SSI ITC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
SSI ITC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
Become a Confident Dive Professional Start Your Professional Diving Career with Oceans 5 Gili Air If your goal is to become a professional diver, choosing the right Divemaster program is one of the most important decisions you will make. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, our SSI …
Scuba Diving Around the Gili Islands The Gili Islands—Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan—are internationally recognized as one of Indonesia’s premier scuba diving destinations. Located just off the northwest coast of Lombok, these three tropical islands are surrounded by warm, crystal-clear waters that are …
Scuba diving is built on safety, knowledge, and continuous learning. Equipment evolves, research improves, and training standards are regularly updated. Yet some pieces of advice continue to be repeated decade after decade, not because they are supported by modern evidence, but because instructors learned them from previous instructors.
Many divers can probably remember hearing statements such as:
These recommendations have been passed from instructor to instructor for years. But are they still correct? Let’s take a closer look.
This is probably one of the oldest myths still found in scuba diving.
Years ago, many valves required a slight turn back after fully opening because some older valve designs could become difficult to close if they were opened with excessive force. Turning the valve back slightly was intended to prevent the valve from binding.
Modern scuba valves are different.
Today’s valves are designed to be opened completely. Manufacturers generally recommend opening the valve fully until it stops naturally, without forcing it, and leaving it fully open.
Imagine the following situation:
A diver opens the valve, then turns it back a quarter turn.
Another buddy performs the pre-dive safety check and notices the valve is not fully open. Thinking they are helping, they turn it clockwise to “open it completely.” Unfortunately, they actually close the valve because it was already backed off.
The SPG may still show a full cylinder because there is pressure trapped in the regulator hoses. The diver starts the dive without realizing the tank valve is now closed.
The regulator continues to breathe normally for several breaths before suddenly becoming extremely difficult or impossible to breathe from.
This scenario has caused real diving incidents.
For this reason, many training organizations, equipment manufacturers, and dive safety experts now recommend opening the cylinder valve fully and leaving it fully open.
The best practice is simple:
Modern equipment no longer requires the old quarter-turn practice.
Many divers have heard:
“Just follow the smallest bubbles and your ascent rate will be correct.”
It sounds logical—but unfortunately, physics is more complicated.
Bubble speed depends on many factors besides your ascent rate.
These include:
Tiny bubbles may remain attached to larger bubbles.
Some merge together into larger bubbles.
Others become trapped in eddies created by your body or equipment.
Water moving upward or downward can dramatically affect bubble speed.
Even your own exhalation changes how bubbles behave.
As bubbles rise, the surrounding pressure decreases.
According to gas laws, the bubbles expand.
Larger bubbles become more buoyant and often accelerate as they approach the surface.
This means the same bubble does not travel at a constant speed throughout the ascent.
Instead of one neat stream, divers create an entire column of bubbles.
Some bubbles rise faster.
Others collide.
Others merge.
Some spiral.
Some are pulled sideways by current.
Watching “the smallest bubble” is therefore highly subjective.
Which smallest bubble?
The one nearest your mask?
The one behind your shoulder?
The one affected by another diver?
There simply is no scientifically reliable bubble that represents a safe ascent speed.
Modern dive computers continuously calculate ascent rate using pressure sensors.
They provide a much more accurate indication than observing bubbles.
Good buoyancy control, proper trim, and monitoring your dive computer are far more reliable ways to maintain a safe ascent.
Bubbles can provide a rough visual reference that you are moving upward, but they should never replace your ascent rate indicator.
Another myth still heard in some dive briefings is:
“Open the cylinder very slowly or the glass of the pressure gauge may break.”
There is little evidence that properly functioning scuba pressure gauges fail this way.
Modern submersible pressure gauges are specifically designed to withstand the operating pressures of scuba equipment.
When the cylinder valve opens, the pressure inside the high-pressure hose and gauge increases rapidly—but this pressure is internal and distributed throughout the system. The glass itself is not suddenly exposed to an uneven force that would normally cause it to shatter.
If an SPG window breaks while opening a cylinder, it is almost always because something else is already wrong, such as:
Opening the valve at a normal, controlled pace is perfectly acceptable.
The greater concern is not protecting the gauge glass—it is protecting the first-stage regulator from unnecessary stress caused by a rapid pressure surge.
Many modern regulators are designed to handle this without issue, but opening the valve smoothly and steadily remains good practice for overall equipment care.
