Recently, introduced a revised Divemaster Course programme to better prepare the next generation of dive professionals.

As the first step from Recreational diving to Professional level diving, the Divemaster course is the foundation for a career in diving and one step away from becoming an Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI). The course is a combination of knowledge development, practical application and water skills development. The changes in the divemaster course are subtle but make a big difference – lets have a look at some of the changes and how it affects our future dive leaders.

Knowledge development

Knowledge and understanding of diving related topics is hugely important for any Dive Professional. A divemaster is expected to make decisions using sound judgement and act how a “prudent divemaster” is expected to act. These are ambiguous terms but it does emphasize the importance of having a good foundation of knowledge and skills to be able to apply in diving related activities. Good decisions are based on a persons knowledge and experiences and the changes in the divemaster course are aimed at giving a newly certified divemaster a better foundation to draw upon.

The new divemaster manual is now a more streamlined manual, which has incorporated several topics from the Encyclopaedia of Recreational Diving to provide a complete knowledge base in a single, easy-to-read manual. Topics such as Physics, Physiology and Dive Theory are presented in an easy-to-understand manner. For additional in-depth information, the Encyclopaedia is of course still included. For those that want to spend less time in the classroom whilst in Thailand there is the option to complete all the Divemaster knowledge on E learning and also practice the Dive Theory on line in preparation for your exams.

Practical Application

This portion of the course consists out of several components. The changes in the new course are aimed at better preparing a candidate to actual diving circumstances and providing them with a broader dive experience.

There are several workshops where students role-play scenarios in a controlled environment and respond to problems during divemaster-conducted activities. This experience is very valuable. When a divemaster finishes with the course, he/she will have already seen what can go wrong in real life scenarios. This is closing the practical gap between the Divemaster programme and the Instructor Development Course (IDC).   Several practical skills have been included to provide a divemaster with broader experiences. Examples are Search & Recovery skills and Deep diving skills.

This additional training will make a student a more experienced diver and as the first step from recreational level to professional level, experience is a key element for success. The changes in the Divemaster course are mainly aimed at providing students with more experience. Like the Rescue course, a divemaster will already have a stronger base in terms of experience to draw upon and in our opinion be better equipped to deal with real-life scenarios, whether they’re responding to problems or making good decisions based on sound judgement.

Scuba Cat Diving will be bringing a small piece of Phuket, Thailand to you in the UK later this year.

Dive 2011, NEC, Birmingham, England , 22nd and 23rd October 2011.

This is the 5th consecutive year that Scuba Cat Diving has had a presence at Dive, this is the biggest Dive Show held in the UK. The show is organized by the Diver Group and has been held annually since 1991.

We will be celebrating of our 5th Anniversary of attendance with special offers and promotions, a free live aboard trip  plus 10% discounts on all bookings made with us at booth 1265 on the Asia Pacific Showcase during the show!

"MV Scuba Cat"

This year representing Scuba Cat will be Sarah, Kath and Clare. If anyone wants to drop buy and buy any of us girls a coffee that will be fantastic, make it a wine………… and you have gained a friend for life!!!!!

After sharing a drink and a chat with us, why not spend time looking around the rest of the show you will get ideas for the latest kit to bring with you on return visit to Thailand along with some fantastic free to enter seminars hosted by top name diving professionals.  Two of the UK’s best-known Diving Celebrates will be there, Paul Rose and Monty Halls. Also Mark Powell, a well-known technical diver, will be addressing the controversial issue of Solo Diving, plus many more famous names………

Do you enjoy underwater photography and would like to know more or update your camera equipment? For the first time Dive 2011 presents “Photo Zone” the area will include exhibitors of leading camera and accessory suppliers, alongside many experts with advise for you on getting the perfect picture.

Ever wanted to know what it’s like to free dive?  Take part in a 10-minute relaxation and breathing lesson followed by a free diving simulation.

John Cronin and Ralph Erickson founded in 1966. The two friends met one evening, over a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label, and started to pursue their dream to create a Scuba certification agency that was different than the one that had certified Ralph. They were concerned about the professionalism of the current agencies.

John and Ralph knew there had to be a way to make it easier and safer for people to take their first breaths under water.

John wanted “professional” to appear in the name, and Ralph came up with “association of Diving Instructors” after a few more drinks was born.

