Site Map
This is a complete list of all Dive Otter pages, grouped by topic.
Start Here
- Discover Scuba
- Is Scuba Certification a License?
- Can Non-Swimmers Learn to Dive?
- -- 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 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
- -- Buoyancy and Weight Estimator
- -- RMV / SAC Calculator
- -- Maximum Operating Depth Calculator
- -- Minimum Gas Reserve Calculator
- Downloadable Prints
- -- 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
- -- 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)