Today, it is not easy to dive where your heart desires. Such locations as the Philippines or Australia are closed for tourists. Fortunately, there are also places where we can go by plane and dive. These include Mexico, Maldives or Africa – mainly Egypt.
Those of us who dive in cold waters, have more possibilities to dive locally. Lakes are not covered with ice anymore. The spring to-do has already begun. Weather forecasts promise higher temperatures, so water temperature will also start increasing.
What will you find in our bi-monthly issue? Check out yourselves
Let me just mention the interesting Covid-related text about the Red Sea by Sylwia Kosmalska-Juriewicz. We encounter various incredible sea creatures inhabiting the Indian Ocean and the Maldives, including the biggest fish in the world. Story told by Bartosz Pszczółkowski.
We admire the Medical Air Rescue staff. Read about them in the journalistic debut of Hubert, enhanced with great photos by Jacek Krawczyk.
The „Diving Talks” international conference is planned for October 2021 in Portugal. Check out my exclusive interview with the event’s host, Arlindo Serrão. There is still plenty of time to use this opportunity and arrange some diving in Portugal.
And there is more to be found inside. Enjoy!
Publisher
DIVER WOJCIECH ZGOŁA ul. Folwarczna 37, 62-081 Przeźmierowo redakcja@perfectdiver.com
Reddo Translations Sp. z o.o. Adwokat Joanna Wajsnis Brygida Jackowiak-Rydzak
distribution dive centers, online store preorder@perfectdiver.com the magazine was
Montserrat (Julieta Ulanovsky) Open Sans (Ascender Fonts) Spectral (Production Type) printing Wieland Drukarnia Cyfrowa, Poznań, www.wieland.com.pl
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WOJCIECH ZGOŁA
He often repeats that he travels by diving and that is his motto. In 1985 he obtained a yacht sailor's license, and only in 2006 began to dive. In the following years he improved his skills by obtaining the Dive Master degree. He completed nearly 650 dives in various climatic conditions. Since 2007, he has been taking photographs underwater, and since 2008 he has also been filming. As an independent journalist, he published dozens of articles, mainly in journals dedicated to diving, but not only. Co-author of photo exhibitions in Poland and abroad. He is passionate about and propagator of diving.
Since 2008 he has been running his own website www.dive-adventure.eu. On the basis of extensive experience, in August 2018 he created the new Perfect Diver Magazine
Regional Manager Divers Alert Network Polska, diving and first aid instructor, technical diver and cave diver. In love with all flooded, dark, cold, tight places and invariably from the beginning of the diving route – in the Baltic. Implementing the DAN mission, he conducts a series of lectures ”Dive safely” and Diving Safety Laboratory, so field research of divers for scientific purposes.
”My passion, work and life are under water.” He has been diving since 2009. Since 2008, he's walking in caves. Underwater archeologist by education. He participated in numerous projects in Poland and abroad. He has been engaged in professional diving since 2011. In 2013 he obtained the qualifications of a 2nd class diver. Has experience in underwater work both at sea and inland. Since 2013 he has been diving in caves, especially in the mountains, and since 2014 he is a diving instructor CMAS M1. In June 2020, he obtained a doctoral degree in underwater archeology.
That's my name and I come from Poznań. I have been associated with water practically from birth and with diving since I learned to walk. My grandfather instilled my passion for the underwater world, a CMAS*** instructor taking me to the lakes at any free time. I obtained my first qualifications in 1996. A year later I went to Croatia and literally went crazy at the sight of blue water, octopus and colorful fish;) I bought my first underwater camera – Olympus 5060 and started the adventure with underwater photography. I acquired my diving experience in the Canary Islands, Sardinia, Norway, Maldives and in Polish lakes. I am currently a Padi and ESA instructor, I train diving enthusiasts in Europe and pass my passion on to others.
I invite all lovers of the underwater world and photography to Beediver (FB) – see you soon.
An IT specialist by profession, but a flesh and blood salesman who is not afraid of any job. Diving has always been my big dream. At the beginning it was supposed to be a challenge, a short episode but it turned out to be a passion for the end of the world and one day longer. Under water I react and rest. As a Divemaster, sidemount Razor diver, and recently also a photographer, I realize my dreams by admiring and immortalizing the beauty of the underwater world. "Passion breeds professionalism, professionalism gives quality, and quality is a luxury in life. Nowadays, especially..."
IRENA KOSOWSKA
MATEUSZ POPEK
BARTOSZ PSZCZÓŁKOWSKI
HUBERT REISS
Has more than 8000 dives on his account. He has been diving for over 30 years, including over 20 years as a technical diver. He is a professional with great theoretical and practical knowledge. He is an instructor of many federations: GUE Instructor Mentor, CMAS**, IANTD nTMX, IDCS PADI, EFR, TMX Gas Blender. He participated in many diving projects and conferences as a leader, explorer, originator or lecturer. These included the Britannic Expedition 2016, Morpheus Cave Scientific Project on Croatia caves, GROM Expedition in Narvik, Tuna Mine Deep Dive, Glavas Cave in Croatia, NOA-MARINE. Professionally, he is a technical director at TecLine in Scubatech, and a director of training at TecLine Academy.
Karolina Sztaba, and professionally Karola Takes Photos, is a photographer by education and passion. She is currently working at the Trawangan Dive Center on a tiny island in Indonesia – Gili Trawangan, where she moved to live four years ago.She photographs above and below the water. In addition, she creates photographic projects against littering the oceans and polluting our planet with plastic ("Trapped", "Trashion"). He cooperates with NBO organizations dealing with environmental protection and actively participates in pro-ecological actions (coral protection, coral planting, cleaning the world, protection of endangered species). He is also the official photographer of Ocean Mimic – a brand that creates swimwear and surfwear from rubbish collected on the beaches of Bali. She cooperated with many brands of diving equipment for which she created advertising campaigns. In 2019, she became the ambassador of the Polish company Tecline. She has been a technical diver for two years.
A graduate of Geography faculty at the University of Wrocław and an incurable optimist… with a permanent smile on her lips! It was probably Destiny that led her to Activtour… and she's been here on permanent basis. She passionately fulfils the dreams of many, organizing diving trips around the world, and she has already been diving for more than half of her life. Each year she explores a different ‘piece of the ocean’, pinning another pin to her diving world map. In winter she changes fins into her beloved skis and gets away into the Alps. A recipe for life? ”The only a dead trunk flows with the current – the explorer's canoe flows up the river!” anna@activtour.pl activtour.pl; travel.activtour.pl; 2bieguny.com
Polish photographer, winner of awards and distinctions in world underwater photography competitions, has already dived all over the world: with sharks and whales in South Africa, with orcs behind the Arctic Circle, on Galapagos with hundreds of hammerhead sharks and humpback whales in the Tonga Islands. He participates in specialist photographic workshops. He has been diving for 27 years, he started at the age of 12 – as soon as it was formally possible. He was the first in the world to use the Hasselblad X1d-50c camera for underwater macro photography. Recently, in the remote Chincorro archipelago on the border between Mexico and Belize, he did it again, taking a successful attempt to photograph the eye of a crocodile with a macro lens with an additional magnifying lens, which is the world's largest photo of the crocodile's eye living in the wild (in terms of pixel count, print size, quality).
A traveller and a photographer of wild nature. A graduate of journalism and a lover of good literature. She lives in harmony with nature, promotes a healthy lifestyle: she is a yogini and a vegetarian. Also engaged in ecological projects. Sharks and their protection are especially close to her heart. She writes about the subject in numerous articles and on her blog www.divingandtravel.pl. She began her adventure with diving fifteen years ago by total coincidence. Today she is a Divemaster, she visited over 60 countries and dived on 5 continents. She invites us for a joint journey with the travel agency www.dive-away.pl, of which she is a co-founder.
"Wet photos" – He has photographed since he remembers. After several years of experience as a diver, he wanted to keep memories of underwater dives. He bought his first compact camera with an underwater housing. Over time, however, the desire to have the best photo began to dominate, which was not quite possible with the compact he used. That's why he switched to the Olympus PEN E-PL 5 reflex camera, which allows the use of several different lenses. He uses a combination of underwater flashes and lights. He focuses on wildlife photography, not arrangement. He photographs in fresh domestic waters as well as in the seas and oceans of the world.
He has already won numerous awards at Czech and foreign photography competitions. More photos can be found on his website, where you can also buy them not only as photos, but also as photos printed on canvas or on another medium. www.mokrefotky.cz www.facebook.com/MichalCernyPhotography www.instagram.com/michalcerny_photography/
WOJCIECH A. FILIP
SYLWIA KOSMALSKA-JURIEWICZ
ANNA SOŁODUCHA
KAROLINA SZTABA
MICHAL ČERNÝ
JAKUB DEGEE
WOJCIECH
A graduate of two Poznan universities, the Academy of Physical Education (coaching specialization – handball) and the University of A.Mickiewicz, Faculty of Biology (specialty of experimental biology). He connected his professional life with this first university trying to influence the direction of development of future professionals on the one hand, and on the other planning and implementing research, pushing laboriously in the right direction of the stroller called science. In his free time he spends his time actively – his main passions are sailing (sea helmsman), skiing (downhill skiing instructor), riding a motorcycle, recreational diving and many other activities, as well as photography, mainly nature.
Since I was a child, I had dreamed of becoming a marine biologist and I managed to fulfill that dream. I did a degree in oceanography, where I recently started my doctoral studies. My diving adventure began when I was 12 years old. I love observing the underwater life up close and I try to show other divers how fascinating the underwater, Baltic creatures are.
”I can't imagine living without water, where in a free body I experience freedom of the spirit.”
• founder of the first freediving and swimming school in Poland – FREEBODY,
• Apnea Academia International and PADI Master Freediver freediving instructor,
• world record holder in freediving (DYN 253 m),
• record holder and Polish champion, member of the national team in freediving 2013–2019,
• winner of the World Championships in freediving 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018,
• multimedalist of the Polish Championships and a member of the national team in swimming in the years 1998–2003,
• passionate about freediving and swimming.
