PADI Montreal Scuba Diving News

NEW: Booklet of Passes for Scuba Diving at the Quarry

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:02:30 -0400

NEW: Booklet of Passes for Scuba Diving at the Quarry:

You can now purchase a series of access passes for days of scuba diving at the Kahnawake Quarry, the closest dive site to Montreal!

The Kahnawake Quarry is also known as the Bedard Quarry. It is a mere 9.8km (6 miles) from the Total Diving Montreal dive center in NDG, Montreal.

Scuba Diving Montreal. With Total Diving. It’s convenient!

May 23: #WorldTurtleDay - What about Canadian turtles?

Wed, 23 May 2012 09:13:01 -0400

May 23 is World Turtle Day. Does it mean we’re supposed to walk slowly today…? Please don’t tell that to my staff!!

Seriously… It’s about increasing knowledge and respect for turtles and tortoises and, hopefully, help protect them.

Did you know that the Wood Turtle that you could see in Quebec is a species at risk? You can read all about the various problems facing the Wood Turtle in Canada, on the Nature Conservancy Canada website.

Speaking of turtles… Have you met our resident turtle at the Kahnawake Quarry where we were scuba diving yesterday after work? Can you tell me which kind it is? Hint: It is not a Wood Turtle ;)

Scuba Diving Montreal. Ocean Conservation Montreal. Project AWARE Montreal. Total Diving Montreal!

To The Arctic - 3D Documentary in #Montreal | #ocean #scuba Have...

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:10:44 -0400

To The Arctic - 3D Documentary in #Montreal | #ocean #scuba

Have you had a chance to see “To The Arctic”? It’s a 3D documentary currently playing at Montreal Science Center.

To the Arctic 3D takes you on a never before seen journey into the lives of a mother polar bear and her two seven-month old cubs as they navigate the changing Arctic wilderness they call home.

It includes stunning scuba diving video footage!

Scuba Diving Montreal. Underwater and at the theatre… It’s always fun!

Sylvia Earle: How to protect the oceans | #ocean...

Sat, 19 May 2012 13:28:02 -0400

Sylvia Earle: How to protect the oceans | #ocean #scuba

It’s an 18 minute video. In today’s fast pace world, it’s like an eternity! But it’s worth watching.

You get to learn about Sylvia’s career while learning some facts about the state of our oceans on this blue planet.

Ocean conservation is something we should all care about. At Total Diving, we’re trying to do our share with little things like 100% AWARE in Montreal and 1% for the Planet - first dive center in the world! We’re also integrating training courses about shark finning and shark conservation in the PADI Divemaster and PADI Instructor Development Courses.

What else can we do?

Scuba Diving Montreal. Ocean Conservation. Fighting Shark Finning. On a totally blue planet.

First Long Weekend: Closed on May 21

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:56:38 -0400

It’s not really Summer yet but… It’s still the first long weekend of the Summer of 2012, if you know what I mean! :P

Monday, May 21… Is it Patriot Day or Victoria Day? Either way, your Montreal PADI scuba diving center will be closed!!

We will be opened at normal hours on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 & 20. And we will be back at normal hours on Tuesday, May 22. But on Monday… Closed! Gone diving :).

Will you come diving with us?

One of the most beautiful dive sites in Quebec, the Kahnawake Quarry, a few minutes away from Montreal, will be opened for scuba diving & freediving, on Saturday & Sunday.

Our team of PADI Course Directors and IDC Staff Instructors will continue training a group of candidates in the PADI Scuba Diving Instructor Development Course (IDC) in Montreal.

Another group of scuba divers will be diving into their PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. And a new group of scuba divers will be in the pool to start their PADI Open Water Diver course in Montreal.

Not bad, for a long weekend “off”!!

What will your long weekend look like? Will there be water in it? :O

Scuba Diving Montreal. PADI scuba lessons & certification. The patriots and the queen are invited underwater, too!

Total Diving's Darcy Kieran Cited as an Example by an American Author

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:51:56 -0400

Total Diving's Darcy Kieran Cited as an Example by an American Author:

In a recent blog post by scuba diving author Eric Douglas, the owner of Total Diving and PADI Course Director, Darcy Kieran, is used as an example of how to make scuba diving fun and cool, even in a Northern city like Montreal.

