In this conversation, Jay and Sarah discuss their experiences about cave diving.  They discuss their different preferences and experiences.  Sarah shares her motivation for revisiting cave diving and her desire to understand and explore it more. She also discusses the challenges and stress she faced during her recent cave dives and the importance of self-awareness and setting oneself up for success.  She reflects on her fear and plans to further explore and dissect her own fears in an upcoming YouTube video on Azul Unlimited. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Under Construction
01:11 Cave Diving: Different Experiences and Preferences
04:05 The Fascination of Cave Diving
07:02 Facing Challenges and Recuperating
10:08 The Unforgiving Nature of Cave Diving
22:19 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Mindset
27:59 The Role of Trust and Teamwork in Cave Diving
30:02 The Mental Game in Challenging Environments
30:52 The Importance of Mental Training in Diving
31:40 Exploring Fear in Diving
32:35 Different Perspectives on Diving Experiences
33:35 The Importance of Building a Foundation in Cave Diving
34:30 The Learning Process in Diving
35:16 The Role of the Brain in Diving
36:15 The Power of the Brain's Processor
37:05 The Challenges of Dry Suit Diving
37:29 The Importance of Being Switched On in Diving
39:38 Progressing Along the Plateau
41:29 The Humbling Experience of Diving
43:23 Overcoming Navigation Challenges
46:01 The Danger of Diving Accidents
48:53 The Importance of Being a Thinking Diver
51:19 The Role of the Brain in Diving Accidents
53:15 Mitigating the Risks in Cave Diving
55:52 Understanding Human Factors in Diving Accidents
58:40 Closing Remarks

If you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: 

• Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop;
• Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcasts
• Send the link to the show, ‘divetable.com,’ to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor.
• Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or say,’Howdy!’

The Dive Table

https://www.thedivetable.com/

The Dive Table Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedivetable

Instagram

@thedivetable

Gardner Underwater

https://gardnerunderwater.com/

Sarah Miller

www.azulunlimited.com

Fish Dive Surf, Inc.

https://fishdivesurf.com/

The conversation revolves around the topic of diving with new people and the challenges and considerations that come with it. Both Jay and Sarah share their experiences and perspectives on the matter. They discuss the importance of building a team and finding compatible dive buddies. They also talk about the need to keep dives simple and gear minimal when diving with new people. Communication and understanding each other's experiences and comfort levels are key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable dive.  

They emphasize the need for open and honest conversations about fears, anxieties, and expectations before the dive. They also highlight the importance of observing the whole diver and being mentally prepared for the dive. Slowing down, being present, and taking the time to check in with oneself and the team are crucial for a safe and enjoyable dive. They also stress the significance of debriefing after the dive and building relationships outside of diving.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Experiences
02:03 Diving with New People
03:04 Different Perspectives as Instructors
04:01 Challenges of Building a Dive Team
06:22 Finding Dive Buddies
09:08 Upcoming Meetup in San Diego
10:08 Benefits and Challenges of Diving with New People
13:27 Using Online Platforms to Find Dive Buddies
22:19 Observing and Communicating with New Divers
23:16 Supporting New Divers and Managing Expectations
24:28 Building Trust and Communication
27:26 Taking Time and Being Mindful
29:15 Observing the Whole Diver
30:40 Slowing Down and Being Present
36:32 The Importance of Debriefing
43:29 Building Relationships Outside of Diving

If you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: 

Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop;
Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcasts
Send the link to the show, ‘divetable.com,’ to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor.
Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or say,’Howdy!’

The Dive Table
https://www.thedivetable.com/

Gardner Underwater
https://gardnerunderwater.com/

Sarah Miller
www.azulunlimited.com

Fish Dive Surf, Inc.
https://fishdivesurf.com/

In this episode, Jay and Sarah discuss getting back into diving after a surface interval. They cover topics such as preparing and servicing gear, buying gear and prioritizing purchases, time vs. number of dives for gear servicing, buying secondhand gear, and preparing yourself as a diver. 

This conversation discusses the importance of refreshing diving skills and the timing of skill refreshment. It also explores the concept of recall and mental preparation, including the use of visualization and YouTube as tools. They emphasize the significance of communication and support in diving, while cautioning against judgment and ego. Additionally, Jay and Sarah announce a dive meetup as a means of community building. 

