The BiG Scuba Duo, Gemma and Ian chat to Rob Hinton.  Rob Hinton is the founder of the Hold Fast Challenges, a unique, hugely exciting, and rewarding outdoor challenge experience, based on Rob's former career as a Royal Navy Mine Clearance Diver.

A former competitive swimmer, he has spent most of his life in the water, or under it.  Robs introduction to diving began in 1999 in South Africa, where he learnt to Scuba Dive in CapeTown.  A 22 year career in diving, which saw him serve as a Royal Navy Mine Clearance and Bomb Disposal Diver, a Commercial Diver in the oil and gas world, and a Military Diving Instructor worldwide, began!

In 2021 he set up the Hold Fast Challenges, with a mission to use his experiences in diving, and the mindset involved, to inspire people to get things done in an ultra positive, and community based way.

https://www.holdfastchallenge.com/

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/.

This episode is sponsored by Sports Financial Services  https://sports-fs.co.uk/   They are specialists in arranging life insurance for active sports and hazardous occupations.  Contact them for a free quoteation.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★ review, and tell your friends and share and like, it all makes a difference.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram              @thebigscuba  

We are on Facebook              @thebigscuba  

We are in LinkedIn                 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                      www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                       https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe - Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.      ISSN Number 2752-6127

The BiG Scuba Duo, Gemma and Ian chat to Osama Gobara.  Originally from Austria, Osama has a profound passion for the subterranean realm and aquatic ecosystems  It has driven him to pursue a career as a cave diving explorer and instructor as well as working offshore too.  When not immersed in cave exploration or mentoring fellow cave divers, he extends his surveying expertise to offshore activities, specializing in deepwater ROV-based remote sensing and seabed mapping for offshore wind farm projects worldwide.

Social media and website links.

https://www.facebook.com/os.gobara

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/.

This episode is sponsored by Sports Financial Services  https://sports-fs.co.uk/   They are specialists in arranging life insurance for active sports and hazardous occupations.  Contact them for a free quoteation.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★ review, and tell your friends and share and like, it all makes a difference.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram              @thebigscuba  

We are on Facebook              @thebigscuba  

We are in LinkedIn                 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                      www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                       https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe - Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.      ISSN Number 2752-6127

Gemma and Ian were invited to the pre-release press screening of Last Breath prior to its public release in late February 2025. 

It’s a heart-pounding film that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crewmate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean’s surface. Based on a true  story, Last Breath is an electrifying story about teamwork, resilience, and a race against time to do the impossible.

Gemma and Ian then interviewed Alex Parkinson, director/co-writer and David Brooks, co-writer/producer about the filming.    Also included is our conversation with the real life diver who is central to the film, Chris Lemons.

Watch here :  https://www.youtube.com/@TheBiGScuba/videos

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/.

This episode is sponsored by Sports Financial Services  https://sports-fs.co.uk/   They are specialists in arranging life insurance for active sports and hazardous occupations.  Contact them for a free quoteation.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★ review, and tell your friends and share and like, it all makes a difference.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram                     @thebigscuba  

We are on Facebook                      @thebigscuba  

We are in LinkedIn                          https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                  www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                                https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe - Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.      ISSN Number 2752-6127

The BiG Scuba Duo, Gemma and Ian chat to Lisa Blair.  Lisa is an Australian Adventurer, Climate Activist, Author, Speaker and Multi-World Record holding sailor. 

On May 25th, 2022, Lisa achieved her latest milestone by becoming the fastest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around Antarctica, shaving 10 days off the previous record. During this record-setting journey, Lisa seized the opportunity to amplify her message of Climate Action Now and collaborated with a number of scientific organizations such as the Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the Seabed 2030 project.  Lisa's commitment to ocean health was evident as she deployed eight weather drifter buoys, one A.R.G.O research float, collected round-the-clock ocean health readings, and gathered over 180 microplastic samples, all while braving the perils of the world's most treacherous ocean for an astounding 92 days. Through her partnership with Ocean Ops, Lisa's expedition earned recognition as a United Nations Decade of Ocean Science initiative.

Social media and website links.

Find out more about Climate Action Now and Lisa's journey at   https://lisablairsailstheworld.com/

Follow Lisa on Instagram    https://www.instagram.com/lisablairsailstheworld/

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/.

