Tech Diving On Air with Tamara Adame

Depth records in diving. Gaëlle Giesen

In this episode of Tech Diving On Air, host Tamara sits down with Gaëlle Giesen, a Swiss physicist, engineer, and deep-diving explorer whose work bridges the gap between science and extreme underwater environments. Together, they dive into the rigorous preparation and mindset required to execute world-record-setting cave dives. Gaëlle shares her unique perspective on the intersection of physics and diving, explaining how her scientific background informs her approach to risk management and problem-solving at depths exceeding 200 meters. From the emotional toll of writing "goodbye" letters before a major dive to the controversial topic of establishing rules and regulations within the deep-diving community, Gaëlle offers a candid and thought-provoking look at the realities of pushing human limits underwater. In this episode, we discuss: - Deep Diving: How a background in astrophysics translates to the practical engineering and problem-solving needed for extreme exploration. - The Record Breaker: Gaëlle’s experience setting the women's world record for open water rebreather diving (222m) and her subsequent 230m cave dive. - Calculated Risk: The mental preparation required for extreme depth, including the difficult process of writing "testaments" and accepting the inherent dangers. - The Ethics of Exploration: A candid discussion on the lack of official governing bodies for deep diving records, the potential need for standardized rules, and the balance between personal freedom and safety. - Finding Your Team: Why the success of a deep dive relies entirely on the trust and capability of the support team, and how to build a crew you can rely on. - What's Next: A glimpse into Gaëlle's upcoming projects and new exploration goals. About the Guest: Gaëlle is a French deep diver, skydiving champion and scientist who was Tamara’s student in Mexico when she learned Sidemount. Gäelle works for CNES, the space agency in France, and has been mentored by a community of deep divers who she has learned and trained with to achieve what no other woman had done before. Connect with Gaëlle: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095601341531 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095601341531] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaelle.giesen/ [https://www.instagram.com/gaelle.giesen/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ga%C3%ABlle-giesen-ph-d-a19b456a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ga%C3%ABlle-giesen-ph-d-a19b456a/] If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show and share it with your dive buddy. Changing the culture starts with a conversation. Contact me: info@cenotegirl.com [%20info@cenotegirl.com] Don’t forget to subscribe! One click helps our team continue growing the project and reaching more divers! Thank you 💙

Diving with a Robot! Vickie Siegel

In this episode of Tech Diving On Air, host Tamara sits down with Vickie Siegel, a marine technology entrepreneur, cave diver, and co-founder of Sunfish—a company developing highly advanced autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Together, they explore the fascinating intersection of cutting-edge robotics and technical diving. Vickie shares the incredible story of how the Sunfish robot was born from a desire to map unexplored underwater caves and has since evolved into a tool capable of navigating some of the planet's most extreme environments—from the depths of Wakulla Springs to the icy waters of Antarctica, and perhaps one day, the oceans of Jupiter's moon, Europa. They discuss the unique challenges of building a robot that can think for itself in a cave, the differences between ROVs and AUVs, and how these machines are not replacing divers, but working alongside them to push the boundaries of exploration. In this episode, we discuss: - The Birth of Sunfish: How a casual conversation about mapping caves led to the creation of an autonomous, hovering underwater robot. - ROVs vs. AUVs: Understanding the difference between a tethered remote-controlled vehicle and a robot that can think and navigate independently. - Cave Diving Robots: Why navigating a cave is one of the hardest challenges for an AUV, and how Sunfish uses sonar and spatial AI to find its way. - From Florida to Space: The journey from testing in Wakulla Springs to being tasked by NASA to develop technology for exploring extraterrestrial oceans. - Robots and Divers as Teammates: How technology like Sunfish can assist human divers in data collection, infrastructure inspection, and reaching depths beyond human limits. - The Future of Underwater Exploration: What's next for the Sunfish team, including the development of new "Nova fish" and the ongoing quest for full autonomy. You can learn more about Vickie Siegel and her team's work by searching for Sunfish AUV online, or by following their ongoing projects as they continue to explore the underwater world. About the Guest: Vickie Siegel is the co-founder of Sunfish. She’s also a badass cave explorer, expedition leader with experience in running complex logistics in extreme environments. Connect with Sunfish and Vickie Siegel: 🗣️JOB OPENING AT SUNFISH CLICK HERE [https://www.facebook.com/share/18NfCHdxV5/?] 🙌 * Website: https://sunfishinc.com/ [https://sunfishinc.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunfishinc/posts [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunfishinc/posts] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunfishinc [https://www.facebook.com/sunfishinc] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunfish_auv/ [https://www.instagram.com/sunfish_auv/] * Email: Vsiegel12@gmail.com [Vsiegel12@gmail.com] * Alaska project summary click here! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show and share it with your dive buddy. Changing the culture starts with a conversation. Contact me: info@cenotegirl.com Don’t forget to subscribe! One click helps our team continue growing the project and reaching more divers! Thank you 💙

