PDR 3.0: POD DIVER RADIO

Jospeh Cocozza: PADI MSDT
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The podcast for serious scuba divers. We cover, TRIMIX, NITROX, REBREATHER Cave Diving, Shipwreck diving, DPV, Hogarthian, Military scuba, free-diving, hyperbaric science.

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  1. EPISODE 234

    SS United States: DEMA Presentation by Alex Fogg

    Episode 234 of PDR 3.0: POD DIVER RADIO, host Joe Cocozza takes you to the show floor at DEMA in Orlando for a live presentation by Alex Fogg, Chief of the Okaloosa County Natural Resources team. Alex walks us through how Destin–Fort Walton Beach, Florida has turned decommissioned vessels into a world-class artificial reef program—and why their newest project, sinking the legendary SS United States, is about to create the largest artificial reef in the world. You'll hear the full story arc of the SS United States: from record-breaking transatlantic ocean liner, to asbestos-ridden "ghost ship" tied up in Philadelphia, to a carefully remediated, 1,000-foot artificial reef planned for ~180 feet of water in the Florida Panhandle. Alex breaks down the environmental cleanup, Coast Guard and EPA approvals, and $10.1M project budget, plus the nerve-wracking tow under the Walt Whitman Bridge and the final site selection about 21 miles offshore of Destin–Fort Walton Beach. Along the way, you'll also learn how Okaloosa County has worked with the U.S. military, ship owners, and mapping experts to create reef sites like the Mark Countess and Spirit of Norfolk, pioneered 3D photogrammetry for dive planning, and laid the groundwork for long-term research and dive safety on the SS United States—including partnerships with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, LSU, and efforts to improve hyperbaric chamber access for Gulf divers. In this episode you'll hear about: How Destin–Fort Walton Beach built a modern artificial reef program using retired vessels and military "target" ships The history, specs, and Cold War role of the SS United States and why she still holds the transatlantic speed record The remediation checklist: fuel tanks, PCBs, wiring, and why prior work in Turkey/Ukraine saved millions of dollars Stability tests, hull inspections, bitts analysis, and the Coast Guard's "Captain of the Port" requirements before the tow How the team chose the final deployment site on clean sand, away from natural reefs and live military test ranges Plans for a land-based museum using the funnels, radar mast, and recovered artifacts—and "pop-up" SS United States exhibits around the region Long-term monitoring of the wreck, fish tagging, and what this project means for dive tourism and local economics If you're a wreck diver, tech diver, Florida Panhandle regular, or just a maritime history nerd, this episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to turn a legendary ship into a safe, exciting dive site. inks & Resources (add to your Libsyn show notes) Pod Diver Radio – home & archives: https://www.poddiver.org/ Pod Diver Radio PDR 3.0 on Libsyn: https://poddiver.libsyn.com/ PodDiver Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pdr-3-0-pod-diver-radio/id270165444 Apple Podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2k8DNUwVPwinXUzODaMASe Spotify Pod Diver TV (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@poddiver YouTube Pod Diver Lodge – Cave-country Airbnb for divers: https://www.poddiverlodge.com/

    38 min

  2. EPISODE 235

    Bahamas Scuba Therapy for PTSD at Dean's Blue Hole

    In this special episode, host Joe Cocozza sits down with veteran cave explorer and former Navy diver Brian Kakuk to talk about a remarkable PTSD program based at Dean's Blue Hole on Long Island in the Bahamas. The nonprofit, founded by Brian's friend Kevin James, is called PTSD – Progress Through Scuba Diving, and it uses guided scuba dives as a powerful tool to help veterans and other trauma survivors work through PTSD. Brian explains how a week of simple, supported dives in the calm, deep waters of Dean's Blue Hole — combined with daily check-ins and recorded interviews — has led many participants from anxiety, insomnia, and even suicidal thoughts to feeling calmer, more present, and genuinely hopeful again. We also touch on why the underwater environment can be therapeutic, how pressure and weightlessness may affect the brain, and why the program now urgently needs sponsors, donors, and word-of-mouth support to bring more veterans to the Bahamas.