A traveler, photographer and the underwater world filmmaker, an Asian cuisine enthusiast and a PADI diving instructor. He visited over 70 countries and dived on 5 continents (the other two are planned for next year's expeditions). For several years he has also been an instructor and trainer of the unmanned aircraft flights. A co-author of a travel agency for divers www.dive-away.pl. He documents his expeditions with photos and descriptions of his journeys on his blog www.divingandtravel.pl
Laura Kazimierska is currently working as PADI Course Director at TrawanganDive Center on the Indonesian island of Gili Trawangan. Founder of the Divemastergilis portal. www.divemastergilis.com @divemastergilis
For over 7 years she has lived and discovered the underwater world of Indonesia. She is not only an avid technical diver, but also the face of the Planet Heroes platform and the ambassador of the Ocean Mimic brand. She actively contributes to the promotion of the protection of corals and the natural environment of fish and marine animals by taking part in scientific projects, campaigns against ocean littering and cooperating with NGOs in Indonesia.
@laura_kazi
AGATA TUROWICZ-CYBULA
AGNIESZKA KALSKA
JAROSZ
LAURA KAZIMIERSKA
ADRIAN JURIEWICZ
Illes Medes
AN UNDERWATER RESERVE
Text
Once, in one of the books, I read an article about the Illes Medes reserve. The reserve was listed as one of the most beautiful diving sites in the world.
and photos MICHAL ČERNÝ
Asentence uttered by the author stuck in my mind: ”I have always wondered where all the fish from the Mediterranean Sea went, now I know.”
After my more than thirteen visits to this Mediterranean paradise for divers, I can confidently state that this sentence is 100% true. So many different fish cannot be found anywhere else in the Mediterranean Sea.
HISTORY
The Medes Islands are located in the middle of the Costa Brava, about 100 km north of Barcelona, near L´Estartit. The archipelago consists of seven main islands: Medellot, Meda Grand, Meda Petita, les Ferrenelles, Tasco Gros, Tasco Petit and Carall Bernat. During the Middle Ages, the islands were inhabited. Used and raided by pirates. To this day, you can find round watchtowers here that served the locals as a "voice" announcing the impending attack. Until 1983, L'Estartit was just a small village where the main source of income was fishing from the waters around the islands. However, just this year, the Catalan Parliament approved the area as protected by a ban on all types of fishing. In 1990, this protection was further increased when the entire area of 511 hectares was declared a submarine reserve. Thanks to this, L´Estartit completely changed and the locals began to switch from fishing to tourism. Hotels, restaurants and, of course, diving bases and other centers focused not only on water sports began to appear here. Today L'Estartit is a popular tourist destination mainly for divers from all over Europe.
ORGANIZATION AND DIVING CENTERS
Due to the fact that it is an underwater nature reserve, dives are regulated here and you can dive practically only through local diving centers. Another limitation is that divers with OWD or P1 qualifications can only enter the water when accompanied by an instructor or divemaster, this is mainly to prevent damage to the corals (poor buoyancy of inexperienced divers). The maximum permitted diving depth is 40 meters, and the dive time must not exceed 60 minutes.
There are several diving centers here. However, for years we have been using the services of the La Sirena resort, which is one of the largest and best here. It has three large dive boats (each for 20-30 divers) and all are equipped with lifts. Yes, you read that right, each vessel has a stainless steel elevator at the stern for two divers, which you will especially appreciate if there are some waves in the sea. All you have to do is swim to the elevator, which will be about one meter below the surface, stand on it and comfortably board it, and then have them a few steps to your place. Here, too, your equipment has been taken care of. The base is about 300 meters from the boat mooring, however, you don't have to carry your equipment as they will take it in small trucks. You take
the cylinders from the car standing next to the boat and just take them on board.
The equipment at the base is kept by each diver in a box and locked. Neoprene suits are hung in rooms where they are automatically washed with fresh water and dried with warm air. A very convenient solution.
As for the dives themselves, they are unique because you are not attached to the group you came with and you have several choices when and where you want to dive. You book your dives via the computer and each day you can choose from four different dives during the day and, in fact, from three ships. There are as many as 12 dives each day. You choose your time of day and the location that interests you. The boat ride from the port to the spot usually takes around 20 minutes. After each dive, we return to the port. So you can only do one dive per day, which is perfect if you want to combine a family vacation with scuba diving.
Attention! Dives must be booked in advance. Due to the great interest in diving, it is not possible to come and dive. No seats available. I personally book group dives one year in advance. The basic price for diving with ballast and cylinder is about 42 EUR. Thanks to many years of cooperation and vol-
ume discounts, we received a price of about EUR 26 for diving, which is already a very decent price.
DIVING
f Lovers of fish and underwater life will have fun here.
f There is also something for cavers as the islands are rich in tunnels and caves.
f There are two wrecks waiting for lovers of sunken iron.
First things first. First, let's look at the underwater life. The main attraction, or rather a symbol of the Illes Medes islands, are groupers, specifically grouped groupers, which is rare. It occurs in very large numbers, practically on every dive you can find several individuals growing up to 1.5 meters. In addition, they are used to divers, so it is not a problem to literally swim within your reach, but of course you should not touch them. You will certainly meet them most in spots with tunnels and caves, such as La Vaca or Dofi, which in my opinion are among the most beautiful. If you want to see big fish such as tuna, barracuda, stingrays, be sure to go to places open to the high seas such as Tasco Gros, Tasco Petit or Carall Bernat, where they usually live in larger shoals.
Moray eels, which are also abundant here, will look at you from holes in the walls and from stones on the seabed. In the crevices you can find sea eels, Mediterranean cod, lobsters and various small shrimps. Of course, you will come across
many other species of larger and smaller fish, both common and rare in the Mediterranean Sea. It is worth mentioning the gorgonians that occur on many walls here, creating a beautiful, continuous growth. They are both purple and yellow. There are also several species of nudibranchs that like to stay mostly in places with strong currents, such as the strait between Carall Bernat and Tasco Gros.
Tunnels and caves are mainly located at Dofi and La Vaca. You do not need a cave diver's certificate to enter these tunnels and caves as they are all large enough and you can always see the other side through the tunnel. But the light will definitely be useful here. There are several tunnels in Dofi, the largest of which is about 80 meters long and larger in diameter than the Prague metro tunnel. There is also a cave at this location that leads from a depth of 18 meters into an air pocket. It can accommodate several divers, and thanks to the porous rock, the air is breathable. The most beautiful tunnels, in my opinion, can be found in La Vaca. There are actually two
parallel tunnels, one narrow for one diver right next to the other, wide tunnel through which the subway will again pass without any problems. In addition, the entrances to these tunnels are regularly guarded by several groupers.
Wrecks are located a short distance from the port, along the coast. The first one is called Reggio. It was a 132 m long ferry that was artificially sunk in 1992 as an attraction for div-
ers. Unfortunately, the best place to sink it was not chosen. Due to storms and strong currents, the wreck gradually broke into three parts, between which today the distance is several dozen meters. With the less visibility we usually see here, it becomes even more difficult to navigate between the individual fragments. Still, there are a few well-preserved that provide interesting views, such as the still standing mast. The second wreck is El Marmoler. Ship carrying a cargo of marble that can still be seen in the hold. It sank after hitting the coast in 1971. However, the distance to this wreck from the port of L'Estartit is over 8 kilometers and the visibility on the wreck is usually poor. I dived here when the visibility right next to the wreck dropped from the beautiful transparency of the sea to about 2 m. Diving bases do not come here too often.
ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS
If you don't just want to dive, you will find many other sports and entertainment options here. Of course there is a large sandy beach, you can rent pedal boats, sea kayaks, jet skis, kites and even a new flybording. If, for example, you are going here with a family that does not dive, even they do not have to be deprived of underwater life experience. All you need to do is buy a ticket for one of the glass-floor boats and you will be able to observe how life in the reserve is vibrant. Rocca Maura, 226 meters high, takes about 45 minutes to climb right above the city. It offers a wonderful view of the entire city and islands. If you like monuments, Barcelona is just 100 km away, and tourist buses leave almost every day to visit Barcelona's most interesting places, such as the unfinished Sagrada de Familia church or Antoni Gaudí's Park Güell, La Rambla and singing fountains. North of L'Estartit lies the city of Empuriabrava, known as the Spanish Venice. Here you can rent a boat and cross the canals between the houses.
TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION
If you go here individually, you can of course fly to Barcelona and from there take a train and bus to L'Estartit. Low-cost carriers fly here, but tickets do not include the transport of more luggage that we, as divers, need. Another option is to travel by your own car. However, it is over 1,600 kilometers from Prague, and thanks to tolls on highways, especially in France, it is not very profitable. We have been using bus transport for years. You spend about 20 hours on the bus, but with a bottle of good drink, time flies quite quickly;) You can stay in one of the hotels or choose apartment hotels with a fully equipped kitchen. So if you don't want to spend every day on eating in restaurants, you have the option to cook for yourself, prices in shops are comparable to prices in the Czech Republic.
Marsa Alam
Text SYLWIA KOSMALSKA-JURIEWICZ
Photos ADRIAN JURIEWICZ
I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.
J.B. Priesley
A few days earlier, before any signs on Earth and Heaven indicated that our trip to Egypt would take place, I had a dream. I dreamed of dolphins swimming in an emerald bay right next to the beach where I collected colourful bird feathers.
Back then, I didn't know this dream was like a promise. A prophecy that was soon to come true… In one of the two open cafes at Chopin's international airport in Warsaw, I ordered a coffee latte with soy milk, to take away. The day before, I did the Covid-19 test, which I put in my backpack together with my passport to show it at check-in. Almost all shops, restaurants and kiosks have closed. Today there is no trace of numerous tourists travelling, queues and noise at the airport, which I remember from a year ago. Everywhere there is twilight and piercing silence… The sight scares me a bit. The departure board is always filled to the brim with flight numbers, but today there is only one flight, at 10:30 PM. This is my flight and I am flying to Marsa Alam, a place located in the southern part of Egypt.
I was awakened by the warm rays of the rising sun, which were penetrating with all their intensity into the spacious hotel room. I went out on the terrace to feast my eyes on the vastness of the cloudless, azure sky. The hotel is surrounded by miles of gardens, lushly planted with palm trees, shrubs and flowers. The narrow alleys are crossed by white, wooden pergolas that bend under the pressure of colourful bougainvillea. I take a deep breath and revel in the scent of the air saturated with desert, sea and flowers. After long, cloudy and rainy weeks in Poland, I almost forgot how beautiful and colourful the world is. I am going to the beach which is very wide and very charming. The Red Sea is sparkling with aquamarine, here and there tourists are resting on deckchairs. I lie down on the sand and dip my feet in the sea, feeling a refreshing breeze on my body.
MARSA ALAM
Cairo
Hurghada
Now I know I really have come here.
