Perfect Diver Magazine 30 issue by perfectdiver

diving freediving passion knowledge

No. 30 6(30)/2023

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Price 12,50 € Tax included

GOZO TIME REEF BLEACHING WHEN TO SERVICE DIVING REGULATORS?

the foreword

Wojciech Zgoła Editor-in-Chief

Dear Diving Enthusiasts! We are happy to present to you the last edition of Perfect Diver magazine this year. What is waiting for you inside, is a fascinating account of an extraordinary diving expedition to picturesque Iceland. Unforgettable moments from diving in Gozo, mystical stories about the mysterious underwater world, as well as practical advice on safety and development of diving skills – these are just some of the attractions of this edition. You will also find articles on the threats faced by the oceans due to plastic and high temperature, or summary of global efforts to clean up the underwater world.

In the "Knowledge" series, we explore the secrets of DCS, share our knowledge about servicing diving equipment, and present innovative solutions, such as an underwater housing for iPhone. Browse our pages, share your diving impressions and let this edition end a year of diving adventures in an unforgettable way. Let yourself be carried away by the magic of the underwater world in the company of Perfect Diver! P.S. You are more than welcome to buy an annual subscription for 2024 – then you are sure not to miss a thing! :) Enjoy your reading!

Did you like this issue? Give us a viral coffee buycoffee.to/perfectdiver Visit our website www.perfectdiver.com, check out Facebook www.facebook.com/PerfectDiverMagazine and Instagram www.instagram.com/perfectdiver/

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(30)/2023

table of contents

10 TRAVELS 10 18 22

Gozo time Iceland Diving in Great Britain. SWANAGE

PLANET EARTH 26 58 62 64

Reef bleaching Brave Dads Plastic and oceans Lake Ohrid. Hotspot of freshwater biodiversity

EVENTS 50 56

Yacht Salon We were brought together by the World Cleanup!

EQUIPMENT 44 70

The Oceanic+ Dive Housing Inon Publisher PERFECT DIVER WOJCIECH ZGOŁA

KNOWLEDGE 34 38 46 52

ul. Folwarczna 37, 62-081 Przeźmierowo

Underwater Captain – Using Diving Experience in Team Leadership Perfect buoyancy – an essential diving skill and the greatest difficulty To swim or not to swim? That is the question Egyptian DCS or why decompression theory is always called a theory...

redakcja@perfectdiver.com ISSN 2545-3319

editor in chief

Wojciech Zgoła

photographer

Karolina Sztaba

world geography & travels

Anna Sołoducha

underwater archaeology advertisement english language translators legal care graphic design and composition

Szymon Mosakowski reklama@perfectdiver.com Agnieszka Gumiela-Pająkowska Arleta Kaźmierczak Reddo Translations Sp. z o.o. Piotr Witek Lawyer Joanna Wajsnis Brygida Jackowiak-Rydzak

the magazine was folded with typefaces

Montserrat (Julieta Ulanovsky), Open Sans (Ascender Fonts) Noto Serif, Noto Sans (Google) printing Wieland Drukarnia Cyfrowa, Poznań, www.wieland.com.pl

distribution dive centers, online store

preorder@perfectdiver.com

38 TIPS & CURIOSITIES 74

When to service diving regulators?

cover photo

Jacek Bugajski place

Anilao, Philippines model

Sailing argonaut Argonauta argo

www.perfectdiver.com The Editorial Office does not return unsolicited materials, is not responsible for the content of advertisements and reserves the right to shorten, edit, title the submitted texts and select illustrative materials. Reprinting of articles or parts thereof, copying only with the consent of the Editorial Board. Editors are not responsible for the form and content of advertisements.

If you like this issue, donate any amount! Donation is voluntary. PayPal.Me/perfectdiver PERFECTDIVER No. 6(30)/2023

editorial team

WOJCIECH ZGOŁA

ANNA METRYCKA

Passionate about diving and pure nature. He likes to say that he travels

A graduate of geography at the University of Wrocław, an incorrigible

by diving. He learned to swim when he was less than 6 years old. At

optimist... permanently with a smile on her lips 

the age of 15, he obtained a yacht sailor's license and has been diving

I have been diving since 2002, which is more than half of my life 

since 2006. He has completed over 800 dives in various regions of the

I started diving in Polish waters, to which I willingly return during the

world. He wrote and published many articles.

year – and it gives me great pleasure! :) I must have come to Activtour

Co-author of photo exhibitions. An advocate of leaving the place of

by destiny and I have stayed here for good... for over 10 years! I am

residence clean and unblemished. Diving promoter. Since 2008 he

passionate about fulfilling people's dreams by preparing diving trips

has been running his own website www.dive-adventure.eu. Based on

around the world!  Personally – I fly and dive in different seas and

extensive experience, in 2018 he created the new Perfect Diver

seas whenever I can, because it is one of the loves of my life

Magazine, which has been successfully published regularly every two

the beginning of the existence of the PD magazine, I have been trans-

months in Polish and English for over 4 years.

ferring my memories of diving trips to paper, sharing my passion with

Since

others and I can't stop writing ;) 2023 permanently in the PD editorial office – hoping to bring her some "fresh blood" ;) A diving dream come true: Galapagos! Still ahead of me… Antarctica! If I don't dive, I choose skiing, tennis or strong rock sounds! ;) The motto that I really like is: "Be realistic – start dreaming"! :) anna@activtour.pl; www.activtour.pl;

KAROLA TAKES PHOTOS

SZYMON MOSAKOWSKI

Karolina Sztaba, and professionally Karola Takes Photos, is a pho-

Graduate of Underwater Archeology at the Nicolaus Copernicus Uni-

tographer by education and passion. She is currently working at the

versity in Toruń, with a bachelor's degree. A scuba diver who has been

Trawangan Dive Center on a tiny island in Indonesia – Gili Trawangan,

expanding his underwater archaeological and recreational experiences

where she moved to live four years ago. She photographs above and

for 3 years. A lover of photography, nature and basketball.

below the water. In addition, she creates photographic projects against littering the oceans and polluting our planet with plastic ("Trapped", "Trashion"). She cooperates with NGO organizations dealing with environmental protection and actively participates in pro-ecological actions (coral protection, coral planting, cleaning the world, protection of endangered species). She 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.

Polish Diving School

OCTOPUS in Hamburg +49 176 48664595

mariusbebel@icloud.com

KLAUDYNA BRZOSTOWSKA

SYLWIA KOSMALSKA-JURIEWICZ

He has been diving for 35 years. He has spent more

PADI diving instructor and videographer. She

A traveller and a photographer of wild nature.

than 16,000 hours underwater, most of them diving

spends most of his time in the water document-

A graduate of journalism and a lover of good liter-

technically. He has been an instructor and mentor

ing a fascinating underwater world. She graduated

ature. She lives in harmony with nature, promotes

instructor for many organizations including CMAS,

from the Academy of Fine Arts in the field of Fashion

a healthy lifestyle: she is a yogini and a vegetarian.

GUE, IANTD, PADI. He co-created the training pro-

Design in Łódź and Film studies at the Adam Mick-

Also engaged in ecological projects. Sharks and

grams for some of them. He is a professional with

iewicz University in Poznań, trained as a tailor, and

their protection are especially close to her heart.

vast knowledge and practical experience. He has

with a love of nature and a large dose of adrenaline.

She writes about the subject in numerous articles

participated in many diving projects as a leader,

She loves everything related to water. Her diving

and on her blog www.blog.dive-away.pl. She began

explorer, initiator or speaker. He was the first Pole

adventure began with a backpacking trip in 2016.

her adventure with diving fifteen years ago by to-

to dive the HMHS Britannic wreck (117m). He was

During her stay in Thailand she dived for the first

tal coincidence. Today she is a diving instructor,

the first to explore the deep part of the Glavas Cave

time and from then on she got hooked on at this

she visited over 60 countries and dived on 5 con-

(118m). He made a series of dives documenting the

sport. Spending the last years and most of her days

tinents. She invites us for a joint journey with the

wreck of ORP GROM (110m). He has documented

under water, teaching and showing the beauty of

travel agency www.dive-away.pl, of which she is

deep (100-120m) parts of flooded mines. He is the

the underwater world in Asia, she believes that div-

a co-founder.

creator and designer of many equipment solutions

ing means unity – unity with own mind, nature and

to improve diving safety.

unusual creatures.

Technical Director at Tecline, where, among other

@waterographyk

things, he manages the Tecline Academy a research and training facility. Author of several hundred articles on diving and books on diagnosis and repair of diving equipment. He dives in rivers, lakes, caves, seas and oceans all over the world.

LAURA KAZIMIERSKA

ŁUKASZ METRYCKI

KURT STORMS

Laura Kazimierska is currently working as PADI

A diver since 2007. I always choose holiday des-

Belgium Military, underwater cave explorer and

tinations by asking myself: okay, but is there any-

active technical/ cave/ rebreather diving instructor

where to dive?. Underwater photography is still

for IANTD. He started his diving career in Egypt on

new to me, but with each dive I learn something

vacation, and his passion continues. Kurt is also the

new.

founder and CEO of Descent Technical Diving.

"From the moment of birth, man carries the weight of

He dives on several CCRs such as AP, SF2, Divesoft

gravity on his shoulders [...], but he only has to dive

Liberty SM. Kurt is involved in the creation of the

under the surface of the water and becomes free" –

document about the new salt mine in Belgium

J.Y.Cousteau

(Laplet). This project was featured in the news on

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

Nationale TV. Privately, Kurt's true passion is deep cave diving. His wife (Caroline) shares her husband's passions and also dives in caves. In his free time, he visits Belgian slate mines, and when he is not exploring, he takes his camera to document the dives.

constant cooperation

WOJCIECH A. FILIP

constant cooperation

WOJCIECH JAROSZ

JAKUB BANASIAK

AGATA TUROWICZ-CYBULA

A graduate of two Poznan universities, the Acad-

Zoopsychologist, researcher and expert in dol-

Since I was a child, I had dreamed of becoming

emy of Physical Education (coaching specializa-

phin behavior, committed to the idea of protect-

a marine biologist and I managed to fulfill that

tion – handball) and the University of A.Mickiewicz,

ing dolphins and fighting against keeping them in

dream. I did a degree in oceanography, where

Faculty of Biology (specialty of experimental biol-

dolphinariums. Passionate about Red Sea and un-

I recently started my doctoral studies. My diving

ogy). He connected his professional life with this

derwater encounters with large pelagic predators.

adventure began when I was 12 years old. I love

first university trying to influence the direction of

Member of the Dolphinaria-Free Europe Coalition,

observing the underwater life up close and I try

development of future professionals on the one

volunteer of the Tethys Research Institute and

to show other divers how fascinating the under-

hand, and on the other planning and implementing

Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, collaborator of

water, Baltic creatures are.

research, pushing laboriously in the right direction

Marine Connection. For over 15 years, he has been

of the stroller called science. In his free time he

participating in research on wild dolphin popula-

spends his time actively – his main passions are

tions, auditing dolphinariums, and monitoring the

sailing (sea helmsman), skiing (downhill skiing in-

quality of whale watching cruises. As the head of

structor), riding a motorcycle, recreational diving

the "Free & Safe" project (formerly "NO! for a dolph-

and many other activities, as well as photography,

inarium"), he prevents keeping dolphins in captivity,

mainly nature.

promotes ethical whale & dolphin watching, trains divers in responsible swimming with wild dolphins, and popularizes knowledge about dolphin therapy that is passed over in silence or hidden by prof-

our authors

it-making centers. on this form of animal therapy.

TOMASZ KULCZYŃSKI

ISADORA ABUTER GREBE

JACEK TWARDOWSKI

For Tomek, diving has always been his greatest

Enthusiastic diver, scientist, and wildlife conser-

Aquarius by birth. Underwater photography en-

passion. He started his adventure at the age of

vationist. Isadora is researching the biological sig-

thusiast.

14, developing into a recreational and technical

nificance on shipwrecks for marine ecosystems.

Sailor, lover of underwater archeology and wreck

diving instructor, a first aid instructor and a div-

Driven by curiosity, she wants to learn about na-

diving. TDI SDI diving instructor. Professionally, he

ing industry technician. Currently, he runs the 5*

ture, as well as “how to become a better diver”.

builds housing estates and holiday homes.

COMPASS DIVERS Pobiedziska Diving Center near

Being still in the beginnings of her diving-career

Partner of the diving school:

Poznań, where he passes his knowledge and skills

she is enjoying the path of overcoming obstacles

https://wewelldiving.pl

to beginners and advanced divers, which gives him

by learning from more experienced divers, using

great joy and satisfaction from being part of their

adequate configuration and practicing.

underwater adventure...

@isa_diving_nature

+48 502 138 403 http://www.deepdivingslesin.pl/ baza-nurkowa-honoratka/

our authors

PRZEMYSŁAW ZYBER

DOMINIK DOPIERAŁA

DOBROCHNA DIDŁUCH

MARCIN TRZCIŃSKI

My adventure with photography

He has been diving forever, he does

„Kindness” entire adult life, as her

A graduate of the University of War-

began long before I started diving.

not remember his first dives. The

friends call her, is professionally

saw. An underwater photographer

From the very first dive I dreamed

only thing he remembers is that div-

related to diving. She has been div-

and filmmaker, has been diving since

that I would be accompanied by

ing has always been his passion. He

ing every day for over ten years as

1995. A co-operator at the Depart-

a camera. As I became more adept at

spent his entire childhood on Polish

a professional PADI diving instructor,

ment of Underwater Archeology at

diving, my photography gear evolved

lakes, which he still prefers to distant

working and running diving centers

the University of Warsaw. He publish-

as well. From a simple gopro camera

destinations. With great success, he

in Egypt. Extremely meticulous and

es in diving magazines in Poland and

through a compact and SLR camera

turned his passion into a way of life

pedantic about safety. Specializes

abroad. The owner of the FotoPod-

to a full-frame mirrorless camera.

and business.

in training children, teenagers and

wodna company which is the Polish

Now I can't imagine diving without

Curiosity of the world and constant

women. It's impossible to miss her

representative of Ikelite, Nauticam,

a camera. I have the impression

striving for perfection are the main

because she dresses her pink life-

Inon, ScubaLamp companies.

that underwater photography gives

features that definitely hinder him

style in this color underwater. An

www.fotopodwodna.pl

meaning to my diving.

in life. Professional diving instructor,

accountant by education and second

m.trzcinski@fotopodwodna.pl

www.facebook.com/przemyslaw.zyber

photographer, filmmaker.

profession, in private she is the moth-

www.instagram.com/przemyslaw_

Creator of the DECO Diving Center,

er of two "terrorists". Co-owner of the

zyber/

PADI Course Director, TecTrimix In-

DECO Diving Center.

www.deep-art.pl

structor Trainer TECREC.

