Mark 'Crowley' Russell - Senior Correspondent
Crowley (known to his mum as Mark) began diving in 2000 in Sharm El Sheikh, before quitting a 10-year IT career and moving to Thailand to take his PADI IDC in 2005. He moved from Thailand to Australia and Curaçao before returning to Sharm as an instructor in 2009. He managed a Nusa Lembongan dive centre between 2013-14 before hanging up his instructor booties and returning to the UK. Crowley started writing a regular column for DIVE in 2010, and now looks after DIVE's daily online content and writes regular features for the print magazine. In his spare time, Crowley is an enthusiastic guitar player, devoted motorcyclist, dedicated gamer, and door-opening expert for two cats.
Scubapro’s new Aladin A2 dive computer
Scubapro launches its latest model of dive computers, the new 'compact and convenient' Aladin A2 designed for advanced and technical divers
Top 10 shark facts for Shark Awareness Day
July 14 is World Shark Awareness Day - here's 10 shark facts everyone should know to celebrate one of the ocean's oldest groups of animals
Fossil great white nursery found in Chile
A discovery of Pliocene-era teeth has revealed the location of a 'paleo-nursery' for great white sharks in Chile
DAN Europe’s new Covid-19 medical declaration form
The Divers Alert Network Europe has issued a Covid-19 medical declaration as an addendum to the standard RSTC medical declaration form
Heroic Nusa Penida manta rescue
Two dive instructors heroically rescue an entangled manta ray off the coast of Nusa Pendia off Bali, Indonesia
Can Covid-19 patients return to diving?
The Coronavirus pandemic has devastated the scuba diving world – and now divers are asking: 'Can I dive after COVID-19?'
Government approval needed for potentially life-saving chamber therapy
The Midlands Diving Chamber is ready to support clinical trials of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, a game-changer in the treatment of Covid-19
10 top diving and marine life movies on Netflix
Here's our selection of some of the best movies on Netflix for a spot of sofa diving. Grab your popcorn and prepare for some deep dives.
Underwater myths, monsters and hoaxes
The mysteries of the ocean have created many tales of underwater myths and monsters, many of which are still believed...
PADI drops plastic for new ‘eCard’ certifications
PADI announces that new scuba diving certifications will be issued as eCards in its smartphone app instead of the traditional plastic cards
Seychelles reaches 30 per cent MPA target
The government of Seychelles has signed into effect 410,000 square kilometres of its waters as marine protected areas (MPAs)
Green Fins Egypt now nationwide
Reef-World Egypt's CDWS have announced that the recently adopted Green Fins initiative will be expanded nationwide
BSAC Immersion Pulmonary Oedema update
Research now suggest that IPO (immersion pulmonary oedema) is probably the cause of a significant number of fatal incidents involving divers
Basking sharks travel in family groups
Research led by scientists from the University of Aberdeen suggests basking sharks travel extended distances and gather in family groups.
The best scuba diving equipment bags
Scuba diving equipment is an expensive investment, so it's wise to spend a little extra on decent bags to carry it. Here's some of the best
Garmin debuts Descent Mk1 dive computer
Outdoor tech specialist Garmin has introduced its first dive computer, the Descent Mk1 The new computer features GPS surface positioning…
Egypt adopts Green Fins standards for diving and snorkelling
Reef-World Egypt's CDWS announced that Egypt will adopting Green Fins environmental standards to help protect its coral reefs
The best scuba diving lights on the market
LEDs have transformed scuba diving lights - here's a roundup of the best for everything from an occasional night dive to deep cave penetration
Thomas Cook enters administration
Tour operator Thomas Cook has collapsed and entered administration after the failure of last-minute talks to rescue the debt-laden company
British Airways ends trips to SeaWorld
British Airways joins a growing list of travel operators ceasing to offer trips and experiences that include captive marine animals
Manta rays make friends and socialise
Manta rays form social relationships and actively choose their social partners, a new Marine Megafauna Foundation study has revealed
Turkey sinks Airbus A330 for scuba divers
Turkey has sunk an Airbus A330 for scuba divers, the latest since the 2016 sinking of an Airbus A300 and Douglas DC3 'Dakota' in 2009.
