7 September 2024 1:14 pm

What does it mean to be a PADI Divemaster?

A PADI Divemaster is a diver with a great understanding of diving physiology, physics, practical knowledge, equipment and enhanced diving skills; but there is even more to it than that. Being a PADI Divemaster is knowing your fellow divers better and being able to easily integrate into any diving situation and dive group in a profoundly positive way.

Imagine almost being able to see things before they happen, being looked to for advice and direction by other divers and seen as an experienced, skilled and knowledgeable diver. A Divemaster is a diver who can also “see through the fog” in a lot of ways too. Knowing when to help another diver and when not to is a great skill to have. The confidence and skills you gain enable better diving experiences both for your own diving and when diving as part of a diving group is second to none.

Skills, confidence, knowledge, respect and safety are all benefits that qualified PADI Divemasters enjoy. On top of this there is also the professional benefits through PADI that include exceptional professional support and access to a great range of resources to benefit your diving and if you choose, a career as a PADI Professional Diver.

You will learn more about yourself as you develop dive briefing and dive management skills that increase your leadership abilities. Taking on Divemaster skill development and tasks is a great personal development tool. We all need to grow and learn as we progress through life. With Divemaster training you can do so more easily by learning about and understanding your own personal strengths and how to put them into action for yourself and for other divers too. By opening yourself up to the challenges during your Divemaster course, you’ll find the process an unforgettable and unmatched tool for personal development.

Don’t waste any more time thinking about it, invest in expanding your own diving knowledge, personal development and diving leadership skills by signing up for your PADI Divemaster course.

19 August 2024 10:09 am

Specialty Weekend and Dive Day

There are some exciting course offers scheduled for divers to knock out some key PADI Specialties with our Specialty Weekend on the 7th and 8th of September. Take any one, two or all three specialties and get a dive in on the Sunday as well.

Equipment, Emergency Oxygen and Enriched Air Nitrox contribute greatly to your collection of Specialty ratings. Attend our Equipment Specialty to increase your understanding of dive gear to help keep your diving equipment trouble free. Emergency Oxygen gets you prepared and develops your understanding of diving first aid further. Then EANx/Enriched Air Nitrox, one of the most popular specialties, helps with extending your bottom time and/or increasing your safety around decompression.

Saturday:

PADI Equipment Specialty

8:30am till around midday.

Learn how your dive gear works and a little equipment “first aid” to help keep your dives running smoothly.

PADI Emergency Oxygen Specialty

1pm till around 4pm

Breathe easy—knowing that you know how to recognize illnesses treatable by emergency oxygen.

Earn important Specialty ratings, get yourself closer to Master Scuba Diver and join in on the dive day for a great weekend all about diving! Specialty ratings also get you entries for the free trip for two!

Sunday:

Regular Guided Dive Day

9am to around 1pm

Gain diving experience and get to know some local dive sites with a dive instructor to lead the way.

PADI Enriched Air Diver

Practical from 2pm to 3pm

Extend your bottom time and increase your safety around decompression sickness.

20 July 2024 2:14 pm

Tips and Tricks for Warmer Diving..

Having the right diving thermals and dive gear offering exposure protection while diving can make a significant difference to your diving. It’s not just about keeping warm enough either, in some cases it’s quite the opposite.

If you’re not already using a Wet Suit, these make a considerable difference and 7mm either one or two piece wet suit’s are best for Wellington SCUBA diving. Dry Suit’s do come highly recommended for the cooler months and offer a greater range of exposure protection for all types of scuba diving.

During the cooler months you will certainly be looking for ways to keep warm while diving and there is a great range of suitable diving thermals in store. There are Neoprene Vest’s which can make a significant difference when added underneath a Wet Suit. Fourth Element Thermomcline offer the next level of added warmth to your Wet Suit diving. These high quality diving thermals not only act as extra warmth while underwater but also help to keep you warm between dives. The technology helps to stop the “chill” from the air entering your Wet Suit. Many people are very surprised by how effective these are.

We offer the popular Scubapro Everdry 4 Dry Suit’s new. These come standard in a modern, 4mm Neoprene, modern and flexible design. These offer considerable warmth on their own but most divers will have some thermal layers underneath. Choosing from the Fourth Element range, you can select the level of extra warmth needed by using the Arctic or Xerotherm options. Using these on their own or together for added warmth sometimes around your torso is a popular option. There are also Arctic Expedition tops and the Halo for very low temperatures and deep diving.

Don’t forget your feet, hands and head. Good quality 5mm Neoprene Dive Boot’s are common for Wellington Diving, you can also add Thermocline Fin Socks too! Scuba Diving Gloves come in 2mm, 2.5mm and 3mm Neoprene so select the thickness to suit your need’s. 3mm will be comfortable for most times of the year. Atlantis dive gloves are your “go-to” option for easy donning and hard wearing. Fourth Element gloves offer the next level of warmth in a high end dive glove. Try some on in store and you’ll be very surprised.

Most 7mm WetSuits come standard with a hood attached. If yours does not, then this could be a worthy investment. Hoods cam be added either as a separate Hood or in a Hooded Vest underneath your Wet Suit. Hooded Vests help to minimise water movement in and out of the Wet Suit, as well as adding thermal layers for your body and head. A hooded vest can even be added underneath a Wet Suit that already has a hood!

