Editorial
A Common Chemistry
By Alex Brylske
Some of the stuff you'll read this month in Greg Laslo's fascinating piece, "What's a Fish Got on Its Mind?: Exploring the Science of 'Fish Smarts,'" may defy belief. It seems incredible that cold-blooded critters like fish could be capable of such sophisticated decision making. His story reminded me of a lecture I once attended given by an ethologist - animal behavior specialist - who studied marine mammals. One point she had made during her talk was that some marine mammals have a higher brain-to-body mass ratio than do humans. After her presentation there was a question-and-answer session; and the question that this little tidbit of information solicited, I guess, was obvious. "So" said a lady from the audience, "you're saying that dolphins are actually smarter than people, right?" You could tell by her hesitation and facial expression that the speaker was uncomfortable answering the question, but she finally provided an answer that I'll always remember. "Dolphins are smarter at being a dolphin than humans, just as cats are smarter at being a cat than we are."
The point she was making is that intelligence isn't a single entity; it's multidimensional. It's what makes studying the field of intelligence so difficult, especially among different species. As it turns out, for example, the largest brains among marine mammals tend to occur among species that use echolocation. Thus, the added brain size could be a result of having to process all that sound input. The truth is we just don't know for sure. Clearly, in this case, many whales and dolphins are way "smarter" than we are when it comes to understanding the noise in their environment.
To me, the real take-home message of Greg's article is that, when it comes to intelligence, it's "use it or lose it." It's funny that the same principle applies to us as divers. In a way, we're like the subjects that Professor Braithwaite studied in her experiment with fish raised in captivity: Before they were able to make the correct survival decisions, they needed some practical real-world experience. In other words, they - just as we - need training to model our learning, and practice to retain it. Without both, we - just as they - are just bait waiting for a predator. In their case it's a bigger fish; in ours, it's an accident.
Perhaps the greatest lesson that I've learned over the years in studying biology is not how different the organisms that inhabit Earth are, but how similar. So, in the end, maybe it's not so incredible that many fish are capable of the higher-order thinking and learning that Greg describes in Professor Braithwaite's research. After all, although our genes may differ, we all share exactly the same DNA and the same instinct to survive.

buddy lines
Snorkel Still a Critical Tool

Regarding the May 2009 No Dumb Questions article on why fewer divers use snorkels: Snorkels are no longer considered safety equipment. Divemaster briefings emphasize exits, entries, air monitoring, computer monitoring, the buddy system and buddy checks, proper buoyancy, currents and conditions, swimming direction, don't-touch policies, O2 locations, emergency recall procedures, safety stops, tag lines, down lines, anchor lines. Phew! I've heard hundreds upon hundreds of dive briefings from dive operations, and not one of them ever mentioned wearing a snorkel.
A veteran dive leader I know added his own set of rules after a briefing from the dive operation. He insisted all divers in his group either wear snorkels
or sit out the dive. He stood alone for many years
and eventually relaxed his rule to at least carrying
a snorkel.
I often ask divers why they don't wear them. Some say carrying a snorkel in their BC (buoyancy compensator) pocket or on a strap somewhere is the same as wearing one. They did not teach me this in basic. In a stressful moment or surface emergency, the last thing I would want to do is spend time answering the question, "Now where did I put that thing?"
Sometimes snorkel wearing is impractical, like when cave diving, in wreck penetration, in swift currents or where entanglement is possible. In my ad-hoc surveys, the water was warm, the current slow and the possibility of entanglement slim to none. I don't think snorkel-less diving is a passing fad. It is a trend that needs to be reversed just as the industry did with environmental awareness.
I'll bet that if a snorkel-less diver dies in surface chop from swallowing too much water when stressed and far from the boat, lawsuits will follow. Then dive operations will become very sensitive to wearing a snorkel.

Jeff Denning
Via e-mail

Stem Gauge Recommended
In No Dumb Questions, April 2009, a reader posed a question about the best way to gauge pressure in a pony bottle.
I've been carrying a "19 pony" for years, and a very low-profile 1-inch "stem gauge" or "pony bottle gauge" works great. It stays permanently screwed right into your first stage to reassure you before every dive that the pony is full, and, as Alex [Brylske] sensibly pointed out, it's critical to check your pony before every dive, just like you check your main tank.
If you use your main regulator/submersible pressure gauge before every dive to check your pony pressure, the purging will quickly deplete the small pony's air supply after several dives. The stem gauge eliminates this problem, and it is so small it presents zero entanglement hazard.

Douglas Peterson
Naperville, Illinois

Scuba and Spearfishing
I find it most interesting that the closing words to the Editorial by Alex Brylske ("A Fighting Chance," May 2009) ends with, "Isn't it time that we gave the sea's inhabitants a fighting chance?" This is practically a quote from my letter of more than a year ago, which you chose not to print. In it I stated that all spearfishing should be banned on scuba, taking a page from the laws of the Bahamas. It is time that Dive Training magazine take a proactive stance, other than just reporting the problem of overfishing, and make bold statements advocating the banning of spearfishing on scuba. It is time to raise awareness that this practice is so detrimental to the survival of fish.

