E107 Stratis Kas & Lionel Wolovitz - A Dive Gone Wrong: Lessons from a Serious DCI Incident

Hey, great to bring you Episode 107 with Stratis Kas and Lionel Wolowitz. Huge thanks to XDEEP for sponsoring Speaking Sidemount.In this episode, I catch up with Stratis Kas and Lionel Wolovitz. You may remember Stratis has been on the show twice before to discuss his cave exploration in Greece and his book "Close Calls". The latter proved somewhat prophetic, as Stratis recently experienced an Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE) following a series of "deepish", long-duration dives in Mexico. The incident was life-threatening, and Stratis credits his dive buddies, Lionel and Ruben, along with the medical teams in Playa del Carmen, with saving his life.In my conversation with Stratis and Lionel, we discussed the trip, the dives leading up to the incident, and the incident itself. Stratis recounts his thought processes, the mistakes made, and then reflects on the incident. He then hands over to Lionel, who gives his account of the rescue, what they saw, how they cared for Stratis, and the terrifying transfer to the hospital and medical/chamber treatment.Stratis and Lionel are incredibly open about the mistakes they made and why they feel these happened. They share the lessons learned and how we all can take something from this incident.As a postscript, following the recording of this episode, Stratis went to DAN Europe for testing and discovered he has a Type 3 PFO that will require surgery before he can return to diving. The PFO was likely causal in the DCI incident; now, questions remain around the other factors and how they may have contributed to the incident. More to come...Enjoy SteveThanks to Stratis and LionelImage Credit - Joram MennesOur Show Sponsor XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu/Sidemount Fundamentals eBook - https://www.sidemountpros.com/storeLionel mentioned the RescuEAN Pod, which would have made a significant difference in their rescue efforts - more here: https://www.rescuean.com/

In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, produced with the support of XDEEP, Steve interviews Maria Bollerup. Maria is one of the world's most passionate divers and explorers. Along with her dive partner Rannva Joermundsson, Maria heads Nixie Expeditions, an explorer group focused on combining dive exploration with conservation, science, and education.Steve and Maria discuss Maria's journey into diving, and her experiences with various expeditions, including the all-female Expedition Xunaan with Robbie Schmittner. They discuss the learnings from Xunaan Ha and how this was the genesis of the ambitious Expedition Buteng in Indonesia.This episode focuses on Expedition Buteng, how it was conceived, the planning and work that brought the expedition together, and the absolute"dream team" Maria and Rannva assembled. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, teamwork, community engagement, and the role of science in diving. Maria shares insights on the challenges of planning and executing large-scale expeditions, the significance of conservation efforts, and the need to inspire future generations of divers.Enjoy, Steve

In this episode brought to you by XDEEP, Ben Reymenants shares his extensive diving journey, from his early experiences in the murky waters of Belgium to becoming a technical diving instructor. He discusses the evolution of diving training and the risks associated with deep diving. The conversation continues with a reflection on the Thai Cave Rescue, where Ben played a significant role, highlighting the challenges and decisions faced during the rescue operation. Ben shares his experiences in cave diving and reflects on the lessons learned, including transitioning to cold water diving and the financial realities of a diving career. The discussion highlights the significance of community in diving and the personal growth that comes from pushing one's limits in the sport.Thanks & Image Credit - Pekka Tuuri

Hey, welcome to another episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by our show sponsor, XDEEP, Insta360, and the show's patrons. In this episode, I meet Naomi Allen of Koh Tao Divers in southern Thailand. Naomi is a leading light in the next generation of premiere technical divers and instructors. She has spent the past few years training, teaching, and diving in Thailand with guidance and mentorship from Mikko Paasi, who should need no introduction. In my discussion with Naomi, we get into her background and journey to where she is today. We cover how Naomi trained in sidemount diving, cave diving, and the KISS Sidewinder, and has progressed on to participating in mine exploration projects with Mikko in Thailand. We talked a lot about the importance of mentors, how to train properly, and the differences between mine and cave diving. We also discuss the value of technical dive training for recreational instructors and how the skill sets transfer from tech diving to open water level courses. And of course, keeping it sidemount, we talk about the right way to train both as a sidemount diver and for those aspiring to be instructors. Enjoy... cheers Steve :) Photo credits: Krista Paasi and Maxime Cheminade Thanks to: XDEEP, INSTA360 and Naomi Allen. www.bottomlineprojects.com www.kohtaodivers.com Naomi's Instagram - naomi_underwater_

