The Scuba Diving Podcast

What if the scuba diving industry has been missing something critical — and two people just figured out how to fix it?Dr. Calina Ouliaris and Simon Lugan, cofounders of Journey Underwater, have developed a groundbreaking wellness framework that’s reshaping how divers learn, breathe, and reconnect with their minds underwater (and on land). Their approach — the “Dive In” Framework (also an official PADI specialty course) — challenges the dive industry to go beyond physical safety checklists and finally address the mental and psychological well-being of both students and instructors.In this full-length interview with Calina, we explore:Why traditional dive training is leaving a critical gap in diver wellnessHow the “Dive In” framework transforms learning environments and the significance of pre/post-dive briefings.The role of pace, mindfulness, and internalized safety in building a sustainable dive community.Why this movement could literally save scuba diving🗺️ Filmed entirely on location at Fitzroy Island, off the coast of Cairns, Australia — one of the most stunning corners of the world, and along the Great Barrier Reef. It was a personal bucket-list destination. Nearly all the clips were shot in the field, with real participants going through the program. The little bit of wind you’ll hear, the waves, the reef — it’s all real.If you care about the future of diving, diver mental health, or wellness-integrated adventure sports, I think you’ll love this episode.https://www.journeyunderwater.com/—Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:www.sweetwaterscuba.com

Is there anything wrong with giving away the online scuba training for free? RAID doesn't think so. They’re a major presence in the UK, and an ubiquitous logo around the 2026 UK Go Diving Show. “RAIDers” are taking the scuba world by storm with a very different approach to learning.Director James Rogers took time to explain to me the learning culture behind RAID, which is an international scuba certifying agency.https://diveraid.com/—Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:www.sweetwaterscuba.com

Get front-row access to the most festive night in the Florida Keys, from the best seat in the house! Watch the Key Largo Boat Parade light up the water as fully decorated dive boats and Christmas-themed cruisers glide past The Amoray Diver’s official “Judge Boat”. I’ll be taking you start-to-finish behind the scenes from the official judge crew perspective of the annual Key Largo Christmas Boat Parade. We took the Amoray dive boat to Sundowners dock for the main event, where you’ll see not only the boat parade, but reactions from the judges (and Jeff Gneiser himself!).Despite heavy rains, we were determined to capture the holiday magic of Florida Keys Christmas events that go beyond just diving and snorkeling. With brightly lit boats, waterfront festivities, and the tropical nightlife vibe that makes Key Largo one of the most iconic holiday destinations in the Keys, I hope you enjoy the ride!A big thanks to the Amoray Dive Resort for hosting our stay, along with the Rotary Club, Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, Sundowners, Big Chill, Coral Restoration Foundation, and many others for putting this Grinch themed contest together!Despite being one of the best-reviewed scuba diving boats in the Florida Keys, The Amoray Diver is also a community-centered presence that continues to make the Upper Keys a bit brighter.https://www.amoray.com/—Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scubaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyalwww.sweetwaterscuba.com

No filter. No script. Just real talk.Kenny Dyal and Myles Schwartz dive deep into the most controversial topics in the scuba diving world — from toxic competition between dive pros to the industry’s struggle to attract more women and young divers. And finally, the real reason is we all love scuba diving so much.In this episode, two dive hosts face off on:🌊 Why the scuba industry can be its own worst enemy🤿 How to get more people excited about diving⚓ The truth about dive gear (specifically, if it’s really a good idea to wear a dive knife on EVERY dive) — and what actually matters underwater🐠 What scuba diving is really about at its coreListen to the Free Descent Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/1xsMzx1ya9qZBJO2ZL7PWi?si=7f916b989bc449a7https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/free-descent/id1677073474Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:TikTok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal⁠Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal⁠LinkedIn:⁠ www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal⁠Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal⁠www.sweetwaterscuba.com

