Sea Star Rave

I had dived in Makako Bay, Hawai’i, many times over many years without seeing a single knobby sea star. The first time I encountered one, however, it wasn’t just one, but more than a hundred of them together. They were all gone a day later, and I haven’t seen one since. 

sea stars

Una mancha enigmática

Después de obtener mi certificación de buceo en 1992, me volví adicta instantáneamente. Era una joven obsesionada y convencida de mi inmortalidad, por lo que no era la buceadora más conservadora, pero durante mi primera década de buceo no tuve problemas con la enfermedad por descompresión (EDC).

an example of the general appearance of skin bends

Spearfishing Safety

The decision to sustainably harvest marine life can spark vigorous discussions among divers. Regardless of your views, there are benefits to understanding the equipment, procedures, and dangers associated with spearfishing.

There is no catch and release when spearfishing.

Guardians of Malpelo

Colombia has some of the strictest illegal fishing laws in the world, but people still need to stand up and enforce them. Erika Lopez has taken on the role of guardian of Malpelo, an island 314 miles (506 kilometers) west of Colombia.

This whale shark is feeding on the spawn of jacks at dusk.

Richard Smith

In the opening chapter of The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs, his acclaimed combination coffee table book and coral reef reference guide, Richard Smith, PhD, recalls his six months of shore diving and research in 2007 at the Wakatobi reefs in Indonesia.

Diver and whale shark

Lactancia y buceo

Han pasado aproximadamente dos meses y medio desde que di a luz sin complicaciones y he recibido la autorización de mi médico y un experto en buceo para volver a bucear.

mother nursing son

Understanding Dive Equipment Regulations

Most divers know their scuba cylinders need a visual inspection every year and a hydrostatic test every five years (referred to as a requalification or a hydro). The actual regulations for cylinders and other dive equipment, however, are less clear.

Regulations help prevent cylinder incidents and protect you and others from harm.

La importancia de aclarar las señas manuales antes de un buceo

Los buzos pasan gran parte de su tiempo bajo el agua con un grupo selecto de compañeros —en los que confían que los ayudarán durante el buceo y en la superficie con nuevas experiencias e historias para contar—. Los buzos certificados recientemente han tenido interacciones limitadas bajo el agua, ya que solo han buceado con compañeros de clase, instructores e instructores auxiliares durante sus clases.

Reviewing hand signals predive increases group safety and decreases mental loading.

Diving with a PFO

To clear up any confusion divers may have about patent foramen ovale (PFO), I will share how I explain the condition to patients. 

A surgical solution is a PFO closure, as Dr. Doug Ebersole is performing here.
Spanish