Perfect Diver Magazine 24 issue

diving freediving passion knowledge

No. 24 6(24)/2022

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CYPRUS

ASIAN ISLAND OF EUROPE

Price 12,50 € Tax included

PINNIPEDS OF THE FARNE ISLANDS PICOS de EUROPA 1

2

the foreword

WOJCIECH ZGOŁA

Editor-in-Chief

W

hat matters, is to have the sun in your heart and joy, regardless of the weather. It is the first two articles of this issue that contain these two notions. Cyprus means not only a lot of sun

and warm sea water, it is also the legend of Aphrodite and very interesting diving spots. Farne Islands and seals inhabiting the archipelago will bring at the very least a shadow of a smile to every face.

They are funny and love interaction. Klaudyna Brzostowska talks about them and hers is the cover!

In the further part of the Magazine we have an amazing description by Mateusz Popek, not devoid of his own feelings and a kind of summary of the dive that took place in the interior of the earth, in Spain, under the peak of Picos de Europa. Who among you would dare to live for a few days in a cave without a fraction of a photon of natural light at all?

For fans of diving in closed spaces, we have an article by Kurt Storms about the Felicitas slate mine in Germany. Kurt in the previous issue wrote about Scapa Flow, and this inspired Tomek Kulczyński who wrote about this iconic place in a different way. What does it depend on? Check it out!

Despite the sun in my heart, it gets cold and dark outside quickly. Many divers pause at this time until about May. However, you can still dive in pools  It is about the deepest pool in the world in Dubai that Jarek Matyga wrote for you. What is there? It's marvellous, see for yourself! In addition, there is also an e-alternative. VR goggles give amazing new options for virtual diving, and Magdalena Sokołowska claims that they have opened up a world of new possibilities for her.

There is also an article and an interesting opportunity to purchase equipment in versions that until now were available only at tenders for special forces. Yes! Now almost anyone can enter the water unnoticed ;) We have two more great practical articles. The first for people with long hair. Observations are shared by Isadora Abuter Grebe. The other is for everyone, and it reminds us about the procedures as well as shows where and how the procedures in diving are created. According to Wojtek A. Filip "It is worth paying attention to the fact that the procedure is only a tool to help solve a dangerous situation, not its solution."

Wojtek Jarosz describes a bird that dives mainly in rivers. Did you even know about the existence of dippers?

We also have two important summaries: Szymon Mosakowski wrote about the Diving Talks Conference, and Grzegorz Mikosza about Cleaning the World 2022. In the final this year, we collected almost a ton of garbage from under the water, and since all the garbage is ours, it makes me feel really sad...

In the next issue, a summary of Baltictech 2022!

We have prepared a subscription for 2023 – every 2 months you get Perfect Diver Magazine straight to the  mailbox and a beautiful calendar.

Enjoy reading!

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

3

table of contents

26

10 TRAVELS 10 Asian island of Europe 22 Pinnipeds of the Farne Islands – a British grey 42 46

seal Scapa Flow – IT ALL DEPENDS All-inclusive diving in Deep Dive Dubai

CAVES 26 Picos de Europa

4

38 UNDER THE CEILING 38 Felicitas. German Slate Mine

KNOWLEDGE 50 Long hair and diving 54 Virtual diving

PLANET EARTH 58 Singing divers 62 The final of the 29th Action Cleaning the World – Poland is already behind us!

Publisher PERFECT DIVER WOJCIECH ZGOŁA ul. Folwarczna 37, 62-081 Przeźmierowo redakcja@perfectdiver.com ISSN 2545-3319

editor in chief

Wojciech Zgoła

underwater archaeology

Mateusz Popek

photographer

Karolina Sztaba

marketing & advertisement english language translators

Hubert Reiss Agnieszka Gumiela-Pająkowska Arleta Kaźmierczak Reddo Translations Sp. z o.o.

Piotr Witek

62

legal care graphic design and composition

Lawyer Joanna Wajsnis Brygida Jackowiak-Rydzak

the magazine was folded with typefaces

Montserrat (Julieta Ulanovsky)

EVENTS 64

Diving Talks recap

TIPS & CURIOSITIES

Open Sans (Ascender Fonts) Noto Serif, Noto Sans (Google) printing Wieland Drukarnia Cyfrowa, Poznań, www.wieland.com.pl

distribution dive centers, online store

preorder@perfectdiver.com

66 Procedures. How to become a better diver?

cover photo

Klaudyna Brzostowska place

Farne Islands model

Foka szara Halichoerus grypus

66

www.perfectdiver.com

The Editorial Office does not return unsolicited materials, is not responsible for the content of advertisements and reserves the right to shorten, edit, title the submitted texts and select illustrative materials. Reprinting of articles or parts thereof, copying only with the consent of the Editorial Board. Editors are not responsible for the form and content of advertisements.

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5

editorial team

WOJCIECH ZGOŁA

HUBERT REISS

Passionate about diving and pure nature. He likes to say that he travels by

An IT specialist by profession, but a flesh and blood salesman who is not

diving. He learned to swim when he was less than 6 years old. At the age of

afraid of any job. Diving has always been my big dream. At the beginning

15, he obtained a yacht sailor's license and has been diving since 2006. He

it was supposed to be a challenge, a short episode but it turned out to be

has completed over 750 dives in various regions of the world. He wrote and

a passion for the end of the world and one day longer. Under water I react

published many articles.

and rest. As a Divemaster, sidemount Razor diver, and recently also a pho-

Co-author of photo exhibitions. An advocate of leaving the place of residence

tographer, I realize my dreams by admiring and immortalizing the beauty of

clean and unblemished. Diving promoter. Since 2008 he has been running his

the underwater world. "Passion breeds professionalism, professionalism gives

own website www.dive-adventure.eu. Based on extensive experience, in 2018

quality, and quality is a luxury in life. Nowadays, especially..."

he created the new Perfect Diver Magazine, which has been successfully published regularly every two months in Polish and English for 3 years.

MATEUSZ POPEK

KAROLA TAKES PHOTOS

”My passion, work and life are under water.” He has been diving since 2009.

Karolina Sztaba, and professionally Karola Takes Photos, is a photographer

Since 2008, he's walking in caves. Underwater archeologist by education.

by education and passion. She is currently working at the Trawangan Dive

He participated in numerous projects in Poland and abroad. He has been

Center on a tiny island in Indonesia – Gili Trawangan, where she moved to live

engaged in professional diving since 2011. In 2013 he obtained the quali-

four years ago. She photographs above and below the water. In addition, she

fications of a 2nd class diver. Has experience in underwater work both at

creates photographic projects against littering the oceans and polluting our

sea and inland. Since 2013 he has been diving in caves, especially in the

planet with plastic ("Trapped", "Trashion"). She cooperates with NGO organi-

mountains, and since 2014 he is a diving instructor CMAS M1. In June 2020,

zations dealing with environmental protection and actively participates in

he obtained a doctoral degree in underwater archeology.

pro-ecological actions (coral protection, coral planting, cleaning the world, protection of endangered species). She is also the official photographer of Ocean Mimic – a brand that creates swimwear and surfwear from rubbish collected on the beaches of Bali. She cooperated with many brands of diving equipment for which she created advertising campaigns. In 2019, she became the ambassador of the Polish company Tecline.

She has been a technical diver for two years.

ADVERTISEMENT

+48 502 138 403 http://www.deepdivingslesin.pl/ baza-nurkowa-honoratka/

ANNA SOŁODUCHA

SZYMON MOSAKOWSKI

Has more than 8000 dives on his account. He

A graduate of Geography faculty at the University

Student of archeology at the Nicolaus Copernicus

has been diving for over 30 years, including over

of Wrocław and an incurable optimist… with a per-

University in Toruń. A beginner diver starting his

20 years as a technical diver. He is a professional

manent smile on her lips! It was probably Destiny

adventure with underwater archeology. A lover of

with great theoretical and practical knowledge. He

that led her to Activtour… and she's been here

photography, nature and basketball, and recently

is an instructor of many federations: GUE Instruc-

on permanent basis. She passionately fulfils the

also diving.

tor Mentor, CMAS**, IANTD nTMX, IDCS PADI, EFR,

dreams of many, organizing diving trips around

TMX Gas Blender. He participated in many diving

the world, and she has already been diving for

projects and conferences as a leader, explorer,

more than half of her life. Each year she explores

originator or lecturer. These included the Britan-

a different ‘piece of the ocean’, pinning another pin

nic Expedition 2016, Morpheus Cave Scientific

to her diving world map. In winter she changes fins

Project on Croatia caves, GROM Expedition in

into her beloved skis and gets away into the Alps.

Narvik, Tuna Mine Deep Dive, Glavas Cave in Croa-

A recipe for life? ”The only a dead trunk flows with

tia, NOA-MARINE. Professionally, he is a technical

the current – the explorer's canoe flows up the river!”

director at TecLine in Scubatech, and a director of

anna@activtour.pl

training at TecLine Academy.

activtour.pl; travel.activtour.pl; 2bieguny.com

WOJCIECH JAROSZ

SYLWIA KOSMALSKA-JURIEWICZ

LAURA KAZIMIERSKA

A graduate of two Poznan universities, the Acad-

A traveller and a photographer of wild nature.

Laura Kazimierska is currently working as PADI

emy of Physical Education (coaching specializa-

A graduate of journalism and a lover of good liter-

Course Director at TrawanganDive Center on the

tion – handball) and the University of A.Mickiewicz,

ature. She lives in harmony with nature, promotes

Indonesian island of Gili Trawangan. Founder of

Faculty of Biology (specialty of experimental biol-

a healthy lifestyle: she is a yogini and a vegetarian.

the Divemastergilis portal.

ogy). He connected his professional life with this

Also engaged in ecological projects. Sharks and

www.divemastergilis.com @divemastergilis

first university trying to influence the direction of

their protection are especially close to her heart.

For over 7 years she has lived and discovered the

development of future professionals on the one

She writes about the subject in numerous articles

underwater world of Indonesia. She is not only an

hand, and on the other planning and implement-

and on her blog www.divingandtravel.pl. She be-

avid technical diver, but also the face of the Planet

ing research, pushing laboriously in the right di-

gan her adventure with diving fifteen years ago

Heroes platform and the ambassador of the Ocean

rection of the stroller called science. In his free

by total coincidence. Today she is a Divemaster,

Mimic brand. She actively contributes to the pro-

time he spends his time actively – his main pas-

she visited over 60 countries and dived on 5 con-

motion of the protection of corals and the natural

sions are sailing (sea helmsman), skiing (downhill

tinents. She invites us for a joint journey with the

environment of fish and marine animals by taking

skiing instructor), riding a motorcycle, recreational

travel agency www.dive-away.pl, of which she is

part in scientific projects, campaigns against ocean

diving and many other activities, as well as pho-

a co-founder.

littering and cooperating with NGOs in Indonesia.

tography, mainly nature.

@laura_kazi

constant cooperation

WOJCIECH A. FILIP

constant cooperation

AGNIESZKA KALSKA

BARTOSZ PSZCZÓŁKOWSKI

MICHAL ČERNÝ

”I can't imagine living without water, where in a free

That's my name and I come from Poznań. I have

"Wet photos" – He has photographed since he

body I experience freedom of the spirit.”

been associated with water practically from birth

remembers. After several years of experience as

and with diving since I learned to walk. My grand-

a diver, he wanted to keep memories of underwa-

father instilled my passion for the underwater

ter dives. He bought his first compact camera with

world, a CMAS*** instructor taking me to the

an underwater housing. Over time, however, the

lakes at any free time. I obtained my first qual-

desire to have the best photo began to dominate,

ifications in 1996. A year later I went to Croatia

which was not quite possible with the compact

and literally went crazy at the sight of blue wa-

he used. That's why he switched to the Olympus

• record holder and Polish champion, member

ter, octopus and colorful fish;) I bought my first

PEN E-PL 5 reflex camera, which allows the use of

of the national team in freediving 2013–2019,

underwater camera – Olympus 5060 and started

several different lenses. He uses a combination

• winner of the World Championships in freed-

the adventure with underwater photography. I ac-

of underwater flashes and lights. He focuses on

quired my diving experience in the Canary Islands,

wildlife photography, not arrangement. He photo-

• multimedalist of the Polish Championships

Sardinia, Norway, Maldives and in Polish lakes.

graphs in fresh domestic waters as well as in the

and a member of the national team in swim-

I am currently a Padi and ESA instructor, I train

seas and oceans of the world.

ming in the years 1998–2003,

diving enthusiasts in Europe and pass my passion

He has already won numerous awards at Czech

on to others.

and foreign photography competitions. More

I invite all lovers of the underwater world and

photos can be found on his website, where you

photography to Beediver (FB) – see you soon.

can also buy them not only as photos, but also as

• founder of the first freediving and swimming school in Poland – FREEBODY, • Apnea Academia International and PADI Master Freediver freediving instructor, • world record holder in freediving (DYN 253 m),

iving 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018,

• passionate about freediving and swimming.