I had way too much fun asking these renowned professional divers their opinions on some of those hot-button scuba diving topics.Everyone was such a sport about this and went for it, even when they knew these were controversial in some circles. It’s also funny how different some of these opinions can vary from one diver to the next.This took place at the 2025 Scuba Show in Long Beach, CA out on the showroom floor.The Questions:Is it OK to pee in your wetsuit?What is the scariest animal for a scuba diver to encounter underwater? Triggerfish has been removed as an option since it is obviousWhat was the most beneficial scuba course taken, after completing their Open Water scuba certification?Should Scuba Certification have some kind of expiration date?Jacket style BC, Back Inflate BC, or Backplate and Wing?How do you keep your dive mask from fogging up?What one thing should be in every scuba diver’s save-a-dive kit?Do divers prefer clear mask skirts or opaque (black or solid color)?Guests answering these questions include:Sarah Miller (Azul Unlimited)Steve Jamroz of Divers Alert Network / D.A.N.Dan Orr, Hall of Famer and renowned legend in diving.Greg Holt, host of Scuba RadioMyles Schwartz, host of Free Descent PodcastJared Berg, owner and founder of NEX Underwater ProductsAlexis Jabbour, founder and CEO of Buddy App and Book with BuddyBrian Benton, owner of Dive OahuEd Rasmussen, NAVY SEAL and Scubapro repMorgan Oughton and RJ, founders of Spacefish ArmyTherese Napier of Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo, FLJason Leggatt, CEO of Shearwater Research.Cliff Richardson, who was Director of NAUI, but is not the CEO of Divers Alert Network (DAN)And Red Sullivan, who wanted to be there but couldn’t make it.Special thanks to everyone who answered these questions, and the staff and crew of Scuba Show for your continued support!–Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:www.sweetwaterscuba.com

Captain Kevin was an extraordinarily laid back boat captain. He kept the boat fun, safe, and even sang Disney songs when underway. Not to mention, the Gilligan's Island theme song.I ask him why they have such a good time, incredible enthusiasm, and retention in their mates, Divemasters, and other employees. He also lets us in on how they stay so friendly with their Guests in occasionally high stress situations, and what ultimately led him to this job.Finally, Captain Kevin was a police officer who went on dive vacations to escape the stress, and ultimately ended up doing that very thing he loves in retirement. He moved down to Key Largo after 20 years of stressful work, and took up a new career as a boat captain (and a father).Look for Captain Kevin along with Captain G, and several other great Captains and Crew at the Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo, FL, “the dive capital of the world”. Amoray offered my viewers a 25% discount when staying with them. I’ve copy/pasted it below:sweetwater25https://www.amoray.com/104250 Overseas HighwayKey Largo, FL 33037Reservations: 800-426-6729Phone: 305-451-3595amoraydive@amoray.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amoraydiveresort/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amoraydiveresort–Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scubaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyalLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyalX: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyalwww.sweetwaterscuba.com

After the wildly popular interview with the inventor of Avelo, I had to go and actually take this thing in the water for some real diving. My wife Katie and I tested the new Avelo Dive System and could not believe it. From a lighter walk down to the water (and less grunting during suit-up), to a natural, cleaner, and more streamlined dive, it was definitely an upgrade in the overall diving experience.It did require a readjustment in the whole experience, but once we did it was one step backward, ten steps forward.I was able to actually go and dive the Avelo system myself and take the Specialty course (the RAD class as it’s been dubbed), and experienced the equipment first hand. It became apparent that this was not only a more enjoyable dive experience, but the instructor in me could not help but notice the safety improvements across the board. As any seasoned instructor knows, a student that bolts or suddenly drops down uncontrolled is a constant task, and in this system it’s virtually eliminated.Instructors and Divemasters also know that the bulk of the injuries we deal with are smashed fingers and toes from weights and tanks, bad knees and backs, and just the lugging gear to and fro cause a lot of trouble. Not to mention the hassle of sizing and weighting people in BCs they’ve never used -also fixed. There were more little perks the more we dug in.While I am unabashedly a big fan of this, and I believe it is substantially superior to standard recreational scuba gear, here are the drawbacks I found:1) Having to take an additional Specialty Course beyond the Open Water Scuba Certification. While the class is a simple, one-day course and we actually thought it was fun and easy, it does create a barrier. In an already-small industry, this puts Avelo in a position that makes it impossible to grow beyond existing scuba certifications. People that would otherwise thrive in diving using Avelo, might never get beyond (or even through) the Open Water course. I would like to see this have the option to do it in reverse (get certified with Avelo, then do standard OW as the specialty).Not for everyone, but I know specific cases where this would help people like crazy.2) Cost: It does cost more than a high-end recreational scuba rig, but the price is coming down quickly, while regular scuba keeps creeping up.*I should mention the rental cost is only slightly more, and in some places the same. There is a hidden benefit here and that is renting is going to be the same gear everywhere you go (with the Jetpack and Hydrotank) so you don't have to relearn new gear or worry about fit. You can just bring your own regulators, mask, fins, wetsuit, etc (or whatever you prefer), but this ditches the suitcase stuffing BC, which is kinda nice IMHO.3) Not everywhere has it yet. They have a facility lookup on their site, and to be fair that list is growing fast. It is already gaining a foothold in the big spots like Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii, Florida, and other destinations. While there will always be a place for traditional scuba (at least for now), the Avelo System is already changing the future of scuba diving, cutting the hassle and improving the overall sport for new divers and pros. I’m always going to promote new technology, new ideas, methods, or anything that takes this industry forward. That is what we do here on this channel.I hope you love this video discussing my first-hand experience diving the new system.Also, big thanks to the people from NAUI, PADI, Shearwater and Scuba Show for the time and contribution in putting me through the course and sitting down with me!https://diveavelo.com/—Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scubaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyalLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyalX: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyalwww.sweetwaterscuba.com