The blog post is titled “Diving Needs Heroes”!

I know several people who are doing amazing things diving. They are traveling the world and exploring new destinations. I have good friends who run fantastic businesses teaching divers to dive. Rich Synowiec and Darcy Kieran come to mind. Rich teaches diving in Michigan and Darcy in Montreal. In spite of their locations, they both have large followings and lots of divers. There are many, many others. They all know how to make diving fun and cool. Another good friend, Greg Holt, has built a tremendous life for himself with the syndicated radio show—Scuba Radio. (You can check him out at Scubaradio.com.) There are also people doing incredible scientific work in the ocean.

Darcy declined to comment :O

Read the rest of the blog post on Dive Author.

Scuba Diving Montreal. Totally fun & cool!

Happy Mother’s Day to all scuba diving mothers… And...

Sat, 12 May 2012 17:34:38 -0400

Happy Mother’s Day to all scuba diving mothers… And to the mothers of all scuba divers! In Montreal. In Quebec. In Canada. Around the world!

We love you!

Scuba Diving Montreal. With love!

Scuba Gear Tryout in Montreal

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:15:00 -0400

June is around the corner! Summer time!

And as always, in late Spring, you are invited to a fun family day at our local Montreal-area scuba diving quarry in Kahnawake for a family picnic and scuba gear tryout.

There will be all kind of toys to try including various types of fins, regulators, BCDs, DPVs, lift bags, dive computers, dry suits, wetsuits and more! You could even try an underwater communication system! From brands like Aqualung, Bare, Beuchat, Suunto and more!

How much? Nothing! Well… All you have to do is register to a normal Saturday diving day at the Kahnawake Quarry (for June 9) and that’s it! The “scuba toys” will be there as an extra, for no extra cost!

We will also have BBQ on site, for you. But you need to bring your own food.

Mark June 9 in your calendar and come celebrate Summer time with your team of Montreal scuba diving professionals!

Scuba Diving Montreal. Scuba Gear. And Scuba Fun!

#Shark Conservation now part of PADI Divemaster & #Scuba Instructor Courses in Montreal

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:00:07 -0400

“Total Diving, a Montreal PADI scuba diving center, is continuing to lead the way in Canada for shark conservation and bans on shark finning. Project AWARE’s course on shark conservation is now included with the PADI divemaster and instructor courses.”

Read the full press release: Total Diving, a Scuba Center in Montreal, Includes AWARE: Shark Conservation in PADI Divemaster and Instructor Courses.

It’s a natural thing to do after the numerous commitments made by Total Diving over the last few years toward ocean conservation and shark protection.

During World Water Day, we announced joining 1% for the Planet which means that 1% of everything you spend at Total Diving goes toward ocean protection and shark research, through Project AWARE and GEERG.

During Earth Day, we announced our support for Canadian initiatives to ban the import of shark fins in Canada.

We believe PADI Divemasters and PADI Scuba Diving Instructors can play a significant role in raising awareness to issues around shark conservation and protection… And we’re gonna help make it happen!

Scuba Diving. With sharks. In the ocean. Total Diving.

Suunto scuba diving computers in Montreal. On sale! All weekend...

Thu, 03 May 2012 16:37:04 -0400

Suunto scuba diving computers in Montreal. On sale! All weekend long! 4 days of Montreal scuba diving celebrations! May 3 to 6, 2012.

A picture is worth a thousand words, eh? We’re still unpacking that big shipment for a real big sale! ;)

Every single model of Suunto dive computer is available! Pick any model in the catalog of Suunto scuba diving computers… It’s yours!

And come have a free BBQ… Free organic fair-trade coffee… Free mini-conferences on numerous scuba diving topics… That’s a scuba diving event, or what?

Scuba Diving Montreal. Scuba information. Scuba diving certifications. Scuba diving computers. Scuba diving anything… Totally!

Get a life! Become a PADI scuba diving instructor! Or PADI...

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:18:51 -0400

Get a life! Become a PADI scuba diving instructor! Or PADI divemaster!

You are invited to an information session about careers as a scuba diving professional, right here in Montreal… Friday evening, 7pm. With PADI Course Directors Darcy Kieran & Sébastien Savignac; and Tech Diving Instructor Trainer, Stéphan Senécal.