00:00 Introduction and Surface Intervals
01:27 Preparing and Servicing Gear
07:30 Time vs. Number of Dives for Gear Servicing
15:40 Buying Secondhand Gear
23:33 Importance of Refreshing Diving Skills
24:24 Timing of Skill Refreshment
25:22 Recall and Mental Preparation
26:28 Building a Second Brain
27:56 Mental Load of Diving
28:32 Visualization and YouTube as Tools
31:34 Communication and Support in Diving
33:31 Avoiding Judgment and Ego in Diving
37:23 Community Building and Dive Meetup Announcement
44:08 Keeping Dives Simple and Building Confidence
47:46 The Joy of Diving

If you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: 

• Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop;
• Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcasts
• Send the link to the show, ‘divetable.com,’ to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor.
• Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or say,’Howdy!’

The Dive Table

https://www.thedivetable.com/

Gardner Underwater

https://gardnerunderwater.com/

Sarah Miller

www.azulunlimited.com

Fish Dive Surf, Inc.

https://fishdivesurf.com/

• (00:00) - Introduction and Surface Intervals

Meet Jay and Sarah, the hosts of The Dive Table on April 7th, at La Jolla Shores in San Diego!  Bring your gear and go diving with your favorite scuba podcast hosts.

Sarah grew up in California with a legitimate fear of sharks, but still found the ocean "pretty cool."  A snorkeling swim in Hawaii started her interest but she wasn't hooked until a trip to Kotak, Thailand.  

In this episode, Jay and Sarah discuss their journeys into tech and cave diving. They share their experiences and the challenges they faced along the way. They also discuss the different mindsets and motivations behind tech diving, including the appeal of exploring unique environments and the importance of humility in the diving community. They emphasize the need for continuous learning and skill development in order to safely enjoy the benefits of tech diving.

They explore the importance of considering future paths and not rushing into teaching or new diving styles. They emphasize the need to slow down and take time to learn and develop different skills. They also highlight the mental game of technical diving and the importance of critical thinking and decision-making. The conversation delves into the choice between side-mount and back-mount configurations and the advantages and disadvantages of each. They stress the importance of progressive training and choosing the right tool for the dive and the conversation concludes with a discussion on the passion and philosophy of technical diving.

We hope you enjoy our latest episode!

If you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: 

1.  Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop;

2.  Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcasts;

3.  Send the link to the show; thedivetable.com to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor.

4.  Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or say howdy.

The Dive Table

https://www.thedivetable.com/

Gardner Underwater

https://gardnerunderwater.com/

Sarah Miller

www.azulunlimited.com

Fish Dive Surf, Inc.

https://fishdivesurf.com/

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Dad Jokes

02:40
Background on Tech Diving

06:09
Sarah's Journey into Tech Diving

10:28
Jay's Journey into Tech Diving

15:00
The Appeal of Cave Diving

21:07
The Mindset of Cave Diving

24:32
The Humility of Tech Diving

28:48
Refreshing Tech Diving Skills

35:37
The Ego in Tech Diving

44:23
Considering Future Paths

46:59
The Importance of Slowing Down

50:57
The Mental Game of Technical Diving

53:20
Critical Thinking and Decision Making

55:12
Choosing Between Sidemount and Backmount

01:00:07
Progressive Training and Building Skills

01:04:45
Considering Individual Limitations

01:07:19
Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Configurations

01:14:22
The Goal of Redundancy

01:17:31
Taking the Right Tool for the Dive

01:21:48
The Passion and Philosophy of Technical Diving

Sarah sits down with long time friend and PADI Instructor (currently not teaching), Camila Quiñones to talk about their scuba diving experiences together in Mexico.

In this episode, Jay and Sarah discuss their journeys into professional level courses. Jay shares his journey to becoming a professional instructor, including the challenges he faced and the support of his spouse. They also discuss gender representation in UTD and the importance of reading the room as an instructor.  In this part of the conversation, Jay and Sarah discuss the importance of experience and understanding in scuba diving. They also talk about the value of slowing down and being patient in the learning process. 

Sarah shares her recommendations for choosing a dive master course and highlights the challenges and rewards of teaching scuba diving. They also touch on the topic of imposter syndrome and building self-esteem in the industry. 

Jay and Sarah discuss the importance of trust and apprenticeship in dive training and the qualities of a good role model in the diving industry and the importance of professionalism. They emphasize the need for continual learning and growth as a dive professional and the value of exploring different opportunities. They also share their experiences of being professionals and the challenges and rewards that come with it. They highlight the importance of teaching as a calling and finding your own path in the industry. Finally, they encourage divers to take breaks when needed and to embrace diving as a hobby, whether or not they choose to become professionals.

Takeaways

1.  Rain can have a significant impact on diving, and it is important to wait for the recommended time after a rain event before getting back in the water.

2.  Becoming a professional instructor requires dedication, perseverance, and a passion for teaching.

3.  Having a supportive spouse can make a big difference in pursuing a career in diving.

4.  Gender representation in the diving industry should be a focus, and efforts should be made to encourage more women to become instructors.

