How to Equalize Ear Pressure using the Valsalva Maneuver while SCUBA diving @greatdivers

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For more information about equalization techniques visit our blog post on the subject:

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How to Equalize Ear Pressure for SCUBA Diving

Why do my ears hurt underwater?

As we descend into underwater, the pressure surrounding us increases. That rise in pressure causes our ear drums to compress. This happens because the water pressure outside of our ear is greater than the air pressure inside of our ear.
Equalization is the procedure divers use to equalize the air pressure in our inner ear to the pressure outside of our ear. We do this by pushing air from our sinuses to our inner ear through the Eustachian Tube.

When to equalize when SCUBA diving?

Equalization occurs early and often. Before you break the surface and begin your descent, you should begin to equalize. You should equalize every couple of feet as you descend in the water column. If you do not equalize early and often, your eardrum can compress causing pain. The pressure can even close your Eustachian Tube. This is known as the “trapdoor effect” and can be avoided by equalizing early and often as you descend

One good tip to follow is if you feel pain in your ears, you have descended too far without equalizing. In the event that your feel pressure in your ears, stop your descent and ascend a few feet until the pain goes away and then try to equalize.

You should never equalize on ascent. The air in your ear needs to escape as the surrounding pressure decreases. Because of this, there is no need to add more air to your inner ear on ascent.
How to equalize underwater

There are several different ear equalization techniques you can use to relieve ear pressure. Which one you decide to use or works for you depends on your physiology, how your sinuses are functioning on the day you are equalizing and preference.

The most common method of equalization is called the Valsalva maneuver. This is probably the one that you were taught in your dive class.

You perform the Valsalva Maneuver by pinching your nose and gently pushing air to the back of your throat through the Eustachian tubes and into your inner ear. While you do not want to blow too hard, you do need to apply enough force to feel your ears filling with air.

If the Valsalva maneuver does not work, do not worry!

There are several ear equalization techniques you can use.

Turning your head from one side or another while performing the Maneuver help
Swallowing while doing the Valsalva
A combination of the above.
Tilting you head back while attempting the Valsalva
Wiggling your jaw forward while trying the Valsalva
The Toynbee Maneuver and can be used. You perform the Toynbee maneuver by swallowing with your mouth closed and your nose pinched. You do not have to blow out while doing this
The Frenzel Maneuver is another alternative. It is performed by pinching your nose while pressing your tongue against the back of your throat while making a T or D sound.

What if I still Can't Equalize Pressure??

Below are a few tips you can use to assist your equalization.

Descending feet first: If you have trouble equalizing, try descending feet-first rather than doing a head-first descent. This reduces the change in surrounding pressure drastically.
Descending on a line: If you’re still having difficulty equalizing, you can control your descent even further by descending on a line feet-first.
Chewing gum before your dive: This relaxes your soft palate which has been known to assist in equalization. That being said, YOU CANNOT chew gum during your dive. This could cause a dangerous situation, so do not do it!

A few of things to remember:

Equalize right before you begin your descent and continually all the way down to your destination.
Remember that we never equalize while ascending.
If you feel pain in your ears on descent, stop and ascend until the pain goes away before attempting to equalize.
Remember to try descending feet-first if you are having difficulty equalizing
Do not dive when you are congested.
Practice several methods of equalization
Remember that practice makes perfect.

If you want more detailed information, check out our blog post by clicking the link below:

Don’t forget to download our free guide “The Four Keys to mastering your Diving.” In it we go over several little-known tips to make you a better diver. Many of these tips are not reviewed by instructors so you definitely want to check it out.

http://greatdivers.com/yt/equalize

Did you find this video useful? If so, please give us a thumbs up below and do please leave a comment.

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updated 7 years ago

How to Equalize Ear Pressure using the Valsalva Maneuver while SCUBA diving

Greatdivers SCUBA 2017-04-20 | Download our free guide “The Four Keys to mastering your Diving.”

greatdivers.net/EqualizeEar

For more information about equalization techniques visit our blog post on the subject:

greatdivers.com/preventing-scuba-diving-ear-problems

How to Equalize Ear Pressure for SCUBA Diving

Why do my ears hurt underwater?

As we descend into underwater, the pressure surrounding us increases. That rise in pressure causes our ear drums to compress. This happens because the water pressure outside of our ear is greater than the air pressure inside of our ear.
Equalization is the procedure divers use to equalize the air pressure in our inner ear to the pressure outside of our ear. We do this by pushing air from our sinuses to our inner ear through the Eustachian Tube.

When to equalize when SCUBA diving?

Equalization occurs early and often. Before you break the surface and begin your descent, you should begin to equalize. You should equalize every couple of feet as you descend in the water column. If you do not equalize early and often, your eardrum can compress causing pain. The pressure can even close your Eustachian Tube. This is known as the “trapdoor effect” and can be avoided by equalizing early and often as you descend

One good tip to follow is if you feel pain in your ears, you have descended too far without equalizing. In the event that your feel pressure in your ears, stop your descent and ascend a few feet until the pain goes away and then try to equalize.

You should never equalize on ascent. The air in your ear needs to escape as the surrounding pressure decreases. Because of this, there is no need to add more air to your inner ear on ascent.
How to equalize underwater

There are several different ear equalization techniques you can use to relieve ear pressure. Which one you decide to use or works for you depends on your physiology, how your sinuses are functioning on the day you are equalizing and preference.

The most common method of equalization is called the Valsalva maneuver. This is probably the one that you were taught in your dive class.

You perform the Valsalva Maneuver by pinching your nose and gently pushing air to the back of your throat through the Eustachian tubes and into your inner ear. While you do not want to blow too hard, you do need to apply enough force to feel your ears filling with air.

If the Valsalva maneuver does not work, do not worry!

There are several ear equalization techniques you can use.

Turning your head from one side or another while performing the Maneuver help
Swallowing while doing the Valsalva
A combination of the above.
Tilting you head back while attempting the Valsalva
Wiggling your jaw forward while trying the Valsalva
The Toynbee Maneuver and can be used. You perform the Toynbee maneuver by swallowing with your mouth closed and your nose pinched. You do not have to blow out while doing this
The Frenzel Maneuver is another alternative. It is performed by pinching your nose while pressing your tongue against the back of your throat while making a T or D sound.

What if I still Can't Equalize Pressure??

Below are a few tips you can use to assist your equalization.

Descending feet first: If you have trouble equalizing, try descending feet-first rather than doing a head-first descent. This reduces the change in surrounding pressure drastically.
Descending on a line: If you’re still having difficulty equalizing, you can control your descent even further by descending on a line feet-first.
Chewing gum before your dive: This relaxes your soft palate which has been known to assist in equalization. That being said, YOU CANNOT chew gum during your dive. This could cause a dangerous situation, so do not do it!

A few of things to remember:

Equalize right before you begin your descent and continually all the way down to your destination.
Remember that we never equalize while ascending.
If you feel pain in your ears on descent, stop and ascend until the pain goes away before attempting to equalize.
Remember to try descending feet-first if you are having difficulty equalizing
Do not dive when you are congested.
Practice several methods of equalization
Remember that practice makes perfect.

