The Great Dive Podcast: Recent Episodes
Brando & James
Grab your logbooks and gather around as James and Brando chat about your favorite subject and theirs, scuba diving. Each episode, these guys will share with each other an interesting and relevant story, tale, adventure or experience from under, in or on the water. It’s just like hanging out with a couple of cool buddies at the dive shop, on the dock or at the pub. Listen, learn and have fun with James Mott and Brandon Schwartz on The Great Dive Podcast. See and experience more at thegreatdivepodcast.com
This week the boys get back to complaining. Not complaining themselves but have a conversation about it and what it's all worth. And Brando tells his favorite joke, but it has a moral to the story.
The boys sit down at the Thunder Bay International Film Festival with a few buys from the film showcasing Warfighter Scuba.
This week the boys read some listener feedback.... and continue whining. What are they whining about you ask? Have a listen and find out!!
Last week, Jamesy and Brando coined a new word in the TGDP Lexicon, Sculture. This week the boys dive deeper into that idea of scuba culture. Sculture, if you will. What are we doing? What do we believe in? Is the idea to certify as many humans as possible just to make money? Or should we be building something better?
status (LMAO!) to instructors based on speed and numbers of students certified. This is an achievement that can only be accomplished by prioritizing speed of training (to get more numbers) over quality of training. The two are mutually exclusive. Quality takes time. It takes time because it takes work. Anything of value takes work and therefore time. An instructor with 100 dives under their belt is only going to make divers with that level (or worse) of competency. Couple this with the glorification of the depth achievement over the glorification of the quality and proper execution of the dive is also contributing towards the degradation of our Scuba culture with the constant attention to depth rather than the overall quality of the diver and the proper approach and execution of the dive. Too many people want the T-shirt without doing the hard work. Have a listen!!
James and Brando start talking about a recent weekend teaching the UTD Essentials class to a couple of scuba professionals. This class is hard, but not because of the difficult skills or impossible expectations. It’s hard because it requires humility and intention, rather than learning and doing random skills underwater. Check it out.
The boys wrap up International Cave Diving Month with some final words. What can the recreational diving community learn from the Cave Diving community? Have a listen!
What possibly could be the downside of focusing education on quantity vs focusing on the quality of the education? This week the boys explore the idea of a quantity vs. quality approach to educating the scuba world. Have a listen!
This week the boys sit down and talk about Jamesy’s recent visit to Florida for the NSS-CDS International Cave Diving Conference. So, I guess it is officially Cave Month. Ol’ Jamesy’s presentation was a philosophical look at the difference between cave diving and the rest of the scuba education.
This week the boys take a week off from the Maldivian Death Cave, to bring you a special interview from this year’s Thunder Bay International Film Festival. Summer is heating up and Jamesy and Brando are busy living the scuba life. Enjoy these interviews with Andrew a Great Lakes boat captain and Kate from NOAA talking about the festival and why the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is so great.
This week Jamesy and Brando join the discussion about what happened to the 5 Italian divers inside the Death Cave of the Maldives. But, we don’t want to continue speculating as much as we are trying to move this conversation along. This story is about more than just those 5 divers.
A recap of the past few months episodes and best of all.... NO QUACKING or HONKING! yes, you read that correctly.... there are no censoring beeps, quacks, honks or even Brando yapping about Manscaping. Just good old fashioned scuba diving talk! have a listen!
Only one kind of panic is worse than bee panic, and that's underwater panic! This week the boys discuss a readers letter regarding a recent incident where panic played a role in the dive but the reason for the panic was unknown. How does this effect the way we, as divers, address the very real possibility of panic underwater. Have a listen!
This week the boys dive back into the tragic topic of Dylan Harrison, and the death of a young girl on her open water certification dives.
This week the boys continue the discussion on scuba diving related incidents with the topic of Dylan Harrison. Dylan was a 12 year old girl who became separated from her instructor and class and later found deceased in the quarry where she was being trained. What can we learn from Dylan's tragedy and can we change the system so that it's less likely to occur again? Have a listen!!
This week the boys dive into the long awaited Linnea Mills tragedy. It's a topic you listeners have been asking about for awhile. This story is made up of a lot of the issues we talk about on TGDP every week, and here we see all the holes of the swiss cheese line up on this cold water, drysuit, dawn, deep dive at truly the worst possible time for them to line up.
Finally!! We are back to normal day to day operations. Aaaaannd, we are back to tackle a highly requested topic as we begin an (as of now) innumerable part series to discuss both the Dylan Harrison and the Linnea Mills incidents. Swiss cheese, Jenga, and Bigfoot are just a small sample of the parts of the river that this topic leads us down.... Have a listen!
on us and start leaving bad reviews because we took the time to answer some questions, update our audience, and went off script for one episode. To our True Fan listener that's still reading this... Thank you.
Stop, Collaborate, and Listen... TGDP is back with a brand new Ice Dive. This Juicy tale will get you ready for another cold water disaster. Could this have been prevented?
A quick update from the boys following a busy few weeks and right before a few more busy weeks.
This week Jamesy and Brando sit down and talk with Stephanie Gandulla from NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Kevin Sheard from Warfighter Scuba about the upcoming Thunder Bay International Film Festival.
that feel threatened or offended or triggered by laughter...or worry they may accidentally laugh at a ball shaving advertisement and be ashamed. Have a listen!
The madness continues with the discussion of underwater photography... and photography in general. This week the boys go insane with ISO! Have a listen!!
This week your buddies talk about underwater photography again. After joining a photo club to get better at taking pictures, Jamesy start asking questions about apertures and F/stops. Of course, the Sultan of the Shutter, Brando, shines the light of knowledge on the young photographer. Join us.
Join the boys this week as they examine an 'I Learned About Diving from That' article that tells the tale of what a Divemaster Candidate learned about his ego and the trouble that may come from letting it take hold of you and actually believing what it's telling you. Listen to the deadly incident and one diver's account of a real life encounter with the deadly regulator snatching rocks of the Caribbean!
This week the boys discuss public safety diving. A topic sparked by a recent social media post detailing the death of a public safety diver during a training evolution. Is this a common occurrence? Do most issues and incidents go unreported if there is no fatality or injury? What does have to do with recreational scuba? All good questions plus many more come up when discussing this topic and especially this particular incident. Have a listen and let us know what ya think!
Does anyone know where the love of God goes when Jamesy and Brando turn the minutes to hours? Find out this week as the boys recant the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of it's tragic demise. Have a listen!!
Get your tricks and treats out for another haunting episode of TGDP Halloween Spooktacular. This year the boys bubble up Brando’s hot tub with tales of ghosts, ghouls, and sea fiends from out of the deep.
Join your buddies, James and Brando as they sit down and talk with Rachel Lance. She is the author of Chamber Divers, the story about J.B.S. Haldane and other scientists who changed special operations warfare during WWII. The story is fascinating and everything you think you know about nitrox and oxygen with diving might change after this episode.You can get her book here:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671553/chamber-divers-by-rachel-lance/
This week the boys are back with Kenneth Donald and his Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit. At 30 years old and knowing virtually nothing about diving underwater, he was given carte blanche authority to do whatever he wanted. The most important mission, a cool name.
Momma Always said breathing oxygen at a higher partial pressure than 1.6 was like a box of chocolates.... ya neva know what ya gonna git... Join the boys this week as they continue their discussion on oxygen and it's effect on the diver. This week they look into Kenneth Donald and his book, "Oxygen and the Diver". Find out how the diving community came to the conclusion that breathing oxygen at higher than a 1.6ppO2 is really unpredictable. Have a listen!!
In this episode, the boys introduce us to a British physician named Kenneth Donald. Around WWII time, most of the oxygen studies were focused on the medical uses for it. However underwater military operations uncovered a new threat to the navy divers. Oxygen Poisoning.
What do the acronyms ConVENTID, VENTID and ASS all have in common? Well, have a listen and find out as the boys continue their journey down Highway O2 while avoiding the pitfalls of oxygen Toxicity. Have A Listen!!
Shut that oxygen window!! It's getting hyperoxic in here! The boys continue their discussion of Oxygen and the role it plays in the diver's physiology!
BOO-YAH! TGDP is back to the grind and we're getting back in the groove with a cool article from 1998 entitled "The Divers Bill of Rights". Do we have rights as a diver? Do we have responsibilities as a diver? Is it maybe both? Have a listen and find out!
This week the boys continue their celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Summer blockbuster movie "Jaws"!! While examining the vital role Valerie Taylor played in obtaining the stunning film footage of much of the real shark action used in the making of Jaws, the boys learn of her decision to devote much of her life to helping reverse the "sharkphobia" that was created by the movie itself. This one get's deep and has me wondering if whether the boys have actually "jumped the shark" in this episode or have they made a podcast Summer Blockbuster? Have a listen!!
Jamesy and Brando celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws, the movie. Tune in as the boys talk about sharks, their favorite parts, and differences between the book and the movie.
This episode the boys kick off shark quarter with a Lessons For Life tale of a near death shark attack.... well, almost... well... nobody died.... and no one was attacked... but it was nearly fatal! Find out who, what,why, and how in this week's episode of The Great Shark Podcast...er.. I mean The Great Dive Podcast!!
Did you know that you can drown in only a teaspoon of water? That’s right. That’s why Brando doesn’t have any teaspoons in his house. Look out people. TGDP is back to their old shenanigans again. We are partying like it’s 1999, because it is this week. Tune in and join us for this little dive that is the total opposite of our Dave Shaw series… or is it?
This week we finally make it to Dave Shaw's last dive. Unfortunately, Dave does not come back. It's a sad story but offers all of us divers many lessons to learn from.
What do you say when a diving project goes from bad to worse? I'll tell ya what I say... That's Diving mate! Join the boys as they continue to unwind the many little stories that is The Dave Shaw Story.
This week the boys dive into Dave Shaw’s last dive. Risking your own life to do a world record dive is not as simple as it may seem, and it involves the lives and safety of many others. A team of divers, support divers, safety teams, medical team, a surface team. All of these need to come together, and all of them are at risk. But hey, That’s Diving.
Join us as we continue the saga of Dave Shaw and his fatal dive to 270 meters at Boesmansgat in South Africa!
What do deep cave dives, Mr T, the law, and synchronicity have in common? Find out in this weeks episode as the boys continue their deep dive into the continuing saga of the Dave Shaw Story! Have A Listen!!
James and Brando discuss a recent listener email regarding Cave Diving Speed Limits that were inspired by Episode 409. As we get deeper into the Dave Shaw story we see how his progress looks a lot like many divers’ journeys. What can we learn from Dave’s story and others? The boys try to answer the philosophical questions around Bushmans’s Hole.
We're talking about Nudibranchs you dirty minded listeners! In recognition of Testicular cancer awareness month, we've joined our sole corporate sponsor, Manscaped, in their efforts to raise awareness of Testicular cancer as well as Nudibranchs. What does this have to do with Dave Shaw's depth record story? Maybe nothing... maybe everything! But you won't find out unless you listen to Part IV of our deep dive into the Dave Shaw story! Have a listen!
Holy Logbooks, Batman! We are into April and still on Cave Month. This week, Dave breaks the Inspiration in over 180 Meters, not feet, of water. We are getting deeper, we are getting new machines, we are getting bent…. But nothing will stop us from the world records we are going to set in Bushman’s Hole.
Join the boys as they continue their deep dive into the events surrounding Dave Shaw's fatal last dive!!
Welcome back to TGDP International Cave Month. This week the boys finally get into the subject of this series, David Shaw. In roughly 5 years, Shaw traveled the world earning advanced diving certifications and filling his logbook with almost 300 dives. Soon he will try to hit that number 300 in depth, in meters, in a cave.
This week the boys get into a discussion about the hazards of diving. Hazards that should not be there with certification cards, log books, or mentors but somehow we seem to still have tragedies like the one discussed here about Deon Dreyer.
Join the boys as they continue this deep dive into the world of deep cave diving. This epsiode centers on the dives conducted by Sheck Exley and Nuno Gomes in the Boesmansgat cave in South Africa. Reading through Sheck's personal journey detailing this adventure and his own accounts of the dives down into the 800 and 900 feet range of depth. And then to Nuno's own accounts of the same dives from his book. Have a listen!!
To get to the bottom of Bushman’s Hole and find out what happened to David Shaw, we first need to go back in time and learn a little more about this area of South Africa. This area known as the Cradle of Humankind has many caves, and with caves come cave tragedies.
Cave Week 2025 continues with this episode discussing a case study of a cave diving fatality. The incident involves an extremely deep cave dive on a rebreather with respiratory failure! Listen in as the boys discuss the details of what lead to this tragic dive! Have a listen!!
TGDP International Cave Diving Month is back. This week we start off the series with a little lesson from the cave, we learn what a cave is and also what a cave is not.
The boys are back and taking a break from the Dive Table series to discuss a "Lessons For Life Article". This week the story centers around a technical diving instructor that suffers a DCS incident. Was it avoidable? Listen to the ramblings of Ol' Jamesy and Older Brando as they discuss what happened to Trevor way back in the "almost 1900's"!
How confident are you in the decompression model you are using? Is it just assumption and trust? Because the data can be frightening. All dive tables come with a percentage of probable risk of DCS. What can we do to dial in that probability and reduce our risk?
This week the boys continue their talk on decompression and the evolution of dive tables and computer generated decompression algorithms based on decompression models. The discussion centers on an article from the late and great Dr Robert William (Bill) Hamilton where he discusses the changes undergone in the world of decompression theory and practice during the technical revolution in diving of the late 80's to 2000's. As we travel deeper into the rabbit hole of decompression Dr Bill Hamilton's contribution to diving cannot be understated. Learn what he had to say about the changing world of decompression and scuba diving!
This week the boys get back to work after a little Christmas break. Picking up where Haldane left off we get into more changes of the traditional dive tables. Hempleman and the Royal Navy start to look more at diffusion than perfusion, bubbles are discovered by doppler and new thinking emerges from Hawaii, new names like Hills, Yont, Spencer begin to evolve the game of decompression even more.
Enjoy this replay of the Cold Miser Quiz Show while Jamesy and Brando enjoy a holiday break with friends and family.
This Christmas don't get relegated to the "kid's table'... join Jamesy and Brando at "The Dive Table"!! We'll laugh and sing Dive Carols and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year as we 'dive into" part 4 of our "in depth" discussion of dive tables!! This week we discuss the beginnings and evolution of the dive tables and decompression science! Have a listen!
In the mid-90’s everyone had a personal desktop computer and decompression software was the new tool for dive planning. This week, we discuss Bill Hamilton and George Irvine’s look at decompression software. The path for ascent was evolving, but we were still working with adapting the same old navy tables.
Join the boys as they continue their discussion on dive tables (and everything else!)! How important are the numbers? What role does ascent rate play in the development of the different tables?? And what effect does it have on the test results? Is it even addressed in those old days? How hostile are those tables?? Should I just buy the most expensive dive computer? Why can't you do the math? How old are these guys??? What about the tonic water?? Who brought the gin? Where's this all going?? Have a listen and find out!!
These are not your grandpa’s dive tables, anymore. What good are they for? Is it really necessary to know how to calculate dive profiles from a dive table? Listen as Jamesy and Brando talk tables and what the dive tables really symbolize.
Sit back and enjoy the soothing voice of Ol' "Sea Shanty Mott" as he regales you with tales of the shipping trade on the Great Lakes during a time when they were among the most treacherous waters to traverse!! YES!! WE ARE BACK! The boys from the Great Dive Podcast have returned and with tales of the Gales of November and just in time for... well....the Gales of November... Have a Listen!!
Enjoy this revisit of one of this years top shows, while Brando makes his return from Florida. The TGDP boys will be back next week for another exciting episode.
The boys finally make the move to Closed Circuit Rebreather. Tune into this discussion with Ben Bos from UTD Scuba Diving. They talk about rebreathers in general, different units, different thinking, why they chose philosophy over a particular machine, and the TGDP class overall. Join us for some fun.