Remember to keep warm before and after diving too. This can make a significant difference to your time spent underwater. A cold diver entering the water will not keep up with a warm diver entering the water with the same exposure protection. Warm drinks (tea and “milo”) plus a little sunshine help with this. When shore diving you can warm up in your vehicle on the way to and from the dive site or even between dives. A warm thermos of water to poor down your Wet Suit is a great idea too.

Our dive shop is open every day from 8am to 5pm. Stop by and talk to one of the staff about your exposure protection needs for diving and scuba diving. We’ve got loads of experience and our shop is packed with many specialised options for your diving, both locally and in other places. In no time you’ll find that diving with the right dive gear and techniques will almost entirely eliminate any problems with the cold, or overheating…

15 June 2024 3:51 pm

Diver Support Services

Certified divers can enjoy extended support services through our dive centre. These include Dive Tank fills, Cylinder testing, Dive Gear servicing and repairs. Diving Refreshers, a PADI ReActivate along with a good range of modern Dive Gear, Continuing Education Courses to develop your diving further, regular diving is available and Tech Diving Gear as well.

Skills Refreshers and ReActivating

Not been diving for a while and need a skills refresher? Looking to update your diving knowledge to the latest accepted practices, technology and techniques? Our Refresher and PADI ReActivate programs can be done almost any day of the week. Just a half day is needed for the pool skills refresher and the optional online PADI eLearning can be completed in your own time. The ReActive eLearning also includes a “ReActivated” PADI certification. A ReActivate can also be used to if you have a certification from another training agency and want a PADI certification for easier recognition.

Cylinder Filling

Air Fill’s are available for any cylinder that meets the approved filling standards as per New Zealand Authorities. We aim to fill while you wait where possible so allow a little time when you come in to get your cylinder/s filled. That way you can take the filled cylinder/s with you at the same time. While waiting you can browse our comfortable store, grab that bit of dive gear you’ve been meaning to get. There’s a notice board and memorabilia, we have a collection of historic diving items and recovered items, both historic, recent, local and from abroad that have been recovered from beneath the sea. Strike up a conversation with available staff, just like you, we all love to chat about diving and remain a hub for local knowledge.

10 Fill Cards are available at a reduced cost per fill.

Other diving gas mixes are available via partial pressure mixing: Enriched Air Nitrox, Trimix and Oxygen filling and cleaning of cylinders and valve also.

NOTE: There are times when cylinder filling may be delayed so please allow for this possibility when planning your diving. Bringing your cylinders in for filling on “off days” for example; poor diving weather and some week days, will help ensure you don’t get delayed when heading out for a dive. If you need to leave the cylinder/s with us, we can give you an idea of when it will be ready. Make an effort to collect the cylinder at your earliest convenience. NZSA cannot take any responsibility for cylinders left in our store, misplaced or otherwise. Although uncommon, we regret that the occasional theft is an unfortunate reality.

Scuba Diver Training and Development

Perfect your buoyancy control, underwater navigation and many other diving and some non-diving competencies. The PADI Diver Training system covers many aspects of diving, both practical and knowledge based. Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver courses can make all the difference and complete the core set of dive courses. Achieving Master Scuba Diver is a defining moment in the life of the few divers who achieve this Recreational level. Divemaster and Instructor courses are available along with Medic First Aid among others. Other Diving experiences are also available for divers to enjoy guided local diving experiences.

Gear Servicing, Parts and Repairs

Got a broken Fin or Mask strap, Regulators or BCD due a service? Maybe your Drysuit needs new seals or a new Zip. Speargun issues or parts? Bring in your piece of dive gear that’s in need of attention to keep it in top working order and we’ll get it sorted for you.

Simple repairs can be done quickly on “off days” or there may be a delay during busier periods, but we’ll almost always be able to get it sorted for you eventually, offer advice on what is possible or offer replacement options. Regulator Servicing takes around 7 days in most cases. Sometimes there can be a delay on special parts needed so if you have a trip planned and need servicing done, bring the gear into us well in advance.

Cylinder Testing

We have a complete Hydrostatic and Visual Cylinder testing service on site. For this you will need to leave your cylinder/s with us. Time frames vary by demand and availability of staff. A cylinder test can be completed and the cylinder filled sometimes within a few hours, during busier periods it could be up to a week but rarely longer that this.

Your Dive Tank/Cylinder requires a test every 12-24 months; A Hydrostatic Test every 2 years/24 months and a Visual only test after the first 12 months to get the full 24 months of the Hydrostatic test. All Hydrostatic tests are stamped on the cylinder and visual tests are stamped on the plastic tag/ROC Tag. These are the legal requirements any Scuba Cylinder to be filled in New Zealand.

Valves are not tested or serviced during the cylinder testing process. Consequently they are often overlooked. Is your valve a bit hard to twist? Becoming difficult to turn on or off? Valves are easily replaced with a new valve. Modern valves can be serviced for less than the price of a new valve.

Ask about a Valve Service or a New Valve with your next Cylinder Test.

