Exploring the remote archipelago – the Galapagos of New Zealand
More than just rotating the valves, but what can you learn from it?
The setup and rationale behind the backplate, harness, and wing
Saving precious cold-water corals in southern Spain
What attracted the pioneers to venture into the unknown?
In his bestselling book Outliers – The Story of Success (2008), the English/Canadian journalist Malcolm Gladwell introduced the ”tenthousand-hour rule”. The idea was based on a paper published in American Scientist, where the authors Herbert Simon and William Chase concluded that 10,000 hours of intense practice and preparation appeared to be the minimum for chess players to reach Grand Master level.
Gladwell took this a step further to include any human endeavor. It takes time to be good at something—at anything. And even the most talented need to practice a lot.
Just to put it into perspective, 10,000 hours is the equivalent of 417 days. Or, if you practice three hours a day, you need 3,333 days or nine years to reach the 10,000 hours.
The 10,000 hours principle is often applied to music or sports, where mastery is achieved by repetition and intense focus.
Spending 10,000 hours underwater is tall order for most divers. But let us say that planning, preparing equipment, taking courses, reading books about diving, participating in briefings and debriefings, attending talks and conferences, editing underwater photos and videos, or even having a post-dive beer with the team also counts. And let´s not get too hung up on the actual number, but just accept that diving is exactly like any other human activity. To get good at it, you must practice. And even if less than 10,000 hours can probably do it, it is crucial to adopt the mindset that you are practicing and improving your skillset every time you are engaged in any diving activity. That means diving often and diving with a purpose.
This mindset is baked into the GUE concept from the beginning. All GUE divers are being held to high standards and demanding benchmarks, that are impossible to meet without practice and focused effort.
The two-part structure of the Fundamentals course is a good example. This allows students
to take the first part and then go and practice until they feel ready for the second part.
The 25 experience dives requirement between courses also stimulates a culture of learning and practice. The demand that instructors must be active and dive on a high level outside their teaching routine also sets a good example.
The commercial certifying agencies have gone in the opposite direction. They are constantly looking for ways to make diving courses faster, more accessible, and less demanding, thus conveying that diving is easy and does not require any effort. That is a failing strategy and many entry level students walks away feeling unsure about their abilities.
Being really good at something is a strong and satisfying sensation, especially if you know that you have worked hard for it. So even if 10,000 hours under water is hard to achieve, strive to dive as much possible. You will get better and have fun while improving your skills.
Dive safe and have fun!
Jesper Kjøller Editor-in-Chief jk@gue.com
Editor-in-chief
// Jesper Kjøller
Editorial panel
// Michael Menduno
Design and layout
// Jesper Kjøller
Copy editing
// Pat Jablonski
// Kady Smith
// Nic Haylett
// Catherine Taber-Olensky
Writers
// Annika Andresen
// Sven Nelles
// Kirill Egorov
// Dan MacKay
// Jesper Kjøller
// Marina Palacios
// Daniel Schelvis
//Jarrod Jablonski
// Daniel Riordan
// Fred Devos
// Todd Kincaid
// Chris le Maillot
Photographers
// Annika Andresen
// Kirill Egorov
// Jesper Kjøller
// Julian Műhlenhaus
// Ortwin Khan
// Andy Wheeler
// Michael Lewington
// Javier Sánchez
// Martin Colognoli
// Mauro Cardarelli
// Guy Bryant
// David Rhea
6 18 28 34 42 50
Exploring The Kermadec Islands—New Zealand’s Galapagos. This tiny outcrop of islands, surrounded by a vast ocean, hosts an internationally significant terrestrial nature preserve—scientifically identified as one of Earth’s most intact marine ecosystems.
Initially, many students mistakenly believe the goal of the valve drill is to perform it fast. When they can reduce the time, they think the skill is mastered. But speed is probably the least important aspect of the drill. GUE Instructor Sven Nelles takes you through the steps of this core skill and explains the importance of having the right priorities.
His aim is always to show the sea life as pristine and undisturbed as possible, but first and foremost, his images tell a story. While the actual photographic situation might be quite different from the story seen by the beholder, he believes that this makes underwater photography so challenging and thrilling.
Unless you learned to dive with GUE from the beginning, you probably began with a jacket-style BCD and later transitioned into the GUE rig. Let’s review the rationale behind the switch to a backplate platform and discuss the proper setup of the system.
While little is known about deep-dwelling cold-water corals, it is fortunate that a dedicated group of Spanish divers is doing groundbreaking work to create awareness and preserve the largely unknown and fragile coral species Dendrophyllia ramea
Cave diving has been an excellent laboratory for developing equipment and procedures for safe exploration of the underground. But how did it start, who were the early pioneers of the sport, and what attracted them to venture into the unknown?
COVER PHOTO ORTWIN KHAN
—Exploring The Kermadec Islands – New Zealand’s
Located halfway between Aotearoa, (New Zealand), and Tonga lies a chain of volcanic islands that formed on the subducting boundary of the Kermadec Trench. This tiny outcrop of islands, surrounded by a vast ocean, hosts an internationally significant terrestrial nature preserve—scientifically identified as one of the most intact marine ecosystems on Earth.
After the long voyage, approaching the remote islands feels like arriving at Jurassic Park.
PHOTO MICHAEL LEWINGTON
Iremember reading New Zealand Dive Magazine as I was growing up. The cover of one issue featured a spotted black grouper as big as the diver, and a four-page spread featured diving in the subtropical waters of Rangitāhua, the Māori name for the Kermadecs. At first, I didn’t believe it was real! Twelve-year-old me couldn’t comprehend a fish larger than a diver, or even diving in such a remote place. But it stuck in my mind that one day, I wanted to see it for myself.
The Kermadec region has never been connected to a larger landmass. In its isolation, it has evolved a unique subtropical and temperate biodiversity, both above and below the waterline. The islands have had marine reserve status since 1990, and they extend 12 nautical miles from land.
In the surrounding reefs, large predatory fishes are abundant—notably, Galapagos sharks, spotted black grouper, and kingfish. Between late August and early November, a significant proportion of the Pacific humpback whale population migrate south through the archipelago and use the main island, Raoul Island, as a pit stop on their way to feed in Antarctica.
The area has evolved a unique subtropical and temperate biodiversity in its isolation, both above and below the waterline.
Due to its remoteness, Rangitāhua is a notoriously difficult place to visit. Out of the way of international shipping channels, only the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and scientific research vessels regularly venture to these islands. And when I say regular, I mean only a couple of times a year at best—more people have summited Mount Everest than have set foot on Raoul Island!
For Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, these islands are a relevant and powerful part of their history as a migrating stepping stone from the Pacific Islands.
For divers, the Kermadec Islands are a dream diving location. However, outside of New Zealand, they are almost unheard of. Their location serves as both a hindrance and a saving grace because they are too remote to experience large-scale effects of human impact, but they are also very difficult to access. There are no permanent residents in the area, and very few helicopters can travel this far. This means that if a medevac is required, the aircraft would have to stop for fuel dumps on isolated rocks along the way. This is serious expedition territory!
“
This means that if a medevac is required, the aircraft would have to stop for fuel dumps on isolated rocks along the way. This is serious expedition territory!
With its helipad and decompression chamber, The Dapple is the perfect expedition vessel for the exploration of remote areas.
A school of blue knifefish (Labracoglossa nitida). This is a native spieces in theese waters.
I first attempted to voyage to these islands early in 2021 with a group of students and teachers along with the RNZN as part of BLAKE Expeditions. Our trip was cancelled at 9 pm the night before we were to leave due to a sudden lockdown in Auckland. Later that year, I was offered an opportunity to work for Inkfish, a newly established organization that works across a fleet of vessels, utilizing their resources to support marine projects around the world.
While Inkfish’s vessels were situated in New Zealand, we reached out for critical research projects we could support. We were introduced to Te Mana o Rangitāhua, a joint research program led by Ngāti Kuri, the Māori iwi (indigenous tribe) in the northernmost peninsula of Aotearoa, and Auckland Museum, which is focused on Rangitāhua (the Kermadec Islands).
This research program aims to transform environmental well-being practices for Aotearoa through indigenous practices of reconnecting, reidentifying, and restorying within a subtropical island ecosystem that is an indicator for
climate change. This program reflects both the cultural and scientific strengths of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
On December 14, 2021, two vessels, Dapple and The Beast, departed for Rangitāhua as Inkfish’s first expedition. Ngāti Kuri and the scientific team were on board The Beast, and Dapple provided a unique platform for scientific research, diving remotely, and exploration. Inkfish is working in partnership with Ngāti Kuri, Auckland Museum, the University of Auckland, Massey University, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), and the University of Waikato to identify signs of ecosystem change and to develop methods of ensuring the long-term well-being of Rangitāhua’s ecosystems.
Thirty-six hours later, we arrived at the first set of islands in the Kermadec chain—Curtis and Cheeseman Islands. Appearing from the morning mist stood two imposing volcanic islands with thousands of sea birds circling above and low clouds lifting slowly. It is a scene to be imagined
in a Jurassic Park movie. As we ventured closer, the islands started to reveal the details of their sulphur-stained rocks.
