The Scuba Diving Podcast

Scuba World Record holder and Hall of Fame legend Neal Watson joins me to talk about the world's longest scuba swim on record:What it actually took, how a critical equipment malfunction forced him to drink warm salt water mid-swim, how he stayed hydrated and fed underwater, and exactly how far he went. But Neal's resume doesn't stop there. He also holds the record for the deepest dive on regular c...

What if the scuba diving industry has been missing something critical — and two people just figured out how to fix it? Dr. Calina Ouliaris and Simon Lugan, cofounders of Journey Underwater, have developed a groundbreaking wellness framework that’s reshaping how divers learn, breathe, and reconnect with their minds underwater (and on land). Their approach — the “Dive In” Framework (also an official...

I got a first-hand look at divers entering the water wearing a REAL WW2 Mark V dive helmet and suit! Local expert and guru "Sharky" paused for an impromptu interview right on the deck of the Marinelab habitat in Key Largo, FL. This is home to Vintage Dive Day, and Jules Undersea Lodge. Sharky walks us through the experience of diving in historical gear, why he does it, and some key react...

Is there anything wrong with giving away the online scuba training for free? RAID doesn't think so. They’re a major presence in the UK, and an ubiquitous logo around the 2026 UK Go Diving Show. “RAIDers” are taking the scuba world by storm with a very different approach to learning. Director James Rogers took time to explain to me the learning culture behind RAID, which is an international scu...

This new breakthrough version of a hyperbaric chamber is making it much safer to dive! The technology has been around for a while, but making it THIS lightweight, compact, easy to transport and setup (with just two people!) is a big deal in my book. This allows dive operators to bring along hyperbaric chamber treatment almost anywhere in the world (it can fit in the back of a pickup truck). It is...

Get front-row access to the most festive night in the Florida Keys, from the best seat in the house! Watch the Key Largo Boat Parade light up the water as fully decorated dive boats and Christmas-themed cruisers glide past The Amoray Diver’s official “Judge Boat”. I’ll be taking you start-to-finish behind the scenes from the official judge crew perspective of the annual Key Largo Christmas Boat Pa...

The scuba diving industry has been stuck in the past when it comes to technology — especially online booking. In this episode, we sit down with Alexis Jabbour, the creator of Buddy Booking. It’s a groundbreaking, new platform built specifically for divers, dive shops, and operators. Developed by the same team behind the popular Buddy dive app, Buddy Booking aims to modernize how divers plan and bo...

No filter. No script. Just real talk. Kenny Dyal and Myles Schwartz dive deep into the most controversial topics in the scuba diving world — from toxic competition between dive pros to the industry’s struggle to attract more women and young divers . And finally, the real reason is we all love scuba diving so much. In this episode, two dive hosts face off on:🌊 Why the scuba industry can be its own...

Scuba Diving creates such an ecosystem of social activities that it is almost impossible not to be exposed to a different lifestyle and group of people. It is so life changing that it has launched many careers, is a gateway to many other careers, and I’ve personally witnessed FOUR pairs of divers who got married after initially meeting on a dive. It’s a cheat code to meet people, especially people...

I had way too much fun asking these renowned professional divers their opinions on some of those hot-button scuba diving topics. Everyone was such a sport about this and went for it, even when they knew these were controversial in some circles. It’s also funny how different some of these opinions can vary from one diver to the next. This took place at the 2025 Scuba Show in Long Beach, CA out on t...

Most divers (including me) have been calling scuba gear “Life Support” equipment since the beginning. However, when considering redundancies, dive buddies, and proper SESA (Simulated Emergency Swimming Ascents), is our life truly dependent on this gear. And if so, is it truly life support, whereas if the gear fails we die? After a deep dive into this term we’ve all been using since the dawn of scu...

Captain Kevin was an extraordinarily laid back boat captain. He kept the boat fun, safe, and even sang Disney songs when underway. Not to mention, the Gilligan's Island theme song. I ask him why they have such a good time, incredible enthusiasm, and retention in their mates, Divemasters, and other employees. He also lets us in on how they stay so friendly with their Guests in occasionally high...

Amoray Dive Resort is considered the only true dive resort in the continental US, with it’s dedicated dive boat literally outside the door of some of the hotel rooms. I fell in love with this dive resort last year when I visited, so I returned a year later to interview the rest of their staff. With a fully staffed dive shop on site, gear, and even a filling station, it makes diving easy. I was ask...

