THE YOUDIVE LIBRARY

Stay curious. Keep learning.

Practical guides, course comparisons and diving knowledge, with an Australian perspective.

Looking for a lesson or a definition?

Search beginner lessons, safety guides, courses and glossary terms together.

Search the whole learning library
12 existing guidesEditorial review in progress
YouDive mascot illustration for Advanced Nitrox

technical

Advanced Nitrox

High-oxygen decompression gases and oxygen-clean equipment — a different capability from recreational Nitrox.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for Cave Diving in Australia

technical

Cave Diving in Australia

The CDAA system, Mount Gambier, and why recreational certification does not apply.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for Closed Circuit Rebreathers

technical

Closed Circuit Rebreathers

Recycled breathing gas, silent diving — and support that is specific to your exact unit.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for Decompression Diving

technical

Decompression Diving

When the option of a direct ascent is deliberately given up, and what that changes.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for How to Choose a Divemaster Internship

guide

How to Choose a Divemaster Internship

Compare mentoring, real course involvement, workload, total cost and employment claims before committing weeks or months to a professional programme.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for How to Choose a Technical Diving Instructor

guide

How to Choose a Technical Diving Instructor

Evaluate current diving, configuration, failure standards, mentoring and local support before comparing agency logos.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for PADI Divemaster vs SSI Divemaster

comparison

PADI Divemaster vs SSI Divemaster

Both lead into recreational dive leadership, but the programme structure, intermediate rating and centre relationship differ.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for PADI TecRec vs SSI Extended Range

comparison

PADI TecRec vs SSI Extended Range

Two technical-diving systems with different course packaging, terminology and centre models—from first decompression to Trimix and CCR.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for Sidemount Diving

technical

Sidemount Diving

Cylinders at your sides — redundancy, streamlining and restriction access.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for Sidemount vs Backmount Twinset

comparison

Sidemount vs Backmount Twinset

Two ways to carry redundant gas, and what actually drives the choice.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for TDI vs PADI TecRec

comparison

TDI vs PADI TecRec

A technical-first agency compared with the technical branch of the world's largest recreational training network.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for Trimix

technical

Trimix

Helium in the breathing mix — and the gas logistics that determine whether a trip is possible.

Read guide
Our upcoming editorial topics

WHAT’S NEXT

Topics in development

These guides are planned and are not available to read yet.

Technical foundations 1 planned
  • What is technical diving?In development
Freediving and snorkelling 5 planned
  • How do I choose a freediving course?In development
  • How do pool and open-water freediving programmes differ?In development
  • Why does freediving require specific buddy training?In development
  • How do I choose a guided snorkelling experience?In development
  • How should I choose between snorkelling and scuba on a reef trip?In development
Professional progression 8 planned
  • What does a divemaster do?In development
  • What does becoming a scuba instructor involve?In development
  • How do I compare instructor-development programmes?In development
  • How do I research employment at Australian dive centres?In development
  • What should I know about working on dive boats?In development
  • How can diving professionals maintain their knowledge?In development
  • What should I know before starting a dive business?In development
  • How can an experienced diver contribute to YouDive?In development
Overhead and specialist environments 9 planned
  • How do cavern and cave diving differ?In development
  • How do Australian cave-diving qualifications and access permissions interact?In development
  • How does wreck penetration differ from an exterior wreck dive?In development
  • How do specialist divers assess a training pathway?In development
  • What should I know about mine and tunnel diving?In development
  • What should I know about altitude diving?In development
  • What should I know about scientific diving?In development
  • What should I know about commercial diving careers?In development
  • How do expedition divers organise support?In development