Arriving before The Beast, Dapple anchored in Stella Passage between Curtis Island and Cheeseman Island while the scientific dive team deployed data loggers at L’Esperance Rock, south of Curtis Island. During this time, we had an opportunity to get our first glimpse of what it was like beneath the surface.
I joined submersible pilots Marc and Matt and videographer Lewy to scope out a snorkeling site for the crew. The water shone bright blue as we edged closer to the cliff face. Tucking in out of the swell, we were dropped over a boulder outcrop that was visible from the surface. With a rush of adrenaline, I opened my eyes to the clearest water I have ever seen. A couple of Galapagos sharks, also surprised by our visit, darted off into the blue.
Looking closer at the fish occupying the reef, there was a strange mix of species—some
I was very familiar with from New Zealand as well as new, brightly colored tropical fish. It was like swimming in an aquarium. I was smiling so much that water kept seeping into my mask. A pod of huge oceanic bottlenose dolphins local to the region eagerly joined us, riding the bow back to Dapple after we had finished our snorkel.
Back on board Dapple, the crew pointed out a hammerhead shark that had been cruising at the stern and several bait balls bubbling at the surface in the distance. Everywhere you looked, it was full of life! Our first taste of what the next two weeks would be like.
As we continued to travel up the island chain, we encountered Macauley Island. It is the second-largest island, and what is visible above the water is only the top five percent of an enormous submerged volcano with a 10 km/6 mi long caldera.
After sailing for almost two days, we finally made it to our destination: Raoul Island, the larg-
Annika snorkeling in the clear water with two other expedition members, submersible pilots Marc and Matt.
“Rolling backwards off the tender, a whole new world revealed itself. The gin-clear visibility extended beyond the reef 40 m/130 ft below as we descended down the wall.
est island in the chain. It is the uplifted portion of two giant caldera volcanoes and is still an active volcano today.
After anchoring in the clear waters of Boat Cove (southwestern bay at Raoul), more than thirty Galapagos sharks immediately began curiously swimming beside the vessel. With much anticipation, we got ready for our first dive.
Rolling backwards off the tender, a whole new world revealed itself. The gin-clear visibility extended beyond the reef 40 m/130 ft below as we descended down the wall.
The average water temperature is between 17°C/62°F and 23°C/73°F, which allows small colonies of coral with turfing algae on the same reefs. Gold-ribbon grouper, rarely seen in New Zealand, were abundant and often shared a crack with toadstool grouper or yellow-banded perch. The distinctive maroon and white stripes of a lionfish would appear under the ledges. Schools of blue maomao and demoiselles buffered the reef as kingfish and northern kahawai patrolled the perimeter. The only thing that didn’t fit a typical New Zealand underwater scene was the Galapagos sharks constantly present in numbers seen nowhere else. A couple of these sharks came in to inspect us more closely and must have been a little confused by the strange intruders in their domain.
The more I observed this ecosystem, the clearer the hierarchy of the reef became. The spotted black grouper was the most dominant species, each claiming its own distinct territory. Second in line was the yellow-tail kingfish, reaching up to 1.7 m/5.5 ft in length. Small schools of fish parted ways as the kingfish cruised through the reefs. And last was the Galapagos sharks, which could be described as the puppy dogs of the reef. As highly curious top apex predators, they reflect a thriving, healthy ecosystem. This represented what all our oceans used to look like.
Among the most famous inhabitants of the Kermadecs are the giant limpets, which live in the shallow intertidal and subtidal areas. They are among the largest of their kind in the world, reaching lengths up to 12 cm/4.7 in. We conducted drone photogrammetry on the intertidal
zone to estimate population numbers, and I was surprised by how easily we could spot them from the aerial photos.
Over the two weeks, we completed 102 individual scuba dives, six submersible dives, and spent over 29 hours underwater. The scientific work included plankton tows, night lighting to collect larval fish, photogrammetry of reef structure, seaweed, and kina collections to identify key indicator species, CTD drops (measuring conductivity, temperature, depths, sunlight, turbidity, and salinity of the ocean), eDNA sampling (collecting environmental DNA so scientists can see all the species present from that area), glider deployment to measure oceanographic properties, and SMURF (standard monitoring unit for the recruitment of reef fishes) deployment to see what larval fish were settling on the reef.
Most of our diving at Raoul Island was split between three locations: Boat Cove, Denham Bay, and the Meyer Islands.
From 3 m/10 ft, sloping down to over 20 m/65 ft of sandy bottom, Boat Cove was dotted with small rocks and boulders. Along the eastern edge develops a wall which descends out to a point. The surrounding cliffs offer partial protection to vessels on an otherwise exposed rocky coastline. The calmer conditions allowed all the smaller fish, such as the bright yellow and blue Kermadec demoiselle and the New Zealand two-spot demoiselle, to happily dance above the reef. The perfect dive location for all abilities.
Denham Bay stretches along the entire west coast of Raoul Island and is the edge of a giant submerged caldera. In the bay, the water is often discolored, and visibility drops to 10 m/33 ft due to volcanic activity towards the center of the bay. Along the cliff edge is a shallow reef of large boulders where the scientific divers deployed loggers.
Toward the end of our first dive, I observed some unusual behavior: a couple of Galapagos sharks were swimming mid-water and immediately shot down to the reef, close to the bottom. At the same time, three kingfish came out of nowhere and swam close to our group of four.
The hammerhead cruising at the stern of the boat gave the first taste of what the next two weeks would be like.
We were in 10 m/33 ft of water. On my periphery, I noticed a large, dark shape swimming beside us. It circled 90 degrees before turning straight toward our group! I signaled to the group to come down onto the sand and tuck in behind some (relatively small) rocks. The girth of this shark was massive! I have previously dived with great white sharks in South Australia and originally identified this shape as a curious white. Satellite tags have revealed that great white sharks pass along the volcanic chain on what seems to be an annual migration between the cool southern waters of New Zealand and a variety of tropical destinations.
As the shark came closer, she turned to expose her beautiful stripes, revealing her identity. She checked us out a couple of times before disappearing again into the gloom. Analyzing the GoPro footage afterwards, we could estimate she was a 3 m/10 ft tiger shark. The unexpected encounter was a true highlight of the expedition for me.
The Meyer Islands are off the northeast corner of Raoul and are the most northern islands in New Zealand waters. They have remained free of introduced mammals and act as sanctuaries for the abundant birdlife. The sound resonating from the islands was incredible. Three frigate birds (or, as I like to call them, aerial pirates) roamed high, waiting for the perfect opportunity to divebomb other seabirds, robbing them of their food. It was fascinating to watch their spectacular maneuvers to get other seabirds to drop or regurgitate their food.
PHOTO ANDY WHEELER
“As the shark came closer, she turned to expose her beautiful stripes, revealing her identity. She checked us out a couple of times before disappearing again into the gloom.
Below the surface, these islands turned into long finger reefs, creating gullies with distinct cracks, crevices, and caves constantly being sculpted in the exposed location. These inlets in the rocks provide areas of shelter and beautiful soft coral gardens. With 100 m/328 ft dropoffs, we launched Dapple’s Triton 3300/3 MKI submersible to descend on the edge of the reef. Within seconds, more than sixty Galapagos sharks were swimming around the complete 360-degree glass sphere! It was described as “unbelievable!”, by submersible pilot Matt, who nicknamed the Kermadec Islands “New Zealand’s Galapagos.” Before heading north, the crew had been researching the Kermadec Islands and had heard of a surf break that not many people get to surf. In the last
few days of the expedition, the swell was just right, and the crew had a plan. A tender loaded up with surfboards headed around the island to surf the extremely rare, unsurfed waves of Raoul. Their zinc-painted faces came back beaming after being able to do something they never imagined was possible—the same feeling I had each time I completed a dive.
The striped boarfish (Evistias acutirostris) are frequently encountered in pairs.
Expedition divers collect eDNA samples so the scientists can see all the species present from that area.
PHOTO ANNIKA ANDRESEN
“
It is our hope that this expedition is the first of many voyages to the Kermadec Islands as part of the Te Mana o Rangitāhua five-year program.
Among the toys on board the Dapple is a Triton 3300/3 MKI submersible with space for a pilot and two passengers.
As we drew near the end of the expedition, there was a great sense of achievement. We had completed all our objectives, deployed all the data loggers, successfully retrieved the ocean glider, and recorded new species. The trip concluded with a victorious last evening spent together on The Beast and Ngāti Kuri kindly gifting Inkfish a beautiful carved kauri (natural hardwood in NZ) whale tail to express their gratitude for making this expedition possible.
It is our hope that this expedition is the first of many voyages to the Kermadec Islands as part of the Te Mana o Rangitāhua five-year program. The main purpose was for Ngāti Kuri to reconnect to the Kermadecs and start a baseline survey upon which the scientists can build over the next five years.
This was also the first project undertaken by Inkfish.
Annika
Using this expedition, we wanted to test the concept of using vessels in the fleet to act as a platform to conduct projects around the world. In building this relationship with Ngāti Kuri and the Auckland Museum, we are aiming to return within the five years to continue to support this program and grow together in this space.
