feedback please, all guided trips to Scapa

[Scubee]

It sounds an excellent idea, but there are a couple of other things to think about. As the divers would be paying for the guides, then the godforsaken HSE comes into play and all the regs that go along with that, such as safety diver, surface cover, paperwork etc.

There would need to be some sort of commonality in the group - for example you couldn't really expect a pair of twinset deco divers to dive alongside a pair on 15+ pony recreational divers, because of the difference in anticipated dive time. It may need to be a group specifically for guided dives.

This sort of thing works abroad, so why not here!

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Scubee

This sort of thing works abroad, so why not here!

One word...

VIZ!

On a good Scapa day, great. On a bad Scapa day - hah! We all know how easy it is to lose a buddy in poor viz, let alone another 6 folk.

I would want to be next to the wreck, not out from it, in order to get a good view etc, and hence you would be looking at 7 people all in a row, potentially. Therefore, to guide effectively I would have thought a guide front and rear would be more realistic.

On the plus side, guided tours in themselves are a good idea, especially on trips where you may only get one shot at diving a particular wreck - it is so easy to miss the "star turns" of each wreck. Then again, I usually miss the guns because I am admiring a particularily fine fish or slug

[jpt]

Its not a problem, we have done it lots of times, the key to it working is taking your time and not rushing. I wouldnt suggest it if we had not tried it out. I regularly do it for groups that are up on the boat and have not had a problem. Barry and I will probably have comms with us anyway.

JT

[jpt]

regarding the HSE, all is in order, we are both commercial divers and instructors, just an extension of what we already do old chap.

[captainnemo]

Would you be referring to the 'Marilyn Monroe' fish that likes to pose for shots over the hull of the Karlsruhe? I think it was a pollack actually but whatever, it did seem to be checking for angles and lights!!

As to the guns, I did nearly put my eye out on the bow gun of the F2, so easy to miss a little gun like that!! Didn't get down to the real biggies on the monsters but I plan to rectify that on my next visit.

Regarding the guide concept, I wondered when the HSE would raise its head along with the compatibility questions of different dive gear and capabilities. It seems apparent that guided diving has advantages but whether they outweigh the complications has to be assessed on a group by group basis.

Anything that contributes to safe and enjoyable diving has to be applauded, it remains to be seen whether the guide suggestion can be feasibly applied. A trip to Scapa is already a logistical headache for most of us without looking for extra complications.

[captainnemo]

Have just seen your post regarding your status and experience: 'nuff said!!

As before, best wishes for the endeavour, I think there are people out there that would want to go down your suggested route.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by jpt

Its not a problem, we have done it lots of times, the key to it working is taking your time and not rushing.

That's true enough. It is a case of going at the speed of the slowest person as in most group activities. I guess you aren't penetrating the wrecks either, are you?

That, of course, means no-one would like to be in a group with me as "snail's pace" is a fairly accurate description!

[Scubee]

Originally Posted by Lou

That, of course, means no-one would like to be in a group with me as "snail's pace" is a fairly accurate description!

I would be there with you

[jpt]

why would divers of different configs be a problem, we might all go in at the same time but we dont need to come up at the same time, singles can go to the surface when they want to and long stay types can stay with us. One of the benefits of the wrecks up here is the huge relief , go to the top of the wreck and bag off when it suits.
Overhead environment stuff is okay as well as long as all are happy, the bits I go thru with groups are adventurous but safe and if an individual is not happy then they are briefed to stay put while we return, about 3 minutes. Please remember folks we are not teaching people to dive on these dives, we are showing them the interesting bits, they can come and go as they please.
Brains can be left on it is an option

JTI

[rustferret]

its got to be worth a go.......even a good breffing before would be good. When I did scapa and other wrecks I read as much as can before about the history etc
it makes the dive so much more interesting.

Rustferret.