People often ask me why I’m so passionate about getting others into scuba diving. It isn’t because I want more dive buddies. It isn’t because I think everyone needs another expensive hobby. It gives you a chance to experience a world that is becoming increasingly fragile. Across Southeast Asia, many coral reefs are already feeling the effects of rising sea temperatures, coral bleaching, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices. Seeing these reefs while they’re still thr

These aren’t essential when you’re just starting out, but they’re worthwhile upgrades once you begin diving regularly. Line Cutter A line cutter is a small piece of equipment that hopefully you’ll never need—but if you do, you’ll be glad you have one. It’s primarily used if you become entangled in fishing lines, nets, or accidentally wrap yourself in your own Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) line while diving alone. I recommend getting one with a ceramic blade. Although many manufac

One question comes up after almost every fun dive: “How much air do you have left?” On the surface, it seems like an innocent question. But somehow, it often turns into a competition. The diver who surfaces with the most air is seen as the “winner.” I’ve never understood that. Scuba diving isn’t a contest to see who can finish with the most air. It’s about enjoying the underwater world safely and responsibly—not comparing yourself to others. More Air Doesn’t Mean You’re the B

The Fundamental Skills Every Scuba Diver Should Master If there’s one thing that separates an experienced diver from a beginner, it isn’t expensive gear or the number of certifications they hold. It’s control. Specifically, buoyancy, trim, and weighting. These three skills are the foundation of good diving. Master them, and everything underwater becomes easier. Ignore them, and every dive becomes a struggle. Don’t worry if you don’t get them immediately. I only felt I had tru

Continuing from [Part 2/4] Should Have Equipments SMB (sausage balloon) Important once you have done your AOW. Hood or Cap helps prevent skin injury when diving in overhead environments such as caves, wrecks or in between huge rocks. BCD Surface Marker Buoy, SMB or DSMB (sausage balloon) If you’ve completed your Advanced Open Water (AOW) course, your instructor should have taught you how to deploy an SMB. If not and i cannot stress this enough, learn it. Then practise until

Welcome to what I jokingly call the Poison Buying Guide. If you’re new to scuba diving, you’ll quickly discover that buying equipment can become an expensive rabbit hole. Dive shops understandably love enthusiastic beginners because it’s easy to convince someone that they “need” everything. Before you know it, you’ve spent thousands of dollars, own equipment that’s far beyond your current needs and are left wondering where your money went. This guide is written to help you sp

Congrats on deciding to get your own scuba gear! Owning your own equipment makes a huge difference. It’s more hygienic, more comfortable, and you’ll become familiar with gear that fits you properly instead of having to adjust to different rental equipment on every trip. Continuing from my first post on getting started with scuba diving, here’s what I think every new diver should buy first. Die Die Must Have: Mask Fins Booties & Socks Pointer Stick or Gloves Mask: If you’re on

Scared of Diving in Currents? Here’s What Every New Diver Should Know. Few topics make new divers as nervous as currents. If you’re feeling anxious about them, don’t worry—you’re not alone. I used to feel exactly the same. I worried about being swept away from the group, getting lost at sea, or being caught in a down current and dragged into deeper water. Because of those fears, I deliberately chose dive sites with little or no current during the early days of my diving journ

So, you’re interested in scuba diving. Maybe a friend introduced you to the hobby, or perhaps you were captivated by stunning underwater photos on Instagram or videos on TikTok. Whatever sparked your curiosity, I can confidently say this: scuba diving changed my life, and it just might change yours too. My First Breath Underwater “Whoever tells you they weren’t scared on their first jump into the sea is simply bullshitting you.” — One of the diving instructors I met during my