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Chicagoland
Helping divers make informed choices about training, skills, safety, and gear.
Start Here
Discover Scuba
Is Scuba Certification a License?
Can Non-Swimmers Learn to Dive?
Beginner Basics
-- The Cost of Scuba Diving
-- Your Open Water Certification Class
-- Basic Safety Rules
-- Log Your Dives
Core Diving Skills
-- Setting Up Dive Gear
-- Basic Hand Signals
-- Buoyancy & Weighting
-- Trim and Body Positioning
-- Controlled Descents
-- Ascent Procedures
-- Proper Safety Stops
-- Mask Clearing
-- Free Flowing Regulator
-- Sharing Air
Entry & Surface Skills
-- Giant Stride Entry
-- Seated Controlled Entry
-- Shore Diving Entry
-- Using a Snorkel
-- Using Your BCD at the Surface
-- Tired Diver Tows
-- Exiting the Water
Culture
-- Acronyms & Terms
-- Best YouTube Channels
-- Find a Buddy
-- Insta-Buddy Checks
-- Calling the Dive
-- Why Divers Quit
-- Diving & Family Life
-- Solo Diving Controversy
-- Diving with a Camera
-- Responsible Diver Code of Conduct
-- Dive Culture Decoder
-- Diver Archetype Series
Learn
Training
Choosing a Dive Shop
Choosing a Dive Instructor
Choosing a Dive Agency
Training Path
-- Training After Open Water
-- Specialty Classes
-- GUE Fundamentals
-- Rec vs Tech
-- Divemaster vs Instructor
Certification Value
-- Nitrox Cert Worth It?
-- Rescue Cert Worth It?
-- CPR/O2 Cert Worth It?
Abovewater Skills
-- Shore vs Boat Diving
-- Back Roll Entry
-- Surface Swimming Techniques
-- Surface Signaling
-- Surfacing Far From the Boat
Underwater Skills
-- Practice in a Pool
-- How to Hover
-- Finning Techniques
-- Diver Buddy Positioning
-- SMB Deployment
-- What to Do if Separated
Night Diving: How It's Different
-- Light Use for Communication
Why Teamwork Matters
-- Assigning Roles and Responsibilities
-- Diving With New or Nervous Buddy
-- Mentoring New Divers
-- Handling a Bad Dive Buddy
-- Awareness & Mutual Support
-- Ascents and Safety Stops
-- Communication in Limited Visibility
-- Shared Responsibility
-- Ending the Dive as a Team
Safety
Risk Awareness
-- Human Factors
-- Risk vs Hazard
-- Psychological Safety
-- Situational Awareness
-- Why Surface Intervals Matter
Emergency Preparedness
-- Essential Medical Supplies
-- Emergency Action Plans
-- Pre-Dive Emergency Briefs
-- Pre-Dive Checklists
-- Pre-Dive Check-in Systems
-- Emergency Redundancy
-- Dive Medical Insurance
-- Post Incident Debrief
-- Post-Dive Cold/Heat/Dehydration
-- Carrying a Pony Bottle
Medical
-- Decompression Illness (DCI, DCS, AGE, PFO)
-- CNS Oxygen Toxicity
-- Nitrogen Narcosis
-- Motion Sickness Tips
-- Leg Cramps
Planning
Gas Planning
-- RMV vs SAC : The facts
-- RMV vs SAC : Why the confusion?
-- Minimum Gas Reserve
-- Recreational Gas Planning
-- Using Nitrox
-- Calculating MOD
-- Calculating EAD
Checklists & Pre-Dive Prep
-- GUE-EDGE Dive Planning
-- Pre Dive Checks
-- Bubble Check
Tools & Calculators
-- How To Calculate MOD
-- How To Calculate EAD
Calculators
-- Buoyancy and Weight Estimator
-- RMV / SAC Calculator
-- Maximum Operating Depth Calculator
-- Minimum Gas Reserve Calculator
-- Common Minimum Gas Chart (PDF)
-- My Save-a-Dive-Kit (PDF)
-- Common Minimum Operating Depths (PDF)
Gear Advice
Philosophy and Ownership
-- Buying vs Renting
-- Buying New vs Used
-- Should You Own Tanks?
-- Balanced Rig
-- Adopting DIR Diving
-- Rebreathers for Rec Divers
Building Your Kit
-- Just Tell Me What To Buy!