photos printed on canvas or on another medium. www.mokrefotky.cz www.facebook.com/MichalCernyPhotography www.instagram.com/michalcerny_photography/

AGATA TUROWICZ-CYBULA

IRENA KOSOWSKA

Since I was a child, I had dreamed of becoming

Regional Manager Divers Alert Network Polska,

a marine biologist and I managed to fulfill that

diving and first aid instructor, technical diver and

dream. I did a degree in oceanography, where

cave diver. In love with all flooded, dark, cold,

I recently started my doctoral studies. My diving

tight places and invariably from the beginning

adventure began when I was 12 years old. I love

of the diving route – in the Baltic. Implementing

observing the underwater life up close and I try

the DAN mission, he conducts a series of lectures

to show other divers how fascinating the under-

”Dive safely” and Diving Safety Laboratory, so field

water, Baltic creatures are.

research of divers for scientific purposes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Polish Diving School

OCTOPUS in Hamburg +49 176 48664595

mariusbebel@icloud.com

our authors

KURT STORMS

KLAUDYNA BRZOSTOWSKA

ISADORA ABUTER GREBE

Belgium Military, underwater cave explorer and

PADI diving instructor and videographer. She

Enthusiastic diver, scientist, and wildlife conserva-

active technical/ cave/ rebreather diving instructor

spends most of his time in the water document-

tionist. Isadora is researching the biological signif-

for IANTD. He started his diving career in Egypt on

ing a fascinating underwater world. She graduated

icance on shipwrecks for marine ecosystems. Driv-

vacation, and his passion continues. Kurt is also

from the Academy of Fine Arts in the field of Fash-

en by curiosity, she wants to learn about nature, as

the founder and CEO of Descent Technical Diving.

ion Design in Łódź and Film studies at the Adam

well as “how to become a better diver”. Being still in

He dives on several CCRs such as AP, SF2, Dive-

Mickiewicz University in Poznań, trained as a tai-

the beginnings of her diving-career she is enjoying

soft Liberty SM. Kurt is involved in the creation of

lor, and with a love of nature and a large dose of

the path of overcoming obstacles by learning from

the document about the new salt mine in Belgium

adrenaline. She loves everything related to water.

more experienced divers, using adequate configu-

(Laplet). This project was featured in the news on

Her diving adventure began with a backpacking

ration and practicing.

Nationale TV.

trip in 2016. During her stay in Thailand she dived

@isa_diving_nature

Privately, Kurt's true passion is deep cave diving.

for the first time and from then on she got hooked

His wife (Caroline) shares her husband's passions

on at this sport. Spending the last years and most

and also dives in caves. In his free time, he visits

of her days under water, teaching and showing

Belgian slate mines, and when he is not exploring,

the beauty of the underwater world in Asia, she

he takes his camera to document the dives.

believes that diving means unity – unity with own mind, nature and unusual creatures. @waterographyk

TOMEK KULCZYŃSKI

JAREK MATYGA

GRZEGORZ MIKOSZA

For Tomek, diving has always been his greatest

Jarek Matyga professionally deals with telecom-

In the Foundation, he is the commander-in-chief

passion. He started his adventure at the age of

munications, he tries to use every free moment

of the Clean up the World – Poland Action and

14, developing into a recreational and technical

for his passions – travelling, diving and photogra-

manages the works of strategic projects. Grze-

diving instructor, a first aid instructor and a div-

phy. He made his first dive in Fiji some 20 years

gorz realizes himself creatively in ideas for new

ing industry technician. Currently, he runs the

ago. Since then, the romance with the tank has

campaigns and methods of promotion as part of

5* COMPASS DIVERS Pobiedziska Diving Center

been going on continuously. He is a TDI diving

the Foundation's Clean Up the World – Poland

near Poznań, where he passes his knowledge and

instructor and a cave diver. Photography is an in-

and Eco-education programs. Arranges strate-

skills to beginners and advanced divers, which

tegral part of his life. He photographs while travel-

gies and coordinates the work so that everything

gives him great joy and satisfaction from being

ing (often family reports) and diving. He also uses

goes according to plan. During off-road activities,

part of their underwater adventure…

the possibilities offered by drone photography.

he wears yellow gloves and naturally carries kilo-

He trains his workshop all the time.

grams of waste. He often takes the helm of the foundation's Facebook and Instagram profile to talk about what we can do together for our immediate surroundings. In his free time, he sails, runs and traverses mountain trails. A graduate of the Faculty of IT Management and Finance at the University of Economics in Wrocław and the Facul-

MAGDALENA SOKOŁOWSKA Magdalena is a modest woman with many passions, the greatest of which are sharks.

ty of Journalism and Social Communication of the University of Lower Silesia in Wrocław. Certified specialist in the field of obtaining EU funds and communication on the Internet.

travels

ASIAN ISLAND OF EUROPE Text and photos WOJCIECH ZGOŁA

Jubilee Shoals

10

travels Paphos Harbor and Castle

View of Pissouri Bay Aphrodite's Rock

IT IS THE YEAR 58 B.C. THE REIGN OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN CYPRUS BEGINS. PAPHOS IS ALREADY ONE OF THE LARGEST CITIES ON THE ISLAND. OCTAVIAN MAKES THE ISLAND INDEPENDENT AND ORGANISES IT AS A SENATORIAL PROVINCE.

amazing views and natural circumstances, excellent cuisine and an incredible number of dive spots.

I deliberately started my story about Cyprus from Paphos (many years ago it was the capital of the state), because this is where we started and ended our editorial exploration of the island. It is the second half of September 2022.

After a late arrival and accommodation in the hotel, dressed in light clothes (the air is 24°C at 21:00), we walked on the nearest streets and sat down in a bar. We were hungry. The

I

next morning, according to the programme, we checked in the t is during this period, next to many buildings and fortifi-

Cydive Diving Centre to dive with them. The weather was sunny,

cations, that the port walls join the previously built wall.

warm but windy. It should be remembered that in Cyprus it

They are supposed to protect the shore from storms and

usually blows from the west.

uninvited "guests".

The Cydive base is very well prepared for divers. The area

We are located in the western part of the Republic of Cy-

has its own swimming pool, showers, toilets, a shop, lockers

prus. According to legend, this is the birthplace of Aphrodite,

and some space inside and outside its buildings. For the first

which is why Cyprus is sometimes called the Island of Aph-

dive that day, we sailed on a diving boat for about 15 minutes.

rodite. And although the name itself comes from Greek and

The sea was wavy, and we were swinging, which some partici-

means copper, it is not copper but the legend of the goddess

pants did not welcome with joy. Everyone was thinking about

that attracts millions of tourists every year.

getting underwater as soon as possible and calming down the

You can find there the azure waters of the Mediterranean

inner ear. We dived on the wreckage of Laboe, which lies

Sea, the sun shining for more than 300 days a year, the rich

on the keel, on the mud floor, at a depth of 28 m. This is

and interesting history dating back several thousand years BC,

a dive for advanced level divers as the minimum. The Laboe

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

11

travels

Laboe

12

Vera-K

Ship was brought to Cyprus in 2006. It had already travelled

peloton than at the end) there is an intact engine. It's worth

many nautical miles since it was built in 1940 in Germany in the

having a flashlight here, because it's the darkest place in

Rendburg shipyard. After 8 years, in 2014, it was qualified for

the wreckage.

sinking as part of the artificial reefs and marine parks project.

There are many diving spots in the vicinity of Paphos. We

It has become an attraction for divers. Since then the wreck

also visited the remains of the Lebanese freighter Vera-K,

has been a dwelling for many species of sea creatures. Marine

which went aground in 1972. For some time it served as

biologists who monitor such objects found 14 different coral

a military target, and in 1974 it was blown up because it was

species in 2020.

a threat to the ships passing by. It fell apart and sank in pieces

The advantage of the place itself is the fact that Laboe is

over a fairly large area. It is located in the crater, at a depth

located in a marine park, protected by fisheries regulations.

not exceeding 12 m. In its rear part there is a large arch with

This is an additional bonus for us divers, because the wreck

many entrances through which you can swim. The wreckage is

is full of life. Here we can find nudibranchs, including pink fla-

in 4 sections and the engine is still intact. After nearly 50 years,

bellina, parrotfish, various grouper species, there are stingrays

parts of the wreckage are inhabited by marine animals. Par-

and flounders, shoals of two-banded sea breams and oblades,

rotfish, wrasses, damselfish and scorpionfish are commonly

and recently also omnipresent lionfish.

found here. There are octopuses and cuttlefish.

The wreck is also available indoors, and penetration is rel-

Another 4 dives were cancelled due to the weather, so we

atively easy. All the windows were removed from the "living

devoted the whole day to sightseeing. Cyprus welcomes us as

room" deck, and natural light falls inside. You can enter the

guests, not as ordinary tourists. People from almost every cor-

engine room or exit through the front windows. In the en-

ner of the world work in shops, bars, diving centres and hotels.

gine room itself (it is worth being at the head of the diving

We meet Greeks, Afghans, Czechs, Montenegrins, Russians,

travels

Laboe

Ukrainians, British, French, Swiss, Austrians, Poles, Cypriots.

We all get along with each other in English. Cyprus was once a British colony. Hence, let's be careful on the streets, because the traffic on the island is left-handed. An interesting fact is that the rental cars' plates are in red. It is immediately known that a foreigner moves in such a car and the local people react patiently and cautiously.

Thanks to Mary, we visit nooks and crannies of Paphos, where tourists are more difficult to find. It leads us, among other things, to the factory where, for generations, with a traditional manual method, Loukoumi has been produced. They are delicious and have an unforgettable original taste. This factory is located in Paphos, 49 Arch. Makarios Ave., Yeroskipou. It's inconspicuous and easy to miss. After entering the factory, on the table there are several boxes with various flavours of this delicacy, richly sprinkled with powdered sugar.

You can try and choose your favourite flavour. Attention! Count the calories, because loukoumi is very tasty but caloric  We are going higher than Paphos. We are welcomed in the Traditional House of Sofia and Andreas. If you have time, come here. It is not only about delicious, warmly served halloumi (one of the most characteristic cheeses of this region), figs picked straight from the tree, bread with butter, or Greek salad, grilled meat and Cypriot crucible coffee, necessarily black. It is about the atmosphere of the whole house, about the interior of the house with furniture and

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

13

travels

traditional and folklore patterns and a lot of family souvenirs (almost like a museum), about peace and a kind of a break from rush. It's kind of visiting your grandparents in a country house. Remember, however, to make an appointment, because you can come across a workshop or a larger group of tourists, and it would be a shame to be there and not to try the Cypriot delicacy – halloumi cheese, because it has just ended ;)

Edro III

North of Paphos, near Peyia, there is a ship that crashed

intact. You can also snorkel around the wreckage. The EDRO III

into nearby rocks during a storm in 2011 and settled on them.

is 95 m long and 14.5 m wide. Swimming and diving around

You can dive here since recently. From the sea side, on the right

it, you meet fish shoals of several hundred pieces, which glow

side, a large piece of sheet metal was cut, and inside there are

in the sun, outdoing each other.

intact forklifts and cargo from the deck. The screws are also

14

travels

Pissouri Bay

Jubilee Shoals

Going to the southeast side of the island, it is worth

during the briefing we learn that we go down the rope to the

stopping in Pissouri Bay. There is the very atmospheric Co-

bottom, then we wait, the guides will check the conditions and

lumbia Beach Resort. Located on a pebbly and sandy beach

decide whether we are implementing the day plan – diving in

with several bars and water equipment rentals, the place is

a cavern, which is located at 38 m deep.

distant from cities. Divers can drive to the beach itself, and

One after the other, we saw big turtles in the distance after

nearby, 50 m from the car park, there is a very well-maintained

just 2 minutes. The visibility was good 40 m. When we got down

public toilet with showers.

there, we had to stick to the rope or the rocks. The current was

Here is one of the most interesting dive spots in Cyprus

really strong. The lionfish looked funny here. They found a rock

– Jubilee Shoals. We dive with the Blue Thunder Diving Centre

recess and protected themselves there, not really sure whether

(located in Limassol). We put the equipment on the beach, right

they would lose this uneven fight or not. The turtles stayed

next to the shoreline. Put on the wetsuits and get into the boat

away. In total, there were three powerful specimens. It turns

which has a small immersion. The sea is calm and fragrant. The

out that turtles are not always found in the most predictable

rays of the sun shine, as we flee away from the shore. Finally,

locations in Cyprus. We denied it in an obvious way.

we moor to the rope left here permanently, which is firmly tied

It turned out that there was no current below the rock shelf

to the rock 16 meters deeper. It turns out that the visibility is

(wall), so we dived calmly into the cave. A large cave, which

very good. We can still see the bottom under the boat. Unfor-

could be entered by several people at the same time, is locat-

tunately, it cannot always be easy, we have a strong current, so

ed between 38 m and probably 33 m deep. Colourfully over-

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

15

travels

Jubilee Shoals

grown with plants and animals. We looked for snails of the

at the security station, but we were extremely satisfied and we

doris (dorididae) species, tunicates, or bristle warms, and we

got on the boat with difficulty. The owner of the CN together

began to ascend, remembering the current, which was about

with her son (our guides) spoke and gestured frantically. There

to begin to dictate the conditions. I peeked out first and saw

are not often as many as 3 large turtles in this place.

that a few meters away one of the turtles had descended into a recess. The second one gave a scratch on me, and the third

16

On the beach we stayed a few more hours using warm water, sunshine, free shower and tasty food.

one was on the other side, about 30 m away, barely visible.