The key point is this:
Opening a scuba cylinder normally does not cause a healthy pressure gauge window to explode.
Scuba diving has a proud tradition of mentorship. Instructors learn from instructors, who learned from instructors before them.
That tradition is one of diving’s greatest strengths—but it can also allow outdated information to survive long after equipment and knowledge have changed.
Many myths persist simply because:
None of these are scientific evidence.
The diving industry has changed enormously over the last few decades. Regulators are more advanced. Cylinder valves have improved. Dive computers have replaced many older techniques. Research into diving physiology and equipment continues every year.
Good instructors continue learning throughout their careers and are willing to question long-standing habits when better evidence becomes available.
Safe diving does not mean rejecting tradition—it means understanding why procedures exist and whether they are still relevant.
The best instructors are lifelong students. They read manufacturer recommendations, follow updates from training agencies, stay informed about equipment developments, and adapt their teaching when new evidence becomes available.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we believe scuba education should be based on current best practices, critical thinking, and an understanding of the science behind diving. Rather than simply repeating what has always been said, we encourage divers to ask questions, understand the reasons behind procedures, and continue learning throughout their diving journey.
Because in scuba diving, the safest tradition is never to stop learning.
Oceans 5 Gili Air Beach Clean-Up Every Friday at 17:00, something special happens in front of Oceans 5 Gili Air. Since 2010, our team has been organizing a weekly beach clean-up, bringing together divers, local residents, guests, and volunteers with one common goal: keeping the beautiful beaches of …
Dive with Oceans 5 Gili Air and Around the Gili Islands The Gili Islands have earned a reputation as one of Indonesia’s most enjoyable scuba diving destinations. Crystal-clear tropical waters, healthy coral reefs, frequent turtle encounters, and a relaxed island atmosphere make diving here suitable …
Scuba diving is often described as an adventure, but for many divers it becomes something much deeper. Once you leave the surface behind, the noise of everyday life disappears. There are no ringing phones, no traffic, no endless notifications—only the sound of your own breathing and the peaceful underwater world around you.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we believe scuba diving can be a form of underwater meditation. That’s why we teach every student at their own pace, creating a relaxed learning environment where confidence naturally develops.
Few places are as peaceful as the ocean. As you descend beneath the surface, your breathing becomes slow and steady. Every inhale and exhale reminds you to stay present in the moment.
Unlike many sports, scuba diving rewards calmness rather than speed. The more relaxed you are, the easier it becomes to breathe efficiently, control your buoyancy, and enjoy every moment underwater.
Many divers tell us that after a dive they feel mentally refreshed, less stressed, and more connected with nature.
One of the first things every scuba diver learns is controlled breathing.
Instead of taking quick, shallow breaths, divers breathe slowly and deeply. This natural breathing rhythm is remarkably similar to techniques used in meditation and mindfulness exercises.
As you focus on your breathing, your mind naturally lets go of everyday worries. Your attention shifts to the present moment:
For many people, this creates an experience similar to meditation.
Learning scuba diving should never feel like a race.
Unfortunately, some dive courses try to move students through the program as quickly as possible. While many students can learn comfortably within the standard schedule, others simply need a little more time to build confidence, practice skills, or become comfortable breathing underwater.
There is nothing wrong with that.
Everyone learns differently.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we don’t believe in rushing students through a course simply to finish on time.
Our experienced instructors adapt the training to the individual student. If you need extra practice in the pool, we’ll take the time. If you’d like another explanation, we’ll explain it again. If you need a moment to relax before trying a skill, that’s perfectly fine.
When students feel relaxed instead of pressured, learning becomes easier and much more enjoyable.
This approach helps build:
Most importantly, students often discover that diving is not just a sport—it becomes a way to relax both physically and mentally.
During a dive, your attention naturally stays in the present.
You notice your breathing.
You notice your surroundings.
You notice your body position.
You notice the marine life around you.
These are the same principles practiced in mindfulness meditation.
Instead of thinking about tomorrow’s meeting or yesterday’s problems, your entire focus is on the incredible world surrounding you.
Many people start scuba diving because they want to see turtles, reef sharks, or colorful coral reefs.
They continue diving because of how it makes them feel.
Divers often describe a dive as their “reset button”—a chance to disconnect from stress and reconnect with nature.
