The Scuba Diving Podcast

Latest Episodes:

103 | The Scuba Diving world is about to change forever | Inventor Aviad Cahana breaks down the The Avelo Dive System with Kenny Dyal Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

The inventor of Avelo explains exactly how it works and why it’s changing how people go scuba diving.

Aviad Cahana invented this new system, intended to make scuba diving easier, more accessible, and just a lot more fun.

Buoyancy Control is no longer an obstacle, especially for new divers and students.

Scuba Diving is also somewhat restrictive due to carrying lots of weight (especially shore diving), and this reduces the overall weight a diver has on their back.

Scuba Diving is not only safer with this system, but it also reduces air consumption (even for professionals).

Aviad also reveals some wild research into buoyancy, weight, and wetsuits, turning what we’ve been teaching Open Water students upside down.

Renowned underwater stunt performer, Liz Parkinson also explains her endorsement of this device. This brings the world of scuba diving much closer to the experience of freediving, without the breathhold limitations.

The Avelo System is already changing the future of scuba diving. Hope you love this video breaking it down.

https://diveavelo.com/

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

102 | How to Dive in a Coral Nursery as an Open Water Scuba Diver | Ocean Conservation Foundation Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Melissa Giresi explains how regular scuba divers can help save the coral reefs! Volunteers can actually help maintain and grow new coral in the Florida Keys with the Ocean Conservation Foundation, which is a branch of Rainbow Reef.

She walks us through the process of diving in the coral nurseries and helping save the reefs.

If you've ever wanted to dive in a magical underwater farm of tropical fish and coral, this is how to do it!

Melissa is the Director of Conservation at Ocean Conservation Foundation. She is public presenter on Fish ID, conservation initiatives. She has a Ph.D. in Biology with extensive experience in research, teaching, and diving.

Special thanks to Coral Restoration Foundation™ for supplying video of the underwater coral nurseries.

Also a special thanks to Seminole Scuba for hosting the conservation exhibit event where the interview took place.

Contact Ocean Conservation Foundation:

https://www.oceanconservationfoundation.org/ocean-conservation-team/

Info@oceanconservationfoundation.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OceanConservationFoundation/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoceanconservationfoundation/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheOceanConservationFoundation

101 | Scuba Tank myths busted: Dive Industry Expert debunks common cylinder misconceptions. Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

Mark Gresham of PSI - PCI is a renowned industry leader in the dive and compressed gas industry. He debunks myths and disinformation about scuba tanks (formally called cylinders), offering detailed explanations. Some of the controversial topics include: Are titanium regulators flammable when filled with Nitrox? (or blended / partial pressure oxygen mixes) Is there any reason to roll or shake scuba tanks to mix the blended gas inside? Should valve hand wheels on a scuba tank still be turned back a quarter turn? Does the air in a scuba tank go bad after a while? What makes a VIP (Visual Inspection Sticker) valid? And how often do scuba tanks explode? Mark discusses and answers those topics and more in this interview where we finally get to the bottom of these common questions in the dive industry. Mark Gresham is considered the leader in Cylinder Inspections, analysis, valve, and fill station expertise. He is regularly consulted by global dive operations, NASA, Dept of Defense, NOAA, and many others. http://www.psicylinders.com/ — Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal www.sweetwaterscuba.com

100 | New Scuba Gear brand NEX is taking the industry by storm | An Impromptu Exclusive Interview Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

Scuba Divers are wildly attached to their gear, especially their regulator!

That makes this all the more bold of a move by Jared Berg, who plunged head-first into a crowded, and ultimately tiny market space.

But… NEX is now emerging as one of the top scuba equipment manufacturers in recreational AND technical diving. To prove it, NEX Underwater Products has already won two awards:

Scuba Lab’s Tester’s Choice for 2022

Scuba Lab’s Best Buy for 2023

Jared’s passion spills onto everything he builds, and it’s for all to see. His daughter’s name is also infused directly into the product names. PS, his daughter also happens to be his dive buddy.

Aside from making his gear line in the USA (which is amazing!), he even makes his own hoses and other small accessories. The quality control he puts into every little D-ring and doo-dad is unreal, to the point where it turned my head at the DEMA Show (this was not a planned interview at all).