Lance Bark
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Bubble Formation
I'm wondering whether you're familiar with an article, "Factors Affecting Tissue Perfusion and the Efficacy of Astronaut Denitrogenation for Extravehicular Activity" by Vann and Gerth. It didn't occur to me until I read this article that for an astronaut to participate in extravehicular activity, he must decompress from a 14.7 psia cabin pressure to a 4.3 psia spacesuit pressure. He is at risk for developing the same signs and symptoms of DCS (decompression sickness) as a scuba diver. Fascinating, indeed - a perfect topic for a future
issue of Dive Training.

Tony Discoe
Via e-mail

Nitrox on Air Tables
I disagree with the position espoused in your No Dumb Questions feature ("Nitrox Diving, Equalization
Issues and Carbon Monoxide Concerns," February 2009). I believe that setting your computer for air when diving nitrox is actually more dangerous than setting your computer for the oxygen concentration that you are actually diving with. By setting your computer to air, you are in essence ignoring the potential of oxygen toxicity. Your computer will not warn you if you accidentally wander too deep, and your computer will not keep track of your cumulative oxygen exposure. When one considers that decompression illness generally occurs after you leave the water, and that the symptoms of oxygen toxicity generally occur at depth, not tracking your oxygen exposure seems to me to ignore a potentially very serious outcome.
If you want to increase your safety, I believe it is far better to set your computer to the correct oxygen concentration and to the most conservative setting (if it has one), or to choose a computer that uses a more conservative algorithm.

Douglas Hansen
Via e-mail

Dive Observer
Vandenberg sunk with a splash
By Gene Gentrup
The Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg sank at about 10:24 a.m. May 27, concluding a 13-year project to convert the decommissioned military missile-tracking ship into a new artificial reef off Key West.
At about 10:22 a.m., demolition experts pushed a button that ignited cutting charges strategically positioned in bilge areas below the ship's waterline.
The Vandenberg disappeared below the waterline less than two minutes later at a location about seven miles (11 km) south of Key West in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The water depth at the sink site is 140 feet (42 m), but the 523-foot (158-m) Vandenberg is large enough that its upper superstructure lies only 40 feet (12 m) below the surface of the ocean.
The ship is the second-largest vessel in the world ever purposely sunk to become an artificial reef, behind the 888-foot aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, which was sunk in 2006 off Pensacola, Florida. The Vandenberg sinking also completes the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trek, a series of intentionally sunk vessels that begins off Key Largo with the Spiegel Grove and ends with the Vandenberg.
Seventy percent of the $8.6 million project's funding resources and some 75,000 man-hours were required to rid the vessel of contaminants, with that work executed in two Norfolk, Virginia, shipyards.
The ship first saw duty as a U.S. Army troop transport named the General Harry Taylor. It became the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg in 1963 and tracked the U.S. space program's launches off Cape Canaveral. It also served in the Pacific monitoring U.S. defense missile test launches and eavesdropped on Russian missile launches during the Cold War. Port Canaveral, Florida, was the Vandenberg's last active duty home port beginning in 1976.
The Vandenberg was formally retired in 1983 and was transferred to the James River Naval Reserve Fleet. But, according to Patrick J. Utecht, who managed the ship's electronic systems, a team of six technicians would visit Vandenberg every six months to power up all shipboard electronics and make any necessary repairs. Despite the state of readiness, the ship was never used again, and in 1993 was formally struck from the naval register and transferred to the Maritime Administration.
The ship received its most public exposure when cast as a Russian science ship in "Virus," a 1999 motion picture starring Jamie Lee Curtis, William Baldwin and Donald Sutherland.
The Vandenberg sinking project has been financed by Monroe County, the Florida Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development; City of Key West, U.S. Maritime Administration, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Keys & Key West tourism council, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as industry and private donations. Banks that provided loans include First State Bank of the Florida Keys, BB&T and Orion.

