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

PADI 5-StarWritten By Real Instructors

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The Full Archive

NewsBlack Friday Deals, Movember Safety and Winter Dive PrepBlack Friday course offers, Movember safety messages and cold-season prep all land in November. Here's how to make sensible use of all three.23 Nov 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →

CommunityFrom Fear to Freedom: A Diver's Journey Past Water AnxietyWater anxiety is far more common among new divers than people admit. Here is how nervous beginners genuinely build confidence, one small step at a time.16 Nov 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →

GearWetsuit or Drysuit? Choosing the Right Kit for UK DivingWetsuit or drysuit for UK diving? A practical guide to warmth, cost, training and comfort, so you choose the right exposure protection this season.9 Nov 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →

ConservationSeahorses in UK Waters: The Native Species Divers Rarely SeeMeet Britain's own seahorses, the short-snouted and spiny species living off our coast, and learn how UK divers can help protect their fragile seagrass habitat.2 Nov 2020 · 7 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 →

TravelCozumel Diving: A Warm Water Escape for UK DiversWarm water, drift diving and exceptional visibility, our guide to diving Cozumel, Mexico, plus what a typical week there actually looks like.19 Oct 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →

UK DivingFarne Islands Diving Guide: Seals, Wrecks and ReefsGrey seals, dramatic reef and real North Sea conditions, our guide to diving the Farne Islands, Northumberland, and why it belongs on your UK dive list.12 Oct 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

AcademiesInside the Professional Academy: Path to InstructorA full look at our Professional Academy pathway, from Divemaster to full instructor status, and how UK divers turn a passion into a real qualification.5 Oct 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

CoursesAdaptive Techniques Instructor: Teach Diving For AllDiscover the PADI Adaptive Techniques Instructor course at our Reading academy, teaching instructors to open diving to every kind of student, safely.28 Sept 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

ConservationAWARE Shark and Ray Conservation Specialty ExplainedCurious about the AWARE Shark and Ray Conservation Specialty? Here's what the course covers, who it suits and why more divers are booking it this autumn.21 Sept 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

CoursesWhy Autumn Is the Best Time to Start Diving in ReadingMissed the summer rush? Discover why our September training intake is one of the best times of year to start learning to dive here in Reading, Berkshire.14 Sept 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

CommunityCareer Change Divers: Why Autumn Is the Time to StartThinking about turning diving into a career? Here's why September is the ideal time to begin Divemaster training and what the journey really involves.7 Sept 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →

GearWetsuit or Drysuit: Choosing UK Exposure ProtectionWondering whether to buy a wetsuit or drysuit for UK diving this autumn? Here's how water temperature, training plans and budget should guide your choice.31 Aug 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →

ConservationUninvited Guests: Invasive Species in UK Dive QuarriesSignal crayfish, zebra mussels and other invasive species are changing British dive quarries. Here's what UK divers need to know this summer.24 Aug 2020 · 6 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 →

TravelGozo and Malta: A Diver's Guide to the Best of the MedWhy Gozo and Malta are among the best warm-water destinations for UK divers, covering marine life, conditions, and what a diving week looks like.10 Aug 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

UK DivingStoney Cove Dive Guide: The UK's Favourite Inland SiteEverything you need to know before diving Stoney Cove, Leicestershire: conditions, what to see, facilities, and how it fits UK diver training.3 Aug 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

AcademiesInside Our Freediving Academy: From First Breath-Hold to DepthA full look at our Reading Freediving Academy pathway, from beginner breath-hold basics through advanced depth, safety, and instructor training.27 Jul 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

CoursesDry Suit Diver Instructor: Teach Cold-Water ConfidenceBecome a PADI Dry Suit Diver Instructor at our Reading academy. What the course covers, who it suits, and how it opens up year-round UK teaching work.20 Jul 2020 · 7 min readRead Article →

CoursesSearch and Recovery Diver Instructor: Course SpotlightThinking about adding Search and Recovery Diver Instructor to your ratings? Here's exactly what the course covers, and who it genuinely suits.13 Jul 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

CoursesFamily Learn-to-Dive: Your Summer Holiday Diving GuideThinking of learning to dive together as a family this summer? Here's what age to start, what a typical course involves, and how to prepare properly.6 Jul 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

CommunityOvercoming Water Anxiety: A Diver's Journey to ConfidenceWater anxiety is more common than most people think. Here is how genuinely nervous beginners become calm, confident divers over time together.29 Jun 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

GearWetsuit or Drysuit? A Real UK Diver's Buying GuideWetsuit or drysuit for UK diving? We break down how each actually works, common buying mistakes to avoid, and the honest answer for most divers.22 Jun 2020 · 6 min readRead Article →

ConservationWorld Oceans Day: Why UK Marine Protected Areas MatterFor World Oceans Day, we explore why UK Marine Protected Areas genuinely matter, what responsible conservation diving looks like, and how to get involved.15 Jun 2020 · 6 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 →