Episode 219 Project Seagrass

In Episode 223 of the Big Scuba podcast, hosts Ian and Gemma are joined by TV presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff and her son, Ollie, to discuss the dynamics of a "diving family." The conversation explores how diving became a central part of their household, with Miranda's daughter, Emily, recently working as a Dive Master and Ollie emerging as an enthusiastic advocate for the sport. Miranda reflects on the natural progression of her children into diving, noting that while their upbringing made it almost inevitable, it was always rooted in a genuine, positive choice. Ollie's introduction to the underwater world was remarkably early, having first used a regulator at just three years old. He attributes his passion not only to his mother's career but to a shared family interest that included his father's love for snorkeling and his siblings' early certifications. This upbringing involved family holidays centered around diving clubs, allowing the children to build their skills alongside their parents. Now a teenager, Ollie is focused on encouraging other young people to overcome their hesitations and try the sport for themselves. Beyond recreational trips to locations like Grenada and the Philippines, the family remains active in marine conservation, frequently participating in underwater clean-ups with groups like "Neptune's Army." Miranda notes the welcoming nature of the diving community, which has consistently supported her children as fellow divers rather than just observers.   More about Grenada : https://www.puregrenada.com/ Madagascar with Operation Wallacea : https://www.opwall.com/location/madagascar/ Neptune's Army of Rubbish Cleaners : https://www.narcdiving.org.uk/   The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice. 💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[email protected]   👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBA Waterhaul link Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com   🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127

This week on The BiG Scuba Podcast are on location at The Go Diving Show 2026. We carry out a number of ten minute interviews in our Auto-Trail Campervan, the Expedition 68 XL as well as carrying interviews out around the exhibition halls and we have a couple of voice mails from some friends we saw at the podcast too.   Campervan Interviews: Dominic Robinson https://www.youtube.com/@DeepWreckDiver James Neal https://www.facebook.com/JamesNealDiver/ Grace & Ant Westgarth https://gracewestgarth.com/grace-westgarth https://www.facebook.com/scutter.ant/ Andy Peters https://www.youtube.com/@Deepbluefpv Jake Davies https://jakeddavies1996.wixsite.com/jdscuba   Whatsapp Voicemails: David Mason https://www.youtube.com/@TheCavecrawler Meg https://www.pandorasboxeft.com/   Exhibition Hall Interviews: Dean Martin, Dynamicnord https://dynamicnord.com/ Dive with Jimmy https://divewithjimmy.com/ Alex Griffiths, Fourth Element https://fourthelement.com/?fesalt=FEWSPFVIVKRKRSD Tom Wright, O'Three https://www.othree.co.uk/ Brent Hudson, Narked at 90 https://www.narkedat90.com/?affiliate_code=p42PzCC8sx&referring_service=link     The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice. 💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[email protected] 👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBA Waterhaul link Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com   🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127

This week on The BiG Scuba Podcast, Gemma and Ian chat to John Routley and Brent Hudson, the names behind Narked at 90. Brent and John are the founders of Narked at 90 and discuss their transition from hobbyist divers to leaders in the technical diving industry. They describe a history of innovating bespoke equipment, such as rebreathers and high-intensity strobes, often born from personal necessity and a drive for engineering mastery.  They both have experienced several "sketchy" situations during their extensive technical diving careers,. Their narrowest escapes involve equipment failures, entanglements, and high-pressure decision- making at depth. These experiences shaped their ethos that "copying skips understanding" and led them to focus on creating highly reliable, redundant equipment for the technical diving community Beyond diving, the duo detail their significant contributions to military defense projects and their vital role in producing ventilator control systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation highlights the importance of rigorous equipment testing, the evolution of diving electronics, and the value of recovering maritime artifacts to preserve social history. Ultimately, the founders advocate for professional mentorship and the continuous pursuit of safety within the niche global diving community. The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice. 💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[email protected]   🔗 Other Links covered in this episode: Snorklefest 25 July 2026 at Springlakes Call for more information New Dive Site Dudley Dolphins Lodge Farm Reservoir Netherton Lundy Diving Female only Swim with the seals Find out more Visit the European Dive Show Look at the website Our Library of Diving Books Amazon Book Store 👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBA Waterhaul link Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com   🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127