The build, performance, and modularity seem to rival the biggest stalwarts of the dive industry, like Scubapro, Apex, DiveRite, Atomic, and the rest of the gang.

I loved everything down to the look. This was the most sought-after prize at the DEMA Scuba Radio pre-show given out each day.

I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next! (And by next I mean NEX, of course)

Here’s how to find them:

https://www.nexdive.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063761692565

https://www.instagram.com/nexdiving

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

99 | TOP Scuba Diver destination in the world | History of Diving Museum in The Florida Keys Dec 07, 2024

Show notes

Every scuba diver must visit this location at some point in their life. My only regret is not going sooner.

We noticed that it’s just as mind-blowing to non-divers and kids as it is to certified divers. I also believe it inspires many to go and get involved in the world of scuba diving.

In this interview, I speak with the executive director, Lisa Mongelia while at the DEMA Show. She not only gives us some foundational history, but some of the most interesting points and facts about the museum itself.

I also found the little hidden Playmobile divers to be wildly fun, in an Easter-eggy kinda way!

The history of Diving Museum is a first-class operation with extremely fine attention to detail. This is every diver’s bucket-list destination, and it’s perfectly situated in the Florida Keys, on Islamorada.

From sound effects to things you can touch, we got the vibe of being transported somewhere else. I was shocked at the number of dive helmets and suits that exist out there and loved the timeline and facts along the floor as we walked from one exhibit to the next. They displayed everything from earliest Seibe Gorman dive helmets to the Mark V, as well as all regular scuba diving milestones and even the submersible Jim Suits (atmosphere dive suits). This was one of my all-time favorite maritime attractions, and I will be back!

PS I think what really makes this one pop is tha fact that it’s right in between SO much scuba diving (between Key Largo and Key West). It just fits.

Contact the History of Diving Museum:

https://divingmuseum.org/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDivingmuseum

https://www.facebook.com/divingmuseum/

https://www.instagram.com/divingmuseum/

82990 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036

(305) 664-9737

info@divingmuseum.org

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

98 | Scuba Diving is FINALLY getting the change it needed | This is the future of scuba diving Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Scuba diving has been stuck in the stone age for a while. Here is a recap of, in my opinion, why we are going to catch up to the other big sports rather quickly.

We’ve all seen the endless, well-intentioned attempts at a new dive app like how to find dive locations, log a dive, or an agency app (like PADI, NAUI, SSI, SDI, BSAC, CMAS, etc.).

But I see people light up when they realize they can store ALL of their certs and cross-validate dive logs. It tracks professional divers and operators so you can get validated by pro from any agency.

The other big one is the fact it notifies you of divers in your area. Buddy Radar is a dive buddy finder, and it actually goes off quite a bit when I travel. This is a game changer as more people get on the app.

It’s got buckets of other features that continue to impress me. I hope you love this recap that has been 2 years in the making!

PS if you want to get some free stuff, win contests, and maybe grab a sponsorship, jump over to their site and get on it!

https://divewithbuddy.com/buddyexplorerteam

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Download Buddy App for iOS

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/buddy-dive-log-community/id1588860327

Download Buddy App for Android

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.divewithbuddy.app&pli=1

https://www.tiktok.com/@divewithbuddy

https://www.instagram.com/divewithbuddy/

—

Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

97 | Young women are reshaping the Dive Industry | Bella Zandoná talks Photography & Cold Water Nov 29, 2024

Show notes

Bella Zandoná dives the dark, cold waters of the Pacific Northwest packing a Marelux camera rig while wearing a drysuit. She is proof that scuba diving doesn’t need to be a macho sport for “tough guys”, and everyone with a love of the ocean should get involved. Bella loves shooting macro underwater photography, capturing the hidden sea life that enchants those less-traveled ocean floors.

Bella is an ambassador for Marelux camera equipment, as well as Suunto dive computers.

I bumped into her at DEMA, where she was on the showroom floor.

Bella also gives lectures on photography, marine biology, and conservation in her home State of Washington.

