Come and dive the Poor Knights Islands with us!

The boat we use for the Poor Knights Liveaboard is MV Pacific Hideaway.
Most people drive up to the boat on Friday night and stay onboard in the marina that night. You can drive up on the Saturday morning as the boat will not be leaving the marina for the Poor Knights until approx 9am.
We can help out with arranging car pooling if needed.
The ride out to the Knights takes about an hour as the boat cruises at 12 knots and the islands are about 12 nautical miles from the mainland.

There is the opportunity to do up three daylight dives and one night dive on the Saturday and then three day dives on the Sunday (weather permitting one of these is the wreck of the HMNZS Waikato).

Divers can opt in or out of as many dives as they wish to do.
If someone would rather lie in the sun on the deck and read magazines or a good book they can. There are also kayaks available for the guests to use.
Between dives there is around an hour and 20mins surface interval as your tanks are filled. Plenty of time to off gas, log dives, relax and have another meal.

The trip includes all meals from Saturday breakfast until Sunday lunch, and includes morning tea (freshly baked scones from the skippers secret recipe, yummy), afternoon tea and 1^st and 2^nd breakfast on Sunday!!
If any one has any special dietary requirements or is a veggie let us know in advance so that they can be catered for.

We limit the number of divers on board to a maximum of 12 so that there is plenty of space for all, both in and out of the water. There are 4 cubbyhole cabins which couples get first dibs at and ladies get second dibs. This leaves lots of room for the remaining passengers to bunk down in the main cabin at night. It is recommended that you bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper as there is usually a good chance of at least one snorer being on board.
The boat is back at the Tutukaka marina between 4 -5pm on Sunday afternoon.

Things to bring:
Dive gear including torches and two tanks
Sleeping bag or blanket (there are pillows on board but if you have a favorite lavender scented pillow that you can’t sleep without then bring it along)
Water (the water onboard is drinkable but from the bore water on the mainland so can have an ‘unusual’ flavor)
Snacks (you are fed generously but some folk just can’t live without their treats)
Bottle of wine or a few beers for enjoying at the end of the days diving

The trip costs $450 which includes the boat trip sight-seeing around the Poor Knights, accommodation Friday and Saturday on board, all meals from Saturday breakfast until Sunday lunch. To secure your space on the trip there is a minimum deposit of $150.

Full gear hire is $140 for the weekend (mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, boots, BCD, Regs, and 2 tanks). Just 2 tanks for the weekend are $60. The tanks are filled on board the boat and you pay for the number of fills that you have over the weekend direct to the boat. These are $8 each.

This trip is aimed at the Intermediate to Experienced diver as there is the opportunity to do night, wreck and deep diving. We run the Advanced Open Water course on this trip.

Photographs by Andrew Simpson

Related Pages

• Photography Liveaboard with Richard Robinson
• Poor Knights July Liveaboard
• Global Dive Trip Schedule
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

Refer a friend to Global Dive and receive $25 to spend in store!

Get your friend to bring the referral card in to Global Dive and they will receive 15% off a mask, fin and snorkel package.

For more information, check out the details below or give the team a call on (09) 920 5200.

Related Pages

• The best Scuba Diving Course I Can Imagine
• Learn to Dive Online
• PADI Dry Suit Course
• PADI Open Water – 02/03 May 2009

YS02 strobe Eel with Shrimp

Global Dive customer Glenn Smith has sent us an example of what you can shoot with a YSo2 strobe

Strobe Review by Tom Crisp

Usually I am the diver in front of the camera, posing for photographers, recently this has changed.  In July I took the plunge and bought my first camera.
After all, we do have a lot of talk about photography around the shop and I was starting to feel left behind.
Buying a camera system is no easy task as there are so many options and opinions out there. You have to consider the camera itself, lenses, housings, ports and finally strobes, each with their own sub categories to make the decisions harder.
After finally deciding on which camera and housing to get with a lot of help from both Andrew and Bonnie (thanks guys) I set my heart on a Sony NEX5 camera with fish eye lens and Nauticam housing.
This system is small, light and very high quality so I needed strobes to match.

The search began for a strobe (or two) which would complement the size of my housing whilst maintaining build quality. I have had little previous experience with strobes. In fact about the extent of my experience was being blinded by them.
So once again I turned to Andrew for some expert guidance. He told me to borrow the shop’s rental strobe which was a Sea and Sea YS27 so I took it to the pool along with my new setup and started to fire away.
It was almost exactly what I was looking for. A week later we had a new strobe in the Sea and Sea range dropped in to us so we could have a look, the YS01. This was the newest model in the range so naturally, I had to have it.

