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
4 existing guidesEditorial review in progress
YouDive mascot illustration for Emergency Planning for Remote Australian Dive Trips

guide

Emergency Planning for Remote Australian Dive Trips

Build communications, oxygen, evacuation, medical and weather contingencies into trips where outside help may be hours away.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for Flying After Diving in Australia

guide

Flying After Diving in Australia

How to build conservative surface time into reef, liveaboard and remote-island itineraries without turning the final dive into a travel deadline.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for Nitrox vs Air

comparison

Nitrox vs Air

What Nitrox actually does, what it does not do, and when the extra cost is justified.

Read guide
YouDive mascot illustration for The Australian Dive Buddy Checklist

guide

The Australian Dive Buddy Checklist

A concise pre-dive conversation covering equipment, separation, gas, navigation and the point at which either diver turns the dive.

Read guide
Our upcoming editorial topics

WHAT’S NEXT

Topics in development

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

Pressure and physics 10 planned
  • How does pressure change underwater?In development
  • How does pressure affect gas volume?In development
  • How does buoyancy work?In development
  • Why does air consumption change with depth?In development
  • How do freshwater and seawater affect buoyancy?In development
  • Why does neoprene compress at depth?In development
  • Why do objects look different through a dive mask?In development
  • Why do colours change underwater?In development
  • Why is underwater sound difficult to locate?In development
  • What do common diving units mean?In development
Planning concepts 10 planned
  • What belongs in a recreational dive plan?In development
  • What should a buddy briefing cover?In development
  • What are no-decompression limits?In development
  • What is a surface interval?In development
  • Why do divers plan gas reserves?In development
  • What is turn pressure?In development
  • What should I look for in a dive-site briefing?In development
  • How do I assess the reliability of a dive-site description?In development
  • How can a team agree when to cancel a dive?In development
  • How should I use a dive log to plan further learning?In development
Breathing gases and the body 9 planned
  • What gases are in ordinary breathing air?In development
  • What is partial pressure?In development
  • What is nitrogen narcosis?In development
  • What is oxygen toxicity in diving?In development
  • Why does carbon dioxide matter in diving?In development
  • How does gas move into and out of body tissues?In development
  • What is decompression illness?In development
  • Why do divers need to equalise pressure?In development
  • How does immersion affect heat loss?In development
Movement and communication 10 planned
  • What is neutral buoyancy?In development
  • What does trim mean in diving?In development
  • How do breathing and buoyancy interact?In development
  • Why does good fin technique matter?In development
  • How do common finning techniques differ?In development
  • What are common underwater hand signals?In development
  • How do divers communicate when visibility is poor?In development
  • What is natural underwater navigation?In development
  • What is compass navigation underwater?In development
  • How can divers avoid disturbing sediment?In development
Safety and human factors 7 planned
  • How can task loading affect a dive?In development
  • How can divers discuss stress before entering the water?In development
  • Why does fatigue matter when planning a dive?In development
  • What is the role of oxygen equipment in a dive emergency plan?In development
  • How can divers learn from incident reports?In development
  • How should a diver raise a safety concern with an operator?In development
  • What should I know about medications and fitness to dive?In development
Knowledge checks 10 planned
  • Can I explain pressure and volume in my own words?In development
  • Can I identify the parts of a scuba system?In development
  • Can I distinguish buoyancy from trim?In development
  • Can I recognise missing information in a dive briefing?In development
  • Can I distinguish typical conditions from a current forecast?In development
  • Can I read a dive-computer manual critically?In development
  • Can I recognise equipment that needs professional assessment?In development
  • Can I explain the limits of my current training?In development
  • Can I plan a useful conversation with a new buddy?In development
  • Can I recognise responsible wildlife behaviour?In development