'I'm trying for a world record scuba dive in memory of my little boy'
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By Declan Cashin
Wednesday Aug 26 2009
Like other aquatic sports such as surfing and water skiing, scuba diving has become incredibly popular in Ireland. One serious watersports enthusiast is Declan Devane, a senior lecturer in nursing in NUI Galway, who did his first dive 11 years ago.
"My first introduction came through the Scuba Dive West centre in Galway," Declan explains. "It was always something I wanted to do, and I was surprised that it was so accessible, and so local to us."
What's more, Declan didn't have to go far to find some more converts to join him under the sea. "I have four brothers, and three others scuba dive too," he says. "I'm the oldest in the family so they followed me! My family were always interested in water-sports."
The 38-year-old's interest in diving has also seen him explore waters further afield than Ireland. "I've dived in the likes of the Maldives which is spectacular," he explains. "But diving abroad in warm water is different to cold water here in Ireland. They both offer different things. For me, it's more challenging diving in Irish waters, but then it makes you extremely well trained to handle any dive."
On October 10 and 11, Declan and his brother Paul will attempt to claim the Guinness World Record for (take a deep breath) the world's longest, open, cold saltwater scuba dive.
The two brothers are staging the dive in memory of Declan's son Cillian, who died of a brain tumour in February of this year at two years of age. Through their endeavours, the Devanes hope to raise as much money as possible for two children's charities: CD's Helping Hands, a voluntary cancer care organisation in the West, and St Raphael's Children's Ward in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.
"Cillian used to be always there with me when I was setting up my van to go scuba diving, and I had dreams of him coming out to dive with me as soon as he was ready," Declan says. "Cillian loved the water, so it seems like a fitting tribute to his name and his life."
It's a huge logistical undertaking that will see Declan and Paul diving in cold Atlantic waters (less than 15°C) in no less than 11 meters at low tide. Neither man will be permitted to break the surface of the water for the duration of the attempt, which will have to last a full day, at a minimum.
"Officially Guinness tells us that this record category is awaiting a successful claim and that no claim of less than 24 hours will be accepted as the inaugural record," Declan explains. "We are aiming for a 40-hour (2,400-minute) record. That's the equivalent of a working week underwater, without surfacing, and without the option of wee breaks.
"We've been diving regularly over the past number of months to prepare," he adds. "We have a large team of about 40 support divers. We're not allowed to break the surface so we have to have air cylinders brought down to us on an hourly basis."
They also have a hyperbaric medical specialist on staff to keep check on the uses of oxygen in the dives, but what about the guys' sustenance and nutrition?
"Anything we eat will taste of salt," Declan explains. "We can drink from bottles of water with sports caps on them -- part of the training for any scuba diver is to take the regulator out of your mouth quite frequently. We're still seeking advice on this, but we will more than likely drink high calorie, high nutritional content drinks."
All of which leads onto the next question: what to do when nature calls? "We're going to have a device that's like a condom to all intents and purposes with a tube coming through the dry-suit, so you can relieve yourself," Declan replies.
How to get started:
"A like of the water would be one pre-requisite," Declan explains. "You need to be able to swim, but don't necessarily need to be a strong swimmer.
"You wouldn't believe the number of people who had a fear of water, but then came away loving scuba diving.
"A few weeks ago I was out with a couple and their two teenage children. They did a training class followed by a dive. Beforehand the mother was terrified, but she came out of the water loving it the most."
Declan advises newcomers to start small and work their way up.
"It would be a good idea to perhaps start with a half-day or full-day session, without having to commit to a course," he says. "There are PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructor) courses offered in local dive centres around the country, which can be found on the web, and there's more information available from the Irish Underwater Council (www.cft.ie)."
For more details on Declan and Paul Devane's dive, including how to donate, see www.worldslongestscubadive.com
- Declan Cashin