5.  Reading the room and understanding the dynamics of a group is an important skill for instructors. Experience and understanding are crucial in scuba diving.

6.  Taking the time to slow down and be patient in the learning process is important.

7.  When choosing a dive master course, consider factors such as the culture of the team, the location, and the number of dives included.

8.  Teaching scuba diving can be challenging but also rewarding.

9.  Imposter syndrome is common in the industry, especially for women, and building self-esteem is important.

10. Trust and apprenticeship play a significant role in dive training.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Small Talk
01:46 Desire to Go Diving
03:12 Impact of Rain on Diving
07:12 Transition to Professional Level Courses
08:14 Jay's Journey to Becoming a Pro
14:44 Supportive Spouse
19:35 Evaluation and Challenges
27:22 Gender Representation in UTD
36:36 Further Instructor Training
38:29 Reading the Room
39:56 The Importance of Experience and Understanding
46:13 The Value of Slowing Down and Being Patient
55:47 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dive Master Course
01:01:09 The Challenges and Rewards of Teaching Scuba Diving
01:14:59 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Building Self-Esteem
01:23:08 The Importance of Trust and Apprenticeship in Dive Training
01:23:44 Becoming a Role Model
01:24:27 The Importance of Professionalism
01:25:27 Continual Learning and Growth
01:26:23 Exploring Different Opportunities
01:27:23 The Experience of Being a Professional
01:28:19 Teaching as a Calling
01:29:28 Finding Your Path and Taking Breaks
01:30:52 Assisting Others on Their Journey
01:31:20 Embracing Diving as a Hobby

If you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: 

Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop;

Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcasts;

Send the link to the show; thedivetable.com to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor.

Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or say howdy.

The Dive Table

https://www.thedivetable.com/

Gardner Underwater

https://gardnerunderwater.com/

Sarah Miller

www.azulunlimited.com

Fish Dive Surf, Inc.

https://fishdivesurf.com/

Sarah sits down with PADI Course Director, Aitor Diaz to discuss how they met, how they started a dive shop in Komodo and what they did after COVID said, "Nah," to that business venture.

Welcome to Season 3 of The Dive Table Podcast, introducing Sarah Miller from Azul Unlimited!

As per tradition, the inaugural episode of each season brings up the question, 'Is Scuba Diving Still Special, and Why?'

In this episode, Jay and Sarah reflect on the past year and how diving has brought them closer to their communities. They also explore the sense of connection and awe that diving provides, as well as the importance of preserving the underwater world. 

The conversation highlights the team and community aspect of diving, as well as the continuous learning process involved in the sport. Overall, diving is seen as a way to connect with nature, build relationships, and experience the wild. They highlight the importance of engaging in conversations, learning from others, and being open to different perspectives. They also explore the evolution of diving philosophy and the diversity of training and belief systems in the diving community. The conversation emphasizes the need for inclusivity and the importance of diversifying the scuba diving community. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the New Season
03:11 Is Scuba Diving Special? Reflection on the Past Year
16:50 The Importance of Community in Diving
23:43 Diving as a Connection and Catalyst for Building Community
27:02 The Team and Community Aspect of Diving
29:15 Diving as a Connection to the Wild and Clarity of Mind
35:27 Personal Experiences of Awe-Inspiring Dives
41:10 The Unearthed Wagon Wheel and the King Tides
43:26 Geeking Out on Diving Gear and the Never-Ending Learning Process
44:52 The Value of Learning and Community
46:17 Different Approaches and Opinions in Diving
47:44 The Evolution of Diving Philosophy
48:34 The Meaning of 'Stroke' in Diving
50:48 Understanding Different Training and Belief Systems
52:40 Embracing Different Perspectives in Diving
55:37 The Importance of Effective Communication Underwater
57:53 Diversifying the Scuba Diving Community
01:00:07 Expanding the Narrative of Scuba Diving
01:04:05 The Journey of Self-Discovery in Scuba Diving
01:07:05 The Passion and Purpose of the Podcast
01:10:00 Engaging with the Dive Table Community

If you enjoyed this episode and want to be a part of this growing community, you can join us in a couple of ways: 

1. Subscribe to the podcast so you get notified when new episodes drop.
2. Leave a rating wherever you listen to your podcasts;
3. Send the link to the show The Dive Table to a dive buddy, your dive team, or your last scuba instructor, or anybody you want to get hooked on scuba.
4. Share your thoughts with us by leaving us a voicemail here on our website or Say Howdy!
5. Visit Jay at Gardner Underwater
6. Also visit us at Fish Dive Surf, Inc., for big picture conservation news in the fishing, diving and surfing communities.