The next day, at dawn, we get on the bus and go to the diving centre about 15 kilometres from our hotel. A wide asphalt road leads there. We drive about 20 minutes. During this time we have not seen any other car on the road. On the right, the desert stretches to the horizon. Inaccessible and sandy terrain, and on the other side, you can see the shoreline of the Red Sea, glistening in the morning sun. Diving off the coast of Marsa Alam is usually done from the shore. The diving centre that we use during our stay in Egypt is situated in an ideal location. We drive a maximum of twenty minutes to all diving spots. During the week-long vacation, we devote as many as five days to diving. Marsa Assalaya is a picturesque bay with emerald water located approximately 8 km from Marsa Alam. This is the first place we dive. It is an ideal location for advanced divers as well as those who are just starting their adventure with diving. The sandy bottom covered with sea grass very slowly slopes downwards, until at some point it merges with the beautiful coral gardens. The coral reef, full of life, gently descends to 50 m. During the first dive, we meet two large
turtles who unhurriedly enjoy the blades of sea grass. After a few minutes, they begin to slowly ascend to get some air. On their shells, the rays of the sun create colourful prisms that grow stronger with changing depth. We hang in the water for a few minutes, watching this unique spectacle that takes place just below the water surface. Someone who is now standing on the beach and staring at the sea does not even realise that right on the shore, at a shallow depth, two giant sea turtles are eating breakfast.
Diving in itself is something perfect in its simplicity. By adding underwater fauna and flora, absolute silence interrupted by breath and slow movements of arms and legs, and magical moments of loneliness, we get an addictive mixture that is difficult to describe in words. We are able to sacrifice a lot for those meetings with the underwater world, even a 10-day quarantine after returning to the country. This is because nothing else in the world can give us the sense of freedom, happiness and fulfilment that we get from communing with the inhabitants of the seas and oceans. We cannot fill the void with anything else when something we love is taken from us even for a moment.
From the outside, Marsa Samadai is a completely inconspicuous diving location, located just off the asphalt road 7 km from Marasa Alam. It is an open desert area with a wide, sandy bay, exposed to the wind on all sides. Like the previous dive spot, the site is also suitable for diving for advanced people and those who have just completed the basic OWD diving course. The sandy bottom very slowly goes down to 30 m. Diving here, we get the impression that a lush coral reef surrounds us on all sides, and huge rock blocks covered with corals create a natural shelter for sea creatures such as monkfish, crocodile fish, turtles, rays and moray eels. The farthest dive point we reached is Gebel Rossa, where we dived for two days. It is a picturesque, narrow bay on both sides, sheltered by sandy cliffs, protecting us from the wind (which in January is something natural in this part of the world).
Diving here, we get the impression that a lush coral reef surrounds us on all sides, and huge rock blocks covered with corals create a natural shelter for sea creatures such as monkfish, crocodile fish, turtles, rays and moray eels.
The day is sunny and the air temperature exceeds 25°C. On the sandy shore, in an even row, there are sun umbrellas embedded in the sand, their glory days are long behind them. They blend in perfectly with the landscape and create
a holiday atmosphere. I slowly put my drysuit on, but put it on only over my thermal underwear. The water temperature varies between 22 and 23°C, depending on the location and depth. Thanks to the drysuit, I feel comfortable underwater. Other people who accompany us dive in 5 mm wetsuits. I have been diving in a drysuit for so long that I have the impression that it has become my second skin. Wading in the water, we slowly enter the Red Sea, put on our fins, and after a while we descend to a depth of 18 m. Almost immediately we come across a wall covered with a lush coral reef, and in the depths we observe barracudas and other fish. A stingray buries itself very quickly in the sand, just below the overhang, and a tortoise flows right above the stingray. I have forgotten how beautiful and rich in life the coral reef of the Red Sea is. After diving, we rest under a small, wooden roof, which is located in such
a way that it protects against the scorching sun and wind. In the distance, against the background of the sandy mountains, three figures appear as if they were ghosts. They are coming our way very slowly. They are three Bedouin women: mother, daughter and granddaughter. Dressed in colourful robes that contrast beautifully with the azure sky and desert sand. Each of them carries a small bundle in hand. They stop right on the shoreline, between two moored boats. They sit crosslegged on the sand and take out colourful and various bracelets from their small bundles. They evenly arrange them on the cloth spread on the beach. With a gentle movement of the hand, they encourage us to come closer and look at all the beads with which they filled the fabric surface. I am interested in the desert women themselves more than the bracelets. Two of them, mother and daughter, are veiled. I buy bracelets from
a girl who smiles kindly at me. The oldest woman leans her back against one of the wooden boats. She takes out a small, handy spindle and yarn. On a wooden reel that gently sets in motion with his hand, she begins to wind individual strands of wool, which she forms with her fingers. I admire her talent and the ease with which she does it. I do not know from where, but after a while a young woman brings brushwood and starts lighting a fire in the sand. Shortly after, she puts a slightly worn silver kettle on it, into which she had poured finely ground coffee with ginger and poured cold water over it. Next to the hearth, she placed four cups that looked like giant thimbles. She pours a teaspoon of sugar into them successively, and then pours the brewed coffee. The air is filled with the unearthly aroma of freshly brewed coffee, which I am offered. I do not know how long I sat in the sand with desert women, savouring every sip of the dark nectar. Finally I got up, gave the empty
cup back and thanked for it from the bottom of my heart – the best I could do in thanks for a moment of real, undisturbed pleasure and normality.
Every place on earth has at least a few unique locations that somehow define and distinguish it. In my opinion, such a unique place that characterises the diving sites off the coast of Marsa Alam is the Samadai Reef, also known as Dolphin House. We sail about 1.5 hours on a large dive boat before we reach the destination. The sun slowly climbs the sky and the wind breaks the waves against the ship's side. The pristine crescent-shaped Samadai reef is inhabited by about 60 spinner dolphins. These herd animals have been coming into the world here since the beginning of time. They hunt here, breed young, rest, and above all, feel safe. It would seem that over the years they have become accustomed to the presence of humans. It is one of the few places in the world where we can swim and dive with dolphins in their natural environment. We have already visited this location twice during our previous stays in Marsa Alam, but each time the dolphins were not at home. This time it is different.
There is such a strange feeling as if the world stopped for a moment, when the gray backs of dolphins glistening in the
sun appear on the horizon. Everything else ceases to matter, becomes pale and permanent. A large herd swims in a compact group, from time to time emerging to the surface to get some air. Thanks to the ability to store oxygen in the muscles, they can stay under water longer. Dolphins have a large brain, they are extremely intelligent animals, and according to scientists, their intellect is on par with chimpanzees. They learn quickly what man has used cruelly. Dolphins are captured and placed in dolphinariums, which are no different from prisons. While in the wild they live up to 50 years, in captivity they live a maximum of 2 years on average. In confinement, they get very sick, face depression, the most common cause of which is loss of freedom and longing for the herd – family. Over the course of thousands of years, numerous legends associated with dolphins have arisen. Australian aborigines believed that they were magical creatures who came from the stars to teach man how to enjoy life…
Don’t settle for less.
Elite design. Top performance. With Atomic Aquatics, the only limits are your own.
The Maledives
A country like from a magazine, because if Paradise exists on earth, it is very possible that it is there in the Indian Ocean.
Text and photos BARTOSZ PSZCZÓŁKOWSKI
The atolls are surrounded by blue water of various shades. They are built of smaller and larger islands extending over a distance of 800 km. Inside the atolls there are lagoons, and the shallow clear water has a temperature of 27–30 degrees. Outside the atolls, the shades of blue change their colour to more and more intense navy blue, due to the rapidly falling slopes to considerable depths. These are the slopes of a collapsed volcano, on which a coral reef grows, hence the predominant geometric figure is a circle, a ring made of the remains of coral skeletons. The rings of the atolls are not closed, creating channels in which the underwater currents are very strong. It is here that you can meet clusters of sharks, eagle rays, tunas, mackerels and jackfish. However, you have to remember to be prepared for these conditions and skillfully swim in the currents.
It is worth planning a trip to the Maldives as soon as possible because there is a risk that this place will be swallowed up by the ocean over the next 20 years. Built from the remains of a coral reef, these islands are maximally 2 meters high at the highest point. This increases the risk of floods on the islands, and at the same time this is reason why there are amazingly
beautiful views there, especially from the bird's eye perspective. This makes the Maldives a unique country on the scale of our planet. Several species of lizards, huge bats and herons live among the palm trees on land. But when we immerse a few metes below the suface of the water, wow... Lots of fish, big and small, can make you dizzy.
Thanks to the fact that I had the opportunity to be on the Maldives several times I met and was able to observe the diversity of large animals, but I will write about it later in the article
SRI LANKA
Bombay Male
INDIA
There is the lagoon on the left sidde, on the right, at the edge of the reef, waves break to form a whitish line
There are two ways to visit the Maldives. You can stay at one of many resorts that are located on many islands of the atoll. It is a place of total relaxation on the very shore of the ocean where you just leave your bungalow and you are on the beach. By prior arrangement, you can go diving with a resort operator and this is basically the best attraction. The island offers a gym, spa area, massage, and the entire land area can be walked wide and lengthwise within a few hours. It is maybe a pleasant vacation form, but a bit boring for me and consuming a lot of money.
A safari boat is a brilliant solution for people looking for both leisure and activity, but also adventure. Thanks to the trip organized by Pazola Travel & Adventure, I had the opportunity to participate in such a safari in the atolls of the Maldives. We visited four atolls around the capital city called Male and I must admit that it was an amazing trip. We focused on observing and looking for a large game and on the day of arrival we dived near the fish factory in a place called "AQUARIUM". After the first minutes, we already knew where this name came from. The enormous number of fish around us made an amazing impression, huge moray eels welcomed us opening their mouths,
and the large stingrays caused to accelerate the beating of our hearts, by swimming close, very close to us. A fantastic diving, and this is just a warm-up.
You know the saying that appetite comes with eating, right? It is in the Maldives that these words will fit perfectly into the reality, especially when travelling by safari boat. After diving, a delicious dinner for all the participants of the trip was served. It was loud, because everyone told and experienced the impressions of the dives, and especially the view of the huge rays. The moments of relaxation on the deck of the Carina boat after the meal did not last long, as fatigue took over. I slept like a baby and needed a few hours of sleep because the first dive the next day was early in the morning. I love these sunrise dives, because at this time life on a coral reef, like my diving companions, awakens from sleep. There is a unique atmosphere there.