NOTE: When your Cylinder is tested and filled we make an effort to contact you via phone or email. If it has been a day of two since your cylinder was expected to be ready, then you may have missed a call or email. In this case, please visit our store or call to check on the progress of your cylinder/s, we’re more than happy to give you an update. Make an effort to collect the cylinder at your earliest convenience. NZSA cannot take any responsibility for cylinders left in our store, misplaced or otherwise. Although uncommon, we regret that the occasional theft is an unfortunate reality.

14 June 2024 11:54 am

Scuba Diving is good for you.

There are many advantages to being a Scuba diver that go beyond the pure joy of being able to breath underwater. Being seemingly unaffected by gravity and enjoying the underwater world with others as you develop a greater understanding of the underwater world, you explore, learn and discuss all the unique aspects of the activity with peers and your instructor. Plus Scuba diving has many health and social benefit’s too.

Taking your first dive course and becoming a certified PADI Open Water Diver is a thrilling experience that stimulates all the senses. The physical, intellectual, social and jaw dropping awe sometimes at the previously unknown perspective on how you can interact with the ocean. It’s no wonder the PADI Open Water Diver course is so popular.

With regular diving and developing your dive skills further, the extent of what you can gain becomes more and more apparent. Things like equipment handling, buoyancy control, navigation and your understanding of how to interact with marine life. These things become more and more like second nature when you combine proper training with experience. These aspects challenge and develop your mind and body on every dive with an enjoyable workout on all levels.

Scuba diving is a complete workout that is both relaxing and exciting at the same time. Handling your dive gear works your muscles in similar ways as resistance training, which is known to have great health benefits. Of course make sure you are using good techniques like using your legs when lifting and not your back. Swimming around underwater while Scuba Diving gives you the option to relax and swim at a pace that suits you, it doesn’t always feel like you’re even exercising but the resistance of the water affects your every movement. It’s a full body workout while you relax into your dive and explore….. HOW GOOD IS THAT!!

There are also the meditative affects of focusing on your body’s movements and breathing. Experienced divers with a good level of training, like say Master Scuba Diver, learn to master dive skills to this level. The Advanced Open Water course goes a long way to getting your skills to this level too. Becoming a PADI Professional like a Divemaster or Instructor develops your skills further. With these high level courses you get your diving knowledge, leadership and teaching skills to a level where if you choose, you can take up this great health activity as a professional diver.

So do yourself and your body a favour and go Scuba Diving!

27 May 2024 1:09 pm

PADI Master Scuba Diver Challenge

PADI are offering you the chance to win! Earn your PADI Master Scuba Diver rating between the 1st of June and 31st of December to go in the draw for a dream holiday for two!

What is a Master Scuba Diver?

A Master Scuba Diver is a diver with a level of experience and training who can explore much more of the underwater world. A recreational diver with great knowledge and skills for Recreational Scuba Diving

Who becomes a Master Scuba Diver?

Divers with a minimum of 50 Logged Dives and who has completed all of their Core diver courses; Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver courses. On top of this, a PADI Master Scuba Diver has completed 5 or more PADI Specialty courses.

How do I win a Trip for Two?

Anybody who completes their Master Scuba Diver rating between the 1st of June 2024 and the 31st of December 2024 gets and automatic entry!

Looking to get some extra entries?

Earn extra entries by completing qualifying PADI courses through to the end of the year:

PADI Master Scuba Diver rating – 10 entries
PADI Rescue Diver certification– 5 entries
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification– 3 entries
PADI Specialty Diver certification– 2 entries
PADI Open Water Diver certification– 1 entry

27 May 2024 8:44 am

Why Drysuits are Great

Drysuits are convenient and comfortable way of keeping warm while diving. You don’t need to dry off afterwards and don’t get the wind chill against your wet body. People who have made the transition to Drysuit diving find they are a complete wonder and look back on their wetsuit diving days in complete disarray!

Convenience

Imagine being completely dry at the end of every dive.. For those who have yet to understand how a drysuit works, commonly they are completely enclosed accept for openings at the end of the arms (with wrist seals) and an opening at the top with a neck seal. Because of this, a properly operated Drysuit in good repair will keep you completely dry for the entire dive. At the end there is no mess and you are already dry!

Economy

Economy is not something many think about when a drysuit is concerned but the opposite is actually true. Drysuits save you the countless levels of discomfort and inconvenience required to keep warm when diving a wetsuit when the water temperature is cooler. Sure it can be done with many wetsuit layers or some careful planning around your dive and we’ve all done this at some stage and had great dives. When diving a drysuit however, you can adjust the temperature to the conditions and mindlessly wonder around or carry out tasks underwater without such an energy expense and cost to your concentration. While diving a drysuit in temperate conditions, the increased value you get from every dive and energy left over is substantial.

Warmth

Diving in even the coldest waters of the world can be done in comfort with a Drysuit. Using the correct drysuit features and undergarments means you can stay warm in any climate. With an adjustable layer of air and thermal layer/s between the diver and external layer of a drysuit you can achieve any level of protection and warmth. Some people prefer diving their drysuit so much to the point they will wear fewer thermal layers in warmer waters just to dive dry!

So if you’re looking to take the plunge into Drysuit Diving don’t hesitate. Talk to our staff about the best option for you and get yourself diving dry!

