Cold water.
Technical depth.
No fluff.

Day job: Engineer

Certs: Rescue · Full Cave · Advanced Recreational Trimix

Hi, I’m Pan!

I started diving without knowing how to swim. Now I hold a Full Cave certification and drive three hours each way to dive in Puget Sound and Hood Canal almost every weekend.

Two Ocean Notes is where I document what that progression looks like for me: gear decisions, cert costs, dive site logistics, and the occasional non-dive detour.

Start Here

Pick where you are, and I’ll point you somewhere useful.

Cold, Miserable, but Lively

What PNW diving is actually like — conditions, creatures, and what gear you need.

PNW Dive Site Index

Parking, entry, tides, and facilities for every site I’ve covered.

Wetsuit vs. Drysuit in the PNW

The case for switching to a drysuit after four cold dives.

The Technical Ascent

How I went from recreational diver to Full Cave, and why I almost quit.

My Tech Diving Progression Formula

The cert sequence, gear decisions, and practice framework I used.

DGX 4550 Canister Light Review

8 months of use, including a Goodman handle fix for smaller hands.

Diving Tulum: The Complete Guide

Planning a Tulum trip from beginner cavern to full cave.

Maldives Liveaboard on MV Felicity

Full review — dives, safety notes, and what I’d do differently.

Packing for a Dive Trip (Wetsuit Edition)

Carry-on only with full wetsuit gear — the framework I use every time.

From Non-Swimmer to Diver

I started without knowing how to swim. If that’s you, start here.

How Much Does Scuba Certification Cost?

The full picture — course fees, gear, and what to buy first.

Rent vs. Buy Scuba Gear

What to rent, what to own, and in what order.

Popular Diving Resources

Pacific Northwest Diving

Complete guide to cold water diving in the PNW – sites, gear, techniques, and what to expect from these unique underwater environments.

>> Explore Cold Water >>

My Diving Journey

Honest insights into recreational and technical diving progression, certifications, gear decisions, and lessons learned along the way.

>> Start Diving Journey >>

Dive Travel Guides

Detailed packing lists, liveaboard reviews, destination guides, and practical tips for diving travelers.

>> Plan Your Trip >>

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Cold water. Technical depth. No fluff.