“You smoked four packs of cigarettes a day?” “Yes.” “Four?” “I said yes.” “Three belts of scotch and fatty shortribs for lunch?” “That’s right.” That was forty years ago. I don’t think I could have entered my ninth decade without having made some major changes. At the time I signed up for a YMCA scuba … Read more
Both of us hit the big 60 a few months back. We didn’t think it mattered much, we felt great and have stayed in shape between dive trips by swimming, hiking, and practicing yoga. Besides, as our friend Brian Skerry so tactfully reminded us, “60 is the new 59.” Encouraging words indeed. But just after … Read more
Steve Gerrard stirred his coffee slowly as a lazy Sunday morning in 1991 began at Spring Systems Dive Center in Luraville, Florida: “cave country” for those in the know. He still had some time to kill before his cave diving class would begin and he turned the pages of the Sunday paper with growing boredom. … Read more
British dry wit Comedian Jimmy Carr claims to have put a classified-ad in a newspaper that read along the lines of, “Good looking, young, millionaire seeks gullible stunner.” We can all be gullible at times, especially when undergoing training with a trusted instructor, but how well can you trust your instructor? I still remember a … Read more
(Q) Hello DocVikingo, I tend to swallow air while diving and get gas with cramping and belching upon ascent. This is very unpleasant. Anything I can do? Thanks. t-d-g. (A) Hi t-d-g, Swallowing air during a dive, called aerophagia, is not uncommon in newer divers. Also, divers who are overweight seem to have an increased … Read more
