After entering the water from the RIB, Matt noticed that my dry suit hose wasn't attached properly just before we were to descend. He helped me put it back on correctly in the difficult tidal conditions on the surface. The problem over, we descended the shot line, the surface current disappearing the deeper we went.

On reaching the wreck at 40 metres we both carried out the normal safety checks. Matt noticed his cuff dump failed to work - it wasn't dumping. It was obvious to both of us that he was going to very wet on our ascent.

Unknown to me, it had happened before and he knew exactly what to do. To give himself some reassurance, he 'jammed' his foot into the wreck, then with me directing his torch beam, went to work on his cuff dump. Still wearing his gloves he carefully began unscrewing the cap, then gently removed it and the O ring, placing both in the palm of his left hand. He then very calmly tweaked the diaphragm, releasing small bubbles wound the edges. Now that he could see it working, he carefully replaced the O ring and screwed the cap back on. Lifting his arm into test mode, the 'operation' was a complete success.

Having spent some minutes doing 'minor' repairs, our next decision was whether to explore the wreck or to make our ascent. With our main cylinder contents gauges both showing about 120 bar left (we also had 3 litre pony cylinders) and the fact that we were sliding down the incident pit from the moment we got into the water, it was a very easy decision to make.

... Ten minutes later, sitting on the RIB after a very slow ascent, Matt complained of a wet boot! He had perforated his dry suit when he 'jammed' his foot into the wreck.

ON REFLECTION ...

The first incident on the surface was nothing more than an irritation, which, although in difficult conditions, was easily rectified. We had been diving together all week and one could say we had become a little complacent. One could also argue that a proper buddy check would have picked it up. Although it was my fault for not kitting-up correctly, it took a sharp eye from Matt, in the water, to realise it wasn't right.

The second incident was obviously more serious. I would certainly never have attempted to repair the valve underwater, let alone at 40 metres. My solution - prepare to get very wet!

Matt had different ideas. To be able to carry out that sort of operation at depth takes an awful lot of courage, concentration and ability. One false move could have sent the parts into darkness and oblivion, when it would have been virtually impossible to find the O ring or diaphragm.

Matt is a Club Instructor and a Diver Leader, although he could actually easily pass as an Advanced Diver. Over the years he has gained plenty of diving experience in all sorts of conditions. I have dived with him on many occasions and would consider him to be very safe. He definitely would not have attempted it had it been too dangerous.

Was he 'narked'? I don't think so. Could the 'operation' have been completed if he was?

CONCLUSION

We're both experienced Dive Leaders having completed many dives between us, and although at the time it did surprise me a little, it didn't phase me at all. I have the utmost confidence in Matt's judgement and diving ability and have every reason to believe he would succeed.

However, it's no excuse for not being vigilant. Maybe we should sit back and reflect on what may have been another incident.

REMEMBER:

SEEDS ALWAYS do your buddy checks before EVERY dive MAINTAIN YOUR KIT GET OUT of that INCIDENT PIT before it's too late.

We all spend a lot of time and effort training to become better divers, Think!! ... don't throw it all away, ... there's always another day.

AND WHY THE 'MATT' FROM U.N.C.L.E?

Well, all those world-wide trips to far corners of the globe that non-one has ever heard of under the guise of a forensic scientist. He is actually an MI6 '00'.

Let's face it, he jets off at a moments notice, never does any wrong and gets everything right. And there's always headline news of a disaster of some sort, somewhere. We all reckon he's on a par with that other '00', what's his name?

We daren't ask any questions, else he'd have to kill us.