APPLY TODAY!   Click here for Application Requirements and Prerequisites  NAUI is proud to announce that applications are NOW OPEN for the NAUI Diversity Scholarship! This program empowers dive leaders from various backgrounds and regions by providing the tools and resources needed for NAUI Leadership.  It’s also a cornerstone of our mission to advance diving

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Phone: +1-919-684-2948 x1271 Email: bharper@dan.org Contact: Brian Harper, Director, Communications   Connect With DAN at DEMA: Member Social, Appointments, Seminars, and More DURHAM, NC – November 11, 2024 – Join DAN and your fellow dive industry professionals at the DAN Member Social at DEMA for an evening of conversation, refreshments, and fun.

We are thrilled to announce that Kamau Beyete Anum Sadiki, a Divemaster with over 1,600 logged dives and nearly two decades of diving experience, has been selected as the latest recipient of NAUI’s Diversity Scholarship. Kamau brings with him an extensive background in dive leadership, underwater archaeology, and a dedication to cultural heritage preservation—making him

Are you ready for DEMA this year? Well, so are we, and now we have exciting news to share with you! The NAUI Seminar, ‘Ocean Diplomacy: The fight to protect our oceans and reduce plastic pollution’ with COARE Founder Christopher Chin, is your opportunity to win some FREE Dive Gear! You don’t want to miss

We are thrilled to announce the release of NAUI’s new membership cards, thoughtfully redesigned to bring convenience and a new look to our members. This change marks a progression in how we recognize and celebrate NAUI professionals and reflects our commitment to quality and environmental stewardship. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s new: 

This month’s #NAUIDiveSpotlight is proud to highlight Micah Reese, a NAUI Instructor (NAUI #26060) and Dive Safety Officer at the Oregon Zoo, whose passion for marine conservation and education has shaped an inspiring new initiative: an Interpretive Dive Program. This program and Micah’s vision perfectly align with NAUI’s Mission to promote safe, practical underwater education

Whenever NAUI conducts Leadership Training, the discussion quickly turns to the organization’s values, particularly its commitment to offering the “highest quality leadership and instructor training possible.” This dedication and the answer to the question, “Why NAUI?” were recently brought to life in a recent event—the NAUI Southeast Leadership Conference. Organized by David Caldwell, NAUI’s Eastern

An Early Passion for the Ocean  Meet Kim Malkoski, a lifelong ocean enthusiast whose connection to the ocean began as a child. Raised with family beach outings, boat trips, and aquarium visits, it’s probably not a surprise that by the age of 13, Kim was already scuba-certified. Her early passion quickly grew into a commitment

Dear NAUI Members, This year, we wanted to make it easier for NAUI Members to get to know our 2024 Board of Directors Election Candidates!  Every Wednesday throughout this election season, we will be releasing video interviews where the candidates are asked a series of questions generated by the NAUI Elections Committee.  These videos are meant

Attention all aspiring divers and marine enthusiasts! The Women Divers Hall of Fame™ (WDHOF) has officially opened its applications for the 2025 Scholarship and Training Grants! This program offers financial and educational support to individuals who are passionate about the marine environment and need financial assistance to conduct research or learn/advance dive training. Whether you’re just

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games showcased not only the athletic skills of the world’s top competitors but also the technology that brought their performances to life. Among the key players ensuring every underwater moment was captured with precision was Jeremy Gabrielson, NAUI Special Projects and Event Coordinator. Also highlighted in the August 2024 edition of

Before getting into the meat of this piece, I want to be perfectly clear about the fact that the tips discussed are exactly that, tips. They are not hard and fast rules. Absolute rules of that nature do not exist. I would never want you to think that if an image you are composing contradicts

Pulau Tioman, Malaysia – In a remarkable display of unity and shared passion for the underwater world, NAUI members and divers from Malaysia and Singapore gathered for the first-ever NAUI Malaysia & Singapore Dive-Together. This inaugural event, hosted by NAUI Platinum Pro Dive Destination; Tioman Reef Divers, owned by the dedicated husband-and-wife team; Reeno Chew

We are excited to share the inspiring journey of the Clean Ocean Divers, a group of dedicated NAUI-certified divers of all levels. This initiative, a collaboration between the Keep Fin Alive ocean conservation campaign, the Earth Legacy Foundation, and Go Dive Mossel Bay, has been making waves since 2019. Together, they’ve created the groundbreaking Clean

This month’s NAUI Dive Spotlight shines on Dr. Jeffrey Bozanic, Ph.D., who recently received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) and was announced as the 2024 recipient of the New Orleans Grand Isle (NOGI) Award in Sports/Education. The prestigious DESA honor is awarded to Eagle Scouts who have made significant contributions in their fields. Becoming

NAUI Proudly Presents our Official Seminar and Workshop Schedule (Room S225)! For Seminar and Workshop descriptions, visit: http://blog.naui.org/naui-seminar-descriptions-dema-2024/   Tuesday – November 19th, 2024 Time Workshop Speaker 11:00 AM Ocean Diplomacy: The Fight to Protect Our Oceans and Reduce Plastic Pollution Christopher Chin 12:00 PM Dave Winford’s Small Business Series #1 Dave Winford 1:00 PM

NAUI is proud to announce our DEMA 2024 Seminars and Workshops! Come out and enjoy an interactive experience, full of the latest innovations in diving technologies, while reinforcing your dive skills with transformative insights. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to expand your skills, enhance your understanding, and celebrate the multifaceted world of underwater exploration.

RIVERVIEW, FL – June 12, 2024 – NAUI Worldwide, a globally recognized leader in dive training and certification, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking cooperation with STEPDive, an innovative product designed with progressive depths. This collaboration aims to revolutionize dive training for young enthusiasts through the launch of three engaging books and accompanying eLearning courses.

In the wake of the tragic Key Bridge disaster, the Baltimore Police Department Underwater Recovery Team faced an extraordinary challenge. The sudden collapse of the bridge, despite the swift action by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police to shut it down, resulted in the loss of six lives. The ongoing investigation into the causes of the

On June 2, 2024, a dedicated group of 38 volunteers braved the chilly waters of Río Guadiela, near the Hermitage of the Virgen de los Desamparados in Buendía, Cuenca, to participate in a significant environmental initiative. Despite the water temperature being a brisk 11 Degrees Celsius (51 Degrees Fahrenheit), these committed individuals, including divers and

On World Oceans Day, the Mergulhaso Ilhabela diving school, a proud NAUI affiliate, joined forces with Ilhabela State Park, Fundação Florestal, ICMBio Alcatrazes, and other diving schools to undertake a significant ecological mission: the removal of the invasive sun coral (Tubastraea spp.) from the waters of Ilhabela. This concerted effort marks a crucial step in

The upcoming NAUI Southeast Leadership Conference, set to take place from September 16 to October 12, 2024, represents a significant milestone in diving education. Aimed at enhancing regional divemaster and instructor training, the conference combines traditional in-person instruction with virtual workshops to create a comprehensive learning experience. The program is being offered in both Kentucky

NAUI is deeply committed to preserving our oceans and promoting sustainable diving practices. By integrating environmental awareness into our training programs, NAUI ensures that divers not only explore the underwater world but also become stewards of marine ecosystems. NAUI divers are educated on the importance of eco-friendly diving, such as avoiding contact with coral reefs,

Scuba Quest is a Florida-based NAUI-certified company with five stores in Southwest and South Florida and a warehouse in Sarasota. The new Scuba Quest Fort Myers officially opens the weekend of May 24-May 26.   Scuba Quest offers a comprehensive range of technical dive courses and open-water certifications at both locations. Spearheading these operations is

NAUI is a proud sponsor of the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament in Destin, Florida, taking place on May 17th-18th 2024. This dynamic event combines community, marine conservation, and some friendly competition. This month’s NAUI Dive Spotlight is on Alex Fogg, the Coastal Resource Manager for Destin-Fort Walton Beach and a passionate marine biologist, who

Riverview, FL – The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Yaqoub Alkandari as the new Director of NAUI Service Center Middle East. This strategic move is set to further strengthen NAUI’s commitment to providing unparalleled education, standards, and services to the diving community in the region. Yaqoub Alkandari

In honor of the NAUIx4Ocean Bracelet Launch, the team wanted to make a splash! So on Friday, April 5th, 2024, NAUI HQ staff set out bright and early and rolled up their sleeves for a 4Ocean Partnership Beach Clean Up. The team met with the 4Ocean crew at 9:30 AM, enthusiastic and ready to directly

NAUI Worldwide, a leader in scuba diver training and certification, has proudly announced its groundbreaking partnership with 4Ocean, an organization dedicated to removing trash from our oceans and coastlines. This collaboration aims to set new standards in environmental responsibility within the diving community through the launch of exclusive, eco-friendly products.   Product Launch: NAUI Crew

NAUI would like to recognize an initiative that embodies our unwavering commitment to leadership, excellence, and innovation – the NAUI Diversity Scholarship Program. This program is a cornerstone of our mission to advance diving practices worldwide and cultivate the next generation of leaders who will carry the torch of high-quality dive training and safety into

At NAUI Worldwide, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where the wonders of the underwater world are accessible to all. The NAUI Diversity Scholarship is a cornerstone of this commitment, aiming to reduce barriers and cultivate a diverse community of divers. Today, we shine a spotlight on Sarah Yerrace, a divemaster and the

Available in French and German. Tampa, FL— The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide), a leader in dive training and certification, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jan Willem van Gelder as the new Regional Manager for Austria and Switzerland. Jan Willem, who brings extensive experience and dedication to the diving community, will

Translations are available in Italian, Spanish, Dutch, German, and French. RIVERVIEW, FL – April 3, 2024 – In a landmark move for diving safety and education, NAUI Worldwide, a global leader in diver training and certification, proudly announces a groundbreaking partnership with Divers Alert Network Europe (DAN Europe). This collaboration aims to elevate the standards

Dear NAUI Community, It’s with great pleasure that I share our recent accomplishments from our journeys across Asia Pacific and Europe. These experiences underscore our commitment to fostering excellence, safety, and collaboration within the diving community worldwide.     Asia Pacific Visit: Accompanied by Beth Postell, our VP of Member Services, I had the privilege

NAUI Worldwide is excited to launch our newest addition to our educational resources – the NAUI Team Kits. Designed with precision for Assistant Instructors, Divemasters, Divemaster Crossovers, Instructors, and Instructor Crossovers, these kits encapsulate the essence of comprehensive support and readiness for dive professionals. We also are launching the NAUI Upgrade Team Kit, providing Members

  The transformative power of light has guided Vance Burberry ASC, ACS from the theaters of Sydney to the grand stages of rock and roll, and into the ethereal world beneath the waves. His journey is a testament to the profound impact of following one’s passion. Celebrated as both a cinematographer and a NAUI Instructor

Like many who pursue careers in diving, I was instantly captivated by the sport from my very first breath underwater over a decade ago. My certification dives took place at Cove 2, a popular dive site in West Seattle. Cold and murky from summer algal blooms, it was a far cry from the tropical conditions

Please join us in congratulating the successful certification of Force-E’s newest NAUI Instructors, Teddie Bevacqua, Chris Hoffman, Roman Giconi, and Mike Tardiff. Over the past 6-7 weeks, these seasoned dive instructors have navigated through a rigorous and comprehensive training program, a testament to their unwavering commitment to Dive Safety Through Education.       Their

El artículo está disponible en español a continuación. Riverview, Florida– NAUI Worldwide, a globally recognized leader in scuba diver training and certification, is proud to announce the appointment of Nick Nechay as the new Regional Manager for Mexico, starting February 1, 2024. Nechay will be working closely with Lina Rivera, who also serves as a

In the quiet corners of a country once shadowed by communism, a young Vedran Dorusic’s fascination with the sea began. Despite growing up far from the coast, Dorusic’s entire summers were spent on an island along the sea, where his lifelong journey and passion with the sea began. Vedran always knew he was going to

It is with great excitement that we announce the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) will be attending the Boston Sea Rovers 70th International Ocean Symposium. In addition, we have a special educational opportunity for attendees: the NAUI Recreational Equipment Configuration (NREC) course, reinforcing our commitment to Dive Safety Through Education. What is the Boston

We’re excited to announce that the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) will be attending the 2024 Beneath the Sea trade show at the Meadowland Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey! As the world’s most respected name in recreational scuba and snorkel training, we’re thrilled to be part of this amazing event and be able

We are thrilled to announce that Nancy Guarascio has been appointed as the NSG VP of Marketing & Communications! In addition to this pivotal role, Nancy will maintain her responsibilities as the NAUI Executive Board Liaison, continuing her significant contributions to the diving community.    A Trailblazing Journey in Diving Nancy’s journey in the diving

NAUI is proud to announce that three of our distinguished instructors – Jeff Bozanic, Ph.D., Lad Akins, and Jim Gatacre – have been honored with the esteemed 2024 NOGI Awards by the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences (AUAS). Jeff Bozanic, Ph.D., an expert in Sports/Education, Lad Akins, a renowned figure in the field of

NAUI Asia Pacific has long stood as a beacon of diving excellence and community spirit in the diverse aquatic world of Asia. We extend our deepest condolences as we share the somber news of the passing of Carrie Cheong, a pioneer staff member and the soul of our regional office. From her first day in

