THE COVERS Articles & Editorials AUGUST 2001 • Volume 11 Number 8 
  
By Steve Simonsen		 With recent emphasis on the more technical aspects of recreational diving - extended range, mixed gases, rebreathers, overhead environments and the like, those of us who get our kicks from simply being underwater may feel a bit out of fashion. This month's feature article, "The Shallow End: First Choice for Water Lovers" reminds us of the pleasures and treasures to be enjoyed while diving or snorkeling in shallow water.
FEATURES
28 The Shallow End: First Choice for Water Lovers
With recent emphasis on technical diving, those of us who get our kicks from simply being underwater may feel a bit out of fashion. Never fear - non-technical diving is still the mainstream. And for those who prefer easy, relaxing dives, the shallow end is the place to be. 		By Linda Lee Walden
42 Earth's Ocean: The Geology of the Sea
The final installment of a four-part oceanography series, geological oceanography is a discipline of ocean science that seeks to explain how the oceans came to be, their physical expanse and how they continue to change. 		By Alex Brylske
54 Echinoderms: Sea Stars, Crinoids, Brittle Stars, Basket Stars, Sea Cucumbers, Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars
This article is the seventh in a series that elaborates on the marine animals that you and your pals are likely to encounter while diving. An overview of the articles is provided in the February 2001 issue. 		By Marty Snyderman
68 A Good Diver is Always Learning: Exploring the NOAA Diving Manual
Over the years, NOAA has revised its manual to include new information on equipment, techniques, procedures and philosophies of safe diving. The second edition came soon after the first, in 1979, and the third made its debut in 1991. But the diving industry has been speeding down an evolutionary interstate, and by all accounts, the new fourth edition has been long overdue. 		By Robert N. Rossier
COMMENTARY
8 Editorial: To Feed or Not to Feed By Alex Brylske
10 Buddy Lines: SASY As a Tool for Disabled Teens  
16 Dive Observer: Teachers Make a Splash in Dry Area and other news from the diving industry By Gene Gentrup
111 No Dumb Questions: Gear Configurations, Anchoring Practices, Questions from our readers By Alex Brylske
DIVE EXPLORATION
94 Dive Geo: Tobago: Swimming in the Shadow of the Andes
This tiny Caribbean island offers a variety of flora and fauna and an abundance of electrifying dive sites. 		By Tanya Burnett and Kevin Palmer
118 Dive Traveler: Departure Tax: They Get You Coming and Going. What it is, how it's collected, and how much it's going to cost you By Barry Shuster
120 Passport: Dive travel incentives around the globe
Compiled by Gene Gentrup 		 
130 Training Site: Athens Scuba Park: A Texas-Sized Vision. A former clay pit becomes a state-of-the-art dive site By Linda Lee Walden
EVERY MONTH
79 Scuba Skills: Kicking Up Your Heels: The Back Roll: An easy way to enter the water on a roll By Lynn Laymon
89 Always Learning: The Effects of Aging: For Divers, It's Not All Bad. Diving on the far side of 40 By Mark Twombly
83 Instructor Tips: Good Divers Can Get Bent: Teaching Students to Tune in to DCI. How to take the stigma out of DCI when teaching safe diving. By Robert N. Rossier
103 What About: Treasure Hunters in Training: The Search for Underwater Objects
Goes High-Tech. The use of sophisticated electronic detection equipment and techniques is changing the face of search-and-recovery training. 		By Lynn Laymon
107 Next Step: Going Deep: Recognizing and Managing Nitrogen Narcosis. How to get a handle on deeper diving By Joseph C. Dovala
116 Dive Shop: Go-Anywhere Gear Selections
Compiled by Cathryn Castle 		 
124 Dive Medicine: Back Basics: Exercises to Keep Your Back Scuba-Ready. Strength and flexibility training for dive fitness By Paul M. Auerbach, M.D.
135 What's That?: Clear Blue: Swimming With Blue Sharks. The allure of swimming in shark-infested waters By Marty Snyderman
139 Premiere Classifieds  
141 Classifieds  
145 Dive Training Quiz: Test your knowledge of the information in this month's issue  
146 Final Check: What It Looks Like When... You Slip Into the Water Gracefully. Performing the controlled seated entry with ease By Lynn Laymon