Before I knew it, we were returning back to the port in Auckland after two weeks away. The Kermadec Islands are little volcanic outposts in the middle of a huge ocean, an important waypoint for ocean travelers, a rare speck of land for seabirds, and a meeting place between currents—together creating unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems. It was a privilege to experience these islands, a reference library for the near-magical symbiosis of an ecosystem in balance and a precedent of what Inkfish wants to support and protect in future projects worldwide.
Annika Andresen is the inaugural GUE NextGen Scholar and based in New Zealand. Annika has been diving since she was as tall as a diving cylinder and has just completed GUE Technical Diver 1. She has worked as a dive instructor for Dive Tutukaka, leading hundreds of dives around the Poor Knights Islands. In 2019, Annika was recognized by the New Zealand Women
of Influence awards, winning the Youth category for her work around the marine environment. Her passion is the ocean and sharing this with as many people as possible.
www.annikaandresen.com
Initially, many students mistakenly believe the goal of the valve drill is to perform it as fast as possible. After a little practice, they are able to reduce the time it takes to go through the sequence, and they believe the skill is mastered. After all, they quickly rotated all the valves in the correct order. Job done, right? But speed is probably the least important aspect of the drill. GUE Instructor Sven Nelles takes you through the steps of this core skill and explains the importance of having the right priorities.
When performing a valve drill, it can be broken into three steps. The third step is rotating the left-post valve with the light in a temporary hold.
“The team should remain stationary to give the active diver a solid reference and let them know if they are out of position.
Why does GUE emphasize the valve drill on almost all courses? If you are a recreational diver and not interested in diving into a cave or exploring a deeper wreck, or if you are using only a single tank, you might think that the drill is unnecessary. So, what’s the point of all this valve drilling?
First and foremost, the valve drill is included in GUE courses to help you learn about and understand the function and operation of the valves. In particular, it is intended to teach you that diving with double tanks is not necessarily safer than diving with a single tank, because, apart from the larger gas supply, doubles offer no further safety unless you are able to operate the valves.
Secondarily—and probably more importantly—the valve drill forces the student to be aware of a long list of important factors, such as the fit of the equipment, the position of the body, and the management of gas in their drysuit. It also causes task-loading for the diver, a distraction if you will. This increase in task-loading challenges the diver performing the skill to be cognizant of stability, trim, buoyancy, position, team, and environment. The diver must be able to prioritize the importance of these factors, and it becomes very apparent if the diver runs out of capacity to manage these aspects during the drill.
Divers should be able to operate the valves slowly and in a controlled manner while main-
taining awareness of their position in relation to the team and the surroundings. This awareness is made easier if the entire team adopts the mindset that the valve drill is a team skill, not an individual skill. The diver performing the skill needs support from the team; the team supports the active diver by providing feedback, positional reference, and encouragement. During this time, the team is also practicing important skills; if they are not dialed-in with their positioning techniques, trim, stability, and communication skills, they will struggle to support the active diver.
Often, out of courtesy, the team provides more space to the active diver by moving away from the start position because the active diver is not stable and tends to move during the performance of the skill. However, the best support in this case is the exact opposite behavior. The team should remain stationary to give the active diver a solid reference and let them know if they are out of position.
If you ever, in a real-life situation, lose an ascent line or a cave line because you are not stable and you are unaware of your surroundings, you will be quickly and brutally reminded why it is crucial to remain stationary and to keep an eye on your reference and the team.
The valve drill is introduced in the Recreational Diver 1 and GUE Fundamentals courses and is also practiced during GUE cave and tech courses. In a recreational setting, where a direct ascent to the surface in case of an emergency is possible, the valve drill prepares the diver to
Valve drills practiced during the Fundamentals course prepare the diver for more realistic problem solving in tech and cave courses.
complete a shutdown and end the dive in the case of a leaking system. They will develop the muscle memory and awareness to deal with the failure, and they will dive with the confidence of knowing that they can manage a bubbling or leaking system.
During cave and tech courses, where a direct ascent is often not an option, the capacity developed during initial training will help the student deal with scenarios where the instructor simulates real-life failures. The focus here is still on the team, communication, awareness, and stability—not speed.
It is not possible to perform a full valve drill when diving a single tank. This is because a diver with a single tank often only has one valve outlet (unless using a Y- or H-valve), and they will be out of gas if the only valve outlet is closed. Even if the diver has an independent second outlet on the tank, it is not possible to do a full valve drill; first, because there is no isolator, and second, because it is not meaningful to practice a procedure that cannot be standardized. For this reason, the single-tank valve drill is limited to a flow check. The flow check is a check of the correct valve position. This check is also performed in a horizontal position with the same communication as the valve drill. In principle, the procedure is similar to the flow check performed during the GUE EDGE pre-dive sequence. But why do valve drills with single tanks at all? After all, in the case of an equipment failure depleting the gas supply, the diver can simply ascend to the surface as there will usually not be any significant decompression obligation. Maybe it would be better to initiate gas sharing (S-drill) and conduct a controlled ascent while sharing gas.
Nevertheless, it is helpful to have dealt with the valve operation and to make sure that the diver can access the valves. There are many examples of divers jumping into the water with valves closed. If the diver is not able to reach the valves and a dive buddy is not around who quickly grasps the situation and provides assistance, we can all imagine how ugly such a situation could turn out.
Another case would be a regulator free-flow. After getting a regulator from a teammate, the diver can close their own valve and defuse the situation by shutting down.
Divers with double tanks can and should perform the full valve drill, and the drill is the same for GUE Fundamentals-Rec and Tech passes. Again, it could be argued that if a diver is within recreational limits, it is not necessary to be proficient in a full valve drill. After all, it is possible to initiate gas sharing and perform a controlled ascent when in doubt. However, the goal of GUE training is to give the student the best training possible, and since Rec passes can be upgraded to Tech passes, it makes sense to introduce the full procedure to all double-tank divers. All divers in doubles should be able to control, understand, and operate their equipment no matter the certification level.
The distinction between a Rec and Tech pass-level valve drill lies in the efficiency and the fluidity of the performance. You can obtain a Rec pass even if you are struggling a little and the performance is not as smooth as it could be. Maybe the diver needs to interrupt the drill to reposition or to shake the tension out of their arm, or their variance in buoyancy is not within the Tech pass limit but is acceptable for a Rec pass.
For a Tech pass, the execution must be relaxed and comfortable. The performance should exhibit all the important characteristics of a fluent valve drill: correct sequence, stability, positioning, drysuit management, trim, buoyancy, and line and team awareness.
The valve drill itself can be subdivided into smaller parts to make it easier to perform while still maintaining focus on all the other aspects previously mentioned, and it will help to gain muscle memory through repetitive training. The sequence can be divided into three parts:
1. Right post – primary regulator
2. Center post – isolation valve
3. Left post – backup regulator
Purging the backup regulator before the drill is important to ensure functionality when shutting down the primary.
Looking up will accomplish two things: eye contact with the team and bigger range of motion in the shoulder.
The primary regulator on the long hose is attached to the right post, and the backup regulator is attached to the left post. When only the right valve is closed, all the gas in both tanks is still available to the diver; only the primary regulator and anything else connected to the first stage is offline. The left side behaves identically. When only this valve is closed, the entire gas volume is also available, and again, only items connected to this first stage would no longer function.
If you close the isolator, the total amount of gas is divided between the two tanks. If the outer valves are open, everything connected to them will still work, but each cylinder will have a different pressure because there is no longer an open isolator allowing balance between the two cylinders.
1. Bring the material of the undergarment into the upper body area to increase mobility.
2. Stretch immediately after descending or before entering the water to allow the layers of the undergarment to move freely.
3. Memorize and visualize the correct sequence.
4. Divide the drill into four distinct phases. Think: Right, stop. Center, stop. Left, stop. Flow check.
5. Take your time to find balance, trim, and stability.
6. Remain stationary and keep an eye on the line and team.
7. Lean slightly forward to make gravity push your tanks closer to your head.
8. Make sure your harness is correctly configured.
9. Use the back of your head to push your hand closer to the isolator valve.
10. Maintain trim and body tension.
11. Keep your head up—you will have bigger range of motion in the shoulders.
12. Maintain eye contact with the team for feedback.
13. Perform the skill slowly.
14. When reaching back with one arm, stretch the opposite arm forward to maintain balance.
15. Communicate clearly.
16. Stop and reposition if you lose your place.
17. Keep your fins horizontal for better stability.
18. Make your body long—avoid crouching into a ball.
19. Avoid too much or too little gas in your drysuit.
20. If you have poor mobility in your upper body, practicing yoga or performing stretching exercises does wonders.
The exact procedure for performing a valve drill is specified in the GUE SOP. With double tanks, the procedure always begins with the left hand purging the backup regulator to ensure function. Then the diver begins on the primary side—the right post. Why the right and not the left? Well, they will often switch from their long hose (primary) to their backup, but almost never switch from the backup to the primary. Either their own long hose does not work and is therefore clipped away, or it is being donated to a teammate.
