A recurring question within deep-sea science and conservation is why don't people care about the deep sea? How does the deep-sea science community convince non-scientific audiences to support, engage, and care more for the largest habitat on Earth? Here, we examine various aspects of an apparent dichotomy of perspectives between the scientific and non-scientific communities by discussing the problematic roots from within human neuropsychology, and how knowledge of the deep sea is delivered to, perceived by, and ultimately valued by non-scientific audiences. The answers are complex, covering issues such as conscious and subconscious thalassophobia, perspectivism, aesthetics, phenomenology, abstract interpretation, epistemology and media-driven enigmatization, self-deprecation by the science community, and perceived value-driven ethics. This discussion focusses on the nexus of scientific and non-scientific perceptions to catalyze meaningful societal engagement with the deep sea and to try and understand “Why don't people care about the deep sea?”

A growing number of adventurous athletes are seeking new challenges through endurance events or physical activities held at high altitude (.2500 m). This coincides with a significant increase in the numbers of trekkers who ascend into the world's mountains. Altitude itself influences and complicates the athlete's effective and safe hydration. This article considers the physiology of adaptation to altitude and the effects on hydration at altitude compared with sea level, reviews the "ad libitum versus programmed hydration" controversy in conventional endurance event hydration, examines the evidence for extrapolation of sea level hydration strategies to the high-altitude environment, and synthesizes these disparate factors into a set of practical recommendations for hydration management during high-altitude physical activity. The guidelines will be relevant to participants of physical activity at altitude and health care staff who may care for them in the preparation or performance phases of their adventure.

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“I remember when sex was safe and skydiving was dangerous” read a popular bumper sticker during the HIV crisis. Popular perceptions of extreme sport (ES) often include the descriptor ‘dangerous’. Therefore, why is the popularity of ES increasing exponentially with “dedicated TV channels, internet sites, high-rating competitions, and high-profile sponsors drawing more participants”? More importantly, how should health practitioners respond to the influx of ES athletes with novel injuries, enquiries and attitudes. This paper describes the results of a collaborative auto-ethnographic approach to answering “what is an extreme sports medicine health care provider and what are the components of an effective Extreme Sports Medicine (ESM) training program?” The study was conducted following the first ESM university course offered in Australia with the intention of assessing the learning design and reflecting on the development and practice of ES health practitioners. We explicated three overarching themes common to both the ES health practitioner and for the effective training of healthcare providers in the support of ES endeavors and athletes. These themes were individual, task and environmental factors. The impacts of these findings confirm that ESM courses are vital and should be designed specifically to ensure that practitioners are effectively supported to develop the unique skills necessary for practice in real world extreme sports events.