The Dive Site
The Vandenberg promises to be an intriguing dive site for a long time.
The ship will measure 10 stories high in the water column, the keel the deepest, at 140 feet (42 m). The top of the structure is where the ship's most interesting attributes are located, some cut from other areas of the ship and welded elsewhere purposely to make attention-getting dive spots from bow to stern, all trimmed to reach within 40-50 feet (12-15 m) of the surface.
Starting from a vantage point at the bow and moving aft, the kingpost and foremast are immediately eye-catching, promoters say, and likely to be a popular underwater photo op for dive buddies, serve as a rest platform or perhaps a decompression stop on ascension from deeper dives.
Continuing aft, the bridge symbolizes the ship's maritime history: a telescope has been mounted at the top of the wheelhouse, which was part of the star tracking systems during Vandenberg's active duty. Behind the bridge and the main mast is the smaller of the two iconic radar dishes; next, the No. 1 barbette, a heavy steel structure in the shape of a pedestal and used as protection of artillery gun turrets on military ships. Aft of the No. 1 barbette is the larger radar dish, which in the 1999 movie "Virus" provided an explosive sequence when a laser blew the dish off the ship from space. It's indeed intact, though, secured to the vessel and ready for fish to shelter and breed. All dive spots along the top structure are open, free from obstruction and easy to maneuver over and around during a dive.
Further aft is the trimmed part of the foremast with the crow's nest, as well as the bottom half of the ship's smokestack - the other half, trimmed to about 20 feet (6 m) tall for an even profile along the ship's structure, now sits atop the weather balloon hangar at the stern of the ship. Likely to be one of the most visited dive sites on the Vandenberg, this balloon hangar will be loosely dubbed the "underwater Margaritaville," a clubhouse tribute to the famous Parrotheads who have contributed support to the Vandenberg project, aside from being fanatical fans of Jimmy Buffett, whose musical and literary fame has saturated Key West.
Though the Vandenberg will be a dive for all experience levels of certified divers, those trained and experienced in light wreck penetration can expect to explore the ship's many cargo holds, stair towers, elevator shafts and hallways. At 100-plus feet (30-plus m), cut holes made along the outside of the hull to help the ship sink provide swim-through opportunities for advanced and skilled technical divers. The properly certified and trained wreck diver will be able to swim a full 475 feet (144 m) along the starboard section of Deck 1.
$8.6 Million Project
Funding commitments to sink the Vandenberg: Monroe County (Florida Keys), Fla., $2 million; Florida Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, $1.6 million; City of Key West, $1.3 million; U.S. Maritime Administration, $1.3 million; Florida Legislature (administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), $1 million; Monroe County (Florida Keys) Tourist Development Council, $1 million; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, $207,000; industry and private donations, $150,000; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, $64,400.

Vandenberg
Historical Highlights
• May 8, 1944: Vessel commissioned U.S. Army Transport, Gen. Harry Taylor.
• June 13, 1946: Taylor
decommissioned.
• March 1, 1950: Taylor reacquired
by the Navy for use by Military
Sea Transportation Service.
• July 15, 1961: Taylor transferred
to the U.S. Air Force and
named Vandenberg.
• 1962-1983: Tasked as Advanced Range Instrumentation Ship (ARIS) Vandenberg employed tracking missiles and spacecraft launches in the Atlantic and Pacific.
• January 1976: Ship relocated to
Port Canaveral, Florida, where it
remained until 1983.
• 1983: Vandenberg retired and
moved to James River, Fort Eustis, Virginia, for storage.
• April 1993: Vandenberg title
transferred to the Maritime
Administration (MARAD).
• September 1996: Vandenberg
leased to Universal Studios for
the filming of the movie "Virus."
• June 1996: From a list of about
400 ex-military ships at the time,
Key West dive operator Joe
Weatherby identified the
Vandenberg as the top candidate
for an artificial reef off Key West.
• August 9, 1999: Weatherby
organized Artificial Reefs of the
Keys with the objective of
acquiring the Vandenberg.
• January 2007: Vandenberg's title transferred to the State of
Florida for reefing.
• March 31, 2007: Vandenberg
withdrawn from the James River Naval Reserve Fleet and towed to Colonna's Shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, for cleanup and preparation.
• April 22, 2009: Vandenberg arrives in Key West for final preparations to be sunk as an artificial reef about seven miles south of the island.

[Diving Notes and News]

FLORIDA PROGRAM
RENAMED FOR
DIVING PIONEER
The James E. Lockwood Jr. School of Diving and Underwater Technology is the new name for the dive program at Florida Keys Community College in Key West.
The name change was announced after Lockwood bequeathed the school $1 million. With the donation, the school plans to purchase new, high-tech equipment, modernize existing gear and develop new curricula. "We'll also be able to extend our support to our Middle and Upper Keys Centers with the purchase of mobile training equipment," says Dr. Patrick Rice, marine sciences director for the school.
Lockwood is widely considered a pioneer of scuba diving, building his own rebreathers in 1938. He developed an underwater camera housing that was used in the "Tarzan" movies of the 1930s and developed underwater props for the film "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."
During World War II he set up a shop in Chicago to experiment on military rebreathers. After the war, Lockwood became editor of Undersea Digest, an early diving magazine, spending much of his time writing and lecturing on his numerous discoveries and inventions. Lockwood worked as an ambassador of the sport, negotiating for the release of nine American scuba divers held for a time in Cuba by Fidel Castro.
In the late 1950s, Lockwood discovered the remnant of an ancient Haitian temple, which predated the Incan and Aztec civilizations. In his later years, Lockwood worked with Dan Johnson in the development of his diving products company. Lockwood died in 2003 in Florida at age 92.
The tiny sea horse Hippocampus satomiae was found near Derawan Island off
Kalimantan, Indonesia.