We are happy to announce the latest Revision of our diving Standards and Policies for 2024. These updates are a testament to NAUI’s unwavering commitment to Dive Safety Through Education. Please take some time to read the NAUI Standards and Policies Manual v1.0 January 2024, before conducting any NAUI courses. Current Standards are available via

Following up the dive spotlight on Joe Kilgore, also a 2023 NAUI Hall of Honor inductee, comes the story of NAUI’s other Hall of Honor inductee, the distinguished Ed Uditis. In a world perpetually skimming the surface of life’s vast ocean, Ed Uditis chose to dive deeper. His journey beneath the waves is not just

In a remarkable recognition of excellence and dedication, NAUI Worldwide proudly celebrates two of its distinguished instructors, Ronnie Damico and Elizabeth Kintzing, for their induction into the Women Divers Hall of Fame (WDHOF) Class of 2024. This honor is a testament to their outstanding contributions to the diving community and their relentless pursuit of diving

The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) is globally recognized as a leader in scuba training and professional development. With a reputation for excellence, NAUI-trained Instructors and Dive Leaders are highly sought after. As a NAUI Member, you align yourself with the best in the field, gaining recognition worldwide.     For those new to the

The Chance to Become a NAUI Lifetime Member is Ending Soon – Act Now! Are you ready to make a lasting impact in the diving world and enjoy a lifetime of benefits? The NAUI Lifetime Membership offers just that, but time is running out. This unique opportunity will be discontinued on December 31, 2023. Don’t let

The Pat Tillman Limited Edition NAUI Certification Card provides a unique opportunity for NAUI Divers to pay homage to a true American hero, Pat Tillman. This limited-edition Pat Tillman Certification Card not only represents a distinctive addition to your diving credentials but also serves as a tribute to a remarkable individual who epitomized courage and

Born and raised in the Greater Tampa Bay Area, a 15-year-old prodigy is making waves in the world of scuba diving with his plans to embark on a scientific expedition to Antarctica. Meet John Humphreys, a remarkable teenager who is paving the way for his generation to be the game-changers of the diving world! Diving

We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our NAUI family – Courtlandt Butts! Effective immediately, Courtlandt has been appointed to the NAUI Board of Directors, filling the remaining one-year term left vacant by Susan MacDonald earlier this year.   Courtlandt is a lifelong educator with a rich background and the founder of LifeGuardian

As we delve again into our dive spotlight series, it is only fitting that we embark on a journey to discover and pay tribute to the latest inductees into the prestigious NAUI Hall of Honor which took place at DEMA 2023 in New Orleans. This month, we begin these special tributes with the remarkable Joe

From the very beginning, NAUI has relied upon and benefited from the talents and commitment of its members. The Association celebrates excellence in NAUI leadership each year by recognizing the contributions of dedicated members around the world who so freely give of their time, not only for the advancement of NAUI, but for the sport

If asked to name the greatest migration on Earth, many people would surely say the annual journey taken by caribou. Others would likely list the treks taken by wildebeest or Arctic terns. Certainly, these migrations are noteworthy in terms of the distances traveled. But in terms of biomass and the number of animals involved, the

We are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated NAUI Raffle at DEMA 2023, where dive enthusiasts have the chance to win some of the newest NAUI Swag and New NAUI Duck!   Every day we will choose a WINNER at the NAUI Booth #2545 and on Facebook Live!     HOW TO EARN RAFFLE TICKETS: Attend

Riverview, Florida – The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Olday as the new Regional Manager for the Caribbean Territory. Andy currently serves as the Regional Manager for the Florida Territory and will take on the added territory effective immediately. Born in Newcastle, England, and a resident

For NAUI, diving isn’t just about exploring new depths; it’s about reaching new heights. Simon Lodge exemplifies this spirit, making him a perfect subject for our latest entry in the Dive Spotlight series     From Humble Beginnings to International Acclaim Simon Lodge hails from the serene West Country of the United Kingdom, a land

El artículo está disponible en español a continuación. Riverview, Florida – The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dani Millikovsky as the new Regional Manager for Southern South America which includes the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. This strategic appointment comes as part of NAUI’s

It is with great honor and respect that we share the remarkable journey and enduring legacy of one of our own, Jorge Rodriguez (NAUI# 11062L). We are also proud to announce that Jorge’s daughter, Catalina Rodriguez (NAUI# 61085), assumed the role of NAUI Rep for Central South America. Jorge’s story is one of passion, dedication,

NAUI is proud to present our Official Seminar (Room 282) & Dive Talk Schedule (NAUI Booth #2545)! For Seminar and Dive Talk descriptions, visit http://blog.naui.org/naui-seminar-dive-talk-descriptions-for-dema-2023/   Tuesday – November 14th, 2023 10:00 AM Mobile Training Team Overview Terrence Tysall 11:00 AM Meet NAUI’s CEO Cliff Richardson 12:00 PM Static Breath Hold Kris Shannon 2:00 PM

NAUI is proud to announce our DEMA 2023 seminars and workshops! Come out and enjoy an interactive experience, full of the latest innovations in diving technologies, while reinforcing your dive skills with transformative insights. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to expand your skills, enhance your understanding, and celebrate the multifaceted world of underwater exploration.

In the world of military excellence, the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Best Combat Diver Competition serves as a tribute to the unmatched abilities and endurance of the military’s elite combat divers. Held from September 25 to 27, at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Training Center at NAS Key West, this

Nestled in the heart of New Jersey lies a natural gem, the Round Valley Reservoir. This sprawling water haven spans approximately 2000 acres, with a maximum depth of 180 feet. For adventure seekers, outdoor enthusiasts, and nature lovers, Round Valley is nothing short of a paradise, offering hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and, of course, the

Islamorada, Florida: From free diving in pursuit of Caribbean king crabs to being stewards of the world’s first sponge nursery, the experiences of Norah Mendoza and Reanna Jeanes at I.CARE (Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education) are as diverse as the marine ecosystems they work to protect. I.CARE is dedicated to restoring the reefs of Islamorada

In Memoriam: The NAUI Family Remembers Rick Moore It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that the NAUI family bids farewell to a beloved member, Rick Moore, who passed away in Baton Rouge, LA on August 28, 2023. Rick’s legacy within the NAUI community is nothing short of inspiring; his contributions have left an

In a significant milestone, the historic Ilhabela International Sailing Week (SIVI) marked its 50th edition from July 21 to 29, 2023, in Ilhabela SP, Brazil. Ilhabela, located on the coast of São Paulo, is renowned for being a premier diving destination and a cherished starting point for many divers’ careers. NAUI Brazil proudly participated as

  Recently, NAUI’s Mobile Training Team embarked on a trip to Brazil, led by Freediving Instructor Examiner Nick Nechay and his assistant, Jose Salazar. This endeavor aimed to deliver the highest quality of training to a group of aspiring NAUI Freediving Instructors in the vibrant setting of Brazil.   The training conducted by NAUI’s Mobile

Nestled just 50 miles East of South Florida, Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center is a seaside gem in the heart of North Bimini, Bahamas. We are thrilled to announce that they are officially a NAUI Platinum Pro Dive Center, now offering a diverse range of NAUI courses, catering to divers of all skill levels!   

  The world of scuba diving is about to get even more exciting as NAUI prepares to make a big splash at the DEMA Show in New Orleans this November!         We can’t wait to connect, learn, and dive deep with everyone at DEMA 2023 so make sure you stop by the

Shoot Stories text and photography by: Marty Snyderman     When first trying their hand at underwater photography, many divers feel a sense of accomplishment if their photography equipment is dry where it is supposed to be and functioning properly after their dives. Soon, that feeling of achievement requires making pleasing pictures of the scenes

Introduction A person’s journey often leads them down exciting and unexpected paths. It is their choices, their passion, and their determination that forge the road ahead. In the realm of underwater exploration and diving, Anthony Ford’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. A distinguished member of NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), Ford has made

The upcoming NAUI’s Northeast Leadership Conference, slated to run from October 2 to October 29, 2023, marks a watershed moment in diving education. Embarking on a mission to advance regional divemaster and instructor training, the conference melds traditional in-person instruction with virtual workshops, creating a holistic learning environment. Spearheading this groundbreaking initiative is an esteemed

  In the realm of scuba diving and underwater exploration, the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) has carved a prominent niche with its Armed Forces Program. Designed specifically for military personnel, veterans, and their families, this program offers a unique set of benefits that go beyond standard scuba training. In this article, we will

Riverview, Florida — In a significant step to facilitate the connection between the United States Armed Forces and the world of underwater exploration and careers in the diving industry, the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) has launched a modernized and updated Armed Forces website.     The newly launched website, accessible at www.naui.org/certifications/armed-forces/ provides

3…2…1…lift off!!!!! Dive into Space Summer Camp blasted off during the week of July 24-28, 2023.  California Scuba Center (NAUI# AF1135) and Program Director/NAUI Instructor Trainer, Mike Fitzgerald (NAUI# 59412L), offered 2 camps simultaneously involving 100 youth and 20 staff members.  The camp is based on the NASA Neutral Buoyancy lab. The camps were divided

Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation (TFDSOF) recently traveled to Saipan, CNMI, with the Florida Public Archaeology Network, West Florida University, Ships of Discovery, and East Carolina University to collaborate on citizen science and archaeology research projects on WWII ship and plane wrecks. A photogrammetry team from Kyushu University, Japan, also joined us to build

  The NAUI Board of Directors invites you to a virtual Town Hall to meet the new Executive Director of NAUI and CEO of NAUI Services Group, Cliff Richardson! Join us at 10:00am EST on Friday, August 25 for a short introduction from Cliff Richardson, an overview of the Revised Waiver and Release document and

For over six decades, Captain Hooks has remained a stalwart presence in the Florida Keys, with its operational outlets conveniently located in Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West. As an indispensable resource for families seeking maritime adventure, the organization offers a multitude of sea-related activities from scuba diving and snorkeling to mermaid training, fishing

There’s an anecdote I once heard, akin to a parable, about the recreational sector’s careers – a tale that, while I can’t recall its original narrator to credit, is an apt launching pad for contemplating a scuba diving career. Tailored for our scuba context, it unfolds thus:   Consider a candidate for the Instructor Trainer

Cliff Richardson is a visionary leader and accomplished professional, bringing an impressive wealth of experience and expertise to his role as the Executive Director and CEO of NAUI Worldwide and the NAUI Services Group. With a proven track record in driving organizational growth, fostering innovation, and cultivating strong industry partnerships, Cliff is poised to lead

  NAUI Worldwide members all share a deep passion for underwater exploration and conservation. Scuba diving connects us with the ocean, enabling us to marvel at the vast array of life it sustains. With evolving technology, our relationship with the ocean is only becoming deeper, literally and metaphorically. Let’s look at some ways technology is

In the ongoing chronicle of human discovery, we seldom stop to appreciate the routine launching of rockets and satellites amidst the cacophony of terrestrial turmoil. It wasn’t until Nazi Germany, during the closing stages of World War II, sent warhead-laden rockets careening into Britain, that the world truly recognized the dual-edged potential of these skyward

This is the second piece in a two-part series entitled The Four Exposure Scenarios. In the first article, I stated that one of the taller hurdles for many underwater photographers to clear is consistently acquiring proper exposures. Doing so is not as difficult as it might first appear, but until you get a handle on

  It was 2007, a year that profoundly altered David Lawrence Sr.’s life. His son, David Jr., was diagnosed with a brain tumor, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down post-surgery. Yet today, against all odds, David Jr. runs, walks, and lives life to the fullest, thanks to intensive rehabilitation that included a unique therapy

July 7, 2023   Riverview, Florida – NAUI Worldwide, a leading provider of diver training and certification, has announced immediate availability of its newly revised waiver and release forms. The updated forms are part of NAUI’s continual commitment to providing quality services to their clientele worldwide.   These revamped waivers are designed to support the

Divers Supply, the renowned scuba diving and snorkeling equipment retailer based in Jacksonville, Florida, is making waves in the scuba industry, not only through its comprehensive array of gear and services but also by its innovative utilization of the Department of Defense (DoD) NAUI SkillBridge program.   Having etched its identity as one of the

For most underwater photographers, one of their bigger challenges is consistently acquiring proper exposures. If exposures are inconsistent or way off the mark, no matter how strong the composition is, an image is far more likely to end up in the cyber trashcan than it is to bring a smile to the photographer’s face. Developing

  As one of the oldest and most respected entities in scuba instruction, the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) is working to revive its tradition of sponsoring regional divemaster and instructor workshops. The initiative aims to further educational courses within the local NAUI community, a practice that has helped shape NAUI Worldwide’s legacy.  

