Perfect Diver Magazine 9 issue by perfectdiver

1. COMMUNICATION

6° with soft halo

XML2 (Cree), 10W / 1300lm

Max. Burn Time: 7h

3 OPERATING MODES:

2. COMMUNICATION + VIDEO

6° + 120°

XML2 (Cree), 10W / 1300lm

7 x XPG2 (Cree), 30W / 2600lm

Max. Burn Time: 1h 50’

3. VIDEO

120°

7 x XPG2 (Cree), 30W / 2600lm

Max. Burn Time: 2h 30’

Wojciech Zgoła Editor-in-Chief

"Let's spend the time given to us to have the impression that it is flowing, not that it has sailed away."

And the diver knows what it means to swim against the tide, in drift and peace.

What do we have in the current issue for you? Just click and orient yourself.

Indonesia is a huge country. There is a lot of salt water and islands in it. Two completely different looks and two completely different places of paradise. At least those who were there say so.

Do you have your opinion? Have you ever been there? Maybe it's time for plans?

Mateusz Popek believes that we should enrich the Magazine with the "reviews" heading. Very good idea. See what we have as our first review. Maybe you will write yours about the book you read? (Redakcja@perfectdiver.com)

We support activities related to stopping illegal shark finning. We have strong text and photos, and finally QR codes to sign the appropriate petition, if you think it's worth it.

We bring pike to you with Agata Turowicz's feather. This is an interesting animal that also flows into the Baltic Sea.

I can't write about everything in the editorial, but at the end we have another article by Wojtek A. Filip about aspects related to the proper matching and use of diving equipment. What about this time? Check it out yourself!

You click and dive virtually. Safe and interesting. We publish for you, your family and friends. Tell them about Perfect Diver Magazine. The online version is free, but you can help us by donating at least a symbolic zloty (1 euro) . Just click.

I invite you cordially!

Togians.

t RAvel S

Publisher perfect diver Wojciech Zgoła ul. Folwarczna 37, 62-081 Przeźmierowo redakcja@perfectdiver.com

ISSN 2545-3319

Wojciech Zgoła Irena Kosowska Mateusz Popek Agnieszka Kalska Jakub Degee Bartosz Pszczółkowski Agnieszka Gumiela-Pająkowska Arleta Kaźmierczak Reddo Translations Sp. z o.o. Adwokat Joanna Wajsnis Brygida Jackowiak-Rydzak

the magazine was folded with typefaces Montserrat (Julieta Ulanovsky) Open Sans (Ascender Fonts) Spectral (Production Type)

printing Wieland Drukarnia Cyfrowa, Poznań, www.wieland.com.pl

distribution dive centers, online store preorder@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

cover photo Marcin Trzciński place

"Wieliczka" Salt Mine

He often repeats that he travels by diving and that is his motto. In 1985 he obtained a yacht sailor's license, and only in 2006 began to dive. In the following years he improved his skills by obtaining the Dive Master degree. He completed nearly 650 dives in various climatic conditions. Since 2007, he has been taking photographs underwater, and since 2008 he has also been filming. As an independent journalist, he published dozens of articles, mainly in journals dedicated to diving, but not only. Co-author of photo exhibitions in Poland and abroad. He is passionate about and propagator of diving.

Since 2008 he has been running his own website www.dive-adventure.eu. On the basis of extensive experience, in August 2018 he created the new Perfect Diver Magazine

”My passion, work and life are under water.” He has been diving since 2009. Since 2008, he's walking in caves. Underwater archeologist by education. He participated in numerous projects in Poland and abroad. He has been engaged in professional diving since 2011. In 2013 he obtained the qualifications of a 2nd class diver. Has experience in underwater work both at sea and inland. Since 2013 he has been diving in caves, especially in the mountains, and since 2014 he is a diving instructor CMAS M1.

Regional Manager Divers Alert Network Polska, diving and first aid instructor, technical diver and cave diver. In love with all flooded, dark, cold, tight places and invariably from the beginning of the diving route – in the Baltic. Implementing the DAN mission, he conducts a series of lectures ”Dive safely” and Diving Safety Laboratory, so field research of divers for scientific purposes.

Polish photographer, winner of awards and distinctions in world underwater photography competitions, has already dived all over the world: with sharks and whales in South Africa, with orcs behind the Arctic Circle, on Galapagos with hundreds of hammerhead sharks and humpback whales in the Tonga Islands. He participates in specialist photographic workshops. He has been diving for 27 years, he started at the age of 12 – as soon as it was formally possible. He was the first in the world to use the Hasselblad X1d-50c camera for underwater macro photography. Recently, in the remote Chincorro archipelago on the border between Mexico and Belize, he did it again, taking a successful attempt to photograph the eye of a crocodile with a macro lens with an additional magnifying lens, which is the world's largest photo of the crocodile's eye living in the wild (in terms of pixel count, print size, quality).

agniesZka kalska

”I can't imagine living without water, where in a free body I experience freedom of the spirit.”

• founder of the first freediving and swimming school in Poland – FREEBODY,

• Apnea Academia International and PADI Master Freediver freediving instructor,

• world record holder in freediving (DYN 253 m),

• record holder and Polish champion, member of the national team in freediving 2013–2019,

• winner of the World Championships in freediving 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018,

• multimedalist of the Polish Championships and a member of the national team in swimming in the years 1998–2003,

• passionate about freediving and swimming.

That's my name and I come from Poznań. I have been associated with water practically from birth and with diving since I learned to walk. My grandfather instilled my passion for the underwater world, a CMAS*** instructor taking me to the lakes at any free time. I obtained my first qualifications in 1996. A year later I went to Croatia and literally went crazy at the sight of blue water, octopus and colorful fish;) I bought my first underwater camera – Olympus 5060 and started the adventure with underwater photography. I acquired my diving experience in the Canary Islands, Sardinia, Norway, Maldives and in Polish lakes. I am currently a Padi and ESA instructor, I train diving enthusiasts in Europe and pass my passion on to others.

I invite all lovers of the underwater world and photography to Beediver (FB) – see you soon.

Wojciech Zgoła

irena kosoWska

jakub degee

MateusZ popek

bartosZ psZcZółkoWski

Has more than 8000 dives on his account. He has been diving for over 30 years, including over 20 years as a technical diver. He is a professional with great theoretical and practical knowledge. He is an instructor of many federations: GUE Instructor Mentor, CMAS**, IANTD nTMX, IDCS PADI, EFR, TMX Gas Blender. He participated in many diving projects and conferences as a leader, explorer, originator or lecturer. These included the Britannic Expedition 2016, Morpheus Cave Scientific Project on Croatia caves, GROM Expedition in Narvik, Tuna Mine Deep Dive, Glavas Cave in Croatia, NOA-MARINE. Professionally, he is a technical director at TecLine in Scubatech, and a director of training at TecLine Academy.

President of Ocean-Tech Sp. z o. o., IT NAUI, wreck and cave diver. ”Diving is not just about equipment. It is also discovering secrets and an opportunity to reach places that an ordinary mortal has no chance to see. Over ten years ago, for this passion, I abandoned the prospering business and founded the company Ocean-Tech, which in fact is an online store www.nurkowyswiat.pl”

Diver from 2008. Passionate of the Red Sea and pelagic ocean predators. Devoted to the idea of protecting dolphins, sharks and whales. He dives mainly where you can meet these animals and monitor the level of their well-being. Member of Dolphinaria-Free Europe Coalition, volunteer at Tethys Research Institute and Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, associate of Marine Connection. For 10 years he has been involved in research on wild dolphin populations and audits dolphinariums. Together with the team ”NO! For the Dolphinarium” he prevents dolphins from captivity and promotes knowledge about dolphin therapy unsaid or concealed by centers which make money on this form of animal therapy.

sylWia kosMalska-jurieWicZ

A traveller and a photographer of wild nature. A graduate of journalism and a lover of good literature. She lives in harmony with nature, promotes a healthy lifestyle: she is a yogini and a vegetarian. Also engaged in ecological projects. Sharks and their protection are especially close to her heart. She writes about the subject in numerous articles and on her blog www.divingandtravel. pl. She began her adventure with diving fifteen years ago by total coincidence. Today she is a Divemaster, she visited over 60 countries and dived on 5 continents. She invites us for a joint journey with the travel agency www.dive-away.pl, of which she is a co-founder.

adrian jurieWicZ

A traveler, photographer and the underwater world filmmaker, an Asian cuisine enthusiast and a PADI diving instructor. He visited over 70 countries and dived on 5 continents (the other two are planned for next year's expeditions). For several years he has also been an instructor and trainer of the unmanned aircraft flights. A co-author of a travel agency for divers www.dive-away.pl. He documents his expeditions with photos and descriptions of his journeys on his blog www.divingandtravel.pl

Wojciech a. filip

robert styła

jakub banasiak

Margita śliZoWska

aka "Mermaid". NAUI, EFR (premedical first aid) and DAN oxygen rescue instructor. Actress and singer. Versatile woman.

Diving is her passion and a way to help every person with whom she works above and below water. In her opinion, diving is not only exploring the underwater world. It is also getting to know and integrating with your own "I", building trust in yourself and a way to develop the skills necessary to overcome all life problems. Specialist for "difficult" students and children.

Owner of XDIVERS – Your Diving School. Trimix, cave and gas blender diver. Her biggest underwater love are caves, and diving priority – SAFETY. margita@xdivers.pl

Michal Černý

"Wet photos" – He has photographed since he remembers. After several years of experience as a diver, he wanted to keep memories of underwater dives. He bought his first compact camera with an underwater housing. Over time, however, the desire to have the best photo began to dominate, which was not quite possible with the compact he used. That's why he switched to the Olympus PEN E-PL 5 reflex camera, which allows the use of several different lenses. He uses a combination of underwater flashes and lights. He focuses on wildlife photography, not arrangement. He photographs in fresh domestic waters as well as in the seas and oceans of the world. He has already won numerous awards at Czech and foreign photography competitions. More photos can be found on his website, where you can also buy them not only as photos, but also as photos printed on canvas or on another medium. www.mokrefotky.cz

https://www.facebook.com/MichalCernyPhotography

https://www.instagram.com/michalcerny_photography/

Marcin trZciński

A graduate of the University of Warsaw. An underwater photographer and filmmaker, has been diving since 1995. A co-operator at the Department of Underwater Archeology at the University of Warsaw. He publishes in diving magazines in Poland and abroad. The owner of the FotoPodwodna company which is the Polish representative of Ikelite, Nauticam, Inon, ScubaLamp companies. www.fotopodwodna.pl, m.trzcinski@fotopodwodna.pl

agata turoWicZ

Since I was a child, I had dreamed of becoming a marine biologist and I managed to fulfill that dream. I did a degree in oceanography, where I recently started my doctoral studies. My diving adventure began when I was 12 years old. I love observing the underwater life up close and I try to show other divers how fascinating the underwater, Baltic creatures are.

