Archive |
Here come the girls
When DIVER carried out a detailed survey about the sexes and diving this year, more than 1600 of you responded. The results provided some valuable insights, several surprises - and more than a few laughs, writes Louise Trewavas
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5 ways to better finning
Do you kick your way around under water without giving it too much thought? A lot of divers do, but various finning styles can be employed at different times - and they could save on both effort and possible environmental damage. John Liddiard explains, with the assistance of Steve Murray
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What Do You Think You're Looking At? Invertebrate Quiz
Are you one of those divers who assumes that most of the fish off our coasts are wrasse, unless they have both eyes on one side, in which case they're called flatties? Or do you impress trainees with your spot-on fish-naming during debriefs - and if so, are you telling porkies? Paul Naylor provides the words and pictures needed to test your marine life know-how. Fill in the answers, and check your score at the end
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Big Mouth Encounters
You notice a shadow out in the blue. It gets bigger and closer. It's a shark. If it's your first time you'll never forget it, but your thousandth experience could be equally memorable. Gavin Parsons asks divers to describe their favourite encounters
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Six of the best from Linda
Linda Dunk recently won the title of Diver Photographer of the Year. Here she provides the background to the six pictures that proved so successful against tough competition
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Meetings under the pier
With the new season getting under way, many southern counties divers will be heading for one of the most popular sites on the Channel coast: Swanage Pier (pictured above). Two fans of Swanage diving have different strategies for beating the crowds there. Kevin Cullimore recommends mid-week rather than weekend visits. Peter Tinsley dives at night
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Everybody's doing it...
Mark Webster went to the Red Sea to photograph the nuptial dancing of red snappers (right). He hadn't expected shoals of jacks, unicorn surgeonfish and even batfish to get in on the act
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First find your shark
Top Red Sea photographer Erik Bjurstrom reveals the secrets of his award-winning techniques for capturing sharks on film
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LIDS 2010 Showcase
Key exhibitors at LIDS 2010 more...British Isles Diving SHOWCASE
The season starts here. more...Treasure-hunting the psychic way
Crystal skulls, priceless emeralds - a US dive team hit paydirt when they called in psychics to help locate a legendary treasure ship, and the work goes on, as John Christopher Fine discovers
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Story of the stones
Gavin Parsons joins the Nautical Archaeology Society on a survey dive and discovers how divers can help map the maritime history of the UK
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Refreshingly different Dom Rep
The Dominican Republic is not just another Caribbean reef proposition, but an island offering world-class cave-diving for all levels of experience. Martyn Farr even finds time to fit in some wreck sites
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Beyond Toad Hall
Why do they call it Toad Hall? It's a closely guarded secret. Leigh Bishop recalls this year's Australian-British collaborative project to reach the limits of the spectacular Cocklebiddy cave systemmore...
The skipper's box of tricks
Today's charter-boats feature a range of sophisticated electronic instruments that skippers use to take us diving. On upgrading to a new set, the old units are often kept as backup, so we see the latest flat-panel systems used beside previous generations of instruments. John Liddiard provides a quick roundup. more...
All aboard all year round
There have been subtle shifts in UK diving patterns in recent years, says Colin Mac Andrias, who has been talking to skippers while compiling a guide to UK charter-boats
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How to pick the perfect buddy
Make the wrong choice of liveaboard dive buddy and you could be facing the holiday from hell. If you can't find the ideal companion, you should at least know who to avoid. Mike Ward presents his own handy selection guide
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My first dive
We all have to start somewhere. An inland quarry in February could be just the place for that initial plunge - and perhaps Mike Ward's account will ring nostalgic bells for some of you
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How scuba helps us in space
Do you know your EVAs from your EMUs, your NEEMOs from your NBLs? Jill Michaels has been granted rare access to four astronauts - three of them are Brits, and they're all scuba-divers. Stand by for lift-off (and lots of space-style abbreviations, too!)
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Anti-terror squad
The safety of 4 million passengers and crew passing through Miami on almost 3000 luxury cruise liners, oil-tankers and freighters depends on a small team of courageous police divers. They are responsible for guarding murky underwater borders against terrorists, drug-traffickers and smugglers. And sometimes they discover the unexpected, as Ron Laytner reports in a DIVER exclusive more...You will have fun!
NoTanx AIDA 2* Freediver Course
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Analysing Sara
Sara Campbell, the British woman who took up competitive freediving only last year, amazed everyone by taking three world records within months. Fellow British freediver Mark Harris probes her on the secrets of her success. Pictures by Laura Storm
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Medical Q & A April 2009
Diving with lung condition more...Dead man walking
After a serious decompression hit, Steve Kitson was supposed to be dead or at least paralysed for life, but nobody told him that. Gavin Parsons reports more...
Maximising Nitrox
When nitrox is free, all well and good, but when you have to pay for each fill, you want to make the most of it. John Liddiard offers some tricks you may not learn on an advanced nitrox course. So what is a Scapa Fill?more...
30 ways in which tech diving can boost your fun!
John Kean is passionate about technical diving, and wants more of us to enjoy its benefits. Trouble is, he says, the Technical Prevention Officers are putting us off
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Marine Pictolife Guides
Is that a croc? Wait, I'll look it up...
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Rosetta Stone language courses (CD-Rom or online)
Speaking in tonguesmore...
The Big Question 80
Should there be an internationally recognised 'Liveaboard Dive Manager' qualification?more...
Winners take all - DIVER Awards 2009
Winners take all
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Red Sea briefing: Marsa Alam
Healthy reefs, large pelagic visitors, life-encrusted pinnacles,high-energy dropoffs, an interesting network of caves and coral-blanketed wrecks, Marsa Alam's 100km-long stretch of coast offers incredible variety and promise for underwater visitors of all levels.
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Red Sea briefing: El Quseir
If history is not your thing, there are always the sandy beaches, desert and resort hotels to explore and relax. Windsurfing, kayaking and small catamaran sailing are also on offer to those wishing to try out other water-based sports.
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