Quest Volume 23, No. 4 November 2022

Quest The Journal of Global Underwater Explorers

Vol. 23, No. 4 – November 2022

PHOTO GRAPH ER PORTF OLIO: JULIA MŰHLE N NHAUS

SHARKS AND HUMANS

UNDERWATER HABITATS

GUE TECH 1

LINE FUNDAMENTALS

Man’s problematic impact on the top predators in the Maldives

How is it structured, what do you learn, and what is the outcome?

How to build places to hang out during long deco stops in caves

Develop proficiency in handling lines, spools, and reels

EDUCATION · CONSERVATION · EXPLORATION · COMMUNITY

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Pics or it didn’t happen

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nderwater photography has always been an integral part of diving. Early scuba pioneers like Hans Hass (pictured here) and Jacques Cousteau knew they could tell compelling stories only if they visually documented their underwater adventures. So, they developed and used underwater cameras almost from the beginning.

In the early days of underwater photography, divers could take only a single exposure before surfacing to change their burnt-out flash bulb.

I imagine they carefully selected the motif and settings before firing that shot.

If you’ve been diving for more than twenty years, you can probably remember when underwater photographers were limited to 36 exposures and by the film’s ISO properties. The interval from when the image was shot until you returned from the dive trip and got the film developed could be weeks. And, when you did get your finished photos, you most likely did not even remember which settings produced the result.

Fast-forward to the evolution of the digital consumer camera—a blessing for underwater photographers. With digital, the feedback is instant. You immediately see the result on the camera display, and you can adjust accordingly to improve the shot. And you can glean valuable and useful information from the embedded EXIF file.

Digital photography and YouTube—a medium that has propelled almost all human endeavors into the stratosphere by making nerdy knowledge more accessible—have raised the bar for contemporary underwater photos. But, at the end of the day, it’s not about the camera, the lens, or megapixels. It’s about visual storytelling.

How does the image resonate with the spectator? How does it make them feel?

Tabloid journalists used to say that all stories can be boiled down to two opposite reactions: “I’m so glad that’s not me,” and “I wish that was me.” I usually try to evoke the latter when working with images as a photographer or magazine editor.

The portfolio pages in Quest are an homage to underwater photographers and visual storytelling. I understand the energy and resources it takes to reach the quality level embodied by the portfolio contributors, so I appreciate the opportunity to highlight their work.

We have come a long way since Hass and Cousteau, but the game is still the same: Creating images that make the spectator go, “Man, I wish that was me.”

Dive safe and have fun!

Jesper Kjøller Editor-in-Chief jk@gue.com

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Quest IN THIS ISSUE The Journal of Global Underwater Explorers

Vol. 23, No. 4 · November 2022

Editor-in-chief // Jesper Kjøller

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QC CORNER // INTRODUCTION

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HUMAN IMPACTS ON SHARKS

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HABITATS // A DRY PLACE TO HANG OUT

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PORTFOLIO // JULIAN MŰHLENHAUS

Editorial panel

// Michael Menduno // Amanda White

Design and layout // Jesper Kjøller

Copy editing

// Pat Jablonski // Kady Smith // Nic Haylett // Catherine Taber-Olensky

Writers

// Brad Beskin // Arzukan Askin // Kirill Egorov // Dan Mackay // Daniel Riordan // Fred Devos // Todd Kincaid // Chris Le Maillot // Jarrod Jablonski // Jesper Kjøller

Photographers

// Kirill Egorov // Julian Műhlenhaus // Arzukan Askin // Jono Allen // Matt Porteus // Alex Mustard // Derk Remmers // Jesper Kjøller Quest is published quarterly by Global Underwater Explorers 18487 High Springs Main Street, High Springs, Florida 32643 www.GUE.com Follow Quest on Facebook www.facebook.com/QuestJournal

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In each issue of Quest, the new Director of GUE Quality Control, Brad Beskin, will contribute with a regular column. He will address issues, opportunities, and resources that affect your pursuit of diving excellence.

Arzukan Askin is one of the driving forces behind shark projects in the Maldives to raise awareness of the problems with human impacts on whale sharks, tiger sharks, and other endangered shark species in the atoll nation in the Indian Ocean.

The possibility of finishing a long and deep cave dive in a dry habitat is appealing. However, whether to install one is a risk-versus-benefits decision. After spending a fair bit of time on decompression stops in water and in habitats, Kirill Egorov shares his habitat experiences.

His passion started when snorkeling in his local dive club in Germany. He then started discovering the underwater world in many ways. In the early 2000s, he was finally able to take his photography below the surface, capturing his first real pictures underwater.

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GUE GEAR // ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT

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GUE TECHNICAL DIVER LEVEL 1

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CAVE DIVING // LINE FUNDAMENTALS

In addition to the standard base equipment necessary for all dives, GUE divers often carry extra equipment that can be situation dependent.

In the last issue of Quest, Guy Shockey’s article guided you through the optimal preparation before taking the GUE Technical Diver Level 1 course. Now that you know how to prepare, let’s go over the course and examine how it is structured and what the outcome is.

The most obvious risk in overhead diving is the possibility that divers may be unable to quickly reach the surface in the event of a problem with navigation, equipment, or a team member. Cave divers minimize the risk of becoming lost by using guidelines that begin at the cave entrance.

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COVER PHOTO JULIAN MŰHLENHAUS

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QC CORNER Greetings, Quest Readers! It is an honor and humbling privilege for me to have the opportunity to serve GUE and each of you in the capacity of Director of Quality Control and the Chair of the Quality Control Board. The Quest team has graciously afforded me a sliver of the magazine for what I intend to be a regular column. For now, I’d like to share with you a bit about my background and my goals for the GUE Quality Control program.

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started diving in 1995 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I was twelve at the time, and it hooked me quickly. I spent my weekends vacuuming the pool at my local dive shop, cleaning the shop bathrooms and floors, and organizing the fill station line—anything to earn any possible opportunity to become a better diver. I worked for that shop in a part-time capacity through college. I have sold the highest quality retail equipment, filled countless tanks, and blended liters upon liters of gas. I have vacuumed the pool more times than I can count, cleaned rental equipment, and rebuilt many a regulator. I have taught and refreshed students. I have crewed dive boats, swabbed the decks, and repaired many a marine head in nausea-inducing swells.

I share this in an attempt to assure those of you who make a living through diving that I understand and appreciate the hard work and long hours you put into your success as a diving professional.

My first exposure to GUE was a chance encounter with GUE Founder and President Jarrod Jablonski in about 1999. He visited Virginia 6

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Beach to speak to and dive with our contingent, and as an over-zealous sixteen-year-old, I offered to be his chauffeur. To say that I pestered him with incessant questions is an understatement. Of course, the impression he left was inspiring and lasting.

I took Fundamentals in approximately 2002, and then Cave 1 in 2003. After a bit of a break from technical and overhead diving, I requalified for Fundamentals in 2015 and retook Cave 1.

Cave 2 followed shortly after, and I recently completed DPV Cave with Kirill Egorov (see Quest 23.3). While I have helium and decompression qualifications from other agencies, the GUE technical curriculum begins for me in 2023, and I’m very excited to experience it.

I share this in hopes of demonstrating that I understand and appreciate the hard work and long hours each GUE diver puts into their skill set—the endless drills and practice that must be part of our commitment to excellence. I have shared in the frustration and defeat that often comes on the second day of class, just as I have shared in the celebration when it all suddenly “clicks” on day five.

Brad stresses that his relationship with GUE is not as an attorney, even if he has a professional background as a lawyer.

Professionally

Indeed, much of the skill set I intend to apply in addressing GUE matters comes not from my legal training but rather from a near-decade of experience managing nonprofit organizations (along with the risks and crises inherent thereto) before I went to law school.

I earn my living as a civil litigator. I work for a law firm based in Austin, Texas, where we represent injured parties across the country in an array of actions against, for example, manufacturers of defective medical, pharmaceutical, and consumer products; insurance companies who engage in bad Quality control behavior; and fraudsters and GUE values who skim off the top I believe a key eleFor example, just as it of healthcare, defense, ment to the success would undersell Apple’s housing, and other of any organization value proposition to say “we tax-funded programs. is a congruence make consumer devices,” None of this matters, between its values other than to juxtapose and its output—be it to say “we teach people the following: I want services, products, or scuba diving” would grossly to make it clear that some other deliverunderrepresent GUE. my position vis-à-vis able. True value conGUE does not make me gruence is obtained GUE’s attorney (or that when the value propof any GUE representaosition materializes in tive). I serve in a wholly volunteer capacity, and those deliverables—when why the organization nothing I say with regard to GUE is intended to exists is represented diametrically in what it be or should ever be considered legal advice. does and how it does it.

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I’m sure each of you can think of the GUE and how we do it—both organizationally and invalues with which you identify most integrally. I dividually—remains congruent with why we do it. imagine excellence is that which comes to mind It is my belief that, broadly, when we lead with most readily: teamwork, discipline, commitment, our why—the GUE values like excellence, comintegrity, safety, conservation, and discovery. mitment, teamwork, integrity, and safety—quality Each of you is a steward of GUE’s values. This control becomes inherently proactive and not is true for the novice GUE diver taking a primer reactive. That is, the instances where quality conas much as it is for the members of our Board. trol must be reactive (and often punitive) are the Each of you is responsible for the congruence direct results of incongruence between our why between what we do, how we do it, and why we and what and/or how. If only it were this simple, do it. GUE is an organiright? Obviously, this zation that leads with involves many more facits “why,” and the “what” tors than I’ve listed. But, In future columns, I will and “how” flow directly at least conceptually, I attempt to add value for and necessarily therehope that makes sense. you by addressing issues, from. For example, just Of course, mistakes opportunities, and resources as it would undersell happen. But it is easy to Apple’s value proposirecognize the difference that affect your pursuit of tion to say “we make between those misdiving excellence. consumer devices,” to takes—conduct from say “we teach people which we can learn scuba diving” would grossly underrepresent and grow and move forward—and conduct that GUE. ignores our values. The former is a natural ocIndeed, we can look to GUE’s mission statecurrence that can be minimized through proper ment to see the “why” inherent to our “how” and risk management and often addressed through “what”: coaching, development, and other formative responses. The latter is inexcusable given the Global Underwater Explorers is building great risks associated with our endeavors. global communities of passionate divers, To this end, I hope to be able to allocate empowered by high-quality training and much more of my time to advancing GUE’s organized to support wide-ranging diving many initiatives and addressing issues before activities. These communities contain and they become conflicts—as opposed to respondpartner with dedicated explorers, consering to raging conflicts. I look forward to addressvationists, and scientific researchers to ing positive feedback from students and how conduct a diversity of aquatic initiatives we can build upon it (both with our students and around the world. instructors). I hope to explore and celebrate the success of our instructors’ first few classes in This congruence and why-forward approach teaching new curricula. I am excited to support are integral to GUE’s success and the primathe Training Council in finding ways we can ry metric by which I intend to manage the QC improve the course materials to empower both mechanism.