If you want more detailed information, check out our blog post by clicking the link below:

Don’t forget to download our free guide “The Four Keys to mastering your Diving.” In it we go over several little-known tips to make you a better diver. Many of these tips are not reviewed by instructors so you definitely want to check it out.

http://greatdivers.com/yt/equalize

Did you find this video useful? If so, please give us a thumbs up below and do please leave a comment.

Also, do not forget to subscribe to our channel for more videos on SCUBA diving as well as helpful tips and tricks

Share this link with your Scuba Diving Buddies:
youtube.com/watch?v=qKncWXkmiys

SCUBA Regulators Decoded: What You Must Know Before Buying

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-11-23 | Click Here to Download your free guide: greatdivers.net/YTregs

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For Information on Din vs. Yoke Connectors Check out our video Below: youtu.be/VEYJ-Usww6k
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Dive into the depths of scuba regulator knowledge with our latest video! In this guide, we break down everything you need to know before choosing the perfect scuba regulator.

From the essentials of the first and second stages to materials like stainless steel, brass, and titanium, we unveil the secrets behind these essential pieces of SCUBA diving equipment.

Discover the crucial differences between balanced and unbalanced regulators, and explore the choice between diaphragm and piston configurations.

00:00 Introduction to SCUBA Regulators
00:26 Purpopse of a SCUBA Regulator
00:50 First Stage
01:20 Second Stage
03:08 Materials Used to Make Regulators
04:05 Balanced vs Unbalanced Regulators
04:35 Diaphragm vs. Piston Regulators
06:06 Din Vs. Yoke Connectors
06:41 Features of Regulators
08:10 Maintenance of Regulators

Whether you're a seasoned diver or a newbie, our video covers key features, maintenance tips, and advice on choosing the right regulator based on your diving environment, budget, and travel needs. Join us on this underwater adventure to ensure you're equipped with the best gear for your next dive!

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training that is required to go SCUBA diving.

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Regulator Diagrams By: Mark.murphy at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons.

What Are The Bends In SCUBA Diving? Decompression Sickness Explained.

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-11-02 | Download Your Free Guide Here: greatdivers.net/DecomExplained

If you need to contact DAN here is their website and phone number.

Divers Alert Network: dan.org
Divers Alert Network Emergency Hotline: +1-919-684-9111

In this video I go over decompression sickness, also known as the bends, which can occur after diving. You’ll learn all about the factors that can make a person more susceptible to decompression sickness, the importance of adhering to safety guidelines, following dive tables or your dive computer as well as why you need to ascend at a safe rate.

I also discuss the symptoms of decompression sickness, ranging from skin itching and fatigue to more severe symptoms such as joint pain, numbness, dizziness, and even blindness or paralysis.

You’ll learn why it’s important to seek immediate medical care if any symptoms occur and why you should contact Emergency Medical Services first.

We also discuss the importance of contacting Divers Alert Network (Dan) for assistance.

In this video, you’ll also learn 12 rules you can follow to reduce the risk of decompression sickness as well as 4 Myths.

[00:00:00]: Introduction

[00:00:30]: What is decompression sickness?

[00:02:01]: In-gassing and out-gassing of nitrogen explained

[00:02:55]: How decompression sickness occurs

[00:03:12]: Why it’s called "the bends"

[00:04:02]: Factors that make you susceptible to decompression sickness

[00:05:00]: Physical characteristics and decompression sickness

[00:05:09]: Exertion and temperature as risk factors

[00:05:38]: Importance of proper ascent rate

[00:06:01]: Risk factors for decompression sickness

[00:06:24]: Symptoms of decompression sickness

[00:08:08]: Signs of decompression sickness in others

[00:09:05]: Differentiating type 1 and type 2 decompression sickness

[00:09:40]: What to do if someone experiences decompression sickness

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training that is required to go SCUBA diving.

9 Must Have Scuba Accessories: Tools Every Diver Needs To Own

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-10-18 | Click Here to Download your free guide: "The 8 Navigational Tools You Should Never Dive Without:" greatdivers.net/9Accessories

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Products mentioned in the video:

Diver Rite 5' DSMB: greatdivers.com/yt/AccessoriesDSMB
Reel: greatdivers.com/yt/AccessoriesReel
EEZycut: greatdivers.com/yt/AccessoriesEEZYcut
Titanium Folding Knife: greatdivers.com/yt/AccessoriesKnife
Compass: greatdivers.com/yt/AccesoriesCompass
BCD hanger: greatdivers.com/yt/AccessoriesHanger
Pressure Checker Din: greatdivers.com/yt/AccessoriesDINCheck
Pressure Checker Yoke: greatdivers.com/yt/AccessoriesYokeCheck
SCUBA Multi-Tool: greatdivers.com/yt/AccessoriesMultiTool
SCUBA O-Rings: greatdivers.com/yt/AccessoriesOrings
Tire Inflator: greatdivers.com/yt/AccessorTireInflator
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In this video, we go over 8 tools plus a bonus tool that we recommend you should have with you when you go diving. We discuss the benefits of having each tool and why they are helpful to have.

These tools have been carefully chosen after years of trial and error, and money that was wasted in tools that were either not needed or just not useful at all. We've made the mistakes so you don't have to.

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Learn more about SCUBA Compasses: greatdivers.com/scuba-diving-lessons/underwater-navigation-how-to-use-a-scuba-compass

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
00:45 Essential scuba accessory: Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB)
02:01 Essential scuba accessory: Finger spool
03:12 Essential scuba accessory: Cutting instrument
04:39 Essential scuba accessory: Scuba compass
05:55 The need for a BCD hangar
06:08 Benefits of using a pressure checker
07:01 Essential tools for a Save a Dive kit
07:23 The importance of having a backup mask
08:48 Bonus Tool

Overall, we provide a comprehensive overview of the essential scuba diving tools and accessories that every diver should have. The mentioned tools and accessories serve specific purposes in enhancing the diving experience and ensuring safety.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training that is required to go SCUBA diving.

Wetsuit vs. Drysuit: The Ultimate Guide to Choose Which One is Best for You

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-09-25 | Click Here to Download your free guide "The Four Keys to Mastering Your Diving: greatdivers.net/WetsuitvsDrysuit

In this video, we go over SCUBA diving with a wetsuit vs. a drysuit. We go over the pros and cons of diving in colder waters in each. We focus on comparing which diving suit is best, focusing on the considerations you should look at when choosing a drysuit or a wetsuit.

We start by briefly going over the basics of both wetsuits and drysuits. We then go into the pros of both wetsuits and drysuits. We also touch on the cons of each. Things like fit, comfort, cost, and training are discussed.

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Click here to see our article about SCUBA wetsuits and learn more: https://greatdivers.com/scuba-gear/we...

Click Here if you want to learn more about SCUBA drysuits: https://greatdivers.com/scuba-gear/di...

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Chapters:

[00:00:00]: Introduction
[00:00:42]: What is a Wetsuit?
[00:01:21]: What is a Drysuit?
[00:01:56]: Advantages of Wetsuits
[00:03:08]: Advantages of Drysuits
[00:03:44]: Considerations for Both Wetsuits and Drysuits
[00:04:35]: Disadvantages of Wetsuits
[00:05:31]: Disadvantages of Drysuits
[00:07:11]: Choosing between wetsuit and drysuit

We then provide suggestions on whether to dive wet or dry based on water temperature and personal preferences. We review water temperature thresholds we feel are a good rule of thumb for making an informed decision. We also discuss some personal preferences that you can consider when making a final decision as to whether you should SCUBA Dive in a wetsuit vs. a drysuit.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training that is required to go SCUBA diving.