22 April 2024 8:57 am

Free PADI AWARE Specialty

Join us for a free AWARE Specialty course. Learn local and global insights related to our ocean environment and how you can be a torchbearer to help save the ocean. Learn about some of the most pressing problems facing these vulnerable environments and everyday actions you can take to help conserve them. It’s informative, interesting and most importantly, you learn how to make a difference.

When: 21st of July, 9am to around midday.
Where: NZ Sea Adventures

This unique, live and in person Specialty is a great short course that can also count toward your PADI Master Scuba Diver rating if you choose to purchase the PADI certification.

Registration and Attendance is free but Registration is required.

4 April 2024 4:39 pm

Why become a certified Scuba Diver?

Learning to Scuba Dive is exciting, eye opening, inspiring and fun. We’re excited you are looking at taking your PADI Open Water Diver course through our store and hope to get you started soon.

Here are some great reasons:

Certified PADI Open Water Divers have the knowledge and skills to safely Scuba Dive to a maximum depth of 18m.
You can explore many dive sites both locally and throughout the entire world as PADI certifications are recognised Worldwide.
Although a Refresher/ReActivate is recommended after a period of inactivity, your PADI diver ratings never expire.
Once certified you can take Continuing Education courses like Advanced Open Water. During an Advanced Open Water course you can work on your technique; learn new skills or learn about marine life, explore different diving environments and earn your 30m depth rating!
Learning to Scuba dive is very exciting and loads of fun.
Scuba Diving is great for your health and well-being along with being an immensely fulfilling experience enjoyed by many people!
Scuba divers are great people, you’ll become part of a group of inspired individuals with a shared love and appreciation for our underwater world.

And that is just the beginning……

At New Zealand Sea Adventures we have some of the most experienced and qualified Instructors in New Zealand. We’re passionate about teaching people to Scuba Dive and about the underwater world. Dive Courses are easy with our convenient, purpose built on-site diver training pool, comfortable classroom and a large retail area full of great dive gear. There is even a special “Crew” area where you can relax and talk about your diving..

Please let us know if you have any special questions or need help with anything. We hope to have you join us soon..

4 March 2024 9:24 am

Regular Night Dives

Entering the water and exploring by torch light is exciting and exhilarating! With no daylight savings from late April to September, this makes it a popular time of the year for Night Diving. Join us for a regular night dives, meet at our store 5pm to get organised then head out to the best Night Diving site on that.. night.

Divers must be minimum Advanced Open Water or Night Diver certified (courses available). Join the dive for just $20 per person.

Gear Hire and air fills are available. For the best experience we recommend having your own dive light. There are a limited number of spare dive lights, you may need to supply batteries to use these.

Keep an eye on our Newsletter for scheduled night dives, ask about a Night Dive with your Advanced Open Water course and the Night Diver Specialty.

4 January 2024 11:05 am

Dive into 2024!

Get yourself underwater in 2024 with your first course or your next dive course at New Zealand Sea Adventures and some new kit along the way. Enjoy a purpose built facility with our very own diver training pool, experienced professional instructors, great dive gear options and Wellingtons great diving opportunities. Be it your next course or learning to scuba dive or getting that next bit of kit, make recreational scuba diving your 2024 new years resolution…

Learning to SCUBA Dive

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the worlds most popular and recognised entry level Scuba Diving course. With a little online knowledge development you move through to learn equipment set up, practice using the scuba gear and some fun skill development in the pool then head off for 4 fun dives in the Open Water! Wellington is a great place to learn to scuba dive with many easily accessed dive sites and a well established Marine Reserve. At NZ Sea Adventures have also been training scuba divers for over 30 years with an excellent safety record and a balanced environmental focus. We also offer regular diving with our Dive Days.

continuing Education Courses

PADI Adanced Open Water is an excellent step for new and experienced Open Water Divers. It’s fun, exciting and helpful for all levels of confidence. You can learn more about buoyancy control, try a Wreck dive or a Night dive, maybe learn a little more about marine life in the optional dives. You’ll learn more about Underwater Navigation and also complete a fun Deep dive.

Specialty Courses expand on Advanced Open Water Dives offering a complete certifiation for things like Drysuit Diving, Night Diving, Sidemount or Enriched Air Nitrox. There are over 20 Specialty course options to choose along with the popular PADI AWARE Specialty.

Rescue Diver is a great step and valued course that many divers take to increase diving safety. With 5 Specialties you can achieve the esteemed PADI Master Scuba Diver rating too!

New Dive Gear

We stock a great range of all the best dive gear for comfort, performance and value. Select from our range of diving suits, Masks, snorkels and fins, BCD’s Regulator sets plus much more. Anything for Freediving, Scuba diving, Drysuit diving….Get kitted up with our popular Snorkelling and Scuba Packages, updae that old set of Regulators or splurge on a new Shearwater Dive computer! Get an idea on our range from our online store or visit us at 9 Marina View for our complete range. Don’t see something you are after? Ask us and we’ll do our best to help.

11 December 2023 3:58 pm

Do I need a Dive Computer and what type?

Compared to using dive tables and guessing water temperatures, moderating no-deco limits and even air consumption options. These are complex equations for even the sharpest minds among us. For starters, have you ever planned out a dive trip using dive tables, carried a slate to record decent/ascent times etc. It’s time consuming and arduous at best, essentially distracting from enjoying the diving you’d set out to do.