In this episode of Speaking Sidemount, sponsored by XDEEP and Insta360, host Steve Davis interviews Hollie Gallacher-Teggatt, a sidemount diving instructor based in Malta. They discuss Hollie's journey into diving, her passion for sidemount, and her studies in maritime archaeology. The conversation explores the significance of wreck diving, particularly in Malta, and the importance of preserving underwater cultural heritage. Hollie shares her experiences diving various wrecks, including the X127, and emphasizes divers' emotional connection with these sites. The episode also touches on the technical aspects of sidemount diving and the importance of teaching and sharing the love for diving with others. In this conversation, Hollie and Steve discuss the intricacies of sidemount diving, emphasizing the importance of trim, buoyancy, and equipment configuration. They share personal experiences and challenges during their diving journeys, highlighting the significance of building a strong foundation in diving skills. The discussion also touches on the evolution of sidemount techniques, the benefits of different cylinder types, and the process of setting up a sidemount harness. Hollie shares her recent transition to rebreather diving and the importance of empowering women in technical diving, showcasing the supportive community within the diving world. Thanks to: Our Sponsors: XDEEP - https://www.xdeep.eu INSTA360 - Get free accessories with an Insta360 X4 camera here -https://www.insta360.com/sal/x4?utm_term=INRFFJF Our Guest: Hollie Gallacher-Teggart @girlsthatsidemounts

This is the amazing story of Joseph Bicanic's decompression sickness (Bends) incident while cave diving at Boesmansgat or Bushman's Hole in South Africa. Joseph joined Richard "Harry" Harris and Craig Challen's "Dark Side of the Moon" expedition. While working on mapping the cave and also achieving a personal depth record of 210m, Joesph was "bent" and subsequently had to medevac to Johannesburg for hyperbaric treatment. Big thanks to our sponsor XDEEP and the patrons of Speaking Sidemount for making this episode possible.

It's great to bring you Episode #101 with Gus Gonzalez, one-half of the dynamic duo behind the YouTube phenomenon, "Dive Talk". Huge thanks to our podcast sponsor, XDEEP and episode sponsor, Seacraft along with the patrons of Speaking Sidemount for their support. In this episode Gus and I discuss his journey from novice diver to prominent figure in the diving community through the YouTube Channel, "Dive Talk". We learn how Gus and Woody met, the evolution of Dive Talk, and the chemistry that makes their show unique. Gus shares insights into his diving experiences, the challenges of balancing a professional career with diving, and the importance of delivering value and the content his audience wants. We discuss the challenges in delivering thoughtful reactions to incidents and respect for fellow divers. We explore dealing with criticism and haters, highlighting the significance of focusing on constructive feedback. We learn about the development of the Dive Talk Go rebreather with Mike Young, and the mission behind the Dive Talk Academy to ensure quality instruction in diving education. We continue discussing the success of the annual Dive Talk Meetup events, which have proved incredibly popular with over one hundred attendees. The conversation also touches on plans for diving events and opportunities for divers to connect and improve their skills. Cheers Steve