MICHAŁ CZERNIAK

ALDONA DREGER

AGNIESZKA ROMAŃCZUK

GRZEGORZ MIKOSZA

A graduate of the Poznań University

Zodiac Libra. Enthusiast of a healthy

Professionally, I am a long-term

In the Foundation, he is the com-

of Technology, financier, the auditor.

lifestyle, fond of active leisure. Lover of

practitioner in the field of human re-

mander-in-chief of the Clean up the

A diver fascinated by theory diving –

the underwater world and underwa-

sources management with 25 years

World – Poland Action and manag-

physics and physiology. In love pas-

ter photography. HR employee, and

of experience in renowned corpo-

es the works of strategic projects.

sionate about history in underwater

after hours SDI diving instructor, Vital

rations, 8 years in Singapore. I have

Grzegorz realizes himself creatively

archaeology Ancient Rome, active

Mentor, Diet coach. Thanks to her pas-

also lived and worked in Europe

in ideas for new campaigns and

Centurion in the group reconstruc-

sion for psychology, working with peo-

and the USA. For many years I have

methods of promotion as part of the

tionist Bellator Societas (Rome I cen-

ple and the ability to listen, she knows

been passionate about psychology

Foundation's Clean Up the World –

tury BC). He dreams of attending at

that everything starts in the head. He

and psychotherapy, the problems

Poland and Eco-education programs.

least once underwater archaeological

highly values the ability to communi-

of professional burnout and coping

Arranges strategies and coordinates

research a then describe everything

cate without words underwater. Wa-

with change. I completed postgrad-

the work so that everything goes

in a series of columns.

ter helped her discover completely

uate studies in psychotherapy and

according to plan. During off-road

It can be found as often as under wa-

unknown mobility possibilities, and

obtained a Professional Diploma in

activities, he wears yellow gloves

ter in Japan, whose culture and histo-

overcoming her own limitations, as

Psychotherapy from The School of

and naturally carries kilograms of

ry he has been fascinated by nearly

well as learning something new in the

Positive Psychology in Singapore.

waste. He often takes the helm of

three decades.

natural environment, in the context of

the foundation's Facebook and Ins-

communing with nature, helped her

tagram profile to talk about what we

rebuild her mental condition.

can do together for our immediate

Author of the website:

surroundings. In his free time, he

https://aldonadreger.pl and

sails, runs and traverses mountain

https://wellbeingproject.pl

trails. A graduate of the Faculty of IT

Partner of the diving school:

Management and Finance at the Uni-

https://wewelldiving.pl

versity of Economics in Wrocław and the Faculty of Journalism and Social Communication of the University of Lower Silesia in Wrocław. Certified specialist in the field of obtaining EU funds and communication on the Internet.

travels

GOZO TIME Text and photos Wojciech Zgoła

travels

Bright, actually vanillacolored houses, built from local limestone, frequently surrounded with palm orchards or colorful oleanders and hibiscuses are the trademark of the Gozo island, a part of the Maltese Archipelago. All this against a background of opuntias, stone walls, narrow streets and vicinity of the Mediterranean Sea.

he waters around Gozo are heaven for divers and freedivers, canoers and sailors, as well as motorboaters. They offer some 100 unique dive sites, most of them accessible from the shore. A car is all you need to get into the water, where after a moment you can feel the exquisite taste and smell, most

importantly to detach yourself from all the external problems. You are instantaneously freed from gravity, becoming a bird of the see expanse. “Gozo” means “joy” in Castilian. Diving here brings you tons of joy that comes naturally from the inside and gets reflected in a chilled stance and bright smile. Upon the invitation from Diveworld Gozo diving center, the Perfect Diver editors had the opportunity to spend a whole week to discover – as much as the time allowed – and share with you the secrets hidden over and under the water. Diveworld Gozo are based in Marsalforn. This place has a unique feel, is professional and prepared to welcome small groups of maximum 12 people. There are no crowds, so there’s enough room to rinse your gear and suits in fresh water and hang them on hangers. You will get a bottle of water for each dive and cookies between dives. Wojtek Karkusiewicz will recommend the perfect site for your next dive. He knows them very well and if weather conditions change, he can always rec-

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(30)/2023

travels

ommend a different, equally interesting site. Diveworld Gozo is prepared to receive recreational divers, while technical divers would have to make arrangements in advance. You can dive with nitrox here. The gear is new, serviced and well-maintained. The center has two small vans to transport divers. Gozo can also offer some wrecks to those keen to visit. The place to go here would be the Wreck Point dive spot, which offers four wrecks. The newest one, the Hephaestus, and the “old” ones MV Karwela, Cominoland and Xlendi. The latter is upside down, as it unfortunately capsized during scuttling. All of them together form an artificial reef and are available for advanced, deep and technical divers. The reef is abundant with sea life and MV Karwela is also the preferred site for underwater photographers. This is the place where the famous stairs are located :) Gozo has some iconic sites as well. One of them is the Azure Window at the Dwejra Point, which collapsed during a strong storm in March 2017, and the Inland Sea. These are some of the “must see” dive sites. Diving the Blue Hole in front of the former Azure Window proved to be really worthwhile. It is a sizeable well that you dive into to reach the open Mediterranean Sea. During the high season, this place is scorching hot and is devoid of any shade. It really pays off to arrive early in the morning. First you need to park your car and

prepare for the dive, then walk about 200 m through the rocks, which are dangerous and get more and more slippery as you approach the water. And after a wonderful dive, well – you still have to crawl back! The site definitely got better after the collapse of the rock window. Large chunks of rocks are scattered on the bottom up to a depth of over 40 m. This created tunnels, shelves, canyons and various smaller and larger holes. The

travels

The place to go here would be the Wreck Point dive spot, which offers four wrecks. (...) The reef is abundant with sea life and MV Karwela is also the preferred site for underwater photographers. This is the place where the famous stairs are located :)

place is crowded with tuna, dentexes, common two-banded sea breams, parrotfishes and wrasses as well as small fish, including damselfishes or salemas. Scorpionfish, weevers, crabs, bristle worms can be seen in the holes and on the rocks. There’s always something to admire and the dive is not boring. It is important to control your gas consumption and ascend slowly. The Inland Sea lets you dive in an 80 meter long tunnel. Watch out for the tourist boats that are also here. You descend on the left side of the tunnel, minding the depth. Initially, the tunnel is 3–4 meters deep, and finally reaches as much as 26 meters in depth. It is wide and full of interesting sea vegetation and wildlife. You should carry some light with you, we used small GRAlmarine KX mini backup flashlights, which did a great job. Upon leaving the tunnel, you have a couple of options – several caves that you may dive into. There are also walls descending into greater depths. Incredibly serendipitous, or just lucky, is the fact that thousands of sea jellies (Cotylorhiza tuberculata) have arrived at the shores of the Maltese Archipelago. They live less than a couple of months and reach 35 cm in diameter at the bell. They are harmless to humans. You can see hundreds and thousands of them, up-close, alone and in groups. Some of them are dying, getting eaten by fish, crabs and bristle worms. Nothing is wasted in nature and the food chain continues.

These underwater yellow sun balls, submerged in the blue depths, bring joy and incite interest. Mediterranean jellyfish will keep us company during every dive throughout our stay there. There are also some worthwhile sites where you can do some introductory diving. In our experience, there are people who arrive to the island as strictly “land” tourists. It is only after seeing the divers and the beautiful nature around them, confirm-

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(30)/2023

travels

ing that the water is 26°C, when they decide to try diving. And never want to quit! Visibility exceeds 30 m and extended stays under the surface are encouraged by shoals of brown, silver and colorful fish such as corises, thalassoma pavos or surmullets and the ability to watch hermit crabs. You can find such sites in Xwejni Bay or near the Middle Finger. When talking about Gozo dive sites, we must obviously mention the caves. The island has a lot of underwater caves (as well as some on-land caves). Some of them can be accessed by recreational divers, while others require appropriate certification. Inside, you can expect to come across shrimps, crabs, cave sea anemones or apogon fish. In September the open sea near the Cathedral Cave will sometime let you encounter mola mola. I have already mentioned the Middle Finger. To dive here, you have to reach Ras il-Hobz. This is a favorite site among divers at any

certification level. You can drive up directly to the shoreline here. Shallow water extends quite far. Technical divers like this site, as it allows them to reach the depth of well over 80 m quite quickly. The Middle Finger is located to the right from the place where you enter the water. It is a peak rising from a depth of over 40 meters to about 10 meters. The rock is wide at the bottom and becomes narrower, like a cone with two peaks at the end. Diving there usually consists in dropping down to the bottom and then swimming around the peak as you ascend. Look for moray eels, corises, hermit crabs, scorpionfish, tunicates and bristle worms in the crevices. Look out for dentexes, tunas and other predators. We are accompanied by thousands of small fish, schools of common two-banded sea breams and obladas, as well as salemas. There are bicolor parrotfishes, painted combers, striped red mullets,

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(30)/2023

travels

and the ubiquitous small brown damselfishes. Going back, we also see weevers, hermit crabs and even an octopus. The Island of Gozo has just as much to offer on land. Beautiful cliffs reaching up to 100 m. They are worth seeing for the views and for the setting sun, which colors the rocks at first light yellow, then deep yellow, and finally nearly orange or even brickred. Nature, forces of water, wind and the sun still sculpt the rocks at their own will. Gozo also offers caves, e.g. near Ramla Bay, rock arches, natural “crevices” and gullies. The island is home to a number of interesting churches, which do not divide, but unite. Frequent fiestas, feasts and gatherings take place near the churches, often creeping into the adjacent grounds. No-one is surprised or shocked to see you slowly drink a cold beer, watching the cats waking up at sunset and cuddling to get a piece of fish.

Gozitan cuisine, similarly to Maltese cuisine, meets the definition of "fusion". You’ll find Arab, Italian, French and British influences. They have wonderful ftira bread sandwiches. These are actually large, crisp bread stuffed with tuna, pork, cheese, rucola and olives or tomatoes. Chose whatever you like best. One sandwich can feed two people and our favorite one may not appear on the official menu. You should enter the bar to see what’s behind the window pane. They have wonderful seafood, pizza, pasta, ross il forn, fish, boards of cheese with olives and dried tomatoes. Drinks will also cater to all tastes, including wine, kinnie, freshly squeezed juices or the local beer and a then an abundant choice of sweets. It’s a good thing we came here to dive, because we’ll have a lot of calories to burn. It’s a good thing we are diving, because we could learn about the new destination – Gozo – and tell you about it.

We honestly recommend Diveworld Gozo. It's well-equipped, experienced enough, offers reliable gear and mostly a good atmosphere with a focus on safety and good fun. What’s more, we’ve negotiated an individual discount for each of you. z Buy a package of at least 6 dives to get 5% discount using the code “PERFECT DIVER” z or buy at least 10 dives using the code “PERFECT DIVER” to get 10% discount. Valid throughout 2024 :) The island of Gozo, its history and natural beauty – also hidden under water – will let you slow down for a while, relax both physically and mentally, admire the rare treasure that you managed to grasp. May this moment last! z Diveworld Gozo  will also assist you in choosing accommodation. z With Diveworld Gozo (SSI)  you may complete your basic certification or upgrade your qualifications. z At Diveworld Gozo  you may also rent complete diving gear.

travels

ICELAND Text Sylwia Kosmalska-Juriewicz

Photos Adrian Juriewicz

In life, it's not about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain. Vivian Green

he windshield wipers cannot keep up with collecting water from the glass as we travel by bus, covering more kilometres in the pouring rain on our way to Silfra and Davíðsgjá. It has been raining since early morning today, and the weather forecast is not optimistic. A few hours ago, we landed in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Our flight was delayed due to severe weather conditions. Most flights to Iceland were cancelled, but not ours – Wizz Air is reliable, reportedly landing regardless of the weather... and it landed safely, in the middle of the night, rocked by strong gusts of wind at the Reykjavik airport. Nothing works miracles like positive thinking... The land of "Fire and Ice" welcomed us with pouring rain and strong, gusty winds. We have long been fascinated by this ex-

traordinary country located in northern Europe, where there are twice as many sheep as inhabitants. Where the local population believes in elves and trolls, and watching the northern lights is as natural as the fact that night follows day. Icelanders love to read and write books, and their national delicacy is fermented Greenland shark meat called hakari. It is usually served in small porcelain bowls, paired with a hundred millilitres of vodka. The smell of this peculiar delicacy is dizzying, but supposedly it tastes exquisite. Iceland has about a hundred and thirty volcanoes, including thirty active ones, and over ten thousand waterfalls, with new ones constantly forming due to melting glaciers. According to many surveys, Icelanders are among the happiest people on Earth. Perhaps it's because of the beautiful nature that surrounds them... We cover the road from Reykjavik to the Silfra Continental Fissure, formed as a result of an earthquake in 1789, in an hour. Despite the pouring rain, gusty winds, and low air temperature around 4°C, we cannot wait to dive in this iconic place. The Silfra Fissure is located in the area of two tectonic plates – Euro-Asian and North American – that move away from each other by two centimetres every year. The fissure is filled with crystal-clear, very cold water from the nearby Thingvallavatn lake.

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Our bus stops in a parking lot, which after a while transforms into a well-equipped diving centre. The landscape is very rugged, similar to what we had the opportunity to see during our trip to Ecuador. Long, brown grasses ripple in the strong wind, volcanic hills immersed in mist tower over meadows, and dwarf trees emerge from rocks covered in green moss. We get off the bus and enter another one, where we are provided with warmers, dry thick neoprene suits, wet gloves, and hoods. A few weeks ago, we sent our measurements to the diving centre organiser. As part of the diving experience, the diving centre provides us with all the equipment. This is a great convenience, especially for those who do not have their own diving gear and do not like to travel with a lot of baggage. We slowly dress, carefully sealing the neck and cuffs with specially prepared tapes so that not even a drop of water enters the wetsuit. We put on the gear and leisurely head towards a metal platform from which we enter the water. I am used to diving in warm, tropical waters, colourful reefs, and thermal comfort. Today, looking at the weather, my common sense tells me that the best thing I can do is turn around, stay in the bus, have a hot chocolate, and wait for the rest of the group to finish diving. However, my heart says something com-

pletely different, suggesting that if I stay in this bus, I will regret it very, very much. So, dressed in a dry suit, double thermal underwear, warmers, merino wool socks, and an 11 mm hood, I go against the wind, whipped by the biting rain, to fulfil my dream.

