A blog that every diver should read

It’s not often that I come across a website that really jumps out at me. However, on more than one occasion I have found myself at http://decodoppler.wordpress.com. This website/blog is written and maintained by Steve Lewis, he even has his own wikipedia page. Steve has been diving a long time. He joined TDI (Technical Dive Instructors) back when they formed in 1984. I believe his instructor number is #6. He is considered one of the top instructors in his field. You can read more about him on his blog, or on his wikipedia page. He has written a book The Six Skills and Other Discussions: Creative Solutions for Technical Divers and he is in the process of writing another about Risk Management. I am definitely interested in reading the first as I have been recommended it by several of my diving friends.

The blog is well written. It covers many issues that effect both technical and recreational divers. There are some fantastic posts that all divers should read. Here are three of my favourites:

AN OPEN LETTER TO NEW DIVERS ABOUT STAYING ALIVE

New divers are excited about being underwater. Unfortunately they may have read all the required books and passed all the exams but they still don’t quite understand all the risks that are involved and as such will make bad decisions in the heat of the moment. One of those decisions is whether or not to enter an overhead environment – a decision that could easily change the course of your life.

The Best Rescue Divers Don’t Have to Rescue

Being a Rescue Diver doesn’t mean that you have to make an actual rescue but that by being aware of your surroundings and of the other divers in your group you can fix problems before they happen.

The Rules Apply to All of Us

Though mainly aimed at technical divers this article is about making sure that even though you are experienced that you should never become complacent. Complacency is the biggest killer of divers. For example, always confirm what is inside your cylinder. You don’t want to be breathing the wrong gas.

Some of the articles can be quite heavy due to the fact that they are written for technical divers but I do think that some of them are worth a read by even the casual recreational diver. His recent article about pony bottles really gave me some food for thought.