Buddies in Training
RAID CADET OPEN WATER DIVER Did you know that RAID gives you a chance to share your passion for underwater adventure with the future… the future of scuba diving that is? Introducing young kids to scuba diving and educating them about marine life and the environment is a fantastic way to instill a love for the ocean and conservation at an early age. RAID is extremely proud to have several levels of specialized programs that give young explorers as chance to learn about marine ecosystems, underwater life, and the importance of protecting our oceans, The RAID Way™. Learning with RAID combines fun diving activities with educational sessions to help kids better understand the underwater world and the impact of human actions on marine environments. It’s a wonderful way for kids to develop a sense of responsibility towards the ocean. And of course, RAID’s Cadet Open Water, and our other courses for youngster starting at age 10, are the safest, most inclusive, and fun adventures to make scuba a family affair. Done right, introducing youngsters to scuba is easy. It teaches water safety, respect for themselves (what a huge boost of confidence it is to become a RAID cadet diver), and opens a young mind to whole new world. (That of course is true for kids of every age, even the ones old enough to be adults.) Scuba diving is something special and we invite every certified diver… and every RAID instructor… to share. Contact your local RAID dive centre for details. Visit RAID’s FREe-Learning to read more. Scuba diving can be an exciting and rewarding experience for people of all ages, including kids. However, there are some important things to consider when kids are involved in scuba diving: RAID and our skills-based approach is the best option to provide youngster with the right training, supervision, and precautions, so that kids can safely enjoy the wonderful world of scuba diving.
Don’t Dive Without It
RECREATIONAL PRE-DIVE CHECKLIST Here’s a simplified list of what to check before starting your underwater adventure. The RAID Way™ Remember always that a couple of minutes spent doing thorough pre-dive checks can save your dive before it starts! It’s important to keep things real but just as important to keep things fun. The simple habit of starting your adventure with a thorough inspection of your dive gear for wear and tear, function, and ‘attendance’ is the best time-saver we can think of. Dive with a buddy and make part of the fun a good pre-dive check!
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HOW TO DO IT
Jeff Goodman talks about ORings
WHY RAID
REASON #259 RAID has full cavern and cave training delivered by real explorers.
WHY RAID
REASON #260
WHY RAID
REASON # 344
RAID Makes You Look Like a Pro
GET THE BEST RESULTS FROM YOUR U/W ACTION CAMERA Exploring the underwater world is indeed a breathtaking adventure full of beauty and wonder! Whether it’s snorkeling or scuba diving… or simply floating around and observing marine life from the surface. There are so many ways to experience the mysteries of the ocean; and more ways than ever to capture its beauty. Underwater photography, especially shooting underwater video, used to require tonnes of expensive, complicated, and heavy equipment. It took patience too because before digital cameras, you’d wait for days—sometimes weeks—before old-fashioned film was processed and sent back from the lab. The real revolution has been to invention of the ACTION CAMERA. Move over super expensive, bulky, and difficult to use traditional gear; welcome a solution that’s affordable, fits in a carry-on, and doesn’t involve overweight baggage fees. Action Cameras are durable and tough enough to withstand extreme conditions, making them ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and SCUBA diving! They’re lightweight, small and compact so they can “go anywhere:” even mounted on a mask strap or other dive gear. For the dedicated user, there are useful accessories such as trays, lights, hardware to attach them to you or your gear, and tough underwater housings. The results are super high-quality producing clear video and still image capture. PLUS: with their standard wide-angle lens they lend a neat perspective on the action: fish, shipwrecks, coral gardens, whatever. And many action cameras are equipped with built-in stabilization technology to reduce camera shake and produce steady footage, even during high-intensity activities. Most of all action cameras are waterproof or come with a protective housing, allowing them to be used underwater. Even beyond recreational limits with special housings. Overall, the advantages of action cameras make them an excellent choice for capturing underwater adventures. RAID’s Action Camera program was developed specifically for the agency by award-winning image maker Jeff Goodman. It covers more than just the basics—including video editing—and is the perfect learning tool to make your underwater videos and images tell the real story about your passion. Tell your local RAID Dive Centre you want to move your underwater video and still images to a new level with an Action Camera course.
The RAID Way™ in Cyprus
Cyprus, like so many spots in the Mediterranean, offers an unforgettable experience for scuba divers. Diverse marine life—and plenty of it—contribute to truly remarkable underwater beauty. So, whether you’re a seasoned diver or a beginner looking to explore the deep blue sea, this island nation is worth adding to the “must dive” spots. The great news is that diving in Cyprus has received a significant boost with the arrival of Dive RAID International and The RAID Way™ in the guise of brand-new Instructor Trainers for the agency. Known for the skills-based training methods, the island’s new instructors will have a positive impact on Cyprus’ scuba diving tourism and on the overall quality of the diving services provided. Starting right now, Dive RAID International divers in Cyprus can feel confident taking advantage of top-notch diving courses, from beginners to advanced divers with these newly-certified professional members. Having Dive RAID International in Cyprus also means that there will be professional instructors who are highly trained and certified. This increases the overall safety and quality of the diving experience. Furthermore, this development boosts the scuba diving industry of Cyprus and its reputation on a global scale. While Cyprus doesn’t have all the wrecks that Malta has for example, it does have the great Zenobia,onsidered one of the best wreck dives in the world. The Zenobia was a roll-on roll-off ferry that sank in 1980. Now, it is home to a variety of marine life including groupers, barracudas, turtles, and more. It’s a great spot for experienced divers. “Our guys” are primarily based up in Ayai Napa and Proturas, that is really the main beach tourist area, and has a number of shore entry dive sites. However, they can set up an expedition to other areas if you have a specific dive in mind. Tourism in Cyprus is growing, it’s almost back to 2019 levels with about 3,5 million visitors a year. The island is also investing huge amounts of money on new developments. For instance, a $1,5 Billion new Marina is being built in Larnaca. With shipwrecks, marine parks, and caves, Cyprus has something for every diver. Now with Dive RAID International in the picture, Cyprus’s scuba diving scene has leveled up and can compete with top scuba diving destinations around the world. So, regardless of your preferences—looking to learn how to dive or an experienced technical diver looking for new challenges—you can thank RAID Director Training, PJ Prinsloo, Regional Office manager, Christos Patsalides, and newly certified RAID ITs, Godfrey Mathews and Nicolas Pantopiou, for being there to offer a safe and fun experience exploring the diverse underwater sites waiting for you in Cyprus.