Another dive stop is one of the largest cities in Cyprus –

I began to "climb" horizontally on the rocks in the direction of

Limassol. Still taking advantage of the Blue Thunder Diving

the turtle, which was watching me calmly. It was 16 m deep,

hospitality, we continued our underwater exploration of Aph-

there was a current, a large camera in my hand and you still

rodite Island.

have to hold on. It's not easy in these situations. I nodded

We visited 2 wrecks: Costandis and Lady Thetis. The first

at Dominika and Waldek. There was no reaction. Domini-

one is located at a depth of 25 m. It was built by the Soviet

ka focused not to float away, Waldek tried to film. I started

Union in 1989. It sailed in Cyprus from 1997 until 2014, when

screaming to the regulator, I was making strange noises and

it was sunk. It is located 1 km from the Limassol coast in the

was knocking on rocks. It worked. I helped Dominika move

Dasoudi Marine Protected Area. The wreck lies on a keel on the

a few meters closer to the turtle, and when she finally saw it,

sandy bottom. It's 25 meters long. It has become an artificial

her eyes opened to the maximum, and the regulator almost

reef inhabited by numerous species of marine animals. There

fell out of her mouth. Waldek crawled closer, settled down and

are, among others, a yellowbelly grouper, groupers, surmul-

turned on the camera. The third one was too much, and after

lets, many small fish, nudibranchs (2 species we have met).

a short while the turtle decided to swim away. After its strong

There are also turtles here.

movements, it was almost impossible to see that there was any

Lady Thetis sank in 2014 in the aforementioned pro-

current. We had to get back to the boat. We were shaken a little

tected area, also 1 km from the coast of the city. It was

travels

Costandis

Costandis

Costandis

Lady Thetis

Costandis PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

17

travels

Lady Thetis

Lady Thetis

a passenger ship. It lies on a keel, on a sandy bottom at a depth of 18 m, and itself is 30 m long. We went around the shipwreck, looked inside and saw there a lot of wildlife. Inside, we came across about 10 lionfish, which are already massively present at Cyprus dive spots.

On the other hand, at the top of the wreckage, we saw two amberjacks hunting, take turns getting into a shoal of smaller fish. We could observe accelerations, sudden turns, apparent calm, and amberjacks going for dinner again. Such impressions remain for a long time, because one does not often witness such occurrences. Let me add that there are bottlenose dolphins in this place.

In the Limassol area there is still a totally calming AnAncient Underwater Port of Amathous

18

cient Underwater Port of Amathous. The immersion depth shall not exceed 5 m. By the calm sea, you can get lost here in viewing the age-old stones, searching for octopuses, bristle

Masks

worms and watching flowing flocks

sand and the small number of fish,

of small barracudas. A total chill.

we reached our destination. These

As for curiosities, there is

are concrete theatre masks. One

a new, still little-known dive site

is smiling and the other is gloomy.

called "Masks". We wanted to see

They are large. You can sit in their

it, although we were told that it is

gaping mouth. They seem to show

nothing special, and when there is

that people often wear masks. This is

a wave at sea, the visibility drops

not about masks from the pandemic

there quite strongly and the men-

period, but about not showing emo-

tioned masks cannot even be found.

tions, so as not to reveal that we care

We had no idea how big they were or

about something. These masks show

how many of them there were. Fol-

that we play well in the theatre of life,

lowing the guide among the rocks,

of meetings and views…

We dived with:

We slept in hotels:

www.bluethunderdiving.com

Annabelle Beach Hotel

www.cydive.com

Elias Beach Hotel

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Ancient Underwatert Port of Amathous

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www.divestopcyprus.com PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

21

travels

Pinnipeds of the Farne Islands A BRITISH GREY SEAL Text and photos Klaudyna Brzostowska

ENGLAND, EAST COAST, ARCHIPELAGO – THE PERFECT PLACE TO OBSERVE GREY SEALS. THE FARNE ISLANDS ARE A GROUP OF 26 SMALL BRITISH ISLANDS AND ROCK FORMATIONS LYING IN THE NORTH SEA OFF THE EAST COAST OF NORTHERN ENGLAND.

T

he islands are located next to the charming town of Seahouses whose harbour is used for day

cruises. It is this region that is rec-

ognized as one of the best places in Europe to observe the protected

species of grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), also known as Atlantic seal or the horsehead seal. As much as 38% of the world population of these predatory mammals can be found in Great Britain alone. And the months of early autumn are the best time to observe young seals playing in the water.

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The main reason for the species being so abundant on

It's not easy being a young seal. After about 18 days, the cub

the Farne Islands is the excellent habitat conditions. The

is weaned and is on its own. The most difficult period is the first

seal is most likely to inhabit shores with a large number of

month of life, the moment when the seal does not yet dive. As

sandbanks or rocky islets, away from humans but close to fish

many as 50% of the cubs die in the first month of life mainly

and bird habitats. The protected area of the islands turns into

due to tides and storms which can cause mass deaths. A baby

an exceptional habitat for wild birds every year, such as puffins,

seal must quickly learn from other individuals how to function

black-legged kittiwake, common murres and common shags

in a harsh environment. Adult seals live a long time – males

flock here. In addition to the numerous bird colonies, the area

up to 25 years and females up to 35 years. During the au-

is populated by grey seals which come to give birth to offspring.

tumn months, grey seals fast. Males can go without foraging

Each year, around autumn, mothers give birth to several hun-

for up to 50 days – they stay on land protecting their young and

dred cubs. The grey seals are bound to a particular area, and

territory. In contrast, females fast for about 20 days, feeding

the females choose their native habitat as the birthing site.

their youngest offspring during this time.

After a pregnancy of about eight months, a mother gives birth to one cub, covered with creamy white fur – lanugo.

The seals, which can be observed in the water and with whom we have been diving, are a few years old cubs that are

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travels

exploring the world. They are just like puppies, curious and eager to play. They appear out of nowhere in the water (they are extremely fast) and are very interested in the divers' fins. During one dive, I counted 10 attempts to pluck my fin. Each attempt is subtle and gentle at first and slowly the boundaries start to shift. At one point, turning towards my dive partner, I saw one seal sitting on his head and the other biting his flipper.

Quite a bizarre portrait of aquatic creatures. It has to be said that watching a seal from the water is quite unique. I was surprised how easy it was to interact with them. After a short time needed for taming, the mammals allowed themselves to be stroked and responded to the close presence of humans. The only rule to follow was: it is me – the seal-the resident-of these-areas, swimming up to you-the human-the tourist.

Seals are extraordinary swimmers, spending 80% of their lives swimming. The animal finds its true spirit in the water.

It swims on its belly and back, dives masterfully and uses sophisticated navigation systems. This can be seen in their every underwater movement. Underwater, the seal is in no way clumsy; on the contrary, it is characterised by elegance and grace. The seal moves so agilely thanks to its strong torso

24

and rear fins, the front fins acting as rudders. Even though it weighs up to 200 kg and is 2 metres long, it looks like a ballerina underwater. I observed different behaviour of seals underwater, some were more individualistic, exploring areas alone. Others swam in pairs or threes while playing and dancing synchronically.

The only rule to follow was: it is me – the seal-the resident-of these-areas, swimming up to you-the human-the tourist.

The grey seal can hold its breath for up to 30 minutes and dives for several dozen metres to get food. It is incred-

Grey seals are indeed fascinating, and so remarkable when

ible what this mammal capable of when it craves a mollusc.

interacting with humans. Anyone who dreams of admiring

They usually dive in relatively shallow waters up to 100 m

this aquatic mammal in person is invited to visit the Farne Is-

deep, but it is worth mentioning the recorded dive of a grey

lands, preferably in autumn (ask Sovereign Divers and Andrew

seal to over 300 m for a period of more than 30 minutes (!) –

about available dates on the boat). And in the meantime,

amazing what one can do to get food! The grey seal's regular

take a look at WWF's website and adopt a seal by paying

diet includes fish (including sand eels – abundant in the Farne

a symbolic amount to the foundation's account. Here's

Islands), squid and octopus. Grey seals have 34 to 36 sharp

what WWF itself writes this about the action: On our initiative,

teeth ideal for munching crustaceans and biting off tasty parts.

a comprehensive project of a program for the protection of the

The seal devours smaller fish whole, but skilfully bites off the

grey seal has been developed. It is awaiting approval by the Min-

soft tissues out of large ones and does not eat the bones. Seals

istry of the Environment. In anticipation of its implementation, we

also have whiskers which are very sensitive to tactile stimuli.

encourage you to actively join our activities. You can symbolically

They are an important organ of touch for the grey seal and

adopt a grey seal today to have a share in the protection of these

help in navigation.

beautiful and wise animals.

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

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caves

PICOS de EUROPA Text Mateusz Popek

26

Photos Participants of the expedition

caves

A GENTLE LIGHT SHINES ON A SMALL FRAGMENT OF A TEN-MILLIMETER ROPE. IT IS NOT MUCH THICKER THAN MY FINGER. I LOOK UP... I CANNOT SEE THE END. I LOOK DOWN AND CANNOT SEE THE END AS WELL.

I

increase the power of the diode mounted on my helmet.

In the far distance, I see the walls of the pit in which I’m hanging with my diving cylinder inside a bag attached to me, which weights a dozen or so kilograms. In a moment like this, endless thoughts are running through my head and not all of them are positive. An afterthought that “in a cave, you have to be able to manage your fears” clarifies in my head, after which I continue to descend into the bottomless abyss of the cave pit.

Cave diving is one of the last levels of initiation in the underwater world. However, this level contains a nook visited by only a few cave divers. This unpopular cranny is called speleo diving or diving in alpine-type caves.

What differentiates it from the commonly known cave diving is the fact that, in order to reach the water, you need to go through the dry part of the cave. Therefore, in order

to be able to explore the water reservoirs in such locations, which are usually sumps, one should not only have diving skills, but also be quite an agile spelunker, or – in other words – cave rock-climber.

What happens in the Picos de Europa mountains (Spain) in August 2022 can be classified as this type of cave-diving action. However, this story started several months earlier, when at one of the cave festivals, I met members of Speleoclub Wrocław, who have been successfully exploring the caves in the Picos de Europa massif for thirty years. They have already connected several cave systems, for which they received the Kolos (Colossus) award, among others.

Our conversations revealed that they reached a large sump on the bottom of one of the explored systems. I suggested that I am a cave diver and spelunker, so... so the conversation got livelier.

We spent the next several months on intensive conversations and planning. Marek (expedition leader), Jacek, Paweł and Marcin suggested several solutions to facilitate the approach. One of such conveniences was supposed to be using composite cylinders, which are lighter. Of course, we would need to prepare more ballast, however, it could be distributed over a larger number of caving

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

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caves

bags, which made it easier in terms of logistics. We also needed a second diver. Right away, I thought about Piotrek, whose skills, mental resilience and positive mind-set made him perfectly suited to spending several hard days underground together.

Several months passed in the blink of an eye and we landed on the end of a road covered with crashed stones somewhere in Picos de Europa on Pan de Carmen, where we left our cars before venturing up the mountains. There were three of us: me, Piotrek and Aleksandrina, and each one had a bag containing virtually only their personal equipment.

Despite this, our legs bent after we put them on. We had a 7.5-kilometer-long march up the mountains before us, with 930 meters elevation to pass. It is not a hard mountain walk, unless you have a backpack like a Sherpa.

Soon after our arrival, the team appeared to take the bags with the diving equipment, which we brought. Eight cave equipment sets were filled with cylinders, lead and everything needed for diving. Each weighted at least 15 kg and it all had to be carried to our base... 7.5 km and 930 meters up.

Our base, located at the height of 2000 m.a.s.l., is composed of several tents where we live and a larg-

28

er one – so called central base tent. It’s all set up on a small plateau, which is flat enough to enable setting up a tent. Water is obtained from snow or, if the rainfalls were heavy in July, from a capricious spring, which stops running during drought periods. Luckily, it has been raining for the last two days, so we have plenty of water. Our shower is a rock niche with a crevasse. All of us use natural and fully biodegradable sanitary products to care for the environment. Each of us eats what they want... of course, provided that they carry it up for themselves. Despite this inconvenience, there is plenty of food for everyone. After dinner and a short rest, the evening comes...

