JANUARY 2004 • VOLUME 14 NUMBER 1

THE COVERS	Articles & Editorials	JANUARY 2004 • VOLUME 14 NUMBER 1
By Tanya Burnett and Kevin Palmer	It's not surprising that divers often share a special bond with whales and dolphins, for we are some of the lucky few who may visit them in their natural environment. And because of our common marine experience, we more than any others can appreciate their marvelous diving ability, and envy their immunity to decompression sickness. This month's feature, "Humans and Whales: An Intimate Connection," explores our aquatic similarities.

FEATURES

24	Humans and Whales: An Intimate Connection Why is it that we humans are such fans of creatures that most will never see outside a tank in an aquarium? It seems odd that humans would have such affection for animals who seemingly share so little with us. Perhaps the reason for this almost maniacal passion for whales and dolphins is that we share deeper roots with them than we even realize.	By Alex Brylske
36	Self-evaluation: How Do You Know If You Are A Good Diver? Are you a good diver? How do you know? What qualities make you a better diver than someone else? Or another diver better than you? The author examines what it means to be a good diver.	By Lynn Laymon
46	The Air Down There: Is Quality as Important as Quantity? Every diver knows to monitor his or her air supply to avoid running out of air, but what about monitoring its quality? The author explains how - and why - to be aware of what's inside your tank.	By Robert N. Rossier

COMMENTARY

8	Editorial: Dive Where I Live? You've Gotta Be Kidding!	By Alex Brylske
10	Buddy Lines: Can't Get Enough
16	Dive Observer: Africa Dust Can Have 'Significant' Effect on Caribbean Weather, Study Shows and other news from the diving industry	By Gene Gentrup
90	No Dumb Questions: Saltier Salt Water, Drift Diving, Legal Issues Questions from our readers	By Alex Brylske

DIVE EXPLORATION

68	Global Dive Exploration Map A geographical guide to great dive destinations across the globe
70	Dive Geo: The Maldives: Jewels of the Indian Ocean Hundreds of uninhabited islands with more than a thousand coral reefs	By David Prichard and Lily Mak
77	Dive Traveler: Your First Live-aboard Dive Trip: Tips for setting sail on a dive adventure	By Karen and Ian Stewart
84	Diving USA: Dive travel opportunities across America
83	Passport: Dive travel deals and updates from all over	Compiled by Gene Gentrup

EVERY MONTH

55	Scuba Skills: Making Yourself Understood: Ten Hand Signals Every Diver Should Know and Use Underwater communications made easy	By Lynn Laymon
59	Instructor Tips: Open Water Referrals: A Two-way Street Tips for sharing your students' training	By Linda Lee Walden
64	Always Learning: It's All Connected: Lessons from the Southern California Fires Friendships revealed in trial by fire	By Marty Snyderman
85	Eco-seas: Phytoplankton and Global Warming: The Link Between Tiny Sea Plants and Rising Temperatures Is phytoplankton heating things up?	By Greg Laslo
88	Dive Shop:	Compiled by Cathryn Castle
95	What's That?: Common Squid... And a Not-So-Common Happening Observing a "squid run"	By Marty Snyderman
99	Premier Classifieds
101	Dive Training Classifieds
105	Dive Training Quiz: Test your knowledge of the information in this month's issue
106	Final Check: What it Looks Like When... You're Drinking Your Share. Tips for proper hydration	By Linda Lee Walden