I got stuck inside a wreck I knew better than anyone. This is the story of my close call on HMNZS Canterbury — and how complacency nearly cost me my life.
In this solo episode of Speaking Sidemount, brought to you by XDEEP, I break down a real close call during a wreck-penetration dive on the HMNZS Canterbury in New Zealand.
Despite years of experience, deep familiarity with the wreck, and even writing a dive guide for it, I made a series of small decisions that led to an entanglement in a confined space — just metres from my buddy, who had no idea I was in trouble.
This episode is not about a dramatic rescue — it’s about how complacency, narcosis, configuration, and team separation can quietly stack up and put even experienced divers at risk.
If you dive sidemount, wrecks, caves, or any overhead environment, this is a must-listen.
🔑 What you’ll learn:
How experienced divers get into trouble.
The real risk of complacency in familiar environments,
How narcosis subtly influences decision-making
Why configuration matters in wreck penetration
The importance of team positioning and discipline
How to slow down and make better decisions underwater
👍 Like this episode? Please Share — it really helps grow the show and support future content.
💥 Powered by XDEEP → www.xdeep.eu
📘 Purchase "The Canterbury Wreck - A Diver's Guide"
New Zealand → www.sidemountpros.com/store
Rest of World → https://a.co/d/0iduWFAh
📘 Grab Steve's "Sidemount Fundamentals" eBook → www.sidemountpros.com/store