September 2003

Witek Śmiłowski

Boesmansgat Cave (Bushmansgat) was chosen intentionally, as this is the very cave in which Nuno Gomes set the world record by going to the depth of 283 m. Number two on the world record holders' list is Jim Bowden, who descended to 282 m in the Zacatón.

The Koeremaan is associated in South Africa with wild animal farms and hunting ... But to the divers, it is associated with the caves where extremely deep dives take place.

It is precisely here, in the Boesmangat cave, the living legend Nuno Gomes broke the world record in cave diving depth. To this day no one has bettered his result. The cave depth of 284 m is a Guinness Book of Records cave diving record, and although divers in marine waters attained greater depth, no one has as yet dared to dive deeper in the cave.

Leszek Czarnecki, chose this place, aptly enough, to deepen his skills in extremely deep cave dives. No wonder that he chose Nuno Gomes as his mentor, since, as Leszek noted ‘who could be better than a world champion?’ And so he passionately devoted himself to training with Nuno.

Leszek's first visit and his first meeting with Nuno took place in early 2002. During the 3 weeks of intensive diving, they learned about each other, and Leszek explored the technical secrets from Nuno's practical experience. Such knowledge cannot be found in books.

Dives of this type are very different from technical diving. This is not only a ‘deeper technical dive’ with different trimixes selected. We are dealing with completely different equipment configuration, different planning, different decompression programs, etc. Various technical organizations in their trimix training programs recommend dives to a maximum depth of about 80 m. It is clear that below these depths we are dealing with a number of factors significantly raising the risk of such a venture.

During the first visit, Leszek met Nuno's crew, who participated in the dives. Every person had a clearly defined role, both underwater and on the surface. There is no place for 'stroke of luck' here, everything must be perfectly planned and thoroughly checked. This initial visit ended with diving to 127 m. The cave is situated at an altitude of about 1600 meters above the sea level, which is an additional difficulty raising factor.

Leszek came to South Africa for the second time in October 2002. This time, the challenge was even greater. After 3 weeks of intensive diving it was decided that the depth will be 158 m. Nuno expanded its team, it was a total of nine people involved in the organization, logistics and security. All were members of his crew at the time he established the world record.

On the 3rd of September this year, it was time for Leszek's next arrival to South Africa. Everyone already knew him and respected his abilities. This time, he became one of them, he was a member of Nuno's crew. We all knew that play time was over ... we had to do 194 metres.

I picked Leszek up directly from the airport and drove to Koeremaan, to the farm where the famous cave is. After 7 hours drive we got there. Everyone has been waiting and greeted us very warmly. Then there was a shared dinner, and a long deliberation and planning of dives.

To secure the dive Nuno increased the crew size. 10 people from Nuno's team, all specially chosen and extremely well trained, were now taking part in the project. We also have a diving doctor, a representative of DAN Africa, and a cutting-edge portable decompression chamber. A DAN research program was carried out as part of the expedition. Each diver received a ‘black box’ - a special UWATEC computer, to record the course of all dives, which, combined with Doppler studies after each dive, provided valuable material for analysis.

The second day begins with an early breakfast and departure for diving. The day's program is very simple: breakfast, departure from the farm to the cave by dirt roads (about 12 miles), the preparation of trimixes and a very careful check, meticulous debriefing, diving, another detailed discussion and analysis of the executed dive. As mentioned, Doppler tests were performed after each dive. We used Oxychec analysers and a 'back up' Dive Rite's helium analyser. In the evening, around 18:00 a return to the farm, a shared dinner and planning the next day's dives. And thus we spent the whole 2 weeks, which we all treated very seriously. Two weeks without television, radios, alcohol, and GSM coverage.

To plan the dives, we used computers with a special decompression software, which Nuno created himself for his needs. We had three other decompression programs in reserve; Leszek was using a modified Z-Planner and the Abyss. The heated discussions lasted throughout, about decompression and the type of mix. As a bottom mix Nuno proposed trimix 5/75. But Leszek's idea ultimately prevailed - trimix 7/66.