Munching mollusc / Photograph by Tom Crisp

With little persuasion I ended up making the YS01 the latest addition to my equipment, and I have not looked back since.

There are two strobes to choose from in the new YS series, the YS01 and YS02.
Both have the same features except the YS02 does not have TTL function or a built in focus light.
The focus light was the deciding factor for me as I bought it with the intention of getting some cave diving shots, making it a necessity.
The strobe itself weighs only 500g keeping it in line with my lightweight rig. It uses a fiber optic cable allowing the unit to be used with almost every camera and housing on the market.  The controls are extremely simple, off, pre flash, normal flash and power adjustment. They are also very easy to use when wearing thick gloves.
I was overwhelmed by the power output of the YS01 and found myself dialing down the power on some of my shots in open water.  Sea and Sea have clearly improved on the YS27 by making the unit smaller, lighter and brighter. At the moment I still have only one strobe so I am still borrowing more for my trip to Mexico (the camera was bought specifically for this trip).
As soon as I get back I will definitely be taking the next step to obtaining the younger brother, the YS02. As I will already have a focus light and rarely use the TTL function this seems the logical choice to accompany my existing kit.

All up I think the newest editions to the Sea and Sea YS series are a winner for entry level to advanced photographers alike.

They will also make a great travel set of strobes and really don’t hurt the wallet as much as some others on the market.
You get a hell of a lot for your money with this package and I can’t wait to start shooting with two of them.

Open water photos shot with YS01 and YS27 strobes

Pool photos shot with YS27 only

As promised here at the Cave photos I took on my recent trip to Mexico.

Related Pages

• Product Review : Scubapro Seawing Nova Fins
• Sea and Sea DX-1200HD Camera
• Scubapro Jet Fin
• Nikon L22 with Ikelite housing

The current star of our camera range this year has been a fantastic little package from two top names in dive photography, Nikon and Ikelite.

The Coolpix L22 is easy to use, with fantastic results from all the divers who have been using it.
The 12MP sensor captures great images, which are easy to see on the 3.0 inch TFT LCD screen.
The standard AA batteries mean you should never be without power, and the SD card means storage solutions are simple and common.

The Ultra compact Ikelite housings are simply the top of their league.  Full camera control is available, whilst also offering a strong, durable package.  The system has proven its worth in many charter operations rental fleets worldwide.

The housing is rated to 60m with additional upgrades available through adding lighting solutions such as the AF35 Auto strobe system, (also in store).

One of our popular Divemasters, Lee Haslam, has been using this system for several months now, with some fantastic results. He loves how you can switch between video and stills whenever your artistic desire takes you.

The package comes with camera, housing, 4GB SD memory card, o-ring lube, vinyl lanyard, port cover, flash diffuser and flash deflector.

Related Pages

• Sea and Sea YS series Strobes
• Product Review : Scubapro Seawing Nova Fins
• Sea and Sea DX-1200HD Camera
• Scubapro Jet Fin

The course focuses on primary care through a combination of knowledge development, skill development and realistic scenario practice to make sure participants have the confidence in their ability to provide care when emergency situations arise.

$199

Next course starts: Friday 1 February

Primary Care (CPR) skills taught in this course:

• Scene Safety Assessment
  • Universal Precautions – Communicable Disease Protection, including barrier use
• Primary Assessment
• Rescue Breathing
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Conscious and Unconscious Obstructed Airway Management Serious Bleeding Management Shock Management Spinal Injury Management

Recommended Skills:

• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training
• Emergency Oxygen Use Orientation.

Emergency First Response Secondary Care (First Aid) Course Content:

Emergency First Response Secondary Care (first aid) covers injuries or illnesses that are not immediately life threatening.
Participants focus on secondary assessment and first aid through knowledge development, skill development and realistic scenario practice.

Secondary Care Skills taught in this course:

• Injury Assessment
• Illness Assessment
• Bandaging
• Splinting for Dislocations and Fractures

Includes Reference Section on the following topics:

Allergic Reactions, Bruises, Burns, Chemical Burns, CPR (adult, child, infant) Choking (adult and infant), Cone Shell Stings, Coral, Jellyfish and Hydroid Stings, Cuts, Dental Injuries, Diabetic Problems, Dislocations and Fractures, Electrical Injuries, Eye Injuries, First Aid Kit Assembly, Fish Spine Injury, Frostbite, Heat Exhaustion, Heatstroke, Heart Attack, Hypothermia, Illness Assessment, Injury Assessment, Insect Stings, Octopus Bites, Poisoning, Rescue Breathing (adult, child, infant) Scrapes, Seizures, Snake Bites, Spider Bites, Sprains and Strains, Stroke, Temperature Related Injuries, Venomous Bites and Stings, and Illness Assessment Record Sheet.

