From our regular columnists

Is Diving Really Safe?

March 31, 2015 - 16:42
The story is found: 
on page 67

Admittedly a rather contentious title, but it's supposed to be. Debates over whether diving, or even certain types of diving, are safe sometimes get emotive and heated, depending on the arguments being made. These include: Is closed circuit rebreather diving safe? How much safer is recreational rebreather diving than open circuit? Is cave diving safe? Is recreational diving to 18m on open circuit safe?

The simple answer is—it depends! This article will present a series of arguments so the reader (and diver) can make that decision, as ultimately, it is the diver who is choosing to get in the water and expose themselves to the risks therein.

Training
Opinions & comments

British Columbia: Diving Canada's Freshwater Interior

March 28, 2015 - 20:15
The story is found: 
on page 45

Although British Columbia’s (BC) coastal area offers numerous shipwrecks, colorful walls and reefs full of life, there are also a considerable amount of freshwater lakes and rivers to explore within what is known as BC’s Interior Region of Canada. Actually, you might be surprised at what you will find to do and see above and below the water.

On many occasions I have joined friends and dive groups to check out some of the more popular Interior destinations, but I was amazed to find many more sites were also available. Most of the locations are listed on dozens of different websites, including a few informative You Tube videos.

Florida Keys

March 05, 2015 - 11:58
The story is found: 
on page 8

Statistics show that more Americans dive in the US state of Florida than any other place on the planet, but when you consider what is on offer, it is hardly surprising. The state’s government has been instrumental in sinking some of the world’s largest (so-called) artificial reefs, but there are also freshwater pools, caves and caverns with a constant warm water temperature all year-round, which certainly appeals to winter divers.

There are great encounters with large critters like manatees. Of course, the farther you travel south towards the Florida Keys, the more the country is influenced by the might of the Gulf Stream. There is great ease of access down to the Sunshine State.

Destination reports

Lake Malawi

January 06, 2015 - 23:53
The story is found: 
on page 36

“I’ve heard of Malawi… Isn’t that where Madonna adopted one of her babies from?” queried one of my clients before my departure for Africa. I winced, but at least she had heard of it. Up to that point, all responses to my intent of visiting the small African nation consisted of confused looks or furrowed brows.

For some reason, many people attach an unwarranted stigma to Africa. Whenever there is trouble somewhere, be it political strife or Ebola, many assume the entire continent is hazardous by geographic association. However, as African nations go, Malawi remains refreshingly innocuous.

Locations

Pavillion Lake

January 06, 2015 - 18:50
The story is found: 
on page 83

I first learned about this unusual lake, nestled in Marble Canyon Provincial Park of British Columbia (BC), Canada, when some friends living in Kamloops asked me to join them for a dive at a local, clear freshwater lake. Since it was only a few hours from Vancouver, I decided to take them up on their offer and headed for the interior parts of BC.

I have always wanted to explore this area and was thrilled even more when they told me of the strange coral-type of life living in the lake.

Unique Divesite

The Perfect Diving Breath

January 06, 2015 - 17:40
The story is found: 
on page 69

Confronted by a genie in a lamp and three wishes, many new divers would ask for a magic spell to make their air last longer on a dive. The good news is that you don’t actually need a genie in a lamp—the key to better air consumption is not a secret at all.

Divers usually find that their breathing rate drops as they become more experienced, simply as a consequence of their becoming more relaxed and comfortable in the water.

Opinions & comments

Becky Kagan Schott

January 06, 2015 - 14:10
The story is found: 
on page 21

Talent plus personality. That’s how clients and colleagues explain 35-year-old Becky Kagan Schott’s rapid ascent in the male-dominated, niche-filled world of underwater cinematography. “There are only a handful of people you can call if you need someone to dive to 350 feet, shoot and be creative,” explains Evan Kovacs, director of underwater photography at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute’s Advanced Imaging and Visualization Lab.

Colleague, British underwater cameraman Rich Stevenson said that her skilled and energetic “let’s do this” attitude is the icing on the cake.

Profiles & Interviews
People

Golfe-Juan on the French Riviera

January 06, 2015 - 14:10
The story is found: 
on page 35

If you are in Europe and like the idea of a short flight to Southern France and diving on the same day you arrive in the Mediterranean, then perhaps you may want to try the seaside resort town of Golfe-Juan—just a short ride west from Nice. Average journey time to Nice for flights from all over Europe is only two hours. My wife, Lesley, and I chose to fly EasyJet from Edinburgh.

One small side street away from the old port in Golfe-Juan is Diamond Diving.

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