Ex DRAGON CASTLE

Exercise DRAGON CASTLE DIVER – Advanced Ocean Diver – From Zero to Hero!

Scribes: Capt Gallantree & Cpl Androsiuk

In early October 2022, members of 103 (Force Support) Battalion REME set out on the challenge of progressing from complete diving novices, to fully qualified Advanced Ocean Divers (Depth of 30m), during a 10-day ATG(A) diving expedition to Cyprus. Despite being supported by a team of highly competent divers and instructors, achieving both Ocean Diver (OD) and Advanced Ocean Diver (AOD) within 10 days still proved a challenge.

Arriving in Cyprus the team were greeted with sunshine, 30° temperatures and clear temperate waters of the Cypriot Mediterranean. The students were eager to begin their initial Ocean Diver training, quickly learning after a few theory lessons that there was far more to scuba diving than many had originally thought. As practical training progressed, the students soon became more comfortable with the underwater world, whilst regularly being pushed out of their comfort zone.

After passing the theory exam along with six dives, including a night dive, the students had cleared the first hurdle of becoming an Ocean Diver (depth of 20m), however, there was little respite as the training was about to advance to a whole new level…

Keen to progress, the expedition participants were quick to throw themselves into the four Advanced Ocean Diver theory modules. They soon learnt that the deeper the dives, the greater the risk, and the greater the need for detailed planning and proficient drills; with yet more new equipment. Over the coming days, the students began to get hands on with underwater lessons on specific skills and drills; which also saw a welcomed interruption by a rather inquisitive turtle.

The team celebrating their first dive at the Green Bay site

After being on a continuous learning curve since the start of the Exped, the soon-to-be Advanced Ocean Divers were ready to begin their long-awaited depth progression to 25m on the recently scuttled wreck of the Elpida. Ever conscious of all they had learnt, the students were able to relate to their prior training as they rolled off the boat and descended to their first wreck.

As the Joint Service Sub Aqua Diving Supervisor gave his dive brief the following day, he reminding everyone of the risk of nitrogen narcosis; a side effect of diving at depth. The team were both apprehensive and eager to progress further depths on the worldclass wreck of the MS Zenobia to a maximum depth of 30m; the limit of the Advanced Ocean Diver qualification.

Scuba Diving is a fantastic opportunity to develop the core values of the British Army through a control exposure to a hazardous environment. As an example, one student who was anxious over the thought of diving due to his fear of depths, was able to face those fears head on through teamwork and leadership. He overcame the obstacles stating afterwards, “after all, this is what we are here for, to have our boundaries challenged by operating out of our comfort zone”, adding that, “the whole process gave me the courage needed to try again and succeed!” This is the purpose and importance of Adventurous Training – Cpl Green’s account of the Exped.

On completion of the 10-day package, the Exped qualified six novices to both Ocean Diver and Advanced Ocean Diver level; all depth qualified to 30m. The Exped also qualified two Dive Leaders, depth progressed to 40m. The team conducted reef, shore, wreck, boat, night and nitrox dives, consuming a staggering 272,675 litres of air sub surface and a combined total of 5,606 minutes (93hrs) sub-surface. Fancy pushing your boundaries through the Army’s Adventurous Training scheme?

Happy divers after passing all elements of the Advanced Ocean Diver course

Turtle interrupts Cpl Holden’s Ocean Diver lesson

Cpl Eaton leads newly qualified Advanced Ocean Divers to depth on the Zenobia

Cpl Eaton competes in a ‘staring competition’ with a Green Bay Turtle

Visit https://jive.defencegateway.mod.uk/groups/army-adventurous-training/pages/home-page