Gather ‘round ghosts and ghouls and listen to the terrifying tales from Jamesy and Brando. This week we dive into haunted shipwrecks. If you ever encounter these ghostly creatures, just keep swimming.
This week the boys discuss what happened to Choralll when he runs into problems 200 ft down and discovers he's not adequately prepared for basic failures. Of course the boys can't help but pay homage to the Choral memes and it quickly gets out of hand... have a listen!
Get in the ring with Jamesy and Brando this week as they go a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson and discuss the psychological aspects of diving. What can boxing teach us about scuba? How do you react when anger, ego, and frustration enter your mind underwater? Even positive emotions can give us problems while diving. Let’s go diving.
So you've done your Scuba course and it's time for the final exam....But wait!!!!.... is this truly the "final exam"??.... find out what the aich eee double hockey sticks we're talking about here... have a listen to this weeks episode!!
This week Jamesy and Brando continue talking about dive bodies and some of the inherent flaws in the buddy system. To find some support for this discussion they dig up an old article from DAN’s Alert Diver magazine. After knowing and reporting of all the breakdowns in the buddy system, traditional scuba still doesn’t teach a model that supports the buddy team.
We all learn in Open Water 101 that diving uses a 'buddy system" for several reasons. These reasons include equipment redundancy in case of failure, enjoyment of the dive, and sharing the experience. BUT, is a "buddy" enough? Too often the "buddy" is nothing more than a "body" and the asset that the system proclaims to be is actually a liability. Find out what happens when two divers become paired up randomly at the spur of the moment on a pretty routine recreational dive. How can the dive community work towards improving and avoiding this all too common occurrence? Have a listen!!
The first rule in assisting a panicking diver is knowing that panicking is an asymptote. This week Jamesy and Brando discuss rescue training and what to do if your buddy is in trouble.
So you decided to get certified.... you did the course... you got your certification... but now what do you do? Go diving? Take more classes? Take up scrapbooking? Today the boys discuss considerations to to consider (lol) after you're certified. Have a listen!!
This week the boys are, "more back." Jamesy and Brando returned from a trip up to Lake Huron’s beautiful Presque Isle and then a freak storm took out our power and internet services. But, the boys are back again. And they some some wonderful news to share with all of you wonderful listeners. Tune in and enjoy.
To quote Thin Lizzy, "the Boys are back in town!"...and if the boys want to interview on the big lake they call Gitcheegumee, you better let 'em! This week the boys return from a week on lake Superior at Isle Royale diving on Captain Ryan Staley's fine ship "The Discovery" and while they were there being treated like royalty and diving some fantastic Great Lake shipwrecks, in true TGDP fashion (and never off the clock) they did manage to get an interview with the good Captain as well as first mate Steve Stauch and the rest of the divers... John, Kyle , Rob, and Stan Thee Man. Have a listen!!
This week the boys get ready for their upcoming trip to Isle Royale. To get ready for taking more shipwreck pictures, they discuss Nine Tips To Improve Your Wreck Photos, an article written by Jason Brown for the Shearwater website blog, go check it out over at https://shearwater.com/blogs/community/nine-top-tips-to-improve-your-wreck-photos
How do you follow an episode with a story about diving from Stratis Kas's book "Close Calls"? Easy, publish yet another story from Stratis Kas's book "Close Calls"!! Join the boys as they engage in discussion detailing the account of an out of gas situation that The Michael Menduno experienced on the Speigel Grove shipwreck in the Florida Keys. What we learn is that even the most well trained and experienced divers make mistakes that result in close calls or worse... and if it can happen to them, it can happen to anyone. Have a listen!
This week Jamesy and Brando take a look at Close Calls, a book by Stratis Kas. This collection of stories by some of the diving communities most influential divers, shows how bad things can happen to anyone. We all make mistakes, even the best of us. Diving is inherently dangerous and thankfully these divers were humble and open enough to share these stories. Join us as we dive into a Really Close Call.
This week the boys celebrate Women's Dive Day with their friend and dive buddy Stephanie Gandulla from NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Join us as we look back at this conversation and congratulate her for being featured on a PADI live show, celebrating the same thing.
It’s Shark Week everybody. This week, Jamesy and Brando talk about one of the most gruesome shark attacks to have ever been documented. Imagine being in deep water in the Virgin Islands when your dive buddy is attacked. Join us for this very graphic, “Shark Attack!”
Wait... What?? Find out what Maslow's Hierarchy of Scuba needs and the solo diving class/diver have to do with each other... maybe nothing at all... maybe something interesting and noteworthy... you be the judge!
This week Jamesy and Brando look at some of the listener mail they received about the Shadow Divers episodes. One upset listener who did not like the Exposed episode. One this is for sure, that series got people thinking and sharing their opinions with us.
This week the boys pay tribute to the better half of the Haas duo, Lotte Haas. One of the first female SCUBA divers , Lotte started diving in 1949 on a Drager CCR and was soon taking part as one of the crew on Hans Haas' underwater exploration team! Tune in to this week's episode to learn more of Lotte's contribution to diving!
This week we go deep into the history of Han Hass and Jacques Cousteau. They were both pioneering scuba at virtually the same time. Were they in competition? Who really was the first? Who would win in a Death Match? Only you can decide. Go to our facebook page and vote or send us an email to info@thegreatdivepodcast.com
So the boys go deep this week with the first of a multi-episode series on diving legends, Hans & Lotte Haas. This week we'll get to know Hans with a reading of a short piece he wrote about being underwater and staring into the abyss..... have a listen!
After 10 weeks of East Coast Wrecking, the boys get back to some classic TGDP. Anyone can learn to scuba dive. The skills are relatively simple, so what is it that really separates someone with a certification card from a diver? Know thyself and use your scuba to teach yourself how to answer to yourself.
Wait...WHAT?? TEN EPISODES of East Coast wreck diving... heroic deeds....noble virtues and grand character... all shot to hell? Surely our sacred realm of Scuba diving is a bastion of relief from the world's ugliness of greed and want of fame? Perhaps not! Have a listen as we examine yet another book detailing the East Coast wreck diving community and in particular the search for the identity of the U-Who (aka the U-869), listen to what deep shipwreck diving legend Gary Gentile has to say about "Shadow Divers" as we dive into his book, "Shadow Divers Exposed. The Real Saga of The U-869".
The boys finally make their way to the end of the U-Who and discover the true identity of the U-869. Dive by dive, Jamesy and Brando go back to the beginning and revisit the dives made on the mystery sub. Through triumph and tragedy, John and Richie finally get the clue they needed.
First off, thank you all for allowing us a week off... it was much needed and really helped with both of our "10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag" lives.... :-) .... This week we continue our dive into Robert Kurson's "Shadow Divers" with a look at the third main character, Richie Kohler. He's a quiet, studious boy that grows into the iconic Atlantic Wreck Diver and becomes partners with John Chatterton to help unearth the mystery of the this newly discovered WWII era sunken U-boat.... Join us as dive even deeper into the mystery of the "U-Who".
This week the boys dive into the next great character in Shadow Divers, John Chatterton. Commercial diver, scallop fisherman, army medic, deep wreck explorer, boat captain, and submarine researcher, John has done it all. Join us as we learn more about how he came to discover the answer to the U-Who.
This week the boys dive into the New York Times Bestseller ‘Shadow Divers’ by Robert Kurson. It’s another look at the U-Who but this time from the perspective of John Chatterton and Richie Kohler. We are first introduced however to Captain Bill Nagle, a legendary diver himself once, but now on a course of self-destruction. He was a diver’s diver, and we explore who really deserves the title of, “a diver.”
This week the boys prepare for another deep dive into scuba storytelling, another book about the U-Who. It’s part recap, it’s part teaser for the next series, it’s part thank you, it’s a little bit of everything that TGDP is all rolled into one little episode.
Join the boys as the wrap up their discussion of Bernie Chowdhury's, "The Last Dive". It's only fitting to allow this wrap up to serve as a transition from the story of The Rouses and their demise on the newly discovered German U-Boat dubbed, "The U-Who" into the inevitably intertwined story of John Chatterton, Richie Kohler, Bill Nagle, and a host of other well known East Coast wreck divers as they relentlessly pursue their noble mission to identify this mystery submarine.... the story only gets better gang!
The boys continue their discussion of the true story of the Chris and Chrissy Rouse, the father & son diving team and their fatal last dive on a German U-Boat in part 3 of a multi part series of Bernie Chowdhury's novel, "The Last Dive". Have a listen!
Join the boys this week in part 3 of their multi-episode discussion of Bernie Chowdhury's epic dive novel "The Last Dive". This week we learn of Bernie's own bout with DCS. What he thought would be a bump in the road was almost a dead end and definitely was a detour in his life. Have a listen!!
This week the boys dive deeper into The Last Dive. The main story of the book is about the relationship between the father and son dynamic of Chris and Chrissy Rouse. The Bicker Brothers. Two men who were constantly attacking each other in public and on the dive boat. Was it jealousy? Was it ego? Was it love?
This week the boys begin a multi episode discussion of the legendary diving book, "The Last Dive" by Bernie Chowdhury. Even if you haven't read it (do you even dive bruh?) you'll gain fabulous insight into the history & evolution of diving in the early 1990's and technical diving in particular. This is the true story of the Rouses and their tragic demise wreck diving off the US East Coast. As a tech diver himself, Bernie does a fantastic job of portraying the atmosphere of the technical (both cave and wreck) diving community in it's infancy during the late 80's and early 90's. Bernie's excellent telling of the story combined with his explanation of the nuances and details of diving make the book a great read for divers and non-divers alike!
The boys enjoy a little lesson for life, eventually. First, they spend some time recapping cave month and solo diving. What lessons can a beginner open water diver take from all that cave diving talk?
The boys wrap up Intergalactic Cave Diving Month (IGCDM) with a discussion of a 1973 cave dive in South Australia that resulted in the death of 4 divers. In hindsight, the reason for the the fatalities is quite clear. But in 1973, the cardinal rules of cave diving were not yet developed and it would take even more deaths for them to come to fruition and yet, although infrequent, cave diving deaths still result from divers ignoring what was learned the hard way. Learn what caused this fatal outcome as well as how and what open water divers can learn from incidents like this that happen in cave diving world.
In week 3 of 2024 Cave Diving Month, Jamesy and Brando take an interesting look at Solo Diving. What are the special things to consider if you must do it? What does it really mean to be alone? Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code TGDP at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod
This week the boys look at traditional scuba education and how it developed in comparison to cave diving education. The concept of Accident Analysis versus the mainstream scuba idea of, “Don’t Say The ‘D’ Word.”
This week the boys kick off the 2024 International Cave Diving Month Special with a look at a fatality that occurred on a solo cave dive. Was it a medical problem? Did he forget to monitor his gas? Could a buddy have helped him? These questions and more are discussed. Join us.
Is there anything you cannot do in California? Join the boys as they kick off ice diving season with an article on ice diving in the Sierra mountain range in California. Have a listen!
This week the boys bring you a special 2 hour double episode, live from the 2023 Thunder Bay International Film Festival. As TGDP prepares for attending the 2024 show we look back at a few interviews we did last year. All the talks seem to come back to the feature film last year, David Ruck’s “The Erie Situation.”
The boys ring in the New Year with a review of the top dive destinations for 2024!! Have a listen!
Happy New Year from Jamesy and Brando. Here is a look back at our very first New Years Resolutions show.
In 1913 the Great Lakes were devastated by a Great Storm. But after all the death, destruction, and chaos of that white hurricane one ship tried to bring some Christmas joy back home to Chicago. The Rouse Simmons. Locked, loaded, and overloaded with fresh pine and Christmas carols… she was soon to be resting on the bottom of Lake Michigan instead of being safe in Chicago.
Join the boys the week as they reveal the answer to the "Who is it?" Episode of last week and it is.... the impeccable Stan Waterman of course!! The boys recap a story of his from his book "Sea Salt: Memories and Essays" where Stan waxes poetic on the joys of working with "Jacqui B." on the set of "The Deep" back in 1977. The dive world (and the "world" world) will most certainly miss Stan Waterman who passed away this year on August 10th at the age of 100. Doing his last dive in The Caymans at 90 years old he has been an incredible ambassador for the diving community!
The is week the boys look at a DCS hit that took place in Bora Bora. In many ways it is a rather typical incident. Warm tropical location, daily repetitive diving, pushing the limits, and it finally catches up with you. But this story comes from a diving legend. Can you guess who it is?
Join the boys this week as they discuss what one underwater photographer calls "The 10 Worst Pieces of Advice For Underwater Photographers".
The Wah-Wah continues. Join us as we talk the truth about diving deep on regular old air with Bob Raimo and Michael Menduno. Last week we mentioned how Bob almost died, this week we go through his personal memoir of the dive.
Join the boys this week as they continue their series dedicated to diving pioneer Bret Gilliam. This week they discuss quite possibly the most controversial article about Bret Gilliam and without question the most controversial dive ever done by Bret Gilliam! Have a listen as the boys dive into the topic of personal responsibility vs. personal freedom in the dive world!
The boys continue their look back on the life of the legendary Bret Gilliam and read one of his most controversial articles. Not only that but they also revisit the comments from an online discussion board at the time. A fight had started for what technical diving was and deep air was the first battle. Is it Technical Diving just because we are beyond recreational limits or was that term going to mean we did something different?
The dive community has lost more than a couple notable figures this past month. This week the boys pay homage to one of those legendary figures that left an indelible imprint on many of us that were around for the birth of technical diving, Bret Gilliam. Have a listen!
This year for the TGDP Halloween Special, the boys harken back to Jamesy’s old days on an underwater habitat in the Baltic Sea. Germans, French women, a Brit and unfortunately no bathrooms… but they did have a moon pool. Wait… what was that???
This week the boys discuss Paulette's "event" off the coast of Northern California in Carmel. Unusual hypothermia symptoms throw Paulette and Dennis a curve ball. Have a listen and find out what the confusion is all about!
This week the boys go back in time to learn a lesson from a warm water diver who wanted to try a cold water dive on his vacation to Norway. Cold water, dry suits, dark water, overweight… it all comes together in an exhausting and dangerous experience for Jeffrey. Don’t forget to tip your dive guides.
This week the boys continue more cold water chat with an episode addressing some of the considerations for underwater photography in cold water. Have a listen!
They say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but, this week the boys learn 4 tips for staying warm in cold water. Pour yourself a cup of Hot Jolene because its time to dive with Jamesy and Brando.
As summer comes to an end and the cold weather diving season returns, TGDP prepares to answer some cold-water diving questions that have been coming into our emails. As the boys prepare a new fall season of TGDP, join us as we revisit our first TGDP Quiz Show. We will talk to you next week.
IIiiiit's time for your favorite diving Game Show.... The Great Dive Podcast Quiz Show.... with your host, Ol' Jamesy and the sole contestant Brando! Have a listen as the boys reminisce about the old game shows while they share a buoyancy quiz from Ol' Dennis Graver!!
This week the boys take a jittery dive to far limits of recreational diving. What could go wrong when a diver with not enough experience, takes not enough gas, to a deep wreck dive where he has never been? Join us and find out.
This week the boys wrap their 2 part discussion on panic and the diver. This is the conclusion of last week's article written by a UCLA Professor and DSO back in 1971 that examines the readiness of the new diver and what is needed to prepare them for confidence and competence underwater. Have a listen!!
This week Jamesy and Brando visit a paper written by a UCLA Professor and DSO. It examines the readiness of the new diver and what is needed to prepare them for confidence and competence underwater. You may be surprised to find out that the answer is NOT shorter and faster classes.
This week the boys discuss the role of confidence in diving and learning diving. As an added bonus, we have another poem from the great Dr K-Seuss!
Episode 330 – Anchored To The Bottom This week do a little treasure hunting. But you know what they say about one mans treasure, it’s another mans junk. When you’re looking for loot, it is easy to hyper focus on the prize and forget about the important parts of diving. Join us for a search and recovery dive that goes bad.
This week the boys regale all of us with a chat about their memorable trip to dive some of the deep wrecks of Isle Royale up in Northern Lake Superior. Have a listen!!
