Perfect Diver Magazine 9 issue

diving

No. 9 3(9)/2020

may/june

Price 7,90 € Tax included

freediving

passion

knowledge

indonesia Togians, Gili Trawangan

Queen Anne's Revenge "Wieliczka" Salt Mine 1

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2

3 OPERATING MODES:

the foreword

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!

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

3

ta b l e o f co n t e n t s

10

travels 10

Togians. An almost undiscovered paradise

20

Gili Trawangan

archaeology 26

Queen Anne's Revenge

30

caves 30

"Wieliczka" Salt Mine

planet earth 36

A crocodile without legs

38

Tasza or how to meet a hare underwater

44

Do dolphins save people?

52

A world without sharks?

58

Omnipresent mallards

knowledge 48

EAP – Emergency Assistance Plan. Emergency plans – what is this for?

67

4

Review. Caverns Measureless to Man

46

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

rookie's eye 64

Wetsuit. Selecting the type and size

ISsN 2545-3319

editor in chief

Wojciech Zgoła

columnist

Irena Kosowska

underwater archaeology

Mateusz Popek

freediving photographer publicist, photographer english language translators

Agnieszka Kalska Jakub Degee Bartosz Pszczółkowski Agnieszka Gumiela-Pająkowska Arleta Kaźmierczak Reddo Translations Sp. z o.o.

legal care graphic design and composition

Adwokat Joanna Wajsnis Brygida Jackowiak-Rydzak

the magazine was folded with typefaces

Montserrat (Julieta Ulanovsky) Open Sans (Ascender Fonts)

64

Spectral (Production Type) printing Wieland Drukarnia Cyfrowa, Poznań, www.wieland.com.pl

distribution dive centers, online store

tips & curiosities 42

Elegant and practical, Oceanic dive computers

68

Diving setups, part 3. Harness adjustment

preorder@perfectdiver.com

68 cover photo

Marcin Trzciński place

"Wieliczka" Salt Mine

www.perfectdiver.com

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

If you like this issue, donate any amount!

Donation is voluntary.

PayPal.Me/perfectdiver perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

5

e d i to r i a l t e a m

Wojciech Zgoła

irena kosowska

jakub degee

He often repeats that he travels by diving and that

Regional Manager Divers Alert Network Polska, div-

Polish photographer, winner of awards and dis-

is his motto. In 1985 he obtained a yacht sailor's

ing and first aid instructor, technical diver and

tinctions in world underwater photography com-

license, and only in 2006 began to dive. In the

cave diver. In love with all flooded, dark, cold,

petitions, has already dived all over the world:

following years he improved his skills by obtain-

tight places and invariably from the beginning

with sharks and whales in South Africa, with orcs

ing the Dive Master degree. He completed near-

of the diving route – in the Baltic. Implementing

behind the Arctic Circle, on Galapagos with hun-

ly 650 dives in various climatic conditions. Since

the DAN mission, he conducts a series of lectures

dreds of hammerhead sharks and humpback

2007, he has been taking photographs underwa-

”Dive safely” and Diving Safety Laboratory, so field

whales in the Tonga Islands. He participates in

ter, and since 2008 he has also been filming. As

research of divers for scientific purposes.

specialist photographic workshops. He has been

an independent journalist, he published dozens

diving for 27 years, he started at the age of 12 – as

of articles, mainly in journals dedicated to diving,

soon as it was formally possible. He was the first in

but not only. Co-author of photo exhibitions in

the world to use the Hasselblad X1d-50c camera

Poland and abroad. He is passionate about and

for underwater macro photography. Recently, in

propagator of diving.

the remote Chincorro archipelago on the border

Since 2008 he has been running his own website

between Mexico and Belize, he did it again, tak-

www.dive-adventure.eu. On the basis of extensive

ing a successful attempt to photograph the eye of

experience, in August 2018 he created the new

a crocodile with a macro lens with an additional

Perfect Diver Magazine.

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).

Mateusz Popek

Agnieszka kalska

”My passion, work and life are under water.” He has

”I can't imagine living without water, where in a free

That's my name and I come from Poznań. I have

been diving since 2009. Since 2008, he's walking

body I experience freedom of the spirit.”

been associated with water practically from birth

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

• 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),

Bartosz Pszczółkowski

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 wa-

2013 he has been diving in caves, especially in

• record holder and Polish champion, member

ter, octopus and colorful fish;) I bought my first

the mountains, and since 2014 he is a diving in-

of the national team in freediving 2013–2019,

underwater camera – Olympus 5060 and started

• winner of the World Championships in freed-

the adventure with underwater photography.

structor CMAS M1.

iving 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018,

I acquired my diving experience in the Canary

• multimedalist of the Polish Championships

Islands, Sardinia, Norway, Maldives and in Polish

and a member of the national team in swim-

lakes. I am currently a Padi and ESA instructor,

ming in the years 1998–2003,

I train diving enthusiasts in Europe and pass my

• passionate about freediving and swimming.

passion on to others.

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

o u r au t h o r s

wojciech a. filip

robert styła

jakub banasiak

Has more than 8000 dives on his account. He has

President of Ocean-Tech Sp. z o. o., IT NAUI, wreck

Diver from 2008. Passionate of the Red Sea and

been diving for over 30 years, including over 20

and cave diver. ”Diving is not just about equip-

pelagic ocean predators. Devoted to the idea of

years as a technical diver. He is a professional

ment. It is also discovering secrets and an opportu-

protecting dolphins, sharks and whales. He dives

with great theoretical and practical knowledge.

nity to reach places that an ordinary mortal has no

mainly where you can meet these animals and

He is an instructor of many federations: GUE

chance to see. Over ten years ago, for this passion,

monitor the level of their well-being. Member of

Instructor Mentor, CMAS**, IANTD nTMX, IDCS

I abandoned the prospering business and founded

Dolphinaria-Free Europe Coalition, volunteer at

PADI, EFR, TMX Gas Blender. He participated in

the company Ocean-Tech, which in fact is an online

Tethys Research Institute and Cetacean Research &

many diving projects and conferences as a leader,

store www.nurkowyswiat.pl”

Rescue Unit, associate of Marine Connection. For

explorer, originator or lecturer. These included

10 years he has been involved in research on wild

the Britannic Expedition 2016, Morpheus Cave

dolphin populations and audits dolphinariums.

Scientific Project on Croatia caves, GROM Expe-

Together with the team ”NO! For the Dolphinarium”

dition in Narvik, Tuna Mine Deep Dive, Glavas

he prevents dolphins from captivity and promotes

Cave in Croatia, NOA-MARINE. Professionally, he

knowledge about dolphin therapy unsaid or con-

is a technical director at TecLine in Scubatech,

cealed by centers which make money on this form

and a director of training at TecLine Academy.

of animal therapy.

sylwia kosmalska-juriewicz

Adrian juriewicz

A traveller and a photographer of wild nature.

