We're about to start repairing the boats, so we'll be able to do a little more survey work. We've only seen 2 sites, but we've been pleasantly surprised at the marine life.... So fingers crossed

@@DeeferDivingCarriacou glad to hear that. And let’s hope that the pattern continues when you visit the other sites. Hope recovery goes smoothly and quickly!!

Really wish you could too John. We're hoping to have the boat hauled in the next week or so, so we can start to repair the damage we sustained there. Then we'll be fully back in action. Then we can properly survey the reefs and look at what we can do to tidy up or start repairs. Hope the water doesn't get much hotter though, as bleaching is the next concern

Thanks Jeanette. Brian has been a massive help to us too with his offer and support.

I'm thrilled that you love the G1. Racquel on the team loves it too. She'd like the 42mm MK3, but does not want to commit to the additional price just for a colour screen. Great product.

Nora wears a US size 8 and has small booties. She's got the large. I'd go with the large as the medium has a smaller blade too

Hi Reggie. Many of the BP/W configs that we dive have fast flow deflators, which is what we really like. I just found that the placement of the hose in the middle of the wing meant that I felt the hose on the back of my neck/head - which I was not used to. I also found that I could have done with a slightly longer hose, because of this start point. Its certainly something a prospective buyer should be aware of, as they will need to get used to it

I go with you on the MK series being expensive! I prefer the heft and size of the MK versus the G, but thats why I love the Garmin package - you're able to have the options you want. Whether thats the monochrome G1, the smaller MK2S or the 53mm MK2. I'm glad you're enjoying your G1, and I hope you're able to keep diving often

Hey Justin.... You and Nora would get on well... Let's see if we can make our planned trip to Dauin to dive with you happen (not sure we'll be there in November as planned after the Beating from Beryl)

They've got really good customer service too. Nora has had an issue with the fins, and they're offering to replace them free of charge. Can't argue with service like that!

Thank you for taking the time to watch our video and comment. Its been a tough 3 weeks so far. But each day we take a small step forward and move closer to returning to some semblance of normal. I have a roof on my house again, it's made from mashed-up, scavenged galvanized, but it's a roof. Windows and electricity are next on the list - this solar charger for a mobile device has been a godsend!

Thank you from Barbados....

Ok. Thanks for both your feedback on our video and also your attention deficit issues

Thank you Yolanda. We've seen the recovery on so many other islands and we can only hope ours will recover quickly too. We're not a wealthy island, with no real industry (even tourism), so this may be a slower process than many would like....

Awesome. I've been a fan of their gear for quite a few years now. Landon is a really good guy

The G1 syncs with a AI sensor? I didn't know that!

Thank you for your sentiments... Thank you for your comments

Thank you David for watching and commenting...

You're the best! Thank you and all that follow you too

We all love this island we now call home. Thanks for reaching out to us and watching

Appreciate it! Thank you

Thanks Paul.... We'll hopefully provide some updates over the coming weeks

Thanks for thinking of us John. It's the lack of resources and thus the lack of any sense of control over the rebuild that's the tough part. We're trying now to get hold of a builder or an electrician, but with this level of destruction.... We absolutely appreciate every morsel of support too, so thank you again for thinking of us

@johnmontgomery2735 thank you 🙏

Thank you John 🙏

I'll be in touch soon Lisa.....

I'm not sure there was a building untouched. It's heartbreaking to see the human impact, and to know so many people do not have the resources to rebuild too. We look forward to seeing you when you're back. Hopefully much of the cleanup will be done and we'll be onto the rebuild everywhere.....

No. I'm not a fan of free diving, so didn't try that mode

If you can stretch to an MK2 then I'd suggest that would be the better choice, as the brighter colour screen makes a difference. If budget is a major factor, and you're ok without colour (but much longer battery)* then you won't be dissapointed

Hey fella. Yes. We have a new update video ready to go live following the impact of Beryl. We're still largely without power or internet on the island... But things are slowly getting better

@@DeeferDivingCarriacou Glad to hear it. Looks like paradise got spanked pretty hard. Good luck out there.

