SCUBA News 140

Cold North Sea Diving

Over 18 months have passed since my brother in law and dive buddy Graham and I completed our PADI Open Water course, during which time we have returned to Sharm El-Sheikh three more times, and during our first return trip we successfully completed our PADI Advanced Open Water course. In addition, my wife Pam and I took up an invitation to join fellow diver Ron and his wife Jean for some diving in Britain. During our trip to Margate we joined up with members of their Kent Scuba Diving Club for a dive in the ‘Walled Pool’ which is in fact located in the North Sea. Just the thought made me cold, but once in the water it didn’t feel 15 oC. One of the divers, Shaun, explained that visibility wasn't the best, but it was a new experience, and once again it was liberating just being in the water. The following day we joined Shaun and his wife Karin at their dive store. It was clear after spending time with Shaun that he has a great passion for diving, and an even bigger passion to expand access to scuba diving to more disabled people through “Scubability".

Capernwray: the easiest access onto a plane in 22 years

A few weeks later Ron joined Graham and I as we headed off to Capernwray, the nationally acclaimed diving centre located inland just outside Lancaster. Capernwray is set in a disused quarry and has a depth of around 18 metres with extremely clear water and 18 oC temperature which is 10 oC less than we have been used to in Egypt. To add some interest to the shoals of fish including the most friendly rainbow trout that investigate every diver as they enter the water, the owners of the centre have added a couple of helicopters, a few boats including an old minesweeper, a diving bell, a cannon and a fantastic 120 seater passenger plan, plus two huge plastic horses named Shergar and Lord Lucan that were originally part of the Blackpool illuminations.

We spent most of our first dive in and around the plane. As we got down to around 15 metres we approached the plane from the front, a sight that was kind of eerie, first you see a large shadow, then the nosecone and then the cockpit and wings; it was awesome. The doors and seating have been removed and the tail section is separated from the main fuselage which makes it easy to access and swim around, it does test one's buoyancy. As a disabled person I have to say that it was the easiest access I have had onto a plane for the past 22 years.

As we prepared for our second dive of the afternoon we noticed a large number of people arriving and marquees being erected close to the water's edge. We were informed that they were preparing for the Great Northern Swim, a sponsored event that had been transferred from Lake Windermere due problems with toxic algae. Our second dive went really well, we looked around the minesweeper, next onto an old cruise boat and then one of the helicopters. Before we knew it we were getting low on air and it was time to call it a day. But as we surfaced none of us could believe our eyes, we have an audience of over 500 people eagerly waiting for us to get out of the water so they could start their swim. I’m told that the owners of Capernwray are planning to add a Blackpool tram; I can't wait for the opportunity to actually sit on the top deck of a tram for the first time in since 1989.

Successful Scuba Challenge 2011

In January last year I was leading a team of volunteers attempting to raise over £30,000 to ensure we could run Europe’s largest voluntary led disability event which promotes independent living. Prior to my accident in 1989 I would have run, walked, pushed a car, towed a bus or anything else to raise the funds, but as all of these activities are beyond my limited physical ability I had to consider something else. You guessed it ‘scuba diving’, the term ‘going the extra mile’ sounded right and we agreed. Going the extra mile, scuba challenge, but I didn’t think too carefully about the physical effort it would take to swim 64 lengths of our local swimming pool, one handed!

The event seemed to develop a life of its own, creating so much interest with experienced and novice divers wanting to join Graham and I, not to mention our swimmers, and it motivated others to think about other 'going the extra mile' challenge events.

Terry Wood and the guys from Cybaqua Dive Centre in Warrington provided all of the equipment for our novice divers and the technical support to ensure the safe running of the event. As the clock struck six I called everyone together to welcome them and thank them for helping to create a great atmosphere, after wishing everyone good luck I finished off by mentioning that it wasn't a race and it was about taking part! I thought I was addressing Graham as he does have a very competitive streak, but I'd not counted on Simon, chief executive at 5 Boroughs NHS Foundation Trust were we work. As soon as he was in the water he was off, well not straight away, he did slow down once or twice to support his son Thomas. His finishing time was 53 minutes, which is an excellent time for the mile. Graham followed a few minutes behind, but the jury is out as he claimed that Rachel, his son Tom's girlfriend might have miscounted and in fact he may have done ten lengths extra. It is interesting that Rachel is best of friends with Simon, but I won't go there; after all he is my boss.

For me it was a more realistic pace, slow, slow and even slower to be exact. After ten lengths I felt a deep pain in my one good shoulder which was probably due to the weeks of training. I managed to stop a few time (under water) whilst John my dive buddy for the day adjusted my weights. But once into a rhythm the next thirty lengths flew by, and at forty five lengths John signalled that I should change my tank as I was low on air, I must admit that I was so knackered, I hadn’t noticed. As I surfaced briefly, my wife Pam handed me a drink, but just reaching for the bottle was excruciatingly painful. The stretching hadn't done me much good; in fact my single arm long stroke was now reduced to a very small flicker type movement, but it kept me going between several rests lying on the bottom. At one stage I just wanted to close my eyes and go to sleep, thinking that I might wake up and it would be over.

But eventually John counted down the last few lengths from ten, and then somehow I saw one finger. This was it just one to go. One final push to the finish and as I surfaced everyone was standing around the pool cheering and clapping. As I hung onto the edge of the pool I remember seeing Simons face with a huge smile, and then Graham grabbed hold of my tank just as I was sliding back into the water. I remember looking around and feeling a huge sense of physical achievement, a sense that I hadn't felt for twenty two years. One of the highlights of the day was swimming the last length with my son Gavin who was attempting a try dive. Ironically I finished at the opposite end to the pool hoist and had to swim back to get out. But on the way back John handed me a stud earring that had glistened at me each time I swam past it. It's strange how something so small became a focus even though I was totally exhausted. My spirits were lifted as one by one everyone came forward as I handed out their 'going the extra mile' certificates and Simon handed me mine.

The scuba challenge raised over £18,000, launched other challenge events and helped attract three new sponsors which enabled us to exceed our target. Interestingly last year’s Disability Awareness Day attracted over 28,000 visitors including Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex, eight officials from the government of Thailand and coverage on ITV News channels.

Going the Extra Mile – Scuba Challenge 2012

Following last years first successful Scuba Challenge, at the moment I am organising another fundraising event for the 25th February: 'Going the Extra Mile'. This year volunteers are scuba diving 66 lengths at a leisure centre in Warrington (in the North West of England). The funds raised will go towards the disability awareness exhibition that attracts visitors from across the UK and Europe. One of the activities available at the exhibition is a scuba pool, offering try dives for disabled people. We are looking for more divers to join us in the swim, or to donate via our justgiving link. If you are able to help or would like more details visit http://www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk/. To donate go to http://www.justgiving.com/scuba2012.