GUE students and instructors.

QC, to me, is not the simple application of StanIn future columns, I will attempt to add valdards to substantiated facts and the calibration ue for you by addressing issues, opportunities, of punishments for deviations. While, unfortuand resources that affect your pursuit of diving nately, that is part of the job, QC must be more. excellence.

To me, quality control (and my partnership with Until then, I remain yours in the Commitment GUE’s quality assurance initiatives) is the stewto Excellence, ardship of GUE’s values congruence. In that, I perceive my job to be ensuring that what we do Brad – brad@gue.com

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Brad´s GUE training has been focused on cave courses, but he plans to plunge into the tech curriculum next year.

PHOTO KIRILL EGOROV November 2022 · Quest

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FISH WITH ON ITS BAC TEXT ARZUKAN ASKIN PHOTOS ARZUKAN ASKIN, JONO ALLEN, MATT PORTEUS, ALEX MUSTARD & MALDIVES WHALE SHARK RESEARCH PROGRAMME

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STARS CK

PHOTO JONO ALLEN

Human impacts on sharks in the Maldives

Fuvahmulah is home to the world’s largest known population of tiger sharks. Arzukan Askin enjoys a close encounter.

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German/Turkish marine scientist, GUE diver, and 2021 Rolex Scholar, Arzukan Askin is one of the driving forces behind the Miyaru Programme and the Fuvahmulah Shark Project being established in the Maldives to study and raise awareness of human impacts on shark species in the atoll nation and beyond.

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PHOTO JONO ALLEN

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ehurihi!” Fehurihi! someone shouted pointing to the starboard side of the Maldivian dhoni, our floating research base in South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area. “Fehurihi” is the word for whale shark in Dhivehi, the national language in the Maldives. After a year of pandemic-induced cancellations of grants, constant changes in risk assessments and permits placed on hold, I was finally able to swap out my trusted seat at a library desk at Oxford University for my spot on board the field vessel of the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) supported by a joint scholarship from Rolex and the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society.

The South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area (dubbed SAMPA by scientists in the area) in the Maldives is a globally significant aggregation site for whale sharks. Unlike other aggregation hotspots that witness seasonal whale shark movements, such as Mexico, SAMPA is among

Every whale shark has a unique pattern, almost like human fingerprints. In many coastal cultures, the spots are referred to as stars. a handful of globally unique places with a year-long presence of large numbers of whale sharks. Past research led by shark experts such as Dr. Simon Pierce has determined that the sharks exhibit significant levels of residency and a tendency to return to sites on the southern fringes of the atoll. The frequency and regularity of whale shark sightings have also made SAMPA a popular destination for divers and snorkelers wishing to observe this species. In the Maldives, snorkeling and scuba diving tourism geared to provide whale shark encounters have grown rapidly and provide significant economic value yet remain largely unregulated.

Threats to whale sharks

My MSc degree in conservation science at the University of Oxford was almost exclusively dedicated to sharks where possible, covering critical issues such as illegal wildlife trafficking, bycatch of sharks and fisheries interactions, international treaties, human-shark relationships, and tourism. The latter is what my research thesis focused on, and I spent my summer months November 2022 · Quest

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analyzing whale shark injuries from collisions the day cruising up and down the Marine Prowith vessels as well as behavioral changes in tected Area documenting the presence of whale these mega-vertebrates to assess the impact sharks, vessel activities, and assessing the of tourism on them. The findings my research number of people in the water during encounbrought forward were highly concerning, and I ters with these large vertebrates. Occasionally, had the opportunity to present my work at the we would also attach long ropes to the back of Maldives Marine Research Symposium held by the boat to conduct tow surveys. Aside from the National University. The dataset I analyzed— the high-pressure moments when we would spanning over nine years of data from South Ari encounter whale sharks and attempt to conduct Atoll Marine Protected Area—revealed a 52% microbiome sampling of their skin using big decline in encounters cotton buds, being pulled with whale sharks through the water behind All of this proceeded under and a staggering injua vessel while attached ry rate of 70%. Almost to a rope was certainly the watchful and demanding three-quarters of all everyone’s highlight. As eye of a prototypical GUE whale sharks sighted scientists, we do many instructor. The course was in the atoll’s waters strange things in the well-tuned to both macro and displayed grave name of data collection. micro skill adjustment, both injuries from vessel Mostly, our work consiststrikes. While working ed of freediving surveys of which lead to excellence. with these numbers to collect Photo IDs and on a spreadsheet identify the sex of the was challenging, whale sharks to build on repeatedly witnessing the consequences of poor the MWSRPs long-term monitoring database. diving skills, failure to adhere to wildlife codes During every encounter, we also collected data of conduct, and lack of regulation highlights the on environmental variables in situ, including magnitude of the issue and the multi-layered cloud coverage, wind speed and direction, sea solutions that are needed to address it. How is surface temperature, and visibility. Crucial data, this possible in a Marine Protected Area? Well, such as cyclical and climatic shifts, have also SAMPA currently exists as a “paper park” with no been shown to affect the occurrence and abunmanagement plan implemented to date by the dance of whale sharks, and the individuals in island council or Maldivian authorities despite South Ari Atoll in particular are now known to ongoing discussions between stakeholders—a show monsoonal movements across the atoll. stark reminder that effective ocean conservation Space technology starts on land. Many sharks, including whale sharks, were once actively hunted in the Maldives Every evening, when it was time to enter all our data from the day into the MWSRP spreadfor their prized liver oil used to waterproof dhosheets, and then run the ID software to crossnis, traditional fishing vessels. The introduction check for potential matches, I could not help of synthetic coating reduced this practice until but smile and think back to the role of space the ban on shark fishing in 2010 brought it to a technology in the development of the technolocomplete end. gy we now use for shark conservation. Did you Monitoring whale sharks know that for many island cultures in places Today, dhonis serve as dive boats, and in our with large seasonal aggregations of whale case as our scientific vessels. Our days in South sharks, the unique spot pattern of these aniAri Atoll were spent patrolling the atoll’s waters mals (resembling a starry night sky) has earned in search of these endangered sharks. We would them the role of mystical connectors between wake up, transfer from our mother ship to the the unknown ocean and unexplored space. The survey vessel, and spend the next eight hours of cosmological significance attributed to the ani-

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PHOTO JONO ALLEN

PHOTO BORI BENNET

Whale sharks suffer greatly from the impacts of human activities. Maldivian diver and shark guide Lonu dives down to free a whale shark entangled in industrialgrade plastic waste.

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PHOTO BORI BENNET

A tiger shark approaches a diving vessel from below.

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In partnership with the island council, we will now be the first organization to conduct long-term comprehensive studies of tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah.

PHOTO JONO ALLEN 16

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PHOTO MICHAEL LEWINGTON

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PHOTO MATT PORTEUS

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Underwater photographer Jono Allen captures a large approaching female tiger shark.

mal is also reflected in the local names given to encounters used to be several minutes long them. In Madagascar, for example, whale sharks just a few years ago, allowing people to observe are referred to as “marokintana” (Malagasy: these gentle giants and swim next to them, “many stars”). Likewise, the Javanese name for today many whale sharks quickly dive down whale sharks is “hiu geger lintang,” translating to when approached by people and boats. The “fish with stars on its back.” The widespread per- extent of human pressure on these sharks left ception of whale sharks as swimming “undersea some of our volunteers on board baffled when constellations” is not only part of long-standing we logged more than 10 vessels—each with an oral traditions in coastal cultures but has also average number of 15 tourists on board—crowdfound its way into ing one whale shark. contemporary science.

Over the next weeks, Moving away from the old And here is where similar stories unfolded narratives of how sharks the magic happens: and our concern for the The spot patterns on sharks grew steadily injure humans, we want each whale shark are when we observed countto highlight how humans as unique as human less vessels speeding injure sharks and shine a fingerprints, and the through the MPA, injuring light on the complexity of software applied by sharks in the process. human-shark relationships researchers to idenIronically, most of these tify individual whale vessels are speeding to in Fuvahmulah. sharks was develquickly reach a whale oped in collaboration shark sighted by other with NASA astronomers and adapted from the boats. Recommendations by research groups star-matching algorithm used by the Hubble and online campaigns across the Maldives space telescope. Confirming the identity of a have raised some awareness of this issue, but whale shark will never cease to be an exciting without enforcement by rangers or the threat of part of my work and continues to serve as a refines, it has proven challenging to prevent boats minder that the natural world is interconnected from doing so. The case of SAMPA highlights in unexpected ways. global lessons regarding the uncertain future of this endangered species. Like many other areas Tourism: a sustainable alternative? with large numbers of whale sharks, SAMPA too Photo IDs of whale sharks are also a critical tool provides critical habitat for this rapidly declining that allows us to accurately track injuries and shark species and if managed well, can continhealing rates as well as observe behaviors over ue to serve as a critical nursery site for juvenile time. Most importantly, they provide a window of whale sharks. Not only does the current pressure insight into encounter data that would otherwise from tourism impede their feeding and thermonot reflect the full picture of what is happening in regulation behavior, but it also jeopardizes the SAMPA. My thesis showed that the encounters health of the population in the long run. What is have declined by 52%. We are only seeing half as often overlooked is that this is not only an issue many whale sharks in South Ari Atoll as we used threatening these animals; current practices also to… or do we? Photo ID data of the sharks still reduce the economic sustainability of the inencountered in the MPA reveals that the area dustry. A decline in the very species responsible has not lost its sharks or experienced a decline for attracting tourists is bound to impact local in their population size. The same individual development. Successful whale shark tourism in sharks are still present, they simply return to the SAMPA needs to protect wildlife and their habisurface significantly less, most likely due to distats while also balancing its social and economturbance from tourism. Many whale sharks have ic values—an issue that is not only present in been displaying increasingly evasive behavior South Ari Atoll but also across the Maldives and in the presence of boats and tourists, and while the world.

