Inside Scuba Issue #14

AuthorAuthor

Byron Conroy & Andy Deitsch
August 11, 2024

Welcome to Issue #14 of Inside Scuba

Welcome to the 14th issue of Inside Scuba. In this edition, we dive into the perennial debate of Dive Buddy vs. Solo Diving, exploring the pros and cons of each approach to help you make informed decisions on your next underwater adventure. Whether you're a seasoned diver or just starting out, we've got valuable insights and tips to enhance your diving experiences. From mastering the art of split-level underwater photography to an in-depth book review of a legendary diving memoir, this issue is packed with knowledge and inspiration for every dive enthusiast.

What’s happening in this edition?

Dive Buddy vs. Solo Diving: Weighing the Pros and Cons for Safe and Enjoyable Dives

Introduction

Scuba diving is an incredible hobby, I have met many of my closest friends through diving, and diving with a friend can be an incredible experience. However, sometimes you are in a position where people you know are not available to dive with. It could be because you’re taking a holiday others couldn’t make it on, it could be because you have a Monday off work. For many, this lack of a buddy can cause a frustration with diving and cause people to not dive as much. The traditional practice of diving with a buddy remains prevalent in the diving community and also across training standards, but do we always need to have a buddy to go diving?  This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of having a dive buddy, incorporates expert opinions, and discusses the additional measures necessary for solo diving.

The Cultural and Historical Context of the Buddy System

The widespread belief in the necessity of a dive buddy stems from both cultural and historical contexts within the diving community. The buddy system was established as a foundational principle in the early days of recreational scuba diving, primarily for safety reasons. Diving agencies, such as PADI and NAUI, have ingrained the buddy system into their training curricula, emphasizing its role in ensuring diver safety and minimizing risks. The rationale is that having a companion underwater significantly reduces the likelihood of accidents, as buddies can assist each other in emergencies, monitor each other’s status, and provide moral support. This training approach has been reinforced by numerous case studies and incident reports highlighting situations where a dive buddy played a crucial role in averting disaster. Consequently, divers are taught from their very first certification courses that a buddy is not just a companion but an essential safety measure. This long-standing tradition has cultivated a deep-rooted belief in the indispensability of the buddy system, shaping the practices and mindset of divers worldwide.

A solo diver on the wreck of the Kittiwake

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.

Fla-Keys.com: The Discovery Channel has released the third season of their show Destination Dive “a fast-paced show dedicated to the exploration of our oceans through the sport of recreational scuba diving.” This season features five episodes focused on diving in the Florida Keys. For a sneak peek, visit destinationdive.tv. 

Click2Houston: “‘We were so exhausted:’ Couple survives 36 hours at sea after current carries them while scuba diving near Matagorda.”

Scuba Diving Mag: “Renowned industry figure Terry Cummins will be waxing lyrical about the wonders of Queensland’s waters when he takes to the ANZ Stage at the GO Diving Show ANZ in September.”

Islander News: “12-year-old Key Biscayne boy celebrates his birthday with a scuba dive for the history books. With another required dive the following day, Matteo will become the youngest certified Junior Master scuba diver in the world at 12 years and one day.”

Ocean Photography of the Year: 2024 Finalists will be announced on August 15th.

Think Pink: Rumor has it (well, we asked Allison Vitsky Sallmon) that the annual underwater photo competition in support of breast cancer research will take place in September this year. Judges will be Mike Bartick, Renee Capozzola, and Brandi Mueller. Categories will be wide angle and macro. Keep checking the pink link. The 2024 competition dates should be posted soon.

Dive Magazine: “Collaborative study highlights global shipping threat to whale sharks. A new collaborative study into the threats posed by the shipping industry to whale sharks has detailed how heavily used shipping lanes regularly pass through seasonal whale shark aggregations, and offers solutions on how to mitigate the impact on populations of the endangered species.”

