The Great Dive Podcast

This week Jamesy and Brando take a deep dive into the life of the First Lady of Scuba Diving, Zale Parry. A world record deep diver, technical advisor to the film industry, test diver, stunt diver, actress, and so much more. Tune in for some of these amazing stories about one of divings most beloved super stars. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code TGDP at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod

This week's episode centers around a young couple that are scuba diving on a warm water shipwreck. Find out what bad things can happen when they push their boundaries too fast!

The boys are taking a 4th of July Weekend break. Join us as we revisit Episode 14. This was very early on in our podcast and one of the first time we really got passionate about addressing some of the major issues in scuba education. 5 years later, is this still relevant?

One of the most popular tanks for American divers, cylinders for the rest of the world, was the Steel 72. Really, it was 71.2 cubic feet. Actually, it was only 64.63 cubic feet if it wasn’t overfilled 10%. For years it was regarded as the perfect size, and there was a belief that you couldn’t get into decompression with it. This week the boys dive into a piece by USAF Capt Robert D. Smith and get intimate with gas planning. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code TGDP at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod

This week the boys discuss a devastating bends incident. And although this happened decades ago, there are lessons to be learned from this one! Have a listen!

The boys highlight an old article from Skin Diving magazine's "I learned About Diving From That" department that details a story of what was nearly a fatality caused by a boat ladder. learn what happened and how you can make your exit from the water easier and safer in today's episode of The Great Dive Podcast!!

This is Part 2 of last weeks show, The Color of Fear. In the last episode we focused on Rossier’s primal fears. This week we look at overcoming anxiety underwater and what you need to avoid panic. Comfort, confidence, competence. Or was it confidence, competence, comfort? Competence builds comfort which leads to confidence… or something like that.

This week, your buddies at TGDP talk about the brain and primal fears we have as humans. We all have underlying fears we are born with and that develop overtime and some of us are crazy enough to take those fears underwater. What is it that keeps us calm and in control vs falling victim to stress and panic? Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code TGDP at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod

Recently we've had the opportunity to acquire Manscaped as a sponsor and as a result, Manscaped was gracious enough send each of us the "Performance Package 4.0" to try out. When they arrived we both thought, WOW! This product is perfect for those of us who dive with a pee valve! So, without a second thought we knew we needed to produce an episode that addressed a bit of the history and the use of the Pee Valve..... and even if you're not bursting with enthusiasm over pee valves, you'll be relieved when you listen to this week's episode!

This week Jamesy and Brando go on a top-secret operation of Mind Control. Looking back at an article by Tom Mount, the boys discuss the stresses that divers of all levels can possibly face. Even the seasoned veteran is not immune to stress underwater. When you see the waitress with turquoise earrings after listening to this episode you will donate money to our paypal and give us a 5-star review.

This week we circle back to dive into the subject of Underwater Photography! Jamesy continues his foray into the realm of underwater photography with his new DSLR camera and housing and asks the question "What does it take to go pro as an underwater photographer?" Luckily we found a great article (Link below) that discusses 10 things you need to know before going pro as an underwater photographer!

Three Vikings, an archeologist and two podcasters walk into a bar…. This week, Jamesy and Brando recap the Dive Into Earth Day event and tell a little history about the location of the dive, Rockport State Recreation Area. This quick episode highlights a lot of practical realities of diving in Michigan or anywhere really, where Ol’ Mother Nature and Ol’ King Neptune can get a little cranky.

As Earth day comes back around the boys discuss how we can all do our part to help take care of this beautiful place we all call our home.

This week Jamesy and Brando discuss deep diving on air and look back at a story from the Bahamas, back when deep diving on air was the thing to do. A look at narcosis and old decompression profiles helps the boys have a little fun as they test out the old Martini Effect. In this episode they explore the essence of life and discover the true meaning of being Homo Aquaticus.

Oy mate!! It's time to throw some yahbbies on the bahbbie... and if you know what that means, you might just be fluent in Australian and be right at home with this episode! This week the boys discuss an incident involving one divers quest for some yahbbies and how that turned out to be a rough day. Crikey!!

The boys lose track of time discussing dive watches!!

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!