SCUBA Wetsuits: The Essential Guide To Choosing a SCUBA Diving Wetsuit

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-09-05 | Click Here to Download your free guide "The Four Keys to Mastering Your Diving:" greatdivers.net/ChooseWetsuit

In this video, we learn about selecting SCUBA diving wetsuits. SCUBA wetsuits are special because they don’t compress at depth. There are different types of wetsuits to choose from, such as shorties, full wetsuits, long johns, rash guards, and semi-dry suits. Each type provides different amounts of thermal protection.

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Click Here if you want to learn more about SCUBA drysuits: greatdivers.com/scuba-gear/diving-drysuit

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CHAPTERS

[00:00:39]: What is a wetsuit?

[00:01:00]: Do you need a special wetsuit for scuba diving?

[00:01:23]: Types of wetsuits

[00:03:54]: Considerations for wetsuit fit and sizing

[00:06:48]: Wetsuit thickness suggestions

[00:07:14]: Personal factors to consider

[00:07:23]: Wetsuits Temperature Guide

[00:09:19]: How to fit a wetsuit properly

[00:10:03]: Testing the seals and range of motion

[00:11:27]: Types of materials and stitching used

[00:14:04]: Wetsuit accessories overview

[00:14:38]: Importance of wearing a hood in colder temperatures

[00:14:49]: Buoyancy considerations for wetsuits

It’s really important to try on wetsuits yourself, preferably by purchasing locally. Different manufacturers have different cuts, so it’s good to check the manufacturer’s size chart if an off-the-rack suit doesn’t fit. It may be that the manufacturer has it, you just need to have it ordered It’s also possible to get a custom-made wetsuit, but that can be more expensive and usually made by specialized wetsuit companies.

Choosing the right thickness for your wetsuit is crucial based on the water temperature you’ll be diving in. Getting the right fit is also essential, with snug seals and proper circulation at the hands, feet, and neck.

It’s also important to make sure the seams are glued or taped stitching to prevent water from seeping in.

When it comes to scuba diving, it’s worth considering wetsuit accessories like gloves, pockets, shorts with attached pockets, vests, and hoods. These accessories can provide extra thermal protection.

Lastly, it’s important to keep buoyancy in mind when using a wetsuit for diving. Wetsuits are positively buoyant, so additional weight is needed for proper diving.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training which is required to go SCUBA diving.

The Ultimate Guide to Buddy Diving And The Buddy System: Everything You Need to Know

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-08-21 | Click Here to Download "The Four Keys To Mastering Your Diving": greatdivers.net/BuddyDiver

In this video, we go over the buddy system and buddy diving. We show you how to quickly get to know a new dive buddy, become familiar with their equipment, plan the dive, do a proper buddy check, successfully use the buddy system during the dive and then wrap things up post-dive.

We specifically focus on diving with someone new because if you can dive with someone you know nothing about and use the buddy system to do so then diving with a friend or acquaintance is much easier.

Click here to see our article about buddy diving and learn more: greatdivers.com/scuba-diving-lessons/dive-buddy

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Click Here if you want to learn more about SCUBA Hand Signals: youtu.be/Xjo01JxXyTg

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[00:00:00]: Introduction to buddy diving and the buddy diving system
[00:01:26]: Getting to know your dive buddy
[00:02:23]: Examining dive gear configurations
[00:04:40]: Carrying a DSMB and deciding who should shoot it
[00:05:01]: Planning the dive
[00:06:43]: Communication underwater and turning the dive
[00:07:02]: Ascent procedures and dive site check
[00:08:01]: Buddy Checks
[00:08:13]: Using S.E.A.B.A.G. to conduct your buddy check

Communicating with your dive buddy to ensure a safe and enjoyable diving experience is very important. You need to gather as much information about your buddy's training, experience, and objectives before diving together, as well as understanding their gear and equipment. This includes air-sharing methods, tank size, gages, BCD inflator, weight system, dive computer settings, and DSMB usage. By knowing and communicating with your dive buddy, you can enhance the diving experience, navigate underwater effectively, and be prepared for any emergencies.

It's also important to communicate how you will conduct the dive. Before going on the dive It’s important to understand each other’s dive objectives, air consumption and hand signals. It’s also important know what procedures will be followed for turning the dive and conducting the ascent.

Right before the dive it’s extremely important to conduct a buddy check. While there are many ways to do a buddy check in this video we teach the acronym SEABAG

Once on the dive communication, maintaining the correct distance and diving the plan are all very important.

It’s also important to understand that being a good dive buddy doesn’t end with the dive. Good dive buddies should help break down gear, help with logging the dive and provide feedback for improvement on the next dive.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training that is required to go SCUBA diving.

The Essential Guide to SCUBA Drysuits: What You Need to Know

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-08-09 | Click Here to Download "The Four Keys To Mastering Your Diving": greatdivers.net/ChooseDrysuit

In this video, we go over the essential things you need to know when choosing a drysuit for scuba diving in cold water. Drysuits are designed to keep divers dry by creating seals to keep water out so that you stay dry while SCUBA diving. The main reasons for choosing a dry suit over a wetsuit are to stay warmer in cold water and to have sufficient protection in extremely cold temperatures. Drysuits require additional training and maintenance and are generally more expensive than wetsuits.

00:00 Introduction
00:23 What is a SCUBA Drysuit
01:41 When to Wear a SCUBA Drysuit
03:07 Types of SCUBA Drysuits
03:52 Understanding Undergarments for SCUBA Drysuits
06:27 Donning a Drysuit
07:36 Considerations When Diving Dry
08:02 Training for Safe Drysuit Diving

Click here to see review a comprehensive guide on drysuits: greatdivers.com/scuba-gear/diving-drysuit
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We discuss the two most common types of drysuits as well as the seals, zippers, undergarments, boots, accessories such as pockets, boots, and p-valves, and how the fit of SCUBA diving drysuits.

We also go over the maintenance, proper use, and considerations when purchasing a SCUBA Drysuit.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training which is required to go SCUBA diving.

How Long Does a SCUBA Tank Last Underwater? What You Need To Know

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-07-31 | Click Here to Download "The Four Keys To Mastering Your Diving":
greatdivers.net/TankLast

In this video, we discuss How Long a SCUBA Tank Will Last Underwater. We go over the factors that determine how long steel and aluminum tanks last underwater. The first factor is the size of the tank, with larger tanks lasting longer than smaller ones. The second factor is the depth of the dive, as deeper dives require more gas consumption. The third factor is the diver's breathing rate, with higher rates leading to shorter tank duration. We also discuss breathing rate or respiratory minute volume (RMV) as a measure of gas consumption.

00:00 Introduction
00:26 Factors That Determine How Long a Tank Lasts
02:45 Understanding Respiratory Minute Volume/RMV
03:16 Calculating How Long a SCUBA Tank Will Last
04:22 Variables that Determine How Long a SCUBA Tank Will Last

Click here to use the calculator on our site and determine exactly how long your tank will last: greatdivers.com/tanklast

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It is important to note that how much time a scuba tank lasts underwater is highly dependent on many factors. Because of this you should check out the link above.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training which is required to go SCUBA diving.