Well, let us dive into the water. Huge shoals of colorful fish, thousands of geen triggerfish flying, like angels, around the divers, a monkfish stuck to a sponge, completely invisible, and sharks, white-tip sharks and gray reef sharks, eagle rays, whiprays. Even the curious octopus leaned out of its pit, to greet us
One of the resorts in the Maldives
Gorgonia and other reef-building animals, 30 meters deep
Carpet anemone with amphiprions
in its underwater world. We dive to a depth of thirty meters, to admire this underwater garden. Here the air is used up faster, because the pressure is higher than in the shallower parts of the reef. However, it is in the shallows that we can observe the explosion of tropical underwater life. In these near-surface zones of coral reefs you can relax, because this is the last part of the dive, however, you need to remember about the "safety stop", check the computer, and release the buoy, so that our "Dhoni" – the dive boat – is able to locate us. We finish the dive away from the edge of the reef, we sail from the shallows to the depths of several meters to ensure the safety of the dive boat that will take us to Carina, our floating home.
After the morning dive, a delicious breakfast awaits us, a morning coffee and we sail to the next magical diving site. A great attraction is in front of us, a night dive with manta rays. It is a great adventure that I would definitely recommend to anyone. We dive next to the boat to a depth of 10 meters and stick our torches into the sand with the light upwards. This is a trick that causes the flashlight beam to attract large
amounts of plankton. This is food for mantas and other fish. After a few minutes, a commotion begins, manta rays are already flying over our heads and there is a large whipgray and a gray reef shark swimming in the area. More manta rays come and glide with great grace in the water, to collect as much food as possible, while giving us a unique show of moving in water. You can observe it for hours on your knees and only, periodically reminding yourself to breathe. An unforgettable experience!!!
After this dive, it is time for a meal and I am looking forward to the attractions of the next day. I went to bed late, because by the boat for a few more hours you could watch manta rays fishing for plankton at the very surface. Several participants of the Carina safari expedition did not dive, however, were keenly interested in our reports on underwater animal sightings. When the manta ray appeared near the water surface near the boat, one travel companion dared to enter the water and look at the manta rays snokelling in their company. If you do not dive and you think that you will be bored on the safari
Gray reef sharks during morning hygiene at the cleaning station
Alimatha Jetty greets us with a variety of large fish
boat on the Maldives, then you are wrong. Landing on sandy, uninhabited islands is an everyday reality for non-divers. You can sunbathe on the white sand, swim with a mask and a snorkel and watch sharks, turtles and many other interesting sea creatures. You just have to like water and sun, right?
Another day of diving is Mufushi Rock, a famous dive site, to admire manta rays during the daytime. It is a rock formation, quite an unusual part of the reef, called a "cleaning station", where the manta rays come to the spa to get rid of parasites and for a general care program :) You can observe small oblong bluish fish circling near the mantas. They are wrasses, cleaners who take care of hygiene on the coral reef, and their services are used by virtually all predators, but also fish such as oriental sweet lips or napoleons. Here we had the opportunity to see and admire manta rays in the daylight, and these creatures did not pay attention to us at all. However, we got a few tips even before entering the water, during the briefing, i.e. a predive taining. It is essential, not to enter the area of the cleaning station and not to follow the manta rays as we may scare them away. We stopped at the place indicated by our guide and began our observation. It turned out that the manta rays are interested in the bubbles that we release from our breathing regulatos. They started to play with these bubbles and thus literally fly over our heads. It is difficult to describe it with the words, but imagine that a person underwater is like in the cinema, and, in addition, has the best seats. The impressions are worth recommending to anyone who has at least a little delicacy and admiration for nature. And this is because these
We go ashore, which sways underfoot
Barbecue on a desert island, it was delicious
Carina in all its glory
are the last places, where man has not yet disturbed the ecosystem, as it happens on land.
After the dive, we got very excited because the crew announced to us that we were going to have lunch on a desert island, wow… Everyone started looking for the best outfits :) to do their best during the barbecue on a sandy island. It was sensational, but it was also strange to go ashore for a longer time and many people thought that the island was somehow swaying. Our ear labyrinths needed a moment to switch to land conditions. Delicious food, grilllfried shrimps, shashliks made of vegetables, fruit and chicken, huge horse mackerel baked on the fire. We were just licking our fingers while eating. The participants of the expedition had the opportunity to get to know each other better and exchange travel and diving experiences in the atmosphere of the sound of the ocean and the rustle of palm leaves. The events of the following days and dives knocked us off our feet. Everyone was glad that he got here and could participate in this expedition.
During one evening, whale sharks came to us, attracted by the abundance of plankton swirling in the light of the boat. Imagine seven whale sharks jostling in the line to the spot with the most plankton. The experiences were unforgettable
and so strong that I needed to share them with my relatives. I called them and showed them everything through my phone camera. Great emotions. The smallest of the sharks was five meters long, and swimming among them was unusual and challenging as, due to the risk of tactile contact. These animals have a special coating on the body, the contact of which causes wounds. Remember that we are the guests in this magical underwater world and that diving or swimming alone disturbs its peace and balance. Therefore, let us try to ensure that our visits have as little impact on this environment as possible. Let us respect the nature so that our children have something to admire and that they can experience similar experiences and emotions as we do, because it builds awareness and sensitivity to the environment and wildlife that inhabits them.
I experienced the climax of the whole trip during the sunset dive at dusk in a place called Alimatha Jetty. It was at the pier of our resort where nurse sharks of up to three and a half meters in size gather daily. When the sun goes down the sharks activate and begin to circle the divers completely ignoring them. They are looking for food, but do not worry, there are no people in their menu, but for us, being among such large predators is associated with big emotions :) It turned out that in
A whale shark while pulling
pushing to plankton
addition to nurse sharks there are also large gray reef sharks, whiprays, eagle rays and large herds of bluefins and giant trevallies. It was amazing and the whole show took place at a depth of ten meters. After diving during dinner, it was really loud, full of emotions and impressions that everyone experienced. Nobody wanted to come back to Poland anymore, only to stay here and to experience it again :)
So far, I have told you about large animals from the Maldives, but there was also a dive that impressed me due to the unique encounter with a bizarre fish, which has always been my dream to see. Harlequin ghost pipefish, but that is another story :)
The Safari succeeded because the crew were great and very helpful. The crew made this week in the tropics easier for us, and the diving guides did their best to provide us with impressions, about which we will talk for a long time :) At this point, I must thank the organiser of the trip, Piotr Pazola from Pazola Travel & Adventure from Warsaw, for the excellent organisation and having prepared the whole trip with perfection. In the times of the pandemic, this is not an easy task. Piotr's many years of experience in travelling and organising diving trips allowed us to experience unforgettable emotions and moments that I reminisce every day.
And I'm already looking forward to my next trip to the Maldives in April.
Masz ochotę poznawać świat? Chcesz uniknąć masowych wycieczek? Interesują Cię kierunki, które kuszą czymś więcej niż tylko ciepłym klimatem i nie są jeszcze zadeptane przez turystów?
Whalesharks
Diving Talks
My conversation with Arlindo Serrao, organizer of the International Diving Congress
Wojciech Zgoła: Arlindo, we did diving together 2 years ago. Since then, we have been trying to encourage Polish (and foreign) divers to visit Portugal, which has a lot to show, also under water. Are you able to indicate your favorite dive site in Portugal?
Arlindo Serrao: Only one?! Portugal (mainland) and the Azores and Madeira archipelagos are perfect destinations for recreational and technical divers. My favourite dive site would be the Serra d’Aire region because I love to dive caves, and there we have Almonda and Alviela for cave diving during the summer
and Olho de Mira and Pena for the winter diving. However, Portugal offers much more. For diving recreational in mainland Portugal, I would choose Sesimbra; the marine reservation has dozens of different dive spots and wreck dives. The Berlengas where you find the most transparent waters in continental Europe and many dive spots full of life. If you prefer to dive with the big pelagics, I would recommend Madeira or the Azores, base camping, for example, in the Santa Maria island. From there, dive the right spots to meet whalesharks, manta rays, and other species, you name it.
Tróia, bird's-eye view
Why do you dive at all and when did you start watching what is happening underwater?
My motivation was, first of all, wanting to breathe underwater and staying there having fun and observing not only life but also the fascinating underwater landscape.
How did your passion develop and did you find enough time to dive while working professionally?
I fall in love with wreck diving, and especially with the incredible feeling you get to experience diving inside the wrecks, visiting inner compartments, such as the engine rooms, etc. Therefore I decided to become a technical diver for the increased opportunities technical diving would bring within. All my subsequent decisions were to learn more and become an increasingly more competent technical diver.
At what point did you want to become a cave diver? For me, it was a natural decision after discovering the feeling of diving inside wrecks. It is fascinating to dive through submerged compartments, closed spaces. So it was quite a small step to start cave diving. It is incredible, the ultimate diving; the feeling of permanent discovery, the galleries, walls, and of course, all the planning and execution of the dive, give diving a completely different meaning.
Did you first have the idea to switch to a rebreather and then start exploring the caves? Or did you start cave diving and then the natural route was the rebreather diver course and your first own rebreather?
I first completed the technical diver courses to trimix and full cave and after that crossed the road to rebreather diving. Now I am a TDI certified CCR Mixed Gas and Full Cave diver.
Where did the idea for a large diving conference in Portugal come from?
After attending conferences such as Eurotek and watching presentations from world-leading divers, I immediately thought we should have an event like that in Portugal. An event such as the Diving Talks is an opportunity to watch the best of the best divers are doing worldwide and also to meet them, talk with them face to face. That is unique.
Was it easy to put the idea into action?
Yes, it was. I talked with friends, divers and others involved in ocean-related activities, they welcomed the idea, and we started working on the project. After that, we presented the project to the Portuguese Tourism Board that supported the concept and with the Grandola Municipality that has jurisdiction over the Troia Peninsula, and their enthusiasm led us to keep on moving forward.
Center of events, Aqualuz Tróia
Hotel Aqualuz
Hotel Aqualuz
How has the environment reacted? Were such large diving conferences organized in the country before?
I couldn’t think highly of the reaction we got from all the parties we connected with, trying to put all the necessary pieces together. As I already mentioned, the Tourism Board and the Grandola Municipality immediate ”yes, count on us” was significant. The reaction of the diving community was fantastic, too. The divers we invited to come as keynote Speakers, who accepted to join us; some others offering to do so, and the support we are receiving from the brands that are deciding to sponsor the event. Those reactions guarantee that Diving Talks will be a fantastic diving event, if not an important diving event in Europe in 2021.
