Site Map
This is a complete list of all Dive Otter pages.
- Who is The Dive Otter?
- Ask The Dive Otter
- Underwater Temperature Probes
- FAQ - Underwater Temperature Probes
- Status: Underwater Probes
- Underwater Temperature Probes
- Temperate Data for Site #
- Status: Underwater Probes
- Scuba Diving Book Reviews: Essential Reads for Skill, Safety, and Mindset
- Certifications & Training – Dive Otter
- Changelog
- Learn Why Checklists Matter in Diving
- Learn Why Checklists Matter in Diving
- How to Get Involved in the Chicago Dive Community: Clubs, Groups & Events
- Chicagoland Dive Shops
- Lake Michigan South - Double Action Dive Charters
- Gilboa Quarry
- Haigh Quarry
- Mermet Springs
- Pearl Lake
- Three Oaks Scuba Zone
- Chicagoland Dive Sites
- Private Scuba Instructors in Chicagoland
- Diving with The Dive Otter
- Chicagoland Diving: Your Guide to Midwest Diving
- Choosing a Dive Agency: SDI vs. SSI vs. PADI vs. GUE vs. NAUI
- How to Choose an Open Water Instructor
- How to Choose a Dive Shop
- CPR/O2 Provider Course: Why You Should Take It as a Diver
- Divemaster vs Instructor: Key Differences & Career Paths
- My Experience Taking GUE Fundamentals / 'Fundies' in 2024 (Recreational)
- Choosing Training: How to Start With the Right Dive Education
- Nitrox Certification: Is It Worth It for Recreational Divers?
- Recreational vs Technical: Being Tech-Curious
- Rescue Diver Course: What to Expect and Why It Matters
- Are These Scuba Certifications Worth It?
- Scuba Training Progression: What's Next After Open Water?
- Training Path: What Comes After Open Water?
- Best & Worst Specialty Scuba Classes: Which Ones to Take (or Avoid)
- Contact Dive Otter
- Diver Archetype Series
- Calling the Dive: How to Speak Up and Support It
- Dive Culture Decoder
- Dive Culture
- Insta-Buddy Checks: A Real-World Alternative to the Traditional Buddy Check
- Responsible Diver Code of Conduct
- Why Some Divers Quit and How to Stay Motivated
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Best Backup Dive Lights for Recreational Divers: Top Picks + Personal Favorites
- Basic Dive Gear: What Every Diver Should Own First
- How to Choose the Right BCD: Jacket vs. Backplate & Wing vs. Hybrid
- Bolt Snaps, Retractors, and Clips: Don’t Overdo It
- Building Your Diving Kit
- A Guide to Buying New vs Used Scuba Gear
- Complete Kit: The Final Pieces That Define Your Dive System
- Dive Knives vs. Line Cutters: What’s Best and Why?
- How to Choose the Best Dive Light: Primary vs. Backup & What to Look For
- How to Choose the Best Dive Mask: Fit, Lens Type & Common Mistakes
- Scuba Boots vs. Shoes: Which One Do You Need?
- Diving With a Camera Without Being That Diver
- iving With Glasses: Prescription Masks, Contacts, and Options
- Do You Really Need a Snorkel for Scuba Diving?
- Why Carry a Dive Light
- Essential Scuba Gear: Must-Carry Equipment for Every Dive
- How to Choose the Best Scuba Fins: Paddle vs Split & More
- Choosing the Right Dive Gear Bag: Mesh Bags, Crates, Suitcases & Travel Options
- Scuba Gear Guides
- Gear Knowledge
- Gear Tiers & Recommendations
- Goodman Handles: Hard vs Soft
- How to Choose the Right Dive Computer
- How to Choose the Right Dive Gear for You
- Scuba Gear Resources
- Integrated Weights vs Weight Belts
- Is a Backup Mask Necessary?
- Just Tell Me What to Buy: My Recommended Starter Dive Gear Kit
- Long Hose vs Standard Octo Configuration
- Mouthpiece Comfort and Replacements
- Neoprene Socks & Dive Socks: Which One Do You Need?
- Owning Your Own Tanks - Is it Worth it?
- Rebreathers for Recreational Divers: Are They Worth It Yet?
- Reels vs Spools: What's the Difference
- Regulator Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Reliable Regulator
- Renting vs Owning Dive Gear: Pros, Cons & What's Best for You
- Scuba Gear Maintenance: How to Clean, Store, and Extend the Life of Your Equipment
- SPG vs Air-Integrated Computers: Pros, Cons & What's Best for You
- SMBs (Surface Marker Buoys): What You Need to Know
- How to Choose, Fit & Use the Right Wetsuit for Diving
- What Goes in Your Thigh Pockets?
