 Christina Goes Deeper
She's dived the Lusitania (93m), Andrea Doria (78m)
and the HMS Affray (86m)
"So Christina Campbell - ouch! - wha?",
What made you want to dive the Britannic?
After diving the Lusitania in 1994, we knew that it was do-able by us.
Were you pissed off that Kevin Gurr got there first?
No, its not like that, and Jacques Cousteau had already dived it in the 70s. We just like diving deep wrecks. Kevin was really helpful to us, he'd found out the best place to stay, where to pump cylinders... He even let Nick (Nick Hope expedition leader) go over there and observe what they were doing - very generous and incredibly helpful.
Were you nervous?
Yes! Before the first dive, very nervous, I'd be setting up my kit.. my stomach would feel awful... but once I was in the water, particularly when I could see the whole wreck beneath me, I'd feel fine.
So what was it like?
Fantastic! The visibility was really good, which meant you could always see where the shotline was, and the water was warm. It's a fascinating wreck to dive.
Boys and cameras, tell us about it!
... that's why a lot of the shots of me on the Britannic are from the back - zooming off.
So... were you wearing nappies?
Yes, too right! It took ages to get ready and Greece is so hot - you have to drink loads of liquids to avoid dehydration. Most times I'd have used them before I even got off the boat... But when you're doing really long dives, yes, you've got to have nappies.
But the boys had this pee-valve thing?
Yes, its like a condom with a valve that fits to your drysuit - Kevin and Sean at O'Three got them for us.
Oh stop it! No comment.
But you were diving with people you know well, right?
Yes, we're all friends who dive together a lot, mostly from Kingston & Elmbridge BSAC. That really helped. There were two other women on the trip; Andrea Webb and Becky Williams, who were support divers. A few of the guys brought their girlfriends along.
What were they expecting to see? A set of bright pink gear?
Who knows!
Whats your favourite bit of kit?
I love my O'Three drysuit, it's the best. My favourite toy is my Aquazepp scooter. Its great because it has a light on the front and it's like zooming about on a great big torch - it illuminates everything you point it at. And I'm really impressed with the new Custom Divers wings, have you seen them? They've got a double bladder, which means you've always got a back-up.
How much gas did you have to take on the Britannic dives?
Twin 15s and two 10 litre sidemounted cylinders. We'd be down looking around on the wreck for about 20 minutes. Luckily my air consumption is good - that's a big advantage that women generally have - and I could spend more time looking at the wreck, not fretting over my guages.
How did you learn to dive like this?
In the early 90s, my BSAC branch were diving in the 50-70m range on air, but we knew that it was possible to dive below 70m on a mix. We'd read about it and even watched mixed gas divers diving below us. Unfortunately no-one in the UK seemed to be doing it, and BSAC at that time were against the very idea of mixed gas diving.
So where did you get information from?
We got lots of help and inspiration from US East Coast divers. We read everything we could lay our hands on - every issue of Aquacorps magazine, we studied physiology and took a fanatical interest in anything to do with decompression illnesses. There were 8 of us,
Polly Tapson was the leading light, together with her husband Simon.
Luckily we ran into Rob Palmer at one of the Dive Shows. He was already diving Nitrox and invited us down to his house in Somerset so we could do an Advanced Nitrox qualification.
We did! And we said "if you'd ever like to dive in the UK please get in touch with us" Anyway he wrote back straight away. So we sent him another letter saying "Hey Gary, we're planning to dive the Lusitania in June 94, how would you like to come?"
You never!!!!
We did! Anyway he said YES! He asked if he could bring Barbara Lander with him - she was another excellent tri-mix dive and his girlfriend. We had room for another 2 people on the boat and asked him if he knew anyone else who wanted to come. He invited John Yurgen and John Chatterton, and it was really fortunate having these very experienced mixed gas divers along. Especially when we had originally thought the wreck was in 70m and it turned out to be in 90m...!
What would you say to any dive girls (or boys) who are interested in this kind of diving?
Get together with a group of like minded friends. Being in a BSAC branch is great because you're surrounded by other divers.
It's all about mind over matter. You must kit up sitting down. Get someone to help you with your stage cylinders and give you a hand to stand up. Make sure you're not the last off the boat - it's good to have someone to give you a shove! Once you're in the water, the weight of the gear is not a problem.
When you get out take off you sidemounted cylinders and clip them on. As long as you're able to climb up a ladder in your twinset you'll be fine - or dive on Andy Smith's SkinDeep out of Weymouth - he's got a hydraulic lift on the back.
Any other useful hints?
Never be afraid to ask for help. Go to friendly dive shops and suppliers who will take the time to advise you.
You've achieved so much... what next?
There are loads of wrecks in the English Channel at
120 - 150m. And I'm very interested in cave diving.
Christina on...
Men Behaving Madly
Men ONLY
Britannic 98 Expedition facts:
The Britannic 98 website is at website.lineone.net/~britannic98/
Visit the Scubapro Web Site, sponsors of the Britannic 98 expedition.
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Text: Louise Trewavas
I'd usually get down there and want to take off immediately and my buddy Nick Hope would usually be fiddling with his camera or video...
You never!
Any top tips on how to cope with 4 cylinders?