"When you reach the comfort zone in any area of life, you will unconsciously fight to stay in it, even if it is much below what you are capable of." – Brian Tracy We descend down metal stairs to a place that looks like a canyon, with huge, dark, angular rocks protruding from walls covered in Icelandic moss. I put on technical fins and, without much thought, plunge into the icy water. I slowly immerse myself in the crystalline clear water. I feel as a million needles pierce my lips, cheeks, and hands; it is a pain that is hard to describe in words. After a moment, the discomfort fades as both my face and hands go numb due to the intense cold, and I no longer feel anything. Then, I start to look around, and I cannot believe what I see. I feel like I have crossed an invisible boundary, a portal between the grey realm I left on the surface and a place filled with all shades of blues, navies, and turquoises. Visibility beyond one hundred meters exceeds my wildest imagination. It is like

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being in an underwater sanctuary; the rocks surrounding us form chambers, creating an incredible space. We swim slowly, trying to grasp the beauty of nature we are currently experiencing. A few meters from the entrance, there is a narrowing where we touch both the Eurasian and North American continental plates simultaneously. Massive rocks lie on the bottom of the crevice, and between them, white sand is visible. We swim gently over them, propelling ourselves with our fins. Some

places are very shallow, so much so that I lift my head and surface. Others lead to a depth of eighteen meters. We traverse the entire channel slowly in forty-five minutes. Chilled but immensely happy, we reach the end, where a metal platform with stairs and hot chocolate awaits us. Diving in Iceland falls into the category of extreme activities, primarily due to the extremely low water temperature, which is around 2°C in October. Most tourists come to Silfra

for snorkelling, involving the use of dry suits and technical fins. To dive between the two tectonic plates, one must have a dry suit certification and a minimum of twenty documented dives in a dry suit. On that day, we dived once again in another location called Davíðsgjá, which may not have been as spectacular as the Silfra crevice, but there were fish, rainbow trout, that we could observe up close because they were not afraid of people. The next morning, the sun came out, which was a wonderful surprise and gift. After breakfast, we embarked on a full-day excursion called the "Golden Circle." During this trip, we visited three main attractions in southwest Iceland: Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the geothermal area of Geysir; and the impressive Gullfoss waterfall. This unique adventure unexpectedly changed my attitude towards diving in chilly waters. Everything happened when I opened myself up to a new experience that was definitely beyond my comfort zone. In life, the goal is important, but the journey that leads to it is truly the most crucial. Especially when you are traveling with wonderful people who are on the same path with you. Each day in this extraordinary land provided us with many unforgettable experiences, for which I am immensely grateful.

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DIVING IN GREAT BRITAIN

SWANAGE

Text and photos Tomek Kulczyński

WELCOME TO ANOTHER IN THE SERIES OF GUIDES TO THE BRITISH ISLES. AS I WRITE THIS ARTICLE FOR YOU I AM LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW, THE TREES HAVE LOST THEIR LEAVES, THE TEMPERATURE OF 7°C IS FORCING PEOPLE TO WEAR WARMER JACKETS, AND THE CLOUDED SKY HERALDS MORE RAIN. NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS – STRICTLY ENGLISH WEATHER.

aving lived in the UK for several years, I have become accustomed to the unpredictability of the weather there. I have learnt not to plan diving trips or any activity based solely on weather forecasts. Therefore, whether it rains or the sun shines, it is not factored into our plans. We simply do what we are supposed to do. In keeping with this principle, on several occasions we have organised trips to the

picturesque town of Swanage in Dorset, in the area known as Purbeck. A few times we've had good weather, a few times

we haven't, nonetheless each trip has brought something new to our diving CV. Swanage is famous for its beautiful wooden pier! The village lies in the south of England, between Southampton and Weymouth. It is a great holiday destination, very popular with holidaymakers and tourists during the summer season. Getting to Swanage from London is relatively quick and easy, so it gets really busy at weekends. The town tempts tourists with its sheltered beach, very popular among families with children.

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The town centre has numerous attractions, shops, food stalls, and the classic of English cuisine – fish & chips. A hit among the English, fish and chips (usually a cod fillet) wrapped in a local newspaper or just a piece of paper. They don't show this on the films but in reality the chips are doused in vinegar, which in my humble opinion is rather off-putting. However, there is no doubt that Swanage is the perfect place for a family seaside break, a small city break or a few days out with friends. There are plenty of interesting attractions and places to see for everyone.

History of Swanage Pier The original structure was built in 1860 by James Walton for the Swanage Pier & Tramway Co. The pier was worked by draft horses which were used to pull carts along the narrow-gauge railway that ran along the pier and quay. A steam service between Swanage, Poole and Bournemouth was opened in 1874. The pier was used for both day trips and stone transport. It soon became clear that it would not withstand this dual use and it was decided that a new, longer pier was needed. The first pile of the new pier was driven on 30th November 1895 and the pier was opened to traffic on 29th March 1897. The first steamboat arrived in May 1896 and the last in August 1966. In 1940, admittedly, the end of the pier was blown up as a precaution against invasion, but after the Second World War in 1948 it was rebuilt, and steamboat traffic was restored. After 1966, the pier deteriorated for almost 30 years. In 1994 the Swanage Pier Trust took control of the Pier Company to keep it open to residents and visitors and to ensure its eventual complete restoration. A great deal of money has been spent on restoring the wooden structure, and the renovations have been funded by sources such as the National Lottery and English Heritage. The pier underwent major restoration work in 2018 and, in fact, with greater or lesser interruptions, this continues to this day.

For me, diving at Swanage was a slightly different and interesting experience. In the beginning I just came here to dive, like any thrill-seeking diver. Then I took students here and ran all sorts of dive courses. Coming for a full day in the morning or for the weekend, we always took families or non-divers with us. They had plenty of entertainment on site, while we could dive in peace and quiet and have fish & chips together at the end of the day. What is rather unheard of, you could drive your car onto the pier and park in the designated area. Moreover, there was a dive centre on the pier with a shop and a compressor station! Sounds like a dream! We would drive up to the pier itself and, on leaving, return the cylinders straight away to be refilled. Of course, there is a catch. The places on the pier were open to the public and sometimes, even at 6 a.m. on a Saturday, there were no more free places. Then the spell would break and you know... trolleys, carrying the equipment and all that... It was a big lottery, sometimes I was standing proudly on the pier, sometimes I was pulling the equipment on a trolley like a porter from a parking space a few hundred metres away. On the pier there were plenty of benches and places to easily assemble equipment. In addition to the dive centre, there were toilet and shower facilities. Access to the water was directly from the pier via concrete stairs. The steps were frighteningly slippery, covered with those familiar slimy algae up to where the water reached. Anyone who has had to deal with them knows how easy it is to have an accident caused by one reckless step. The end of the stairs was about 1.5 metres deep, going under the

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pier we started at a standard depth of 4 metres, with the end of the pier where we could go up to 5 or even 6 metres. Great diving for someone after a basic diving course, where from May to October one could easily dive there in a wet suit. Underwater, an enormous amount of marine fauna and flora awaited us. The algae-covered wooden pillars on which the pier was built, the concrete blocks under which all sorts of creatures lived. One could identify half of a natural atlas of fish, crabs were also common, as well as a lobster with one claw, the other probably lost while defending itself from everyday threats. A skilful eye,

in addition to the lush flora and fauna, is able to spot a huge amount of fishing equipment that someone has broken off. We also found objects that had fallen into the water through the gaps between the planks of the pier. Sunglasses, pieces of clothing, present-day coins probably thrown in for good luck. Such unusual finds added excellent variety to the dive. Another noteworthy fact is that there was a hard sandy bottom under the pier. Even if one struggled with buoyancy, touching the bottom did not cause a sandstorm, as is sometimes the case. In terms of diving attractions, everyone including me was

very impressed. I often encountered experienced divers who didn't want to go to the pier because of the shallow depth, but after finishing the dive they admitted I was right and said it was really worth it... As always in life, every coin has two sides. As I mentioned in the introduction, the weather plays the first fiddle when diving at Swanage Pier. If we manage to get a sunny day and the sea is calm – then we can talk about luck and we have the opportunity to experience all the attractions described above. During the sunny moments, we enjoyed the beautiful views both underwater and on land. Due to the shallow depth, all areas were perfectly illuminated and even an hour-long dive was easily achievable for novice divers. Unfortunately, on a cloudy and rainy day, the town was turning into a picture of walking umbrellas. Rain would pour straight into your face combined with an annoying wind. There would be a swell turning the crystal clear water into a mixture of everything in the sea, reducing visibility to zero... Having travelled such a long distance to dive, we always tried. We ended up submerging our gear in the sea water and quickly turning back, having made the attempt. Of course, one should always look for the positives, even in adverse conditions, and certainly one of them was an easy to find free parking slot on the pier :). In summary, Swanage Pier is a great place for a diver of any level. This place has continually impressed me with the vastness of the very rich fauna and flora, even snorkelling will be quite an attraction here, if the visibility is right of course. Unfortunately, due to the shallow depths, we are doomed to the mercy of the weather, which is quite unpredictable here. PS. The last photo shows the brave men after a 5 minute unsuccessful attempt to dive in virtually zero visibility. At least they tried... :)

I would like to take this opportunity to extend warm wishes for a healthy, peaceful Christmas and abundance in the New Year ahead. To all the readers, especially the oldest ones, with Grandma Lidka in the lead, to the entire editorial team and all those who contribute to Perfect Diver Magazine. Dive safely. Tomek Kulczyński, Compass Divers

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REAF BLEACHING Text and photos Przemysław Zyber

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Every diver has probably heard about the process of bleaching, i.e. the dying of reefs. Most of us have seen the movie (Netfix) "Chasing Coral", which provides basic knowledge on this topic.

isiting, several times a year, the reefs of the Red Sea, I hoped, that maybe in this closed and quite young sea such a situation would not occur. I didn't know thenthat I would see many of the reefs for the last time. This year, the dying of Egypt's reefs has taken on enormous proportions.

BUT LETS START FROM THE BEGINNING I fell in love with the beauty of the colourful, underwater world from the first dive over 20 years ago in the Red Sea. At that time, not as a diver, but as a snorkeler, I admired the beauty of Egyptian reefs. I regularly returned to Egypt, always choosing the hotel with the richest reef. Snorkelling on the surface for hours, I couldn't get enough of the breathtaking underwater world. I envied the divers swimming below me the opportunity to commune with nature without haste and in incredible proximity. I knew that in time I would find myself in the depths looking at these wonderful creatures up close. My adventure with scuba diving started quite recently, just 6 years ago. I knew that my first dives would take place in Egypt

and I would finally make my dreams come true. The first 2 diving trips took place in the "dailybout" mode (you go out to sea every day for dives and stay in a hotel). It was an amazing experience, especially since I shared it with my then 10-year-old son. The beauty and richness of nature was astonishing. Thousands of colourful fish dancing to the rhythm of the rocking waves created an unforgettable show. I quickly wanted to go on even more interesting trips and started going on diving safaris quite frequently. 20 dives in 5 days and life on the ship fascinated me to the max. Year after year, however, I noticed less and less life in the water and the fact that the colours of the reefs became less and less intense. I'd thought about it often and wondered what the reason was, all the while hoping that the situation wasn't... and it will never be a foredoomed. This year's August safari, however, deprived me of my illusions and washed away the last of my hopes. What I saw underwater is shocking and leaves no doubt...

THE REEF IS DEAD! How do I know this? How did I notice it? And why do I say that?

I'LL EXPLAIN EVERYTHING TO YOU IN A MOMENT I loved reefs so much that I visited an aquarium store that sells corals and saltwater fish. The seller could see that my eyes were "shining" when I looked at the display.

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So he struck up a conversation. In a few words, he told me how easy it was to run a marine aquarium. Excited by the possibility of growing corals, I didn't think long and bought a starter pack, which included: ´ 100 litre aquarium "all in one" without a sump (I'll expand on this in a moment), ´ special – live sand constituting the substrate, ´ rock – part of a dead reef, ´ salt with micro-elements of appropriate quality only intended for the aquarium, ´ a whole lot of water filters to purify tap water that is later poured into the aquarium, ´ heater, ´ water circulator – simulating water currents and waves ´ suitable special lighting for the development of reefs. In a nutshell, that's it for the start. I wanted to buy corals along with the kit right away, but the seller categorically refused. This is because water needs a few weeks to create a proper bacterial and filtration environment. You can't bring corals into a newly established aquarium right away. Handling saltwater requires a great deal of patience. After a few weeks I started to introduce very simple soft corals, because they have the least

requirements, and of course the first two fish. Over time, I added one new coral at weekly intervals, all the while struggling with all sorts of problems. The so-called "plagues", for the start of a marine aquarium, are something normal, but terribly annoying. To start with, cyanobacteria – dark slime covering the sand and rock, then diatoms, followed by dinoflagellata, algae, bacterial blooms, etc. All the time I was struggling with problems that I had had no idea about before. And it was supposed to be so simple! I spent hours on forums and was reading and learning how to fight plagues, how to bring balance to the ecosystem.

IT WASN'T EASY! Instead of being a super pleasure, the aquarium adventure was a never-ending series of problem solving and multiplying costs. There were times when I thought I had everything under control, and a few days later there were completely new, unexpected difficulties. After a year of fighting, I was completely resigned, because this was not how it was supposed to look like! The corals did not develop properly. They were deprived of colour and natural growth rate. Some of them wasted and even died. It was very sad. I decided to give up and let go. Feeling like I was losing the

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fight, I was browsing aquarium forums and noticed the possibility of buying a complete professional aquarium – one with a sump. It looked beautiful in the photos. It was colourful with abundant life. I contacted the seller and started complaining. Why his aquarium was so beautiful, and mine just languished? The knowledge I gained from him was invaluable. I'll go back for a moment to the "all-in-one aquarium" I mentioned earlier. A marine aquarium in order to filter well and have a biological balance, absolutely must have a sump. What is it? This is the second aquarium placed below the main one. It is invisible, but it plays a major role in purifying, filtering, and getting rid of the poisonous ingredients produced by aquarium life. It's no secret that fish produce droppings. The result of their metabolism are harmful substances that, in excess, poison the entire tiny ecosystem. And the deficiency of these substances inhibits the growth and metabolism of corals. It is important to maintain an adequate flow of water from the aquarium to the sump, where the water goes through successive purification stages. The sump consists of partitioned chambers and so, in the first one we find a skimmer. It is quite a large device, that draws water and air. Micro air bubbles mix with water very dynamically and impurities in the form of foam overflow into a separated cup. A dark, horribly smelly slime is formed, which should not return to the aquarium under any circumstances. In this process, the water is also aerated. The skimmer releases the purified water into the next chamber. In the second chamber there is a rock or a suitable filter medium. Colonies of anaerobic bacteria remove harmful substances, such as PO4 (phosphates) from the water. Another chamber may contain algae, whose task is to remove NO3 (nitrates). The next chamber contains the return pump. This pump is responsible for returning the purified water to the aquarium. Such a system is the beginning of a properly functioning ecosystem. After thinking about it, I decided to try again with

a larger, this time 300-litre, professionally configured aquarium. And it worked. The system started working practically from the very beginning. The corals transferred from the old "cube" came back to life, gained colours and began to grow very dynamically. After a year, the corals literally started to come out of the aquarium. Their growth was dynamic and the colours were saturated. I knew I was going in the right direction. As corals grow, so does the need for micro-elements. This is where science and robotics come in handy. Over time, weekly water changes, up to 10% of the volume of the aquarium, will not be enough to replenish micro-elements and elements (the composition of seawater contains 70 of them), so as not to disturb the flora. Appropriate pumps should be installed, which, depending on the demand every few minutes precisely dispense a few drops of micro-element concentrate. In order for the proportions and composition of water to be constant, it is necessary to perform daily tests of the composition of water, such as, KH, magnesium and calcium values, and regularly check the level of PO4 and NO3. Every month, I sent water to a laboratory in Germany to test each of the 70 elements. Along with the results, the laboratory provides information on how much and what element is missing and how to dose it. So, as you can see from the description above, running an aquarium is not that easy at all. The pleasure of observing is indescribable. You can spend hours watching the behaviour of fish, snails, anemones, and proudly watch the corals grow.