In the evening the mountains are almost completely silent. The only sound is the hum of human voices coming from the central base tent, i.e. a large tent that serves as a kitchen, dining area and place for our expedition to socialize. Marek, the expedition leader, sits at the head of the table made of stacked, relatively flat rocks. The rest of us are trying to find a place on the rock circle surrounding the “table”. It is important to adjust your body to the rocks.

Then you can sit more or less comfortably. Some of us use roll mats to make the couch softer, others chose barrels, which serve as taborets. These are the circumstances for

caves

our briefing. We learn that the previous teams have set up two campsites in the cave. One is located at the end of the descending pits (so called Campsite 11). That is where we’ll be exploring the dry parts of the cave. The second one has been set up by the spelunkers next to the Eye of the Sea – the place where we will perform the underwater exploration. Marek distributes tasks during the briefing.

Paweł, Marcin, Bartek and Sebastian will carry over a part of the bags with the diving equipment to our campsite and return to the upper parts to try find a passage from this system to another cave, using aid climbing. They will depart tomorrow morning. My team includes Marek, Aleksandrina and Piotrek. Our task is to carry the rest of the diving bags to the campsite next to the Eye of the Sea. After this, we all go our separate ways. Piotrek and I will be diving, while Sasha with Marek will chart the explored parts of the cave, which have not been included in the plan as of yet. We will depart the day after tomorrow, not to crowd the cave. Once we are underground, our time will be split into twelve-hour sections called “shifts”. After such a twelve-hour shift, we have time to rest and sleep at the campsite. This also takes twelve hours and, after such “night”, a new shift begins.

Rinse and repeat until our tasks are completed.

The day right before our departure passes by fast. We check our equipment and pack the bags, while eating delicacies, as our diet inside the cave will consist mainly of bars, freeze-dried dishes and tea. In the blink of an eye, the day turns into an evening, the evening into a night and the night into a morning.

Marek, Aleksandrina, Piotrek and I put our backpacks on and the four of us go in the direction of the cave opening. The entrance isn’t far away, but the way leads through a treacherous, rocky terrain filled with fissures. We’re going down, but we need to step carefully, because any stumble may end in rather unpleasant fall down a rock fissure.

The best evidence of the cave being close by is the cold. The sun is shining and there isn’t a single cloud in the sky, but we can feel a cold draft. After a moment, we see a snowbank which conceals the source of this icy breeze. We change our clothes, put on our suits, harnesses, rope equipment and helmets. We check our torches, as they are going to be our only source of light for the next days. A last glimpse at the sun and we sink into the darkness.

We reach the first rope section after a few minutes. I attach my roller, then the shunt and belay my way down.

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

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caves

After a dozen meters or so, I reach the carabiner to which the rope is tied. I attach my lanyard, switch the roller and the shunt over to the rope below. Another section. A bag with the diving equipment, attached to a harness hangs below me. One of eight that are to go down to the very bottom of the cave. After a moment, another switch over and further way down. Now I am abseiling, i.e. sliding down on a rope, without touching any wall. I look overhead. I see the torchlight reflecting somewhere up there. I look below me. I see a looming torchlight in the distance. I realize what the bag could do to this small light if it detached from my harness. I secure the link between me and the bag and I continue to slide down. I only have 400 meters left... only...

When I reach the bottom, there is no one there, but a certain noise suggests where I should go. The clanging of spelunker’s equipment is so characteristic that it cannot be mistaken with anything else. A roller for sliding down the rope, ascender, Croll are the instruments used for climbing up a rope, accompanied by countless carabiners attached to the harness. It’s all made of aluminum and it gives a characteristic sound when knocking against each other. As distances in a cave are so vast that even light cannot penetrate its depts, it is this sound that lets you know that your partner is right behind you. It is this sound that points the way when the torchlight disappears in the darkness.

30

I throw the bag onto my back and quickly go after my team. We still have several rope sections up and down before us and then a little surprise. As I’m passing more corridors, collapsed parts, pits and caverns, the weight on my back becomes more and more noticeable. This weight is unyielding, actually it does everything to make a spelunker’s life harder.

I sit down on the bag I’m carrying. I’ve stopped caring if it contains any diving equipment which could get damaged.

I’m so tired that I’m panting a bit and there is only one thought in my head, the same as any other team member: “Why do we need lead for this cursed diving?” I am a diving instructor and I can explain why a diver needs lead, but in this very moment my knowledge is lying next to the lead blocks, somewhere inside this bag.

For one diver to be able to penetrate a sump in a cave, a dozen people or so have to work hard for dozen days or so. In our case, the first teams had to carry over and set up the equipment at the campsites. The camp at the Eye of the Sea includes two tents, four sleeping bags and some sleeping mats. In addition, the campsite had to be equipped with lyophilizates, gas, burner, pot for cooking water and some basic cutlery. We couldn’t also forget about tea, chemical warmers and bars. Each of these items weighs virtually nothing, but all this nothing taken together gives a huge, heavy caving bag.

caves

Once the campsite had been set up, the teams started transporting the main diving equipment and this... lead...

For us, it was eight, exceptionally heavy bags. When I met Marcin in the cave, he welcomed me with the following words: “What did you stick inside these bags?! I go to the line, attach the bag to the harness and try to ascend.

I thought it caught on something, but it’s just this heavy!”

Some reflections come to my mind, while I’m sitting on my bag. They are very similar during every trip like this.

Diving in alpine caves, called speleo diving by some of us, is a team activity. The diver is not the most important, every team member matters. Every spelunker needs to lose some of their health in a cave, so one or two guys can check what’s going on underwater. Burning muscles, everlasting cold, bumps, bruises, scratches – all this to explore a flooded part of a cave. The diver is an extension of the entire team, of its every member. Eyes that are to look where no one has looked before.

I get up and I pick up my bag. I think it caught on to something yet again...

After more mazes filled with razor sharp rocky edges, we reach one of the most interesting parts of our journey – an underground river. However, before the cruise, we need to slide down a rope and land directly on a small, wobbling pontoon. It can hold two spelunkers or one spelunker and two caving bags.

The cruise is amazing. The water has a crystal color.

The corridor is quite narrow at first, but it gets wider after a turn. After several dozen meters, the water escapes through a narrow corridor to the right and falls into a small sump, and we can get out. It’s such a pity that the flooded parts crossed on a pontoon were omitted in last year’s exploration and are omitted in this year’s exploration as well.

It is quicker and safer now, without the risk of being cut off by a water rise, but it is still a pity... There’s a collapse in the corridor before us and we need to climb approximately 20 m up on it using a rope. The higher we go, the narrower it gets, and the bags do not make things any easier, especially when we have to squeeze between the rocks. The peak of the collapse is surprisingly spacious and hard to embrace with the lights we have. We lose the height gained, as we go down the collapse, reaching the underwater river between the Black Pond and the Eye of the Sea again. You can only envy the water for having this shortcut.

Camping in a cave can be very bothersome, but what we experience is real luxury. Two double tents equipped with matrasses and sleeping bags. We have a large canvas cover before us, where a resting space is organized. We chose a freeze-dried dinner and get to eating. I’ve chosen chili con carne and it was a mistake. The temperature in the cave is unchangingly equal to four degrees with the humidity of 100%. In other words, the climate is similar

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caves

to what you’d find inside a fridge. This makes boiled water go cold very quickly, thus the beans in my dish are – gently put – crunchy.

While we’re eating dinner, Marek, the expedition leader, connects with the base on the surface, using a communication system called NICOLA. We let them know that we have reached the campsite and everything’s good. Afterwards, we drink our evening tea and crawl into our sleeping bags to fall asleep.

After some time, which is hard to determine, I open my eyes... and I don’t see any difference. I am in absolute darkness, that is a state in which no photon reaches my eye.

This makes it impossible for me to tell if I have slept for one hour or twelve hours. This state is hard to imagine for people living on the surface, because there’s always something that emits light, like a lamp on the street, stars in the sky or phone charger diode. The human brain does not like the absolute darkness, therefore, it plays tricks on us. For me, these are multicolor mandalas appearing before my eyes. I hear my companions moving too. This means that I have slept for more than one hour and I will have to get up soon.

After a breakfast, which lasts for quite some time, we prepare for diving. Piotrek will dive first in the ponor called the Eye of the Sea. This is where all the underground rivers terminate. Piotrek is to check the walls of this ponor to see if there are any flooded tunnels coming from other caves.

Putting on your diving equipment in a place like this is quite tiring and takes a lot of time. We need to take care not to soil the vulnerable parts of our equipment with the omnipresent sand and cave mud. A bit of sand on an O-ring at a dry glove or in a diving regulator can not only make diving unpleasant, but also cause a serious emergency.

Some time later, Piotrek is already in the water and starts to descend. We can hear his bubbles for a while and see his light, which soon disappears in the depths of the ponor. We sit in the absolute darkness, waiting for a flash of light or sound of a bubble heralding Piotrek’s return. The time goes by very slowly, but we are finally reached by the signals of the returning diver. We await his news, when he swims towards the “shore”. Piotrek has thoroughly verified the walls of this ponor and there are no tributaries from other parts of the cave. There is only a bottomless pit, in which, last year, a ROV got stuck at the depth of 62 m, without reaching the bottom.

Now it’s my turn to dive in the reservoir called the Black Pond, from which the water falls into the Eye of the Sea via a short spillway. I go into the water through a slippery, muddy ramp and, the very moment I touch the water, the filth I have on me reduces visibility. Moreover, the ramp continues underwater and me standing on it causes silt to raise.

Despite trying to move as little as possible, I already know

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caves

that I’m going to see very little. I buckle up the cylinder, turn on the light I got from Gralmarine and dive into the milky white water. After a while, I notice a crevice with clearer water, which is my chance. The water becomes crystal clear and the tunnel goes suddenly down only to start becoming shallower after a while. This means that this sump leads somewhere. After a moment, I emerge in a cavern with a collapse. Have I reached some place?

I scream to check if I am not too close. In response, I hear Marek’s and Piotrek’s voices, which means that the sump has led me to a small cavern created by collapsed rocks.

I go back, checking every nook and cranny of the Black Pond. Unfortunately, I do not find any other sumps.

I wait for the water to drip down from my equipment to pack it into the bags. Now that it is wet, the bags are even heavier. We leave the bags and scatter to perform some drier tasks. After another night, Aleksandrina and Piotrek start to exit the cave, while I stay with Marek to help him chart the dry parts of the cave. We spend the next night at Campsite 11, right under the entry pits.

After a quick breakfast and rolling up the campsite, we start our ascent. I approach the rope and attach the Croll first and then the ascender. These are two clamping devices, which can move only upwards along the rope, locking

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caves

under load. They allow us to move up on a hanging rope.

I attach the bag to the harness and start to ascend. First, the hand holding the ascender goes up, then, I stand in the loop attached to it, simultaneously moving the Croll. Once again, my hand goes up and I stand in the loop. These two moves allow me to move one meter... maybe. I have only 449.5 meters left. I try not to think about it...

After some time, I go into something, which could be called a dream state or torpor, because I don’t feel the passing of time, nor do I think about the goal of this road. The rhythm is determined by the movements of my hand and leg. Moving steadily up is all that matters. Marek’s torchlight flickering below me reminds me of the existence of other things than just the vertical rope in my surroundings. When it seems like I had been trapped in some spatiotemporal loop, the firsts signs of the surface reach me... first the smell, then the light. It is amazing how the world smells after four days underground, how pleasant the warmth of the sun is when you get out of a place that will never be warm.

Four, maybe five, days later... With a loud moan, we throw down our definitely-too-heavy backpacks. We have just reached our cars parked in a mountain clearing. Although we got out of the water several days ago, the diving and the voyage end only now. After diving, we had to carry the equipment out. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to do it at once, so Sebastian and Marek went to the cave once more to get the remaining bags. Meanwhile, the rest of our team was carrying the equipment down from the base. We still had to wind up the base and perform many other tasks. These several days were intense.

Now, sitting on the overloaded backpacks next to our cars, we have a moment to look at the mountains once more. Time to reflect. One thought is bothering me: “Was it worth it?” I’m going to wait and answer this question after I have some solid rest.

The expedition was organized by Speleoclub Wrocław (https://scw.wroc.pl/) The divers were supported by Gralmarine.