A traveler, photographer and the underwater

A graduate of journalism and a lover of good

world filmmaker, an Asian cuisine enthusiast

literature. She lives in harmony with nature,

and a PADI diving instructor. He visited over

promotes a healthy lifestyle: she is a yogini and

70 countries and dived on 5 continents (the

a vegetarian. Also engaged in ecological projects.

other two are planned for next year's expedi-

Sharks and their protection are especially close to

tions). For several years he has also been an

her heart. She writes about the subject in numer-

instructor and trainer of the unmanned aircraft

ous articles and on her blog www.divingandtravel.

flights. A co-author of a travel agency for divers

pl. She began her adventure with diving fifteen

www.dive-away.pl. He documents his expeditions

years ago by total coincidence. Today she is

with photos and descriptions of his journeys on

a Divemaster, she visited over 60 countries and

his blog www.divingandtravel.pl

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.

o u r au t h o r s

margita ślizowska

Michal Černý

wojciech jarosz

aka "Mermaid". NAUI, EFR (premedical first aid)

"Wet photos" – He has photographed since he

A graduate of two Poznan universities, the Acad-

and DAN oxygen rescue instructor. Actress and

remembers. After several years of experience as

emy of Physical Education (coaching specializa-

singer. Versatile woman.

a diver, he wanted to keep memories of under-

tion – handball) and the University of A.Mickiew-

Diving is her passion and a way to help every

water dives. He bought his first compact camera

icz, Faculty of Biology (specialty of experimental

person with whom she works above and below

with an underwater housing. Over time, howev-

biology). He connected his professional life with

water. In her opinion, diving is not only exploring

er, the desire to have the best photo began to

this first university trying to influence the direc-

the underwater world. It is also getting to know

dominate, which was not quite possible with the

tion of development of future professionals on

and integrating with your own "I", building trust

compact he used. That's why he switched to the

the one hand, and on the other planning and

in yourself and a way to develop the skills neces-

Olympus PEN E-PL 5 reflex camera, which al-

implementing research, pushing laboriously in

sary to overcome all life problems. Specialist for

lows the use of several different lenses. He uses

the right direction of the stroller called science.

"difficult" students and children.

a combination of underwater flashes and lights.

In his free time he spends his time actively – his

Owner of XDIVERS – Your Diving School. Trimix,

He focuses on wildlife photography, not arrange-

main passions are sailing (sea helmsman), skiing

cave and gas blender diver. Her biggest underwa-

ment. He photographs in fresh domestic waters

(downhill skiing instructor), riding a motorcycle,

ter love are caves, and diving priority – SAFETY.

as well as in the seas and oceans of the world.

recreational diving and many other activities, as

margita@xdivers.pl

He has already won numerous awards at Czech

well as photography, mainly nature.

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

agata turowicz

A graduate of the University of Warsaw. An

Since I was a child, I had dreamed of becoming

underwater photographer and filmmaker, has

a marine biologist and I managed to fulfill that

been diving since 1995. A co-operator at the

dream. I did a degree in oceanography, where

Department of Underwater Archeology at the

I recently started my doctoral studies. My diving

University of Warsaw. He publishes in diving

adventure began when I was 12 years old. I love

magazines in Poland and abroad. The owner of

observing the underwater life up close and I try

the FotoPodwodna company which is the Polish

to show other divers how fascinating the under-

representative of Ikelite, Nauticam, Inon, ScubaL-

water, Baltic creatures are.

amp companies. www.fotopodwodna.pl, m.trzcinski@fotopodwodna.pl

t r av e l s

Togians an almost undiscovered paradise Text and photos Michal ČernÝ

10

travels

Una Una Waleakodi Malenge

Waleabahi

Togian Talatakoh Batudaka

celebes

W

hen we say Togian, probably not many people will know what we are talking about. When we say Su-

lawesi, 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...

Geography 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.

route: by plane through Dubai to Jakarta (approx. 18 hours),

There are no periods of rain and drought. They are therefore

then a flight to Gorontal with a stop in Makassar (approx.

suitable for visits and diving at almost any time of the year.

5 hours), then a car ride to Marisa port (approx. 4 hours)

The archipelago consists of 7 larger islands (UnaUna (active

and finally a boat to Togian. You can use the public ferry,

volcano), Batuda, Togian, Talatakoh, Malenge, Waleakodi,

which runs about twice a week, but its timetable changes

Waleabahi) and 49 other smaller islands and islets. Only

very often. If you plan a trip several months in advance, you

about 25,000 people live here, mostly Muslims. Whole islands

can not rely on the timetable, it is better to rent a private

have been recognized as a nature reserve, but the locals do

boat (4–8 hours depending on the type and ship condition).

not look at it this way yet. Fishing is their main source of live-

If you add a few breaks between flights and accommodation

lihood and, unfortunately, you can still fish with dynamite (we

in Jakarta or Gorontal, these three days will come out.

heard it underwater several times), and even using cyanide.

In 2017, a new airport in Ampana was completed and launched, which will significantly shorten the trip to Togian,

Road

but so far only one airline flies here and only twice a week.

The main reason for the low number of divers and tour-

I admit, however, that the long journey is definitely worth the

ists is the transport accessibility of these islands. Traveling

peace and quiet that prevail on the islands and undisturbed

from Europe takes almost three days. We chose the following

diving, where you have your own coral reefs.

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

11

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 Accommodation There are no large hotels on the islands, you only live in

12

of stingrays, clowns. There are snappers, sea urchins, batfish, scrollfish, flatfish and other.

small resorts that are directly on the beach, so the environ-

We can also come across sea snakes and eels, and those

ment and views are like paradise. There are only 14 resorts

with trained eyesight will also find camouflaged flounder.

on all islands and more are being built. Diving centers are

From the holes in the cliff walls, various species of moray,

probably available only in four resorts. We used those on the

crawfish peep at us, and especially at night, many shrimp and

islands of Waleakodi, Malenge and UnaUna. Most resorts of-

crabs. Cephalopods are also widely represented here. Due to

fer modest accommodation, mainly in cabins for two, which

their lifestyle, it is best to watch them during night dives. The

are equipped with a bed with mosquito net, small wardrobe,

squid has found that the lights of our cameras dazzle small

"Turkish" toilet and "Indonesian" shower (large container

fish that can then be caught more easily. Large cuttlefish

with fresh water). The more luxurious bungalows have a Eu-

grow to considerable sizes, and I met a squid at homereef,

ropean toilet and a "normal" shower with flowing water. Do

the smallest and most venomous, ringed squid.

you need something more? In my opinion no. There are no

The reefs are covered with numerous soft and hard cor-

shops, restaurants or entertainment venues. If you want to

als, while table corals and gorgonias have a diameter of sev-

buy something, you usually order directly at the center, and

eral meters.

travels

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

13

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

14

travels

attaches to the neck, and pushes the tip into the mouth. The

to the crew, which was taken about 1.5 hours after the emer-

air is saturated with vapors because it does not pass through

gency landing. At that time, the plane was still afloat.

any filters. Why are they diving like this? Of course, to earn.

After many years, you can still see which engine had

At a depth of 40 to 60 meters, they collect sea cucumbers,

a malfunction, because the propellers that were spinning

which then go through China to traders. None of the divers

broke off in contact with the water surface. The wreck is very

could tell me what the Chinese were doing with them. In fact,

well preserved, you can easily get to the hull, where some

they don't even care. It is important that they pay very well as

control rods are still extended and most of the clocks are

for local conditions. Such a diver is able to earn more during

located in the cockpit. There are also minuses. Unfortunately,

the day than others during the month. However, this work

the wreck lies near the mangroves, so visibility is usually not

is very dangerous, because from a depth of 40-60 meters

very good.

they go straight to the surface, without any decompression stops, and at this depth they are long. When they appear,

Jellyfish Lake

they do not feel very well, they usually have to go to sleep

The most famous sea lake with jellyfish is certainly in Pa-

for several hours. Some become paralyzed, while others pay

lau. As it turns out, it is not the only one! Another, less known,

the highest price.

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

B-24 Liberator

sea and one of the most beautiful beaches in Togian (Karina

If cliff diving is not enough and you like wrecks, you've

beach). Two species of jellyfish live here, with gold jellyfish

come to the right place. In the south of Togian Island, at

being more common. This is not a "jellyfish soup" as in Palau,

a depth of about 22 meters, lies the wreck of the B-24 Liber-

but still meeting them is an unforgettable experience.

ator, from World War II. The plane forcibly landed here after

Not only jellyfish live in the lake, there are also catfish,

the engine failure on May 3, 1945. Nothing serious happened

coilfish and igling. There is no possibility of scuba diving. Only

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

15

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perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

17

18

- 30% na wybrane bojki HALCYON

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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 ;)

Donatello

nurkowanie | freediving.

Sprawdź pełną ofertę na: www.sklep.ocean-tech.pl

Ocean-Tech Sp. z o.o.