We're here fella. Thanks for reaching out to us. Check out the latest video on Beryl.... I don't think any of us want to go through that again

I'd love to... If I could get my hands on the Ocean. By all accounts it's a more direct upgrade to the D6 and aiming at the space the Teric dominated....will be interesting to see if the battery life is better than the D5

Personally..... I'm not a fan of AI. I think it's an excellent technology looking for a problem to solve. Whilst knowing what your SAC rate is right now, or a calculation for how long you could spend at a depth may be nice to know for some divers, it fails the '3 what's' test. 1) What is it? 2) What does it mean/tell you? 3) What are you going to do about/with it? Imho save the cash and treat yourself to another diving holiday

If you're only diving twice a year and have good eyesight... Go for the G1. Has almost all the features of the MK3, except the ai and wicked colour screen, but you get much longer battery for 1/3 of the price....

While it might seem that PADI’s owners would benefit from lowering instructor requirements to increase pass rates, I’d argue the opposite. Allow me to explain: 1. Standardization Across Agencies: Currently, most training agencies, including PADI, NAUI, SSI, and SDI, adhere to similar instructor qualification standards. By actively participating in the creation of higher instructor standards, PADI positions itself as a leader in the industry. If these new standards become widely accepted globally, PADI will be recognized as the agency driving positive change. 2. Market Dominance: PADI’s dominance in the market isn’t solely due to its high prices. They strategically limit access to low-cost cross-overs and IDCs (Instructor Development Courses). By doing so, they maintain their reputation for quality and exclusivity. If PADI champions higher standards, they can leverage this reputation even further. 3. Trimming the Instructor Base: Implementing new standards won’t be easy, especially with the existing instructor base. However, PADI can gradually phase in these changes. By doing so, they’ll reduce the overall number of instructors while ensuring that those who remain meet the elevated standards. Quality over quantity. 4. First Mover Advantage: Being at the forefront of new ISO standards gives PADI a competitive edge. They can command higher prices, attract serious divers, and enhance profitability. It’s a win-win situation. In summary, PADI’s pursuit of higher standards isn’t about sacrificing quality for profit; it’s about securing their position as industry leaders and ensuring a sustainable future. This is what their PE owners will be looking for. I'm aware from industry insiders that PADI are trying to position themselves as the ONLY people that can be trusted to create a new set of 'ISO" type standards for the scuba training market. They have the leverage to make that happen - and this proposal means they also have the temerity to thrift the number of dive shops and dive instructors (particularly if they're not making them much money).

Yes. That's exactly what we're suggesting. If you're diving over-weighted then more air will be required in the air cell to compensate. When the aircell is more full it is more likely to want to tip you forward as this is the way the cell is designed to hold you. Correct weighting is much more important in scuba than many people believe.

I've had quite a few people point out that they like the understated, simple look. I'm not sure about the little window on the right though. But Racquel loves it.

Since the majority of divers don't use backup computers (a lot still don't have a primary either), this is a good, fully featured dive computer at a reasonable price if you're looking for a watch style. The fact it has all the smart watch features of its bigger siblings is what seperates it from the Suunto D4/6 for me. And its surprisingly robust too. But I hear you.

Without more to go on, its hard to say. The main thing that denotes whether a mask will fit or not is driven by face shape. You'll also typically find that for angular faces and ones with high cheek bones or prominent laughter lines, then a "frameless" mask with a soft skirt is a good idea. The way I recommend trying on a mask - obviously go to a dive shop - but get the strap out of the way and put the mask onto your face. Gently suck in with your nose, WHILST HAVING A SNORKEL IN YOUR MOUTH, and see if the mask sticks to your face. The snorkel is important, as your face shape will change when you have a snorkel or regulator in your mouth. So you'll get a better gauge as to whether it seals or not.

Lets not forget that each dive shop is independent of any training agency. To the dive shop the agency is simply a supplier (granted one with a great brand presence). If the price for the service/product from the supplier gets to high, the dive shop simply needs to choose a different supplier - that's the beauty of a free market. Will the other supplier have the brand? No, but that's the trade off. I'm sure the guys advising PADI have identified that future growth in the market is not going to come from only offering diver training. It's going to come from offering a diverse service portfolio. PADI have a strong brand and they're starting to use it outside of training. How you see this (good/bad) is the challenge, and how dive shops and other training agencies respond will be key....