This week on The BiG Scuba Podcast, Gemma and Ian chat to Helen Webb MBE and Rachel Lopata MBE. Both are British marine conservationists and co-founders of Sea‑Changers, a volunteer-led UK charity supporting marine protection projects. Helen founded the organization in 2010 with Rachel Lopata. Since 2010, the charity has distributed grants to over 500 projects across the country, helping protect the UK's seas, shores, and wildlife.​ Rachel and Helen were awarded an MBE in the King's 2023 Birthday Honours for their services to marine conservation. Outside her conservation work, Helen is a management training consultant specialising in Equality Diversity and Inclusion. She is a qualified PADI Divemaster, though she has never worked as a diving professional. Alongside her voluntary charitable work, Rachel has over 30 years' experience in social and market research, previously founding Community Research. Rachel is also a qualified PADI Rescue Diver.   The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice. 💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[email protected]   🔗 Other Links covered in this episode: Its our 6th Birthday on 4 Feb 2026! Listen to our first interview here: Listen here to the First Episode   👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBA Waterhaul link Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com   🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127  

This week on The BiG Scuba Podcast, Gemma and Ian chat to Leanne Cullen-Unsworth. Leanne is an interdisciplinary marine scientist with over 20 year's experience working collaboratively with people and communities to help conserve and restore nature. She plays a pivotal role within Project Seagrass leading programmes that help to understand the connections between people and the environment. Project Seagrass Overview: Established in 2013 by a group of seagrass scientists, Project Seagrass is a global facing marine conservation organisation securing a future for seagrass. They do this by creating, empowering, and collaborating with communities; by leading, championing and communicating scientific research; and taking direct action to map, conserve, and restore seagrass meadows globally. Project Seagrass seek to reach a world in which seagrass meadows are thriving, abundant, and well managed for people and planet.  The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice.💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[email protected] 🔗 Other Links covered in this episode:   Watch our interview with Mike Fincke Watch on You Tube 👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBA Waterhaul link Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com   🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127  

In this special year-end episode, The BiG Scuba Duo — Gemma and Ian — look back on everything that made 2025 an unforgettable year. They share impressive podcast milestones, including how many countries around the world the show has been downloaded in and highlight the amazing guests who joined them throughout the year. Dive in as Gemma and Ian recount their wet and wonderful adventures — from breath-taking dives beneath the surface to exciting events, shows and destinations explored both in and out of the water. Whether it was discovering new dive sites, meeting fellow ocean lovers, or sharing stories from the deep, this episode celebrates all the moments that shaped the year. Tune in for a splash of stats, stories, and the watery wonders of 2025!   The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice. 💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[email protected] 👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBA Waterhaul link Hapi Bottles Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com   🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127  

This week on The BiG Scuba Podcast, Gemma and Ian chat to Jason Pritchard. Adventure has always been at the heart of who Jason is. Ever since His first dive back in 2009, he has been captivated by the mysteries of the ocean — from uncovering hidden wrecks to exploring the unknown. What started as curiosity soon became a calling. By 2018, Jason had earned his certification as a professional instructor, and today, as a PADI Course Director. He is very proud to help shape the next generation of divers through calm, safety-first guidance and real-world experience. For Jason, shipwrecks are the ultimate adventure. Each one tells a story, a blend of history, danger, and discovery frozen in time beneath the waves. Diving isn't just a pastime; it's stepping into another world, one where every shadow might hold a secret waiting to be found. In 2022, he faced his toughest challenge yet: a life-threatening bend caused by a PFO. That experience could have ended his diving journey, but instead, it reshaped it. It taught him discipline, patience, and a deep sense of gratitude for every single dive he makes. These days, Jason is diving deeper, exploring legendary wrecks like Scapa Flow, advancing his technical diving, and preparing for the next frontier: rebreathers. Jason recently become Sidemount qualified, adding another level of flexibility and efficiency to his dives. Beneath the waves, Jason finds peace, focus, and an endless sense of wonder. No matter how far he travels or how deep he explores, Jason will never lose sight of the simple joy of discovery. Every puddle, big or small, holds its own adventure. That spirit of curiosity keeps Jason pushing boundaries, chasing secrets, and living the ultimate underwater journey. Social Media Links Insta/Tiktok @jason_inthe_argonaut , Insta @themidlandsidc, FB @Jason Pritchard The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice.💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[email protected] 👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBA Waterhaul link Hapi Bottles Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com 🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127  