TINY sea horse, Damselfish among new species
A pea-sized sea horse and a deep blue damselfish are among the top 10 new species announced by an international committee of taxonomists at The International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University.
The tiny sea horse (Hippocampus satomiae), with a standard length of 0.54 inches (13.8 mm) and an approximate height of 0.45 inches (11.5 mm), was found near Derawan Island off Kalimantan, Indonesia. The name - satomiae - is "in honour of Miss Satomi Onishi, the dive guide who collected the type specimens."
The top 10 list includes two fishes – one found in deep-reef habitat off the coast of Ngemelis Island, Palau, and the other a fossilized specimen of the oldest known live-bearing vertebrate.
Chromis abyssus, a beautiful species of damselfish, made it to the top 10 representing the first taxonomic act of 2008 and the first act registered in the newly launched taxonomic database Zoobank. As a result, in the first month following its original description, it was the most downloaded article in Zootaxa's history and was among the top 10 downloaded articles for 11 months in 2008. The discovery also highlights how little is known about deep-reef biodiversity, according to the institute.
Also on the top 10 list is a fossilized specimen - Materpiscis attenboroughi - the oldest known vertebrate to be viviparous (live bearing). The specimen, an extremely rare find from Western Australia, shows a mother fish giving birth about 380 million years ago. The holotype specimen has been nicknamed "Josie" by the discoverer, John Long, in honor of his mother.
Photos and other information on the top 10 and the full report are online at species.asu.edu.

[In Memorium]

In memoriam. Jim Wulff, information technology manager for Specialized Publications Company, publishers of Dive Center Business and Dive Training magazines, died unexpectedly on May 12, 2009. He was 51. Wulff managed the Dive Training magazine Web site and was instrumental in the recent launch of DiveCenterBusiness.com. Jim, with his wife Linda, who is also a long-time employee here, were known by many in the dive industry as being in charge of the cover photos at the Dive Training DEMA Show booth. DEMA Show is the dive industry's annual trade show. Jim was two weeks away from receiving a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association or Boy Scouts of America.

In memoriam. V. Brice Reinman, who started Sport Divers Manufacturing in 1973, died May 9, 2009. He was 84. After operating a barber shop for 20 years in north Miami, and after a big favor involving a snorkel, Reinman began manufacturing snorkel tabs. He drove to the Florida Keys with a station wagon loaded with the items, and along his route dive shops asked him to deliver other dive equipment, which Reinman quickly added to his product line. He soon launched Sport Divers Manufacturing, a dive accessories company that eventually carried nearly 5,000 items. It operated out of a 15,000-square-foot manufacturing warehouse in Miami. He retired in 2000 and sold the company name. In 1988 Reinman was elected to the DEMA Board of Directors for a three-year term, and was re-elected twice. He promoted rotating the DEMA Show location, helped start the "Reaching Out" awards and enlarged DEMA membership categories beyond manufacturers. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent in care of his wife, Kathleen F. Reinman, 2421 N.E. 187th St., Miami, Florida 33180.

In memoriam. Donald "Don" Brod, owner of Scuba Park at Lake Travis & Inland Diving, died May 8, 2009, in Columbus, Texas. He was 75. In 1963, Brod and his family moved from El Campo, Texas, to San Marcos, Texas, where he began his career in the dive business. In 1977, he moved to Austin, Texas, where he built several dive stores. His latter years were spent building and operating the Scuba Park.

[events]

MONTSERRAT DIVE FESTIVAL THROUGH JULY 4
Montserrat, an Eastern Caribbean island, is promoting the island's first dive festival, June 27 to July 4.
The Montserrat Dive Festival coincides with the bi-annual Reef Check program and includes a dive trip to Redonda island, Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Course and a coastal kayak trup. Registration is $25.
The festival will also offer activities for adults, children and nondivers. Boat tours with views of the Leeward coast of the island, the Soufrière Hills Volcano and the Pompeii-like volcanic ash-covered former capital city of Plymouth will be available on June 27 and July 4. Land tours are available June 28 and include a stop at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory to view the Soufrière Hills Volcano.
The July 3 kayak trip takes participants down the Leeward coast of the island with a stop at one of Montserrat's dark-sand beaches for snorkeling.
A Discovery Day on June 28 provides kids the opportunity to learn about the underwater world by learning to snorkel or dive. Participants will also be educated on coral reefs and their importance to the marine environment as well as fish identification basics through an hour-long classroom session. Children ages 11-14 will get the chance to participate in the Discover Scuba Diving program and children 14 and under can participate in the Discover Snorkeling program. Both discovery programs are free and open to residents and visitors ages 14 and under.
For more information, visit www.
divemontserrat.com or www.visitmontserrat.com.

