The Scuba Diving Podcast

Kenny Dyal

Never before has the entire underwater industry come together in one place & without barriers. The most interesting people underwater share their success stories, expertise, & just plain 'ol advice. Leaders from travel to equipment, aquariums to scuba instructors, mermaids to boat captains, & everything in between are all right here. If you love the water & want to know "how they did it" or "why they do it", your wait is over!
Kenny Dyal brings top talent to help you along your underwater journey.
"Let's show the rest of the world, the rest of the world."

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#123
Monday · 14 min
Every scuba diver should attend this at least once in their lives: DIVE FEST Barbados - here is my breakdown of the dive scene, the island, plus interviews with well known locals 🤿
Dive Fest Barbados: Scuba Diving Shipwrecks, Coral Nursery & the Island's Biggest Party 🇧🇧 What if scuba diving turned into a giant party? In Barbados, it did. Dive Fest Barbados is the annual scuba diving festival that has exploded. In this episode I’m bringing you right into the middle of it all. In this video we sit down with Andre Miller of Barbados Blue after diving the coral nursery and the Carlisle Bay shipwrecks, including a WW1 AND a WW2 wreck you can dive on a single tank, right off the beach. There are 7 wrecks in the bay, and the shallow ones are good enough that snorkelers (and even mermaids) can join you on the same wreck. If you've got friends or family who don't dive, Barbados is the place to bring them. Andre says most of them end up doing a Discover Scuba after one look. Also in this video:🐠 Diving the coral nursery with Barbados Blue.⚓ Carlisle Bay shipwreck diving: 7 wrecks, WW1 and WW2 on one tank🎙️ Scuba Radio at Dive Fest Barbados.🐟 The Oistins Fish Fry. Easily the best fish I've had in recent memory, cooked a thousand ways, with live music around every corner.🍹 Rum distilleries. Barbados is the birthplace of rum🎢 Harrison's Cave tram tour: It looked like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney, so good it looked fake.🐎 Racehorses swimming in the surf at sunrise on Carlisle Bay (support the actual groomers, not the photo solicitors…it's a thing 🤷‍♂️). Dive Fest is put on by Barbados Tourism: www.visitbarbados.org with the Hilton Barbados and Atlantis Submarines all getting behind it. Barbados is alive, friendly, and we felt safe and welcome the entire trip. ▶️ WATCH NEXT: We went scuba diving on the Atlantis Submarine in Barbados → https://open.spotify.com/episode/0d7lynWUD5IMPFsnhMxAPe?si=bJckx87QRhOO2Z5hzaivrA 📢 Subscribe for more scuba diving destinations, dive travel, gear tips, interviews, and breakdown videos. Kenny Dyal is the host of the Scuba Diving Podcast. #DiveFestBarbados #Barbados #ScubaDiving #ScubaPodcast #ShipwreckDiving #DiveTravel #CarlisleBay #BarbadosBlue #CaribbeanDiving #WreckDiving #Snorkeling #HarrisonsCave #OistinsFishFry #TravelVlog
#122
September 8 · 8 min
I Rode a Submarine to the Reef while Scuba Diving in Barbados 🤿☠️
During Dive Fest Barbados, Atlantis Submarines and Barbados Blue pulled off something I've never seen anywhere else: divers hanging onto the top of a real submarine for a 10-minute ride down to the reef. Some divers think this sounds terrifying. For me it was a bucket-list dive and one of the most fun things I've ever done, diving or otherwise.In this video:How it actually works: clearing your ears on a moving sub, staying clear of the props, and the safety plan behind it.Mermaid Kristen's "money shot" rising from the water on the bow (with safety divers and Greg the