Who came up with the name for this meeting and why this name – Diving Talks?
We were working on the project, and someone said, ”talking about diving is the second best thing for divers”. The name came up naturally: ”Diving Talks”! And the signature too: let’s talk about diving. We want this Congress to be the starting point of a future Talks continuous event. Our idea is to have the Congress yearly or every other year and from one physical event to the other, to connect the editions, promoting virtual Talks.
The purpose is to offer an attractive event with as much visibility as possible, leading divers sharing their experiences with the diving community, network with them, and to promote a vivid debate on other important diving related subjects such as health and diving and technological advancements.
What is the interest in Portugal and in the world?
The feedback we have is an excellent indicator. We are sure we will have as many attendees as we can, and I say this because of eventual COVID pandemic related restrictions that may force us to reduce the number of attendees. We expect to have more foreign than domestic attendees.
Say a few words about the conference itself. What to do to be on it and how much does it cost?
DIVING Talks – Portugal 2021 will occur in Portugal, October 8 to 10.
The Congress will feature 22 Talks by powerful keynote speakers from Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, Poland (Krzystof Starnawski), Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United States and Wales.
What is the purpose of this conference, what do you want to achieve with it?
We expect to host over 250+ worldwide attendees during three fantastic days at the Tróia Peninsula – a gigantic dune forming over thousands of years, with the Atlantic Ocean west and the Sado estuary east.
Tróia Resort is the perfect site to talk about diving and an excellent opportunity to schedule a family weekend escapade. No need to leave your family or partner behind. We are preparing specific experiences for those coming and not attending the Talks. If coming from far, my recommendation is to arrive one week before or leave one week after, and spend a week diving in Portugal.
Are you afraid that a pandemic will thwart your plans?
I am an optimist, and I believe we will be able to do it as planned. We will integrate all the health and safety recommendations so that Congress is a safe event.
However, I’m also a realist, so we have established a particular provision, ”COVID Policy”, stating that if we need to postpone the event, attendees and sponsors keep their rights for the delayed edition. If they cannot attend the postponed event, the Organization will reimburse any amounts paid, deducting only eventual payment channels fees or commissions. We think this is very important because it reduces the financial risk to (almost) zero.
Center of events, Aqualuz Tróia
But there’s a warning here too. If you want to come, don’t delay the decision, because as I mentioned earlier, we might reduce the number of attendees because of the social distancing rulings.
Thank you for the interesting conversation and for the possibility of taking the media patronage of Diving Talks by Perfect Diver Magazine. Thank you, Wojciech, I look forward to meeting you at the Diving Talks.
Guardian Angels
POLISH MEDICAL AIR RESCUE
You can try to divide divers into those who are aware of the dangers and those who do not pay attention to securing the diving site.
Text HUBERT REISS Photos JACEK KRAWCZYK
Everyone follows their own (hopefully) sound and logical thinking and training. Therefore, in this article, I’m not going to touch or judge the divers’ moral attitude :)
I want to tell a story about the Guardian Angels from a different point of view: a story of passionate people, engaging entirely in what they do in their "job". Probably many of you saw more than once the Polish Medical Air Rescue flying somewhere overhead.
It is worth mentioning that Polish Medical Air Rescue (abbreviated to LPR – Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe in Polish) consists of Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) teams. There are 21 permanent air bases located throughout Polish territory, and one seasonal in Koszalin, launched during the summer.
24-hour duty bases are available in Gdansk, Krakow, Warsaw and Wroclaw. The rest of the bases are on duty from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Well, these are people ready to help at any time. But can each of us call a helicopter in an emergency?
Poznań Gorzów
Koszalin (seasonal base)
Szczecin
Gdańsk
Olsztyn
Suwałki
Białystok
Sokołów
Warszawa Płock
Bydgoszcz
Zielona Góra
Opole
WHO is entitled to call and who CALLS LPR?
This is not an average John Smith riding a bike next to the lake, nor even an outstanding instructor of this or that Federation, who is on site. Eligible persons to call the HEMS team (helicopter) are:
` the medical dispatcher referred to in Article 26 of the State Medical Rescue Act,
` LPR Operations Centre dispatcher,
` dispatchers of other rescue entities (State or Volunteer Fire Brigade, Mountain Volunteer Rescue Service, Tatra Voluntary Rescue Service, Water Volunteer Rescue Service, Polish Ship Salvage Co., Masurian Rescue Service) through the medical dispatcher referred to in point 1, or directly on the basis of signed agreements.
The role of witnesses to a dangerous situation is to provide assistance, if necessary, and call the relevant services on the emergency number 112. Note: we don't film or take pictures of the situation – we act. Every second counts.
It is only when the above mentioned actions have been taken, that the medical dispatcher (or other emergency services that arrived at the scene), after analysing the call, decide on the
need for HEMS support. But that's not all. It is also necessary to secure the landing site. This is dealt with by the Fire Brigade or a member of the helicopter crew.
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service crew includes a pilot, a paramedic or a nurse and a doctor.
What does it look like technically?
The helicopter can take on board one patient on a stretcher.
The maximum take-off weight is almost 3 tons. The weight of the helicopter with equipment is 1.4 tons. The rest is the weight of fuel (700 litres weighing 560 kg), the crew and the patient.
The flight range is 630 km.
Probably everyone has seen the movie "Helicopter on Fire" or the famous classic "Blue Thunder". Naturally, the question arises about the fleet. What do our Angels fly?
The fleet consists of multi-purpose helicopters from the German/French company Eurocopter, model EC135 P2+ and P3, which replaced the time-worn Mi2. They are agile and lightweight because the rotors and propeller blades consisting in 54% of composite ensure safe and stable flight. Each unit
is also equipped with a GPS satellite navigation system, a mobile map display, a laser radar for field obstacle detection, an observation payload (on the side of the fuselage), containing gyro-stabilized surveillance cameras working in the visible and infrared light range, a searchlight, a megaphone, communication and data transmission systems with the possibility of transmission encoding, a winch.
The machinery park includes also two aircraft of the Italian brand Piaggio P.180 Avanti. In the hangars of the "small fleet" for training purposes there are also two helicopters Robinson R-44 Raven II and three aircraft Tecnam P2008JC MkII.
And what does an emergency call look like in practice?
The HEMS helicopter is ready to take off within 3–6 minutes from the call. Within a few minutes it is able to fly to the accident site about 60 km away. Let us remember that every minute is valuable to a potential patient. For divers, this is especially important. The time to reach the Clinic of Hyperbaric Medicine and Marine Rescue – National Center for Hyperbaric Medicine in Gdynia, in case of suspicion of DCS (decompression sickness) or DCI (decompression illness – that is, decompression sickness and pulmonary barotrauma) is crucial.
Of course, there are procedures for everything. After the helicopter lands at the site and the pilot allows the rescuer to leave the machine, the rescuer gets off and checks to see if the touchdown took place in a safe environment. If so, the rescuer gives a sign to the pilot with a raised thumb. The doctor
then reports "I'm leaving" and waits for the pilot's decision. The pilot gives the command "Go" in case of agreement, and the doctor leaves the helicopter carrying a backpack and other necessary medical equipment, and sets off toward the site of the accident.
Every morning at 7:00 a.m., crews are checked during briefing in every base. The pilot shall check the HEMS crew's preparation for the duty according to a check list.
Interesting facts about patient transport procedures and the equipment that is on board:
` each patient during the flight outside the supervision of the Medical Caretaker must be monitored for electrocardiography, pulse oximetry and blood pressure. The remaining parameters are monitored according to the needs and condition of the patient;
from the ground. Such cooperation is invaluable in mountainous areas;
` on the rear door there is a small blue first aid kit, which comprises equipment of the machine... Some might be surprised by this fact – a small first aid kit in a HEMS he-
Since its inception, LPR has transported 116,000 patients! Every Lifeguard (a helicopter), as they are called so in the bases, is a mini hospital with a pharmacy in the sky.
` a rope is attached to a special beam on the side of the helicopter, on which the GOPR rescuer (Mountain Volunteer Rescue Service) can make a landing to the injured directly from the deck of the helicopter –this allows to pick up the victim and transport to a safe place. This ensures faster access the places inaccessible
licopter, where there is a lot of medical equipment? However, its presence constitutes the implementation of the aviation rules on aircraft emergency equipment;
` in the pilot's cabin there is a halon fire extinguisher (safer than the standard powder extinguisher) designed for use in small spaces, which reduces the possibility of damage to the avionics;
` helicopters are also a huge support in transporting patients with covid19 in case of a heavy overload on ambulances.
Each diving trip should be carefully and consciously planned, and the site (diving base) equipped at least with an oxygen kit. Although HEMS pilots can land literally anywhere, a designated helicopter landing pad is a priority to facilitate a potential rescue action.
Think, plan and dive consciously to avoid any dangers ;)
Find
Underwater archeology courses
WHAT FOR? FOR WHOM? HOW?
What do we do when we find an ancient-looking object underwater? How to secure it? Should it be removed or not? Whom to report it to? What is legal and what is not?
Divers sometimes face these and many other dilemmas during their underwater adventures. While sensitivity to the environment and ecology is drilled into us already during basic training, when the instructors teach us we are not supposed to touch plants or animals, awareness of existing threats for the cultural heritage is totally ignored.
At no stage of a basic course nor during further stages do divers learn anything about underwater archeological relics or how to act if you encounter one. Remember however, that this is our heritage, even though it is deposed underwater, and it should be as important for us as castles or paintings in museums!
Fortunately, some federations and scientific centers offer courses and training programs for divers, spreading awareness about what to do and how to act if you encounter an underwater archeology item. In Europe, there are underwater archeology courses for divers offered by CMAS and PADI. Additionally, some European research centers also offer training branded by the Nautical Archaeology Society. Yet this is not the only way to learn about underwater archeology for divers. There are also some universities and research centers that offer so-called “field schools”, where during regular archeolog-
Text MATEUSZ POPEK
Photo Marcin Trzciński
ical research participants are acquainted with the underwater archeologists’ methods of work.
When choosing an underwater archeology course, pay particular attention to the lecturers and the training program. The instructors should have an archeological background and appropriate licenses, as well as documented experience and practice in underwater archeology. Experience and competencies of the research scientists, as it is them who should teach during such courses, consist of years of research and field work and the number of persons already trained. Scientific skills are measured with the quality and quantity of research papers. Nowadays, you can browse such papers in services like Academia.edu or ResearchGate, where scientists share the results of their research on their profiles.
