Diving Wolf and Darwin Island with Knee Injury

[LRobbins]

Hi,
I'm headed to the Galapagos in 2 weeks with a knee injury (limping, but more or less fine in the water with fins). I've heard about the strong currents and swell at Wolf and Darwin and am concerned about my knee. Has anyone dived these with an injury? Of course these dives will be the highlight of the trip so definitely don't want to miss out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Spain_underwater]

Hello,

I just got back from Galapagos last week. Currents at Wolf and Darwin, and at Seymour Island were the strongest I have ever experienced (I am a divemaster with 200+ dives around the world). With that said, specifically in Wolf and Darwin, you spend most of the dive grabbing to a rock watching the wild life around you. The only exception is that when a whale shark shows up (we saw 4 in 6 dives), you fin for your life until you get to it, and then come back to the rocks - not sure of what the extend of your injury is, and if it would allow you to do this. Still, totally worth it! I have had knee issues in the past, and once I dove with a brace (check with your doctor). Another thing to consider is that you dive from pangas, and that so getting in and out of them may be an issue to you as well. Best of luck!!

 

[NTSilver]

While I have not been to Galapagos, I did go to Cocos with strong currents following knee surgery. Specifically, I was unable to bear any weight on the repaired knee and had just started walking two weeks before our trip to Cocos. I was very nervous but the knee held up just fine. Initially I was handing up my bc to the panga drivers but the surface conditions did not warrant that later in the week and my knee still did fine.

 

[LRobbins]

Hello,

I just got back from Galapagos last week. Currents at Wolf and Darwin, and at Seymour Island were the strongest I have ever experienced (I am a divemaster with 200+ dives around the world). With that said, specifically in Wolf and Darwin, you spend most of the dive grabbing to a rock watching the wild life around you. The only exception is that when a whale shark shows up (we saw 4 in 6 dives), you fin for your life until you get to it, and then come back to the rocks - not sure of what the extend of your injury is, and if it would allow you to do this. Still, totally worth it! I have had knee issues in the past, and once I dove with a brace (check with your doctor). Another thing to consider is that you dive from pangas, and that so getting in and out of them may be an issue to you as well. Best of luck!!

WOW! Sounds like Wolf and Darwin were quite the adventure, I can't wait. Should be able to fin for it, just won't be as fast as the other divers. Good idea, about diving with the brace, I'll check with my doctor. Getting in/out of the pangas will be interesting. Thanks so much, appreciate your perspective!

 

[LRobbins]

While I have not been to Galapagos, I did go to Cocos with strong currents following knee surgery. Specifically, I was unable to bear any weight on the repaired knee and had just started walking two weeks before our trip to Cocos. I was very nervous but the knee held up just fine. Initially I was handing up my bc to the panga drivers but the surface conditions did not warrant that later in the week and my knee still did fine.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, that makes me feel better. I can bear weight on it so sounds like I'm in better shape than you were when you went (my surgery is after the trip). A huge relief, thanks so much!

 

[Doc]

Hi,
I'm headed to the Galapagos in 2 weeks with a knee injury (limping, but more or less fine in the water with fins). I've heard about the strong currents and swell at Wolf and Darwin and am concerned about my knee. Has anyone dived these with an injury? Of course these dives will be the highlight of the trip so definitely don't want to miss out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

The character of your question belies a greater question.

Currents there can often be found in the realm of about an 8 on a scale of 10 in the recreational diving world.

What a bad knee has to do with currents... I can not imagine?

Asking about currents in light of a knee injury tells me that you are in for one steep learning curve. No where should you really try to swim against anything but the mildest current, and only when absolutely necessary. You will find a 1/4 mile per hour current a difficult proposition for even a short spurt- and that is in the 2 out of 10 category.

You're going to get all sorts of interesting advice, but I'll tell you to buy a set of leather work gloves- that's how you claw your way over some of the lava flows that have the currents will be making your regulator free flow.

I have about 100 dives in the Galapagos, I have seen it like glass, but not very often.

Your difficulties will be greatest in the following areas:

1) Any movement while aboard the liveabaord. You may call it a "ship", but when you look out around you, you'll realize it's just a little boat. People with bad knees (and Rascals) get around cruise ships with no problem. This is not a cruise ship- it is a working industrial environment where you will be challenged at every step, literally.

2) You will likely have to ingress/egress the liveabaord by ladder or transfer to a RIB or Zodiac. The transfer alone can be very twitchy, even on a calm day. Climbing the liveaboard's main boarding ladder is a consideration.

3) Making a re-board into the chase boat can be a body bashing experience.

Of course these dives will be the highlight of the trip...

A lot of people have the same thought, that's how they sell this itinerary.

You were heading there anyway in two weeks, so I'm not sure what the point of all this is, but you're going to boost that 50-99 logged dive count on your profile, and you are about to have a very eye opening experience.

You have already been diving in some fairly challenging environments, you may have not had the e-ticket ride at Cocos, or maybe not dealt with rubber boats in the Red Sea. Either way- tuck up those gauges and that octo- pay close attention to everything the DM says, stay low, maintain 3 Point Contact, and enjoy the ride.

Post a report when you return- I wish you calm seas!

I really like your diving websites!

 

[LRobbins]

Thanks Roatan Man. I'm more concerned with the swells and trying to get into the panga from the boat since my balance is not so good. I've done this before in Cocos and the Red Sea, just not with an injured knee. Appreciate your advice, it should be an interesting trip. Glad you liked the diving website, I'm sure there will be more coming after the Galapagos.

 

[Doc]

I'm more concerned with the swells and trying to get into the panga from the boat .

That's the actual point of concern, for sure~ not the currents.

Does the liveaboard's website show the "panga" ? (or RIB, Zodiac or ...?)

Very few liveaboard websites have such images. Many lesser grade liveabaords will vary widely (during the week) using different smaller boats as they appear on a contractual basis- but this is not typical in the Galapagos.

As far as website imagery- even fewer show the intricacy of the fantail deck, the flat surface that you stand on in the back of the liveaboard to make such transfers.

I go into this because many times when people are faced with similar concerns, occasionally the answers can be found with a detailed examination of the vessel's website or sometimes even trip report photo galleries.

Always accept the firm grip of an out-stretched hand, and be sure to offer one as well. Many divers on liveaboards seem to avoid such contact (notably the males), but it is commonplace on working vessels, military or commercial.

 

[oceancat]

We had an older gentleman on our Aggressor trip last year fall getting into the panga and tore his quad right through just above the knee (diagnosed on board by one of the veterinarians I was diving with--and he was actually correct!). We were out at Wolf and the guy sucked it up for 1 dive--our currents were minimal--but he had a tough time swimming. I would recommend if you can swim ok--see if you can put your gear on in the panga and not wear it from the boat to the panga. good luck and great diving!

 

[Doc]

see if you can put your gear on in the panga and not wear it from the boat to the panga.

Do they actually allow divers to wear their gear while transferring? Yikes.

I have never been on a liveaboard where they didn't place it in the little boats for me. All I had to do was climb aboard in my wetsuit and gear up.