecting primarily stony and hard corals To add insult to injury, 2023 and 2024 brought exceedingly warm waters and coral bleaching, and then Hurricane Beryl hit the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman last July
I didn’t know what to expect from the shallow reef and walls of Bloody Bay due to the disease, global warming, and stormdriven waves This trip would include dives of rediscovery
I didn’t expect it to be like the best of the Coral Triangle, where you take one photo and look up to find the next set-up is waiting a few yards down the reef That’s typical of the Caribbean historically and in general The pleasures are more sublime and paced differently It was indeed slower, and the photo ops lived on a different time continuum.
I was pleased to find the usual suspects were there in profusion. The Nassau groupers were abundant, and we saw turtles on almost every dive. As I edited my images down to the top 20 for this article, too many turtle and grouper shots made the cut, even after trying to discipline myself They are such a major part of the Little Cayman dive experience, however, I allowed for a bit of redundancy
Nassau groupers are hard to find anywhere these days Even though they are ridiculously abundant and approachable here, it speaks to an accident of nature (a grouper spawning aggregation site) and decades of marine conservation that they so dominate the reef
The water clarity of 60 to 120 feet (18 to 37 meters) added to my reassurance Warm,
clear water, zero current, and easy, mellow diving define the Little Cayman vibe That is not to say the winds can’t rage, but they didn’t during our week there, and all our diving was exceedingly relaxing.
The sponges were still there, although the biggest and best formations were mostly deeper, around 70 feet (21 m) and below, suggesting that the recent hurricane had scrubbed some of the shallow decorations My takeaway was that Little Cayman was still sweet, maybe not the same, but quite nice And unlike that Coral Triangle reef, it wasn’t at the end of a 36-hour flight ordeal, and it didn’t cost thousands of dollars even tens of thousands for a business class ticket to get there Seeing that one of my longtime Caribbean favourites remained viable was a great relief
Little Cayman, one of the three Cayman Islands, is located about 5 miles (8 kilometres) from the tip of Cayman Brac With Grand Cayman, these three are collectively known as the Sister Islands All three islands are relatively small specks of land, the upper elevations of a submarine ridge that runs from Belize to Cuba, but Little Cayman is the smallest of the three
The Sister Islands are near enough that dive boats from the Brac tend to make a weekly pilgrimage to dive the drop-offs at Bloody Bay Wall. Conversely, boats based on Little Cayman tend to run to the Brac to dive the wreck of the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, weather permitting.
Grand Cayman is much farther away, about 90 miles (145 km), so the only way to dive select sites on all three Cayman Islands during a one-week holiday is on Cayman’s only dive liveaboard, the Cayman Aggressor IV
Little Cayman is only about 10 miles (16 km) long and barely a mile (16 km) wide, with an elevation of about 40 feet (12 m) Despite its
size, it is a place so special that it is presently under consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site While the selection process is rigorous and ongoing, Little Cayman has advanced through several preliminary rounds and is favorably considered for several reasons.
It is a marine and bird sanctuary with nesting beaches for hawksbill, green, and loggerhead turtles The island is home to the only breeding area for the red-footed booby in the Cayman Islands, as well as a population of magnificent frigatebirds
A long-established marine protected area (MPA) encompasses nearly 75% of the island’s shoreline This area includes mangrove forests, seagrass flats, patch and fringing coral reefs, and a wall that plunges vertically from less than 20 feet (6 m) to the depths of the Cayman Trench at more than 25,000 feet (7,686 m) The MPA protects to a depth of 148 feet (45 m), but the maximum depth suggested by the Cayman Islands Watersports Operators Association (CIWOA) is 110 feet (34 m)
The Grouper Moon Project is a significant conservation success story, having protected a spawning site for Nassau groupers listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2002.
The protection of the Nassau grouper spawning site is particularly interesting. Ned DeLoach told me about the early years before protection existed. The local fishers on Little Cayman knew of aggregations, where groupers would travel great distances during winter full moons to group together and spawn About 80 of these spawning sites once existed throughout the Caribbean, but due to the high concentration of fish, the ease of fishing, and the greed overtaking logical conservation, anglers decimated most of them
It almost went that way on Little Cayman
It was one thing when a few local fishers took only enough to feed their families on Little Cayman, but quite another when fishers from other islands caught on and extracted so many fish that there wasn’t enough ice on Grand Cayman to keep them from rotting, and they wasted at the fish market.