Kaszubska Droga13 80-209 CHWASZCZYNO

t r av e l s

Gili Trawangan Text sylwia kosmalska-juriewicz

Photos Adrian juriewicz

What connects people around the world is the need to feel happiness and joy. Happiness 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.

O

n 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.

20

travels

Gili Air

Gili Trawangan

Gili Meno

Bali Lombok

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 At the beginning, the meditation was very difficult for

man is not action but existence. The present moment is the

me, while others sat in a lotus position, focused on their

most important moment in our lives, we should enjoy it,

own breath, relaxed, I was lost somewhere in my mind and

each of the moments separately, as they flow through our

I looked surreptitiously at my watch... it was horrible, only

lives. We have to sit in a lotus position to start meditating.

two minutes passed. My thoughts run all the time instead of

We can comfortably sit down, lie on a mat, find the best

focusing on "here and now". I was thinking about a million

position and remain in it focusing on the sound of your own

things which sprang up like mushrooms in my head. I did not

breath...

understand how you can keep one position without moving

I am writing these words at the time when the world has

and "think" about nothing. At some point I even found that

been "stopped" for a moment, and so have been the people.

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

21

Our current, broadly understood possibilities of movement

ing on the place where I am at a given moment. Now I am

have been called into question. Something that was natural

on Gili where SUP yoga is very popular (yoga practiced on

so far, such as travelling by plane, has been taken away from

a paddleboard). Such yoga not only teaches discipline and

us .. at least for a while. We can… sit down and get angry at

strengthens the muscles in our body, but also improves con-

the situation or take advantage of this time as best we can.

centration, especially focuses our attention on maintaining

Memories – in the time of so many restrictions that have

balance, one uncoordinated movement and you fall into the

been imposed on us, are our window to the world. I recall

water – you start laughing and lose your strength to get back

those from the remotest corners of the world, from places

on the board... it is also great fun.

where I felt really happy.

it is larger than its two sister islands Gili Air and Gili Meno. It

is facing the rising sun, I feel warm sand under my feet and

is also the most popular one among tourists. You can get to

warm rays on my face. There is a smell of flowers, ocean and

the island on a fast boat, the journey from Bali takes 2.5 to

coffee in the air. It is a sign that the island also comes to life.

3 hours depending on the sea conditions. The eastern part

I look around and see people who like it as well. I have come

of the island is the most developed, there is a small port to

to the beach to watch the sunrise. Some meditate in a lotus

which boats with tourists and goods arrive. Almost all food

position, others look ahead and enjoy the present moment,

products and fresh water must be delivered to the island

yet others have just got up because they have slept on the

of Bali or Lobok, a 10-minute away off Gili. In the central

beach... This is what the life on the island of Gili Trawangan

part of the islands grow coconut palms, there also live local

looks like, on one of three small islets located on the Bali-

residents who sell coconut oils in small glass bottles, mostly

nese Sea in Indonesia.

in the used Red Bull ones. Today it is difficult to imagine, but

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

22

The island of Trawangan is only 3 km long and 2 km wide,

That is why today I am standing on a beach and my face

once the island was covered by a dense forest and deer lived here and took sea swims.

travels

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, tempt-

that people returning from parties in the morning very often

ed by a "relaxed" climate. Local restaurants and bars not

get on bikes that are not theirs and they return to hotels.

only offer drinks and tasty meals, but also encourage you

The next day the owners of rental companies are looking for

to try local specialties: hallucinogenic mushrooms, which

bikes all over the island...

after ingestion can induce visual hallucinations and more.

Not only tourists feel good on Gili Trawangan, but also lo-

During walks on the beach you can come across tourists

cal cats. They are distinguished by a beautiful red color, but

dancing in the sea or on the sand, smiling at each other and

also unusual tails. They look like someone cut them, they are

immersed in their own world. Though the Indonesian drug

bent, twisted, short and stunted. Animals are born with such

laws are very strict and categorically forbid both possession

a genetic mutation. There are many cats on the island, most

and consumption of any stimulants, on the island you can

of them have houses and their carers, but there are also a lot

buy hallucinogenic mushrooms without a problem, there

of homeless animals. That

are widely available and advertised.

is why in 2013 a special or-

You can get around Gili Trawangan on foot, by bike or on

ganisation called Cats of Gili

horseback with a carriage named cidomo. The horses are

was established, whose job

small, they look like grown ponies. They pull the carriage

is to provide cats with med-

with extra kilos suitcases and tourists with great effort. No

ical care as well taking care

motor vehicles are allowed on the island. Bikes can be rent-

of their food. Cats lead an is-

ed anywhere in a better or worse condition, we will also get

land, lazy lifestyle, they rest

an anti-theft cable. And here a question immediately arises:

for hours on the beach in

Who would want to steal a bike on such a small island, which

the shade of trees, and in lo-

you can visit on a bike in less than two hours? It turns out

cal restaurants ask for food.

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

23

24

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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.

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

25

a r c h a e o l og y

Queen Anne's Revenge

Text Mateusz Popek

Photos wikimedia commons open access

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

A sunny day on the Caribbean Sea. An English ship pushed by the wind in the beautiful 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

"For Edw ard Tea ch, com monly c alled Ca ptain Te or Black ach beard – 100 pou for every nds; other co m m a n of a pira der te ship, pole or – 40 pou brig nds " – a fragmen of the A t ct to en courage the captu re and k illing of pirates 1718

captain pulls his pale face away from the telescope and one sentence comes out of his trembling lips: the black flag...

26

Pirate... no other word like that stim-

all. However, it's true... they existed. An-

tens of thousands of lives and stories.

ulates the imagination. Thousands of

cient chroniclers are already mention-

Which diver would not like to find the

books and movies have been created

ing pirates prowling the Mediterranean.

pirate wreck, discovering its history.

about pirates. They are so rooted in

Piracy is a very old profession that still

The most famous pirates were

art and pop culture that sometimes it

exists today. Lots of pirate ships sank

those prowling the Caribbean. Their

is hard to believe that they existed at

for thousands of years, and the sea took

adventures have inspired many stories.

archaeology

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

Queen Anne's Revenge, 1735 r.

Among them, the celebrity Blackbeard

in his bootlegs. During the boarding,

He was equally aggressive at the bot-

was terrifying. He had a short but tur-

he put under his hat or, as some say,

tle and in battle. To which he actually

bulent career. But what does his char-

entangled in his beard lighted fuses,

went drunk and often stoned. He treat-

acter have to do with Queen Anna and

which gave him devilish tinsel by burn-

ed prisoners cruelly, often cutting their

archeology? Lots of. but let's start from

ing and smoking.

fingers with rings instead of taking them

the beginning...

Blackbeard was an admirer of wom-

off. He was so addicted to drugs that he

Blackbeard's story began in Bristol,

en. During his life he had 16 wives. His

once blocked the port of Charleston,

England, where Edward Teach was

first officer gave him weddings and

and as a ransom he demanded lauda-

born around 1675. As a young man,

divorces. He treated most of his wives

num, which he claimed helped him con-

he joined the pirate crew of Benjamin

brutally, sometimes giving away to his

trol his internal anger.

Horingold, with whom he learned the

companions. However, one of them

profession. Teach was a tall, big peas-

Anna Blythe, made a career with her

ant with a huge black beard, which

husband, learning pirate profession. As

he braided. It was thanks to it that he

a gift from her husband, she got a ship

received his nickname: Blackbeard.

and moved "on her own". Teach was

There are speculations that he was

a drunkard, and when he drank, he be-

sherry – 1 quarter

mentally ill which would explain certain

came very aggressive. Libations often

opium – 2 oz

behaviors, or maybe he was simply ec-

ended in gunfire and even death of its

saffron – 1 oz

centric. His clothes were very charac-

crew. Everyone was afraid of him and

cinnamon – 1 oz. powder

teristic. He carried three pairs of pistols

maybe that's why he was able to main-

cloves – 1 oz. powder

with him, and he had countless knives

tain discipline.

stir and cook slowly in a wa-

recipe for laudanum

ter bath for 2–3 days

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

27

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

9 ships, but unfortunately ran aground

movement confirmed the pirates that

In 1997, scientists from

his ship blocking the port entrance. To

they had killed everyone. At this point,

North Carolina began regular

reduce immersion, the crew threw out

English sailors jumped out from under

water and food, leaving behind loot.

the deck and defeated the pirates in

These actions were successful and the

a short but fierce battle. Blackbeard

ship managed to get into deep water

reportedly suffered 25 wounds before

and set off.

he fell. One of the Englishmen jumped

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.