    10 min

  3. EPISODE 236

    Boost Your Scuba Video: Pro Lighting Tips from Keldan + Ultralight (DEMA Show)

    Join me on the show floor at DEMA for two rapid-fire interviews on underwater lighting for videography. We talk beam quality, color accuracy, CRI/TLCI, wide vs. spot beams, diffusion, battery management, burn times, mounting, and how to build a travel-friendly rig that still looks cinematic. First up is Keldan on color science, filters, and matching ambient light; then Ultralight walks through arms, clamps, and buoyancy to position lights precisely (and keep your rig neutral). If you shoot wrecks, reefs, or macro, this is a compact masterclass in getting better results underwater. Gear & topics mentioned Underwater video lights, high-CRI LEDs, color filters, domes/diffusers, arms & clamps, buoyancy floats, cable vs. onboard power, action cam vs. mirrorless rigs. 👍 If this helped, please Like, Subscribe, and drop your favorite lighting tip in the comments. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 00:24 – Keldan Interview 05:26 – Ultralight Interview Hashtags / SEO tags #DEMA #UnderwaterVideo #ScubaDiving #UnderwaterLighting #Keldan #Ultralight #Videography #WreckDiving #MacroVideo #CinematicDiving #CRI #TLCI #Backscatter #DiveGear

    11 min

  4. EPISODE 237

    Saturation Diving: Life at 600 feet down. Good pay but the toilets can kill you.

    Using the toilet can kill you… at least if you're living for weeks inside a saturation chamber. In this Pod Diver TV episode, Joe Cocozza sits down in Lisbon, Portugal with former Portuguese Marine and commercial saturation diver João Rainho to unpack what life is really like as a sat diver. João walks us through his path from spearfishing Marine to IMCA-certified commercial diver, North Sea contractor and finally saturation diver working worldwide. He explains how sat systems work, why divers spend 28+ days pressurized instead of bounce diving, and how an entire vessel—from cooks to life-support techs—exists to keep a handful of divers alive around the clock. João breaks down the pay and danger myths around saturation diving: which sectors actually pay well (North Sea, Norwegian, Dutch, UK), where safety slides (Gulf of Mexico, Persian Gulf, parts of Africa), and why some new divers quit after a single sat. He talks candidly about long hitches away from family, the psychological strain of living in a steel tube, and the strange realities of everyday life under pressure—including how flushing the toilet the wrong way can be fatal. We also hear about his dream expedition: crossing the Atlantic from Lisbon to New York underwater in saturation mode. If you're curious about commercial diving, offshore oil and windfarm work, deep decompression, or what sat life is really like beyond the movies, this interview is for you. To watch video goto: https://www.youtube.com/@poddiver

    15 min

  5. EPISODE 238

    NAVY Master Diver Mindset: with Master Chief Rick Bettua USN

    Retired Master Chief Petty Officer and U.S. Navy Master Diver Rick Bettua joins Joe Cocozza on Pod Diver TV for a powerful, story-driven interview about what it takes to become a Navy Diver and the mindset that keeps you alive when everything goes sideways. Rick shares how a Super Bowl halftime "Navy Divers" ad sparked his dream, how he literally got himself to dive school, and why Navy diving is as much leadership and mental toughness as it is underwater skill. We cover Navy Diver training, mission realities (ships husbandry, submarines, salvage, security operations), and the hard lessons that forged Rick's career plus the principles he wants every diver to remember: STOP • THINK • ACT and Never Ever Quit. If you're a scuba diver, tech diver, or current/former military, this episode is packed with motivation, history, and real-world dive culture. Featured: Rick Bettua Author of Breathe: A Survivor's Tale (Navy Master Diver stories + the events that led him to write the book) Order a copy of Rick's book at: https://www.amazon.com/Breathe-Master-Divers-Survival-Tales/dp/1637898215 When scuba diving in North Florida come stay with us at the Pod Diver Lodge: www.poddiverlodge.com Chapters: 01:34 Introduction to Rick's Journey 03:20 The Inspiration to become a Navy Diver 04:26 Joining the US Navy at 17 05:35 First Ship… not a diver yet. 07:29 A Deal is a Deal ! 10:00 The Dream Begins. Attending Second Class Diver School 13:57 Swimming against the Frogmen 16:28 First Assignment as a Navy Diver 21:03 Duties of a US Navy Diver 23:25 The dangers of diving on Submarines 27:34 Making Master Chief Petty Officer 29:30 What does it take to be a USN MASTER DIVER 33:00 LEADERSHIP: Diving is the FUN part. 38:09 Surviving a SHARK ATTACK. (Warning Graphic Content) Keywords / SEO: U.S. Navy Diver, Navy Master Diver, Technical Diving, Navy diving, Navy diver training, ND pipeline, dive school, ships husbandry, submarine diving hazards, salvage diving, shark attack, military diving, leadership, mental toughness, stop t

    42 min
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4.5
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42 Ratings

About

The podcast for serious scuba divers. We cover, TRIMIX, NITROX, REBREATHER Cave Diving, Shipwreck diving, DPV, Hogarthian, Military scuba, free-diving, hyperbaric science.

Information

  • Creator
    Jospeh Cocozza: PADI MSDT
  • Episodes
    169
  • Seasons
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © t/a COCOZZA TECHNOLGIES LLC
  • Show Website
    PDR 3.0: POD DIVER RADIO

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