DOMINICA'S 16TH ANNUAL DIVE FEST BEGINS JULY 10
The longest-running dive festival in the Caribbean kicks off July 10 with 10 days of activities focused on scuba diving and other watersports.
Dive Fest invites would-be divers and snorkelers as young as 8 a chance to participate in pool or ocean-based introductory sessions to learn the basics, with some trial sessions offered free of charge. Intermediate and expert scuba divers will find a schedule that includes underwater treasure hunts, photography competitions and the chance to borrow and test out new equipment such as an underwater camera.
Activities will take place along the entire East Coast, from Scotts Head to Portsmouth, as well as at selected locations around the island. Although Dive Fest has an environmentally-oriented focus, it includes barbecues, wine tasting, whale watching and sunset cruises.
Dive Fest culminates with the traditional Carib Canoe Race, in which competitive teams race custom-built craft to be crowned champions, often with a few capsized crews along
the way. To view the full schedule
of events during Dive Fest, visit www.dominica.dm/site/divefest.cfm.

UNDERWATER MUSIC FESTIVAL JULY 11
Forty years after the release of their "Yellow Submarine" album, the Beatles are embarking on another underwater adventure. Divers costumed as the iconic quartet are to star in the 25th annual Underwater Music Festival set for Saturday, July 11, in the waters off the Lower Florida Keys.
Divers portraying "Ringo Starfish," "John Lemon-shark," "Paul McCarpney" and "George Herringson" are to rock the waters of the continental United States' only living coral barrier reef during the offbeat underwater event, which typically draws as many as 600 divers and snorkelers each year.
The submerged songfest is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary south of Big Pine Key. It celebrates the colorful marine life that characterizes the Keys' coral reef ecosystem while encouraging environmentally responsible diving.
As well as watching the Beatles pretenders "perform" beneath the sea accompanied by backup singer "Mako Ono," finned fans might even spot a replica yellow submarine saluting the album's 1969 release.
Staged by local radio station WWUS 104.1 FM, the fish-friendly festival features the station's selections broadcast underwater via Lubell Laboratory speakers suspended beneath boats positioned at the reef.
The playlist is to include ocean-themed ditties such as Jimmy Buffett's "Fins," an authentic humpback whale song and, of course, the Beatles' "Octopus's Garden" and "Yellow Submarine."
Underwater music "afishionados" also plan to jam on aquatic instruments sculpted by Florida Keys artist August Powers. Blending elements of sea creatures and actual instruments, Powers' creations include a trom-bonefish, manta-lin and drumfish.
To draw attention to the underlying message of reef preservation, the musical broadcast incorporates diver awareness announcements featuring tips on enjoying the ocean while minimizing impact on the marine environment.
For information about area dive charters and accommodations, call the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at (800) 872-3722 or (305) 872-2411, or visit www.fla-keys.com or www.lowerkeyschamber.com.

DIVERS TAKE AIM AT HISTORY JULY 18
Divers are sought to help set the "Guinness" record for most divers submerged at one time. The record attempt is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at Gilboa Quarry in Ottawa, Ohio.
Several prizes will be given away the day after the record attempt, which is part of a weekend of activities.
The $50 price of admission includes a certficate, T-shirt, dinner, entertainment and parking. For more information, call (419) 456-3300 or visit www.divegilboa.com.

JIM HAIGH MEMORIAL DIVE SET FOR JULY 25
The annual Jim Haigh Memorial Dive/Diver Appreciation Day is planned for Sunday, July 26, at Haigh Quarry in Kankakee, Illinois.
Events will include music by Tapo Imi, a Scuba Radio broadcast and diving. Raffles will be held and door prizes given away.
Admission is $15 per person and air fills cost $4. Proceeds benefit the John G. Shedd Aquarium Volunteer Diver Equipment Maintenance Program. For more information, visit www.haighquarry.com or call (815) 939-7797.

LEGENDS OF DIVING AUGUST 7-9
Bob Meistrell, who co-founded Body Glove with his twin brother Bill and holds Los Angeles County Underwater Dive License 0001, is the featured guest at this year's International Legends of Diving, scheduled for August 7-9 at Portage Quarry in Bowling Green, Ohio.
For more details about the event, visit www.internationallegendsofdiving.com.

[BOOKS]

‘SCUBASIGNS'
This 288-page paperback is billed as "the guide to all scuba diving hand signals" and contains nearly 500 signs. All hand signals in the book are categorized by topic, and include
"Surface," "Night," "Marine Life," "Teaching & Guiding," Environment," "Tech" and "Fun."
The authors of the book, Dave van Stijn and Mike Harterink, say they put years of research into the project. If you would like to take a look at "Scubasigns," visit your local dive center or e-mail mike@scubasigns.com.

