Nekton

I have owned an Apollo scooter for yonks; more years than I care to remember. But for many of these years it lay in the corner unused. And the problem... dangly bits. When the scooters' first came out we divers dressed, and equipped ourselves, in a much simpler fashion so riding an Apollo, where the body is placed directly above the scooter due to the grab handle placement at the front, ...more

I was a newly qualified RN Clearance Diver serving on the 'ton' class mine hunter, HMS Nurton. We were one of several such 'boats' taking part in a mine clearance exercise off the east coast of Scotland in late 1980. Spending up to six hours a day in a...more

A rarity of nature prized for its soft-glowing beauty, the pearl has long been a symbol of the sea's bounty. Plucked by chance and good fortune from the fleshy folds of the humble oyster the discovery of a perfect, naturally formed pearl carried with it the prospect of enormous wealth for the finder.

The result of a naturally occurring biologicala process, pearls ...more

Despite its status as a core skill, buoyancy control often proves one of the most difficult aspects of diving to master.

For many divers, conditioned by their training - and encouraged by their instructor...more

A geyser of water suddenly shot straight up over the destroyer's superstructure when a deadly Japanese torpedo exploded at the ship's vulnerable midsection, breaking the vessel in two. In a matter of seconds, the USS Cooper (DD-695) exhaled her last ...more

Our GUE Cave 1 skills had been duly applied "real world" as promised, earning valuable experience that saw us arrive at High Springs in perfect form, ready to commence our Cave 2 training schedule with Jarrod Jablonski....more

It all began with David Rhea - GUE Cave Training Director noting two available places on an upcoming GUE Cave 1 training, via the DIR Quest discussion forum. Little did I realise at the time, but this opportunity would prove the realisation of a personal dream....more

Recorded history is rich in accounts of mankind's attempts to live and work underwater for extended periods of time. Driven by the fortunes to be made in salvaging cargoes from sunken vessels, scores of inventors have - over the centuries...more

In early 1994, a random ECG check revealed a 'left bundle branch block' in my heart. In layman's terms this meant that one of the nerve paths that control heartbeat had 'carked it'! Probably due to a dissolute diver's life lived much too fully over too many years....more

Diving is part of the lifestyle in Guam. Normally, it is an easy task to educate students and introduce them to the pleasures of exploring the warm, clear waters of the island. But instructors at Micronesian Divers Association, locally known as "The Dive Force"...more

As in many parts of the world, it was the growing popularity of spear-fishing in Australia during the 'Thirties and 'Forties that paved the way for recreational diving. A geographically remote continent, the developments in diving equipment and techniques taking place overseas only slowly percolated through to Australia. ...more

On the 15 May 1945, ten days after the German troops had capitulated in Denmark, the sabotage group BOPA (Borgerlige Partisaner - Civil Partisans) held a press conference in the Otto M�nsted Building in Copenhagen. At this press conference several of BOPA's latest sabotage actions were discussed. ...more

Originally intended as 'stiffeners' for the flimsy paper packets that, during the late 19th century, ready-made cigarettes were then sold in, 'cigarette cards' became one of the first collectibles available to the masses....more

Accounting for more shipping losses during the Second World War than any other weapon, mines - and the measures developed to neutralise them - have played a pivotal role in the evolution of military diving. It's a relationship symbolised in the crest of the Royal Australian Navy's Clearance Diving Branch of a diving helmet superimposed onto a tethered mine....more

In an age when, from the comfort of a shore-side laboratory, scientists are able to view images of the oceans deepest depths and the habits of the often-bizarre creatures that dwell there, it's difficult to conceive of the problems faced by early marine naturalists....more

Joe Plana, company owner of Aquatic Centre of Rochester, in Henrietta, New York, was recently hired by a Massachusetts firm to help with the recovery of some acoustic equipment from Lake Seneca, the site of the U.S. Navy's sonare test platform....more

A holistic approach to diving - one that puts equal emphasis on fitness, experience, attitude, teamwork, training and safety - DIR is a snappy phrase whose origins are embedded in the equipment configurations, techniques and training of the Florida- based, Woodville Karst Plains Project (WKPP)...more

The days of wooden ships and iron men may have faded from memory but the legacy of early attempts to rescue precious cargoes from sunken wrecks and to free the crews of sunken submarines lives on.

Throughout the centuries the prospect of making vast fortunes hinged on sea trade, but at the mercy of the weather...more

Building on the lessons learned from the past, submarine disasters are now a rarity, but when they do occur the problem arises of what can be done to assist the crew.

Because of possible damage to life support systems, time is the critical factor. For surviving crewmembers trapped inside a crippled submarine there are two alternatives...more

Affray's total complement of 75 officers and men included, on this occasion, a class of 23 junior officers undergoing submarine training and a small unit of Royal Marine Commandos. The sea going orders for Affray were liberal. Her Captain had freedom of movement to land the Commandos - using collapsible canoes ...more

Diving is a potentially hazardous activity. The materials contained within this magazine are for informational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for proper and appropriate training. Copyright (C) 2002-2005 Hydro Tech Systems. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission is prohibited.

Encompassing a broad spread of Recreational, Technical, Occupational and Military diving scenarios, the articles in the FEATURES section will appeal to everyone with an interest in diving.