Dive Computer options

There are a variety of options available through our Wellington dive shop to cover more than any divers needs. Select from stylish wrist and watch versions, functional and simple consoles and full functioning multi-purpose options. The best option for value is the best that money can buy. If you’re on a budget then by all means go for the cheaper version to compliment your type of diving at the time. As divers we will grow and learn then need more from a dive computer. Consider your next step/s at the same time and other area’s you are likely to delve into. Extra functions previously not considered can soon become valuable in your diving as well.

SCUBA Diving Computers

Recreational and Technical Divers can all benefit from a top of the line dive computer. You can get the simplest functions from a quality Shearwater Peregrine in either wrist mounted or a console with SPG for air monitoring and a Compass. These keep a track of your full diving information (depth’s, times, temperature, ascent rates) and give real time no-deco’ information while diving. Plus keep a track of your previous dive’s influence to the next. Quickly pull up dive log information at the touch of a button.

The Best you can buy for any type of diving with function’s for all types of diving and options to keep you fascinated can be found in the remaining Shearwater dive computer range. Options include the Perdix with Recreational and Technical Functions to compliment any diving arrangement. From Recreational, Nitrox, Trimix and Rebreather diving, the Perdix has it covered. Air monitoring via wireless transmitters for more than one tank and many more features. Shearwater have a Petrel 2 and a Near Eye Retinal Display (AKA the NERD) that can be plugged into your CCR’s Oxygen Sensors for accurate Rebreather diving..! Another great option in the Shearwater range is a watch style “Teric” dive computer to cover all types of diving; Utilising their easy to read LED screens, divers can enjoy full Freediving, Recreational and Technical Diving features in a handy and slim watch. There are many features to mention so for a full description please see our Computers and Gauges section in the online store.

Free-diving Computers

Yes you need a computer for free-diving as much as for SCUBA diving. A freediving computer should be simple and small so as not to impede your diving and spearfishing. Dive times and surface intervals need to be monitored, water temperature and max depth and time reminders to keep you safe. For a dedicated freediving watch you can pick up a Salvimar ONE for just $349 either in store or through our online store. These have all the functions needed to assist with your Free-diving plus a stylish watch. The Shearwater Teric also has Free-diving functions in a watch size plus will cover any Recreational and Technical SCUBA Diving you do also.

14 November 2023 2:20 pm

Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Divers

Christmas Gift Ideas for Divers…. Visit our store or shop online (hint, shopping in store gives you more options..) for that diver or fishing family member or friend. Gift Vouchers are available plus the many of the essentials and fun extra bits of gear. A dive course also makes a great Christmas Gift.

Dive Boots, Gloves, Gear Bags, Catch Bag’s and lights make up the “socks and undies” of diving gifts. Regular divers will often be in need of replacements either now or in the future so these staples are an easy go-to Christmas Gift Idea. Aspiring Spear-fishers might like a leg-up with one of our quality Rob Allen Spear Guns which come with a stack of features and upgrade options. Like gloves and boots or even booties, wetsuits also need replacing occasionally and are sometimes left a little longer than is desirable.

SCUBA Gear is a must and although with good care and maintenance it lasts particularly well.. There is nothing quite like a new modern style BCD or that first set of kit is very exciting too. Weight integrated BCDs have earnt a strong following for comfort and convenience while diving. New Atlantis Regulators offer excellent performance and serviceability at very competitive prices too! Dive Computers are a must for anybody doing more than one shallow dive a day and the Shearwater range in store has all the best features. From the Peregrine to the Teric there’s something for Recreational Divers, Tech Divers and Freedivers too.

We stock a quality range of Terminal Tackle with Rod and Reel combos that are popular Christmas Gifts too. We can help you put together a “Fishing Pack” for your friend or family member. Pick from our selection of hand fishing tools and add-ons to add that bit of convenience to someones fishing kit.

Visit our bright yellow store at 9 Marina View in Mana, Porirua today for a great Christmas gift of two.

30 October 2023 1:04 pm

Mythical Secrets of how Divers hone their skills...

After an Open Water Diver course you can sometimes be left feeling like there was something missing or maybe it was not complete. You’re looking at taking the next step they keep telling you to do but are not sure or even feeling prepared. For some people is seems their Dive Instructor had it all so well down yet made it look so simple that you don’t feel like you really did that well?

There are many reasons for this and some seem left with little explanation…? Unless you have a close friend or family member who is experienced and know’s how well it can all come together then how do you know for yourself? How do you know these people you just meet, who took you through your training are really being honest with you? The simple truth is that they are being honest and encourage you with the deepest sincerity. By the time somebody becomes a SCUBA Instructor they know hands down the value of diver training systems. There is a unique sense of community that comes with spending time doing courses and diving through your local dive centre.

Mythical Secrets or forgotten logic?

There is no way for you to know this on your own or even amongst your fellow dive course buddies. The best thing you can do is keep in touch with your instructor, working through the various dive courses with them and meeting others along the way sure helps to answer these questions and ease any doubts. You will see the things that may seem like you are not being told are all part of the ongoing course programs. Some divers will go straight through Advanced Open Water then do Specialties and Dive Trips before completing Rescue Diver and anything else. Another Diver may do some diving with just their Open Water Diver rating then move through Advanced, Rescue then Divemaster to become a dive professional.