Photo Tip of the Week - Achieving Balance: Tips and Techniques for Split Level Underwater Shots

Split level underwater photography, also known as over-under or half-and-half photography, captures both the underwater world and the scene above water in a single frame. This technique offers a unique perspective and is particularly popular in showcasing the contrast between the two worlds. While challenging, with the right equipment and techniques, anyone can master split level photography. This guide provides a comprehensive overview, step-by-step instructions, and tips to help you capture stunning split level photos.

Many photographers struggle with split level shooting, and find it a frustrating task. Common complaints: the focus is hunting, not all of the image is in focus, and water droplets in the frame. The way I learned to eradicate these basic issues was from attending a photo workshop with renowned underwater photographer Alex Mustard. The basic process Alex has put together simplifies taking a split image and makes all of the difference in taking a difficult task and making it repeatable, consistent and much more productive.

Since learning these basic principles it has given me a foundation to be able to very quickly take a split level shot when the opportunity arises, and to build on to adding more creative ideas into shooting splits as the basics are correct.

A split level shot taken in the late afternoon at Stingray City, Grand Cayman

Book Review: Treasures, Shipwrecks & the Dawn of Red Sea Diving By Howard Rosenstein

As a youth who spent considerable time in the Red Sea, witnessing firsthand the transformation of Eilat and Sinai, and even earning my Advanced Open Water certification in Taba, I was thrilled to learn that Howard Rosenstein had penned a memoir detailing his pioneering adventures in Red Sea diving. This book, Treasures, Shipwrecks & the Dawn of Red Sea Diving, is a compelling must-read chronicle of the birth of Red Sea scuba diving and the incredible journey of a diving legend.

Eager to get my hands on a signed copy, I reached out to Howard before a trip to Israel. To my delight, he invited me to his home, where we chatted about diving in the Red Sea, and he graciously signed my copy of the book. His living room, brimming with artifacts salvaged during those early days, provided a tangible connection to the stories within his memoir.

Howard with the telegraph from Jolanda. He was the first to dive the wreck after it hit the reef.

The book unfolds chronologically, starting in the late 1960s when Howard, originally from the USA, was in Israel for a one-year university program. During his free time, he snorkeled in the Mediterranean Sea and stumbled upon Roman gold coins. These discoveries helped fuel his passion for diving and the rich cultural heritage of Israel and eventually led him to emigrate to the country, where in 1970 he opened a scuba diving school and club in Herzliya, a small beach town just north of Tel Aviv. Here, he honed his skills as a diving instructor and laid the foundation for his future endeavors.

In the early 1970s, Israel offered incentives for Israelis to move to the Sinai Peninsula, newly annexed after the Six-Day War in 1967. Seizing the opportunity, Howard opened a branch of his diving center in the oasis of Neweiba, one hours drive south of Eilat along the Sinai Red Sea shoreline. After a year of operation there he moved to the southern Sinai where the diving was better and Israel was starting the small settlement of Ofira. It was a very isolated and barren area topside but with some of the greatest coral reef diving in the world. His diving center was a WW1 vintage wooden railroad car sitting on the water’s edge with beach sand as a floor. It was from here he operated until the 1982 Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt.

Howard heading out for a dive in front of his boxcar diving center. Photo courtesy of Howard Rosenstein

In Howard Rosenstein’s book, he describes the discovery of the Dunraven, a now well known wreck and dive site in the Red Sea. The BBC produced the documentary Discovery of the Dunraven Shipwreck for a series called “The World About Us.” This is the documentary. Sit back and enjoy it!

Summary

As we wrap up Issue #14 of Inside Scuba, we hope the stories, tips, and reviews have deepened your appreciation for the diverse and ever-evolving world of scuba diving. Whether you dive with a buddy or venture solo, the underwater world offers endless opportunities for exploration and growth. Thank you for joining us on this journey—until next time, stay curious, stay safe, and keep diving!

Andy & Byron

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