So You Want to Climb Mt. Everest?

Many divers who emerge from initial diving certification programs with an “open water” certification choose not to pursue further formal training, going forward by acquiring practical experience though their diving activities. Often, this works well since practical “real life” experience arguably is just as relevant in producing a qualified diver. At least, in warm water, … Read more

Can I Dive with Sleep Apnea?

Q) Hello DocVikingo, I have had sleep apnea for over 10 years and have no problems. I use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine every night.  (A) Hi L… You don’t mention whether you have obstructive (OSA) or central sleep apnea (CSA), although the former is much more likely. In either event, it essentially depends … Read more

RESCUED!

Steve Gerrard stirred his coffee slowly as a lazy Sunday morning in 1991 began at Spring Systems Dive Center in Luraville, Florida: “cave country” for those in the know. He still had some time to kill before his cave diving class would begin and he turned the pages of the Sunday paper with growing boredom. … Read more

Can You Trust Your Instructor?

British dry wit Comedian Jimmy Carr claims to have put a classified-ad in a newspaper that read along the lines of, “Good looking, young, millionaire seeks gullible stunner.” We can  all be gullible at times, especially when undergoing training with a trusted instructor, but how well can you trust your instructor? I still remember a … Read more

Is there a disconnect between DAN’s Mission/Vision Statements and the content of Alert Diver magazine?

The new quarterly Alert Diver, published by Stephen Frink and company, unarguably is a handsome magazine that makes its prior incarnation appear a bit of an ugly stepsister. Then again, it now appears to have a lot more money to play with. But, is it straying from DAN’s stated raison d’être? The DAN Mission/Vision Statements … Read more