It’s Shark Week everyone and Jamesy and Brando dive into a different story from Jaws author Peter Benchley. This week your buddies, take a few minutes to get back into the swing of podcasting. After a week off diving in Isle Royale, Lake Superior they give a few thank yous to all the listeners.
Join the boys this week as they finish the story of the raising of the submarine Squalus. The story left off with the Squalus stuck in 240 feet of cold Atlantic water and divers were attaching the new McCann Rescue Chamber to the sub to begin rescue operations. At 240 feet the divers were on air and in the late 1930's helium use was in it's infancy and still being "felt out" so it was not being employed but several events during this rescue would change that position. Join us in part "trois" of The Raising of The Sqalus!
This week the boys return to the sunken Squalus along with navy diver, Martin Conrad Sibitzky and more seamen jokes. After a full day of sitting on the bottom of the ocean the Squalus had been found and marked and it was time to send a diver down.
In light of recent events in the news surrounding the Oceangate submarine tragedy, the boys visit the story of the USS Squalus. The Squalus was a US Sargo-class submarine that sank off the coast of New Hampshire during test dives on 23 May 1939. The sinking drowned 26 crew members, but an ensuing rescue operation, using the McCann Rescue Chamber for the first time, saved the lives of the remaining 33 aboard. The Squalus was salvaged in late 1939 and recommissioned as Sailfish in May 1940. The divers commissioned to rescue the trapped submariners each received the Medal of Honor. Have a listen!!
Jamesy and Brando are up in Mackinac diving and will be back with a brand new episode next week. In the meantime, take a trip back and listen to this early episode of TGDP about a Mackinac shipwreck, the Sandusky.
This week the boys revisit the old "I learned About Diving From That" section of Skin Diver Magazine to discuss an article that describes what happens to a diver who thinks "it" can't happen to me when it comes to DCS. Do you know anyone who dives with the "It Can't Happen To Me" mentality? Fact is it can happen and eventually will happen if you dive long enough and/or are careless and unaware while diving. Have a listen!
Join your favorite autodidactic podcasters, Jamesy and Brando as they celebrate another Jacques Cousteau birthday. The Undersea Research Group of Cousteau and the boys were the first to do so many things in the sea, and dispelling some of the myths of blood thirsty sea monsters was one of them.
What happens when a diver finds himself in trouble in the water and is about to lose hope? What led to what can only be called a diving miracle? What can we learn from all this as divers and as humans? Whatever the answers are, if it involves a double rainbow of dolphins, it's got to be cool! Have a listen and find out!
It's said that sharing is caring, but is that enough to make it through an out of gas situation at 170'? Listen as the boys discuss a lessons For Life article about a couple of "technical divers" that suffered an out of gas situation at 170 feet.
This week the boys finish up their 3-part series on The Octopus Alternative and round out a few more claw hammer metaphor jokes. Is the best piece of equipment any good if how to use it isn’t practiced?
The boys continue their discussion on the Ghastly Gas Share that turned tragic. They continue with the article that addresses the need for an alternate air source to donate and breathe from. But is the problem an equipment issue or is it something that will always be there unless the training is corrected?
Gas sharing seems pretty simple on paper, but when it happens in real life it can be quite a different experience. This week the boys discuss what can be learned from this real life gas sharing incident and why these real life experiences almost never unfold like they do in the book and in class. Join Jamesy and Brando for part one of a multi part series exploring this real life gas share that should have been a simple exercise of a skill that was learned in Open Water 101 but turned deadly due to simple, easy, and often made mistakes.
This week your buddies Jamesy and Brando take a look at a story about a simple dive. Typical in many ways for many divers but when one little problem starts the snowball rolling down the hill, things can go bad quickly. The problem is trying to learn from it and not letting it reinforce bad habits.
This week, Penguin and Kingfish talk about a dive to the RMS Niagra. A 100m deep shipwreck and a diver with only a year of experience. Stop. Breathe. Think. Podcast.
Panic is something that almost every diver is going to need to confront in their diving at some point. The answer is simple....Stay calm! Don't panic. But it's easier said than done for many. This week the boys examine an article that discusses this very subject. Have a listen!!
This week the boys discuss a great book by one of our listeners, Daryl Bob Goldberg, entitled "[Life] Lessons Learned Diving". In his book, Daryl relates much of what is learned as we progress through diving to important lessons that help us live as better humans. We really enjoyed making this episode and it has earned a spot as one of our favorite episodes to create. Have a listen, we're sure you're going to gain some insight and enjoy!
Another episode of TGDP and another lesson learned. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that just because you are doing a shallow dive that you don’t need to do your proper preparations. Any and every dive can be dangerous, no matter how shallow, if you and your buddies are not prepared. Listen in as Jamesy and Brando learn another diving lesson.
After a long cave month and a few weeks of heavy episodes, the TGDP boys take it easy this week. Going back to an early look at some of diving’s less glamorous sides. Pee, Snot, Spit, and Vomit. Remember if you’re not American, you’re a peein’.
In a world where it seems increasingly apparent that the wrapping of the message is more important than the message itself, the boys travel back in time to highlight a man that was concerned more about the message than it's wrapping. This week we'll wrap up International Cave Diving Month with a discussion that centers around the death of iconic cave diver Rob Palmer, and the "chaos" that ensued from comments made by another iconic cave diver....good ol' GI III... Trey...otherwise known as George Irvine III. This was the epitome of the tech/cave diving community back in it's infancy, as well as that of the Internet, and it's role in the evolution of diving to arrive at where we are today.
This week the boys continue their discussion about George Irvine and the early days of DIR. The technical diving world was in its youth, the fundamentals class was born, and so was the internet. But what was it that had the entire scuba world so upset? What was at the heart of George’s message? What was he saying?
Hop into your hot tub time machines cause were going back in time!!!! We're gonna go back more than thirty years to examine just how we got where we are with diving with regard to the DIR philosophy,and the who, when , where, and how it began!! And to begin with a bang we're discussing The Man himself... The legendary George Irvine III !! This will start a multi part series highlighting the roots of DIR and some of the divers behind it's revolutionary beginnings and influence on the industry and community as a whole... so strap in folks, here we go right into the heart of the enemy of strokery!! This is gonna be a fun and educational ride peeps!!
This week Tepezcuitnle and Brandito join Sheck on his world record breaking Deep Dive. As we wrap up Ned Deloach’s article we see and can actually feel the pressure that Sheck must have experienced 800 feet underwater in Cuidad Mante.
Have you ever wondered what Tempescuintle is? Are you wondering what it has to do with diving? Well have a listen to this week's episode and you'll find out what it is and what it meant to cave diving legend Sheck Exley as we continue our deep cave dive into with part 4 of our cave series that continues discussing "The Deepest Dive" by Ned DeLoach!
For the third episode of this year’s Cave Diving Month, the boys continue their look at world famous cave explorer Sheck Exley. In 1988, Sheck and author Ned Deloach made their way 1,500 miles from Live Oak, FL to Cuidad Mante, Mexico to try to reach the bottom of what was thought to be the deepest cave in the world.
Episode 303 – Exley’s Accident Analysis Revisited Part 2 aka Pulling A ZeppelinThis week the boys dive back into the second half of Sheck Exley’s Accident Analysis Revisited article from 1990 in Underwater Speleology Magazine. The discussion moves from an associative approach to looking at causality. Other factors about diving fatalities are also discussed that effect both cave divers and open water divers as well.
This week, Ol' Jamesy and I kick off the highly anticipated International Cave Diving Month!! And we do so with none other than the legend himself, Sheck Exley! His article in the NSS-CDS Magazine "Underwater Speleology" (Vol. 17 No. 4)entitled "Accident Analysis Revisited" provides us some insight and fodder for discussion into the growth and development of Cave Diving Training. But can open water divers benefit from this approach? Have a listen as we kickoff International Cave Diving Month with this multi episode dive!
In this week's episode the boys discuss the results of several surveys from Scubanomics (https://medium.com/scubanomics)that are giving us a glimpse into the current state of the Scuba industry. Scubanomics is the creation of Darcy Kiernan & Michael Menduno as a project of The Business of Diving Institute (https://www.businessofdiving.com/)with the mission of helping with "the propagation of valuable, actionable information on the scuba diving industry, including market data and statistics, and dive industry analysis." Some of the results of these surveys is surprising. Have a listen!
Wow! 300 Episodes!! Can you believe it? TGDP wants to thank all of you listeners and supporters for making this show such a success. We went back and put together clips from our all-time top listening episodes. A little bit of recap, reminiscing, and fun along the way. This episode really shows the heart of TGDP and why we keep coming back every week and the main reason why is, YOU! The diving community. Thank you!
As we wind down 2022, we hope all of our listeners are enjoying the Season's various holidays and spending time with friends and relatives and (hopefully) also getting a bit o' time underwater! 2023 is around the corner and (again, hopefully) we want to wish everyone a Wonderful New Year!! Thank you all so much for listening and supporting us with all of the great reviews (and even the critical ones, for that is how we get better!) and a very special "THANK YOU!!" to all of you that have been able to throw us some love financially as well as the fantastic small gifts we get sent to us! Thank you!! Thank you!!This week's episode centers around proper gas planning and a few years back Ol' Steve Lewis penned an article regarding this very subject! While Steve had the quotes from Charles Dickens and even Buddha a little confused, the gist of the article was right on target!! Save more than you think you'll need and approach dive planning with the "SHTF" moment occurring at the worst possible moment and you might be adequately prepared for diving!
This week the boys take a little trip in Santa’s sleigh. Are you a naughty or nice little diver? Santa Jamesy, Brandi Claus and St. Scubalas tell a fun tale sent into us by Dr. K. Seuss.
The boys dig out the very first, “I Learned About Diving From That…” article published in Skin Diver. Too deep, too fast. This is a lesson about ego. A love story with Eric the Instructor and Patch Jacket Joyce. When you fixate on a target and the dive becomes all about a goal, you lose the importance of the journey.
We're BACK! Sorry for the delay. listener.... we encountered some challenges last week that hindered our time schedule for recording/editing/ & releasing.... our humble apologies. But we are back talking diving again and this episode we continue our topic of buoyancy control in yet another article from Bill Gleason. (Look for Friday's episode to release normally this week gang!)
This week, your buddies Jesse Jamesy and Bronco Brando, ride off into the sunset with the 3 golden rules of scuba diving. Why do mature and experienced divers get blamed for the crimes of the unsafe diver? Are we going to value this experience or hang these cowboys up Wanted Dead or Alive?
Today we are thankful for electric and hi tech undergarments! Just in time for the cold weather season, we have a short primer on cold water diving for those of us who just can't get enough of being underwater and are willing to brave the elements to enjoy our favorite activity! Have a listen!
Jamesy just got back from teaching a class in the middle of a hurricane, so the boys take a week to catch up on the recent happenings. Florida Keys, Tech classes, Dive Buddies, Ratio Deco, Unexpected Sexual Innuendos… There is no telling where this discussion may go. Join us for some fun.
This week in honor of Veterans Day, the boys interview their friends at Warfighter Scuba. Warfighter Scuba President and Lead Instructor Nick Powers and board member/Secretary and Divemaster Kevin Sheard join us to discuss who they are are and how they use Scuba as therapy for combat injured veterans returning to civilian life. Check them and all the great things they do out at www.www.warfighterscuba.org !! To all of our veteran listeners out there, Thank You for all you give and do for our country!
The boys discuss an excerpt from the pages of "The Inner Experience of Diving: A Beginner's Guide to The Water Planet", by Carlos Eyles from 1978. The idea that our mind is the source of our fears and our fears are what make us uncomfortable when diving so to overcome the fear we must master our mind. Turn on, tune in, have a listen!
Welcome back to the TGDP Halloween Spooktacular 2022. This year Jamesy and Brando talk about the eerie attraction to shipwrecks the ghostly sights of the abyss. They take a look at some literary masterpieces by Fletcher S. Bassett and William Hope Hodgson.
So if Johnny Depp were to star in a remake of the classic 'Edward Scissor Hands', would you go see it? We would.... but this weeks episode title came from a discussion while reading another great article from ol' Bret Gilliam where he talks of being an instructor and how you should probably never think that you've seen it all....because diving and students have an infinite amount of ways to surprise you!
So this week we decided to take on a subject of frequent debate and discussion in the SCUBA community, and that is FINS! Have a listen as Jamesy and Brando discuss an old equipment vs. skill topic that centers around one of the most important pieces of a diver's kit... FINS!
As the boys prepare for an upcoming Rescue class, they discuss the necessary tools and training for being a safe diver. The Rescue Diver must first be able to control and take care of themselves. This episode shares with you, 10 tips to improve your safety underwater.
This week the boys read a recent email from Bubba about a bad dive shop experience. He asks us for our opinions on the situation. What do you do when you get bad service from your local dive shop?
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The people have spoken and TGDP has answered the call! They wanted more Lessons For Life AND they wanted more UW photography and Ol' Jamesy has pulled a rabbit out of his dive hood and found a "Lessons For Life" article that involves UW photography! Find out what can happen when two divers get buddied up on a dive boat and one is an UW photographer and the other is not!
The boys continue their trek into underwater photography with a discussion centered around the idea that underwater photographers have to be solo divers. In an article from the "Lessons For Life" section at ScubaDiving.com, a situation involving an underwater photographer and her buddy that was nearly disastrous when the two divers lose focus of each other, time, depth, and location.... which is easy to do when one diver is focused on the eyepiece of a camera and another is focused on anything else but their dive buddy. Is there a better way to approach these dives as a team or is solo diving the only answer?
This week the boys talk about getting better underwater photos. Maybe you’re trying to set yourself apart as a professional photographer or maybe the water conditions are not what you wanted, either way you still want great pictures. Sometimes you need to get creative in order for your pictures to catch any attention. Check out this article on naturettl.com by Pete Oxford, it is full of good information.
This week the boys discuss an article from Skin Diver's "I learned About Diving From That" section in their magazine detailing a divers account of fin riding on a whale shark and thus giving us all yet another reason to leave the animals alone! Have a listen!
This week the boys talk about a recent dive in Lake Huron on a couple of Advanced Open Water milk run shipwrecks, The North Star and the Mary Alice B. These are two of the most popular wrecks in lower lake huron and Jamesy and Brando joined some friends for a fun day on the water. The weather and visibility was not perfect but the boys had cameras and tried to make the best of it. Join us as we take a look at taking good photos in bad visibility. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code TGDP at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod
CROYKEY ! Thiies wayk waeve gawt a faeh deenkum of a bloody bawnzah faw ya frawm the lahnd daown undah!! A sheila neahly carks it whaen she goes on a "trust me" doive in questionable waythah! This one comes from an article on Scuba Diver Mag.com (https://www.scubadivermag.com/dive-another-day/?fbclid=IwAR2RP3cIjBf-bfnBQpOimsC8VeJQRk0Icx505xMlj3tEevxJ5F-TWIY2k_8) and our friend Gareth Lock posted in his "The Human Diver: Human Factors in Diving" Group on Facebook. See what lessons can be learned from a near death experience resulting from a few poor decisions!
The boys wrap up the Shark Chick Series this week with a sit-down interview with three of TGDP’s favorite women of the water. Jamesy and Brando have a talk with Jamey, Stephanie, and Katie and they discuss the last few episodes. Women in diving, sexism in diving, shark conservation and a bunch of other fun topics during an evening chat. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code TGDP at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod
This week the boys continue the celebration of The Shark! We visit a website dedicated this celebration! www.TheDailyJaws.com . Check them out!
This week the boys take a look at another shark chick, Ocean Ramsey. Many call her a shark whisperer and a conservationist, but others still find a problem with her interactions with sharks. Does she invade their space and make a bad example for others or is she showing us that just because you are in the water with sharks doesn’t mean that you are about to be eaten. Dive into this episode with us.
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In honor of Shark Week with National Women Divers Day/Month, the boys begin a multi part series on sharks and the women who love them! Today we start with the world famous and much acclaimed, Valerie Taylor! Have a listen!
