Free Descent

Dive 10 - Shark Week with Fins Attached and Dive Myths

Welcome to SHARK WEEK with Free Descent! We start by chatting about the dive myths we hear most often, and some submitted by our listeners. Next up to celebrate this very important week, we've got an interview with Fins Attached. Listen with us as we learn about this research organization that is dedicated to preserving and fighting for the existence (and survival) of sharks, turtles, and other endangered or overfished species. Without sharks, the whole ocean suffers, and it's up to us to make a difference and be conscious of our choices. We can also decide not to support shops or organizations which hunt sharks for sport, without regard for conservation or thought of waste. More resources on Fins Attached: Research: https://finsattached.org/our-approach/research/ Videos: https://finsattached.org/our-videos/ Squalene vs. Squaline: https://sharkstewards.org/about-sharkstewards/what-we-do/shark-squalene/
**REMINDER** Free Descent is not intended to replace formal dive instruction; always dive within the limits of your training and experience. Please remember to follow the directions of your divemasters and instructors, and have fun out there!

Dive 9 - Women’s Dive Day

The women are taking over for this special Women's Dive Day episode! We chat about recent and upcoming classes and interview 3 amazing women in the dive industry: Scuba Cindy, founder of Scuba Women, Emily Strand, our shop manager and PADI MSDT, and Lydia O'Connor, our colleague and PADI Open Water Instructor. Listen in to hear 4 female perspectives on women in the dive industry and how we can encourage more women of any age to start (or keep) diving!
**REMINDER**
Free Descent is not intended to replace formal dive instruction; always dive within the limits of your training and experience. Please remember to follow the directions of your divemasters and instructors, and have fun out there!

Dive 8: Interview with DiveHeart and Jake’s First Classes

Jake started teaching classes and asks Myles for tips, tricks, and advise for his ocean dives. We welcome on Jim Elliott and Tina Marie Hernandez from DiveHeart. We learn all about the adaptive diving techniques that he has crafted over the years, and his successes through his time working with divers from all walks of life. Last but not least: What should Jake name his dive float? Tell us in the comments and on social media!
**REMINDER**
Free Descent is not intended to replace formal dive instruction; always dive within the limits of your training and experience. Please remember to follow the directions of your divemasters and instructors, and have fun out there!

Surface Interval: Life Waters

Myles and Jake spent a weekend as volunteers, learning and working with Life Waters (www.lifewaters.org) as they introduced disabled veterans to scuba diving as a way to heal from their injuries and remain active through disability. Teaching adaptive divers was an incredibly motivating and humbling experience, and we want to thank the Life Waters team for having us as part of the weekend. This episode features interviews with five veterans, and three of the Life Waters team.
To get involved with us, you can reach out to Myles or Jake on Instagram, or reach out to the Ocean Enterprises Foundation at veterandiving@yahoo.com.
You can also visit www.lifewaters.org and click "contact us". They'll direct you to the closest Life Waters trainer who can answer your questions and help you get involved.
**Reminder** Free Descent is intended as entertainment, and should not be used to replace formal dive instruction. Remember to always follow the directions of your instructors and divemasters, and dive within the limits of your training and experience. Be safe, and have fun out there!

Dive 7: Underwatter with Jason Watters

Dive 7 is all about independence! Jake is done shadowing and started teaching his first independent classes this week, and Myles is fun-diving with her former students and seeing cool stuff. One of Jake's IDC instructors, Jason Watters, stopped by to talk about running an independent shop and all the pros and cons of working outside of a large dive shop/retail store.
**Reminder** Free Descent is intended as entertainment, and should not be used to replace formal dive instruction. Remember to always follow the directions of your instructors and divemasters, and dive within the limits of your training and experience. Be safe, and have fun out there!

Surface Interval: Scuba Queen USA at Scuba Show Long Beach!

Jake went to Scuba Show in Long Beach, CA last weekend to see the latest in greatest in scuba gear and tech, meet new friends and see old ones again! Here are some sneak peeks at the content we've got lined up all summer as we continue the amazing conversations we started at the show! Buddy App - 2:10 to 5:25 Palau - 5:25 to 8:35 Costa Rica - 8:35 to 9:45 Scuba Queen USA 9:45 to 24:00 If you missed us at Scuba Show, hit us up on Instagram! We'll also be at DEMA in the fall, so we hope to see you all there! 
**Reminder** Free Descent is intended as entertainment, and should not be used to replace formal dive instruction. Remember to always follow the directions of your instructors and divemasters, and dive within the limits of your training and experience. Be safe, and have fun out there!

Dive 6: Pet Peeves + Photography

Jake had a dive with the Wounded Warriors program in San Diego, Myles had an awesome Open Water Class, and Jake got his drysuit back (eye roll). Listen in to hear some of their biggest pet peeves about other divers, as well as why Myles and Caleb need to get an apartment with a garage (more eye rolling).
Bonus: Jake gets a bit technical about underwater photography (so interesting)! Want to know more? Meet him at Scuba Show in Long Beach, CA on June 3rd 2023!
**Reminder** Free Descent is intended as entertainment, and should not be used to replace formal dive instruction. Remember to always follow the directions of your instructors and divemasters, and dive within the limits of your training and experience. Be safe, and have fun out there!

Surface Interval - Healing Wounded Warriors

In this Surface Interval, Jake gets to dive and chat with US Marine Corps veterans Sergeant Brandon Jeffrey, Sergeant Jonathan West and Lance Corporal Jeff Roberts, who are using diving to heal from their physical, mental, and emotional wounds from military and post-military life. This side of diving is something we want to explore more, so send us your reactions on Instagram! @freedescentpodcast NOTE: this episode contains mentions of PTSD and traumatic injuries sustained in combat. To connect with the Foundation, reach out to Veterandiving@yahoo.com. 
**Reminder** Free Descent is intended as entertainment, and should not be used to replace formal dive instruction. Remember to always follow the directions of your instructors and divemasters, and dive within the limits of your training and experience. Be safe, and have fun out there!