Expedition members: Marcin Buczkowski – SCW Ida Chojnacka – SCW Renata Jarocka-Lewandowska – Wałbrzyski Klub Górski i Jaskiniowy (Wałbrzych Mountain and Cave Club, WKTJ) Marek Jędrzejczak (leader) – SCW Piotr Karpiński (diver) – Speleoklub Warszawski (Warsaw Speleoclub, SW) Marcin Krajewski – SCW Bartłomiej Kurdziej – Akademicki Klub Grotołazów AGH (Academic Spelunkers Club of the AGH University of Science and Technology, AKG) Sebastian Lewandowski – WKTJ Agnieszka Majewska – SCW Paweł Michalski – SCW Sebastian Ostrowski – SCW Mateusz Popek (diver) – Speleoklub Bielsko-Biała (Bielsko-Biała Speleoclub, SBB) Jacek Sikorski – SCW Jacek Styś – SCW Aleksandrina Zakharova – AKG

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Photos Maciej Krüger, www.maciejkruger.com

under the ceiling

FELICITAS GERMAN SLATE MINE Text and photos Kurt Storms

A

FORKLIFTS, EXCAVATORS, AND EXPLOSION DANGER: THE FELICITAS SLATE MINE IN THE SCHMALLENBERGER SAUERLAND IS AN IMPRESSIVE MINE FOR THE ADVENTUROUS.

38

s often happens, I go on this trip

Hennesee and hiking trails through the

with my regular diving buddy Wil-

Rothaargebirge (e.g. The Great Escape

lem Verrycken. I have announced

of the Sauerland).

our presence in advance to Jonas, the

The mine was opened in 1850 and

new manager of the mine. Two other

owned by the company Hesse & Schnei-

friends of mine will join us for this trip.

der KG until 1990. It was then sold to the

Glenn Tessens and Stijn Moortgat. Early

company Magog GmbH & Co. KG which

in the morning we load the car and leave

also holds the only current slate in North

for Sauerland, a 3.5-hour trip by car.

Rhine-Westphalia.

Once we arrive, we meet the new

The mine was opened via an inclined

manager of the mine. He tells us a bit

shaft with a length of approximately

about the history, and what he will com-

130 m and a ventilation shaft. It con-

ply in the future.

sists of two footbridges at a depth of

The Felicitas mine is located around

32 and 46 m. A reel and a trolley were

2 kilometers north-west of the Kneipp

used to transport the stone along the

spa Bad Fredeburg which is a district

inclined shaft directly into the splitting

of the town of Schmallenberg in the

house. In recent years, diesel vehicles

Hochsauerlandkreis with a population

were used for underground trans-

of around 4,000.

port. The mining took place in cham-

In the immediate vicinity, there are

bers. These were about 15 m long and

other recreational areas such as the

4–5 m high. Since the 1970s, mining

under the ceiling

was mechanized by mobile saws and hydraulic splitters.

BACK IN TIME We have set up our rebreathers, I dive today dual ccr, as main ccr I will use my AP, and as Bailout ccr I use my Divesoft Liberty SM. Also, we’re going to use the scooters today. We put on our suits with heating. The water here is about 9°C all year round.

We make our way to the shaft and do the necessary checks.

Willem is the first one to go through the shaft which is quite steep to a depth of 30 m.

Because we are the only divers today, the visibility is very good, also in the shaft. I put my Divevolk housing with my cellphone on the line at 9 m, so I can watch a movie when we are doing

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

39

decompression at the end of the dive. At a depth of 12 m and 20 m we lay down the bottles with deco gases for the rest of the group.

At a depth of 26 m we reach the junction and turn left as agreed. This is the new part of the mine, in which the slate was mined by machine. Before the dive, Jonas gave us an extensive briefing which we used to plan our dive. Probably to protect the miners.

Further on, the machines loom up from a dark mine. These machines were left in place because it would take too much time and money to dismantle them.

There is an excavator and a large forklift truck in pristine condition. Willem poses by these machines so that we can see them on film. We swim further down the corridor, on the ground level there is a beautiful large saw blade. The corridor

40

under the ceiling

is supported by iron profiles and plates which results in loose rust swirling down regularly. The main corridor is beautiful, from here there are many side corridors which we enter by making a "jump". After 35 minutes, we return and do our obligatory deco in the shaft.

HISTORY LESSON During a break of about 2 hours, where we can drink coffee for free, Jonas tells us about the history of the mine. We discover that the part that we have now dived in was still in use until 1994.

The corridor to the right is the old part which we are going to dive in later. This is where the slate was mined since 1850.

The slate was cut by hand and worked with dynamite.

EXPLOSIVES STORAGE In the afternoon, we leave for a second dive, but this time I don't forget to connect my heated undersuit.

The aim of the dive is now to do the old part of the mine.

We go back down through the main shaft where our bail out gases are still lying around; we quickly check them. We continue our way and turn right.

Immediately it is clear that the corridors are narrower. It's a totally different mine to the one we saw this morning.

Walls are coarser and there are slate walls. Along the way, we come across pipes that were there to dry out the mine. Along the way we come across a remnant, a bottle, Willem poses eagerly, and I take some photos.

We go further into the corridor, and now we come to a beautiful open door.

This was the storage room for the dynamite. We take a look inside but find no remains.

Unfortunately, time passes faster than

I have already dived here a cou-

we want, and we have to turn back. On

ple times. Each time I explored more

After the room, we go further into the

the way back we stop by an old electricity

beauty of this mine with some former

corridor, and we come to a junction. We

cabinet before we do our obligatory deco

buddies like Maximilian, a German cave

take the right turn, here the corridor be-

and watch my predownloaded movie.

diver. And so, we will continue diving this

comes slightly narrower, but we come

Happy as 2 children we come out of

across a wall with an opening. Here

the water with a big smile and immedi-

I shoot some pictures of Willem.

ately start analyzing our dive.

beautiful mine.

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

41

travels

SCAPA FLOW It "ALL DEPENDS..."

Text and photos Tomek Kulczyński, Compass Divers

In the era of the Internet, finding information on any subject is not a major problem. Therefore, I leave the geography and

BEING ONE OF THOSE LUCKY PEOPLE WHO COULD VISIT THE ORKNEY ISLANDS, NAMELY SCAPA FLOW, I CAN SAFELY SAY THAT THE VERY THOUGHT OF WHAT I EXPERIENCED THERE GIVES ME THE CREEPS. A SMILE APPEARS ON MY FACE, AND MY MIND INSTANTLY GOES INTO A STATE OF NOSTALGIA…

history of this place to you. There is also a lot of information about it in the previous issue (No 5(23)/2022). I will only add here that specific descriptions and details about particular areas will be thoroughly discussed by the crew of the boat you will use. Who can handle this problem better than the locals?

Let's leave them some space to show off. Just remember that history is always written by the winners.

Getting into Scapa Flow is quite a challenge. And here is my next IT DEPENDS. Two issues remain to be considered.

S

The first is the place of accommodation, and the second – the capa Flow is considered one of the best places to dive

luggage we take with us. During my trip to Scapa, I lived in

in the world – and here, for your surprise, my answer is:

England, so I was a little closer. I was travelling by car, tak-

IT DEPENDS. Read it till the end to find out why I think so

ing all the equipment, including the cylinders. The journey

and get some practical tips on the subject.

42

from Birmingham to Aberdeen took 8 hours, then the ferry

travels

to Stromness another 7 hours. During long conversations with friends, we considered the best way to get to Scapa, but these conversations never ended in compromise. Of course, the fastest option is the plane, but the question is: what about the luggage? Another possibility, without any hardware worries, is a car. Unfortunately, it takes a long time and costs (remember that when transporting cylinders on the ferry you have to declare it!). One of the most creative options I've ever heard was to hire a bus. The equipment of the whole group was on a bus from Poland, and the rest of the participants were on a plane – a great idea, only two bus drivers can complain a little. Purely theoretically, check out a map, and just for fun think how you would get to Scapa. Then you will have an idea of what I am writing about.

After hours of planning, we crossed the road, now let's go to the boat and accommodation issue. Without a doubt, the best unit on Scapa Flow is Huskyan, but wait a second, here again I will put my IT DEPENDS. I myself was on the MV Karin, chartered by John Thornton. First of all, I must point out that it is not a matter of choice. Let's remember that Scapa Flow is a cult place, and the interest is huge. I don't know how it is nowadays, because I dived before the pandemic, but trying

ditional inconvenience associated with the boat is the ubiqui-

to organise another trip, the waiting time, depending on

tous moisture. I would compare it to wiping with a wet towel

the unit, ranged from one year to three years!!!

after a bath – supposedly fulfilling the task, but not quite.

When planning an overnight stay, we have two options:

Everything starting from the underwear and ending with the

The comfortable one on land or the budget one on a boat.

diving undersuit was simply damp, but as they say in the army:

Both have their DEPENDS, but with my height of 198 cm, the

the best drying temperature is 36.6 and after a while you get

option of sleeping on a boat was quite burdensome. An ad-

used to it.

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

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travels

You should also consider the month of our departure, because from what John said, he is only four months on Scapa, and then he is stationed in the Shetland Islands. The season

44

on Scapa lasts about six months, and the best months are

should check the regulators, wings, tightness of the suit I did

strictly the summer months. But I was there in September

it all, but I forgot to take an ordinary hanger for a dry suit...

and the best comment I heard from a friend who also was

It seemed not a big problem, but my suit did not want to dry

on Scapa at that time but a year earlier was that once, when

out on a provisional hanger, and in the ubiquitous humidity,

he was emerging from water, it began to hail. I would call the

putting on such a suit was unpleasant. What some returning

weather on Scapa Flow unpredictable, here we are dealing with

divers already had were hangers with built-in fans. It is worth

a typical island climate. It is always humid, it rains, it is foggy,

remembering to take a spare diving undersuit, which will cer-

the sun shines just for a moment, and it blows terribly. The best

tainly increase comfort during subsequent dives.

image I can think of is a description from the novel by Sir Arthur

The sockets in Great Britain are different, so you need

Conan Doyle titled The Hound of Baskervilles. To summarise

adapters, everyone knows that, but it may happen that you

the meteorological issues, I would rather not consider using

have a limited number of sockets available on the boat, and

flip-flops and shorts. It is worth focusing mainly on technical,

in this case it's worth taking an extension cord. You know how

breathing clothing, because the generally prevailing weather

many things you need to charge: a flashlight, a camera, a com-

is "sticky", which means that either it rains or it blows, and we

puter, a phone, etc. All you have to do is multiply them by the

tend to wear a jacket, but the temperature is warm enough

number of participants and it becomes a problem. Think of

to sweat under it 

another dive computer. Mine suffered a breakdown on the

We made the trip, we're here, we have a boat and accom-

first day and the rest of the dives I did on an old, reliable VR3.

modation, now the most important thing, we dive! We can rent

An additional set of dry gloves might be necessary. When I was

or bring our own diving equipment. On the boat Karina it was

trying to get water into a bucket, a big wave came and I lost my

possible to rent cylinders. There is no problem with the rest of

balance. I leaned on a screw on the railing and it was enough

the equipment, as the "Scapa Scuba" diving centre is located

for a small hole to appear in one glove. Take two hoods for

not far from the port, where all units moor. Diving equipment

your convenience and an SD card for cameras, there is never

is an integral part of diving and here are some tips on how

too much card memory.

to protect yourself, what to pay attention to. It will sound

In addition to the equipment, I would like to draw your

ridiculous, but I failed with trivial things. We all know that we

attention to the level of skills needed to dive on Scapa. All

ADVERTISEMENT

SZKOLENIA KURSY dives are done from a boat. Depending on the weather, in a strong or extraordinarily strong current. Our first dive took place on a small wreck at a depth of 15 m, near the shore. The main purpose of this dive was to properly manufacture and arrange the rented equipment. The next purpose were the dreamt wrecks, lying, depending on the unit, up to a depth of 47 m.

In my opinion, the optimal preparation should be based on a minimum level of TEC 40, or on the equivalent of another agency. This is primarily about

SKLEP SERWIS

time and decompression gas. If for some reason we cannot dive technically, I believe that the configurations of the twin set or the side mount are recreationally the absolute minimum. Going to Scapa Flow it is worth spending some time on training, which will open up many opportunities on the spot.

Man does not live on "diving" alone. Here are some places to see. The Scapa Flow Museum on Hoy Island is must-see. The Highland Park Distillery is so too. You should also visit Ring of Brodgar (to my surprise when switching channels I found the whole document about it on Discovery Chanel) and of course the whole town of Stromness, because it is very charming.

As you yourself have noticed IT DEPENDS what your Scapa Flow will look like. There are so many variables, so many differences resulting from the huge number of possibilities that this place gives. Each trip can be drastically different from the others, so don't delude yourself, one trip is not enough to get to know Scapa Flow. We have to go back and get to know each other again.

UWWW.COMPASSDIVERS.PL

I know people who have mixed feelings about Scapa Flow. Each of us is different and there are those for whom cenotes in Mexico or diving with turtles in Egypt will be classified much higher in the ranking of diving adventure.

In my humble opinion, Scapa Flow is one of the best dive destinations in the world and it certainly deserves this honorable title. It will remain in my memory forever, evoking a smile on my face and a shiver on my skin…

UL. KOLEJOWA 2 62-010 POBIEDZISKA – LETNISKO PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

45

travels

ALL-INCLUSIVE DIVING IN DEEP DIVE DUBAI Text and photos Jarek Matyga

IT WILL PROBABLY COME AS NO SURPRISE THAT DEEP DIVE DUBAI HAS BEEN LISTED IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS AS THE WORLD'S DEEPEST DIVING POOL.