PLANT OR ANIMAL? Not everyone knows that corals aren't plants – they're animals. Although you have probably come across the phrase "coral gardens" more than once, which could suggest something else. In a marine aquarium and in the natural marine environment (on coral reefs) we will see practically no plants. On the one hand, the coral seems to be very simple in structure, and on the other hand, it is a very complicated and fascinating animal.

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HOW DO WE DIVIDE CORALS? There are 3 types: ´ soft, ´ LPS – Large Polyp Scleractinia ´ SPS – Short Polyp Scleractinia Soft corals Soft corals are considered the simplest corals to grow in a marine aquarium. They grow relatively quickly and usually do not cause any major problems for the aquarist. However, it is worth remembering to maintain the basic parameters of the water, otherwise even the most resistant organisms may not survive. Soft corals are the perfect choice for a beginner aquarist starting their adventure with a marine aquarium. LPS Corals Large-polyp corals with a hard calcareous skeleton. Their polyps are usually very swollen because they are pumped up with aquarium water. The condition of LPS corals – their polyps – depends on the amount of light supplied, feeding and adequate water flow. To maintain them in the aquarium, it is necessary to provide them with proper light and high-quality water,, which should also be enriched with micro-elements: molybdenum, iodine, magnesium, strontium and calcium. Their level should be constantly monitored by regular testing.

SPS Corals These corals are considered to be one of the more difficult to maintain, so they are recommended for those experienced in marine aquariums. They consist of a calcareous skeleton, have branched forms or form slopes on living rock. To keep them in the aquarium, proper lighting of HQI lamps and high-quality water are required.

CLEAN SERVICE An extremely important element (in the aquarium – as well as in the natural environment) is the cleaning service :) These are fish, shrimps, snails that keep corals clean by eating metabolic residues. All other animals in the marine environment (such as fish or turtles) play an extremely important role and live in absolute symbiosis with corals. Therefore, if any specific element of the ecosystem is missing, which plays its important role for the stability of the rest of the environment – colloquially speaking, everything begins to fall apart. That is why it is so important to carefully select these organisms in the aquarium and to have a quantitative balance in the natural environment. Without aquarium cleaners, there is no possibility of proper development, I will say more – survival. Take e.g. boring slugs. We don't see them in the "cube" because they live in the sand and practically do not come to the surface. They play a huge role in cleaning the sand from food debris and dead matter. With-

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out them, the sand would ferment and poison the water. Both shrimps and fish, clean the rock and corals from the residual detritus, , i.e. the remains of organic tissue. Without cleaning up this debris, the sand would quickly be covered by the carpet of cyanobacteria which would drape everything with a toxic coating that cuts off oxygen and light – killing everything.

SYMBIOSIS – THE KEY WORD! Symbiosis is key in the marine ecosystem. Many symbiotic relationships in the marine ecosystem are based on mutual benefit. In some cases, symbiotic organisms protect each other from predators and pathogens. For example, certain species of purifier fish protect larger organisms from parasites while gaining access to food in the form of parasites. Corals, thanks to their cooperation with symbiotic algae, such as zooxanthellae, feed on their product from photosynthesis, i.e. simple sugars. Zooxanthellae use light energy and inorganic substances dissolved in water to produce food for corals. In this way, 60%-80% of the energy needed by corals is produced. Corals also need the company of fish to grow properly. The nitrates and phosphates in fish faeces are important elements needed by corals to live. Overfishing of the seas causes dangerous lack of balance. The balance that marine life has reached in a process that has lasted for millions of years. I don't think I need to write how much we – humans, as a species, disturb the balance in the

environment. The list is long: chemical contamination, industrial pollution and more, overfishing of the seas…

THE DAY THE REEF DIED! Reefs take thousands of years to form and build. Anyone, who visited the Red Sea, has probably noticed that whole giant coral islands emerge from the depths and form specific metropolises of life. On safari, we moor boats along huge reef slopes to discover the uniqueness of each place. This time was no different. The boat was anchored – we jumped into the water. As usual, I was holding my camera in my hand with a view of colourful frames with thousands of fish. I submerged, but the water was not as crystalline as usual. It was milky and cloudy. I swam up to the reef and I couldn't believe my eyes. After all, not so long before I had been diving there and the colours were shining in my eyes. At that moment – it was different. Everything was white. Wherever I looked, no matter at what depth I was, 90% of the reefs were white, and individual pieces shone with an unnatural colour. What had happened? It was a total shock! As a conscious coral grower, I know that this is the end. A huge reef is dying before my eyes. Not single pieces, not 1 m2, but whole hectares. I swam farther and farther away from the ship and observed life at different depths. I sought any hope in vain. The whiteness of the reef skeleton was terrifying, and tears came

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to my eyes. The reef looked like it had been devastated by an atomic bomb. No coral survived. The stages of reef dying are very distinctive. First, the coral gets rid of the zooxanthellae from the skin and its colour becomes unnaturally bright. After getting rid of its host, it starves to death, revealing a bare bone. A few days later, the decaying organic tissue is covered with brown "slimes", cyanobacteria that feed on carrion. The coral is then already covered with brown mucus. After consuming the organic tissue, the bacteria die and leave behind a skeleton, on which calcareous algae develop, taking on a purple colour. This dive took place exactly at the moment of absolute whiteness, that is, between getting rid of the zooxanthellae and before the cyanobacteria developed. Unfortunately, nowadays this situation is happening more and more often and hardly anyone has not heard about reef bleaching. I've heard it more than once. I've watched documentaries, popular science documentaries describing this unpleasant phenomenon, but I've never witnessed it. The reefs in the Red Sea have been "in shape" so far and I secretly hoped that they would avoid this process, providing us with unforgettable underwater views all the time. However, after diving, I am shocked and devastated. How great is my astonishment when some of the divers, after getting out of the water, marvel at the beauty of "healthy, white reefs"(!!!) I listen to it in disbelief. This situation forces me to write the article you are reading right now!

WHY DO THEY DIE? It is not possible to pinpoint a single reason for this dramatic situation – the dying of the reefs. Reef bleaching occurs all over the

world, and there is more than one reason for this. The most talked about is global warming – the greenhouse effect, but there are other reasons. Reef bleaching began to be noticed about 35 years ago, and then it began to look and analyse why corals die on such a large scale and what the consequences are. Corals live in a marine environment that hasn't changed for hundreds of thousands of years. The temperature they prefer is 24-28 degrees C. Since the early 1980's , as a result of the dynamic development of industry, man produces huge amounts of CO2, which contributes to the increase in temperatures. Water absorbs a large part of the temperature from the air. If this were not the case, scientists found that the average air temperature would have already exceeded 50 degrees C. As a result of the warming of the seas and oceans, the temperature very often exceeds the temperature level to which the corals are adapted. During our dives, the water temperature reached 33°C. Zooxantheles contained in the outer layer of the coral do not withstand such temperatures for a long time – they die. The coral, wanting to get rid of the dead tissue with which it is in symbiosis, releases zooxanthellae, getting rid of the host. The consequence of this is the death of the coral by starvation. Is temperature the only factor in reef bleaching? Certainly not, but the main one. Recent studies show that there is another reason for bleaching. Due to overfishing, there is less and less fish excrement in the water. The faeces produced by the fish, rich in PO4 and NO3 , are essential for the proper absorption of nutritional value by corals. Let us remember that there must be a balance in the environment. Due to the lack of droppings from the fish, the corals lack food.

Another reason for corals dying is the gigantic amount of suntan oils that we smear on during the holidays and which drain into water. Sunscreen, which is supposed to protect us from the sun's rays, also effectively covers corals, taking away the light they need for photosynthesis. The composition of the oils, along with the heavy metals, does not make their lives any easier. And litter (also thrown overboard) puts an additional strain on this fragile ecosystem. The amount of oil that enters the water from ships is enormous. I'll never forget the situation when, while jumping into the water, the camera port (the glass dome in front of the lens) took a large amount of oil from the surface of the water. After the dive, I was unable to clean the dome. I tried everything. I washed it with dish soap, then gasoline, acetone, degreaser. I couldn't wash the coloured layer of oil off the glass with anything. It was only the mechanical grinding in the car retail salon that wiped off the layer of colourful accumulation. How do oil-covered corals feel in such a situation?

IS THERE STILL HOPE?! On the one hand, scientists give us no hope by saying that by 2050, reefs will virtually disappear from the underwater landscape. On the other hand, numerous studies and attempts to save the reef are being conducted. I've read about trials and experiments on zooxanthellae DNA, which are supposed to withstand much larger temperature jumps. The result is to create a coral that is resistant to high temperatures. It's a light in the tunnel, but will playing God be good for us? Many countries have laws prohibiting people from entering the water after using suntan oils, and there are huge penalties for doing so. Some countries have even banned the sale

of oils and sunscreens. In many places, coral nurseries are run where corals are propagated by breaking them and creating new colonies. In Japan, it was possible to accelerate the process of sexual reproduction of corals. If this technology works, in a controlled way, it will be possible to multiply the cycle of coral reproduction, which occurs once a year in the natural environment. However, we should remember that all these actions will come to nothing if we do not guarantee corals a healthy, abundant place to establish a colony. It will take decades to rebuild the peculiar metropolises of underwater life. If our actions towards environmental protection do not improve the condition of the waters, acidity and overfishing, corals will disappear forever. This will have dramatic consequences for the whole world. Let's hope we're not the last generation to be able to admire the beauty of reefs...

IT BOTHERED ME... So I went to Egypt privately, without students or diving groups. Just me – alone with the reef. I wanted to reluctantly confirm what I saw in August, or rather to make sure that the catastrophic state of the reefs does not affect the whole of the Red Sea. I dived in completely different places in the vicinity of Safaga and I must admit that during 10 dives I didn't find a reef in such a deplorable condition, as the one during the August dives. I'll say more, the reef we admired was majestic, colourful and very diverse. I felt enormous relief. Because although it will not bring life back to the reef where I dived a few months earlier, I can confirm that there are places, where the reef is doing well, is healthy and very diverse.

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UNDERWATER CAPTAIN Using Diving Experience in Team Leadership Text Aldona Dreger, Agnieszka Romańczuk

Photos Jacek Twardowski

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP – Inspiration to Push A modern leader faces challenges that require not only management skills, but also flexibility, innovation, and the ability to create psychological security.

ow can diving become a metaphor for effective leadership and contribute to the development of these competences?

TRUST AND SAFETY – Foundations of Leadership: Just like in scuba diving, where trust in the partner and a sense of security are crucial, in business a leader must build relationships based on mutual trust. Psychological safety in a team allows for an open exchange of thoughts and ideas, which is essential for innovation and effective work.

Boundaries: A dive leader leads the group, inspiring them to explore the underwater world, just like a leader in an organisation who, through transformational leadership, motivates the team to achieve ambitious goals and adapt to change.

INNOVATION – Exploration of Unknown Terrain: Diving teaches us that every dive is a chance to discover something new. Similarly, a leader must promote creativity and look for new solutions in order for the organisation to grow. SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT – Communication and Empathy: Underwater, non-verbal communication is essential for communication and safety. This translates into communication skills in the business world, where clarity of communication, empathy and the ability to listen are the foundation of effective cooperation. SELF-MANAGEMENT – the first step to leading others: Diving lessons teach you that controlling your emotions and your own reactions is the first step to managing a team. This is

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reflected in the self-discipline needed for leaders in a fast-paced business world.

PRACTICE AND PREPARATION – the Key to Effective Action: In diving, emergency scenarios are practised in case of real-life situations. In business, it is also necessary to be prepared for various scenarios and to be flexible in action.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS The essence of teamwork: Just as in diving, where conflicts are resolved on the spot, in teamwork the leader must be equipped with the ability to resolve disputes quickly and effectively. Both underwater and in the business world, a leader must demonstrate the ability to listen, observe, and respond quickly to change. Diving offers unique experiences that can be used in the development of a leader's skills. What seems to be a hobby can bring valuable lessons that are applied in leading teams, managing projects and building an organizational culture based on trust and cooperation.

ALDONA DREGER – In my work as a diving instructor, as well as an HR specialist, vitality mentor and a diet coach, I see a clear connection between the ability to guide others and the ability to manage one's own life. For me, the belief that effective leadership starts with myself is not only a professional maxim, but also a personal philosophy. Diving, as it turns out, is not only a test of physical skills, but also of mental endurance. Each descent is for me another lesson in self-improvement, which teaches me how important it is to constantly develop my own attitude, behaviour and skills. It's all about safely and joyfully exploring the underwater kingdom, whether I'm there with others, with my family, or alone following my passion. Through my work in vitality mentoring, I've also seen how diving inspires deeper self-care. When we focus on our health, diet, and physical condition, we not only begin to take better care of ourselves, but we also improve our quality of life and our cooperation within the community. This experience taught me the importance of 'walking the talk', i.e. living according to the values we preach, and in my case, also 'walking the dives' – taking the same principles of authenticity and integrity underwater. The story of one of my recreational dives illustrates the importance of leadership and communication skills in extreme situations. During the dive in Honoratka dive site, my dive partner and I encountered unexpected challenges that required calmness, decisiveness, and effective wordless communication to safely return to the surface. Such experiences strengthen trust and cooperation within the team.

FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT: Open Circuit Recreational Diving (OC) In the early afternoon of a not too cold day on Honoratka, a flooded lignite pit, my diving partner and I began a dive to a depth of 40 meters to reach one of the objects quite a long distance away, after a long and gentle descent on the bottom. A characteristic feature of this type of diving facilities is that at such a depth it is already dark, and the temperature at the bottom is no more than 4-8 degrees Celsius, which increases the probability of nitrogen narcosis which can slow down concentration and mental clarity, and then a short moment in our opinion, may turn out to be 5 minutes that can decide about our life and death, when performing all safety stops on a meticulously counted amount of air. Everything seemed to go according to the dive plan: analysing the map of the object, setting the compass to locate the object we were planning to swim to. We had already made dozens of dives together in similar and more difficult conditions and everything seemed to be clear. Suddenly, my partner's computer signalled an alarm, which meant that we had exceeded the depth of the dive, which we had not intended to do. Based on the situation assessments, my partner, who led the dive that day, gave a sign of return and we began to ascend as indicated by the computers. At the end of the ascent, it turned out that

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the air in my expedition partner's cylinder had run out and we completed the required safety stops on the air from my cylinder, in which the air was also running low. We surfaced and swam to the shore with a slight headache and prophylactically took advantage of the oxygen that was given to us at the diving base. As usual, we made and overview of the dive. This is part of our continuous improvement process, whether the dive went as planned or not. During the discussion, it turned out that at the same time we had suffered nitrogen narcosis, under the influence of which our mental perception was delayed and we had misread the indications of the computers. In addition, it turned out that we were heading to an underwater object that had been moved to another location, which we found out after we got out of the water. This situation has given us an extraordinary experience that we can draw on in our continuous diving development and we are happy to share it with others. It turned out that nothing can be taken for granted, and composure and calmness help to get out of the most difficult situation. This case has strengthened our sense of mutual trust – says Aldona. In turn, Barbara Trusewicz, an experienced diver and at the same time serving as the secretary of the municipality and dep-

uty mayor and member of supervisory boards, says, "I often see interesting analogies between the skills I develop underwater and those I use in management in local government. Listening, observation and analysis of the situation are key competences both in diving and in conducting official affairs. These skills allow me to effectively lead a team and ensure that each member of the group feels valuable, valued and aware of the common goals we are pursuing. Underwater, just like in the office, communication must be clear and understandable for everyone. Both when diving in a group and when working with my team, I apply the same principles. I'm also learning patience and prudence – underwater, where any wrong move can have serious consequences, and in offices, where the decisions we make affect the life of our community. Both diving and my work require a balanced approach and the ability to manage crises, which I believe are fundamental to achieving success in both fields." Diving becomes a metaphor for teamwork and leadership, and the experiences shared by Aldona Dreger and Barbara Trusewicz emphasise the universality of these skills in various aspects of life. In conclusion, both in diving and in team management, it is essential not only to talk about values and principles, but also to demonstrate them through action – this is the essence

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Just like in diving, in professional life, things don't always go as planned, but the key to success is the ability to adapt and support each other.

of "walking the talk" in the context of land and "walking the dives" underwater. A leader who personally implements the principles he or she preaches, gains not only the respect but also the trust of underwater partners or colleagues. In diving as well as in management, it is authenticity and consistency in action that builds strong teams capable of surviving in difficult conditions. Diving, therefore, offers not only an adrenaline rush into unknown depths, but also lessons in the field of leadership – where communication without words must be clear and understandable, where listening and reacting to feedback becomes a matter of safety, and risk management and decision-making under time pressure are part of everyday life. These experiences are transferred to the professional field, where these skills become crucial in leading teams to success. In the context of professional work and personal development, diving can be a metaphor for life and the challenges that await us. Just like in diving, in professional life, things don't always go as planned, but the key to success is the ability to adapt and support each other. "Walking the dives" isn't just about surviving underwater, it's about turning each adventure into a valuable learning experience that can be applied to life on land. After all, true leadership skill shows not only when the water is calm, but especially when we encounter difficulties and it is how we react that defines us as both divers and leaders.

NURKOWANIE KURSY POLSKIE CENTRUM NURKOWE NA MALCIE OFFICE@DIVEONMALTA.COM

+48604585389

WWW.DIVEONMALTA.COM PERFECTDIVER No. 6(30)/2023

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PERFECT BUOYANCY

An essential diving skill and the greatest difficulty Text and photos Dominik Dopierała CN Deco

If you were to evaluate a diver underwater in a split second and say whether he can dive or not, you would be looking at his buoyancy. And partially you would be right, because buoyancy is very important, but it cannot be assessed just by a brief picture, like a glance at the diver.

t has to be considered comprehensively through all phases of the dive. Only a thorough analysis of all factors influencing buoyancy during an individual dive and looking at the diver through the prism of many dives in different equipment and waters gives as such an idea. From my personal observations, this is one of the first diving skills downplayed by divers, and not only at the beginning of their career. The Perfect Buoyancy course is one of the most ridiculed and downplayed training programmes. This is strange because most divers are very far from perfect buoyancy. Is this due to ignorance, or perhaps a lack of knowledge, or perhaps a lack of awareness of how important buoyancy is? Imagine you are gliding over a reef. You feel like a leaf in the wind. The slightest movement of your foot moves you. You put hardly any effort into it. A dolphin appears, then another, and

a third. A whole herd. Your heart speeds up and you want to be closer, three strong strokes with your fins and you pick up speed. You are among them, you are one of them. Or you wiggle and wiggle and find it difficult to move. The effort you make leads to breathlessness and you are no longer interested in dolphins, only in calming your breath. On the basic course we checked our buoyancy with the instructor and I had X kilos at the time and that's how I dive. Then I was short in Croatia, so I added Y. In Egypt it was just Z. Now I always have XYZ and that's enough. In Egypt it was just Z. Most divers, unfortunately also some divemasters and even instructors tend to overload themselves. Better to plough the bottom than dangle on the surface. This is a very serious problem, because for perfect buoyancy the key is to understand the perfect balance. And finding the perfect balance.

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Everything weighs, the diver, the cylinder, the ballast, the jacket, the fins, the drysuit. For the sake of simplicity, we won't be discussing drysuit balancing for now, we'll cover that in the drysuit article. And this is what you know or find out when you first have to pack your suitcase before flying for a dive. But you've looked at it until now, how much it weighs on the surface. One of the questions you asked your diving guru at the beginning of your career was: how many kilos do I need? And after looking at you in depth, the figure of 8 kilos came up. Guru, how could he weigh me like that? Why not 6 kg or 10 kg. The truth is that your "guru" took a look at the cylinder, the suit you are using, your posture, added on about 2 kg and you got the result. Approximate, probably when you entered the water it had to be corrected. There is no formula for calculating how many kilos of ballast you need. It depends on many factors and the only accurate way to find out is to get in the water. It is worth realising that every extra kilo beyond what we need is no longer ballast, but a burden and interferes with our ability to dive comfortably. So let's discuss the three states in which a diver may find themselves during a dive.

UNDERWEIGHT The characteristic of this condition is the inability to submerge, or worse, the inability to stay underwater. If we cannot sub-

merge, the issue is simple, we need more ballast. The latter situation arises during a dive and often takes us by surprise. It can result in us not being able to finish the dive with a safety stop, which can potentially be dangerous. Why do we 'suddenly' run out of ballast at the end? (Provided we haven't lost it in the process). Because we are breathing and consuming air from the cylinder, the difference between a full and empty cylinder can be as much as 3 kg. Have you tried dropping 3 kg of ballast suddenly? Therefore, in order to balance ourselves properly, we should check our ballast at the end of the dive with the reserve value in the cylinder. Only in this way will we accurately determine the amount of ballast in a given equipment configuration.

OVERWEIGHT A condition that is very easy to achieve. Many divers find it a natural way to dive. A characteristic feature at every stage of the dive, including the safety stop at the end, the diver has an inflated jacket. He has to use the jacket all the time. Many people who I have asked why they dive this way answer me that they like to have a sense of security so that they do not fall out. These divers usually stick to the bottom and dive in very close contact with it. If you want to meet such a person, all you have to do is go to any diving base in our country and wait a while hovering in the depths 2-3 metres above some line. After a while, a diver

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will appear 20-30 cm above the line, having it at eye level and continuously swimming.

water? Have you added a warmer, a hood, maybe gloves? Do you have a new torch? Or maybe you borrowed a cylinder from a friend? While most divers understand the differences between fresh and salt water and remember that they need to add ballast in salt water, we don't attach importance to the little things. I'll take a torch from a friend, maybe a camera to take some pictures. And I've just unexpectedly added 2 kg to myself. Not a lot? Normally I dive on a 15-litre cylinder but for my second dive I borrowed a 'fifteen' from a friend. My cylinder without air weighs 15.4 kg, his 22.8 kg. You don't believe me that there can be such differences in cylinder weight? There are. The difference in water is even a few kilos. I've just added 3 kg maybe even 6 kg to myself. Plus equipment that I don't normally dive with. Do you think these ADDITIONAL kilos don't matter? You're diving at 30m and just now your jacket is inflated almost fully after compressing your wetsuit. You're swimming on the bottom, it's hard to adjust your buoyancy. At a shallower depth, any slightest change in depth means you have to work the inflator. Know the equipment you are diving in. It doesn't have to be the most expensive and best, but one that you know and dive in. Avoid changing too much on one dive. Check your equipment, specifically its weight in the water. I don't mean literally taking a fishing scale and hooking up every piece of your gear submerged in the water to it. Although it's not such a silly idea at all when you're aiming for perfect ballasting. I remember once when one of my students came to me after several years asking for help with perfect ballasting. He was missing the ballast space on his belt. It was an interesting experiment that we then carried out quickly with his now former jacket. After deflating it, we threw it into the pool and tried to sink it. The jacket itself was positively buoyant almost 3 kg!!! This is of course not normal, but what equipment are you using? In that case the new jacket with ballast pockets not only solved the problem of the amount of weight, but also another very important element of buoyancy.

PERFECT BALANCE

BALLAST DISTRIBUTION

This is a condition that, despite appearances, is not at all difficult to achieve. All one has to do is carry out the correct procedure for checking the amount of ballast with an empty cylinder (30-40 bar). That is, at the water surface, empty the jacket to zero and stop making any movements with the fins. The state we are aiming for is to stay at the surface of the water when inhaling at eye level and to sink gently after exhaling. We should complete the first dive of every dive trip in this way. This will allow us to take as much ballast as we need to compensate for the buoyancy of our body and equipment.

Determining the amount of ballast is not enough, its distribution is also very important. The most popular, read cheapest, jackets on the market do not have ballast pockets. So the only option to put weight on is a weight belt. If you need up to 8 kg of lead, this solution, although not ideal, can work. Putting more than 8 kg on the belt makes absolutely no sense anymore. The difference in forces acting on our body is too great. On the one hand, a belt that pulls down puts a heavy load on the hips and spine. On the other, the jacket pulls upwards on our shoulders. Obtaining a horizontal position is almost impossible. I know from experience that if you need more than 4 kg then you should think about a jacket with an integrated weight system. Remember that buying a jacket with a plate is a great solution when you need a lot of ballast. The steel plate itself already fulfils this function.

But... Perfect balance is not perfect buoyancy. This is ONLY one of its parameters. You have to remember that each change alters your buoyancy. Did you change the environment from freshwater to salt-

The correct distribution of ballast in different places will make it easier to maintain the correct position underwater. This is one of the elements that, among other things, you will work on with your instructor during your perfect buoyancy training. Note that I am not telling you how your ballast should be distributed. Why? Because I'm not writing a book or a guide to hundreds of pages here, just a short article. I can't see you reader, I don't know if you weigh 45 kg or 145 kg. I have no idea what diving equipment you keep in your cupboard. Until, as a dive instructor, I see you with your gear and get in the water with you it is hard for me to comment. Each of us is different and there is not ONLY one right solution for buoyancy. That's why it's so important that you consult your dive instructor and ask them for buoyancy training. Of course, you will probably figure out the right equipment and weight configuration yourself by trial and error after 20–30 dives. But aren't you wasting your time? You can get the same result after 2–3 dives, having lots of fun in the process.

YOUR BREATH IS A MULTIPURPOSE TOOL FOR REGULATING BUOYANCY Only by realising what a powerful buoyancy tool our breath is will it be possible to fully enjoy buoyancy. There are a whole host of exercises for mastering the ability to regulate your position with ONLY your breath. Each instructor has their own individual style of teaching perfect buoyancy. The

Od samego początku każda obudowa SEACAM była wykonywana ręcznie, aby połączyć mechaniczną precyzję i ergonomiczny design. Z wielką ambicją nadal dążymy do najwyższych standardów jakości i innowacji, inn aby wspierać wyjątkowych fotografów w urzeczywistnianiu ich wizji

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individual exercises may differ but the general idea is the same. And the principle of learning through play already works well with children and, when conducted in an interesting way, satisfies the needs of adults. To encourage you to join the Perfect Buoyancy programme, I will describe three exercises that I use in my swimming classes. They are all designed to show you how to use your breath and help you understand buoyancy.

"A KILO OR TWO" – We hover in the water, in a circle (usually several people take part in the activity), facing each other. We have two weights of 1 and 2 kilos. We pass these weights to each other in a clockwise direction. Of course, the 1 kg circulates first, then the 2 kg, and then alternately. The task is to, as far as possible, not fall to the bottom of the pool, or the platform, when you get the weights. Hold yourself in this position for 30 seconds and do not lift yourself up when you hand over the weight. "MOONWALK" – take off the fins and adjust the buoyancy with the jacket to neutral. From this point onwards, you are not allowed to touch the jacket. The task is to walk on the surface of the moon like a true astronaut. You can bounce, jump, do acrobatics, walk on walls (if you do the exercise in a quarry or pool). But you can regulate buoyancy ONLY with your breath.

"TORO" – have you seen a charging bull? A Roman emperor deciding the fate of a gladiator? A diver swimming in the depths slowly approaches the thumb deciding his fate. He swims up to it almost touching it with his mask. Then the instructor raises or lowers the thumb. The diver's task is to rise or fall in place and swim over or under the instructor's outstretched hand without touching it. Working out your perfect buoyancy takes time, attention and practice. I highly recommend you to look deeper into the subject of your buoyancy. Consult with an instructor, have a short training session, understand the issue and practice. A little effort on your part with this most important diving skill will translate very effectively into your future dives. You will be lighter, which means you will put less strain on your spine. You will float freely and gently in the water so you will use your fins less, which means you will put less effort into your diving. You will use less air, not only for the jacket, but also breathe less. Your dives will become longer and more enjoyable. Sound great to me.