🎙️ How to Make a Living in Scuba Diving | Interview with Kenny Dyal | Scuba Business & Marketing TipsIn this interview, James Carbary, CEO of Sweetfish Media sits down with Kenny Dyal — seasoned safety diver, NAUI Course Director, and founder of Sweetwater Scuba — to break down how you can build a successful career in scuba diving. Whether you're a dive instructor, shop owner, or just curious about turning your passion into a profession, this conversation is packed with insights.👉 Topics Covered:How to start a career in scuba divingTips for teaching independently or owning a dive shopMaking money through social media and visual contentControversial topics in the dive industryFixing what's broken in the scuba worldMarketing tips for dive businessesHow to get consulting help for your dive shop or brand🧠 About Kenny Dyal:Kenny began diving in 1998, became a Disney safety Divemaster in 2006, and started teaching independently in 2009. He has spent nearly a decade as a NAUI Course Director and in 2016, sold his dive shop to focus on consulting, marketing, and content creation for scuba-related businesses. Today, his company Sweetwater Scuba offers social media services, podcasts, children’s book signings, and private consulting to help dive businesses grow.🌊 Learn More:📌 Website: www.sweetwaterscuba.com👇 Drop your questions for Kenny in the comments!🔔 Subscribe for interviews, dive industry tips, and more!

The inventor of Avelo explains exactly how it works and why it’s changing how people go scuba diving.Aviad Cahana invented this new system, intended to make scuba diving easier, more accessible, and just a lot more fun.Buoyancy Control is no longer an obstacle, especially for new divers and students.Scuba Diving is also somewhat restrictive due to carrying lots of weight (especially shore diving), and this reduces the overall weight a diver has on their back.Scuba Diving is not only safer with this system, but it also reduces air consumption (even for professionals). Aviad also reveals some wild research into buoyancy, weight, and wetsuits, turning what we’ve been teaching Open Water students upside down.Renowned underwater stunt performer, Liz Parkinson also explains her endorsement of this device. This brings the world of scuba diving much closer to the experience of freediving, without the breathhold limitations. The Avelo System is already changing the future of scuba diving. Hope you love this video breaking it down.https://diveavelo.com/—Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scubaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyalLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyalX: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyalwww.sweetwaterscuba.com

Mark Gresham of PSI - PCI is a renowned industry leader in the dive and compressed gas industry. He debunks myths and disinformation about scuba tanks (formally called cylinders), offering detailed explanations. Some of the controversial topics include: Are titanium regulators flammable when filled with Nitrox? (or blended / partial pressure oxygen mixes) Is there any reason to roll or shake scuba tanks to mix the blended gas inside? Should valve hand wheels on a scuba tank still be turned back a quarter turn? Does the air in a scuba tank go bad after a while? What makes a VIP (Visual Inspection Sticker) valid? And how often do scuba tanks explode? Mark discusses and answers those topics and more in this interview where we finally get to the bottom of these common questions in the dive industry. Mark Gresham is considered the leader in Cylinder Inspections, analysis, valve, and fill station expertise. He is regularly consulted by global dive operations, NASA, Dept of Defense, NOAA, and many others. http://www.psicylinders.com/ — Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal www.sweetwaterscuba.com

