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What is a 'Decompression Stop'? |
Jenni Calef and Steven Tucker - Cozumel, Mexico February 2007 |
In Scuba Diving, when breathing compressed air at depth, the diver absorbs much greater than normal amounts of nitrogen. Under normal recreational limits, the diver can always ascend straight to the surface and metabolize this nitrogen normally during a 'surface interval.' But if the diver goes too deep, or stays too long - or both - then it is unsafe to ascend straight to the surface. Doing so would cause the nitrogen to decompress and expand inside the body, and the diver would get decompression sickness, otherwise known as the bends.
In order to avoid getting bent, if the diver exceeds the limits of depth and/or time, he or she must perform a series of stops along the ascent, pausing at certain depths for varying lengths of time. These pauses are called 'decompression stops.'
In everyday language, the term 'decompress' has taken on a metaphorical usage, meaning to relax and unwind, especially after a stressful experience. Because I love to relax and unwind by scuba diving, the term 'decompression stop' has a double meaning for me.
I stopped in Cozumel to go diving one summer after having spent two weeks visiting family in Kansas City. It was on this trip that the name "Decompression Stop Studios" came to mind...
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Steven Tucker is a professional scuba diving instructor, and underwater photography instructor. He learned to dive in 1999 on a small island called Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. Since then, he has logged more than 1000 hours underwater, at locations throughout Thailand and in the western Caribbean.
Steven trained to be a divemaster in 2000, and after working for a short while became an instructor in 2002. He was introduced to digital photography in 2004, and realized that this was a great way to share his tropical reef adventures with landlocked family and friends. A few years later, after a trip to Cozumel, Jenni urged him to put his photos for sale in their jewelry shop - and Decompression Stop Studios was born.
Underwater photography is not an easy task, nor is it simply a matter of acquiring expensive equipment. While photographic knowledge and skill plays a role, underwater photography is mostly about one's skills as a diver, and one's ability to anticipate the behavior of aquatic creatures. Nothing sits still for a photo underwater - not even the water itself is stationary, and neither is the diver! The dive photographer must have the ability to automatically deal with many variables at once - moving water, moving subject, moving self - all in a three-dimensional environment, and still be able to keep the camera steady and press the shutter at just the right moment. And all the while, one must still maintain safety precautions - checking depth and air supply, navigating, remembering how to find the boat...
and, of course, avoiding those pesky decompression stops!!
It is a rare and special blessing to be able to see these amazing reefs and these extraordinary creatures first-hand. We are honored that you have taken the time to look at our photos. Thank you for sharing with us...
Steven and Jenni, Decompression Stop Studios, Eugene, Oregon 541-514-1851
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Purple Sponge and Yellow Fish, Paradise Reef, Cozumel
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