THE COVERS
Articles & Editorials
April 2012 • Volume 22 Number 4

    

Photos by Joseph C. Dovala

We know that proper breathing is the very basis for the first rule of scuba: Breathe normally; never hold your breath. This month's cover feature, "Waiting to Exhale … and Inhale: The Science of Breathing Underwater," reminds us there's more to it than that.

FEATURES
20
Chapter Four of
'The Complete Diver' Book Series:
Waiting to Exhale … and Inhale:
The Science of Breathing Underwater
Except for a cursory admonition to "stop, think and act" or "breathe deeply," there's scant attention paid in training to just how important proper breathing is to diver safety. That's a shame, because the subject of breathing is a lot more involved — and a lot more interesting — than one might expect.
By Alex Brylske
30
How Your Camera System Works,
Part One: The Camera and Lenses
Many camera owners skip the fundamentals and attempt to master
advanced techniques from the get-go. This approach rarely works well,
but thankfully isn't fatal. For those ready to transition from camera
owner to underwater photographer, the surest way to success is to
master the fundamentals.
By Marty Snyderman
40
The Exploring North America Series:
Part One: Diving Adventures
Around Mexico
From the Western Caribbean to the Sea of Cortez, to inland cenotes and remote islands, Mexico offers an astounding variety of unique and exciting diving opportunities. This article is part of a series on diving North America all across the United States and beyond our northern and southern borders. In a future issue we'll examine diving adventures in Canada.
By Lynn Laymon
COMMENTARY
8
Editorial: Diving's Most Essential Equipment
By By Alex Brylske
10
Buddy Lines: 'Buoyancy' vs 'Buoyant'
 
12
Dive Observer:Waterfront Project Focuses On Underwater Realm
By Gene Gentrup
77
No Dumb Questions:Diving and Decompression Issues, Questions from our readers
By Alex Brylske
DIVE EXPLORATION
62
Global Dive Exploration Map
A geographical guide to great dive destinations across the globe
 
64
Dive Geo: On Land and Sea In Ecuador:
Exploring the Mysterious Galapagos Islands
Remote location, rugged beauty
By Scott Johnson
72
Passport:
Dive travel deals from all over
Compiled by
Gene Gentrup
74
Diving USA
Dive travel opportunities across America
 
EVERY MONTH
53
Scuba Skills:
Buddy Checks: Once More Just to Make Sure, Be safe before you submerge
By Linda Lee Walden
57
Instructor Tips:
Best Intentions: Guiding Your Students To Good Group Behavior
Teaching team spirit
By Greg Laslo
60
Always Learning: Do You See What I Sea? In Praise of Whatever Works
Personal taste is personal
By Marty Snyderman
84
Dive Shop
Compiled by
Gene Gentrup
86
What’s That?: Big, Bigger, Biggest: The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, the Giant Manta Ray and the Whale Shark Icons investigated
By Marty Snyderman
92
Behind the Lens: Aim, Shoot, Learn, Storytelling photos
By Marty Snyderman
91
Premier Classifieds
 
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… Your Hood Is the Wrong Size
Getting your head in gear
By Linda Lee Walden