Advanced Wreck Anyone?

Blog

Ash Mills knew that it wouldn't be a cakewalk to take the Advanced Wreck class in Malapascua. Tom West had heard on the grapevine about serious skills testing, and was looking forward to a challenge. They both started their trip by taking 2 days of technical dives to warm up, and get smooth as a team. After visiting the wreck of a Japanese Gun Boat in 50m with Matt, and checking out the deep walls of Monad Shoal, they were ready to get to work on the wreck class.

The first day involves some intensive theory sessions, discussing equipment, penetration techniques, dive planning and gas management. They then had the pleasure of practising some line laying in the back of Evolution, where they tried out their 'lost line', 'lost buddy', and blind exit techniques. Joined by James Webb in the photo below you can see Tom leading Ash through the trees!

Having got wet in shallow water for 4hrs the next day Ash and Tom managed to complete multiple skills sessions and scenario dives. Practising with stage bottles for the first time to maximise their gas for the advanced wreck dives to come. The Dona Marilyn is a fantastic wreck with lots of penetration opportunities, and the guys worked well together as a team during the practise of all the skills in the real environment.

On the second day the highlight was exiting the wreck with a completely blacked out mask, and also sharing gas at the same time! Ash managed to get his longhose a bit tangled, but still safely guide Tom out of the wreck - even though they did get a bit stuck in the doorway right at the exit!

The final day was a time to play, and the engine room and lower decks were the site of more exploration - helping us to build our map of the large wreck for further diving soon.

Of course the course was completed with a small session in The Craic House and Tom and Ash indicating that they thought the course was

Triton Tech

Blog