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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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CommunityUnderwater Pumpkin Carving: Diving Academy's Halloween DiveHalloween season means one thing at Diving Academy: underwater pumpkin carving. Here's what the specialty involves, and how to enjoy autumn UK diving.24 Oct 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →CommunityComing Back to Diving After Years Away From the WaterThinking about returning to diving after a long break? Here's what actually changes, what to expect from a refresher, and how to rebuild confidence.17 Oct 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →GearWetsuit or Drysuit? Gearing Up for UK Dry Suit SeasonAs UK water temperatures fall, is it time to switch to a drysuit? We break down the real trade-offs, common mistakes, and what to look for before buying.10 Oct 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →ConservationGrey Seals of the South Coast: A Diver's Autumn GuideGrey seal pupping season is beginning on the UK's south coast. Here's what divers can expect this autumn, and how to behave responsibly around them.3 Oct 2022 · 7 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 →TravelDiving Cozumel: A Complete Guide to Mexico's Reef ParadiseMarine life, the best travel timing, and what a full week of diving Cozumel's famous walls and drift reefs actually looks like in practice.19 Sept 2022 · 8 min readRead Article →UK DivingFarne Islands Diving Guide: Seals, Scenery and Cold WaterEverything you need to know about diving the Farne Islands, from grey seal encounters and cold water conditions to getting there from Reading.12 Sept 2022 · 8 min readRead Article →AcademiesInside the Conservation Academy: Diving With PurposeA full guide to the Conservation Academy pathway, from a first specialty course through to research and monitoring skills for serious marine-minded divers.5 Sept 2022 · 7 min readRead Article →CoursesBecoming a PADI Course Director: What It Really TakesThinking about the PADI Course Director rating? Here is exactly what the prerequisites, CDTC week, and career path genuinely involve for working instructors.29 Aug 2022 · 7 min readRead Article →CoursesGas Blender: Taking Control of Your Technical Dive GasWhat the PADI Gas Blender course covers, who it suits, and why understanding your own gas mix matters for serious UK technical divers today.22 Aug 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →UK DivingPeak Quarry Season: Making the Most of August DivingWhy August is the very best month for UK quarry diving, what conditions to expect, and how to get junior divers started this peak summer season.15 Aug 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →CommunityLearning To Dive Together: A Family's Summer at the QuarryA composite look at how UK families new to diving move together from a first nervous pool session to confident quarry diving over one summer.8 Aug 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →GearWetsuit or Drysuit? Choosing UK Exposure ProtectionA practical comparison of wetsuits and drysuits for UK quarry and coastal diving, with guidance for families and junior divers this summer season.1 Aug 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →ConservationCoral Bleaching Explained: What Every Diver Should KnowDiscover what causes coral bleaching, why it matters to reef ecosystems, and practical steps families can take before their next summer dive holiday.25 Jul 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 →TravelGozo and Malta: A Diver's Guide to the Best Week UnderwaterThinking about a diving holiday to Gozo and Malta? Here's the marine life, best time to visit, and what a typical week of diving looks like.11 Jul 2022 · 8 min readRead Article →UK DivingStoney Cove: The UK's Favourite Inland Dive Site ExplainedEverything you need to know about diving Stoney Cove in Leicestershire, from depth and visibility to what you'll actually see underwater there.4 Jul 2022 · 8 min readRead Article →AcademiesInside the Professional Academy: Your Path to InstructorThinking about diving for a living? Here's the full pathway through our Reading Professional Academy, from Divemaster to instructor and beyond.27 Jun 2022 · 8 min readRead Article →CoursesThe Mermaid Course: Diving Academy's Most Playful ProgramCurious about mermaid diving? Here's what our Mermaid course actually involves, who it suits, and why it's booming with families this summer in Reading.20 Jun 2022 · 7 min readRead Article →CoursesDiscover Mermaid: Try Mermaiding at Diving AcademyCurious about mermaiding? Discover Mermaid is a fun, beginner-friendly taster session teaching real monofin technique and underwater confidence.13 Jun 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →UK DivingWorld Oceans Day and the Start of Peak UK Diving SeasonWorld Oceans Day lands on 8 June, right as UK diving hits its peak. Here's how divers can mark the day and make the most of the season ahead.6 Jun 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →CommunityLearning to Dive as a Family: One Path From Pool to OceanA composite look at what it's really like when a family learns to dive together, from a nervous first pool session to open water certification.30 May 2022 · 6 min readRead Article →GearWetsuit or Drysuit? Choosing UK Diving Gear This SummerWetsuit or drysuit for UK diving this summer? We break down warmth, cost and comfort trade-offs to help you choose the right exposure protection.23 May 2022 · 7 min readRead Article →ConservationWorld Turtle Day: How UK Divers Can Help Sea TurtlesWorld Turtle Day falls on 23 May. Discover the threats facing sea turtles worldwide, and practical ways UK-based divers can help protect them.16 May 2022 · 6 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 →