Divemaster on air support).The moment I found out there was only ONE submarine ride and had to scramble into my gear.My interview with Andre Miller, and his son Ajhanii, freediving down to the submarine.How deep it really went (reef ~40 ft, top of the sub ~20 ft) - this varied depending on locations as well as the sub going up and down occasionally.Why Dive Fest Barbados is my new must-do: the Oistins Friday fish fry, WW1 and WW2 shipwrecks on a single dive, snorkeler-friendly wrecks, the caves, the coral nursery, and the rum distilleries. (Barbados is the birthplace of RUM!)Want to ride the sub on scuba gear? As far as I know, the only way is to work for Barbados Blue or Atlantis Barbados, but message them and let them know pro divers want a run at it next year.However, anyone can sign up to ride down inside.Huge thanks to Seymour and the team at VisitBarbados.org for the invite, Andre Miller (the mastermind on the radio coordinating three boats and a submarine captain), Ajhanii Miller, Logan the photographer, Mermaid Kristin and Greg the Divemaster from Scuba Radio and everyone at Barbados Blue and Atlantis Submarines Barbados.Video from inside the submarine courtesy of Jessica Todd: Eaves & Wine Travel Co.🎥 Watch or listen next here on this channel:Dive Fest Barbados full video, and how to dive and help outplanting and cleaning in their Coral Nursery.Dive Fest Barbados runs every August.More info and dates here:https://www.visitbarbados.org/dive-fest-barbadosSee you there next year.Subscribe, dive safe, and have a great day.!Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast.
August 30 · 11 min
What does it feel like to LIVE in an underwater habitat? NASA scientist Dawn Kernagis lived on the ocean floor & is here to tell us about it! 🤿👩‍🚀💦
Interview with Dr. Dawn Kernagis discussing living on the ocean floor in an undersea habitat. Here we primarily discuss her NEEMO missions in previous habitats, with the new DEEP Vanguard being shown. It will be deployed fall 2026. • Organization: DEEP. • Location: Tennessee Reef, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. • Features: Dive center with moonpool entry/exit for scuba, rebreather, and hard-hat diving, reconfigurable living chamber with bunks for four and communal lounge area, safety refuges, emergency power, and breathing gas. • Supporting infrastructure: Shore-based command center, watch desk, decompression chamber, mission support vessels, and facilities for habitat diver training. • Inhabitants: Crews of up to four aquanauts, living and working underwater for five+ days at a time. • Mission types: Marine science research, coral reef restoration, long-term monitoring, climate impact studies, human performance research, and training for extreme environments. • Total installation weight of foundation, ballast, and habitat: 465 tons. • Structure footprint (including foundation): 14 meters (46 ft) x 12 meters (39 ft). • Liveable area of the habitat: 10.7 meters (35 ft) long x 2.5 meters (8 ft) wide. • Ocean floor installation depth: 17 meters (56 ft). • Habitat living pressure depth: 13 meters (43 ft). • Partners: DEEP’s partners on the Vanguard project include Unique Group, Bastion Technologies, Triton Submarines, and Resolve Marine. On its mission to make humans aquatic, ocean engineering firm, DEEP, is developing subsea habitats, systems, and training to enable a continuous human presence in the ocean. Vanguard, its prototype habitat, is the first step in a long-term infrastructure program. Next comes Sentinel – a modular habitat system designed for scale. www.deep.com Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast.