Simply let us know you are coming, via the Montreal Scuba Diving Meetup group.

We’ll answer all your questions about possible careers as a PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor, PADI Divemaster or anything else! We’ll explain the PADI Divemaster course and the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, all of which are available right here in Montreal!

Scuba Diving Montreal. Total Diving. Totally pro!

Montreal Scuba Diving Instructor Selected to Represent Canada in France

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:16:24 -0400

Montreal Scuba Diving Instructor Selected to Represent Canada in France:

Congratulations to Nathalie Hebert who’s been selected by AIDA Canada to represent Canada at the 2012 Team World Championships in France, from September 8 to 16.

On top of being a freediving champion, Nathalie Hebert is a PADI scuba diving instructor in the Total Diving Montreal team. We are proud of you, Nat!

Wishing you all the best in France!

Scuba Diving Montreal. And Freediving Too! Total Diving!

PADI Rescue Diver Course in Montreal - For a Summer of Scuba Fun!

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:58:13 -0400

PADI Rescue Diver Course in Montreal - For a Summer of Scuba Fun!:

There’s a program starting this coming Monday night (April 30). Why don’t you dive in with us?

Becoming a Total PADI Rescue Diver is about increasing your level of comfort as much as adding to your safety. It’s about being prepared. It’s about preventing problems from happening even before the dive starts!

The Total PADI Rescue Diver program includes the PADI Rescue Diver course, the DAN DEMP first aid for scuba divers program, and EFR first aid & CPR.

Montreal Scuba Diving. Total Diving. Be safe. Have more fun!

Scuba Diving in Montreal: Kahnawake Quarry - All Summer!

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:11:08 -0400

Scuba Diving in Montreal: Kahnawake Quarry - All Summer!:

Our weekends of sport diving for fun at the Kahnawake Quarry are starting this coming Saturday! And Sunday!

Then, on Tuesday… Our first “after work” scuba diving adventure of the season!

It feels good just talking about it, eh?

Check all scuba diving outings around Montreal, in the Thousand Islands and Eastern Canada on our Montreal Scuba Diving Meetup group.

Let’s get wet!

Scuba Diving Montreal. It’s just so cool! Total Diving.

Montreal Scuba Diving: A Summer of Adventures with Total Diving

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:31:00 -0400

Updated 2012-04-26; 13h19 to add the complete schedule of Montreal Scuba Diving Mini-Conferences.

—-

It’s been a little bit cold this week in Eastern Canada, but… We’re still ready for a season of fun scuba diving adventures around Montreal and in Eastern Canada!

Our traditional “Open House” event on the first weekend of May will be taking a different twist, this year.

We usually focus on offering “scuba tryouts” in the pool, to your friends and family members. This year, we’ll make the “Open House” event more interesting for all scuba divers, including you!

What’s Happening During the 4-day Open House Event at Total Diving - Montreal Scuba?

We’ve lined up a series of mini-conferences related to many subjects you are regularly asking us about. Check the list of topics below and let us know what you think…

Freediving
Underwater Photography
Underwater Videography
Diving the Bahamas / Blackbeard / Aquacat
Scuba Diving Training: Where do I go from here?
PADI Self-Reliant Diver
Careers in Diving
Tech Diving
Dive Gear for the New Diver
Dive Computers
Enriched Air Nitrox
Learn to Dive in Montreal in Russian
Sidemount Diving
Diving in Les Escoumins
Diving in the Thousand Islands
Wreck, Deep & Drift Diving
The Baie St. Paul Expedition

Complete schedule of Montreal scuba diving mini-conferences, right here!

They’re all free! Simply register online at meetup.com/Montreal-Scuba-Diving.

What about my friends who are not scuba diver, yet?

They are still welcome! We’re planning a session just for them.

How will it work? You invite friends and family members to come to a special “Learn to Dive” information session at Total Diving. You can come with them, if you want! Either way, you get a credit toward your next training program at Total Diving - just for helping us promote scuba diving! As an added bonus, you should end up with more dive buddies :)

When is The Montreal Scuba Diving Open House Event?

From Thursday, May 3 to Sunday, May 6, 2012.

Where is the Montreal Scuba Diving Open House Event?

