The Dive Otter

Knowledge Base

What is the bare minimum of information I think every new diver should know?

Checklists

When to use one. Why to use one. The ones I use as examples.

Hand Signals

The basics and what you are likely to see in Chicagoland

Acronyms

A list of acronyms I've seen or heard used and what they mean

Dive Logging Options

Various Dive logging apps and their capabilities and what data to track

Safety Stop / Deco

Safety Stops, No Decompression Limits, Minimum Decompression are they different? Are they the same? Which one should I be doing?

BWARF

The pre-dive buddy check that most people are taught

Insta-Buddy Check

One of the greatest fears of showing up for a dive without a buddy you know is the "idiot" insta-buddy. In my opinion, the traditional Buddy Check is not effective in this situation, I propose an alternative that accomplishes the same thing and is more likely to actually happen.

GUE EDGE

The pre-dive check run by GUE trained divers

Doing it Right (DIR)

The "doing it right" philosophy used by some divers

Recreational vs Technical

What makes them different?

SAC vs RMV vs SCR

Various ways to calculate and describe the volume of gas you use during a dive

Nitrox

What is it? What is used for? Why you would want to use it.

Minimum Gas Reserves

What is it? How do you calculate it? Which methods are for what?

Gas Planning

How to do it and what methods are generally used