After a couple of cave dives, my client and I were chatting about gear . We agreed that we felt safer diving in caves with our double tanks and cave gear designed for complete redundancy than we feel diving in the ocean with a single tank and non-redundant gear. While neither of us denies that cave diving is a risky sport, with cave gear the diver has the ability to solve any possible equipment failure (except for a catastrophic gas loss) himself, whereas with a single tank, a diver must rely on his buddy to help him with an equipment problem. These days I see recreational divers (even my own buddies) straying farther and farther away from their dive partners, to the point that is unlikely that they could render timely assistance in the case of an emergency. Learn 8 Ways to Improve Your Buddy Skills.

_{Tips for easier diving:}

• 6 Steps to an Easier Descent
• How to Relax on the Surface
• How Not to Get Lost Underwater

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_{Image © istockphoto.com, Jman78}

8 Tips for Being a Better Dive Buddy originally appeared on About.com Scuba Diving on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at 19:52:49.

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As a scuba diving instructor, I have developed an almost preternatural sense of hearing. I notice the pfffffffftttt sound of a diver holding down the power inflate button on his buoyancy compensator (BC) every time he adds air to his BC. When I am diving with new or inexperienced divers, this noise strikes terror into my heart. I worry that the diver has added too much air to his BC, or that he is using the inflate button to ascend. My fear is that he will send himself into an uncontrolled ascent, which is one of the worst things a diver can do underwater. Doing so increases a diver's risk of decompression illness. Scuba diving ascents should always be slow and controlled. What is the maximum safe ascent rate?

_{More dive safety articles:}

• What If You Exceed a No-Decompression Limit?
• What Is a No-Decompression Limit?
• Why Make Safety Stops on Every Dive?

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Ascent Rate Guidelines and Why You Should Follow Them originally appeared on About.com Scuba Diving on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 15:17:58.

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Is scuba diving dangerous? As with any adventure sport, some risk is involved. Humans are not built to breathe underwater, which means that every time a diver descends, he is completely dependent upon his equipment, skills, and emergency training to ensure that he surfaces safely. This truth, while it may sound frightening, should not discourage prospective divers. However, it should encourage divers to approach the sport with an appropriate amount of respect. Scuba diving is not dangerous as long as a diver seeks thorough training, follows safe diving guidelines, uses proper gear, and dives within his experience level. Read safety statistics and facts.

_{Risks of diving (and how to avoid them):}

• Decompression Sickness (Bends)
• Nitrogen Narcosis
• Ear Injuries

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Is Scuba Diving Dangerous? Statistics and Safety Information originally appeared on About.com Scuba Diving on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 at 20:34:46.

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Our Adventures

Here are some pictures from our various scuba adventures.