always learning
Spotting Something New:
Discoveries That Keep Diving Interestin
Story and photos by Marty Snyderman
I was only halfway down the descent line when something on the bottom caught my eye. As is so often the case when an object in the sand gets my attention, I noticed something slightly different from its surroundings, an aberration in the parallel rows of sandy mounds on the seafloor. I let go of the line and began to swim slowly toward what I suspected to be a southern stargazer, a fish that I had seen before off West Palm Beach, Florida.
Southern stargazers have quite the look. The body is blackish-brown with white spots that increase in size toward the tail, but it is their face, not their body, that is more likely to stop you in your tracks. With a dramatically upturned mouth and eyes that are positioned high atop the head, stargazers are well-adapted to bury their body in the sand while leaving their eyes and most of their mouth exposed.
But as I got a little closer, something didn't look quite as I expected. I thought the head of the fish would be curved, but it was distinctly pointed. I could see an eye high up on one side of the head so I was certain that I was looking at a living creature, but it was not a stargazer. I was certain of that, but I was equally aware that I did not know what creature I had encountered.
Making personal discoveries and coming across animals we have not seen before is a big part of what makes diving fun. But what threw me for a loop was that over the course of my more than 35 years as a photojournalist who's literally "written the book" (or at least a book) on Caribbean marine life, I was stumped. Even though this was my first dive in the waters of the Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I was surprised not to have a pretty good idea of what I might be looking at.
What I had failed to take into account is how the marine life that occurs in the southeastern part of the Caribbean includes so many species not often seen in many other parts of the Caribbean. In essence, I found myself guilty of doing something that I try very hard to encourage others not to do, and that is drawing conclusions about dive destinations and marine life based on too little information and too many assumptions. While the diving in St. Vincent and the Grenadines certainly shares plenty of similarities with other Caribbean destinations, there is unquestionably a quality of uniqueness that sets the area apart from the rest of the Caribbean.
On this dive, my guide was Bill Tewes, the longtime dive center owner and a fellow who is well-known in diving circles for his expertise on animals that live in sandy biomes. As I approached the "head in the sand," I saw Bill writing on his underwater slate. His note said, "spotted spoon-nose eel." Bingo! That made perfect sense. I had seen a picture of a spotted spoon-nose eel before in a book, but I had never come across one while diving. (To learn more about this eel, see this month's What's That? column.)
Hovering over the sand, I took a few pictures. An instant later the eel emerged. It had a very impressive set of chompers, and perhaps more surprisingly the eel was at least three feet (0.9 m) long. I watched the eel as it swam about 10 yards (9 m) away, stopped, and then buried itself tail-first into the sand, leaving only its partially buried head slightly exposed.
A few kicks away from the eel we came across a basketball-sized clump of coral in the middle of an expanse of sand. While giving the coral head a once-over I noticed a spectacular little shrimp, once again a species that I had not seen before. An instant later, there was Bill writing, "golden shrimp, usually paired." He was right again as a closer inspection revealed a second shrimp for my camera. Next came a decorator crab that was also new to me. No doubt about it, even after having made thousands of dives at sites that are not all that far away, I was getting quite an education in marine life while being reminded how different the marine life at nearby dive sites can be.
Equally surprising to me was that the same sort of thing occurred the following day when I dived with another local pro, Kay Wilson. This time, instead of exploring the sand, we dived the reefs where Kay showed me several species of sponges I had not photographed before, some beautiful fish-filled caves and arches that started right at the shoreline, a very cute jackknife fish and several groups of color-changing Caribbean reef squid that put on quite a show. The following two days I dived in Bequia, one of the smaller islands in a group known as the Grenadines. Once again, I came across reef critters that I had never seen before.
While I only had a chance to spend four days diving in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I was able to make enough dives to obliterate any "been there, done that, and have surely seen that" thoughts that I might have. On every dive over the four-day period I saw animals I had never seen before and behaviors I had not filmed. Several thousand dives in nearby areas and still I was seeing something for the first time on every dive. That was very cool, indeed.

The Wrecks of Oahu
A few weeks after my trip to St. Vincent I had a chance to dive off the island of Oahu in Hawaii, another destination I had not previously dived. I don't consider myself an authority on Hawaiian diving, but over the past seven years or so I have enjoyed the opportunity to make a number of dive trips to the Aloha State.
Once again I found myself diving in an area that I thought I had some idea about because I had made numerous dives in other nearby destinations, but this time with my recently learned
lesson from St. Vincent and the Grenadines in mind, I reminded myself that while diving the waters off the Big Island, Maui and Kauai share some commonalities, and each island offers unique attractions. I suspected that would be the case for Oahu as well.
As I researched my trip to Oahu I began to discover that one of the factors that sets diving in Oahu apart from diving in the rest of Hawaii is the number of really great wreck dives that Oahu has to offer. From a diver's perspective, the shipwrecks of the Sea Tiger, YO-257 and Mahi along with the Corsair, an airplane, are some of the island's attractions. The wrecks are interesting as wrecks, but what really got my attention is the fact that Oahu's wrecks are marine life magnets. For sightseers and underwater photographers, the marine life around the wrecks provides some unforgettable moments.
As far as I am concerned, no matter the destination, there is always something new and interesting to see, even in places that you have dived before. Every diving day is different, as conditions vary and every location has something different to offer. Exactly what we will see when and where is not possible to predict, even for divers like me who have made thousands of dives over the course of their career. To my way of thinking, the lack of predictability and the adventure of encountering the unexpected is a very cool part of our sport, and reason enough to suit up and get wet again no matter where you have the opportunity to dive.