Bones in the cave! Jerónimo Avilés

In this episode of Tech Diving On Air, host Tamara sits down with Jerónimo Avilés, a Mexican speleologist, paleontologist, and the Director of Instituto de la Prehistoria de América AC. Together, they take a journey back in time, exploring the Ice Age megafauna that once roamed the Yucatan Peninsula and now rests deep within its flooded caves. Jerónimo shares his extensive knowledge and passion for these submerged time capsules and the remains of the ice age megafauna. From the giant ground sloth (Xibalbaonyx oviceps) to the elephant-like gomphotheres, they discuss the incredible biodiversity that existed here over 10,000 years ago and the meticulous work required to study and preserve these fragile remains. Jerónimo also explains the crucial difference between a mammoth, a mastodon, a gomohoterium and a gomphothere—much of it is in the teeth! In this episode, we discuss: * Time Travel Underwater: Understanding the Pleistocene epoch and how rising sea levels preserved a treasure trove of fossils in the cenotes. * Meet the Giants: A detailed look at the unique species found in the Yucatan Peninsula, including the giant sloth, gomphotheres, and even prehistoric bears and llamas. * Teeth Tell the Tale: How paleontologists use dental morphology to distinguish between species and understand their diets and environments. * The Importance of Context: Why moving a bone, even slightly, can destroy valuable scientific data and the story it tells about the past. * Ear Bones & Evolution: Jerónimo's fascination with auditory ossicles and what these tiny bones reveal about an animal's life and evolution. * Citizen Science: How divers can contribute to paleontological research by documenting their findings responsibly and reporting them to experts. About the Guest: Jerónimo is a researcher, photographer, cave diver and paleontologist whose work has derived in dozens of scientific and outreach papers. He has spent almost 30 years diving, documenting and studying the caves, archaeology and paleontology of Quintana Roo. Connect with Jerónimo Avilés: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jer%C3%B3nimo-avil%C3%A9s-olgu%C3%ADn-segovia-b3bb604b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jer%C3%B3nimo-avil%C3%A9s-olgu%C3%ADn-segovia-b3bb604b/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeronimo.olguinsegovia [https://www.facebook.com/jeronimo.olguinsegovia] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeronimoavilesolguin/ [https://www.instagram.com/jeronimoavilesolguin/] * Email: espeleopaleo@gmail.com [espeleopaleo@gmail.com] If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show and share it with your dive buddy. Changing the culture starts with a conversation. Contact me: info@cenotegirl.com

Things I don’t like in cave photography.