Related Pages

• PADI Rescue Diver
• PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Specialty Course

We have events that may interest you.  Check back here for more information.

Booking conditions

1. To book on to a dive course we ask for a $150 deposit. We also need your contact details.
   
2. Your deposit is non-refundable unless you fail your medical AND give us sufficient notice (see below).
   
3. The balance of your course is due when you start your dive course.
4. You must supply a dive medical signed by a physician before we can allow you to do your open water dives (i.e. you may do your dive medical after you start your course, but it must be supplied before you do your open water dives). It does not need to be from a New Zealand based physician, but must be on the prescribed diving medical form – which can be downloaded by clicking here –  PADI Medical Statement.
5. If after booking your dive course and paying your deposit you fail your dive medical (i.e. you are found to have a medical condition that will prevent you from diving) then we will happily provide you with a refund, but you must give us at least 48 hours notice prior to the scheduled start of your dive course and provide us with a copy of your physician’s medical statement. Once you start your dive course, or if you advise us less than 48 hours before the start of your dive course, we are unable to provide refunds for failed medicals or other reasons.
6. If you miss a session or are late for your course you may need to do a catch-up session. Extra charges may apply.
7. If after you have booked or started a course you need to change your course dates, please speak with us as early as possible so we can try and accommodate your request.

Related Pages

• PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox)
• Halcyon Dive Gear
• Why I Became a PADI Diver
• Why Go Pro

Tom Crisp - Sidemount Diver / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

While some technical divers like the idea of diving with a lot of equipment others opt for the minimalistic approach, both are valid in their own way as there is no one way to dive.
The sidemount BCD utilizes the minimal approach much like the DIR and hogarthian concepts, “less is more.” However the sidemount divers have taken it a step further.
To understand the concepts behind the system you first need to understand the history.

Sidemount diving began in the early 1960’s when British dry cavers came to a cave passage filled with water.
To get further into the cave they had to dive in the sump. Their reasoning behind sidemount was because it was easier to transport the equipment through the cave as it could be broken down into much smaller components than a twinset.
A decade later sidemount started to show up on the American cave diving scene with divers such as Woody Jasper using it to push new leads in Florida’s springs.
More recently commercially made BCD’s have been developed as sidemount diving is growing in popularity not just for cave divers but also open water and technical divers, But why?

With the sidemount configuration you take the cylinders off of your back and place them at your sides much like a stage cylinder, making your profile in the water more streamlined.

Also cylinders can be removed and replaced more freely than in back mounted cylinders making it perfect for cavers, they can now easily remove equipment to fit through smaller holes/passages.

For open water divers cylinders can be easily put on in the water where you are relatively weightless allowing a diver with a back or knee injury a more comfortable entry.
There are many more reasons for sidemount diving but we’re here to look at the equipment.

Sizing up a Sidemount

The BCD we are looking at is the two piece continuous weave harness and bladder.

Many of the sidemount BCD’s on the market at the moment seem to cater to the diver who wants to use them for both sidemount diving and back mount, making them great for anyone wanting to switch between the two regularly.
Where the continuous harness varies is that it can only be used for diving in sidemount so does not compromise any of the system to allow for conventional backmount.

As I said before this harness uses many of the same concepts of DIR diving.
It has no quick release buckles or quick-adjust straps to reduce failure points and entanglement hazards (after all it was originally designed for cave diving).
It does not have a rigid backplate so it provides more flexibility in the water. This is probably my favorite feature of the whole system as you feel free and at ease in the water, much like a spear fisher who does not have a lot of gear.

An MSR camel back, dump valve and hydration kit is used for off-setting any additional weight carried at the start of the dive, effectively this is your wing.
The only downside to this wing I have found is the time wasted on the back of the boat trying to explain to everyone exactly how it works.

There are a few different sizes of wing from 10 liters down to 2 liters (1 liter = 1kg of lift).
The wing itself is fairly small in comparison to most meaning that you have to be properly weighted.
This is by no means a bad thing as buoyancy becomes much easier. Due to the small size of the wing it sits very close to the divers back again making it streamlined and comfortable to wear.
It can be easily removed in and out of the water just like the cylinders, but you would have to have an extremely good reason to do this in the water.
The wing can only be orally inflated due to the lack of a power inflator, this takes a little practice to start with but is soon mastered.

