Inside Scuba Issue #32

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Byron Conroy & Andy Deitsch
April 20, 2025

Welcome to Issue #32 of Inside Scuba

Welcome to Issue #32 of Inside Scuba! In this edition, we’re diving into some timely and thought-provoking topics. We take a hard look at whether the Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) program is helping—or quietly hurting—the future of our sport. We also bring you critical maintenance tips to keep your BCD in top shape, spotlight the best educational resources for underwater photographers, and introduce a must-follow YouTube channel for critter lovers. Plus, we round up the latest dive news from around the world. Let’s get into it.

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What’s happening in this edition?

Is the Discover Scuba Diving Program Killing the Dive Industry?

Usually when I dive, it’s in the best places—on liveaboards and at resorts designed exclusively for divers. These spots are typically filled with highly experienced divers who, if I’m being honest, tend to be a bit older. The community of such divers is small, and we’ve discussed the decline of the dive industry in previous deep dives. But once you move away from the luxury, elite-style dive holidays, there’s a broader ecosystem—dive resorts, small boats, and training centers that for years have relied on the educational structure as their backbone. A new diver comes in, completes their Open Water training, buys a mask and snorkel, and continues the journey. Eventually, they finish their training, become fully equipped and committed divers, and graduate to the liveaboards and high-end resorts, taking two or three dive trips a year.

However, if you’ve been around the dive industry for a while—whether as an instructor, dive center owner, club member, or passionate hobbyist—you’ve probably noticed a quiet shift in how people are engaging with scuba diving. It’s not about the gear, and it’s not about the dive sites. It’s the mindset. Increasingly, people are treating scuba diving not as a journey or a skill set to develop over time, but as a one-off experience—a novelty. Just another checkbox on the holiday itinerary. In the same way people have treated skydiving in the past: a one-time experience with an instructor, never to be repeated.

At the center of this shift lies one program that’s become both hugely popular and deeply controversial: Discover Scuba Diving, or DSD for short. I first noticed this trend over a decade ago when I was working the day boats in Cairns, Australia. These boats carried more than 100 guests, and every single one was offered a free DSD in the ocean. Most of them didn’t even know what that meant—but they took it anyway.

So let’s talk about it—honestly. Is the DSD program helping the dive industry grow, or is it quietly undermining everything that makes scuba diving sustainable?

In each issue of our newsletter, we will curate some top dive news from around the world. Links to each of the original articles are available.

Divernet: “The body of an unnamed male scuba instructor who went missing at a shore-diving site off the city of Kingston, Ontario on the afternoon of 13 April has been recovered, according to Frontenac Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The diver and his buddy had descended onto a barge wreck marked out with guide-lines close to the shore, where the St Lawrence River meets Lake Ontario. They were said to have known the site well, with the victim reported to have had more than 25 years of scuba-diving experience.”

ABC News Australia: “Divers say Perth Diving Academy left them behind in ocean during dive charter. Two brothers on a diving expedition with Perth Diving Academy say the company left them behind in the ocean off Perth last month and they feared they would not survive.”

Shark Trust: “Shark Trust Photography Competition. Have you snapped any stunning images of sharks or rays? Or even the intricate egg cases produced by many species? Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to encounter a chimaera? Then you could be our next Shark Photography Champion! We want to celebrate the beauty and diversity of sharks and rays in our new photography competition. The competition opens on 3rd April 2025 and closes at midnight (BST) on the 15th May 2025”

Scuba Diver Magazine: “More dive-boat fires bedevil Thailand. Two dive-boat engine fires have occurred on successive recent days in southern Thailand, though all the passengers and crew involved were able to be rescued. In the most recent incident, 18 tourists and Thai passengers and eight crew had to take to a life-raft in the Andaman Sea in the early hours of yesterday (12 April).”

PADI: “Dr. Sylvia Earle Named PADI’s First Emeritus AmbassaDiver. Few names in the world of ocean exploration and conservation carry as much weight as legendary scuba diver, marine biologist, and oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle. A pioneer in marine science and an unwavering advocate for the ocean, Dr. Earle has now been named the first-ever PADI Emeritus AmbassaDiver, a prestigious distinction that honors her lifetime of achievements in ocean conservation, exploration, and advocacy.”

Divernet: “Divers fined for tormenting turtle in Malaysia. Five scuba divers and a dive operator have been fined in Malaysia after a video clip of mob harassment of a sea turtle went viral on social media and caused widespread public outrage, not least among other divers and conservationists.”