This episode is sponsored by Sports Financial Services  https://sports-fs.co.uk/   They are specialists in arranging life insurance for active sports and hazardous occupations.  Contact them for a free quoteation.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★ review, and tell your friends and share and like, it all makes a difference.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram                     @thebigscuba  

We are on Facebook                      @thebigscuba  

We are in LinkedIn                          https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                  www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                                https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe - Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.      ISSN Number 2752-6127

The BiG Scuba Duo, Gemma and Ian chat to Luke Bullus.  Luke Bullus is the Diving Officer and a trustee of the marine conservation charity Fathoms Free.  

Fathoms Free is a group of experienced volunteer divers and skippers committed to protecting marine wildlife and the environment. They focus on removing ALDFG (abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear) and other marine debris from the coastal waters of Cornwall and Devon. ALDFG, often referred to as "ghost gear", continues to "fish" by entangling, trapping, and killing wildlife indiscriminately.

Since its inception in 2014, Fathoms Free has led initiatives to remove these hazardous materials from the ocean, preventing further damage to the marine environment. The charity also collaborates with and supports other organisations by using its boats and experienced skippers to assist with conservation efforts that contribute to a cleaner, safer ocean for everyone. Over the past decade, Fathoms Free has become a leading advocate for healthier oceans, inspiring collective action to protect marine ecosystems for future generations.

Luke is passionate about the marine environment and dedicates most of his free time to ghost gear recovery operations and ocean conservation.

Social media and website links.

https://www.fathomsfree.org

https://www.facebook.com/fathomsfree

https://www.instagram.com/fathomsfree

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fathomsfree

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★, leave a review, and tell your friends about us as each share and like makes a difference.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram                     @thebigscuba  

We are on Facebook                      @thebigscuba  

We are in LinkedIn                          https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                  www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                                https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe - Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.      ISSN Number 2752-6127

The BiG Scuba Duo, Gemma and Ian visit Sports Financial Services to discuss the importance of Life Insurance for scuba divers as well as anyone else.  We chat to Harvey and James about the business and their bespoke and personal service for anyone wishing to discuss Life Insurance, Income Protection and Critical Illness Cover.

Sports Financial specialises in providing tailored insurance solutions for individuals involved in high-risk and extreme sports, such as Scuba Diving and other active sports and hazardous occupation.  Recognising the added risks of injury, accident, or even death, they offer specialised life cover, critical illness protection, and income protection designed specifically for those with non-standard insurance needs.

They are experts who you can trust so that your unique lifestyle is protected, giving you peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive coverage or seeking to safeguard your financial future against the unexpected, Sports Financial Services understand the nuances of high-risk activities and deliver policies that truly meet your needs.

Get your free quote today by calling 0345 565 0935 or send an email [email protected]

https://sports-fs.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/sportinsureuk

https://www.instagram.com/sportsfinancialservices/

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★, leave a review, and tell your friends about us as each share and like makes a difference.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram                     @thebigscuba  

We are on Facebook                      @thebigscuba  

We are in LinkedIn                          https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                  www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                                https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe - Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.      ISSN Number 2752-6127

The BiG Scuba Duo, Gemma and Ian reflect on their year of 2024.  They discuss some stats of the podcast like how many countries the podcast is downloaded in and the most popular episodes.  Gemma and Ian talk about their watery adventures of 2024 both on the water and under the water, dive sites explored and places and shows they have visited.

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/           There is currently a code for you to use for purchases and the code is  BIGSCUBA2024.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★, leave a review, and tell your friends about us as each share and like makes a difference.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram                     @thebigscuba  

We are on Facebook                      @thebigscuba  

We are in LinkedIn                          https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                  www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                                https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe - Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.      ISSN Number 2752-6127

The BiG Scuba Duo, Gemma and Ian chat to Edward Askham Spencer.   Edward has a spirit for competition and adventure that has drawn him across the world and back again. His fiancé would say he is married to the sea. Before Ed deployed to Afghanistan as a Paratrooper in 2008 he went to Andark his local dive shop on the south coast of England to do his Padi open water. This ignited a passion for the sea that saw him defending ships from pirates and then to become a professional air and saturation diver. He is a coded wet welder, inspection diver, experienced subsea Burner, DMT, Rigger, Shipwright and joiner.   On top of that he is a professional speaker and after Dinner Entertainer.  His adventures continue…..