- Yoke vs DIN: Which One Should You Use?
- Scuba Gear Guides
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Oceanic+) Dive Computer Review
- Aqualung Seawave Hood (7/4mm) Review
- Aqualung Axiom i3 BCD Review
- Bare Ultrawarmth Glove (3mm) Review
- Bare Ultrawarmth Glove (5mm) Review
- Compare Dive Computers: Real-World Scores & Reviews
- Deep6 Eddy Fins Reviews
- Faber HP100 Steel Tanks (DIN) Review
- Compare Scuba Fins: Real-World Scores & Review
- Fourth Element Arctic Set Review
- Fourth Element Xerotherm Set Review
- H2 Short Bib Hood (5/7mm) Review
- Halcyon Master SPG Review
- alcyon Tech Shorts Review
- Scuba Gear Reviews
- Mares Avanti Quattro Fins Review
- Mares Genius Dive Computer Review
- OMS Slipstream Fins Review
- ScubaPro MK19 EVO / G260 Regulator Review
- Sharkskin Hood Review
- Sharkskin Titanium Top & Bottom Review
- Shearwater Perdix 2 AI Review
- xDeep Zen – Stainless Steel Backplate & Wing System Review
- Basic Scuba Safety Rules
- Is Scuba Certification a License?
- Discover Scuba: What to Expect from Your First Try Dive
- Diving & Family Life: How to Balance Passion and Partnership
- Surface Marker Buoy: What It Is & Why You Need One
- Essential Surface Support Gear for Divers: What to Have & What I Use
- Finding a Dive Buddy
- Scuba Diving Acronyms and Terms
- Getting Started in Scuba
- How Much Does Scuba Diving Really Cost in 2025?
- How to Log Your Dives: What, Why, and Best Practices
- What to Expect in Your Open Water Certification Class
- Save-a-Dive Kit: Be Prepared for Almost Anything
- Scuba Diving for Non Swimmers: Is It Possible?
- Best YouTube Channels for Scuba Divers
- The Dive Otter
- The Iberostar in Cozumel Mexico - Dressel Divers
- Beqa Lagoon Resort (Fiji) Trip Report – Shark Dive, Travel, Food, and More
- 2023 Key Largo Trip
- Diving at Akumal and the cenotes in Tulum in 2024
- My Scuba Gear for Diving in a Wetsuit in Cold Water
- My Scuba Gear for Drysuit Diving
- My Spare Scuba Gear
- My Scuba Gear Used on the Surface
- My Scuba Gear for Wetsuit Diving local Warm Water
- My Scuba Gear for Wetsuit Diving International
- My Gear: What I Use and Why
- Bubble Check: How to Spot Gear Leaks Before a Dive
- Equivalent Air Depth (EAD): What It Is and How to Calculate
- Calculating Minimum Gas Reserve
- Calculating Maximum Operating Depth (MOD)
- Scuba Gas Planning Basics: RMV, Reserve, MOD, Nitrox
- GUE-EDGE Pre-Dive Planning
- Scuba Dive Planning: Gas, Risk, and Checklists
- Pre-Dive Checks: How to Ensure Gear & Buddy Readiness
- Recreational Gas Planning
- RMV vs. SAC: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
- SAC, RMV, and SCR: Comparing Gas Consumption Terminology Across Dive Agencies
- The Right Way to Set Up Your Dive Gear
- Understanding Nitrox in Recreational Diving
- Privacy Policy
- CNS (Central Nervous System) Oxygen Toxicity
- Dive Medical Insurance
- Creating an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
- Emergency Preparedness for Recreational Divers
- Surface Emergency Redundancy: Why It Matters
- Essential Medical Supplies for Divers: First Aid Kits & DAN Recommendations
- How to Avoid Leg Cramps During and After a Dive
- Human Factors in Diving
- Scuba Diving Safety: Emergency Prep, Medical Risks & Recovery
- Managing Cold, Heat, and Dehydration Post-Dive
- Medical Issues in Scuba Diving
- Scuba Diving & Motion Sickness: Prevention, Medication & Hacks That Work
- Understanding Nitrogen Narcosis
- Post-Incident Debriefing: Learning Without Blame
- Emergency Contacts & Check-In Systems: What New Divers Should Know
- Pre-Dive Emergency Briefings: What to Cover
- Psychological Safety in Diving
- Dive Risk Awareness: Psychology, Human Factors & Safety
- Should You Carry a Pony Bottle?
