[BouzoukiJoe A.K.A. wrecker130 AKA Chuck Norris AKA joeforbroke (banned)]

Originally Posted by DarinMartell

Thank you very much for the in-depth response. This is not a dive trip, so I can't change where we are going. We will be in Avon (I think 15 miles north of Diamond Shoals).
You mentioned "Inshore" diving might be better. One shop I found on the net has their trips in two categories. "In-Shore" includes U-85, Navy tug, cutter Jackson, cable layer advance, and the Oriental. For "extended trip" they have Bledloe, Benson, York, Ciltvaria, & The city of Atlanta. Would you agree with them?


I will try to answer your questions one by one. I would love your or anyone else's input on what I need to do between now and then to be ready. And would like advice on shops to contact. Upon getting more info I am also planning on getting a DM to be my buddy / guide since I will be in unfamliar waters.

From your responses below I can see you have the right attitude. If you want to dive while you are up there, I suggest you talk to Bill at OBX Dive in Nags Head. Tell him your experience level and ask him for suggestions.


I know he does trips to the U85 and some others. Those are quite divable but they are in the colder and murkier water North of the shoals. You will see different marine life up that way than you would South of the shoals. IMO you will need a thick wetsuit because the water will be cold at depth. While, it might not be the best diving in NC, the U85 is at least a real wreck with some history to it. It's on my list of wrecks to dive.

Do you have experience in currents and seas? Currents no, Seas the last time I was in Lake MI we where 5 miles out in a 6-pack and had 4-5 foot swells.

I'd say current is the number one hazard to competent divers. The ocean is pretty freaking big and you are very small and hard to find. At least read up about it. Reading is not a substitute for experience, but it's better than going into something blind.

Seas are a little different than swells, but they're in the same family. They both can make getting back on the boat a lot of fun.

Do you have good navigation skills? I am cofortable with a compass but I would not say I am highly skilled.

There's a reason this question came right after the "current" question...
If there is a strong current, you *need* to find your way back to the anchor line. If you don't, count youself lost at sea, at least until all the other divers are back on the boat.

It's good to know how to use a compass, but natural navigation is more important. If you are diving with an experienced diver who knows the wreck, or if the wreck is easy to navigate (like the U85) your chances of getting lost are small.

Do you like long boat rides? I don't dislike them

Good answer, because you will spend more time riding than diving.

Do you own your own gear, including tanks? Yes I own all my gear including 2 al80's and a 30cf pony.

Great. Being familiar with your gear is important to safety and enjoyment. You'll be able to rent tanks and weights if you tell them ahead of time.

Are you nitrox certified? No, as of right now I am open water certified and have 19 dives between the quarry, Lake MI, the Gulf of Mexico, and Dive Quest.

When you start doing repetitve dives in the 80-120 range, nitrox will enhance your enjoyment. Furthermore, if you're diving air, no one on the boat will want to be your buddy. They probably just made a long drive and a long boat ride and want to get every minute possible from their dives.

Are you comfortable diving with sharks and other large creatures? One of the main reasons I want to do this. Only sharks that I have knowingly dove with where at Dive Quest so I don't know if "Disney" sharks count.

More chance of a shark encounter south of the shoals but I wouldn't rule it out.

Do you know how to plan repetitive dives to 100-120 ft? I practice my tables the night before every dive.

Serious dedication. I like it. I also plan my bottom times ahead of time- the night before if I know where I'm headed.

Do you know how much gas you would need? That is an ever changing number, the more dives I make the better my breathing gets. I am aware of the vital need to plan and carry my 30cf pony on every dive (even in the 30' quarry) so I am used to it and can use it if needed.

If I were DIR I would rake you over the coals on this one, but I'm nice, so I won't. I will point out that a pony is there in case of equipment failure- for emergency purposes only. It shouldn't be considered when you are planning your dive.

When you start doing deeper dives (I define as 80+) knowing your consumption rate becomes increasingly important. Of course it will change over time, and will fluctuate from dive to dive, but it will fall into a range, and you can use the upper end of that range to plan your dive. None of this stuff is exact, you just need a ballpark estimate. Mainly you need to know when to turn around and head back to the anchor line so that you will be able to find it and make a slow ascent up the line.

Do you know how to make a negative entry? I have never done a negative entry, I assume you mention this because the need to get below the wave action as soon as possible. It is something I can pracrice.

The reason is so you can get hold of the lines leading to the wreck without having to swim against the current. If you stay on the surface the current will be carrying you further and further from the place you need to be. It's not big deal, but make damn sure your air is on and your inflator hose is connected before you jump.

Are you in decent shape? Decent, not great, but I'm working on it.

Aren't we all. If your can walk a couple of miles without huffing and puffing you're fine.

Do you have dive accident insurance? I have been a member of DAN since before I got my C-card and carry INS through them.

Some boats require it. Even if they don't, it's a good idea.

Would you remain calm while drifting for an hour in the open Atlantic far from the boat? You never know until it happens. I do believe in being prepared and carry a SMB, whistle, dye marker, strobe, chemical light stick & mirror. I have also thought about packing a cheep pair of tinted goggles to help prevent "snow blindness".

The equipment list is good- If you don't already I would suggest you carry a light though. The best piece of safety gear though is your brain. If you use it and make sure to make it back to the anchor line you won't need any of that crap. If you had more experience I might suggest a reel. It can be used for navigation or for making an upline from the wreck if you can't find the anchor line, but at this point a reel might do more harm than good.

Again, thanks for the response and I look forward to any other advice you can give me.

We seem to get this question frequently, so I thought it was time to try to give a complete answer.