Ex SUNKEN DRAGON

Ex SUNKEN DRAGON 18-24 Sep 22

Scribe: Capt Thomas Warner (5 FS Bn REME)

Day one - The team get familiar with their diving equipment Day one - The kit setup confused some more than others

Stepping into the depths to get away from the rain

LCpl O’Toole after his first reef dive

‘Euphoric’, ‘an experience of a lifetime’, ‘full of excitement’ were but a few phrases used to describe 5 Bn REME’s Sub Aqua Diving Adventurous Training expedition to Malta. After months of planning, and some last-minute favours, 12 members of 5 Bn deployed to Malta to complete the BSAC Ocean Diver and Sports Diver courses. The six-day expedition was a significant step out of the comfort zone for many; especially for the 10 personnel who had never dived before. Cfn Barr noted “Scuba Diving is one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I would recommend it to anyone. Everything is totally different underwater; it is as if your senses are sharpened. Exploring life underwater is an experience like no other. I can’t wait to further my qualifications and go on more dives”.

The newly qualified soldiers are now able to dive safely to a depth of 20 meters with a Dive Leader. They can perform safety drills underwater and conduct dive assists or basic rescues. Sgt Kirkbride enjoyed it more than most; “There are a few drills you must learn under water, which I thought were hilarious as some people would forget to close their eyes when they took their masks off or forget to inhale some air before taking their regulator out. Although, by the end of the week, everyone was nailing the drills, and we managed to survive 5 days of diving without

Capt Warner after leading a dive for the troops Always time for a quick pose

Forced smiles to welcome the day the water decided to follow us out of the ocean

Always keep your buddy close

anyone’s lungs imploding, which is a success”.

Cfn Walsh had never dived before, and the expedition left a very positive lasting impression. “From exploring the culture of Malta to diving 20m below the surface. This sensational experience has really inspired me into furthering my scuba diving qualifications. We managed to see many different sites; each as extravagant as the other”.

Organising a Sub Aqua expedition can be a very daunting task, but it is no doubt a rewarding one for all involved. The Adventure Training Group (ATG) can offer a plethora of support and direction. If you are organising your own expedition, I would suggest getting in touch with Mr Cliff Pearn (Cliff.Pearn101@mod.gov.uk) for support. The ATG team are a force multiplier when it comes to navigating the ‘depths’ of an expedition like this. The trip was a great success and allows 5 Bn to organise continuation training for the 12 newly qualified divers. Exciting times ahead. Assisted ascent rescue drill

Peekaboo

Rescue drills for ‘no air’ The team listening to the dive brief