So, is RAID a tech agency or not?
The short answer is no, but we understand the confusion. Dive RAID International, RAID for short, takes training open water divers—beginners—seriously. Our instructors are top-drawer professionals who teach new divers skills from day one, that other agencies think are advanced! And that confuses some. Our opinion is that buoyancy control, knowing a few extra tricks to swim with the least effort, how to be a confident and helpful buddy, the advantages of breathing from a long-hose, and proper gas planning and dive management are necessary and shouldn’t be extra bolt-on courses (costing the student extra bolt-on fees by the way): we feel these things are basic. And in RAID’s basic courses is when student are introduced to them. Before RAID came along, breathing gases (like trimix and nitrox), and kit configurations we introduce early on, were considered “technical.” So, some people think that’s what RAID is all about… technical stuff. But we’re not: we’re just different. And yes, we do have technical programs—cavern, cave, rebreathers, deep diving, DPV, and so on—but our focus is on introducing a new generation of divers (of all ages) to the fun and thrill of underwater adventuring in a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning space. So, if you are looking to get into diving for the first time, or if you already into scuba or freediving, but want to get more from it, try us. The RAID Way™ works! And it’s fun.
Public Safety Diver
Dive RAID International has developed a Public Safety Diver (PSD) Entry-Level program which is due for release in mid-September 2023. It is the first offering from RAID into this type of diving. Although the agency is a “new” vendor in the PSD market, we recognised it as a special case and the SMEs (subject matter experts) who created this program have extensive experience in the PSD field. To give you a better idea of the scope of this new program, follow this link>>>. For more details please contact the regional office for your area (look here) or RAID HQ. If you’d like to be kept up-to-date with news from RAID via our mailing list, sign-up here>>>
The story is nothing happened…
As an instructor, it’s always a treat to hear from students after their course telling you how much they appreciate the help you’ve given them, and how valuable that help has been. It’s particularly neat when the most important event post training, is that nothing happened… when it really could have! Jimmy Henderson, one of the RAID instructors at Dino’s Diving, recently got one of those messages thanking him for “drilling us in the basics.” A while back he worked with a father and son team before their Bahamas dive trip. The trip sounds like a fun time, but the highlight was when a shark did a crazy U-turn bumping into Caleb (the son) knocking the reg from his mouth and the business end of his mask around to his ear. Kevin (dad) writes: “If you panic here and flail your arm about you could lose a finger: anything moving is viewed as food.” But Caleb, calmly reaches for his secondary puts his mask in place and clears it “like a pro,” and carries on enjoying the show. Of course dad is understandably happy and proud. Caleb, doesn’t understand the fuss. He simply thinks any diver with RAID training, would do exactly the same. No problem.
Ocean Reef Integrated Dive Mask (IDM)
RAID IS COMMITTED TO STATE-OF-THE-ART INSTRUCTION USING STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT RAID is proud to offer instruction on Ocean Reef revolutionary IDM equipment. The design and function is superior; a remarkable improvement on old-school full-face masks. And an Ocean Reef IDM has several advantages over a traditional scuba mask… field of vision, warmth and comfort, voice communications, etc. They are available in several models, colours, and built-in design features to suit divers at all levels, from beginner to professional. Ocean Reef IDMs are comfortable, perform faultlessly in any environment. Especially great for diving in colder water, and wonderful when coupled with the communications package for teaching in the pool or open water. If you are unfamiliar with Ocean Reef products and would like to find out how you can join the underwater revolution, contact your local RAID Dive Centre. They have the answers. *RAID Professionals, please contact your local RRO or our training department for information about instructor training on this line of products.
Snorkeling’s a sweet alternative
Swim gear, a towel, a mask and snorkel: what could be simpler? And there’s a lot to be seen from the surface, so that sometimes, breaking out the scuba gear isn’t necessary. Did you know that RAID now has a swimmer-friendly snorkelling program? Perfect for hassle-free exploring for any diver, and a great alternative for anyone in the family who isn’t crazy about scuba. This program has its official launch in late September 2023. To check out more about the program and to sign up with your local RAID dive centre, why not take a look at the official course page here>>> .
Cavern diver training program is so popular… we should have known
Surprised by cavern training program Every flavour and size of scuba diving broadens the mind and opens a host of unique and exciting ways to appreciate the underwater world, but frankly, we’re surprised that so many divers seem to have cavern diving is on their to-do list. At RAID, we work hard to add recreational specialties because continuing education helps our members hone dive skills and stay comfortable and competent in the water. New programs help them, and of course, they help us and our dive centres… it’s our business to respond to <market trends>. But with the “overnight” popularity of Recreational Cavern Diver—launched at the beginning of March—has taken us by surprise. We should have added a Recreational Cavern program sooner than we did. Whoops, sorry about that. However, we have to take credit for something and our guess is that the new additions to RAID‘s specialties menu (Twinset Foundations was successfully launched at the same time… and has proved popular too), are exactly what the community was waiting for. The right mix of accessible challenge, fun, and diving The RAID Way™. More about Cavern here>>> Check our Twinset Foundations here>>>
Twinsets are not just for technical diving!
Diving with two cylinders used to be the sign of a hard-core technical diver but that’s old-school when nitrox was considered “technical.” RAID‘s new program encourages any diver to enjoy the comforting feeling of having “tonnes of gas.” Twinset Foundations (diving with doubles) is a totally new program is the RAID catalogue. It is RAID‘s answer to delivering formalized training for divers who want to learn the safe and responsible way to use this classic kit configuration for any type of diving. In effect, twinset foundations opens up diving with redundant gas to the whole diving community. Designed as a valuable standalone for anyone who wishes to understand and enjoy the benefits of extending their bottom time, having a second first stage ready to deliver gas, and learning how to plan their dives to take full advantage of these benefits. This course may also be combined with other RAID courses and will become a prerequisite for students wishing to use twinsets on advanced decompression courses and overhead programs (much like our existing sidemount course). RAID‘s focus in 2023 will be on launching more programs aimed at the broader recreational market, and we view this brand-new program as a perfect fit for that promise to you and your dive centres. The full standards follow this introduction to the new course but its key points are: combination of confined water training to work on and show mastery of required skills, with at least two open water dives logging three hours or more in-water time. This course is available to any open water 20 certified diver who is 15 years old. Take a look at the current standards for this RAID course here>>>
