January RAID Special

NITROX IS THE ANSWER Signing up for a nitrox class seems to be a no-brainer to some divers; they understand the benefits right away and have no hesitation taking the plunge and enjoying the benefits. But perhaps a fair percentage of these are the lucky ones whose instructors offered nitrox training as part of their open water training. And certainly, that’s a great place to start. However, others may take a little more convincing. Whichever camp one is in, the simple fact is that the introduction of nitrox — essentially refined compressed air with a carefully measured ‘squirt’ of extra oxygen taking the place of some nitrogen — is one of the greatest, most innovative advances in recreational diving of the modern era. It’s right up there with late-generation personal dive computers and online learning. There are all the well documented benefits: Extended Bottom Time: Reduced Decompression Stress: Less Post-Dive Fatigue: Shorter Surface Intervals, and so on. But as well as nitrox helping to expand one’s diving opportunities, the RAID course teaches valuable skills that make for more knowledgeable divers, which we think means better divers. These ‘extra’ skills include tighter attention to dive planning, careful equipment choices, gaining a better understanding of gas toxicity and contaminants, and learning how to analyse and label diving gases (an essential step in safe diving practices). Your local RAID Dive Centre can explain how nitrox can make your diving a valuable investment to enhance your diving safety, enjoyment, and opportunities. And if you are already a nitrox user, ask about NITROX PLUS.
For Divers by Divers…

ISN’T THE RAID WATCHWORD TRUE OF ALL AGENCIES? One of our shareholders was recently asked to respond to a dive instructor who questioned our call to join Dive RAID International because it’s an agency built by divers for divers. He claimed that statement is “verbose [sic] and a claim to exclusivity that needs some validation and verification.” Challenge accepted! Our shareholder wrote back: “Thanks for your question! While it’s true that many agencies have been founded by divers, what makes RAID different is that our philosophy and operations are driven entirely by divers, for the benefit of divers. “Unlike some agencies where business or corporate interests tend to influence decisions, at RAID, everything from course development to instructor support is shaped by active, experienced divers who understand the needs of the community firsthand. “Our goal isn’t just to certify divers; it’s to enhance the entire diving experience through constant innovation, flexibility, and by putting divers at the heart of what we do. That’s the difference we stand by!” In the proverbial nutshell, our shareholder summed up EXACTLY what RAID is all about. If she’s had more space, she might have added, all that and everything related to following a skills-based, inclusive approach to training and doing business that seeks to bring value and positive change to the dive industry. And if that sounds like your kind of outfit… WHY NOT JOIN US!?