#120
June 29 · 8 min
40 TANKS underwater! Neal Watson swam longer than ANY diver underwater | He reveals his world record secret 🤿
Scuba World Record holder and Hall of Fame legend Neal Watson joins me to talk about the world's longest scuba swim on record:What it actually took, how a critical equipment malfunction forced him to drink warm salt water mid-swim, how he stayed hydrated and fed underwater, and exactly how far he went.But Neal's resume doesn't stop there. He also holds the record for the deepest dive on regular compressed air, is inducted into the Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, and pioneered shark diving at what is now Neal Watson's Bimini Scuba Center.He's been diving since the 1950s. Long enough to have strong opinions about where the sport is headed, and something very specific that's been lost along the way.We talked about all of it with no notes or prep, this was completely impromptu on the dock at Marinelab Undersea Park. 🛟 Topics covered:World record scuba swim: Distance, logistics, and what went wrongDeepest dive on compressed airThe origins of modern shark divingOld school vs. modern scuba divingScuba Diving Hall of Fame
#118
May 24 · 26 min
This new Wellness approach could SAVE Scuba Diving! 🤿🧘💧 | Interview with Dr. Calina of Journey Underwater
What if the scuba diving industry has been missing something critical — and two people just figured out how to fix it?Dr. Calina Ouliaris and Simon Lugan, cofounders of Journey Underwater, have developed a groundbreaking wellness framework that’s reshaping how divers learn, breathe, and reconnect with their minds underwater (and on land). Their approach — the “Dive In” Framework (also an official PADI specialty course) — challenges the dive industry to go beyond physical safety checklists and finally address the mental and psychological well-being of both students and instructors.In this full-length interview with Calina, we explore:Why traditional dive training is leaving a critical gap in diver wellnessHow the “Dive In” framework transforms learning environments and the significance of pre/post-dive briefings.The role of pace, mindfulness, and internalized safety in building a sustainable dive community.Why this movement could literally save scuba diving🗺️ Filmed entirely on location at Fitzroy Island, off the coast of Cairns, Australia — one of the most stunning corners of the world, and along the Great Barrier Reef. It was a personal bucket-list destination. Nearly all the clips were shot in the field, with real participants going through the program. The little bit of wind you’ll hear, the waves, the reef — it’s all real.If you care about the future of diving, diver mental health, or wellness-integrated adventure sports, I think you’ll love this episode.https://www.journeyunderwater.com/—Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:www.sweetwaterscuba.com
#118
April 19 · 15 min
Most divers will NOT try a WW2 Mark V dive helmet in real life | Watch a real diver suit up, all during a breakdown interview with "Sharky", a top expert in the Florida Keys 🤿
I got a first-hand look at divers entering the water wearing a REAL WW2 Mark V dive helmet and suit! Local expert and guru "Sharky" paused for an impromptu interview right on the deck of the Marinelab habitat in Key Largo, FL. This is home to Vintage Dive Day, and Jules Undersea Lodge. Sharky walks us through the experience of diving in historical gear, why he does it, and some key reactions of divers who didn't know what to expect! Sharky (Mark Alexander), runs the "Dive a Mark V" experience, owns Trident Surface Supplied Diving, and contributes to the History of Diving Museum. Interview and video by: Kenny Dyal
#117
March 12 · 5 min
117| FREE Scuba Training? -Here's my interview with RAID certification agency director James Rogers at the 2026 UK Go Diving Show
Is there anything wrong with giving away the online scuba training for free? RAID doesn't think so. They’re a major presence in the UK, and an ubiquitous logo around the 2026 UK Go Diving Show. “RAIDers” are taking the scuba world by storm with a very different approach to learning. Director James Rogers took time to explain to me the learning culture behind RAID, which is an international scuba certifying agency. https://diveraid.com/ — Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: www.sweetwaterscuba.com
#116
January 20 · 6 min
116 | Injured Scuba Divers now have a portable hyperbaric treatment chamber!