PERFECT BUOYANCY, remember these two words.

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water sports enthusiasts, but also provided an important networking platform for industry professionals. Also taking place at the same time were the Caravans Salon, Tour Salon and the Traces of Dreams Travel Festival. All in all, 33 274 visitors came to MTP over the four days. Music from Radio Eska Poznan as well as competitions and great fun made this the most colourful part of our fair at the Yacht Salon. As one of the Media Patrons, Perfect Diver magazine conducted several interviews, including with captain Krzysztof Baranowski an multiple World Champion Mateusz Kusznierewicz. We were visited by a lot of people and rarely did anyone refuse our WOSEBA coffee, which we served not only to our guests. There were also bars and food trucks, and everything was organised to a high standard.

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What did the fair give us? A hunger for dive industry exhibitors. We hope that our coverage and involvement will inspire and help interest manufacturers, distributors and owners to exhibit in 2024.

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EGYPTIAN DCS OR WHY DECOMPRESSION THEORY IS ALWAYS CALLED A THEORY... Text and photos Michał Czerniak RED

IN LATE SEPTEMBER, WE’VE PUT TOGETHER QUITE A CONSIDERABLE GROUP FOR OUR CUSTOMARY TRIP TO MARSA ALAM TO “CATCH SOME MORE SUMMER” WHEN GRAY FALL STARTS IN POLAND.

hose who have been to Marsa Alam know that it’s hard to call this place a mecca for technical divers... it’s hard to find great depths, sunken historical relics in the form of wrecks or diving spots that would require especially high skills or special equipment. If you google Marsa Alam, the browser, probably quoting a travel agency, will tell you that “Marsa Alam is the warmest region in Egypt, breathtaking sandy beaches and wonderful views, one of the best colorful coral reefs in the world.” That’s what we expected, nothing more – both in terms of tourism and diving. Since the only goal of our diving was to enjoy the underwater fauna and flora, we planned two hourly dives per day, which left us plenty of time for resting and having diving discussions. During one of those discussions we did mention DCS but we concluded that our dives were far from those

demanding decompressing procedures, so it would be hard to analyze something that couldn’t happen in our case. But let’s start from the beginning and explain what exactly DCS is... DCS, decompression sickness (sometimes called caisson disease), is a set of symptoms occurring in persons exposed to rapid changes in ambient pressure. DCS occurs as a result of rapid drop in water pressure when a diver ascends suddenly. The consequences of this sickness can be very serious, which is why from the very first Open Water course instructors put so much stress on maintaining proper ascent rates. DCS had been called caisson disease long before it was well-described and studied by doctors. Caissons are specialist steel or reinforced concrete boxes with tight walls and an open bottom used in pioneer times for underwater engineering works. The workers could spend long

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hours inside the caissons, performing appointed tasks, while at the same time exposing themselves to high pressure, which prevented water from getting inside the caissons. The workers noticed that after leaving the caissons, when a rapid change in pressure occurred, they started to feel worse and felt acute pain in their joints and muscles. Today we know that caisson disease, or DCS, can be blamed on nitrogen. On the surface we breathe a gas mixture called air, which contains approx. 78% of nitrogen. Our bodies are well adjusted to deal with this gas under atmospheric pressure, which is a pressure close to 1 atmosphere. Every diver knows that ambient pressure increases along with depth. According to Henry’s law, formulated in 1803, an increase in pressure causes an increase in gas solubility level in liquids. During diving, as depth changes, the amount of gases dissolved in our blood increases – this law applies especially to nitrogen, which is not only capable of dissolving in liquid tissues of the human body (plasma, blood), but is also capable of penetrating all the other tissues – including bone tissue. Nitrogen, as opposed to oxygen, doesn’t metabolize even partially in the body and the only way to get rid of it is to expel it through the lungs. When a diver begins to ascend, the process of dissolving gases in tissues is reversed – the dissolved nitrogen takes the form of bubbles released from various body tissues. Even without conducting scientific research one can figure out that the rate of releasing nitrogen bubbles from liquid tissues is different from the rate of releasing it from solid tissues. If the diver fails to maintain the proper ascent rate or disregards widely recommended safety stops, the nitrogen bubbles may cause mechanical damage to tissues, blood vessels or even cause an embolism, preventing blood flow, unavoidably leading to necrosis of the blocked area due to hypoxia. Technical divers or divers enjoying long and deep exploration dives are perfectly familiar with the techniques of expelling nitrogen from their bodies. These procedures are called decompression procedures.

Nowadays dive computers control the proper course of decompression. To translate this knowledge onto the field of recreational diving, simply put, if your computer indicates that your “NDL” (no-decompression limit, measured in minutes) at the end of the dive is at a significantly higher level than zero minutes, this means that your dive doesn’t require performing decompression procedures and you can finish it by conducting the usual safety stop procedures. However, this raises a very important question, which is basically the gist of my entire article. How does the dive computer know what decompression I should perform? The computer measures the time spent by the diver underwater, the depth they’re at and dynamically analyses the dive profile. The specific profile is compared with the mathematical and physical model, based on which the potential decompression procedure course is determined or a signal is displayed that there’s no need to perform these procedures (positive NDL value). Right... so we have a mathematical model; a model that seems to be broad enough that it applies to an athletic 20-year-old as well as his life-wearied and stressed father! It is said that since technical divers dive long and deep, all of them at some point will experience the effects of decompression sickness at least once. This won’t be prevented by procedures, sticking to the computer guidelines or diving to a strict plan. Decompression theory is called a “theory” for a reason. The computer we use tries its best to compare our dive profile with the model saved in its memory and determine our no-decompression limit... however, there’s always a “but”. I had the misfortune of experiencing this “but” during my recreational dives in Marsa Alam, when throughout the entire evening I was experiencing the effects of mild DCS. That day in Marsa was especially hot (over 29°C). We were supposed to dive from the beach but the cars couldn’t drive directly onto the beach, which forced us to take a 150-meter walk to the diving spot in wetsuits and full gear.

gas balance

decompression gas balance

gas pressure

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Both dives planned for that day went by in a great atmosphere – we had a nearly 2-hour surface interval between the dives. The analysis of my dive profiles indicates that they were very recreational – one of the dives lasted 42 minutes and the maximum depth was 22 meters. The second dive lasted 45 minutes – the depth was 17 meters. Below are the screenshots of the dive profiles from my computer.

Already after 20 minutes from completing the last dive, when I reached the car in a zipped-up wetsuit, carrying the wing with the tank, I started to feel very cold. I quickly changed my clothes at the store but I already felt severe weakness; to the point that I had to lay down and I didn’t participate in my friends’ discussions about their diving experiences. Me and my buddy came to a quick conclusion that due to the heat and the necessity to walk through the beach in full gear I simply suffered a heatstroke. I just had to lay down and drink a lot and I would feel much better very soon. While laying down, I was wondering whether taking a new wing for a single tank to Egypt was a good idea – I thought it was very uncomfortable (although it hadn’t seemed that way underwater) because my entire chest and arms hurt from the DIR harness... at least so I thought then. When we made it to the hotel, my condition didn’t improve. I definitely felt cold, which caused me to leave my t-shirt on. The pain in my body decreased slightly – however, it was soon followed by nausea... I was the last person who would come to the conclusion that those were the symptoms of mild DCS... DCS in Egypt during easy 20 meter dives? I blamed heatstroke, overexertion, work-related stress. In the morning I felt great again – to the point that I arrived to our diving boat, ready to further explore the Red Sea depths.

However, as soon as I took of my shirt, I had no illusions – my chest and arms were covered in red spots. A classic case of skin DCS, the mildest form of this sickness, grounded me for the entire day and prevented any further dives. If it had occurred to me that me feeling terrible had anything to do with DCS, I would have sat for an hour or longer and breathed clean oxygen at the store. This treatment would have definitely shortened my indisposition significantly. Unfortunately, I had to experience it personally so that from that moment on I could better read the signals sent by my body. Going back to diving procedures – when I emerged from the last dive, my computer indicated that my NDL was still at +55 minutes. This was a lot and according to the computer, which, as a reminder, is based on a mathematical model, my body didn’t require any decompression procedures. In my case the model didn’t work because of too many adjustments to this model that I didn’t take into consideration. I arrived at the dive site stressed, because my work-related stress usually goes away after a week. I got overexerted and what’s more, as we know, the life of divers at Egyptian resorts isn’t always “hygienic” because nothing prevents the legendary “Pharaoh’s Revenge” like the highly spirituous liquid medicine, purchased at the airport’s duty-free zone. Marching in heat, wearing a thick 5 mm wetsuit with full gear, also significantly contributed to the fact that my body exceeded the limits predicted by the mathematical decompression model. Decompression theory is only a theoretical model... If you perform a specific dive one day, you may feel great; a week later the same diving profile may lead to DCS symptoms. Do keep in mind what factors should be taken into consideration when analyzing your exposure to DCS: tiredness, dehydration, medication received, menstruation in women. You should remember what not to do immediately after diving: definitely hold off with the hot shower or drinking coffee. May you all learn from my mistakes this time, instead of committing your own. Dive – but dive safely. Don’t disregard safety stops. Listen to yourselves and react to what your body is trying to tell you. Good luck!

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WE WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER BY THE WORLD CLEANUP! Text Grzegorz Mikosza

Photos Michał Gieniusz for Our Earth Foundation

BEHIND US IS AN EXCEPTIONAL, JUBILEE EDITION OF THE WORLD CLEANUP

CAMPAIGN, WHICH THIS YEAR TOOK PLACE UNDER THE MOTTO 'CLEANING

THE WORLD BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER.' AS I WRITE THIS ARTICLE AT THE OUR EARTH FOUNDATION, WE ARE STILL COLLECTING THE RESULTS

OF ACTIONS FROM ALL OVER POLAND, BUT WE ALREADY KNOW THAT

WE HAVE BEATEN LAST YEAR'S ATTENDANCE RECORD! WE ALSO HAVE THE RESULTS OF UNDERWATER ACTIONS THAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU HERE TO SHOW HOW BEAUTIFULLY WE JOINED FORCES IN CARING FOR OUR COMMON PLANET.

30 YEARS OF THE WORLD CLEANUP CAMPAIGN IN POLAND Over the past 29 editions of the World Cleanup Campaign, Poles have collected a total of 45 thousand tons of waste. When we in our team wanted to compare this abstract number to something, we thought of a comparison from the maritime category. It's equivalent to the weight of a Blue Whale. More precisely, 375 Blue Whales! This impressive result is also thanks to the impressive number of hands ready to act. Over almost three decades, we have counted a total of 23,000,000 participants! This year, we will add the results of the 30th edition of the campaign to make it a warning for litterbugs and a loud thank you to those who clean up. However, what we consider the most important result of all 30 campaigns is the changes in human attitudes for the betterment of nature. We all have played a significant role in

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this because, as a classic once said, 'Be careful with your actions, they become habits.' For many of us, the path to these good habits for our planet began during school cleanups in September. So, it's not surprising that the group of people for whom even throwing a piece of paper on the grass is unthinkable is growing year by year. Therefore, undoubtedly, over these 30 years, we have changed, and the world around us has changed. What about the underwater world?

had grown! Believe me, the amount of waste that had just been lying in the water made a stunning impression. We experienced a mix of anger (towards those who dumped the trash), admiration (for those who retrieved the trash), and reflection (on what we can do to prevent new trash from appearing there). I would recommend this shock therapy to every litterbug. It would quickly cure the chronic disease of humanity, which manifests itself in the belief that 'throwing just one bottle won't harm anyone.'

MOUNTAINS OF WASTE

UNDERWATER CLEANUP REPORT

Unfortunately, there is still much to be done here. The world beneath the water's surface remains undiscovered for many. That's why every underwater cleanup action is recorded with us as a golden achievement. One of them stole my heart particularly this year, thanks to over 80 volunteer divers who participated in the second day of the World Cleanup Campaign finals in Wągrowiec. In such a group, you can move mountains, and as you will soon find out, there is no exaggeration in that! Just a moment after the last diver entered the water, the teams supporting the action from the water and from the land began to receive bags filled with trash up to the brim. Bottles, food packaging, car parts, trash cans, elements of various construction structures, and household appliances were pulled from the lake's bottom. After two hours, we couldn't keep up with weighing the next bags, and around our foundation's weighing station, a frightening mountain of trash extracted from the lake

The mountain of waste extracted from the beautiful Durowskie Lake in Wągrowiec is not the only example of a fantastic and committed community of divers’ activities this year. I am pleased to report that within the 30th World Cleanup Campaign under the patronage of Perfect Diver Magazine, 10 underwater actions took place, with the participation of 322 divers! The total result for all underwater cleanups is 4361 kg! This is a result that we proudly record in the report of the 30th Jubilee World Cleanup Campaign – Poland! From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone who cleaned up with us this year, especially you dear divers. Without you, this underwater mountain of waste would still be poisoning the waters of many Polish water bodies. On behalf of the Our Earth Foundation, I warmly invite you to participate in the 31st World Cleanup Campaign, which will start in April 2024!

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BRAVE DADS Text and photos Wojciech Jarosz

Nature is a real treasure trove of diversity, so let me start the bird column with a trivial statement. Banal and obvious in a special way for the lovers of the aquatic environment, who experience this diversity with great intensity during their peri-aquatic (sometimes over- and sometimes under-water) activities.

ature does not tease them lightly with its charms behind the ear, but hits them with its abundance like Thor's hammer right between the eyes. After all, it is not only the eyes it attacks, as each of the available channels of perception (called senses on a daily basis) sends the recipients numerous sensations. The diversity of nature demonstrates itself in every possible manifestation. Also in the sphere of interest of ethologists. Let me remind you that ethology is the part of animal science that, broadly speaking, studies animal behaviour.

