Every time I look up into the starry night sky, I cannot help but wonder what other worlds are out there and whether there is life among all those twinkling stars. Are we alone in the universe?
I guess I am just like most people—haven't we all reflected on this most fundamental existential question at some point?
We have more than 7,300km (4,536mi) of coastline here in Denmark, so no matter where you are in our country, the sea is not far away.
Once upon a time, when we were drafting and tinkering with the design and editorial profile of this magazine before it was launched, I had already made the observation that American dive magazines focused predominantly on US dive sites, the Caribbean and some Pacific destinations, while European magazines were mainly centred on local dive sites, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, with the occasional mention of the Maldives or Thailand.
Every time I look up into the starry night sky, I cannot help but wonder what other worlds are out there and whether there is life among all those twinkling stars. Are we alone in the universe?
I guess I am just like most people—haven't we all reflected on this most fundamental existential question at some point?
We have more than 7,300km (4,536mi) of coastline here in Denmark, so no matter where you are in our country, the sea is not far away.
I’d like to thank the Academy for having me here tonight. I am truly honored to be here and to receive the NOGI for Education. I am humbled as you add my name to the ranks of those I consider my mentors, role models, and heroes.
I would not be here without the support and help of an army of giants. My early instructors and mentors; John Reseck, Jr., who also presented me with my medal this evening, John Wozny, and the Santa Ana College Dive Club, all of who guided and supported me as I became a dive instructor.
A big thank you to the many who responded positively to my previous editorial about the balance we have to walk to maintain complete editorial independence and integrity while relying on sponsorship and advertising.
To elaborate, sticking to old-school, fact-based, in-depth reporting has been an easy choice. While going against the tide of the media landscape and macro-economic trends presents many challenges, adhering to these virtues provides us with a safe haven, with classic journalistic principles and press ethics providing guidance and a protective framework.
In part one of this series, which appeared in issue #103, I suggested a few commandments to consider in order to ensure, as far as possible, that your technical dives are safe and successful. These were: First commandment: Prepare paperwork; Second commandment: Nominate a supervisor; Third commandment: Deploy safety divers. In this sequel, I deliver a few more tablets of stone.
All through my diving career, I have been aware of the value of training, currency, and constant practice of safety drills. Too often, I have seen experienced divers get into serious difficulty because they failed to manage a minor issue. An issue that their training had equipped them to solve easily. Conversely, I have always had respect for the diver who dedicates his first dive on a liveaboard to a gentle skills practice.
I live very much in the present and appreciate modern technology, gadgets and applications that make my life easier. I do not think of the old days as good, but in some ways, I am quite old-fashioned. I adhere to classic journalism, and I consider it a mission to be an educating communicator. Fluff pieces, short stories without substance and other empty mental calories are just not my thing.