Wojciech jarosZ

A graduate of two Poznan universities, the Academy of Physical Education (coaching specialization – handball) and the University of A.Mickiewicz, Faculty of Biology (specialty of experimental biology). He connected his professional life with this first university trying to influence the direction of development of future professionals on the one hand, and on the other planning and implementing research, pushing laboriously in the right direction of the stroller called science. In his free time he spends his time actively – his main passions are sailing (sea helmsman), skiing (downhill skiing instructor), riding a motorcycle, recreational diving and many other activities, as well as photography, mainly nature.

Togians

an almost undiscovered paradise

Text and photos Michal ČernÝ

When we say Togian, probably not many people will know what we are talking about. When we say Sulawesi, most will probably know. When we answer Indonesia, almost everyone will know.

Yes, the Togian Islands are part of the Indonesian Central Sulawesi, the island of Sulawesi. However, tourism and diving have not yet settled here on a massive scale, thanks to which there is wonderful peace. I dived in Togian three times, made about 80 dives, and I have never met any other diver here than our group. But this idyll will definitely not last forever...

Geo Graphy

The Togian Islands lie just below the equator in the Gulf of Tomini and are protected on three sides by the island of Sulawesi, making the sea very calm and the waves are rare. There are no periods of rain and drought. They are therefore suitable for visits and diving at almost any time of the year. The archipelago consists of 7 larger islands (UnaUna (active volcano), Batuda, Togian, Talatakoh, Malenge, Waleakodi, Waleabahi) and 49 other smaller islands and islets. Only about 25,000 people live here, mostly Muslims. Whole islands have been recognized as a nature reserve, but the locals do not look at it this way yet. Fishing is their main source of livelihood and, unfortunately, you can still fish with dynamite (we heard it underwater several times), and even using cyanide.

road

The main reason for the low number of divers and tourists is the transport accessibility of these islands. Traveling from Europe takes almost three days. We chose the following

route: by plane through Dubai to Jakarta (approx. 18 hours), then a flight to Gorontal with a stop in Makassar (approx. 5 hours), then a car ride to Marisa port (approx. 4 hours) and finally a boat to Togian. You can use the public ferry, which runs about twice a week, but its timetable changes very often. If you plan a trip several months in advance, you can not rely on the timetable, it is better to rent a private boat (4–8 hours depending on the type and ship condition).

If you add a few breaks between flights and accommodation in Jakarta or Gorontal, these three days will come out.

In 2017, a new airport in Ampana was completed and launched, which will significantly shorten the trip to Togian, but so far only one airline flies here and only twice a week. I admit, however, that the long journey is definitely worth the peace and quiet that prevail on the islands and undisturbed diving, where you have your own coral reefs.

una una

togian

talatakoh

Waleakodi malenge Waleabahi

Batudaka

celeBes travels

accoMModation

There are no large hotels on the islands, you only live in small resorts that are directly on the beach, so the environment and views are like paradise. There are only 14 resorts on all islands and more are being built. Diving centers are probably available only in four resorts. We used those on the islands of Waleakodi, Malenge and UnaUna. Most resorts offer modest accommodation, mainly in cabins for two, which are equipped with a bed with mosquito net, small wardrobe, "Turkish" toilet and "Indonesian" shower (large container with fresh water). The more luxurious bungalows have a European toilet and a "normal" shower with flowing water. Do you need something more? In my opinion no. There are no shops, restaurants or entertainment venues. If you want to buy something, you usually order directly at the center, and

the next day a supply ship brings it to you. Meals are always cooked directly at the resort, and the food is more than great, everything is fresh. There is no centrally installed electricity. The resorts usually use generators and only for a few hours in the evening so that tourists can charge their cameras, lighting and hit their bungalows. There is no frozen food. Every morning, a boat leaves the resort and brings fresh fish or squid, which is processed and served immediately. As the appetizer you get vegetables and, of course, rice. Everything natural, without preservatives and other chemicals that we eat in Europe almost every day. Of course, there is also a lot of fresh fruit. If, for example, you fancy a coconut, you just ask a local and he climbs the palm for you and gets one. Always after returning home I remember this delicious food with a tear in my eye for a long time. On the islands, you won't find an ATM or payment terminal, so you need to get enough cash in the local currency (Indonesian Rupiah) earlier. It is worth remembering that dollars and euros cannot be exchanged here at all. There is no internet access and there is usually no signal for mobile phones, it is amazing relaxation when you use the phone only as an alarm clock throughout your stay and you do not mind the continuous "sound" of your own phone.

divinG

Togian is said to be the only place in the world where you can dive on the atoll and coral reef in one place. You don't often see big fish here, but there is definitely something to look at. The variety of species is unbelievable. Several endemic species have been discovered here. If you look closely, you will find several species of nudibranch during each dive. I personally saw at least 30 here. Of course, there is an inexhaustible number of small coral fish, many different species of stingrays, clowns. There are snappers, sea urchins, batfish, scrollfish, flatfish and other.

We can also come across sea snakes and eels, and those with trained eyesight will also find camouflaged flounder. From the holes in the cliff walls, various species of moray, crawfish peep at us, and especially at night, many shrimp and crabs. Cephalopods are also widely represented here. Due to their lifestyle, it is best to watch them during night dives. The squid has found that the lights of our cameras dazzle small fish that can then be caught more easily. Large cuttlefish grow to considerable sizes, and I met a squid at homereef, the smallest and most venomous, ringed squid.

The reefs are covered with numerous soft and hard corals, while table corals and gorgonias have a diameter of several meters.

Diving in the place where dynamite was used for fishing is also very interesting. Stripes of intouched reef alternate with strips of completely destroyed corals. Fortunately, we find new life in them.

From the Waleakodi and Malenga islands, we often sail to one of the reefs, north of the islands. These reefs have no names but are simply numbered as reefs I-VI. Here there are both shallow coral gardens and steep walls falling to a depth of about 45 meters. Larger fish can be found here, especially blackfin sharks. From other animals we often encountered rays and venomous sea snakes.

Diving on the island of UnaUna is also interesting. It is located a bit further from other islands. The most interesting is the place called Apollo. Barracuda accumulate here, forming a flock of several thousand and circling at a depth of 45 to 20 meters. Diving in this flock is one of my greatest diving experiences.

how do the locals dive?

They've been doing it for years, but a little differently than what we're used to. They have a small compressor placed on a wooden boat, a hose attached to it, which the diver

attaches to the neck, and pushes the tip into the mouth. The air is saturated with vapors because it does not pass through any filters. Why are they diving like this? Of course, to earn. At a depth of 40 to 60 meters, they collect sea cucumbers, which then go through China to traders. None of the divers could tell me what the Chinese were doing with them. In fact, they don't even care. It is important that they pay very well as for local conditions. Such a diver is able to earn more during the day than others during the month. However, this work is very dangerous, because from a depth of 40-60 meters they go straight to the surface, without any decompression stops, and at this depth they are long. When they appear, they do not feel very well, they usually have to go to sleep for several hours. Some become paralyzed, while others pay the highest price.

B-24 LiBerator

If cliff diving is not enough and you like wrecks, you've come to the right place. In the south of Togian Island, at a depth of about 22 meters, lies the wreck of the B-24 Liberator, from World War II. The plane forcibly landed here after the engine failure on May 3, 1945. Nothing serious happened

to the crew, which was taken about 1.5 hours after the emergency landing. At that time, the plane was still afloat.

After many years, you can still see which engine had a malfunction, because the propellers that were spinning broke off in contact with the water surface. The wreck is very well preserved, you can easily get to the hull, where some control rods are still extended and most of the clocks are located in the cockpit. There are also minuses. Unfortunately, the wreck lies near the mangroves, so visibility is usually not very good.

Jellyfish lake

The most famous sea lake with jellyfish is certainly in Palau. As it turns out, it is not the only one! Another, less known, is located in Togian. It was discovered only a few years ago, despite the fact that it is located just a few meters from the sea and one of the most beautiful beaches in Togian (Karina beach). Two species of jellyfish live here, with gold jellyfish being more common. This is not a "jellyfish soup" as in Palau, but still meeting them is an unforgettable experience.

Not only jellyfish live in the lake, there are also catfish, coilfish and igling. There is no possibility of scuba diving. Only

snorkling without fins is allowed to avoid damaging the delicate jellyfish. The lake is still freely accessible (no fee). It is not known how long, because local authorities have invested and since last year two new piers have been built, one at the sea and one on the lake. An access road was invested and construction of the building started. In the future, you can probably expect that the entrance will be paid.

on land

On the island of Malenge you can visit the large bat cave, which is located a few hundred meters from the coast in the jungle. Everyone who returns from it smells “beautifully”. An interesting inhabitant of the islands is the palm crab, which is the largest ground crustacean, with a span of up to 2 meters. Because it has very tasty meat, it was often hunted. Today it is protected, and locals like to observe it from hidden. Locals can set up a hideout so you can see it, but you still need luck.

A visit to the Gypsy sea settlement connected with the larger island by a 2.5 km bridge is also an experience. Originally it was entirely wooden. Apparently in 2014, when it was carrying the weight of a 100-kilo European, it could not bear it. Locals have found that wood is probably not the best material for tourism development. Thus, in the second half of 2014, local authorities built a new, mainly concrete bridge that could withstand the weight of "normal" people. Locals should be really grateful to me

Gili Trawangan

What connects people around the world is the need to feel happiness and joy. h appiness is nothing but being grateful. A grateful man is one who loves life, appreciates and can enjoy small things.

"Feeling gratitude allows you to grow and develop. Gratitude brings joy and a smile in your life and the lives of those around you" – Eileen Caddy.

On April 5, I participated in a global meditation for healing our planet, animals and people. At the same time, millions of people meditated all over the world. Collective meditations can do a lot good, as confirmed by scientists.

Text sy Lwia kosma L ska-juriewicz Photos a drian juriewicz

At the beginning, the meditation was very difficult for me, while others sat in a lotus position, focused on their own breath, relaxed, I was lost somewhere in my mind and I looked surreptitiously at my watch... it was horrible, only two minutes passed. My thoughts run all the time instead of focusing on "here and now". I was thinking about a million things which sprang up like mushrooms in my head. I did not understand how you can keep one position without moving and "think" about nothing. At some point I even found that

meditation was not for me and I should come to terms with it. However, I remember exactly when everything changed and I finally reached a state of deep relaxation. It had nothing in common with the lotus position or stillness that I had tried to practice until then. It was the day I started diving...

I did not immediately understand this, as a beginner diver I was more focused on myself and diving equipment than on what was happening around me and inside me. Over time, when I gained experience, the big blue consumed me completely and I do not mean deep depths because I am a recreational diver. It is under the water surface I understood what it means to control my own mind breathing and focusing on what is happening here and now. That feeling was so poignant and beautiful that I wanted to experience it also on the surface.