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Fuvahmulah: Maldives’ shark island

Since the inception of the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme to study whale sharks in South Ari Atoll, reports of identified individuals have led to the expansion of data collection to other atolls. While in most of these cases the sighted whale sharks are resident juvenile males, in the waters of Fuvahmulah, a small remote island in the deep south of the Maldives large female whale sharks have been sighted. A significant finding, as encounters with females globally are rare and only recorded in a handful of places, such as the Galapagos Islands and St. Helena. The most recent comprehensive assessment of extinction risk for all 31 oceanic species of sharks and rays has determined a decline in their global abundance by 71%, resulting from an 18-fold increase in relative fishing pressure since the 1970s. Amidst these statistics, the Indian Ocean stands out as the epicenter of megafauna loss, and in the middle of it is Fuvahmulah, a beacon of hope for the conservation of our world’s apex predators. It is known

as “Shark Island” among the locals. Located in the deep waters of the equatorial channel, the island not only witnesses the presence of whale sharks but is also a vital pathway for the migration of endangered oceanic manta rays and schooling hammerhead sharks, has a cleaning station frequented by endangered pelagic thresher sharks, and is home to a resident population of over 200 tiger sharks—the largest population of tiger sharks in the world that we know of to date.

Shark hospital

Sharks have thrived in the waters of the island after the national ban on shark fishing ten years ago. But despite this positive development, human impacts continue to negatively affect the species through increasing pressure from rapidly expanding and unregulated dive tourism, conflict with tuna fishermen, and incidental bycatch

PHOTO MALDIVES WHALE SHARK RESEARCH PROGRAMME

The question is not how sharks hurt humans but how humans hurt sharks. A boat propeller injured this whale shark.

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PHOTO JONO ALLEN

in artisanal fisheries. Baseline data derived from photos taken by our team members over nine months suggests that about 30% of the sharks have suffered anthropogenic injuries, with many of them being named “Half-fin,” “Joker,” or “Pirate” by local dive centers, names reflective of the amputations, dislocated jaws, and cuts they have sustained. Several individuals are estimated to be pregnant, and together with the injured individuals seem to display strong site fidelity, according to observations from local dive centers with regular resightings of the same shark over the last two years. This suggests that Fuvahmulah might act as a “rehabilitation station” or “hospital” for weaker and energetically compromised sharks. Together with some of Fuvahmulah’s most passionate shark conservationists, I had the opportunity to meet with with the mayor of the island and highlight the importance of Fuvahmulah for the conservation of sharks globally. All signs pointed to the island being a globally significant shark hotspot with an uncertain future, yet aside from photo IDs collected by one dive center and individual research projects conducted by visiting marine

A tiger shark with an eye injury, possibly from a fishing hook.

biologists, little comprehensive research effort has been focused on the sharks in this tiny speck of land on the equatorial channel. To fill this critical research gap, we decided to establish the Miyaru Programme—Fuvahmulah Shark Project. “Miyaru” means “shark” in Dhivehi. Our name not only represents our dedication to the research and conservation of the understudied shark populations of the Maldives but also our firm commitment to collaborative, transparent, and inclusive research that is reflective of our values. We strive to become a research team that consists of 3/4 Maldivian and 1/4 international scientists to ensure sustainability and capacity-building on the ground.

Fuvahmulah Shark Project

Working in partnership with the island council and local community groups, we now seek to conduct the first comprehensive and interdisciplinary studies of sharks in Fuvahmulah through monitoring of tourism pressure and advanced classification of anthropogenic injuries.

Our collaborators include researchers from around the world, including NatGeo Explorer

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PHOTO JONO ALLEN

The Maldivians call Fuvahmulah “Shark Island.” A local freedives with a tiger shark.

PHOTO ARZUCAN ASKIN

The harbor on Fuvahmulah, one of the most southern islands in the Maldivian archipelago.

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and PecLab FIU Director Dr. Yannis Papastamatiou, who has over 26 years of experience studying our world’s apex predators. Once we have gathered enough funding, we are seeking to employ novel technologies and use touchless ultrasound devices underwater to confirm pregnancies. Globally, there are still large gaps in our knowledge of tiger shark reproduction and the presence of several pregnant sharks could indicate that mating grounds could be near.

Most importantly, our objective is to monitor the health and residency behavior of these beautiful predators and generate knowledge that will feed into the island’s shark conservation and management plan, serving both local livelihoods and wildlife.

highlight how humans injure sharks and shine a light on the complexity of human-shark relationships in Fuvahmulah. The first phase of our work will be dedicated to tiger sharks; however, the deeper waters of the island offer encounters with rare species such as pelagic threshers— one of the most elusive oceanic shark species.

For phase two, our goal will be to put together a highly qualified technical dive team to descend beyond recreational limits and gather data in the deep. Rebreathers will be a critical tool for this mission, as threshers are shy and quickly get scared away by divers’ bubbles. GUE Fundamentals training—which has never been done in the Maldives—will allow our team to refine the core skills required to conduct these challenging dives. As divers, we have access to a world so Rare encounters few people get to experience, and as a research Our approach is multidimensional and will not team, we are incredibly privileged to spend so only bring together science and conservation much time in the presence of our ocean’s giants. but also storytelling underwater. We believe in That access comes with responsibility. A new the power of science, communication and trans- and mostly unexplored world of sharks awaits parency. Our research processes, outcomes, and in the deep reefs of Fuvahmulah, and with it the the stories of the people we work with will be discovery of new knowledge that could help us captured by professional underwater photograto protect what might be the last shark sanctuphers and videographers to reach more people, ary of the Indian Ocean. share new shark stories, and make an impact For information on the projects, visit on the conservation of sharks locally as well as internationally. Moving away from the old narra- www.fuvahmulahsharks.org and www.miyaru.org tives of how sharks injure humans, we want to

Arzucan Askin

PHOTO ALEX MUSTARD

Arzucan Askin is a marine scientist, technical diver, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and National Geographic Explorer. Her scientific work at the intersection of oceans and society has taken her across the globe, from the monitoring of coral reef health in the waters of Hong Kong, the tracking of illegal fishing activities in Malaysia, ghost gear removal from wrecks in Turkey, all the way to acoustic monitoring of blue whales in uncharted Arctic waters. Awarded the 2021 European Rolex Scholarship

for a year of advanced dive training and marine science in the field, she spent the last year travelling the world to learn from leading researchers and dive professionals in the underwater world. As co-founder of the Miyaru Programme, she currently works on setting up shark science and storytelling projects that illuminate the intersection of human societies and sharks. She also hosts specialized shark dive expeditions together with underwater photographer Jono Allen. www.arzucan-askin.com November 2022 · Quest

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HABITATS —A dry place to hang out

TEXT KIRILL EGOROV PHOTOS KIRILL EGOROV & KARST UNDERWATER EXPLORERS

Long decompression stops are known to be boring at best, but they can also include varying degrees of discomfort or even dangerous conditions; for example, hypothermia caused by a leaking drysuit. The possibility of finishing a long and deep cave dive in a dry habitat is appealing. However, whether to install one is a risk-versus-benefits decision. After spending a fair bit of time on decompression stops in water and in habitats, Kirill Egorov shares his habitat experiences.

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s long as humans have existed, they have ventured underwater. Some of their reasons had to do with gathering food, looking for treasures, and/or conducting military activities.

From the beginning, these early divers tried to overcome the limitations caused by breath-hold diving.

Long before the invention of technologies, such as surface-supplied equipment, rebreathers, and open-circuit diving gear, the inverted diving bell was developed. This chamber can be suspended in the water and filled with air. It is open at the bottom, allowing divers to get in and out while conducting underwater operations.

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Probably the earliest description belongs to Aristotle, who wrote the following in the 4th century BC: “Diving bells enable the divers to respire equally well by letting down a cauldron, for this does not fill with water but retains the air, for it is forced straight down into the water.”

From Aristotle’s time until today, historical references to the use of different types of diving bells can be found. Such devices have been used for recovering sunken treasures from the Spanish ships off the coast of Florida and Santo Domingo, for salvaging the wrecks of Mary Rose and Vasa, and many other underwater adventures.

This habitat is equipped with a scrubber unit, an essential feature that allows the decompressing divers to get off the mouthpieces.

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PHOTO KIRILL EGOROV

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Cave divers use habitats to make long decompression stops more comfortable and potentially safer. They allow us to get rid of some or all diving equipment, get out of the water, warm up and relax, talk, eat, and drink.

The simple, original design has undergone some significant improvements over time. Dive operations began to replenish breathing gas (first using barrels to transport it, then later bellows and pumps), different combinations of ropes and weights were deployed to change depth while sitting in the bell, and ropes and colored flags were used to communicate with the surface crew.

