News
NEW from RAID: Indoor Diver Program
New program teaches safe practices for diving in aquariums and indoor diving facilities.
Dive RAID International has introduced its INDOOR DIVER program in direct response to requests from its members for a ‘Beginner’s course’ that covers all the essential skills for safe scuba diving, that does not cut corners and teaches the full open-water curriculum but is appropriate for customers who either wish specifically to dive in an indoor environment or who simply have very limited access to traditional open-water dive sites.
The Indoor Diver was launched as a stand-alone certification and requires students to complete the same online academics, quizzes, and final exam as RAID’s full open water program. Students must also complete at least four confined water level dives (which carry no minimum time limit and mirror precisely the requirements for confined water dives 1-4 from OW20). The course also requires four open water level dives with at least 2 hours of underwater training.
Indoor dives 5 to 8 have the same requirements as open water dives 1 to 4 from the Open Water 20 program, except they are completed in an indoor environment. The minimum dive time is for each dive is 30 minutes.
Once certified a RAID Indoor Diver may dive autonomously with a buddy with a similar or a higher level of certification and experience to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet in an indoor environment only.
“We have been working on this program for some time to make sure that it conforms to RAID’s high-level skill requirements while making it appropriate for a community looking for something that relates to their needs,” explained PJ Prinsloo, RAID’s V-P Diver Training.
“As well as serving its primary purpose as a stand-alone in the marketplace,” Prinsloo added, “RAID has developed a comprehensive upgrade process so that Indoor Divers can “upgrade” their experience and certification to the high standards of RAID’s OW20 program.”
Contact your local RAID Dive Centre for more details. Current RAID professionals should contact their local Regional Office for the full course standards.
For more information, please email info@diveraid.com or visit www.diveraid.com.
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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