Thediveprofessional

13/05/2026

13/05/2026

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Keep calm and float

26/04/2026

A New Foundation: The IADP Website Goes Live

Summary The International Association of Dive Professionals (IADP) has launched its new official website, establishing a structured foundation for communication, project visibility, and future development. This marks the first phase of a broader platform rollout. The IADP has been operating with fra...

18/01/2026

Our founder is visiting Boot 2026 tomorrow. Let us know if you’d like to meet.

Anyone at Boot 2026, let me know. Always fun to meet followers and colleagues IRL

03/11/2025

1st November 2025 marks a sad day for nature. The Maldives have reopened shark fishing.

14/10/2025

WARNING: Our Planet Has Crossed Its First Major Climate Tipping Point

A new report warns that our planet has officially passed its first climate tipping point, with the widespread collapse of warm-water coral reefs. These reefs, which support a quarter of marine life and nearly a billion people for food and livelihoods, are now on a path to irreversible decline.

Scientists from the Global Tipping Points Report say that rising ocean temperatures, acidification, overfishing, and pollution have pushed coral ecosystems past the point of recovery. If we dont manage to stabilise temperates, we are expected to loose over 99% of our coral reefs.

Why it matters:
Coral reefs aren’t just beautiful; they protect coastlines, support fisheries, and help maintain global marine biodiversity. The rapid decline of coral reefs in the last year is a huge signal that the climate crisis is accelerating.

But reefs are just the beginning. The report warns that we are dangerously close to triggering other tipping points, including:

Amazon Rainforest dieback

Collapse of polar ice sheets

Disruption of key ocean currents

Professor Tim Lenton, director of the Global Systems Institute, explains: “We've entered a new climate reality. Crossing tipping points causes self-reinforcing damage that’s extremely hard to reverse. Urgent, unprecedented action is needed to prevent further catastrophe.”

What Can We Do?
Every fraction of a degree matters. The environmental choices we make today will determine whether we can move toward a sustainable future.

29/09/2025

WARNING! Maldives to Reopen Shark Fishing in November 2025

The Maldives government has announced that starting November 2025, shark fishing, specifically targeting gulper sharks, will reopen under a new management plan.

Although the government claims the fishery will be reopened under “comprehensive management,” there is still great cause for concern. Once populations decline, recovery can take decades – if it happens at all.

This marks the first major step back from the nationwide shark fishing ban introduced in 2010, a ban that had positioned the Maldives as a global leader in marine conservation and eco-tourism.

Why sharks are so important?

Sharks are vital for healthy reef ecosystems, keeping fish populations balanced and coral reefs thriving.

Many sharks are slow-growing and reproduce very little, making them highly vulnerable to overfishing.

We stand with science! Sharks are worth far more alive than dead. Protecting them safeguards reefs, tourism, and the future of the Maldives as a world-class diving destination.

What do you think?
Does shark fishing have a place in the Maldives?
Or should the nation continue to hold its position as a sanctuary for sharks?

23/09/2025

WARNING FOR UK DIVERS

Where is your nearest chamber? And, more importantly, is it capable of treating a diver who is ventilated with a gas embolism?

After a poor decision to close two UK hyperbaric chambers, followed by a badly managed commissioning process, only three out of six UK hyperbaric chamber contracts have been awarded — Chichester, DDRC in Plymouth, and James Paget in Great Yarmouth. Chambers in the north have been granted a six-month extension to work towards upgrading to a Category 1 service.

What is a Category 1 service?
A Category 1 chamber can treat a patient who is unconscious and ventilated. This requires not only the correct specialist equipment, but also an anaesthetist on the rota to make it possible. Becoming unconscious and ventilated is a very real outcome divers face if they suffer a serious gas embolism.

Which chambers have closed?
Although most chambers have either been awarded contracts or received extensions, the major blow is that the London Hyperbaric Chamber officially closes on 1st October 2025.

London was one of the few Category 1 chambers in the country. With its closure, only three remain. This is deeply concerning, as London has handled a huge proportion of the UK’s DCI cases over the last 25 years. Only time will tell if the remaining chambers can cope with the increased demand.

What does this mean for divers?
This cut in provision means that some divers may now face over three hours of travel to reach a chamber with full Category 1 capacity. With decompression illness, especially something as serious as a gas embolism, every second counts. A delay can mean the difference between life and death.

What should you do now?
Check where your nearest chamber is.

