Diving Tips and Tricks: Using a Bolt Snap with Dry Gloves
For the converted living in cold water environs, dry gloves are just what the doctor ordered, but newbies don’t necessarily regard them as handy, particularly when fiddling with bolt snaps. Fortunately, Francesco Cameli has a trick that will make the task a snap. Check it out.
Struggling with your primary regulator’s bolt snap while wearing dry gloves? Instructor Francesco Cameli has a trick for your hand placement to help you with that.
- Hold the bolt snap against your middle finger with your thumb
- Use your thumb to hold the bolt snap’s head straight
- Use your index finger to open the snap and clip on and off

Francesco is Italian but speaks four languages fluently and without an accent. This is probably a trait of his career spanning 25 years in the music industry, where he has worked on or facilitated records that have gone on to sell over 150,000,000 copies worldwide. When he’s not locked away in his studio, Sphere, you will find Francesco submerged taking pictures or sharing his contagious passion for diving with his friends and students. A very active diver in the Los Angeles GUE community, Francesco Is both CCR and Cave trained as well a GUE instructor. He says that he gets really grumpy if he does not get at least three dives a week in. It’s the perfect Yang to the Ying of the dark, soundproof rooms where he also thrives.
Diving Tips and Tricks
Diving Tips and Tricks: Save-A-Dive-Bearded Edition
You showed up to dive but forgot to tame your inner Wookie. No problem. GUE’s Rich Denmark’s on the job with some face saving tips. Got your “Save-a-Beard” kit handy?

by Rich Denmark
Love your beard, but not how it breaks the seal on your mask? Well, bearded diver, Rich Denmark has a few tips in store for you on how to prevent your beard from interfering with your next dive.
His recommendation? Use a mask with a short skirt and carry a “Save-a-dive” beard kit that has all of the tools you need to groom with before a dive.
The kit includes:
- Leatherman
- Razor with a single blade on top
- Silicone lubricant (no petroleum aloud!)

Richie has been creating content with GUE since early 2009 and has been a GUE diver for over 5 years. At a young age he fell in love with the lakes, springs, and oceans of Florida and now, with 10 years experience in HD video production, is proud to combine his passion and skills for GUE. Rich is the creative drive behind many GUE HQ video projects and also excels at photography, graphic design, voiceovers, video editing and effects, and much more. His primary goal within the organization is to use his diverse media skill set to bring our global GUE community and the general public closer together. When he isn’t working for GUE or out diving he regularly films with ESPN and other national TV shows, as well as for local artists and businesses.