These concepts are still in use today and are actively utilized by commercial and military divers.

The scientific diving community not only found a good use for diving bells but also somewhat expanded the concept by developing underwater habitats—submerged structures in which people can live for extended periods and carry out most of the basic human functions during a 24-hour day, such as working, resting, eating, attending to personal hygiene, and sleeping.

Adventurers and explorers such as Jacques Cousteau and Edwin Albert Link contributed much to underwater habitat research by setting up multi-day underwater operations in order to study not only the ocean, but also how the human body copes with such conditions.

How does all this apply to us? Technical divers, especially cave divers, tend to “borrow” various technologies from military and commercial diving communities to put them to extremely good use in their field. Rebreathers and DPVs are good examples of this.

Risks vs benefits

A soft-shell habitat is relatively easy to install and fits in many environments.

Cave divers use habitats to make long decompression stops more comfortable and potentially safer. They allow us to get rid of some or all diving equipment, get out of the water (at least partially), warm up and relax, talk, eat, and drink.

Some nicer ones will even allow the use of a tablet or an MP3 player. Divers can even read a book to help with the boredom of long decompressions.

At the same time, some potential risks are present when a team utilizes a habitat. For instance, during installation, visibility can be bad.

Also, if the operation is not planned correctly, divers can end up blocked from the cave exit.

Habitats float and are tough to secure due to the significant volume of gas. Anchors, ice screws, November 2022 · Quest

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PHOTO KARST UNDERWATER EXPLORERS

Containers used for beer or wine making can be modified to serve as hard-shell habitats.

the cave ceiling, metal frames, or a combinaStable and cozy Let’s say that our project team has decided to tion of all those factors create a significant use a habitat. Now we have to choose where challenge. Also, as with any gas-filled volume, and how to install it, as well as what type of haba leak can lead to loss of breathing gas and/ itat will best fit our needs. or even the collapse of We must start by decidthe soft-shell habitat. ing if it will be a short- or Care must be taken to The simple start is to choose a long-time application avoid CO2 build-up in between hard and soft-shell the habitat, and divand how far into a cave options. ers are advised to be we will have to place it to cautious when going meet our decompression off their rebreather needs. It is important not loops or open-circuit regulators. Lastly, bacteria to disturb the aesthetic of the cave for other divor mold can accumulate if the habitat is used ers. We will also need to decide how to secure it. for several seasons or years. Granted, all of Is it going to be anchored to the floor, screwed these are manageable risks, but they must be into the walls, or pushed against the ceiling? discussed whenever a team considers using a That is where we will have to look at different habitat for their project. design options.

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Installing a habitat requires planning and teamwork.

Also, the habitat must be tested before using it for sharp deco dives.

PHOTO KARST UNDERWATER EXPLORERS

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The simple start is to choose between hard and soft-shell options.

Hardshell habitats are produced in different sizes and, as a result, they provide a very different level of comfort and complexity of installation. The simplest ones are nothing but a plastic tub, big enough for a diver to get their head (and maybe shoulders) out of the water to get some rest from the mouthpiece, clear the mask, drink and eat something and chat about the dive. But another choice is to use a large container normally used to transport water or juices for winemaking and brewing. These allow a diver to get out of the water. After the equipment is removed and clipped outside, divers can sit and have a very comfortable deco. These habitats are stable and very cozy, and they allow for setting up a number of extras, such as attachment points for scrubbers or food tubes. They can stay in service for years but will need periodic checks and scrubbing. The problem with large hard-shell habitats is that they can be used only in a rather large cave with a big entrance, easy water access, and a stable flat ceiling at a specific depth.

Teamwork is essential

Soft-shell habitats are often made-to-order neoprene or rubber bags resembling an oversized lift bag. The shoft-shell habitat will have to be either stretched over a metal frame, pushed into 30

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the frame, or pushed into the ceiling and secured to the wall and the floor using anchors and screws.

These habitats are much smaller and easier to transport, both on land and in the water. They are somewhat easier to install, can be set up in several environments (potentially even in open water), and may be set up to change depth as a team is going through their decompression inside.

Unfortunately, the costs for soft habitats are pretty high, as they have to be made to order. They tend to develop minor leaks over time as they are pushed into walls and ceilings. This is especially the case if they have a dump valve installed. They also require modifications of the cave, such as drilling or nailing, a practice that is not the most environmentally friendly approach.

Whatever option is chosen, it is essential to work as a team during all preparations—to set up and fill the habitat—as well as to ensure that everyone is safe and knows what is happening.

It is also crucial to do a few test dives to ensure everything works as intended before trusting the habitat to support dives that require substantial decompression.

Cool toys

Once the habitat is in place, what’s next? Over the last ten years, several cave diving teams around the globe have not only embraced the use of habitats but have also enhanced the habitat’s safety and comfort to a whole new level. Karst Underwater Explorers (KUR) is an example. The team provided photos for this article and, as a member, I would like to highlight a few cool items.

Probably the number one cool toy we have is a habitat scrubber. As mentioned above, a simple diving bell without surface-supplied gas and recirculation will slowly accumulate CO2.

This will eventually make the gas in the habitat unbreathable, causing the divers to be forced to breathe from a regulator or rebreather during

The habitats usually do not provide much space, but they are a much better option than decompressing in water.

PHOTOS KARST UNDERWATER EXPLORERS

The scrubber unit is made out of an old CCR handset and a stack of sofnolime. It regulates both the CO2 and the pO2 in the habitat.

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the stay in the habitat. This is tiring, boring, and prevents conversation. Staying on the breathing apparatus defies the whole purpose of having a habitat. To mitigate this problem, the KUR team designed a simple scrubber unit that uses a fan to circulate gas through a stack of sofnolime.

Three cells measure the oxygen content, and an old rebreather handset is used to monitor the oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in the habitat. So, not only can we get rid of CO2, but we can also maintain a pO2 of our choosing by adding oxygen into the habitat.

Item number two on the list of cool additions is a habitat phone and in-habitat internet connection. During long dives, from setting up, cleaning up after the dive, bringing in food and drinks, managing any emergencies, and engaging EMS if needed, we are totally in the hands of the support team. Therefore, it is nice to be able to communicate with them without needing a support diver to get in the water to make sure we have everything we need and that all is well.

Finally, as already mentioned, we can bring down an iPad and a set of Bluetooth speakers in a waterproof bag, allowing us to, relax, eat something nice, discuss the dive, call our support team, and watch a movie. That makes for a perfect end to a great dive.

PHOTO KARST UNDERWATER EXPLORERS

The habitat phone and internet connection facilitate effective communication with the surface support team.

Kirill Egorov

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Kirill Egorov graduated from Moscow State Pedagogical University as a teacher of Physics in 1999 and attended a course of archaeology at Moscow State University. These two specialties allowed him to participate in multiple scientific research programs. After his first try-dive in 2000, Kirill was totally amazed with the underwater world, and made it his hobby first and profession later. He became a PADI recreational

and technical instructor in 2003-2004 and joined GUE in 2005. Since that moment he has concentrated on two main passions: diving and teaching diving. Kirill is currently teaching for GUE at Cave 2, Tech 2, and CCR levels and working on GUE training materials. He resides in High Springs, Florida, which allows him to cave dive as much as possible.

GUE TECH 1 PHOTOS BORI BENNET

A GIANT LEAP FORWARD Read m the GUE ore about Tec and see h 1 course schedul ed classes o www.gu n e.com

THE GUE TECHNICAL DIVER LEVEL 1 COURSE

• Cultivates, integrates, and expands essential skills required for safe technical diving • Teaches you how to prevent, identify, and resolve problems • Addresses the potential failures associated with twinsets • Introduces accelerated decompression strategies, single stage diving, and the use of helium to minimize narcosis

JULIAN MÜHLENHAUS A picture says more than thousand words

A

s someone who loves being in the water, and preferably under the surface, Julian’s interest is creating pictures of this fascinating aspect of the world.

Since most people are not able to visit this portion of the planet, he wants to share all the beauty and diversity that exists.

Telling a story within these pictures is key, as it then elicits emotions in the viewer: Showing a diver exploring known or unknown territory, capturing the action of a fast-paced underwater hockey game, models or athletes demonstrating the calmness and easiness of breath-hold

diving. His passion for diving started as a child when he first learned snorkeling in his local dive club in northern Germany. He then started discovering the underwater world in many ways, including freediving, scuba diving, and rebreather diving in caves and on wrecks and reefs, as well as playing underwater hockey.

Fascinated by the underwater world of the Baltic Sea, he was only able to collect memories and mental images in the first years. His photography journey started with old fashioned film equipment in the late 1990s, using a makeshift darkroom in his parents’ bathroom for developing black and white pictures. In the early 2000s, he was finally able to take his passion for photography from above the surface to below, capturing his first real pictures underwater. www.julian-muehlenhaus.com TITLE Emergency Exit LOCATION Slate mine Christine, Germany CAMERA Canon 5D MII LENS Sigma 15mm fisheye EXPOSURE 1/60, f6,3, ISO 320 FLASH 2 x Subtronic Pro 160, 2 x Nikonos SB105 COMMENTS Someone marked the emergency exit with the German word Notausgang.

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TITLE Heading for the wreck LOCATION Giannis D, Abu Nuhas, Egypt CAMERA Canon EOS 5D Mark II LENS Sigma 15mm fisheye EXPOSURE 1/40s, f5.6, ISO 200 FLASH None COMMENTS Three divers during the descent to the wreck.

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TITLE Halls of fame LOCATION Slate mine Nuttlar, Germany CAMERA Canon EOS 5D Mark II LENS Sigma 15mm fisheye EXPOSURE 1/40s, f6.3, ISO 1600 FLASH 2 x Inon Z330, 2 x Nikonos SB105 COMMENTS Two divers exploring one of the big halls in the flooded slate mine.