More importantly, check to see where your nearest Category 1 chamber is located.

Factor this into your dive planning — location, emergency procedures, and surface support.

Share this information with your club, buddies, and students.

Let’s keep diving safe. Awareness is the first step.

02/09/2025

Why Those YES/NO Questions Really Matter Underwater

We are all accustomed to the familiar dive medical form.�This sheet of paper, sitting between us and our relaxing dive, can seem routine and appear like a trivial formality. However, behind those simple YES/NO questions lies a deeper purpose. As we prepare to enter the water, the questions may seem dry, but answering them accurately is crucial for your safety.

Some questions carry obvious importance, such as those asking about problems with the lungs, heart, blood, or recent surgery within the last 12 months. Others, like questions about headaches, asthma, or recent diarrhoea, may seem minor. With a desire to get the paperwork over with and hop in the water, it might feel tempting to quickly answer “no,” assuming these issues won’t affect your dive. However, even those seemingly trivial questions are grounded in important science. Answering untruthfully can increase your risk underwater in ways you might not realise. Taking the time to answer honestly helps ensure a safe and enjoyable dive experience.
Let's take a deeper look into some of the more ‘unimportant’ sounding questions and see why they are included in the medical form.

Headaches
It might seem strange to ask about headaches, but frequent or severe ones can sometimes signal underlying issues, such as a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). A PFO is a small hole in the heart that usually closes over at birth. Normally, the lungs filter out small clots and bubbles from the blood, but with a PFO, these can bypass the lungs and go straight to the brain, where they may irritate or briefly block small blood vessels and trigger a migraine. It is estimated that 1 in 4 of the population has a PFO! However, the size of the PFO can vary greatly, some being incredibly small.�Divers with a PFO are more prone to “undeserved” decompression sickness because nitrogen bubbles sneak through the heart.

⚠️ Important to note:
* Not everyone with a PFO has migraines, and not everyone with migraines has a PFO.
* But studies suggest migraine with aura is more common in people with a PFO.

Diarrhoea
Recent diarrhoea might feel like just a minor stomach bug, but it can
severely dehydrate you and diving while dehydrated is risky. Dehydration thickens the blood, affecting how it moves throughout the body and how quickly gases move in and out of tissues. This can make decompression sickness more likely. Dehydration also makes people feel weak and dizzy, which greatly increases poor decision-making underwater. That’s why dive professionals want to know if you’ve had it recently – to make sure you’re strong and hydrated before the dive.

Asthma
Asthma is one of the most important conditions to disclose, even if you have mild asthma. Cold, dry compressed air can trigger an attack underwater, which could be fatal. Asthma also narrows the airways, potentially trapping gas in the lungs. On ascent, this trapped gas expands, raising the risk of lung overexpansion injuries and barotrauma.

The Bigger Picture
Dive medical forms aren’t about excluding people; they’re about managing risks. Every question is there for a reason and every question deserves a truthful answer.�In many cases, people with these conditions can dive safely with medical clearance and proper management. What matters most is honesty. By answering truthfully, you give yourself and your dive team the best chance of having a safe and enjoyable dive.

28/08/2025

Let’s end the week on a high and celebrate Mexico’s Ban on Dolphin Shows and Commercial Exploitation of Marine Animals

In a significant decision for animal welfare and marine conservation, Mexico has passed legislation unanimously banning dolphin shows and the commercial exploitation of marine animals. The country, which is home to approximately 350 captive dolphins across 30 dolphinariums, will now prohibit the use of dolphins, seals, and whales in tourist entertainment.
The new law bans the ‘extractive exploitation’ of these marine mammals, effectively ending practices such as forced performances, public interactions, and commercial breeding.

Captive breeding will only be permitted for officially sanctioned reintroduction programs aimed at restoring wild populations.

This monumental move not only reflects the growing public concern for animal welfare but also positions Mexico as a global leader in marine animal protection. The decision follows years of campaigning by animal rights organisations, scientists, and activists, and highlights the power of public persistence in creating change.

* Mexico has one of the highest numbers of captive dolphins in Latin America.
* Studies have shown that dolphins in captivity can suffer from stress, limited space, and shorter lifespans compared to their wild counterparts.
* Countries like Canada, France, and Chile have also passed similar bans in recent years.

This legislation proves that change is possible when the public speaks out and campaigners persist. It is a significant win for nature, science, and ethical tourism.