28

This impudent action caused a firm

to Teach and cut his throat, and Lieu-

reaction, and behind Blackbeard two

tenant Maynard shot the pirate in the

Royal Navy ships were sent under the

face. The head of one of the most fa-

command of Lieutenant Robert May-

mous pirates hung on the rei of an

nard. There was a clash in Beufort

English ship, and his body was thrown

Bay off the shores of North Carolina.

into the sea. And so ended the short,

In 1713, Edward Teach captured

Blackbeard who wanted to escape ran

but turbulent career of Blackbeard,

a 40-gun French ship, which he changed

aground again. Maynard decided not

who in only a few years robbed 50 ships

its name to Queen Anne’s Revenge.

to let him go and get the pirate at all

and dozens of coastal settlements. His

From then on, it was the flagship of

costs. He told the crew to throw sup-

life was so turbulent that he settled

his pirate fleet. Then, for the next five

plies overboard to reduce the draft and

permanently in pirate legends.

years, he terrorized the sea from North

get close to Queen Anne's Revenge.

It's November 21, 1996, almost

Carolina to Guyana, robbing and col-

Blackbeard's crew began with a cannon

278 years after Blackbeard's death, ar-

lecting tribute. In 1717, the port of Bath

salvo, which made huge losses to the

chaeologists search the shallows of Beu-

in North Carolina became Blackbeard's

English crew. Maynard hid his sailors

fort Bay. That day they manage to find

base. From there, pirates went out and

under the deck and ordered to get to

a cluster of very interesting concretions.

plundered expeditions. This year, at

the pirate ship. The English ship was

When the first underwater archaeolo-

the port of Charleston, he plundered

thrown with grenades and the lack of

gists descend to check what objects are

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Woodcut from 1734 depicting Blackbeard

TM

SPECJALNA OFERTA w SKLEPIE STACJONARNYM Blackbeard head bow, illustration from The Pirates Own Book, 1837

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 hun-

na produkty SANTI

nurkowyswiat.pl

dreds 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.

OCEAN-TECH 80 -209 CHWASZCZYNO Kaszubska Droga 13

c av e s

“Wieliczka” Salt Mine Text and photos Marcin Trzciński

30

caves

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 Eyllatt, I went searching for the wreck of HMS Victoria* off the coast of Lebanon; then I joined Sheck Exley 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

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

31

Wieliczka would be the most interesting one. No cave diving

colleagues displayed a more restrained and scientific ap-

there, that’s for sure. Come on – these were open waters,

proach. So, first things first – a decent breakfast. Scrambled

except that they were over 100 meters below ground. It

eggs, frankfurters, tomatoes with onion, pickled cucumbers

came up totally by chance, when, after giving an underwater

and almost fresh bread. Did I mention cottage cheese, egg

archeology class, a student, Maciek, approached me, offer-

spread and cold meat? Say what you want, we didn’t go

ing me to take part in diving in Wieliczka’s Komora Barącza

underground starving. But our overloaded bellies made it

(Barącz Chamber). Well, I took quite a while (some 2 sec-

a bit difficult to shovel the ton of equipment we had to take

onds) to think, so that it wouldn’t look like I cared so much,

down with us. Loading and unloading the elevators was not

and nodded restrainedly.

the real problem; but personating Merle Travis’s “Sixteen

The snow storm hit us already before Częstochowa, with

Tons” song protagonist by pulling the overloaded cart up

heavy snowflakes pouring from the heavens making the

the walkway, was far from fun. Only at the beginning did

drive almost impossible. Everyone and their grandmothers

our gasping and comments drown in the horrible creaks

were crawling at 30 km/h. It was only once we passed Cra-

of the overburdened axles. With every meter, our swear-

cow that the sky cleared enough that upon my arrival at the

ing combos grew more and more robust, up to the point

mine I was greeted by a beautiful white powder, sparkling in

where their floridness and expressiveness outperformed

the light of the lanterns, and ever lower temperatures. The

the cart’s noise.

rest of the team hadn’t arrived yet – they were still crawling through the barely passable roads.

32

Sitting at 101 meters below ground, the Barącza Chamber has a certain magic aura to it. Imagine a dark exploita-

From the morning on, I was squirming like a young terrier

tion hollow, illuminated by nothing except scarce floodlights,

in anticipation of the promised fun. Luckily, my more expert

with wooden balconies spanning up the walls, barely visible

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

33

34

in the darkness. The bottom of the chamber was filled with

I would probably do that too, if it hadn’t been for the next

light green water, glittering in the gleam of the floodlights.

school trip entering the cavern at that very moment. Making

Actually not water but rather a saturated saline solution,

a scene when the kids were watching was not my thing, so

unable to dissolve another grain of salt – not even a tiniest

I made my way towards the deeper waters, reeling around

one. As a consequence, evaporating water caused particles

like Bruce Willis saving the world with a last-ditch effort.

to precipitate and fall to the bottom of the lake, reminiscent

Only when I disappeared under the surface, was I able

of white “snow”. This also increased buoyancy spectacularly,

to catch a breath. I descended slowly along the vertical wall

which meant that we had to compensate for it with addition-

towards the perfectly visible lake bed five meters below,

al lead weights. Not an easy task in my case, as while gearing

watching the small hexagonal crystals that covered every

up I had to cram 47 kilograms somewhere! Once you try to

inch of rock. They were completely green and only after il-

stuff so many pieces of metal into your own gear – you’ll un-

luminating them with a powerful flashlight did they take on

derstand my problem. An even bigger problem was putting

an intense white color, looking eerily similar to gemstones.

the rig on and reaching the water. The descent led through

I stopped one meter above the bottom, staring at the salt

a small flap in a wooden platform, with three small and steep

deposits that took the most fantastical shapes and covered

stairs below leading to a stone and salt rock. First, we ap-

all the waste that had been thrown into the water over the

pointed a “volunteer” to storm that beachhead and then

decades. One has to say, nature did just fine with covering

we started throwing down all our previously collected load,

up mining anchors, rods, connection boxes, paving bricks

while listening to the noises made by Maciek, who tried to

and some other “contraptions” with a think cover of salt crys-

catch it all. Things were supposed to get easier after this...

tals. It looked like taken from a fairy tale and in a strange

well, they didn’t – after I put on the jacket with all the ad-

twist of fate I found myself in a true treasure trove. Literally,

ditional weight, I was ready to call the whole thing off. And

as salt lumps were covered with smaller and larger coins

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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

planet earth

A crocodile without legs Text agata turowicz

Photos wojciech zgoła

of food per kilogram of weight gain!

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

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,

of narrow-leaved truncheons. Pike - because we're

all the teeth are arranged from the in-

talking about it - is waiting patiently in this way.

side, which means that the victims of pike have little chance of getting out of their jaws. The large snout and wolf ap-

36

Certainly most divers have already

Usually reaches a length of 1.5 meters

petite mean that cannibalism is very of-

met pike on their underwater road. It is

and a weight of 10 kg. Meeting a larger

ten observed in this species. No self-re-

a typically lake species, spending most

individual is a real feat. It is treated as

specting pike will despise a handsome

of its time in shallow waters hidden

a long-lived fish because it can survive

cousin of the same species.

among vegetation. Its specific coloration

up to 7 years.