Within zoological sciences, it is difficult to draw sharp boundaries separating ethology from related fields, such as sociobiology, behavioural ecology or neurobiology, but fortunately we do not have to deal here with the details of the classification of scientific fields and disciplines. Ornithologists dealing with bird behaviour, moving on to the main topic, cannot complain about the deficit of research matter. After all, there is no shortage of diversity here. In this context, the issue of differences between the sexes appears extremely interesting, and not only at first glance. Sexu-

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al dimorphism, as this phenomenon is professionally called (not only in birds observed and not only in birds called so, of course) has many faces and concerns, among others, behaviour, but also issues that are much more conspicuous, even during shortterm observation made in the field, such as bird plumage and its coloration. Usually, males are more colourful, have fancy tails and crests, but can also sing or dance beautifully, build astonishing structures as nests, and even search for gifts. And all this to please the females (in this case the uglier sex). I forgot about the fights! Yes, male birds can fight for the favours of the female part of the population with other males, oh they can! For example, they fight for a better territory, for a better tree hollow, for a better located stick on which to sit and sing so that the trills carry as far as possible, for a better patch of narrow cliff, for better access to the food base, and so on... Females, on the other hand, after choosing the most appropriate individual for the father of their children (such a choice can be made once in a lifetime, or maybe every year, or even more often), lay eggs and take care of them, and then of the chicks to make sure that the chances of their own genes remaining in the population are as high as possible. For this, they do not need colourful feathers – in fact, it is more beneficial to get rid of all kinds of flashiness, because you can blend in with the surroundings with grays, in

Yes, male birds can fight for the favours of the female part of the population (...), they fight for a better territory, for a better tree hollow, for a better located stick on which to sit and sing so that the trills carry as far as possible, for a better patch of narrow cliff, for better access to the food base, and so on... order to remain invisible as long as possible for potential predators waiting for an easy opportunity to get food – simply not to be devoured (or not to let their eggs and later chicks to be devoured), or at least not to make life easier for predators. This is usually the case… Well, it will finally be about the title birds – attention! And in the case of phalaropes, it's quite the opposite! The reversal of social roles, to use human terminology, is associated with the following images from the life of these birds: firstly, females arrive at breeding grounds earlier than males and take care of the selection of nesting sites. Secondly, females take on more expressive mating colours than males and thirdly,

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(...) the male, due to the surplus of representatives of his sex, having statistically less chance of finding a mate, will accept any opportunity to reproduce, even if it will involve the need to take care of incubating eggs and taking care of the young. females immediately after laying eggs leave the hatch to be taken care of by the male, and they themselves move away in order to find another candidate for a husband. Such a situation! There are at least a few theories as to why this happens. One of them refers to the maximum number of eggs that a female can lay at one time. Apparently, the phalarope lady (like other few plovers, in which such a role reversal also occurs) is not able to exceed the number of four eggs in a brood. However,

why stop at four, when you can multiply this number by entering into the closest possible relationships with other males. The reproductive success will then be much greater, so evolutionarily speaking, females can take care of the succession of their own genes quite well. Another theory, in my opinion even more interesting, considers the key indicator of sex abundance among adult birds, i.e. the numerical ratio of females to males. If in phalaropes, as in a dozen or so other species of birds, in which this interesting role reversal is observed, there are more males than females in the population, and such skewness of distribution is observed (sometimes even it is as much as 70:30), it would seem that males should fight fiercely for females. However, it is the opposite, because the male, due to the surplus of representatives of his sex, having statistically less chance of finding a mate, will accept any opportunity to reproduce, even if it will involve the need to take care of incubating eggs and taking care of the young. Taking advantage

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of the female's momentary favour, the male maximises the chances of his reproductive success – he will probably not have another opportunity. Phalaropes belong to the scolopacidae family and a subfamily of wanding brids. Their legs are long, as befits wanding birds, and their feet are equipped with lobe toes – so the mystery of the generic name has been clarified. Two species of phalaropes occur in the tundra zone of the northern hemisphere, the red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) – this species is in the photos illustrating this article, and the other is the red phalarope (P. fulicarius). In the far north, the phalaropes breed. They live there on the seashores, near lakes and swamps. They often feed on the water surface, where they float as if they were not submerged in it at all, like a cork thrown to the surface – this makes them appear even lighter than they really are. Sitting on the water, they spin in all directions, which causes plankton to flow to the surface and here the birds grab it for a known purpose. After the breeding season, the phalaropes basically become seabirds. They fly along the coasts around the world, reaching the areas of North America and as far as the southern edge of South America, but also to the areas of the West African shores – these are red phalaropes. Red-necked phalaropes, in addition to the same locations, also winter around the coasts of South and East Asia. During migration, they can also be found in Europe. I was able to observe the red-necked phalaropes in the Vistula Estuary, when they already wore milder resting colours. Those from the photos, in the beautiful feathers of the breeding period, I saw in Iceland.

You can also find them in northern Scandinavia in summer, not only on the coast, but also in the uplands. Once you manage to come across them, you should have no problem enjoying their observation. They have a very small escape distance. Keep an eye out for them on your northern expeditions!

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PLASTIC AND OCEANS Text and photos Karola Takes Photos

Plastic. It is widely known that we have a problem with it. It’s in the woods, it’s in the snow, in the mountains, it’s in the deserts, underground, above the ground, in rivers, streams and of course in the oceans. Everywhere. And I see it most often in the water.

don’t think I’ve ever had a dive from which I would return without garbage in my pocket, gathered from the bottom of the sea or caught drifting freely in the blue. It is sad and sometimes even terrifying. Here in Indonesia this problem is much larger than in e.g. Europe. Lack of eco-education and messy habits have led to the fact that after every rainfall, plastic is washed out of the islands and brought by the stream of rivers to the sea. Many times I’ve strolled on the beach after a storm and I just wanted to cry, because it was full of garbage. I remember the 90s in Poland when we had a huge problem with garbage. It was also everywhere. 30 years have passed and it is a lot better (although there are idiots who will load the trailer after renovations or spring cleaning and woosh! dump into the woods, because no one can see them in the woods and this is “a free service”. Shameful!). The problem in Asia is much bigger because people’s awareness is different, of course, the problem is global, I don’t even want to mention factories that pollute environment around the

world, or send container ships with waste to developing countries, global warming, but also our own habits. Think about it in this way: let’s say twenty years ago you were in a grocery store and you got a disposable plastic bag, this bag and every other plastic bag you have ever used in your life is still lying somewhere or drifting in the blue. When I realized that, I felt ashamed that I used to take a plastic bag every time, because I had no idea how truly evil it was. All of this and more inspired me to create a photo session entitled “TRAPPED”. It is a series of photographs of beautiful women cornered, bound, surrounded, drowning in plastic. I wanted to show nature as a beautiful woman who is trapped in various types of plastic traps and can’t escape. Red accents make these photographs stronger. Red colour symbolizes extreme values like femininity, passion, vitality, life, beauty, revolution, struggle and anger. In the photographs we use waste we have personally collected from the beaches and reefs

surrounding Gili Trawangan. This photoshoot speaks volumes because it shows the rubbish that we pick up every day, over and over… it is a never ending battle. I hope that this session inspires at least one person to change their habits, or helps one realize how much we harm our planet and how quickly we destroy its beauty, letting it suffer right in front of our eyes. All it takes is one.

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LAKE OHRID

HOTSPOT OF FRESHWATER BIODIVERSITY Text Isadora Abuter Grebe

Photo Veronika Mikos, Healthy Seas

Imagine diving into the transparent waters of Lake Ohrid, a unique and ancient lake located on the border of North Macedonia and Albania, celebrated for its remarkable natural and cultural significance.

and fall of civilizations. But that's just the beginning of the story. Did you know that Lake Ohrid is home to more than 200 unique, endemic species found nowhere else on Earth? Join us on a journey to explore the depths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and unravel the mysteries of Lake Ohrid, the hotspot of freshwater biodiversity.

DIVING INTO THE HISTORY

pproximately two-thirds of the lake is situated in North Macedonia, and it has earned a place on the World Heritage List as part of the 'Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region.' Lake Ohrid is no ordinary lake; it is a living time capsule of history and nature, having witnessed the rise

Diving in Lake Ohrid takes visitors on an enchanting journey beneath its clear waters. While Lake Ohrid may not boast the vibrant coral reefs of the Caribbean, it offers its own unique charm. This underwater world holds secrets that can only be unravelled by those willing to explore its depths.

UNEARTHING THE BAY OF BONES Lake Ohrid also stands out as a historical and archaeological treasure, taking visitors back to the Bronze and Iron Age, dating from 1200 to 700 BC. Bay of Bones is a cultural landmark highlighting the profound connection between history and nature. The name "Bay of Bones" has its origins in a remarkable discovery made beneath the tranquil waters of Lake Ohrid in 1997. Beneath the lake's surface, underwater archaeologists found a massive quantity of animal bones preserved in the lake bed. This discovery led to the initiation of an archaeological project, resulting in the reconstruction of the Bay of Bones. An expansive wooden platform, firmly anchored to the lakebed, was constructed to authentically replicate the original settlement. Photo Isadora Abuter, Healthy Seas

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Photo Pascal van Erp, Healthy Seas

Photo Max Licen, Ghost Diving Adriatic

Photo Pascal van Erp, Healthy Seas

Photo Max Licen, Ghost Diving Adriatic

The Bay of Bones is not only a surface-level attraction; it holds hidden wonders beneath its wooden platform. Divers who venture below the surface of Lake Ohrid are greeted by massive wooden columns forming an impressive grid-like structure. The play of sunlight on the blue lake water creates a mesmerizing visual spectacle as if the Bay of Bones itself is recounting its history to those who dare to explore its depths. While the Bay of Bones is one of the most notable underwater archaeological sites, Lake Ohrid has more secrets to reveal. Recent expeditions have unveiled sunken Roman villas, and ancient artifacts, all of which provide glimpses into the region's rich history. These underwater treasures serve as a testament to the enduring link between human civilization and Lake Ohrid.

LAKE OHRID'S UNIQUE BIODIVERSITY Lake Ohrid's rich aquatic biodiversity is a marvel in itself, boasting an abundance of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Lake Ohrid has one of the highest levels of endemism of all ancient lakes (Endemic species are plants and animals that exist only in one geographical region). The remarkable wealth of endemic species can be attributed to a confluence of factors that have sculpted its exceptional biodiversity. First, the lake's ancient origins provide a stable and enduring environment for species to evolve and adapt to specific ecological niches. Second, its geological isolation limits connections with external bodies of water, reducing opportunities for interbreeding (mixing of their genetic traits) and promoting genetic divergence. This isolation has played a pivotal role in shaping Lake Ohrid's unique species. Furthermore, the lake's remarkable stability, characterized by consistent physical and chemical properties

Photo Max Licen, Ghost Diving Adriatic, Springs of St. Naum

and relatively constant water temperatures, has ensured the survival of specialized organisms over extended periods. Lake Ohrid is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amongst others, the European eel, eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Ohrid Trout (Salmo letnica) and Belvica fish (Salmo ohridanus) call this lake home. The experience of Ghost Diving Volunteer and Healthy Seas Diving Project Manager Ben Oortwijn: "Most of the time, I feel bored when diving in a lake because there isn't much to see. Lake Ohrid is different because it's a karst lake that was formed tectonically. The rock formations are sometimes massive and enjoyable to scooter along. It's fascinating to observe because it's the habitat of some truly remarkable endemic biodiversity, such

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European eel

Eastern Imperial Eagle

Ohrid trout, Amfora Diving Center

Photo Isadora Abuter, Healthy Seas, Diver preparing for a Ghost Gear retrieval mission

as sponges, which I've never encountered in a lake before. During our cleaning missions, we only covered a small section of the lake's vast expanse, but I was always curious about what we would discover in the next section. This anticipation left me with a good feeling and will keep me curious for next time." Lake Ohrid represents a refuge for numerous freshwater organisms from the Tertiary Period, whose close relatives can be found only as fossil remains; this is the reason the lake is sometimes called a "museum of living fossils".

GEOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL BACKGROUND Lake Ohrid is a geological wonder that has captured the fascination of scientists for generations. It is a tectonic lake (tectonic

Ohrid trout, Amfora Diving Center

lakes emerge as a consequence of the Earth's crust undergoing deformation) formed millions of years ago. The lake's longevity and stability have allowed for the development of a truly unique aquatic ecosystem. The lake's water quality is characterized by its remarkable clarity and constant temperature. Its water, sourced primarily from mountain springs, undergoes a natural purification process as it percolates through the surrounding karst landscape, resulting in the crystal-clear waters that divers and researchers alike find so captivating. This exceptional water quality provides an ideal habitat for the diverse life forms that call Lake Ohrid home.

Photo Christina Wiegers, Ohrid Lake

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Photo Max Licen, Ghost Diving Adriatic

THE BATTLE AGAINST GHOST NETS Despite its natural wonders, Lake Ohrid faces challenges in the form of ghost nets and lost and abandoned fishing gear that pose a significant threat to its delicate ecosystem. These derelict nets not only entangle fish but also impact crayfish and birds. Natural spawning grounds of Lake Ohrid trout and Lake Ohrid belvica have been made inhospitable due to the presence of these ghost nets.

PROJECT LAKE OHRID In a recent successful mission, Healthy Seas, together with the Hydrobiological Institute of Ohrid, the local Diving Center Amfora and Ghost Diving organised a multi-day event to protect the delicate ecosystem of Lake Ohrid. With generous support from Hyundai, the project involved the successful detection and removal of abandoned or lost fishing nets by diving volunteers at specific localities in Lake Ohrid, which serve as natural spawning grounds for the endemic Lake Ohrid Trout. This removal effort marked a significant step in protecting the lake's unique biodiversity. During the cleanups, 64 gillnets, along with artificial lures, ropes, and longlines, were recovered, ensuring that these items no longer pose a threat to the aquatic ecosystem. Why did Healthy Seas, a marine conservation NGO, aiming to combat the marine pollution crisis, choose Lake Ohrid for a cleanup – project? “The ecological importance of Lake Ohrid is outstanding – not only as a home for many species but also as a drinking water reserve.

Photo Max Licen, Ghost Diving Adriatic

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It is a truly incredible place and has been declared UNESCO World Heritage, but still, it has to face some tremendous environmental threats. One of these threats are Ghost Nets – so we knew this was where we could support. We went to Lake Ohrid to team up with amazing local partners to give this meaningful lake the attention it deserves.” – Christina Wiegers, Project Manager Healthy Seas Lake Ohrid's status as a hotspot of freshwater biodiversity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is well-deserved, given its rich history and exceptional ecological significance. Diving into its depths reveals a world of hidden treasures, from the Bay of Bones to sunken Roman villas, showcasing the deep-rooted link between human civilization and the lake. Its remarkable aquatic biodiversity, characterized by numerous endemic species, speaks to the lake's unique evolutionary history and the importance of preserving its delicate ecosystem. The recent conservation efforts to combat ghost nets in Lake Ohrid underscore the critical need to protect this natural wonder. As we continue to cherish and safeguard Lake Ohrid, we ensure that this living testament to history and nature endures for future generations to explore and admire. The experience of Ghost Diving Volunteer and Deputy Director at Healthy Seas, Pascal van Erp: Why is Lake Ohrid's conservation meaningful to you and Healthy Seas? “Besides the fact that Lake Ohrid is a beautiful lake, it is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List and fishing is prohibited. Reasons enough to keep a close eye on it and to clean up the fishing nets, which unfortunately we find in abundance.“

Photo Isadora Abuter, Healthy Seas, Pascal van Erp – Deputy Director at Healthy Seas and Founder of Ghost Diving

Project Ohrid 2023 was supported by Hyundai Motor Europe

Photo Max Licen, Ghost Diving Adriatic

Photo Isadora Abuter, Healthy Seas

Did you find ghost gear?