The day before the last trial was free from diving. We have spent it on making mixes and properly planning the dive. This required a lot of work, as all the equipment had to be carried off of very steep rocks, about 300 meters, to the surface level.

A goldenline was deployed from the surface, 250 metres long, and marked every 5m with tablets. Tanks, to be used for decompression stops, were suspended from it. We each used 5 flashlights, as there was absolute darkness in the cave. Nuno used a dry suit, while Leszek used a specially-made Eques wetsuit, with a total thickness of all layers of 25mm.

Run Time:
300 minutes following configuration: AIR, TMX 10/50, TMX 7/66, TMX 10/50, AIR, EAN 32, EAN 50, EAN 70, 100% O2.

For this dive Nuno and Leszek used 2 x 18 liters tanks, mounted on a plate, and on the sides they had stages. In addition, several cylinders were suspended to the goldenline.

In total, during this dive 7 tanks, each 15l, were used for each diver and 6 support divers. In addition, from 40 m of depth divers were accompanied by a MD.

Oxygen was administrated from the surface down to 6 meters, nad throughout all the last decompression stops. It eliminated use of many additional tanks. Special sets with full masks for an unconscious diver were also prepared.

Finally, the long awaited day came. Leszek and Nuno checked their equipment and all mixes for the last time. Slowly and very quietly they put all the equipment on. Focus and concentration were visible on their faces. From this point on they weren't talking to anyone, as if doing a 'dry run' of the whole dive (it is a technique called visualization, when for the last time the diver goes over the subsequent elements of the dive in the mind). When they were already in the water, dressed and ready to go, they make a last bubble check, and disappeared under the water ... At this point, we started the stopwatches, and the silence fell.

We knew that at the 12th minute dive (i.e. the theoretical time to achieve the planned depth) the ascent was expected to begin, and soon after the first safety diver should see them. As it turned out, Leszek and Nuno already reached 194 m in the eighth minute.

Support divers were lined up. The moment Nuno and Leszek showed up at the decompression stop, support diver was waiting for them making sure everything is OK. The first support diver was waiting at a depth of 110 meters and then one at every stop, up to the last stop at 3 meters.

A few minutes later, Peter enters the water. He will be the first diver, who will greet them at 110 meters. Divers from the surface backup knew what was happening at any given time underwater, and in addition the safety diver was ready to enter the water at any time. Nuno has a principle of ‘zero tolerance for mistakes,’ everything is well planned, there is no room for problems.

Several minutes had elapsed from descend, at which point they should already be on the 80m decompression stop. The next diver is preparing to dive ... Finally, a message, so long awaited by us: plate from Peter with the inscription "Everything OK, they did 194; feeling good!!!"At this point everyone in Nuno's team shook hands, now we need to send them warm and energy boosting drinks.

The waiting time for the end of the dive flew by very fast; we were all involved in the dive and regardless of whether we were divers at the 80 m or a 3 m stop, we were all equally moved.

After exactly five hours the divers showed up on the surface, ending the last stop. Shivering and tired, but happy. So much time in the water at 16 degrees is long. Now they will have to stay down here for the next 3 hours as climbing to the top after such dive is not an option. Even the smallest effort is not allowed. Now it's half an hour for the safety of oxygen and alcohol-free champagne to celebrate.

After two days of rest, time to hit the road - back to Johannesburg. The next day, I drive Leszek to the airport; the atmosphere is nice and there's a great sense of a well-done job. An official farewell to Nuno and his crew, and ... what next? See you in Egypt - I hear from Nuno. Nuno invited Leszek to his ‘backup’ team during the planned world record-beating next year.

Finally, some statistics:
In total, Leszek and Nuno executed about 40 deep dives in the cave, including 10 to a depth below 100 m. All dives were carried out according to plan, without any problems and surprises