Din vs Yoke: Which Regulator is Right for you!

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-07-17 | Click Here to Download "The Four Keys To Mastering Your Diving":
greatdivers.net/DINvYOKE

In this video, we go over the differences between DIN regulators vs yoke regulators as well as DIN vs. yoke valves and how they are used in scuba diving. A DIN regulator screws directly into the tank valve and comes in either 200 bar or 300 bar varieties. The advantages of DIN regulators include their ability to withstand higher pressures, they have a lower profile, and the ease of converting them into yoke regulators using an adapter. However, the disadvantage is the need for an adapter if using an operation that only has yoke valves.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 What is a din and a yoke Regulator
01:13 Advantages and Disadvantages of Din and Yoke Regulators
03:47 DIN and Yoke Valves and adapters
04:57 200 BAR vs 300 BAR DIN Regulators

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On the other hand, yoke regulators clamp onto the tank rather than screwing into it. They are the preferred choice mainly because some people learned to dive with them. However, yoke regulators cannot be used with higher pressures. They also cannot be easily converted to DIN regulators at the dive site.

We also discussed the differences between DIN and yoke valves. DIN valves have a larger opening at the front for screwing in DIN regulators. A 200 bar DIN valve can be converted into a yoke valve using a DIN to Yoke insert, while a 300 bar DIN valve cannot be converted. It is recommended to get a 300 bar DIN regulator for those who are unsure about the type of valves they will encounter during their diving, as it can be used with both 200 bar and 300 bar valves.

In summary, the choice between a DIN regulator and a yoke regulator depends on personal preference, diving habits, and the type of valves you use. DIN regulators offer higher pressure capabilities, a lower profile, and the ability to convert to yoke regulators. Yoke regulators are preferred by those accustomed to training with them or diving with operations that use only yoke valves.

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training which is required to go SCUBA diving.

Aluminum Or Steel Scuba Tanks: Which Is Best For You?

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-07-17 | Click Here to Download "The Four Keys To Mastering Your Diving":
greatdivers.net/AlumvSteel

In this video, we review steel vs aluminum SCUBA tanks. By the end of this video you'll have all the information you need to help choose the right Factors such as tank capacity, working pressure, size, weight, and buoyancy are all delved into. Some of the pro's of steel tanks are that they hold more gas than aluminum tanks of the same size, they tend to have a longer lifespan compared to aluminum tanks, and they also have better buoyancy characteristics. As for Con's: Steel tanks require more maintenance and are pricier than aluminum tanks.

00:00 Introduction
00:40 Factors in choosing the right tank
02:19 Buoyancy characteristics of tanks
04:59 Pros and Cons of Aluminum SCUBA Tanks
06:28 Pros and Cons Steel SCUBA Tanks

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Aluminum SCUBA tanks are lighter, do not rust but can oxidize, and are generally bigger due to thicker walls. However, they may have a shorter lifespan and are more buoyant, requiring more weight on the diver's belt.

The choice between aluminum and steel SCUBA tanks depends on various factors such as the type of dive, the diver's physical characteristics, breathing rate, depth, and price. Which tank do you prefer and why?

Disclaimer: This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training which is required to go SCUBA diving.

SCUBA Diving Hand Signals Every Diver Should know

Greatdivers SCUBA 2023-07-10 | Click Here to Download "The Four Keys To Mastering Your Diving": greatdivers.net/SCUBAHandSignals

In this video, we go over the importance of SCUBA hand signals as a means of communication between divers. Hand signals may vary depending on factors such as the instructor, dive region, and certification agency. The essential hand signals are highlighted, starting with the "okay" signal, which is used to indicate that everything is fine. Other signals covered include the descend and ascend signals, thumbs-up signals, and various signals for directing attention, stopping, locating the boat, and buddy-up situations.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:23 Importance of Hand Signals
00:45 Essential Hand Signals
04:21 Something is Wrong
05:03 Surface Signals
06:09 Marine Animals

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We review common SCUBA hand signals for indicating the need to follow, hold a certain depth, perform a safety stop, express being cold, having a question, or observing bubbles. The use of numbers for gas communication is explained, with hand gestures representing SCUBA diving hand signals for SCUBA for air pressure for communicating single digits as well as hundreds and thousands. Emergency hand signals on the surface, such as the "Lost Buddy" signal and the emergency signal.

We also go over SCUBA hand signals for identifying marine animals, such as the shark signal, turtle signal, grouper signal, and octopus signal.

Disclaimer: This video is not a replacement for formal SCUBA training and is for informational purposes only. This video is not intended to replace formal SCUBA training which is required to go SCUBA diving.

Does Your Gear Configuration Affect Air Sharing?

Greatdivers SCUBA 2018-05-08 | Download our free guide “The Four Keys to Mastering Your Diving.”
greatdivers.net/AirSharing

For more information about Air Sharing techniques visit our blog post on the subject:

greatdivers.com/air-sharing-configurations

Disclaimer: Before discussing air sharing techniques and configurations, it’s important to note that air sharing, especially in an emergency, is a skill that must be mastered in confined water under the supervision of a qualified SCUBA instructor. Do NOT SWITCH YOUR CURRENT CONFIGURATION without training and coaching from a SCUBA instructor!

Which regulator should you give a diver in distress?
Before we can address the issue of how to configure your regulators, we need to discuss the major difference in opinion that many SCUBA instructors have.

You see, some instructors believe that an out-of-air diver should always receive the regulator which the diver that’s doing the rescue is breathing from.

Others believe the out-of-air diver should receive the octopus.

Configurations where you give out the octopus

The placement of the octopus holder should be somewhere in the “safety triangle”. This is an imaginary triangle that goes from your chin to your waist in front where the octopus can be easily accessed by both the diver and their buddy.
Having the Octopus on a holder

There are many different types of octo holders on the market. Each design has their benefits and drawbacks. The basic premise behind all octo-holders is the same.
BCD with integrated Octo-holder

Some BCD manufactures have taken note of the issue of keeping the octopus nice and tidy while still making it easy to deploy in case of emergency.

Rigs where the primary air source is donated
Air 2 (Regulator Low-Pressure Inflator Combo)
One of the most common configurations where the primary air source is placed on a longer hose and donated is when a diver is using an Air2 or similar inflator/regulator combo.

By combining the low-pressure inflator and the alternate air source into one, the diver removes one hose from their SCUBA configuration.

You also remove the possibility of having the octopus dangle because the hose used for the low-pressure inflator is typically much shorter than that of an octopus.

As mentioned before, the downside is that it requires the diver to be more involved in an out-of-air scenario because the must give out their primary regulator.

Because the hose on the Air2 is short, it makes it very awkward and less than ideal to be donated to another diver for air sharing.

Hogarthian set up (long hose tech set up)

The final rig worth mentioning is one that was born in cave / technical diving but has been adopted by many recreational divers.

It is known as the Hogarthian rig named after Bill Hogarth Main.

The rig consists of the primary regulator being a longer hose (up to 7 ft) curled around the diver’s body. The octopus is worn on a necklace right under the diver’s neck.

In this configuration, the octopus never comes off the necklace. In an emergency, the diver donates the longer hose and then switches to the octo.