The answers come from you. You get to choose which course you do and when you go for dives outside of your training plus what and when you take dive trips. When you pursue Advanced Open Water and Specialty courses you develop your own unique set of dive skills and dive buddies. These are the things that were not in your Open Water Diver course because they come later as you develop a skill base.

Although you complete Open Water Diver skills during your course, well honed Open Water Diver skills are not taught and perfected until Divemaster and Instructor levels. That’s when you need them to teach others best practice and to lead by example.

Have confidence that your dive instructor made sure your dive skills are at Open Water Diver level when you got certified, that’s what they are there to help you do. Although a little serious sometimes, SCUBA diving is a relatively safe, pleasant and relaxing activity and this improves as you progress. Even the most experienced divers and teachers will tell you often every dive is better than the last.

There are great social aspects as all scuba divers have something in common, an appreciation for the ocean and exploring it’s many curiosities. An understanding between experienced and trained divers of the opportunities for pure enjoyment while scuba diving is more of an unspoken certainty than a specific skill. So don’t wait, get out diving, be brave and sign up for the next course or dive trip and all your questions will be answered.

12 October 2023 11:34 am

Coping with Seasickness

Seasickness is “a result of a conflict in the inner ear, where the human balance mechanism resides, and is caused by a vessel’s erratic motion on the water… The brain responds with a cascade of stress-related hormones that can ultimately lead to nausea, vomiting, and vertigo.” Strong smells such as petrol fumes, diesel fumes and fish can make this condition worse. If you are on a cruise, it might take you two to three days to get over sea sickness. That will not help if you are just out in a small rocking dive boat for a few hours.

Dehydration and an empty stomach are likely to contribute to sea sickness. It is not just riding in boats that cause us to feel ill, motion underwater can as well. Surface wave action or being underwater and pushed to and fro in a strong surge where the seaweed is also rhythmically swept back and forth, can cause nausea in a diver. To reduce the possibility of an upset stomach, avoid consuming chocolate, milk, coffee or acidic, greasy or spicy foods as they can lead to vomiting. Too much food before a dive can be uncomfortable as it may give you wind, make you queasy and could lead to vomiting. Eat a smallish and fairly bland breakfast. Cereal, toast, eggs, or fruit should help. Take nibbles with you such as muesli bars, nuts or fruit as you can rely on these for extra energy. Sips of water and small snacks at regular intervals during the day is the best practice.

Drinking thin non-spicy soup will add fluid and food to your dive day. Bananas are nutritious and high in starch so they help neutralize excess stomach acid which contributes to sea sickness. If you prefer apples to bananas, the pectin in green apples also helps to neutralize stomach acid. Carrots are another food that will help keep your stomach settled. If you are prone to seasickness or motion sickness, ginger tea, ginger nut biscuits, crystalised ginger or peppermints might help. If not, ask your doctor.

If you do feel you are about to vomit underwater, there is a way you can do that. Press the regulator purge button and use the same technique you were taught to breathe from a free-flowing regulator. The increased air flow will blow your vomit out of your mouth and regulator, while forming an air pocket that you can gag into. That air pocket will prevent you involuntarily sucking in water and blocking your airway. Don’t try vomiting through the regulator. While most of the vomit may be bile, which is mostly fluid, chunks might cause blockages in the regulator exhaust ports and fill the second stage cavity; this will cause you breathing difficulties until you clear it.

As soon as you can, slowly ascend to the surface, inflate your BCD, turn onto your back and face away from the wind. Now you are safe to vomit as your Rescue trained dive buddy, tows you back to the boat or shore. The fish will happily clean up your mess.

So remember, before you go diving, plan your food and water intake, particularly if you are prone to seasickness or motion sickness. Stay away from alcohol before and during the dives. Make every dive a safe (and enjoyable) dive. For more advice, call us on 04 233-8238.

18 September 2023 11:34 am

Dehydration and Decompression Sickness

Alcohol, milk, coffee, chocolate and fizzy drinks should be avoided before a dive as they will contribute to dehydration and high stomach acid. Water is absorbed quickly as it does not need to be metabolised. Drinks with sugar, dyes, fats, or proteins in them take longer to absorb. Tea and juice take about 30 minutes while more complex drinks may take an hour or more.

Decompression sickness is a major risk for scuba divers due to the increased formation of nitrogen bubbles in blood and tissues during and after ascent. About 51% of our blood is water and we need that blood to carry the nitrogen bubbles from our tissue to our lungs for exhaling. We lose a significant percentage of body fluid by sweating as we get ready for a dive and then by breathing dry filtered air from our scuba cylinder. The result is reduced fluid levels. Dehydration is a major cause of decompression sickness or the ‘bends’, so rehydration is necessary to help safely remove the bubbles from our tissue during and after ascent.

