THE COVERS Articles & Editorials December 2007, Volume 17 Number 12
 
  
PHOTOS BY BARRY AND RUTH GUIMBELLOT   		A blockbuster film like "Jaws" can go a long way in shaping public opinion of sharks but isn't necessarily an accurate one. Far from it, experts say. In this month's cover feature, "The History of Sharks and Humans, Part One: From Fear and Loathing to Fascination," author Eric Hanauer retraces history to give us a clearer picture of just how mankind has come to shape its perception of the legendary creature.
 
FEATURES
22 The History of Sharks and Humans, Part One:
From Fear and Loathing to Fascination
Sharks are society's personification of evil - card sharks, loan sharks, pool sharks. Our language and folklore are rife with negativity about them. But sharks have a lot more reasons to fear us than we do them, at a ratio of more than a million to one.		 BY ERIC HANAUER
36 FIT, FUNCTION AND FUN:
Selecting and Using New Scuba Equipment
The better job you do choosing gear the happier you'll be. A good place to start is by determining the type of diving you'll likely be doing. And dedicating the necessary time and effort to properly breaking it in and learning how to use it will add safety and enjoyment to your future diving adventures.		 BY LYNN LAYMON
46 Beauty and a Beast: The Lionfish Invasion of the Western Atlantic
The exotic lionfish, with its unmistakable long spines, once lived thousands of miles from the U.S. coast. Not anymore. For various reasons, the exotic aquatics species is taking up residence where nature never intended, and experts now fear the level of destruction the invasive species might wreak on the coral reefs of the western Atlantic and Caribbean.		  
COMMENTARY
8 Editorial: The Technology Experts BY ALEX BRYLSKE
10 Buddy Lines: Fears About Fear  
12 Dive Observer: Unusual Discoveries
Made in the 'Coral Triangle'
And other news from the diving industry		 BY GENE GENTRUP
96 No Dumb Questions: Jaw Pain and Diving, Vacuuming Coral Reefs,
Teaching Scuba to Family Members
Questions from our readers		 BY ALEX BRYLSKE
DIVE EXPLORATION
76 Global Dive Exploration Map
A geographical guide to great dive destinations across the globe		  
78  Dive Geo: A Micronesian Diving Trifecta:
Exploring the Reefs, Wrecks and Walls of Palau
Topside thrills plentiful, too		 BY DAVID PRICHARD AND LILY MAK
87 Dive Traveler: Skype Me:
Another Way to 'Phone Home' From Abroad
Know the pros and cons		 BY STACI MEYER
91 Passport:
Dive travel deals from all over		 COMPILED BY GENE GENTRUP
92 Diving USA
Dive travel opportunities across America		  
EVERY MONTH
61 Scuba Skills:
Practicing - and Perfecting - the Fin Pivot:
Tips for Precise Buoyancy Control
How to turn on a dime 		BY LINDA LEE WALDEN
67 Instructor Tips: Deal or No Deal:
Teaching Students the Fundamentals
of Decision Making
Help them weigh their risks		 BY ROBERT N. ROSSIER
71 Always Learning: Dangerous Waters:
The Conservation Conversation
A calculated response		 BY MARTY SNYDERMAN
94 Dive Shop COMPILED BY GENE GENTRUP
101 What's That?: To Nest or Not: The Fascinating World of Fertilization in Marine Creatures
From mouth brooders to squid runs		 BY MARTY SNYDERMAN
107 Premier Classifieds  
108 Behind the Lens:
In Praise of the Photographic Dive Plan
Little effort, big benefits		 BY MARTY SNYDERMAN
109 Dive Training Classifieds  
113 Dive Training Quiz
Test your knowledge of the information in this month's issue		  
114 Final Check: What It Looks Like When...
Your Tie Wrap is Missing
Keeping it together		 BY LINDA LEE WALDEN