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For the love of diving
78-year-old John Parmiter has reached the landmark of 1000 dives, but it took great determination – and help from other divers – to reach that goal, reports GAVIN PARSONS
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Apps to dive for OR to leave at the bottom
Do you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch? You may have been enjoying reading digital DIVER on your device, but Gavin Parsons has been looking at some of the other diving-related apps available (never fear, Androiders, your turn will come) to sort the smart from the dismal
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The ultimate cave dive
JILL MICHAELS gets an astronaut’s-eye view of NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory from a Brit who learnt to space-walk there. The NBL is closed to the public, but every now and then Europe’s equivalent opens its doors – MARKUS ROTH took full advantage to dive ESA’s Neutral Buoyancy Facility in Germany
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Never call a dive rubbish!
Never call a dive rubbish! In the latest in his occasional series on diving celebs, Tim Ecott tracks down Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. The author and star of the River Cottage TV series is a passionate campaigner for sustainability, both above and below the water.
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Sanctum - the man who kept it real
Once he found fame impersonating bespectacled rocker Buddy Holly, and led the Crickets astray on a diving tour of the UK. Now, leading technical diver John Garvin has helped to pull together what could be the most authentic diving movie to date. STEVE WEINMAN reports more...
Here come the girls
When DIVER carried out a detailed survey about the sexes and diving this year, more than 1600 of you responded. The results provided some valuable insights, several surprises - and more than a few laughs, writes Louise Trewavas
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5 ways to better finning
Do you kick your way around under water without giving it too much thought? A lot of divers do, but various finning styles can be employed at different times - and they could save on both effort and possible environmental damage. John Liddiard explains, with the assistance of Steve Murray
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What Do You Think You're Looking At? Invertebrate Quiz
Are you one of those divers who assumes that most of the fish off our coasts are wrasse, unless they have both eyes on one side, in which case they're called flatties? Or do you impress trainees with your spot-on fish-naming during debriefs - and if so, are you telling porkies? Paul Naylor provides the words and pictures needed to test your marine life know-how. Fill in the answers, and check your score at the end
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Spring Dives Showcase
Spring Dives Showcase more...PADI Rebreather Course Showcase
PADI Rebreather Course Showcase more...Disinterring Sir Francis Drake
Exciting discoveries in Panama are throwing light on Tudor English maritime history, and DIVER cartoonist RICO OLDFIELD is part of the expeditionary team – and enjoying the views more...
Ben Franklin’s Black Fleet
Is one of these privateers lying off Anglesey? Rico Oldfield has been beneath its waters in a bid to find out
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Alpine adventures
You know you’re in for some excitement when you have to reach the start of your dive on a cable. Martyn Farr hangs out in the Swiss Alps
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Beneath Budapest
One of the world’s most impressive cave-systems lies beneath a European capital city, and its potential for exploration grows bigger by the week. There were many surprises in store when Dmitri Gorski decided to spend a long weekend in Hungary
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The skipper's box of tricks
Today's charter-boats feature a range of sophisticated electronic instruments that skippers use to take us diving. On upgrading to a new set, the old units are often kept as backup, so we see the latest flat-panel systems used beside previous generations of instruments. John Liddiard provides a quick roundup. more...
All aboard all year round
There have been subtle shifts in UK diving patterns in recent years, says Colin Mac Andrias, who has been talking to skippers while compiling a guide to UK charter-boats
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The Diving Officer’s Report
Good evening, everyone, and I must say how good it is to be back here at the Bell & Anchor for another Annual General Meeting…’ MIKE WARD takes the minutes
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How to pick the perfect buddy
Make the wrong choice of liveaboard dive buddy and you could be facing the holiday from hell. If you can't find the ideal companion, you should at least know who to avoid. Mike Ward presents his own handy selection guide
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Ice station Rothera
DAVE SMYTH, Field Diving Officer for the British Antarctic Survey at Rothera Research Station, dives every day, year-round, and he loves his job. So what is a typical day’s diving in Antarctica like? See you on the ice
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All Golf and Gators
MARTIN PASHLEY reports on a diver who makes his money on Florida’s golf courses. Photography by JAMES CHEADLE.
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You will have fun!
NoTanx AIDA 2* Freediver Course
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Analysing Sara
Sara Campbell, the British woman who took up competitive freediving only last year, amazed everyone by taking three world records within months. Fellow British freediver Mark Harris probes her on the secrets of her success. Pictures by Laura Storm
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The heart of the matter
‘I’ve had a heart attack – can I dive?’ It’s a query Dr Ian Sibley-Calder has heard many times – so how does he answer it?
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Think twice before breathing off a bag
It was a cruel stroke of fate that abruptly ended Mike Firth's underwater adventures, but this UK diver is keen that his misfortune should serve as a warning to anyone tempted to skimp on kit hygiene. STEVE WEINMAN reports
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Laying a line
It’s handy for divers to know how to lay a line efficiently, even if it’s only for use in open water. JOHN LIDDIARD relays some received wisdom more...
CCR clans mingle in Safaga
Hosting 45 rebreather divers for a week, with cylinders, scrubber, bail-out cylinders and boats, is a task few dive centres could manage. But Orca Dive Clubs in Safaga was up to scratch this summer for its second International Rebreather Event – giving JOHN LIDDIARD the chance to dive the Red Sea with the latest CCRs, their developers and users
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Thailand’s Underwater World by Chris Mitchell & Jez Tryner
Two sides to a country
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FAQ Dive Medicine by Dr Oliver Firth & Jules Eden
A whole heap of complaints
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The Big Question 101
Are enough younger people coming into diving? more...The Big Question 100
Red Sea dive sites still seem quiet – do you plan to dive in Egypt over the next 12 months? more...Red Sea briefing: Marsa Alam
Healthy reefs, large pelagic visitors, life-encrusted pinnacles,high-energy dropoffs, an interesting network of caves and coral-blanketed wrecks, Marsa Alam's 100km-long stretch of coast offers incredible variety and promise for underwater visitors of all levels.
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Red Sea briefing: El Quseir
If history is not your thing, there are always the sandy beaches, desert and resort hotels to explore and enjoy. Windsurfing, kayaking and small catamaran sailing are also on offer to those wishing to try out other water-based sports.
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