Some advantages of this system include:

Most divers using this configuration opt to have 2 high performing regulators on your rig which eliminates the low performing octopus other divers use.

It eliminates the possibility of a regulator ever dangling because it’s nearly impossible for the octopus to come loose from the necklace.

If a diver ever approaches you in an out of air scenario, you can give away your primary and have almost instant access to your back up.

Because this set up often uses a much longer hose, it will give you the freedom to have some more space to move should you ever have to share air.

The only real downside to this configuration is that it does require training in sharing air using this configuration. Also, if using a long hose for the primary, it does require extra care to not drag the primary regulator on the floor since it is on a very long hose.

If you want more detailed information, check out our blog post by clicking the link below:

greatdivers.com/air-sharing-configurations

Don’t forget to download our free guide “The Four Keys to mastering your Diving.” In it, we go over several little-known tips to make you a better diver. Many of these tips are not reviewed by instructors so you definitely want to check it out.

http://greatdivers.com/yt/BuddyBreathing

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Nautilus Lifeline GPS Review and Unboxing

Greatdivers SCUBA 2017-07-18 | Download "The 8 Tools You Should Never Dive Without" Below:
greatdivers.net/NautilusReview

It's is a personal signaling device made just for divers. It's small enough that you can fit in your BCD pocket or on your SCUBA rig using the optional pouch. This allows you to take it with you on every single dive.

This is the first device of its kind that can ensure that you'll feel secure knowing that you will always make it back to your friends and family no matter what happens on your dives.
If you are lost at sea, the Lifeline allows you to send out a signal to commercial vessels, private yachts, military vessels and the Coast Guard that travels up to 34 miles. This signal will send your position and let any vessels in the area know your position so you can be picked safe and sound.

The truth of the matter is that we are not 100% in control of our destiny when we go in the water. No matter how diligent we are as divers...

There are things that happen that are out of our control!
Things like storms and a change in wind speed can affect surface conditions making it more difficult for dive operators to see you on the surface. Also, changes in current and visibility could make it difficult for you to get back to the boat, especially if you are diving off a private boat. Not to mention an emergency on the dive boat or even a dive operator forgetting you are in the water. All the above has happened to divers over the years, and these are just a few scenarios that could cause a diver to get lost at sea.

The scary part is that we have no control over these things.

Just like the seatbelts and airbags in your car, the Nautilus Lifeline is there to protect in case the unimaginable happens. It is your insurance against the unexpected.

It is compact which means that it can easily be stored in a BCD pocket or you can attach it to a BCD strap using the optional pouch. The batteries last up to five years and are easily user replaceable. The CR123 batteries and be purchased at any drug store or even online.

If you keep the cap closed, the Nautilus GPS is waterproof to 425 feet. The cap should only be removed on the surface when you are ready to activate the lifeline. It is positively buoyant and waterproof in all surface conditions, even with the cap off. The Nautilus Lifeline comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Feeling Lost During Your Dive is terrible!

How Does It Work?

The Nautilus Lifeline sends your GPS position to the Coast Guard, all commercial dive vessels and many yachts within a 34-mile radius. The signal is accurate to within 1.5 meters. It’s broadcast via AIS (Automatic Identifications System) and DSC (Digital Selective Calling) which are the two most commonly used nautical messaging systems throughout the world. This means that if you need to use it, all modern vessels equipped with a VHF radio will receive your distress signal.

What is included with the Nautilus Lifeline?

It comes well packaged in a box with an antenna winding tool. The batteries and pouch are sold separately. You can see for yourself what's in the box as well as how the device works first hand in the unboxing video below.

How Much does all this peace of mind cost??

The price makes owning it a complete no-brainer. It retails for $200 dollars, however, but we have a very special, limited-time offer for you if you order your Nautilus Lifeline Marine Rescue GPS from us today! Click the link to find out more!

I don’t think there is any price I wouldn’t pay if I were stranded at sea for even a short while. The peace of mind having a device like this.
Its is great for anyone who is active on the water. Whether you are a SCUBA diver, free diver, surfer or an avid boater, the Nautilus Lifeline will ensure you will never feel alone on the water again. It also makes a great gift for anyone who loves being on the water!

If you want more detailed information, check out our blog post by clicking the link below:

greatdivers.com/nautilus-lifeline-marine-rescue-gps-review

Don’t forget to download our free guide “The 8 Tools you Should Never Dive Without.”

http://greatdivers.com/yt/NLL8tools

In it, we go over several often-overlooked tools that you can use to navigate. Many of these tools are not reviewed by instructors so you definitely want to check it out.

Did you find this video useful? If so, please give us a thumbs up below and do please leave a comment.

Also, do not forget to subscribe to our channel for more videos on SCUBA diving as well as helpful tips and tricks.

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Using Other People As A Compass

Greatdivers SCUBA 2017-06-12 | Before we get started, don't forget to download our free guide "The 8 Tools You Should Never Dive Without."
greatdivers.net/OthersasCompass

For more information about cleaning your masks visit our blog post on the subject:

greatdivers.com/underwater-navigation-how-to-use-a-scuba-compass

There are times when you are just going to have to do a boat check. Maybe you got turned around or you were busy paying attention to a turtle or other interesting sea creature.

In this video, we explain how you can use your buddy as a guide to take a bearing on the boat’s direction from depth so only one of you has to come to the surface.

It is important to remember that the person who goes to the surface and takes the bearing is the one who will lead the group back.

Another good idea is to double check what bearing your buddy took when they get back down to make sure that you are both on the same page.

If you want more detailed information, check out our blog post by clicking the link below:

greatdivers.com/underwater-navigation-how-to-use-a-scuba-compass

Don’t forget to download our free guide “The 8 Tools you Should Never Dive Without.”

http://greatdivers.com/yt/otherscompass

In it, we go over several often-overlooked tools that you can use to navigate. Many of these tools are not reviewed by instructors so you definitely want to check it out.

Did you find this video useful? If so, please give us a thumbs up below and do please leave a comment.

Also, do not forget to subscribe to our channel for more videos on SCUBA diving as well as helpful tips and tricks

Thanks for watching

youtube.com/watch?v=C1tQ04YdTco

Choosing SCUBA Gear Clips - How To Never lose Your Valuable Dive Gear Again!

Greatdivers SCUBA 2017-06-01 | Before we get started, don't forget to download our free guide "The 8 Tools You Should Never Dive Without."
greatdivers.net/HowtoClip

Have you ever lost a piece of expensive dive gear? As divers we all experience this at one point or another. I remember how frustrated I was when I lost a reel on a dive in the Keys. I saw it fall off of my rig and sink to the bottom, powerless to stop it. $125.00 dollars lost…

Why You Need to Clip Off Your Gear

First, dive gear is expensive and none of us want to lose our hard-earned equipment.

Second, clipping off our gear is important to protect the underwater environment. By making sure that our gear is both clipped off and snugly stowed away near our bodies and in pockets when we dive, we are ensuring the survival of the underwater environment that we so dearly love.

We are all familiar with danglies. It is the term used by divers to describe hanging gear. Maybe you’ve seen them on your own dives. You are swimming and you look at another diver who has an octopus or maybe a flashlight hanging low off of their BCD. Maybe you’ve even seen this gear clumsily crashing into a reef or wreck as you cringe in disbelief.

