Browsing: Scuba Features

The timing of the discovery of the first of nine Avro Arrow test models could not have been more appropriate. This year is Canada’s 150th birthday and next year will be the 60th anniversary of the full-sized Arrow’s first test flight.

The timing of the discovery of the first of nine Avro Arrow test models could…

While people adept at holding their breath have been exploring the underwater world for a long time, scuba diving is relatively new. In a history of the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) written by Albert A. Tillman and Thomas T. Tillman, the authors say the first “aqua lung,” was not introduced until 1949. It was developed by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnon.

While people adept at holding their breath have been exploring the underwater world for a…

Sometimes it is as difficult to prove the identity of a sunken ship as it is to find it. That is central to the story of the long-sought Griffon, which disappeared in 1679.

Jett & Kathryn Britnell are internationally published travel writers, photographers, scuba divers, shark advocates, guest speakers, explorers, book reviewers, marine conservationists and devil may care adventurers.

Jett & Kathryn Britnell are internationally published travel writers, photographers, scuba divers, shark advocates, guest…

They had just anchored their boat at the wreck of the Maple Dawn near Christine Island in the Georgian Bay area. Suddenly, diving the wreck was no longer the priority of Paul Darnbrough and Mike McAllister, both members of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association.

They had just anchored their boat at the wreck of the Maple Dawn near Christine…

The basics of a good foundation are inherent to the quality of the material or…

Many countries have a rule requiring that high pressure cylinders undergo a hydrostatic requalification on…

I freely admit that it’s been awhile since my last commercial dive. But when I see something like this, I have to say something. Diving is no joke

I freely admit that it’s been awhile since my last commercial dive. But when I…

Many people have run a half marathon. Nath Lasselin has completed the 21.1-kilometre achievement, but not on a road. She did it in a single dive under the surface of the St. Lawrence River, completing the distance in her scuba gear in six hours.

Many people have run a half marathon. Nath Lasselin has completed the 21.1-kilometre achievement, but…

Meeting an incredible photographer/film maker and passionate conservationist who just got introduced to scuba!

Meeting an incredible photographer/film maker and passionate conservationist who just got introduced to scuba! Why…

Lake Superior has claimed a big toll of those who have challenged its fierce storms, icy waters and great depths. Most of its disasters involve ships. A few are aircraft pilots who come to grief over-flying the lake. But a freight train locomotive and its boxcars plunging off a rocky cliff into the lake may be unprecedented.

“The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead When the skies of November…

Exploring and Protecting Canada’s Oceans. Gulf of St. Lawrence Expedition, August 2017 Oceana Canada, leading scientists…

I recently received a call/e-mail from an instructor about an unsafe situation. She stated that…

Wetsuit Neoprene is a rubber foam used to make, well, a wetsuit. It is called closed-cell neoprene as the bubbles are trapped in the neoprene rubber foam and between one or more layers of fabric. Closed-cell means that each nitrogen bubble is surrounded and separated by neoprene. Both freediving and scuba suits are made of closed-cell neoprene.

Wetsuit Neoprene is a rubber foam used to make, well, a wetsuit. It is called…

In the dive world things pop up that are not always directly scuba related but that you come across in that setting. I was just working out in Cuba and I met a guy who had a bit of a hidden talent.

In the dive world things pop up that are not always directly scuba related but…

This wreck video by Terry Irvine, is known only as Petre 2 and is located in Lake Ontario, south of Point Petre.

This wreck video by Terry Irvine, is known only as Petre 2 and is located in Lake Ontario,…

In the late 1950s Canada’s Avro Arrow led the race to become the top military aircraft in the world. The others were not even close. Suddenly it died of a Canadian self-inflicted wound. Canada’s former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker cancelled the program. Any existing Arrows were ordered to be scrapped.

In the late 1950s Canada’s Avro Arrow led the race to become the top military…

It’s a fact that whatever the sport you choose as your passion you need to purchase equipment. Scuba diving is no different to any other sport. Diving equipment is not cheap but neither is any good quality sporting equipment.

Tobermory is a small community located at the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula in the municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, approximately 300 kilometres (190 miles) northwest of Toronto, the capital of Ontario.

I’ve been lucky enough to dive 13 different countries so far on my endless laps of the map! And it’s nigh impossible to say which country has been my favourite to dive. Australia, goes without saying. Micronesia, if you’re a wreck enthusiast then absolutely. Iceland definitely. But one of the most exhilarating experiences in my diving career which is touching now on 1000 logged dives, took place in the superb waters off Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, Beqa Lagoon.

My own ‘Voyage of Discovery’ was quite unlike the perilous journey my Great, Great, Great Grandfather, Sir James Clark Ross, took 175 years ago. The most dominant difference being, I knew where I was going and when I’d be back!

My own ‘Voyage of Discovery’ was quite unlike the perilous journey my Great, Great, Great…

The first time I visited Goat Island, I was thrilled beyond belief to witness 2 eagle rays gliding gracefully together under the waves

Revisiting the same dive sites for a whole new experience Goat Island Marine Reserve The…

The modern scuba diving regulator is a simple yet complicated piece of equipment. Without modern regulators divers would still be wearing diving bells on their heads. They have evolved from humble beginnings to be a very complicated piece of equipment. And if you want to dive it is an essential piece of a divering equipment.

I have never figured out why so few North American technical divers wear helmets. Perhaps helmets never reached the Pantheon of hip here. Divers in other parts of the world would never consider exposing their scalps to the ceiling of a cave or wreck without protection.

I have never figured out why so few North American technical divers wear helmets. Perhaps…

Everyone’s favorite week of television, “Shark Week,” makes waves in movie theaters nationwide for a one-night…

Residing in Newfoundland, John Olivero is a professional adventurer, leading cultural history, diving and eco tourism trips that introduce visitors to outdoor adventures in Newfoundland. He is a diving instructor and cave diver, boat captain, expedition safety specialist, outdoor guide and cultural historian

Residing in Newfoundland, John Olivero is a professional adventurer, leading cultural history, diving and eco…

“Even if you are a novice or experienced diver, if the Instructor or Divemaster doesn´t…

On January 14, 2006 a former Canadian Airlines Boeing 737-200 was sunk in the waters off Chemainus, British Columbia, Canada. This Air Canada plane served travelers well for 27 years, and was originally built in the 70’s.

On January 14, 2006 a former Canadian Airlines Boeing 737-200 was sunk in the waters…

I recently had a great time photographing the wrecks of Subic Bay on the west coast of Luzon, in the north of the Philippines. The bay used to be the location of a US naval base, and it has wrecks from the Spanish-American war, from WWII, and scuttled American ships and planes from the area afterwards. It’s quite a playground for the wreck-diving aficionado and underwater photographer.

Deciding on a Regulator setup to go for first off can be all a little bewildering, will you get what you pay for spending a little extra? Does the cheap regulator actually work? What is a ventury or balanced regulator even mean? One things for sure and that we can assure you is that they supply with that all important air while underwater, but….

Deciding on a Regulator setup to go for first off can be all a little…

Correctly fitting and wearing a mask for scuba diving is not as easy as it looks. The problems that occur from an ill fitting mask can spoil your dive. Not having a brand new mask treated before you wear it for the first time leads to more problems. Over tightening of a mask is a problem all by its self!

The first week of May 2017, found Frank Stopa and Matthew Lerpiniere (a contributing writer for The Scuba News Canada) of Discovery Deep diving the flooded #2 Iron Ore Mine on Bell Island in Newfoundland