This new breakthrough version of a hyperbaric chamber is making it much safer to dive! The technology has been around for a while, but making it THIS lightweight, compact, easy to transport and setup (with just two people!) is a big deal in my book. This allows dive operators to bring along hyperbaric chamber treatment almost anywhere in the world (it can fit in the back of a pickup truck). It is called the “Hyperlite 1” Portable Hyperbaric Chamber. And the fact that two guys can set it up in 15 minutes is wild. When divers get “the bends” underwater (decompression sickness), they need to quickly be transported to a hyperbaric chamber for treatment. This often involves a long time between the emergency call, EMS, and the drive (or quite often, a life flight) to a hyperbaric treatment facility. It also requires the facility to be open, unoccupied, and ready. Having a portable hyperbaric chamber that can pack up and deploy is a big deal. While the price tag is high for an individual diver, the cost-benefit for a busy dive center or remote tourist destination seems worth it. Follow the Dive 1st Aid YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/Dive1stAid www.dive1staid.com Special Thanks: SOS Group Underwater scooter video footage supplied by Rotinor GmbH Rebreather footage provided by SIEL srl Photo Credits: Original Hyperlite 1 Prototype - By John Selby Hyperlite 1 in Aircraft - By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, USAF Hyperlite 1 in Stryker INF - By Bradley Peterson, Former USN — Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast www.sweetwaterscuba.com
#115
Dec 29, 2025 · 6 min
115 | The Boat Parade in Key Largo was ALMOST a bust | Full Christmas Boat Parade Breakdown 🎄🛥️💦
Get front-row access to the most festive night in the Florida Keys, from the best seat in the house! Watch the Key Largo Boat Parade light up the water as fully decorated dive boats and Christmas-themed cruisers glide past The Amoray Diver’s official “Judge Boat”. I’ll be taking you start-to-finish behind the scenes from the official judge crew perspective of the annual Key Largo Christmas Boat Parade. We took the Amoray dive boat to Sundowners dock for the main event, where you’ll see not only the boat parade, but reactions from the judges (and Jeff Gneiser himself!). Despite heavy rains, we were determined to capture the holiday magic of Florida Keys Christmas events that go beyond just diving and snorkeling. With brightly lit boats, waterfront festivities, and the tropical nightlife vibe that makes Key Largo one of the most iconic holiday destinations in the Keys, I hope you enjoy the ride! A big thanks to the Amoray Dive Resort for hosting our stay, along with the Rotary Club, Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, Sundowners, Big Chill, Coral Restoration Foundation, and many others for putting this Grinch themed contest together! Despite being one of the best-reviewed scuba diving boats in the Florida Keys, The Amoray Diver is also a community-centered presence that continues to make the Upper Keys a bit brighter. https://www.amoray.com/ — Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal www.sweetwaterscuba.com
#114
Nov 10, 2025 · 8 min
114 | How a booking platform is Revolutionizing Scuba Travel | Fixing the Dive Industry’s Biggest Problem
The scuba diving industry has been stuck in the past when it comes to technology — especially online booking. In this episode, we sit down with Alexis Jabbour, the creator of Buddy Booking. It’s a groundbreaking, new platform built specifically for divers, dive shops, and operators.Developed by the same team behind the popular Buddy dive app, Buddy Booking aims to modernize how divers plan and book their adventures — solving one of the biggest “bottlenecks”, which is a contributing factor in holding back the growth of scuba diving worldwide.This platform is designed specifically for the nuance of the dive industry, cutting down the dreaded steps to making a reservation. A key element is working with a simplified calendar, ability to add things like Tanks (or nitrox fills), rental gear, and other things that traditional booking software seems to lack. It even has options to book a private photographer or videographer!It is a standalone reservation + booking management platform, which is separate from the app.Not just an app feature – it’s a standalone systemBuilt for dive shops, instructors, charters, and tour operatorsIf you’re a diver, instructor, or dive business owner, this conversation will open your eyes to where the industry is headed — and how tech could finally bring it up to speed. You can register/apply here: https://business.bookwithbuddy.com/register Listings and further details can be found on https://bookwithbuddy.com/ Watch, comment, and share if you believe it’s time to modernize diving!#ScubaDiving #BuddyBooking #DiveTravel #ScubaIndustry #DivingInnovation #ScubaBusiness #ScubaTech #DiveShop #ScubaPodcast–Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:www.sweetwaterscuba.com