At Greatdivers we take the protection of the underwater environment VERY seriously. Because of this we teach all of our students how to properly stow away equipment so that it does not dangle and cause damage to the fragile underwater environment.

Over the years we have tried several things to stow gear to our BCDs but have found that tire inner tubes tend work extremely well. All you have to do is take a used tire inner tube (I got an old one from a local bike shop for free) and cut it into strips and use it to affix things like lights to the shoulder straps of your BCD.

How to Set Up Your BCD Pocket

Whether your BCD has pockets attached to it or you have purchased a pocket that you strap on to the webbing of your harness, all pockets should be properly set up.

Yes, it is true that pockets usually have zippers or Velcro that keep them closed, but that in and of itself is not always enough. It not uncommon for divers to reach into their BCD pockets, go to take something out and accidentally lose a piece of gear in the process.
This is why we configure our pockets to ensure that we never lose a piece of gear when we reach in to retrieve our compass, reel or any other piece of gear stowed away inside of it.
We do this by looping a piece of bungee cord inside our pocket. By doing so we can clip off all the gear in our pocket to the cord so that we can easily have access to anything inside the pocket without accidentally losing another piece of expensive equipment. The short video above illustrates how we do this so please take a minute to check it out.

The Different Types of Clips
There are several different kinds of clips that divers use to attach their gear to their BCDs. In this section, we are going to review the two we recommend and one that we think is dangerous and no diver should ever take with them in the water.

1. Bolt Snaps

2. Trigger Snaps

3. Carabiners

How to Tie Your Clips to Your Gear

We recommend braided nylon line.

We do not recommend that you use tie wraps to affix gear to clips. Tie wraps tend to deteriorate after repeated exposure to salt water and can fail. This happens quite often.

If you want more detailed information, check out our blog post by clicking the link below:

greatdivers.com/choosing-scuba-g…-lose-gear-again

Don’t forget to download our free guide “The 8 Tools you Should Never Dive Without.”

http://greatdivers.com/yt/clips

In it, we go over several often-overlooked tools that you can use to navigate. Many of these tools are not reviewed by instructors so you definitely want to check it out.

Did you find this video useful? If so, please give us a thumbs up below and do please leave a comment.

Also, do not forget to subscribe to our channel for more videos on SCUBA diving as well as helpful tips and tricks

Thanks for watching

youtube.com/watch?v=l8CsL436QpY

Underwater Navigation How To Use A SCUBA Compass

Greatdivers SCUBA 2017-05-10 | Before we get started, don't forget to download our free guide "The 8 Tools You Should Never Dive Without."
greatdivers.net/HowToCompass

For more information about cleaning your masks visit our blog post on the subject:

greatdivers.com/underwater-navigation-how-to-use-a-scuba-compass

The most commonly used SCUBA navigation device is the compass. All divers have one and should carry it with them whenever they descend into the abyss. We all know that there is no such thing as an underwater GPS for Divers! Unfortunately, many of us, including myself when I first started, do not really know how to correctly use the compass to navigate underwater.

The parts of the compass:
The Card:
This is the part of the compass that has the degrees and the letters that determine direction
The Bessel:
This a rotating piece of plastic on the outside of the compass which can be rotated to help us read our heading
The Lubber Line:
This line is fixed on the compass' face and is used to help us read our heading.
The Side Window:
This is a window on the side of the compass that makes it easier for us to see our heading.
**Note that a digital compass does not have all these parts**

How to Use a Compass for Underwater Navigation
The first thing we need to go over is how to hold your compass when underwater. This is important because different compasses are mounted in different ways. Not knowing how to hold a compass can cause you to get an incorrect heading
Taking a heading
A heading is the number attached to the direction you are traveling in. It will always fall between 0 and 360 and is commonly known as degrees.
The Reciprocal course
This is a very common question. Because we take headings in a circle from 0 to 360 degrees, it is possible to calculate your reciprocal, or opposite heading. To do this we use something called the add subtract 180 rule. It requires a little math, but it is not difficult.
How to use your compass to assist in natural navigation.
It is a great idea to use your compass in conjunction with natural navigation. This is a very good way of avoiding tunnel vision, something that occurs when you are laser focused on your compass and you do not notice what is happening around you. I have seen it happen more than once that a student will focus so singularly on their compass that they will swim right passed the ascent line without even noticing it.
What if there is a cross current?
There are times when you will be swimming with a current coming across your body rather than in front or behind you. The idea here is to slightly deviate your swimming by slightly directing yourself into the current to compensate. Of course, this is not an exact science, but it will allow you to compensate for the current and get you closer to your destination.
I hope this has helped you understand the ins and outs of using a compass as a SCUBA navigation device. If you want to learn more all aspects of underwater navigation, you may be interested in b our course "SCUBA navigation mastered." It provides a comprehensive course on all aspects of navigation. Click the link or the button below.

If you want more detailed information, check out our blog post by clicking the link below:

greatdivers.com/underwater-navigation-how-to-use-a-scuba-compass

Don’t forget to download our free guide “The 8 Tools you Should Never Dive Without.”

http://greatdivers.com/yt/usecompass

In it, we go over several often-overlooked tools that you can use to navigate. Many of these tools are not reviewed by instructors so you definitely want to check it out.

Did you find this video useful? If so, please give us a thumbs up below and do please leave a comment.
Also, do not forget to subscribe to our channel for more videos on SCUBA diving as well as helpful tips and tricks
Thanks for watching

How to Defog Your SCUBA Mask

Greatdivers SCUBA 2017-04-28 | Download our free guide “The Four Keys to mastering your Diving.”

greatdivers.net/DefogMask

How to Prevent Your SCUBA Mask from Fogging Up

For more information about cleaning your masks visit our blog post on the subject:

greatdivers.com/how-to-defog-scuba-mask

It has happened to all of us at one point or another. We have arrived at our dive site! We have been anticipating this for some time. The reef is waiting to display its opulence of life. The Crew gives us their briefing. We don our gear and are anxious to get in and enjoy the view. We enter the water and begin our descent into the abyss, and then it happens…OUR MASK FOGS UP!!!

It’s too late to go back now, we know that we will spend the rest of our dive with a foggy mask because we did not follow the right procedure to ensure that this does not happen. While it is not a serious situation, a foggy mask causes an inconvenience that it is impossible for us to ignore.

Don’t worry though, in this article you are going to learn a new scuba mask preparation procedure that will ensure that this does not happen to you ever again. Keep reading so you can learn what you can do to make it so you never dive with a fogged up mask again.

Mask Preparation: The Key to a No Fog Mask

***Disclaimer***
Different manufacturers have different processes that they use in the production of their masks. Before you do anything to your new mask, you need to read the instructions that come with it. The procedure that will be detailed below does not apply to masks that come factory-applied defog or no fog masks.

Mask manufacturers often spray their masks with silicon during the manufacturing process to protect the mask skirt as well as the glass. In many cases, this silicon spray is not removed as it also protects the mask during shipping. The problem is that, if not removed before diving, this silicon spray will make it practically impossible to stop your mask from fogging up. The best anti-fog spray for scuba masks in the world will not make a difference if you do not pretreat your dive mask.