This week Jamesy and Brando take a deep dive into the life of the First Lady of Scuba Diving, Zale Parry. A world record deep diver, technical advisor to the film industry, test diver, stunt diver, actress, and so much more. Tune in for some of these amazing stories about one of divings most beloved super stars. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code TGDP at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod
This week's episode centers around a young couple that are scuba diving on a warm water shipwreck. Find out what bad things can happen when they push their boundaries too fast!
The boys are taking a 4th of July Weekend break. Join us as we revisit Episode 14. This was very early on in our podcast and one of the first time we really got passionate about addressing some of the major issues in scuba education. 5 years later, is this still relevant?
One of the most popular tanks for American divers, cylinders for the rest of the world, was the Steel 72. Really, it was 71.2 cubic feet. Actually, it was only 64.63 cubic feet if it wasn’t overfilled 10%. For years it was regarded as the perfect size, and there was a belief that you couldn’t get into decompression with it. This week the boys dive into a piece by USAF Capt Robert D. Smith and get intimate with gas planning. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code TGDP at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod
This week the boys discuss a devastating bends incident. And although this happened decades ago, there are lessons to be learned from this one! Have a listen!
The boys highlight an old article from Skin Diving magazine's "I learned About Diving From That" department that details a story of what was nearly a fatality caused by a boat ladder. learn what happened and how you can make your exit from the water easier and safer in today's episode of The Great Dive Podcast!!
This is Part 2 of last weeks show, The Color of Fear. In the last episode we focused on Rossier’s primal fears. This week we look at overcoming anxiety underwater and what you need to avoid panic. Comfort, confidence, competence. Or was it confidence, competence, comfort? Competence builds comfort which leads to confidence… or something like that.
This week, your buddies at TGDP talk about the brain and primal fears we have as humans. We all have underlying fears we are born with and that develop overtime and some of us are crazy enough to take those fears underwater. What is it that keeps us calm and in control vs falling victim to stress and panic? Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code TGDP at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod
Recently we've had the opportunity to acquire Manscaped as a sponsor and as a result, Manscaped was gracious enough send each of us the "Performance Package 4.0" to try out. When they arrived we both thought, WOW! This product is perfect for those of us who dive with a pee valve! So, without a second thought we knew we needed to produce an episode that addressed a bit of the history and the use of the Pee Valve..... and even if you're not bursting with enthusiasm over pee valves, you'll be relieved when you listen to this week's episode!
This week Jamesy and Brando go on a top-secret operation of Mind Control. Looking back at an article by Tom Mount, the boys discuss the stresses that divers of all levels can possibly face. Even the seasoned veteran is not immune to stress underwater. When you see the waitress with turquoise earrings after listening to this episode you will donate money to our paypal and give us a 5-star review.
This week we circle back to dive into the subject of Underwater Photography! Jamesy continues his foray into the realm of underwater photography with his new DSLR camera and housing and asks the question "What does it take to go pro as an underwater photographer?" Luckily we found a great article (Link below) that discusses 10 things you need to know before going pro as an underwater photographer!
Three Vikings, an archeologist and two podcasters walk into a bar…. This week, Jamesy and Brando recap the Dive Into Earth Day event and tell a little history about the location of the dive, Rockport State Recreation Area. This quick episode highlights a lot of practical realities of diving in Michigan or anywhere really, where Ol’ Mother Nature and Ol’ King Neptune can get a little cranky.
As Earth day comes back around the boys discuss how we can all do our part to help take care of this beautiful place we all call our home.
This week Jamesy and Brando discuss deep diving on air and look back at a story from the Bahamas, back when deep diving on air was the thing to do. A look at narcosis and old decompression profiles helps the boys have a little fun as they test out the old Martini Effect. In this episode they explore the essence of life and discover the true meaning of being Homo Aquaticus.
Oy mate!! It's time to throw some yahbbies on the bahbbie... and if you know what that means, you might just be fluent in Australian and be right at home with this episode! This week the boys discuss an incident involving one divers quest for some yahbbies and how that turned out to be a rough day. Crikey!!
This week the boys enter a discussion about working underwater. Not tour guiding the reef kind of working underwater but the dangerous and sometimes deadly working your fingers to the bone underwater. The characters, the tough guys, the treasure hunters and of course the moustaches. Join Jamesy and Brando as they tell a tale from one of diving’s greats.
What is the perfect dive? Your perfect dive? Is it real or does it only exist in your mind? This week the boys take a look at an article written by Nancy Sefton about diving the big name dive sites and the search for the virgin reef. Together we look at the future of the coral reef and the impact of human traffic on them. How will you react? If you could describe your perfect dive, would you?
This week the boys discuss an article by famous underwater photographer, Marty Snyderman. The article is called "Trying Again" and is basically about trying again to get the shot. Creating a photographic image vs. just a snapshot can be as simple as just recalculating and trying again with a different approach.
After a fantastic weekend of ice diving the shipwreck of The Keuka in Northwestern Michigan, the boys feel compelled to share the details of some fun underwater (and topside) adventure.
What is the true heart of scuba diving? Is it exploration? Or is it recreation? How did our pioneers look at the game we play today? With the passing of Tom Mount, the boys take a second look at his past and try to capture the essence of his philosophy. From recreational to technical diving, Tom Mount drew a line in the sand and fought for the diver. He was willing to walk away from the blossoming scuba industry and start his own educational agency and share his philosophy. Jamesy and Brando take a deep dive and try to share the thinking of the man and remember what he did.
This week the boys discuss the recent passing of diving legend, Tom Mount. A technical and cave diving pioneer, Tom’s passion for diving and martial arts gave him a life well lived. He was a former Navy diver, author, founder of training agencies, and so much more. James and Brando discuss the things that Tom introduced the diving world to that helped lead them down their own paths of teaching and diving.
The boys wrap up International Cave Diving Month with a much anticipated discussion of the Thai Cave Rescue of the boys soccer team and coach back in June/July of 2018. The story has a happy ending fortunately but there was a lot of work and a lot of people coming together to think outside the box and turn this possible tragedy into an incredible commentary on human beings, community, and basically the bottom line of our existence... which basically is that we're all in this together and when we work together we can accomplish most anything. Hats off to this incredible group of people that made this happen.
It’s week 3 of International Cave Diving Month and the boys are getting further into Wookey Hole. As the exploration gets deeper inside the cave system of the Mendip Hills, the accidents start to happen. The first fatality occurs in 1949 and Jamesy and Brando take a closer look at that Marriott Accident and what happened when they first brought the Aqualung into Wookey.
This week the boys continue their deep dive into the history of cave diving in Jolly Olde England. From the mid 1930's our mates across the pond began exploring the sumps of Mendip Hills in England and up to this day continue to "push the envelope" in cave diving.
It is the start of International Cave Diving Month and the boys make a trip across the pond to Jolly Ol’ England. This episode takes us on what may be considered the very first cave dive in the UK. In 1934, Graham Balcombe and Jack Sheppard became cave divers. Join Jamesy and Brando as they revisit this exciting tale of adventure and mystery, and homemade cave diving gear.
This week the boys discuss an incident that occurred 15 years ago when 2 US Coast Guard divers died while ice diving in Antarctica. Trained by the US Navy but with little experience and an under appreciation for the essentials of diving, the operation illustrates a lot of what we preach from the pulpit of the church of TGDP.
The boys start off 2022 with an old school TGDP classic. Originally an article written in the UK and published in Watersport Magazine back in the 1960’s, this week talks about learning to scuba dive for the not-so-young. Even 50 years ago we were looking for ways to break away from the work-a-day world and the sport of scuba diving was gaining attention. We look at this diver’s perspective of taking a quick class back then and how it hasn’t changed much. Brando describes learning to dive as being like a loving relationship and compares it with a one-night-stand.
Happy New Year People!!! As we dive into nearly completing our 5th year of podcasts, the boys celebrate by reminiscing over the past year at TGDP!! Thank you to all our listeners, donors, supporters, friends and family!!
The boys get into another roundabout discussion about the early days of scuba. A time where the government wanted to write laws against scuba divers. Happy Christmas, Kwanza, Hannukah, Veterans, Whiners, Boxing, Rhubarb Vodka, Rosa Parks, Fritters, Roof Over Your Head, Dice, Festivus Day for all of you divers out there, just like us. Thank you all for another wonderful and very merry year. Happy Holidays from Jamesy and Brando. Music track courtesy of youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj1un_xW2aM
Time for more underwater photography talk!! James and Brando review the 2021 winners from scubadiving.com 's 2021 Underwater Photography Contest. https://www.scubadiving.com/scuba-diving-magazines-2021-underwater-photo-contest-winners https://www.etsy.com/listing/1136144795/scuba-pens?click_key=9619f51e0a34edb0809e66c4652799a77bc551cc%3A1136144795&click_sum=08ec88d6&ref=shop_home_active_2
This week, Jamesy and Brando go on a “Back to the Future” thrill ride. Traveling back in time they look into the future to see how far off we are or how well the vision was. With the help of a few of the industry leaders back in the 1980’s TGDP examines scuba equipment then, what it was going to be like in the year 2000, and where it is today. Join us on this time traveling episode.
This week on TGDP, it’s a “3 For the Price of One” special. Not only do you get to hear an exciting story of a “meat diver” but you also get to listen to the philosophical introspection of Buceador Brando and the Gringo. But wait, that’s not all. If you act now, you will also get a delicious Ceviche recipe for no extra charge. Tune in friends and dive buddies, this might just be the best episode of TGDP yet.
For all our wreck diving listeners and friends (and especially Great Lakes wreck diving listeners and friends), here's our annual Gales of November shipwreck story. This one's about one of the more popular wrecks to dive in Lake Huron off the tip of the the thumb. The story of her sinking has a few twists and some drama and this coupled with Ol' Jamesy's smooth voice and talent for story telling, combine for an entertaining hour of listening pleasure!
This week the boys read a story sent in by a listener. It tells the tale of a dive that doesn’t go quite as planned. Was it the buddy? Was it the dive? Was it the training that kept them alive? These are the questions you will hear. Give it listen, won’t you my dear.
Well, in honor of Veteran's Day yesterday, we begin with a flashback to Brando's good ol' days back when he was in service to our country.... and then we'll read a few emails and go on a couple more rants and wrap it up with a pretty bow as a gift for our listeners...:-).
This week the boys sit down and have a conversation about underwater photography. As Ol’ Jamesy enters this new world he seeks out the wisdom of Older Brando. But as we find out, its not as easy as buying a good camera and letting it do the work. We need to understand aperture, focal plane, and ISO. And of course, buoyancy control and good diving habits are discussed as well. Listen as the boys discuss everything you need to know to get sharp underwater pictures.
Get ready for the most terrifying episode of TGDP ever. You may never get back into the water after listening to this Trilogy of Underwater Terror. The most frightening monsters that lurk in the deep are waiting here for you this week. James and Brando discuss the scariest things that you can find underwater.
In "light" of Jamesy's newly acquired underwater photography setup and pursuit of the "perfect shot", the boys focus this week on a true life tale of the last dive of an underwater photographer. They'll "zoom" in on what "developed" during the dive and discuss possible ways to avoid these kind of events. I "shutter"[sic] to think of how often photographers find themselves so absorbed in the photography that they forget they're diving and what problems being underwater could "pose". Have a listen!!
Mail call!! This week the boys read a few of the many e-mails they receive every week. The boys also do a deep dive into tacos .... is it possible to have a "good" vegetarian taco? Where do digital pressure gauge transmitters fall in the taco recipe of diving? Is cilantro the DIR of the diving taco? Is diving about making them or eating them? What the hell are they talking about? Have a listen and find out!
In the spirit of good communication we'll be direct and to the point. This week's episode is about communication and the illusion of communication. Have a Listen!!
Finally, the long awaited part 2 of our Advanced Diver discussion. The boys sit down with some recent student who completed their Essentials course and moved on to Recreational 2. This class is the card equivalent of AOW with Nitrox, but as we can hear it was a lot more than following an instructor around in a slightly different environment. Take a listen and hear what everyone says about what it really means to be an "Advanced Diver."
The boys sit down to discuss a few recent reviews, some good but one not so much…. This conversation really highlights what TGDP is all about. The fun, the culture, and the character of a diver as well as the diving towns across the world that share these with us. We hope you like our list, please let us know what your top 10 would have been.
In celebration of Labor Day here in the USA, the boys give a shout out to all the moms out there who went through labor to have babies and talk about the labor of the hard-working scuba instructor. In particular, Scuba Steve and an advanced open water class that takes a bad turn.
What does Scuba Diving, the word "gitchigami", shipwrecks, icebergs, & Miley Cyrus all have in common? They were all part of this week's episode of The Great Dive Podcast! That's right, the boys went diving in northern Lake Huron last weekend and in this week's episode we talk about that and much more!
After a conversation with a new diver about popping up to the surface, James retells the story to Brando. This discussion takes them back many years when the value of a safety stop was just being introduced. What is the most critical part of a dive and what does a No-Decompression Limit really mean? They also discuss the troubles of not having a regular dive buddy and sing a low-down and dirty rendition of the rent-a-buddy blues.
This is not an episode about quagga and zebra mussels. It was supposed to be about them and diving the shipwrecks of the Straits of Mackinac, however the boys settle into another philosophic groove instead. This unscripted discussion travels from the value of experience, the selfless struggle of building a team, and ultimately tries to ask the question of, “who are we and what are we doing these dives for?"
The boys stand on the shoulders of giants this week with a discussion about an article by Michael Menduno that he published in this month's DAN Blog. Michael interviews Human Factors founder, Gareth Lock. In the article they discuss Human Factors in Diving, which in a nutshell is the idea of making it easier to do the right thing and harder to do the wrong thing (#MIETDTRTAHTDTWT). They also highlight the upcoming virtual conference that Gareth has organized and produced that is scheduled for September 24-25 2021. Gareth and Michael have both been featured on TGDP more than a few times and their contributions to the diving community are remarkable. Go to www.The GreatDivePodcast.com episode 228 in the shownotes for links to the article as well as the Human Factors website.
This week the boys discuss an incident down in SoFlo that resulted in The Bends. Find out what may have contributed to the hit in a new diver and why you as a diver may need to educate the ER Doc on Diving Medicine. You won't find this in your dive computer instruction manual and probably not in your average Open Water 101 Course either... have a listen!
Find out what happens when shortcuts and speed become the priority with an Open Water certification course. The boys discuss posting in a Scuba forum about a common occurrence in the realm of faster training for Open Water students. E-learning combined with limited available time for practical training may not be the best way to get certified to Scuba... you be the judge!
In 1957, Carl Kohler wrote this article for Skin Diver Magazine, 20,000 Lovely Legs Beneath The Sea. It was an entertaining look at the growing participation of shapely ladies entering the water world of the skin diving man. 60 years later and just in time to celebrate International Womens Dive Day, Jamesy and Brando revisit this time in what may become the most sexiest episode of TGDP to date.
As our story moves into the 1960’s, Jamesy and Brando discuss the American Pop Culture that is happening along with the evolution of the Voit Regulators. Coming from a company that was manufacturing sporting goods like the classic American Dodgeball, Voit would eventually be purchased by AMF and further grow this iconic scuba brand.
This week on TGDP, Jamesy and Brando get into a deep discussion about diving but also about religion, and politics, and sex. What do they all have in common? Regulators and television shows and Reese’s Pieces candy? What do they all have in common? Fluoride and Scuba? What does all of this have to do with Mike Nelson? These are the tough questions that your buddies at TGDP dare to explore.
Can a nearly fatal mistake underwater be the impetus for true love? Have a listen as the boys discuss one of the most beaten to death topics in the scuba community but this time, it's different!
Your favorite dive buddies, Jamesy and Brando, have a little chat about scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands. What do you do when faced with that incredible sight? Do you make the right choice or do you just blindly go into the wild? Alone? This is a lesson about over confidence and complacency, and about what is the best regulator on the market too. P.S. Don’t forget to tip your Divemasters.
