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Inside Scuba Issue #10
Byron Conroy, Andy Deitsch & Alex Mustard
June 16, 2024
Welcome to Issue #10 of Inside Scuba
Welcome to the 10th issue of Inside Scuba, your go-to source for all things scuba diving! In this special edition, we dive deep into the perennial debate: should you wear a snorkel while scuba diving? We'll weigh the pros and cons and suggest some practical alternatives. This issue also pays tribute to the legendary underwater photographer Martin Edge, offers expert tips for mastering underwater shipwreck photography, and reviews the awesome Devil's Grotto dive site in Grand Cayman. Whether you're a seasoned diver or just starting, there's something here for everyone to explore and enjoy.
What’s happening in this edition?
Should You Wear a Snorkel While Scuba Diving? Pros, Cons, and Alternatives
Scuba diving agencies require open water certification divers to use a snorkel during their training dives, but should divers continue to wear a snorkel after completing their certification? This question sparks debate among divers of all experience levels. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of wearing a snorkel while scuba diving, and discuss an alternative solution: carrying a roll-up or foldable snorkel for emergencies.
Pros of Wearing a Snorkel While Scuba Diving
Surface Breathing:
Energy Conservation: Wearing a snorkel allows divers to breathe easily while swimming on the surface, conserving air from their tanks for the actual dive.
Safety: It provides an easy way to breathe in choppy waters or while waiting at the surface without using up precious air from the tank.
Emergency Situations:
Backup Breathing: In case of an out-of-air emergency, a snorkel can be used for surface breathing while dealing with equipment issues or waiting for assistance.
Comfort and Convenience:
Surface Swimming: Makes it easier to swim longer distances on the surface to the dive site, especially if the diver needs to swim against currents.
Multi-Activity Use: If a diver also enjoys snorkeling, having a snorkel on hand allows them to easily transition between snorkeling and scuba diving.
Cons of Wearing a Snorkel While Scuba Diving
Hydrodynamic Drag:
Increased Drag: A snorkel can create additional drag, making it slightly harder to move through the water and potentially increasing air consumption.
Snagging Risk: It can snag on kelp, fishing lines, or other underwater obstacles, potentially causing distractions or minor hazards.
In each issue of our newsletter, we will curate some top dive news from around the world. Links to each of the original articles are available.
Ocean Geographic have announced this years winners of their annual Pictures of the Year photo competition. Our very own Byron Conroy (let’s stroke his big ego because he needs it) won first place in the Animal Behavior category and received an honorable mention in the Small Exotic Animal category. All the winning images can be found at https://ogpicoty.ogsociety.org/2024-winners
Scuba Diver Magazine: Monk seal exiles to remote island to protect divers. A five-year-old male Hawaiian monk seal has been relocated from [The] Big Island after developing a potentially hazardous attitude towards scuba divers and snorkelers.
Photography Experts: Lembeh, A Drop in the Ocean. Alex Mustard and Nick More will give a comprehensive and entertaining presentation of the photographic wonders of Lembeh, a real must-visit destination for all Underwater Photographers. The live event will take place at 19.30 hrs UK on July 3rd, including a full question-and-answer session. A complimentary recording will be sent to all registrants, so please register even if you are unable to attend live.
Scuba Diving Magazine’s 2024 Through Your Lens Photo Contest is now open for submissions. The contest features five brand-new categories: Behavior, Big Animals, Conservation, Freshwater and Wrecks. You may enter up to five images in each category. Click here for more details.
The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest have announced on social media that they are adding a new Coral Reefs category for 2025 and dropping the British Waters Compact Camera category. For more details, check out the post here.
A Tribute to Martin Edge
World famous underwater photographer, author, and teacher, Martin Edge died on Sunday, June 3rd 2024. Martin was best known for his book The Underwater Photographer which sold around the world and for many was the book that helped them move from taking simple underwater snaps to memorable images. Martin’s good friend Dr. Alex Mustard shares some thoughts in a fitting tribute to Martin.
Martin Edge
by Alex Mustard
For more than a quarter of a century, through five editions of his book and for almost 40 years, through his workshops and 1:1 courses, Martin has been helped the world take better underwater photographs. Most of the world never sees the wonders of the ocean for themselves and our pictures are their window. The more eye-catching our shots, the more engaged the world is with the wonders of the sea and protecting the ocean. Martin made this happen.