The way we at Greatdivers suggest that you remove this spray is by cleaning your mask with toothpaste before your first dive. Cleaning the SCUBA mask the first time in this manner will make a huge difference in your ability to prevent it from fogging up.

Pre-dive Ritual that Prevents Your SCUBA Mask from Fogging Up.
Even if you clean your mask like we did in the video above, you will still need to apply some sort of SCUBA mask anti fog so it does not fog up. There are several liquids you can apply to your mask that will help you achieve this.

Antifog Spray: There are plenty of commercially available defogs you can use to prevent your mask from fogging up. The way they work is simple, you apply the solution to the inside of your mask and rub it in. You rinse off the excess and the residue leaves a film on the mask that prevents it from fogging up.

Baby Shampoo: Many people swear by this. A diluted solution of baby shampoo can be used in the same manner as the defog above. Divers who use this like it because it is designed not to irritate the eyes.

Spit: For many divers, spit is their method of choice. It is effective, ready-available and it most certainly does not irritate the eyes. Some people are not a fan because they are grossed out by the idea of using spit as defog. I will admit, this is my method of choice and I do not mind a "spit mask."

I would like to mention one last thing, I have never been a fan of using mask buckets on dive boats. Often times they contain dish soap which can be extremely irritating and this is made worse when every other diver on the boat dunks their mask into the bucket. If you are going to use the mask bucket, I highly recommend that you try on your mask before you get in the water to make sure that it does not irritate your eyes.

Don’t forget to download our free guide “The Four Keys to mastering your Diving.”

http://greatdivers.com/yt/MaskClean

In it we go over several little-known tips to make you a better diver. Many of these tips are not reviewed by instructors so you definitely want to check it out.

Did you find this video useful? If so, please give us a thumbs up below and do please leave a comment.

Also do not forget to subscribe to our channel for more videos on SCUBA diving as well as helpful tips and tricks

Share this link with your Scuba Diving Buddies:

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Diving Buoyancy how to perform a Scuba Buoyancy Check

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-11-13 | Download Your Free Guide "The 4 Keys to Mastering Your Diving" Below:greatdivers.net/BuoyancyCheck1

A buoyancy check is when we place you in the water, and then by trial and error, slowly add lead until we arrive at the amount of weight that you will need to be neutrally buoyant. The Buoyancy check is a starting point. It usually will get us really close to the amount of ballast that you will eventually need. Once we find the amount of weight we need with a buoyancy check we can then fine tune the weight to find exactly what we need.
Buoyancy checks can be done with, and without scuba gear on. If we do a buoyancy check without scuba gear on, then we will need to adjust our weight later once we factor in the Scuba equipment.
My preference is to do buoyancy checks this way. The main reason is because it is much easier to balance in a vertical position without a scuba unit on and determine the correct amount of weight you need for just your body and exposure protection. We can then do a separate buoyancy check for the equipment with the cylinder down to the reserve pressure and add the two numbers together.
The benefit of knowing how much ballast we need without scuba gear on, is that in the event that we want to skin dive, we will know how much weight we need for that activity.
Also, because potentially we may be diving with different sized cylinders, or cylinders made of different materials (cylinders can be made of either steel or aluminum) . By knowing how much weight we need for just our bodies, it will be easy to adjust for a change in cylinder size or type. We can also compensate for any variance caused by the gear itself. So here is how we perform a buoyancy check without scuba.
How to perform a Buoyancy Check

• Buoyancy Check without Scuba: The goal of this exercise is to find the correct amount of weight needed to buoy you upright in the water, with the water level at about mid forehead, while maintaining an upright position

• Step 1: Standing in water that is about neck deep. Take a weight of about 2 pounds (1 kg) and hold it either by your side, your back, or slightly in front of you. Everybody is different, so you may need to play with the positioning to find where you balance out best in order to remain in a vertical position.
• Step 2: Focus on your breathing for a moment. Now take a breath that's about seventy percent of the total volume of air you think you could fill in your lungs (don't worry too much about an exact amount, it's probably impossible to determine what exactly 70% is, just use your best judgment)
• Step 3: Now slowly ease yourself into the water. You want to go really slow to prevent yourself from bobbing up and down if you float.
• Step 4: Make a note of where you are in respect to the water level and your head.
o If you sink, underwater, you will need to try with less weight, or maybe even no weight.
o If the water level was below your forehead (your eyes as an example) you will need more weight.
o Repeat this exercise with more weight until you find the correct amount of weight that is needed to be right at forehead level.
• Step 5: Once you find the correct amount of weight make a note of it. This is how much weight you need to be neutral in the water without scuba equipment on.
• Step 6 Now you need to determine how much weight you need for your scuba equipment independently of your body. When you know how much weight you need for the scuba equipment, and your cylinder at reserve pressure add these two numbers together and you will know the total weight you need in the water.
The link to the buoyancy check for scuba gear is here: http://youtu.be/_8wiRKbdIXw

Share this video with your dive buddies:
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Frog Kick: How to Master doing the Scuba Frog Kick

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-11-13 | Download Your Free Guide "The 4 Keys to Mastering Your Diving" Below:
greatdivers.net/MasterFrogKick

The frog kick is the kick which is best used for most of the diving we do. The frog kick resembles the kick a breaststroke swimmer uses. If you have ever seen a frog moving in the water, you'll know why this kick is named after our amphibian friend. What makes the frog kick the best kick for most of our diving is that it has a rest phase built in. In other words after kicking there is a recovery phase, where you just glide, move forward without effort while preparing to kick once more. For most people this kick will consume less gas. This is also a great kick because many times the glide phase of the kick can be prolonged, as you just hover and checkout the reef, or whatever you are looking at, and then kick again to move forward once more.

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http://youtu.be/DoJ2BhS6Bis

Scuba Mask Clearing, How to Master Clearing Your Dive Mask on One Breath!

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-11-13 | Download Your Free Guide "The 4 Keys to Mastering Your Diving" Below:
greatdivers.net/OneBreathMaskClear

Knowing how to clear your scuba mask is one of the most important skills you must learn as a scuba diver. In this video I cover the tips you need to know in order to clear your dive mask. The keys to effective mask clearing are:

1) Have a seal against your forehead
2) Make sure your head is in a vertical position. You may need to look up if your body is horizontal
3) Breaking the seal against your cheeks just slightly (about as much separation as it would take for your pinky to fit)
4) Slowly exhaling through your nose while keeping your mouth closed.
• Placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth helps assure you are only exhaling through your nose.
• Be aware of where the water level is as it drops to that you stop exhaling once the mask is clear
• continue exhaling slowly as you seal your mask back against your cheeks

Share this videos with your dive buddies with this link:

http://youtu.be/Fb2Hois8KwA

Flutter Kick: How to do a correct Scuba Flutter Kick

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-11-13 | Download Your Free Guide "The 4 Keys to Mastering Your Diving" Below:
greatdivers.net/HowToFlutter

The flutter kick is the kick which takes the most amount of energy and therefore it is the kick which will cause you to breathe the heaviest. The flutter kick is your power kick. This is the kick you use to move rapidly, or against strong current. It is the kick that allows you to move with the most force in the water. It is also the kick, which because it moves so much water, and because there is really no rest phase in the kick, will consume the most gas. The flutter kick is best used when you either need to move quickly, or against a strong current.