By some people, pike is called a croc-

makes it often invisible. The light green

Pike are considered one of the most

odile without legs, because it spends all

color and dark spots on the body allow

voracious species of fish. It is said that

day calmly waiting for its prey. However,

it to blend into the underwater thickets.

adolescents need to eat up to 4 to 6 kg

when the prey appears on the horizon

planet earth

quickly and like a torpedo moves to at-

to come across these largest individuals

far the greatest. Interestingly, some-

tack. Just one wave of the tail fin allows

is to go on a night dive. Then the chanc-

times pikes also flow into the waters of

it to achieve acceleration of up to 50 m /

es of admiring this majestic fish are by

the Baltic Sea.

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

37

planet earth

tasza Or how to meet a hare underwater Text and photos bartek pszczółkowski

Tasza – name:

38

Latin:

Cyclopterus Lumpus

English:

Lumpsucker/ Lump fish

German:

Seehase

Czech:

Hranáč šedý

French:

Lompe/ Lump

planet earth

D

iving in the cold waters of one of the largest, deepest

usually appear in spring in the shallows, between stones,

fiords in the world – Sognefjord – I met an amazing ani-

when lump fish comes from the depths of the open sea

mal. I do not know, hare or fish? Glued to the rock ground very

or ocean.

solidly, like a sucker, watching its spawn placed on the rock.

In this relationship, the male behaves amazingly. Brown

Lumpsucker or lump fish of the the Scorpaeniformes is

stained with a red and orange belly, it spends all his time

the only representative of the species Cyclopterus. It occurs

watching the eggs like a guard. He can hold on to the ground

in the North Atlantic, from the north coast of Portugal to

thanks to the flat structure of the abdomen and fins trans-

the White Sea, it can also be found in the Baltic. To be hon-

formed into a suction cup. Sometimes at low tide, there is so

est, I got a little scared of this animal, because while I was

little water that the male protects the roe with its own body,

passing by, the fish did not even move. The stocky body,

becoming a bite for birds and exposing itself to drying. Just

3 rows of appendages on each side of the body, replacing

wait for the tide. There are places in the world where the

the scales, give it a powerful look. It is not surprising that,

spawn of the sea hare, or lump fish, is a delicacy. Its meat is

although it is naturally ugly, you can observe in it a very in-

also edible, however, it is said that only the male one.

teresting behaviour.

The Danish "Limfjord" caviar is actually lump fish's roe

The female is usually greenish and larger than the male.

dyed black to resemble sturgeon caviar. In Norway, Great

It lays up to four hundred thousand eggs in packages. Eggs

Britain and Ireland, lump fish's eggs, just like the fish that

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

39

40

Feb. 13th

Feb. 24th

Feb. 28th

Mar. 3rd

Mar. 6th

Mar. 8th

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The Danish "Limfjord" 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.

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

41

sponsored article

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Photo Martin Strmiska

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planet earth

Do dolphins save people?

Text and photos jakub banasiak

44

planet earth

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.

D

uring a diving trip to Socorro, after one of the morning

and sea predators. I wondered if there would be any interac-

dives, we took with us ABC equipment and went on a zo-

tion between the two species. Every now and then I looked

diac to search for humpback whales. We dreamed of meeting

towards the pontoon, because the sharks were coming more

face to face with humpbacks that were in the area with their

and more and despite everything I felt a little uncomfortable.

young. However, the whales clearly avoided us and kept in-

If anything bad happened... the nearest hospital is over four

creasing the distance. That is why, when bottlenose dolphins

hundred kilometers from here in the mainland of Mexico,

appeared nearby, I decided to jump into the water and swim

and no helicopter would make such a distance for a rescue

among these nice mammals. Colleagues on the zodiac sailed

mission... My imagination began to work at full speed, when

a few dozen meters away, trying to photograph humpback

in a moment all bottlenose dolphins swam away leaving me

whales and I could enjoy the presence of several social bot-

alone in the company of more and more interested and more

tlenose fish. The dolphins here are powerful, but at the same

numerous sharks. Fortunately, at the same time my zodiac

time calm and willing to interact with people. In a moment

friends came back for me...

there were also sharks – silky sharks. It got crowded in the

Every now and then in the media you can find a sto-

water. An amazing view and a treat for all diving enthusiasts

ry about how a dolphin saved a swimmer or surfer from

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

45

What do the facts say? Indeed, there have been occasions

It is difficult to assess the true nature of

when dolphins either chased away a shark that appeared

the behaviour of dolphins saving people,

near a swimmer or surfer, or accompanied a man in the wa-

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.

ter 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

46

a shark attack. It is difficult to determine how much truth is

and bottlenose show the push reaction to the surface of

in it, and how much of our wishful thinking, which results

even the dead bodies of tribesmen. These behaviours have

from anthropomorphism on the one hand, and from our

been well documented by scientists studying various species

fascination with dolphins on the other, and assigning su-

of dolphins and whales.

pernatural features to them for a long time. As humans, we

Sometimes the help response can be triggered only by

want to think that these intelligent and social animals treat

the outlines resembling a dolphin's limp body. For example,

us in a special way and we want to believe that we have our

in the Bay of Sudjuk in Russia, a bottlenose pushed a few

defenders in the ocean.

kilograms of carrion for several hours. He stopped this ac-

planet earth

tivity only when a boat appeared nearby. Researchers have

One of the most famous incidents was the case of Lisa

noted dolphins pushing dead turtles or even wood logs. At

Costello, who in 1992 was sailing among the pilot whales

one time in the California oceanarium, bottlenose fish for

near the Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii. She gently touched the

9 consecutive days "saved" a 1.5-meter shark almost by de-

male who was resting on the surface. The next moment, the

priving it of life in this way.

animal grabbed her leg and pulled her under the water. Over

It is difficult to assess the true nature of the behaviour

the next minutes, the mammal repeatedly grabbed her and

of dolphins saving people, especially since there are no film

released her for a moment, at some point diving with the

materials that would allow a more in-depth analysis of the

woman to a depth of several meters, keeping her foot in its

situation, and the witnesses are survivors of trauma who

teeth all the time. Lisa Costello barely survived the meeting.

brushed with death.

So maybe the assumption that humans and dolphins

Dolphins help not only people. On the island of Mar-

have a special bond and friendship is definitely exaggerated?

co, Florida, a group of dolphins came to the aid of a lost

Regardless of the above incidents, it is nice to believe that

Doberman who fell into the canal and could not get out.

we have our "guardian angels" in the ocean, who will help

Dolphins made so much noise that they attracted the at-

us in an extreme situation. People of the sea have always

tention of people living nearby, who then saved the dog. In

been accompanied by myths and legends :)

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).

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

47

k n ow l e dg e

EAP – Emergency Assistance Plan Emergency plans - what is this for?

The Emergency Assistance Plan (EAP) or emergency plan is a prerequisite for successfully rescuing an injured diver.

It 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 EAP lies with the local dive operator.

48

A

s a diver, you can do a lot for your own safety, but

A safari on a boat, in the middle of the ocean, away

some things are out of your reach and you have to

from civilization, might seem so beautiful, but it can turn

rely on the dive operator. Therefore, it is important to pay

a terrible experience when there is no radio connection,

attention to the safety awareness of the dive operator,

mobile phones do not work, and the crew forgot satellite

dive center or dive boat owner, dive instructor, a captain

phones (or even first aid equipment). In this case, it is not

or other personnel. The choice of the place of rest can also

possible to obtain immediate assistance in the event of

be important. In a country where general safety standards

an emergency.

are poor, diving operations may also lack safety regulations and requirements.