- Situational Awareness in Diving: How to Stay Aware & Avoid Risks
- Why Divers Should Care About Surface Intervals
- Understanding Decompression Illness (DCI): DCS, AGE, and the Role of PFO
- Understanding Risk vs Hazard in Scuba Diving
- Security Policy
- Dive Otter Site Updates and Content Changes
- Adopting DIR Principles in Recreational Diving
- Recreational Decompression & Safety Stops
- Assigning Roles and Responsibilities
- Back Roll Entry
- Balanced Rig: Understanding Proper Weighting in Scuba Diving
- Diver Buddy Positioning: How to Stay Together in Teams of 2, 3, or 4
- Buoyancy & Weighting: How to Calculate Proper Weighting for Scuba Diving
- Team Communication in Limited Visibility
- Controlled Descents: How to Start Your Dive Smoothly and Safely
- Scuba Skills: Improve Buoyancy, Control, and Confidence
- Ending the Dive as a Team: Exits, Gear Removal & Final Checks
- Entry & Surface Skills: Start and End Every Dive with Confidence
- Exiting the Water (Ladders, Shore, RIBs)
- Finning Techniques for Recreational Divers
- Free Flowing Regulator at Depth: What to Do & How to Prevent It
- How to Do a Giant Stride Entry (With Common Mistakes
- Basic Hand Signals
- How to Handle a Bad Dive Buddy: Safety, Etiquette & What to Say
- How to Hover Perfectly While Scuba Diving
- Shore Diving Entry Techniques: How to Get In Safely
- Scuba Skills: Improve Buoyancy, Control, and Confidence
- Light Use for Communication
- Mask Clearing and Regain Control Without Panic
- Mentoring New Divers Without Overstepping
- How to Dive With a New or Nervous Buddy Without Frustration
- Night Diving: How to Prepare, What to Bring & How It’s Different
- How to Practice Scuba Skills in a Pool Without a Class
- How to Perform a Proper Safety Stop
- Seated Controlled Entry
- How to Share Air While Scuba Diving
- Shore Diving vs Boat Diving: Pros, Cons, and How to Prepare
- Situational Awareness & Mutual Support
- SMB Deployment: How to Deploy a Surface Marker Buoy Midwater Without Losing Control
- Solo Diving: When It’s Taught, What You Need, and Why It’s Controversial
- Inflating and Deflating Your BCD at the Surface
- What to Do if You Surface Far From the Boat
- Surface Signaling (Hand Signals, SMBs, Whistles)
- Surface Swimming Techniques
- Task Loading and Shared Responsibility
- Team Ascents and Safety Stops
- Teamwork & Communication: How to Dive Better Together
- Tired Diver Tow
- Trim and Body Positioning for Scuba Divers
- Core Underwater Scuba Skills: Hovering, Finning, SMBs
- Using a Snorkel at the Surface
- What to Do if the Team Gets Separated
- Why Teamwork Matters in Diving
- Terms of Service
- Buoyancy and Weight Estimator for Scuba Divers
- Dive Gas Calculators: RMV, MOD, and Reserve Gas
- Scuba Calculators & Dive Tools
- Minimum Gas Reserve Calculator
- Calculating MOD, PO₂ and EAD When Diving Nitrox
- Packing-list
- RMV Calculator (Respiratory Minute Volume)
- Best Cold-Water Dive Sites in North America & Midwest (Great Lakes Focus)
- Best Warm Water Dive Spots for Easy Diving
- Dive Paperwork: What to Bring and How to Avoid Surprises
- Travel Insurance for Dive Trips: What It Covers and How to Choose It
- Flying After Diving: Rules, Risks & Safe Surface Intervals
- How to Avoid Getting Sick on a Dive Trip
- Scuba Travel: Where to Dive, What to Pack & How to Plan
- Jet Lag, Sleep, and Staying Alert on Dive Trips
- What to Pack for a Dive Trip
- Reef-Safe Products, Conservation & Responsible Dive Travel
- Renting Gear Abroad: What to Know and Ask First
- How to Fly with Scuba Gear: Airline Rules, Packing & Travel Tips
- Dive Destinations: Warm Water, Cold Water & Midwest Favorites
- Travel Tips: Pack Smarter, Fly Cheaper, and Dive Easier
- 2023 Key Largo Trip
- The Iberostar in Cozumel Mexico - Dressel Divers
- 2024 Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta) Trip Report
- Diving at Akumal and the cenotes in Tulum in 2024
- Beqa Lagoon Resort (Fiji) Trip Report – Shark Dive, Travel, Food, and More
- Coming Soon