In honor of the late great manfish, Monsignor Jacques Cousteau, Jamesy and Brando tell another tale from the pen of le Capitan. Rapture consumes the team as they explore the azure depths of le Mer du Rouge. Proper planning and predive safety checks are important to the safety of the menfish. Don’t forget BWRAF- (the French version)Bordeaux, Wine, Riesling, A pack of cigarettes, Fondue. Au revoir mes amis.
This week, the boys bring their series on education to a close by looking at E.L. Thorndike’s Laws of Learning. As an educator, it is important to understand the characteristics of the learning process and these laws help us construct our classes and better mold it to the needs of the students. Join your hosts J. I. Mott Toao and B.C. Schwartz Sr for this scholarly look at education.
This week the boys talk about old school underwater harassment training. Taking a look at an article from 1972, Jamesy and Brando discuss the difference between the mainstream positive approach of today and what triggering stress can bring into education. The term alone, harassment, brings stress into mind today. What was going on in the 70’s and what have we learned from it? All of this and more is waiting for you in this week’s episode.
The boys piggy back their series on Mastery with a discussion guided by some wisdom from the book "Force of Nature", by Laird Hamilton. Laird's own life is an example of mastery and the pursuit of excellence as he has distinguished himself as one of the world's greatest surfers. His book gives insight into how his pursuit of excellence on the waves has served as a guide in pursuit of excellence in life.
This week, Jamesy and Brando dive back into the book Mastery by George Leonard. The boys discuss Instruction, Practice, Surrender, Intentionality, and The Edge. These 5 keys will set you on a lifelong path to underwater happiness while you are on your quest of scuba mastery.
In this week's episode the boys begin with a magazine article from "the good ol' days" discussing the ancient practice of "harassment training". This holdover from the military diving programs that naturally became part of the civilian training programs in the early days of SCUBA training has, for all intents and purposes, been eradicated from modern training. But, was there a benefit from it? It doesn't really matter anyway because the topic goes off track and the boys get deep into the subject of Mastery and what is the true meaning of life... or some crap like that....LOL! Have a listen, we think you'll enjoy!
G'die mites! Croikey we've gawt a grite epeesode thiies wayk! We received a laettah frawm the Lahnd Daown Undah frawm ol' Crocodoile Chahlawtte! Chahlawtte wroites abeow' hah fuhst baowt doive roigh' aftah open wottah clahss. She queeckly foinds eow' haow ill praepaehd she is faw the doive and leahns some good laessawns the hahd why. Grahb a Vaeguymoigh' sahndweech and a Faowstahs and hahve a leesten as the boys deescuss Chahlawtte's expaerience! (Translation: G'day mates! Crikey we've got a great episode this week! We received a letter from the Land Down Under from Ol' Crocodile Charlotte! Charlotte writes about her first boat dive right after open water class. She wuickly fins out how ill prepared she is for the dive and learns some good lessons the hard way! Grab a Vegamite sandwich and a Fosters and have a listen as the boys discuss Charlotte's experience!)
If you can't handle the truth (about Air McDoodles)then maybe you're out of order!! This week the boys discuss an article from the DAN (Divers Alert Network) detailing a near miss and the star of the article is the ever funny and entertaining "Air McDoodle!" If you object to funny and educational episodes your Honor, then you might be found guilty by reason of insanity if you don't listen to this gem!
Meet Dick. Dick considers himself an advanced diver with over 100 dives. Dick takes a 2 year hiatus from diving. Dick jumps back in the water on a deep advanced level dive thinking, "what could go wrong?" Dick dies. Dick should have listened to The Great Dive Podcast. Don't be a Dick and instead have a listen as the boys discuss another avoidable tragedy on this episode of The Great Dive Podcast!
Jamesy and Brando get back to the fan favorite of looking at tragic disasters. After a few weeks of looking at the state of education, the boys discuss an accident and the breakdown of mindset, or should we say the lack thereof.
After a couple weeks of looking at the original US Scuba Training Program based out of Scripps, your buddies Jamesy and Brando take an updated look at what it means to be a great scuba instructor. The pursuit of excellence in education can sometimes be difficult, costly, and time consuming. The balance between getting the student “done” and making certain they are ready to be certified can sometimes get blurry. In Simon Pridmore’s book “Scuba Professional” he gives us 13 things to consider when teaching to help you produce better divers. Get your copy at simonpridmore.com
Get your fix of the history of Scuba Diving in today with this part 2 of The First US Scuba Training Program at The Scripps Institute of Oceanography. The boys continue their discussion of the development of the first training program for Scuba in the US. Lots of rudiments for everyone in this one!
The boys sit down to discuss the very first established scuba training program in the United States. Based out of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Jamesy and Brando dive into Andy Rechnitzer and Connie Limbaugh’s original training program. This original class was developed out of necessity because nothing existed yet and much of that program is still in effect today.
In honor of International Women's day, the boys celebrate one of the greats in diving, Dottie Frazier! Have a listen as they talk about her upbringing, who she was, what she's contributed to diving and to the world.
The boys sit down and recap their recent trip up to Lake Charlevoix, Michigan to do an ice dive on the shipwreck Keuka. Along the way they start up a 1970’s style quiz show to prove who is the real genius of The Great Dive Podcast.
Ice Ice baby!! It's that time of year gang and the boys are heading out to dive the ice covered waters of Northern Michigan. This week we'll discuss some of the ins and outs of ice diving and why folks do it. Join us for a fun little chat about what's involved with an ice dive and why people love it!
Jamesy and Brando are back for the final week of the 2021 National Cave Diving Month, celebrated world-wide. This week, the boys dive into the world famous Peacock Springs, now the Wes Skiles State Park, to look at the early days of American cave diving. With the help of Sheck Exley, this system with over 30,000 feet of passages and rooms have been mapped and are all nearly 100% always underwater. Join us for a few exciting tales from Peacock.
Due to some unforeseen family emergencies, we are re-releasing our favorite cave diving episode. We will be back next week to finish Cave Diving Month. Our apologies.
Join the boys as they continue to celebrate Worldwide Cave Diving Month!! This week we get schooled from 2020's Pandemic Madness Champion, world class diver, and one of our favorite people, Larry Green. We'll examine and discuss an article from Larry that will enlighten and enrich your diving experience! Have a listen!
This week we jump into Brando’s Hot Tub Cave Diving Time Machine for a look back at underwater education. The pivotal change in the mid-1970’s. Was cave diving the way to ecstasy or certain agony? Tune in to find out.
Its National Cave Diving Month, once again on TGDP. Your buddies, Jamesy and Brando, start it off talking about Flattening The Curve. No, not that curve, the other one. The fatality curve. Join them as they discuss how things have changed over the decades to make diving and in particular cave diving a safer sport for all of us to enjoy.
Sacrebleu!! It's Friday again and time for another episode of The Great Dive Podcast!! Don your béret and grab a baguette Mes chères for we are venturing into French territory! Join the boys as they discuss more lessons for life!
Jamesy and Brando dive into 2021 with high hopes and a deep understanding of where 2020 left us. With the help of a positively buoyant article from Dive New Wire, they reflect on what 2020 meant to us divers and where we can go in 2021. Be the fin.
The boys sit down and recap the crazy year that was 2020. Life before the pandemic, the coming of Covid-19 and what it did to the year and how TGDP grew along the way. Here are a few of our favorite memories from Mad Dog 2020.
Saint Brando and Krampus James sit down and discuss the Do’s and Don’ts of scuba diving to see who gets put on Saint Brando’s naughty list.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, a priest and a rabbi and two podcasters walk into a bar… True story! So there I was… Jamesy and Brando sit back and have a few laughs as they start to wrap up 2020. Join them as they tell a few of the best scuba diving jokes you’ve ever heard.
This week the boys take a quiz to find out exactly what level diver they are.... follow along and see where you rank... Expert? Novice? Take a quiz and find out. Don't worry... it's not a test. It's a quiz so it's short and sweet! Have a Listen!
This week the boys have a talk about deep sea commercial diving. Brando get nostalgic about hard hats, DDCs and the Grem-Bird. While talking about a new movie on Netflix, they also discuss a book sent to them, Salvamar- A Tale of Salvage and Deep Diving, by Dominic Miller. Join them in this exciting episode about being trapped at the bottom of the North Sea. Here is a link to the book. Get your copy and tell Dominic you heard about it on TGDP. https://www.amazon.com/Salvamar-Tale-Salvage-Deep-Diving-ebook/dp/B07ZH9XNYG?fbclid=IwAR3cyog-yJdbW92ud0A_f6mTVa865KW-sRK0perrt3jJ8NQmeJ8MqLHIkL8
Hey everybody, it’s Black Friday and you know what that means. It’s time to get that special scuba diver in your life some holiday presents. Not sure what to get for your loved one, well TGDP is here to help you spread some holiday cheer. Join us as we go through this new Holiday Gift Guide from the gang over at DeeperBlue.com
This week the boys get back to the business of diving. We love to get listener email and we love it even more if we can turn it into an episode where we can all take something valuable from the lessons contained therein. This episode is exactly that... we'll take some listener e-mail and talk about the important aspects of learning to dive well and learning how to build trust with your dive partner. Have a listen!
It’s Friday the 13th and the winds are howling, because the November Witch is stealin’. Join the boys as they take another looks at the source of so much of Great Lakes shipwreck diving, the gales of November. When the late Caribbean tropical storms travel north and collide with Arctic storms moving south, they can create a whole new level of hurricane on our inland seas. Dive into the deadly Great Lakes.
Ever thought about going pro? The boys continue their discussion about going the instructor route with your diving. What to expect and what should be expected out of a real "pro"! Have a listen!
Do you believe in ghosts? Well it is Halloween time and this week Jamesy tells Brando a horrifying tale. Ghosts, ghouls and candy bars. Underwater serpents, cities and Smarties. Join your TGDP buddies for the story of the time Jamesy nearly gave up his flippers and said he will never dive again.
After two weeks of looking at arguments about the necessity of a diving certification, the boys take a closer look at what it means to actually “Go Pro.” Becoming a diving professional takes a lot of work and dedication, especially if you are going to do it for a long time. If you really have an interest in diving education, here are a few things you will need to consider.
In Part 2 of Is Certification Really Necessary, James and Brando try to work their way to the bottom of this controversial thread. Like many discussion boards, this one is full of twists and turns and dances around the root question. What is the definition of a diver? Have we evolved? Where are we going? Will these comments and questions get you as fired up as they did Brando? What will we find in the bottom of Pandora’s dive bag?
While mourning the loss of Rock Guitar Legend Eddie Van Halen, the boys came across a discussion about the validity and necessity of dive certifications. If the certification is the identification of skill mastery, why is there still an obvious lack of ability on the dive sites? This post started a large thread and many interesting points, Jamesy and Brando take a look at both sides of this very long discussion.
This week Jamesy and Brando try to lighten up the current political tension in the country with an old scuba magazine quiz. What kind of lover are you based off of your BCD choice? Which Kardashian would make your best dive buddy? You know, the good juicy magazine quizzes you see at the grocery check-out line. Also, the boys hint at dropping their names in for the upcoming presidential election.
This week the boys examine an article that addresses the increasing dependence on technology in the SCUBA community. Ol' Jamesy and Brando discuss the double edged sword of technology. Often, it can greatly help us do much more and do it faster and more efficiently but it also makes us reliant on it and lends to our complacency. From the individual to the agency, technology has had a huge impact on the way we dive as well as the way we live... but if it's going to remove all risk and do all the work, then what's the f'ing point? Have a listen and find out!
Have you ever dived a, “Dive of a Lifetime?” What is a dive of a lifetime? Jamesy and Brando have a little bit of free talk about diving the not so glamorous dives. But also, why are some of those dives memorable too. How can you know you just did the dive of a lifetime if you’re still diving?
Two things you never want to hear your dive buddy say are, "Uh, oh...." In today's episode the boys discuss a couple laws of knowledge. Like Brando's Law and the show specific Hoot's Law. Humans make mistakes but it's what happens next that really matters.
What happens when you become one of the irresponsible idiots that you routinely make fun of? Am I talking about 2 divers from this weeks story or the friends and fans that joined us for this Zoom party? You’ll have to listen to find out. We had a lot of fun recording this with you all, but this episode is Explicit and inappropriate at times. All in good Zoom Happy Hour Fun!
Everybody's got one....but listen in as we address a discussion by two divers at an airport VIP lounge. Both have very strong opinions about controversial diving topics but are either of them right? Is there a right or wrong? Should any diver's opinion be the basis for restricting a diver's liberty concerning the way they conduct their dives? Is their a middle ground where each view is right and "not so right"?? Is being at the far end of a pole regarding any topic "good" for people? Where does the need for "safety" outweigh personal liberty? It's a slippery slope once we begin to sacrifice personal freedoms in the name of safety, after all, once the laws go in they are rarely removed. What kind of world would it be if their is no more "risk"? Keep in mind, we can't live forever (why would we want to??)and no one gets out of here alive...hahaha! Have a listen and decide for yourself!
Is assuming anything with diving bad? We don't think so... after all, momma always said, "diving is like a box of chocolates....ya never know what you're gonna get..." Find out what happens when you assume nothing will go wrong on the dive... in this week's episode of The Great Dive Podcast!!
Do you know any crazy divers? Are they crazy because they are divers? Or, did diving make them crazy? Jamesy and Brando are getting the band back together and singing the blues. The post-dive, am I bent, blues. Is there a link between DCS and psychosis?
Thank you to everyone of our fans, this show wouldn't be possible without you. We've been here for 175 weeks straight. Well ok, a couple filler episodes here and there. Ok sure, this might be another one, but we have a good excuse. We're out diving. Please enjoy this episode, it's one of our favorites. Safe diving, folks. Lots of love from your buddies at TGDP.
As everyone always knows for certain truth, Brando never likes to use absolutes, ever. This week the boys discuss the absolute rules of scuba, and the importance of Rule #6. It’s lobster season and if you bring beer and maybe a dish to pass, you just might get invited over to the party.
Welcome back to The Great Dive Poddy, mate! This week the Billabong Buddies, Jamesy and Brando take a little trippy down-under to revisit a few shark attacks with chockers of blood. These South Australian Shark Attacks from 1961-64 were chroniciled in the book, Sharks and Shipwrecks by Hugh Edwards. You’ll defo want to tune in for this poddy, it’s a real beauty.
Tune in as the boys jump back into the shark cage and get ready for some prime-time television viewing. Hands off your pickles, everyone. But first they take a few minutes to thank all of their listeners, all over the world.
As Michigan continues to broil in the grip of a heat wave, Ol' Jamesy loses his AC and yearns for the days of cooking inside without overcooking the residents. The recipe discussion inevitably turns to recipes for disaster. This time we'll whip up a little tragedy Tortellini that is sure to whet your appetite! Terri, Marni, & Tim will bring the wine, bread, and dessert... Join James and Brando as they serve main course!
On the 45th Anniversary of releasing the movie Jaws, Jamesy and Brando dive into the original summer movie blockbuster hit! The boys talk about diving, the movie, the possible remake and they even take a crack at recasting it in a couple different ways.
This week the boys go back to a Scuba Diving Magazine Lesson For Life that ends bad for a diving couple. It shows how important our foundational training is and why divers need a strong educational base. In a way that only Jamesy and Brando can talk about a scuba drowning, we have fun and learn some valuable lessons.
Happy Father’s Day to all you dad divers out there, hopefully your kids remember all the hard work you’ve done for them. This week, James and Brando actually had time to read their emails and came across a question from Audrey, a divemaster in Thailand. What’s next, she asks. Join us as we discuss the divemaster life, becoming an instructor and what it really takes to become a good diver.
Jamesy and Brando, dive back into the life of Jacques Cousteau. On the anniversary of what would be JC’s 110th birthday, the boys spend some time reexamining the 1956 film, The Silent World. Jacques spent over half of a century exploring the world underwater and what he did changed the lives of so many. Here are 5 reasons why what he did was important then and still today.
Brando and James had so much fun talking with Stephanie Gandulla from the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This fresh water marine sanctuary is home to many of the most incredible shipwrecks the world has to offer and being in Alpena, MI it is home to us. We recorded this while attending the Thunder Bay International Film Festival back in Jan 2020. We hope to see you all there with us next year.