It’s all happening at your PADI Montreal scuba diving center, Total Diving, in NDG.

Scuba Diving Montreal. PADI Instructor Development Center. Fun scuba diving outings in Eastern Canada. Total Diving!

Scuba Diving Certification: PADI and National Geographic

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:09:48 -0400

Scuba Diving Certification: PADI and National Geographic:

The PADI Open Water Diver Course is a good entry level first step, but it’s not enough. It is designed to introduce you to the core basic skills for scuba diving in shallow water, on relatively easy dive sites. And… The unspoken reality is that when you’ll go on a dive trip down South, the divemaster will bring you deep, you might dive at night and… Perhaps you’ll want to be able to find the boat all by yourself at the end of the dive. We’ve setup the “Total Diver” training program to get you “totally ready” for your scuba vacations.

The Total Diver is a complete scuba diving training program offered right here, in Montreal, including the PADI Open Water Diver course, the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course and the prestigious National Geographic diver course.

Scuba Diving Montreal. Total Diving. PADI. National Geographic. Be safe. Have fun!

MP Hoang Mai met with Montreal Scuba Divers on Earth Day, on...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:57:47 -0400

MP Hoang Mai met with Montreal Scuba Divers on Earth Day, on April 22, 2012, to request support for a propose law to ban the importation of shark fins to Canada.

In this video, Hoang presents the text of the petition available to be signed at Total Diving, your Montreal scuba diving center.

More info on this Earth Day meeting at Total Diving is available with a French video… On our French scuba Montreal news blog - Plongée sous-marine Montréal.

Scuba Diving Montreal. Project AWARE. Shark conservation.

Important & Urgent Safety Recall for HP Miflex Hoses

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:47:02 -0400

Last week, Health Canada in collaboration with XS Scuba, the North American distributor of Miflex hoses, issued a recall of high-pressure Miflex hoses for scuba diving regulators.

This recall ONLY applies to high pressure hoses. These are hoses attached to a pressure gauge or dive computer. There is NO recall on hoses attached to your second stage or octopus.

Hazard: The diving hose can rupture reducing the available air supply to the diver, posing a drowning hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: XS Scuba has received reports of 189 hose failures. There have been no reports of injuries.

Description: The high pressure hose is used to monitor cylinder pressure for the air supply in tanks for scuba diving. The hoses have MFX stamped on the hose’s end fitting. They were sold as individual replacement gauge hoses and as cascade hoses and in the following kits and model numbers:

Deluxe Cylinder Equalizer w/ Miflex HP hose P/N AC366

Miflex Two-Gauge Console HL300/HL300M

Miflex Rebreather Kits MRB-EVO-LG, MRB-EVO-MD & MRB-ISP-POST-LG

Sold at: Scuba diving retailers and online between May 2009 and April 2012.

Manufactured in: Italy

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the hoses and contact XS Scuba to receive instructions for obtaining a free replacement hose.

If you have one of these recalled Miflex hoses, what must you do?

We normally work with manufacturers and distributors to help our scuba diving clients with these types of recalls. However, XS Scuba has decided that they want you to deal with them directly.

You have to download a form from their XS Scuba website, fill it and mail your hose with that form to XS Scuba in California.

Sorry about that! It’s their decision! However… If you need help with removing the high-pressure hose and/or if you want us to reassemble your regulator and test it after you’ve received the replacement hose, we will gladly to it at no charge to all those of you who have purchased your Miflex high-pressure hose from Total Diving.

Montreal Scuba Diving. Total Diving.

Project AWARE Dive Against Debris in Montreal on Earth Day...

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:01:50 -0400

Project AWARE Dive Against Debris in Montreal on Earth Day weekend: Saturday, April 21, 2012.

We were expecting to find human garbage but what most participants were astonished to see was the ridiculous amount of discarded plastic water bottles. Not nice!

Scuba Diving Montreal. Project Aware. Dive Against Debris. Earth Day.

Ugly Video: See How a "Fin-less" Shark Dies Off Underwater! #shark #ocean #scuba

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:40:00 -0400

Warning: Not nice to watch!

See what it looks like… A shark with its fins cut off who has been thrown back in the water!

We’ll talk about sharks, shark finning and shark fin bans in Canada, on Sunday morning during Earth Day in Montreal.