@divingwithbella is the account every diver should be keeping an eye on. Bella is the next big thing to hit the scuba diving industry and is already making big waves in the Pacific Northwest.

How to follow Bella Zandoná:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divingwithbella/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@divingwithbella

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-zandona-135681182/

—

Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

96 | Every Mermaid should learn to scuba dive FIRST. Career advice from a full-time Mermaid Oct 06, 2024

Show notes

Haley Mermaid explains exactly how she became a full-time Mermaid Performer and tips for other merfolk to break into those paid gigs.

We cover a lot in this sit-down interview, from training tips to tail making pointers, plus safety concerns for parents with kids who want to learn to be a mermaid. She also lists specific steps to getting jobs as a mermaid.

Finally, the big reason Scuba Certification is the biggest asset in mermaid training. We get into the real reasons why Scuba is more helpful than freediving for mermaid safety and character performance (but also why freediving is still extremely valuable).

@HaleyTheMermaid has MILLIONS of followers, makes and sells mermaid tails, jewelry, tops, and accessories. Haley can also be hired for character performance events, shows, mermaid training courses, and even personalized videos.

How to contact & follow Haley Mermaid:

https://haleymermaid.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@haleymermaid

https://www.instagram.com/haleymermaid

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOXdy8FV2pRRGfChsvO0f-A

https://www.facebook.com/haleymermaidofficial

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeByAMer

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

95 | Come with me to the FIRST EVER Scuba Diving Expo | There’s a new dive convention in town! Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

This was the perfect dive convention between the DEMA Show and The Scuba Show, and was much bigger than I expected. Loaded with vendors ranging from Tusa to Aqualung, Stream2Sea to Fourth Element, and even Huish Outdoors (Atomic, Zeagle, Suunto, Oceanic and others). They also gave out prizes, had mermaids on the scene, and even free food trucks!

Aggieland Scuba has outdone themselves in creating something that has become an instant staple, and probably too big to contain in College Station, TX. Join me as I cover the Dive Expo from start to finish, setup to teardown, interviewing staff, vendors, and speakers throughout the event!

Special thanks to Aggieland Scuba for putting such an incredible community together for the entire underwater world! (and inviting me out)!

The crowds never thinned out and the energy remained at a constant 110% throughout the entire day. The inaugural event has already outgrown itself, so I'm looking forward to seeing where next year's event goes!

Be sure to check out their website for updates on the next Dive Expo!

Also a big thanks to the incredibly kind staff, including co-owners Nathan Blanchard, Jennifer Opiela-Miksch, as well as Megan Blanchard who helped orchestrate my trip out.

And finally a big thank you to Becca Ziegler, who was helping keep the cameras rolling, keeping me organized, sane, and hydrated!

*I will update that info here when the 2025 event date and location are announced.

To contact Aggieland Scuba:

2151 Harvey Mitchell Parkway

Suite #109

College Station

Texas 77840

https://www.aggielandscuba.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@aggielandscuba

https://www.instagram.com/aggielandscuba

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsnaxodLj7dbpYhJfQQReqw

https://www.facebook.com/aggielandscuba

—

Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal

X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal

www.sweetwaterscuba.com

94 | HOW to run a Dive Shop without losing money | Owner tells the secret to 'Living the Dream' Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

Jennifer Opiela-Miksch is a co-owner of AggieLand Scuba, a full-service retail dive shop in College Station, Texas.

She’s running a success story of financial AND personal growth, with the simple ingredient to growing the store and enjoying the job revealed here in this interview.

Jennifer has also helped launch the Dive Expo for their 10 year anniversary. This is a community of scuba retail, equipment service, liveaboard charters, mermaid schools and of course scuba training and trips. The Dive Expo is quickly growing into the “stop gap” between the Scuba Show and DEMA, with the convenience of being in the middle of the country.

The DIVE EXPO is Saturday, August 24th, 2024 from 9am-5pm at Aggieland Scuba:

2151 Harvey Mitchell Parkway

Suite #109

College Station

Texas 77840

https://www.aggielandscuba.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@aggielandscuba

https://www.instagram.com/aggielandscuba

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsnaxodLj7dbpYhJfQQReqw

https://www.facebook.com/aggielandscuba

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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: