Diving from a boat is uncomplicated, safe and easy to master. But there
are some things novice divers should know before they gear up and
giant-stride into the water. In this month's cover feature, "Getting
Your Sea Legs: Tips for Safe Boat Diving," Robert N. Rossier explains
how divers can prepare themselves for the intricacies of boat diving.
editorial
CONFESSIONS OF A WARM-WATER WIMP
By Alex Brylske Photo by Joseph C. Dovala
As a diver, I make no apologies for being a warm-water wimp. I fully confess
that these old bones haven't experienced water temps cooler than the 70s in
quite a while. To me, wet suits become cumbersome when they exceed a
half-millimeter thickness, and my definition of "cold water diving" is
having to put on my chicken vest with the attached hood. (Yes, I do own a
hood.) However, I didn't always worship solely at the altar of warm water.
In fact, I reflected fondly on my cold-water roots as I read Linda Lee
Walden's feature this month, "Gearing Up for Cold-water Diving: Equipment,
Equipment, Equipment - and Training."
In my younger days, I never let a little detail like the temperature of
water get in the way of diving. In fact, as a kid, I dove regularly under
ice in a 5-mill wet suit that fit me no better than my little brother's
hand-me-downs. I took solace from what my high school coach told me: If
you're gonna be stupid, you gotta be tough.
As I've grown older, I've come to understand what seems to be a direct
relationship between the aging process and the water temperature one
considers minimally tolerable. To me, it goes sort of like this: age 20,
temp 40; age 30, temp 50; age 40, temp 60; and age 50, temp 70. So, I'm
looking forward to my 60th birthday when I can legitimately claim that I
have no business in water that's not at least 80 degrees.
Of course, I'm only (half) kidding. Exposure suit technology has come a long
way from the days when we fabricated or altered our own wet suits, and
neoprene rubber was as stiff as roadkill after a week on the highway. And
not only has wet suit technology advanced to the point where warmth is
ensured in all but the most bone-chilling environments, dry suits have
essentially ended any real concern for divers becoming cold under any
circumstance. (Though I do wish they'd figure out finally how to keep our
faces warm!)
Frankly, had dry suits evolved to their current state of technology 20 years
ago, I'd probably have a completely different attitude toward diving in cold
water. Like most of my younger colleagues who live in northern climes, I'd
likely not even consider water temperatures to be worthy of much
consideration at all because that's just the reality today. The truth is,
there's no reason - least of all water temperature - for anyone to consider
diving a seasonal activity. There's even one big advantage to wintertime
diving; as any year-round diver can tell you, in many northern locales,
winter brings the very best visibility of the year.
So, my advice is pretty simple: Don't do as I do; don't be a warm-water
wimp. Even if you live some place where water has the nasty habit of turning
solid every winter, no big deal. Invest in a good exposure suit and give old
man winter the bird. You'll be glad that you did.
buddy lines
LIONFISH ISSUE EXPLAINED
Lionfish Issue Explained
I have subscribed to your magazine for over four years now and read it with
enthusiasm every month. The November issue was no exception. I especially
enjoyed the article by Linda Lee Walden on REEF ("Diving the REEF:
Volunteering With the Reef Environmental Education Foundation"). I am a REEF
member and went on a REEF live-aboard trip to learn fish identification and
to complete surveys. Ms. Walden's article inspired me anew to continue
submitting surveys to REEF.
I am concerned about one comment made in the article and the possible
result. Ms. Walden stated that spearfishermen are "being asked to remove
lionfish" as a result of knowledge gleaned from REEF surveys. Since this
sounds cruel and might lead one to not participate in REEF surveys, I think
it would be helpful to explain to new divers the risk that lionfish pose to
the ecosystem, as they have no natural predators. I fear that Ms. Walden
assumes that we have that knowledge and new divers (for whom your magazine
is ideal) may not.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my recommendation.
Lynne Osborne
Michigan
Editor's note: Point well-taken. Lionfish are carnivores that can eat other
fish up to two-thirds their own length, and are protected from other
predators by long, poisonous spines. Lionfish are native to waters of the
western Pacific off southeast Asia and Australia, and scientists believe
they were introduced to Atlantic and Caribbean waters by local aquariums or
fish hobbyists. Their effect is almost immediate. According to one study,
when introduced to an area inhabited by young fish, the lionfish reduced the
population of other reef fishes by 80 percent in five weeks. The loss of the
herbivorous fish that lionfish consume sets the stage for seaweeds to
overwhelm the coral reefs and disrupt the delicate ecological balance in
which they exist.
Advocate for the Quarter Turn
Mechanics have learned all too painfully that any valve can be overtightened
in the open or closed position. When this is extreme, no matter how hard one
tries to turn the valve, it will not move. A tool is then needed and can
sometimes make the situation worse - turning the valve the wrong direction,
tightening it still further.
So for practical reasons, professionals will tell you to always operate a
valve to its fullest extent, open or closed, and then turn it the other
direction a quarter turn. This way the valve will move easily in either
direction and turning it more than a quarter turn will let you know if it is
open or closed (by confirming airflow) without damaging the valve or needing
a tool to operate it.
Bill Flory
Via e-mail
Lights, Flags Work Too
Lynn Laymon's article was a very good review of signaling when a diver needs
assistance getting back to a boat or his exit point ("Lost and Found:
Equipping for - and Avoiding - A Missing Diver Scenario," Dive Training,
October 2008).
Two other tools for signaling to potential rescuers are often overlooked:
dive lights and dive flags. Lights that can be stowed in a BC (buoyancy
compensator) pocket are easily visible, even in bright sunlight, if they are
pointed at a lookout on a boat or aircraft. It is easier to use your light
than a signal mirror. Because of its wider beam width, it can be kept
pointed in the right direction more reliably when the diver is moving up and
down in high waves. It also is effective under overcast conditions or even
in rain when a mirror is useless. Just point the light at the boat, and wait
for a crew member to look in your direction.
If I think the risk of surfacing downcurrent in bad weather is high, I carry
a folding dive flag bungeed to my tank. A British testing program found that
the flag is the most effective device for locating a diver under the widest
range of conditions. It doesn't blow over in high winds, and the fluttering
motion attracts the eye or the lookout.
The tests found that fluorescent yellow or, surprisingly, black flags, were
most visible during daylight. Yellow worked better at night.
Richard T. Coen
Via e-mail
3-Hole Punch Proposal
I love your magazine, and particularly appreciate the "Scuba Skills"
section, which has a convenient dashed line, presumably for cutting it out -
great idea. To make it even more practical, how about including enough room
in the margins for a three-hole punch (you could even add little circles in
the margin), so it can be added to a binder.
Your October issue had a great article on decompression risks
("Decompression Stress: A New Way of Looking at an Old Problem"). An acronym
I've developed and will share with others is, SEARCH - Safety-stop,
Exercise, Ascent, Rest, Conservatism and Hydration. Thanks for the great
read.
Mike Thornton
San Diego
Learn From Report
In your October 2008 issue in the No Dumb Questions section there was a
question regarding obesity and DCS (decompression sickness) susceptibility.
I think you addressed the question, but what concerned me was that the diver
overlooked the direct obesity issue of divers. It always amazes me when I
read the "Death Report" as I call it, otherwise known as the "Annual Diving
Report" by Divers Alert Network. The majority of scuba-related
injuries/deaths in the age group of 45 years and older is heart attack. It
just so happens that a portion of those divers are morbidly obese.
In your spare time, print out the report and take a look at the diving
errors and the physiological makeup of divers who had injuries as well as
the experience levels. Stay active, exercise, take another diving class and,
most of all, dive, dive, dive.
The report is available at www.divers
alertnetwork.org/medical/report/index.
asp. Thanks for putting out a great magazine for my personal enjoyment and
for the many students I teach.
Lisa "L.A. Queen"
Thousand Oaks, California
Strike Two
For the second time in six months, Alex Brylske missed the boat when
discussing decompression sickness.
The first time was when he responded to the reader whose boyfriend got bent
even though his dive profiles were well within those suggested by the dive
tables.
The second miss was when he discussed decompression sickness in the October
2008 issue of Dive Training.
In both instances he failed to acknowledge the important but underrecognized
role that patent foramen ovale (PFO) plays in the development of
decompression sickness.
I suggest that Alex's punishment be to write a four-page report on the
relationship between DCS (decompression sickness) and PFO.
Daniel O. Benson M.D.
Via e-mail
Dive Observer
FEDS LAUNCH FRAMEWORK FOR NATIONAL SYSTEM OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
By Gene Gentrup
NOAA/USFWS PHOTOS
Photo caption: The Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior
will build the national system of marine protected areas gradually over
time.
The federal government has approved a framework that it hopes will lead to a
national system of marine protected areas (MPAs).
The National System of Marine Protected Areas is the first formal mechanism
for coordinating MPAs across all levels of government. Federal officials
also announced the nomination process for federal, state, territorial,
tribal and local sites to join the National System of Marine Protected
Areas.
MPAs are defined as areas where natural or cultural resources are given
greater protection than the surrounding waters and considered critical not
only to preserving dive sites but also fisheries. In the United States,
these areas may span a range of habitats including the open ocean, coastal
areas, intertidal zones, estuaries and the Great Lakes.
"[The] announcement highlights a new focus on working together across
jurisdictions to conserve our common ocean heritage," said Timothy Keeney,
deputy assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere. "Through the national
system of MPAs, we will have a more efficient, effective approach to
conservation of the nation's important natural and cultural marine
resources."
The publication of the "Framework for the National System of Marine
Protected Areas of the United States of America" provides a blueprint for
building the national system of MPAs. The framework outlines key components
of the national system, including overarching national system goals and
priority conservation objectives; MPA eligibility criteria; a nomination
process for existing MPAs to be included in the national system; and a
science-based, public process for identifying conservation gaps in existing
protection efforts where new MPAs may be needed.
In addition to public comments, extensive advice on the development of the
national system and the framework came from the 30-member MPA Federal
Advisory Committee (MPA FAC) - a group composed of divers, natural and
social scientists, state and tribal resource managers, commercial fishermen,
anglers, energy and tourism industry representatives and environmentalists.
The MPA FAC was created in 2003 and has been working since then to develop
recommendations for designing and implementing the national system.
The system is designed to:
Enhance protection of U.S. marine resources by providing new opportunities
for regional and national cooperation.
Support the national economy by helping to sustain fisheries and maintain
healthy marine ecosystems for tourism and recreation businesses like diving.
Promote public participation in MPA decision making by improving access to
scientific and public policy information.
The national system does not establish any new legal authorities to
designate MPAs, but provides a mechanism for MPAs across all levels of
government to work together more effectively to achieve common goals.
The Department of Commerce, through NOAA, and the Department of the Interior
will build the national system gradually over time. Priority conservation
objectives, identified in the framework document, will guide the development
of the national system and identify existing MPAs to be included, as well as
conservation gaps that might be addressed through the establishment of new
MPAs.
The announcement coincides with the start of the nomination process for
sites to join the national system. MPAs meeting the eligibility criteria
defined in the framework are invited to nominate themselves through their
federal or state managing agency. All nominated sites will be available for
public comment.
For more information, visit http:// mpa.gov/.
BRAC REBUILDS
AFTER PALOMA
Cayman Brac is rebuilding after taking a direct hit from Hurricane Paloma,
which at a Category 4 strength was the second most powerful hurricane ever
recorded in the month of November. It struck the 14-square-mile (36-sq-km)
Caribbean island November 8.
No serious injuries were reported.
According to a Cayman Islands government update, Cayman Brac sustained
"significant damage." News reports said numerous buildings were damaged. A
full assessment continues.
Brac's sister islands were more fortunate. Grand Cayman, which is 89 miles
(142 km) southwest of Cayman Brac, was not affected by the storm. Little
Cayman, which is only a few miles from Brac, sustained some damage but began
accepting visitors November 20 with the resumption of regular flight
schedules.
On Cayman Brac, one of the structures in the path of Hurricane Paloma was
Brac Reef Beach Resort, the tiny island's only resort, which sustained
damage but not as much as initially feared.
The resort will be closed through the end of the year and visitors holding
reservations during that time frame have been notified, said Sue Bray, who
books dive travel for the resort.
According to a statement from Mary Tibbetts Brandes posted on the resort's
Web site, Brac Reef suffered damage to the lobby and offices, some damage to
the roof above the rooms and to the dive shop. The dive boats "fared very
well," Tibbetts Brandes said.
Paloma was the eighth hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season, which
officially ended November 30.
Visitors with plans to travel to the Sister Islands should contact their
travel professional or the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism at (877)
4CAYMAN or www.caymanislands.ky.
FLORIDA SCRAMBLES
TO KEEP VANDENBERG PROJECT ON COURSE
The State of Florida "is poised" to contribute up to $1.6 million to satisfy
a shipyard lien so the 524-foot (159-m) decommissioned Air Force missile
tracking vessel Vandenberg can be scuttled as an artificial reef off the
Florida Keys, Key West officials said.
The money to complete the General Hoyt S. Vandenberg project is to come from
an Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development (OTTED) grant, officials
say. But a contract between the state and the city must be executed and
additional details are pending.
A federal judge recently ordered the auction of the ship after a contractor
failed to pay Colonna's Shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, for cleanup of the
vessel. Key West City Commissioner Bill Verge said efforts are under way
between the city, Florida and lending institution officials to persuade the
judge to stay the auction while a settlement is reached.
"This has been an incredible effort (to get state funds)," said Key West
Mayor Morgan McPherson. "We have to thank (Florida) Gov. (Charlie) Crist and
OTTED for coming through during tough economic times," McPherson said.
Verge predicted the Vandenberg would be towed from Colonna's Shipyard in
Norfolk to Key West in December with a scuttling to take place in February
2009.
The estimated costs to intentionally sink the Vandenberg about six miles
south of Key West swelled to more than $8.2 million, almost $2.5 million
more than was estimated when the ship was towed from the James River Naval
Reserve fleet to Colonna's Shipyard in April 2007.
Originally, project officials had anticipated sinking the Vandenberg in late
May, but ran out of cash because unanticipated cleanup challenges required
more fiscal resources.
"The $1.6 million from OTTED will complete the funding requirements," Verge
said.
Other stakeholders in the project include Monroe County, Florida, the
Florida Keys & Key West tourism council and the U.S. Maritime
Administration. The project also has a grant from the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission. Together, those governmental agencies had
allocated almost $6.7 million, but almost all funds cannot be released until
the ship is on the ocean floor.
For more information, visit or www.bigshipwrecks.com.
SUPREME COURT LIFTS RESTRICTIONS ON NAVY USE OF SONAR
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that U.S. national security
interests outweigh the risk of harming whales and other marine mammals.
The court vacated a preliminary injunction imposed by a lower court in
response to complaints by environmental groups that the Navy's use of loud,
midfrequency sonar during submarine-detecting exercises violates U.S.
environmental laws.
The ruling was the first decision of the court's current term. The sharply
divided court did not rule on the merits of the environmental groups' claims
but said the lower court "abused its discretion" by imposing the
restrictions.
The majority opinion was written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and
was joined by justices Samuel A. Alito Jr., Anthony M. Kennedy, Antonin
Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
Justice Stephen G. Breyer wrote a partial dissent, which was joined in part
by Justice John Paul Stevens. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg issued a separate
full dissenting opinion that was seconded by Justice David H. Souter.
Chief Justice Roberts stated in his opinion that the parties strongly
disputed the extent to which the Navy's training exercises harm the marine
mammals or disrupt their behavioral patterns.
The Navy claimed it has used midfrequency active (MFA) sonar in exercises
off the Southern California coast for 40 years "without a single documented
sonar-related injury to any marine mammal," Roberts wrote. At most, that
type of sonar might cause temporary hearing loss or brief disruptions of the
mammals' behavioral patterns, the Navy asserted.
The plaintiffs in the case, led by the Natural Resources Defense Council,
said that sonar can cause much more serious injuries than the Navy has
acknowledged, including permanent hearing loss and decompression sickness,
and that it can lead to mass whale strandings. Certain species such as
beaked whales are especially susceptible to midfrequency sonar, but the Navy
would not necessarily be able to detect their injuries because these whales
dive deeply and spend little time at the surface, the environmental groups
argued.
NEW LANE ADDED AT AIRPORT CHECKPOINTS
A "Family/Special Needs Lane" will be in place at every airport security
checkpoint, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced.
Identified by a green circle, the Family/Special Needs Lane is for
passengers carrying "medically necessary liquids" in containers larger than
3 ounces. Medically necessary liquids include insulin, cough syrup, contact
lens solution and prescription medications. These liquids must be presented
to a TSA officer for additional screening, which should usually take less
than 2 minutes.
The TSA reminds travelers that any amount of liquid can be packed into
checked luggage. For more information, visit www.tsa.gov.
ARTIFICIAL KELP REEF BUILT OFF
CALIFORNIA COAST
The world's first artificial kelp reef has been completed off the coast of
Southern California, and it may turn into a new attraction for divers.
The 175-acre Wheeler North Artificial Kelp Reef, just north of San Diego
County, is the product of Southern California Edison, a utility company that
built the reef to compensate for environmental damage caused by its San
Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
The reef was constructed by dumping 120,000 tons (10,800 metric tons) of
rock of various sizes in a patchwork over an area about 1 mile by 2.5 miles
(1.6 by 4 miles), at a depth of 30-50 feet (9-15 m). Project organizers said
the rocks must be large enough to anchor the kelp, which are algae that can
grow 1.5 to 2 feet (45 to 60 cm) a day to a length of 120 feet (36 m). The
reef will add marine habitat to the Southern California coast by nourishing
as many as 50 varieties of fish and invertebrates.
Divers are expected to visit the site. "Diving in giant kelp gives you the
same feeling as walking through a redwood forest. It's a special place," Ed
Parnell, a marine ecologist at University of California at San Diego's
Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, told the San Diego Suburban
Newspapers Group.
FLOWER GARDEN BANKS FACES
'EMERGING THREATS'
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary's marine life and habitats
are in good overall condition but face emerging threats from potential oil
spills, invasive species, commercial development, climate change and
underwater noise pollution, according to a new report from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
"The report shows us that even though the sanctuary is 115 miles [184 km]
offshore, this special ocean place is connected to other habitats in the
Gulf that are also vulnerable to human activities," said G.P. Schmahl,
sanctuary superintendent. "The report serves as a benchmark of the current
health of the sanctuary that will help us develop effective ways to preserve
and protect it for future generations to enjoy."
While habitat conditions were deemed good, water and living resource quality
were rated lower in the report, primarily because of recent findings of high
levels of ciguatoxin and mercury in fish, and concerns over the abundance of
key fish species such as grouper, jacks and snapper.
The report points to the need for continued research on how the removal of
predatory fish species can affect the rest of the ecosystem.
Located off the Texas-Louisiana coast, Flower Garden is one of 14 marine
protected areas managed by NOAA. Designated by Congress in 1992, the
sanctuary includes the two northernmost coral reefs in the continental
United States, coral communities and other habitats.
The full sanctuary condition report is available at http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/
science/condition/.
[EVENTS]
SECONN DIVERS
TO MAKE ANNUAL DIVE JANUARY 1
SECONN Divers' 45th Annual "Frozen Fin Dive" is scheduled for January 1. The
event will be held at Green Harbor Beach in New London, Connecticut.
Registration starts at 10 a.m. and the dive takes place at noon. Prizes are
awarded for the number of colored shells collected.
After the dive is an all-you-can-eat lunch featuring clam chowder, chili and
cornbread. Prizes will be handed out. To find out more about the event, go
to www.seconndivers.org.
OUR WORLD-UNDER-WATER FEBRUARY 20-22
The 39th annual dive and travel exposition is scheduled for February 20-22
at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Workshops covering everything from equipment repair to treasure hunting are
scheduled, and a film festival also will be staged.
An early bird weekend pass is available for $65 and includes admission to
exhibits, the Friday and Saturday film festivals, seminars and a show
T-shirt. Admission to workshops is not included. For more information, call
(800) 778-3483 or visit www.ourworldunderwater.com
UNDERWATER
INTERVENTION MARCH 3-5
Underwater Intervention will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention
Center in New Orleans. Underwater Intervention is the combined annual
conference of the Association of Diving Contractors International and the
ROV Committee of the Marine Technology Society.
Events include a job fair, speakers, seminars, exhibits and an awards
dinner. For additional details, call (800) 316-2188 or visit www.Underwater
Intervention.com.
55TH ANNUAL
INTERNATIONAL
UNDERWATER CLINIC AND FILM FESTIVAL MARCH 6-8
The 2009 Boston Sea Rovers show will be held at the Fairmont Copley Plaza
Hotel in Boston.
Highlights of the clinic include more than 40 seminars covering everything
from the marine environment to advanced diving techniques, an evening film
festival, and, with more than 60 booths, the largest annual display of dive
equipment and services in New England.
Tickets at the door for the evening show are $25 per person, and tickets for
the clinic Saturday, which includes exhibits and programs, are $25. On
Sunday, admission is $20, children under 12 are free, and admission for
students with valid ID and senior citizens is $15.
Day events are set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday. The Saturday film festival is scheduled from 8 to 10:30 p.m. and
will be held at the John Hancock Hall, two blocks from the hotel. For more
information, call (617) 424-9899 or visit www.bostonsearovers.com.
OHIO SCUBAFEST MARCH 20-22
Ohio ScubaFest 2009 and 50th Annual OCSSDI Banquet Ball will be held at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in North Columbus, Ohio.
ScubaFest is a regional show created and staffed by volunteers and is
associated with the Ohio Council of Skin and Scuba Divers Inc. The weekend
includes the Underwater Photography & Video Competition, exhibits,
presentations, and a Saturday night banquet with a keynote speaker.
Check out www.scubafest.org for more details.
BENEATH THE SEA MARCH 27-29
The 33rd Annual Undersea Dive & Travel Exposition is scheduled for March
27-29 at the New Jersey Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.
The weekend consumer show will include more than 60 workshops and seminars
and nearly 400 exhibitors.
In addition, Ocean Pals, Beneath the Sea's environmental education program
for children, on Sunday, March 29, honors the winners of its 2009 poster
contest and hosts a party for children. For more information on Ocean Pals
take a look at www.beneaththesea.org/v2006/ocean_pals.html.
Another big part of the weekend is The Women Divers Hall of Fame induction
ceremony. The organization also presents a series of events. Visit
www.wdhof.org for additional details.
Need more information? Call (800) 536-EXPO or check out
www.beneaththesea.org
.
KIDS SEA CAMP
DATES ANNOUNCED
This year's Kids Sea Camp dates and sites: July 4-11 and July 11-18 at
Cobalt Coast Resort & Dive Tech in Grand Cayman; July 18-25, July 25 to
August 1, and August 1-8 at Anthony's Key Resort in Roatan, Honduras; June
13-20, June 20-27 and August 8-15 at Buddy Dive & Beach Resort in Bonaire;
June 27 to July 4 at Kontiki Beach & Ocean Encounters in Curaao; August
15-22 at Pelican Bay- Unexso in Grand Bahama; June 18-25 on the Galapagos
Adventure Aggressor Fleet; and August 1-8 on the El Ocotal - Bill Beards in
Costa Rica Eco Adventure.
For details about each Kids Sea Camp, call (800) 934-3483 or visit
www.kidsseacamp.com.
[BOOKS]
CARIBBEAN
MARINE PICTOLIFE
"Marine Pictolife" is a waterproof marine life identification guide printed
in five different languages covering more than 250 species in a pictogram
format.
The tropical Atlantic guide provides the scientific (Latin) name for each
species and the common names used in five languages: English, German, Dutch,
French and Spanish.
The first five pages of the guide briefly introduce the pictogram system.
More detailed definitions are provided in the accompanying paper booklet.
The guide presents more than 280 species, divided into two indexes, each
with six branches. The first index describes mobile species: marine mammals,
fish, marine reptiles, crustaceans, mollusks and echinoderms. The second
concerns those species that are only slightly mobile or nonmobile: sea
worms, cnidarians, tunicates, sponges, bryozoans and algae. The guide
contains 72 pages in all and is small enough to fit in a BC pocket. For more
information about "Marine Pictolife," ask about it at your local dive store.
'DIVE: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE WORLD'S TOP DIVE LOCATIONS'
Marine biologist Monty Halls has updated his guide to some of the best dive
locations on the planet. He breaks down his publication into 11 regions:
North America, Pacific Ocean, Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean, Britain,
Mediterranean, Red Sea, Africa, Indian Ocean, Australia and Southeast Asia.
Destinations range from basic to extremely hazardous dives.
"Dive" includes more than 300 underwater photographs, a grading system that
ranges from beginner to expert, diving notes from experts, support
facilities such as hospitals and recompression chambers, and practical
advice, such as how to reach a destination and visa requirements.
For more details about the book, stop by your local dive center or call
(416) 499-8412.
Marine protected areas are defined areas where natural
or cultural resources are given greater protection than the surrounding
waters.
always learning
GOING FOR IT:
What Happens When You Chase Your Dreams
By Marty Snyderman Photo by Barry Guimbellot
An extraordinary thing happened to me recently. At the 2008 Diving Equipment
& Marketing Association (DEMA) Awards ceremony I received the Reaching Out
Award (ROA) and, as a result, was inducted into the DEMA Hall of Fame. Only
two people were inducted this year, and only 61 people are in DEMA's Hall of
Fame. It is a huge, but very much unexpected, honor.
I might sound as if I am bragging. That is my fear, but not my intent. In
fact, what I am is flattered, humbled and taken aback to be recognized in
this way. I'll readily admit that diving has been a focus in my life, but I
never got into diving for recognition. I dive because I love to explore and
learn about the marine environment. I love to swim with whales, sharks and
dolphins. That said, I'd like to share the story of my diving career and
some thoughts about the ROA.
My Diving Life In A Nutshell
Like so many members of my generation, I got interested in scuba diving
because of Jacques Cousteau and the television series "Sea Hunt," but as a
kid growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, I only knew one certified diver. My
ocean experience was relegated to family vacations, watching TV and reading.
That changed my sophomore year in college when Stan Waterman, one of the
pioneers of underwater filmmaking and a man who remains a contributor in the
diving community, came to Vanderbilt University where I was a student
without a cause. Like many college-age students in the 1960s, I was a little
lost, a student with a major that I wasn't passionate about.
Stan came to campus to show some of his films. I attended the presentation,
forced my way to dinner with him and a group of Vanderbilt VIPs after his
show, and after watching his films and listening to his stories in frog-eyed
amazement, I went to bed that night knowing that I wanted to be an
underwater photographer, filmmaker and writer. In short, that night Stan
Waterman changed my life.
I was not scuba-certified and did not know how or where to learn to dive,
but I was focused on the goal. Everyone should be so lucky.
As soon as I graduated from college in 1971 I headed to Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, where I took my basic scuba course. From there I wandered off to
Mexico with two of my best friends. Living out of a pickup truck with a
camper shell, we camped our way through Mexico. I tried to snorkel and dive
as often as I could, and my love affair with the sea grew even stronger. Not
too long after that trip I went to the British Virgin Islands where I got a
job on a sailboat taking tourists snorkeling and diving.
After several months on the boat I realized that I wanted to improve my
diving skills so I headed for California where I attended a 10-week course
to become a diving instructor. I was serious about the course, and despite
having far less diving experience than many others in the instructors'
college, I graduated first in my class. That helped me get one of the big
breaks in my career. I was hired to work as a diving instructor and store
manager at Chuck Nicklin's Diving Locker in San Diego. Not only was Chuck a
great guy, he was a dedicated underwater photographer and cinematographer
who was often employed to shoot Hollywood films. I was in a perfect place to
learn. Six weeks later I was the manager of one of our satellite stores.
In many respects the Diving Locker was your typical dive shop. We were not a
huge company, but we did have a staff of very enthusiastic, dedicated
people. As my good luck would have it, several of the people that worked at
the store went on to have long, successful careers in underwater imaging.
One of my co-workers was Howard Hall. We became the best of friends. We
dived together as often as we could, and we chased our dreams together.
Today Howard and his wife, Michele, produce some amazing underwater IMAX
films.
My point is that my start in the diving community is a very common story.
Certainly, I had some good luck, but my path to becoming a diving instructor
and later a dive center manager was a common path indeed - a regular guy
with a sincere interest applies himself and enters the diving business and
succeeds. My story is very much like the stories of many dive instructors,
dive center owners and other people in the sport diving industry.
Helping Hands
After I had worked as a store manager and instructor for a couple of years,
I got another big break. Along with Howard Hall, I enjoyed the opportunity
to work with Stan Waterman on a prime-time television special about sharks.
Howard and I had shot a super 8-millimeter movie (that was a film format for
home movies many years ago) about the diving we were doing with blue sharks
and mako sharks off San Diego. We sent the film to Stan, and a week or so
later Stan called us to see if we could help him on his film. Less than a
month later we were shooting a television special. My lucky stars aligned.
The film was a hit, and Stan not only appreciated our efforts, he went out
of his way to publicly praise us when he wrote and spoke about the film.
Stan was well-established as a film producer and cinematographer in the
diving community, and his promotional efforts on our behalf were huge career
boosts for both Howard and me. I think we did a good job on the film, but
what Stan did for us is something that I can never adequately thank him for.
When Stan Waterman sings your praises, doors open. You get opportunities.
More film, still photography and writing jobs came my way.
I had a similar experience with another underwater filmmaker and still
photographer, Jack McKenney. I worked as on-camera talent in a shark film he
produced, and to show his appreciation Jack did two things for me. He made
sure he let the world know I did a good job for him, and when I asked him
about his career path he said, "If I can make a career out of underwater
filmmaking, you can do it." He never said it would be easy. He said it could
be done. He also told me to let him know if I had a problem and that he'd
help me out if he could. In that respect, Jack and Stan were a lot alike,
and I was extremely lucky to have their support and their help.
As fate would have it, along with Jacques Cousteau and Dr. Glen Egstrom, a
pioneer in dive instruction, in 1989 Stan and Jack were first-year
recipients of DEMA's Reaching Out Award. Other ROA recipients including Dick
Long (2004), Paul Humann (2006), and Cathy Church (2000) have helped and
inspired me in my career. Howard Hall received the ROA in 1999. I am never
sure that anyone feels like they deserve the Reaching Out Award, but at the
same time I certainly don't want to insult those who voted to give it to me
by questioning their judgment. But if I deserve the award, it is because I
have received so much encouragement and help from more established
photographers and filmmakers and other industry members throughout my
career.
I suppose it is only natural to spend a little introspective time when you
receive the recognition that comes with an award like the ROA. I view the
award not as a finish line, but hopefully as a launching pad. I hope that
the recognition gives me a little louder megaphone to use when working to
protect the marine environment, when trying to educate others about the
natural history of marine wildlife, and when trying to spread the word about
the joys of diving and underwater photography. Those are my goals, and this
has been a synopsis of my journey in the diving world.
I'd like you to consider your own story. I wanted to become an image maker,
author and underwater photography instructor. Perhaps that is your goal,
too, or maybe your dream is to be an instructor, commercial diver,
equipment-repair person or dive center owner. No matter your goal, I'd like
to say welcome. Go for it; the diving industry is a great place to call
home.
Marty Snyderman (right) receives the Reaching Out award from DEMA's
executive director Tom Ingram.
no dumb questions
AIR CONSUMPTION,
DUAL-CERTIFICATION COURSES, SEASICKNESS AT DEPTH,
AND FREEDIVING QUESTIONS
By Alex Brylske Photo by Joseph C. Dovala
Q:Jim Day writes with a question about air usage. "I'm a 69-year-old diver
with about two years and 20 dives of experience. From Day One I have had a
problem with proper weighting and making my air last. I've taken a specialty
course, which has helped with the buoyancy issue but it hasn't helped with
my air usage. I'm writing to see if there are any breathing exercises I can
do to conserve my air and stay down longer. I run out of air much sooner
than anybody else."
A:As you've already found out, air consumption rates vary greatly among
divers. For example, my consumption rate is pretty good, yet my wife can
leave me in the dust. What's also interesting is that, in more than 40 years
of diving, I have never been able to find a strong correlation between the
amount of air a diver uses and factors such as body size, experience or
physical conditioning. And I've certainly never found any "breathing
exercises" that contribute in any measurable way to reducing air
consumption. However, gender does seems to be a factor; females tend to have
better air consumption than males, which makes sense given their generally
smaller lung volume.
Some maintain that you can reduce your consumption rate by improving you
physical (aerobic) conditioning, which makes logical sense. However, I've
also seen well-conditioned athletes who were world-champion air hogs. With
all else equal, someone with a larger lung capacity will simply use more air
per breath than someone with a smaller capacity.
Still, I'm certain that there are steps one can take to reduce the amount of
air they use. The first hint that you gave me was that you're still a very
inexperienced diver. Inexperienced divers tend to use lots of air simply
because the experience of diving is so new. Given factors such as
excitement, inefficient movement and, to no small extent, anxiety, it's no
wonder they go through air like there's no tomorrow. In this case, the best
thing you can do is simply gain more experience. Over time, your familiarity
and comfort level will increase dramatically, reducing both your activity
level and the amount of air that you use.
Another hint is your mention of buoyancy problems. This can be a two-fold
concern when it comes to air usage. First, continually adjusting the amount
of air in your BC means that there's less air to breathe. Second,
maintaining a less-than-efficient hydrodynamic profile in the water - face
up/feet down - means that you'll encounter more resistance as you swim,
requiring that you expend more energy.
Overall, a good equation to keep in mind when it comes to air usage is
"effort equals air"; the more you have to exert, the more air that you'll
use, and vice versa. So, part of what you should be doing is learning how to
relax. Make a conscious effort when you dive to monitor your breathing rate.
When you find yourself breathing heavily, slow down, relax and reflect on
why exactly you're breathing more than normally. Concentrate on slow,
purposeful and fluid movement. A cooperative buddy, who's willing to
accommodate your learning curve, is also very helpful.
Finally, keep in mind that your air usage may never drop dramatically. To an
extent, it's a personal factor, like eye color, that you'll simply have to
live with. In the end, the best answer may be simply purchasing a
larger-capacity tank.
Q:Diver Ted Keaton wrote in, inquiring about rescue diver training. "I have
a question after searching through many back issues. I recall an article
some time ago that mentioned a dual rescue diver certification (both PADI
and NAUI). However, I also remember that the article stated that there was a
short time frame that the certification was available."
A:I don't recall the article that you're referring to, but I can tell you
that there is no course formally recognized by one training organization
that automatically qualifies a diver for certification by another. However,
this doesn't mean that there aren't "dual certification" courses offered on
an individual basis. I know that sounds confusing, so let me explain.
There's no reason why an instructor, who holds certification from two or
more training organizations, can't conduct a single program that confers
more than one certification. In fact, in diving's earlier days, it was
actually a common practice for instructors to offer multiple certifications.
For example, back in the 1970s, my own "basic scuba" course (a certification
that predates Open Water) included certification from NAUI, PADI, YMCA and
CMAS.
The controlling issue is that multiple certification courses must meet the
training standards of all organizations involved. Sometimes that requires
only minor adjustments to the curriculum. However, today there are
situations in which training standards of one organization may be so
different from another that you just can't meet the certification standards
of one organization without violating the standards of another.
Frankly, I'm not up to date enough to comment on the feasibility of a dual
PADI-NAUI Rescue diver specialty course. If that's of interest to you, then
I suggest contacting your local dive center and finding out if it offers
both certifications. If so, ask if it's possible to conduct a course that
includes both credentials. Taking a rescue diver course is an excellent
idea, and I encourage you to do so regardless of the certification offered.
Q:Bob Halem sent in a question that, on the surface, may sound humorous, but
is actually quite a serious matter. "There has been a recent (very humorous)
discussion on a local Web site about what to do if you get nauseated and
have to vomit while at depth. A rapid ascent is clearly not the answer. The
discussion is whether to remove the regulator or vomit through it. Would it
damage the regulator? Could it cause jamming? Obviously, one should never
dive if you are feeling poorly, but what do you do if it happens at depth?"
A:Though it may seem like a lighthearted issue, vomiting underwater can
cause coughing, aspiration of seawater and panic. It's a very real and
serious concern to divers and should be avoided whenever possible by not
diving when you feel nauseated. Drowning or near drowning can and has
occurred to divers who vomit while underwater, and one source maintains that
it has been implicated as a factor in nearly 10 percent of diving
fatalities. It's an especially vital concern for divers who are prone to
seasickness.
As to the techniques in question - regulator in or out - several medical
authorities have addressed this issue, but there doesn't seem to be a
consensus. However, you should take the following considerations into
account in deciding how you might react should it become necessary.
In removing the regulator, you avoid any concerns with vomitus clogging the
apparatus, but the problem then becomes the reflexive tendency to take a
breath immediately afterward. As you may have not replaced your regulator by
then, you do risk aspirating seawater and the very real risk of drowning.
Of course, vomiting through your regulator poses its own set of problems. If
it has been several hours since your last meal, or if you're one of those
rare folks who chews his food exceedingly well, the vomitus should pass
through the regulator and out the exhaust valve unimpeded. However, if the
vomitus contains large pieces of food, they could quite easily clog the
second stage, and then you could have a real problem. One author even
mentions that any large piece of food left in the second stage could be
forced down your windpipe on your next breath, especially if it involves
forceful inhalation or you use the purge button.
Dennis Graver, in his book "Scuba Diving," offers a modified technique,
suggesting that you hold the second stage against one corner of your mouth
and depress the purge fully while you vomit. This way, if you reflexively
gasp, you should get air instead of water. After the episode, place the
second stage in your mouth, clear it, and resume breathing.
Q:John Hildebrand sent a question that we've addressed several times in this
column, but not for a while. "I've been told on two occasions by divemasters
that I should not engage in freediving before and between scuba dives, but I
do not understand why this might be dangerous. The only thing that makes
sense to me is that, by not resting between dives, my recovery time might be
impaired. I asked the head of our dive club about it and she could not see
any problem with it either. My understanding of the nitrogen issue in
freediving is simple: You take in "X" amount of nitrogen at the surface and
dive. The nitrogen is compressed and as you surface it expands to its
original volume, causing no issues. I would appreciate any light that you
could shed on this issue."
A:First, let me say that, while it's exceedingly rare, breath-hold diving
offers no immunity from decompression illness. Many cases have been
documented in medical literature. However, the reason that your divemasters
were right in their insistence that you not freedive has more to do with its
potential effect on your decompression when you scuba dive than getting the
bends while sans tank. This all centers on one very important issue:
exercise.
The consensus of medical opinion is that scuba divers should avoid vigorous
exercise before, during and even after diving. So, the issue isn't so much
what you do, it's how hard you work. Leisurely lying on the surface of the
water with a mask and snorkel isn't likely to cause any concerns. However,
vigorous freediving, as you described, isn't something that any person
knowledgeable about decompression theory would advise. The reason isn't so
much because of any increase in nitrogen absorption, but because vigorous
exercise seems to facilitate the development of gas micronuclei that could
make bubble development on your subsequent scuba dives more likely. Of
course, freediving during surface intervals would also alter the rate of
nitrogen elimination, thus possibly invalidating whatever decompression
model you're using. Some have contended that this problem can be addressed
by wearing your dive computer as you freedive, but such a practice was never
taken into account by any decompression model in use, and I strongly advise
against it. (Space precludes my getting into further detail about the
physiology of decompression, but if you'd like to learn more, see
"Decompression Stress: A New Way of Looking at an Old Problem," Dive
Training, October 2008.)
The issue of avoiding vigorous exercise, of course, doesn't just apply to
freediving. Many medical authorities today advise that even a normal daily
exercise routine not take place on the same day that you dive. The bottom
line is simple: On the days you dive, rest and relax as much as possible.
Leave activities like freediving, jogging, biking, swimming or lifting
weight for another day.
Dive Training Quiz
MARTY SNYDERMAN PHOTO
Test your knowledge of the information featured
in this month's issue of Dive Training.
1. A method of preventing seasickness is to:
A. Avoid going below decks.
B. Keep your eyes on the horizon.
C. Eat snacks spiced with chili.
D. All of the above.
2. Cold-water diving conditions are often defined as water with a
temperature below:
A. 30 degrees Fahrenheit
B. 50 degrees Fahrenheit
C. 70 degrees Fahrenheit
D. 90 degrees Fahrenheit
3. The one absolute about decompression illness:
A. It results from bubble formation.
B. You can do everything right and
follow every rule yet still get the bends.
C. Certain risk factors predispose
us to bends.
D. All of the above.
4. The final step in disassembling the scuba unit involves:
A. Loosening the tank strap.
B. Closing the air valve.
C. Lifting the first-stage regulator from the scuba cylinder.
D. Removing the BC from the cylinder.
5. The easternmost point of the
United States is located in:
A. Maine
B. Long Island
C. Grand Bahama
D. U.S. Virgin Islands
6. When buying items from a
duty-free shop, consider:
A. U.S. rules regarding
liquids in carry-ons.
B. That U.S. checkpoints do not permit sealed tamper-evident bags.
C. A & B are correct.
7. In ideal conditions, a single frond of giant kelp can in one day increase
its length by:
A. 8 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 28 inches
D. 38 inches
8. A web belt, pocket belt and some BCs accommodate what piece of scuba
equipment?
A. Snorkel
B. Fins
C. Weights
D. Tank