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TITLE Take off LOCATION Sinai, Egypt CAMERA Sony A7R III LENS Sigma 15mm fisheye

EXPOSURE 1/125, f13, ISO 160 FLASH 2 x Inon Z330 COMMENTS Three divers watching a huge stingray taking off from the sand.

TITLE Attack LOCATION Swimming pool Elmshorn, Germany CAMERA Sony A7R III LENS Sony FE 16-35mm f4 EXPOSURE 1/10s, f10, ISO 1250 FLASH 4 x Inon Z330 COMMENT The UW rugby team Schlickteufel on the way to the strike.

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TITLE The Explorer LOCATION Chrisoula K, Abu Nuhas, Egypt CAMERA Sony A7R III LENS Sigma 15mm fisheye for Canon EXPOSURE 1/60, f8, ISO 1000

FLASH 4 x Inon Z330 (two on camera, two placed on the tanks of the divers) COMMENTS Due to the percolation in the engine room of the wreck, it was necessary to work efficiently and fast.

TITLE Not a school of sharks LOCATION Hurghada, Egypt CAMERA Sony A7R III LENS Sigma 15mm fisheye EXPOSURE 1/250, f13 ISO 400 FLASH None COMMENT I wanted to imitate images of large schools of sharks.

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TITLE Circular Saw LOCATION Slate mine Felicitas, Germany CAMERA Sony A7R III LENS Sigma 15mm fisheye

EXPOSURE 1/40, f7.1, ISO 2500 FLASH 3 x Inon Z330 COMMENTS Remains in an abandoned and flooded slate mine.

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– Essentials of the GUE equipment configuration

ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT THIS ARTICLE SERIES IS BASED ON THE GUE PUBLICATION DRESS FOR SUCCESS BY DAN MACKAY. ADDITIONAL TEXT BY JESPER KJØLLER PHOTOS HALCYON & JESPER KJØLLER

In addition to the standard base equipment necessary for all dives, GUE divers often carry extra equipment that can be situation dependent. One should always evaluate the utility of additional equipment since it is easy to continue accumulating a variety of paraphernalia that unnecessarily weighs down a diver while adding additional effort and stress.

I

n addition to the standard base equipment necessary for all dives, GUE divers often carry extra equipment that can be situation dependent. One should always evaluate the utility of additional equipment since it is easy to continue accumulating a variety of paraphernalia that unnecessarily weighs down a diver while adding additional effort and stress.

Extra equipment that has passed the needed/ not needed test and has been deemed useful for the effectiveness or the safety of the dive is transported in a manner that satisfies two criteria: 1) The equipment must be out of the way, so it does not compromise the diver’s streamlined profile, cause entanglement problems, damage the equipment, or impact environmental surroundings, and 2) The equipment must be easily accessible during the dive. In most cases, the

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best way to accomplish these goals is to store extra equipment in pockets positioned on the side of a diver’s thigh, almost on the hips. Even if the thigh-mounted pockets protrude a bit, they do not significantly add to the diver’s drag, as they are predominantly hidden behind the shoulders when the diver is in a flat trim position.

Compass

The compass is a valuable equipment item.

Many divers accept that a compass is part of the configuration but then fail to use it. However, the compass provides excellent accuracy for directional awareness when used properly. Learn, with practice, how to use the compass by incorporating it into a normal diving regimen.

The compass should be rugged and easy to read. It should have a luminous dial, an easily referenced lubber line, large cardinal points, and a

Most digital dive instruments feature a digital compass, but many divers prefer traditional magnetic units.

PHOTO KIRILL EGOROV

The small SMB and spool are compact enough to carry in a pocket.

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directional indicator. The compass must be liquid filled, and the needle pivot should allow for tilting of the compass at reasonable angles without causing the needle to stick. The compass should also have a port on the side for horizontal viewing and be worn on the left wrist with the view port toward the diver. The compass can be digital and integrated in a dive computer but, in that case, it can be difficult to read.

sages to the surface crew. In an emergency, an SMB may be used as a flotation device. For diving in the ocean, divers sometimes carry two SMBs, a large one and a smaller one. The larger SMB is either stowed in the storage pack on the back plate or secured to the bottom of the back plate using two loops of shock cord. The smaller SMB, with a spool pre-attached, is typically stored in a pocket.

Surface Marker Buoy (SMB)

Spools

Marking devices come in two types: open circuit Spools can serve multiple purposes but are (OC) and closed circuit (CC). An open-circuit primarily used to deploy SMBs and to provide bag has a physical opening in the bottom of directional guidance in overhead and low-visibilithe bag that requires purging a regulator into it ty environments. to fill the bag. A closed-circuit bag has a valve In cave diving and advanced wreck penethat the diver either blows up orally or attaches tration they can offer directional control when to a low-pressure accessory hose for inflation. covering short distances, such as completing Extreme care must be jumps and gaps, or they taken to ensure that can be used as an emerthe valve on the SMB gency safety device for The SMB provides surface is one that does not lost line/buddy drills. See support with a visual lock to the hose, which page 60 for more inforreference to the location of could cause a rapid mation about the use of a diver and also gives the uncontrolled ascent to spools in cave diving. diver a point of reference the surface if the diver Spools should be simis unable to detach the ple and without locking during decompression hose. mechanisms or handles. stops. An SMB enhances At one time, the The central hole should safety by providing location closed-circuit design be large enough to allow information to surface was preferable because handling with thick wet support and is especially it was possible for the or dry gloves. open-circuit bag to Many divers carry useful in high traffic areas. reach the surface, fall at least two spools. A over, and “dump” its air, 25 m/75 ft spool with a rendering it ineffective double-ender is carried as a marking device. Newer designs have a trap- as a safety spool in the right-hand pocket and ping mechanism that stops this from occurring. should only be deployed in cases of emergency.

A diver considering an OC SMB should be sure The middle of a silt-out or a lost buddy situation that it has an anti-dumping design. is not the time to discover one’s safety spool is The SMB provides surface support with a not where it is supposed to be or that it is tanvisual reference to the location of a diver and gled. That is why it is imperative that the emeralso gives the diver a point of reference during gency spool is simple and tangle-free. When this decompression stops. An SMB enhances safedevice is needed, it is definitely needed. ty by providing location information to surface The second spool is typically 30 m/100 ft support and is especially useful in high traffic and is attached to the secondary lift device, the areas. It can also be used to float expended 1 m/3 ft SMB, and stowed in the right pocket. stages/decompression bottles so they can be A third spool, also with 30 m/100 ft of line, may located and recovered, and/or to send up mesbe carried in the right pocket for use with the

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Spools and reels must be as simple as possible without unnecessary tension mechanisms or ratchets.

primary lift device or for general-purpose use, if required. Spools larger than 30 m/100 ft tend to be cumbersome and should only be carried for special purposes. If a dive requires a spool larger than this, consideration should be given to carrying a primary reel. Larger spools such as the 45 m/150 ft should be restricted to overhead environment use.

Primary reel

In overhead or low visibility environments, the primary reel provides a navigational guideline back to the daylight zone for exiting.

The reel must be of a simple design without possible line traps between the handle and spool. No ratchets, spring-loaded tension mechanisms, or retaining devices are needed.

The capacity should be at least 120 m/400 ft.

The primary reel can be carried attached to the diver on the butt D-ring of the crotch strap.

Take care when selecting a primary reel, avoiding gimmicky designs that are easily tangled. Dealing with a troublesome reel can be

See page 60 for more information about the use of spools and reels in cave diving. frustrating at depth when bottom time is ticking away. A poorly designed reel can also cause a significant entanglement hazard when line unexpectedly pays off the reel and trails behind, unbeknownst to the diver. When attaching the double-ended bolt snap to the reel, ensure that it is snapped down through the top of the attachment point of the reel. This will ensure that the reel cannot automatically detach itself from the bolt snap, which happens on an annoyingly regular basis if the bolt snap is attached incorrectly.

Bolt snaps/double-enders

Bolt snaps and double-enders provide a method to attach equipment to the harness or to store ancillary equipment in pockets. Choosing the right size for the job can vastly improve ease of attaching or detaching equipment as required. All stainless steel construction is important. While brass and nickel-plated devices are less expensive, they rarely include a stainless-steel gate spring. Springs that are November 2022 · Quest

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Select quality stainless steel bolt snaps and doubleenders to avoid jamming caused by corrosion. not stainless steel tend to rust and jam quickly, even in freshwater. It is wise to incur the extra expense and effort to insist on stainless steel bolt snaps and double-enders, as these devices are frequently being manipulated by feel alone. This becomes a nearly impossible task when a rusted gate jams and impinges on diver safety, especially when expending an inordinate amount of effort while conducting time-sensitive maneuvers, such as manipulating stage bottles at depth.

Select the correct device for the job and avoid choosing a bolt snap that is too big.

In general, the following sizes are used for the tasks indicated: • • • •

Securing the long hose to the harness – 1/2” bolt snap Securing backup lights to the harness – 1/2” bolt snap Securing the SPG to the left-hip D-ring – 3/4” bolt snap Securing stage bottles – 3/4” or 1” bolt snaps

Double-enders are the jack-of-all-trades and are used for a variety of tasks. It is appropriate to raise another training caveat at this time: Avoid the urge to think that bigger is better. Use the appropriately sized attachment device for 44

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the task indicated. What seems like a difficult job to attach and remove when first learning a skill becomes easier when motor skill and muscle memory improve through practice. As always, stick with the mantra of never substituting equipment for skill.

Wetnotes

Wetnotes provide a method of communication while underwater and data collection.

When hand or light signals are inadequate, wetnotes can provide an unambiguous method of communicating clearly. As well, they provide a very convenient place to keep deco schedules or any other information that a diver may require to have at their disposal on a permanent basis. They are also far more flexible than slates for survey work.