Another thing to consider is the curriculum of the course. Note that the course is not supposed to make us into an underwater archeologist (there are separate university studies for that) but rather prepare us for potential contact with any relics found during recreational diving. Every training program should start with underlining the importance of underwater archeological heritage for modern people. Another crucial aspect is the legal situation in a given country. Note that regulations regarding underwater relics differ based on our location.
Only after such an introduction can we proceed with more practical issues. One of the most basic skills to acquire during the course is to be able to secure a relic and to localize it. So that it is easy to find again after reporting to the relevant authorities. Another topic to be covered should be the types of underwater archeological sites and their identification, so that the participants are able to correctly identify the objects they come across.
Photo Marcin Trzciński
Photo Mateusz Popek
In Poland, one of the centers offering such training, both as courses and as a “field school”, is the Underwater Archeology Center of the N.Copernicus University in Toruń. The unit has been conducting research and providing training for underwater archeology students for almost 40 years.
Then, it is time for a field session. At this point, the course program should focus on techniques of identifying and securing underwater archeological objects. The participant should learn to recognize the area around the artifact in order to see whether there are any similar objects around. Then, the instructor should demonstrate how to secure and safely mark such area so that it is possible to return to the same place after reporting it to the competent authorities.
Course programs vary depending on organization. PADI offers a single-stage course, focusing on the essential aspects of underwater cultural heritage. With CMAS, the course consists of two levels. The first level focuses on a similar program as above, while during the second one the participants acquire skills required for working with professional underwater archeologists. In the case of the Nautical Archaeology Society branded courses, there is a five-stage training program ranging from “Introduction”, to teach you about what cultural heritage is, to “Part 4” where the trainees are designing their own research project.
In Poland, one of the centers offering such training, both as courses and as a “field school”, is the Underwater Archeology Center of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. The unit has been conducting research and providing training for underwater archeology students for almost 40 years. The staff consists of research scientists with expertise documented both by their field work and numerous research papers,
Photo Marcin Trzciński
Photo Mateusz Popek
Photo Marcin Trzciński
the contents of which are presented in an accessible manner during such courses. The center runs courses in the two-stage CMAS system, addressed mainly to recreational divers. During the first stage, the participants learn about the abovementioned topics. The second stage additionally features documentation techniques and field prospection methods. The second stage is sufficient for the participant to join research conducted by professional underwater archeologists.
The other form of the course, the “field school”, is primarily addressed to Polish and international archeology students. During such training, students participate in underwater research, at the same time gaining skills used during such activities. To date, the NCU’s Underwater Archeology Center hosted students and research scientists from many European centers.
To sum up, remember how important underwater cultural heritage is for our history and identity. During underwater adventures, we can encounter some of it and it would be nice to know how to act. This is where underwater archeology courses come in handy. Note however that, like with choosing a good diving instructor, also in this case it is important to take into account the professional approach and the expertise of the lecturers.
Fish-eating ducks
Text and photos WOJCIECH JAROSZ
Mergansers are birds that go snorkelling… but without a snorkel. This birdy snorkelling is similar to the human variation of the activity in the fact, that the reason to go underwater is searched for from the surface.
The mergansers, of course, look for food beneath the water surface, dipping their head, and when they notice something that can taste them, they make a neat manoeuvre and set off in pursuit. The pursuit is not always successful, because the main target of these birds are fish, which, as you know, can move around in the water quite briskly. Mergansers have a chance in these underwater struggles, because they acquire their competences in subsurface locomotion from almost the first moments of their lives, and evolution
has equipped them with appropriate adaptations. Let's take a closer look at these interesting birds!
Merganser (Mergus merganser) from the zoological and taxonomic point of view belong to Mergini (a tribe) from the duck subfamily, in the Anatidae family. These belong to the order of Anseriformes, which, apart from ducks, also includes geese, swans and many other, slightly less known groups of birds mainly associated with water. In the breeding colouration, males differ significantly from females – black, glistening with greens head, white neck and sides, black upper part. After the breeding season, males shed their "tuxedos" and become similar to grey females with brown heads. Interestingly, the characteristic tuft of feathers on the head is more visible in females than in males – apparently, attention to original styling is the domain of the female gender not only in representatives of the Homo sapiens species. Among ducks, mergansers are distinguished by their size, because the wingspan can reach almost one meter. What distinguishes them at the first glance from their cousins, however, is their bill. It is adapted to catch fish, and this is a rarity among the representatives of most species of ducks. The bills of these Mergini therefore resemble
Mergansers in winter
more those of cormorants than those of the mallards, or, for example, garganeys, tufted ducks and wigeons, which prefer a vegetarian diet on a daily basis. The merganser bill is an efficient tool for catching fish, as it has serrated edges and is hooked at the end. As a rule, they catch fish not exceeding 10 cm in length, but they can cope with a quarter of a meter too. In order to get a meal, they usually dive to a depth of 3–4 meters, although, according to professional sources, mergansers can dive up to 30 meters. They usually do not stay underwater for more than 20-30 seconds, although again, they can stay longer when there is need or necessity. The method of tracking fish by looking for it from the surface, with only their heads immersed, allows these birds to live only in places where the water is clear enough.
Mergansers are most often associated with the environment of mid-forest water reservoirs and forested shores of flowing waters. There they can find a nesting place and something to eat. Hollow trees near reservoirs with fish are what mergansers like best. In recent years, however, there have been individuals that have adapted to life in an anthropogenic environment. Today you can meet these birds on the Brda Riv-
er in Bydgoszcz, and even in Warsaw. A few years ago, photos of a female leading her newly hatched young through a busy street of Warsaw on the way from Łazienkowski Park to the Vistula River appeared in the nationwide media. Due to the fact that it was not a single episode, good people organise information campaigns in the capital, they hang leaflets in the area of Myśliwiecka and Czerniakowska Streets, and on the first of the aforementioned streets, special zebra crossings have even been painted in the place where bird paths intersect with ours. Before the young hatch, from the early spring the females peek more and more favourably towards the males, who dressed in beautiful breeding feathers at this time of the year, get ready for a date with the chosen one. The key act usually takes place in March – the date takes place on the water, and when the lovemaking is over, the female starts looking for a nesting place. If the previous year's nest is available, it is eagerly used by the bird mom. Immediately after hatching, the young, driven by the instinct to follow their mother, sometimes regardless of the considerable height, jump out of the nest (and of course they cannot fly then). For the fluffy balls, as this is what the chicks look like then, gravity is not scary – at
Women's winter hairstyles
Mergansers are most often associated with the environment of mid-forest water reservoirs and forested shores of flowing waters. There they can find a nesting place and something to eat.
most, they will bounce on the litter once or twice. In the habit of nesting in hollows and jumping by the young ones they resemble their cousin – common goldeneye (another species among the Anseriformes with innate stunt skills). If the young avoid the dangers lurking for them (for example from predators) on their way to the water, they turn out to be natural swimmers. It is true that they do not immediately hunt for fish as effectively as their parents, but they make attempts almost from the first dive. At first, they eat insects collected from the surface of the water, but learn quite quickly what the best food for them is. It happens, not only to young ones, that mergansers eat something else. This is often the case in cities where they try to eat bread tossed by people (which is absolutely not
healthy for them). In mergansers living in multi-species herds in urban areas, pirate behaviour has also been observed. They then use their bills to harass other birds and take from them what they were about to consume. But let's get back to what is "normal" and to the young. During swimming and diving, a certain resistance to soaking with water can be useful. This is ensured by the secretion of the uropyginal gland, which in mature birds perfectly fulfils its role and is carefully distributed over all feathers (birds can do this for several hours a day!). Chicks, however, do not produce this oily substance in the right amount, so they eagerly take advantage of the possibility of impregnating themselves through contact with the mother's feathers. This is one of the reasons the female allows her chicks to ride on her back and hide under her wings. The image of a bird with a few chicks on its back is an observation that always causes affection, even in those for whom such a sight is nothing new. It is worth noting that the merganser female can handle such a "ballast" quite well and, if necessary, she can sail faster and even dive (without losing her passengers, of course). Where can we meet mergansers? They can be found throughout the northern hemisphere of our planet, during the breeding season usually sticking to the taiga belt and adjacent
Watchful mother bird
areas further south. Many populations leave the coldest regions for the winter, as hunting is impossible in frozen waters. In Poland, these birds nest more frequently in lake districts, along the Vistula and on the lower Oder River. It is easiest to meet wintering birds when they form large flocks. The greatest concentrations can be found in the Szczecin Lagoon and Dąbie Lake, but also in the Gulf of Gdańsk, in the mouth of the Vistula and the lower Oder. However, you can count on the observations of mergansers, especially in winter, on many larger rivers of Europe.
Finally, a linguistic note for Polish readers: dear Readers, do not be surprised when you come across the male form of the name "merganser", often used by ornithologist or professional literature. In colloquial language, the feminine form that I used in this text is much more often used. So look out for mergansers while you are by or in the water!
Serrated beak
A male in a mating robe
Baltic dolphins
Text AGATA TUROWICZ-CYBULA
Photos MICK BAINES & MAREN REICHELT
It emerges above the surface of the water only for a moment necessary to draw air. Only when it is feeding do we have the opportunity to see it flying above the water.
Harbour porpoises are one of the most enigmatic animals in the Baltic Sea. Meeting them is not easy. We need to be patient and, on a clear day, persistently observe the calm surface of the water, looking for a triangular, dark grey dorsal fin.
Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is a species of marine mammal belonging to the order of cetaceans and sub-order of toothed whales. Their coloration is dark grey on the back and gradually turns lighter in the ventral part. Unlike dolphins, their beak is round, not protruding, and the dorsal fin is low and triangular (in dolphins it is tall and sickle-shaped). They are the smallest whales in the world. Adult specimens reach a maximum length of 180 cm and a weight of about 60-70 kg, thus being almost half the size of dolphins. Young, immediately after birth, are about 80 cm long. Throughout her life, a female gives birth to a maximum of 4 calves, so it is characteristic of this species to take care of its offspring. Immediately after birth, the mother helps the calf get to the surface of the water so that it can take its first breath. The female always gives birth to only one calf, which she feeds for 6 to 8 months. When
it grows up, it often swims for some time with its mother until its completely independent. In the wild, porpoises live up to 17 years.