  A while ago, I was teaching a confined water session and it wasn’t going well. It was apparent to me the student was making a sincere effort to learn the skills and I believe it was obvious I was doing my best to be helpful. Nevertheless, we were struggling. It was one of those

COZUMEL, Mexico — Tucked into the tropical oasis of Cozumel, a quaint dive shop has made significant strides in the world of professional diving. Owned by Adolfo Sanguino Cisneros, an expert Instructor with two decades of experience, the “Best Dive Cozumel” dive center is making waves not only as a newly minted NAUI Platinum Pro

My name is ET3 Jack Illare, and I am currently participating in the NAUI Skillbridge program. My passion for diving was ignited nearly a decade ago in the serene blue waters of Florida’s natural springs. Since then, this interest has guided me across three continents, offering dozens of unforgettable experiences. I initially sought a diving

When you look at Lake Champlain, the sixth largest body of water in the United States, it’s not hard to see why it has captured the hearts and imaginations of people for centuries. This majestic lake, with a history rooted in commerce and adventure, is also home to one of the most respected diving centers

On April 1-2, 2023 in Tyler, Texas a successful Instructor Qualification Program was executed by NAUI affiliate Scuba Steve’s.  The program was accomplished at the Scuba Ranch with Gary Peacock, NAUI Instructor Trainer (NAUI # 47859).   An Instructor Qualification Program is the final phase of a NAUI Instructor Training Course where candidate instructors learn

Are you passionate about diving and its education? Do you see yourself making a significant impact in the world of diving? If yes, here’s an exciting opportunity to seize. The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), a member-driven organization, is reminding members the application time period for its 2023 Board of Directors Election is open.

Did you know that the ocean covers more than 70% of our planet? The ocean even plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth and provides us with oxygen, regulates our climate, and supports an incredible array of diverse ecosystems. But even though the ocean is so important to Earth and its inhabitants, our

NAUI Recreational Equipment Configuration (NREC) Diver is an Instructor Specified Specialty (ISS) course.  This ISS opens the door to a holistic configuration concept. It is the single tank form of the well-known NAUI Technical Equipment Configuration (NTEC) course that in 1997 the NAUI Technical Diving Division (NAUITEC) created in order to standardize configurations and protocols

Rod Shroufe, an accomplished NAUI-certified instructor (NAUI# 55930), intertwines his three fervent passions – diving, teaching, and STEM – weaving them together in a harmonious dance that has defined his life’s work. Currently, he is the driving force behind an innovative initiative known as the “Water Stewards Program” (WSP).     This groundbreaking educational initiative,

If you have the good fortune to meet Riley Young and ask her about SCUBA diving, you will be greeted with a wide smile and her passion-filled story about overcoming challenges while learning to dive. Riley’s determination to conquer fear and manage anxiety about being underwater and reaching her goal of becoming a diver was

“Brake with your left hand.” If you are a cyclist, at least in the United States, that statement probably sounds like an invitation to disaster. However, as usual, it pays to listen with an open mind.   Recently I was on a guided bike ride in Vietnam. The group was composed entirely of folks from

Please join the NAUI Board of Directors and NAUI Diversity Committee in congratulating Sarah Yerrace on being selected as the first ever NAUI Diversity Scholarship Recipient! Sarah will work to earn her NAUI Instructor Certification this fall and join the NAUI family. Sarah has worked in several capacities to increase diversity in both recreational and

Over a weekend in October 1-2, 2022 a group of approximately 30 NAUI Leaders and prospective leaders attended a “NAUI Leadership Rescue Workshop.” The workshop was a collaborative effort organized by: Frank Degnan 7165, Scott Chapman 49776, Andrew Morgan 52002, Sloane Lofy 57154, and Nick Nechay 60788. Attendees spanned quite a range of years from

Ready for an adrenaline-pumping adventure that takes fishing to the next level? Spearfishing is a thrilling and one-of-a-kind sport that will challenge you in ways traditional fishing never could! Unlike regular fishing, spearfishing requires the hunter to get up close and personal with the fish and requires them to get in the water, hunt for

NAUI will be exhibiting at the 2023 Scuba Show, June 3-4, 2023! Being held at the Long Beach Convention Center located in Long Beach, California.   Stop by and see us at booth #503!   NAUI will be holding seminars at the show on Saturday June 3:   1. NAUI Member Update (For NAUI members

In conjunction with the Scuba Show 2023, NAUI’s Mobile Training Team is conducting a First Aid Leadership Workshop prior to the show.  You can sign up to get certified as a First Aid Instructor or a First Aid Instructor Trainer.  There is limited space so sign up before all the spaces fill up!  Details of

Catalina Rodriguez has harbored a passion for animals and diving from an early age. She spent her formative years on dive boats with her parents, both of whom are ardent scuba divers. Her father, a Physical Education teacher and NAUI Course Director, imparted valuable life lessons to her, including leadership and dive safety. He mentored

The sheer number of unique conditions that can trouble divers underwater is enough to make your head spin. From decompression sickness to gas embolisms to marine envenomations, there are plenty of problems to prepare for, and it takes effort to keep up with the latest research and treatment protocols. Conditions both rare and commonplace can

NAUI’s recent requalification workshop held in Hong Kong was a resounding success with over a hundred participants, all excited to reunite after a long hiatus. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our Hong Kong rep Kenneth Cheung and his team for organizing the event, as well as Board member Simon Yu and his

Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation (TFDSOF) aids wounded, ill, or injured US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) members, veterans, and their families. TFDSOF responds to immediate needs, conducts Rehabilitative Adaptive Events (RAE), and provides next-generation health solutions for issues facing our service members.   As a veteran-operated nonprofit, TFDSOF understands the needs and experiences of

NAUITEC Brazil, with its rich history, is committed to disseminating knowledge about deep and decompression diving due to the long-standing exposure to nitrogen in the country.   In 2023, experienced divers living in the capital of Brazil willingly faced the depths with the assistance of NAUI Dive Center Migulho, the promoter of the event. NAUITEC

Just a quick note from the NAUI HQ Training Department, Terrence Tysall #16627 (March 6 – 10, 2023)   As our wet suits dry from our incredible trip to the lush landscapes south of Mexico City, I wanted to take a moment and recognize the incredible team that made this mission happen and recognize a

Jake Emmert’s childhood was spent exploring the picturesque hill country in Austin, Texas. It was his mother who opened the doors to an entirely new world for him when she introduced him to diving at the age of 12. With his mother lacking a dive buddy, she had Jake get certified and accompany her on

Dear NAUI Membership, Attached is the job announcement for the NAUI Executive Director and NSG CEO position. We have hired an executive search company, Integris Group to find candidates. A search committee has been selected to work with them to find the best candidate. Please disseminate to anyone interested in the position and have them

NAUI participated in Asia’s three major leports exhibitions from February 16 -19, 2023. At this exhibition, we also conducted a Member Update and 2022 Requalification. About 80 IT & CDs gathered together. We pledged to create a more developed NAUI.   NAUI App Badges for NAUI Members Attending the Member Update and CD/IT Requalification  

This past weekend we were again able to be present at the “Duikvaker” dive fair to present NAUI. Many passers-by had questions about NAUI: What is it? What do you do and most importantly? What can we do with you? After our enthusiastic members answered the questions, almost all of them were enthusiastic and happy

As underwater photographers, it is usually relatively easy to capture the attention of audiences by sharing images of a whale shark, manta ray, or other relatively large marine creature. and   Including a diver (or divers) in your frame with Mr. Big can transform an interesting image into an “oohs” and “aahs” crowd pleaser. and

Found in marshes and bodies of water throughout the eastern and central United States, water snakes are a staple of American wetlands. When you’re swimming, hiking, kayaking, or scuba diving anywhere in this half of the country, you’re likely to come across these water-loving serpents eventually. Yet despite their prevalence, most people don’t know a

  The team of instructors who are specialized in Public Safety Diving from NAUI Brazil, taught a special course for 20 firefighters and divers from the Military Fire Department of the State of Santa Catarina, located in the south of Brazil.  There were 8 intense days of training inside the headquarters of the 7th Battalion of

After a total of 21 training days ~ five new NAUI Helitrox Divers and a NAUI ICC in progress to become NAUI Instructor shortly after.   For quality and safety we worked with two groups separately for 10 days each.   Both teams did a great job, and we achieved our objectives. They got their

  With great pleasure I, Roberto Baraldi, report the success obtained in the day of cleaning the seabed of Naxos and Taormina organized by Divesicily (NAUI # AF1271) of Giardini Naxos and Taormina, Messina, Italy. Attended by all the diving schools and diving centers of the area including: cultural associations as Legambiente, the team of

  Moving into Chapter 4 of Forever Improving the Diver, we visit Dekker’s Hindsight Bias current look at safety from the safety community installment two – As a reminder Bruce starts the article acknowledging he is no safety expert but relies on subject matter experts for guidance.   “I’m no safety expert so I look

  Looking to impress your friends with your quick and accurate identification of tropical fish?    In this article, you’ll learn the basics of identifying tropical fish while scuba diving, so you can categorize the fish you see into family groups.     Most of the time, when people think of scuba diving, the image

Moving into Chapter 3 of ‘Forever Improving the Diver’, I am very excited to see the title resonating with individuals and prompting responses and input. I would like to thank Bruce Higgins for providing his interesting read on ‘Safety’, which addresses the balancing of efficiency and thoroughness.   Bruce starts the article acknowledging he is

Any underwater photographer who has tried their hand at making images at night knows this endeavor comes with its own set of challenges. For starters, you need to know your way around your camera system by feel because it is not always possible to clearly see the various controls for a camera or strobe. If

    Technical examiner Abdulaziz Altanak has completed NAUI technical instructor workshop in Saudi Arabia specifically Jeddah the Red Sea with the assistance of Mahmoud Zahran. It has been a successful course, and Saudi Arabia proudly welcomes the new instructors.         We are proud to announce that Mahmoud Zahran has been designated

  As we continue our journey exploring ‘Forever Improving the Diver’, our focus this edition features benefits of NAUI Leadership you may not find in other agencies. It’s the hope to draw as much contrast as possible of what makes NAUI unique and a better choice for anyone interested in leadership training.   When it

I have started expanding Technical Diving in the middle east and the Arabian gulf.   As a course director I flew to Oman specifically Mascot to train instructor Ahmed Almanji who had a strong interest in Tech Diving, and I helped him start his path with NAUI Technical Diving.   I have also realized that

  The Story of the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) begins with a shared vision of what quality Scuba Training should be; a commitment to ‘Dive Safety Through Education.’   NAUI embraces and encourages innovation and dynamic approaches while incorporating academic freedom to adapt and meet the specific needs of a student. The water

  SUBMISSIONS ARE IN  – 43 submissions were approved and have moved forward to the voting portion of the contest!   The first submission will be posted on Monday, July 18, 2022 and a new submission will be posted every other day until Monday, October 10, 2022.   Voting is easy and simple.  Each submission

  First Technical Instructor Workshop in Kuwait with presence of NAUI Czech Republic representative and Examiner Petr Rehak and the help TIE Abdulaziz Al Tannak.   Congratulations to those new NAUI technical instructors CD/ Hussain AL-Khamees, CD/ Mishaal AL-Saeed, and CD/Fouad Naja and welcome to NAUI Tech.   A big thank you to the  Prime

In photographic circles, the term negative space refers to everything in a photograph other than the subject. Accomplished shooters recognize the manner in which a photographer treats negative space is often the factor that “makes” or “breaks” a shot. In short, skilled photographers routinely turn opportunities with relatively common subjects into memorable photographs with good

NAUI Mobile Training Team Technical Workshop May 24th-27th, 4 Day All About Scuba – Multi-agency Training Event May 28th– 29th, 2 Day   Dive Site Location – Alexandria Bay, NY, Bonnie Castle Resort that includes a shore diving underwater dive park open to the public along the St. Lawrence River. The underwater dive park is

  Liability is one of those catchalls, a sometimes magical term used as a reason either to not do something or to do something that may seem unnecessary. The word has become so powerful and is used so frequently that it’s become a go-to answer to “Hey, why don’t we [insert brilliant idea]?” or “Why

  NAUI has officially launched their Social Media Campaign that will run from May to October. With prizes ranging from $75 to $200 in Digital Promotional Code Credits!    Submissions will be accepted from May 9 – June 30 and you can submit as many times as you want. Plus, get bonus points by referring

Finally, after 2 years the dive fair, Duikvaker was organized again in Houten, the Netherlands. For the first time after a long time, NAUI was present with a large booth.   The booth was filled with the big NAUI wall, lots of promotional material and a lot of info was available. The expert advice was

Get ready for NAUI in California! Check out the NAUI booth #503 – May 14-15. There will also be a Pop-up event by Bamboo Reef at the booth. No need to register, just show-up and hang out. Times listed above. In addition, there will be a chance to win a NAUI Freediving shirt for the

I think it fair to say that when most photographers first try their hand at photography, their feet are firmly planted on the ground and they are shooting through air, not water. And when first using any kind of wide-angle lens, beginners often back away from subjects and try to take in big scenes like

A resort located in the central region of Brazil, more precisely in the City of Rio Quente, in Goiás, provides one of the most incredible experiences with the giant fish originally from the Amazon region: the “Pirarucu”, one of the largest fish in the water sweet in the world, and whose name comes from indigenous

  NAUI Worldwide is partnering with Force Blue for the Force Blue Ocean Conservation School (OCS). This program allows Gold Star Families to become involved and educated in the diving community.   During the week of March 10 – 13, 2022, eight Gold Star children and their guardians will have the opportunity to earn their

Last week, I received a request that truly inspired me, and I felt compelled to share this inspiration with all of our NAUI members.   Ace has internships already in the works and plans to become a Master Diver at the age of 16 in Mossel Bay, South Africa and Dive Master by age 18.

