Dive Like A Girl: A Scuba Diving Podcast by Midwest Mermaids Scuba

In this episode of the Dive Like A Girl Podcast, Rachel and Tara welcome Reanna Jeanes, Operations Manager at I.CARE, a coral reef restoration organization in the Florida Keys.
Reanna explains how recreational Scuba divers can get hands-on experience with coral and sponge restoration, what qualifications are recommended, and why buoyancy skills are so important when working around fragile marine life.
We also dive into coral bleaching, microfragmentation, coral nurseries, reef conservation, and the everyday choices we can make to help protect our oceans.
Whether you're an experienced diver, newly certified, or just passionate about marine life, this conversation might inspire you to make your next dive a little more meaningful!
🪸 Learn more about I.CARE and their restoration programs: https://www.icareaboutcoral.org/
Dive Like A Girl is a podcast by Midwest Mermaids Scuba, where real everyday divers have real conversations about all things Scuba.
#DiveLikeAGirl #MidwestMermaidsScuba #CoralReefRestoration #ScubaDiving

Shore Diving vs. Boat Diving: Which Is Better?
Coming to you from Bonaire, Rachel and Tara are comparing two very different ways to explore the underwater world!
Shore diving offers freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to dive on your own schedule. Boat diving makes getting to the reef easier and opens up sites you might never reach from shore. But both have their challenges!
We're talking about tricky shore entries, crowded dive boats, local guides, safety planning, tides, marine park regulations, and all those little things you don't necessarily think about until you've experienced them.
Plus, why Bonaire has become one of our favorite places for newer divers to gain experience and build confidence.
Whether you're a brand-new diver or have hundreds of dives under your belt, there's something to consider before your next adventure!
Dive Like A Girl is brought to you by Midwest Mermaids Scuba—real divers having real conversations about all things SCUBA.
Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/midwestmermaidsscuba/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/midwestmermaidsscuba/ and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@MidwestMermaidsScubaAnd if you're a female Scuba diver in the Midwest US, join our meetup community to find dive buddies and opportunities to dive together! https://www.facebook.com/groups/stlmidwestmermaids

Can spearfishing actually HELP an ecosystem? 🐠
In this episode of the Dive Like A Girl Podcast, Rachel is joined by Angie Fuller, an Instructor Trainer and invasive-species/lionfish spearfishing instructor, and Liz Anderson, a longtime diver and freshwater spearfisher on Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas.
We're talking about the side of spearfishing that many recreational divers may never have been exposed to: safety, ethics, conservation and responsible harvesting.
Why are divers actively removing lionfish from Atlantic and Caribbean reefs? What's the difference between hunting lionfish with a pole spear and hunting walleye with a pneumatic speargun? What skills should you have BEFORE you try spearfishing? And what does spearfishing look like in an Arkansas lake with limited visibility, thermoclines and underwater brush piles?
We also talk about training, buoyancy, backfinning, species identification, seasons and size limits—and why knowing when NOT to take the shot is part of being a responsible spearfisher.
Plus, Rachel admits she's much better at spotting lionfish than actually hitting a fish.
🎧 Follow the Dive Like A Girl Podcast for more conversations about SCUBA diving, travel, conservation and the underwater world.
💬 Would YOU try spearfishing?
⚠️ Spearfishing regulations vary by location and can change. Always verify current local rules and obtain appropriate training before participating.

Does cave diving look a little... intimidating? 😳
Rachel admits she's usually much more of a pretty-fish, warm-water diver, but after experiencing the cenotes of Mexico, she wanted to learn more about the world of caves and caverns.
This month, she's joined by Lilia “Lily” Cabrera, a full-cave and overhead-environment instructor based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and Renee Wawczak, a cave-certified recreational diver from Chicago.
We're talking about what cave and cavern diving are really like, why the cave-diving community can sometimes feel intimidating from the outside, what skills matter before pursuing cave training, and why the number of dives in your logbook doesn't necessarily tell us how prepared you are.
We also get into buoyancy, trim, situational awareness, frog kicks, cenotes, fossils, haloclines, the intense cave-training process—and why Renee says cave training may be the most valuable dive training she's ever completed.
Plus: Rachel still can't frog kick properly... and if Lily sees a tarantula on the way to the cenote, Rachel is NOT getting out of the truck. 😂
Whether cave diving is on your bucket list or firmly in your “absolutely not” category, come explore it with us!
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💬 Would YOU try cave or cavern diving?
Interested in diving the cenotes with Lily? https://lilydive.com

Every experienced diver was once a brand-new diver—and most of us made a few mistakes along the way. 🤿
In this episode of the Dive Like A Girl Podcast, Rachel is joined by Bailey, an instructor from Conch Republic Divers in Tavernier, Florida, and Trista, an instructor from Louisville Dive Center in Kentucky to talk about some of the most common mistakes new SCUBA divers make—and how to avoid them.
We're talking overweighting, buoyancy struggles, blowing through your air, swimming with your hands, constantly reaching for your inflator, trying to keep up with experienced divers, being afraid to ask questions, and assuming a Divemaster or guide will always be there to take care of you.
Plus, we share plenty of our OWN beginner mistakes—because we've all been there!
The biggest takeaway? Open Water certification is just the beginning. Keep asking questions. Keep practicing. Keep learning. And stop comparing yourself to the diver next to you.
A huge thank you to Bailey and Trista for joining us!
🎧 Follow the Dive Like A Girl Podcast so you don't miss future episodes, and share this one with a new diver or dive buddy.

00:00 Welcome to Dive Like A Girl
00:29 Common Mistakes New Divers Make
01:08 Meet Bailey from Conch Republic Divers
01:40 Meet Trista from Louisville Dive Center
02:34 Overweighting & Finding the Right Weight
05:01 Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions
07:05 Weighting Is NOT a Competition
09:47 Wetsuits, Exposure Protection & Changing Weight Needs
11:08 Confidence, Ego & Being Willing to Learn
14:22 Air Consumption & Why New Divers Burn Through Air
16:11 Finning, Frog Kicks & Swimming with Your Hands
19:14 Learning REAL Buoyancy Control
22:22 Slow Down — Diving Isn't a Race
24:09 Stop Comparing Your Air Consumption
26:20 Breathing, Relaxing & Improving Air Consumption
30:00 Never Stop Learning
31:25 Your Dive Guide Isn't Responsible for Everything
32:38 Open Water Is Your License to Learn
34:48 Check Your Own Air!
35:33 Final Thoughts & Thanks