Twenty members of East Midlands Universities Air Squadron (EMUAS), supported by four members of the RAFC Cranwell Sub-Aqua Club (CSAC), deployed to Hurghada, Egypt, to conduct a diving expedition aboard a dedicated dive vessel during the period 27 June – 5 July 14.
The aim of this expedition was for all EMUAS students to gain a recognised British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) Diving qualification and to develop their personal leadership and management qualities. In addition 2 members of EMUAS were to act as instructors under supervision, having completed the Instructor Foundation Course just prior to the expedition. The diving location was chosen so everyone encountered circumstances which, to some degree, prepared them for the challenges of contemporary operations or future careers in the Armed Services. The aims were wider than pure Sub-Aqua training and also focused on managing activities in unfamiliar environments in foreign lands. Students from EMUAS carried out the majority of the organisational tasks, under supervision, for both the pre-deployment and deployed portions of the expedition. The expedition was designed to maximise every possible sub-aqua diving opportunity and to be both physically and mentally challenging whist remaining under controlled and closely supervised conditions. The days were long with 0500 wake ups for the first dive at 0630. There were 4 dives every day except the first and last. The expedition developed the personal qualities of confidence, mental toughness, self reliance, endurance and team ethos through the medium of sub-aqua diving.
EMUAS expedition members were selected from all available year-groups within EMUAS and support was provided by 4 members of CSAC. The final expedition composition was of 20 trainees (11 novices and 9 progressing to their next qualification (including the 2 EMUAS Instructors under supervision)) and 4 instructors. Prior to the expedition, all trainees completed theory and pool training at the CSAC and to prepare for the Red Sea, 3 weekend diving expeds to Gildenburg Lake near Peterborough were conducted mid-May to mid-June.
Once training was complete the boat moved out to Gubal Island and Abu Nu’has to make the most of the excellent weather; the forecast was that by day 4 Northerly winds would build and exposed sites would not be fit to dive. So the newly qualified divers had 3 days of world class wreck diving immediately after qualifying. The winds did indeed build but not until the penultimate day of the exped which allowed every planned diving location to be dived; a great achievement indeed considering the experience of the Ocean Divers.
In total 439 dives and 266 hrs 07 mins underwater time was completed on the expedition, 10 divers qualified as Ocean Divers, 5 qualified as Sports Divers, 1 qualified as a Dive Leader, 1 progressed towards Sports Diver and 3 progressed towards Dive Leader; finally one diver crossed over from PADI Open Water diver to BSAC Ocean Diver. A considerable number of additional experience dives took place after qualification which included all Ocean Divers being trained in the use of the DSMB. All expedition aims were met and all novice divers achieved their Ocean Diver qualification, whilst already qualified divers progressed towards their next level of certification. In addition a wide variety of diving experience was gained allowing expedition members to experience diving beyond the training environment; without doubt the wreck diving served to inspire the students to continue to push their boundaries and to dive whenever the opportunity arises.
Ex CLEARWATER DOWN 14 proved to be a challenging and rewarding expedition and can be considered to be a great success. We are extremely grateful to the Ulysses Trust for their financial support for this high quality adventurous training expedition.
