March 2010- Volume 20 Number 3

THE COVERS	Articles & Editorials	March 2010 • Volume 20 Number 3
Photos by Barry Guimbellot	Not every scuba diving adventure requires an epic voyage by boat. In fact, a great many scuba dives can be found just a stone’s throw from shore — no boat necessary. The venue could be a tropical coastline or an inland lake, quarry or river. The author provides an overview of the different techniques, equipment and dive skills you’ll need to know when exploring from shore.

FEATURES

20	No Boat, No Problem: Tips for Exploring From Shore Not every scuba diving adventure requires an epic voyage by boat. In fact, a great many scuba dives can be found just a stone’s throw from shore — no boat necessary. The venue could be a tropical coastline or an inland lake, quarry or river. The author provides an overview of the different techniques, equipment and dive skills you’ll need to know when exploring from shore.	By Linda Lee Walden
30	The Blue Star Program: How Blue is Greening the Florida Keys More than 700,000 divers and snorkelers visit the Florida Keys each year, which means the reefs take a lot of wear and tear. The innovative new Blue Star program offered by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary provides dive operators with the educational tools to help visitors do their part to help protect the Keys — and reefs everywhere.	By Alex Brylske
40	Cloudy With a Chance of Complicated: Unraveling the Tangled Mystery of Mangroves A common myth held by divers and nondivers alike is that clear water equates to a healthy ecosystem. Surely, the crystal-clear waters of the bay are healthier than the murky-brown waters that wind their way down the river and through the mangroves. Strangely, this isn’t always the case. The author seeks to clear up this misconception.	By Robert N. Rossier

COMMENTARY

8	Editorial: To Buddy or Not to Buddy	By Alex Brylske
10	Buddy Lines: ‘The Shepherdess’ a Dive Pioneer
12	Dive Observer: Artificial Reef Bill Nears Passage	By Gene Gentrup
80	No Dumb Questions: Descent Rate Advice, Diving After Hip Replacement Surgery, Dive Computers for Kids	By Alex Brylske

DIVE EXPLORATION

64	Global Dive Exploration Map A geographical guide to great dive destinations across the globe
66	Dive Geo: The Island of Little Cayman: A ‘Bucket List’ Dive Destination Awesome viz and sheer walls await	By Karen and Ian Stewart
73	Dive Traveler: Loyalty Pays: How To Use Travel Rewards to Help Finance Your Next Dive Getaway A primer on perks	By Staci Meyer
77	Passport: Dive travel deals from all over	Compiled by Gene Gentrup
78	Diving USA Dive travel opportunities across America

EVERY MONTH

53	Scuba Skills: Entering With Control: The Seated Entry Easy does it	By Lynn Laymon
57	Instructor Tips: Going Local: Using Specialty Training to Promote Local Diving There’s no place like home	By Robert N. Rossier
60	Always Learning: Underwater Reflections: A Diver’s Year in Review Fluid perspective	By Marty Snyderman
84	Dive Shop	Compiled by Gene Gentrup
86	What’s That?: Beauty, Charm and Guile: The Cuttlefish A magnificent mollusk	By Marty Snyderman
91	Premier Classifieds
92	Behind the Lens: The ‘In Your Face’ Close-up Shot A depth-of-field challenge	By Marty Snyderman
93	Dive Training Classifieds
97	Dive Training Quiz Test your knowledge of the information in this month's issue
98	Final Check: What It Looks Like When… You Avoid Regulator Freeze-up Chill, but don’t freeze	By Lynn Laymon