Captain’s Log: January 5th 2022 Location: Cap Verde Islands, Island of Sal, Palmeira   As we passed the date from Dec 31st 2021 to Jan 1st 2022, entering a new year, this also means setting new goals and in our case, a new dive area to explore. Looking at the ocean maps that we use

Have you checked out NAUI TV lately? If not, it is time to go and see what is there. Over the past year, it has grown and been refreshed. There is a library of NAUI Talks that you can watch to help you to succeed. In addition, there is the Member Update area that contains

At the beginning of October, NAUI celebrated creating yet another group of certified divers. This course was run by the Indeep Club from Constanta, Romania and included nine respected members of the police community, with eight officers from Georgia and one from Romania.   It is wonderful to see the great work of NAUI members

During our last weeks of traveling onboard SY Blowing Bubbles (you can follow these stories biweekly published in Sources), visiting and scuba diving different islands in the Atlantic Ocean, we also came across several diving centers offering Eco Diving. Now, I must admit that Eco diving, at least in my mind, did not get any

Early Spring 2021 – NAUI announced an “Armed Forces” program designed for veterans by veterans. Launched May 1st, this innovative industry first, in conjunction with a VA benefits program and the US Government, affords the active-duty service member and the retired military person opportunities to utilize the G.I. Bill® to pay for many of NAUI’s

Captain’s Log: Dec 22th 2021 Location: Cap Verde Islands, Island of Sal After a six-day sea voyage from Canary Islands to Cap Verde Islands, we were happy and eager to arrive at the island Sal within the archipelago of Cap Verde. Taking a day of rest was needed to relax after the six-day trip, each

Right now, everyone is dreaming of a diving getaway. You can have your tropical vacations to the Bahamas, Barbados or Bermuda – but I will take another B: Blue Grotto. The Blue Grotto Dive Resort is located in Williston, Florida, which is about forty minutes off the I-75 highway, a major thoroughfare that travels between

For more than 60 years, NAUI has been committed to the environment and encouraging members to support and preserve the planet. Our sustainability initiatives focus on partnering with conservation minded companies, eliminate waste within our operations, and change the way we create products and services to be a better advocate for our divers.   NAUI

In an effort to include more veterans in its mission to preserve and restore, NAUI is teaming up with Force Blue to encourage U.S. military veterans, who would like to become “Force Blue Assistant Scientific Divers”, to undergo SCUBA certifications through a network of Force Blue “Outposts” across the country.   OUR MISSION NAUI PARTNERS

Van McGhee admits always being captivated as a boy by the underwater adventures of fictitious ex-U.S. Navy frogman Mike Nelson in “Sea Hunt,” a television drama series from 1958-61 starring Lloyd Bridges. “I thought it was just fascinating,” he said. For 40 years, McGhee, 70, and his wife, Barb, 63, of Manor, have pursued that

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Scuba Connection

NAUI Instructor, Jake Johnston of Shelton, WA lost his fight with Cancer earlier this month. He was certified as a SCUBA diver in 2005 as the first step in becoming a commercial harvest diver as a member of the Squaxin Island Tribe. Jake completed training in lightweight Surface-Supplied Air (S-SA). He was the only Native

Do you want to write an article or some news for the Sources Magazine or the Sources Blog?   Below is an outline that can help you get your item in the Sources Magazine or on the Sources Blog. Please Note: These are guidelines; you are more than welcome to add more to your article.

Captain’s log: 27th November 2021 Location: Atlantic Ocean, Canary Islands, multiple dive sites   As we arrived in the Canary Islands, we encountered SY Ornella, French Flag again. Onboard, Cpt Thierry and skipper Nathalie are on their way around the world.   Both of them were very interested in learning more about scuba diving as

Without the world’s bodies of water, there would be no scuba diving at all, or if there was it’d only be within local pools. Although the world’s oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water aren’t drying up anytime soon, there is a problem. The problem of the amount of trash that is in these bodies

France is a big country and part of Europe. Does your knowledge of France go any further than Paris, the croissant or French fries? Well, probably the same for many among us, but this story is not about the lifestyle in France but about the special scuba history that France has to offer! Where does

Eye-popping colors. Entertaining antics. Bizarre-looking creatures. Photogenic poses. Fascinating behaviors. Megafauna. Seascapes. No doubt about it, as underwater photographers we are blessed with an abundance of fantastic subject material and photographic opportunities. Yellow-lipped sea krait (aka banded sea krait) and anthias   Upon first consideration, creating compelling images might seem to require little more than

Captain log: October 29th, 2021 Location: Canary Islands, between Tenerife and La Gomera, Atlantic Ocean   As we are heading from Tenerife to the next island called “La Gomera”, we are crossing some serious deep waters, up to -3000mtr (or -9000ft) of depth. These depths are reached quite close to the shores of all the Canary

As we approach the new year, it is once again time to look into the great work of NAUI. Every year we reach out to NAUI Members to invite them to join a committee. Joining a committee is a great way to give and receive ideas that will shape NAUI for all members, including yourself.

We are pleased to announce that we will again be offering members the Annual General Meeting and Awards Ceremony on-line this year. This format gives members worldwide the opportunity to join one of the different sessions and stay tuned with the great work of NAUI Worldwide. Be sure to join us in December at one

Neptune Warrior is a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Organization. While our focus is on veterans and public safety professionals, we train the general public to support our mission. Our dive team has over 12000 dives and has been teaching since 1999. Twenty-two Vets a day cash in and opt for suicide. You’ve seen people do

Congratulations Dan Henderson for this amazing Instructor Review!   “I just wanted to drop a note to compliment my NAUI instructor Dan Henderson. His # is 62105.  I took the basic underwater course from Dan.  Initially as the class started I was surprised at not being comfortable breathing underwater.  I was just going to quit,

NAUI Talk is a webinar series with guest presenters, speakers, and discussions. Each topic is an opportunity for NAUI members around the world to build and succeed in their businesses. Sessions range from 30-60 minutes, time well spent! As we will be running the Member Updates next month, there will be only one NAUI TALK in November.

Historical Diving Society (HDS) Annual Fundraising Trip #1 Guadalupe Island, Mexico Dan Orr Since 2005, the Historical Diving Society (www.hds.org) has offered a fundraising trip to Guadalupe Island, Mexico to dive (in cages, of course) with Great White Sharks. In 2021, two back-to-back trips were offered, October 5-10 & 10-15, 2021. Each year, with the

Captain log: October 11th, 2021 Location: Canary Islands, Puerto San Miguel, South Tenerife, Atlantic Ocean   The crew is still trying to wrap their heads around the momentum of Mother Nature’s volcanic eruption, during our visit to the island of La Palma (as discussed in Sources October 14th Issue). Having moved on, and wound up

Congratulations Randy Pekarik for this amazing Instructor Review! “I recently completed my Ship Wreck and Nitrox Certified Courses with Randy Pekarik as my instructor. Randy was very knowledgeable on both topics and everything dive related He was patient with those of us learning, and detailed and thorough with his teaching. Randy made the dives a

Frank Rakowski and Tracy Green of Scuba Connection, a NAUI Platinum Pro Dive Center, led the 2nd Annual Clean Up Project through the Green Diver Initiative. The event was hosted by Scuba Connection out of Bergenfield NJ and sponsored by ADR NJ Services. The reservoir which is approximately 2000 acres has a max depth of

  “VA Affiliates and NAUI Dive Centers, NAUI is proud to announce the NAUI Hero Certification Card ProgramTM. We welcome you and your teams to share these programs with your students, customers, and community so we can give back to our nation’s heroes through these donation campaigns and deliberate partnerships.” – Ray Reneau, Director of

  “VA Affiliates and NAUI Dive Centers, NAUI is proud to announce the NAUI and the Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge Partnership. We welcome you and your teams to share these programs with your students, customers, and community so we can give back to our nation’s heroes through these donation campaigns and deliberate partnerships.” –

NAUI has officially announced the launch of the NAUI Mobile Training Team (MTT) for early 2022.   The NAUI MTT will promote the growth and continuing commitment to member engagement worldwide. The mission is to assist NAUI members in developing teaching ability and to expand their course offerings and skills. The planned workshops may vary

World Day for Clean Up Rivers and Beaches   NAUI affiliate promotes cleaning day on the beaches of Santos, Brazil   On this very important day, of awareness, the guys got their hands dirty for cleaner beaches⠀In this effort, 376 kg (829 lb) of garbage were removed from our beach! 20,530 items were discarded in

NAUI Worldwide and all of our members would like to welcome New Instructor Kenneth Sterns #62739 from CD Billy Walls #599902 through NAUI facilities Panama City Dive Center Vortex Springs.

DURHAM, NC – July 7, 2021 – Divers Alert Network has enhanced its popular Return To Diving guide with the launch of a video in support of the program. Available at DAN.org/Return, the guide has helped thousands of people get back in the water safely in the past few months. Now, this new video brings

NAUI Platinum Facility Captain Hooks in the Florida Keys recently completed an Instructor and crossover instructor course. From left Brennan Autry(new CD from Trilogy Dive center), Frank Slifka (IT Capt. Hooks), Vince Corning (Crossover Instructor), Sydnie Collins (new NAUI Instructor), Andy Olday CD, Josh Matalus (Crossover), Vianne Euresti (HOOK’S STAFF INSTRUCTOR)   For more info

NAUI Worldwide attended Shark Con 2021, along with Off the Wall Adventures & Outfitters and the Scuba Gym at the Tampa fairgrounds on August 7th, 2021. This event was filled with endless education on marine conservation and shark awareness.     From wonderful kid activities to motivational/educational speakers, there was something for all who attended.

Don Markham, Nicole Zelek, and Lila Jones represented NAUI Worldwide at this year’s 2021 MerMagic Con in Manassas, VA from August 6 – 8th, 2021. They shared first-hand about their experiences at the convention.   “NAUI Worldwide ran two Mermaid certification classes over the weekend. NAUI Instructor, Nicole Zelek, stepped up and taught a free

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Divers in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary unfurled a huge American flag underwater Saturday and attached it to a historic military shipwreck to mark 20 years since 9/11. The 30- by 40-foot flag was carried by divers about 60 feet beneath the ocean’s surface and affixed it to the kingpost of

Please introduce yourself and where you are from and your background.   I am Lila Jones; I work as a mermaid on the beautiful island of Maui. I am a NAUI instructor and creator of the NAUI Mermaid program. I hold a degree in Marine biology from Hawaii Pacific University and have been an active

Do you have a NAUI Surface Marker? This is a necessary safety Tool for divers. Go to the NAUI  store and order some today. Item 31018-Open Surface Marker.

Congratulations to our newest NAUI DAN First Aid Instructor Mark Lee certified by Bill Doran CDT and FAIT.   This past week we finished up the First Aid Instructor Workshop and topped it off with a dive at Bill’s cottage.

In the term from 8 till 10th July 2021 close to Prague, Czech Republic, we held technical workshop with NAUI instructor Cristian Irimies, NAUI # 60220, from Transilvania, Romania.   Cristian is a young diver with a rich experience with cave diving. He started his cave explorations in 2008, in the beginning with dry parts

NAUI Worldwide and all of our members would like to welcome Josh Washburn #60254 Newest Instructor from latest ITC at Grapevine Scuba, # F0001712. In addition a big congratulations to Newest Divemasters Vernon Vittatoe #60761 and Tina Coker Washburn #62509.   Left to right: Tina Coker Washburn, Josh Washburn, Vernon Vittatoe

NAUI is sad to announce the passing of Jim Hicks. There are so very many of us that are blessed to have know Jim and many more have benefited from his many areas that all his work as a NAUI Member, as an instructor, as a mentor, and so much more. The dive world is

After 32years being active in the EU dive industry, established in 1990 by founder/owner and Naui Representative Jean-Marc Claes, dive centres Time To Dive in Belgium have gotten new owners. Naui Instructor Dennis Gryncewicz and his partner Johanna Rediers are taking over the diveshop/divecentre and diveschool and will continue to grow Time To Dive in

We would like to congratulate both Matt Stow NAUI # 61644 and Derek Marshall Dunning NAUI # 61675, both members are from South Africa, as the have both qualified as NAUI Freediver Instructor Examiners. This allows them to train and qualify NAUI Freediver Instructors. Their drive and passion for Freediving and Freediving safety has led

NAUI Worldwide and all of our members would like to welcome Umberto Plaitano as a In and new member #62447. In addition a big congratulations to Antonio Arcucci from NAUI Italy for certifying a new member to the NAUI team.

Congratulations Darrell Barabash for this amazing Instructor Review! “I wanted to just give a quick review of my diving instructor Darrell Barabash. He was not only an excellent instructor, but a patient and excellent teacher as well. I want to commend him for his hard work and dedication to not only the sport itself, but

NAUI Worldwide and all of our members would like to welcome Rowen Mead as a Dive Master and new member #62446. In addition a big congratulations to Nelson Pereira from Oceano Dive center for certifying a new member to the NAUI team.

NAUI Worldwide and all of our members would like to welcome: Dario Lopezas an Instructor and new member #37162 Luis Llorenteas an Instructor and new member #62427 Alejandro Boteroas an Instructor and new member#37859 In addition a big congratulations to Jorge Martinez CD 18658 for certifying three member to the NAUI team.