My imagination helped me, thanks to it I was able to meditate at a place where I felt happy, once it was the tiny island of Yeben on Raja Ampat, and other times the ocean floor. I imagined that I was lying on the beach and around me there is a powerful silence, but not complete, because I heard the sounds of nature, birds and waves overflowing on the water surface. And although I felt what was happening around me, I was not in the center of events, I focused on my breath, I listened to its sound. Each of us is accustomed to acting, thinking and living on the run, but the essence of man is not action but existence. The present moment is the most important moment in our lives, we should enjoy it, each of the moments separately, as they flow through our lives. We have to sit in a lotus position to start meditating. We can comfortably sit down, lie on a mat, find the best position and remain in it focusing on the sound of your own breath...

I am writing these words at the time when the world has been "stopped" for a moment, and so have been the people.

Bali lombok

Gili trawangan

Gili air

Gili meno

Our current, broadly understood possibilities of movement have been called into question. Something that was natural so far, such as travelling by plane, has been taken away from us .. at least for a while. We can… sit down and get angry at the situation or take advantage of this time as best we can. Memories – in the time of so many restrictions that have been imposed on us, are our window to the world. I recall those from the remotest corners of the world, from places where I felt really happy.

That is why today I am standing on a beach and my face is facing the rising sun, I feel warm sand under my feet and warm rays on my face. There is a smell of flowers, ocean and coffee in the air. It is a sign that the island also comes to life. I look around and see people who like it as well. I have come to the beach to watch the sunrise. Some meditate in a lotus position, others look ahead and enjoy the present moment, yet others have just got up because they have slept on the beach... This is what the life on the island of Gili Trawangan looks like, on one of three small islets located on the Balinese Sea in Indonesia.

The morning rituals are extremely important to me, they bring into a new day. Of course, they change depend-

ing on the place where I am at a given moment. Now I am on Gili where SUP yoga is very popular (yoga practiced on a paddleboard). Such yoga not only teaches discipline and strengthens the muscles in our body, but also improves concentration, especially focuses our attention on maintaining balance, one uncoordinated movement and you fall into the water – you start laughing and lose your strength to get back on the board... it is also great fun.

The island of Trawangan is only 3 km long and 2 km wide, it is larger than its two sister islands Gili Air and Gili Meno. It is also the most popular one among tourists. You can get to the island on a fast boat, the journey from Bali takes 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the sea conditions. The eastern part of the island is the most developed, there is a small port to which boats with tourists and goods arrive. Almost all food products and fresh water must be delivered to the island of Bali or Lobok, a 10-minute away off Gili. In the central part of the islands grow coconut palms, there also live local residents who sell coconut oils in small glass bottles, mostly in the used Red Bull ones. Today it is difficult to imagine, but once the island was covered by a dense forest and deer lived here and took sea swims.

The life of Gili Trwangan focuses on the beach, which is extremely beautiful, long, wide with white coral sand. This is where tourists gather and the best events take place. Along the shoreline are also most restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops to which we enter without shoes so as not to put sand inside. There is also a mosque from which several times a day you can hear prayers. A little further away are diving centers, more and less luxurious hotels and guest houses. The island is largely visited by backpackers, tempted by a "relaxed" climate. Local restaurants and bars not only offer drinks and tasty meals, but also encourage you to try local specialties: hallucinogenic mushrooms, which after ingestion can induce visual hallucinations and more. During walks on the beach you can come across tourists dancing in the sea or on the sand, smiling at each other and immersed in their own world. Though the Indonesian drug laws are very strict and categorically forbid both possession and consumption of any stimulants, on the island you can buy hallucinogenic mushrooms without a problem, there are widely available and advertised.

You can get around Gili Trawangan on foot, by bike or on horseback with a carriage named cidomo. The horses are small, they look like grown ponies. They pull the carriage with extra kilos suitcases and tourists with great effort. No motor vehicles are allowed on the island. Bikes can be rented anywhere in a better or worse condition, we will also get an anti-theft cable. And here a question immediately arises: Who would want to steal a bike on such a small island, which you can visit on a bike in less than two hours? It turns out

that people returning from parties in the morning very often get on bikes that are not theirs and they return to hotels. The next day the owners of rental companies are looking for bikes all over the island...

Not only tourists feel good on Gili Trawangan, but also local cats. They are distinguished by a beautiful red color, but also unusual tails. They look like someone cut them, they are bent, twisted, short and stunted. Animals are born with such a genetic mutation. There are many cats on the island, most of them have houses and their carers, but there are also a lot of homeless animals. That is why in 2013 a special organisation called Cats of Gili was established, whose job is to provide cats with medical care as well taking care of their food. Cats lead an island, lazy lifestyle, they rest for hours on the beach in the shade of trees, and in local restaurants ask for food.

Dives off the coast of the Gili Islands are not the most beautiful, many people can feel disappointed, after being tempted to dive by the beautiful views of the surface. Once nearby, the reefs were teeming with life, they were beautiful and colourful and healthy. Today, their fossilised remains are washed ashore. Climate warming, combined with the destructive activities of people have contributed to their dying. People hurted the reefs most when they tried to maximise their catches by using homemade bombs and the cyanide. These two methods not only killed fish, but also irreversibly damaged the coral reef and sea habitats. Today, this type of practice is prohibited, but unfortunately you cannot undo the events of the past. You can only try to fix what is destroyed, where possible. In 2020 the Organisation Gili Eco Trust was established, which aims to protect the coral reefs and marine life. From the moment the organisation was established, the situation began to improve slightly, first of all it focused on education, that is why the locals were involved to protect the marine habitats. The reef was planted. GET expanded its activities by many other projects, such as sustainable tourism, recycling, garbage selection, which began to bring noticeable results.

Dives off the coast of the Gili Islands, despite the destroyed reefs, is still very popular among tourists. They usually choose one or two dive days. The diving season lasts almost all year. During diving you can come across a large group of turtles that swim near the shore in search of seagrass. On the island there is a warm, tropical climate with dry (May-October) and rainy season (November –April). Currently, the climate has changed all over the world, therefore I would not be attached to the above division.

And although I imagined this place differently when it was only in the sphere of my dreams, I have fallen in love with it including all its imperfections.

Queen Anne's Revenge

A sunny day on the c aribbean Sea. An e nglish ship pushed by the wind in the beautif ul sun heads west. Seafarers' thoughts are already in port pubs where they will be able to drink their hard-earned money. this calm picture interrupts the appearance of a fast approaching ship on the horizon. the captain pulls his pale face away from the telescope and one sentence comes out of his trembling lips: the black flag...

Pirate... no other word like that stimulates the imagination. Thousands of books and movies have been created about pirates. They are so rooted in art and pop culture that sometimes it is hard to believe that they existed at

all. However, it's true... they existed. Ancient chroniclers are already mentioning pirates prowling the Mediterranean. Piracy is a very old profession that still exists today. Lots of pirate ships sank for thousands of years, and the sea took

"For Edward Teach, com- monly called Captain Teach or Blackbeard – 100 pounds; for every other commander of a pirate ship, pole or brig – 40 pounds " – a fragment of the Act to encourage the capture and killing of pirates 1718

tens of thousands of lives and stories. Which diver would not like to find the pirate wreck, discovering its history.

The most famous pirates were those prowling the Caribbean. Their adventures have inspired many stories.

Text mateusz PoPek

Model of the pirate ship Queen Anne's Revenge, NC Museum of History

Photos wikiMedia coMMons open access

Among them, the celebrity Blackbeard was terrifying. He had a short but turbulent career. But what does his character have to do with Queen Anna and archeology? Lots of. but let's start from the beginning...

Blackbeard's story began in Bristol, England, where Edward Teach was born around 1675. As a young man, he joined the pirate crew of Benjamin Horingold, with whom he learned the profession. Teach was a tall, big peasant with a huge black beard, which he braided. It was thanks to it that he received his nickname: Blackbeard. There are speculations that he was mentally ill which would explain certain behaviors, or maybe he was simply eccentric. His clothes were very characteristic. He carried three pairs of pistols with him, and he had countless knives

in his bootlegs. During the boarding, he put under his hat or, as some say, entangled in his beard lighted fuses, which gave him devilish tinsel by burning and smoking.

Blackbeard was an admirer of women. During his life he had 16 wives. His first officer gave him weddings and divorces. He treated most of his wives brutally, sometimes giving away to his companions. However, one of them Anna Blythe, made a career with her husband, learning pirate profession. As a gift from her husband, she got a ship and moved "on her own". Teach was a drunkard, and when he drank, he became very aggressive. Libations often ended in gunfire and even death of its crew. Everyone was afraid of him and maybe that's why he was able to maintain discipline.

He was equally aggressive at the bottle and in battle. To which he actually went drunk and often stoned. He treated prisoners cruelly, often cutting their fingers with rings instead of taking them off. He was so addicted to drugs that he once blocked the port of Charleston, and as a ransom he demanded laudanum, which he claimed helped him control his internal anger.

reciPe for Laudanum

sherry – 1 quarter opium – 2 oz saffron – 1 oz cinnamon – 1 oz. powder cloves – 1 oz. powder stir and cook slowly in a water bath for 2–3 days

Blackbeard the Pirate, A General History of the Pirates, 1725 r.

Queen Anne's Revenge, 1735 r.

in 1997, scientists from north carolina began regular excavations that lasted until 2015. during these years they have excavated hundreds of thousands of artifacts. among others, 250,000 lead missiles, 24 guns and two anchors.

In 1713, Edward Teach captured a 40-gun French ship, which he changed its name to Queen Anne’s Revenge. From then on, it was the flagship of his pirate fleet. Then, for the next five years, he terrorized the sea from North Carolina to Guyana, robbing and collecting tribute. In 1717, the port of Bath in North Carolina became Blackbeard's base. From there, pirates went out and plundered expeditions. This year, at the port of Charleston, he plundered

9 ships, but unfortunately ran aground his ship blocking the port entrance. To reduce immersion, the crew threw out water and food, leaving behind loot. These actions were successful and the ship managed to get into deep water and set off.

This impudent action caused a firm reaction, and behind Blackbeard two Royal Navy ships were sent under the command of Lieutenant Robert Maynard. There was a clash in Beufort Bay off the shores of North Carolina. Blackbeard who wanted to escape ran aground again. Maynard decided not to let him go and get the pirate at all costs. He told the crew to throw supplies overboard to reduce the draft and get close to Queen Anne's Revenge. Blackbeard's crew began with a cannon salvo, which made huge losses to the English crew. Maynard hid his sailors under the deck and ordered to get to the pirate ship. The English ship was thrown with grenades and the lack of

movement confirmed the pirates that they had killed everyone. At this point, English sailors jumped out from under the deck and defeated the pirates in a short but fierce battle. Blackbeard reportedly suffered 25 wounds before he fell. One of the Englishmen jumped to Teach and cut his throat, and Lieutenant Maynard shot the pirate in the face. The head of one of the most famous pirates hung on the rei of an English ship, and his body was thrown into the sea. And so ended the short, but turbulent career of Blackbeard, who in only a few years robbed 50 ships and dozens of coastal settlements. His life was so turbulent that he settled permanently in pirate legends.

