Episode 199 Osama Gobara Cave Diving Explorer

The BiG Scuba Duo, Gemma and Ian chat to Stuart Douglas.  Stuart is an experienced mine clearance diver who served in the Royal Navy from 1982 to 1997, initially as an electronics apprentice before becoming a Ship's Diver. He later became a Royal Navy Clearance Diver, specializing in explosive ordnance disposal and supporting UK Special Forces in maritime counter-terrorism roles.  He tells us about being a PADI instructor and his up coming 209 mile ultramarathon across Iceland from North to South. The Great Norse Run that he is doing with his wife.  He is raising money for The Royal Navy Clearance Divers' Association Charity Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/stuart.douglas01 Great Norse Run : https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stuart-douglas-4?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL 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/?affiliate_code=p42PzCC8sx&referring_service=link 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 our media links or email   [email protected]   Take a look at the  Insta3620 Store    https://store.insta360.com/ and use our affiliate link  INRAI8S   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 Hollie Teggart.  Hollie currently studying Maritime Archaeology at the University of Southampton and will be finishing in September 2025. She has been an Instructor with RAID and BSAC for two years and  PADI and SSI for one year. Hollie has been working at Diveshack Malta as a recreational and technical instructor so we hear more about diving in Malta too.   Instagram:       https://www.instagram.com/girlthatsidemounts/ Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/hollie.gteggart/ Youtube:         https://www.youtube.com/@hollieteggart5404/videos TikTok:            https://www.tiktok.com/@girlthatsidemounts?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc   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 ★★★★★ 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 our media links or email   [email protected]   Take a look at the  Insta3620 Store    https://store.insta360.com/ and use our affiliate link  BIGSCUBA   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 Dominic Robinson.  Dominic  Robinson is a technical deep diver who specialises in exploration and in particular ship wrecks around the British Isles and he documents his adventures on his YouTube Channel.. YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@D33pUK Instagram       https://www.instagram.com/d33puk/# Facebook        https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574229267789 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 ★★★★★ 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 our media links or email   [email protected]  Take a look at the  Insta3620 Store    https://store.insta360.com/ and use our affiliate link  INRAI8S 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 Emma Biran.  Emma is a PADI Staff Instructor, therapeutic counsellor and mental health professional.  Emma has merged these professions into a unique program called Self Confident Diver, which has been endorsed by PADI as a distinctive programme.  The programme offers coaching and counselling sessions specifically designed for individuals who experience anxiety or panic when scuba diving. Throughout her career, she has witnessed numerous individuals lose confidence in their diving abilities due to past experiences and anxiety.  The Dive Confident mission is to enable individuals to build resilience and restore confidence.  www.self-confident-diver.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/.  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 our media links or email   [email protected]  Take a look at the  Insta3620 Store    https://store.insta360.com/ and use our affiliate link  INRAI8S 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 Rob Colley.  Rob Colley is a former Royal Marine and Specialist Military Unit (SMU) operator with over 23 years of elite experience leading and performing in some of the world’s most extreme environments on land and under the sea.  Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for Gallantry, Rob spent much of his military career operating in high-pressure, high-stakes scenarios that demanded total focus, resilience, and leadership under stress.   Following his transition from military service, Rob turned his attention to human performance and recovery, serving as Director of Elite Performance & Training at DEEP Research Labs developing protocols to prepare scientists and explorers for extended subsea missions.   Today, Rob is the founder of Thrival Instinct and the creator of the Thrival Instinct Method for Inner Mastery a powerful system that blends breathwork, mindset training, and performance psychology. His approach helps military personnel, veterans, corporate leaders, and high performers break free from survival mode and reconnect with clarity, resilience, and purpose.  Through retreats, coaching, and digital programs, Rob now helps others build inner strength and live with intention—especially those who’ve faced extreme environments of their own, whether physical, mental, or emotional. Website: https://www.thrivalinstinct.co.uk  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 ★★★★★ 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 our media links or email   [email protected] 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 Simon Mills.  In August 1996, the wreck of HMHS Britannic was bought by renowned maritime historian, Simon Mills. Simon is a long-standing camera technician in the UK film industry. During his career he has also researched numerous documentaries on historical and maritime subjects, and is a published author on all three Olympic-class ships.   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 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