This week the boys wrap up their look at the 1992-1996 technical diving incident reports. Once again we see problems with deep air, ego and arrogance, as well as loss of buoyancy and awareness that all lead to problems. Could they have been prevented? Was there a sign? Like a Black Grouper crossing your path?
We continue our deep dive into the early days of technical diving accidents with the “aquaCORPS” Incident Reports. Re-released earlier this year through, “In Depth” magazine (https://gue.com/blog/examining-early-technical-diving-deaths-the-aquacorps-incident-reports-1992-1996/), Jamesy and Brando talk about more than just these accidents but also the lead up to these accidents, as we highlight the recent release of Gareth Lock’s documentary film, “If Only…” You can see "If Only..." at https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly .
We’ve dove into the DAN Annual Report. We submerged into the BSAC reports. This year we are going to plunge into the early days of technical diving accidents with the “aquacorps” Incident Reports. Re-released earlier this year through, “In Depth” magazine, Jamesy and Brando talk about more than just these accidents but also the lead up to the accidents as we highlight another important upcoming event. The release of Gareth Lock’s documentary film, “If Only…” https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly Release date: 20 May 2020. 07:49 Hawaii Local Time
Spring is in the air and that means love is in the air too... and if there is one thing that we at The Great Dive Podcast truly love, it's Dive Gear! Listen as we discuss an article written in the early 2000's as a guide to buying dive gear. Should you just buy the most expensive? Should you try to skimp on dinero and get a "less than optimal" octo? Should I just buy whatever my instructor is using?? All good considerations, but is there a "one size fits all" method when it comes to buying dive gear? Listen in and see what Ol' Jamesy and Brando say about purchasing dive gear on this wee's episode of The Great Dive Podcast!!
Their affair was doomed from the start. But neither one of them could turn away from a forbidden love. Ed knew but wouldn't say a word to Vanessa, for he knew if he did that he would have to face the fact that it was over.... and for Ed, that was a far worse fate than a cheating wife. Vanessa knew that Ed knew, but a love like the love she had for Dudley would only come around once in a lifetime and she was going to savor that feeling as long as she could. Dudley didn't care who knew. Dudley was a smooth talker. He was slicker than a snakeskin soaked in a quart of 10W30 and then frozen and thrown on an ice rink covered in canola oil. He was also about to have his slick, cold, Sicilain hitman heart broken into a billion pieces.There was only one way out of this hell. Join Jamesy and Brando as they delve into a the story of a torrid love affair that will have you laughing and crying with delight. Also, there is a good diving lesson!
We all can remember diving one of those “Great Dives” where everything seemed to click. A time when you were in the zone, your buddy was in it with you, things were smooth and easy. That zone is called “Flow” and getting there takes practice. James and Brando discuss some ways you can make this a regular occurrence instead of a mystery.
One of the costs of Flattening The Curve is that divers are being forced to take a break from their sport. Regardless of what side you are on of the Stay At Home order, when the time comes that we can all get back in the water, will you be a better or worse diver? Can taking a break actually help you improve your diving? The boys discuss this idea from the Men’s Journal, by Charli Kerns. And Sorry Charli, we assumed Charli was Charlie.
After a statewide extension of our Stay-At-Home order here in Michigan, Jamesy and Brando get back to what you love about your favorite dive buddies. Reading stories and cracking jokes. We talk about the 11 ways you can still stay involved with diving despite this lockdown.
Are you still out diving during the Coronavirus quarantine? Or, are you staying at home and watching a marathon of Tiger King? Jamesy and Brando meet up over Skype to stay isolated and still bring you the topics you need to hear while waiting to get back in the water. Tune in to find out our conclusions.
This interview with cave diver and instructor, Larry Green, is one that will be sure to please divers of all levels. Larry shares many old stories, exciting history and his philosophy of education with James and Brando. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
BREAKING NEWS!!! BREAKING NEWS!! Scientists have found that listening to The Great Dive Podcast may reduce your chances of getting the dreaded Coronavirus. However, it may increase your chances of drinking a Corona or three this week... because we head off to Cozumel in a story that has nothing to do with the motherf'ing coronavirus....suck it media.... Join Jamesy & Brando as they celebrate their 3rd year as "professional" (and I use the term loosely) podcasters putting out the weekly edition of The Great Dive Podcast (and they said we wouldn't last...and by "they" I mean we- Brando & Jamesy). It's been a ton of work but even more fun and that is thanks to all of our great listeners and supporters! So thank you! Hang in there folks! Maybe this'll help distract from the constant barrage of doom! Have a listen!
Join your TGDP buddies as they discuss one of Brando's favorite preaching points. Failure Points. How many of these little plastic problems are you wearing?
It's quite a philosophical question that is more appropriate for Yoda to answer than Ol' Jamesy & Brando.... but have a listen as we attempt to break down a story old as time in the scuba world. Listen as the boys examine one diver's experience of a nearly fatal accident and his "takeway" from that experience.
What's cooler than being cool? ICE COLD!! Let's go ice diving AND take some photos!! Join the boys as they discuss taking your underwater photography under the ice to get those interesting and unique shots that are available for only a short time of the year and in the cooler climates.
The boys get back to a fan favorite, underwater photography. What do you do when the dive changes? Maybe it’s because of the weather, maybe it’s because of a mechanical problem with the boat, or maybe it’s the bio-rhythms of your hard-bodied models that prevents them from diving… probably an ear problem. Anyway, when things go bad you can make some easy changes to your perspective to still come away with a great dive and some even better photographs.
In 1960, America’s Greatest Diver was lost inside of a cave near Cassis, France. The search for Conrad Limbaugh included the French and U.S. Navy, dive teams from Cousteau and a commercial company Sogetram and more. While trying to learn more about fish symbiosis and cleaning stations he ventured past the Cone of Stones and that is where he took his last breath.
The alternate title of this episode was going to be, “19 Inches of Silt.” Johnny Cash wrote a song about it. Today, Jamesy and Brando dig up a story about one of the most feared disasters while cave diving. Losing the line home. There are lessons to be learned and songs to be sung.
As a diver who do you look up to? Your Instructor? A buddy or a mentor? Who do they look up to? Chances are, no matter how good you are or how much experience or levels of certification you have there is always someone you still look up to. Cave diving has a tradition of this mentoring and building experience is favored over getting another card. Join us as we look up to the pros from an apprentice’s perspective.
As a diver who do you look up to? Your Instructor? A buddy or a mentor? Who do they look up to? Chances are, no matter how good you are or how much experience or levels of certification you have there is always someone you still look up to. Cave diving has a tradition of this mentoring and building experience is favored over getting another card. Join us as we look up to the pros from an apprentice’s perspective.
They knew it 25 years ago and yet, much has not changed. Can the recreational scuba diving world learn anything from the cave diving world? Tune in to this week's episode as the boys continue their celebration of National Cave Diving Month with a discussion centering around an article from 1995 by PADI's own Karl Shreves when he took his first Cave Diving Course and what he learned from his experience.
This week the boy's tackle the most divisive topic within the Scuba Community. No matter which side of the aisle your particular mindset has you pitching your tent, we think you'll get a "kick" out of today's episode! We went to the Internet for the idea of tackling this topic and we hope you enjoy....although we know this particular debate will never be "fin-ished". Relax and have a listen!!
In the year 2020 divers have so many resources to inform them about their amount of remaining gas, however out-of-airs still happen. Why? Join Jamesy and Brando for this self-addressed stamped episode of TGDP to find the answers.
It’s 2020 and a new year for a new you. Many divers will start off the year with a fitness plan and a fresh awareness of their health. But what is the right fitness level for safe scuba diving? Well, sit back and listen as the two fittest scuba hunks on our show, who have no fitness accreditation to their name, talk to you about breathing, heart rates and yoga.
The boys sit down and have a rap about all the fun stuff and shenanigans from 2019. The highs, the lows, the good times and the bad. We remember our favorites and take a fun look at all our fans from around the world. Thank you to everyone who listened in 2019 and we look forward to next year.
What were you doing in January of 1992? Brando was playing volleyball, James was still in High School and our subjects of today’s show were diving in a river near Glasgow, Montana. This old story gets us thinking about old lessons that were supposed to be learned, but were they? Has the thinking or actions changed in the almost 30 years since?
Ok, now I realize that this could happen any day of the year not just Friday the 13th so the title is totally not accurate....or IS IT? Today is Friday the 13th and this could happen today and even in warm water.... so maybe it is pretty accurate. Actually, if we really think about it, this title should be changed to "An Anyday, Anywhere, Any temperature Water Diving Lesson"... but that sounds ridiculous and no one will listen to it. So we'll just call it "A Friday The 13th Cold Water Diving Lesson"... but with the added caveat that it could happen on any day and in any temperature water! Have a listen!
It's time for what has become a most treasured holiday tradition at the TGDP households around the globe, the annual Christmas Wishlist!! Have a listen as the boys review the eagerly awaited Christmas Wishlist from Scuba Diving Magazine's 2019 Holiday Gift Guide!
The 29th of November, 1966 was another horrendous day out on Lake Huron. Hurricane winds and towering waves crashing in from multiple directions took down the mighty ship of the Morrell, along with the lives of 28 of her 29 crew. Today the boys discuss the sinking of the ship in much greater detail and the survival of her one soul, Dennis Hale.
The boys start off this week catching up about Jamesy’s recent trip to Orlando for the dive industry DEMA show, all the cool people he met and where the real business takes place. Eventually they get into a story about the Daniel J. Morrell, a tragic shipwreck with one sole survivor from 1966 in Lake Huron.
Don't get left out in the cold. The boys discuss Drysuit diving and some of the different myths about using them.
Join your favorite dive buddies, the November Galiest Jamesy and the Ol’ Winter Warlock Brando for this look at the worst storm ever to hit the Great Lakes. In November of 1913, hurricane winds and winter blizzards took down a record number of ships on the Great Lakes, the most damage being done on Lake Huron.
Back in the spring we released our first interview, privately to Patreon members. Now it is available to everyone. These Check Out interviews will give insight into what and how these influential divers approach their own diving habits and how they relate back to new divers. We hope you enjoy.
The boys continue their deep dive into the psyche of the diver. Listen as they wrap up their discussion to discover if divers are truly crazy or has diving made them crazy.
Soooo, tell me vhot vuzz zee velatshunsheep viss yuer muzzer liyek? Grab your notebooks and pens and take notes as the boys dive into the psychoanalysis of the diver. Are divers crazy or does diving make them crazy? Listen up and find out as Ol' Jamesy and Older Brando take deep (two part) dive into the Diver's Psyche!
The boys really get into character on this episode as they look at the dangers of taking your earthly problems underwater with you. Fixating on a goal, solo diving, lack of awareness and more; this dive takes an emotional look at diving and marriage. Warning: Strong Language
Going scuba diving means you are one of the people who get off the couch and really live your life. You are not content to sit back and watch life through the eyes of your favorite TV character, you are living your own. But that comes with a cost. The price is Responsibility.
This is probably the most important episode of The Great Dive Podcast ever produced. If you have ever wanted to pretend to be a diver or find out how to recognize a poser, then this is the episode for you! As a diver, knowing which flipper to raise when swearing the Skindiver oath is critical knowledge! Have a listen and find out what's what in the world of the Skindiver!
If schooners, islands and maroons, and Jasmine incense are your thing… then this episode is for you, me boy! Join the bootie-seeking, scallywags of TGDP on this look at the love affair of pirates and divers.
After a weekend of weather changes and allergies, the boys ran into a few divers with ear clearing troubles. Equalizing the ears is an overlooked art that many divers force into working. Learn from these stories before you find yourself with MEBT!
This time on Sealab, things don’t go so well. 100 Fathoms below the surface, when you are at 600fsw and you have problems it’s never a good day. Join Jamesy and Brando as they finish this little series about Sealab.
Leaving the warmer waters of Bermuda, Jamesy and Brando join Scott Carpenter and the other aquanauts 205 feet underwater off Scripps Canyon near La Jolla, California. Sealab 2 was bigger, better and lasted longer than the previous mission/experiment/war….
After George Bond’s famous Blow and Go from Episode 125, he started working on a new project that would have Americans living and working on the bottom of the ocean. This project would be come Sealab. Jamesy and Brando take a dip to join them on this incredible experiment.
Join your buddies from TGDP as they take a twilight zone trip with Papa Topside to make an Emergency Swimming Ascent from 300FSW. If you don’t laugh… Bad Things Happen!
Be honest, have you ever made any of these photography mistakes? James and Brando even admit to a few. Plus the boys discuss other photography crimes and classic mistakes.
Join James and Brando as they continue to celebrate "Shark Week" with a "Lesson For Life" that comes from a chance encounter with (as you would expect) a shark. This week also includes the much awaited return of "Shark Johnson". So sit back and have a listen to this episode of The Great Dive Podcast!
Shark Week starts tomorrow and TGDP kicks it off with a big bite! We take a trip to the land down under to jam with the Thunderbirds and take a swim with seals and sharks. Like they say down there, “You better pack your darkies if you’re going to swim with the sharkies.”
What is the #1 way divers die? Is it a skill issue? A mental issue? Ego? What is the difference in the mindset of a diver who dies while attempting to break the deep diver record, compared to a diver pushing their own personal limits with ego and ignorance?
Hey divers!! We have a fun one this week! Join Jamesy & Brando as we get in touch with our inner hippies and talk about astrology and scuba diving! We'll have special guest star Alayna from KOXY Radio's "AstroHo's" show guide us through the zodiac for diving! This is a fun one you're sure to enjoy... as long as you're not an over-sensitive Cancer or a Pisces with a Scorpio in Uranus.... ahahaha!
Breathe Deep… Even the most skilled divers can fall victim to panic. Jamesy and Brando recall a couple of their own moments of panic underwater and try to keep cool in the presence of clowns.
Coming from the land of the ice and snow, Jamesy and Brando plunge into a dark dive that leads to a sad fatality for a father and son dive team. What happens when the reality of your experience mixes with your good intentions of instructing someone when you’re not an instructor?
Summer is finally here, and we have your Scuba Catastrophe Survival Guide ready for your listening pleasure. Panicked Buddy! Getting Lost! Trapped! Your Computer Conks Out!! Alexa, what do I do about this shark bite? We have the answers for you.
This one is pure gold.... sit back and let this week's stream bathe your ears like a warm waterfall of relief. We tackle the always important yet rarely discussed topic of peeing in your wetsuit. Is it disgusting or is it a dire necessity? You decide as we discuss this topic as well as give a heartfelt apology to one of our dear listeners who we may have offended by confusing their name. There is no excuse for this and we are owning up to our faux pas.... but in our defense it is a common misunderstanding with this particular name.
After sharing their congratulations from PADI for 20 years of service, the TGDP boys get into a discussion about the dive tables. Are they obsolete? In todays age of dive computers and custom profiles, are the old tables wrong??
Keeping up to date on current affairs, the boys have a talk about the recent deaths at the top of Mt. Everest. There are many similarities to diving and goal-oriented diving in particular. Why do we dive? Is it for the log book or is it a spiritual achievement? Is there a bigger Mt. Everest inside of us?
The boys jump into a long-awaited topic and discuss an article by Gareth Lock, author of the new book Under Pressure. This episode takes a deeper look at decision making and the value of situational awareness, biases and heuristics, and other ways that Gareth helps us think about improving our diving.
If the boys at TGDP had $1 for every time they heard this story, TGDP would be living the sweet life down in the islands and broadcasting from the beach. It's another Lesson For Life as the local diving season kicks off.
This week we wrap up our three part series on how the scuba community nearly became yet another bureaucratic tax driven revenue system controlled by our "lords and masters" at city hall in Los Angeles during the mid 1970's. Thankfully divers united and fought against the tyranny and achieved a small victory for our freedom. We need to continue our vigilance through education and awareness and listening to The Great Dive Podcast!!
