The Recreational Dive Planner – Instruction for use

So you’re new to diving and you’re not learning the recreational dive planner. Perhaps you are learning but want to know more before you take a closures or as a refresher. There is a new article out on Divetalking that will walk you through the RDP. It also has links to many other articles out at Divetalking on the subject. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Article, Computers, Dive Planner, Diver, Divetalking, Education, Featured, Publications, Quiz, RDP, Reference, Training
RDP Plus – Properly Calculate Total Bottom Time on repetitive dives

One of the most common errors I witness as an Instructor is calculating the correct Total Bottom Time on the Recreational Dive Planner. The failure to add Residual Nitrogen Times to the Actual Bottom Time leaves the diver with an increasing accumulation of nitrogen in the body. Why is this a problem? It exposes the diver to the possibilities of Decompression Illness which could lead to serious harm to the diver. Why is calculating Total Bottom … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adv. Open Water, Article, Dive Planner, Divetalking, Education, Featured, Open Water, RDP, Reference, Training
Understanding Enriched Air Nitrox

Let me start the article with stating what you are about to read is NOT a substitute for training from a certified Enriched Air Instructor. What you read here compliments that instruction. It may be used to prep before you participate in instruction or as a refresher. Enriched Air Certification is earned only through a certified Enriched Air Instructor. Do Not attempt to dive Nitrox without being certified. If you are interested in becoming Enriched … Read entire article »
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PADI Forms

Divetalking has put together a page where commonly use PADI Forms (in English) may be found. The forms are printable, completed handed or emailed to the Dive Operator. By filling out the forms in advance, you can assure they are filled out correctly as well as save time during the check in process… The forms page may be found under Learning (above), then select PADI FORMS or you may click here on PADI FORMS to be … Read entire article »
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Six Reasons Why You Should Not Swim with Wild Spinner Dolphins
Would you swim with wild spinner dolphins if you knew that they were trying to sleep? Swimmers and boats that come to visit wild spinner dolphins close to shore during the day could be disturbing their rest and potentially harming them. Wild spinner dolphins feed off-shore at night and return to sheltered bays and coastlines during the day to rest, socialize, tend to their young, and avoid predators. Continue Reading More HERE … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Article, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Dolphin, Earth, Education, Fish, ocean, Open Water, Reference, Training
Food Poisoning from Marine Toxins
By Vernon E. Ansdell Seafood poisoning from marine toxins is an underrecognized hazard for travelers, particularly in the tropics and subtropics. Furthermore, the risk is increasing because of factors such as climate change, coral reef damage, and spread of toxic algal blooms. CIGUATERA FISH POISONING Ciguatera fish poisoning occurs after eating reef fish contaminated with toxins such as ciguatoxin or maitotoxin. These potent toxins originate from small marine organisms (dinoflagellates) that grow on and around coral reefs. Dinoflagellates are ingested by herbivorous fish. The toxins are then concentrated as they pass up the food chain to large carnivorous fish (usually >6 lb, 2.7 kg) and finally to humans. Toxins are concentrated in fish liver, intestinals, roe, and head. Gambierdiscus toxicus, which produces ciguatoxin, may proliferate on dead coral reefs more quickly than other dinoflagellates. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Artificial Reefs, Boats, Conservation, Diver, Divetalking, Earth, Education, Emergency/FirstAid, Featured, Fish, ocean, Open Water, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training
California Lawmaker to Propose Ban on Orcas in Captivity
If passed, the bill would be the most comprehensive protection law for captive orcas in the United States in more than 40 years. By David Kirby David Kirby has been a professional journalist for 25 years. His third book, ‘Death at Seaworld,’ was published in 2012. full bio follow me In a surprising move that is sure to send shock waves across the entire captive whale and dolphin industry, a California lawmaker will propose legislation to outlaw Shamu shows at SeaWorld San Diego. State Assemblymember Richard Bloom, D–Santa Monica, will introduce Friday the Orca Welfare and Safety Act, which would make it illegal to “hold in captivity, or use, a wild-caught or captive-bred orca for performance or entertainment purposes.” The bill would also ban artificial insemination of captive killer whales in California and block … Read entire article »
Filed under: Alert, Conservation, Divetalking, Dolphin, Earth, Education, extinction, Featured, Killer Whale, ocean, Orca, Preservation, Recognition, Reefs, Reference, Report, Training, Whales