The Great Dive Podcast

This week the boys enter a discussion about working underwater. Not tour guiding the reef kind of working underwater but the dangerous and sometimes deadly working your fingers to the bone underwater. The characters, the tough guys, the treasure hunters and of course the moustaches. Join Jamesy and Brando as they tell a tale from one of diving’s greats.

What is the perfect dive? Your perfect dive? Is it real or does it only exist in your mind? This week the boys take a look at an article written by Nancy Sefton about diving the big name dive sites and the search for the virgin reef. Together we look at the future of the coral reef and the impact of human traffic on them. How will you react? If you could describe your perfect dive, would you?

This week the boys discuss an article by famous underwater photographer, Marty Snyderman. The article is called "Trying Again" and is basically about trying again to get the shot. Creating a photographic image vs. just a snapshot can be as simple as just recalculating and trying again with a different approach.

After a fantastic weekend of ice diving the shipwreck of The Keuka in Northwestern Michigan, the boys feel compelled to share the details of some fun underwater (and topside) adventure.

What is the true heart of scuba diving? Is it exploration? Or is it recreation? How did our pioneers look at the game we play today? With the passing of Tom Mount, the boys take a second look at his past and try to capture the essence of his philosophy. From recreational to technical diving, Tom Mount drew a line in the sand and fought for the diver. He was willing to walk away from the blossoming scuba industry and start his own educational agency and share his philosophy. Jamesy and Brando take a deep dive and try to share the thinking of the man and remember what he did.

This week the boys discuss the recent passing of diving legend, Tom Mount. A technical and cave diving pioneer, Tom’s passion for diving and martial arts gave him a life well lived. He was a former Navy diver, author, founder of training agencies, and so much more. James and Brando discuss the things that Tom introduced the diving world to that helped lead them down their own paths of teaching and diving.

The boys wrap up International Cave Diving Month with a much anticipated discussion of the Thai Cave Rescue of the boys soccer team and coach back in June/July of 2018. The story has a happy ending fortunately but there was a lot of work and a lot of people coming together to think outside the box and turn this possible tragedy into an incredible commentary on human beings, community, and basically the bottom line of our existence... which basically is that we're all in this together and when we work together we can accomplish most anything. Hats off to this incredible group of people that made this happen.

It’s week 3 of International Cave Diving Month and the boys are getting further into Wookey Hole. As the exploration gets deeper inside the cave system of the Mendip Hills, the accidents start to happen. The first fatality occurs in 1949 and Jamesy and Brando take a closer look at that Marriott Accident and what happened when they first brought the Aqualung into Wookey.

This week the boys continue their deep dive into the history of cave diving in Jolly Olde England. From the mid 1930's our mates across the pond began exploring the sumps of Mendip Hills in England and up to this day continue to "push the envelope" in cave diving.

It is the start of International Cave Diving Month and the boys make a trip across the pond to Jolly Ol’ England. This episode takes us on what may be considered the very first cave dive in the UK. In 1934, Graham Balcombe and Jack Sheppard became cave divers. Join Jamesy and Brando as they revisit this exciting tale of adventure and mystery, and homemade cave diving gear.

This week the boys discuss an incident that occurred 15 years ago when 2 US Coast Guard divers died while ice diving in Antarctica. Trained by the US Navy but with little experience and an under appreciation for the essentials of diving, the operation illustrates a lot of what we preach from the pulpit of the church of TGDP.

The boys start off 2022 with an old school TGDP classic. Originally an article written in the UK and published in Watersport Magazine back in the 1960’s, this week talks about learning to scuba dive for the not-so-young. Even 50 years ago we were looking for ways to break away from the work-a-day world and the sport of scuba diving was gaining attention. We look at this diver’s perspective of taking a quick class back then and how it hasn’t changed much. Brando describes learning to dive as being like a loving relationship and compares it with a one-night-stand.

Happy New Year People!!! As we dive into nearly completing our 5th year of podcasts, the boys celebrate by reminiscing over the past year at TGDP!! Thank you to all our listeners, donors, supporters, friends and family!!