NAUI Worldwide and all of our members would like to welcome Sven Vangilnergen (seen on the right) as an Instructor and new member # 61279. In addition a big congratulations to Nico Jeandarme CD 45137 for certifying a new member to the NAUI team.

As we know all too well, the pandemic has had a devastating effect on the global diving industry and on our sport. Many of us have been out of the water for more than a year and we are itching, and for many of us, desperate to get back underwater. As more and more of

I had the opportunity to listen to the live broadcast of the meeting of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) where they discussed the results of their investigation into the tragic fire aboard the dive boat, Conception, where 34 divers lost their lives. During the meeting’s 4+ hours of discussion, they reviewed all aspects of the

When accomplished underwater photographers share their techniques, one of the first pieces of advice that is offered is often “get rid of the water”. Of course, when you are diving there is no way to eliminate the water. So, how can you follow the well-intended advice? The answer is that the intent of the advice

If you were to ask a group of underwater photographers to list some of their favorite subjects, they would likely include whales, sharks, manta rays, dolphins, sea lions, manatees, shipwrecks, and myriad reef creatures. If those same photographers were then asked to draw the photographs they would like to take, my bet would be that

The Green Diver Initiative includes stewardship in its goals.  But what does stewardship mean for a diver?   Stewardship is supporting the needs of a dive site, particularly the aquatic environment.  My interpretation of stewardship comes from a long history of supporting an Underwater Park.  All diving sites have needs, some of which are best

On August 28, 2020, I responded to a Facebook post from an out of town diver. Thomas was looking for a guide to our local waters. I chose Diver’s Cove, 6:00 a.m. on Sunday August 31, 2020 for our dive to beat the hordes of other divers who frequent the site. Even though Thomas was

      It took place in Brazil, at the headquarters of the NAUI MERCOSUR Office, another Public Safety Diver course, within the strictest standards of the National Association Of Underwater Instructors, totaling eight days of intense learning and mobilizing a total of 23 divers, among students, candidates for instructor , instructors and the coordination

  In August, I responded to a Facebook post from an out-of-town diver. Thomas was looking for a guide to our local waters. I chose Diver’s Cove, 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 31, for our dive to beat the hordes of other divers who frequent the site. Even though Thomas was a new instructor, I

The Elections Committee announces the official candidate list for the 2020 NAUI Board of Directors election: Ahmed Alansari 52672 Richard Alvarez 30773 Douglas Bennett 17952 Erika Boruff L56496 John Duggan 2226 Todd Shannon 10986 Jonathan “Ford” Turner 53203 Simon Yu L11146   These eight candidates will be listed on the ballot for this year’s election.

  NAUI to be SCUBA Certification Partner for the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences’ Space Suit Test Laboratory at Survival Systems USA in Groton, CT.   BOULDER, Colorado – Today the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) announced that it had finalized a partnership with the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) to designate NAUI

Halina took a leap to become Open Water certified right after her dad passed away, as a way to seek excitement in 2017. She thought it would be a recreational sport, but she fell in love with diving and was inspired to be more involved with the ocean. She steered her life’s direction and became

With August halfway through it is great to make a few announcements, so here they are! Over the next few weeks, we will be shipping certification cards directly from Canada. This will greatly benefit us in both shipping time and avoiding the costs at the borders. Once the certification cards process is streamlined, I will

July 17, 2020   The Elections Committee is preparing for the 2020 NAUI Board of Directors election. This year there are two (2) Board of Director positions due for election. Each of these positions has a 4-year term. The Elections Committee is accepting nominations for the 2020 Board of Directors election. To be considered, nominees

On June 9th, 2020, the World Recreational Scuba Training Council endorsed a new recreational scuba diving and freediving medical screening system. The following is an overview of that system.   The existing RSTC 2007 edition medical form is still valid for use.  However, as you work through your stock of existing forms begin your transition to the

Happy new trimix diver group Antti, Niko, Teemu, Juho and Aleksi with instructor Mikael Tyven, Also on the trip were Tech AI Kari Pussinen and Trimix diver instructor student Tomi Leinonen. Congratulations for All!

Manō, or sharks, help maintain the balance of ocean ecosystems as apex predators, but due to the perception of sharks as a dangerous threat to humans, they have not received the protections needed to sustain healthy populations. Research has shown that the media has a strong influence on an individual’s emotional reactions, threat perceptions, willingness

When I last wrote, we were embarking on a new journey with the advent of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. As expected, it has changed the landscape of the business world and had major impacts on our incomes, our way of conducting business, and our way of life. It’s safe to say that this has

DURHAM, NC – May 27, 2020 – Divers Alert Network® (DAN®) has published answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about preparing to dive in the new normal. Covered topics include safety practices for retail areas, staff and client interactions, dive boat operations, gear disinfection protocols and more. As dive professionals, dive operators and

NAUI Talk Staying connected during this time is important to help divers keep in touch and have some fun! Join these 30-minute sessions to stay in touch on weekdays from 10:30 until 11 am Eastern Standard Time. These sessions provide routine and assist those looking to reach out and stay connected to others in the

Due to COVID-19 the NAUI credit programs at the University of Tennessee had to wait till May 15-16 to complete their certification at Vortex Spring, Florida. The small group of students that were able to go earned many NAUI certifications: 22 Basic Open Water Scuba Diver, 7 Advanced Scuba Diver, 2 Rescue Diver, and 2

NAUI Brazil conducted an Instructor Training Course and added to our NAUI family in South America. The classroom work was at NAUI Brazil Headquarters in Jundiaí SP, with practical activities at Pedreira do Biguá, in Laranjal Paulista SP. The ITC’s 12-day format provides a great opportunity for NAUI leaders to transform themselves into NAUI Instructors.

The Elections Committee is preparing for the 2020 NAUI Board of Directors election. This year there are two (2) positions open for election. Each of these positions is for a full 4-year term. The Elections Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Board of Directors election. To be considered, nominees must send their nominations

DURHAM, NC – May 19, 2020 – DAN Risk Retention Group (DAN RRG) is presenting a webinar Wednesday about its 2020/2021 liability insurance programs via Facebook Live on the DAN Facebook Page. Live on Wednesday, May 20, at 3:00 p.m. ET, the presenter will be Shelli Wright, manager of DAN professional programs. If you miss

František Svoboda is our new NAUI Instructor in Czechia. He completed the Hagen Divers ITC in Rovina this May. The course was led by NAUI Czechia Representative Petr Řehák, who said that Franta was perfectly prepared for his course even though he had said he did not believe he would ever be able to each

Version 2.0 of the 2020 Standards and Policies Be on the lookout for a revised version of NAUI Standards & Policies Manual in early summer. The changes focus on the Technical Course updates announced at DEMA 2019 and reflect the course flow that was approved by the Board of Directors. Just as you have seen

Thursday May 14th from 3 to 4 pm will be a session for all divers titled “Adapting for the New Dive Environment”. You can join me live on my Zoom account (as seen above) or watch later as I will be recording it and then placing it on the NAUI North YouTube Channel. You do

Four Ontario dive centers are cooperating to provide full face masks to Toronto General Hospital. The masks will be used with newly developed respirators. NAUI Course Director Todd Shannon (NAUI 10986) reports that AquaSystems, Mississauga Diving, Brampton Scuba, and Oakville Divers have delivered 500 full face masks to the hospital where test versions of the

In light of the unprecedented conditions facing the dive industry, DAN Risk Retention Group (RRG) will extend the policy term by 90 days for current insureds under its professional, group professional and general liability insurance policies. Funded 100% by DAN, this extension will apply to all policies in effect on May 1, 2020. For example,

Frequently Asked Questions How can I protect my staff from COVID-19? For employees, the general COVID-19 safety recommendations, as published by the WHO and CDC, apply. The use of protective face masks and gloves should be considered when staff members are in direct contact with clients. Reducing the number of people in certain areas or

Covid-19 has negatively affected nonprofits around the world.  Tuesday May 5, 2020, Is #GivingTuesdayNow A worldwide day of philanthropy and giving to aid philanthropic organizations We urge you to participate, and we ask you to support Green Diver Initiative. By donating now at http://www.nauigreendiver.org/donate.html Thank you for your contribution; we greatly appreciate it! Green Diver

OK, we are shut down TEMPORARIALY with this COVID-19 pandemic. The key word here is TEMPORARY: This thing will end. I hear so many folks talking Gloom and Doom, pity poor me, so much negativity. It is time to get positive, folks. I remember after 9/11 there simply was no business. I was working at

April 21, 2020: It is with great sadness that Divers Alert Network® (DAN®) announces the passing of its former vice president of research, Richard D. Vann, Ph.D. Dr. Vann was an esteemed researcher whose work focused on the physiology of breathing and exercise in special environments and the epidemiology of pressure-change-related injuries. His extensive career

In February, we had the pleasure of introducing scuba to the “Youth Cadets” of Cayman Brac! The “Try Scuba” experience was held at the Layman Scott High School pool. A great time was had by all! A big thanks to Brac Scuba Shack (a NAUI Destination) for supplying air fills for this fun! Can’t wait

The NAUI office in Brazil organized a meeting with NAUI members on April 17 to explore post-pandemic return. Alvanir “Jornada” Oliveira of NAUI Mercosul held a virtual meeting with NAUI members to provide guidelines for quarantine and post-quarantine time due to the impositions made by governments related to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was

Times like these really illustrate how well-thought-out emergency action plans (EAPs) can improve our safety (and the safety of our loved ones) both in the water and on land. Crafting these plans involves careful evaluation of the activity, location, and available resources, and it must be done well in advance of diving or travel. Take

Having a new student bolt toward the surface is probably the biggest fear most instructors face. Flooding the mask and taking the mask off underwater are probably the two skills that give new divers more anxiety and make them more likely to bolt. To reduce this anxiety, most instructors usually first have students put their

The Opening Festival of the Sea and Diving Season was created with the objective of encouraging ecotourism and promoting nautical activities and diving on the north coast of São Paulo, Brazil, with the Alcatrazes Wildlife Refuge as an anchor attraction. The event marked the beginning of the most suitable period for nautical activities in the

Letter from NAUI Worldwide CEO about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic Tampa, Fla. (March 25, 2020) – Coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing the landscape for 2020. Be assured that NAUI WORLDWIDE is here and ready to help meet your needs. Caring for Dive Centers and Members We are ready to meet these challenges. Plans are in place to

In the Czech Republic, we do not have the sea or extensive cave systems. On the other hand, we have many flooded mines. The majority of the old mines were closed long ago, and their entrances have been filled up. Our scuba diving team, Hagen Divers, set out to locate diveable places in the northwestern

Florida’s Keys contain the third largest barrier reef in the world. Much of the offshore areas in the Florida Keys are protected as part of national and state park programs and sanctuary areas. That protection has not stopped the advance of coral disease that has progressively claimed living corals, from Palm Beach County in the

In challenging times like these, it’s ever more important that we communicate with each other to share the collective implications of what we are all going through, and continually build a common sense of purpose and hope. COVID-19 has forced circumstances upon us that we are continuing to absorb. There is no one who isn’t

Lined up in neatly made wooden stands, five gallon buckets are being made available on public beaches as an initiative to encourage people to pick up trash. “I noticed a lot of trash in the ocean. I was diving, it was another world. Then I’d see a plastic bag or a water bottle. It made

What follows is a description of an environmental emergency on the northern coast of California and a call-to-action to SCUBA and free divers that love this coast.  The need is urgent and time-sensitive – read on to see how you can help. The north coast of California has experienced a massive disturbance in its near-shore

The Reef-World Foundation and Egypt’s Chamber of Diving and Watersports (CDWS) announce Green Fins has expanded to be available to all dive and snorkel operators nationwide across Egypt. Following a week-long training for six new Green Fins Assessors in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate and the implementation of the Green Fins initiative nationally, the Egyptian marine

DURHAM, NC – March 11, 2020 – In light of the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), questions have arisen in the dive community about disease transmission when using rental equipment, especially regulators. With the threat of coronavirus on everyone’s minds, divers want to know what precautions are being taken against the spread of

The University of Tennessee scuba program supports five entry-level classes. Each class has 25 students. They have around five Instructors and several Divemasters.  This is typical of the University of Tennessee. They also offer Advanced, Rescue, and Master Scuba Diver, through a NAUI Instructor. The University instructional team includes one Instructor Trainer and one Course

Divers Alert Network® (DAN®) has announced its newest research grant, the Alfred Bove DAN Research Grant for Cardiac Health in Scuba Diving. The grant was established in memory of Dr. Alfred Bove, a cardiologist and dive medicine specialist who contributed significantly to the field of dive medicine. In a career that spanned more than 40

NAUI made a great impression at this year’s Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show. Approximately 30,000 people came to the show on February 21 – 23, and a great many stopped to participate in our booth activity. The NAUI booth was often packed, busy, and filled with fun! A big excitement was the NAUI “Wheel of Wow.”

