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Paul Toomer: Wreck Head
Part 2 – Laying Line
I can clearly remember my first attempt at “Laying Line”. I think I can still hear my instructor roaring with laughter as I knitted myself tighter and tighter to the wreck. I felt like Spider Man gone wrong! In all honesty the laughs started during the dry training sessions where I walked into a tree about 40 times while simulating a lost light drill. Now unless you are already wreck or cave trained you probably will not have a clue what I’m on about, so I shall attempt to enlighten you.
Let’s get serious for a moment ok? As I discussed last month wreck diving can be the most incredible diving ever while all is good, but as soon as it goes wrong you can find yourself standing at the Entrance to Hades within seconds. It’s just amazing what that horrible little Murphy fella will throw at you as soon as something even thinks about going wrong. I can’t tell you the amount of times that when struggling to spot a good place to tie the line, I suddenly find silt percolating down onto me to make my seemingly simple task nigh on impossible.
In my humble opinion, laying line (after buoyancy control) is the most important skill a wreck diver can learn. It seems amazing that it’s 2014 and we’re still relying on a ‘bit of string’ to safely take us home to our loved ones. For the average diver, there is no Sat Nav for us I’m afraid unless the two Toms have designed something while my back was turned.
Why don’t we begin by looking at line laying equipment selection? I am a ‘spool’ man and my mate Al is a ‘reel’ man! He will be so chuffed at that comment. So why reels and why spools? Reels generally are able to carry more line and are therefore brilliant for long penetrations. Using spools for long runs requires joining them together which is simple enough but does take up time and as we all know, time is precious underwater. Reels however are prone to problems, mostly due to user error but sometimes simply because they are more complex than spools. I bet you can’t believe I am saying that reels are complex, but they are. Reels have an axle, a grip, a winding knob, a frame, a clutch, a gate which the line flows through and also some form of clip to secure them to your rig. A spool is….well it’s a spool. Just that. No axle to wrap the line around, no winder or gate or piston clip to jam the line around. Theoretically, they should be problem free. That is unless your name is Adam Raman or Digby Crowther (fame at last boys), the only two people in existence that can jam a spool anytime, anywhere.
Picking your equipment as we all know is a very difficult task. Get it wrong and you will not only waste your hard earned money but you may end up putting your safety at risk. Get it right and you will taste a little slice of heaven every time you use it. With that in mind I recommend you get a proper dedicated wreck/cave reel for penetration. These are purpose built for the sole task of making line laying as easy and fluid as possible. Using a standard SMB reel is ok for entry level wrecking but once you are at an advanced level they will show themselves as being inferior for the job. You have to depress a clutch while reeling out and when reeling back in you have a ratchet fighting your every turn. Wreck reels have an adjustable clutch that is set by the diver so the line comes off the reel smoothly; the diver doesn’t need to hold anything down to let line out or reel it back in. Nice hey?
Most major manufacturers make quality primary (100 metres plus) and backup (50 metre) penetration reels. They are not cheap but they will ooze quality. Regarding spools, you want 40 to 50 metre length spools, preferably with a large bore centre so that you can use them with thick gloves. All clips on spools and reels MUST be stainless steel, nothing else will do. Remember, brass rhymes with arse!!!
I always have a good 150 metre wreck reel and a few spools on me whenever I wreck dive so I have every option available. Why so much gear? The rule to carrying lines is really simple. You can carry as many penetration lines as you deem neccessary for the particular dive you are attempting but You MUST always have an emergency (50 metre or so) reel/spool. This emergency line has many uses. If you lose your main line it can be used to help you relocate it. If you lost a team member you can use it to search for them. If you needed to make an emergency exit, this line may help you get there.
The emergency reel is never deployed to increase penetration distance. It has one use and one use only – it’s a last attempt life line.
Hopefully now you will be able to pop into your local dive emporium and purchase yourself some Gucci wrecking lines. I guess the next thing we need to do is learn how to lay the damn stuff so we don’t look like idiots the next time we are trying to do a push through the Stanegarth at Stoney Cove!!! Perhaps though, you need to wait for the next installment of Wreck Head otherwise I will have nothing to write about!
Paul is the Director of Training at RAID. To find out more about the courses that RAID offers, visit www.diveraid.com.
Main photo: Jason Brown
Wow! What a story, and what an incredible feat of not only survival for the cook but of the sheer bravery and determination of his rescuers.
It’s an easy read with absolutely no waffle or embellishment and is probably the quickest I have ever read a book from cover to cover. It’s not only a story that will touch the hearts of divers but is also a great read for anyone who has not been to or under the sea at all.
Dived Up Publications announces the release of The Diver and the Cook by Lasse Spang Olsen.
A ship lost. No survivors. A grim recovery mission begins, pushing a team of commercial divers well beyond their comfort zone.