Whether you’re exploring the beautiful reefs around the Gili Islands or simply floating above a coral garden, scuba diving offers a rare opportunity to slow down in a fast-moving world.
With more than 15 years of experience, Oceans 5 Gili Air has built a reputation for high-quality diver education, experienced instructors, excellent facilities, and small group sizes.
We understand that every student is different. That’s why our instructors teach at your pace, ensuring you feel comfortable, confident, and safe every step of the way.
For us, scuba diving is about much more than earning a certification. It’s about enjoying the journey, discovering the underwater world, and experiencing the unique sense of calm that only the ocean can provide.
When you learn to dive without pressure, you don’t just become a certified diver—you discover a peaceful world beneath the surface that you’ll want to return to again and again.
Start Your Professional Diving Career at Oceans 5 Gili Air If you are searching for the best Divemaster internship on Gili Air, you are probably looking for much more than a certification. You want to become a confident dive professional, improve your diving skills, gain real-world …
The Ultimate Guide to Scuba Diving Around Gili Air, Indonesia If you are searching for the best diving Gili Air experience, you have come to the right place. Located just off the northwest coast of Lombok, Gili Air is one of Indonesia’s most beautiful tropical islands and …
One of the most common questions we hear from Divemasters considering the next step in their diving career is:
“Am I ready for the Instructor Course?”
Unfortunately, many Divemasters are held back by misconceptions and advice that is often based on opinion rather than reality. Some are told they need more experience. Others hear stories that the instructor course is extremely difficult, exhausting, and only suitable for a select few.
Let’s look at the facts.
Many Divemasters are told they should spend more time guiding divers before becoming an instructor. At first glance, this sounds logical. But there is one important question:
Ready for what?
The role of a Divemaster and the role of a Dive Instructor are completely different.
A Divemaster’s primary responsibility is to:
A Dive Instructor’s primary responsibility is to:
Being an excellent Divemaster does not automatically make someone a great instructor. Likewise, some fantastic instructors were never the most experienced Divemasters.
The skills required are simply different.
Learning how to teach, manage students, explain diving concepts, conduct briefings, and control training sessions is exactly what an Instructor Training Course is designed to teach.
You do not learn these skills by guiding certified divers for another six months or another year.
If you are already a certified Divemaster and you have a passion for teaching, there is no valid reason to believe you are “not ready” to start learning how to become an instructor.
Sometimes the advice you receive may come from people who genuinely want to help. But sometimes people see future instructors as future competitors.
Don’t let someone else’s fears or opinions determine your future.
Ask yourself:
If the answer is yes, then you may already be more ready than you think.
Follow your heart and your goals, not someone else’s expectations.
This is another misconception that scares many Divemasters away from taking the next step.
The reality?
A well-structured Instructor Training Course should be challenging, but it should not be overwhelming.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we are not teaching you how to dive anymore.
You are already a Divemaster.
You already know:
The focus of the Instructor Training Course is different.
We teach you:
Our SSI Instructor Training Course is spread over 16 days, allowing candidates to learn at a comfortable pace.
There are:
We believe people learn best when they have time to understand, practice, and develop confidence.
The goal is not simply to pass an exam.
The goal is to become a great instructor.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we focus on quality instructor development rather than rushing candidates through a program.
As an SSI Instructor Training Center, we:
We believe becoming a dive instructor should be an exciting step in your diving career, not something to fear.
Instructor Training Course: 16 – 31 July
Instructor Evaluation: 01 – 02 August
Instructor Training Course: 16 – 31 August
Instructor Evaluation: 01 – 02 September
Instructor Training Course: 15 – 30 September
Instructor Evaluation: 01 – 02 October
Instructor Training Course: 15 – 30 November
Instructor Evaluation: 01 – 02 December
If you are a Divemaster who enjoys teaching and sharing your passion for the underwater world, don’t let myths and misconceptions hold you back.
The best time to start your instructor journey may be sooner than you think.
For more information about the SSI Instructor Training Course at Oceans 5 Gili Air, contact us:
📱 WhatsApp: +62 853 3339 7823
📧 Email: [email protected]
Your future students are waiting. The only question is:
Are you ready to become the instructor you always wanted to be?
Experienced Divers: What’s the ONE Piece of Advice You Wish Someone Had Given You When You Started Diving? Every diver remembers that first breath underwater. The excitement, the nerves, and the feeling of entering a completely different world. But if you ask experienced divers what …