Regardless of whether it is a diving activity on land or on a dive boat, everyone – including divers – should have

Safety deficiencies lurk everywhere and their conse-

access to information such as current phone numbers for

quences in diving are more serious than on land. A dive-

the nearest hyperbaric chamber, or contact numbers of

master leading a group of novices without computers to

diving medicine doctors of the nearest facility, ambulance

their limits; the owner of a dive boat without emergency

doctors and emergency services. Maintaining this informa-

equipment, such as an oxygen unit that is able to provide

tion (up-to-date) is extremely important because addresses,

100% medical oxygen for at least two divers and for a suf-

phone numbers, contact persons or access roads are often

ficient time; safari on board of a ship whose personnel are

changed. If one link is missing, the chain is broken.

not trained in first aid and emergency assistance; dive stores

The crew must know what to do in an emergency. The

that rent poorly maintained equipment with faulty valves or

fastest means of transport and logistics must be clear. In

missing O-rings, or that "forget" to replace the compressor

case the operator has several boats, each of them may have

filters: they all belong to the category of gross negligence.

its own EAP and a different one for the base on land.

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

49

To increase safety awareness and make diving even saf-

to know what to expect during it. A good briefing contains

er, DAN has developed the DSP (Diving Safety Partner) pro-

details about navigation, currents, depth and duration of

gram. DSP consists of 3 levels, with the accompanying HIRA

diving, and certainly not just the marine life that you will

(Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment) module. This ini-

probably see.

tiative is specifically targeted at dive operators, helping them

The crew should inform divers, especially inexperienced

to identify and improve areas where they lack safety. Diving

ones, that freediving should not be performed after diving.

operations that meet all requirements gain visibility and are

Further deeper dives on the same day are also not recom-

recognised by the recreational divers community as well as,

mended due to the formation of nitrogen bubbles and an

most importantly, increase the number of customers.

increased risk of DCS.

Briefings and check-ins, information on entering and

Both professional and recreational divers caring for

exiting the water, safety stops, meeting points and proce-

safety before diving can benefit from the forward-looking

dures in the event of loss, as well as instructions and warn-

approach of operators because they will know what to do

ings regarding post-dive activities: these are all elements to

in an emergency or may even prevent it.

be considered.

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

50

Let's dive into wonderful adventures, always safe!

TY? KIEDY WYBIERZESZ AAA TY? KIEDY WYBIERZESZ ATY? TY?KIEDY KIEDYWYBIERZESZ WYBIERZESZ SIĘ NA SPACER? SIĘ NA SPACER? SIĘNA NASPACER? SPACER? SIĘ

Aktywność fizyczna poprawia kondycję.

Aktywność fizyczna poprawia kondycję.

Aktywność fizycznapoprawia poprawiakondycję. kondycję.

Aktywność fizyczna Aktywność fizyczna poprawia kondycję.

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Rehasport Ύ t,K͘ <ĂŶƚŽƌ WƵďůŝĐ ŶĂ njůĞĐĞŶŝĞ DŝŶŝƐƚĞƌƐƚǁĂ ^ƉŽƌƚƵ ŝ dƵƌLJƐƚLJŬŝ͕ ͣWŽnjŝŽŵ ĂŬƚLJǁŶŽƑĐŝ ĮnjLJĐnjŶĞũ WŽůĂŬſǁ ϮϬϭϴ͘͟ Rehasport Rehasport Rehasport tĂƌƐnjĂǁĂ͕ WŽnjŶĂŷ͕ 'ĚĂŷƐŬ͕ <ŽŶŝŶ tĂƌƐnjĂǁĂ͕ WŽnjŶĂŷ͕ 'ĚĂŷƐŬ͕ <ŽŶŝŶ tĂƌƐnjĂǁĂ͕ WŽnjŶĂŷ͕ 'ĚĂŷƐŬ͕ <ŽŶŝŶ tĂƌƐnjĂǁĂ͕ WŽnjŶĂŷ͕ 'ĚĂŷƐŬ͕ <ŽŶŝŶ

Rehasport tĂƌƐnjĂǁĂ͕ WŽnjŶĂŷ͕ 'ĚĂŷƐŬ͕ <ŽŶŝŶ

planet earth

A world without sharks?

Dr. iris ziegler, sharkproject international

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

52

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

53

E

very year, between 63 and 273 million sharks are killed

Because many sharks are predators at the end of the food

in the world, and many species are increasingly threat-

chain, they play an important role in maintaining healthy

ened. In 2019, the United Nations Report on Biological Di-

and productive marine ecosystems. Our oceans are not

versity warned that more than 30% of all known species

only the main source of food and protein supply, but also

of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction over the

necessary for the global climate and oxygen production,

next decades!

because they store huge amounts of greenhouse gases

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.

54

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.

planet earth

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 However, the biggest threat to their survival is the prac-

easy and common practice.

tice of cutting off fins. The high value and huge gains of fins

In addition to being the main transit hub for fins from

are the main drivers of both targeted shark fishing and the

South America to Southeast Asia, we, Europeans and the EU,

reluctance of fishing fleets to switch to more selective fish-

are responsible for the gigantic ocean exploitation! The EU

ing gear or to free the lives of sharks caught as by-catches.

is a world leader in shark fishing with 112,000 metric tons

Indeed, the fins make huge profits on the market, while

(Mt) caught annually by Spain, Portugal and France together,

the meat of most sharks is almost worthless, unpalatable,

and therefore more than Indonesia, taking second place in

and even poses a threat to human health. Despite this, the

the global ranking.

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

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.

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

55

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

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

90 euros per bowl.

All in all, all initiatives to stop cutting fins and end the

The European Citizens' Initiative 'Stop Finning – Stop the

terrible exploitation of our oceans for a small, but very lucra-

Trade' began to collect signatures on February 1, 2020, de-

tive part of these animals will remain ineffective if we fail to

manding that the 'Naturally tied fins' regulation in the Euro-

stop trading fins! Imports, exports and transits can be much

pean Union be extended to the export, import and transit of

better controlled by trading companies and can be better

sharks and rays, thus prohibiting trade in fins.

enforced than all measures taken at sea.

Therefore, stopping the trade in fins in the EU will be

EU citizens now have one year to collect the required

the most effective way to stop this cruel business in Eu-

million votes in support of the requested change requiring

rope and the EU and stop being its beneficiary. Many other

the termination of trade in shark fins in the European Union,

countries have actually introduced such trade bans: 14 US

including the import, export and transit of fins other than

states have already banned trade in fins, and in June 2019,

those naturally attached to the animal's body, "these citizens

Canada became the first G7 country to ban imports and

seek to strengthen the EU legal framework. If their efforts

exports of shark fins on its territory. Citizens in all parts of

are successful, the European Commission may then decide

the world are also increasingly demanding the end of such

to propose a new regulation to achieve this goal.

cruel and useless practices. That is why Europe must follow in their footsteps!

And now all EU citizens can exercise their rights and vote

56

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

planet earth

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 Edu-

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

cational Institute (SEI), AktionsgemeinschaftArtenschutz

reach this threshold.

(AGA), Mundus maris, Gesellschaftzur Rettung der Del-

For more information about the citizens' initiative itself,

phine, Deutsche Meeresstiftung, Deutsche StiftungMeer-

more facts, and who is the initiator and supporter of this

esschutz (DSM), Shark Savers Germany, The Dolphins'

initiative, please visit

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

https://stop-finning.eu

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

57

planet earth

Omnipresent mallards Text and photos wojciech jarosz

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

I

n addition, their presence is common within the city, re-

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

gardless 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!

can be found even in Greenland. They are also very

It is true that we do not always know that a mallard is

numerous in North America. To the antipodes,

the correct species name, but even if we hear the term “wild

Australia and New Zealand, where they are considered an invasive species, they were dragged by man.

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

58

planet earth

…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.

