Curt welcomes Ross Neil of Shearwater Research (head of global partnerships and business development) to discuss Ross’s unusual path from a childhood in the opera world and musical theater to 30 years as a professional diver and PADI course director. Ross explains how trying the Avelo system in Maui convinced him to stop using a traditional BCD, describing its comfort, streamlined feel, controlled ascents/descents, and advantages for drysuit diving and data review. They preview the Shearwater Jetpack upgrades over the standard Avelo unit, including a high-pressure port, integrated Swift transmitter, stronger/quieter pump, higher-power battery, carry handle, sizing options, and improved surface buoyancy via a flotation pad and newer, less-negative tank. The episode also covers Avelo’s potential benefits for adaptive divers, ongoing work on surface management, the ISO-approved Avelo diver course, and Shearwater’s new OLED-screen Perdix 3 with configurable dive profiles and praised customer service.

00:00 Ross Neill Shearwater

00:09 Ross Neill Shearwaterv Research

01:20 Ross's Opera Background

04:55 Discovering Avelo

09:13 Shearwater Jetpack Demo

17:34 Adaptive Diving

26:20 Perdix 3 & Shearwater Culture

28:33 Outro

Curt (Deadfoot Diver) interviews marine archaeologist Jim Sinclair about how Cousteau inspired his diving and how a Florida Keys underwater archaeology course led him to Mel Fisher and the Atocha/Margarita projects. Sinclair recounts starting broke, becoming a conservator, and managing the overwhelming lab workload after the 1985 “main pile” discovery—thousands of coins, heavy silver bars, and dozens of intact treasure chests—plus early computer inventory and coin imaging. He describes legal battles with Florida and the federal government, the Supreme Court ruling granting Fisher ownership, and later IRS tax issues and a randomized treasure division for investors and employees. Sinclair also discusses work on other wrecks, becoming the first archaeologist on a 2000 Titanic expedition, and recent Nova Scotia “Death Coast” dives with the McKinnons and the Nova Gold foundation to document at-risk wrecks and support veterans and first responders.

00:00 Podcast Introduction

01:27 Diving Origins

02:40 Florida Keys Field School

04:39 Mel Fisher Encounter

06:34 Joining The Crew

10:12 Conservation Lab Life

11:22 Atocha Main Pile

14:45 Treasure Chest Haul

18:04 Sorting And Early Tech

20:04 Treasure Division System

21:15 Court Battles Won

23:50 IRS And Taxes

26:37 Hard Times Key West

27:48 Beyond Atocha Projects

35:15 Trunk Shows On Road

37:12 Path To Titanic

42:02 Tampa Titanic Offer

43:07 Keldysh And First Dive

44:32 Mapping Stern Debris

46:42 Artifacts And Human Stories

49:05 Souvenirs And Shrink Cups

50:36 Atocha Coins And Values

54:50 Beads Medallions And Trade

59:34 Canadian Death Coast Dives

01:03:19 Preservation Versus In Situ

01:09:37 Family Diving And Shark Tales

01:13:39 Wrap Up And Dry Suit Talk

https://podcast.feedspot.com/scuba_diving_podcasts/

Curt hosts John from High Pressure Hooligans in Iroquois, Ontario, discussing how he built a high-tech fill station to address the lack of nearby air, nitrox, and trimix fills along the St. Lawrence. John outlines his setup, weekly fill volume, 7-days-a-week availability, and a mobile fill station supporting local fire departments. They talk about the local dive scene, including Fort Henry/Navy Bay artifact sites and roughly 275 shipwrecks within an hour, spanning 20–200 feet. The conversation covers tariffs and drysuit repairs, training with Mike Fowler for extended range trimix and advanced blending, impressions of the compact S7 sidemount rebreather, and plans for a technical liveaboard trip to Egypt to dive deep Red Sea wrecks. They also discuss artifact recovery practices, museum coordination, and notable finds like bottles, grenades, and a historic cannon.

