FEATURES
| 26 |
Altitude Diving
Demystified: The Basics of Diving High
Altitude diving is defined as diving in bodies of water above 1,000
feet/305 m in elevation. Most divers initially conclude that such conditions exist only in
mountainous areas. However, closer analysis and a look at a topographical map of North
America reveal that altitude diving theory and procedures affect more than those who dive
in high mountain lakes. In fact, a significant amount of the continent west of the
Mississippi River is above 1,000 feet, and thus qualifies as altitude diving country. This
article explores the physics - and the fundamentals - of diving at altitude. |
By Lynn Laymon |
| 34 |
Marine Habitats, Part IV:
Life in the Open Sea
With the exception of the beaches, where tidal changes occur within
minutes, environmental conditions change faster and more dramatically in the open sea than
in any other part of the world's oceans. The open-sea setting always seems to be in a
state of flux. You can go to a place one day and be overwhelmed by the amount of activity.
Go back to the exact same place the following day, and the area appears to be a huge void
with nothing but water in sight. In this final article of a four-part series on marine
habitats, the author describes life in this feast-or-famine setting. |
By Marty Snyderman |
| 46 |
Divers Alert Network's
"DAN Days": A Report on the Latest in Diving Medicine and Safety.
One of the best-known acronyms in diving is DAN - the Divers Alert Network.
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, it has filled an indispensable niche and ably lived
up to its slogan, "the diver's safety organization." Unfortunately, many divers
only associate DAN with accident insurance or oxygen training, never realizing what a
truly vital role it plays in disseminating information. This year, rather than rely on
printed material or in-depth multi-day seminars geared to medical professionals, DAN is
trying something a little different to get its message out. In cooperation with local
sponsors, DAN is offering a series of information-packed, one-day seminars. Dubbed
"DAN Days," these programs offer a unique opportunity to hear the latest about
diving medicine and safety. |
By Alex Brylske |
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COMMENTARY
| 8 |
Editorial: Vündamentals
|
By Alex Brylske |
| 10 |
Buddy Lines:
Views on Interacting With Marine Animals |
| 16 |
Dive Observer: Illegal
Fishing in Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico and other news from the diving industry |
By Amy Gulick |
| 99 |
No Dumb Questions: The
Wrong Reg, Equipment Evolutions. Readers ask about out-of-air emergency procedures and
changes in equipment usage. |
By Alex Brylske |
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DIVE EXPLORATION
| 72 |
Dive Geo: Dominica: The
Eastern Caribbean's Nature and Adventure Island
Millions of years ago, volcanic eruptions unleashed their fury in what's
now the Eastern Caribbean. A towering island rose from the center of the rage. The
mountainous island was doused with rainfall. Six different types of forests sprouted,
providing habitats for thousands of tropical plant species and hundreds of birds.
Underwater, marine life thrived on the walls, pinnacles and reefs. This was the beginning
of Dominica. |
By Amy Gulick |
| 87 |
Training Site: Mermet
Springs: Southern Illinois' Top Dive Attraction
Where can a landlocked Midwesterner dive on a submerged Boeing 727
fuselage, swim with a school of spoonbills and explore the flooded remains of a former
limestone quarry? You'll find all this and more at "Mermet Springs, Home of
First-Class Diving." |
By David W. Allen |
| 93 |
Dive Traveler: The Other
C-Card: Credit Card Tips for Dive Travelers. As a diver, you already know to pack your
c-card when planning a dive vacation, but you might also want to carry the other kind of
card made famous by the phrase, "Don't leave home without it": your credit card.
|
By Cathryn Castle |
| 97 |
Passport: Dive
travel incentives around the globe
Compiled by Cathryn Castle |
|
EVERY MONTH
| 57 |
Scuba Skills: Skill Review:
Back to Basics. Why and how to keep your scuba skills sharp |
By Linda Lee Walden |
| 61 |
Always Learning: Paternal
Instinct, Unplugged - and Underwater: Dad Goes Diving With the Kids What it's like when
your dive buddies are your children |
By Mark Twombly |
| 67 |
Instructor Tips: The Weight
System: Teaching Students to Give It Some Respect
How to pass on the philosophy that proper weighting is not a static
process, but a matter of fine-tuning. |
By Barry Shuster |
| 81 |
Eco-Seas: Night Moves:
Coral Spawning by the Light of the Moon. How the sex drive of a coral reef can be affected
by the position of the moon |
By Jesse Cancelmo |
| 103 |
Dive Medicine:
Antihistamines and Decongestants: What's the difference? Before you use any drug, it's
important to know what effect - or potential side effect - it might cause. |
By Paul Auerbach, M.D. |
| 108 |
Smithsonian Reports:
Smithsonian scientists report on black sea urchin decline in the return of our popular
Smithsonian series. |
By Haris A. Lessios and Michael A.
Lang |
| 110 |
Dive Shop:
Summer Product Lineup |
Compiled by Cathryn Castle |
| 112 |
What's That?: Sea Snakes.
She sees sea snakes on the surface - and under the sea. |
By Dee Scarr |
| 115 |
International
Classifieds |
| 117 |
Classifieds
|
| 121 |
Dive Training
Quiz : Test your knowledge of the information in this month's issue. |
| 122 |
Final Check: What It Looks
Like... When You Get Your Buddy's Attention. Attention-getting techniques for
communicating |
By Lynn Laymon |
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