#113
Oct 16, 2025 · 24 min
113 | The Scuba Debates not all professionals will talk about 😳🛟💦 | Dive Podcast Hosts Myles Schwartz & Kenny Dyal
No filter. No script. Just real talk.Kenny Dyal and Myles Schwartz dive deep into the most controversial topics in the scuba diving world — from toxic competition between dive pros to the industry’s struggle to attract more women and young divers. And finally, the real reason is we all love scuba diving so much. In this episode, two dive hosts face off on:🌊 Why the scuba industry can be its own worst enemy🤿 How to get more people excited about diving⚓ The truth about dive gear (specifically, if it’s really a good idea to wear a dive knife on EVERY dive) — and what actually matters underwater🐠 What scuba diving is really about at its core Listen to the Free Descent Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1xsMzx1ya9qZBJO2ZL7PWi?si=7f916b989bc449a7 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/free-descent/id1677073474 Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal⁠ Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal⁠ LinkedIn:⁠ www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal⁠ Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal⁠ www.sweetwaterscuba.com
#112
Oct 10, 2025 · 24 min
112 | Scuba Diving is NOT like other sports | Here's how it changes people's lives
Scuba Diving creates such an ecosystem of social activities that it is almost impossible not to be exposed to a different lifestyle and group of people. It is so life changing that it has launched many careers, is a gateway to many other careers, and I’ve personally witnessed FOUR pairs of divers who got married after initially meeting on a dive. It’s a cheat code to meet people, especially people who would have no chance of ever crossing paths… but for diving. Finally, unlike school sports, scuba diving lasts a lifetime. It doesn’t end wit the season, or when school ends. This makes it a perfect investment in family for the long haul (and is often one of the only excuses for some to travel or meet up). I spoke for an hour at Aggieland Scuba, during their Dive Expo last year while the festivities were going on. The topic was “community” created through diving. In this video I explain how scuba diving changed my life, launched my career, and how I’ve watched it change other people’s lives. This magic happens through the endless number of moving parts that lead up to and surround the actual dive. I compare the dive itself to a firework show, and the activities leading up to the big event are what fuels such a powerful community element that isn’t possible any other way. Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal www.sweetwaterscuba.com
#111
Sep 18, 2025 · 7 min
111 | Pro divers get asked HOT BUTTON questions from the Scuba Diving world
I had way too much fun asking these renowned professional divers their opinions on some of those hot-button scuba diving topics. Everyone was such a sport about this and went for it, even when they knew these were controversial in some circles. It’s also funny how different some of these opinions can vary from one diver to the next. This took place at the 2025 Scuba Show in Long Beach, CA out on the showroom floor. The Questions: Is it OK to pee in your wetsuit? What is the scariest animal for a scuba diver to encounter underwater? Triggerfish has been removed as an option since it is obvious What was the most beneficial scuba course taken, after completing their Open Water scuba certification? Should Scuba Certification have some kind of expiration date? Jacket style BC, Back Inflate BC, or Backplate and Wing? How do you keep your dive mask from fogging up? What one thing should be in every scuba diver’s save-a-dive kit? Do divers prefer clear mask skirts or opaque (black or solid color)? Guests answering these questions include: Sarah Miller (Azul Unlimited) Steve Jamroz of Divers Alert Network / D.A.N. Dan Orr, Hall of Famer and renowned legend in diving. Greg Holt, host of Scuba Radio Myles Schwartz, host of Free Descent Podcast Jared Berg, owner and founder of NEX Underwater Products Alexis Jabbour, founder and CEO of Buddy App and Book with Buddy Brian Benton, owner of Dive Oahu Ed Rasmussen, NAVY SEAL and Scubapro rep Morgan Oughton and RJ, founders of Spacefish Army Therese Napier of Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo, FL Jason Leggatt, CEO of Shearwater Research. Cliff Richardson, who was Director of NAUI, but is not the CEO of Divers Alert Network (DAN) And Red Sullivan, who wanted to be there but couldn’t make it. Special thanks to everyone who answered these questions, and the staff and crew of Scuba Show for your continued support! – Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: www.sweetwaterscuba.com
#110
Sep 14, 2025 · 5 min
110 | Is scuba gear really "Life Support" equipment? | Hot take with legendary Frank Degnan