It's November 21, 1996, almost 278 years after Blackbeard's death, archaeologists search the shallows of Beufort Bay. That day they manage to find a cluster of very interesting concretions. When the first underwater archaeologists descend to check what objects are

The Capture of the Pirate Blackbeard 1718, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1920

found, it turns out that the shapeless concretions contain cannons that lie on the wreckage of the ship. In 1997, scientists from North Carolina began regular excavations that lasted until 2015. During these years they have excavated hundreds of thousands of artifacts. Among others, 250,000 lead missiles, 24 guns and two anchors. In addition, the ship's bell and a lot of personal and everyday items. By analyzing these objects and where they were found, the researchers found that they had found the shipwreck of Queen Anne's Revenge, which was the scene of Blackbeard's last moments. The monuments went to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, where they can be admired.

In this way, Blackbeard's story came full circle. From England, across the Caribbean Sea, to the North Carolina Museum and on TV screens. He probably did not think that almost 300 years after his death they would tell about him that he would become one of the characters in the film Pirates of the Caribbean. Was that his goal? To be remembered? Or maybe he was driven by more hedonistic motives, like quick money, rum and women, and he went down in history quite by accident? Unfortunately, we will not know the answers to these questions, because only he could answer them.

Blackbeard head bow, illustration from The Pirates Own Book, 1837

“Wieliczka” Salt Mine

Text and photos m arcin t rzciński

My April was somewhat different in terms of diving and i guess it was also the case with many of you. First, together with Mark e yllatt, i went searching for the wreck of h MS victoria* off the coast of l ebanon; then i joined Sheck e xley to start exploring the dark pits in Florida.** At least it wasn’t rocking that much there.

I was sure it wouldn’t, as Sheck hated the bobbing too. So when the telephone rang, I put my book away rather reluctantly. After all, how interesting could it be, since we’re all stuck at home? It was Wojtek, I mean the editor-in-chief, to remind me it’s time to submit something for the next issue. Right.

I’ve been pondering this for some time now and since I knew a thing or two about underground caves, I somehow focused on this topic. And I came to the conclusion that

Wieliczka would be the most interesting one. No cave diving there, that’s for sure. Come on – these were open waters, except that they were over 100 meters below ground. It came up totally by chance, when, after giving an underwater archeology class, a student, Maciek, approached me, offering me to take part in diving in Wieliczka’s Komora Barącza (Barącz Chamber). Well, I took quite a while (some 2 seconds) to think, so that it wouldn’t look like I cared so much, and nodded restrainedly.

The snow storm hit us already before Częstochowa, with heavy snowflakes pouring from the heavens making the drive almost impossible. Everyone and their grandmothers were crawling at 30 km/h. It was only once we passed Cracow that the sky cleared enough that upon my arrival at the mine I was greeted by a beautiful white powder, sparkling in the light of the lanterns, and ever lower temperatures. The rest of the team hadn’t arrived yet – they were still crawling through the barely passable roads.

From the morning on, I was squirming like a young terrier in anticipation of the promised fun. Luckily, my more expert

colleagues displayed a more restrained and scientific approach. So, first things first – a decent breakfast. Scrambled eggs, frankfurters, tomatoes with onion, pickled cucumbers and almost fresh bread. Did I mention cottage cheese, egg spread and cold meat? Say what you want, we didn’t go underground starving. But our overloaded bellies made it a bit difficult to shovel the ton of equipment we had to take down with us. Loading and unloading the elevators was not the real problem; but personating Merle Travis’s “Sixteen Tons” song protagonist by pulling the overloaded cart up the walkway, was far from fun. Only at the beginning did our gasping and comments drown in the horrible creaks of the overburdened axles. With every meter, our swearing combos grew more and more robust, up to the point where their floridness and expressiveness outperformed the cart’s noise.

Sitting at 101 meters below ground, the Barącza Chamber has a certain magic aura to it. Imagine a dark exploitation hollow, illuminated by nothing except scarce floodlights, with wooden balconies spanning up the walls, barely visible

in the darkness. The bottom of the chamber was filled with light green water, glittering in the gleam of the floodlights. Actually not water but rather a saturated saline solution, unable to dissolve another grain of salt – not even a tiniest one. As a consequence, evaporating water caused particles to precipitate and fall to the bottom of the lake, reminiscent of white “snow”. This also increased buoyancy spectacularly, which meant that we had to compensate for it with additional lead weights. Not an easy task in my case, as while gearing up I had to cram 47 kilograms somewhere! Once you try to stuff so many pieces of metal into your own gear – you’ll understand my problem. An even bigger problem was putting the rig on and reaching the water. The descent led through a small flap in a wooden platform, with three small and steep stairs below leading to a stone and salt rock. First, we appointed a “volunteer” to storm that beachhead and then we started throwing down all our previously collected load, while listening to the noises made by Maciek, who tried to catch it all. Things were supposed to get easier after this... well, they didn’t – after I put on the jacket with all the additional weight, I was ready to call the whole thing off. And

I would probably do that too, if it hadn’t been for the next school trip entering the cavern at that very moment. Making a scene when the kids were watching was not my thing, so I made my way towards the deeper waters, reeling around like Bruce Willis saving the world with a last-ditch effort. Only when I disappeared under the surface, was I able to catch a breath. I descended slowly along the vertical wall towards the perfectly visible lake bed five meters below, watching the small hexagonal crystals that covered every inch of rock. They were completely green and only after illuminating them with a powerful flashlight did they take on an intense white color, looking eerily similar to gemstones. I stopped one meter above the bottom, staring at the salt deposits that took the most fantastical shapes and covered all the waste that had been thrown into the water over the decades. One has to say, nature did just fine with covering up mining anchors, rods, connection boxes, paving bricks and some other “contraptions” with a think cover of salt crystals. It looked like taken from a fairy tale and in a strange twist of fate I found myself in a true treasure trove. Literally, as salt lumps were covered with smaller and larger coins

as far as the eye could see. Tens, hundreds, thousands... Some of these could still be used as currency and others were so eroded by salt and time that it was impossible to decipher their nominal value or country of origin.

I swam around above the bottom for some time, taking in the remarkable sight of the underwater kingdom, and then Mariusz and me got down to work. The task was simple – pull out all this mess to the surface, leaving only the coins. The magic was gone in no time, like someone flipped a switch. Visibility dropped to zero and yanking four-meter anchors from the bed turned out to be much more difficult than we initially thought...

* Mark Ellyat, Ocean Gladiator, Wielki Błękit, 2009

** Sheck Exley, Caverns measureless to man, Mayfly, 2009

A crocodile without legs

Most often it can be found between dense underwater thickets, motionless, perfectly hanging in the depths, seems to be invisible among the green-brown stalks of narrow-leaved truncheons. pike - because we're talking about it - is waiting patiently in this way.

Certainly most divers have already met pike on their underwater road. It is a typically lake species, spending most of its time in shallow waters hidden among vegetation. Its specific coloration makes it often invisible. The light green color and dark spots on the body allow it to blend into the underwater thickets.

Usually reaches a length of 1.5 meters and a weight of 10 kg. Meeting a larger individual is a real feat. It is treated as a long-lived fish because it can survive up to 7 years.

Pike are considered one of the most voracious species of fish. It is said that adolescents need to eat up to 4 to 6 kg

of food per kilogram of weight gain! Thanks to the amazing jaw structure, in which there are several hundred small teeth and which is very large, pike can eat fish of their dimensions. In addition, all the teeth are arranged from the inside, which means that the victims of pike have little chance of getting out of their jaws. The large snout and wolf appetite mean that cannibalism is very often observed in this species. No self-respecting pike will despise a handsome cousin of the same species.

By some people, pike is called a crocodile without legs, because it spends all day calmly waiting for its prey. However, when the prey appears on the horizon

Text agata turowicz Photos wojciech zgoła

quickly and like a torpedo moves to attack. Just one wave of the tail fin allows it to achieve acceleration of up to 50 m / s2 ! Rapid pushing of water from the gill cavity also helps in achieving high speed in a short time.

Pike can sometimes be very aggressive and not so difficult to provoke. An upset pike can start attacking everything within its reach. Sometimes he chases a diver who is too insistent. There are, however, days when pikes indulge in blissful laziness. Then instead of patiently waiting for the best victim, it is content with what is flowing past him. It is also a great opportunity for divers to be able to watch it carefully.

The most active pikes can be found at dusk or dawn, so the best opportunity

to come across these largest individuals is to go on a night dive. Then the chances of admiring this majestic fish are by

far the greatest. Interestingly, sometimes pikes also flow into the waters of the Baltic Sea.

tasza

Or how to meet a hare underwater

Text and photos Bartek P szczółkowski

tAS z A – name:

Latin: Cyclopterus Lumpus

English: Lumpsucker/ Lump fish

German: Seehase

Czech: Hranáč šedý

French: Lompe/ Lump

Diving in the cold waters of one of the largest, deepest fiords in the world – Sognefjord – I met an amazing animal. I do not know, hare or fish? Glued to the rock ground very solidly, like a sucker, watching its spawn placed on the rock.

Lumpsucker or lump fish of the the Scorpaeniformes is the only representative of the species Cyclopterus. It occurs in the North Atlantic, from the north coast of Portugal to the White Sea, it can also be found in the Baltic. To be honest, I got a little scared of this animal, because while I was passing by, the fish did not even move. The stocky body, 3 rows of appendages on each side of the body, replacing the scales, give it a powerful look. It is not surprising that, although it is naturally ugly, you can observe in it a very interesting behaviour.

The female is usually greenish and larger than the male. It lays up to four hundred thousand eggs in packages. Eggs

usually appear in spring in the shallows, between stones, when lump fish comes from the depths of the open sea or ocean.

In this relationship, the male behaves amazingly. Brown stained with a red and orange belly, it spends all his time watching the eggs like a guard. He can hold on to the ground thanks to the flat structure of the abdomen and fins transformed into a suction cup. Sometimes at low tide, there is so little water that the male protects the roe with its own body, becoming a bite for birds and exposing itself to drying. Just wait for the tide. There are places in the world where the spawn of the sea hare, or lump fish, is a delicacy. Its meat is also edible, however, it is said that only the male one.

The Danish "Limfjord" caviar is actually lump fish's roe dyed black to resemble sturgeon caviar. In Norway, Great Britain and Ireland, lump fish's eggs, just like the fish that

f eb. 13th f eb. 24th

f eb. 28th

m ar. 3rd

m ar. 6th

m ar. 8th

the d anish " l imfjord" caviar is actually lump fish's roe dyed black to resemble sturgeon caviar.

produces them, are underestimated and even treated by fishermen as useless in industry and gastronomy.