To sum up, this System is a pleasure to dive due to its simple and streamlined nature.
In fact it is so streamlined that when you are kitted up on the back of the boat you often get asked if you are forgetting anything.
It does everything the sidemount diver needs, whether it is for open water or cave diving while keeping equipment clutter to a minimum.

The best way to appreciate the benefits is to try one out.
If you would like to give sidemount diving a whirl then just ask at the shop and we’d be more than happy to help.
TDI courses and the harness’ are available almost any time.

Related Pages

• TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver and TDI Decompression Procedures Diver
• Shearwater Predator Computer
• Sidemount Diving
• Scubapro Jet Fin

Tom at the Knights / Photograph by Ian Skipworth

When combined with the TDI Decompression Procedures course, you will learn the correct procedures for planning and executing staged decompression to a max depth of 45m using the correct equipment and configurations.

The course builds on skills learnt on the Intro To Tech course, so you will be comfortable using twins with different gas mixes in your stage tanks.

Student Pre-requisites
To enroll on this course with Global dive, we require the following prerequisites;

• Minimum 18years of age
• Minimum of 50 logged dives
• Be qualified to either SDI or PADI Advanced Open Water level.
• Be qualified to either SDI, TDI or PADI Nitrox diver level

We recommend you are also certified to Rescue Diver and have completed the TDI Intro To Tech course.
The instructor may use their discretion regarding the recommended prerequisites.

Course duration

• Classroom theory sessions 3×4 hours
• Confined water pool sessions 2×3 hours
• Open Water Dives – 6 dives with at least 2 deeper than 30m

Course Content
The following areas are covered in the combined course;

• Physics
• Physiology
• Oxygen Toxicity
• Formula work
• Equipment considerations
• Dive Computers
• tables and planning
• Gas blending considerations and typical techniques
• Deco stops
• land drills and in water drills

Required Equipment

• Twin cylinders with Isolation Manifold
• Stage cylinder
• Wing and harness with suitable lift for diving conditions
• First stage for each cylinder
• 2^nd stage per cylinder
• SPG for twins and stage cylinder
• long hose
• 2x timer
• 2x depth gauge
• Lift bag and reel
• john line
• 2x cutting devices
• suitable exposure suit for depth and environment.

Future Opportunities
Once you complete the course, you will have opportunity to practice your skills on our regular tech only trips.
These are held throughout the year with divers of all tech levels taking part.

Related Pages

• Sidemount BCD
• Shearwater Predator Computer
• Scubapro Jet Fin
• Sea and Sea YS series Strobes

If you want to learn to scuba dive, the first step is to do a PADI Open Water Diver course.
Within a few days, you can be enjoying the underwater world. And what could be simpler than learning right in the centre of Auckland!

We run Open Water dive courses in central Auckland most weeks.
Courses are run in small groups over three weeks, giving plenty of time for you to become comfortable with diving concepts and to master the necessary skills as an open water diver.

There are two course options to choose from:

Option 1 – PADI Open Water course

Training is conducted over a series of classroom and pool sessions, followed by your open-water dives.

Your course includes four open water dives.

It is important that as part of your training you get to dive in a number of different situations, as once you are certified there are many options as to where you can dive. Because of this we conduct two of your open water dives in fresh water (in a local lake) and two in salt water (at a local marine reserve).

The price of this course is $549.

All of your scuba equipment is supplied, but you will need to supply your own snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins).
If you decide to buy a mask/snorkel/fin/boot set from us we will give you 15% discount off your purchase, or you can hire them for the duration of your course for $50!

On completion of your course you will graduate with an internationally recognised PADI Open Water Diver qualification that will enable you to dive the world over.

If you’re busy, or just prefer to study at your own pace, it is now also possible to do the theory part of your open water course online, and join us for the pool and open water dives.

For more information on eLearning – click here

Option 2 – Private PADI Open Water course

If you would prefer to do a private course with your own instructor we can put together a customised training programme to suit your availability.

1. Fully private course – private instruction with your open water dives conducted in a local lake (2) and at a local marine reserve (2) – NZ$1,299 for 1 person, NZ$749 each for 2-3 people, or NZ$649 each for 4 or more people.
   1. If you prefer we can also run this course off your own boat.
2. A part private/part group course – private instruction for your theory and pool sessions and then group instruction for your open water dives. Note that in order to do this option the timing of your open water dives must coincide with our normal dive course schedule – NZ$699 for 1-3 people, or NZ$599 for 4 or more people

On completion of your course you will graduate with an internationally recognised PADI Open Water Diver qualification that will enable you to dive the world over.
Before booking any learn to dive course, make sure you have the following questions (on our Frequently Asked Questions page, answered.