The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) initiated the Grouper Moon Project in collaboration with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment Fishing a spawning aggregation was not sustainable for the species, and they had already been harvested to the point of collapse
On Aug 15, 2016, the Cayman Islands enacted regulations to protect and recover Nassau groupers, including a prohibition on possession or sale from December through April, thereby removing any commercial value for fresh fish taken during the spawning months
Nassau groupers can’t be taken by speargun another reason they are so friendly and trusting on Little Cayman There are other regulations relating to Nassau groupers, but for divers on Little Cayman, having a protected spawn, fish that are not acclimated to death by spear, and decades of MPA status protecting them from hookand-line extraction creates a sweet spot that exists nowhere else in the Caribbean, except perhaps Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina.
I hosted a photo event on Little Cayman in 2017, when we had unseasonably breezy conditions We couldn’t do the normal daily run to the north-side reefs, which involved passing through a cut in the reef and circumnavigating the island’s western tip before accessing the dozens of sites moored along the famed Bloody Bay Wall and Jackson Bight
It was nice along the south side, where
hardpan shallows build to spur-and-groove channels At 45 to 50 feet (14 to 15 m), large coral bommies rise some 20 feet (6 m) high
A small shipwreck the Soto Trader, a 120foot (37-m) island freighter rests in only 50 feet (15 m) of water.
The last time I had dived that one was when I shot the catalogue for the Nikonos RS, which was introduced in 1992. I would have liked to see how the corals had fared and dive the Soto Trader again, for old times’ sake, but with the nice weather during this trip, we did what most everyone else does and dived exclusively on the north side
Bill Harrigan and I co-wrote The Cayman Islands Dive Guide in 1999 I hadn’t looked at it for a few years, but pulled it out to compare the photos on specific sites back then to the reefs I was seeing now Some sites, such as Bus Stop the Jackson Bight site chosen for our checkout dive suffered in the comparison, mainly because SCTLD had inevitably affected the giant hard coral buttresses that initially defined the site It was fine for the checkout, but one dive was enough Other sites I had never dived before called out for repeats, and many iconic sites had held up beautifully over the years
I sat out one of the afternoon dives, so of course that’s the one my buddies came back from raving about the Caribbean reef shark encounter along Bloody Bay Wall and the profusion of schooling grunts and Bermuda chubs. That was disappointing for me, but we added Ringer’s Wall to the itinerary later in the week, and it delivered again
There wasn’t another shark flyby, but the consistent green sea turtle encounters were enhanced by a friendly loggerhead that went to an underwater ledge for an afternoon nap, occasionally rising for a breath and returning to the same spot The schooling grunts and chubs were still there, and many squirrelfish lined up along the bases of yellow tube sponges
Jigsaw Puzzle along the west end of Bloody Bay was another new one to me It was a slow dive as we meandered along the wall, but we encountered a nurse shark at rest beneath a coral ledge and a foraging stingray as we came back along the sand flat. My highlight was a Nassau grouper tucked up against a sea fan, oblivious to our proximity.
My buddy took a series of wide-angle shots with his 16-35mm zoom, which I obliged as the background model, and then we swapped places I had only a 35mm macro mounted, so I had to shoot quite tight The grouper was so indifferent that I could be in position 3 feet (1 m) away on one side, and my model could carefully approach within 6 inches (15 centimetres) of the grouper on the other, all without any sign of stress from the fish We carefully lifted off, and the grouper never moved the entire time
While on the deco line on this dive, I watched a father and son team returning to the boat from the same dive A barracuda closely approached them, and they remained motionless, just watching without any cameras I saw the encounter from above, where the fish swam curiously within a foot (30 cm) of them and then slowly swam away. The son turned to his dad, put his fists to his head, and swept them outward the universal symbol for “my head is exploding.”
They were still talking about the encounter back on the boat, saying it was the best dive they had ever had. I don’t know what was the most heartwarming, that the dad and his son got to share that moment together or that the shifting baseline perspective was valid While I was seeing Little Cayman from the comparison of decades, this was the son’s first experience, and he was blown away
I’ve learned over the years that I remember only the broad strokes of a dive holiday, but specific details about which dive delivered
what highlight get foggy I now add the dive site name to the metadata of the digital files, which led me to wonder, of the 20 images that survived the edit, what site was the most productive and why? The metadata would reveal all.