The boys get into another roundabout discussion about the early days of scuba. A time where the government wanted to write laws against scuba divers. Happy Christmas, Kwanza, Hannukah, Veterans, Whiners, Boxing, Rhubarb Vodka, Rosa Parks, Fritters, Roof Over Your Head, Dice, Festivus Day for all of you divers out there, just like us. Thank you all for another wonderful and very merry year. Happy Holidays from Jamesy and Brando. Music track courtesy of youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj1un_xW2aM

Time for more underwater photography talk!! James and Brando review the 2021 winners from scubadiving.com 's 2021 Underwater Photography Contest. https://www.scubadiving.com/scuba-diving-magazines-2021-underwater-photo-contest-winners https://www.etsy.com/listing/1136144795/scuba-pens?click_key=9619f51e0a34edb0809e66c4652799a77bc551cc%3A1136144795&click_sum=08ec88d6&ref=shop_home_active_2

This week, Jamesy and Brando go on a “Back to the Future” thrill ride. Traveling back in time they look into the future to see how far off we are or how well the vision was. With the help of a few of the industry leaders back in the 1980’s TGDP examines scuba equipment then, what it was going to be like in the year 2000, and where it is today. Join us on this time traveling episode.

This week on TGDP, it’s a “3 For the Price of One” special. Not only do you get to hear an exciting story of a “meat diver” but you also get to listen to the philosophical introspection of Buceador Brando and the Gringo. But wait, that’s not all. If you act now, you will also get a delicious Ceviche recipe for no extra charge. Tune in friends and dive buddies, this might just be the best episode of TGDP yet.

For all our wreck diving listeners and friends (and especially Great Lakes wreck diving listeners and friends), here's our annual Gales of November shipwreck story. This one's about one of the more popular wrecks to dive in Lake Huron off the tip of the the thumb. The story of her sinking has a few twists and some drama and this coupled with Ol' Jamesy's smooth voice and talent for story telling, combine for an entertaining hour of listening pleasure!

This week the boys read a story sent in by a listener. It tells the tale of a dive that doesn’t go quite as planned. Was it the buddy? Was it the dive? Was it the training that kept them alive? These are the questions you will hear. Give it listen, won’t you my dear.

Well, in honor of Veteran's Day yesterday, we begin with a flashback to Brando's good ol' days back when he was in service to our country.... and then we'll read a few emails and go on a couple more rants and wrap it up with a pretty bow as a gift for our listeners...:-).

This week the boys sit down and have a conversation about underwater photography. As Ol’ Jamesy enters this new world he seeks out the wisdom of Older Brando. But as we find out, its not as easy as buying a good camera and letting it do the work. We need to understand aperture, focal plane, and ISO. And of course, buoyancy control and good diving habits are discussed as well. Listen as the boys discuss everything you need to know to get sharp underwater pictures.

Get ready for the most terrifying episode of TGDP ever. You may never get back into the water after listening to this Trilogy of Underwater Terror. The most frightening monsters that lurk in the deep are waiting here for you this week. James and Brando discuss the scariest things that you can find underwater.

In "light" of Jamesy's newly acquired underwater photography setup and pursuit of the "perfect shot", the boys focus this week on a true life tale of the last dive of an underwater photographer. They'll "zoom" in on what "developed" during the dive and discuss possible ways to avoid these kind of events. I "shutter"[sic] to think of how often photographers find themselves so absorbed in the photography that they forget they're diving and what problems being underwater could "pose". Have a listen!!

Mail call!! This week the boys read a few of the many e-mails they receive every week. The boys also do a deep dive into tacos .... is it possible to have a "good" vegetarian taco? Where do digital pressure gauge transmitters fall in the taco recipe of diving? Is cilantro the DIR of the diving taco? Is diving about making them or eating them? What the hell are they talking about? Have a listen and find out!

In the spirit of good communication we'll be direct and to the point. This week's episode is about communication and the illusion of communication. Have a Listen!!

Finally, the long awaited part 2 of our Advanced Diver discussion. The boys sit down with some recent student who completed their Essentials course and moved on to Recreational 2. This class is the card equivalent of AOW with Nitrox, but as we can hear it was a lot more than following an instructor around in a slightly different environment. Take a listen and hear what everyone says about what it really means to be an "Advanced Diver."