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 or in a stew. What distinguishes this species from others and

living in more natural conditions are fearful and timid. Quite

why are they so close to us? Why do we not see gadwalls,

often I had my heart in my mouth, when wandering through

teals, pintails or wigeons in our neighborhood as often?

the watery bushes, I did not notice well-masked mallards,

There are many factors behind the success of mallards in

and these suddenly starting to fly in a panic escape made

conquering the world. Since we can see them close to us, we

me feel a bit of their panic (fortunately only for a moment,

can certainly consider these ducks to be flexible in terms of

but usually adrenaline already managed to flow abundantly

selection of habitat and nesting sites. They are, as it is de-

to all recesses of my body). Such a little off-road wake-up,

fined in ecology, Eurobionts, that is organisms that tolerate

one could say.

a broader spectrum of environmental factors. Educational

To conquering water reservoirs almost all over the

digression: ecology is not the same as environmental protec-

world, also significantly contributed the breeding strategy

tion, ecology is an extremely broad field of natural sciences

of mallards. The female can lay up to 12 eggs, although it

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

59

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

60

happens that there are more in the nest, because some

number of mallard ducklings often decreases over time,

females lay eggs in the nests of their friends. The young

because the list of predators (basically from every cluster

appear after about 4 weeks and are immediately ready to

of vertebrates, including fish) hunting for them is long. If

follow their mother. Some of them must prove their mettle

a young duck survives its first season, it basically becomes

at the very beginning of their lives. Due to the poor avail-

a mature duck. Already in the second year of life, they may

ability of breeding places in cities, the mallards can lay eggs

start reproduction. Mating habits and breeding behaviours

in tree hollows, but also in the balcony flower boxes, not

of mallards judged from a human perspective seem a bit

necessarily selecting only the lowest floors of high blocks

brutal. Sexual assault is common. This violent copulation,

of flats. Regardless of the height, the young jump out of

which is accompanied by the use of force, can undoubtedly

the nest following their mother, but unlike in her case, in

be defined as rape. Well, a female attacked in matrimonial

the absence of developed wings, flapping their wings does

purposes by a hormone-driven male can even be drowned

not significantly slow down their fall (i.e. v = g×t, where

by the male – this is the dramatic power of the duck’s ecsta-

g=9.8 m/s2). At the most, only the webbing between the

sy. What adds piquancy to the whole thing is the fact that

digits of their feet, spread to the maximum, can slightly

the male's copulatory organ is surprisingly long, reaching

increase the air resistance when falling. They survive their

20 cm, and is ready to perform its role in the blink of an

first "flight", although they do not always have as pleasant

eye. In addition, it has the shape of a corkscrew... Females

a landing as their cousin, the common goldeneye. These

have evolved in such a way that their genital tract also has

ducks nest in hollows, but in the forests. So when they

a complicated structure, with numerous lateral "branches",

jump from a height of up to 20 m, they can count on soft

which are to be a trap for both the penis and the semen

litter that effectively cushions their landing. The large initial

(the unwanted one).

planet earth

The decoration of the female is a beautiful mirror on wings

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

When the libidinous males do not find females of their species, they don't get fussy. They start romancing with ducks of

some bird guides you can find tips on how to recognize

other species. The fruits of these romances,

and distinguish more common mallard hybrids with ducks

i.e. hybrids, often fertile, become a fauna

of other species, including domestic duck. Such hybrids in the ornithological dialect are called "village leaders". In

puzzle for bird watching enthusiasts.

addition, one of the theories about the origin of the Polish name for mallards refers to the phenomenon of interspecies love (crossing).

desired by researchers. What's more, the event is celebrated

Closing the plot of the duck's passions and drives I will

every year in the aforementioned Nature Museum as the

add one more thing. In 1995, information run around the

Dead Duck Day (there is even a website dedicated to this

natural world about the first registered case of homosex-

story). I am afraid that after reading this text, you may never

ual necrophilia in mallards. In short: one drake ran away

look at the mallards the same way as before when you feed

from the other and crashed against the glass of the Rotter-

them (just not with bread!) the next time with children in

dam Nature Museum. It lost its life, but the male chasing

the park. To warm up the image of drakes, I will add that

didn't lose its desire for... dating. The rest can be imagined.

although males usually abandon females after laying eggs,

There was even a scientific publication on the subject, which

there are knightly individuals accompanying their chosen

earned its author the Ig Nobel Prize 2003, not necessarily

one also after the hatching of chicks.

perfectdiver No. 3(9)/2020

61

Mallard beak is a great working colander

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

62

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Mallards rest willingly hiding among the rushes

Twoje radio w trasie ...na nurkowanie

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

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!

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r oo k i e ' s e y e

Wetsuit Selecting the type and size

Text margita Ślizowska

Photos wiktor zdrojewski

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)

stores you can find: a shorty (with short sleeves and legs), a vest (sleeveless vest protecting the chest), an overall

2. It protects against sunburn (back and shoulders)

(a wetsuit with long sleeves and legs), a neoprene jacket

3. It protects against abrasions (sharp coral reef, jellyfish)

(with a comfortable fastening at the front). All of them 1 mm

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.

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

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

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layers, the method of fastening, strengthening, and above all – its proper fit.

rookie ' s eye

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

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

●● 5 mm: moderate waters (water temperature above

sleeve). After putting on the wetsuit, we hide the plastic

21°C) e.g. Croatia or small artificial reservoirs in Po-

bag into the diving bag to use it again (as we care about

land (summer)

the environment). The method of joining elements of the

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

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 snorkel-

Wetsuits can be worn in layers (and this is what is recom-

ing and diving are activities performed in pairs – it doesn't

mended): you can combine thicknesses, put on insulation

matter if we choose the wetsuit with the zip on the front

layers. The most common set for diving is a wetsuit 5+5 mm,

or back. The partner's help in putting on and adjusting the

and for snorkeling 2/3 mm. For divers (or snorkelers) for very

wetsuit is always invaluable  And one more word about

cold waters (below 8°C) I recommend semi-dry suits, and for

the reinforcements. It is worth choosing such wetsuits that

SCUBA divers – dry suits.

have external patches (on the knees), reinforcements on the

An important element of the wetsuit is its inner lining.

back (especially for SCUBA diving) and secured cuffs. These

It comes into contact with our skin first of all, but also the

elements (along with skillful use) significantly extend the life

material from which it is made (just like the elasticity of

of the wetsuit.

neoprene) can make it easier for us to put on the wetsuit.

When selecting the wetsuit, its size is the most important.

Another important element are cuffs. Not only can they im-

In order for it to fulfill all its functions, it must adhere to the

prove the process of putting on a wetsuit, but also ensure

body very closely. When trying the wetsuit on in the store,

its proper tightness. The most comfortable are those cuffs

it should be a bit tight. Don't worry if it presses a little (of

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course if you can breathe in it) – it will stretch and adjust in

(1–2 mm). The criterion for choosing a hood and gloves is

the water. But it still has to be tight enough to prevent water

similar to that for selecting the wetsuit.

from getting between the wetsuit and our body.

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After snorkeling, it is necessary to take off wet clothes

Let's not forget about protecting our heads e.g. from the

and, if we are cold, wipe dry. After prolonged contact with

sun (a hat, a scarf). I recommend a neoprene hood (separate

water, ears and sinuses get particularly vulnerable. You can

or integrated with a wetsuit or a vest) for people who quickly

take care of them by wiping them dry and putting on a thin

catch a cold or have problems with ears or sinuses. In a hood

cap with a wind-stopper, or a band. After use the wetsuit, like

1–2 mm thick, no special discomfort is felt, and the protec-

any ABC equipment, should be thoroughly rinsed. Especially

tion of the ears or sinuses is invaluable. In addition, the hood

if we snorkel in salt water. We should dry everything in

perfectly prevents unruly hair from tangling. If we want to

the shade. We store wetsuit well dried and loosely folded.

protect our hands against accidental abrasions (note: we do

Preferably in a breathable dustcover designed for storing

not touch the animals!), we can use thin neoprene gloves

wetsuits and complete ABC equipment.

k n ow l e dg e

Sheck Exley

Caverns Measureless to Man Published June 1st 1994 by Cave Books

When Jacques-Yves Cousteau sparked off what later be-

Have you ever wondered where the rule of thirds came

came known as scuba diving, the first diving movie was also

from? When Scheck was rescuing his friend, he realized they

made called Épaves (Shipwrecks). At the same time, togeth-

didn’t have enough gas to leave the cave. Why should you

er with his associate, Frédéric Dumas, they wrote the first

take two instruments with you? Have you ever tried to keep

book about diving, Le Monde du silence (The Silent World).

track of you decompression by doing all the calculations in

Thousands of authors have followed suit, creating books

your head? His book will provide answers to these questions

and films about diving. These works spanned a multitude of

and an extensive collection of such stories.

genres, from textbooks, through reports and biographies,

Aside from the really funny parts of this story, there are

to feature films and books, even from the fantasy genre. In

also a number of less merry recollections. Many of this ex-

some way, books and films have become an integral part of

traordinary man’s friends died while diving, sometimes with

the diving world. Because of this, I believe that Perfect Diver

him by their side. One such tragedy occurred during the

should start a dedicated section.

record-breaking scuba dive to 142 meters. From a group of

My collection of diving books includes almost 100 titles,

three people only Exley survived.