To quote George Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." So listen and learn and keep your freedom! The boys continue their dive into Scuba history as they venture further into the true story of how Scuba was almost a government controlled police state dictatorship... Fill your head with some good stuff!
As divers, we've all been taught that here in the US, Scuba is a "self regulated" sport and the government does not really oversee how we train and dive in the recreational side of our beloved activity. But it wasn't always this way... in fact, it was a close call in 1975 when big government wanted to get their greedy hands in the pockets of divers and save us all from ourselves. Thankfully, a few of our wise predecessors fought to keep the government out. It wasn't easy but we enjoy these freedoms now because of their fight and their sacrifices. If we're not careful we could easily lose these freedoms we enjoy. Those who don't learn about history are doomed to repeat it... so keep yourself from being doomed and have a listen to this week's episode!
As Earth Day approaches, the boys try something different on TGDP. This week they look at the ecological side of diving; cleaning up the litter and saving our planet. Do they do it with government intervention, while wearing speedos, with the help of Narwhals? You’ll have to tune in to find out. So, take your Xanax and listen to this “Prescription for the Planet.”
The boys respond to a negative comment about TGDP and then they discuss the problems with the buddy system. Join them as they take a look back at nearly 50 years of the dive buddy.
The boys take a look at BSAC's very comprehensive "Safe Diver's Guide" on their website. Have a listen!!
James and Brando continue their dive into a few incidents included in the 2018 British Sub-Aqua Club Diving Incident Report. See what we can learn from the incidents about scuba accidents and how to avoid them or maybe bet yet, see what we can learn about how difficult it is to learn anything from these incidents and how there's more to a safety record than statistics!
James and Brando dive into some information from the 2018 British Sub-Aqua Club Diving Incident Report. We take a break from the nonsense talk and get into the deeper side of the reef. Join us as we talk statistics, diver qualifications, decompression incidents, fatalities, carnival rides like the Matterhorn and more.
There comes a time in every divers life that they'll confront at least one of these 7 types of inconsiderate diver behavior and sometimes civil discourse is just unable to get the message across. Join Ol' Jamesy and even Ol' -der Brando as they throw their "PG" ratings out the proverbial porthole and discuss an article that details how to express disapproval of rude and/or inconsiderate diver's behaviors. Warning: Language may not be suitable for children. Subject matter contains references to roofies, Bill Cosby, breaking kneecaps, and other nonsense that may be found offensive by the easily offended.
Ok, we've all been there... when your diving is bleeding into all aspects of your life. But when is it "too much"? Listen as James & Brando come to terms with this socially acceptable disease that can take over your life if you're not careful.
Join us as the true sons of the fathers of diving, Jamesy and Brando, explore the wide world of archetypical diving personas. Beware of the Buffoonus- Aquarius. This is not a politically correct show in today's world. But hey, we’re going back to 1961 when Skin Diver was trying to capture the real image of who a diver really was.
Join Ol' James and even Older Brando as they celebrate their 100th episode!! They'll pop the bubbly and share this momentous occasion with their 2 biggest critics...their wifeys!! It's a fun conversation as well as a way for us to say thanks for all the support from our fantastic listeners!
The boys look at another side of underwater tragedy. In 1991, in northern Florida, a cave was being explored. After a successful dive, deep and long, the grim reaper appeared. This is the story of Parker Turners last dive.
Right in the middle of our National Cave Diving Month, the boys find a story about two cave divers who died as the result of many bad decisions. Although tragic, it is a story that all new divers can learn a lot from. Jamesy and Brando bring you these lessons like only they can.
Cave diving is not for everyone. However, all divers can learn a lot from the lessons learned in the overhead environment. Whether you are ready to join the “Clan of the Cave Divers” or just want to improve your sport diving skills, TGDP is here to help understand what to do and what not to do.
This is an early look back into the first days of cave diving. A perspective from today and a particularly close look at one of the very first cave dives, made by candlelight. Join us as we get Gutsy, Ballsy, and little Crazy.
From Siebe to Scuba, the boys discuss the inventions and disasters all along the way. Self-Contained freedom was a dream for our early underwater adventurers. Hundreds of years and hundreds of inventions made their way into the thinking and refinement of the regulators we use today.
TGDP hits the old history books and brings you a historical look at diving, without the help of any research assistants. Lacking any unpaid interns, the boys had to do it themselves. Grab your big tanks, this is going to be a long dive as we descend a couple thousand years.
The boys get a Happy New Years gift in the mail and then take some time to discuss some Old School Diving Facts. Bridging the gap between the last 25 years, James and Brando have a fun discussion about DCI, Safety Stops, Tables and Dive Computers and a look at the gender issue in diving over the last few decades.
Are you an ice diver? A nice diver? Do you know the difference?? Have you ever written a letter to the editor? Are you a member of the NRA?? Your buddies Jamesy and Brando explore some of Mid-West America’s best Ice Diving locations for a nice diver… or an ice diver…. You decide.
Your favorite dive buddies from TGDP try to get to the bottom of the first dive up at the North Pole. Turns out, it’s 14,000 FSW. With the help of a couple other Hosers, a couple brewskies, and a lot of flannel, eh… we figured out it was the Canadians back in 1974, eh. Please enjoy this very Canadian 12 Days of Christmas with a couple of our teenage idols as well as some good old regular Canadian guys doing some amazing dives in their day, eh.
If this is the first episode you’ve heard from us, we’re sorry about the graphic nature of this week’s podcast. It is not politically correct and sometimes it is downright inappropriate. But, so is nature sometimes and that is what we are talking about. Eventually we get to some great health benefits of diving, you can skip the first 15 minutes if you’re easily offended. Listener discretion is advised.
LMAO! You need to listen to this episode ASAP. Jamesy and Brando get into a real SNAFU talking about BPW's. Are you still diving a BCD? BCV? BCJ?? LOL! SMH:)
Do you feel like you may be "that guy" on the dive who just doesn't seem to be able to see all those cool critters that the other divers are seeing? If so, this episode is for you!! (it's for you if you aren't that guy too!!) So have a listen as we discuss the how's and why's of diving with those incredible underwater creatures!
Ho! Ho! Ho! Thanksgiving is over and Black Friday is upon us and as with tradition here at TGDP, we have a review of The Scuba Holiday Wishlist giving our thumbs up (abort the dive on that gift!) or thumbs down (Heck Yeah!! I'll dive it!!)just in time for your loved ones to have for you for your holiday!
More Zenny Diving talk from your favorite dive podcasting duo. James & Brando discuss a book called "Zen Guitar" by Philip Toshio Sudo and how it's approach to guitar playing and mastery can be extrapolated to diving and mastery of diving.
Is it for the C-card, the recognition and admiration, the ego or do we dive to make us more human? To return us to the elements and to learn something about ourselves. Your buddies Jamesy and Brando know what it is. The it, the zone, that missing human element that takes technique beyond technology.
It’s 7 something in the morning and your favorite dive buddies are deep into a philosophical conversation that most people rarely enjoy this early in the day. Except maybe for that small group of old guys at the coffee shop at 6 in the morning. The problems of the world, we discuss them. How to make the world a better place, we figure it out. https://www.tdisdi.com/the-world-would-be-a-better-place-with-more-scuba-divers/
James and Brando dive into a classic Great Lakes ghost story. This story about the Erie Board of Trade is chockablock full of skullduggery. So hold on to your halyards and mizzen up your main stays, this tale will have you warming up your wetsuits.
The boys take on a touchy subject this week that most shops and instructors are hesitant to discuss. It involves the F word! Yes, the one you’re thinking of and also others like Fathers and Fatality and Float and another one that is not very PC today. But it’s important, so of course they make jokes about it to lighten the mood.
What do you get when you mix 2 cups of Jamesy, 2 parts Brando, 3 tablespoons of Skin Diver Magazine and a dash of Near Death Experiences? BAM! You get, Disaster Lasagna!
The boys get back to some serious talk about helping you prepare to be a better diver. They found a Smart Guide to Safe Diving, put out by the Divers Alert Network. Listen in as they discuss how to avoid 7 God DAN Mistakes that divers make.
Hey all You Sexy Thangs! It's getting a bit chilly out there and may be time for some Hot Chocolate!! If you're interested in underwater photography (or not) we are sure you'll dig this week's episode of TGDP! Have a listen... have a chuckle or two... learn a bit about underwater photography as the boys from TGDP examine an article from the 90's from one of the greats...Marty Snyderman!
Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of fateful diver. That started from an Open Water course, then he wanted to dive a mighty ship. The boys back-roll into the summer of 2001 and find an instructor who wrote an article in Scuba Diving Magazine that sounds like it could have come right from the lips of your little buddies. Was that a Gilligan’s Island reference? Yes, it was. Enjoy the show and make sure you check out the excellent rendition of that classic showtune from Nick Spitza on his YouTube page and be sure to leave him a comment and tell him you heard it on TGDP! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBEHCOHE4mU
In Part 2 of Menduno’s interview with Cronin, we get into who he was when he first started diving. The frustration with the industry, a vision of the future and how to put scuba on every home computer. Join us as we learn more about this tough son of a bitch. No, this honest son of a bitch, John Cronin.
In a time where scuba was a bunch of sporting goods shops that started selling a new toy, The Aqualung, John Cronin had a vision of making it mainstream. The overbearing military approach to education was a roadblock in getting the masses into scuba classes and what would happen next was going to be the largest scuba diving education company, PADI. In 1995 aquaCORPS magazine published a cover story and interview with the scuba giant, John Cronin, titled “King Cronin- PADI Chief Bent on Acquiring New Divers” written by Michael Menduno. TDI has recently rereleased many of the old aquaCORPS interviews written by Michael in a collection of diving pioneers. You can find them here, including the Cronin interview: https://www.tdisdi.com/aquacorps/ Michael is still an active diver and writer. You will see him contributing to numerous sources in the dive community still as well as on facebook. We featured another article of his “Blueprint For Survival 2.0” back on our episode 15- Actually 14.1.
The boys get back to the early 90's in the scuba diving industry. A time where breathing Nitrox was pure evil. The Devil's Gas was banned by many and the scuba giant PADI did not embrace it. Ol' Jamesy tries to stay on course, Brando gets fired up... it's everything you've come to love about TGDP.
The Sandusky is a wooden sailing brig that wrecked in the Straits of Mackinac in 1856. Still lying on the bottom mostly intact with beautiful bowsprit and figurehead, it is a magical sight for divers. But diving a wreck like this is so much more than just blowing bubbles and taking pictures. James and Brando talk about the real essence of being in the moment underwater. The Zen of diving on this shipwreck and the perspective of the guy who discovered it, Chuck Feltner, and what it meant to him. Don't mess with the Great Lakes.
In a world where anyone can sue anyone else for virtually anything, is it a good idea to hold a Scuba Instructor responsible for a diving accident based on the "image" that instructor may have created for him/herself based on both his on duty and off duty behavior? Should Jamesy portray Jethro or Ellie May in the upcoming remake of "The Scuba Hillbillies"? Will Brando ever figure out what the heck he is ranting about now? Find out the answers to these and many more burning questions in this episode of The Great Dive Podcast!
The Deeper we go underwater the greater the risk begins to climb. Unlike other sports where pushing the limits is encouraged, with diving we are given a list of limits to begin with. James and Brando discuss whether diving should be considered a sport or an art. What is the difference? No two dives are the same, but what if you are twins?? https://www.scubadiving.com/why-is-130-feet-depth-limit-for-recreational-scuba-diving
In the fall of 1995, Rodale’s Scuba Diving Magazine published the most controversial article ever to hit the scuba industry, Cayman Cowboys. This article chronicled the secret life of your favorite dive masters living in island paradise. Well, your buddies, James and Brando dug it up and had a blast rereading it. So, stop checking your 401k report, who cares about your IRA, join us in our Big Escape from it all because nobody gets out alive. Oh, and don’t forget to tip your Dive Masters.
James and Brando take on the very touchy subject of “Sexism and Scuba Diving” just as the world celebrates International Women’s Dive Day. The boys found an article written by Jill Heinerth for Diver Magazine, “Sexism, Alive and Well in Scuba Diving!” The Hot Pink cover was hard to miss! With a little bit of the TGDP humor you’ve come to enjoy and a few “middle-schooler” jokes they eventually discuss and enjoy this well-written and intelligent “piece.” http://divermag.com/sexism-alive-and-well-in-scuba-diving/
The boys ramble on in an "off the cuff" conversation while rustling through Brando's library of ancient dive mags!! The more things change, the more they stay the same! A look into the future from 20+ years ago, before there was an Air McDoodle there was an Air Whopper and an Air Quarter Pounder! Diving Personal Ads looking for friendship, fortune, and love!! All part of this week's episode of The Great Dive Podcast!! Have a listen!!
Gather 'round fellow divers and shutterbugs as the boys once again get together and discuss the fine art of underwater photography! The tables have turned though as Jamesy takes on the role of Photographer (kind of... ya see, it's just a GoPro) and Brando is the model (kind of.. ya see he's an old man with a face for being behind the camera, not in front of it.) This episode we'll tackle wide angle photography underwater and also discuss a great article by Nirupam Nigam at www.underwaterphotography.com . Check out the article at http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/wide-angle-photography-low-light-conditions .
Is 500 feet the psychological and physical wall for air diving? Watson, Exley and Gilliam made that push beyond 400 feet and all realized their limitations on air. Join us a we wrap up our adventure.
It’s January of 1955 and Frederic Dumas, our beloved Didi, has denounced the quest for the depth record as “imbecilic.” The push beyond 300 ft has the next wave of record seekers shouting, “J’ai frole la mort!” and “Hoooooooo!”
As the men aqualungers begin to compete for depth, it doesn’t take long until we get our first fatality. What is it that lies in 50 Fathoms that we men yearn to see? Ah, but wait. It is not just the men that long for the deep.
What do you get when you mix Nitrogen, Oxygen, Jacques Cousteau, Fargues, Shatner, Picard and a little dash of Hope Root? Answer, the Deep Air World Record. Was it the guts? Was it the glory? Was it for science or for ego? Save your comments for later, Insults like that are only effective where emotions are present. Is this confusing? Don’t worry, Brando will explain.
What happens when you are so desperate for dive buddies that you decide to teach your wife to scuba dive? No, not us! We take a trip back in time and look at the ways women were viewed a few decades ago. Also, we have a special guest host this week!
Have you ever been caught whacking your mask off? Seriously? Have you ever seen a Gator? In the water? What does all this mean? It’s a metaphor. A metaphor for diving. Specifically, the Laws of Diving.
Brando and James catch up on life, Madagascar, Paris and a host of other off-topic topics. Eventually they discuss a few things in the scuba world that Brando missed while he was off traveling. AI’s… Artificial Intelligence? Alternate Inflators?? Tune in to find out.
Hey, let’s do a clips show. A highlights, best-of, collection of the last year or so and get a feel for what we’ve accomplished. Some of our favorite bits, funniest episodes and most informative dialog. Join us as we go back in time a take a small look at a bunch of different episodes. Thank you for the last 60 weeks!
Who are James and Brando? Well, they are just two fingers, wrapped in dry gloves, pointing to the moon, on dive boat… the dive boat of life. What the hell does that mean, you ask? Tune in your input mechanisms and join us for a look at the Inner Experience of Diving.
Get Groovy, this week with James and Brando as they take another trip back in time. This time to 1960’s and they explore the old scuba diver skill of Buddy Breathing. Join them as they discuss the ins and outs of shoving your thing in your buddy’s mouth.
This week the boy's get all spiritual up in this hizzy!! Listen in as they reflect on an article by Dillon Waters called "Scuba Diving: It's Just Not for Vacation". (https://www.tdisdi.com/scuba-diving-its-not-just-for-vacation/) This one's deep, so bring your pony bottles .... and your incense & mantras too! It's like chicken soup for the soul.... except it's Scuba Diving For The Soul!!