Unlike their dolphin cousins, porpoises are shy and introverted animals. They avoid contact with the man and flee to the sound of a motor boat engine. They usually swim alone, only sometimes you can spot a small group starting a hunt or a female with her young. Each time the porpoise emerges, you can hear a characteristic "puff", corresponding to a sudden ejection of used air through the nostril at the top of the head. They are most often found in seas in the coastal zone, they like shallow waters, sometimes they inhabit rivers and canals. In Europe, they inhabit the waters of the North Sea, Black Sea and the Baltic Sea.
The harbour porpoise is hard to find in our sea also because its numbers have dropped dramatically in recent years. Not so
long ago, tens of thousands of this species swam in the waters of the Baltic Sea. Unfortunately, there were so many of them that they often got trapped in fishing nets, destroying them and often the entire catch of the fisherman. They began to be treated as pests and exterminated. Additionally, since the 14th century, porpoises, like seals, have been regularly caught for their meat and fat. In the early twentieth century, you could even get a special financial bonus for killing a porpoise.
Currently, the population of the Baltic porpoises is estimated at about 500, which is why the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2008 gave it the status of critically endangered with extinction. Today, one of the main threats to porpoises is fishing nets. They are made of much more durable materials than before and, at the same time, less visible in water, which means that they are often a deadly trap for these animals.
Harbour porpoises, similarly to dolphins, use echolocation, so increasing underwater noise poses another threat to them. Military or geological detonations, various types of underwater works or even the sounds of motor boat engines causes that these animals feel stunned and startled, which makes them lose their orientation underwater. They often have problems with communication, locating food, and are not able to correctly recognise underwater obstacles.
We can all help these small mammals, first of all being aware of the dangers that await them. It is also important that we know what to do when we find an injured animal in need on the shore. First of all, we should notify the relevant services, such as the municipal police, the WWF Blue Patrol or the Marine Station of the Institute of Oceanography of the University of Gdańsk named after Professor Krzysztof Skora. We can also try to limit and best avoid water sports that are so dangerous for them. Let's hope that thanks to such little and big gestures, we will be able to save these wonderful animals and we will have the opportunity to admire them during our dives.
BUT BARE KEEPS YOU WARM ON EVERY DIVE.
Drainage nets
Common sense is essential for living in harmony with Nature and with ourselves.
If we sort our waste and throw them only to where they belong – perfect. It is very good if we re-use packaging and even better if we minimize their usage. Reducing plastic consumption and ensuring it gets recycled and not dumped into a forest, a river or an ocean means contributing a lot to creating life – and Nature-saving mechanisms.
As we read on interestingengineering.com, the Australian city of Kwinana has introduced a very simple and interesting solution. They use drainage nets to collect waste which has been contaminating their waterways.
As it turns out, it is both simple and cost-effective to keep city water sources clean.
Contamination in our waterways is not only dangerous and unhygienic; it also impacts the wildlife. This idea is even more exciting, and this initiative should inspire other communities, counties, town and cities to take exactly the same actions.
The Australian city of Kwinana has designed a simple and cost-effective solution to deal with the discharge of waste from
drainage systems. The outlets of drainage pipes have been fitted with strong, durable nets. The nets stop waste and pollution from leaving the sewers. This way, they are preventing the town’s water reserve from being contaminated by the garbage transported with rainwater. It is a simple filtering system and it works perfectly.
And the results in Kwinana? The city reported to have collected 370 kilograms of waste in just six months from two locations where the nets were installed. The collected debris is then separated and all recyclable materials are transported to a recycling center where biodegradable waste is processed and turned into fertilizer.
The city also reports that the nets were installed on concrete drainage pipe outlets with 750 mm and 450 mm diameter. In six months, the nets have been cleaned three times and not a single animal has been found trapped inside.
According to Carol Adams, the city mayor, the cost of the initiative was only about 20,000 AUD. – After watching the net at work in other municipalities, the city came to a conclusion that the net is the most cost-effective and the safest option compared to other methods which might be even four times more expensive per unit and are sealed and submerged structures.
We can talk about ecology, zero waste, plastic in oceans, about cleaning up the world. But we can also act and directly support the Nature. Let’s hope this example will inspire other municipalities and mayors to take similar actions.
Source https://interestingengineering.com
Source https://www.kwinana.wa.gov.au
Perfect Diver editorial team
Regulator
Text WOJCIECH A. FILIP
In 1867, Jules Verne saw the first diving suit at the Paris expo – the suit later worn by protagonists in his book
“20,000
Leagues Under the Seas”.
The book mentions two names: Rouquayrol and Denayrouz. The former was an inventor, who patented a breathing apparatus in 1860 to help miners escape from flooded mine galleries and several years later Rouquayrol and Denayrouz patented a classic diving suit equipped with a breathing system. A little earlier – in 1838 – an-
other Frenchman called Guillaumet invented a reducer to use gas in a controlled manner by effectively decreasing its pressure. And some time after that – in 1943 – two well-known individuals appear in the diving world: J.Y. Cousteau and E. Gagnan.
Cousteau and Gagnan modified the device invented by Rouquayrol and Denayrouz. Does that mean that a regulator first came onto the market at that time?
Not exactly. The breathing apparatus, which was later modified by Cousteau and Gagnan, had been mass-produced since 1865. Their company, La Spirotechnique, started to commercially market the regulator called CG45, which was later renamed to...
Aqua Lung (finally, a name we’ve heard of!). Initially, Aqua Lung was the property of U.S. Divers, a US company, which later changed its name to Aqualung America. And Bob's your uncle
Photo Tomasz Płociński
Do we know who invented the first regulator? No.
We know that your regulator is a version of Cousteau’s and Gagan’s invention that has been modified to various extents. Does it mean that all regulators are the same and just look differently?
In a way, yes.
What regulator should I buy?
What to do when a regulator falls into water (with no cylinder attached)? We will discuss it the second part of the article.
Is it a good idea to use the adjustment wheels on the second stage, and if so – how to do it?
Enjoy the material on regulators. You will find out how to make full use of your regulators, how to prepare them for different types of dives and maintain them. Answers will also be provided to some questions you didn’t think to ask.
To make information interesting both for beginners and advanced divers, Tecline Academy articles will be more clearly divided. Check out which version suits you best.
I encourage you to read the entire issue and if you have any
questions, do not hesitate to write in one of the Perfect Diver’s social media channels.
For advanced divers:
How to entirely prevent a regulator from freezing?
How to replace regulators underwater?
Is an increased breathing resistance beneficial when decompressing on oxygen?
Is my regulator the best there is?
If you have bought it recently, it is very likely.
Important for every diver, regardless of their skill level. In 2014, the standard governing requirements for diving regulators was drafted and came into force. Compared to the previous EN250 standard, it imposes greater requirements for easy breathing (less respiratory work is required), even when a regulator is used by two divers. It meant that many manufacturers had to significantly modify their products. Certain regulator models of less – and well-known manufacturers disappeared from the market. They were replaced by new regulators that meet the strict requirements of the standard and, consequently, improve our breathing comfort underwater.
What is a ”standard”? What does it mean for us divers? What a diver buying their first regulator should know about the standard?
Photo Michal Sevecek
Photo Tomasz Płociński
The EN 250/2014 standard is (from a diver’s point of view) a set of requirements imposed on the regulator manufacturers by the European Union, allowing for determining exactly how a regulator should behave under different conditions, e.g. in very cold water, when used by two extremely stressed out people, when a regulator is very hot or... under standard conditions.
Buying a regulator compliant with EN 250/2014
The latest standard made shopping much easier. The requirements imposed on regulator manufacturers, forcing them to increase safety, eliminated poor-quality equipment from the market.
It means that beginners may buy regulators almost at random. Each new regulator meets the same technical requirements in terms of breathing comfort and operation in cold and warm water. We only need to take into account our personal preferences: hose configuration, shape or color of the regulator. Each regulator that meets the requirements of EN 250/2014 has permanent marking on the first and second stage regulators:
WHAT TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN BUYING A REGULATOR?
` make sure that the manufacturer has a network of easily accessible service points in your country;
` check whether your selected first stage regulator model has hoses that fit close to your body (and do not create loops);
` (ask the seller to show you how hoses are arranged on an assembled rig);
` put on your diving gloves and check whether you are able to easily handle all the adjustment knobs when holding the regulator in your mouth;
` if you always dive with the same team, ask you teammates about the regulators they use – do not buy a regulator if none of your teammates uses it (it will be important when you go together on trips and need spare parts).
Are you not certain which first and second stage regulator to choose? Do you lack experience with proper hose configuration? Ask an authorized equipment consultant or an advanced diver you know Before you ask for help, review information on the new EN 250/2014 standard once again to make sure that your consultant tries to be objective.
Remember that you will be the one using your regulators and you should be happy with them.
Photos Bartek Trzciński
ACADEMY
What does it mean that a regulator is intended for warm water?
At most diving sites all over the world, water is much warmer than in Central and Northern Europe, and, consequently, divers use regulators with a lighter design that are not suitable for very cold water (below +10 degrees Celsius).
On a global scale, such regulators are sold the most often. In Europe, they meet the requirements of the aforementioned standard, but only for dives in water with a temperature above 10 degrees Celsius.
Such regulators are great for travelling, as they are lighter and usually less expensive than cold water regulators.
If you live in a region where water is below 10 degrees and you like ice diving, make sure that your regulator is not marked as suitable for “+10 degrees Celsius”.
Cold water regulators are also suitable for tropical waters.
EXPERIENCE
Conduct a short and educational experiment:
` sit straight on a chair and bring your chin to your chest,
` pinch your nose with your fingers and breathe through your mouth,
` now, raise your head and look at the ceiling,
` pinch your nose and breathe deeply through your mouth.
Open airways (with your head raised high) create much less breathing resistance.
This position may make you think of providing CPR, when keeping the airways maximally open is also important.
Breathing underwater
The most important underwater breathing rule is this: the easier you breathe, the safer your dive is: ` you consume less gas, ` your gas narcosis level is lower, ` you will control buoyancy better.
A perfectly adjusted regulator will help you breathe, but... it will be most effective when your head is tilted backwards and, consequently, your airways create the least resistance during breathing.
Photo Bartek Trzciński
Head position underwater and breathing comfort
What does it mean that your head should be tilted backwards, like in our exercise, when you were looking at the ceiling? It means that you need to position your equipment (mainly the first stage regulator) behind your head in such a way that it does not prevent you from tilting your head all the way backwards. If you learn to swim in such a position, you will breathe easier and control buoyancy better. What happens when you dive with your chin close to your chest? Breathing will be difficult.