I borrowed and read 100 more and there are 1000 more that

Sheck died in 1994 while exploring the Zacatón cenote

I wish I had. I also watched dozens of films. This does not

in Mexico, trying to reach the depth of 275 meters. It was

prevent me from encouraging readers and authors to share

a tremendous loss for the diving world, but luckily, he man-

their reviews, as I’m sure you’ve read something I haven’t.

aged to tell his story.

Choosing the first book to review was a true challenge.

I recommend this book to every diver, regardless of

It should be a spectacular story, but also one that would be

whether you’re fresh from your open water course or an

accessible to most divers in the world. I decided to choose

advanced cave diver. There is something useful in there for

the autobiography of an extraordinary man who went down

everyone – entertainment, emotions, fantastic stories. But

in the history of diving. Sheck Exley’s autobiography entitled

if there is one thing that all of us should take from reading

Caverns Measureless to Man is definitely a source of inspira-

this, it’s an ocean of humility.

tion for many divers. Many of us would like to experience at

Because none of us are immortal, even if you’re the best.

least a small fragment of what this man has.

The book was published in 1994. I own a very neat 2009

A quote from the book: “But before I started making my

Mayfly edition, which also contains traditional photographs

way back, I gazed for a few second into the unknown depths,

and maps. The book itself is Sheck Exley’s account of his

trying to imagine the magnitude and wonder of the measureless

journey through the world of diving. His recollection of his

cave. Perhaps it simply stretches into infinity.”

adventures, which basically inspired many diving procedures we use today, is provided in very accessible manner.

Mateusz Popek

r e v i e w

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tips & curiosities ACADEMY

Diving Setups Part 3

Harness adjustment Text Wojciech A. Filip

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.

T

he 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.

Background image www.pinterest.de

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tips & curiosities

ACADEMY

ADJUSTMENT and FITTING Adjustable harness In the previous part we learned that stabilizing the tank

Single-webbing harness (“DIR” harness)

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

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

– doesn’t matter if you’re really big, just slightly bigger or

2. Put on your plate with the harness

smaller, thin or really well-built, doesn’t matter if you’re

3. Set the length of the shoulder straps so that the waist

a woman or a man – there are usually no sizes in modular

straps are located in the upper hip area

systems and these are built to always allow for ideal fit. If

4. Set the crotch strap length

you are interested in the specifics of such a system, please

5. Put the left side of the waist strap through the loop in

read the previous issue of Perfect Diver.

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

If you’re a beginner diver, learn how to adjust your

7. Check and adjust the length of the shoulder straps

harness before you start using it. A single-webbing harness will instantly get your diving skills to the

re: 1. You can achieve the best harness fit by setting its length

higher level. Don’t put adjusting your equipment

when wearing your thickest suit and undersuit – you can also

off until you get more experienced – adjust your

use high-volume clothing similar to an undersuit.

harness and learn faster!

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

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 conditions.

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?

Images Łukasz Oganowski

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ACADEMY

re: 3. Make an initial shoulder straps length adjustment by

re: 5. Put the left side of the waist strap through the loop in

tightening or loosening the straps. Proper initial length ad-

the crotch strap and pull it towards your left hip. Make sure

justment is indicated by the location of waist straps exiting

that when you hold the left side of the waist strap over the

the plate. They should be located just above the hips.

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

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.

Passing the crotch strap through the slide buckle

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tips & curiosities

ACADEMY

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 re: 6. buckle – put the buckle around the right part of your

do not feel the pressure of shoulder straps on your shoulders

abdomen. Make sure the buckle is to the right of the crotch

once you’re fully erect and leaning backwards, shorten them

strap, and that it does not rest against your hip bone. Weave

by several centimeters and repeat the test.

the webbing through to secure the buckle.

Buckle placement on the diver’s right side

Straps blocking the arms

caution!

Before you extend the shoulder straps, make sure that it is the 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.

Page images Barłomiej Trzciński

harness that prevents you from raising your arms, not your

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ACADEMY

Comfort type adjustable harness allows you to adjust

●● Fastening this strap at the navel level presses the lum-

the length of the shoulder straps quickly, using a simple and

bar spine against the plate, which prevents you from

reliable adjustment system that is made of stainless steel

taking a comfortable, slightly curved position while un-

(adjustment works in a similar fashion as in diving jackets).

der water. Fastening the waist strap in such a manner

Initial adjustment is similar to that of a harness made of

may cause pain in the lumbar spine.

a single piece of webbing; the length of the shoulder straps

●● Fastening the waist strap at the navel level following

is adjusted subsequently with the fast adjustment system.

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 Appropriate straps length

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.

Straps too long

We usually use soft webbing for adjustable harnesses, Are we there yet? Almost  – the notes below are just as important as the adjustment process itself – read

which might be blocked by rigid webbing.

them carefully and make sure you understood everything.

If you decide to change damaged webbing after many

Why should the waist strap hang loose, forming a “Y”

years of use or to replace it with another color or rigidity, the

– why not place it on the abdomen at the navel level? ●● Fastening the waist strap at the navel level makes breathing underwater more difficult.

72

since it has to move easily through the adjustment system,

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.

tips & curiosities

ACADEMY

Fast adjustment of a single-webbing harness from a cold-water kit (drysuit) to one for diving in tropical

Before you decide to cut off the excess harness, make

waters – thin, 2 mm wetsuit.

a few dives, reconfirm your harness fit and stability of

●● Put on the wetsuit or shirt that you are going to go div-

your equipment, both underwater and on the sur-

ing 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”.

face.

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 

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

Do you have reduced mobility? Do you

and shoulder straps adjusted previously to the larger suit.

have an unusual body build?

It all takes up to three seconds – you can adjust such a har-

Don’t give up on diving.

ness more closely during your actual dive by shortening or

Check the your rig stability by selecting and prop-

extending the waist strap.

erly adjusting a comfort harness or a single-webbing harness.

caution!

Ask a specialist instructor from an organization that

This is only possible when the harness is neatly adjusted to

trains people with disabilities to help you with that.

a thicker drysuit.

Page images Barłomiej Trzciński

This way, you will “shorten” the length of the crotch strap

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ACADEMY

How to confirm a good harness fit in three steps?

•

How to remove a single-webbing harness quickly during

1.

Check whether you are able to work with your crotch

a high tide?

strap from the front in thick gloves?

Answers to these and other interesting questions will be

2.

Check whether the straps form a “Y”.

provided in “Diving Setups” part 4 in the upcoming Perfect

3.

Check the length of the shoulder straps.

Diver issue.

•

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

Wishing all of you comfortable dives using modular systems,

•

How to position them so that you can handle them intuitively

I’d like to encourage you to read the next Perfect Diver issue.

– without looking?

WAF.

Image Tomasz Płociński

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.

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