Almost all of you will have a well-thumbed edition of Martin’s book, The Underwater Photographer, and will have benefitted from Martin’s insight. Indeed, Martin’s ideas and explanations have become so much a part of underwater photography that they are repeated in almost every article written on the topic as simply the way it is done. Those of us fortunate to have been able to call Martin a friend were never surprised - he was a teaching sensation. The man was addicted to it, a natural-born coach, equally able to help both absolute beginners and the most celebrated names in the business. Allied to this, Martin was armed with the enquiring, analytical mind of a retired Police detective. Martin had the gift at asking searching questions and was disarmingly talented at making you blab!
Photo Tip of the Week - A Guide to Mastering Underwater Shipwreck Photography
As underwater photographers it is our job to tell the story of what we see when we dive, and share that with captivating images. Shipwrecks offer us as photographers an incredible opportunity to tell those stories to our viewers, both to divers and non-divers alike. A shipwreck is a man-made object, it is something that all people can connect with and understand so therefore makes an appealing and powerful subject for us to shoot.
Underwater shipwreck photography combines the thrill of exploration with the artistry of photography, offering unique opportunities to capture hauntingly beautiful and historically significant scenes. This guide will provide you with the essential tips and techniques to create stunning shipwreck images, from preparation to post-processing and everything in between.
The Nippo Maru, Truk Lagoon - A wreck with incredible history
1. Research and Preparation
1.1. Know Your Wreck:
Historical Context: Understanding the history and story of the shipwreck can help you capture its essence. Research when it sank, its purpose, and any notable events associated with it.
Layout and Structure: Familiarize yourself with the wreck’s layout. Knowing the key features, such as the bow, stern, cabins, and cargo holds, will help you plan your shots.
Position on the Sea Floor: Understanding how the wreck is positioned will help you with planning. If you want to shoot the bow of the wreck and you know the position of the ship, you’ll be able to schedule your dive so that the sun is in the correct position for the shot you are trying to achieve.
Look at Images: The more images you can look at of the wreck from other photographers the better chance you have of capturing unique images that are true to your own style and preferences.
Dive Site Review: Devil’s Grotto, Grand Cayman
Nestled in the vibrant waters off George Town, Grand Cayman, Devil's Grotto stands out as a premier dive site that promises an unforgettable underwater adventure. This captivating site is a treasure trove for divers of all skill levels, making it especially welcoming for beginners.
Unique Features and Topography
Devil’s Grotto is renowned for its massive, intricate coral heads that create an underwater maze of swim-throughs, caverns, and open chimneys. These formations provide a stunning backdrop for exploration, with light filtering through crevices and openings, creating an ethereal underwater landscape. The coral formations rise from a sand and coral floor, peaking just a few feet below the surface, making it accessible not only for divers but also for snorkelers.
Marine Life
One of the highlights of diving at Devil's Grotto is the abundant marine life. Parrotfish, tarpon, and barracuda are regular residents of this site. During August and September, the grotto undergoes a magical transformation as schools of silversides arrive. These shimmering fish create a moving, glittering curtain, offering a mesmerizing experience as you swim through them. The sheer density and movement of the silversides are a spectacle in themselves, turning the dive into an ever-changing, living tapestry of silver.
Schoolmaster snapper hunting silversides inside Devil’s Grotto
In this episode of The Underwater Photography Show, Alex Mustard shares some audio recordings that he made while interviewing Martin Edge back in 2006. The recordings were never intended to be published. They were simply made so that Alex would have backup material to remind him of the conversation while he was writing his article about Martin for a magazine. However, the recordings are worth listening to and give some great insight to who Martin was as a photographer and a teacher. Alex put photos to the audio which gives some nice context.
Summary
As we wrap up this milestone 10th issue of Inside Scuba, we hope you've found inspiration and valuable insights to enhance your diving adventures. From the practical debate on snorkel usage to heartfelt tributes and expert photography tips, this edition celebrates the depth and diversity of the diving community. Until next time, stay curious, stay safe, and keep diving deep.
Andy & Byron
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