There is no disagreement that an isolator malfunction could result in a loss of gas and is therefore more serious than a valve failure. So why begin with the right post and not the isolator?
students for more realistic failure scenarios created by the instructor during tech and cave courses.
“The team members not performing the skill should follow the performing diver’s every step and provide instant feedback if they see any mistakes.
When assessing a gas loss situation, if the right post is closed and the bubbles stop, it means the correct valve has been chosen. That is important to know. But, if the isolator is closed first, no further information can be attained, and another valve needs to be closed in order to learn anything.
Therefore, to find out whether it is necessary to close the isolator or not, logical narrowing is necessary. If the bubbles continue, the second step is always to close the isolator.
Another argument for going for the right post first is that the right regulator is the most likely to fail. It is in use, but the left is idle.
Even if there is a logic behind the sequence, the purpose of the drill is also to prepare the
As mentioned earlier, a valve drill is about much more than just closing and reopening valves and occasionally purging regulators. What is often forgotten is that the team plays an important role. The team must ensure that the diver performing the valve drill does not make mistakes that could end in an out-ofgas situation. The team should be prepared to donate gas if necessary and provide reference and feedback; they have a significant impact on the success of the valve drill and should never just be waiting until it is their turn. If the active diver gets away with mistakes such as forgetting to purge the backup regulator before the drill or neglecting to end the procedure with a flow check, the entire team has failed, not just the active diver. The team members not performing the skill should follow the performing diver’s every step closely and provide instant feedback if they see any mistakes.
The valve drill is a much more complex skill than one might think at first glance. It combines many important diving skills into one process and it prepares the diver for more advanced training. You could even argue that the rotation of the valves is the least important part of the valve drill.
Sven Nelles is an avid cave and wreck diver based in Cologne, Germany. He is a full-time GUE instructor teaching the Recreational, Foundational, Cave, and Technical curricula. Besides traveling the world to dive, teach, and participate in GUE projects, Sven actively supports
the GUE community in Germany. He organizes events regularly in which he shares his knowledge, experience, and passion for diving.
An entry-level dive course during a vacation in Mauritius was the unsuspecting catalyst to uncover the hidden artist in Dr. Ortwin Khan. In 1998, the German cardiologist began a life-changing journey into the colorful beauty of the elegant underwater realm that had captured his imagination. This fascination led him to want more time in this incredible environment. Class after class, his diving skills improved, and with each step, his camera equipment also grew more extensive and more sophisticated.
When Dr. Khan began his dive photography adventure, he took pictures only in open water, but following a few cavern dives in southern France and Mexico, he then participated in several cave courses, which led to trimix diving, opening new possibilities of exciting motifs.
Ortwin’s primary interest is always to present his subjects in the right light. Using multiple flashes and video lights is one method of showing the beauty of caves and wrecks. On the other hand, he also sometimes reduces the lights to an absolute minimum or uses available light combined with different light sources. Light techniques refined during his cave photography soon found their way into his wildlife photography in open water.
Dr. Ortwin Khan’s aim is always to show environments and sea life as pristine and undisturbed as possible, but first and foremost, his images tell a story. While the actual photographic situation might be quite different from the story as seen by the beholder, he believes that this is what makes underwater photography so challenging and thrilling. To Dr. Khan, every photo should spark new ideas and expose new views of the world.
www.youpic.com
TITLE The Mask
LOCATION Truk Lagoon
CAMERA Nikon D850
LENS Nikonos 13 RS f2.8
EXPOSURE 1/50, f27, ISO 800
FLASH 2 x Seacam Seaflash 150D COMMENTS Japanese gas mask at the Kiyosumi Maru
TITLE Night Hunt
LOCATION Gangga Island, Indonesia
CAMERA Nikon D850
LENS Nikkor 105, f2.8
EXPOSURE 1/250, f19, ISO 800
FLASH 2 x SeaCam Seaflash 160 COMMENTS Hunter and prey during a night dive
TITLE School of Barracuda
LOCATION Malpelo Island, Colombia
CAMERA Nikon D850
LENS Nikonos 13 RS f2.8
EXPOSURE1 /90, f11, ISO 400
FLASH 2 x SeaCam Seaflash 150D
COMMENTS School of barracuda
TITLE Way In LOCATION Cenote Eden, Mexico
CAMERA Nikon D850
LENS Nikonos 13 RS f2.8
EXPOSURE 1/125, f4,8, ISO 3200
FLASH 2 x SeaCam Seaflash 150D
COMMENTS Sidemount diver beginning a cave dive
TITLE Skeleton
LOCATION Bangka Island, Indonesia
CAMERA Nikon D850
LENS Nikkor 105, f2.8
EXPOSURE 1/180, f16, ISO 800
FLASH 2 x SeaCam Seaflash 160
COMMENTS Juvenile unicornfish during a blackwater dive
TITLE Light Curtain
LOCATION Cenote Eden, Mexico
CAMERA Nikon D850
LENS Nikonos 13 RS f2.8
EXPOSURE 1/90, f5,6, ISO 1600
FLASH 2 x SeaCam Seaflash 150D
COMMENTS Daylight zone of the cave
TITLE Push-up
LOCATION Tiger Beach, Bahamas
CAMERA Nikon D800E
LENS Nikonos 13 RS, f2.8
EXPOSURE 1/90, f16, ISO 200
FLASH 2 x SeaCam Seaflash 150D COMMENTS Tiger shark and diver
TITLE Out of the Light LOCATION Wreck of a Do 25 in Norway
CAMERA Nikon D850
LENS Nikonos 13 RS f2.8
EXPOSURE 1/90, f 11, ISO 800 FLASH 2 x SeaCam Seaflash 150D COMMENTS Diver and wreck of a German Do 24
TITLE The Machine Telegraph
LOCATION Fujikawa Maru, Truk Lagoon
CAMERA Nikon D850
LENS Nikonos 13 RS f2.8
EXPOSURE 1/90, f8,0, ISO 800
FLASH 2 x SeaCam Seaflash 150D
COMMENTS Night dive at the wreck
THIS ARTICLE SERIES IS BASED ON THE GUE PUBLICATION DRESS FOR SUCCESS BY DAN MACKAY
ADDITIONAL TEXT BY JESPER KJØLLER // PHOTOS JESPER KJØLLER & JULIAN MÜHLENHAUS
More than any other equipment category, a diver’s chosen buoyancy system tends to separate traditional recreational divers from GUE divers. Unless you learned to dive with GUE from the beginning, you probably began with a jacket-style BCD and later transitioned into the GUE rig. Let’s review the rationale behind the switch to a backplate platform.
The backplate-based system grows with the diver. The same backplate and harness can be used for any type of diving— drysuit or wetsuit, single cylinder, twinsets with or without single or multiple stages, CCR, or sidemount. The only thing that needs to change is the style, size, and lift capacity of the wing.
After maybe 100 or 200 dives, the webbing is worn out and needs to be replaced, but the backplate is virtually indestructible and can last an entire dive career.
The backplate serves as a base on which to attach the equipment. Traditionally, the backplate was made from steel or aluminum, but there are now composite options available as
well. Backplates have a pair of holes set with a vertical separation of 28 cm/11 in., as this matches the generally accepted standard used with mounting bolts on twin tanks. A single tank adapter (STA) usually follows this same standard so that divers can use the same backplate and easily switch from single to double tanks. Most backplates are similar in size, which works for most individuals, but smaller-sized backplates (still with the same hole spacing) can be helpful for smaller divers.
Backplates are fitted to the diver with a continuous webbing harness and a crotch strap fixed to the bottom of the plate. The harness section fits across the shoulders and tightens at the waist band. There are no buckles on the harness or quick releases on the shoulder straps. Quick releases of any form should not be
The backplate, harness, and wing can support every imaginable type of backmount diving, from entry-level to the most advanced.
incorporated into the harness, as they constitute an unnecessary failure point. It is believed by some that it is easier to doff the system with quick releases. This is not the case, as a few minutes of practice using the correct technique easily solves this problem. Remember that an old DIR adage says that we should never compensate for poor skills with equipment.
The truth is that buckles break, and they will invariably fail at the least convenient time, often when standing up just prior to getting in the water or, worse yet, at depth.
The stiffness and frictional resistance of the webbing is important. If the webbing is too flexible, it is hard to get in and out of the harness; if it is too stiff, it will become uncomfortable over an extended period in the water. Similarly, if the webbing has a low-friction surface, the D-rings and attachments are more likely to slide.
A common mistake that some divers make
easier for divers to accomplish if someone assists them. Additionally, in order to ensure the proper fit, divers should be wearing the exposure suit that they will be using with the plate, including all undergarments. Switching suits, for example from wet to dry, may require adjusting the harness.
Time spent by divers with a GUE instructor going through the fitting and sizing process is time well spent, as it will facilitate efficiency and capability in a number of necessary endeavors. Correctly sizing the webbing is vital to divers’ ability to maintain trim and body position, as well as to reach and manipulate their cylinder valve(s), for example.