Social Meda:

https://youtu.be/O56FSWg7zpg?si=aGsBo2bt0GWHqdnk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-askham-spencer-4a514a196/

Other items discussed in the podcast:

Across the Maldives https://gofund.me/28d5e41e

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/           There is currently a code for you to use for purchases and the code is  BIGSCUBA2024.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★, leave a review, and tell your friends about us as each share and like makes a difference.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram                     @thebigscuba  

We are on Facebook                      @thebigscuba  

We are in LinkedIn                          https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                  www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                                https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe - Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.      ISSN Number 2752-6127

The BiG Scuba Duo, Gemma and Ian chat to Sophie Heptonstall. Sophie was introduced to diving by her dad, grandad and uncle who were diving in the UK.  She did a PADI Discover Scuba abroad at twelve years old and then PADI Open Water Course at Stoney Cove.

At university in Wales Sophie joined the university BSAC Club and continued her diver grade training and instructor training in the club with BSAC but completed other agency specialty courses with TDI and IANTD and worked as a PADI Divemaster in the UK at weekends for a few years. Sophie then had opportunities  to dive abroad – Caribbean, Red Sea, Maldives and Truk Lagoon.

In 2004 Sophie became a BSAC Instructor Trainer and in 2005 was asked to be the Communications Advisor on the BSAC National Diving Committee and a few years later was elected onto BSAC Council.   In 2015 she was elected as BSAC National Diving Officer, the youngest person to hold the post.

Sophie is a CCR Mod 3 diver and CCR Instructor and have also held the BSAC positions of Tech Lead, First Class Diver Chief Examiner and National Instructor Chief Examiner. All these previous roles were volunteer roles but in March 2024 her hobby became a full time job taking in the BSAC employed role of Head of Diving and Training.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-heptonstall-82a44925/

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/           There is currently a code for you to use for purchases and the code is  BIGSCUBA2024.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★, leave a review, and tell your friends about us as each share and like makes a difference.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram                     @thebigscuba  

We are on Facebook                      @thebigscuba  

We are in LinkedIn                          https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                  www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                                https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe - Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.      ISSN Number 2752-6127

The BiG Scuba Duo, Gemma and Ian chat to Aniela Martin.  Aniela Martin is a scuba diver and an offshore hydrographic surveyor, working as part of a large team out at sea mapping the seabed and collecting geological information.

Aniela has a deep passion for the underwater world that began after her first ever scuba dive whilst on holiday as a teenager. Having just finished high school she wasn’t sure what career path to take but her first adventure into the underwater world sparked a passion and strong curiosity for all things in the sea. Aniela  went on to study Oceanography at Southampton university and during her studies became a PADI divemaster, working the summer breaks at a dive centre in Southern Italy.

Aniela has been working as a hydrographic surveyor for three years now which involves mapping the seabed for various scopes such as scientific research, projects concerning green energy installations- wind farms, and communication links. Most of the projects she works on involve the use of ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) which use cutting edge technology allowing high resolution data, especially in deep water.

Aniela’s passion, aside from the underwater world is communication - Being able to convey her love for the big blue.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aniela-martin-634070171/

The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90.   “Beyond Technical”   Narked at 90    If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements  https://www.narkedat90.com/           There is currently a code for you to use for purchases and the code is  BIGSCUBA2024.

We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast.  Please give us ★★★★★, leave a review, and tell your friends about us as each share and like makes a difference.   Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone    +44 7810 005924   or use our social media platforms.   To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:

We are on Instagram                     @thebigscuba  

We are on Facebook                      @thebigscuba  

We are in LinkedIn                          https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian%F0%9F%A6%88-last-325b101b7/

The BiG Scuba Website                  www.thebigscuba.com

Amazon Store :                                https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thebigscuba

Visit   https://www.patreon.com/thebigscubapodcast and subscribe - Super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   🎧You can listen to the BiG Scuba Podcast on all major podcast platforms including …. iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Stitcher 😀.      ISSN Number 2752-6127