The idea is to be well hydrated before you go diving. That does not mean downing a glass of water just before a dive. If you do that, you end up peeing it all into your wet suit or drysuit. Remember that as we descend, pressure on our body increases. That increased pressure squeezes additional blood volume into our major organs and blood vessels. Your brain will interpret this increased blood volume as an excess of fluid. The kidneys respond by producing urine to lower the core fluid volume and that will make you want to pee. So much for the glass of water you just drank!

Try to get in the habit of increasing your water consumption at least 24 hours before your dive as this will give time for the water to be absorbed into your tissue. At the same time, reduce any alcohol intake as alcohol has long lasting dehydration effects. On the day of your dive, slow down your water intake to smaller amounts spread over the day at regular intervals. This will help keep you ‘topped up’ without you wanting to pee so much. Another thing you can do to be more comfortable during your dive, especially if you have a drysuit, is to pee just before you don your dive gear. This is getting rid of fluid which is already urine.

If you are going diving, plan your food and water intake, particularly if you are prone to motion sickness. Stay away from alcohol before and during the dives. Make every dive a safe (and enjoyable) dive. For more advice, call us on 04 233-8238.

6 August 2023 8:26 am

When to start doing Specialty Courses

Sometimes the concept of continuing education courses can seem bewildering and nobody seems to want to say what the thing to do is. At Open Water Diver level, the truth is you have the pre-requisite for certainly Advanced Open Water but you can also do Specialty courses to benefit you early on as well.

Open Water Diver or lower Prerequisite Specialties

Non diving Specialties with no prerequisites:

Project AWARE Specialist

Emergency Oxygen Provider

Non diving Specialty with Open Water Diver prerequisite:

Equipment Specialist

EANx – Enriched Air/Nitrox – 12 years old

Specialties with Open Water Diver prerequisite:

Altitude Diver – 12 years old

Underwater Archaeology – 12 years old

Project AWARE Fish ID

Boat Diver

Drysuit Diver

Drift Diver – 12 years old

DPV “Scooter” Diver

Underwater Naturalist

Peak Performance Buoyancy

Research Diver – 15 years old

Surface Marker Buoy – 12 years old

Digital Underwater Imaging

Night Diver – 12 years old

Underwater Navigator

Sidemount Diver – 15 to 18 years old

Divers decide to do a Specialty for many reasons; from exploring an area of interest, to developing and learning techniques to hone diving skills or to gain the certifications for the likes of the PADI Master SCUBA Diver rating.

Having an entourage of Specialty ratings also ensures you have the rating/s required when the diving opportunities arise. For example, when you get the chance to do some Wreck diving you need a Wreck Specialty diver rating to do penetration dives in a ship wreck. Also, to dive with Enriched Air Nitrox you need to be either PADI Enriched Air or TDI Nitrox Diver certified.

Some specialties do require a minimum age or older than 10 years old; i.e. Deep Specialty requires a minimum age of 15 years. Others have age and Adventure diver (3 x Advanced Open Water diver or Specialty Diver courses prior to beginning) like both Deep and Wreck Specialties. Plus a very few others do require Advanced Open Water as a prerequisite.

Adventure Diver and Advanced Open Water prerequisite

Specialties with Adventure Diver prerequisite:

Deep Diver – Adventure diver & 15 years old

Wreck Diver – Adventure diver & 15 years old

Specialties with Advanced Open Water prerequisite:

Search and Recovery Diver – 12 years old

Self Reliant Diver – 18 years old

Solo Diver (SDI) – 21 years old

As you can see, just like the PADI Advanced Open Water course, Specialty Diver courses are designed for new divers as much as experienced divers looking to explore more and get better at different things like buoyancy control and underwater navigation. The courses add quality and skill to your ongoing diving adventures and can open up the other options available to explore the underwater world at your leisure.

23 July 2023 10:26 am

Master Scuba Diver and Divemaster; What's the difference or is there even one?

Unless you’ve studied the PADI curriculum or attended lesson’s on the differences, then like many we are often left confused. Your helper at the dive resort is a Divemaster, but another diver there is a Master SCUBA Diver and yet it’s the Instructor who seems to be in charge..? So then what is a the difference you wonder.

One of these is a rating you earn through significant training and scuba diving experience. There is no leadership or training for teaching involved but requires a Rescue Diver certification and a number of Specialty ratings (Specialty Diver ratings help to improve your dive skills and allow you to dive in or with special equipment and/or environments). Once a diver is Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver certified with at least 5 Specialty Diver ratings and over 50 logged dives, you can apply for a Master SCUBA Diver rating.

PADI Divemaster however is different almost entirely. This is an entry level Professional Diver certification. To begin the course you need only Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water and Rescue diver certifications and a minimum of 40 logged dives. Having greater experience and Specialty or even Technical Diver ratings will compliment your skills and knowledge however that is not part of the course or requirements.

During a Divemaster course, divers learn a greater knowledge of diving science and perfect their diving skills for demonstration and confidence purposes. A Divemaster will have learnt the foundations of what is needed to organise and supervise diving activities. They will have added knowledge of dive safety procedures and are sometimes able to teach some simple courses.

Divers take a Divemaster course for many different reasons; to become a dive professional, improve their dive skills, be a better dive buddy or take more responsibility during diving activities. You can become a Master SCUBA Diver after becoming a Divemaster or vice versa depending on your goals and ambitions at the time.