As a result, your diaphragm (a large muscle helping you to inhale and partly to exhale) will be forced to work harder than usually. Great exertion means that you generate more CO2 (carbon dioxide) than usually and you start to breathe faster in an uncontrolled manner.
You changed the position of your regulator: in the case of a single cylinder – the regulator and cylinder are positioned as low as possible; in the case of twin cylinders – first stage regulators form a “V” so that your head fits between them, the manifold is tilted backwards, and you should remember to have your heads tilted backwards as well during the entire dive.
The benefits are twofold:
1. Lower gas consumption.
Initially, you will use approx. 5–10% less gas, but after several dives you may discover that your gas consumption is lower by even 30%! Why is that?
The position of your head caused you to produce less CO2, which slowed your breathing.
2. Better performance during buoyancy control exercises. The reason for that is the same: less CO2, smoother breathing instead of uncontrolled inhales and exhales resulting in uncontrolled jumps to the surface.
Photo Mariusz Czajka
Your breathing is largely dependent on the carbon dioxide levels in your body. The higher the CO2 level, the faster (but usually not deeper) you breathe. The need to breathe is not caused by low oxygen levels, but by high CO2 levels. Fast and shallow breathing caused by lowering your head means that you get more tired, which causes your CO2 levels to climb even higher and your breathing gets faster still.
Do you remember your “Rescue diver” training? ` stop, ` breathe deeply, ` think
These three steps may help you get rid of some CO2 and slow your breathing. If you notice that your breathing gets faster, you should: ` tilt your head backwards, ` exhale slowly and deeply, ` hold on to something or someone.
Can it be improved further?
Proper use of regulators reduces gas narcosis
More than a century ago, two anesthesiologists, Overton and Meyer, found that the narcotic effects of carbon dioxide are 20 times as strong as those of nitrogen. Some divers disregard the scientific research and think that only nitrogen causes narcosis. However, CO2 poisoning results in numerous disorders in our bodies. We know that elevated CO2 levels cause us to breathe faster, which may bring about underwater shortness of breath – it may be very dangerous and even lethal.
We also know that there is a simple solution to that: keep your airways open so that you do not overproduce CO2. If you could also adjust your regulator to make breathing even easier, than...
CO2 levels would drop even lower, your breathing would stabilize, you would have better buoyancy control and use less gas.
What about narcosis?
1. CO2 intensifies nitrogen narcosis that we are intimately familiar with.
A minor Martini effect, coupled with a little exertion, may cause you to see predatory underwater monsters everywhere – better to avoid it.
2. Increased CO2 levels affect not only breathing, but also the perception of your surroundings. The specific narcosis related to high CO2 levels in the diver’s body causes them to get stuck on their recent task. The diver does not react to their surroundings, but has a vague impression that, for instance, they were supposed to follow their partner. So they swim and their CO2 levels are continuously increasing. Their breathing gets faster and shallow and without help, after some time the diver sinks to the bottom…
3. Do you usually use nitrox? You surely do, as the benefits of Nx are well known to every diver. So you know that the increased oxygen partial pressure results in oxygen being “stored” in your body. Too much stored oxygen (exhausted oxygen toxicity clock) is not ideal, as you may experience the most dangerous situation in diving – oxygen toxicity, called o-tox or just tox by divers. It almost always has a tragic end.
Can you guess what may cause an oxygen toxicity attack, when there is too much oxygen in your body? CO2!
This gas is particularly dangerous, which is why it is very important for each diver to limit exertion in any way possible.
RETENTION
A persistent elevated CO2 level in your body is called “CO2 retention” by divers.
Let’s sum up
The way you breathe underwater directly impacts your safety. With each breath you produce carbon dioxide, which is dangerous for a diver.
Diving with your head lowered or fast breathing will result in CO2 levels increasing and, consequently:
` you will use more gas,
` you will have poorer buoyancy control, ` you will start having trouble with inert gas narcosis.
What is the solution?
Always dive with your head tilted back – it will help you control your breathing.
Additionally, your regulator also affects your breathing.
What
are the adjustment knobs on the second stage regulator for?
1. Cracking pressure adjustment knob – the outermost adjustment knob used to control breathing resistance. The tighter it is (turning it clockwise), the harder it gets to breathe (and the higher CO2 levels will be).
If the cracking pressure adjustment knob is completely unscrewed (by turning it counterclockwise), the regulator will supply gas with the least resistance (and the CO2 levels will be lower).
When diving, you always want to have your cracking pressure adjustment knob unscrewed!
2. Breathing adjustment lever called “Venturi effect lever”. We are interested in two lever positions: “+” (plus) and “–” (minus). Your breathing will be supported the most when you adjust the lever to the “+” (plus) position by bringing it
close to your mouth. You can turn off the support by adjusting the lever to the “–” (minus) position, which can be done by withdrawing the lever from your mouth. When diving, you should adjust the adjustment lever to the “+” (plus) position, i.e. bring it close to your mouth.
Please keep the following in mind:
While the cracking pressure adjustment knob may be left in the least resistance position, the Venturi effect lever should be treated similarly to the gas pedal in your car – you need to learn how to use it to achieve the maximum effect, i.e. to reduce your CO2 levels
How to position the Venturi effect lever
1. When assembling the regulator, check whether the lever is in the “–” (minus) position before attaching the regulator to the cylinder.
2. When you test the regulator on the surface, the lever should be in the “–” (minus) position.
3. When you step/jump into the water, the lever should be in the “–” (minus) position.
4. When you talk on the surface before descending, the lever should be in the “–” (minus) position.
5. After you descend, the lever should in the “+” (plus) position.
6. When you ascend, the lever should in the “+” (plus) position.
7. After emerging from the water and before removing the regulator from your mouth, the lever should be in the “–” (minus) position.
Photo Karolina Sztaba
Photo Bartek Trzciński
Exceptional situations:
` when you descend head-first, the lever should in the “–” (minus) position.
` when performing underwater exercises that require removing the regulator from your mouth, the lever should be in the “–” (minus) position.
` when you are on a DPV, move the lever towards the minus position far enough so that the regulator does not supply you with gas between inhales.
When your diving position is untypical, e.g. when you take measurements or stabilize a reel line, it may be a good idea to slightly screw in the cracking pressure adjustment knob to adjust the regulator performance to a given situation.
Important!
If you screwed in the cracking pressure adjustment knob and did not unscrew it until the end of the dive, you should unscrew it before placing the regulator in a storage bag. When you leave the cracking pressure adjustment knob screwed in for long periods of time, the material wears off faster.
If you adjust pressure adjustment knob and Venturi effect lever both to the “plus” position and press the by-pass button, while not holding the regulator in your mouth, it will trigger the regulator and cause it to supply a large amount of gas. In such a case, you should move the Venturi effect lever to the “minus” position.
You should not hit the regulator against your palm or the water surface.
Ask your instructor for help or conduct several tests together with your partner to learn how to block the free gas flow in the regulator.
Prepare an additional cylinder and try to trigger the regulator my pressing the by-pass button next to the Venturi effect lever and adjusting the pressure adjustment knob to the “plus” position. After triggering the regulator, move the Venturi effect lever away from your mouth (to the “minus” position) and the regulator will stop supplying gas. Many beginners are afraid of triggering the regulator and dive with the lever in the “minus” position. It may be compared to driving a car with a secondary brake on; however, not using the Venturi effect lever has much more serious consequences for us – increase in CO2 levels.
Experienced divers change the position and setpoints of their regulators many times to adjust them to their current activities. They always strive to control their regulator so that it supplies gas with the least resistance possible.
Practice makes perfect!
Types of adjustment wheels and levers.
Some regulators do not have both adjustment knobs and levers.
Sometimes, the Venturi effect lever is located at the top of the second stage regulator, right in front of the mouthpiece.
Some regulators do not have any manipulators.
Examine your equipment closely and check what each part is for.
For advanced divers
This part will include specific methods for improving the quality of your dives, as indicated in the article titles. Please treat each method as a proposition and not as the only proper solution. Instead of detailed descriptions, you will get abridged versions – it should be sufficient. If it is not so, let me know through the Perfect Diver channels!
This part is intended for experienced divers, who are pretty good at diving. They use several decompression gases for their dives and their average diving times range between 2 and 4 hours.
1. Our regulators fixed to stage cylinders independently bring down to the ambient pressure level. To do that, they need gas supply from the cylinder – otherwise, they leak and fill with water. When you dive with one or two stage cylinders, you may easily avoid that by levelling the pressure when descending* – you do a modified valve drill.
` During multistage dives, flooding first stage regulators is normal** – it is part of the dive*** (it is impossible to perform the mod-v drill with four to six cylinders on several lanyards). In such a case, you do a mod-v drill a cylinder that will be switched before starting the actual gas switching procedure.
` Replacing the regulator between the cylinders does not pose a problem for its operation. You should replace the entire regulator (first and second stage) and do it in a stable position. It may be a good idea to protect regulators against loss (e.g. by securing it with a double-ender) during replacement. Disassembling regulators may result in the loss of parts.
* you will not flood the regulator when diving at a stable depth, despite the pressure gauge showing “zero”, if you had done a mod-v drill at that depth.
** flooding the first stage regulator will not cause it to freeze up
*** that is why regulators used for such dives are serviced much more often, if you dive in salt water
2. In deep diving, regulators do not freeze up. If the gas mixture consists of more than 40% of He, it is impossible for the regulator to freeze up.
` If you dive in shallow but very cold water, I recommend using triox 30/30, which effectively protects against regulator freeze-up.
3. Long oxygen decompression may be counterproductive due to vasoconstriction and, consequently, increased blood pressure. The vasodilation caused by a gas break may be insufficient, so, unlike in the previous part of the article, where I describe methods to lower your CO2 levels, a little exertion here (e.g. by increasing breathing resistance) may prove useful.
I hope that by the time the next issue of Perfect Diver is published, every one of you will have checked and reconfigured your regulators to be able to dive with your head tilted backwards and done a series of dives, leveraging the full potential of your regulator.
The next issue will be even more interesting. Come and read the second part of our article on regulators!
As usual, I would like to invite you to take part in mini-seminars on diving techniques for every proficiency level. We prepared a presentation and practical exercises to help you learn to use each configuration on your regulator so as to minimize the effects of CO2 on your body and make your diving safer.