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http://youtu.be/KOtxi5vnic8

Tank Buoyancy: Just how much weight do you need to add to compensate for a Cylinder?

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-11-13 | Download Your Free Guide "The 4 Keys to Mastering Your Diving" Below:
greatdivers.net/BuoyancyTank1

All cylinders will undergo a change in their buoyancy characteristics during a dive as the gas that is contained inside of them is consumed. This means that you'll always start the dive more negative, or sinking if you have no air in your BCD, then as the dive progresses you will become more positively buoyant as the tank becomes lighter because of the gas being breathed from it. In this video you get to see just how much weight is needed in order to weigh down an aluminum 80 cylinder. It really doesn't take much!

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http://youtu.be/PG_fhMMV5Kw

Diver Propulsion: When to use the Frog Kick and When to use The Flutter Kick

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-11-13 | Download Your Free Guide "The 4 Keys to Mastering Your Diving" Below:
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Each kick has a specific purpose in diving. Each kick also will consume a certain amount of gas. In general the flutter kick is the kick which takes the most amount of energy and therefore it is the kick which will cause you to breathe the heaviest. The flutter kick is your power kick. This is the kick you use to move rapidly, or against strong current. It is the kick that allows you to move with the most force in the water. It is also the kick, which because it moves so much water, and because there is really no rest phase in the kick, will consume the most gas. The flutter kick is best used when you either need to move quickly, or against a strong current. In the video below you can see how to do an efficient flutter kick.
http://youtu.be/KOtxi5vnic8

The frog kick is the kick which is best used for most of the diving we do. The frog kick resembles the kick a breaststroke swimmer uses. If you have ever seen a frog moving in the water, you'll know why this kick is named after our amphibian friend. What makes the frog kick the best kick for most of our diving is that it has a rest phase built in. In other words after kicking there is a recovery phase, where you just glide, move forward without effort while preparing to kick once more. For most people this kick will consume less gas. This is also a great kick because many times the glide phase of the kick can be prolonged, as you just hover and checkout the reef, or whatever you are looking at, and then kick again to move forward once more. In the video below you can see how to perform an efficient frog kick.
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http://youtu.be/DoJ2BhS6Bis

Once you have mastered the frog and the flutter kick, you will have your cruising speed kick, and your power kick. These two kicks can also be alternated if you happen to get cramped or feel your muscles getting too tired with just the frog kick. If this is the case however, you should probably practice some more in the pool and condition your muscles to doing this kick.

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http://youtu.be/XlOL9hDMweM

Scuba Tank Buoyancy the difference between a full cylinder and an empty cylinder.

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-11-13 | Download Your Free Guide "The 4 Keys to Mastering Your Diving" Below:
greatdivers.net/BuoyancyTanks

Keep in mind that all cylinders will undergo a change in their buoyancy characteristics during a dive as the gas that is contained inside of them is breathed. This means that you will always start the dive more negative, or sinking if you have no air in your BCD, then as the dive progresses you will become more positively buoyant as the tank becomes lighter because of the gas being breathed from it. The cylinder will be lighter at the end of the dive because it has less gas in it, and you will be more positively buoyant. If you performed the buoyancy check correctly, you will still not float. In this video I demonstrate how a full tank sinks while an empty one floats.

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http://youtu.be/XvHJEuOXszc

BCD Buoyancy Check. How to determine the proper weight to use as ballast for your gear.

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-11-13 | Download Your Free Guide "The 4 Keys to Mastering Your Diving" Below:
greatdivers.net/BuoyancyBCD2

This is the second part of 2 videos on performing buoyancy checks. The first video can be found here: http://youtu.be/_8wiRKbdIXw

Once you have determine the proper amount of weight for your body, now you need to do the same for your gear. Determining the correct weight for your gear is much easier since your gear does not need to balance. Simply add weight to the pockets of your BCD, or if necessary tie weights on momentarily. Through trial and error slowly add just enough weight so that your gear is either neutral, or slightly negative while the scuba tank is at its reserve pressure.

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http://youtu.be/_8wiRKbdIXw

Breathing underwater with no dive mask. How to be totally comfortable if your scuba mask falls off.

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-11-13 | Download Your Free Guide "The 4 Keys to Mastering Your Diving" Below:
greatdivers.net/BreathingNoMask

Not everybody is comfortable no diving mask on their face and not being able to cover their nose. In fact, many students in scuba classes I've had in the past had problems at first distinguishing between breathing through their nose and breathing through their mouth. This exercise is simply to put your face in the water with no mask on, and not covering your nose with your fingers or anything else, and then breathe through the snorkel for at least a minute.
For many people this is almost a non-skill which seems overly simple, but if you are one of the people who are not comfortable without a mask on and something covering your nose, then I suggest practicing this skill over and over until it becomes comfortable for you. There are many times in scuba diving when a mask may possibly come off. Knowing that it's not a big deal and that you can swim and easily ascend without a mask on is a good confidence builder for your scuba diving.

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http://youtu.be/hnWdOecwaEk

Scuba Mask Clearing, A second way to clear your Dive Mask

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-11-13 | Download "The Four Keys to Mastering Your Diving" for free below:
greatdivers.net/2ndWayMaskClear

Clearing your dive mask is one of the most important skills you must learn as a scuba diver. In this video I cover the steps you need to know in order to clear your scuba mask. The keys to effective mask clearing are:

1) Have a seal against your forehead
2) Make sure your head is in a vertical position. You may need to look up if your body is horizontal
3) Press your hand against the top of your mask to make sure no air escapes the seal that's against your forehead
4) Slowly exhale through your nose while keeping your mouth closed.
• Placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth helps assure you are only exhaling through your nose.
• Be aware of where the water level is as it drops so that you stop exhaling once the mask is clear
• continue exhaling slowly as you until you feel the mask is clear

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http://youtu.be/uU_hOoNNd2U

Confidence Underwater: Using the Skin Diving Bail Out to be more comfortable while Scuba Diving

Greatdivers SCUBA 2012-09-18 | http://greatdivers.com
The skin diving bail out is perhaps the hardest skill I teach in my entry-level course. Mastering this skill really requires comfort underwater. Mastering this skill is a great confidence builder. It also helps you to know that you can handle a multitude of tasks underwater without even breathing.
So what is a Skin Bail Out? Simply put, a skin diving bail out is when you jump in the water with your mask and fins off while holding your breath. If you need to, you can wear a weight belt with just enough weight to keep you under water. You can also do this drill with a buddy holding you down. Make sure your buddy lets you come up of course once you feel the need to come to the surface.
Once under water you proceed to place you fins on, your mask on, clear your mask, and finally clear your snorkel on the surface. The key is to do this while staying in control of all of your equipment. Doing this skill masterfully means having no water whatsoever in the mask, and blasting the snorkel while keeping your head in the water.
In my experience this skill is 90 % mental. If you tell yourself you have all the air in the world and take your time to complete the skill it will be easy. If you think you don't have a lot of time and try to rush through it, it usually feels like you are in a race against time before you run out of air. Notice in my video how calm I am and in no particular rush to come back to the surface. I do not practice freediving, or breath holding in any way, the reason why I am able to do this is because I am staying calm and I know I have lots more air in my lungs then what I actually need.

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http://youtu.be/pTGh37vN7r8