Month: November 2019

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RAID UK & Malta X-Over 2020

Olivier van Overbeek
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Olivier van Overbeek
Training Director
E: oli@diveraiduk.com
Olivier van Overbeek
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RAID UK & Malta 2020 Crossover Update

In Collaboration with RAID International RAID UK & Malta have created special crossover packages for instructors and dive centres in regions covering: UK, Malta, Norway, Sweden, Egypt.

The packages cover not only the tuition from an approved RAID Instructor Trainer but also; all materials, 5 specialties, application fee’s, and 1 year of RAID professional membership.

For Dive Centres wishing to come on board, we extend this deal to 6 professionals (including dive masters) as well as your 1st year centre fee included.

Individual Suggested Price: £450*
Dive Centre Pack Suggested Price: £1000*
*Individual IT’s and centers may vary these prices as well as their specific offering.

Given RAID’s expansion in the market place and continuing development behind the scenes there has never been a better time to join this progressive agency that puts the quality back into diving.

RAID Instructor Trainers Available

UK- Scotland:
Kenny McGuire – Tec Diving Scotland
E: kjm@instructor.net – M: 07968 165621

UK – North West:
Garry Dallas – Simply Sidemount
E: garry@simplysidemount.com – M: 07740 46 47 48

Olivier van Overbeek – DiveLife / Diving Matrix
E: oli@divingmatrix.com – M: +44 7961 466812

UK – North East:
Pete & Robyn Black – Deep Blue Pirates
E: info@deepbluepirates.net – M: 07969825646

Gen MacCallum – Blue Water Training
M: 07792 305030

Malta & Gozo:
Rachel Vassallo – Ritual Dive Gozo
E: Rach@ritualdive.com – M: +356 79260259

Toby van Pooss – Liquid Diver Training (Gozo)
E: fluiddivertraining@gmail.com – M: +356 7707 3027

Olivier van Overbeek – Diving Matrix (Waterworld Qawra)
E: oli@divingmatrix.com – M: +44 7961 466812

Norway & Sweden:
Edd Stockdale – Gradient Technical (Sweden)
E: edd@gradient-scientific.com – M: +46793296609


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RAID INSTRUCTOR ASSISTS DEEPEST DIVES

Robyn Black
Robyn Black
Membership Services Coordinator at RAID UK & Malta
Robyn has been diving since she was 13 years old. She's a RAID IT and avid marine biologist with a passion for UK diving. Robyn also handles all membership activities for RAID UK & Malta.
robyn@diveraiduk.com
Robyn Black
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May 2019

A new era of underwater exploration was ushered in as explorer Victor Vescovo and his team from the Five Deeps Expedition recently completed a series of manned submersible dives into the Mariana Trench, the deepest known area in the ocean.  RAID Instructor Kelvin Murray is Director of Expedition Operations & Undersea Projects with EYOS Expeditions and was onboard the mother ship as Assistant Expedition Leader.  EYOS Expeditions is the world’s foremost provider of private vessel expeditions and carry remarkable expertise within their ranks. Led by co-founder Rob McCallum, one of the world’s foremost experts in deep ocean exploration, EYOS have project managed the entire Five Deeps Expedition combining advanced submersible operations, ground-breaking science and filmmaking.

The previous 60 years saw only two manned dives into Challenger Deep, pioneered by Captain Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard aboard Bathyscaphe Triestein 1960, followed by James Cameron and his sub Deepsea Challengerin 2012. Vescovo and the Five Deeps team dived four times into Challenger Deep, and a fifth dive into the nearby Sirena Deep. Achieving a new record depth of 10,928 metres, Designed and built by leading manufacturer Triton Submarines, DSV Limiting Factoris now the world’s first and only commercially-certified full ocean depth manned submersible. 

Remarking upon these incredible dives to the deepest part of the ocean, Kelvin explained; “Every diver can relate to how the sub operates; maintaining buoyancy control, moving in a three-dimensional environment, responding to pressure changes…although 1100 bar is a pretty extreme ambient pressure!”  The submersible also incorporates rebreather technology. Within the titanium hull are banks of oxygen cylinders that trickle gas into the atmosphere, while sofnolime scrubber units run continuously to extract carbon dioxide. Gas sensors monitor the environment and alert the pilot to significant changes.

There has been a lot of focus on the sightings of plastic garbage in the Trench, and however disappointing this is, it is hardly surprising. Kelvin is quick to point out that the diving community is finely-attuned to the issues of ocean plastic; “I hope that other RAID divers and our colleagues across the scuba world can take some inspiration from the Five Deeps Expedition and do more to protect and conserve our oceans. We all have a part to play.”

While not every diver will be able to reach the deepest trenches of the oceans, Kelvin is convinced everyone can get involved; “The RAID system enables every diver with a broad training platform and a healthy spirit of adventure. Develop and use your skills – there’s still so much more of our underwater world to explore!”

Images ©ReeveJolliffe