Invaders from Inner Space: Revealing Nemo’s True Colors
If you know a kid younger than 10, then you also know the names Nemo and Dory. And just in case you’re one of…
Muddy Waters: Techniques for Low-Vis Diving
Call me a wimp if you want, but my enthusiasm for diving is proportional to how far I can see underwater. It is safe…
New Kids on the Block: How Scientists Identify New Species
The picture didn’t match the name. The small red sea horse didn’t look like a juvenile pygmy sea horse even if that’s what the…
Do Fish Feel Pain?: A Matter of Scientific Debate
OK, “Finding Nemo” fans, you’d better sit down. I’ve got some bad news. First off, fish can’t talk. Matter of fact, fish can’t really…
Alcohol, Nicotine & Divers – What You Should Know
The last thing you probably want to read is another tirade on the dangers of drinking and smoking. Besides, what can I say that’s…
No Oxygen, No Life: The Gulf of Mexico’s ‘Dead Zone’
The words “dead zone” evoke sci-fi movie scenes of a Martian landscape or the aftermath of a nuclear blast. Bleak places where life is…
Ins and Outs: How to Choose Entry and Exit Locations
Entering and exiting the water are fairly simple tasks once you learn the correct techniques. From shore, divers shuffle in with fins in place…
Coral Reefs: Fall of the Cities Beneath the Sea
“Coral reefs of the world have continued to decline since the previous GCRMN report in 1998. Assessments to late 2000 are that 27% of…
Shore Diving Made Simple: How to Set Up a Base Camp
Although it rarely is part of the Open Water certification course, selecting and setting up a base camp is a skill that every diver…
Cavern Diving: A Beginner’s Guide
You’re gliding into a vast underwater cavern. In the crystal-clear water all around you majestic stalactites hang down from the cavern ceiling like icicles. Cone-shaped stalagmites rise up to meet them. Gnarled tree roots snake through the cavern’s roof to get a drink of water. But wait…you must be dreaming, because you’re only an Open Water-certified diver. You can’t possibly be exploring the inner sanctum of an underwater cavern, because this type of diving is suited for only those expert divers who’ve had a lot of advanced training, right?