There are five D-rings on the webbing, held in place with triglides—one D-ring set at each shoulder, one D-ring set on the left hip, and two D-rings on the crotch strap. When setting the position of the shoulder D-rings, divers should be able to clip onto these rings without bending the wrist or needing to search up and down the shoulder straps. Often divers set the position too low, which results in difficulty clipping and could also cause environmental damage due to low hanging equipment.
The left hip D-ring should be placed approximately on the centerline of the body (drawn from armpit to ankle bone) on the waist strap.
The waist is then fastened with a buckle (as found on most weight belts). This buckle is fitted to the left side of the harness but positioned to be just to the right of center.
The crotch strap D-rings should be placed with the front D-ring making a reasonably-sized loop at the front of the strap through which to pass the harness buckle, and the rear D-ring about a hand’s width below the bottom of the backplate.
On the left-hand side of the waistband is a short, blunt-ended knife in a webbing sheath. This should be easily accessible with either hand.
Aluminum backplates are great for traveling. The rubber bands under the shoulder D-rings are for retaining backup lights.
A
diver that switches between single and doubletank diving needs two different sized wings.
tor (BC) has several issues. One of the main problems relates to wrap-around buoyancy, which often provides lift in the wrong place, pushing divers’ legs down and making it difficult to maintain a horizontal posture. These traditional style BCs were originally designed to float divers’ faces up on the surface; however, this is not the position that divers should adopt while underwater. To remedy this, cave divers have long used a “wing” style BC. This is a buoyancy cell that is mounted between the backplate and the cylinder(s).
“Time spent with a GUE instructor going through the fitting and sizing process is time well spent, as it will facilitate efficiency and capability in a number of necessary endeavors.
There are several wings available in the marketplace today. One of the common questions that new divers ask regarding the purchase of a wing is “Can I buy a wing that will suffice for both single tank and double tank use?” This is a reasonable question, as the economically minded diver is merely attempting to purchase a multi-function device that will work for different applications and save some money. Sadly, the answer is no. The wing needs to be matched in size and shape to the cylinders that are being used. Because it is a removable and replaceable part, it is easy to swap between different cylinder configurations with minimal changes to divers’ procedures.
The weight of gas contained in a single cylinder is around 3 kg/6 lb, so from the start of the dive to the end of the dive, the diver will become 3 kg/6 lb lighter. This means that at the start of the dive, the wing will need to contain 3 liters/0.1 ft3 of gas to offset the gas lost through breathing. Additionally, the wing needs to offset any compression of an exposure suit at depth. While fully submerged, this is all the gas that is needed in the wing; however, to allow divers to be comfortably buoyant on the surface with their heads out of the water, there needs to be approximately 15 to 20 kg/35 to 45 lb of lift. For double tanks, a wing with 20 to 30 kg/45 to 65 lb of lift is considered optimum. The wing should be able to float the entire scuba set if it is taken off at the surface.
Shape, as well as lift capacity, must be considered. The difficulty is that, compared to a set of doubles, a single tank has a very narrow profile and is configured to sit centered squarely on the back. A wing that is designed to properly support a single tank is intrinsically narrow due to the shape of the tank it is designed to support. Attempting to use this wing with a set of doubles will cause a very dangerous situation in which the wing is not able to inflate properly. Conversely, a wing that is designed to support doubles is far too wide for a single and will wrap around the tank, causing an equally dangerous situation of loss of buoyancy as well as trapped air.
Some divers think that having a larger wing can only be a good thing, but this notion is wrong and could be dangerous. There are many reasons to use a wing that is big enough but not oversized. First, an overly large wing will add drag and encourage gas trapping as well as causing instability in divers. Also, a free-flowing wing inflator will fill an oversized wing with substantial positive lift making it much harder to
A single-tank wing is too narrow to support doubles and a doubletank wing is too wide for single-tank use.
resist being pulled to the surface. Gas trapped in the folds of an oversized wing is difficult to remove, leading divers to add additional weight merely to offset the unnecessary buoyancy. This additional weight causes even more issues, as a larger volume of gas needs to be added during descent and released during ascent, complicating both procedures and wasting valuable breathing gas.
A low-pressure inflator hose is connected from a first-stage regulator to the BC’s inflator mechanism. The inflator is also fitted to the end of a flexible corrugated hose, which inflates the wing. This inflator can also be used to dump gas out of the wing if the diver is in a head-up position; however, the BC rear dump is preferred, as it allows divers to remain horizontal while venting excess gas. The corrugated hose length should not be overly long but should allow the diver to both orally inflate the wing and to dump gas out of the wing with control. If the hose is too long, the inflator will dangle below the diver and can lead to entanglement or environmental damage.
The corrugated inflation hose should be of the non-pull dump variety. It should be long enough to cross over the diver’s left shoulder and position the inflator valve just below the left chest D-ring.
In addition to the inflator hose, there should be one additional exhaust valve fitted to the wing. This acts as both a dump (when divers are horizontal) and an overpressure relief valve that serves to protect the wing from damage during ascent. This exhaust valve is fitted to the lower left side of the wing on the side facing the diver. The exact positioning of this valve is important to allow for easy and controlled release of gas. This placement also allows a diver to properly control the buoyancy of another diver in distress, such as an unconscious diver.
While you are fully suited, including the undergarment you’ll be diving with:
1. Loosen straps so that you can don the backplate.
2. Position the backplate vertically centered on the spine so the top of the plate is just under the large vertebra at the base of the neck. Check that you can reach the top of the backplate behind your neck.
3. Tighten the shoulder straps uniformly so that they are snug.
4. To check for tightness, you should be able to slide two fingers easily under the strap.
5. To position the shoulder D-rings, use your finger to locate the slight hollow below the collarbone and above the pectoral muscle. The triglide that secures the D-ring should be located here. This positions the D-ring so that it is not too high and yet not low enough that it gets trapped while reaching across your chest. To check the fit, close your eyes and try to touch the D-ring with your arm held parallel to the ground as in the illustration. Your thumb should hit the D-ring.
6. Adjust the waistband so that it is snug (not too tight) just below your navel. The buckle should be on the right side of the navel. Make sure that you place your knife pocket on the waistband on the left-hand side prior to attaching the buckle.
7. Thread the crotch strap through the front D-ring when not in use.
8. Thread the buckle end of the waistband through the crotch strap and check for fit. The crotch strap should be snug, but not tight, and hold the waistband down centered just below the belly button. Adjust as necessary.
9. The accessory D-ring on the back of the crotch strap should be adjusted so the triglide securing it to the webbing is even with the base of the tanks being worn, to allow for easy accessibility.
10. If using a surface marker buoy (SMB) stowed in a storage pack, the tail of the SMB should be clipped onto this D-ring.
11. Do not trim off any excess webbing until a final fit is achieved.
Tropical reefs close to the equator are not the only locales where beautiful corals can be found. Many are unaware that certain species of stony coral thrive at great depths in temperate waters in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. While little is known about these exquisite, deep-dwelling coldwater corals, it is fortunate that a dedicated group of Spanish divers is doing groundbreaking work to create awareness and preserve the largely unknown and fragile coral species
Dendrophyllia ramea
Dendrophyllia ramea is an Atlantic-Mediterranean species with white tentacles and pale orange polyps. They form large colonies exceeding 100 cm in height.
May 2022 · Quest
A project diver from Coral Soul inspects one of the Dendrophyllia colonies.
The Deep Coral Restoration Project (D.C.R.P.) in Punta de la Mona, La Herradura (Granada), Spain, was developed as a Coral Soul project. The project’s aim is to recover and conserve a special conservation area (ES6140016), including the Punta de la Mona cliffs and seabed, Community Interest Habitat (HIC 1170), both of which are included within the Natura 2000 Network. The project is ecologically vital, not only because the area houses a rich biodiversity of species and habitats, but because the unique environmental characteristics of the area cause the underwater populations to develop in distinctive ways—in size and abundance—making this an exceptional ecosystem.
The area is home to one of the most significant Dendrophyllia ramea coral populations in the Mediterranean Sea. This coral is an emblematic species within Mediterranean corals, although it is almost totally unknown due to its scarcity and deep distribution—normally living between 50 and 140 m/164 and 460 ft. Dendrophyllia ramea is listed as “vulnerable to extinction” by the Red Book of Andalusian Invertebrates, included in Appendix II of the CITES Convention, and listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on its Red List of Threatened Species in the Mediterranean. However, this species is so under-studied that not nearly enough information is available for it to be included in the National Catalogue of Endangered Species. Because of its low abundance as well as difficult access, a scientific basis to justify its protection is lacking. The unique conditions
of the Punta de La Mona area offer a unique opportunity to study this coral because the Dendrophyllia ramea are able to live between 30 and 50 m/100 and 164 ft of depth, which is a much more accessible depth for scientific action. We know this population of D. ramea forms the basis of the precious ecosystem of Punta de la Mona; therefore, the survival and health of all species in the area depend directly on the health of this particular coral, and we are now working to prove it scientifically.