Braving treacherous conditions, saturation diver Nico van Heerden single-handedly combs the cramped, debris-strewn, zero-visibility Jascon 4 shipwreck searching for any sign of the lost crew.
Then, in a scene akin to a horror movie, while exploring a small, isolated compartment, Nico feels a tap on his shoulder. Could someone have survived underwater for over sixty hours?
The Diver & the Cook is the incredible true story of a seemingly impossible underwater rescue. With first-hand accounts, authentic images and detailed reconstructions, author and documentary maker Lasse Spang Olsen brings this gripping tale to life. The book is the result of over four years of work, including intensive interviews, access to previously unknown material, and deep study of conversations and film recorded during the actual incident.
Witness the unwavering determination of the human spirit as Jascon 4 galley chef, Harrison Okene, fights for survival after his ship goes down. Meanwhile, rookie saturation diver Nico van Heerden faces a daunting challenge: spearheading the rescue mission in a perilous underwater environment. With time running out, what rules must the dive team break to save Harrison before it’s too late?
An unprecedented operation, this story provides a unique perspective on the dangers and challenges faced by divers, showing the importance of teamwork and communication in high-risk situations. An incredible survival story against all odds, with an equally surprising aftermath.
Quote from the author, documentary-maker Lasse Spang Olsen:
“There are a whole lot of different versions of this story out there. But I believe that by speaking directly to the key people involved, creating meticulous reconstructions and doing original research we have dug much deeper and got far closer to the truth about the rescue and the sinking than anyone has ever managed to before.”
About the author
Author and veteran filmmaker Lasse Spang Olsen – in a 40+ year career – has participated in stunts and FX on over 600 films, directed eleven features and filmed extensively underwater. He’s led expeditions uncovering historical mysteries like the Flying Enterprise wreck and documented adventures worldwide. He’s also a producer and lecturer. Originally published in Denmark as Dykkeren of Kokken (February 2024), this is his fourth book.
The Diver and the Cook (ISBN 978-1-909455-61-0) is released on 12 November 2024 in paperback and ebook. It is available via online retailers, bookstores, from DivedUp.com and to the dive trade via Nautilus UK.
Welcome to Day 5 of Scubaverse.com’s week-long Christmas Gift Guide!
Struggling to find the perfect gift for that special scuba diver in your life? Read on for Team Scubaverse’s pick of this season’s must-have Christmas gifts.
Every day this week, we are publishing a special Christmas Gift Guide full of different gift ideas that are all ideal for divers, so you’re sure to find something that’s perfect. Take a look at today’s selection below…
SlipIns DiveSkins
Team@slipins.com / www.slipins.com / SlipIns Facebook / SlipIns Instagram / SlipIns Pinterest
DiveSkins are perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, paddling, surfing, and all water sports. It shows up beautifully in pictures under water.
This tight-fitting, tailored lycra suit offers maximum comfort. stretchy, breathable, fast-drying fabric with the world’s best sun and stinger protection.
SlipIns are:
*Ultimate 50+ UPF sun protection
*Abrasion protection.
*Quick dry, breathable, soft fabric
*The ultimate stinging critter protection
Save 10% on your order if you mention you saw this ad in Scubaverse in your order note!
SAVE YOUR SKIN…WEAR OUR SKINS
Team@slipins.com / www.slipins.com / SlipIns Facebook / SlipIns Instagram / SlipIns Pinterest
Diving Books from Miflex Hoses
sales@miflexhoses.co.uk / www.miflexhoseshop.co.uk / miflexhoseshop.co.uk/acatalog/Diving-Books.html / Miflex Hoses on Facebook
We stock a great range of Diving & Underground book titles, ideal to add to any order or simply buy as a gift for a friend.
Titles we have include:
Shipwrecks of the Dover Straits, Adventures Underground, Pioneers Beneath the Peak, Dive Truk Lagoon, Underwater Potholer, Images Below & many more.
From Authors including:
Stefan Panis, Martyn Farr, Duncan Price, Ron Young, Rod Macdonald, Chris Howes
Visit our website for more details.
sales@miflexhoses.co.uk / www.miflexhoseshop.co.uk / miflexhoseshop.co.uk/acatalog/Diving-Books.html / Miflex Hoses on Facebook
OrcaTorch D710 Dive Light – now available in pink!
sales@sea-sea.com / www.orcatorch.com / OrcaTorch on Facebook / OrcaTorch on X / OrcaTorch on YouTube
Already available in Black, Green, Red and Blue, the D710 Dive Light from Orcatorch is now available in Pink too.
Whether you’re a recreational or a professional diver, you’ll find the OrcaTorch D710 dive light useful in your underwater activities.
With max 3,000 lumens, the D710 is one of the strongest torches in its class. You also have plenty of brightness settings to choose from if you prefer less power.