Mermaids from all over the world came to attend MerMagic Con 2020 in Manassas, Virginia, in February. NAUI recently launched the new NAUI Mermaid Certification programs, and MerMagic Con was the perfect event to promote the new classes. NAUI’s Mermaid Program Coordinator Lila Jones (NAUI 58342) attended the event, educating mermaids and others on the

The “CORAL REEF REVIVAL” Program presented by MOTE MARINE LABORATORY and CAPTAIN HOOK’S Dive Centers Today, more recreational scuba divers are aware and concerned with the health and state of our oceans’ coral reefs. There are many reasons for the reefs’ decline in the last thirty years. Most marine scientists agree that the rise in sea

As a board member since 2014, I spend a lot of time thinking about our Association, our history, and what makes us unique as a training agency. The tenets of our credo, the “loved one” concept, academic freedom, ability to safely exceed standards, and an association of equals controlled by the democratic process are among

Bruce Wienke (NAUI 5343) has left us. His passing was noted repeatedly on social media and other communications from divers around the world, especially those interested in advanced and technical diving. His place at the forefront of decompression theory and science spanned more than three decades, beginning in the 1980s and had a huge impact

Bill Schane, NAUI Instructor #2620, the smartest and most interesting man I ever knew, passed away on January 21, 2020. I first met Col. William P. Schane, MD, when we roomed together as team leaders at a NAUI Instructor Certification Course in Riviera Beach, Florida in 1973. Bill lectured on decompression theory and the medical

One of the skills that clearly separates accomplished underwater photographers from the rest of the photographic pack is that highly skilled shooters recognize when their shooting plan is not going to allow them to produce the photograph they have in mind, and therefore, they change their plan on the fly. When underwater photographers first try

Picture 700 odd coral islands and cays scattered across some of the clearest waters on the planet. Throw in a few shipwrecks, deep walls, blue holes, canyons, a fantastic array of marine life, and white sand beaches and you have the Bahamas — a country seemingly designed with divers and diving in mind. The subtropical

Depth Perception in Tampa welcomes a new class of Rescue Divers to the NAUI family. Congratulations to John, Krista, John, Javier, and Matt. Well done!

The Top Chef of the Year Tampa Bay event has been postponed.  Please check back for the rescheduled date. Due to the overwhelming appeal of famous television shows, outstanding chefs have been praised for their culinary genius. This event will have Tampa Bay’s prominent chefs put in the limelight and will raise much needed funds

Emergency oxygen is the proper first aid for treating a dive injury, but not all methods of oxygen delivery are appropriate in all situations. A demand valve is an easy-to-use system that can deliver a high concentration of oxygen while making your resources last as long as possible — something that’s critical when help is

In a first for the Foundation and the island of Bonaire, Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire (RRFB) has started growing three species of boulder corals in its nurseries. These three coral species are among the most common reef-builders that make up Bonaire’s reefs – lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis), mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata), and great

NAUI Brazil welcomes four new instructors to NAUI. Course Directors Rodrigo B. Conceição # 40606 and Marco A. Martha # 32748 and the candidate for instructor trainer Frank Bastos NAUI ITW # 56303 led this Instructor Training Course in the capital city of Brasilia. Over the last couple of weeks, the candidates, who already came

NAUI Worldwide kicked off 2020 by holding its first Board of Director’s meeting. In this meeting, the Board voted for its officers for 2020. The officers are Michael Feld as Chairman, Danny Grizzard as Vice Chairman, Barry Moore as Treasurer, and Hanalie Burger as Secretary. On the election as Chairman, Michael Feld said, “We’re looking

As we embark into a new year and new decade, it is a good time for every one of us to resolve to work toward a NAUI year to remember. I was truly honored to serve this past year as the chairman of your NAUI Board of Directors. Great strides were made this past year

Tampa, Fla., (January 7, 2020) – The NAUI Green Diver Initiative is pleased to announce its continued support of the Center for Open Exploration (C4OE) annual surveying and coastal clean-up project, GaspOur Beads of Tampa Bay, which is being coordinated by Next Level Dive Club. Next level Dive Club will host the GaspOur Beads of

Congratulations to instructor Björn Kieft from the Netherlands.  Kieft was trained by NAUI Course Director and NAUI Board Member G. Wessels (CD 54145) with the help of Maarten Horsting. Kieft was already a great professional leader and instructor in gymnastics but now he has earned his NAUI instructor certification level to teach scuba diving courses!

Mermaids have long been associated with the ocean. The mythical being has inspired tales by sailors across the globe with many major cultures having some form of a mermaid in their mythology. Over the past decade, there’s been a rise in popularity and demand as mermaid performers pushed the envelope of what was possible. Everything

In celebration of their 25th anniversary, NAUI affiliate Acquanauta Centro de Mergulho in Curitiba, conducted the first South Brazilian Meeting of Doctors and Diving Leaders in November. The conference’s presentations and discussions about safety and medicine in diving included diver medical exams, teaching diving physiology, and connecting dive leaders and doctors. Participants included NAUI Brazil,

Tampa, Fla. (December 20, 2019) – NAUI is proud to sign on as the title sponsor for a new Scuba Diving and Spear Fishing show called “Spear Life,” which will air exclusively on the Outdoor Channel and the World Fishing Network in the United States. “With the popularity of spearfishing on the rise, NAUI thought

Gigantic! — the loggerhead turtle’s tail at the base is bigger around than my hands, thumb and forefingers spread wide. I’ve logged the big fella’s return to the same reefs off Ocean Ridge, Florida, over the last 26 years. He’s easily recognized by the propeller scar on his carapace. He does not live there year-round;

With DEMA behind us, NAUI wanted to take a moment and recognize our award honorees for 2019. This year, NAUI recognized 82 of its members and three non-members. These include two Lifetime Achievement Awards, four Hall of Honor inductees, 46 Outstanding Service members, 17 Continuing Service members, two Albert Pierce Medal of Heroism awardees, two

Students in Rod Shroufe’s (NAUI 55930) AP Environmental Science class are participating in a Green Diver Event by kicking off a watershed enhancement plan in their community.  The students from Clackamas High School are studying the relationship between watershed health and its connection to ocean health. The focus for the unit will be the native

Sea Monsters – Truth or Fantasy Contest Deadline: January 20, 2020 The first International Poster Contest for Youth was organized almost 40 years ago. Originally inspired by a teacher who had her students draw posters for a film festival in the south of France, the contest offers the opportunity for young people around the world

NAUI Worldwide remains a true membership association. Our standards, policies, and ethics are governed by the Association’s Board of Directors, who are members themselves. The Board of Directors is elected through a democratic election process — each eligible member gets a vote in his or her association.  This year’s voting was again performed online with paper

DEMA Show 2019 wrapped up on November 16. As part of the show, NAUI hosted its annual Awards presentation and Annual General Meeting (AGM) for members. Descriptions, criteria and the list of award recipients can be found at www.naui.org/awards/. For the AGM, topics covered everything NAUI has worked on this year and what’s to come

Whether by serendipity or making dives in which you look for specific behaviors, it is possible to find animals acting in interesting ways on many dives. For many experienced underwater photographers, creating images that reveal behaviors ranging from displays of territoriality, courtship, mating, egg guarding, hatching and nursing to predation, cooperative and opportunistic hunting, cleaning,

Instructor Robert Lawrence welcomes some new NAUI divers at Devil’s Den in Williston, Florida.

The last voyage of the steamship Copenhagen began on May 20, 1900. The ship was carrying 4,940 tons of coal from Philadelphia bound for Havana, Cuba. It was a large steel-hulled vessel, 99 meters (325 feet) long with a 14-meter (47-foot) beam. Approaching South Florida, Captain William S. Jones left his chief officer on deck

Pink October is known as the month to help and raise awareness for breast cancer worldwide. NAUI Instructor Trainer Carole Mutran, #60825, known as ScubaCaroll from Lebanon gathered her students and friends on October 12th for a fun dive. Profits from this dive would help raise money for the Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation and the

I ran across an article on LinkedIn that was about changing school values. It began with a phrase from @SteeleThoughts: “You don’t change culture through emails and memos. You change it through relationships … one conversation at a time.” That struck me as being so true in our little world of the business of diving.

William Tong, NAUI Training Director for NAUI Asia Pacific, conducted a Course Director/Instructor Trainer Requalification Workshop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 5. NAUI Members came from all over our Asia Pacific territory: Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea were in attendance. It was a great opportunity for NAUI leaders from,

The Dive Academy Las Terrenas had a great meeting with Chris Campbell, the UK ambassador to the Dominican Republic, informing him on the progress of our joint reef restoration project. Ambassador Campbell is an avid diver, so it was much easier to explain the needs of the project to him. The project, which has undertaken

Sisters Maria and Jillian are the newest Depth Perception Dive Center Mermaids! Congratulations and safe diving to both!

Congratulations to students from Bergen Community College in NJ that completed their open water training dives with Scuba Connection. Instructors for these dives were Frank Rakowski, #58062; Chelsea Beecher #57072 and Tracy Green #60061.

Voting is now open for NAUI Board is of Directors. The Elections Committee announces the official candidate list for the 2019 NAUI Board of Directors election: Douglas Bennett, NAUI 17952 Hanalie Burger, NAUI 49570 Thomas Skalko, NAUI 19624 Cheryl Thacker, NAUI 23525 Kok Yew Wong, NAUI 18820 These five candidates will be listed on the

Celebrating the 23rd NAUI Members Meeting, NAUI Mercosul held its annual conference from August 13 to 18 in the city of Jundiaí, SP, Brazil. More than 130 NAUI Instructors and leaders attended, and the event reached the goal of bringing together our finest, who came to network, qualify for specialty ratings, and promote the exchange

As part of its long tradition of recognizing excellence and leadership in the dive industry, the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide) membership has selected official NAUI award recipients for 2019. Recipients are to be formally announced and honored Thursday, Nov. 14 during the DEMA Show in Orlando, Florida. This year, NAUI will recognize

The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostrus) is a large, slow-moving marine mammal that inhabits the coastal bays, estuaries, and rivers in the southeastern United States. They are a threatened tropical species, most related species being found endemic to regions near the equator. Manatees found in the United States are in their northernmost habitat. During the

Congratulations to these new open water divers at Humboldt State University. They just finished their 8th dive. They did 4 skills dives in the ocean and 4 at the lake working on rescues, buddy awareness, and buoyancy.

The first thought that many divers have when contemplating cold water diving is: “Brrrrr! Why would anyone want to do that?” The short answer: AMAZING diving. Colder water tends to have more nutrients, and typically more nutrients equal more life. The sheer amount of diverse biota in colder waters is absolutely stunning. A diver could

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the most commonly taught medical technique in the world, but as few as 20 percent of bystanders can adequately perform it in an emergency. CPR is a simple set of skills, but it can make a huge difference in the outcome for people who experience one of several different types of

Scuba Connection conducts two referral dives, also for a Junior diver, for SeaTrek BVI

Scuba Connection welcomes two new Junior Divers.

October is here and that can only mean one thing. Oktoberfest savings at NAUI! For the month of October, select NAUI Educational Systems are on super savings. And the savings goes even lower when you stock up now! A complete breakdown of prices is below.   North America – Affiliate Pricing North America – Member

The end of 2019 is fast approaching and that means it’s time to renew your membership. With your renewal this year, NAUI Worldwide is bringing back the Lifetime Membership option for the first time in more than 20 years. The NAUI Board of Directors has been working on bringing back the Lifetime Membership for some

“It’s a submarine,” I was thinking, unmistakably a submarine, sitting on the bottom of the ocean 30 meters (100 feet) below the surface. I was descending from the dive boat to the U-85, a German submarine sunk just 20 kilometers (12 miles) off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The U-85 was the first German U-boat to

To be successful in today’s market, you must be able to see what’s going on and figure out how you can capture a piece of the action. Many dive centers are not seeing the big picture. The dive center owner has to know what people want. That should be simple and easy: Divers want to

Fall is upon us, winter is fast approaching, and you are busy catching up on repair work, planning for DEMA or even a well-earned vacation after a busy summer with few days off. You also need to take time out to plan your inventory for the winter. Why in the world would we be concerned

It was while on our dive at the high-altitude lake of Cima d’Asta that my friend Claudio Turco and I decided to dive Lake Beinette. Claudio had grown up in the Cuneo province in northwestern Italy, and during our overnight at Cima d’Asta, he told me tales of the lake, the fantastic purity of its

The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Worldwide once again has agreed to co-sponsor the Visual Cylinder Inspection® class hosted by PSI-PCI, Inc. in Orlando, Florida, during DEMA Show 2019. NAUI members will receive a discounted rate of $275. The co-sponsored Visual Cylinder Inspection® (VCI)  course will be held Saturday, November 16 from 8am – 5pm.

The Elections Committee announces the official candidate list for the 2019 NAUI Board of Directors election: Douglas Bennett, NAUI 17952 Hanalie Burger, NAUI 49570 Thomas Skalko, NAUI 19624 Cheryl Thacker, NAUI 23525 Kok Yew Wong, NAUI 18820 These five candidates will be listed on the ballot for this year’s election. Eligible voting members may also

My best friend and mentor called. He was frustrated with folks not recognizing what a C-card or certification card is. He hears the term “PADI card” all the time. It frustrates me as well. This led into a discussion of what NAUI Instructors can do to assist building NAUI name recognition. After all, this is

The water was cold and the hours were long.

