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DUST OFF YOUR DRYSUIT
NIGEL EATON, EDITOR
WANT TO MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE START to the UK diving season? In this month's Diver you'll find a wide range of articles designed to help you do just that.
If you haven't managed to get into the water during the winter months, our spring starters will give you some fresh ideas on ways to kick off the new season.
Ranging from sheltered shallow sites with fascinating underwater topography off South Devon and in the Firth of Forth, to a dive with fossils off West Sussex, an underrated inland site, and a Dorset crab haven, they are designed to ease you back in gently.
Turn to John Liddiard's specially extended Wreck Tour of the James Eagan Layne, and you'll get the ultimate insight into Britain's favourite wreck dive. The swim-throughs, the holds, the triple-expansion steam engine and the fascinating items of cargo - it's all covered, with up-to-date information on the condition of the vessel and photographs of key features.
Elsewhere in this issue, the strange lifestyles and peculiar habits of some of the creatures you come across in UK waters are highlighted in Paul Naylor's marine life quiz. And we even have suggestions for making sure you are fit, supple and strong enough for the dives ahead, with some hand-picked yoga exercises courtesy of adventure-diver Jacquie Cozens.
Meanwhile, John Bantin's article on tides and currents offers a timely reminder that diving over the Easter period can involve particularly challenging sea conditions. It's all to do with lunar and solar activity, says John, who offers advice on appropriate precautions, techniques and equipment.
What about general dive safety at this time of year? Firstly, think carefully before using new items of equipment in open water for the first time (and of being out of practice with your existing gear).
Secondly, try to ensure that any start-of-the-season rustiness is not compounded by diving with an unfamiliar buddy, group or charter boat. If you operate you own boat, make sure that it is properly equipped and well maintained.
Thirdly, tides and currents apart, be aware that the weather and general sea conditions will probably be more unpredictable than usual. This, combined with lower air and water temperatures, is likely to compound any other diving problems you may experience.
It is therefore vital that you have the right signalling devices and are competent in their use.
Have fun!
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