Lump fish is friendly and often allows divers to get close, thanks to these features I was able to take a picture of one "daddy" while taking care of the eggs :)

This fish is a popular and appreciated guest on salmon farms due to its weakness for salmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis, and this is a common parasite that is getting under many marine animals' skin, literally and figuratively.

Sea fauna has always amazed me and aroused my interest. With every dive I try to observe the underwater environment because I know that it has many secrets waiting for me to discover it. Secrets like the lump fish described above, which I observed for two months, captuing the development of tadpoles in eggs. From the bubble on February 3 to the moving eyes almost ready to hatch. This is what I love the most in diving, the unknown that waits for me underwater and always surprises.

e leg A nt A nd p RActicA l

these are exactly the words to use when talking about oceanic dive computers.

Why?

Mostly because they are simple to use and all the readings necessary during a dive are accessible with just a few clicks. Oceanic also wants you to focus on enjoying the underwater world, wrecks and all the wonders nature has to offer. That is the driving idea behind equipment that is reliable, high-tech, affordable and easy to use.

Prominent features of the Oceanic Veo 4.0 diving computer, visible at first glance, include larger digits and a 20% thinner case profile, which increase the diver’s comfort. Veo 4.0 incorporates the proprietary Dual Algorithm™. It offers 4 operation modes and supports 3 breathing gases. You can adjust the Nitrox mix, switch between algorithms, activate the display backlight or deactivate the alarms.

The new model also sports the ever more popular Bluetooth technology. Any mobile device may be connected to the free Div-

erLog app (available in Polish) via the computer. You can follow your diving progress without having to leave the comfort of your own home – unless you’re just going diving. All your diving details may be managed and shared when travelling, both before and after a dive.

Using the DiverLog, you can plan your dive before jumping in, which may include adjusting the depth, alarms settings, selecting the appropriate gas mix and many other options.

Once you’ve safely emerged from your dream dive, you can use the app to download your dive data to a mobile device to view the “brand-new” dive profile and related data. Photos and a description may be added later and you may also arrange your dives by location, depth or even dive type. You buddy may also confirm the information saved on your smartphone with their signature.

Photo Martin Strmiska

But wait, there’s more! Oceanic’s proprietary Dual Algorithm™ technology lets you choose the decompression algorithm that best suits your diving needs without compromising safety. You can choose between Pelagic DSAT or Pelagic Z+.

Did you know: When diving at higher altitudes, between 610 and 4200 meters, the computer automatically adjusts to these conditions. you won’t believe how affordable this model is! veo

Selected technic A l pARAM ete RS :

• Maximum depth – 100 m

• Battery life up to 300 h (user-replaceable)

• Visual low battery indicator

• Memory capacity (number of dives) – 24

• Four operation modes – watch, countdown timer, NORM (Air and Nitrox) and FREE.

• Number of gases supported – 3

• Wireless computer settings upload via BLUETOOTH using the DIVERLOG+ app

• Automatic software updates

• Nitrox – 21–100%

• 24 month guarantee

Photo Martin Strmiska

Do dolphins save people?

Text and

jaku B Banasiak

photos

We want to believe that dolphins are people's friends, that we have our defenders in the big blue, and when they accompany us in water, nothing threatens us.

During a diving trip to Socorro, after one of the morning dives, we took with us ABC equipment and went on a zodiac to search for humpback whales. We dreamed of meeting face to face with humpbacks that were in the area with their young. However, the whales clearly avoided us and kept increasing the distance. That is why, when bottlenose dolphins appeared nearby, I decided to jump into the water and swim among these nice mammals. Colleagues on the zodiac sailed a few dozen meters away, trying to photograph humpback whales and I could enjoy the presence of several social bottlenose fish. The dolphins here are powerful, but at the same time calm and willing to interact with people. In a moment there were also sharks – silky sharks. It got crowded in the water. An amazing view and a treat for all diving enthusiasts

and sea predators. I wondered if there would be any interaction between the two species. Every now and then I looked towards the pontoon, because the sharks were coming more and more and despite everything I felt a little uncomfortable. If anything bad happened... the nearest hospital is over four hundred kilometers from here in the mainland of Mexico, and no helicopter would make such a distance for a rescue mission... My imagination began to work at full speed, when in a moment all bottlenose dolphins swam away leaving me alone in the company of more and more interested and more numerous sharks. Fortunately, at the same time my zodiac friends came back for me...

Every now and then in the media you can find a story about how a dolphin saved a swimmer or surfer from

i t is difficult to assess the true nature of the behaviour of dolphins saving people, especially since there are no film materials that would allow a more in-depth analysis of the situation, and the witnesses are survivors of trauma who brushed with death.

a shark attack. It is difficult to determine how much truth is in it, and how much of our wishful thinking, which results from anthropomorphism on the one hand, and from our fascination with dolphins on the other, and assigning supernatural features to them for a long time. As humans, we want to think that these intelligent and social animals treat us in a special way and we want to believe that we have our defenders in the ocean.

What do the facts say? Indeed, there have been occasions when dolphins either chased away a shark that appeared near a swimmer or surfer, or accompanied a man in the water until the shark swam away. There have also been reports that dolphins pushed drowning people onto the surface.

It has long been known that dolphins altruistically help each other, push the weakened member of the herd to the surface, just like they do with a newborn calf so that it can take a first breath on the surface. Perhaps it is instinctive for dolphins to see that a living being cannot cope with the surface and take a breath, and that she or he sinks. Pilot whales and bottlenose show the push reaction to the surface of even the dead bodies of tribesmen. These behaviours have been well documented by scientists studying various species of dolphins and whales.

Sometimes the help response can be triggered only by the outlines resembling a dolphin's limp body. For example, in the Bay of Sudjuk in Russia, a bottlenose pushed a few kilograms of carrion for several hours. He stopped this ac-

tivity only when a boat appeared nearby. Researchers have noted dolphins pushing dead turtles or even wood logs. At one time in the California oceanarium, bottlenose fish for 9 consecutive days "saved" a 1.5-meter shark almost by depriving it of life in this way.

It is difficult to assess the true nature of the behaviour of dolphins saving people, especially since there are no film materials that would allow a more in-depth analysis of the situation, and the witnesses are survivors of trauma who brushed with death.

Dolphins help not only people. On the island of Marco, Florida, a group of dolphins came to the aid of a lost Doberman who fell into the canal and could not get out. Dolphins made so much noise that they attracted the attention of people living nearby, who then saved the dog. In New Zealand, on the other hand, a lone Moko dolphin saved two dwarf sperm whales that were stuck on Mahia Beach. Bottlenose dolphins responded to the acoustic call of the sperm whales, approached the whales and led them 200 yards along the shoreline, between the shallows, through a channel into the open sea.

Looking for the answer to the question of whether dolphins cling to people in a special way and want to protect them, it is worth asking another question: Were there cases when dolphins did not help people? Or maybe they even threatened their safety?

Marine mammals researcher Toni Frohoff, the director of Terramar Research in California, described the incident in which dolphins with which she swam in the sea suddenly escaped when a shark appeared and left her alone. In turn, in 2007 a man who fell into the sea in the Ukrainian part of the Black Sea, was attacked by a group of bottlenose dolphins. He lost consciousness and almost drowned.

There is no doubt that dolphins are interesting to people and seem to be looking for human contact. But should such social contacts be considered friendly? Of 29 well-researched lone dolphins with frequent contact with people, 13 of them showed "inappropriate, often aggressive, sexual behavior towards people." Many of these dolphins used to pull people into the sea, preventing them from returning to shore, and even pressing them to the bottom. Two-thirds of the 29 dolphins showed such dangerous behaviour towards people that they caused spleen ruptures, broken ribs, loss of consciousness, and in one case even the death of a tourist. In 1994, the Brazilian dolphin Tião managed to send 28 people to the hospital during its visits to the beach, before eventually killing the swimmer João Paulo Moreira (who was probably drunk and also aggressive towards Tião).

One of the most famous incidents was the case of Lisa Costello, who in 1992 was sailing among the pilot whales near the Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii. She gently touched the male who was resting on the surface. The next moment, the animal grabbed her leg and pulled her under the water. Over the next minutes, the mammal repeatedly grabbed her and released her for a moment, at some point diving with the woman to a depth of several meters, keeping her foot in its teeth all the time. Lisa Costello barely survived the meeting. So maybe the assumption that humans and dolphins have a special bond and friendship is definitely exaggerated? Regardless of the above incidents, it is nice to believe that we have our "guardian angels" in the ocean, who will help us in an extreme situation. People of the sea have always been accompanied by myths and legends :)

eap – e mergency a ssistance p lan

Emergency plans - what is this for?

the e mergency Assistance p lan ( e A p ) or emergency plan is a prerequisite for successfully rescuing an injured diver. i t includes immediate first aid on site and emergency treatment, as well as the fastest transport to the nearest and most appropriate medical facility. the responsibility for reacting to the e A p lies with the local dive operator.

As a diver, you can do a lot for your own safety, but some things are out of your reach and you have to rely on the dive operator. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the safety awareness of the dive operator, dive center or dive boat owner, dive instructor, a captain or other personnel. The choice of the place of rest can also be important. In a country where general safety standards are poor, diving operations may also lack safety regulations and requirements.

Safety deficiencies lurk everywhere and their consequences in diving are more serious than on land. A divemaster leading a group of novices without computers to their limits; the owner of a dive boat without emergency equipment, such as an oxygen unit that is able to provide 100% medical oxygen for at least two divers and for a sufficient time; safari on board of a ship whose personnel are not trained in first aid and emergency assistance; dive stores that rent poorly maintained equipment with faulty valves or missing O-rings, or that "forget" to replace the compressor filters: they all belong to the category of gross negligence.

A safari on a boat, in the middle of the ocean, away from civilization, might seem so beautiful, but it can turn a terrible experience when there is no radio connection, mobile phones do not work, and the crew forgot satellite phones (or even first aid equipment). In this case, it is not possible to obtain immediate assistance in the event of an emergency.

Regardless of whether it is a diving activity on land or on a dive boat, everyone – including divers – should have access to information such as current phone numbers for the nearest hyperbaric chamber, or contact numbers of diving medicine doctors of the nearest facility, ambulance doctors and emergency services. Maintaining this information (up-to-date) is extremely important because addresses, phone numbers, contact persons or access roads are often changed. If one link is missing, the chain is broken.

The crew must know what to do in an emergency. The fastest means of transport and logistics must be clear. In case the operator has several boats, each of them may have its own EAP and a different one for the base on land.

To increase safety awareness and make diving even safer, DAN has developed the DSP (Diving Safety Partner) program. DSP consists of 3 levels, with the accompanying HIRA (Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment) module. This initiative is specifically targeted at dive operators, helping them to identify and improve areas where they lack safety. Diving operations that meet all requirements gain visibility and are recognised by the recreational divers community as well as, most importantly, increase the number of customers.