Every scuba diver must visit this location at some point in their life. My only regret is not going sooner. We noticed that it’s just as mind-blowing to non-divers and kids as it is to certified divers. I also believe it inspires many to go and get involved in the world of scuba diving. In this interview, I speak with the executive director, Lisa Mongelia while at the DEMA Show. She not only gives us some foundational history, but some of the most interesting points and facts about the museum itself. I also found the little hidden Playmobile divers to be wildly fun, in an Easter-eggy kinda way! The history of Diving Museum is a first-class operation with extremely fine attention to detail. This is every diver’s bucket-list destination, and it’s perfectly situated in the Florida Keys, on Islamorada. From sound effects to things you can touch, we got the vibe of being transported somewhere else. I was shocked at the number of dive helmets and suits that exist out there and loved the timeline and facts along the floor as we walked from one exhibit to the next. They displayed everything from earliest Seibe Gorman dive helmets to the Mark V, as well as all regular scuba diving milestones and even the submersible Jim Suits (atmosphere dive suits). This was one of my all-time favorite maritime attractions, and I will be back! PS I think what really makes this one pop is tha fact that it’s right in between SO much scuba diving (between Key Largo and Key West). It just fits. Contact the History of Diving Museum: https://divingmuseum.org/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDivingmuseum https://www.facebook.com/divingmuseum/ https://www.instagram.com/divingmuseum/ 82990 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036 (305) 664-9737 info@divingmuseum.org — Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal www.sweetwaterscuba.com

Bella Zandoná dives the dark, cold waters of the Pacific Northwest packing a Marelux camera rig while wearing a drysuit. She is proof that scuba diving doesn’t need to be a macho sport for “tough guys”, and everyone with a love of the ocean should get involved. Bella loves shooting macro underwater photography, capturing the hidden sea life that enchants those less-traveled ocean floors. Bella is an ambassador for Marelux camera equipment, as well as Suunto dive computers. I bumped into her at DEMA, where she was on the showroom floor. Bella also gives lectures on photography, marine biology, and conservation in her home State of Washington. @divingwithbella is the account every diver should be keeping an eye on. Bella is the next big thing to hit the scuba diving industry and is already making big waves in the Pacific Northwest. How to follow Bella Zandoná: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divingwithbella/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@divingwithbella LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-zandona-135681182/ — Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal www.sweetwaterscuba.com

This was the perfect dive convention between the DEMA Show and The Scuba Show, and was much bigger than I expected. Loaded with vendors ranging from Tusa to Aqualung, Stream2Sea to Fourth Element, and even Huish Outdoors (Atomic, Zeagle, Suunto, Oceanic and others). They also gave out prizes, had mermaids on the scene, and even free food trucks!Aggieland Scuba has outdone themselves in creating something that has become an instant staple, and probably too big to contain in College Station, TX. Join me as I cover the Dive Expo from start to finish, setup to teardown, interviewing staff, vendors, and speakers throughout the event!Special thanks to Aggieland Scuba for putting such an incredible community together for the entire underwater world! (and inviting me out)!The crowds never thinned out and the energy remained at a constant 110% throughout the entire day. The inaugural event has already outgrown itself, so I'm looking forward to seeing where next year's event goes!Be sure to check out their website for updates on the next Dive Expo!Also a big thanks to the incredibly kind staff, including co-owners Nathan Blanchard, Jennifer Opiela-Miksch, as well as Megan Blanchard who helped orchestrate my trip out.And finally a big thank you to Becca Ziegler, who was helping keep the cameras rolling, keeping me organized, sane, and hydrated!*I will update that info here when the 2025 event date and location are announced.To contact Aggieland Scuba:2151 Harvey Mitchell ParkwaySuite #109College StationTexas 77840https://www.aggielandscuba.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@aggielandscubahttps://www.instagram.com/aggielandscubahttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsnaxodLj7dbpYhJfQQReqwhttps://www.facebook.com/aggielandscuba—Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scubaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyalLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyalX: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyalwww.sweetwaterscuba.com