Static Apnea Special
WHY BREATH-HOLDING IS IMPORTANT TO SCUBA DIVERS This month, RAID is shining a spotlight on the benefits of static apnea training for scuba divers. Odd that something divers are told NOT to do — hold their breath — can offer such a long list of rewards. Static apnea is listed as a freediving discipline where a person holds their breath underwater for as long as possible without swimming or moving around. As a stand-alone skill, it is a competitive category for freediving. However, static apnea training can offer several benefits for scuba divers too, enhancing their overall diving experience and safety. And the added bonus is that Static Apnea training is available from most RAID instructors because we feel it is such an important and fundamental skill that sits at the very core of being comfortable and ‘at one’ with the water. Here are some key advantages: So, incorporating static apnea training into a diver’s routine can provide substantial advantages, not only in their diving skills but also in ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience.
Nitrox Plus: The Missing Link…
A NEW APPROACH TO ADVANCED RECREATIONAL DIVING TECHNIQUES This is nothing to do with cavemen, just something that helps to fill a gap in recreational training from RAID. The brand new RAID Nitrox Plus Course is designed for recreational divers who wish to extend their underwater time and gain insights into technical diving. But without investing in tonnes of new kit. Nitrox Plus provides the essential knowledge and skills to help divers explore new depths while managing the benefits and considerations of nitrox use more effectively than ever. The plus is that this is a two cylinder course which provides the security of extra gas when your adventure takes you to the recreational limit of 40 metres/150 feet. This is also a great opportunity to learn the most efficient way to carry a second cylinder of bottom gas… a great strategy when diving beyond 30 metres/100 feet, or so! This course focuses on using nitrox for dives with a maximum safety stop of 10 minutes and incorporates a conservative gradient factor to ensure safety. Nitrox Plus kit configuration can be:Single cylinder (with or without H or Y valve) of adequate capacity for the planned dive.One standard primary regulator setup fitted with long hose including piston clip.One low-pressure (LP) inflator hose for BCD and dry suit (if appropriate). LP connectors must be interchangeable.One backup regulator with standard hose fitted with neck bungee.One SPG with piston clip.Stage cylinder holding suitable gas volume of bottom mix for planned dives.Stage cylinder rigging kit.Cylinder marking for MOD, Diver Name and Mix (labelled as per RAID cylinder marking standards).Suitable DIN regulator with SPG on a short HP hose.A recreational BCD that has capacity to carry a stage cylinder. OR Wing, plate and harness with single tank adaptor.Personal dive computer.Backup computer or depth dive timer.Wetnotes or wrist slate or finger slate.Primary SMB.1 x reels or spools with adequate line length for the dive depth.2 x cutting devices.Backup Mask.Light where appropriate.Smartphone, tablet or laptop with decompression software (instructor must have, optional for students).Access to an oxygen analyzer. SEE NEW DECOMPRESSION DIVER COURSE HERE>>>
A True Champion
BILL MARDEN HAS SUPPORTED RAID SINCE ITS BEGINNING How many people have had a Dive Centre for almost half a century and taught for most of it!? Perhaps only a stubborn, belligerent, bloke could do this, but he’d have to be honest, hardworking and a great Instructor. Meet Mr Bill Marden owner of SubAquatics in Sydney. A well-educated man himself, as a gunsmith and engineer he successfully combined both businesses with a dive centre. His reloading tools are well renown and his engineering feats are exported worldwide. A great seaman, at one time owning three boats, with skills that could have been garnered from serving with Lord Nelson (though he missed that opportunity by just a few years!), he was a pioneer around Jervis Bay and Sydney, finding and exploring sites and wrecks, many still dived today. An original FAUI (Federation of Australian Underwater Instructors) member, Bill is his own man with traditional values and teaches diving as he lives with a “do it right or don’t do it” attitude. In the early days he was always seen around Sutherland Shire and no doubt was the envy of other dive shops as he had a great rapport with the university students which meant he frequently had courses during the week as well as weekends. His students all know you pay for his course but earn the certification. In 2014, after suffering what Bill considered to be the “increased commercialisation and market driven” attitudes of major training agencies which were driving standards of divers down, he happily joined the RAID evolution when it had its re-launch to the world and embraced (even as an ‘old dog’) the new approach to training. He freely admits he learned new skills through RAID training and qualified as Sidemount, Technical Instructor and Rebreather diver. All of us at RAID agree that Bill has no boundaries as long as his ethical and moral compass is not asked to waiver. When working with Bill, he was quite often one of the oldest participant, but he always had the brightest outlook and the youngest approach. He embraced new teaching styles even when they differed massively to those he had practiced for decades. If Bill respects you, he will follow you into the gates of hell, he is a friend for life. Since 1965 when Bill began diving he has completed more than 7000 dives, and is an accomplished UW photographer who loves wrecks. The last few years Bill has suffered some health issues and is not actively teaching or working but in his true manner has told the doctors more than once that he’s not ready to hang up his reg and continues to plan dive trips! He doesn’t believe in ‘luck’ but we wish him all the best regardless and hope to see him in the water soon. Bill is a true Champion of diving and RAID are honoured to work with him.