This site has always been one of my favourites, so it’s no surprise it made the list. The wall starts at 18 feet (5 m), hence the alternate appellation, and there is a chasm in the wall face Jackson Bight is to the left, and Bloody Bay Wall is to the right I took a turtle silhouette against the sun ball and traditional turtle foreground with diver background shots here, although the turtles are so abundant that I could have done that on almost any dive along Bloody Bay The schools of grunts amid the gorgonians and sea fans are iconic of Mixing Bowl, and the wall retains nice decoration
No sooner had I entered the water than I saw a spotted eagle ray cruising along the edge of the wall It took me a little way out into the blue in pursuit, and then I dropped along the wall to about 80 feet (24 m), waiting for the rest of the group to swim by the various sponge formations along the vertical wall.
This site was good for so many of the reasons already mentioned, but curiously, the only shots that made the top 20 were a grouper at a cleaning station and a loggerhead turtle sleeping beneath a coral ledge
This wall provides the classic Little Cayman wide-angle opportunities Giant orange elephant ear sponges are flanked by rope and tube sponges, all bathed in indigo water
TIBBETTS
This ship was sunk as a dive site on Sept 17, 1996, and now rests on its port side in about 85 feet (26 m) of water and is scattered into several large modules along the slope up to about 25 feet (8 m). The 330-foot (101-m) ship was a Russian frigate built for speed, not longevity. As a result, dissimilar metals (steel hull, aluminium superstructure) have fallen victim to electrolysis and storm-driven waves
Hurricane Beryl stripped some of the sponges and scattered the ship a bit enough that it looks different from when I last visited the Brac in 2022 It is still a great dive and one of the few recreational shipwrecks with its gun emplacements intact, both amidship and at the especially photogenic stern
RANDY’S GAZEBO
This site is another of the classic Bloody Bay wall dives, several of which have swimthrough chimneys with openings along the reef shallows and exiting the wall at about 80 feet (24 m) This one is especially good in the shallows, too, with cooperative French angelfish swimming among the sea fans
From Nassau groupers to a variety of turtles, corals, sponges, and a plethora of marine life within its warm, clear, protected waters, the Little Cayman dive experience provides a mellow vibe. Feeling groovy indeed.
Getting there: Grand Cayman is among the Caribbean’s most easily accessed destinations, with direct flights from numerous carriers, including the nation’s flag carrier, Cayman Airways, arriving daily at Owen Roberts International Airport in George Town. Little Cayman requires a connecting flight on Cayman Airways’ de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, landing at the Edward Bodden Airfield (LYB) on the island’s southwest tip The airfield has a 3,275-foot (998 m) runway
This quaint little airport may soon be replaced with a larger facility to accommodate larger aeroplanes and more passengers The Cayman Compass reports that the proposed airfield will include a new terminal and a 4,000-foot-long (1,219-m) runway, with 767-foot-long (234-m) runwayend safety areas and an access road to the coastal road Construction could begin next year if approved, with the airport operational by 2028 This development is controversial, as it could increase the island’s tourism capacity and invite new development
When travelling to Cayman Brac or Little Cayman via the Twin Otter service, the baggage allowance is two checked bags with a combined weight of 55 pounds (25 kilograms) and one 15-pound (7-kg) carry-on per person. Excess weight charges are reasonable, only US$0.50 per pound.