no dumb questions
Avoiding Air-Sharing Snafus, Equipping
for Drift Diving, and Nitrox Issues
By Alex Brylske Photo by Joseph C. Dovala

Q:Harold Brady sent in a query about a problem he encountered handling out-of-air emergencies. "My wife and I were certified about two years ago, but we only get a chance to dive twice a year on vacation. Because our skills get a bit rusty with all that off-time, we always spend a good part of our first dive reviewing skills like clearing our mask and adjusting buoyancy. However, one thing we didn't practice for a long time is air sharing in the event one of us runs out. We thought it was a simple skill - until we tried it. It was a disaster. My wife at first couldn't find my spare regulator. Then when we tried to ascend, in every case, we got separated before we got to the surface. Luckily, this was only practice. I hate to think what might have happened if one of us really did run out of air. The incident made me really question the value of air sharing, at least the way we were taught. Can you give us any insights or suggestions on how to make it more successful the next time?

A:You didn't give me a lot of details on what specific techniques you used, so I'll have to make some assumptions. First, you can make finding the spare regulator easier in several ways. The first is by using a contrasting color for both the spare regulator and the hose. Yellow is probably the best choice, as it will contrast with the other black hoses at any depth. Another suggestion is to mount the shared regulator so that it always stays in place where it can be seen easily. Some recommend that this be in a triangle defined by your chin and lower sides of your rib cage. More recently I saw a device that I think is very clever. It's a piece of surgical tubing designed to hold a spare regulator around the neck. The advantage here is that it keeps the device easily accessible, right below your chin. If your buddy needs air, he or she can simply grab the regulator and remove it from the holder.
An alternate technique preferred by some divers is for the donor to give up the primary regulator and use the alternate themselves. (If you do this it's important that the primary have the longer air hose, not the alternate.) Those who adopt this method contend that it's better because the donor remains in control of the exchange. As the donor is the one most familiar with his or her own equipment, and is likely to be in a calmer mental state, there's less chance of fumbling or confusion during a real emergency.
The next issue is staying together as you make the ascent. I've always found grasping each others' right forearm (like the "Indian handshake" you may have done as a kid) is the best method for staying close and in control, though there are alternatives, such as the donor grasping the tank valve of the receiver. The advantage of the "Indian handshake" is that you have your left hand free to manipulate your buoyancy compensator (BC) inflator to control your buoyancy during ascent. That, too, is critical. My preference has always been to be a bit negative during a shared air ascent. I find that it helps compensate if the recipient, who in a real emergency may not have full control of the situation, is a bit positive.
The most important thing to remember is never begin your ascent until both divers have calmed down, and are ready to proceed in a controlled, deliberate manner. Starting your ascent in an anxious or near-panicked state is a recipe for disaster.
A final issue is that you might want to consider a completely different approach by using a fully redundant air supply. This offers two advantages. First, when one diver runs out of air, it usually (though not always) means the other is at least low on air. So, once two divers start breathing off a single air source, there's a real possibility of depleting that shared air supply pretty quickly, maybe before even reaching the surface. This is the case, especially, when diving with a buddy who has a similar air consumption rate as you (which may not be the case with you and your wife, as women tend to use much less air than men).
With a redundant air source, like a Spare Air™ canister or a pony bottle, you know you always have sufficient air to reach the surface. Additionally, you have the peace of mind knowing that you can respond to an out-of-air emergency without the assistance, or even knowledge, of your buddy.
The disadvantage of a redundant air system, of course, is the extra equipment. For a traveling diver that can be a deal-breaker; though the Spare AirTM is TSA-approved for air travel, you'll sometimes raise concerns at the security checkpoint when trying to fly with a scuba tank in your luggage.