-- Choosing the Right Gear For You
Gear Tiers & Recommendations
-- Tier 1 : Basic Gear
-- Tier 2 : Essential Gear
-- Tier 3 : Complete Set
Gear Decisions
-- Save a Dive Kits
-- Do You Need a Snorkel?
-- Mask Defog Options
-- Why Carry a Surface Marker Buoy?
-- Why Carry a Dive Light?
-- Backup Mask: Is It Necessary?
-- Yoke vs DIN
-- SPG vs Air Integration
-- Long Hose vs Octo
-- Weights: Integrated vs Belt
-- Dive Knife vs Line Cutter
-- Reels vs Spools
-- Snaps, Retractors, Clips
-- Mouthpiece Comfort
-- What Goes in Thigh Pockets
Guides & Insights
-- Diving with Glasses
-- Mask Buying Guide
-- Fin Buying Guide
-- Dive Computer Buying Guide
-- Regulator Buying Guide
-- BCD Buying Guide
-- Wetsuit Buying Guide
-- Dive Shoes & Boots Guide
-- Dive Sock Buying Guide
-- SMB Buying Guide
-- Dive Light Buying Guide
-- Goodman Handle Guide
-- Gear Bag Buying Guide
-- Gear Maintenance Tips
Gear Reviews
Masks
Fins
BCDs
Dive Computers
Regulators
Navigation
Lights
Pressure Gauges
Wetsuits
Drysuits
Tanks
Apparel
Travel
Travel Tips
-- Flying with Scuba Gear
-- Renting Gear Abroad
-- Scuba Travel Insurance
-- What to Pack - Warm Water Edition
-- Dive Paperwork
-- Flying After Diving
-- Responsible Dive Travel
-- How to Avoid Getting Sick
-- Jet Lag, Sleep, and Staying Alert
Destinations
-- Cold Water Diving
-- Warm Water Diving
-- Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
-- Key Largo, FL
-- Cozumel Mexico
-- Tulum / Cenotes Mexico
-- Georgia Aquarium, GA
Chicagoland
-- Dive Shops
-- Private Instructors
-- Community
-- Three Oaks, IL
-- Pearl Lake, IL
-- Haigh Quarry, IL
-- Gilboa Quarry, OH
-- Mermet Springs, IL
-- Lake Michigan (South)
Books
The First Breath
The Next Descent
Why I Wrote These
Recommended Books
Menu
Getting Started
Discover Scuba
Is Scuba Certification a License?
Can Non-Swimmers Learn to Dive?
Beginner Basics
-- The Cost of Scuba Diving
-- Your Open Water Certification Class
-- Basic Safety Rules
-- Log Your Dives
Core Diving Skills
-- Setting Up Dive Gear
-- Basic Hand Signals
-- Buoyancy & Weighting
-- Trim and Body Positioning
-- Controlled Descents
-- Ascent Procedures
-- Proper Safety Stops
-- Mask Clearing
-- Free Flowing Regulator
-- Sharing Air
Entry & Surface Skills
-- Giant Stride Entry
-- Seated Controlled Entry
-- Shore Diving Entry
-- Using a Snorkel
-- Using Your BCD at the Surface
-- Tired Diver Tows
-- Exiting the Water
Culture
-- Acronyms & Terms
-- Best YouTube Channels
-- Find a Buddy
-- Insta-Buddy Checks
-- Calling the Dive
-- Why Divers Quit
-- Diving & Family Life
-- Solo Diving Controversy
-- Diving with a Camera
-- Responsible Diver Code of Conduct
-- Dive Culture Decoder
-- Diver Archetype Series
Learn
Training
Choosing a Dive Shop
Choosing a Dive Instructor
Choosing a Dive Agency
Training Path
-- Training After Open Water
-- Specialty Classes
-- GUE Fundamentals
-- Rec vs Tech
-- Divemaster vs Instructor
Certification Value
-- Nitrox Cert Worth It?
-- Rescue Cert Worth It?
-- CPR/O2 Cert Worth It?