Whale shark mating behaviour photographed at Ningaloo
Whale shark mating behaviour has been photographed for the first time at Ningaloo Reef, off the coast of Western Australia
The best back-inflation BCDs
As the lines between technical and recreational diving start to blur, DIVE takes a look at some technically inspired back-inflation BCDs
How to deploy a DSMB – essential dive safety kit
A Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) is an essential piece of kit, but far too many divers don't know how to use them
Oceanic Geo 4.0 bluetooth compatible dive computer
Following the release of the new ProPlus 4.0 air-integrated dive computer, Oceanic has also updated its Geo 4.0 wrist-mounted dive computer for 2019.
PADI retires the eRDP-ML
The electronic version of PADI's Multilevel Recreational Dive Planner – aka the eRDP-ML – will be retired in favour of a digital training aid
Lethal Australian shark cull banned; drumlines suspended
A ban on shark culling in Queensland, Australia is hailed as a success on the road to ending the killing of sharks to 'protect' humans
An introduction to the wreck dives of Aqaba
The Jordanian city of Aqaba hosts some wonderful, and often easy, diving, making Aqaba's wreck dives enjoyable for even the inexperienced
Red Sea’s Brothers Islands reopen for diving
The Egyptian Red Sea’s Brothers Islands have reopened for scuba diving after a three-and-a-half month hiatus. The Brothers Islands, which…
Essential dive kit – the analogue SPG
Should scuba divers use an analogue submersible pressure gauge (SPG) together with their dive computers? DIVE's resident instructor says yes
Shark diving safety tips – keeping shark encounters safe and enjoyable
Diving safely with sharks has been the subject of much discussion recently, after the Red Sea’s Brothers Islands were closed…
Japan to resume commercial whaling
International outcry as the Japanese Government announces it plans to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission (IWC)
Brothers Islands closed for diving after oceanic whitetip bite
The Red Sea's Brothers Islands have been closed to divers following a series of biting incidents by oceanic whitetip sharks
First ultrasound scans and blood samples taken from wild Galápagos whale sharks
Scientists have successfully taken ultrasound scans and blood samples from wild, free-swimming Galápagos whale sharks
Game-changing Paralenz action camera review
A detailed review of the game-changing Paralenz action camera, designed by divers for divers, one year after its launch
Dive into Curacao | world-class Caribbean diving
Curaçao was named one of the best scuba diving destinations in the 2018 DIVE Travel Awards. Here's what to expect when you book your vacation
Gili Trawangan’s Girls That Tech Dive
Gili Trawangan's Girls That Tech Dive have a passion technical diving that is breaking down barriers in a male-dominated environment
Gili Trawangan – the scuba diving island with spirit
Celebrating the community that makes Gili Trawangan one of the world’s hippest scuba diving destinations, and also one of the most resilient
Review | OMS IQ Lite CB Signature wing
OMS has been a mainstay of technical diving for years - how does its recreational diving-geared OMS IQ Lite CB Signature wing compare?
New SEAC Modular customisable BCD
Italian manufacturer SEAC this launches the 'Modular', a new rear-bladder BCD designed to suit a wide variety of divers and diving.
Review | Scubapro MK11 and C370 regulator combo
A review of Scubapro's excellent MK11 first stage and C370 second stage entry-level regulator combo package
Thomas Cook to end SeaWorld excursions
Thomas Cook removes all excursions to Florida's SeaWorld after more than 90 per cent of its customers voiced concerns over animal welfare
New study confirms therapeutic benefits of scuba diving
A study into the therapeutic benefits of scuba diving by students from the University of Sheffield’s Medical School has been published this week.
Alphonse Island | Diving in the Lap Of Luxury
More turtles than you can count, sailfish, sharks, ancient hard corals and lots of reef fish - DIVE visits Alphonse Island in Seychelles
Great white shark spotted off Mallorca
A great white shark has been identified swimming just off the shores of the popular Spanish holiday island of Mallorca
The best wetsuits for travelling scuba divers
Wetsuits are personal, they should mould to your body, keep you warm and protect you. We look at the best for the travelling diver
Review | Atomic Aquatics X1 Bladefin
Atomic Aquatics' X1 Bladefin is marketed as 'short and firm' for general purpose, tech diving and extreme applications' - but is it any good?