  The Red Sea’s warm, clear waters and multicolored reefs, have long been one of the world’s premier diving destinations. More than 300 diving centers in the Sinai Peninsula region receive more than 1.6 million divers annually — an incredible number of visitors and incredible dives! This summer, a group from NAUI Brazil visited Egypt,

Tampa, Fla. (August 1, 2019) – Registration is now open for NAUI Worldwide’s exhibitor-sponsored workshops and seminars at DEMA Show in Orlando, Florida! Qualified dive industry professionals looking for training opportunities in First Aid Instruction and Training or Course Director and Instructor Trainer Requalification can now register online or by phone. Are you interested in

  When you take a breath from a helium balloon and speak, your voice rises humorously. What happens when an astronaut does the equivalent and receives a phone call from the President of the United States? In the 1960s the U.S. Navy developed the SEALAB project, a series of underwater habitat experiments to test the

  Recently voted the third-best aquarium in the country by USA TODAY, The Florida Aquarium, a NAUI Organizational Affiliate and partner, is a top family-friendly attraction in the Tampa, Florida, area, to educate and inspire the public about marine life and conservation in an entertaining way. Guests are invited to see and learn about more

The largest of an archipelago of 21 volcanic islands and islets, Fernando de Noronha is the pinnacle of an extinct volcano whose base is 2,480 feet (756 meters) deep. Located about 215 miles (340 kilometers) away from the mainland, it is considered one of the best diving destinations in South America. The first visitor was

The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco has two new NAUI Instructors: dive officers Marina Bozinovic (center left) and Allison Shafer (center right). The ITC staff included dive operations manager and Course Director Trainer Mauritius Valente Bell (left), and senior dive officer and new Instructor Trainer Mark Lane (right). Congratulations to all on a

The tropical breeze gently rustles your hair and makes that unmistakable sound as it tosses the palm fronds to and fro. As you walk along the path to dinner, the sun is getting low and its golden orange glow bounces playfully off the orange-peel calm water nearby. As you go you recall the great dives

Many diving spots around the world allow you to dive “as you wish,” whether on a relaxing vacation, to engage in tech diving, to go in search of archaeological treasures, to teach diving or to work. While I have been exploring these many ways of approaching scuba diving for more than 20 years, both as

As I packed my dive gear to head down to Bonaire on another dive trip, I knew that this one would not be the same as most of the other dive excursions I had been on. I would soon be on my way to partner with three other NAUI Instructors who, like me, had all

Crystal clear water with underground passages that stretch for miles forming maze-like structures that open up into huge breathtaking chambers! This is the underwater playground of cave divers all over the world. But cave diving is often viewed by many divers, even some instructors, as one of the so-called “dark arts” of scuba diving. Insurance

NAUI CD Scott Creamer (NAUI 30480) qualified two new NAUI Divemasters on July 21st. The pair started their Master Diver course with Scott Creamer’s Underwater Breathing Adventures (S.C.U.B.A.) last summer. “It has been a pleasure working with them,” Scott commented, . “Northern California is lucky to have these passionate Divemasters!” New Divemaser Will Burns (NAUI

It’s 2 o’clock in the morning. You’re miserable and cold. Large raindrops strike your face. The air temperature is barely above freezing. You’re standing on the pitching deck of the boat as swells roll it back and forth, up and down. A helicopter hovers overhead, its rotor wash whipping up frigid wind and mist as

About 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii lies one of the world’s largest coral atolls with a lagoon that contains nearly 850 square miles of the world’s best diving. The lagoon is filled with warm, crystal clear blue water with a sugar-white sandy bottom that averages 150 feet and maxes out at 200 feet. A combination

Immediately after they break the surface, my two young guests burst into excited chittering. “Did you see that eel come up? It was huge! Those lobsters look even bigger underwater! Dad, we have to get certified; that was amazing.” It was the kind of excitement you would expect after two teenage girls breathe underwater, get

When I first began to seriously pursue my interest in underwater photography back in the mid-1970s, I was very fortunate to work as a diving instructor and store manager at a dive center in San Diego that was routinely visited by several National Geographic staff photographers. The dive center was owned by Chuck Nicklin, and

Professional Scuba Diver’s Liability – Live webinar with Attorney Jason Botticelli on August 27 at 12p.m. ET/9a.m. PT. Click here to register. The goal of this webinar  is to give more of the “laymen” dive professionals a basic understanding of what their professional insurance is for.  the webinar will cover the following: What is “negligence”

NAUI is proud to present the very first class of the Mississippi Highway Patrol Special Operations Group Dive Team. The group is in the middle of NAUI’s intensive Public Safety Diving Program being held on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. Ten troopers were selected from Mississippi’s most elite law enforcement officers to

Neighbors, who know that I dive off Boynton Beach often ask me, “How’s the ocean look below?” It is an easy enough question to answer — if I fend it off as I would the more usual, “How are you doing?” “Good” is my usual answer. Very few have the interest to listen to more.

With proper training, subsurface exploration and diving can be safe. What we do individually often contribute to incidents. That is not to say incidents don’t creep up from the depths, but training and gear knowledge, placement and practice can mostly mitigate situations the diver encounters. Safety begins on the surface with instructor and staff teaching,

Geological karst features, necessary for the formation of water-filled caves, are scarce in Sweden, and no suitable caves exist for cave-diving training. However, with literally thousands of water-filled mines, hundreds of which are accessible, it would perhaps be apt to call central Sweden “mine country,” akin to Florida’s famous “cave country.” Stable bedrock and a

Getting dive certified is something my husband, Tim, and I have talked about doing for the better part of at least 10 years now. We even ordered the books and had planned to do a diver certification course in Malta when we first moved to Europe. But life got in the way and after realizing

He’s had both hips and a shoulder replaced and his entire lower back rebuilt while serving his family, friends, and home. He neither complained nor asked for thanks. Instead, he simply decided to make a difference for his fellow servicemen and women who, too, continue to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Before retiring

Congratulations to Jordan, Morgan, and Justin. They recently earned their NAUI open water certification with Depth Perception Dive Center.

I found myself getting bored with diving. I had been diving within no-decompression limits for several years, and I could not find the next challenge or another skill to learn. A Course Director told me about two instructors running technical diving classes and wreck diving. I had previously ruled out technical diving because the complexities

Have you ever tried to explain how diving feels to prospective students? Or excite and spur newly certified divers to take additional courses or get out there and dive? Here are a few prose pictures, call them “teaching points” if you want, that you can use to share the wonder and the experiences of scuba

For those of us connected with the ocean through work or leisure, each year is a roller coaster of emotions, especially when the news is full of doom and gloom. The seas are getting more acidic, environmental protection laws are being repealed and the ever-growing amount of plastic is infecting every part of our oceans,

The Blue Heron Bridge spans Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway connecting Riviera Beach with Singer Island. It is a massive bridge that replaced a concrete structure, which has been partially kept for fishermen to use. At its eastern end, the bridge crosses Phil Foster Park, a Palm Beach County beach and park that is a popular diving

In 2008, while being treated for a severe back injury, I was told by my spinal surgeon that my days of sky diving, rock climbing, snowboarding and mountain biking were over. One bad fall or hard landing could have life-altering consequences. But he did recommend getting in the water. Much of my physical therapy was

One of the questions that comes up with increasing frequency is whether closed-circuit rebreather diving will replace open-circuit diving. The simple answer is almost certainly not. This should not be taken as a negative view of the devices. Rebreathers are tools, and like all tools, they have strengths and weaknesses that vary with the application.

Offshore of the narrow islands of the Florida Keys is one of the world’s important marine ecosystems. Protected by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico areas are off-limits to taking wildlife and coral or damaging the natural environment. As you travel the length of the Florida Keys on the

Officially, Florida’s Boynton Inlet is not an inlet, but nobody refers to it as the South Lake Worth Drainage Ditch. And nobody calls the Palm Beach Inlet, farther north, by its official name: Lake Worth Inlet. Every nautical chart denotes the Boynton Inlet with the caveat “Passage through the inlet is not recommended without local

There are many horror stories about Tridacna gigas: tales of divers and swimmers who found themselves trapped by its powerful shells, their foot or the hand stuck as though caught in a stranglehold. Held underwater, they struggled and died slowly. In other narratives of disappearances of trapped people and accidents created by giant clams, walkers

In conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the May 27, 2009, sinking of the 159-meter (523-foot) USNS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Austrian art photographer Andreas Franke placed a 24-piece art exhibit, highlighting the plastic danger to our life-giving ocean waters. This exhibit, titled “Plastic Ocean,” is the third exhibit Franke has placed on this unique

On Friday, April 7, 2017, the Guam Visitors Bureau commemorated the 100th anniversary of the scuttling of the SMS Cormoran II, a ship that holds a unique place in history for both Guam and the United States — an unusual role for a German ship. The ship was built in Germany to be part of

You hear the call of a fish eagle as you slowly open your eyes to a magical view and the entrancing sounds of Africa. This is Lake Shore Lodge in Tanzania, situated on the shore of the longest fresh water lake on the planet — Lake Tanganyika. Our journey: In December 2018 my husband and

It was just past 8 o’clock on a typical morning in late November 1948. About a dozen people were riding Stockholm Tramways’ electric trolley (also known as an overhead-wire bus) on their way to work. World War II had ended a few years earlier, and life was returning to normal. The morning commute did not

Tampa, Fla. (July 16, 2019) – The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Worldwide, a leader in diver training and education, is pleased to announce the release of its 2019 DEMA Show schedule of seminars, workshops, and special events. NAUI’s complete digital program guide is available at https://www.naui.org/media/2304/dema-special-section_2019.pdf. “This year’s schedule of seminars and workshops

NAUI Freediver Talya Davidoff heads to Roatan on Sunday, July 28 to compete in Caribbean Cup for Freediving. And she’s quite the spearfisher too. Check out one of two fish being submitted to IUSA (International Underwater Spearfishing Association) for Women’s Spearfishing World Records.  

Great job guys!!! Everyone is over three minutes and even maxing out the course at four minutes!! Depths up to 20m and solid safeties!! Welcome newly trained NAUI Freedivers!! Remember to take care of those ears

When I originally wrote this article, it was about a recent freedive trip to Hawaii that included both training and recreation. While putting the finishing touches on it, I received a phone call from a friend of mine who was eager to get one more day of spearfishing in before the season for cabezon closed

There is no doubt that diving has changed over the last several years. Computers that transmit and calculate all our information, regulators that will deliver an adequate amount of air at any depth, new materials for dry suits, stretchable wetsuits, more dependable rebreathers—so many other items have come out. It has only been in the

Students at Burntwood School in Wandsworth, South London, became NAUI Scuba Divers this spring as part of the underwater media course conducted at the school by NAUI UK Representative Simon Lodge (NAUI 44740). Left to right are new Burntwood divers Milli, Daisy, Winnie, Nida, and Imogen.

Note: This Paper/Talk will be presented at the 2019 AAUS Diving for Science Symposium in Vancouver, B.C.,  October 8-11, 2019. The question of deep stops and shallow stops is interesting and fraught with controversy in diving circles and operations, training, exploration and scientific endeavors. Plus fraught with some misunderstanding which is understandable as the issues

Keeping divers warm at any depth — you could say that has been Dick Long’s life accomplishment, and you’d be right. But, there’s a whole lot more to Long than “just” keeping divers warm. If you have the chance to sit down and talk with him, you’ll quickly see that he’s not only capable of

Your new scuba student has practiced descents in a confined water pool. Perhaps the pool was 5.5 meters (18 feet) deep. Maybe it was 3.5 meters (12 feet) deep. Possibly it was just 2.5 meters (8 feet) deep. Now it’s time for the open water dives! Is your new aquanaut diving in a cold quarry

Throughout the years I spent as a police training officer, I had the opportunity to spend some serious time teaching new officers the “ins and outs” of a difficult and demanding career. Spending hours breaking down complex and difficult skills often required a different approach to many of the standard training guidelines or norms. With

Are you an exceptionally talented NAUI member? Perhaps you are a successful scuba retailer or have experience in strategic planning? Then the future of NAUI depends on you! The Elections Committee is accepting nominations for the 2019 Board of Directors election. To be considered, nominees must send their nominations to the Election Coordinator at NAUI Headquarters no

It was 2 a.m. on Nov. 29, 1966, when crewman Dennis Hale awoke to two very loud crashing noises. He thought the noises might be the anchor of their 183-meter (600-foot) freighter, the Daniel J. Morell, slamming against the bow as it battled its way through a terrible storm. He knew something was wrong the

NAUI is proud to support career pathways through its premier Dive Leadership Training Program.  This industry-leading course teaches you skills that transfer into all professional and vocational occupations.  Dive leadership training mentors the candidate through an enriching and rigorous program that improves communication, decision making, and leadership skills.  These are the most sought after and

Jim Brown was NAUI Director of Training in the 1980s and ’90s. This article appeared in the July 1990 of Sources. Have you ever observed a diver in distress on the surface? You might remember some classic signs — no air in the BC, mask on the forehead or gone, mouthpiece missing from the mouth,

Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) is a division of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office (EBRSO). MSAR is responsible for surface and subsurface water operations in East Baton Rouge Parish. Surface water operations include security for the port area, boating safety enforcement, and water rescue. The MSAR Division Dive Team conducts all subsurface water operations.