The Boys travel to Pompano Beach Florida for some much-needed ocean activities. What do a couple of scuba diving podcasters do when King Neptune shakes his trident into the wind? They sit by the pool during happy hour and answer life’s important questions. Like… Does size matter? Who has Marker Bag envy? What is “Pulling a Lang?” With the help of a great article from Scuba Diving Magazine from 2006: https://www.scubadiving.com/training/basic-skills/weather-stinks-now-what James and Brando dive into the age-old question, “What do you do when the sea is angry?”
The boys try to get away with some spiked ppN2's. This week they discuss an article detailing tips, hints, and methods to help alleviate those nasty narcosis problems associated with deep diving on air. Relax and enjoy this deep dive into narcosis.
On this week's episode the boys review a video that was posted on FB's Scuba Accident Forum ( https://youtu.be/GFpAKYbDKx8 ) centered around a deep dive to 76 meters on air. Pros & cons of deep air diving, The Outsiders, and even some Christopher Walken are all part of the circus in this episode!! C'mon in and have a listen! https://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/why-its-not-a-good-idea-to-use-hose-protectors.440166/ http://forum.scubatoys.com/archive/index.php/t-21414.html http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-137628.html http://ukdivers.com/threads/removing-hose-protectors.4851/ http://scubasg.com/regulators-gauges/hose-protector-or-not/
Even more underwater photography for the budding underwater photographers out there listening to TGDP!! This week the boys dive deeper into strobes. Listen in while they follow along with an excellent article from "Diver" Magazine. (http://divermag.com/) and add their own unique commentary and info. Enjoy!
The boy's get back to a fan favorite, underwater photography! This time they begin their exploration of underwater strobes with a great article written by Brent Durand in "Scuba Diving Magazine"(https://www.scubadiving.com/underwater-photography-tips-for-strobe-positioning). Wide angle shots, macro shots, making you vision a reality... even Matthew McConaughey will sweet talk this episode.
Are the boys doing another DAN Episode? You’re God DAN right they are. Tune in as they finish up the 2018 Annual Report with talk about injuries like barotrauma, Skin bends, DCS Type 2 and more. They also discuss a moral question of when is the right age to get your toddler rebreather certified, before or after they start kindergarten?
The boys continue (yet again for another week's episode) their commentary on DAN's recent accident report & analysis. This week they (continue to) go through the report and examine even more of the various accidents detailed in DAN's report as well as discuss accident triggers and contributing factors. Relax, listen, and learn from the accident analysis on the week's episode of The Great Dive Podcast!
The boys continue their commentary on DAN's recent accident report & analysis. This week they go through the report and examine a few of the various accidents detailed in DAN's report. Relax, listen, and learn from the accident analysis on the week's episode of The Great Dive Podcast!
The boys examine an article (https://www.deeperblue.com/dans-top-10-wanted-improvements-scuba-diving/amp/) resulting from DAN's most recent accident report and analysis. Are the boys on track with what DAN's survey and analysis show? Take a listen and decide for yourself!!
Does a cautionary dive tale lose it's efficacy if the author sells it as true but then proceeds to take certain 'artistic liberties' with the facts in order to liven up the story? You decide as the boys review an article about an instructor with too much ego and not enough training, experience, nor sense takes an AOW student inside a shipwreck and only one diver comes out.
As National Cave Diving Month draws to a close, the boys venture into the roots of cave diving with our Big Fish, Ol' Jacques Yves Cousteau!! Listen as they recount the tale of Jacques Cousteau's expedition into the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse in France. A near death experience and heart pounding diving action are all part of this weeks wrapup of National Cave Diving Month!!
A teaser from this coming Friday's Podcast Episode wrapping up TGDP's celebration of National Cave Diving Month!!
This week the boys examine the parallels between cave diving training and open water diver training. Can an open water diver glean any benefit from cave diver training or is it that "open water diving open water diving, and cave diving is cave diving, and never the twain shall meet"? Find out in this weeks episode of The Great Dive Podcast!!
It's National Cave Diving Month and your buddies at TGDP are continuing their exploration into the writings of the famous cave diver and explorer, Sheck Exley. They'll also review a recent accident in the same Florida cave explored and written about by ol' Sheck. Join them in this cave diving, tobacco spittin', 3 watt underwater light diving adventure into Eagle's Nest!!
Blueprint for...Revival??? Has the dynamic Scubaduo gone completely overboard?? Have they backrolled into bananas?? Find out for yourself when you tune in to this week's episode as they discuss how the recreational Scuba diver can gain insight from Sheck Exley's cave diving classic, "Blueprint For Survival". Have the boys gone mad? Are they just passionate and misunderstood? Insane or genius? You decide...
The boys dive into a recent story about a DCS-Bends incident that is gaining a lot of discussion online. Listen in as they discuss both sides of the story. Even though only side has been released, but that doesn’t stop them or anyone else from jumping to conclusions.
Listen in as the boys discuss an article in Scuba Diving Magazine covering 21 popular New year's resolutions for Scuba Divers for 2018! We hope you all had a fantastic New Year's Eve and wish you all a very prosperous and memorable 2018!!
The boys continue their ice diving junket as they check out a few ice diving videos from YouTube. They'll examine a few different ways they approach ice diving based on the environment, equipment, training, and experience. Chill out and and grab a cold one while you listen to these cool dudes talk some more about ice diving!!
In celebration of the Ice Diving Season that is upon us, the boys visit an old article in Skin Diver Magazine from 1969 covering the "Ten Commandments of Ice Diving!" Also, we want to know your feelings on the BEST Ice Diving song! Check out our website and give us your choice!!
The boys become introspective and philosophical while they examine yet another "I Learned About Diving From That" article out of "Skin Diver Magazine" circa the '90's. This one seems to show how the more things change, the more they stay the same... or maybe not much has changed.... so was anything really learned?? I mean, If an accident happens underwater and there's nothing learned from it, did it really happen? Wait, what does it all mean? What's the point? Wait, just buy some more equipment and carry more gas...oh, and reels too.... and learn to tie knots faster... wait, where's my buddy, he might be able to help? He's checking his weighting?? Wait, maybe that should have been done before jumping into a 120' dive inside a shipwreck in the Great Lakes... it doesn't matter, I have a new drysuit so I'm good to go...
We've all heard about them and some have even been part of one. The stories of this deadly practice are only whispered of in diving circles for fear of retaliation from "El Diablo de Buceo"! This week, the boys toss superstition aside and dive into just one true story of "El trío de buceo de la muerte"...or The divers threesome of death!! Enjoy!!
In this second part of a two part series, the boys finish up the review of the Gear Guide article in Sport Diver Magazine's Nov./Dec. 2017 Issue. This is a must listen episode for the holiday season shopping for the SCUBA diver in your life!!
Just in time for Black Friday Christmas shopping for the SCUBA Diver in your life, our review of the Gear Guide Article for this Christmas season! In this 1st part of a 2 part series, the boys take a look at the picks for the Gear Guide article in Sport Diver Magazine's Nov./Dec. 2017 Issue and give a their "thumbs down" picks of this year's lot.... "thumbs down" being a positive review meaning "let's dive it!!" in our case. So take a listen and get caught up on the gear picks this season per Sport Diver Magazine!
James and Brando continue their discussion of equipment selection for SCUBA Diving in cold water environments. This is part 2 of their ? part series covering cold water diving. This episode addresses drysuit types and accessories. Relax, listen, and enjoy!!
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee....AND this episode of The Great Dive Podcast. Now that the skies of November have turned gloomy, the boys dedicate this episode to the sinking and diving of the iconic Great Lakes shipwreck.... The Edmund Fitzgerald... the legendary singer Gordon Lightfoot with his ballad "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" has immortalized this shipwreck for both non divers and divers alike. On this 47th anniversary of the sinking of The Fitz, the boys discuss some of the circumstances surrounding the tragic sinking in 1975 and the diving of the Fitz 20 years later in 1995 by Terrence Tysall and Mike Zee. Sit back and listen to the tales of tragedy of the sinking and the incredible accomplishment of a legendary dive!
The boys dive into the subject of cold water diving in this 1st of a several part series on the subject. Today's discussion focuses mainly on the debate between thick (7mm) wetsuit vs. drysuit... what are pros and cons of each and things to take into consideration when undertaking cold water diving. Listen in as the boys begin this series with a major piece of equipment used for cold water diving!
Join James & Brando for a haunted dive through the spookiest dive stories on the Internet. Underwater ghosts, sea creatures, alien humanoid monsters, and the things that are lurking in the deep just waiting to get you. Keep your dive lights on, this episode might scare the doo-doo out of you.
James reads from a classic book about Great Lakes Shipwrecks to celebrate this stormy time of year on our inland seas. The Great Storms of October and the November Gales have taken many ships and made for our very own "Flying Dutchman" on The Great Lakes. James uses the middle initial "E." as written by Radigan although we all know her as the "Cornelia B. Windiate". Enjoy this fun little episode with tales of many Ghost Ships throughout the Great Lakes.
While cleaning the attic, James and Brando came across an old Playboy magazine with Scuba Diving right on the cover. They had to look! Listen in as the boys give a tribute to the late Hugh Hefner and read from this 1971 article “Scuba-Do!” It’s not all naked ladies, the boys manage to joke about Jaws and John Wayne and even recap the history of dive equipment along the way. Join us for this Great Dive!
The boys review the survey results from an online questionnaire asking listeners about underwater photography. Join along as James discusses the ins and outs of his Iphone while the photographers get into the nitty gritty of the wonderful world of underwater photography!
The boys finally get back to the topic of underwater photography. Listen as they review some of the winners of DAN's 2017 Ocean Views Photo Contest (http://www.alertdiver.com/Ocean_Views_2017). You'll get a glimpse into the photographic genius of James as he compares his favorite morning breakfast cereal to some the fantastic art being shared in the contest images in the latest issue of DAN's Alert Diver Magazine. Sit back and experience "Fruity Pebbles in Outer Space!"
The boys get off track of their regularly scheduled topic of underwater photography to help ol' Jamesy through a depressing bout of "Internetitis"....Sit back and enjoy as they discuss the pros and cons of the Internet's Scuba forums...:-)
The boys examine the hard and fast rules of scuba diving in a recent article from Dive Training Magazine! Relax and laugh along with James & Brando as this popular article is discussed!
oin the boys as the review the "Human Factors Skills in Diving" on line micro-course from Gareth Lock, founder of "Human Factors Academy". The micro course is a modular online course with more than 3 hours of engaging and detailed material split into 15 minute sections, with additional research-based resources provided for those who want to delve deeper. For more information please visit Gareth's website at www.humanfactors.academy . If you do take the course, please enter discount code "thegreatdivepodcast" to receive 20% off the fee. Thanks to Gareth Lock for providing a valuable class for the diving community and also for the discount for our listeners!!
This week the boys talk about their "labor of love"... that is diving!! Listen as they celebrate Labor Day with the topic of working diving and recall a few of the diving jobs they've had over the years!! Enjoy and have a great Labor Day Weekend!!
The boys go through some of the more notable feedback received since beginning the show a few short weeks ago!! Thanks to all the listeners and a special thanks to the supporters that have thrown a few bucks our way!! Much appreciated!!!
Brando & James finish covering "Diving's 15 Worst Case Scenarios" article and it turns out that splitting the discussion into two episodes was a good idea. Blown deco-stops, jammed reels, and a host of other diver distractions are just part of the topics addressed in this weeks episode. Sit back & listen as the boys continue to delight, inform, and ramble on about these mishaps that can create mayhem for divers old and new.
Time flies as the boys have some fun discussing an article covering "The 15 Worst Case Scenarios for Divers". Sit back and enjoy an hour of "witty banter" in this genuine dialogue together!
Grab your wetnotes divers as we dive into the history of the invention of the "Aqualung". The boys tackle "Part Deux" of their "Big Fish" series featuring Jacques Yves Cousteau! Sit back and listen to James & Brando discuss the life of Jacques Cousteau during World War II and his espionage adventures in the French Navy all the while developing and testing the first underwater demand regulator which subsequently gave birth to the art of Scuba Diving!
After 4 months of the podcast, it's time for a "Thank You"!! and an update of where we are at now. Join us as we recap a few things, share our progress, and make plans for the future.
In celebration of Women's Dive Day, James hit the local quarry to interview a group of women divers. Listen as the boys get some life lessons from several different ladies. A very special tank you to all of the fantastic women diving (& listening to our podcast) out there and especially the ladies who took the time to participate in an interview in person or via e-mail to help us put this episode together!! Also, don't forget to check out Gareth Lock's "micro-class" over at https://www.humanfactors.academy/ and be sure to enter "thegreatdivepodcast" discount code to get your discount!
This week we wrap up Episode 14 with 14.2... which is really our 16th episode. We feature a topic by Gareth Lock, director of Human in the System Consulting and developed a course called Human Factors Skills in Diving. We brought up this topic from and article we talked about a few weeks ago but really dive deeper into it in this episode. Coincidentally, Diver Magazine is putting out a big story about the same topic in the current issue. Gareth has a ton of useful information he has gathered as a diver and during his time in the Royal Air Force. Please check out his website at http://www.humanfactors.academy/p/about as well as his blog at https://www.humanfactors.academy/p/blog
Join the boys as they explore deeper into the murky waters of dive safety and instruction while using a fantastic magazine article written by diving legends Michael Menduno & Billy Deans in the early 90's as a backdrop for the dialogue. Listen as Episode 15 piggybacks onto last weeks topic!
James & Brando dive into a discussion that started from a few stories circulating in social media. It gets deep. It gets serious. Do they have a point? Are they out of line? You decide as you listen to Episode 14.
The boys relive a few of their own unlucky and horrific dive experiences and reflect on lessons learned!
In honor of Father's Day and being our Father's favorite children, James & Brando ramble on about their favorite dives.... or do they?? Check 'em out and give this week's episode a listen!!
What's all the fuss about decompression about?? After receiving more than a few requests to touch upon the subject of ratio deco, the boys finally cover this voodoo decompression witchcraft ... as well as the prim and proper use of dive computers and the ancient forbidden knowledge of dive tables...
The boys dive into one of their favorite subjects...underwater photography! The digital world has made great photography readily attainable by most everyone... but should all divers have cameras with them underwater? Sit back and listen to the first of a series covering underwater photography!
On a research dive for the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society, the boys visit Orchard Lake's famous Apple Island, in search of artifacts, ghosts, and moccasins... At the end of the podcast James gives a full reading of "The Legend of Me-Na-Sa-Gor-Ning" in a way that only James can do...!
J & B decided to dive a little deeper into the subject of "out of air" just as an interesting magazine article was released. Listen as they get to the root of it all and add a little bit of that, "Je ne sais quoi"!
Springtime gear service.... how often do you service your gear? Once a year? Twice a year? 12 times a year? 15 times a year? Only whe it's broken? Never? Listen to James & Brando discuss gear service and when it's time to service it or just throw it in the ol' dumpster!
After you got your C-card, were you satisfied or did it seem something was missing? Was there something more? Something deeper to this diving stuff? The boys continue their discussion of the art of diving, specifically, seeking out good, high quality instruction.... and French Fries... and although they may not sound like they should "go together", listen as James & Brando intertwine fast food and scuba diving instruction...:-).
James & Brando talk about the gear you need for scuba diving. The boys discuss some tips about gear choices for divers just becoming certified and how they will grow with their gear...and although we don't like to mention brand names, Brando mentions a lot of them!
Sit back and enjoy as the boys read from the scripture of JC (Jacques Cousteau's "Le Monde Du Silence")... relive a few of the adventures as James and Brando celebrate Easter in Part 1 of a 3 series podcast resurrecting the memory of Jacques Yves Cousteau!
As Brando prepares for a holiday dive with his wife, the boys discuss what it means to be a good buddy!
Join the boys as the dive into episode two with a big topic to get your fins shaking. The advanced diver! Is it a card? Is it a class? Is it a purchase or an experience? Take a listen share it with your buddies, and send us some feedback via comments or email at www.thegreatdivepodcast.com
James & Brando talk about how they got into diving and why thirty years later, they decide to start a podcast to talk about their favorite subject...diving! Learn why they began this endeavor and where they want to go with it in this first episode of "The Great Dive Podcast"!