The boys sit down to discuss a few recent reviews, some good but one not so much…. This conversation really highlights what TGDP is all about. The fun, the culture, and the character of a diver as well as the diving towns across the world that share these with us. We hope you like our list, please let us know what your top 10 would have been.

In celebration of Labor Day here in the USA, the boys give a shout out to all the moms out there who went through labor to have babies and talk about the labor of the hard-working scuba instructor. In particular, Scuba Steve and an advanced open water class that takes a bad turn.

What does Scuba Diving, the word "gitchigami", shipwrecks, icebergs, & Miley Cyrus all have in common? They were all part of this week's episode of The Great Dive Podcast! That's right, the boys went diving in northern Lake Huron last weekend and in this week's episode we talk about that and much more!

After a conversation with a new diver about popping up to the surface, James retells the story to Brando. This discussion takes them back many years when the value of a safety stop was just being introduced. What is the most critical part of a dive and what does a No-Decompression Limit really mean? They also discuss the troubles of not having a regular dive buddy and sing a low-down and dirty rendition of the rent-a-buddy blues.

This is not an episode about quagga and zebra mussels. It was supposed to be about them and diving the shipwrecks of the Straits of Mackinac, however the boys settle into another philosophic groove instead. This unscripted discussion travels from the value of experience, the selfless struggle of building a team, and ultimately tries to ask the question of, “who are we and what are we doing these dives for?"

The boys stand on the shoulders of giants this week with a discussion about an article by Michael Menduno that he published in this month's DAN Blog. Michael interviews Human Factors founder, Gareth Lock. In the article they discuss Human Factors in Diving, which in a nutshell is the idea of making it easier to do the right thing and harder to do the wrong thing (#MIETDTRTAHTDTWT). They also highlight the upcoming virtual conference that Gareth has organized and produced that is scheduled for September 24-25 2021. Gareth and Michael have both been featured on TGDP more than a few times and their contributions to the diving community are remarkable. Go to www.The GreatDivePodcast.com episode 228 in the shownotes for links to the article as well as the Human Factors website.

This week the boys discuss an incident down in SoFlo that resulted in The Bends. Find out what may have contributed to the hit in a new diver and why you as a diver may need to educate the ER Doc on Diving Medicine. You won't find this in your dive computer instruction manual and probably not in your average Open Water 101 Course either... have a listen!

Find out what happens when shortcuts and speed become the priority with an Open Water certification course. The boys discuss posting in a Scuba forum about a common occurrence in the realm of faster training for Open Water students. E-learning combined with limited available time for practical training may not be the best way to get certified to Scuba... you be the judge!

In 1957, Carl Kohler wrote this article for Skin Diver Magazine, 20,000 Lovely Legs Beneath The Sea. It was an entertaining look at the growing participation of shapely ladies entering the water world of the skin diving man. 60 years later and just in time to celebrate International Womens Dive Day, Jamesy and Brando revisit this time in what may become the most sexiest episode of TGDP to date.

As our story moves into the 1960’s, Jamesy and Brando discuss the American Pop Culture that is happening along with the evolution of the Voit Regulators. Coming from a company that was manufacturing sporting goods like the classic American Dodgeball, Voit would eventually be purchased by AMF and further grow this iconic scuba brand.

This week on TGDP, Jamesy and Brando get into a deep discussion about diving but also about religion, and politics, and sex. What do they all have in common? Regulators and television shows and Reese’s Pieces candy? What do they all have in common? Fluoride and Scuba? What does all of this have to do with Mike Nelson? These are the tough questions that your buddies at TGDP dare to explore.

Can a nearly fatal mistake underwater be the impetus for true love? Have a listen as the boys discuss one of the most beaten to death topics in the scuba community but this time, it's different!

Your favorite dive buddies, Jamesy and Brando, have a little chat about scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands. What do you do when faced with that incredible sight? Do you make the right choice or do you just blindly go into the wild? Alone? This is a lesson about over confidence and complacency, and about what is the best regulator on the market too. P.S. Don’t forget to tip your Divemasters.