LOL.... Indeed! I may have taken some poetic license to copy Dave2D :)

I'll be honest - I have not used the X2 so don't know how much of a generational leap it was between the X2 and the X3. I have however used the GP9.... and ditched if for the DJI Osmo Action very quickly. The 9 was unreliable, overheated and just too many times didn't record the footage. Apparently this was fixed only in the 11. Something to do with the processor used being too weak to handle the 4k shooting with all the image processing etc.

Hey Janna.... I've just completed a DM course with somone here who was feeling the same way about her swim tests. Remember, the watermanship skills are 5 skills together where you need to score 15 points over the 5 skills. Focus on what you can do, then put energy into what you think you can do. My approach - nail the float and equipmenr exchange. That's 10 points. Go hell for leather on the inert diver tow - you should be able to get 2-3 points. Get a good rhythm on the snork swim and aim for 2 points..... which means you only need to complete the 400m swim to get the 1 point you need. No time, no pressure.... just don't stop. You gotta have a strategy and play to what you can nail... Hope that helps

@@DeeferDivingCarriacou thank you so much. that really helps. However, I've extended the course for one month to get more diving experience....since I don't get much of it at home. My name's Jannati by the way, it's cute the way you shortened it though. I'm really glad you took the time out to reply...

Glad it was helpful! What were the highlights of your course, and what would you change if you could go back and do it again?

In my experience.... I could not agree with you more! I had an issue with a stiff button on my MK2. It was 2 years old, and yet they still replaced the unit under warranty. Really top class service.

@@DeeferDivingCarriacou They replaced my T1 sensor with a T2, then my first Mk2 with a new one, but then that had stiff buttons so just sent me a third one and new T2. Great service and super nice to deal with!

Nora has the steel plate on hers, which means she does not need to carry any weights at all. She still loves it too

@@DeeferDivingCarriacou decisions, decisions! :-)

The RK3's are too soft, and the HD's too heavy... And they don't come in teal 🩵🩵🩵

A sentiment I've certainly seen many times. It's down to the dive operations to allow a supplier to take a dominant position. We have it collectively within our grasp to vote with our feet and make any company the preferred partner. But.. those preferred partners have to do a job for the market which is better than the incumbent market leader .... And apart from fees I don't see that. Where is SDI/SSI's marketing strategy to drive new diver acquisition? That's something PADI does well

I can not argue against any of those salient points, unfortunately...

I hear that argument, and with an experienced independent operator I am sure you're correct. But what about the newbie who did their IDC down in Wherever last month, has a few sets of gear in the garage and now fancies setting up as an independent or freelance. This is the bigger segment and also the much bigger risk/cost. Someone needs to teach them how to buy materials, assign them, navigate the PADI systems and certify them. Who is overseeing their QA? There is no dive centre with their own brand over seeing what they're doing, or providing them with an experienced shoulder to lean on. Again, if I were advising PADI following a significant out of court legal settlement, I would be saying that independent instructors do represent a significant risk, a risk that can only be managed with a significant increase in spend on QA. If they're looking at the cost obligation for a bigger QA system that can encompass the risks attributable to independents... I'm sure it may outweigh the financial benefit. Or at least significant errode it. Of course, none of us know the numbers or what PADI is truly thinking, but directly or indirectly we're all invested in the brand and the company

If PADI abolished those specialties would they become a more credible agency in your mind? ML Diver is a legacy course and useful when you planned your dives using slates - perhaps back in 1980. I can still see a relevance for boat and drift. Boat if someone has had all the dives from the shore of a lake and wants to try something different. However, I don't think specialties or distinctive specialties are the issue at play here. It's going to be the team at PADI answering all the emails and calls about using the OLPC (again) and why can't I see the Open Water eLearning code I just bought. I can only imagine the number of contacts they get, particuarly from people who've never read the Training Updates or the FAQ's too. By reducing the number of dive centers call in the sales reps or customer services reps from operators that don't use your systems and services that often.... you can reduce the # of reps you need. That would make a significant saving.