ABOUT HEALTHY SEAS Healthy Seas is a non-profit organisation with a mission to remove waste from the seas, in particular fishing nets, and ensure marine litter will become a valuable resource. Nylon fishing nets are regenerated into ECONYL® yarn, a high-quality raw material used to create new products, such as socks, swimwear, sportswear or carpets, while other types of plastic nets are also reused, becoming jewellery, accessories or provided for research and education purposes. Since its founding in 2013, Healthy Seas has collected over 905 tons of fishing nets and other marine litter with the help of volunteer divers and fishers. Photo Mariusz Czajka

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INON Text and photos Marcin Trzciński

JAPAN IS A COUNTRY WHERE BOASTING ABOUT SETTING A START-UP IS AN EVEN GREATER FAUX PAS THAN PUBLICLY BRAGGING ABOUT A SHAMEFUL ILLNESS. ABANDONING A WELL-PAYING CORPORATE JOB IS GENERALLY PERCEIVED AS PLACING THE OFFENDER ON THE INTELLECTUAL LEVEL OF FORREST GUMP. CONSEQUENTLY, IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A PLACE WHERE INNOVATIONS WOULD FLOURISH MASSIVELY.

specially considering that historically, the only achievement of its inhabitants in this field was the discovery of a refined method of disembowelling widely known as harakiri. It was even more difficult for his family and friends to understand the move made by Akihide Ionue at the turn of the millennium. This experienced diver, holding the position of an editor at one of the largest Japanese diving magazines, decided to commit a professional suicide. What else can we call such a decision, especially for a Japanese, if not at least surprising?! Not to say that it seems shocking and utterly incomprehensible. Akihide-san decided to change jobs, but not by moving to another, larger, and better-perceived company on the market, which could somehow be justified. Instead, he started his own garage sale business... The turbulent development of the diving market at that time, combined with the increasingly popular trend of photography

supported by the first digital constructions, created a gap in the market that someone should fill. According to Akihide, it was him who could fill the gap, or rather it could be the products of his newly established company, offering simple, polycarbonate housings for compact cameras. Initially for Nikon Coolpix and then for successive models from Canon, Olympus, and Minolta. Thus, Inon was born, founded in a small room on the upper floor of Akihide's family home (due to its typical Japanese size, there was no garage). Over time, the company became a powerhouse in the underwater photography market. Unfortunately, not only the founder of Inon noticed this gap and the opportunity to fill it. Several manufacturers simultaneously entered the relatively small market, starting a fierce price competition. They had no choice – harakiri awaited the losers. This time, quite literally. And since Mr. Akihide didn't really want to

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engage in a cutthroat business, the situation forced him to change his strategy. Instead of fighting for small percentages of market share (which eventually led to the demise of a significant portion of small companies, not only in this industry), Inon presented the first underwater flash in its history. The Z220 and D180 models differed from the competition in the market at that time with an advanced optical flash synchronization system. They allowed the use of TTL mode in compact cameras without a wired connection to the flash, both with and without a strobe. The flashes immediately became a market hit, and attempts by competitors like Sea &Sea, Ikelite, or Epoque to replicate Inon's success over the years proved futile. The Japanese solutions, protected by numerous patents, remain unparalleled to this day, and subsequent generations of the flagship Z series were complemented by the D family dedicated to advanced enthusiasts, and by compact S models.

Learning from the past, Inona's CEO opted for diversifying the company's activities. He didn't want the previous scenario involving deadly competition in the housing market to repeat. It could threaten the existence of his business again. With substantial experience in the industry, he sought out other promising yet underdeveloped areas in the underwater imaging market. After the underwater strobe lights, the next area of interest for Inona was the emerging field of underwater wet optics. He got interested in wide-angle and macro converters, which were attachable and detachable underwater, and thanks to it they significantly expanded the capabilities of cameras. Interestingly, the newly established company, from the beginning of its operations, focused on a highly qualified workforce. It was not a deliberate move but rather a coincidence. The nearby Ofuna Institute of Technology was filled with young individuals in need of cash for evening events. Therefore, the final assembly and packaging line were taken over by future engineers, doctors, or professors sitting next to each other. Among them was Fukashi Torii, who quickly exchanged a not-so-promising career as a packer for the one of the leader of the optical department. Under his guidance, the product line initially included items dedicated to compact cameras but evolved over the years to also en-

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compass mirrorless and DSLR cameras. The popular lenses, such as the wide-angle UWL-100, UWL-H100, and the macro UCL-165 and 330, emerged from the hands of Fukashi and his colleagues. Currently, Inon's operations are based on three main pillars. The first and most crucial for the company is, of course, underwater strobes. They constitute the core of the product offering, and Akihide-san is primarily responsible for their development. The second product group is the previously mentioned wet optics. The third consists of accessories — various types of bases, regular and floating arms, clamps, and adapters. The company also offers other products, such as the X2 family of underwater housings, which has been developed over the years. It is not as extensive as Nauticam's or Ikelite's offerings, limiting itself to a few Canon models. Along with the housings, dedicated ports, gears, and small accessories are, of course, offered. However, the housings primarily sell in the Japanese market, and despite their technical advancement and excellent ergonomics, due to a narrow product range, they have never achieved significant success beyond the borders of their homeland. The situation is similar for LED torches and video lights, where the global market has been dominated by cheap Chinese manufacturers, leaving little room for Japanese products that prioritize quality and ergonomics. Inon has also taken a completely different approach in its production methodology compared to most competitors. While

Ikelite, Nauticam, Aquatica, or Isotta manufacture the majority of their products themselves, Inon has been based on a broad concept of outsourcing from the beginning, keeping quality control primarily in its hands at successive stages of production. Relying on a steady group of trusted, technologically advanced, albeit small-scale manufacturers, Inon commissions them for the production of electronics, polycarbonate and aluminium components, and the final assembly. This allows for very flexible production planning in such a relatively small market as underwater imaging. The headquarters of the producer still remains right next to the aerial tram station in Ofuna, in the former Ionue family home. As the business expanded, it wasn't the company but the family that moved out of the two-story building, which is now entirely occupied by employees. They fill it very tightly, squeezed between ubiquitous cabinets, desks, and shelves laden with various boxes. The central space of the house is now taken up by a large testing room, where the latest products of the company are spread out on a long table, alongside... practically the entire competition. Due to the terrible cramped conditions in the company headquarters, a decision was made to build a new warehouse next to it. Due to the small size of the available plot, it is, however, quite unusual for such structures — it has three tall floors with

equipment

a relatively small surface area. There simply was no other choice to fit within the limited space. The company still uses another external warehouse. Meanwhile, the main "testing ground" of the producer is located a 3-hour drive from Ofuna, on the Osezaki Peninsula, the Japanese Mecca for macro photographers. Along the bay shore, more than twenty diving centres have been established, which speaks volumes about the popularity of this place. Inon chose Hamayuu Marine Service as its "home" location, where, alongside two company divers, tests are also conducted by the owner of the base, the well-known Japanese underwater photographer Takehiro Aihara. Moreover, over half of the Inon crew dives there, so in accordance with interoperability requirements, there are several more individuals ready to conduct the necessary tests when introducing new products. ADVERTISEMENT

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

WHEN

TO SERVICE DIVING REGULATORS? Text Wojciech A. Filip

DO I HAVE TO GET MY NEWLY BOUGHT REGULATOR SERVICED ANNUALLY IF SO FAR I HAVE USED IT FOR LESS THEN TEN DIVES?

Photos Tecline Academy

A lot of information that I have used to write this article comes from the research that was conducted at the laboratory of the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology. Relying on your friend’s opinion on how reliable a regulator is or whether it is brand new or almost never used, can lead you to letting your guard down. If the regulator is working fine and I have dived with it only four times, then why would I service it and waste my money?

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WHAT COULD GO WRONG (TECHNICALLY) WITH A REGULATOR DURING A YEAR?

The vast majority of manufacturers require a man-

What you should know: a seemingly clean lake, river or sea contains many substances that might speed up the corrosion process in your regulator. Do keep in mind that water inside a swimming pool is one of the most aggressive environments. Hold on... aren’t diving regulators waterproof? Yes, they are, and if the water that we dive in was cleaner, then the chances for this article to see light of day would be much smaller. Although our first stage regulator is covered with several layers of corrosion-resistant coating, it still corrodes. We can compare it to a car: in a warm country, e.g. southern Spain, if driven only in places that are far from the sea and without even the slightest touch of winter, the car can be used for many years without any visible signs of corrosion. Now, the same car model, manufactured at the very same time, but used in, e.g. Poland, where we have big differences in humidity and temperature, as well as tons of salt on the roads during the winter, can already have visible signs of corrosion after its first season.

serviced by an authorized service technician, which

REASON ONE Regulator technical inspections should be performed at least once a year, because of the corrosion. If you unconsciously flood your first stage regulator during a simple dive in a swimming pool and then you have to give up diving for a bit for personal reasons, then if a service technician gets their hands on your regulator after: — 8-10 months after the flooding, there should not be a problem with restoring it to full functionality

datory annual inspection, i.e. having your regulators ensures safe operation of the regulator and protects your warranty.

— 10-12 months after the flooding, the service technician will find the initial stages of surface corrosion inside, which can usually be removed without any impact on the regulator’s future functionality — 12-14 months after the flooding, the service technician might come across a corrosion that has damaged the body of the regulator so much that it might need replacing for safety reasons. When can unconscious flooding of the first stage regulator happen? The most common reason is when you dive with a closed valve and descend deeper. Such cases may include the following:

After over 12 months, water remaining inside the first stage regulator can damage it. If the water composition is exceptionally aggressive, e.g. in case of pool water, it may accelerate the destruction process.

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— training valve drills/diving with stage cylinders without applying the “modified V-Drill” procedure — increasing the depth with an empty, closed stage cylinder (an unstable position is enough) — leaving closed cylinders floating next to the surface platform where waves move the floating cylinders up and down.

Modified V-drill: repeated, brief opening and closing of the stage cylinder valve, performed during descent to balance out pressure in the unused regulator – this procedure protects the regulator against flooding.

REASON TWO The more we use our regulator, the better it functions. If you dive very rarely or just once a year during the holidays, then after some time you might notice that small bubbles escaping the second stage regulator. In a fully functional regulator, this is usually due to the plastic deformation of one of the first stage regulator springs which remained in a compressed position for 10-12 months (very often the bubbles coming out of second stage regulator are caused by first stage regulator malfunction). Another reason for that kind of situation might be an increase in the density of the oxygen-compatible lubricant.

and he serviced my regulator in just an hour, almost for free, without replacing the o-rings that were okay!”. If the person you chose does not have the manufacturer’s authorization for servicing regulators, then there is a risk that they might also not have the proper tools and knowledge regarding the given regulator’s service procedures. Most common service mistakes that necessitate the replacement of expensive equipment parts include: scratches, using o-rings with an improper hardness, too much lubricant and failure to protect threaded joints against corrosion.

REASON THREE

SUMMARY

Your “well trusted” service guy’s mistakes. “He certainly knows his job, because he can repair everything,

You consider yourself to be a good diver, who takes care of their equipment and are surprised to hear that you flooded your first

Laboratory analysis of the release of a corroded regulator

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

stage regulator that started to corrode. Usually you flood your first stage regulator unconsciously and find out about it from the service technician who noticed severe corrosion inside of your regulator. Look at the photograph of this cracked regulator. Fortunately, the malfunction occurred on the surface and the diver was safe. How did this happen? Probably a service technician who does not have the manufacturer’s authorization did not know how to control key corrosion development sites. They ignored the deep pitting corrosion that started after flooding the regulator. Apart from that, they used the wrong torque for the regulator elements screw connections (a special key and torque chart should be used for that purpose). The owner did not have their regulator serviced annually, thinking “who would do it after just a few dives” and flooding was not even taken into consideration. When the owner finally decided to get their gear serviced, it was already too late and the regulator should have been scrapped (corrosion damage posed a threat to the diver’s safety).

FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY THE DETAILS OF A SERVICE TECHNICIAN’S WORK. The pressure spring of the main valve is subjected to plastic deformation due to continuous compression of the unused regulator. It only relaxes when the regulator is under pressure. Potassium superoxide (KO2) evaporates from Teflon lubricants, called “oxygen-compatible”, used in a regulator; it is a chemical compound that, among others, improves grease penetration, i.e. makes grease more liquid. Both factors may cause too slow closing of the main valve of the first stage regulator or locking it in the opened position, resulting in bubbles coming out from the second stage regulator.

A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO USE THE REGULATOR IN A WAY THAT WILL EXTEND THE ANNUAL SERVICE INTERVALS

— make sure that the corrosion protection procedure for threaded joints of the regulator has been applied (request this)

First stage regulator — familiarize yourself with the procedures that protect the regulator from flooding after closing the cylinder valve — if you have doubts if the regulator was flooded or not – have an authorized service center check it out

Second stage regulator — use the breathing resistance regulation knob often (it should not stay in one position) — familiarize yourself with the second stage regulator washing procedure (second stage regulator sealant surface cleaning)

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tips & curiosities ACADEMY

— remove stiffeners from the hoses (there is dirty water underneath them that causes corrosion of the metal hose elements).

THE BEST REGULATOR IN THE WORLD Do not be fooled by the fact that your regulators are considered to be the best and that is why they do not corrode. I have been servicing regulators for more than 20 years and I have never seen any that would be immune to corrosion. Annual service can help you avoid much bigger expenses.

HOW TO MAKE SURE IF YOUR CHOSEN SERVICE TECHNICIAN IS AUTHORIZED? The simplest way is to ask for a document that authorizes the technician to repair your equipment. A regulator is a device that supports human life underwater. Therefore, a service technician

should renew their qualifications every two years and always have a document (e.g. certificate) confirming that the manufacturer’s authorization is valid. It is also possible to ask a retailer about the possibility to check such information online. At Tecline, you can see it on our website: https://teclinediving.eu/ store-locator/#/?type=authorized_service Dive safe! WAF

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE? Would you like to study how a regulator functions? Maybe you are curious about what is happening during a service procedure? Or perhaps you are interested in learning about how to maintain your regulator other then washing it in a bucket of water. Attend a “How does the regulator work?” seminar at the Tecline Academy (we have prepared an extended version for active diving instructors).

https://teclinediving.eu/tecline-academy