Dive season was just coming into full swing when Joe Lodmell (NAUI 42553) of Montgomery Scuba & Travel, Inc. took his classes down to Lake Phoenix in Virginia on the first weekend in June to complete their training. It wasn’t just the dozen students from two classes there for their open water certification divess. Lodmell

Ninety-seven kilometers (60 miles) due north of New York City, on a hill overlooking the Hudson River, sits one of the most exclusive educational institutions anywhere in the world. Some jokingly refer to it as “Harvard on the Hudson,” but in many ways, it is even harder to get into and even more difficult to

Congratulations to Anthony Sterlacci #57506, Angela LaFranca, Camille Donowa, George Donowa, Lazlo Horvath and Steven Ingis for completing the NAUI Powered by DAN DFA Pro and Rescue Course led by Scuba Connection Instructor Frank Rakowski #58062 with assistants Tracy Green #60061 and Brian Feury #59436.

Safety comes first in all situations, but when working with scuba divers who have special needs, security takes on a whole new meaning. As a facility approved for scuba therapy for people with special needs, protection is a concern to be tackled efficiently and thoughtfully. Special needs scuba diving is an incredible adventure — for

A vast and green territory, marvelous beaches, the Indian Ocean, who could ask for anything more? Like most tourists, we could not have imagined the wealth or the agonies of this land until Wassanta, our guide, told us some of the history of this green pearl in the Indian Ocean. It’s southeast of India, but

I’ve been doing underwater photography for over 10 years, and the more I do it, the more I love it. I use a compact camera: It is light, it offers wonderful results, and it is highly versatile. With the appropriate wet lenses, you can use a compact camera to take a photo of a little

Approximately 70 volunteers dove into Tampa Bay for the third annual Gasp Our Beads clean-up project. All told, the divers gathered 1,266 pounds of beads, bottles, metal, nets, and other trash from the banks and waterways. The clean-up was sponsored by a mini-grant from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. Mica Neal from Next Level Dive

There are real underwater forests in the Mediterranean Sea. Dense meadows of Posidonia (Posidonia oceanica) or Neptune grass, provide habitat, breeding and nursery grounds for many species. Moreover, they are an important food source. Their exceptional importance is also in maintaining coastal equilibrium by stabilizing the sea bottom, reducing beach erosion and producing up to

One of my favorite movies is Caddyshack. Ty Cobb (Chevy Chase) gives Danny the “be the ball” advice. This is how I feel about the ocean. I dive in warm water in a Lycra suit so that I can feel the water, “be the water.” When I can actually feel the water, I am one

As I travel around the Midwest talking to both shops and independent instructors, I find that there is a misunderstanding on how the NAUI eLearning was intended to be used. I also have just read an opinion article in a popular dive business magazine that discussed how an instructor was dissatisfied with how her students

Ear injuries happen more frequently than any other type of diving injury. In fact, they occur more often than several of the other most common dive injuries combined. Every time we dive we put our ears through a great deal of stress, but forgetting to equalize or forcing it when we have some congestion can

  Living and diving around Long Island, New York, provides for a wide variety of diving opportunities. The “normal” dive season is about seven months long for the average drysuit diver, but most divers really only utilize the warmest four or five months of the year. Then there’s the other side of the coin: divers

The 2017 Category 4 Hurricane Irma gave the Vandenberg a “mighty push,” but our Grand Lady remains as great a multi-dive site as it has always been. What Happened? On Sept. 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma struck the Florida Keys with maximum sustained winds of 113 knots (209 kph/130 mph), leaving devastation and destruction in its

As NAUI dive leaders, it’s imperative to execute proper setup and dive planning. Without it, you not only run the risk of creating a potentially unsafe situation but also run the risk of falling short of our high standard of training today’s most competent and safe divers. “I witness way too many open-water students exiting

Straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, just south of the Arctic Circle, sits one of planet Earth’s most unique islands where active volcanoes roar, massive glaciers slowly pour into scenic fjords and more than 80 percent of its landmass is uninhabited. The mountains and other-worldly landscapes are so breathtaking they’ve served as backdrops for movies such as

Own an underwater camera system, and it’s all but guaranteed that you will find yourself trying to create a great photograph of a fish. Probably of a lot of fishes. Occurring in an almost endless variety of shapes and colors while exhibiting so many fascinating behaviors, fishes make wonderful photographic subjects no matter where our

(MONTAUK, NY)  Earlier this week, FORCE BLUE announced plans to begin partnering with the NAUI Green Diver Initiative in its quest to promote conservation through education, partnerships and activities focused on environmental stewardship. “We couldn’t be more excited,” said FORCE BLUE Executive Director Jim Ritterhoff.  “The NAUI Green Diver Initiative, with its vision to create

A surfer’s dream… smack dab in the middle of some of the nation’s richest farmland is an unlikely place to find some of the world’s best surf riding waves. That is exactly where Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch (http://www.kswaveco.com/) is located, 200 kilometers (130 miles) inland from the California coast. The Surf Ranch has been a

The Elections Committee is preparing for the 2019 NAUI Board of Directors election. This year there are two (2) BOD positions due for election. Each of these positions has a 4-year term. The Elections Committee is accepting nominations for the 2019 Board of Directors election beginning today. To be considered, nominees must send their nominations

In a day and age where the diving industry has struggled to find ways to attract new divers, especially young divers, It’s a refreshing change to learn of a storied organization that has remained strong and vibrant since the dawn of sport diving in North America. The lessons that can be learned from their history

Hi! My name is Marty Snyderman. As a new columnist for Sources, I would like to introduce myself and give you the Cliff’s Notes version of my professional background. I have made my living through underwater photography since the mid-1970s while working as a still photographer, cinematographer, teacher, author and presenter. Creating underwater images, helping

NAUI Brazilian affiliate Jornada Sub Dive Center in Jundiaí SP is convening volunteer divers for the 19th cleanup of Rio Jundiaí-Mirim, the river that is the main source of water for the whole Jundiaí region. This year’s action will take place on Sunday, June 2. The event has been held annually since 2000 and involves

Depth limits are an important concept in recreational diver training. As with many new ideas, students are more likely to respect these limits if they understand why they are what they are. A great deal of data shows that divers face increased health and safety risks when they exceed maximum depth limits without advanced training,

A boat beached and abandoned after Hurricane Michael in 2018 is now at the bottom of the ocean and becoming Florida’s newest artificial reef. Crews sunk The El Dorado, a 157-foot-long, 300-ton casino boat in early May 2019. The El Dorado sustained damage through a couple hurricanes that blew through Florida. Hurricane Ivan in 2004

Exotic locations hours from the nearest population are a powerful draw. The prospect of experiencing something that no one else ever has is difficult to refuse, and daydreams of unexplored wrecks and undiscovered ecosystems are hard to ignore. With these thrills come specific challenges and significant risks that can put unprepared travelers in harm’s way.

Do you know someone who represents the best in NAUI? You probably know at least one person who has made a significant difference in scuba diver education and training and in supporting NAUI’s mission. As an association, NAUI Worldwide members have the opportunity each year to nominate those persons and groups worthy of special recognition.

Diving in the Philippines years ago, I photographed what they called “turkeyfish.” They were the only species of fish in abundance in some places. The beautiful fish remained perfectly still suspended in the water column, brightly colored red and white spines deployed, large mouths poised to devour prey. We call them lionfish. Exotic and beautiful

I’m sure that we have all heard the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” As divers, we plan our dives, then dive our plan. But have we planned what we will do when (not if) an emergency happens? While by its very nature, responding to an emergency situation is reactionary

Part 4 – Questions and Answers – continued Isobaric counterdiffusion (ICD) is just a theoretical concoction and never observed? No. It’s been demonstrated and observed in laboratory experiments with helium and nitrogen. Improper gas switches from nitrogen-based mixes to helium-based mixes (heavy-to-light) have been implicated as DCS causative. Simple calculations with diveware packages will easily

NAUI Green Diver Supports Local Conservation Efforts, Seeks Volunteers for the Annual GaspOur Beads of Tampa Bay Clean-Up Project Tampa, Fla., (April 30, 2019) – The NAUI Green Diver Initiative is pleased to announce its continued support of the Center for Open Exploration (C4OE) annual surveying and coastal clean-up project, GaspOur Beads of Tampa Bay.

In this day and age, it is hard not to become discouraged when you hear news about the state of our environment and the species around us. Having been a high school science teacher, I know how overwhelming it can be to learn the true scale of some current environmental issues. From coral bleaching to

This article is about being in charge of your own dive and not following someone else to your own detriment. All dive operations and dive professionals are not the same in quality, and there are those who may lead you astray if you let them. As dive professionals, we must teach this to our students.

Idaho is not at the top of the list for dive destinations, yet Neptune Warrior and Boise Scuba Center in Meridian, Idaho, are bringing divers out every week to participate in their Ultimate Diving Challenge and theme-based dives. The Neptune Warrior project was founded about two years ago by Rob Anderson (NAUI 31192). With the

They say that Jacques Cousteau named these waters “The Aquarium of the World” for a reason. With over 900 different fish species, 170 bird types and more than 30 species of marine mammals, the Sea of Cortez is well-known by scientists and environmentalists, and it has become a diving hot spot thanks to its unparalleled

 Part 3 – Questions and Answers – continued Differences between Haldane models and RGBM are not important for recreational diving? Not quite. For single nonstop dives on air and nitrox, this is true. It’s not generally true for repetitive, multiday, and deeper-than-first diving, with differences notable for short time intervals, large depth decrements between successive

Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) is the smallest of Florida’s Community Colleges, yet it offers an awesome array of dive/marine-related courses. Located on Key West in the heart of a National Marine Sanctuary, it is just 5 miles from the only barrier coral reef in the continental United States. FKCC offers dive- and marine-focused courses

Sunscreen pollution is now recognized as a direct reflection of unsustainable tourism practices. With governments like Palau and Hawaii banning sunscreen ingredients and organizations from Surfrider Foundation to Ocean Conservancy creating education programs, reef-safe sunscreen has become a well-known topic. The problem, says Autumn Blum, CEO and formulator for Stream2Sea, is there isn’t any real

  While moviegoing audiences in 1975 flocked to the theaters to see Jaws, the movie itself seemed to have an opposite effect on the ocean-going public. The horror flick touched a primal nerve in many people. Traumatized by scenes of a mindless, toothy beast attacking helpless humans in the water, a large swath of the

Questions and Answers Next is a collection of technical queries and explanations. These have crossed our phones, emails, and mailboxes over the years. Some of the more interesting follow, and some have been mentioned in earlier Tech Corner articles in Sources: Deepest dive first destroys bubbles on next dive? Maybe. Bubble and seed reduction on

When you think of Florida’s 2,170 kilometers (1,350 miles) of ocean shoreline, it is easy to get caught up in the vision of clear, blue waters and white, pristine sand. Each year, millions of tourists and locals alike flock to the beaches to enjoy some saltwater therapy. These beaches are also overlain by many misguided

Tampa, Fla. (April 22, 2019) – The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Worldwide returns to California’s Long Beach Convention Center on May 4-5, 2019, for the annual Scuba Show, booth #503. The Scuba Show is California’s premier diving event of the year featuring 76,000 square feet of exhibit space, 300+ exhibitors, seminars, clinics hosted

Simply defined, a corporation is a legal entity that functions as a person. It is “an association of shareholders, even one shareholder, created under law and regarded as an artificial person by courts, having a legal entity entirely separate and distinct from the individuals that compose it, with the capacity of continuous existence.” (Black’s Law

NAUI’s strong presence in Brazil since 1997 has produced a family of tens of thousands of Brazilian divers who travel around the world, and the small village of Tofo in Mozambique on Africa’s east coast is a destination known and sought by many Brazilians. The greatest similarities between Brazil and Mozambique are in their colonization

Introduction Technical and research diving encompasses a wide spectrum of related disciplines. The scope is immense, so any treatise on tech diving is limited in scope. With that caveat, a short glossary of terms and definitions is first given with special care to linkage to the queries.  This is the first post in a 4-part

“BULA!” Shouts of “BULA!” accompanied by ukuleles greet you the moment you step off the plane. Smiling Fijians with flower leis around their necks are there to immerse you in the Fijian culture, and you feel their genuine friendliness and pride in their heritage instantaneously. There’s no warmer welcome anywhere you’ll travel than there is

A number of years ago, I visited Crystal River, Florida, in the hopes of photographing manatees. As it turned out, I was about a month early, and there weren’t too many manatees to be found at their favorite freshwater springs and hangouts. As we sat on our guide’s boat and lamented the lack of action,

Red Sea Diving Corals  The Red Sea is considered to be one of the 7 Wonders of the underwater world, harboring more than 1,000 species of invertebrates and over 200 species of soft and hard coral. This forms the basis of a marine eco-system which includes 1,100 species of fish, of which just under 20%

The Brazilian aquatic rescue team E.R.A RESGATE (Equipe De Resgate Aquático) was created by NAUI Instructor Marcos Caruso (NAUI 59306) to provide aquatic safety and lifeguarding at open water events. Its rescue professionals were trained by Caruso as part of his extensive lifeguarding course. E.R.A RESGATE participates in aquatics-related events in and around São Paulo,