In honor of the late great manfish, Monsignor Jacques Cousteau, Jamesy and Brando tell another tale from the pen of le Capitan. Rapture consumes the team as they explore the azure depths of le Mer du Rouge. Proper planning and predive safety checks are important to the safety of the menfish. Don’t forget BWRAF- (the French version)Bordeaux, Wine, Riesling, A pack of cigarettes, Fondue. Au revoir mes amis.

This week, the boys bring their series on education to a close by looking at E.L. Thorndike’s Laws of Learning. As an educator, it is important to understand the characteristics of the learning process and these laws help us construct our classes and better mold it to the needs of the students. Join your hosts J. I. Mott Toao and B.C. Schwartz Sr for this scholarly look at education.

This week the boys talk about old school underwater harassment training. Taking a look at an article from 1972, Jamesy and Brando discuss the difference between the mainstream positive approach of today and what triggering stress can bring into education. The term alone, harassment, brings stress into mind today. What was going on in the 70’s and what have we learned from it? All of this and more is waiting for you in this week’s episode.

The boys piggy back their series on Mastery with a discussion guided by some wisdom from the book "Force of Nature", by Laird Hamilton. Laird's own life is an example of mastery and the pursuit of excellence as he has distinguished himself as one of the world's greatest surfers. His book gives insight into how his pursuit of excellence on the waves has served as a guide in pursuit of excellence in life.

This week, Jamesy and Brando dive back into the book Mastery by George Leonard. The boys discuss Instruction, Practice, Surrender, Intentionality, and The Edge. These 5 keys will set you on a lifelong path to underwater happiness while you are on your quest of scuba mastery.

In this week's episode the boys begin with a magazine article from "the good ol' days" discussing the ancient practice of "harassment training". This holdover from the military diving programs that naturally became part of the civilian training programs in the early days of SCUBA training has, for all intents and purposes, been eradicated from modern training. But, was there a benefit from it? It doesn't really matter anyway because the topic goes off track and the boys get deep into the subject of Mastery and what is the true meaning of life... or some crap like that....LOL! Have a listen, we think you'll enjoy!

G'die mites! Croikey we've gawt a grite epeesode thiies wayk! We received a laettah frawm the Lahnd Daown Undah frawm ol' Crocodoile Chahlawtte! Chahlawtte wroites abeow' hah fuhst baowt doive roigh' aftah open wottah clahss. She queeckly foinds eow' haow ill praepaehd she is faw the doive and leahns some good laessawns the hahd why. Grahb a Vaeguymoigh' sahndweech and a Faowstahs and hahve a leesten as the boys deescuss Chahlawtte's expaerience! (Translation: G'day mates! Crikey we've got a great episode this week! We received a letter from the Land Down Under from Ol' Crocodile Charlotte! Charlotte writes about her first boat dive right after open water class. She wuickly fins out how ill prepared she is for the dive and learns some good lessons the hard way! Grab a Vegamite sandwich and a Fosters and have a listen as the boys discuss Charlotte's experience!)

If you can't handle the truth (about Air McDoodles)then maybe you're out of order!! This week the boys discuss an article from the DAN (Divers Alert Network) detailing a near miss and the star of the article is the ever funny and entertaining "Air McDoodle!" If you object to funny and educational episodes your Honor, then you might be found guilty by reason of insanity if you don't listen to this gem!

Meet Dick. Dick considers himself an advanced diver with over 100 dives. Dick takes a 2 year hiatus from diving. Dick jumps back in the water on a deep advanced level dive thinking, "what could go wrong?" Dick dies. Dick should have listened to The Great Dive Podcast. Don't be a Dick and instead have a listen as the boys discuss another avoidable tragedy on this episode of The Great Dive Podcast!

Jamesy and Brando get back to the fan favorite of looking at tragic disasters. After a few weeks of looking at the state of education, the boys discuss an accident and the breakdown of mindset, or should we say the lack thereof.

After a couple weeks of looking at the original US Scuba Training Program based out of Scripps, your buddies Jamesy and Brando take an updated look at what it means to be a great scuba instructor. The pursuit of excellence in education can sometimes be difficult, costly, and time consuming. The balance between getting the student “done” and making certain they are ready to be certified can sometimes get blurry. In Simon Pridmore’s book “Scuba Professional” he gives us 13 things to consider when teaching to help you produce better divers. Get your copy at simonpridmore.com