The Twin Otter service has a hard limit on checked baggage, combining the weight of passengers plus cargo to ensure safe aviation. There can be as many as 10 flights a day from Grand Cayman to Little Cayman, so if your bags don’t make it on your flight, they will likely arrive on a subsequent flight, and then the resort will transport them to your room. The flight from Little Cayman to Grand Cayman is a bit more challenging because of the international connecting flights, but Cayman Airways is good about transporting bags to the various carriers It is a hassle and angst-inducing, however, to arrive without your bags when a connecting flight deadline is approaching
Conditions: The water temperature is usually 79°F–86°F (26°C–30°C) year-round, so a 3 mm wetsuit is perfect Air temperatures are balmy, with the occasional cold snap dropping below 60°F (156°C) Visibility ranges from good to outstanding 60 feet
to 120 feet (18 to 37 m) unless there is a strong, consistent wind When the north wind picks up, the waves can batter the shore and stir up sediment on the shallow, hardpan seafloor, creating turbidity. The good news is that this leaves the southern dive sites with good visibility. Go Conditions
Dive operations prefer that recreational scuba diving be kept to 100 feet (30 m) and shallower, and currents aren’t often an issue Most diving is in reasonably placid conditions Dive operations are professional and safe, and most operate large and seaworthy boats A hyperbaric chamber is in George Town, Grand Cayman
Currency: Prices are typically quoted in Cayman dollars, abbreviated as CI$ (which in June was valued at about US$120) It is good to check if prices are quoted in US or Cayman dollars
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TEXTBYOFEKLIEPAZ
THORNBACK COWFISH, DIANI BEACH
THORNBACK COWFISH, DIANI BEACH
Indonesia or the Red Sea, but it offers its own kind of magic It’s warm, relaxed, and full of photographic potential for anyone willing to slow down and look closely Add to that the friendliness of the local people, and you have one of the most rewarding and underrated dive destinations in Africa, which I will definitely be returning to
Sony A7III, Canon 8–15 mm fisheye, Sony 90 mm macro with AOI +6 diopter, SUPE D-Max strobes, Seafrogs housing
Ofek Liepaz is a Cape Town–based underwater photographer and ocean advocate who splits his time between diving Africa’s coastlines and supporting ocean startups on the continent through his work in venture capital with Katapult Ocean. His
photography focuses on cryptic marine life and the hidden beauty of the underwater world, with images featured in international publications and competitions
“Why this tropical destination should be on your travel list.”
An expedition to explore the furthest corners of Madagascar – a team on a mission to discover and document these wild places
Places of natural wonder; of breathtaking scenery; and unique local communities This is a collection of photos and descriptions from a forgotten paradise hidden in the creases of a map.
On the white sandy shore of Nosy Andrano, a tiny island off the west coast of Madagascar, a collection of handmade canoes line up as if on the start of a regatta. Dragged high up onto the beach, these brightly painted dugouts are both the livelihood and prideand-joy of this remote African community Each skipper takes great care to match their shirt with the colour of their boat, carrying their head high as they hoist handmade sails, and head out to sea every morning
Living on an island without fresh water is not easy, but this smiling nation makes do with nothing – creating a thriving community that has everything they need
They live to a completely different rhythm
Their days are governed by the wind and tide; where nature dictates the fishing – and with it, their lives
These quaint tropical islands off the west coast of Madagascar are a true paradise Void of tourists due to their remote location, this little archipelago is several days’ sail away from civilization This arid land is a welcome sight after nothing but undulating blue for days on end: each island is encircled by coral reef, enabling these little humps of sand to rise out of dream-like tropical water. Barren islands indeed, the dry mounds of earth live up to their name. With little more than a couple scraggly bushes hardly above highwater, it is amazing these islands harbour entire villages on their sandy shores.
The dark ocean breaks against turquoise shallows, and a low-lying pile of sand forms the home for huge flocks of terns The ocean rolls up the beach, engulfing the lone dry patch in clear tropical water and sending the sea birds scurrying They lift off into the cloudless sky, their elegant forms and graceful wings filling the space above the sand – while waves swallow up the bank Like dancing clouds of white, they float above the sand bank in an ever-morphing, twisting, turning show Distant feathered wings catch the shimmering sun as they duck and dive under a clear and cloudless sky
and gliding between otherworldly stone giants, we search for hidden coves and rare species Moramba Bay’s fantastic rock formations are full of surprises! Strange, inaccessible caverns perch high above the water, their entrances looming like a dragon lying in wait – guardians of this mystical land
Where we land on silent beaches, our footsteps are the only tracks in the soft, clean sand They are little coves of quiet beauty, where the sweet sound of solitude cloaks the porous basalt statues lining this shoreline A tucked away and seemingly forgotten paradise, Moramba Bay is magnificently remote and wild With one’s gaze locked on the shimmering ocean, we admire a memorable sunset between the peaceful branches of a bare baobab. The glowing red orb sinks slowly into the sea,
bathing one of Madagascar’s most exotic bays in soft, orange light
As the mosquitos chase us back onto the water, one cannot help but admire this place with spellbound reverence – a breathtaking landscape seemingly lost in the creases of the map
“The Last Frontier!
