National Diving Officer Sophie Rennie and Head of Diving Sophie Heptonstall give an overview of essential skills that play into shipwreck exploration
TWOSOPHIES Responsible wreck diving
National Diving Officer Sophie Rennie and Head of Diving Sophie Heptonstall give an overview of essential skills that play into shipwreck exploration
THE QUESTION:
Which skills would you say are particularly useful when it comes to wreck diving in the UK?
Sophie Heptonstall answers:
Wreck diving in the UK is one of the most rewarding adventures a diver can experience, but it does call for a solid set of skills and plenty of practice. Unlike the warm, clear waters often associated with famous wrecks overseas, British wreck diving usually means colder water, stronger tides and visibility that can change in an instant. Add in the fascinating history and legal protections surrounding many sites, and it’ s clear that wreck diving is as much about knowledge and judgement as it is about qualifications.
At the top of the skills list is excellent buoyancy control. A gentle touch is essential on any wreck. One misplaced fin kick can stir up decades of silt, reducing visibility to almost nothing in seconds. Good trim and careful movement help protect these underwater time capsules and reduce the risk of snagging on fishing line, cables or twisted metal.
Strong navigation skills are equally valuable. UK wrecks can be large, broken up or even upside down, making them surprisingly disorientating. Divers need to be comfortable using reels, compasses( when the surrounding metal allows!) and natural reference points. Confidence in deploying a dSMB and completing midwater stops is also a must.
Wreck diving also rewards calm problemsolving. Good gas management, wellpractised emergency drills and, where appropriate, redundant equipment all help divers deal confidently with the unexpected. If you’ re exploring inside a wreck, specialist training is advisable for overhead environments, and keeping a clear view of the exit is always wise.
Finally, understanding the heritage and legal status of wrecks is just as important as mastering the diving skills. Some sites are protected or require licences to visit. BSAC’ s simple philosophy is“ look but don’ t touch”— enjoy the history, leave everything in place, and help preserve these remarkable sites for future generations.
Sophie Rennie adds:
This is an interesting question, with a lot of ground to cover. In terms of safety, it all begins before the dive with your briefing and agreeing the dive profile between buddy pairs. For instance, you need to agree whether the dive will involve a wreck penetration, if it’ s an option. Don’ t let anyone’ s feelings on this matter go unsaid: you need to establish at the outset what each buddy is prepared and willing to do.
Also before the dive, all divers need a good briefing about the wreck itself. This should ideally cover local currents, no-go areas and the condition of the wreck itself. You should also consider whether you need to seek out permission to dive it in the first place; of course that research must be completed well in advance of the diving day.
While we’ re on the subject of entering an overhead or partially enclosed environment, you need to ensure that entrances and exits are both clear, and that reeling inside the wreck is possible. It means that you have a way of navigating in darkness if you get lost, or if visibility is suddenly reduced, as Sophie H mentions above. Your reeling skills obviously need to be on-point.
When it comes to those darker recesses inside a wreck, you obviously need a good torch and at least one backup. There are hazards inside and outside wrecks, so some sort of line cutter or knife is a mandatory piece of kit that could save your life, or that of your buddy. �
Do you have a question about dive training, kit or safety for the Two Sophies to answer? Email SCUBA Editor Simon Rogerson, simon @ scubamagazine. co. uk
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