Hey, it's great to bring you... Episode #100!!! Six years, a lot of blood sweat, and tears as the saying goes but a huge amount of learning, growth, and fun... I've loved every moment. I want to acknowledge the support of XDEEP who had the vision to join us early as the show sponsor and have been with us every step of the way. I am incredibly grateful to Piotr, Patrick, Bart, Magda, Barbara, and the wider XDEEP team for their support. Other sponsors have also supported us... Shearwater, Seacraft, SEAL Drysuits, Fourth Element... and you'll hear it here first, Insta360. They are all fantastic brands that I love. Most of them I was diving before Speaking Sidemount and I'm very proud and thankful for their support. And then there is all of you. Thank you so much for your support as patrons. You are the group that helps with production costs so you are part of this team and I appreciate the support :). In this episode, sponsored by XDEEP and Seacraft, I catch up with one of the most interesting people I know... Josh Richards. Josh and I have known each other for five years and have knocked out some terrific dives together in some of the premier caves of Mount Gambier, South Australia... an area known as the "Limestone Coast". Josh and I delve into his fascinating journey from military service to stand-up comedy, to being in line for a one-way trip to Mars, and ultimately to becoming a prominent figure in Australian cave diving exploration. We discuss the intricacies of diving, the importance of teamwork, and the skills necessary for technical diving, particularly sidemount diving. Josh shares his experiences in discovering new cave systems in the Mount Gambier region and the dynamics of his team, the Soggy Wombats. Josh's stories emphasise the collaborative spirit of exploration and the joy of sharing discoveries with the diving community. Enjoy :) Steve

Hey great to bring you Episode #99, thanks for your support and XDEEP for sponsoring the show. This episode features our latest Sidemount Diving Secret - Cylinder Section: "Why You Could be Diving the Wrong Cylinders". Big thanks to Seacraft for sponsoring this segment. Check it out here - https://youtu.be/0Ksl9r7zC6I?si=ZNYWiYTGYBPWX_ZB In this episode, I meet Stefan Panis, a Belgian wreck, mine and cave diver, professional underwater photographer, and author. Stef got into diving at a young age through his parents, who were divers. He progressed from recreational to professional diving and eventually became a wreck diver. He combined his passion for diving with photography and started documenting shipwrecks. Stef's favourite exploration project is the Dover Straits in the UK, which has a high concentration of shipwrecks. He wrote a book called 'The Shipwrecks of Dover Strait' that combines history, pictures, and stories of his dives. Stef also enjoys mine diving and believes that Belgium's proximity to various diving sites contributes to the popularity of technical diving in the country. Stef started as a wreck diver but later discovered the thrill of diving in slate mines, which led him to pursue cave training. Stef and his team now explore and document mines in Belgium, providing valuable information for speleologists and emergency responders. He also organizes the Dive Expo Belgium, a dive event that brings together divers from all backgrounds. Stef discusses the challenges of transitioning from warm to cold water diving and highlights the benefits of DPVs in his diving projects, particularly the Seacraft GO. Thanks and enjoy :) Steve

It's great to bring you Episode #98 with the support of our sponsor XDEEP and the patrons of Speaking Sidemount. Huge thanks to both for their support. In this episode, I introduce a new segment 'Sidemount Diving Secrets' where I'll share some inside tips and tricks that I've picked up over the 11 years now that I've been diving sidemount around the world. Inside the episode, I'll give an overview of the tip, and given we are producing both video and audio episodes, I'll point you back to the Sidemount Pros YouTube channel for the detailed video of each "Sidemount Secret". Let me know what you think and also drop me a note back if you have a tip you'd like to share, or have an aspect of sidemount diving you'd like me to explore. To get us started, this month's Sidemount Diving Secret is regarding the routing of your drysuit inflator hose and is brought to you by Sidemount Pros and is featuring my eBook, "Sidemount Diving Fundamentals" which is available complimentary for Gold patrons and for purchase/download via Patreon or the store on my website at www.sidemountpros.com/store. In this episode, I catch up with Por Parasu Komaradat. Por hails from and is based in Thailand an absolute global mecca for all things diving, from beautiful reefs, to wreck diving. As we'll hear, a heap of caves and mines are being explored and opened up to suitably qualified and experienced divers. Por shares his background in mathematics and software engineering before transitioning to full-time diving.  How he learned sidemount diving from Lamar Hires and went on to also train in Mexico. Por has been working as a technical diving instructor for 16 years. I share my own experience transitioning from software engineering to diving. We discuss the similarities between the two fields and the importance of having mentors in diving. Por also talks about the caves and mines in Thailand and the challenges and differences of diving in each. Por also shares his perspectives on the Mine Diving cross-over course and how important it is to understand how mining is conducted and how mines are created in safely conducting mine dives. Por shares his active projects, including exploring caves in Sulawesi and caves and mines in Thailand. He emphasizes the importance of teaching and building dive communities in the region. Enjoy Steve