Most divers (including me) have been calling scuba gear “Life Support” equipment since the beginning. However, when considering redundancies, dive buddies, and proper SESA (Simulated Emergency Swimming Ascents), is our life truly dependent on this gear. And if so, is it truly life support, whereas if the gear fails we die? After a deep dive into this term we’ve all been using since the dawn of scuba diving, I believe Frank Degnan has a great point. Frank has been a scuba instructor for over 40 years, former Dive Safety Officer at Universities, is active with three agencies (PADI, NAUI, and one other). And even holds the title of Course Director Trainer with NAUI. He has won awards, teaches adaptive curriculum, and remains active in his local diving community. This is a well-articulated approach to recreational scuba diving and labeling gear “Life Support”. It’s also a bit of a wake up call for how we train scuba divers and students how to properly execute Emergency Swimming Ascents, as well as knowing when it’s time for a redundancy system (such as a pony bottle, etc.) I ran into Frank by happenstance while visiting the NEX Underwater Products warehouse in Monterey Bay, CA. This was neither scripted or planned, but we were already shooting content with the camera and mics when he walked in. His articulation of this topic stopped me in my tracks, and he was kind enough to let me record our conversation in virtually real time. – Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal www.sweetwaterscuba.com
#109
Aug 9, 2025 · 6 min
109 | From Cop to Dive Boat Captain | How this retired cop found happiness in island life 🛥️🐠🤿
Captain Kevin was an extraordinarily laid back boat captain. He kept the boat fun, safe, and even sang Disney songs when underway. Not to mention, the Gilligan's Island theme song. I ask him why they have such a good time, incredible enthusiasm, and retention in their mates, Divemasters, and other employees. He also lets us in on how they stay so friendly with their Guests in occasionally high stress situations, and what ultimately led him to this job.Finally, Captain Kevin was a police officer who went on dive vacations to escape the stress, and ultimately ended up doing that very thing he loves in retirement. He moved down to Key Largo after 20 years of stressful work, and took up a new career as a boat captain (and a father). Look for Captain Kevin along with Captain G, and several other great Captains and Crew at the Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo, FL, “the dive capital of the world”. Amoray offered my viewers a 25% discount when staying with them. I’ve copy/pasted it below: sweetwater25 https://www.amoray.com/104250 Overseas HighwayKey Largo, FL 33037 Reservations: 800-426-6729 Phone: 305-451-3595 amoraydive@amoray.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amoraydiveresort/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amoraydiveresort –Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyalLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal www.sweetwaterscuba.com
Aug 2, 2025 · 16 min
108 | I visited the Best-reviewed Dive Resort in the Dive Capital of the World | In Key Largo, FL 🤿
Amoray Dive Resort is considered the only true dive resort in the continental US, with it’s dedicated dive boat literally outside the door of some of the hotel rooms.I fell in love with this dive resort last year when I visited, so I returned a year later to interview the rest of their staff.With a fully staffed dive shop on site, gear, and even a filling station, it makes diving easy.I was asked so many times if this was “Amy Slate’s place?” that I thought it was important to show the renovated room interiors, and how well-kept the place was. They retained the old Keys charm, but upgraded the interior where it counts.The boat is ideal for easy, family-oriented diving that caters to newbies, snorkelers, and shallow scuba diving. But don’t be fooled, some of the best variety of shipwrecks are in the Keys and the Spiegel Grove is just offshore Key Largo, and Amoray does do dedicated trips for Advanced Divers.They offer scuba certification, dive guides, rental gear, and apparently are expanding into a live aboard catamaran option (I’ll have more details on that when I return in December for the boat parade!). I should also mention they let you take bicycles and snorkel gear offsite to places like John Pennekamp State Park, and even have SUP, Kayak, Jet Skis on site. They also do magical sunset cruises, which IMHO is one of the crown jewels of the Florida Keys.But the thing that intrigued me the most about this resort was actually the staff. Just like my last interview with the owner of the dive resort (Jeff Gneiser), I am fascinated with how they can keep the vibe going with the resort AND boat staff, and this time after even more time had passed. So many places lack customer service and experience staff burnout in this industry, yet this place seemed to be the contrary.The staff seemed happy, the boat captain and mates literally sang and danced on the way back in from the dive, and everyone was in a great mood every time I spoke with them, and were actually helpful. If you just want a comfy place to stay with a genuine Keys vibe, easy diving or snorkeling, and close to the major attractions, Amoray Dive Resort is it. PS: They offered me a discount code for listeners: sweetwater25 *I’m still working on that on-site Tiki Bar 🧉🏝️104250 Overseas HighwayKey Largo, FL 33037Reservations: 800-426-6729Phone: 305-451-3595amoraydive@amoray.