T

he numbers are indeed impressive. 60 metres deep, with 14 million litres of water (at a constant

temperature of 30°C) filtered every six hours thanks to technology taken from NASA's underwater world – it is one of Dubai's newest tourist attractions.

Where else but here? :) The sunken city is located in Nad Al Sheba 1, to which I get from the centre

46

travels

by Uber. This is the easiest way to get to the site. I have already booked a dive, provided necessary certificates in advance, and discussed my expectations for the 60-meter dive by email. The covid dive restrictions prevent entry without preparation and there is no option to book the 60-meter dive on the Deep Dive Dubai website.

My guide is waiting for me on site.

He is the one who will decide if I can dive to 60 metres despite the provided certificate. The package price (1,500 AED) includes the fee for the guide and gases. So far it is not possible to dive with your partner, it does not matter if it is a recreational or technical dive, you must have a guide from Deep Dive Dubai in your group.

The infrastructure of the pool is impressive. Fresh-smelling interiors,

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

47

travels

48

lockers for storing personal belong-

there for a while and took some pho-

sunken city. I am surrounded by cars,

ings, a towel and a bathrobe for each

tos before surfacing. We pass graffiti on

motorbikes, rooms styled as kitchens,

diver, and a lift that gets you into the

the walls, illuminated and pointed out

bedrooms, games rooms, computers,

pool. These are bonuses that make

by my guide. A stop at 40 metres re-

pool tables. Full graze as befits the glitz

your stay more enjoyable. Of course,

veals the first 'donut' which is what the

of Dubai 

all diving equipment and gases are also

staff call the attraction circles around

After 67 minutes of diving, I end my

included.

the main 'tube'. At the next 'donut' at

adventure at Deep Dive Dubai. The

After checking our gear in the water,

21 metres we change to decompres-

splendour of Dubai is not my cup of tea,

we quickly descend to 60 m where the

sion gas. From 17 metres onwards,

but the opportunity to dive here seems

temperature drops to 29°C. The bot-

we enter the largest space with the

an interesting alternative for those who

tom is lit by artificial light. We stayed

greatest number of attractions of the

love exploring the deep 

Rehasport - motor medicine

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

ONLINE Specialty or name City

Search

Find injury Select the body part in which you feel pain.

www.rehasport.pl

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

49

knowledge

LONG HAIR

AND DIVING Text Isadora Abuter Grebe Photos Jon Borg, Tomasz Płociński, Michal Sevecek

Photo Jon Borg

DIVE HAIR ISSUES

them, and encourage you to research more about the “tips and

Hair and diving: knots, breakage, and dry hair looking like hay.

tricks” for your healthy diving hair.

How to keep your hair shiny, clean, and healthy – even as an active diver?

50

PRE-DIVE HAIR CARE

Coming back from three months of diving in Malta, I was

“Preparation is everything” – or at least very important. Make

forced to cut 7 cm of my hair – a very sentimental and even

sure to start your hair routine with healthy hair. Beginning

maybe a bit sad moment, thinking about all the time it took

with already broken hair ends will make it more difficult

to grow it. During my stay on the island, my hair was tortured

to preserve your hair's glow. We should regularly remove

with regular exposure to salt water, constant sun, and tearing

split ends, as they can cause further damage if left uncut.

while putting on the drysuit and taking on and off the mask.

Furthermore, make sure to nourish your hair with moistur-

We need to learn from our mistakes. I did the research

izing products and use as little heat as possible (and if you

which I should have done beforehand and would like to share

need to apply heat – use heat protection). The known pre-dive

it with my fellow diving girls and boys with long hair. To be-

rules (which are also the daily hair rules applying as well for

gin with: there are many, many different opinions and views

days without a dive) are probably clear to all of us: treat your

on “the to-dos for healthy diving hair”. I will consider some of

hair like a queen/king.

knowledge

So now to the mystery of how

not mean that it will not do any harm

the valves and I did not see properly

to achieve shiny and beautiful diving hair

to the aquatic environment and that

after breathing in (hence ascending

with a pre-dive regime:

it will degrade quickly. Please study

a bit and having my hair on my face).

1. Wet your hair prior to facing it

the ingredients list and make sure

Getting rid of all the knots in the

with harmful salt water. Rinsing

that your product is the safest you

evening was very painful. This was

the hair will allow it to soak up fresh

can find on the market. Applying

big learning: always take a second

water and hence prevent absorbing

a leave-in conditioner before diving

hair tie with you, in case of loss of

the salt water, which removes natural

will nourish and protect your hair

your main hair tie. Next, you can de-

oils and moisture.

from damage caused by salt water

cide which hairstyle you would like

2. Leave-in conditioner: use the

and sunlight. The leave-in condition-

to wear when diving depending on

leave-in conditioners, which are

er builds a barrier and avoids the ab-

your hair structure and length. The

safe for exposure to nature. Very

sorption of salt water, next to mak-

most important is to keep it under

important: Just because the product

ing your hair easier to detangle after

control.

states: ”natural” or “organic” it does

the dive.

I wondered how fellow div-

3. Coconut oil: an alternative to a leave-

ers with long hair fix their hair for

in conditioner is coconut oil – cheap,

a dive, and the response from the

natural, and effective.

Scuba-Woman Community was in-

4. Fix your hair: I went once for a dive without fixing my hair, because

credible. Thank you for sharing your hairstyles with us!

I lost the hair tie when jumping into

5. The mask: use a neoprene band

the water. It was a complete disas-

for your mask and make sure that

ter. Next to needing to constantly

the velcro of the strap stays in one

clear the mask, as there was hair

place, preventing tearing and break-

trapped, my hair got entangled with

ing your hair.

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

51

knowledge

6. Put on your suit gently: if you are wearing a wetsuit, secure your hair before getting into the wetsuit, to avoid tearing it in the process of getting into the suit. If you are wearing a dry suit: use a simple, polyester swimming cap to get into the neckseal and under the neoprene hood.

IN-BETWEEN DIVE HAIR CARE 1. Rinse with fresh water: to get rid of the salt and soak your hair with fresh water again. You may rinse your hair in between the dives with fresh water from the shower, bottle, or an empty laundry-liquid canister or similar.

2. Apply leave-in conditioner: as before the dive, re-apply the environmental-safe leave-in conditioner.

3. Combing: brush your hair, beginning from the end of your hair and gently working upwards.

Unsecured, long hair may look charming for a photo shoot but is not practical and recommended.

AFTER-DIVE HAIR CARE 1. Conditioner: Apply a generous amount of conditioner after washing your hair and let it sink – you can clean your gear in

are passionate about diving…, and this means, that if we aim

the meantime or check the footage you took from the dive.

to have healthy hair, we may take extra, super, mega care.

2. Come back to the PRE-DIVE HAIR CARE

THE MYSTERY OF BEAUTIFUL DIVE-HAIR

Maybe this is a motivation to cut your hair short or to spend hours studying how to prevent hair damage... Please take into account that there are many different hair types and many different needs. Some divers with long hair may have fewer problems in keeping the health of the hair than others with shorter hair.

dive anymore. In this case, you save your hair from confron-

Maybe this article is also a motivation to admire our beau-

tation with environmental influences and you may preserve

tiful fellow diver friends with amazing hair while being kind

very beautiful, shiny, and long hair without needing to take

to ourselves, and accepting that shiny hair is not everything,

extra-super care of your hair. But we are all here because we

and for sure not as important as a shiny heart :)

Photo Tomasz Płociński

After all, the topic can have as well a simple solution: do not

52

Photo Michal Sevecek

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PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

53

knowledge

VIRTUAL DIVING Text and photos Magdalena Sokołowska

54

knowledge

IN 2020, WHEN THE WHOLE WORLD WAS LOCK DOWN DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, I HAD TO GIVE UP MY DIVING PLANS IN ORDER TO PROTECT MY HEALTH. HOWEVER, I MISSED DIVING TERRIBLY AND SO I FOUND A SUBSTITUTE – I BOUGHT VR GOGGLES THAT OPENED UP A WORLD OF NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR ME.

T

hanks to VR technology, I visited many places in the world, jumped with a parachute, raced Formula 1, attended concerts of world-famous music stars and

Cirque du Soleil performances sitting in the front row and

I took a tour of the International Space Station. What's most important, however, it the fact that I could also dive around well-known reefs, with huge manta rays, sharks or whales. Now I know which diving sites I will be happy to see in reality and

cludes a special tracker / pad in the form of a fire extinguisher

I know that diving in a cage with great white sharks is not for

integrated with the program.

me, because being inside this virtual reality, I was constantly

At the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, they try to use VR

looking nervously sideways and jumped with fear whenever

in the process of learning to draw fashion design projects –

a 5-meter "king of the oceans" appeared out of the blue.

a project is immediately created as three-dimensional and can

I used VR goggles mainly for entertainment purposes, but this technology has been used for some time now for scientific research and various industries.

be viewed from every side.

Thanks to the recently published report by PwC (a business and technology consulting company) from the study

VR – Virtual Reality is a technology that allows you

"The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Soft Skills Training in the En-

to simulate the environment in 360 degrees. The users find

terprise", we know that participants in VR training complete

themselves immersed in the experience that is interactive

their training faster and are more focused than on standard

and that feels real. For this purpose are used special goggles,

trainings. Such learning is more engaging for participants (it

which additionally track the movements of the head and body

is not a simple transfer of information), it helps in a better

and provide three-dimensional sound.

understanding of complex topics, increases interest in boring

VR is used, among others, in the military during training, by athletes to improve their results, or in medicine during remote

topics and improves memory, as in the learning process are involved emotions.

operations and training. This technology is also used to treat

You can learn at any time, from anywhere, and possible

patients with post-traumatic stress, where they are gradually

dangers can be avoided, e.g. there is already available virtual

exposed to traumatic events to get used to them. It also helps

training of heavy machinery operators, without the necessity

in the treatment of anxiety, phobias and depression.

of placing operators in hazardous industrial environments. You

Also, first aid training is available on the market – the

can repeat the simulation until you have mastered it perfect-

phantom is integrated with VR goggles, measures the force of

ly. VR can visualize things that can't be shown right away in

pressure on the chest and gives feedback on whether to press

standard training.

harder or faster.

One of the companies involved in maritime logistics is

There is also a VR Fire Trainer (Safety and Health at Work

currently implementing the Brave Dolphin project – training

training) on putting down fire in various locations. The set in-

for the crew of seagoing vessels regarding the dangers on

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

55

knowledge

board. The simulation contains interactive scenarios that cannot be drilled in a real environment. Another example is The VR Dive, where you can investigate what dominant skills the project team members have – being together in a virtual submarine they experience a critical event and have to carry out a rescue mission.

The possibilities of using VR are almost unlimited, but the disadvantages of technology are, of course, the price of the hardware, the need for an Internet connection, possible errors in the application software and the weight of the goggles, which after a certain continuous time of use causes discomfort (headache and neck pain), and some people may feel dizzy looking at the virtual world.

When it comes to VR and diving, games, programs/applications and prototypes of special equipment are available.

On YouTube360, you can watch underwater videos recorded by divers with a special camera. You can find dives from the most popular places, with small and large sea creatures. We also have underwater movies from National Geographic 360.

From time to time, there are new professional documentaries about oceans produced in VR technology.

Air Pano 360 Videos offers educational scuba diving videos with whale sharks, manta rays, jellyfish clouds, white sharks, tiger sharks, seals and coral meadows.

You can try diving in computer animated VR games. In Deep Diving VR you visit sunken ships, caves, collect relics, observe marine life, control air levels, decompression and, as is usually the case in games, you can shoot predators.

A similar game is Ocean Rift, where you can choose which

and on several reefs of the Red Sea. Offices offering diving

large sea animal to dive with (turtles, dolphins, sharks, sea

trips can use the PADI VR Scuba Planner, where you can see

snakes, seals, whales). During the dive, after pressing the ap-

the dives in the Red Sea and plan them accordingly (the appli-

propriate button, the teacher talks about a given species. In

cation contains tips and instructions from the instructors div-

Freediver game: Triton Down, as a freediver, you have to get

ing there). The app can also be used to encourage customers to buy a diving trip to Egypt.

out of a sinking ship. On the way there are various tasks to be performed taking into account the air limit. There is also the game Scuba – Training VR (Oculus Rift DK2/Leap Motion), in which, as in real diving, everything must be remembered. Operate the inflator buttons with your left hand – remove and pump air to the jacket (you can see if we are immersing too quickly), check the dive computer, hear inhalation and

Operate the inflator buttons with your left hand – remove and pump air to the jacket (you can see if we are immersing too quickly), check the dive computer, hear inhalation and exhalation, see bubbles of exhaled air around you.

exhalation, see bubbles of exhaled air around you.