Abovewater Skills
-- Shore vs Boat Diving
-- Back Roll Entry
-- Surface Swimming Techniques
-- Surface Signaling
-- Surfacing Far From the Boat
Underwater Skills
-- Practice in a Pool
-- How to Hover
-- Finning Techniques
-- Diver Buddy Positioning
-- SMB Deployment
-- What to Do if Separated
Night Diving: How It's Different
-- Light Use for Communication
Why Teamwork Matters
-- Assigning Roles and Responsibilities
-- Diving With New or Nervous Buddy
-- Mentoring New Divers
-- Handling a Bad Dive Buddy
-- Awareness & Mutual Support
-- Ascents and Safety Stops
-- Communication in Limited Visibility
-- Shared Responsibility
-- Ending the Dive as a Team
Safety
Risk Awareness
-- Human Factors
-- Risk vs Hazard
-- Psychological Safety
-- Situational Awareness
-- Why Surface Intervals Matter
Emergency Preparedness
-- Essential Medical Supplies
-- Emergency Action Plans
-- Pre-Dive Emergency Briefs
-- Pre-Dive Checklists
-- Pre-Dive Check-in Systems
-- Emergency Redundancy
-- Dive Medical Insurance
-- Post Incident Debrief
-- Post-Dive Cold/Heat/Dehydration
-- Carrying a Pony Bottle
Medical
-- Decompression Illness (DCI, DCS, AGE, PFO)
-- CNS Oxygen Toxicity
-- Nitrogen Narcosis
-- Motion Sickness Tips
-- Leg Cramps
Planning
Gas Planning
-- RMV vs SAC : The facts
-- RMV vs SAC : Why the confusion?
-- Minimum Gas Reserve
-- Recreational Gas Planning
-- Using Nitrox
-- Calculating MOD
-- Calculating EAD
Checklists & Pre-Dive Prep
-- GUE-EDGE Dive Planning
-- Pre Dive Checks
-- Bubble Check
Tools & Calculators
-- How To Calculate MOD
-- How To Calculate EAD
Calculators
-- Buoyancy and Weight Estimator
-- RMV / SAC Calculator
-- Maximum Operating Depth Calculator
-- Minimum Gas Reserve Calculator
-- Common Minimum Gas Chart (PDF)
-- My Save-a-Dive-Kit (PDF)
-- Common Minimum Operating Depths (PDF)
Gear Advice
Philosophy and Ownership
-- Buying vs Renting
-- Buying New vs Used
-- Should You Own Tanks?
-- Balanced Rig
-- Adopting DIR Diving
-- Rebreathers for Rec Divers
Building Your Kit
-- Just Tell Me What To Buy!
-- Choosing the Right Gear For You
Gear Tiers & Recommendations
-- Tier 1 : Basic Gear
-- Tier 2 : Essential Gear
-- Tier 3 : Complete Set
Gear Decisions
-- Save a Dive Kits
-- Do You Need a Snorkel?
-- Mask Defog Options
-- Why Carry a Surface Marker Buoy?
-- Why Carry a Dive Light?
-- Backup Mask: Is It Necessary?
-- Yoke vs DIN
-- SPG vs Air Integration
-- Long Hose vs Octo
-- Weights: Integrated vs Belt
-- Dive Knife vs Line Cutter
-- Reels vs Spools
-- Snaps, Retractors, Clips
-- Mouthpiece Comfort
-- What Goes in Thigh Pockets
Guides & Insights
-- Diving with Glasses
-- Mask Buying Guide
-- Fin Buying Guide
-- Dive Computer Buying Guide
-- Regulator Buying Guide
-- BCD Buying Guide
-- Wetsuit Buying Guide
-- Dive Shoes & Boots Guide
-- Dive Sock Buying Guide
-- SMB Buying Guide
-- Dive Light Buying Guide
-- Goodman Handle Guide
-- Gear Bag Buying Guide
-- Gear Maintenance Tips
Gear Reviews
All Reviews
Masks
Fins
BCDs
Dive Computers
Regulators
Navigation
Lights
Pressure Gauges
Wetsuits
Drysuits
Tanks
Apparel
Travel
Travel Tips
-- Flying with Scuba Gear
-- Renting Gear Abroad
-- Scuba Travel Insurance
-- What to Pack - Warm Water Edition
-- Dive Paperwork
-- Flying After Diving
-- Responsible Dive Travel
-- How to Avoid Getting Sick
-- Jet Lag, Sleep, and Staying Alert
Destinations
-- Cold Water Diving
-- Warm Water Diving
-- Beqa Lagoon, Fiji
-- Key Largo, FL
-- Cozumel Mexico
-- Tulum / Cenotes Mexico
-- Georgia Aquarium, GA
Chicagoland
-- Dive Shops
-- Private Instructors
-- Community
-- Three Oaks, IL
-- Pearl Lake, IL
-- Haigh Quarry, IL
-- Gilboa Quarry, OH
-- Mermet Springs, IL
-- Lake Michigan (South)
Books
The First Breath
The Next Descent
Why I Wrote These
Recommended Books
MWUE - Project Baseline
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