00:00 Podcast Intro and Guest

01:17 Why Start a Fill Station

02:54 The Fill Gap Problem

05:09 Partner Support and Hours

06:24 High Volume and Mobile Fills

07:34 Tariffs and Drysuit Repairs

09:14 Local Diving and Wrecks

12:07 Plans and Centene Demand

14:58 Legendary Fill Stations

16:22 Diving at 79 and Staying Fit

18:55 Training With Mike Fowler

20:03 S7 Rebreather Impressions

21:27 Mexico and Future Trips

23:57 Egypt Tech Liveaboard Plans

24:36 Deep Red Sea Plans

25:59 Egypt Wreck Hit List

Richie Kohler on Deep Wreck Diving, U-Boat Mysteries, and the Meaning of Artifacts | Deadfoot Diver Podcast

Curt interviews technical diving legend Richie Kohler about his 50+ year diving career, how mentors (including his father, Atlantic wreck divers, and John Chatterton) shaped his wreck-diving approach, and how early deep wreck diving lacked formal training yet focused on risk-averse methods and physiology. Kohler discusses transitioning from open circuit to rebreathers, close calls while exploring a submarine wreck, and the emotional impact of encountering human remains, which pushed him to prioritize respect over recovery. He explains lawful artifact salvage, why artifacts act as “time machines,” and how a small plastic identification tag from the “Yoohoo” submarine became his most significant find by providing closure and leading to documentary and Titanic expeditions. He also recounts attending the 70th anniversary Andrea Doria reunion and highlights John Moyer’s preservation-focused collection and documentary work.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:42 Meet Richie Kohler

01:44 Origins and Mentors

04:47 Atlantic Wreck Divers

07:40 Chatterton and Rebreathers

12:37 Andrea Doria Plate Talk

14:22 Artifacts and Meaning

19:42 Mystery Sub Tag

25:23 Close Calls and Remains

30:38 Andrea Doria Reunion

34:57 Wrap Up and Thanks

Curt welcomes legendary diver and explorer Gary Gentile, who recounts how teenage sewer and wild-cave exploration led him to scuba training, then a lifelong passion for shipwrecks and roughly 2,500 dives. Gentile describes suing the U.S. government and NOAA for access to the USS Monitor, winning after eight years to open diving to everyone, and then facing repeated IRS audits. He explains how combat wounds left lasting disabilities—especially sciatic pain and reduced lung capacity—that affected his diving and ultimately ended his career after a severe sciatica attack on a 200th Andrea Doria dive in 2009. Gentile details early deep wreck diving on air and later trimix, open-circuit gear for dives to 420 feet, artifact recovery on the Monitor, extensive Doria exploration, china and ceramic panel recoveries, and rivalry-driven antics between Doria dive boats.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

01:13 Sewer Exploring Origins

02:16 Wild Caves and Raft Trip

06:13 Scuba Training and Wreck Bug

08:16 Winning Access to Monitor

08:50 IRS Audits After Lawsuit

14:15 Combat Wounds and Limits

17:54 Wheelchair Recovery Stories

22:41 Monitor Expeditions Artifacts

28:06 Deep Wreck Tables and Gear

36:17 Career Ending Doria Injury

40:12 Pain Relief and Life After

47:58 Poconos Hiking Pivot

49:06 Andrea Doria Obsession

51:40 First Doria Trips

56:18 Finding the China Hole

59:54 600 Foot Swimthrough

01:04:03 Gift Shop Treasures

01:05:32 Ceramic Panel Trade

01:13:53 Boat Rivalries and Secrets

01:18:48 Sealed Gate Prank

01:24:33 Jackpot Third Class China

01:30:25 More Panels and Dive Jokes

01:33:41 Closing Thoughts

Curt (the Deadfoot Diver) interviews Andy Fox of Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions about his family’s legacy in great white shark cage diving, from Rodney Fox’s 1963 survival and the early influence of film crews to the first underwater great white footage using a cage and the operation’s recent 60th anniversary. They discuss today’s surface and bottom cage experiences at South Australia’s Neptune Islands, typical depths, safety systems, and Andy’s claim of zero shark-related fatalities and no stitches in 60 years. Andy addresses misconceptions about great whites, changes in shark sightings linked to upwellings, toxic algal blooms, runoff, climate effects, and regulated fisheries, plus public pressure for culls and how drones/social media affect perception. He also describes testing shark repellents and bite-resistant wetsuits, and shares a standout dive identifying 19 sharks.