Professional Association of Diving Instructors

It started from small beginnings, in a basement in a suburb of Chicago, based solely in the USA but grown massively over the years and is today a multi-national association of scuba diving professionals. is the world’s largest organization for recreational diver training and education.

It is estimated that 7 out of 10 recreational scuba divers are trained and certified by Instructors using educational materials and program standards.

is represented in over 175 countries and territories.   Over 130,000 individual Members operate worldwide and there is a global network of more than 6000 Dive Center’s and Resorts.

presently certify close to 1,000,000 divers annually around the globe. As at today they only require 108,600 more to hit  20 million certifications of recreational divers, this is a massive achievement, if you are lucky enough to be the 20 millionth there is a great prize up for grabs.

Scuba Cat Diving gained our first trip adviser report in November 2009, now nearly two years later we are amazed by how much this site has grown.

More and more customers that are booking with us either by the shop or by the internet, are telling me that they have read Trip Advisor reports and the customer testimonials to help them make their decision for their holiday.

Trip Advisor has become a valuable resource helping people make decisions about which hotel to stay at, the activities to choose whilst they are in Phuket, and most importantly for us which dive center choose.

Every Scuba Cat report is genuine, Real customers who have used our Dive Centre here in Phuket to provide their diving for them, write all the reviews on there.

At Scuba Cat Diving you can expect a quality service, provided by an award winning team, in relaxed and friendly surroundings, we like to ensure our guests get the most out of their holiday, no matter what diving experience they have.

We want our customers to come back again and again and recommend us to their friends and family.

Sarah Kench, owner of Scuba Cat Diving is originally from the England. Having spent many years diving in the UK before moving to Thailand 7 years ago, she realises the importance of safety in Diving but not forgetting the fun! She spends her time making sure everyone receives relaxed, uncrowded and enjoyable diving, whether it be their first or hundredth dive! She is now a Course Director, you never know where you will find her next: in the office answering emails, teaching a IDC, or with the Scuba Kittens – the next generation of divers!

Initially when people start diving on reefs they are appreciative of the beauty of the corals and marine life that inhabit the area. However, once you become familiar with the reef the finer details of the eco-system and relationships of the organisms become more apparent.

"The reef"

There are many different types of relationships that we see on every dive probably without even realizing it. One of the most famous relationships is the symbiotic one between Clownfish and the Anemone. The clownfish has a protective mucus on the body, which enables it to shelter in the tentacles of the anemone without being stung. The presence of the clownfish helps to defend the anemone, particularly from polyp eating fish. The Clownfish, also known as Anemone fish, of which there are varies species, keep the anemone clean by eating morsels that are left over from fish as well as eating parasitic critters and algae, for example, copepods, isopods and zooplankton. They also aid water circulation within the anemone as it swims amongst the tentacles. The fecal matter from the Clownfish acts as nutrients for the host anemone.

"Anemone"

The Anemone fish is an all year breeder. The nest for the eggs is found very close to the host anemone on the reef in nooks and crannies, so the eggs are protected from predators. At any one time there are between 100 and 1000 eggs laid and external fertilization takes place. Spawning normally occurs on a full moon. It is the role of the male to protect the eggs, which hatch within 4 to 5 days often 2 hours after dusk.

"Nemo"

The anemone can host many fish. If multiple fish are present then there is a distinct hierarchy with the dominant fish being the largest and most aggressive female. Should there be a reason this fish leaves the anemone, for example, death, then the largest male will turn into a female. Clownfish are hermaphrodites and are born male. Within a multiple colony there is only one breeding pair.

"Hello"

The main predator of the clownfish unfortunately is man. They are harvested for the aquarium trade.  A clownfish in the wild can live between 6 and 10 years, but this is reduced once the fish is placed in captivity. One of the most common mistakes is placing the fish in the wrong anemone. They are only ten anemones that can accommodate the fish. So, it really beneficial for the fish to stay in the natural environment.

"Look at me!"

Anemone fish can be found in the warmer waters of the following regions NW Australia, SE Asia, Japan, Pacific, and Indo Malaysia region. Surprisingly, they are not found in the Caribbean.  There are varies species of clownfish include Clarkson, Skunk, Tomato, Saddle, Yellow and False to name a few.

"Skunk Anemone Fish"

If you would like to expand your knowledge of marine relationships then why not take the Underwater Naturalist Specialty course.