The only other additional item is a dive medical (see below) which will cost you the price of a doctor’s visit.

Click here for detailed course information.

Not sure if a full-blown course is for you? Come down to the pool and try scuba with one of our instructors.

Stop putting it off – you know you want to do it!  

Contact us NOW!!!

Why learn to dive with Global Dive?

• We keep classes small to ensure you receive personal attention
• We are flexible – courses can be moulded to fit even the busiest of schedules. You could spread your course over a number of weeks, weekends or even consider taking a home-study option
• Our handy location in Westhaven Auckland and – the Olympic Pool in Newmarket, Auckland
• Global Dive is a PADI and TDI certified dive school teaching many of the standard courses from Open Water to Dive Master and Tech courses
• We have a proactive dive club with regular meetings and trips. Membership benefits include international dive travel, regular meetings featuring guest speakers, and regular club trips to extensive locations catering for all skill levels.

Open Water Course details

Course timetable

Booking conditions

1. To book on to a dive course we ask for a $150 deposit. We also need your contact details.
   
2. Your deposit is non-refundable unless you fail your medical AND give us sufficient notice (see below).
   
3. The balance of your course is due when you start your dive course.
4. You must supply a dive medical signed by a physician before we can allow you to do your open water dives (i.e. you may do your dive medical after you start your course, but it must be supplied before you do your open water dives). It does not need to be from a New Zealand based physician, but must be on the prescribed diving medical form – which can be downloaded by clicking here -  PADI Medical Statement.
5. If after booking your dive course and paying your deposit you fail your dive medical (i.e. you are found to have a medical condition that will prevent you from diving) then we will happily provide you with a refund, but you must give us at least 48 hours notice prior to the scheduled start of your dive course and provide us with a copy of your physician’s medical statement. Once you start your dive course, or if you advise us less than 48 hours before the start of your dive course, we are unable to provide refunds for failed medicals or other reasons.
6. If you miss a session or are late for your course you may need to do a catch-up session. Extra charges may apply.
7. If after you have booked or started a course you need to change your course dates, please speak with us as early as possible so we can try and accommodate your request.

Recreational Dive Courses

• PADI Open Water
• PADI Advanced Open Water
• PADI Rescue Diver

Related Pages

• Dive Team Profile : Natasha Sharpe
• PADI Rescue Diver
• PADI Divemaster
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

Tara tech'ed up at Middle Arch / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

The TDI (Technical Diving International) Intro to Tech course is the perfect course for divers who have heard about technical diving and want to find out more about this exciting branch of advanced recreational diving.

This course walks students through the special techniques, planning procedures and skills that set technical diving apart from traditional sport diving.

It will show them how to improve their dive planning methods, in-water skills and streamline their existing gear configuration, in a non-threatening and fun learning environment.

The specific skills this course will highlight are:

• Advanced Buoyancy Control
• Gas Management
• Situational Awareness
• Trim
• Gear Configuration and Selection
• Many More!

TDI’s Intro to Tech course is a useful stand-alone course for the diver who wants to become a more skilled, more proficient diver regardless of if he intends to move on to technical diving.

The course may also be used as an introduction to the TDI Advanced Nitrox course and the TDI Decompression Procedures course.

And finally, it is also a good refresher for certified technical divers who may want to refresh their skills or have them re-evaluated by a TDI technical instructor.

Andrew has written a Dive Blog entry on the Intro to Tech course and we are pleased to have some dates already scheduled!

I can honestly say the Intro to Tech course is a fantastic idea for anyone interested in extending their dive training.We cover details such as equipment configuration for twins, how twins work, in water buoyancy skills plus more advanced dive planning considerations such as gas management as well as using tables and computers to efficiently plan a dive.

The course is an ideal way to determine whether you wish to extend your diving beyond Sport diving, or simply to improve your skills.

The course is run over two evenings and one weekend. Self study is completed before the first class session, followed by a pool session where we practice the in water skills. The final Open Water dives are then completed on the weekend.

>> Read more from Andrew on his “Intro to Tech” Dive Blog Post

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TDI Intro to Tech Course Timetable

:  Please check our Training and Events Schedule for the latest course times and costs.

Related Pages

• TDI Intro to Tech Course
• TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver and TDI Decompression Procedures Diver
• Trip Report : Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures
• TDI Advanced Trimix Divers