Despite the ecological value of the area and its richness in biodiversity, the Punta de la Mona Protected Area is in serious danger due to human action. While it is identified as a special protection area, it is not physically guarded, nor is it surveyed by any public entity. Hundreds of fishing lines, nets, pots, ropes, tires, and endless waste clutter the bottom, cover the reef, and threaten the survival of corals and all other species. These remnants, also referred to as residue, not only affect Dendrophyllia ramea coral colonies, but also a wide variety of species, such as Axinella polypoides, Cladocora caespitosa, Pinna rudis, Eunicella sp., Leptogorgia sp., and many others, upon which recovery efforts will also be focused.
“Hundreds of fishing lines, nets, pots, ropes, tires, and endless waste clutter the bottom, cover the reef, and threaten the survival of corals and all other species.
Abandoned fishing gear continues to trap species. The lines and ropes fall on sessile species, completely covering them, suffocating them, and causing them to die. In contact with the corals, the waste causes friction, which makes the living tissue vulnerable to microbial infections, colonization by parasites, or dying as a direct result of the constant friction produced by waves and currents. This debris also plugs, strangles, en-
tangles, and fractures Dendrophyllia and other species of coral colonies. These fragments— many of great size and age—fall to the bottom where they are isolated, buried, and die due to stress and starvation. We are facing the decline and probable extinction of a population containing centennial specimens that have faced countless years of habitat degradation, mostly by the carelessness of man.
The main objective of Coral Soul is the restoration and protection of the seabed and reefs in the Punta de la Mona area, based on accelerated recovery of the deep reef through shock absorbing measures (including waste removal, reef sanitation, integrated programs for aware-
ness, and enhancement of the area) and new techniques to increase resilience of the area, the creation of nurseries for corals and reef repopulation.
These actions are designed to achieve the recovery of biodiversity, the improvement of the quality of the ecosystem, the conservation of the reef, and the restoration of health of all the species that inhabit this priority habitat.
The first step in the recovery of an ecosystem is to study the area and its species, to assess the scope of the impact upon it, and finally to propose solutions. Due to insufficient knowledge of the area and a lack of environmental and population data of Dendrophyllia ramea, Coral Soul,
All repopulated corals are monitored, included in a database, and their evolution is closely studied.
thanks to a collaboration with the universities of Seville and Cádiz, began a series of investigations whose goal was to increase knowledge about and awareness of this ecosystem. In parallel, we continue reiterating the need for active, official protection of the area to achieve conservation of the species since, as will be seen below, the development of fishing activity and the development of the benthic populations are not compatible.
The research area covers 2,340 m2/25,000 ft2. These studies have characterized the genetics of the population and have revealed that the area has more than a thousand corals. Sadly, 75% of these corals suffer damage such as fractures and/or entanglement with debris. The population parameters and the type of damage have been studied at different depths; being the area with the greatest coverage of corals and also the one with the greatest accumulation of waste makes the damage to the population much more serious. It is estimated that a Dendrophyllia ramea grows 1 cm/0.4 in per year, and we are finding completely dead coral
fragments with a length of 70 cm/27 in, which implies 70 years of coral growth. Unfortunately, we are facing the disappearance of a centuries-old species, which emphasizes the urgent need to act.
Due to the high degradation of the ecosystem, its fragility, and the large presence of threatened species in the area, a plan has been defined that guarantees a low-impact operation on the environment.
The recovery of deep reefs is a totally unknown world, and this is the first time a recovery program has been created for this area and for this species. Once we had information about the distribution, abundance, coverage, and genetics of the coral populations, as well as the magnitude of the impact, protocols were created and restoration techniques were developed.
Similarly, we want to emphasize the complexity of the techniques and the operational difficulty of deep reef recovery programs, since they employ a highly prepared team (both laboratory
The corals are situated in deep water over a large area, so trimix, deco cylinders, and scooters are necessary tools.
and divers); expensive means (technical diving equipment, support vessels, bottom gases such as trimix, and decompression gases); and very demanding techniques (technical cleaning of cold-water corals never before described).
A proper diver training program is fundamental, not only for rescue and restoration techniques, but also in technical diving procedures. This is where GUE plays a very big role in this project, and it is crucial to have a GUE instructor within the association.
Step 1: Reef sectorization. Taking into account the level of degradation in the area, the difficulty of the operational depth, and the need to monitor all actions, the regeneration of the reef is being carried out by sectors.
The entire area is included to ensure the recovery of all species that live in the Punta de la Mona reef. Each sector is designated according to cartography, bathymetry, and the species distribution. The treatments to be applied, however, are mainly defined by the type of impact, the species affected, and their status. All actions carried out in the sectors are monitored and included in the databases corresponding to the action.
Step 2: Reef sanitation. Once the sectors in which we are going to work have been defined, we begin with sanitation of the reef. This process combines different techniques to increase the resilience of the ecosystem and improve recovery in the shortest possible time. As we have seen, the ability of marine ecosystems to regenerate is surprisingly efficient; however, due to the significant degradation of this habitat caused by the residue’s long residence time—a fishing line takes 600 years to degrade—and the species’ slow growth rate, it is necessary to take effective measures to increase the likelihood of success.
Due to the high degradation of the ecosystem, its fragility, and the large number of species threatened in the area, a plan has been defined that guarantees a low-impact operation. The process includes determining the location of waste (residue) and documenting it to plan extraction using the least intrusive method, preparation of the residues, liberation of species that are entangled in or growing on them, extraction of the residue, and re-floatation for subsequent drying and analysis. After the waste has been extracted, broken coral is collected for restoration and/or repopulation.
Coral reefs are an essential part of the biosystem, and swallowtail seaperch (Anthias anthias) are thriving.
Pre-dive briefings to assign clear roles are necessary for both efficiency and safety.
Warning signs are put in place to keep passing divers away from the fragile coral nursery.
Step 3: Coral fragment recovery and repopulation. When a coral breaks, it falls to the bottom, buries itself, and slowly dies. In addition, a wound zone is created both in the colony and in the broken fragment. This area is vulnerable to disease and colonization by opportunistic organisms ( epibionts ), which will cause it to slowly die. That is why recovering the fragments (broken coral) is so important; it stops the death of the coral. The specimens that do not present tissue necrosis are repopulated directly to the seabed. The fragments in the worst condition are taken to coral nurseries—artificial structures that provide a safe habitat—where they undergo sanitation treatments to help with recovery. Once the coral is healthy and fully recovered, it is repopulated back into the seabed using non-intrusive repopulation techniques.
Step 4: Monitoring and follow-up. All repopulated corals are monitored, included in a database, and have an all-round follow-up in which their evolution is studied. Some of them also undergo a long-term biometric study.
As Jacques Cousteau said, “people protect what they love,” and that is why this part of the project is so important. In order to achieve effective protection of the area and the conservation of species, the population must be made aware of the great wealth and value of Punta de la Mona, as well as the problem that exists in the area. They also need to be made part of the solution.
That is why this project has the help and involvement of dozens of volunteers, a university internship program, and a divulgation program in schools, institutes, universities, and the general public.
To date, the project has involved more than 400 people, including 50 volunteer divers in about 350 dives, with about 15 people at a time on most dives. We have recovered 178 Dendrophyllia ramea corals and re-floated 576 kg/1,270 lb of waste.
Together, we will save the corals.
Coral Soul is a nonprofit association created specifically to save coral reefs damaged by human action. The organization works on the investigation and restoration of reefs that are threatened, always acting with scientific rigor. Coral Soul is made up of a multidisciplinary team of marine scientists and technical divers. The association is formed by ten people, of which there are two GUE divers and one GUE instructor. Consequently, GUE procedures and philosophy are well-rooted in the projects. The actions are carried out by volunteer divers external to the association that work tenaciously under the association’s supervision.
“ We feel a deep passion for the sea. This energy is contagious and transmitted throughout. We think globally and act locally; our solutions are realistic, where our day-to-day results are the best example, ” says Marina Palacios, Project Director.
Coral Soul works side by side with Coral Guardian, a French nonprofit association created in 2012 to protect and restore coral ecosystems around the world, involving local communities for their own benefit.
Modern cave diving is characterized by technological advances such as rebreathers, high capacity batteries for lights, and scooters.
Cave diving has been an excellent laboratory for developing equipment and procedures for safe exploration of the underground. But how did it start, who were the early pioneers of the sport, and what attracted them to venture into the unknown?
Human history is full of legends and folklore, yet few places on earth captivate the mind as thoroughly as the dark recesses of a cave. If the aquatic world has the power to intrigue the curious, then the subterranean world has the power to enthrall imaginations everywhere. The early days of cave diving were closely linked to dry cave exploration and efforts to push beyond the water-filled portion of dry caves. These water-filled sections, or sumps, did not easily stop the early dry cavers. Attempts to get beyond sumps began as early as 1777, with breath-hold diving being the only means of overcoming water-filled obstacles. In 1922, French diver Norbert Casteret was the first to successfully traverse two sumps in the Grotte de Montespan in the Pyrenees. With matches and a candle tucked optimistically into his bathing cap, the 25-year-old Frenchman groped blindly in complete darkness until he happened into another air-filled section of cave. Casteret’s daring foray into what was previously an unknown world marked the beginning of many bold attempts to explore this new and exciting frontier.