This week on The BiG Scuba Podcast, Gemma and Ian visit the Midlands Diving Chamber and experience a 40 meter Dry Dive in the Chamber. They also sit down with Sally Cartwright, Chamber Manager and Carolyn Peel, Chamber Hyperbaric Doctor and hear more about what happens at the Midlands Dive Chamber. The Midlands Diving Chamber, a Hyperbaric decompression chamber offering NHS funded recompression to divers with Decompression Sickness (DCS) together with other Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) treatments. Midlands Diving Chamber specialises in Diving Medicine and provides a 24 hour centre with everything a diver could need from a medical facility. They also offer medicals too. To find out more follow Scott here:  Midlands Dive Chamber The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice.💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[email protected] 👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBAWaterhaul link Hapi Bottles Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com   🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127  

This week on The BiG Scuba Podcast, Gemma and Ian sit down with Scott Divitt, owner of West Coast Diving in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland.   His whole life has been about the water. It started as a kid, messing about with boats and sailing, which led him straight into the Royal Navy after secondary school. After leaving the navy Scott started working as an ROV Pilot, and now works freelance as an ROV Supervisor. He gets paid to drive robots and manage operations in tough marine environments!   On the fun side, Scott is a massive fan of diving, especially sidemount. He is a RAID Instructor for both regular and sidemount diving, and loves showing people what an amazing underwater world we have.   When Scott is not teaching or guiding super-yacht dives on Scotland's west coast, he ca be found in the workshop. Thanks to his long engineering background, he expertly handles the technical side of the business, testing cylinders and servicing dive gear.   Scotts background gives his a pretty unique take on diving. Whether it's the high-tech demands of his day job or teaching a new diver, it all comes back to a lifelong love for the ocean.   To find out more follow Scott here: Facebook West Coast Diving Instagram West Coast Diving West Coast Diving Website https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRwdq7JWj/ Gemma and Ian have a catch up before chatting to Scott and cover the new attraction at Stoney Cove, a train carriage that will be sunk to a depth of 22 meters. Read more about this here. We had the pleasure of attending the Ocean Film Festival at the UEA in Norwich and you can read more about the films we saw here : Read about the 7 films. We are also excited about our visit to Midlands Dive Chamber and going on a dry dive as well as talking to the team about the importance of the facility. We also talk about the 52 litre Adventure Kit Box from Waterhaul and how useful it will be for diving gear. Take a look here :Waterhaul link   The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice. 💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[email protected] 👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBA Waterhaul link Hapi Bottles Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com   🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127  

This week on The BiG Scuba Podcast, Gemma and Ian sit down with James Soos — British Army veteran, technical diving instructor, and founder of Dive With Jimmy, a thriving dive centre based in Bedfordshire. James has led teams during his military career and has dived all over the world. As an instructor with both BSAC and SSI, he teaches everything from recreational diving right through to advanced technical and closed-circuit rebreather courses. Qualified to dive to 100 metres on both open and closed circuit, he has also worked as Cruise Director in some of the planet's most iconic dive destinations, including Truk Lagoon and Bikini Atoll. In this episode, James shares his passion for diving, the joy he brings to every course and expedition, and the stories behind his global adventures. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with someone who truly lives and breathes the underwater world. Find out more about James Soos here :https://www.divewithjimmy.com/ Previous epidode when we spoke to James before he started the dive centre : https://www.thebigscuba.com/podcast/episode/2964b1ef/dive-with-jimmy We also discuss the BSAC The Annual Diving Incident Report : https://www.bsac.com/document/bsac-diving-incidents-report-2024/ The BiG Scuba Podcast is proudly supported by Narked at 90 – "Beyond Technical." Whether you're new to diving or thinking about moving into tech, they can help guide you with the best kit and advice.💬 We'd love your feedback! Leave us a ★★★★★ review, share with your dive buddies, and get in touch via our socials or at mailto:[email protected] 👉 Check out our affiliate links and stores: Insta360 Store – use our code BIGSCUBA Waterhaul link Hapi Bottles Stream to Sea McConks use our code THEBIGSCUBA2025 Amazon Store Patreon – support the show and keep us diving! 📲 Follow us on socials: Instagram: @thebigscuba Facebook: @thebigscuba LinkedIn: Ian 🦈 Last 🌐 Website: www.thebigscuba.com 🎧 Listen to The BiG Scuba Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and all major platforms. ISSN: 2752-6127