Briefings and check-ins, information on entering and exiting the water, safety stops, meeting points and procedures in the event of loss, as well as instructions and warnings regarding post-dive activities: these are all elements to be considered.

Pre-dive briefing is extremely important for divers to become aware of their readiness to undertake a dive and

to know what to expect during it. A good briefing contains details about navigation, currents, depth and duration of diving, and certainly not just the marine life that you will probably see.

The crew should inform divers, especially inexperienced ones, that freediving should not be performed after diving. Further deeper dives on the same day are also not recommended due to the formation of nitrogen bubbles and an increased risk of DCS.

Both professional and recreational divers caring for safety before diving can benefit from the forward-looking approach of operators because they will know what to do in an emergency or may even prevent it.

Let's dive into wonderful adventures, always safe!

A TY? KIEDY WYBIERZESZ

SIĘ NA SPACER?

Aktywność fizyczna poprawia kondycję.

Rehasport

www.rehasport.pl

Rehasport www.rehasport.pl

www.rehasport.pl

Aktywność fizyczna poprawia kondycję.

78% POLAKÓW NIE JEST DOŚĆ

AKTYWNYCH FIZYCZNIE*

A world without sharks?

As eu citizens, can we actively contribute to preventing the next catastrophe that will hit our oceans and thus all humanity?

d r. iris zieg Ler, shark P roject internationa L

Every year, between 63 and 273 million sharks are killed in the world, and many species are increasingly threatened. In 2019, the United Nations Report on Biological Diversity warned that more than 30% of all known species of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction over the next decades!

In 2020, 82 out of 494 assessed shark species were listed as endangered and included in the "Red List of Endangered Species" of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The rapid erosion of shark populations around the world has serious and irreversible consequences for our planet.

Because many sharks are predators at the end of the food chain, they play an important role in maintaining healthy and productive marine ecosystems. Our oceans are not only the main source of food and protein supply, but also necessary for the global climate and oxygen production, because they store huge amounts of greenhouse gases every day and are responsible for about 60% of global oxygen production.

Globally, sharks have been targeted by man because of meat and liver oil. They die in large numbers as so-called "unwanted by-catches" in commercial fishing for tuna, swordfish and other seafood.

However, the biggest threat to their survival is the practice of cutting off fins. The high value and huge gains of fins are the main drivers of both targeted shark fishing and the reluctance of fishing fleets to switch to more selective fishing gear or to free the lives of sharks caught as by-catches.

Indeed, the fins make huge profits on the market, while the meat of most sharks is almost worthless, unpalatable, and even poses a threat to human health. Despite this, the practice of cutting off fins is still widespread, although officially banned in many areas.

Finning means that the shark's pectoral fins, tail and dorsal fins are cut off at sea while the animal can still live. Due to

the fact that fins can be sold at 25 times higher prices than shark meat and require a small storage area, only these are retained while the rest of the animal is thrown back into the sea. The animal sinks to the bottom because it can no longer swim and dies from suffocation or as a victim of other predators. It's a terrible waste of marine life. It contradicts credible resource assessments and effective shark conservation measures because neither the number of animals killed or species caught is reported for such IUU fishing (illegal, unreported and unmanaged).

In this regard, many nations and some Regional Fisheries Organizations (RFMOs) have introduced laws to prevent this destructive but highly profitable practice of finning at sea, requiring all sharks to be landed with "fins naturally attached" to their bodies. Only then can authorities verify in the port that no finning has actually taken place and whether the number of fins on board really reflects the number of sharks caught by the vessel. This FNA policy is mandatory on board of all vessels flying the flag of the EU and in all European waters since 2013.

This was a significant improvement over the previous regulation, but still allows the fins to be cut off in port and traded throughout Europe and the EU, thus meeting Asia's high demand for shark fin soup.

Furthermore, maritime controls are performed too rarely and often almost impossible to carry out, which results in overall low oversight of enforcement even in EU waters. During sea transhipment of fins to other vessels, which are then unloaded in countries without FNA policy in force, e.g. Namibia, it also provides concealment to circumvent this regulation.

Illegally obtained fins are difficult to identify, and species identification based on isolated fins often requires time-consuming and costly analysis.

That is why trading in fins and endangered species is an easy and common practice.

In addition to being the main transit hub for fins from South America to Southeast Asia, we, Europeans and the EU, are responsible for the gigantic ocean exploitation! The EU is a world leader in shark fishing with 112,000 metric tons (Mt) caught annually by Spain, Portugal and France together, and therefore more than Indonesia, taking second place in the global ranking.

Most shark fins are exported to Asia and sold here at a high profit, and for example Spain is one of the leading suppliers of blue shark fins to Southeast Asia, with 3,490 million fins per year in 2000–2011.

Fins are mainly sold for shark fin soup, which is still a status symbol in Southeast Asia, and sold in restaurants for 90 euros per bowl.

All in all, all initiatives to stop cutting fins and end the terrible exploitation of our oceans for a small, but very lucrative part of these animals will remain ineffective if we fail to stop trading fins! Imports, exports and transits can be much better controlled by trading companies and can be better enforced than all measures taken at sea.

Therefore, stopping the trade in fins in the EU will be the most effective way to stop this cruel business in Europe and the EU and stop being its beneficiary. Many other countries have actually introduced such trade bans: 14 US states have already banned trade in fins, and in June 2019, Canada became the first G7 country to ban imports and exports of shark fins on its territory. Citizens in all parts of the world are also increasingly demanding the end of such cruel and useless practices. That is why Europe must follow in their footsteps!

And now all EU citizens can exercise their rights and vote

for such a regulation by the EU parliament and ban the trade in fins in the EU!

The European Citizens' Initiative 'Stop Finning – Stop the Trade' began to collect signatures on February 1, 2020, demanding that the 'Naturally tied fins' regulation in the European Union be extended to the export, import and transit of sharks and rays, thus prohibiting trade in fins.

EU citizens now have one year to collect the required million votes in support of the requested change requiring the termination of trade in shark fins in the European Union, including the import, export and transit of fins other than those naturally attached to the animal's body, "these citizens seek to strengthen the EU legal framework. If their efforts are successful, the European Commission may then decide to propose a new regulation to achieve this goal.

European citizens have the power to show the will of EU decision-makers to strengthen the protection of wildlife. At a time when the scientific community is regularly alerting to

the rapid erosion of biodiversity and the dangers of climate change, we have no choice but to change our production and consumption patterns.

It's high time to end the trade in shark fins in Europe! The Citizens' Initiative therefore calls on all EU citizens to be part of a growing community for a better future with healthy oceans and to sign the initiative on the EU website via this QR code link

https://eci.ec.europa.eu/012/public

This initiative of EU citizens is supported by over 30 ecological NGOs, including SEA SHEPHERD, SHARKPROJECT, BLOOM, Blue Sharks, APECE, iSea, Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Global Shark Conservation Initiative (TGSCI), STOP FINNING, Sharks Mission France , Sharks Educational Institute (SEI), AktionsgemeinschaftArtenschutz (AGA), Mundus maris, Gesellschaftzur Rettung der Delphine, Deutsche Meeresstiftung, Deutsche StiftungMeeresschutz (DSM), Shark Savers Germany, The Dolphins' Voice, Pro WildST SS and many other associations VD .. organization joins.

However, to succeed, the European Citizens' Initiative must bring together at least one million signatories and reach the threshold for at least seven Member States. These thresholds correspond to the number of Members of the European Parliament elected in each Member State multiplied

by 750. For Poland, for example, 38,250 votes are needed to reach this threshold.

For more information about the citizens' initiative itself, more facts, and who is the initiator and supporter of this initiative, please visit

https://stop-finning.eu

omnipresent mallards

In addition, their presence is common within the city, regardless of whether it is the center of New York or a pond in Milosna near Pasłęka. All this makes the mallard not only the most numerous duck, but also the most recognizable. It is impossible not to know the mallard!

It is true that we do not always know that a mallard is the correct species name, but even if we hear the term “wild duck”, we usually think about the mallard. Of course, there is a whole menagerie of wild ducks, or ducks living in the wild, but none of the species is so well known to humanity, especially to those who like to watch birds not only on a spit they are almost everywhere! they swim in fresh and salt waters of the northern hemisphere, from europe to Asia, from Scandinavia to north Africa. Mallards can be found even in greenland. they are also very numerous in north America. to the antipodes, Australia and new zealand, where they are considered an invasive species, they were dragged by man.

Text and photos wojciech jarosz

Mallards can accelerate up to 90 km/h in flight!

or in a stew. What distinguishes this species from others and why are they so close to us? Why do we not see gadwalls, teals, pintails or wigeons in our neighborhood as often? There are many factors behind the success of mallards in conquering the world. Since we can see them close to us, we can certainly consider these ducks to be flexible in terms of selection of habitat and nesting sites. They are, as it is defined in ecology, Eurobionts, that is organisms that tolerate a broader spectrum of environmental factors. Educational digression: ecology is not the same as environmental protection, ecology is an extremely broad field of natural sciences

…we will meet them in fresh and salt waters. Both, in a natural and anthropogenic environment. i nterestingly, those who chose to live close to people, e.g. in city parks, are practically not afraid of the representatives of the human race, while those living in more natural conditions are fearful and timid.

dealing with the study of relationships between organisms (individuals and populations) and between organisms and the environment. Only a small part of environmentalists' research concerns changes in the environment caused by human activities. From this perspective, the term "ecological toilet paper" (and almost everything has already been called "ecological") is not the best one, although it is probably already too late and ecology in the social sense of the term will remain equivalent to environmental protection. Anyway, even biologists will most likely have to endure such word clusters, risking at least a misunderstanding on their own when talking about "environmentally friendly" products instead of "organic products". I must be sincere, however, and add that there were many definitions of ecology in history – and thus some homework for you: check what is hidden under the term "ecology" in the encyclopedia – it can be Wikipedia, and for those who like contact with the printed word, check heavy volumes in hard cover. End of the digression. Returning to Eurobionts, or rather to mallards, the best proof of their broad tolerance of many environmental factors is their cosmopolitan nature. Also the fact that we will meet them in fresh and salt waters. Both, in a natural and anthropogenic environment. Interestingly, those who chose to live close to people, e.g. in city parks, are practically not afraid of the representatives of the human race, while those living in more natural conditions are fearful and timid. Quite often I had my heart in my mouth, when wandering through the watery bushes, I did not notice well-masked mallards, and these suddenly starting to fly in a panic escape made me feel a bit of their panic (fortunately only for a moment, but usually adrenaline already managed to flow abundantly to all recesses of my body). Such a little off-road wake-up, one could say.