It runs on one OrcaTorch 21700 5000mAh rechargeable battery with a Type-C charging port, easier for you to charge it anywhere. Now it offers five exterior colour options: Black, Green, Red, Blue, and Pink, to satisfy your diverse needs.
Featuring:
* Uses Luminous LED, max 3000 lumens
* Uses 1 * 21700 Li-ion battery
* 6° beam angle
* Offers four exterior colour options: Black, Red, Green and Blue
* Easy operation with side titanium alloy push-button switch
* Safe lock function, prevents mis-operation
* Intelligent Over-Heat protection
* Battery indicator
* Water pressure resistant construction, depth rated to 150 meters
* Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation
* Over-discharge protection function
* Constructed from high-strength A6061-T6 aluminum
* Mil-Spec Type III hard anodized finish for durability and corrosion resistance
* Two sides coated toughened glass with high water pressure resistance under deep water
Sea & Sea is the home of OrcaTorch and other leading diving brands in the UK.
sales@sea-sea.com / www.orcatorch.com / OrcaTorch on Facebook / OrcaTorch on X / OrcaTorch on YouTube
Scubapro Luna 2 AI Dive Computer
Scubapro Europe Website / Scubapro USA Website / Scubapro on Facebook / Scubapro on Instagram / Scubapro on YouTube
SCUBAPRO, the world’s premier manufacturer of high-quality scuba diving equipment, introduces its second generation Luna 2.0, an easy-to-read, intuitive dive computer loaded with easy-to-use features and available in two versions, the Luna 2.0 and Luna 2.0 AI with wireless air integration.
Designed for new and casual recreational divers, the low-profile Luna 2.0 sits comfortably on the wrist. Its oil-filled plastic housing helps ensure reliable performance to depths of 120 meters. A large widescreen display features a high-contrast black and white matrix-segment LCD with full-sized characters for easy reading in all dive conditions. An intuitive menu and simple two-button interface lets the diver navigate the system with ease, aided by clearly marked screen prompts. The LUNA 2.0 offers two algorithms – Predictive Multi-Gas Bühlmann ZH-L16 ADT MB PMG or ZH-L16 + GF PURE, plus 21-50% nitrox compatibility and three selectable gasses for open circuit diving. Three dive modes are available – Scuba, Apnea and Gauge – to suit a range of diving activities.
The Luna 2.0 AI (air integrated) offers the same easy-to-use features and functions as the standard Luna 2.0 plus adds wireless air integration. This not only enables to easily monitor ythe tank pressure, it also provides true remaining bottom time (RBT) and allows the air consumption to be factored into the decompression calculation. Also available with the Luna 2.0 AI is an optional integrated heart rate monitor that lets visually track the heart rate and skin temperature to help staying in the personal target zone.
Both Luna 2.0 models include personalized dive management functions like PDIS (Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops) which calculates an intermediate stop based on N2 loading, current and previous dives and breathing mixes, and Microbubble levels that give the option to adjust the level of conservatism in the algorithm to match the individual experience level, age and physical conditioning for a more enjoyable dive.
The soft silicone arm strap offers a comfortable fit on the wrist, plus bungee mounts on the corners of the housing allow for alternate attachment methods. A Bluetooth Low Energy interface enables the download of the dive data to any iOS or Android device or PC/Mac (firmware can be user-updated), and the CR2450 battery is rated for up to two years or 300 dives.
Scubapro Europe Website / Scubapro USA Website / Scubapro on Facebook / Scubapro on Instagram / Scubapro on YouTube
35% off Red Sea Liveaboard Scuba Scene in Spring 2025
info@oysterdiving.com / www.oysterdiving.com / Oyster Diving Facebook / Oyster Diving Instagram
Embark on the ultimate diving adventure aboard the Scuba Scene, the luxury liveaboard offering an unforgettable Red Sea experience. Known for its exceptional service, safety, comfort, and world-class dive sites, Scuba Scene is the ideal choice for divers of all levels.
Dive into crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant coral reefs, exotic marine life, and awe-inspiring shipwrecks. From the stunning Ras Mohammed National Park to the famous Thistlegorm wreck, Scuba Scene brings you to the heart of the Red Sea’s best sites. With spacious cabins, gourmet dining, and a dedicated crew that ensures every detail is perfect, this liveaboard guarantees relaxation and adventure in equal measure.
Now is the perfect time to book! Save a massive 35% on any sailing between 3rd March and 28th April 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or taking your first plunge, Scuba Scene promises an experience you’ll cherish forever.
Don’t miss this chance to dive the Red Sea in style and at an incredible price. Book your adventure today!
Tel: 0800 699 0243
info@oysterdiving.com / www.oysterdiving.com / Oyster Diving Facebook / Oyster Diving Instagram
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