0:00 Podcast Intro Guest

01:27 Shark Encounter Story

02:32 Family Legacy Cages

05:36 Rodney Fox Still Diving

07:47 Like Subscribe Break

08:15 Environmental Changes Sharks

10:24 Population Shifts Perception

13:48 Fear Stats Free Diving

16:43 Surface vs Deep Cages

19:52 How Big Great Whites

22:51 Misconceptions Safety TV

26:21 What The Expedition Is

28:31 Insurance Safety Record

29:40 Safety Record Reality

30:20 Cage Rules And Risks

31:03 Viral Cage Incident

32:21 Cage Design Details

33:12 Most Memorable Dive

36:14 Tour Costs And Itinerary

38:44 Redundant Safety Systems

39:41 Liveaboard Fire Safety

41:41 Do Shark Repellents Work

44:21 Bite Resistant Wetsuits

48:36 Chainmail Suit Story

51:48 Expeditions And Jaws Legacy

54:25 Shark Diving Boom

57:44 Final Thanks And Signoff

https://rodneyfox.com.au/

Sharkstop Wetsuits BUY AND SAVE! https://sharkstop.co?sca_ref=10530393.UDlmePjDvw346BGr

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💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more diving stories and interviews with legends of the underwater world, and remember Grab an Adventure and Live!

On The Dead Foot Diver Podcast, Curt Steve Santini, a Titanic and shipwreck historian in Canada, to tour his home museum collection and discuss Titanic history through artifacts from the ship, the shipyard, the rescue, and later expeditions. Steve explains pieces tied to Halifax and the body recovery ships, including a Titanic deck chair recovered by the Mackay-Bennett and items made from floating wreck wood by crew of the cable ship Minia. The conversation covers a White Star Line flag, shipyard material from Harland & Wolff (including an office clock, electrical wiring/controller book, and worker pass/clock-in boards), and numerous artifacts connected to Titanic victims and survivors such as Wallace Hartley’s recovered sheet music, a pocket watch stopped near the sinking time, and items linked to Thomas Andrews and John Jacob Astor. They also examine Carpathia-related objects (including a teapot salvaged from the Carpathia wreck, medals commissioned by Molly Brown for the crew, and other documents), plus rare postal and onboard items like RMS mail stamped for Titanic’s intended sailing date and Spode cobalt-and-gold china made for the ship’s parlor suites. Steve discusses the OceanGate Titan implosion, including a model of the sub, P.H. Nargeolet’s sextant and mission suit, and Steve’s aim to preserve this chapter of Titanic history; they also highlight an original mission sign from the dive that discovered Titanic, signed by Bob Ballard and others, and a depth-crushed cup taken down on early dives. The episode ends with promotion of Steve’s book, “Titanic and Legendary Shipwrecks,” available at titaniczone.com, and mentions that his broader collection includes other notable wrecks such as Lusitania, Empress of Ireland, Andrea Doria, Edmund Fitzgerald, and Costa Concordia.

Titanic Zone : https://titaniczone.com/

Sharkstop Wetsuits BUY AND SAVE! https://sharkstop.co?sca_ref=10530393.UDlmePjDvw346BGr

🔗 My Channel: https:/youtube.com/@deadfootdiver

🔗 Support Me : https://buymeacoffee.com/deadfootdiver

Other Ways to Listen to The DeadfootDiver

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💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more diving stories and interviews with legends of the underwater world, and remember Grab an Adventure and Live!

In this episode of The Deadfoot Diver Podcast, hosted by Curt the Deadfoot Diver, we dive deep into the fascinating world of shark safety with special guest Andre Borell, the innovator behind the Shark Stop Wetsuit. Andre shares the intriguing journey that led him to develop this groundbreaking shark bite-resistant wetsuit and discusses its effectiveness, scientific testing, and real-world applications. Discover how this technology provides an additional layer of safety for divers and surfers, and explore the broader implications for shark-human coexistence. Whether you're a diving enthusiast or just curious about marine safety, this episode provides valuable insights into innovative solutions for mitigating shark bite risks. Tune in, like, share, and subscribe for more adventures and insights with The Deadfoot Diver! 00:00 Introduction to The Deadfoot Diver Podcast 00:44 Fascination with Sharks and Introduction of Guest 01:21 The Shark Stop Wetsuit: Technology and Testing 02:23 Background and Journey to Shark Stop Wetsuits 06:00 Details on Shark Stop Wetsuit Technology 07:22 Testing and Results of Shark Stop Wetsuits 11:32 Real-World Applications and Ethical Considerations 18:46 Comparison with Chain Mail and Future Prospects 24:33 The Importance of Shark Safety Features 24:49 Great White Shark Sightings in Nova Scotia 25:47 Customer Encounters with Sharks 26:28 Taking Ocean Safety into Your Own Hands 28:05 Diving with Bull Sharks in Mexico 30:18 The Evolution of Shark Deterrent Technology 32:02 New Shark Stop Products 34:07 Surfers and Shark Safety 43:45 The Reality of Shark Behavior 46:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sharkstop Wetsuits BUY AND SAVE! https://sharkstop.co?sca_ref=10530393.UDlmePjDvw346BGr 🔗 My Channel: https:/youtube.com/@deadfootdiver 🔗 Support Me : https://buymeacoffee.com/deadfootdiver The Scuba Gym Orlando : https://www.thescubagym.com Scuba Gym Australia : https://thescubagym.com.au/ Diveheart: https://diveheart.org Other Ways to Listen to The DeadfootDiver Spotify: Deadfoot Diver Podcast | Podcast on Spotify Amazon: Deadfoot Diver Podcast on Amazon Music Iheart Radio Deadfoot Diver Podcast | iHeart Player FM: Player FM - Internet Radio Done Right 💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more diving stories and interviews with legends of the underwater world, and remember Grab an Adventure and Live!

