Women Who Tech Dive Yeeven Shim -

Yeeven Shim

Women beyond diving limits

Name
Yeeven Shim

Country of origin
Malaysia

Where you live
Malaysia

Dive club / dive center
Freelancer

Highest diving certifications
SDI TDI Instructor/ Technical Cave/ Adv Trimix Diver

How was your first dive?

I did my first and subsequent open water dives all during my first trip at Mabul Island, as well as the beautiful Sipadan Island in Malaysia. The first dive was so much fun, and I felt like I could never get enough of the experience. And I noticed I am not afraid of darkness and deep at all. I guess that’s what inspired me to continue on this journey.

What made you transition from sport diving to technical diving?

The transition from recreational diving to technical diving was smooth for me. I was fortunate to have a few technical diving mentors who took me under their wing and helped shape me into a better diver. Since then, my main goal has been to explore as many caves as possible in my lifetime.

What type of technical diving do you practice.

As both a deep and cave diver, I definitely gravitate more toward cave diving. There’s something incredibly exciting about exploring caves and admiring their natural formations. Those formations are shaped over thousands of years, each detail telling a story. Every cave holds its own surprises and challenges, making each dive a unique experience. I also enjoy being in total darkness; it feels peaceful and deeply relaxing.

What do you consider when looking for technical diving training?

I believe that nothing can replace the following:

Time in the water – The total number of logged dives and training sessions truly matters.

Safety first – Prioritizing safety is absolutely essential in every dive.

A good mentor – The right mentor with a positive approach and a motivating attitude can guide you through the journey.

Enjoy every dive – Last but not least, always take time to enjoy each and every dive!

What challenges have you faced as a woman in technical diving?

As a relatively petite female technical diver, I inevitably face doubts or misunderstandings about my abilities. But true recognition only comes when others actually see what I’m capable of. I just hope people can judge objectively rather than based on appearances because the strength behind this small frame is often far greater than you can imagine.

What has been your most memorable dive so far?

One of the most unforgettable dives I’ve ever had was in a massive cave at Buton Tengah – Oe Mamba. As soon as I entered the cave, I could hear my own heartbeat. I felt a bit nervous as I wasn’t sure if it was from excitement or a sense of unease, but deep down, I knew I was truly excited. I passed through layers of hydrogen sulfide and halocline, descending deeper. As I looked around, I was surrounded by a vast, dark cave. It was so large that with the naked eye, I could only see the guideline and the direction illuminated by my primary light. The whole atmosphere felt incredibly mysterious. It was a deep cave, around 70m or maybe more. The feeling was truly unforgettable even until today.

What places in the world would you love to dive in, and why? What are your next goals in technical diving?

Next, I’m planning to explore various cave diving sites in Mexico. Besides cave diving, I actually have a strong passion for sharks, and one of my dreams is to go diving with them in Africa someday.

As for my goals in tech diving, I’m aiming to become an Advanced Trimix instructor first. At the same time, I want to start learning and training on CCR, and if things go well, becoming a CCR instructor is definitely on my list too. Especially for cave diving, CCR just makes so much sense.

What qualities do you look for in a great technical dive buddy?

For me, a great tech dive buddy is someone I can fully trust underwater. They’re calm under pressure, follow procedures, and can communicate clearly even without words. Bonus points if they’re also easy to talk to during pre-dive planning and have a positive attitude!