THE COVERS Articles & Editorials JUNE 1999 • Volume 9 Number 6 
  
Reef photo by Kevin Palmer • Fish photos by Paul Humann, from his book reef fish identification florida caribbean bahamas, New World Publications, Inc.		 Diving is a lot of fun, and it stays fun and exciting because there's so much to see, so many places to visit, and always so much to learn about. But to really benefit, divers should make an important transition from an underwater sightseer to a keen observer. In this month's feature story, "Learning to See," author Linda Lee Walden explains how fish identification opens the door to understanding the relationships that take place in the marine environment, and how that knowledge can open the door even wider to your fun as a diver.
FEATURES
22 Do it in the Dark
Night diving is pretty much as Forest Gump describes life - like a box of chocolates. The darkness has a sweet allure, we never know what we'll find, and the mystery is tantalizing. Even when daytime dives become plain vanilla, every night dive is rich, dark and different. 		By Robert N. Rossier
30 Divers and Reefs (Part 2):
Most discussions about ecologically responsible diving begin immediately by addressing behavior. But such a simplistic view misses the boat. Before we can address the way we behave we must first address the way we think. In the second installment of a two-part feature, the author points out that regardless of where we or any other organism is rated on the great continuum of life, we're all in the same boat. 		By Alex Brylske
40 Learning to See: From Underwater
Many divers begin their underwater adventures as sightseers, only skimming the surface of what there is to see. Paul Humann, author of several books on marine life identification and behavior, feels strongly that the first specialty course everyone should take after learning to dive is a fishwatching course. "In order to stay involved over the long run divers need a special interest just beyond blowing bubbles," he says. The author shares Humann's view that fish identification is an important step in your development as a diver. She offers insights and information on why and how to make the transition from an underwater sightseer to keen observer. 		By Linda Lee Walden
COMMENTARY
8 Editorial: Why I Don't Fish By Alex Brylske
10 Buddy Lines: Good Gloves
14 Diving Notes and News: United States and Australia Team Up to Predict Coral Bleaching
and other news from the diving industry 		By Alison Courtney
100 No Dumb Questions: Where's the Boat? How to get noticed when surfacing after a drift dive By Alex Brylske
DIVE EXPLORATION
78 Dive Geo: Bahamas Out Islands. Just 50 miles from Fort Lauderdale lies a chain of emerald islands enveloped by white-sand beaches that merge with electric-blue Atlantic Ocean water. The natural beauty of the Bahamas lures visitors from around the world to bask in the sun, enjoy diving and watersports, and seek out secluded hideaways for relaxation. By Bret Forbes
85 Dive Traveler: Carry-On My Wayward Bag. Airline Baggage Restrictions. With the new emphasis on enforcing carry-on size regulations, it's more important than ever to know about airline baggage restrictions with both carry-on and checked bags. By W. Lynn Seldon Jr.
88 Passport: Dive travel incentives around the globe
Compiled by Cathryn Castle
94 Training Site: Utah's Hot Springs. Mile High Tropical Diving. Almost a thousand miles from the nearest ocean and a mile above sea level, several geothermal springs have been transformed into northern Utah's version of tropical dive sites. By Linda Lee Walden
EVERY MONTH
49 Scuba Skills: Practicing No-Mask Breathing - How Important Is It? Why - and how you should master no-mask breathing By Lynn Laymon
53 Always Learning: Between the Pages. There Are a Lot of Ways to Learn to Dive Better. The key is to be open to learning in whatever guise it appears. By Mark Twombly
59 Dive Instructor Tips: One On one: Creating a Personal Dialog With Your Students. Self-assessment and individual counseling as training tools By Cathryn Castle
63 Weather and Waves: Tsunamis: Waves Without Warning. Often called "tidal waves," tsunamis are caused by undersea earthquakes or landslides caused by quakes. "Tidal waves" are a misnomer since these huge waves have absolutely nothing to do with the tides. By Jack Williams
69 Family Diving: Making A Splash After Motherhood. How to Get Back Into Diving After Pregnancy. The author gives new (or prospective) moms a look at why you'll need an extended surface interval while pregnant, and how to get your bottom time - and your body back once the baby's here. By Jeana Sciarappa Schott
74 Diving Through the Decades: The 1930s. In this ongoing series, we will recall a decade every month, beginning with the 1930s, the birth of recreational diving. We will concentrate on the events, personalities, inventions, and trends that made diving what it is today. By Eric Hanauer
92 Smithsonian Reports: Smithsonian scientists report on underwater archeology finds By Dr. Paul Johnston, edited by Alex Brylske
98 Dive Shop: Summer's New Gear
Compiled by Cathryn Castle
103 What's That?: Simple (And Unusual) Treasures. All divers know how to look, but seeing, and understanding what we see are the keys that unlock vast underwater treasures right before our eyes. By Dee Scarr
109 Classifieds
113 Dive Training Quiz: Test your knowledge of the information in this month's issue
114 Final Check: What It Looks Like... When You Dry the Dust Cap Correctly. Simple steps to save your first stage By Lynn Laymon