About Drysuits
The RAID Way™ DEEPER… LONGER… OFF THE BEATEN PATHDrysuit diving can seem a challenge and to some, used to seeing ads and stock photos of scuba divers in microthin wetsuits, just the thought might be intimidating. After all, drysuits are complex and costly… or that’s the perception. However, if you peel back the layers, you’ll find a world of benefits that make it an appealing choice for many divers. The biggest benefit of a dry suit is the ability to use it in various conditions, which makes it the better option compared to any wetsuit. This flexibility is because a diver can add or subtract undergarments to suit the water/surface conditions. Many divers use their dry suit year round, from warm water locations to under the ice in winter. IF YOU LIKE COMFORT, THINK ABOUT THISYou know that feeling when you put on a pair of well-worn jeans? The ones that fit just right and let you move around freely? Well, that’s kind of what wearing a drysuit feels like, but underwater. Sure, it might look a bit more complex than your favorite pair of denim, but let me tell you, a good drysuit delivers maximum comfort and mobility when you’re submerged. Unlike wetsuits, drysuits give you plenty of room to do your thing underwater. Whether that’s gracefully gliding around a coral reef or navigating through a narrow underwater cave, a drysuit fits the bill. You can twist, turn, and somersault to your heart’s content. No restrictions, no limitations—just you and the open water. And here’s the kicker—once your dive is over, you’re not all soggy and wet. Imagine finishing an epic dive and being able to get right back into your regular clothes without having to wrangle a wet wetsuit off or wait for it to dry. Now that’s convenience. So yeah, if you’re all about comfort and freedom when diving, it’s time to give drysuit diving a whirl. You’ll wonder why you didn’t switch sooner. THERE IS THE SAFETY ASPECT TO CONSIDERLet’s get real for a moment, shall we? Diving can be risky business. No matter how skilled you are, there’s always a certain degree of risk involved when you’re exploring the underwater world. But here’s the thing: with proper training behind you (LINK), drysuits can help keep those risks to a minimum. You see, they do more than just keep you warm and dry. They’ve got some pretty nifty safety features built right in. One of these is a buoyancy control device. This handy-dandy feature lets you control your ascent and descent underwater. So, instead of bobbing around like a cork, you can smoothly glide up and down. Not only does this give you more control over your dive, but it also lowers the risk of see-saw dive profils and the complications of decompression sickness. On top of that, the superior insulation provided by drysuits reduces your risk of hypothermia when you’re diving in colder waters. So even if you’re up for an epic iceberg dive in Norway or Canada, you can keep warm and cozy in your drysuit, minimizing the risk of getting too cold. Safety is always paramount in diving, and drysuits are all about safety. They’re not just about comfort or exploring colder, deeper waters, they’re designed with your well-being in mind. So, while you’re planning your next big dive, remember: a drysuit doesn’t just keep you dry; it keeps you safe too. Let’s call it the superhero of diving gear, shall we? It might not have a flashy cape, but it’s got your back when you need it most. Dive in with a drysuit and experience safer dives like never before. IT’S GOING TO LAST LONGERLet’s talk about longevity, friends. If a drysuit and a wetsuit were to go head-to-head in a durability contest, the drysuit would take home the gold, no question about it. Picture this: You’re suited up, ready to dive into the rough and rugged undersea landscape. You need gear that can withstand those conditions, right? That’s where the drysuit steps in. A modern drysuit from one of the several leading manufacturers supported by RAID dive centres around the world, are made from tough stuff. We’re talking neoprene, crushed neoprene, or some hardcore trilaminate. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? That’s because it is! These materials aren’t just there to sound cool; they serve a purpose. They resist the wear and tear that comes with exploring those harsh underwater environments. But don’t just take my word for it. Ask any seasoned diver, and they’ll tell you the same. A well-cared-for drysuit can hang around your gear locker for years on end. So, while it might seem like a bit of a splurge at first, think about all those replacement wetsuits you won’t have to buy. Suddenly, that drysuit starts looking like a pretty smart investment. So, if you’re a diver who’s in it for the long haul, do yourself a favor and give drysuit diving a try. You’ll be thanking yourself dive after dive. BUILDING SKILLSHere’s a little secret: diving with a drysuit is a game-changer for your scuba skills. Think about it. Mastering a drysuit means you’re dialing in on techniques like buoyancy control, which is a major deal in the diving world. It’s like the fine-tuning knob on your dive control panel, requiring an extra level of precision and finesse. So not only does drysuit diving expand your underwater playground, but it also turns you into a more skilled diver. Double win! But hold on, there’s more. Becoming a certified drysuit diver with RAID also paves the way to more advanced diving opportunities. We’re talking explorations in untouched underwater territories, specialized dives, and all that jazz. So, buckle up, buddy! Diving with a drysuit is more than just an upgrade in gear; it’s a boost to your diving prowess and a passport to even more exciting underwater adventures. Time to up your diving game: are you ready? NEED MORE CONVINCING?Other than being dry at the end of your dive (well,