The wetnotes binder can also store tools, pencils, small spare parts, and even survey compasses. The wetnotes chosen should have the erasable, spiral-bound sheets and an external cover that provides a secure storage area for pencils and a survey compass, as well as an elastic closure method and an attachment point for a bolt snap. Wetnotes are stored securely clipped off to a bungee in a pocket when not in use.

Next time: bottom timers and computers

When planning the dive, PHOTO MICHAEL LEWINGTON essential parameters like deco schedules and minimum gas calculations are recorded in wetnotes.

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The wetnotes binder can also store tools, pencils, small spare parts, and even survey compasses.

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TYING THE KNOT When attaching a bolt snap to equipment such as the long hose, the SPG hose, or backup lights, we use cave line and a special knot. Done correctly, the knot is very resilient but still allows some movement of the bolt snap. And, cave line is easy to cut in case of a jammed bolt snap.

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED 1. A bolt snap of appropriate size 2. 30 cm/12 in of cave line 3. A lighter 4. The equipment item 5. A pair of scissors

 Run the cave line through the eye of the bolt snap and the backup light.

Make two loops as shown.

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 Pull the ends of the line to snug up

the bolt snap. Arrange the tails of the cave line as shown. Don’t worry if you leave some slack in the loops, as any unnecessary slack will be taken up in the next step.

 Run each end of the line once around the center of the loops to end up like shown here.

 Tie a very tight

reef knot and trim the ends, leaving approximately a 1 cm/.25 in tail.

 Fray the edges and melt them back with a lighter. Use caution to protect your fingers!

 Use the lighter

bottom to flatten the melted nylon to the knot. This permanently locks the attachment.

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TECH 1 Train hard, fight easy

TEXT JESPER KJØLLER PHOTOS JESPER KJØLLER & DERK REMMERS

In the last issue of Quest, Guy Shockey’s articl the optimal preparations to take before the GU 1 course. Now that you know which preparati chances of passing, let’s go over the course an learn, the course structure, and its outcomes.

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Up to half of the diving time on a typical Tech 1 dive is spent in the water without many references; buoyancy and stability are essential.

le guided you through UE Technical Diver Level ions will increase your nd examine what you will PHOTO DERK REMMERS November 2022 · Quest

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W

hoosh! Not again!

Seriously? The torrent of bubbles behind your head makes a powerful hissing sound, and you immediately know that you must do something about it. Is the leak coming from the left or the right post?

Or maybe from the middle of the manifold?

You are not sure, so you make a quick decision based on your training—you begin to shut down the right-post valve while signaling to your team with your primary light on your left hand. You breathe your primary regulator down, clip it to your right chest D-ring, and switch to your backup with the left hand. You pause your breathing for a few seconds while listening for bubbles. Did they stop? Yes! That reveals essential information. First, you’re now sure that you chose the correct valve to shut down.

But, since the bubbles stopped, you also know that the problem might be fixable because it relates to a first-stage regulator and not the manifold. So far, so good. But now you need help.

You call in the closest teammate and ask for assistance. The diver in front of you takes note of what you are breathing—the necklace bungees on your cheeks reveal that you’ve switched to your backup and that the left post is open and functioning.

Your teammate goes into troubleshooting mode behind your head and out of your field of vision while you orient yourself, make sure the line is nearby, and ensure that the team isn’t drifting away.

Your aide reappears in front of you, taps you on your right shoulder, and indicates with

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an OK sign to you and the third team member that your right-post regulator is reseated. It is good again, and you can switch back to your primary second stage. You unclip it, purge it to verify that it is breathable, and then you perform a flow check to verify all valves are open.

You also check that your deco cylinder valve is closed and pressurized, and, finally, you check your SPG before agreeing with the team to continue the dive.

This situation was simulated with a blow gun by the instructor on a GUE Tech 1 dive. During the course, this will occur again and again in different variations of left post, right post, fixable or non-fixable regulator, and manifold failures.

The intent is to move the valve drill from the Fundamentals course into a more realistic scenario and teach the Tech 1 trainee to deal with more advanced and realistic failure scenarios.

Problem solving

One way to differentiate between different levels of diving is to look at the basic problem-solving methodology. In recreational diving, it is always an option to abort the dive and go to the surface in the event of a problem. Even if most entry-level dive courses involve safety drills, they do not have to be as robust, as they only need to cover the distance between where the problem occurred and the surface.

Technical diving, however, is different. “Just go up“ is no longer an option. The shortest possible definition of technical diving is a scenario involving overhead and/or more than one gas deployed during the dive. Having a ceiling over your head—a virtual ceiling in the case of decompression or a physical ceiling in a cave, inside a wreck, or under ice—prevents the diver from applying the recreational problem-solving

PHOTO JESPER KJØLLER

“

One way to differentiate between different levels of diving is to look at the basic problem-solving methodology.

Before the failure scenarios are practiced in water, they are drilled during extensive dry runs.

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method. And, bringing more than one gas on the dive adds complexity and accelerates the possibility of breathing the wrong gas at the wrong depth with potentially fatal consequences.

Approaching a dive with these factors in mind poses a much higher demand on the diver, the team, the equipment, the training, the preparation, and the procedures.

Tech 1 is designed to develop problem-solving skills in the participants and to present well-proven and safe templates for normoxic trimix accelerated decompression dives to a maximum depth of 51 m/170 ft with a maximum of 30 minutes of decompression.

Privileged instructors

switch into an expect-the-unexpected mindset and trust that combining their Fundamentals skills, teamwork, and increased situational awareness will bring the team safely back to the surface.

But they are not left to their own devices. The correct response to different failures is briefed and practiced during dry runs before each of the training dives. It could be argued that the scenarios are slightly unrealistic. I mean, how likely is it that you lose your mask, your primary light fails, and you’re forced to shut half the team’s valves on the same dive? But, the aim is to present the team with increasingly complex situations to build the confidence to prioritize the challenges. This is where the “train hard, fight easy” approach enters the picture.

Historically, the Level 1 courses were developed before the Fundamentals class that later became a prerequisite for Tech 1 and Cave 1. That Gremlins Unless they’ve already taken a cave diving class, is why practically all the skills and concepts most Tech 1 students have only limited expetaught during Fundamentals are scaled directly rience working with reels and lines—so, one of towards Tech 1 or Cave 1. The Fundamentals the early dry runs teaches the students the baclass was reverse-engineered by instructors sic principles of line to basically answer the work. If you are not question, “What skills do careful, the line can we want our students to In the Tech 1 course, the create more probmaster, at a minimum, training shifts into a dynamic lems than it solves. It before they arrive for the scenario-based pattern. The is worth remembering Level 1 training?” students do not know what is that Gremlins and As a Tech 1 instructor, going to happen in detail. lines have one thing you are privileged. Your in common: Don’t get students already have a them wet! (The other Fundamentals Tech pass.

Gremlin rule—do not You have excellent raw feed them after midnight—does not really apply material to work with, and it is only a matter of to lines.) propelling the students to a new level of awareObviously, getting lines wet can’t be avoided, ness and providing them with the tools and but the Gremlin analogy at least reminds us that templates for executing decompression dives. lines must be handled with a lot of care underThey already know how to shoot an SMB, share water. While working on the line-laying dry run, gas, and do valve drills, and they should have a instructors present other failures such as lost decent repertoire of different propulsion methmasks and failed primary lights, and they introods. duce principles and necessary communication But, during Fundamentals, all of these skills for rearranging the team on the line. were practiced in a static and predictable The decompression cylinder is the key to setting, and they were prepared and briefed technical diving. It allows the diver to bring more by the instructor. No surprises. In the Tech 1 gas, and it facilitates accelerated decomprescourse, the training shifts into a dynamic scesion as the elevated oxygen partial pressure crenario-based pattern. The students do not know ates a more efficient elimination of inert gases. what is going to happen in detail. They must

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PHOTO JESPER KJØLLER

The line work dry run sets the pace for the entire course. Failures are introduced and the trainees learn how to rearrange the team to box in the weakest link.

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“

The focus here is developing decisionmaking, communication, and necessary situational awareness skills that make the team an efficient, functional, and safe unit.

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During the experience dives, the instructor might still create a few challenges, but the main focus is executing actual decompression dives in real environments.

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Ascent training is an integral part of the Tech 1 course. Ascents must be executed with precision in buoyancy control, timing, and communication.

Limited

Technical divers, especially wreck divers, spend a lot of time in the water column with little or no reference except for a downline or an SMB. Getting comfortable and stable in mid-water is an essential skill, which is why the first dive on the course begins where the Fundamentals course left off. Are the candidates able to perform S-drills and valve drills on a line? Do they have their priorities straight? It is more important to 56

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stay close to the line and keep the team together than to execute a smooth and fast valve drill. Also, on the first dive, instructors evaluate whether or not the team can perform every fin kick in their repertoire.

The rest of the training dives during the Tech 1 course can be divided into three parts. The first dives are relatively shallow and focus on developing team capacity and problem-solving skills. These dives can be represented by the letter “L,“ but it is lying down like this: The majority of the time is spent relatively shallow (the long stem of the lying “L”), with less time on the ascent. The students practice line-laying while dealing with basic problems such as lost masks, failing primary lights, and simple regulator failures (often ending in gas-sharing scenarios). The focus here is developing decision-making, communication, and necessary situational awareness skills that make the team an efficient, functional, and safe unit.

L

Deco cylinders are a new piece of equipment for a Tech 1 student, and they are introduced in a similar way as a weapon to a new recruit.

During boot camp, no shots are fired, but the soldiers get accustomed to carrying the weapon everywhere and develop constant awareness of the firearm’s status. During the first couple of dives, the deco cylinder is carried but not used— the students get a chance to perform skills like S-drills and valve drills while getting used to carrying the deco cylinder.

PHOTO DERK REMMERS

“

Getting safe and efficient access to explore depths between 30 m/100 ft and 51 m/170 ft is a considerable increase in exploration range for a diver.