With a good number of daring young individuals eagerly available, all that remained for cave diving to come into its own was a small boost from technology. As early as 1880, events called upon Alexander Lambert for the daring and Henry Fleuss for the technology. During the construction of a tunnel linking London to South Wales, miners intersected a spring and, as a result, accidentally flooded more than a mile of passage. To drain the tunnel, it was necessary for a diver to descend 9 m/30 ft into the flooded passage, negotiate nearly 300 m/1,000 ft of debris-laden tunnel, pass through a large steel door, and manipulate two valves. Furthermore, the dive had to be done in absolute darkness, as underwater lights were not yet available.
Lambert’s first attempt was conducted in the traditional deep-sea dress of the day; its extreme weight and cumbersome breathing hose proved to be his undoing, however, and he failed. Fleuss, known to have a self-contained, experimental diving dress, was then called in to assist in the effort. The Fleuss unit supplied the diver with 100 percent oxygen, which was breathed through the nose. The diver’s exhalation was then routed to a chemical scrubber, which washed out the accumulating carbon dioxide.
Oxygen was then added to the loop to replenish the metabolized portion.
The Fleuss apparatus had undergone very little testing and had never been used in more than 6 m/20 ft of water. Even so, Fleuss made an attempt. Sadly, the deep mud and heavy debris were more than he could manage, and he returned unsuccessful. After some encouragement, and armed with the experimental unit, Lambert agreed to a second attempt. After two dives and nearly three hours of blind work, Lambert successfully realized his objective. His daring effort not only demonstrated the success of the Fleuss unit but also forever established the viability of the independent diver.
Over the next several years, many variations of scuba were developed, but it was Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his newly developed Aqua-Lung that would make scuba prominent. It would also be Cousteau who would illustrate both the possibilities and the dangers of this newly
Cousteau’s revolutionary Scaphandre Autonome or Aqua-Lung was developed in 1943 and patented after World War II.
The Fleuss unit was the first self-contained breathing apparatus and and an early version of the rebreather.
discovered independence. In 1946, Cousteau and his divers attempted to explore the famous inland cave Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.
The dive itself nearly cost Cousteau his life, as he was besieged by a number of problems. Poor planning, ineffective communication, narcosis, and carbon monoxide poisoning were but some of the many difficulties he encountered. Cousteau recounted his experience in the inland cave as the “worst experience to befall us in five thousand dives.” The divers narrowly escaped with their lives. Nonetheless, this attempt marked a significant date in the history of cave diving: The Aqua-Lung and the freedom it allowed opened new avenues of exploration, and cave diving was off to an auspicious start.
Concurrently, around the world, divers were undertaking daring explorations using equipment that had been modified to suit their needs. Most
Cave diving pioneer Sheck Exley introduced safer procedures and principles after analyzing cave diving accidents.
of this early cave diving involved dry caves, as diving was employed specifically to get teams past water-filled areas (sumps). In the United States, however, the Aqua-Lung offered divers the first real opportunity to explore the vast interior of the country’s many spring-fed caves. With nearly perfect conditions, Florida’s more than 10,000 springs provided an ideal setting for the cultivation of techniques that would forever change the face of cave diving. Generally excellent visibility, warm water, and nearly year-round access rapidly made Florida the premier cave diving location in the world.
The first cave dive in the U.S. took place as early as 1950. There are numerous theories as to where this first cave dive took place; however, it is certain that Wakulla Springs was the site of the first notable cave diving exploration effort in the U.S. Located near Tallahassee, Florida, Wakulla Springs’ sheer immensity is breathtaking. Its coliseum-sized chambers and plunging depths have enthralled all who have ventured there. During a string of more than 100 dives, a group of divers from Florida State University soon established Wakulla as one of the top dive sites in the world. Divers Garry Salsman and Wally Jenkins immediately proclaimed Wakulla Springs to be the world’s longest and deepest cave. Adding to the success of their record-breaking dives, the group discovered the spring to be full of the bones of many different creatures. Included among these impressive fossil collections were the skeletal remains of several large mastodons. These early cave diving ventures set the tone, and an insatiable curiosity led thousands of divers to challenge the vast expanse of this labyrinthine space.
The fact that no formal training in the use of scuba existed did not deter the earliest cave divers. In 1953, the Florida Speleological Society (a branch of the National Speleological Society) established the first cave diving training program. This program began teaching cave diving tech-
niques several years before the genesis of early open water agencies, such as the L.A. County scuba program, and well before agencies such as PADI took shape. The 1950s saw roughly 3,000 divers per year venturing into the caverns and caves of Florida. During this time, early cave divers explored roughly 1,524 m/5,000 ft of cave passage. Certainly, only the lengthiest treatment of cave diving’s rich history could ever hope to credit all of these early intrepid explorers. This account is intended as only a very brief highlight.
The 1960s saw a significant rise in exploration, with roughly 9 km/30,000 ft of new cave territory explored. This period also saw the
now-popular caves Madison Blue Springs, Peacock Springs, and Hornsby Spring in North Central Florida assume world-record stature for their expansive passages. Equipment changes were rather slow to evolve, but important advances took place with the emergence of submersible pressure gauges and single-hose regulators. This was also the time when Frank Martz began producing the first reliable underwater lighting, and when pioneer Sheck Exley established the Rule of Thirds. This gas rule mandated that divers could use only one-third of their available gas for penetration, requiring them to reserve the remaining two-thirds for exiting and emergencies. Though this rule met with early resistance, eventually the viability of being able to share air from maximum penetration gained widespread acceptance and was established as the recognized standard.
The 1970s were described by a Skin Diver magazine editorial as the “Great Cave Rush
of the Seventies.” This growth in cave diving popularity saw the total explored passage blossom to roughly 51,816 m/170,000 ft, much of it involving the pioneering work of Exley. With vigorous exploration came several equipment improvements. It was during this time that high-volume steel 104s were first used for cave diving, buoyancy compensator vests with power inflators replaced plastic milk jugs, the Goodman-style handle on the light head allowed hands-free operation with an improved design, and the high-pressure manifold (for connecting double tanks) was refined from an early George Benjamin model.
The elongated second-stage hose was also born at this time. Exley was one of the earliest to recognize the advantages of breathing the long hose as a primary. His 1972 assertion that divers should breathe this long hose because the “...airless partner should get the best regulator as quickly as possible” spawned more than 20 years of a sometimes ferocious debate.
During the 80s and 90s, the challenges of the Woodville Karst Plain cave system pushed the explorers to develop safer techniques and procedures.
Improvements in available technology, coupled with divers’ eagerness to use it, led to an explosion in cave activity. Divers began using scooters and staging tanks, and they also began mapping caves. The tremendous fervor with which these early explorations were undertaken is testified to by the frequency with which early records were set and broken. The penetration record alone was set and reset no less than 15 times during the 1970s, with the longest penetration of the 1970s being a 1,623 m/5,326 ft dive by Lewis Henkel and Dave Manor. This growth in activity also led to an increase in fatalities and to the need for better diver training. The National Association for Cave Diving (NACD) was formed in 1969, and the Cave Diving Section (CDS) of the NSS was formed in 1973. The 1980s were a rich and competitive time for cave diving, as cave explorers around the world overcame the initial learning curve. Exploration in 1980 saw the world’s longest cave dive leap from
“By far the most common cause of fatality during this period was the widespread practice of deep air diving, which to this day continues to be responsible for unnecessary fatalities.
the 1979 record of 1,623 m/5,326 ft in Manatee Springs (Henkel, Manor) to 1,782 m/5,847 ft in Big Dismal (Clark Pitcairn, Mary Ellen Eckhoff, Exley), then to nearly 2,377 m/7,800 ft in Manatee Springs (Bill Main, Bill Gavin), then again to 3,061 m/10,044 ft in Chip’s Hole (Exley). Improvements in equipment and techniques also encouraged divers to extend deep cave exploration. Dale Sweet’s 1980 record of 110 m/360 ft in Diepolder Sink was eclipsed less than ten years later by Exley’s 264 m/867 ft dive in Mante, Mexico.
With these efforts, particularly those involving deep cave exploration, came an increase in fatalities. Deep cave exploration was especially problematic during this time, since the use of mixed gas was as yet unrefined; even Exley would perish during the course of refining these practices. By far the most common cause of fatality during this period was the widespread practice of deep air diving, which to this day continues to be responsible for unnecessary fatalities.
L to R: Bill Gavin, Parker Turner, Bill Main, and Lamar English proudly display the University of Florida’s certificates of accomplishment after the worldrecord Sullivan traverse.
Perhaps the most complex form of cave diving, deep cave diving, developed rapidly during the 1980s. These long-penetration deep cave dives tended to rapidly reduce the cast of capable explorers. Early in 1980, Main and Gavin met and formed an alliance that would forever change cave diving. This duo then joined forces with cave explorer Lamar English and began extensive exploration of the Tallahassee region; their efforts would refine the art of deep cave penetration. The quick-and-lean method of cave diving initiated by these early explorers was subsequently advanced by Jarrod Jablonski and George Irvine and eventually emerged into a diving philosophy known as “Doing it Right” (DIR). Incorporating the use of the long hose primary, the group developed many time-efficient techniques and became known as much for their ardent dedication to refinement as for the remarkable dives they undertook. By 1986, they had explored thousands of feet of passage in deep caves that included Wakulla Springs, Sally Ward Spring, Cheryl Sink, Big and Little Dismal, Sullivan Sink, and Indian Springs.