Discovering the Untamed Corners of Madagascar.”
AJOURNEYBENEATHTHEWAVESOFBUNAKEN,BANGKAANDLEMBEH
TEXT&IMAGESBYADAMSOKOLSKI
SMALL CUTTLEFISH SMALL CUTTLEFISH
through Bangka’s coral gardens, to Lembeh’s volcanic sands Each has its own rhythm, personality, and magic, yet together they form an unforgettable journey through some of Indonesia’s finest diving
For divers, it’s an ideal combination variety, short transfers between sites, friendly local teams, and excellent logistics. For underwater photographers, it’s a constant source of inspiration. In a single trip, one can move from wide-angle seascapes to delicate coral textures and microscopic marine life that feels like living art
Each stop on this journey taught me something different Bunaken reminded me of the majesty of underwater landscapes Bangka rekindled my love for macro work
amid colourful reefs And Lembeh taught patience, humility, and the joy of discovering the smallest wonders that many divers overlook
North Sulawesi is a place that stays with you long after you surface not only for its marine life, but also for the people, the atmosphere, and the calm that lingers long after the journey ends.
“Journey Through One of the Ocean’s Most Biodiverse & Breathtaking Ecosystems.”
OFEK LIEPAZ
Equipment Used: Sony A7III, Sony 90mm macro lens, Seafrogs housing, Nauticam SMC-1, dual Inon Z240 strobes, Orcatorch D900v focus light
Location: South Africa, False Bay, Atlantis Reef
Image Description: White-Edged Nudibranch
This image of a white-edged nudibranch was taken at Atlantis Reef in False Bay. This individual was moving across a patch of pink encrusting algae, and the colours lined up perfectly to create a soft, natural pink background that contrasted nicely with its pale and orange body.
Shooting macro at this scale requires patience and very steady buoyancy. The surge made it difficult to keep the nudibranch within the narrow working distance of my diopter, but it also caused it to lift slightly from the rock and face upward from time to time. I managed to time it just right and got this shot on the first try, which, as any macro photographer knows, doesn’t happen very often.
I had the privilege of training under DAN Examiner Megan Wagner, whose professionalism and passion made the experience truly exceptional The DAN Instructor Training workshop itself was wellstructured, engaging, and thoroughly informative a perfect balance of theory and practical application I would highly recommend DAN Diving First Aid Training to anyone looking to expand their first aid skills and knowledge; it’s an experience that exceeds expectations on every level
DAN Education fulfils a key element of the DAN Mission by educating the diving public and the medical profession on the appropriate care for divers injured in dive accidents. This education takes on many forms, disseminating information on topics related to dive safety through articles, reports, seminars, lectures and training programs.
WHEN SHOULD I PHONE THE DAN HOTLINE?
All diving emergencies
Non-diving medical emergencies
Diving medical information, such as fitness to dive, medication, and travel medical advice and enquiries
Travel notifications and advice
Diving medical examiner contact details
International medical centres or doctors who want to confirm DAN memberships
WHAT DO I NEED TO HAVE READY?
The caller and/or patient’s name and contact number
The nature of the emergency
The patient’s DAN membership number, if applicable or known
The patient’s medical aid information, if the incident occurred within
South Africa
The patient’s travel insurance information, if applicable
If the caller is not at the scene, at least one local contact number should be provided in order to reach the person that is in need of assistance, or those who are in charge of their care
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE LOGGED THE EMERGENCY?
DAN makes a conference call to one of the on-call diving medical officers (DMOs) when an emergency call is received and the nature of the event has been established The DMO will provide specialist diving medical advice regarding how and what should be done immediately and will also make decisions concerning the further management of each case, depending on the situation
WILL I GET EVACUATION BY AIR?
Aeromedical resources, such as helicopters and air ambulances, cannot be dispatched unless authorised by the DMO It may take longer to activate an air ambulance than it would take to mobilise emergency medical services via a ground ambulance. Several factors, aside from costs, will determine aeromedical evacuation
The DAN hotline provides emergency medical assistance to injured divers We encourage you to call early, even when you are uncertain, rather than wait until the situation has become critical as the opportunity to assist becomes more restricted.