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amoraydiveresort/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amoraydiveresort–Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scubaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyalLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyalX: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyalwww.sweetwaterscuba.com
#107
Jul 27, 2025 · 29 min
107 | My first hand experience in the NEW scuba system that is shaking up the dive industry forever
After the wildly popular interview with the inventor of Avelo, I had to go and actually take this thing in the water for some real diving. My wife Katie and I tested the new Avelo Dive System and could not believe it. From a lighter walk down to the water (and less grunting during suit-up), to a natural, cleaner, and more streamlined dive, it was definitely an upgrade in the overall diving experience. It did require a readjustment in the whole experience, but once we did it was one step backward, ten steps forward. I was able to actually go and dive the Avelo system myself and take the Specialty course (the RAD class as it’s been dubbed), and experienced the equipment first hand. It became apparent that this was not only a more enjoyable dive experience, but the instructor in me could not help but notice the safety improvements across the board. As any seasoned instructor knows, a student that bolts or suddenly drops down uncontrolled is a constant task, and in this system it’s virtually eliminated. Instructors and Divemasters also know that the bulk of the injuries we deal with are smashed fingers and toes from weights and tanks, bad knees and backs, and just the lugging gear to and fro cause a lot of trouble. Not to mention the hassle of sizing and weighting people in BCs they’ve never used -also fixed. There were more little perks the more we dug in. While I am unabashedly a big fan of this, and I believe it is substantially superior to standard recreational scuba gear, here are the drawbacks I found: 1) Having to take an additional Specialty Course beyond the Open Water Scuba Certification. While the class is a simple, one-day course and we actually thought it was fun and easy, it does create a barrier. In an already-small industry, this puts Avelo in a position that makes it impossible to grow beyond existing scuba certifications. People that would otherwise thrive in diving using Avelo, might never get beyond (or even through) the Open Water course. I would like to see this have the option to do it in reverse (get certified with Avelo, then do standard OW as the specialty). Not for everyone, but I know specific cases where this would help people like crazy. 2) Cost: It does cost more than a high-end recreational scuba rig, but the price is coming down quickly, while regular scuba keeps creeping up. *I should mention the rental cost is only slightly more, and in some places the same. There is a hidden benefit here and that is renting is going to be the same gear everywhere you go (with the Jetpack and Hydrotank) so you don't have to relearn new gear or worry about fit. You can just bring your own regulators, mask, fins, wetsuit, etc (or whatever you prefer), but this ditches the suitcase stuffing BC, which is kinda nice IMHO. 3) Not everywhere has it yet. They have a facility lookup on their site, and to be fair that list is growing fast. It is already gaining a foothold in the big spots like Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii, Florida, and other destinations. While there will always be a place for traditional scuba (at least for now), the Avelo System is already changing the future of scuba diving, cutting the hassle and improving the overall sport for new divers and pros. I’m always going to promote new technology, new ideas, methods, or anything that takes this industry forward. That is what we do here on this channel. I hope you love this video discussing my first-hand experience diving the new system. Also, big thanks to the people from NAUI, PADI, Shearwater and Scuba Show for the time and contribution in putting me through the course and sitting down with me! https://diveavelo.com/ — Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal www.sweetwaterscuba.com
S1 · E106
Jul 2, 2025 · 9 min
106 | The largest Scuba Diving competition in the world | Scuba Queen USA empowers women divers.