In this episode of The Dead Foot Diver Podcast, Curt visits the hyperbaric chamber at Tobermory. He interviews Dr. George Harpur, a renowned hyperbaric physician, about his extensive career and the future of hyperbaric medicine. They discuss the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for conditions like gangrene and radiation burns and share insights into diving safety, particularly the risks faced by older divers. Curt and Dr. Harpur also conduct a chamber dive, giving listeners an inside look at the experience. Don't miss this deep dive into the fascinating world of hyperbaric medicine and diving.

00:00 Introduction to The Dead Foot Diver Podcast

01:09 Exploring Hyperbaric Medicine with Steve Mervyn

04:34 Chamber Dive Experience and Public Sessions

07:26 Interview with Dr. George Harpur

16:26 Diving Incidents and Safety Concerns

23:42 Future of Hyperbaric Treatments and Facilities

36:28 Concluding the Chamber Dive

🔗 My Channel: https:/youtube.com/@deadfootdiver

🔗 Support Me : https://buymeacoffee.com/deadfootdiver

The Scuba Gym Orlando : https://www.thescubagym.com

Scuba Gym Australia : https://thescubagym.com.au/

Diveheart: https://diveheart.org

Other Ways to Listen to The DeadfootDiver

Spotify: Deadfoot Diver Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

Amazon: Deadfoot Diver Podcast on Amazon Music

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Player FM: Player FM - Internet Radio Done Right

💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more diving stories and interviews with legends of the underwater world, and remember Grab an Adventure and Live!

In this episode of The Deadfoot Diver Podcast, host Curt welcomes Brendan Baillod, President of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeological Association (WUAA), to discuss underwater archaeology, shipwreck discoveries, and diving with disabilities. Brendan shares his 25-year journey with WUAA, details the exciting discovery of the shipwreck FP King, and provides insights into the preservation and documentation of underwater sites. The episode delves into the historical significance of various shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, the challenges of wreck hunting, the procedures for artifact conservation, and the ethos of preserving maritime history. 00:00 Introduction to The Deadfoot Diver Podcast 00:44 Meet Brendan Baillod: President of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association 02:48 Discovering the FP King: A New Shipwreck 04:45 The Search for the Ghost Ship 07:30 Public Involvement in Shipwreck Discoveries 15:19 Challenges in Shipwreck Preservation 20:34 Legal Aspects and Ownership of Shipwrecks 30:23 The Importance of Artifact Conservation 38:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 📢 Check out these great resources: Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association https://wuaa.org/ Brendan Baillod https://www.baillod.com/shipwreck/about.html 🔗 My Channel: https:/youtube.com/@Deadfootdiver 🔗 Support Me : https://buymeacoffee.com/deadfootdiver The Scuba Gym Orlando : https://www.thescubagym.com Scuba Gym Australia : https://thescubagym.com.au/ Diveheart: https://diveheart.org Other Ways to Listen to The DeadfootDiver Spotify: Deadfoot Diver Podcast | Podcast on Spotify Amazon: Deadfoot Diver Podcast on Amazon Music Iheart Radio Deadfoot Diver Podcast | iHeart Player FM: Player FM - Internet Radio