To conquering water reservoirs almost all over the world, also significantly contributed the breeding strategy of mallards. The female can lay up to 12 eggs, although it

happens that there are more in the nest, because some females lay eggs in the nests of their friends. The young appear after about 4 weeks and are immediately ready to follow their mother. Some of them must prove their mettle at the very beginning of their lives. Due to the poor availability of breeding places in cities, the mallards can lay eggs in tree hollows, but also in the balcony flower boxes, not necessarily selecting only the lowest floors of high blocks of flats. Regardless of the height, the young jump out of the nest following their mother, but unlike in her case, in the absence of developed wings, flapping their wings does not significantly slow down their fall (i.e. v = g×t, where g=9.8 m/s2). At the most, only the webbing between the digits of their feet, spread to the maximum, can slightly increase the air resistance when falling. They survive their first "flight", although they do not always have as pleasant a landing as their cousin, the common goldeneye. These ducks nest in hollows, but in the forests. So when they jump from a height of up to 20 m, they can count on soft litter that effectively cushions their landing. The large initial

number of mallard ducklings often decreases over time, because the list of predators (basically from every cluster of vertebrates, including fish) hunting for them is long. If a young duck survives its first season, it basically becomes a mature duck. Already in the second year of life, they may start reproduction. Mating habits and breeding behaviours of mallards judged from a human perspective seem a bit brutal. Sexual assault is common. This violent copulation, which is accompanied by the use of force, can undoubtedly be defined as rape. Well, a female attacked in matrimonial purposes by a hormone-driven male can even be drowned by the male – this is the dramatic power of the duck’s ecstasy. What adds piquancy to the whole thing is the fact that the male's copulatory organ is surprisingly long, reaching 20 cm, and is ready to perform its role in the blink of an eye. In addition, it has the shape of a corkscrew... Females have evolved in such a way that their genital tract also has a complicated structure, with numerous lateral "branches", which are to be a trap for both the penis and the semen (the unwanted one).

The mating coloration of males makes it easy to distinguish them from females

When the libidinous males do not find females of their species, they don't get fussy. They start romancing with ducks of other species. The fruits of these romances, i.e. hybrids, often fertile, become a fauna puzzle for bird watching enthusiasts. This practice is so frequent that in some bird guides you can find tips on how to recognize and distinguish more common mallard hybrids with ducks of other species, including domestic duck. Such hybrids in the ornithological dialect are called "village leaders". In addition, one of the theories about the origin of the Polish name for mallards refers to the phenomenon of interspecies love (crossing).

Closing the plot of the duck's passions and drives I will add one more thing. In 1995, information run around the natural world about the first registered case of homosexual necrophilia in mallards. In short: one drake ran away from the other and crashed against the glass of the Rotterdam Nature Museum. It lost its life, but the male chasing didn't lose its desire for... dating. The rest can be imagined. There was even a scientific publication on the subject, which earned its author the Ig Nobel Prize 2003, not necessarily

When the libidinous males do not find females of their species, they don't get fussy. they start romancing with ducks of other species. the fruits of these romances, i.e. hybrids, often fertile, become a fauna puzzle for bird watching enthusiasts.

desired by researchers. What's more, the event is celebrated every year in the aforementioned Nature Museum as the Dead Duck Day (there is even a website dedicated to this story). I am afraid that after reading this text, you may never look at the mallards the same way as before when you feed them (just not with bread!) the next time with children in the park. To warm up the image of drakes, I will add that although males usually abandon females after laying eggs, there are knightly individuals accompanying their chosen one also after the hatching of chicks.

The decoration of the female is a beautiful mirror on wings

Mallard beak is a great working colander

Physiology allows ducks to swim in cold water and stand on ice without the risk of frostbite

Finally, some facts about the mallards. They obtain food, mainly plants, by collecting it from the water surface. They do not belong to eager divers, although they can dive, limiting themselves at most to immersing the head and neck, leaving the ramp raised above the water – just like e.g. swans do. The mallard can fly quite well. It can reach up to 90 km/h and usually does not rise too high. There was a meeting of a cruise plane with a mallard reported at the height of more than 6 thousand metres. However, it spends more time (except flights) on the water. Sometimes quite cold water, including ice. How is it that duck's legs are not freezing then? The secret lies in counter-current heat exchangers, which function not only in mallards, but in most birds, as well as fish. The thing is, the arteries and veins are located close to each other, so the warm arterial blood flowing to the feet heats the returning one. The temperature difference can sometimes be over 30 degrees.

Encountering mallards – the ancestors of domestic ducks – by the water, remember to congratulate them on their evolutionary success!

Mallards rest willingly hiding among the rushes

Mallards have one brood a year, and the female takes care of the chicks

Wetsuit

SElEcting thE typE and SizE

Before you go for snorkeling, it is worth buying a neoprene wetsuit. due to the variety of functions that a wetsuit fulfills - it might be useful to everyone.

1. A wetsuit provides thermal protection (as we get cold in water about 25 times faster)

2. It protects against sunburn (back and shoulders)

3. It protects against abrasions (sharp coral reef, jellyfish) that heal for a long time and are painful

4. Provides better identification of a snorkeling person (colors)

5. It is a little source of buoyancy, because (in simplified terms) neoprene is actually air bubbles embedded in rubber and they are not compressed on the water surface.

The wetsuit should be selected depending on its thickness and what it is supposed to cover. In popular sports

stores you can find: a shorty (with short sleeves and legs), a vest (sleeveless vest protecting the chest), an overall (a wetsuit with long sleeves and legs), a neoprene jacket (with a comfortable fastening at the front). All of them 1 mm to 2.5–3 mm thick. The one which I always strongly recommend is a "lycra costume" covering most of the body: the so-called skin. If someone gets cold quickly or intends to snorkel in very cold water – I recommend a diving wetsuit (3–7 mm), which can be applied in layers.

To sum up, when choosing a wetsuit (snorkeling or diving) we should pay attention to: the thickness and elasticity of neoprene, the type of inner lining, cuffs, the way of joining layers, the method of fastening, strengthening, and above all – its proper fit.

Text margita Ś Lizowska Photos wiktor zdrojewski

Sample wetsuit thicknesses vs water temperature ranges look like this:

● Skin, 1.5-2 mm: very warm waters (water temperature above 28°C) e.g. Indonesia

● 3 mm: warm water (water temperature above 25°C) e.g. Egypt in summer/early autumn

● 5 mm: moderate waters (water temperature above 21°C) e.g. Croatia or small artificial reservoirs in Poland (summer)

● 7 mm: cold water (water temperature around 10°C) e.g. the Baltic sea or mountain streams

Wetsuits can be worn in layers (and this is what is recommended): you can combine thicknesses, put on insulation layers. The most common set for diving is a wetsuit 5+5 mm, and for snorkeling 2/3 mm. For divers (or snorkelers) for very cold waters (below 8°C) I recommend semi-dry suits, and for SCUBA divers – dry suits.

An important element of the wetsuit is its inner lining. It comes into contact with our skin first of all, but also the material from which it is made (just like the elasticity of neoprene) can make it easier for us to put on the wetsuit. Another important element are cuffs. Not only can they improve the process of putting on a wetsuit, but also ensure its proper tightness. The most comfortable are those cuffs

that have zips (at wrists, ankles, neck). When putting them on, they can be unzipped and fastened just before the dive – perfectly sealing the whole suit. The home-made method that facilitates pulling the legs and sleeves of a fitted foam is the method with the use of a plastic bag. We put a strong plastic bag on the foot (or hand) and put it in the leg (or sleeve). After putting on the wetsuit, we hide the plastic bag into the diving bag to use it again (as we care about the environment). The method of joining elements of the wetsuit is important when putting on the wetsuit and while using it. The joints should be smooth, durable and tight (e.g. using the so-called glued and blindstitch [GBS]). As snorkeling and diving are activities performed in pairs – it doesn't matter if we choose the wetsuit with the zip on the front or back. The partner's help in putting on and adjusting the wetsuit is always invaluable  And one more word about the reinforcements. It is worth choosing such wetsuits that have external patches (on the knees), reinforcements on the back (especially for SCUBA diving) and secured cuffs. These elements (along with skillful use) significantly extend the life of the wetsuit.

When selecting the wetsuit, its size is the most important. In order for it to fulfill all its functions, it must adhere to the body very closely. When trying the wetsuit on in the store, it should be a bit tight. Don't worry if it presses a little (of

course if you can breathe in it) – it will stretch and adjust in the water. But it still has to be tight enough to prevent water from getting between the wetsuit and our body.

Let's not forget about protecting our heads e.g. from the sun (a hat, a scarf). I recommend a neoprene hood (separate or integrated with a wetsuit or a vest) for people who quickly catch a cold or have problems with ears or sinuses. In a hood 1–2 mm thick, no special discomfort is felt, and the protection of the ears or sinuses is invaluable. In addition, the hood perfectly prevents unruly hair from tangling. If we want to protect our hands against accidental abrasions (note: we do not touch the animals!), we can use thin neoprene gloves

(1–2 mm). The criterion for choosing a hood and gloves is similar to that for selecting the wetsuit.

After snorkeling, it is necessary to take off wet clothes and, if we are cold, wipe dry. After prolonged contact with water, ears and sinuses get particularly vulnerable. You can take care of them by wiping them dry and putting on a thin cap with a wind-stopper, or a band. After use the wetsuit, like any ABC equipment, should be thoroughly rinsed. Especially if we snorkel in salt water. We should dry everything in the shade. We store wetsuit well dried and loosely folded. Preferably in a breathable dustcover designed for storing wetsuits and complete ABC equipment.

When Jacques-Yves Cousteau sparked off what later became known as scuba diving, the first diving movie was also made called Épaves (Shipwrecks). At the same time, together with his associate, Frédéric Dumas, they wrote the first book about diving, Le Monde du silence (The Silent World). Thousands of authors have followed suit, creating books and films about diving. These works spanned a multitude of genres, from textbooks, through reports and biographies, to feature films and books, even from the fantasy genre. In some way, books and films have become an integral part of the diving world. Because of this, I believe that Perfect Diver should start a dedicated section.

My collection of diving books includes almost 100 titles, I borrowed and read 100 more and there are 1000 more that I wish I had. I also watched dozens of films. This does not prevent me from encouraging readers and authors to share their reviews, as I’m sure you’ve read something I haven’t.

Choosing the first book to review was a true challenge. It should be a spectacular story, but also one that would be accessible to most divers in the world. I decided to choose the autobiography of an extraordinary man who went down in the history of diving. Sheck Exley’s autobiography entitled Caverns Measureless to Man is definitely a source of inspiration for many divers. Many of us would like to experience at least a small fragment of what this man has.

The book was published in 1994. I own a very neat 2009 Mayfly edition, which also contains traditional photographs and maps. The book itself is Sheck Exley’s account of his journey through the world of diving. His recollection of his adventures, which basically inspired many diving procedures we use today, is provided in very accessible manner.