In The Thistlegorm Project app, you can thoroughly explore the entire wreckage of the Thistlegorm.

PADI has released a VR app called "Must Of The Sea" where you can virtually experience diving on the wreck, in the cave

56

This year, SSI announced a partnership with Virtual Divers International – they want to find new ways to promote diving for potential and current divers.

As an addition to real diving, a dive simulator was created, advertised as very realistic and caring for details.

In southern Australia, the Marine Discovery Centre uses goggles and the Class VR app to educate students about the underwater world. For those who

are thinking about starting a diving course, the Ocean First diving centre (Colorado, USA) offers a VR experience where, in addition to diving, you can learn about the fragility of the marine environment and what to do to save it for the next generations.

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The most advanced idea of diving

and you can practice situations with

simulation was used in the Amphib-

various underwater "weather condi-

ian project (creator Dhruv Jain). The

tions" options. Companies using such

user wearing the VR goggles lies on

equipment and software in training

a moving platform, which rises and

can save time and costs. You can

falls to the rhythm of the person's

train individual tasks and those that

breath. Arms and legs are suspend-

require teamwork.

ed on ropes in the air – to imitate

In VR, you can go anywhere

floating in the water. Each user

you want and experience virtu-

movement is mapped in the simu-

ally everything. It would be good

lation.

if this technological potential was

In the design phase, there is also

used by diving organizations in

a VR application for divers, in which

the training of future divers and

under safe conditions you will be

instructors. By mapping diving sit-

able to become familiar with various

uations in digital space, students

diving hazards. Together with the ap-

could consolidate and complement

plication, waterproof VR equipment

theoretical knowledge and develop

is created, for use in shallow waters,

appropriate procedures for dealing

thanks to which the virtual experi-

with potential dangerous situations.

ence will be almost as real.

I am absolutely not saying that VR

An example of professional train-

will replace standard teaching meth-

ing for professional divers is the

ods, but it is a great way to enrich

Pale Blue VR training solutions pro-

training. Considering the climate

gram – VR Diver, approved by the

changes we are currently observing,

International Marine Contractors

it can be assumed that in some time,

Association.

watching coral reefs or fish, we will

In the virtual world, you work on

only be possible during diving in VR.

the seabed, observing the laws of

The Metaverse (a combination of the

physics, practice various operations

"real world" with the Internet and

and emergency situations, and learn

VR) is slowly developing, and who

how to respond best to them and

knows: maybe in the future people

how to prevent them in the future.

will pay for diving trips specially pre-

The environment is very realistic

pared in the virtual world.

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

57

planet earth

SINGING DIVERS Text and photos Wojciech Jarosz

Small, dark, inconspicuous, and yet, it dives! And it's not just diving by dipping only the beak. Without missing a beat, it submerges entirely, in fastflowing water and, helping itself with strong wings, moves effectively under the often strong current of the river.

I

t also uses claws to cling to stones at the bottom of the creek, so that it often does not swim under water, but... walks on the bottom. Now pay attention – it is not afraid

of cold water and can dive under the ice!

What kind of bird is it that performs such miracles?

One and the only diving songbird, and its name is Bond, James Bond. Okay, not exactly James Bond, or any other of His Majesty's agents with two zeros in the number with the license to kill, but a DIPPER – that's what it's called. However, it has something to do with Bond – the clothing. A black tuxedo made of feathers along with a white neckline of a shirt on the chest is its casual outfit. It is dressed like that not only for a visit to the

58

planet earth

casino, which in reality is very unlikely to happen to it, but it

cooling is predicted, the dippers retreat into a bit less frosty

carries itself elegantly in all circumstances. It also doesn't jump

areas, but we have to give them credit that they can withstand

out of its feathers for diving, but instead carefully prepares

a lot. It turns out that the resemblance to penguins lies not only

them for it, so that, like a dry suit of a diver of the Homo ge-

in "Bondish" colours, excellent diving and swimming abilities,

nus, they didn't allow water to penetrate to the body. For this

but also in resistance to cold. Once a dipper has given a dive

purpose, a dipper greases them abundantly with secretions

into more or less cold water, it can remain under the surface

from the uropygial gland, so that water would flow off like of

for up to half a minute, which for a small-sized bird (about the

the duck's back, let me use this ornithological folk saying, which

size of a large sparrow or a small thrush) is not a bad result.

exceptionally accurately describes the water-feather phenom-

What makes it possible for dippers is the fact, that they have

ena taking place on the back and breast of a dipper, or in every

more haemoglobin per unit of blood than other passeridaes

other recess of its body, as long as it is feathered.

of this size. During the dive, they can go down to a depth of

When I mentioned immersing without missing a beat in the

one and a half meters, but most often they dive for a short

second sentence of this text, I got a little carried away, because

time and in shallower water. Staying underwater is facili-

the third eyelid – the nictitating membrane – closes while sub-

tated by stronger (and heavier) bones compared to these of

merging. In this way, the dippers protect their eyes from inju-

their cousins. Another adaptation, which is very useful for the

ry. A careful observer, if they have enough time to watch the

dippers, are membranes closing nostrils during immersion. All

diving dipper, will certainly notice a characteristic white mem-

these adaptations make the dippers unique compared to other

brane contrasting with the dark eye and feathers on its head. It

small birds. They are all the more special, because they are the

can be said that this is a kind of adaptation to diving. Besides,

only singing birds that actively dive! The food for which these

a dipper has been so well adapted to diving through evolution

birds dive so effectively are insects and their larvae pulled from

that the hands fold themselves to clasp applause for Mother

between the water stones, e.g. caddis-flies, but also crusta-

Nature for such an effective piloting the natural selection along

ceans, and less often small fish and molluscs.

the whole dipper's bloodline. Among the amazing adaptations

Dippers, due to their love for fast streams, are gener-

to the dipper's lifestyle, the exceptional resistance to low tem-

ally found in mountainous areas. In Poland, breeding pairs

peratures mentioned at the beginning is highly noticeable. Our

are seen in the Carpathians and the Sudetes, and the most

brave little bird is not afraid of cold water to such an extent that

numerous populations (which means a maximum of sever-

it is able to look for food under the ice. When a long and heavy

al dozen pairs) occur in the Tatras, Sądecki and Żywiec Low

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

59

planet earth

Beskids Mountains, as well as in the Giant Mountains, the

several subspecies (in central Europe there are two), but the

Śnieżnik Massif and the Golden Mountains. In other locations,

family of dippers goes far beyond this. In North America, from

you have to have much more luck, but sometimes you can also

distant Alaska to Costa Rica and Panama, the American dip-

see dippers in the lowlands, mainly in winter. Once, when wa-

per (C. mexicanus) rules, in South America is the white-capped

ter mills were a frequently element of the lowland landscape,

dipper (C. leucocephalus) and related to it, but unfortunately

dippers felt good in their vicinity. Today, they are scarce and so

exposed to extinction, Rufous-throated dipper (C. schulzii),

constitute an ornithological rarity for birdwatchers ravenous

and in East Asia the largest brown dipper (C. pallasii), totally

for unique observations. Outside of Poland, among favourite

dark-brown.

habitats of dippers are Eurasia and North Africa. The above

Finally, a word about things dippers do not like. They

applies to the white-throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus), including

do not like when water stops flowing quickly, so they do not like any larger hydrotechnical facilities leading to a change in the nature of streams, brooks and rivers.

This includes, on the one hand, the construction of, for example, hydroelectric power plants, and on the other hand, the use of flowing water to irrigate fields, which may result in a slowdown in the current. Dippers, like us, also don't like contaminated water, but that doesn't make them in any way special. There are rather few aquatic and overwater creatures (not counting maybe some microbes) who, having a choice of clean and polluted water, choose the latter.

Wandering next time at Chochołowski or Magurski Stream, at the Poprad river, Wilczka and Bogooryja, be vigilant. Perhaps you will be able to see this interesting diver and swimmer, standing on a stone protruding from the water and nodding in a characteristic way, letting you look at itself.

60

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PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

61

planet earth

On the first day of the 29th final of Cleaning the World in Poland, together with representatives of 31 Embassies from around the world, we cleaned up over half a ton of garbage from the Warsaw beach on the Vistula river.

THE FINAL OF THE 29th ACTION CLEANING THE WORLD – POLAND IS ALREADY BEHIND US! Text Grzegorz Mikosza

And this time we showed that TOGETHER we can do more and better! 4500 registered groups, on the third weekend of September, volunteered to clean-up all over Poland – from the sea to the Tatra Mountains. And as our first counts from 2700 reports that came to us show, we collected more garbage than last year!

62

Photos Fundacja Nasza Ziemia

planet earth

W

e also collected a lot, almost 2 tons of waste, during

the

foundation

final events in Warsaw and Wągrowiec. The representatives of the Embassies did not disappoint, and on the first day cleaned up the popular Warsaw beach "Poniatówka" on the Vistula river, collecting 664 kilo-

grams of garbage. On the second day of the final, we were cleaning underwater together with the Perfect Diver Magazine and the invited volunteer divers. This time we freed Lake Durowskie from almost a ton of garbage! This is an extremely

Last year on the second day of the final 28th Action Cleaning the World – Poland, divers from Lake Liquid in Łagów, fished out 383 kilograms of garbage. This year there was almost three times as much underwater garbage...

important contribution to a healthy and clean planet. Without the help of divers, what is invisible to the eye, would forever remain at the bottom of this beautiful reservoir, seriously harming nature and ourselves.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this common manifesto of non-littering in nature, which this year was included in the slogan: "All the garbage is ours." You are welcome to see the official results of the 29th Action, which we will present soon.

They will be available on our website www.naszaziemia.pl and on our social media profiles: @naszaziemia.

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events

DIVING TALKS RECAP Text and photos Szymon Mosakowski TRÓIA – A BEAUTIFUL PENINSULA LOCATED ABOUT 50 KILOMETRES SOUTH OF LISBON. THIS IS WHERE THE SECOND EDITION OF DIVING TALKS TOOK PLACE ON OCTOBER 7–9, 2022.

D

64

iving Talks an international diving

stands with diving equipment, promo-

From the very morning the next

conference that attracts diving en-

tional materials and offers from various

day was full of speeches with amazing

thusiasts, both recreational and

organizations.

stories about diving, training methods

those who work underwater, to Portugal.

The first day of the conference was still

and new ventures. Kirk Krack opened the

We arrived on Thursday evening, Octo-

partially organizational. The last speakers

first panel of the day with his story. Kirk is

ber 6. Portugal greeted us with beautiful,

were arriving at the hotel, but despite this

a professional in many areas of diving and

warm, and sunny weather – perfect for

the conference hall was bustling with ac-

an instructor who has played a key role in

a weekend full of diving discussions. The

tivity. It was a time mainly for talks and

many innovations related to breath-hold

tourist season ended a few weeks before

presentations of the exhibitor's stands,

training and freediving. He talked about

the conference, so the area was quiet and

who had the latest diving equipment

training methods and crossing the barri-

peaceful, allowing us to fully indulge in the

in their assortment. In addition to the

ers of the human body in a safe way. The

event. The organization of the conference

standard vendor stands, there were sev-

element that piqued the audience's inter-

set the bar high, from the moment we left

eral that definitely stood out, including

est the most, however, was a thread about

the airport everything was planned per-

equipment for Portuguese Navy divers,

working with Hollywood actors on the set

fectly. Each participant was assisted and

i.e., specialized military equipment used in

of the new Avatar movie, directed by James

taken care of from the first to the last

special operations. There were also offers

Cameroon himself. Jean-Cleude Monachon

minutes of the conference. The hotel that

from insurance companies specializing in

talked about how social media can help

was provided by the organizers was a few

diver insurance. Also noticeable were the

grow a diving business, and how to run it

minutes’ walk from the conference hall,

stands of one of the most popular diving

to bring the most reach and success.

which was an extremely important con-

organizations – PADI. The opportunity

After a short coffee break, Marco Pires,

venience. The location is very picturesque

to check and test some of the equipment

who serves in one of Portugal's special

– full of greenery, beautiful sandy beach-

was certainly ideal for those interested. In

units (FEPC) as a scuba-firefighter, ap-

es and, above all, rich in many interest-

the afternoon there were activities for the

peared on stage. He gave an overview of

ing dive spots. The conference room was

speakers, namely a visit to Grandola and an

the tasks he faces on duty and the dangers

located at the back of one of the hotels.

exhibition of photos by speakers involved

involved. Another speaker was Manthos

It was divided into two parts – a panel of

in underwater photography, including

Marras, a technical diver and instructor

speakers, and on the other side exhibitor

Brandi Mueller and Ellen Cuylaerts.

who, despite being in a wheelchair, has

events

not stopped pursuing his passion for the underwater world. He talked about the difficulties of training people with disabilities and his amazing story.