The year 1987 marked one of the most widely publicized events in cave diving: the Wakulla Project. Following the earlier exploration of Main, Gavin, and English, the Wakulla Project generated publicity that amplified the world’s awareness of deep cave exploration. It was during this project that Bill Stone gained recognition for his evolving mixed-gas rebreather. However, Stone’s redundant closed-circuit system did not factor in the project’s exploration efforts, though he did manage a 24-hour exposure in the Wakulla basin while testing his rebreather design. More than ten years later, Stone was still trying to create a viable design. These attempts, as well as the normal evolution of diving equipment, have triggered an extended debate surrounding the use and misuse of technology, particularly in complex diving arenas.
One year later, the Woodville Karst Plain Project (WKPP) had grown larger and had captured the world record for the longest traverse (2,673 m/8,770 ft by Main, Gavin, English, Parker Turner). The group worked on further refining
Jarrod Jablonski setting up the Halcyon PVRBASC, nicknamed “The Fridge”. This unit was a predecessor to the RB80.
their practices and soon found that great penetrations at depth could be accomplished with a high degree of efficiency and in relative safety. The next several years found the WKPP pushing the limits of open-circuit scuba well beyond what conventional wisdom deemed possible. Today, the group has explored thousands of feet of caves around the world, including the longest cave in North America (Manatee Springs: 3,366 m/11,044 ft; Kincaid, Jablonski), the longest open-circuit penetration at depth (Wakulla Springs: 3,169 m/10,400 ft at 91 m/300 ft Jablonski, Irvine, Brent Scarabin), the world’s longest open-circuit penetration (Chip’s Hole: 4,663 m/15,300 ft; Scarabin, Rick Sankey), the world’s longest traverse (Cheryl/Dismal: 3,779 m/12,400 ft at an average of 61 m/200 ft; Jablonski, Irvine, Ted Cole), and the world’s longest penetration at depth (Wakulla Springs: 5,499 m/18,040 ft at 91 m/300 ft; Jablonski, Irvine).
With the introduction of the Halcyon RB80 passive semi-closed rebreather, the WKPP further expanded their exploration efforts, and that resulted in the connection of Leon Sinks
and Wakulla Cave Systems in 2007 (Jablonski, Casey McKinlay).
Starting in 2007, another Florida-based exploration group, Karst Underwater Research (KUR), began exploring the Weeki Wachee cave system, which became Florida’s deepest explored cave system, with a maximum depth exceeding 124 m/407 ft. KUR is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of karst aquifers and the quality of their water. The organization conducts scientific research and dye trace studies.
In September 2014, KUR connected Weeki Wachee and Twin Dees cave systems (Brett Hemphill, Andrew Pitkin).
In 2013 and 2014, KUR members explored Phantom Spring in Texas, reaching a depth of 141 m/465 ft.
In addition to leading the way in long-range, deep cave exploration, the WKPP has also helped to shape the future of cave diving technology by designing their own long-range underwater scooter, by successfully developing a
new generation of rebreathers, and by creating innovations in lighting and video technology. These advances, among others, have not only helped to refine the practice of cave diving, but have also served to legitimize the undertaking of robust exploration. Though it is premature to assess the history of cave diving while it is still in its infancy, and dozens of explorers and decades of time must pass before these and other events can be placed in their proper historical perspective, it is clear that two principal forces have played a critical role in the growth of long-range cave exploration. The first is Exley, whose monumental dives set the tone for aggressive diving that will forever mark the power of individual effort. The second is the team of Irvine and Jablonski, who persistently pushed what were thought to be impossible limits. In contrast to Exley, Irvine and Jablonski represent the power of team diving, endorsing a systematic approach to diving that promotes success within any diving application. Operating sometimes alone, but preferably with the support of a large contingent of divers, Irvine and Jablonski have demonstrated the viability of DIR for extreme cave diving.
Few projects have seen such a vast array of individuals combining their diverse talents in the pursuit of cave exploration.
“From its beginnings more than 40 years ago, the rebreather is now making its way to center stage and promises to be a significant part of the future of diving.
Many exciting dives have taken place around the world. Some of these were tied to dry cave exploration, in places like Cocklebiddy, Australia, for example, where more than 4,572 m/15,000 ft of passage was explored (Hugh Morrison, Ron Allum, Peter Rogers). Several noteworthy dives were also undertaken by French diver Oliver Isler, who penetrated more than 3,962 m/13,000 ft in Doux de Coly in 1993. Yet, by far the most expansive caves in the world have proven to reside in the Yucatan Peninsula. With many thousands of feet of explored passage, this area is home to several vast subterranean cave systems. The shallow depths and warm waters of the Yucatan caves have greatly facilitated cave exploration.
Less than 50 short years have passed since the first intrepid diver observed the splendor of this mysterious underground world. Since then, many extraordinary people have reached beyond themselves to accomplish amazing feats. By subjecting themselves to both great risk as well as personal sacrifice, these individuals continue to push the limits of human endurance. As technological knowledge increases, so does the promise of greater things to come. Open-circuit scuba, while undergoing few significant changes during the last 20 years, continues to amaze with its hidden potential. Though this somewhat primitive equipment is still capable of continuing achievement, it is nonetheless inevitable that now-amazing penetrations will be eclipsed by even greater ones yet to come. With technology continuing to advance, the future undoubtedly promises fascinating possibilities for cave diving. From its beginnings more than 40 years ago, the rebreather is now making its way to center stage and promises to be a significant part of the future of diving. Also, improvements in battery technology will augment the capabilities of diver propulsion vehicles, underwater mapping devices, and lighting technology. Computer technology will certainly also advance many areas of this increasingly complex sport. In the end, however, it is the mystery of the cave itself that will determine what progress will be made. History has consistently illustrated that regardless of the adversity these explorers encounter, they—as a group—eventually manage to overcome every obstacle in their path as they go where no one has gone before.
Deep Dive Dubai – Dubai, UAE
www.deepdivedubai.com
Deepstop – Schwetzingen, Germany
www.deepstop.de
Dive Centre Bondi – Bondi, NSW, Australia
www.divebondi.com.au
Duikcentrum de Aalscholvers – Tilburg, Netherlands
www.aalscholvers.nl
Eight Diving – Des Moines, WA, USA
www.8diving.com
Extreme Exposure – High Springs, FL, USA
www.extreme-exposure.com
Living Oceans – Singapore
www.livingoceans.com.sg
Living Oceans Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.livingoceans.com.my
Plongée Nautilus – Quebec City, QC, Canada
www.plongeenautilus.com
Portofino Divers – Portofino, Italy
www.plongeenautilus.com
Qiandaohu Diving Center – Hangzhou, China
www.facebook.com/qiandaolake
Scuba Academie – Vinkeveen, Netherlands
www.scuba-academie.nl
Silent Bubbles – Stockholm, Sweden
wwww.silentbubbles.se
Tec Diving – Luzern, Switzerland
www.tecdiving.ch
Tech Korea – Incheon, South Korea
www.divetechkorea.com
Third Dimension Diving – Tulum, Q. Roo, Mexico
www.thirddimensiondiving.com
Third Dimension Diving SEA – Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
www.thirddimensiondivingsea.com
Zero Gravity – Quintana Roo, Mexico
www.zerogravity.com.mx
Acuatic Tulum Dive Center – Tulum, Mexico
www.acuatictulum.com
Buddy Dive Resort – Bonaire
www.buddydive.com
Dive Alaska – Anchorage, AK, USA
www.divealaska.net
Diveolution – Kessl-Lo, Belgium
www.diveolution.com
Faszination-Tauchsport – Sauerlach, Germany
www.faszination-tauchsport.de
Freestyle Divers – Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
www.freestyledivers.me
Hollywood Divers – Los Angeles, CA, USA
www.hollywooddivers.com
Islas Hormigas – Cabo de Palos, Spain
www.islashormigas.com
Kasai Village Dive Academy – Cebu, Philippines
www.scubadivingphilippines.com
KrakenDive – Tossa de Mar, Spain
www.krakendive.com
Krnicadive – Krnica, Croatia
www.krnicadive.com
Moby Tek Dive Centre – Pahang, Malaysia
www.moby-tek.com
Ocean Blue Wave – Bangkok, Thailand
www.ocean-bluewave.com
Red Sea Explorers – Hurghada, Egypt
www.redseaexplorers.com
Scuba Adventures – Plano, TX, USA
www.scubaadventures.com
Scuba Seekers – Dahab, Egypt
www.scubaseekers.com
Tauchen und Freizeit – Wuppertal, Germany
www.tauchenundfreizeit.de
Tauchservice Münster – Münster, Germany
www.tauchservice.info
Tech Asia – Puerto Galera, Philippines
www.techasia.ph
Werner Lau Sinai Divers Tek – Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
www.wernerlautek.com
