Max's journey into the world of diving began during his time in the French military and after transitioning to civilian life, He pursued his passion as a dive instructor in Thailand. It was during this time that he found himself under the tutelage of Mikko Paasi, dive shop owner and Thai cave rescue hero. Together with Mikko and other diving legends, Max has explored Thailand's long forgotten flooded mines and through the fantastic Bottomline projects initiative, they've mapped kilometres of submerged tunnels, created options for mine diving training, revitalized tourism and boosting the local economy.
Join me as I catch up with Max and dive deeper into his career, past, present, and future, please enjoy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Maxime
01:36 Adventures and Mishaps in Thailand
04:26 Journey into Diving: From Childhood to Military
07:34 Diving Experiences in Europe: Cold Water Challenges
10:27 Freshwater vs. Saltwater Diving: Key Differences
15:34 Underwater Photography: Beginnings and Inspirations
19:26 Photography Techniques: Creating Illusions in Images
23:53 Exploring Unique Photography Techniques
24:36 Diving into Unexplored Caves
26:27 Environmental Impact and Community Engagement
38:18 Teaching and Training Future Explorers
40:23 Expanding Horizons in Photography
53:18 Diving Adventures and Technical Challenges
58:32 Innovations in Diving Equipment
59:41 Future Projects and Exploration Plans
01:01:56 The Vast Potential of Mining Exploration
01:09:16 Safety Protocols in Diving and Teaching
01:13:58 Community Impact and Local Involvement
Links
YouTube: @MaximeCheminade
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxime_underwater/
Website: https://www.maximecheminade.com/
Bottomline Projects: https://www.bottomlineprojects.com/
Divernet article, Underwater photography competition, Jordan: https://divernet.com/photography/aqaba-hosts-inaugural-international-underwater-photo-competition/
Koh Tao Divers website: https://kohtaodivers.com/