Greek Reporter: “Island of Symi Pays Tribute to the First Female Diver in Greece. A statue in honor of Eugenia Mastoridou, recognized as the first female diver in Greece, was unveiled last year at the port of Symi during a special ceremony, part of the island’s annual Symi Festival.”

The Telegraph: “A scuba diving student died after she was caught in an underwater vortex, an inquest has heard. Emily Sherwin, from Poole, went missing after a dive off Old Harry Rocks, near Swanage, Dorset, on July 23 last year. Sherwin, 20, who was studying marine conservation at the University of Plymouth, had “loved” diving since completing her Padi (sic) qualification the previous summer, the Bournemouth hearing was told.”

The Best Resources For Increasing Your Underwater Photography Knowledge

These days, the Internet offers a plethora of information—but much of it is clickbait and of little real value. For beginners, finding high-quality resources to truly expand your underwater photography knowledge can be a challenge. So, Andy and I put our heads together to compile what we believe are the best places to learn, grow, and deepen your understanding of underwater photography. What sets these resources apart from the typical clickbait churned out by big training agencies and media outlets is that they’re founded and run by real, active, and passionate underwater photographers—people who generously share the hard-earned knowledge they’ve gained over the years.

Keep in mind, the goal of this article isn’t to point you toward the prettiest photo galleries. We’re after something more valuable: a curated list of resources that will boost your knowledge of underwater photography, sharpen your skills, introduce new ideas and concepts, improve your gear awareness, and keep you connected with what’s happening in the hobby.

Keeping Your BCD in Top Shape: Inspection, Cleaning, and Storage Tips

Your Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) is a vital piece of scuba equipment—essential for safety, comfort, and control underwater. Yet it's often overlooked when it comes to routine checks and maintenance. Whether you're preparing for a local dive or an expensive dive trip abroad, following a solid maintenance protocol ensures your BCD stays reliable. Here’s how to do it right.

1. Pre-Dive Inspection: Ensure Your BCD Is Dive-Ready

Even if your BCD was working fine the last time you used it, components can degrade over time. A few minutes of inspection before you pack your gear can prevent problems underwater. No one wants to spend thousands of dollars on a dive trip only to find that their BCD isn’t working the way it should when they get there. Taking the time to inspect your gear—especially if it hasn’t been used in a while—can save your dive and your vacation.

A fully inflated BCD is a great way to check seam integrity and all parts are functioning correctly

  • Inflation Check: Fully inflate your BCD using the power inflator. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes (I usually wait an hour) to ensure it holds air without deflating. Any sagging indicates a slow leak in the bladder or valves.

  • Dump Valve Test: Activate all dump valves—including the shoulder, rear, and bottom valves—manually to make sure they open and close properly. Listen for sticking or irregular sounds.

  • Power Inflator Test: Press the inflator and deflator buttons several times to confirm they’re responsive and not sticking. If you have a tank at home, this test is better if you can actually connect your first stage to the tank to make sure that air is flowing well when you press the inflator button. Also, check that the oral inflator allows for smooth inflation and proper sealing.

  • Weight Pocket Check (for integrated-weight BCDs): Confirm that weight pockets lock in securely and release cleanly. Check all Velcro, clips, and buckles for proper operation.

  • Strap and Stitching Inspection: Look over the shoulder, chest, and cummerbund straps. Pay special attention to webbing, stitching, and D-rings for signs of fraying or damage.

  • Dry Runs Before Trips: If your BCD hasn’t been used in months, test it thoroughly a week or two before your trip to allow time for service or repair.

Channel Spotlight: Critter Hunter

Run by scuba instructor and filmmaker Justin, Critter Hunter dives deep into the rich muck diving scene of Dauin, Philippines—one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet. From elusive octopuses to jaw-dropping nudibranchs, Justin documents rare marine life daily while chronicling the build-out of his new dive resort. Whether you're a macro enthusiast, aspiring diver, or just love weird underwater creatures, this channel is a must-follow. Check it out here.

Summary

That wraps up Issue #32. Whether you're thinking critically about the state of the industry, refreshing your gear knowledge, or expanding your underwater photography skills, we hope this issue offered value. If you enjoyed it, please forward it to a dive buddy or two. Got feedback, story ideas, or a favorite resource we should feature? Hit reply—we’d love to hear from you. Until next time, dive safe and stay curious.

Andy & Byron

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