INFORMATION ABOUT DIVING WRECKS IN DUBAI

Due to the increasing popularity of DSDC we are finding many members asking for advice about wreck diving in Dubai.

Please note the Technical Section on this website as well as the following.

Diving "Dubai Side" in the UAE is all about wrecks. Both because of the amount of amazing marine life that gathers around these artificial reefs and because of the wreck itself.

This page is about diving these wrecks based upon our observations to date. Refer to your training at all times and ensure you stay within your limits of training and experience.

Diving around the outside of a Dubai side wreck is all about the marine life. While the wreck itself supplies the backdrop for your adventure it is the likelihood of finding huge shoals of Barracuda, Sharks, Tuna, assorted warm warm fish, rays and sea snakes that attracts most. If you are 'first in' you stand a better chance and if you have a re-breather well, nothing seems to be frightened of you, although Barracuda seem interested in open circuit bubbles.

For this sort of diving DSDC insist on DSMB and reels and then recommend shears or scissors (for fishing lines and nets), and a big torch.

Most divers miss the beauty of the macro marine life in the Gulf Waters. At DSDC we are often telling divers to SLOW DOWN and watch what the small stuff is up to. With your torch you will find the colours are varied and splendid and the number of little critters going about their daily business considerable. Try doing a whole dive where you watch a 1 metre square of wreck, you will be amazed.

Outside Viz is VARIED and seasonal and in some places current dependent (springs and neeps). Our general advice is, however, that you cant predict it so prepare for every eventuality including down to 1 metre.

But - never mind all that - what about the wreck. Dubai has a number of penetratable wrecks that need training, experience and care to handle. The difficultly is principally that inside these wrecks it looks wonderful on the way in, but when you turn around to come out - you cant  -because of the silt.

Various training agencies will teach different methods on how to deal with these situations. Its not our job to tell you about this. However, successful and safe diving will include reels, lights (not just one) training, experience and so on.

Observation one at DSDC - if you don't have the gear and the training don't even consider - its too risky, stay out side.

Observation two at DSDC - if you are not practiced with your equipment and methods and buddy - it is too risky, stay outside.

Observation three - go with someone who knows the location to have an enjoyable dive.

That said we offer some further comment;

Most of the wrecks have easily penetratable sections (normally the bridge areas) where the spaces are large and open. Start in these to get a feel for the environment.

Even if you are doing an easy section use your equipment, lining off, for example can be messy, really risky and tie divers up in knots if it is not controlled at all times. Practice well in the easy areas before you really have to use the techniques in the narrower confines.

Silt - its a real problem, huge ponds of it on the floors and hanging from the ceilings. You quickly loose sight of your buddy, your exit and so on. Remember if you are leading a dive down a narrow passage you will have great viz, your buddy - well probably pea soup. Finning technique has a big effect on the quality of your dive inclusive of sensing where your fins are before you propel forward. Hand propelling works well.

Orientation - Most wrecks are lying at an angle on the bottom. This can cause visual confusion and for some divers it might even make them feel dizzy or nauseous. Include this fact in your dive plan.

Experience - Divers like to talk don't they. Some talk you will hear is from people who have been on a wreck 60 times and maybe wreck diving for 20 years or more. They are bound to have a vast knowledge of the layout and the methods involved. Be honest about your own experience and it will keep you away from the risks.

Claustrophobia - We come across this word quite a lot, often described  by people as "oh i have mild claustrophobia". Our advice is don't go in. This 'emotion' is something that can set in without warning and inside a wreck can be almost impossible to deal with - placing everyone at risk.

Equipment Redundancy - At DSDC this is a personal choice as we realise that extra equipment provides extra risk from the likes of snagging and jamming.

Passages, Doors, Bulkheads and divisions. Coming back to the issue of wrecks lying on their sides there are a number of wrecks / places where it is possible for doors to swing shut behind you (the doors have been opened and partially jammed by previous divers), and for passages to divide without warning making exit confusing. In other wrecks bulkheads have corroded or blown through making the passages less obvious. In some wrecks the paint looks greenish on the way in but white on the way out - more confusion. All of this can be handled with training and experience.

Equipment Wear - The environment in most of the Dubai wrecks is very abrasive, the narrow doors are particularly harsh on BCD and hoses. Hose protectors are a good idea and double skin BCD or wings another. Hands and bodies will be sliced open on sharp shells and other nasties, therefore, personal clothing needs consideration,(boiler suits - not certain about these due to snagging risks).

Re-breathers - Not a great success as you are  mostly too large to fit through the doors or down the passages. The Jasim is an exception to this.

Gas Consumption - Most DSDC divers are very relaxed in the water as they are diving most weekends, accordingly air consumption is very low. Put the same diver (and this may be you) in a confined and dark environment and anxiety levels increase and you will find that gas consumptions goes through the roof, maybe as much as five times your normal rate. Beware of this feature to wreck diving and if it starts happening, turn around, get out and back to comfortable surroundings.

Click to read this article, not from the UAE or DSDC, to understand more about why you should be careful.

DSDC is now running 'a 'Wreck Diving Workshop' for members wanting to know more. Please ask the training officer for details.