Find out what it takes to be a Scuba Queen, and compete in the Miss International Pageant, as well as gain a sense of community in the scuba diving world!The National Director of Scuba Queen USA, Marina Inserra, has a talk with Kenny Dyal about the purpose of Scuba Queens, The Scuba Queen USA Pageant, and the Miss Scuba International Pageant.The world competes in multiple talent presentations for multiple titles, while cultivating a mentorship for young women who wish to become scuba divers and leaders in their communities.Scuba Queen USA builds confidence, teaches dance and performance, and empowers women to become ocean advocates.They are strengthening the dive community by building up women in the underwater world and beyond. https://www.scubaqueenusa.com/
#105
Jun 18, 2025 · 18 min
105 | How to Make a Career in Scuba Diving – Kenny Dyal’s Dive Industry Secrets, Tips, & Story
🎙️ How to Make a Living in Scuba Diving | Interview with Kenny Dyal | Scuba Business & Marketing Tips In this interview, James Carbary, CEO of Sweetfish Media sits down with Kenny Dyal — seasoned safety diver, NAUI Course Director, and founder of Sweetwater Scuba — to break down how you can build a successful career in scuba diving. Whether you're a dive instructor, shop owner, or just curious about turning your passion into a profession, this conversation is packed with insights.👉 Topics Covered:How to start a career in scuba divingTips for teaching independently or owning a dive shopMaking money through social media and visual contentControversial topics in the dive industryFixing what's broken in the scuba worldMarketing tips for dive businessesHow to get consulting help for your dive shop or brand🧠 About Kenny Dyal:Kenny began diving in 1998, became a Disney safety Divemaster in 2006, and started teaching independently in 2009. He has spent nearly a decade as a NAUI Course Director and in 2016, sold his dive shop to focus on consulting, marketing, and content creation for scuba-related businesses. Today, his company Sweetwater Scuba offers social media services, podcasts, children’s book signings, and private consulting to help dive businesses grow.🌊 Learn More:📌 Website: www.sweetwaterscuba.com👇 Drop your questions for Kenny in the comments!🔔 Subscribe for interviews, dive industry tips, and more!
#104
Mar 2, 2025 · 16 min
104 | Last Breath movie explained | Interview with Director Alex Parkinson & Producer David Brooks
The Last Breath is based on the unbelievable true story of a diving accident. Kenny speaks with movie Director Alex Parkinson and Producer David Brooks to better understand the thought process behind the movie. Both Guests are co-writers of the 2025 movie, and give an inside look at some of the behind-the-scenes challenges and obstacles. Spoiler Alert: This is an early review and discussion of plot points and questions about the Last Breath. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, I’d definitely recommend it! Our interview discusses how actors Fin Cole, Simu Liu and Woody Harrelson were able to capture the true emotion of being trapped in a dangerous rescue mission deep underwater. This movie has a realistic, visceral feel to it. Aside from a little (visually stunning) creative license, it follows the real story of Chris Lemons, the commercial saturation diver who got stranded in a heavy dive suit on the seafloor of the North Sea. If that wasn’t enough, it was during a storm, and at night. We got to discuss the set pieces, where it was filmed, and the challenges the producer and directors faced, and ultimately overcame. They also discussed how much scuba training the actors had to undergo, the screening process, and how they handled being underwater during filming. Finally, we discuss the ending, the theories on how he was able to survive, and the strength to get back out there and dive. It’s a movie about human survival, the life of a commercial deep saturation diver, and the drive to return to work after going through such a harrowing life-or-death situation. Finn Cole stars as Chris Lemons, Woody Harrelson as Duncan Allock, and Simon Liu as Dave Yuasa. Directed by Alex Parkinson (co-writer) Produced by David Brooks (co-writer) https://www.focusfeatures.com/last-breath/ — Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_dyal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwater_scuba Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realkennydyal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kennydyal X: https://twitter.com/RealKennyDyal www.sweetwaterscuba.com

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