Q:Amy Deluca-Sanford sent in a letter demonstrating the importance of getting a good orientation from an experienced diver when you go to a new destination. "I'm an advanced diver with about a hundred dives under my belt, and quite a lot of wreck diving experience in the Great Lakes. So I thought I'd be more than prepared for my first drift dive off West Palm Beach, Florida. We dove from the boat of a friend who's not a diver; and as it turns out, I wasn't prepared at all. On both dives I had the devil of a time with my safety stops. I just couldn't remain at a consistent depth while I was drifting along with no reference. Most of my dives are wreck dives in the Great Lakes, and we do safety stops either on the anchor line, or by attaching a deco line to the wreck and pay it out as we ascend to the safety stop depth. Any suggestions on how I can be better prepared the next time?"
A:A lot of divers make the serious mistake of assuming that, no matter where they are, diving is diving. In fact, when people like yourself learn to dive in challenging cold-water locations, they often make the very dangerous assumption that any form of warm-water diving is a piece of cake. As you found out, that's not the case. From your letter I take it that you have never made a drift dive. It's also clear, and in my view a mistake, to try and make your first drift dive from a private boat, and without a buddy who's experienced in drift diving. There are many commercial dive boat operators in the Palm Beach, Florida, area, and all of them are highly experienced in the nuances of drift diving. Plus, not only does choosing a professional operator mean you'll be better supervised, you also would be diving with those who could give you advice and perhaps accompany you.
The one piece of equipment that you should always have when drift diving is a surface marker buoy (SMB). The primary role of this device is to help the boat spot your position on the surface. But it can also have another purpose. By deploying the device with a line attached, you can comfortably remain at your safety stop depth while the boat keeps a watchful eye on your location. However, make sure that your SMB has sufficient buoyancy so that you won't drag it beneath the surface while hanging on your stop. For this reason, many divers now prefer using a lift bag, rather than a traditional SMB, because of the added buoyancy. The larger bag also makes it easier for the boat to locate you.
There is a technique to this - termed "shooting a bag" - and the best way to learn that is in a class. The advanced class that you took obviously didn't include this, so you might look around for an instructor who is familiar with the technique and have him or her show you how it's done. The alternative is to find another experienced wreck or deep diver who can help you.
Q:Nitrox diver Samuel Callahan sent in a question about diving with a buddy who's not yet nitrox-certified. "In my Open Water course, the instructor included nitrox certification. So, I've dived it ever since I was certified. Recently, I started diving with a friend who is not nitrox-certified. I've convinced him of the benefit of nitrox, but it will probably be several months before he has the time to take the class. In my area, an air fill is $4 and a nitrox fill more than twice that. So, as my buddy can't use nitrox, I see no reason to spend the extra money for the benefit of nitrox when I can't even take advantage of it. Am I wrong?"

A:Samuel, I decided to address your letter here because it brings up a situation that I'm seeing more and more often regarding nitrox. Enriched air was developed to extend bottom time, and it can certainly do that. But the way it extends time underwater also makes it possible for nitrox to convey another advantage for which it wasn't primarily intended: to reduce decompression stress.
I addressed an issue similar to this a few months ago in this column. In addition, I wrote in our October 2008 issue an entire feature, "Decompression Stress: A New Way of Looking at an Old Problem." So I won't belabor the theoretical details again here. Suffice it to say that using nitrox rather than air is one way to reduce decompression stress because it enables you to absorb less nitrogen. However, this comes with an important and sometimes misunderstood caveat: You can use nitrox either to increase bottom time or to reduce decompression stress, not both. To gain the reduced stress advantage of nitrox you need to continue using an air table or computer. In essence, you continue to assume that you absorb nitrogen from a mixture with 79 percent of the gas when it actually contains much less. The result is a safety margin that you simply can't achieve with air for the same amount of bottom time.
I make this point because the tone of your letter leads me to believe that you see value in nitrox only as a way to extend your bottom time. In my view, it's much more valuable as a "fudge factor" against decompression stress by assuming you're breathing air. In this case, I think the added cost of nitrox is still well worth it, and I would continue using it even if your dive buddy can't. Rest assured, your money will not be wasted.

DIVE TAINING QUIZ
Test your knowledge of the information featured
in this month's issue of Dive Training.
MARTY SNYDERMAN PHOTO

1. Studies show that, in virtually every diver, by the time they reach 3 atmospheres (66 feet [20 m]) there's a measurable slowing of mental processing due to the increased partial pressure of nitrogen at depth.
A. True
B. False

2. Diving pioneer Jacques Cousteau referred to nitrogen narcosis as
A. The "martini effect."
B. The "drunkenness of the deep."
C. The "mermaid's curse."
D. The "rapture of the deep."

3. Early theory about nitrogen narcosis suggested it was caused by:
A. Changes in blood flow.
B. Latent claustrophobia.
C. Overstimulated nerves.
D. A and B are correct.
E. B and C are correct.

4. The snake eel has large nostrils that protrude from the top of its head. A
second pair of nostrils is located:
A. On the inside of its mouth.
B. On either side of its mouth.
C. Below its lateral line.
D. Behind its gills.

5. Female sharks that are oviparous:
A. Give live birth.
B. Lay eggs.
C. Always have twin births.
6. The water level of Arizona's Lake Pleasant fluctuates as much as 100 feet from springtime to fall.
A. True
B. False

7. While English is widely spoken in Belize, visitors may also hear Mestizo spoken, which is a blend of these dialects:
A. Spanish and Maya.
B. Creole French and Spanish.
C. Garifuna and Lebanese.
D. All of the above.

8. An essential accessory carried by drift divers is the SMB, which stands for:
A. Satellite marker beacon.
B. Surface marker buoy.

9. Several whale species have been observed slapping the water's surface with their tails, an action termed:
A. Tail lobbing.
B. Peduncle throw.
C. Pitching.
D. A and B are correct.
E. B and C are correct.

10. In diving, the hand signal of one hand moving back and forth across the throat means:
A. "I am out of air."
B. "You're fired."
C. "I'm going to kill you."

Answers: 1. A 2. D 3. D 4. A 5. B 6. A 7. A 8. B 9. D 10. A