Academy Journal
Dive Deeper
Training stories, UK diving advice, conservation notes and course inspiration from the Diving Academy team.
399 Stories, 16 Topics — New Field Notes Every Week
399Articles & Field Notes
16Topics To Explore
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The Full Archive
Diver TipsLow-Visibility Diving: Mastering UK Winter ConditionsUK visibility drops fast in winter. Here is how to handle low-visibility diving safely, the mistakes to avoid, and how to practice before you need to.5 Dec 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsSMB Deployment: The Skill Most Divers Get WrongWhy surface marker buoy deployment matters, the common mistakes instructors keep seeing, and how to practise this core safety skill properly.26 Sept 2022 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsSMB Deployment: The Skill Every Diver Should Actually MasterDeploying a delayed SMB properly is a genuine safety skill, not an afterthought. Here's why it matters, common mistakes, and how to get it right.18 Jul 2022 · 8 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsMaster SMB Deployment: The UK Diving Skill You NeedWhy surface marker buoy deployment matters, the common mistakes divers make, how to practise it properly, and exactly what instructors look for.9 May 2022 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsWhy a Refresher Dive Should Come Before Your Spring TripSkills fade over a winter off more than most divers realise. Here's why a proper refresher dive matters before the first trip of the new season.28 Mar 2022 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsEqualisation Technique: The Skill That Makes or Breaks DivesPainful ears end more dives than almost anything else. Here's how to master equalisation, the mistakes to avoid, and how to practice properly.28 Feb 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsLow-Visibility Diving: Winter Skills Worth MasteringHow to dive confidently when winter conditions turn UK water murky, the common mistakes divers make, and how instructors actually train for it.20 Dec 2021 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsBlack Friday Offers, Dry Season Prep and Movember Diving TipsNovember brings Black Friday course deals, dry season kit prep and Movember health awareness. Here's a practical way to use the month well overall.8 Nov 2021 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsMastering Low-Visibility Diving as UK Autumn Conditions ArriveVisibility drops fast once UK autumn and winter set in. Learn the common mistakes to avoid and how to build real confidence diving in the murk.11 Oct 2021 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsBuddy Checks: The Two Minutes That Could Save Your DiveWhy the pre-dive buddy check matters far more than most divers assume, the common mistakes instructors see, and how to build the habit properly.2 Aug 2021 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsMastering SMB Deployment: A Skill Every Diver NeedsWhy SMB deployment matters, the mistakes divers make most often, and how to practice until sending up a marker buoy becomes second nature underwater.24 May 2021 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsYour Easter Diving Season Kickoff Checklist for 2021Easter is the real start of the UK diving year. Here's how to use the holidays to get gear, skills and family plans sorted before summer arrives.12 Apr 2021 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsSMB Deployment: The Spring Skill Worth PractisingWhy deploying a surface marker buoy properly matters, the mistakes we see most, and how to drill it before your first open water dive of spring.15 Mar 2021 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsMaster Your Trim: A New Year Diving Skills ResolutionWhy good trim matters more than most divers realise, the common mistakes behind it, and practical ways to actually fix it this year for good.4 Jan 2021 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsMaster SMB Deployment Before Winter Diving SeasonCommon SMB deployment mistakes, how to practise properly, and what instructors look for, ahead of another season of colder, murkier UK diving.26 Oct 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsSMB Deployment: The Skill Every Diver Should NailWhy deploying a surface marker buoy properly matters, the common mistakes divers make, and how to practise this essential safety skill well.17 Aug 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsMaster Your SMB Deployment: A Skill Worth PerfectingLearn why surface marker buoy deployment matters, the common mistakes divers make, how to practise properly, and what instructors actually look for.8 Jun 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsYour Spring Dive Season Checklist: Getting Kit-ReadyKit sat idle all winter? Here's your practical checklist for getting equipment, skills, and plans ready before your first dive of the season.27 Apr 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsGas Planning for Divers: A Complete Practical GuideWhy gas planning matters, the mistakes divers make, and how to calculate and practise it properly before your next UK or holiday season dive.30 Mar 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsMaster SMB Deployment: A Core Skill Every Diver NeedsStruggling with SMB deployment? Learn why it matters, the mistakes most divers make, and how to practice until it feels calm and effortless.20 Jan 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsMaster SMB Deployment: The Skill Every Diver NeedsWhy surface marker buoy deployment matters, the mistakes divers make, how to practise properly, and what instructors look for during assessment.11 Nov 2019 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsBack to Basics: Nailing Your SMB Deployment This AutumnA practical guide to confident surface marker buoy deployment - why it matters, common mistakes, how to practise, and what instructors look for.2 Sept 2019 · 6 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsMaster SMB Deployment: The Skill Every Diver Needs NowWhy SMB deployment genuinely matters, the common mistakes divers make, and how to practise it properly before your next UK dive later this season.24 Jun 2019 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsWorld Turtle Day: The Turtles You'll Meet This SummerWorld Turtle Day falls on 23 May. Meet the turtle species divers encounter on holiday and get a head start on planning next summer's dive trip.13 May 2019 · 7 min readRead Article →
Diver TipsUnderwater Navigation: The Skill Most Divers Never Truly MasterCompass work, natural navigation and genuine dive planning that actually gets you home safely. Why navigation deserves far more practice than it gets.15 Apr 2019 · 6 min readRead Article →