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!
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.
The Benefits of Being an Online Training Partner
IT’S THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU… HERE’S HOW IT WORKS RAID is an online business; we always have been. We like the whole vibe that being totally digital conveys: that’s to say a sense of community, open access, and inclusivity. And it really helps the company keep the smallest environmental ‘fin-print in the industry.’ One message we send out is “Join us.” This is an invitation to become part of our organization. That message is aimed at dive pros who want to bring positive change to the dive industry, but also to divers in general. There are more than a thousand reasons to join RAID, and one of them is the way our system works. It’s really very simple. For dive centres and instructors, we’ve done away with paper. RAID arrived at the ‘paperless office’ years ago, and it works very well. For our students, people like you perhaps, our system presents all the academics in a format that ensures customer safety and security. No books to lose, no chance of the dog eating your homework. All that is a top priority for RAID. What also counts is customer satisfaction, and something that we think is unique is our QA System (step 8 in the course flow). At the core of RAID’s QA System is customer protection, because every student is surveyed at the end of their course and as part of the final certification process. During what amounts to a class debrief, they are asked if the course met their expectations and if they feel comfortable and confident performing the course-specific skills… the stuff that’s supposed to be covered in their course by their RAID instructor. Step 8 in the RAID course flow is a vital part of the the whole system and it’s important for our students to understand why. The student co-signing skills essentially checks the final box in the process. Their input becomes part of the Quality Assurance audit trail. By checking it, the student is telling RAID HQ that everything was fine. It’s the student’s best chance to say things went exactly as expected. Investing in a robust customer protection system not only helps to safeguard customer trust and loyalty, but it also helps to protect everyone from potential legal and financial liabilities. So, it turns out that final sign-off is much more than just a simple check box. It’s the key to happy, comfortable, confident, and safer diving. Many thanks to James Omac Field Service Manager for RAID in the Philippines for the infograms used in this posting…
Renewals For Members 2023
Dear member: thank you for your support, and thank you for helping us to make 2023 so successful. This year, we have tried to make renewing your professional status easier than ever… READ HOW BELOW. And of course, Zero FEe-Membership really helps to make the process pain-free… we’re happy to help there too. QUESTIONS: CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL OFFICE HERE>>> or EMAIL ADMIN HERE>>> If you are not currently a professional member of RAID, CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WINNING TEAM, AND START SAVING MONEY>>>
RAID Now Supports ORCA v6 from LUNGFISH
RAID is thrilled tell you about its collaboration with Lungfish Dive Systems, and to introduce a new option to our cutting-edge range of rebreather courses. The Lungfish Dive System blends simplicity with advanced operational capabilities in a compact and flexible unit that’s equally at home in recreational or expedition mode, which sets a new standard in underwater exploration. Lungfish Dive Systems, renowned for their expertise in Closed Circuit Rebreathers (CCR), presents a compact rebreather that redefines convenience and versatility in scuba diving. Lighter and less cumbersome than traditional scuba gear, the Lungfish CCR offers unmatched adaptability, catering to diverse dive and travel preferences. At the heart of this breakthrough is the Lungfish ORCA CCR, designed to deliver superior performance while eliminating the bulkiness associated with traditional SCUBA equipment. Dive enthusiasts can enjoy extended underwater adventures with exceptional freedom of movement. The ORCA CCR’s flexibility makes it the correct “tool” for a long list of dive and travel requirements. “This is such a stunning rebreather. Compact and lightweight, but it’s so really well constructed. It dives, and trims so well, no matter whether you are wetsuit or drysuit diving. And it is so beautiful simple.” Paul Toomer, RAID’s senior training consultant and an instructor-trainer for the Lungfish unit. This remarkable unit boasts state-of-the-art electronics, complemented by failsafe mechanics and robust practicality. Its ergonomic, user-friendly design combines seamless operation with top-tier performance. The low resistance breathing loop guarantees effortless and comfortable breathing, while the efficient scrubber efficiently manages demanding deep-water conditions. For added safety and monitoring, the unit incorporates a solid-state carbon dioxide monitor. To embark on this thrilling rebreather journey, aspiring divers should meet the following prerequisites: Contact your local RAID Dive Centre to find out more about Lungfish Dive Systems!For instructor training, contact: Paul Toomer | Dave Gration | Martin Robson. For diver training in the USA, please contact Sandra Clopp. Already a Lungfish instructor? Easy to cross over your status by completing this form>>>
This isn’t the Vatican… off your knees, please!
WHY WE MAKE SUCH A BIG DEAL ABOUT BUOYANCY (AND TRIM) You may have heard that students in RAID Open Water 20 programs (and beyond) are expected to demonstrate skills while neutrally buoyant. What skills? All of ’em: mask removal, second-stage recovery, gas sharing, all of ’em. And it’s easier than you think. So, what exactly do we mean by: “while neutrally buoyant”? We mean, floating in the water column and not touching the bottom, the sides, a piece of rope; nothing. Simply put, no kneeling on the bottom of the pool, in the sand, or anywhere else. Just floating and looking like a correctly-trained diver. We’re told that some instructors teaching for other agencies are not so picky. Ours are mindful of the environment—kneeling on some little critter or disturbing its home is not nice—and want to make the diving experience as enjoyable as possible. And controlling buoyancy and being in trim (which usually means being able to hold a more or less horizontal body position in the water) makes swimming easier for the diver, and results in them using less gas, which results in longer dives. So, that’s why RAID makes a big deal about buoyancy and trim. Those two skills go hand-in-hand to make diving more fun, divers more relaxed, and mean any impact divers have on the environment is kept to a minimum. Interested to learn more? Contact your local RAID dive center. They can start you right or, if you are already a certified diver who was taught to kneel, they can help you kick the habit. SEARCH HERE>>>
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.
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>>>