Instructors also introduce the workflow of a decompression dive. The key is breaking the dive into smaller segments and preparing for each phase by thinking ahead. The students learn to ask themselves, “Where do I need to be positioned, and how can I best support the team and the mission?”

Typically, on the second day, instructors introduce the gas switch and add it to the scenarios. During a critical dry run, instructors emphasize the importance of doing clean and smooth gas switches and practice them. Now, the deco cylinder is no longer just baggage.

The second part of the dives (the upright “L”) aims to solidify the ascents, particularly

by teaching efficient communication for decompression stops. These dives are done to 30 m/100 ft, but still on nitrox. This gives the student an interesting experience with performing complex problem-solving tasks while under the influence of narcosis and drives home the point that the 30 m/100 ft END mandated by GUE standards makes a lot of sense.

The focus on the first part of the ascent is moving fast—9 m/30 ft per minute—to the first stop. From the first deco stop, the focus switches to precision in timing and stable buoyancy. Most teams struggle with timing and communication during decompression, so a dry run focusing on ascent protocols usually follows.

Classroom

Tech 1’s six academic chapters pick up where Fundamentals ends. After the introduction chapter that presents GUE, the November 2022 · Quest

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The Tech 1 rating opens up a new and exciting range of exploration possibilities between 30 m/100 ft and 51 m/ 170 ft. course structure, the course limits, and certification requirements, the two chapters that follow are a direct extension of similar chapters from the Fundamentals course.

Gas Dynamics covers oxygen limits and narcosis in more detail—the depth and decompression gas add complexity and require a deeper understanding of the impact different gases have on the human body at elevated partial pressures.

Gas Planning is more elaborate, as decompression cylinders are added to the calculations, and the Decompression chapter extends to cover not only decompression theory in depth, but also practical decompression planning with software and subsequent, pragmatic modifications to the profiles.

A big “light bulb” moment occurs when the students realize that a 40-minute dive at 39 m/130 ft, a 30-minute dive at 45 m/150 ft and a 20-minute dive at 51 m/170 ft present the same decompression—30 minutes of decompression with 3 minutes on the 21-9 m/70-30 ft stops and 15 minutes at 6 m/20 ft.

Chapters on decompression illness and dive planning round out the written materials. Students demonstrate theoretical mastery with the exam—essentially, a dive planning exercise covering decompression schedules and gas planning.

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PHOTO DERK REMMERS

Experience dives

The course culminates in part three: the three experience dives. Getting a chance to plan and execute real decompression dives in open water is where all the hard work pays off.

The students are breathing trimix and switching to 50% decompression gas on the way up. By now, most of the challenges should already have been mastered, so the instructor will not necessarily hit the students with multiple failures but let them enjoy the execution of the dives with only minor interference. The instructor will, however, usually orchestrate different ascent modalities to give the student a chance to handle a floating deco situation simulating a lost line in open water. Successfully getting a gas-sharing teammate up to the gas switch depth; drifting and executing a stable, efficient gas switch in the team; and getting a bag to the surface while keeping cool and prioritizing the different tasks are all good measures of success.

Getting safe and efficient access to explore depths between 30 m/100 ft and 51 m/170 ft is a considerable increase in exploration range for a diver.

After the course, newly certified Tech 1 students will be surprised at how easy it is to execute Tech 1 dives. After dealing with an

increasing number of failures and more complex scenarios, they will be relieved to discover that most real dives run smoothly with very few glitches. They “trained hard.” Now, they can enjoy the “fight easy” part. The students walk away from the course with a few standardized templates that can be modified to fit variations in depths and dive times.

The biggest revelation is when branching out from the course team and performing with other GUE Tech 1-trained divers. That is where the standardized approach to equipment configuration, communication, and protocols pays off.

The ability to seamlessly integrate with other teams and contribute to projects in a meaningful way from the first day is a great feeling. 

FACT FILE // GUE TECHNICAL DIVER LEVEL 1 WHO IS IT FOR? The Technical Diver Level 1 course requires a certification at GUE Fundamentals level with Technical rating requirements and a minimum of 100 experience dives.

Divers embarking on a technical path must be prepared to handle emergencies and execute dives during which they will not be able to make a direct ascent due to decompression obligations.

This type of diving requires an increased level of physical fitness, as there is more equipment to handle, and decompression stress is increased.

WHAT WILL I LEARN? Course outcomes include, but are not limited to: cultivating, integrating, and expanding the essential skills required for safe technical diving; identifying and resolving problems; using the double-tank configuration and addressing the potential failure problems associated with doing so; using nitrox for acceleration and general decompression strategies; using helium to minimize narcosis; and applying single decompression stage diving with respect to decompression procedures.

PREREQUISITES AND DURATION Applicants for a GUE Technical Diver Level 1 program must: • • • •

• •

Be a minimum of 18 years of age.

Be physically and mentally fit.

Be a non-smoker and able to swim.

Obtain a physician’s prior written authorization for use of prescription drugs, except for birth control, or for any medical condition that may pose a risk while diving.

Have earned a GUE Fundamentals Technical certification.

Have a minimum of 100 logged dives beyond entry-level scuba diver.

The Technical Diver Level 1 course is normally conducted over six days. It requires a minimum of seven dives (including three trimix experience dives) and at least 48 hours of instruction, encompassing classroom lectures, land drills, and in-water work.

CERTIFICATION Maximum deco Bottom gas Deco gas

30 minutes 30/30, 21/35, or 18/45 50% or 100%

The Tech 1 course is a prerequisite for the CCR 1 and Tech 2 programs, but both require a minimum of 25 experience dives in the logbook before enrolling.

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LINE FUNDA TEXT FROM THE GUE PUBLICATION DEEP INTO CAVE DIVING WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM KIRILL EGOROV, JARROD JABLONSKI, DANIEL RIORDAN, FRED DEVOS, TODD KINCAID, & CHRIS LE MAILLOT PHOTOS KIRILL EGOROV

The most obvious risk in overhead diving is the possibility that divers may be unable to quickly reach the surface in the event of a problem with navigation, equipment, or a team member. This constraint clearly distinguishes overhead diving (e.g., caves) from even the most aggressive types of open water diving. Cave divers minimize the risk of becoming lost by using guidelines that begin at the cave entrance.

T

his constraint clearly distinguishes overhead diving (e.g., caves) from even the most aggressive types of open water diving. Cave divers minimize the risk of becoming lost by using guidelines that begin at the cave entrance.

Entering an overhead environment without a continuous guideline to the open water greatly increases the likelihood of a fatality. Continuous guidelines are critical to cave divers’ ability to safely navigate in restricted passages or in limited visibility.

Because it is so important to maintain a continuous guideline to the exit, divers must 60

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be proficient in the use of guideline reels. And, while working with guidelines requires practice, guideline skills are a valuable asset in any type of overhead diving and are well worth the additional effort required to master them.

The type and number of guideline devices that cave divers will take on a dive will vary depending on their level of training and the part of the cave to be dived. However, all divers entering an overhead should have a minimum of one safety spool per diver and one penetration reel per team. Safety spools must have a minimum of 45 m/150 ft of line and should be used only in the event of an emer-

AMENTALS PHOTO KIRILL EGOROV

Working with lines is an essential skill for all cave divers.

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“

It is very important that cave divers become proficient in the use of guideline devices and the subtle techniques of proper guideline deployment.

gency. Emergency situations that would justify the use of a safety spool include searching for a lost line or dive buddy or repairing a damaged line. Penetration reels typically carry between 45 and 150 m/150 and 500 ft of line, and divers use them to bridge the distance between the entrance to the cave and the permanent guideline (usually about 30 m/100 ft into the cave).

Generally, prior to its use, divers are advised to knot the line on their reel every 3 m/10 ft to help them track the amount of guideline deployed. Jump and gap spools contain about 15 and 25 m/50 and 75 ft, respectively. Advanced cave divers use these spools to maintain a continuous line despite existing gaps (which we’ll discuss in later articles).

It is very important that cave divers become proficient in the use of guideline devices and the subtle techniques of proper guideline deployment.

Running the reel

When installing a guideline, overhead teams must follow an established protocol.

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First, before entering a cave, a team’s lead diver should run the penetration reel and secure its line to a fixed object in the open water.

This first tie-off—called a primary tie-off— should mark a position from which a direct ascent to the surface is possible, even during a complete loss of visibility. This guideline should be run close to the bottom to minimize interference with other divers. The projection on which this line is tied should be secure and large enough for a convenient tie-off, but not so large as to waste time or line. Typically, objects that are roughly basketball-sized or smaller provide the most efficient wraps. A primary tie-off includes two loops around the projection for extra security.

After the lead diver secures the primary tie-off and verifies the team’s readiness, they can begin penetrating the cave. Soon after entering the overhead, lead divers should install a secondary tie-off. In low-flow conditions, this is usually done very quickly; however, in high-flow conditions, teams should move beyond the entrance to a point where the flow may be reduced.

PHOTO KIRILL EGOROV

When running a primary reel, keeping it clean and tight is essential for providing enough space for other teams to safely enter and exit the cave.

Primary guidelines are always tied off by lead divers; nonetheless, they are a team responsibility. Other team members can provide assistance by illuminating the way, maintaining line tension, doing line placements, or otherwise helping to maintain team unity. The person nearest the lead diver should provide the most assistance, while other team members should verify the direction of travel and the position of the line, providing help as necessary.

If the line begins to drift or wander into smaller areas, the lead diver should place it under a rock or secure it to a projection. Line wandering into smaller areas can create line traps, which may impede a team’s ability to exit. During a loss of visibility, line that has drifted into a line trap is difficult or impossible to follow, greatly increasing the stress of the dive. To prevent line traps in unrestricted passageways, divers should fix the line with placements and tie-offs any time the cave or team changes depth or direction. While tie-offs can be a more secure method of preventing the line from drifting into traps, most divers prefer placements (defined

below) since they are simple to secure and faster to remove. Placements are also easier to follow in bad visibility. Divers may choose to use a tie-off rather than a placement when placements are not secure enough or, due to the terrain, not possible to execute.