After the wildly popular interview with the inventor of Avelo, I had to go and actually take this thing in the water for some real diving.  My wife Katie and I tested the new Avelo Dive System and could not believe it. From a lighter walk down to the water (and less grunting during suit-up), to a natural, cleaner, and more streamlined dive, it was definitely an upgrade in the overall diving experi...

Find out what it takes to be a Scuba Queen, and compete in the Miss International Pageant, as well as gain a sense of community in the scuba diving world! The National Director of Scuba Queen USA, Marina Inserra, has a talk with Kenny Dyal about the purpose of Scuba Queens, The Scuba Queen USA Pageant, and the Miss Scuba International Pageant. The world competes in multiple talent presentations fo...

🎙️ How to Make a Living in Scuba Diving | Interview with Kenny Dyal | Scuba Business & Marketing Tips In this interview, James Carbary, CEO of Sweetfish Media sits down with Kenny Dyal — seasoned safety diver, NAUI Course Director, and founder of Sweetwater Scuba — to break down how you can build a successful career in scuba diving. Whether you're a dive instructor, shop owner, or just cur...

The Last Breath is based on the unbelievable true story of a diving accident. Kenny speaks with movie Director Alex Parkinson and Producer David Brooks to better understand the thought process behind the movie. Both Guests are co-writers of the 2025 movie, and give an inside look at some of the behind-the-scenes challenges and obstacles.  Spoiler Alert: This is an early review and discussion of pl...

The inventor of Avelo explains exactly how it works and why it’s changing how people go scuba diving. Aviad Cahana invented this new system, intended to make scuba diving easier, more accessible, and just a lot more fun. Buoyancy Control is no longer an obstacle, especially for new divers and students. Scuba Diving is also somewhat restrictive due to carrying lots of weight (especially shore divin...

Dr. Melissa Giresi explains how regular scuba divers can help save the coral reefs! Volunteers can actually help maintain and grow new coral in the Florida Keys with the Ocean Conservation Foundation, which is a branch of Rainbow Reef. She walks us through the process of diving in the coral nurseries and helping save the reefs. If you've ever wanted to dive in a magical underwater farm of trop...

Mark Gresham of PSI - PCI is a renowned industry leader in the dive and compressed gas industry. He debunks myths and disinformation about scuba tanks (formally called cylinders), offering detailed explanations. Some of the controversial topics include: Are titanium regulators flammable when filled with Nitrox? (or blended / partial pressure oxygen mixes) Is there any reason to roll or shake scuba...

Scuba Divers are wildly attached to their gear, especially their regulator! That makes this all the more bold of a move by Jared Berg, who plunged head-first into a crowded, and ultimately tiny market space.  But… NEX is now emerging as one of the top scuba equipment manufacturers in recreational AND technical diving. To prove it, NEX Underwater Products has already won two awards: Scuba Lab’s Tes...

Every scuba diver must visit this location at some point in their life. My only regret is not going sooner. We noticed that it’s just as mind-blowing to non-divers and kids as it is to certified divers. I also believe it inspires many to go and get involved in the world of scuba diving. In this interview, I speak with the executive director, Lisa Mongelia while at the DEMA Show. She not only gives...

Scuba diving has been stuck in the stone age for a while. Here is a recap of, in my opinion, why we are going to catch up to the other big sports rather quickly. We’ve all seen the endless, well-intentioned attempts at a new dive app like how to find dive locations, log a dive, or an agency app (like PADI, NAUI, SSI, SDI, BSAC, CMAS, etc.). But I see people light up when they realize they can stor...

Bella Zandoná dives the dark, cold waters of the Pacific Northwest packing a Marelux camera rig while wearing a drysuit. She is proof that scuba diving doesn’t need to be a macho sport for “tough guys”, and everyone with a love of the ocean should get involved. Bella loves shooting macro underwater photography, capturing the hidden sea life that enchants those less-traveled ocean floors.  Bella is...

Haley Mermaid explains exactly how she became a full-time Mermaid Performer and tips for other merfolk to break into those paid gigs. We cover a lot in this sit-down interview, from training tips to tail making pointers, plus safety concerns for parents with kids who want to learn to be a mermaid. She also lists specific steps to getting jobs as a mermaid. Finally, the big reason Scuba Certificati...