The third panel featured three speakers: Gareth Lock, Mark Caney and Mark Powell, who talked about training methods in diving and problems that occur at different stages of diving. The fourth panel opened with Dan Orr and Aviad Cahana introducing the participants to the new Avelo system which they claim is revolutionary. It uses a variable buoyancy pressure vessel called a Hydrotank, through which it is supposed to solve some of the most difficult aspects of diving: heavy weight and achieving neutral buoyancy. The use

Dalia Faria told her amazing story in

of this technology is expected to signifi-

which diving played an important role. De-

cantly reduce the total weight that divers

spite her disability, Dalia decided to fulfil

must carry.

her dream and try the underwater world.

Carlos Almeria has unveiled the UX1-

In her own words, diving turned out to be

Neo underwater robot which is designed

sort of a cure for her affliction, helped im-

to explore underwater caves. The robot's

prove her physical health, but most impor-

first mission was to explore and map the

tantly changed her attitude to life.

Hranice Propast cave. The last speaker on

Teresa Amaro talked about deep diving,

this panel was Bill Stone. His presentation

technical diving and the use of equipment

was about the use of artificial intelligence

that can descend to unimaginable depths.

in diving, and more specifically, the use of

Then Stephane Lourdes talked about sci-

devices equipped with artificial intelligence

entific diving in Adélie. In the penultimate

that can do things that humans cannot. The

panel, Armando Ribeiro and Leigh Bishop

to diving safety. According to him, the big-

effect of this is to replace humans in per-

talked about diving in difficult conditions

gest limitation in safety and the collection

forming specialized tasks.

on shipwrecks, among others. In this panel

of data is currently that data is usually col-

The second day of the conference was

we also had the pleasure of listening to To-

lected before and after the dive. DAN Eu-

closed by Alessandro Marroni, Oscar Cama-

masz Stachura, who told one of the most

rope's underwater telemedicine system is

cho, and Simon Mitchell with a debate on

interesting stories from the bottom of the

expected to allow real-time wireless moni-

diving physiology and hyperbaric medicine.

Baltic Sea, about the SS Karlsruhe. It was

toring of a diver's physiology during a dive

The final day of the conference be-

the last German ship to leave Konigsberg

and immediate feedback to the diver for

gan with another debate, but this time

just before the Red Army captured the city

better dive safety advice.

by Mark Caney, Mark Powell, and Jean-

in April 1945.

Claude Monachon. The discussion was

The Diving Talks conference was

In the last panel of the conference,

a weekend full of inspiring stories about

about what the future techniques and

we could hear two figures from the div-

diving, amazing technologies and pushing

methods in dive training will look like.

ing world: Simon Mitchell and Alessandro

the limits of the human body. Each panel

The next panel was one of the most

Marroni. The first of them addressed the

had its own unique atmosphere and fas-

interesting at the Diving Talks conference,

topic of whether divers in remote areas

cinated the audience in its own individual

it was about underwater photography. We

should consider treating decompression

way. During this event, everyone could find

were able to hear stories and see amazing

sickness with recompression in water, and

something for themselves, no matter if they

photographs by Brandy Mueller, Nuno Vas-

evidence of the effectiveness of recom-

dive recreationally during vacation trips or

co Rodrigues, and Ellen Cuylaerts. Each of

pression introduced very soon after the

regularly explore the depths using techni-

them talked about their photographs, their

onset of symptoms and at lower pressures

cal diving methods. Lots of personalities

travels, and the problems they face when

than those used in chambers. Alessandro

from all over the world, who at this time

photographing the underwater world.

Marroni presented a new solution related

have one thing in common – DIVING.

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

65

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

PROCEDURES

HOW TO BECOME A BETTER DIVER? Communication, Photo Mocean Images

66

Text Wojciech A. Filip

Have you ever wondered why do you show the “ascent” signal after passing on the octopus?

WHERE ARE DIVING PROCEDURES DEVELOPED? ENJOY THE READ. Simply put, a procedure is a precisely

do it in two seconds and I don’t need any

Why do you first check if your backup regulator works before starting a v-drill?

described and trained way to achieve

procedure for this!”

a desired goal.

Consider whether you really know how

The “out-of-gas” situation would be

to share gas when:

a good representation of this. If this oc-

´ the signaling person is on your right;

Why is battery voltage in backup flashlights measured before cave diving?

curs during diving, the person who notic-

´ the signaling person is on your left;

This is the main goal of the “out-ofgas” procedure: to provide gas to the person in need.

Here, any one of us could say: “OK, I can

es the “out-of-gas” signal will try to pass

´ the signaling person is above you;

the regulator to the diver signaling the

´ the signaling person is behind you;

problem as soon as possible.

´ the signaling person is using a DPV;

tips & curiosities ACADEMY Deco, Photo Jon Borg

Procedures are developed by combining huge diving experience,

´ you are inside a tight wreckage;

ability to predict and adjust it to the skills of an average diver, who

´ the signaling person is at a distance

should not only become familiar with the procedure, but also clearly

of almost 10 meters;

see both the opportunities provided by it and its limitations. The key

´ the visibility has fallen to zero;

to successful procedures is the entire diving team practicing them

´ your octopus is inside a magnetic

as often as possible.

holder; ´ you are using a long hose; ´ you are using a decompression gas to do something completely different

next, moreover, our instructor says that

This list of possible situations is by no

than what you thought that they are

we have makings of a good trainer, so we

means exhaustive!

going to do?

will not bother with, for example, practic-

at the moment.

Moreover, sharing gas is not the

ing how to take off and put on the mask!

end of the procedure. The divers

ARE THERE SUPER PROCEDURES

Sounds familiar? But of course!

must somehow position themselves

THAT EVERY DIVER CAN LEARN?

Then try to imagine what would happen

against each other, swim, communi-

No. This is because in order to use super

if things get chaotic when solving the out

cate, ascend while decompressing.

procedures, you should be a super diver!

of gas problem and one of the divers

Wait a moment... but I am a super diver!

looses their mask.

Is it possible to learn how to proceed

Really? We all have this and that to prac-

OK, OK, I get it! I want to do everything

in all of the circumstances under which

tice from the basic course, but there’s

too fast, but there is no procedure for

somebody might run out of gas? Even

never time for this, because we are cur-

this kind of situation!

if it would be, what to do if the person

rently doing our wreck diving course and

The thing is that there actually is. The

giving the “out-of-gas” signal starts

there is the technical diving course coming

way of proceeding with complex prob-

PERFECTDIVER No. 6(24)/2022

67

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

Valve drill, Photo Mocean Images

lems is described in very miniscule de-

Mhm... yes, it’s possible and all’s well

This is actually where the “problem”

tails, but you need to not only learn it,

that does not end in an accident.

with procedures starts: if you have no

but also practice it at every occasion,

Let’s get back to the elements of pro-

time to train them, the chance of any

so you have a large chance to smoothly

cedures. How many times did you take

of them working is very small.

progress from an emergency situation

your mask off and put it on underwater

Take time to practice them during your

to the procedure meant to resolve it.

during your course?

every dive, for example, sacrificing the

I’m not talking about kneeling on the

last 10 minutes to refresh your skills.

WHAT’S THE PROCEDURE IN CASE

bottom, but about taking the mask off

The more thoroughly every member of

OF A DIVER WHO RAN OUT OF GAS

and putting it on when swimming in the

the diving team performs a particular

AND LOST THEIR MASK?

depths, as these are the exact circum-

activity, the more prepared they will be

1. Share gas.

stances in which it might get lost.

to apply it in a real-life situation.

2. Stabilize the team.

You’re just caviling!

Experienced divers with many years

3. Take out and put on the backup

Everyone does their course as cheap

of practice train procedures very of-

and fast as possible!

ten, scheduling training trips with their

4. Check the cause of running out of gas

OK, it might be so. After such training,

teams, such as a weekend focused on

and decide on the next step of your

it would be reasonable to return to the

light failures or gas replacement.

team.

pool as fast as possible and, for sever-

Please note that a procedure is only

al days, keep on repeating what you

a tool intended to help solve a dan-

Hey, you got to be kidding! Nobody dives

have started learning to consolidate it,

gerous situation, not a solution to it.

like that! I yank the octopus from my

instead of embarking to conquer the

In other words, learning the moves used

partner and up we go!

depths, wouldn’t it?

as part of the procedure is the first step.

mask.

68

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

S-drill, Photo Mocean Images

The next one is to use it knowingly. Every act should have a clearly defined purpose. Ask your instructor for precise clarification of each part of the procedure.

A precise description of the procedure makes it more precise.

Note the differences in two sample descriptions of the same procedure: A. Pass over the gas to the person signaling that they are out of gas, confirm they’re OK, then ascend to the surface, holding them by the jacket strap.

B. Pass on the regulator that’s currently in your mouth to the person signaling that they are out of gas. When sharing gas, grab the hose right behind the regulator housing with your right hand. After taking the hose off from your neck, put the backup regulator into your mouth using the other hand. Stabilize the hose of the regulator passed over to the recipient, un-

´ Learn how to assume the perfect

til they attach the carabiner of their

going to make. They’ll be feeling it more

position and act while maintaining

regulator to the right D-ring. Check if

than seeing. Running out of gas is an un-

it Try to perfect your weight con-

everything is alright. If you proceed

comfortable situation, but being aware

figuration and setting, so that the

to ascending, keep the regulator

of what is happening and what is going

hose in a loose position or secure it

to happen next is comforting.

taking turns with the recipient, hold-

Very well. I have not practiced taking my

tions. Initially, assume a maximum

ing it in front of you.

mask off and putting it back on 45 times

deviation of 1.5 meters, then train

Additional parts of the procedure can

and I am uncertain what my partner

to improve your precision. When

be added here to describe in detail how

is going to do when I show them that

you achieve easy buoyancy control

to proceed when you have to swim with

I have ran out of gas.

within a range of 0.5 meter, you are

the recipient towards the ascent site,

Where to start training procedures?

almost ready to learn any proce-

keeping them on your right or left.

Is there anything that we all can do?

position gets better every time. ´ Control buoyancy under any condi-

dure. ´ Learn how to move very slowly and

Alright, but why bother with all this? Isn’t

Yes, there are three elements used in

very fast, using different tech-

it simply better to pass over the regula-

every diving federation, which are re-

niques: frog, front crawl, modified

tor and scram?

quired for any procedure to work. The

techniques. Rotate in place and

This seems like the simplest solution, but

safety of the entire team depends on

move back without using your

imagine this situation during a typical dive

mastering them to perfection:

arms.

in the Baltic Sea: visibility of 1.5–2 meters,

1. Position

diving near a net-covered wreck.

2. Buoyancy control

If visibility is reduced to zero when shar-

3. Movement techniques Therefore, we us the name s-drill for

ing gas and both divers know every element of the procedure very well, they

An important matter, which is not always

a safety drill, v-drill for a valve drill, etc.

will control each other, precisely knowing

obvious. Procedures are called drills and

Diving federations also impact the

what is the next step that their partner is

are often abbreviated.

name of a particular procedure. It may

69

tips & curiosities ACADEMY

Team swim, Photo Bartek Trzciński

ADVANCED PROCEDURES GROUP:

happen that the same procedure has

´ teamwork;

different names, but also may include

´ removing your mask;

´ complex equipment failures;

different actions intended to achieve

´ cylinder valve opening check;

´ rotation of stage cylinders;

the same goal.

´ shooting up a surface marker buoy;

´ multi-gas decompression;

Make sure that you know what a par-

´ using hand signals;

´ using a DPV;

ticular abbreviation means and how the

´ decompression basics;

´ overhead environments;

procedure it refers to looks like.

´ transporting and retrieving an unconscious diver to the surface.

´ retrieving objects; ´ recompression.

It is very important to dive in teams using the same procedures! A diving

INTERMEDIATE PROCEDURES

Procedures are an incredibly interesting

team includes two or three people.

GROUP:

subject. We learn them from the begin-

These are sample groups of the most

´ using a backup mask;

ning of our diving careers and we often

common procedures used in recreation-

´ comprehensive operation of cylinder

extend them when learning new diving

valves;

al and technical diving.

techniques.

This means that the activities denoted by

´ communication using light signals;

We discuss the impact of diving equip-

each of the terms below are described

´ using a backup light;

ment on simple and complex proce-

in very miniscule details and practiced

´ using reels/laying guide lines;

dures during Tecline Academy seminars

to perfection by every team member.

´ switching between your basic and

– we invite beginner and advanced div-

decompression gases;

ers, as well as diving instructors, to take

´ navigation;

part – we have prepared a special “Mas-

´ diving gas analysis;

´ lost decompression gas;

ter Class” program for you.

´ taking out and putting in the regulator;

´ performing various decompression

BASIC PROCEDURES GROUP:

plans;

´ main/backup regulator switching; ´ passing over the regulator in an outof-gas situation;

´ decompression sickness and oxygen

Dive safe, WAF

toxicity.

https://teclinediving.eu/tecline-academy/#/

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