Welcome
Editing SCUBA is a wonderful job. I love helping divers share their stories, and I’ ve learned a lot from them over the years. Let’ s have a look at just a sliver of the knowledge I’ ve gleaned from this issue...
I always learn something from Kerry MacKay’ s environment page – this month she suggests positive action in the face of climate change. You can find her recommendations for energy providers with green credentials in the Protect our Seas section. It’ s the biggest change we can make in our day-to-day lives.
While editing Karen Boswarva’ s excellent Ocean Science page, I discovered that the stinging cells of jellyfish spring their tiny harpoons with a G-Force of 40,000(!!) making it one of the fastest known biological processes. Also, that Cnidarians( a large group of animals encompassing sea pens, hydroids and anemones) is pronounced with a silent‘ C’. That explains why biologists give me funny looks when I try to say the word.
From Learning Curve’ s account of a First Class Diver exam, I learned that an improvised echosounder can be created using some Tupperware as a battery box and a selfie stick to dangle the transponder over the side. Also that a home-made decompression trapeze can be fashioned from offcuts of scaffolding pipe.
Karen’ s Moule’ s fact-filled Travel Special all about the sunken remains of a Roman city at Baie, Italy was full of useful knowledge. Aside from the archaeology and the incredibly preserved mosaics, I learned what it’ s like to be underwater during a 4.4 magnitude earthquake. Dramatic stuff.
In the Chat pages, I learned about the contributions to BSAC life of three influential and much loved figures, Tony Johnson of Guildford BSAC; John Parkinson of Droylsden SAC and Brian Watts of Ilfracombe & North Devon SAC. It is our sad privilege to mark the passing of such inspirational divers.
Most of all, I learn from our readers, so please keep in touch and let me know what you’ ve been up to.
Simon Rogerson – Editor simon @ scubamagazine. co. uk
Cover photo: SCUBA columnist Kirsty Andrews photographs a common octopus off Plymouth, photo by Dan Bolt.
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