Review | Fantasea FG7XII and UWL-09F wide angle lens
Underwater photography can be a little overwhelming interested amateurs, but the Fantasea FG7XII underwater housing is a well-priced option
Seychelles: new MPAs for debt relief
The government of Seychelles has announced a radical plan to fund two new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in return for national debt relief
First scuba dive on the Titanic
The first scuba dive on the Titanic, once thought to be impossible, was successfully carried out this weekend, according to reports.
New species of sixgill shark identified in Atlantic waters
A new species of sixgill shark has been identified by a team of scientists based at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Scubapro’s 2018 drysuit collection
ScubaPro has updated its drysuit line for 2018 to cover the thermal protection needs of scuba divers across a wide range of interests
Visitors to Palau must sign ‘Palau Pledge’
From December 2017, The Western Pacific Republic of Palau insists all visitors sign a pledge to protect the environment when they arrive.
Review | Scubapro G2
A review of the successor to Scubapro's iconic Galileo Sol - the technical diving-oriented Scubapro G2 with personal physiology monitors
Test review | Suunto EON Core dive computer
Suunto's new EON Core dive computer is a cut-down of the popular EON Steel - but is it any good? DIVE tested one for two weeks to find out.
New Scubapro S620 Ti titanium-barrelled second stage
The new Scubapro S620 Ti second stage regulator is smaller and lighter than the S600, one of the world's most popular second-stage designs
Scuba diving Gozo and the ‘new’ Azure Window
Gozo is a relaxed and peaceful island and great for scuba diving - especially with one giant new addition to its underwater attractions.
Kit Review: the customisable Scubapro Hydros Pro
Mark 'Crowley' Russell reviews the new customisable, colour-coordinated modular back-inflate 'BCD for life' Scubapro Hydros Pro
Portuguese man o’ war invades UK beaches
The largest stranding of Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis) since 2012 is occurring on beaches across southwest Britain.
Ten of the best dive spots around the UK & Ireland
The waters surrounding the UK and Republic of Ireland are amazingly rich and diverse – here’s ten top dive spots you might like to try.
Long term review | Aqua Lung Legend
I acquired a set of Aqua Lung Legend regulators in 2010 after some shady busybody stole my much-loved Scubapro Mk25,…
Best compact and mirrorless cameras for divers
DIVE cuts through the jargon with a round-up of some of the best compact and mirrorless cameras for underwater photography
Continued predation of great white sharks by orcas
A fourth great white shark carcass has been found washed up near Gansbaai, South Africa, indicating continued predation by orcas
No more mantas, only mobulas
A comprehensive study of the DNA of the rays that – up until last week – were known as mantas…
Egyptian Government votes to hand Tiran and Sanafir Islands to Saudi Arabia
The Egyptian government has voted to hand control of the disputed islands of Tiran and Sanfir to Saudi Arabia.
Crowdfunded compressed air kits condemned as dangerous
Scuba diving community warns that compressed air diving kits are not safe and for the untrained could prove to be lethal
Long term review | Mares Volo Power fins
Mark 'Crowley' Russell reviews the Mares Volo Power fins that powered him through seven years of his career as a full-time dive instructor
Spate of great white deaths confirm predation by orcas
The discovery of three great white shark carcases in Gansbaai and Struisbaai, South Africa, suggests they were killed by orcas.
Rare megamouth shark dies after discovery in Japan
A rare megamouth shark has died a day after been sighted and filmed offshore from the Japanese town of Tateyama on the south coast of Honshu
Review | Scubapro Go lightweight travel BCD
Mark 'Crowley' Russell tries out and reviews the Scubapro Go - the new lightweight travel BCD from the popular German manufacturer
Thomas Cook blacklists animal attractions failing standards
Thomas Cook has banned the sale of trips to captive cetacean attractions in locations failing to meet animal welfare standards
PADI sold to private consortium for $700m
PADI, the Professional Associaton of Diving Instructors, has been sold to a private consortium for $700 million.
Dive Briefing: The SS Thistlegorm
On the night of 5/6 October 1941, the ship that would become one of the world’s best-loved wreck dives was sunk by a surprise attack
Saudi to Egypt bridge threatens famous Sharm reefs
A proposed bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia would destroy the reefs of Sharm El Sheikh's Tiran and Ras Mohammed national parks
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