For more about the Master SCUBA Diver rating and or the Divemaster course click/tap the links below or talk to us at NZ Sea Adventures:

PADI Master SCUBA Diver – PADI Divemaster

10 July 2023 4:23 pm

Why you should log those dives...

Now that you have a few dives under your belt, you’re finally getting the hang of this diving thing. Dare we say, you’ve been bitten by the diving bug? If you’re looking for ways to breakthrough from beginner to experienced, we have a simple trick for you. Keep an up-to-date diving logbook!

Always know how much weight you need

Sure, you can ask the PADI Divemaster for help calculating your weight every time you dive, but your should be to become a little more switched on about your diving requirements. A record of the amount of weight you need with various combinations of gear will save time and help you pinpoint the right amount of weight to optimise your buoyancy.

Nailing your buoyancy is the first milestone to reach if you want to become a better diver.

Write down equipment needs and repair notes

If you regularly forget your snorkel keeper or octi holder, use your logbook to write a reminder. You can also make a note of any repairs needed after a dive while it’s at the top of your mind. Making it easier to remember later.

Good divers have a well-stocked equipment bag and well-maintained equipment.

Record your milestones

Some dive locations and advanced dive courses require a certain amount of logged dives. You don’t want to limit yourself because you don’t have enough proof of experience via logged dives. Record your dives in your logbook because you might need proof later.

Keep a list of fish sightings

Good divers are always learning and sharing. Take notes on the marine life you see so you can look it up later. Expand your fish identification knowledge, so you can share it and help improve the dive experience for others.

Remember your dive trip

An up-to-date logbook is a present to your future self. The days you spend diving can be the happiest days of your life. Take the time to write down your adventures, keep track of the lessons learned, and improve on what you did last time because this will give you inspiration to pack your dive bag and inspire another trip.

12 June 2023 9:56 am

PADI Advanced Open Water & Rescue Diver.

You take the PADI Open Water Diver course to learn to SCUBA dive, so where do the Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver courses come in? The truth is they’re all part of the learning process. Taking dive courses after Open Water Diver helps turn you into a competent SCUBA Diver. Yes once you have your “PADI” Open Water Diver certification you are able to go SCUBA Diving, it’s an autonomous diver rating, you earnt it!

You also get to go SCUBA diving on the advanced open water dives of the PADI Advanced Open Water course. Mastery of SCUBA diving comes through continued education and coaching. It is safest to know more and be trained beyond your desired diving aspirations as well.

What you gain at each level and why.

Although more natural for some than others, an experienced and well trained SCUBA Diver will easily “out dive” anybody at the Open Water Diver level, regardless of how much of a “water person” you are. They will have better control of their buoyancy, use less air, disturb the underwater environment less and even end the dive with more energy. It is tiring if you’ve not had the extra training. At Open Water Diver level you’re learning to be safe underwater and simple dive management. Being safe is the most important thing at any level, once you have the essential knowledge and skills for a safe dive to 18m then you need to learn how to make the most of your time underwater and get out of it what you go underwater for.

This is where the PADI Advanced Open Water Course comes in. Advanced Open Water students tackle techniques for skillfully executing scuba dives in the open water. Learning about marine life underwater and what is keeping them alive helps divers understand how best to interact with marine life. If you do the Peak Performance Buoyancy dive then better buoyancy control and maneuvering underwater becomes much easier. There are other Advanced dive options but for the sake of this article, will hit on just two others; Underwater Navigation. You’ve seen your instructor find their way around, maybe thought “they just know the dive site”. In fact that’s not entirely true. Even diving a well know dive site an experienced diver has dived a lot of times, Advanced Open Water and Specialty Navigation skills will always be being used to find their way around. Who doesn’t want to go deeper right? Going deep is fun. Doing so safely is paramount. Get certified and enjoy greater confidence and understanding, making even shallower dives more comfortable.

So you’ve got safe diving skills and are executing dives a little more like a seasoned pro. Diving has risks. These are decreased with training and experience, a close call or even a situation that is a little uncomfortable can be turned into a disaster or ideally just be a little oops moment with the right training. This can all depend on the training and experience of both yourself and your dive buddies. Divers with Open Water, Advanced and Rescue certifications can execute dives and deal with the more challenging situations that can arise with relative grace and ease where an Open Water Diver could get into serious strife.

Being a PADI Rescue Diver is to do with being prepared, not about being a hero or feeling obliged to risk your life for anybody. In the Rescue Diver course you learn to keep yourself safe should something go wrong with a fellow diver, you’re prepared should something get a little out of hand and keep both yourself and your fellow diver from sometimes serious harm. You won’t need to “jump in front of a bullet” ever, what good is getting two people into trouble instead of one. But know how do react in different scenarios through education and skills practice.

The PADI Rescue Diver course is Challenging and Rewarding. There are physical aspects to the course but these don’t require super human strength or for you to deface yourself either. Our SCUBA Instructor/s have your comfort and safety as the first priority throughout all of the dive courses and would not allow any compromising situations to occur.

So go on, continue your diving education today; experience a lifetime of fun, safe and satisfying SCUBA diving…

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Why you should log those dives...

Always know how much weight you need

Write down equipment needs and repair notes

Record your milestones

Keep a list of fish sightings