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Behind the screams...

It’s arguably one of the most iconic images in cinematic film history, depicting a huge great white shark swimming up to an unsuspecting swimmer, Chrissie Watkins, the first victim in the Steven Spielberg ground breaking movie JAWS. But did you know it isn't a Great White shark, its actually a Mako? The person responsible for the creation of the now iconic image is Roger Kastel, an American artist.Kastel was in the offices of publisher Bantam in 1974 when boss Oscar Dystel handed him a co...

Innovations - The humble 'O' Ring

Scuba is an equipment based sport, without it we are unable to survive what is essentially an alien environment. One of the key components used extensively throughout our scuba equipment are O-rings. They are in your first and second stage regs, your tank valve, your BCD. They can also be an essential part of your dry suit, camera housing, torch, mask and snorkel....the list goes on.  Without them we would not be able to dive and although our relationship with the humble ‘O’ ring is of ...

Blue Oceans - Protecting our moana

“Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans" - JACQUES COUSTEAU. In a world where plastic is king, vehicles pump out air pollutants daily, runoff from land carries pollution to every waterway, and an island of trash floats ominously in the middle of the Pacific, it is hard to imagine how a single person can possibly make a difference.  While saving our oceans seems like a daunting task, there are several things every person can ...

Robert Boyle - The first modern Chemist

As SCUBA divers we all have to learn a variety of gas laws as part of our dive education. The very first one we are all introduced to (during your Open Water Diver program) is "Boyles Law". Boyle's Law describes the role of water pressure in the dive environment. It applies and affects many aspects of scuba diving, for example: Ascent - As a diver ascends, water pressure decreases, so Boyle's Law states that the air in his gear and body expand to occupy a greater volume. Remember your instr...

Don't be a Dumbo -Lets talk about ears Pt1.

The human ear, like that of other mammals, contains sense organs that serve two quite different functions: that of hearing and that of postural equilibrium and coordination of head and eye movements. Anatomically, the ear has three distinguishable parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer ear consists of the visible portion called the auricle, or pinna, which projects from the side of the head, and the short external auditory canal, the inner end of wh...

To Pee or not to Pee?

It is said there are two types of diver, those that pee in their suit and those that lie about it. I can reveal today there is a third, those that don't! Thankfully I stopped wetting myself when I was around 5 years old but I do still feel the effects of immersion in water, what is going on? This interesting dilemma can be explained with an understanding of dive physiology.  The phenomenon is known as immersion diuresis and occurs whenever the body is emerged in water. Immersion, along...

Hans Hass - The man who discovered the sea

Hans Hass was a Viennese pioneer of diving, marine biology and underwater film making. He was born January 23, 1919 in landlocked Austria. As the son of a lawyer, he first encountered the underwater world as an eighteen-year-old in 1937 during holidays to the south of France. From that day forth, his life was sealed.  He is now known as among the first to introduce worldwide audiences to the stunning beauty of coral reefs, stingrays, octopuses and sharks — especially sharks, which he ...

The kōura - Freshwater king (of crustaceans)

If you have been fortunate enough to dive some of Aotearoa's stunning freshwater lakes you may have spotted something hiding in the shadows, perhaps a beady pair of dark eyes peering out of the gloom, antennas twitching in the weed or a pair of chelipeds raised and poised for defence. It is of course Aotearoa's very own freshwater crayfish, the kōura. Traditional Knowledge Kōura are a valued mahinga kai species and considered a delicacy by Māori. In the past they were a staple food item,...

Looking for a line cutter?

For many years I have faithfully carried a variety of dive knives as they are an essential tool for safety and a required piece of equipment for the working dive professional - however very rarely have I ever had to use it apart from preparing a variety of tropical fruit (mango being a favorite) and the occasional cracking of a fallen coconut.  Some time ago line cutters were developed and unleashed on the scuba market and they were welcomed with open arms being extremely sharp, s...