Sheck Exley

caverns Measureless to Man

Published June 1st 1994 by Cave Books

Have you ever wondered where the rule of thirds came from? When Scheck was rescuing his friend, he realized they didn’t have enough gas to leave the cave. Why should you take two instruments with you? Have you ever tried to keep track of you decompression by doing all the calculations in your head? His book will provide answers to these questions and an extensive collection of such stories.

Aside from the really funny parts of this story, there are also a number of less merry recollections. Many of this extraordinary man’s friends died while diving, sometimes with him by their side. One such tragedy occurred during the record-breaking scuba dive to 142 meters. From a group of three people only Exley survived.

Sheck died in 1994 while exploring the Zacatón cenote in Mexico, trying to reach the depth of 275 meters. It was a tremendous loss for the diving world, but luckily, he managed to tell his story.

I recommend this book to every diver, regardless of whether you’re fresh from your open water course or an advanced cave diver. There is something useful in there for everyone – entertainment, emotions, fantastic stories. But if there is one thing that all of us should take from reading this, it’s an ocean of humility. because none of us are immortal, even if you’re the best.

A QUOTE FROM THE BOOK: “But before I started making my way back, I gazed for a few second into the unknown depths, trying to imagine the magnitude and wonder of the measureless cave. Perhaps it simply stretches into infinity.”

Mateusz popek

divinG setups

part

hAR ne SS A dju S t M ent

you should be one with the tank on your back. it should only move when you do and exactly in the same direction.

caution!

Read the entire text before starting the adjustment – it contains important information that will help you through the process.

The simplest way to control your buoyancy is to control all equipment elements. If your tank is moving up and down or sideways, it interferes buoyancy control and the diver’s position both under water and on the surface. Importantly, this also applies to a diver who needs emergency assistance. Rescue will be more efficient if the equipment stabilizes the diver in a predictable manner.

Proper selection and subsequent adjustment of the way the tank is attached to the diver is crucial both for a beginner, allowing them to master buoyancy much more quickly, as well as for an experienced diver, who will receive a precise tool allowing them to achieve their diving objectives*. Your tank should be attached to the buoyancy system already when gearing up – this can typically be done almost perfectly in any system.

This article describes how to adjust the buoyancy system to the diver so that it does not move on their back.

In the previous part we learned that stabilizing the tank on a diver may be problematic with a typical jacket (the larger the tank, the more difficult this becomes).

The best fit is obtained by using a modular system – doesn’t matter if you’re really big, just slightly bigger or smaller, thin or really well-built, doesn’t matter if you’re a woman or a man – there are usually no sizes in modular systems and these are built to always allow for ideal fit. If you are interested in the specifics of such a system, please read the previous issue of Perfect Diver.

if you’re a beginner diver, learn how to adjust your harness before you start using it. a single-webbing harness will instantly get your diving skills to the higher level. don’t put adjusting your equipment off until you get more experienced – adjust your harness and learn faster!

harness adjustment

Take as much time with the process as you need to make it right. Proper adjustment of the harness translates into:

● your position underwater and ease of buoyancy control,

● gas consumption and narcosis level,

● teamwork,

● easy use of a scooter,

● being able to quickly adjust your harness to both a drysuit and thin neoprene in… 3 seconds,

● your position on the surface with high waves,

● gearing up and removing your rig under any condi tions.

Once you correctly adjust your harness, it will allow you to do anything while diving, without risking unpredictable behavior of the equipment.

do you know that a well-adjusted single-webbing harness used with a drysuit may be re-adjusted for a thin wetsuit in less than 3 seconds?

adjustment and fitting adjustable harness single-webbing harness (“dir” harness)

1. Put on your thickest undersuit and a drysuit or clothes of similar volume

2. Put on your plate with the harness

3. Set the length of the shoulder straps so that the waist straps are located in the upper hip area

4. Set the crotch strap length

5. Put the left side of the waist strap through the loop in the crotch strap and check whether the waist strap and the crotch strap create a “Y” shape

6. Put the buckle on the left side of the waist strap

7. Check and adjust the length of the shoulder straps

re: 1. You can achieve the best harness fit by setting its length when wearing your thickest suit and undersuit – you can also use high-volume clothing similar to an undersuit.

re: 2. Put on the plate with the harness – make sure the harness straps are not twisted.

Images Łukasz Oganowski

re: 3. Make an initial shoulder straps length adjustment by tightening or loosening the straps. Proper initial length adjustment is indicated by the location of waist straps exiting the plate. They should be located just above the hips.

re: 4. CROTCH STRAP – key fit factor for your harness. Position the crotch strap between your legs and check how high can you pull it up towards your navel. Tighten or loosen it as needed, so that it is as short as possible and at the same time may be operated with thick gloves. Adjust its length according to the description in item 5.

re: 5. Put the left side of the waist strap through the loop in the crotch strap and pull it towards your left hip. Make sure that when you hold the left side of the waist strap over the right hip, it creates a “Y” shape with the crotch strap. If the shape rather resembles the letter “T” than “Y”, reduce the crotch strap length by a couple centimeters and try again. If the shape rather resembles the letter “V” than “Y”, increase the crotch strap length by a couple centimeters and try again.

Waist strap placement above the hips

Moving straps through slide buckles

Passing the crotch strap through the slide buckle

re: 6. BUCKLE – put the buckle around the right part of your abdomen. Make sure the buckle is to the right of the crotch strap, and that it does not rest against your hip bone. Weave the webbing through to secure the buckle.

re: 7. While still in a thick undersuit and a drysuit, fasten the harness tightly by moving the waist strap buckle to the right. Move your arms slowly upwards, until fully upright and slightly leaning backwards. In this position you should feel that you’re “filling” the harness in its top part, i.e. you can clearly feel the harness straps on your shoulders. If the shoulder straps restrict your movement while moving your arms up, extend them by a couple of centimeters and try again. If you do not feel the pressure of shoulder straps on your shoulders once you’re fully erect and leaning backwards, shorten them by several centimeters and repeat the test.

caution!

Before you extend the shoulder straps, make sure that it is the harness that prevents you from raising your arms, not your underwear, undersuit or drysuit. To make sure which piece of your gear restricts your movement, remove your drysuit and undersuit. Check if you can raise your arms freely when wearing only your underwear, then while wearing underwear and the undersuit, and finally, wearing the whole kit along with the drysuit – you should replace the element that prevents you from moving with an appropriately selected one.

Buckle placement on the diver’s right side

Straps blocking the arms

comfort type adjustable harness allows you to adjust the length of the shoulder straps quickly, using a simple and reliable adjustment system that is made of stainless steel (adjustment works in a similar fashion as in diving jackets). Initial adjustment is similar to that of a harness made of a single piece of webbing; the length of the shoulder straps is adjusted subsequently with the fast adjustment system.

are we there yet? Almost  – the notes below are just as important as the adjustment process itself – read them carefully and make sure you understood everything. Why should the waist strap hang loose, forming a “Y” – why not place it on the abdomen at the navel level?

● Fastening the waist strap at the navel level makes breathing underwater more difficult.

● Fastening this strap at the navel level presses the lumbar spine against the plate, which prevents you from taking a comfortable, slightly curved position while under water. Fastening the waist strap in such a manner may cause pain in the lumbar spine.

● Fastening the waist strap at the navel level following initial adjustment prevents quick re-adjustment of the harness to match a a thin diving suit.

Before you start adjusting the harness, soak it thoroughly in warm water and adjust all its parts while it is wet. This mainly applies to parts with slide buckles that allow harness length adjustment. It is much easier to move the harness through slide buckles when it is wet. The more rigid the harness is, the more important it becomes to soak it thoroughly for adjustment.

if you’re using a single-webbing harness, you should know that webbing usually comes in several rigidity levels. the more rigid the webbing, the more convenient it is to use. our impression is usually the opposite, but it is the soft webbing that digs into your shoulders most frequently. rigid webbing, on the other hand, supports uniform distribution of equipment weight while carrying it around. additionally, it is much easier to wear and remove a harness made of rigid webbing compared to a harness made of soft webbing, which tends to roll up and curl.

We usually use soft webbing for adjustable harnesses, since it has to move easily through the adjustment system, which might be blocked by rigid webbing.

If you decide to change damaged webbing after many years of use or to replace it with another color or rigidity, the cost is low and usually does not exceed PLN 100. Go back to the “Diving Setups” part above to review the types of accessories you may use with your harness.

Appropriate straps length

Straps too long

fast adjustment of a single-webbing harness from a cold-water kit (drysuit) to one for diving in tropical waters – thin, 2 mm wetsuit.

● Put on the wetsuit or shirt that you are going to go diving in.

● Put on the harness that has been adjusted to your drysuit.

● Tighten the waist strap so that its shape with the crotch strap is more a “T” than “Y”.

This way, you will “shorten” the length of the crotch strap and shoulder straps adjusted previously to the larger suit. It all takes up to three seconds – you can adjust such a harness more closely during your actual dive by shortening or extending the waist strap.

caution!

This is only possible when the harness is neatly adjusted to a thicker drysuit.

Before you decide to cut off the excess harness, make a few dives, reconfirm your harness fit and stability of your equipment, both underwater and on the surface.

check whether you are able to gear up and remove your rig on your own. you may also do a mock rescue, undressing yourself and the other diver. once cut off, the webbing end should be burnt or hot pressed. your best option however would be to wait for the next perfect diver issue – we will describe how to do this 

do you have reduced mo B ility? do you have an unusual B ody B uild? don’t give up on diving. check the your rig stability by selecting and properly adjusting a comfort harness or a single-webbing harness.

ask a specialist instructor from an organization that trains people with disabilities to help you with that.

usefuL trick – how to grasp the crotch strap easily?

Harness adjusted for a thick undersuit

Push the crotch strap from behind…

…and grab it from the front

Harness after tightening the waist strap

How to confirm a good harness fit in three steps?

1. Check whether you are able to work with your crotch strap from the front in thick gloves?

2. Check whether the straps form a “Y”.

3. Check the length of the shoulder straps.

• What is the use of the individual harness D-rings?

• How to position them so that you can handle them intuitively – without looking?

• How to remove a single-webbing harness quickly during a high tide?

Answers to these and other interesting questions will be provided in “Diving Setups” part 4 in the upcoming Perfect Diver issue.

Wishing all of you comfortable dives using modular systems, I’d like to encourage you to read the next Perfect Diver issue. WAF.

interested in the topic of adjusting your own equipment?

not sure if a harness is a good solution for you? you’ve got the equipment, but don’t know how to go about adjusting it?

Book a free session and visit the tecline academy, where you’ll find all the skills and knowledge you need.

*in specific, narrow dive sites, a loosely fitted setup may prove to be more advantageous. It allows not only to move the tank around the diver, but also to disconnect it temporarily and swim with it in front of/behind the diver. This is the sidemount setup, where the tanks are placed alongside the diver.

Image Tomasz Płociński