In this solo episode of Tech Diving On Air, host Tamara takes the mic to share a candid and insightful look at the nuances of being a model in underwater photography. Drawing from six years of experience working with various photographers in challenging environments like caves, Tamara discusses her personal "pet peeves"—the things she wishes photographers wouldn't ask her to do. Far from being just a list of complaints, this episode offers valuable advice for photographers on how to work more effectively and respectfully with their models when trying to portrait realistic cave diving practices. Tamara explains the safety concerns, practical limitations, prioritizing conservation and aesthetic preferences behind her dislikes, from being asked to look away from the guideline to dealing with uncomfortable posing requests like holding a static scooter. She also touches on the importance of authentic representation, explaining why she avoids wearing makeup for shoots and prefers capturing genuine moments of exploration over staged scenes. Whether you're an aspiring underwater photographer or a diver interested in modeling, this episode provides a unique perspective from the other side of the lens. In this episode, I discuss: * Safety First: Why asking a cave diver to turn their back to the line or swim away from it into decorated areas is a major "don't." * Authenticity vs. Staging: The preference for capturing real action and movement over static, posed shots that can look awkward or fake. * Lighting Logic: Why pointing lights in unnatural directions can ruin a shot and feel wrong for an experienced diver. * The "Look" of Tech Diving: A discussion on makeup in technical diving photography and why a natural look is often more practical and compatible with the gear. * Equipment Etiquette: The importance of giving models time to clean up their gear and align their trim before snapping the photo. * Communication is Key: How discussing shots beforehand and respecting a model's comfort zone leads to better photos and a safer dive. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show, leave a review and share it with your dive buddy. Changing the culture starts with a conversation. Do you know a great speaker that should be on this show? Let me know!

From Glaciers to Manatees. Dr. Jason Gulley

In this episode of Tech Diving On Air, host Tamara sits down with Dr. Jason Gulley, a hydrogeologist, researcher, and award-winning photographer whose work has taken him from the depths of glacial caves to the hidden world of the Florida's springs. Together, they explore Jason's remarkable journey from a scientific career focused on glacier caves and aquifers to becoming a visual storyteller for National Geographic. Jason shares the pivotal moment a chance encounter with a manatee changed his perspective on photography and conservation, leading him to document not just the animals, but the complex environmental challenges they face. From the technical challenges of photographing in pitch-black caves to the patience required to capture intimate moments with wildlife, Jason reveals the dedication behind the images that inspire us to care about our planet. In this episode, we discuss: * From Science to Storytelling: How Jason transitioned from academic research to using photography as a tool for conservation and communication. * Manatee Magic: The unexpected encounter that sparked a passion for documenting manatees and the different personalities within a herd. * The Florida Springs Crisis: Understanding the environmental threats facing manatees, including pollution and habitat loss, and the importance of looking at the bigger picture. * Technical Challenges: The realities of underwater photography, from dealing with buoyancy in rebreathers to using specialized optics to overcome low visibility. * The Art of Patience: Why the best wildlife photos often come from spending hours simply observing and waiting for the right moment, rather than chasing the shot. * Global Manatee Perspectives: A look at the different manatee species around the world, from the Amazon to West Africa, and the unique challenges they each face. * Advanced camera equipment, housings, lenses, optics and brand recommendations. About the Guest: Dr. Jason Gulley is a hydrogeologist who specializes in water, glaciers and climate change research. He is also a science and expedition photographer with experience in several continents, some of his remarkable work has been conducted in Alaska, Greenland, Nepal and Africa. He is a cave and CCR diver. Connect with Dr. Jason Gulley: * Website: https://jasongulley.smugmug.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason_gulley_science?igsh=b292M2FlMmxtZ3h0 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-gulley-aa507b214?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app * Latest work: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/florida-rodman-reservoir-ocklawaha-river-springs?loggedin=true&rnd=1768324477494&fbclid=IwdGRleAPvhtxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeF5pc5sG1ykqiQh2E8JHjRLwht9915LYmhXUKDp6ExA2A-rlAiKWK6V2CvWs_aem_r2CdJtyDsr4qMJDNffMQpA If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show and share it with your dive buddy. Changing the culture starts with a conversation. Contact me: ⁠⁠⁠info@cenotegirl.com⁠⁠ [info@cenotegirl.com]