feedback please, all guided trips to Scapa

[Madfish]

Brilliant idea - especially in mucky viz - at least you'll know what you are supposed to be looking at! The size of these wrecks can be rather awe-inspiring and looking for good stuff is like searching for a needle in a haystack and once you have found something, you have no idea what it is...

With regard to compatability of SACs and equipment, this does not appear to be a baby-sitting session and divers will have to be responsible for their own dives - as they usually are! How did that ever become an issue?

Dianne

[captainnemo]

The bottom line would appear to be that the guide concept is offered as simply another option to factor into dive planning.

Given that a trip to Scapa is already a logistical headache for anyone living south of Inverness (ie most of us) it just lobs a bit more into the mix. Some will seize on the opportunity gladly, others will be happy to organise their own dive plans.

The guys offering the guided dives obviously know their stuff and have considered the potential problems so anyone opting to dive with them will be in good hands. There appears to be no down side to either option, the safety record at Scapa is unlikely to be compromised by expert guiding and the site isn't exactly teeming with novices anyway!!

My only regret is that Scapa has to be so bleedin' remote!! Although in all fairness a trip to Malta or the Red Sea isn't exactly a long weekend thing. I'm working on a plan to earn/win/steal enough cash to live near the site of my choice for weeks on end. Given the disappointing performance of premium bonds and the lottery it's looking more like option 3 every day.

[StuartC]

It sounds like a cracking idea as you simply cannot beat local knowledge that is up to date.

The guide books are really useful, but may not reflect the current state of the wrecks as they deteriorate.

The logistics of getting to Scapa mean it's not likely to be something you can easily say without much regret, "oh well, we missed that bit of the dive, but we'll do it next time we come"

Admittedly, the size of the wrecks means there's plenty to keep you coming back for more, and there's always something to see that you didn't on the previous dive.

However, the likelihood of people being able to visit Scapa multiple times is limited for most people and guided diving is offered in most other top dive destinations to ensure divers get the full experience that either makes it the best experience or keeps them coming back.

Guided diving on the scale you're describing is clearly not going to be the "follow-the-leader and listen to their rattle" type, so I'd be interested if it were available and provided something of benefit to me.