Line placement

Cave line may be tucked or placed; this keeps it from drifting into line traps or from becoming slack (an entanglement hazard). Placements are meant to be simple attachment points, speedy anchors that not only facilitate simplified line following—especially in low visibility— but also reduce the amount of line that must be removed during the exit portion of the dive.

(Wrapping the line yields additional line that must be removed which, especially in heavy outflow, can add difficulty).

When placements are not sufficiently secure, divers use tie-offs. If the line is wrapped once around a projection, it is referred to as a single wrap, whereas wrapping it twice is referred to as a double wrap. Double wraps are usually

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PHOTO reserved BORI forBENNET primary and secondary tie-offs.

Though offering added security, making frequent tie-offs can be time consuming and can make line-following more challenging in low visibility conditions. Nonetheless, divers will occasionally need to secure the line between the primary and secondary tie-offs, especially when the tie-offs are separated by large distances.

The secondary tie-off also marks the location where team members should gather, ensure neutral buoyancy, and verify that everyone wants to continue with the penetration. Following the secondary tie-off, teams are free to continue with their penetration into the overhead, placing and wrapping the line as necessary.

Guideline etiquette

As a matter of courtesy, divers should try to keep their guidelines out of the way of other teams. On occasion, there may be several groups using the same cave entrance. Careless line placement can greatly inconvenience or even endanger other divers.

When a team runs their reel into an overhead, they should be careful not to cross the tunnel needlessly. Running the line across the tunnel may create unnecessary clutter and make it difficult for other teams to pass without engaging the line. Whenever possible, a team’s line should stay on one side of the tunnel and avoid crossing from one side to another until necessary.

Divers may share a primary tie-off point— such as a log or a stake—when these are in the open water. However, any station in the overhead, such as a secondary tie-off, must have its own separate and distinct location. In a limited visibility exit, there must be no confusion regarding which line one should follow; the closest measure of certainty one has rests in following one’s own line out of the cave.

Sometimes it is necessary to cross a tunnel and, possibly, another team’s line. If this happens, the second team’s line should be run under the existing line. The original team is more commonly the first out, and running the guideline in this manner simplifies their exit. More importantly, should the visibility become reduced, running a second team’s line over the original team’s could subject the latter to entanglement during their exit.

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Guidelines use

Cave divers are very dependent on their guidelines and demand that they have several important qualities.

Cave line should be abrasion resistant, have a relatively high tensile strength, and resist rotting.

The most common type of line is braided nylon line. It’s a popular material for guidelines, as it is very resistant to rotting and generally has good abrasion resistance, especially when braided.

While most cave diving reels come with #24 line, #36 is also common, especially among explorers who want more line on their exploration reel. Some wreck divers will use a thicker line, such as #42, to lower the risk of cutting it on a sharp protrusion. Many new cave divers are surprised at the limited size of the guideline.

The commonly used #24 line is actually fairly strong, with a tensile strength of roughly 200 pounds. Nonetheless, divers should never pull on the guideline—it is a reference to be followed, not abused.

The first 150 m/500 ft of most caves receives the most abuse, as a wide range of divers— many of whom are just starting to gain experience—regularly traverse this area. To better withstand the wear and tear caused by heavy diver traffic in main tunnels, and to ensure that divers can always distinguish the main line from lines marking side passages, many caves have thicker line in the main tunnel.

This thicker line is often yellow, kernmantle (a twisted inner core of nylon sheathed in a layer of braided nylon), and about twice as thick as the line marking side passages. It not only tends to resist heavy diver traffic more effectively but also helps to reduce the risk of divers accidentally straying from the main passage.

Recently, some sites have also begun using polypropylene line. Historically, the cave community has shunned this kind of line because it floats, making it difficult to use. However, when employed as a main line, it can be secured, thereby reducing the inconvenience of a floating guideline. Polypropylene line is still more difficult to work with, however, as it is hard to tie when broken and more inconvenient when using line arrows. Generally speaking, it should be avoided.

PHOTO KIRILL EGOROV

PHOTO MICHAEL LEWINGTON

“

As a matter of courtesy, divers should try to keep their guidelines out of the way of other teams.

While traveling through the cave, staying an arm’s length away from the line promotes diver safety and cave conservation.

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PHOTO KIRILL EGOROV

Gold line, running through the main passage in Little River, Florida (USA).

Types of guidelines

Some overhead divers limit themselves to the daylight portion of the cave, while others with more experience and training will run a guideline into the cave and secure it to a permanent line. In cave diving, there is usually a permanent line beginning just beyond the daylight zone and generally continuing until the size of the cave precludes diver travel. This line may start beyond the daylight zone so as to discourage untrained divers from entering the cave.

Different types of guidelines include: a. Temporary guidelines: Temporary guidelines are installed for a limited time (usually one dive) and then removed. Examples include line from a guideline reel, a safety spool, or a jump/gap spool. b. Permanent guidelines: Permanent guidelines generally remain in the cave longterm and are removed only when they become worn enough to replace.

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a. Novice lines: Novice lines are found in areas commonly trafficked by very inexperienced divers. b. Popular lines: Popular lines are used by most certified cave divers and include the following subdivisions: 1. Main lines: Main lines usually start beyond the daylight zone and run through the largest sections of the cave.

2. Side passage lines: Side passage lines mark passages that branch off of the main tunnel. These are usually smaller and may require extremely advanced skills. c. Exploratory lines: Exploratory lines are used while exploring new cave passages.

Most divers will not reach these areas, as they are either distant penetrations or within very small sections of cave. Exploration line areas are often dominated by lines that intersect in T’s, though encountering a T does not mean you are diving near active exploration.

Permanent guidelines

Side passage lines Vast networks of side tunNovice Lines: A novice line is a permanent line nels sometimes branch out from the main that is significantly larger than standard cave passage (and the main line that marks it). These line and can weather the abuse of new divers; side tunnels are also marked by permanent these lines are often 2 cm/1 in or more in diam- guidelines but are not usually attached to the eter. main line.

Novice lines usually start at or before the This physical separation between the main entrance to the cave and are most common line and side passage lines is intended to reduce in popular daylight (cavern) zones where novthe risk that divers will accidentally wander off ice access is permitted. Despite the strength the main line and become lost in a side pasof novice lines, divers should never pull on or sage. Bridging the distance between the main otherwise damage the guideline. Pulling on cave line and a side passage is called a jump, which line—thick or not—can damage it. Because lines should be performed only by experienced cave are often secured to protrusions along the wall divers. There are caves, however, in which there of a cave, not only can movement of the line is no physical separation between lines; these endanger the line, but it can also physically dam- caves are dominated by T’s (discussed below). age the cave.

Sometimes moving the line can dislodge line Exploratory lines Historically, divers have used different terms to placements, giving rise to notable silting in a describe areas under active exploration. While cave passage. It is irresponsible for new divers most cave divers are not likely to encounter to enter areas of a cave where their undevelsuch areas, there are still relevant issues here oped skills could damage the line or the cave that would concern an active cave diver. and place other divers at additional risk.

Delineating areas of Popular exploration was espeguidelines PHOTO BORI BENNET cially relevant in the early Today, most exploration is days of cave navigation found many miles from the The main line The because explorers’ knotentrance in areas that can be main line generally ted survey lines would very deep or small.

Because begins just beyond later be replaced with a of this, lines in these areas the daylight zone and conventional unknotted follows the largest porline. are usually not replaced. tion of the cave until Today, most explorathe cave size limits tion is found many miles diver progress. Popular from the entrance in lines such as the main line are left permanently areas that can be very deep or small. Because in the cave; main lines may be larger than conof this, lines in these areas are usually not reventional lines, but they are not nearly as large placed. In fact, today, most explorations use line as novice lines. Larger main lines have roughly that is designed to remain in the cave. Historithe thickness of a pencil and are sometimes cally, these lines may have been very thin and/ found in very popular caves where high traffic or weaker (e.g., #18 twisted line). Today, most and inexperienced divers can promote line degexplorers use more robust line such as #24 or radation. #36 braided line.

However, in some caves, main lines will be The most notable characteristic of an area of conventional size, while lines marking other dominated by exploration line is that it usually areas will be distinctly different. features T’s rather than jumps or gaps. In areas Due to these variations, divers should never where divers would encounter exploration line, make assumptions based on the size or color of protecting novices is not an issue; therefore, a guideline. divers are not concerned about the presence of

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T’s in the line. In fact, many explorers claim that, at least for experienced divers, T’s are much safer, as they allow for a continuous line to the exit without the use of a jump spool. The presence of a T does not mean a diver is necessarily diving near active exploration. This is because some areas (like Mexico) use this system with regularity.

The T system

Occasionally, divers may find that the guideline of a side passage is permanently attached to the main line. When two lines are joined in this manner, it is called a T. Cave systems that have T’s require that divers are even more careful during navigation so as to not confuse their exit direction.

The T system is relatively common only in areas where experienced divers would go, but they appear in several settings. Areas of a cave that are small, deep, and require significant penetration are often dominated by the T system. Many experienced divers prefer the T system, as it eliminates the need for multiple jump spools.

When negotiating a T, divers must be careful to note the direction of their exit. To do this, divers should place a line marker on the exit side of the line. Line markers are always placed on the outgoing side of the line to ensure that divers can easily reference the exit. 

NEXT TIME Navigation

No matter how short a jump seems, installing a spool connecting two lines is important.

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PHOTO KIRILL EGOROV

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GUE PREMIUM DIVE CENTERS Base1 – Sardinia, Italy  www.baseone.it

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 70

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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 IM

THIRD

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THIRD

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 www.thirddimensiondiving.com  www.thirddimensiondivingsea.com

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PREMIUM DIVE CENTER

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GUE DIVE CENTERS 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

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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

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