Like everything in life, there are pros and cons. I've seen people die on the Oriskany, and I've been in the water where people were drowning in 4 inches of water a few feet from me that I never knew about on a "simple" beach dive.
Most of the people killing themselves on the Oriskany (really ALL of the people) are technical divers diving beyond their training, or beyond the known limits of their equipment (one guy just f!@#$ed up and did something wrong with his rebreather, but there was other stuff going on there too. I have about two dozen dives on the Oriskany, with only one of them being in conditions I wouldn't reccomend to any diver (in fact someone on another boat died that day, and conditions were probably a contributing factor).
Recreational divers (you) screw up because they run out of gas, go into deco, or lose the line, and head towards Brownsville, Texas on the scenic route.
In many ways, an Oriskany dive is "easier" than most of the other offshore dives in the area. I say that because the visibility is usually better, and that keeps divers calmer. There's also at least three dive masters, and multiple instructors (from various boats) in the water at the same time, so there are more level heads around at any particular time.
Because of your experience, I think it's wise to bring your own DM.
Here are the cardinal rules for recreationally diving the Oriskany:
- DO NOT RUN OUT OF GAS! Plan properly, and make sure you're on the boat with 500psi or more. If that means you get a five-minute dive, then skip the O trip this year, dive some more, and get your SAC rate down. DO NOT RUN OUT OF GAS! It happens, and it's a miracle no one has died yet. DO NOT RUN OUT OF GAS! You don't want to be the first dumbass that kills himself on the Oriskany because he couldn't watch his pressure gauge.
- Most Captains will not let you make a second dive if you run out of gas, and yes, they check gauges and computers.
- Don't go to 130ft or deeper. In fact, you probably shouldn't go deeper than 120 on your first, and 100 on your second.
- Don't go to 130ft or deeper. There's always that ******* (or three) who doesn't listen to Rule #3 You see the same stuff at 120 that you see at 130 (less actually deeper) but you go through your gas faster, and your NDL faster. Don't be the dumbass that thinks it's cooler at 130 than it is at 120. It isn't.
- There is literally nothing for you to see between 130 and the flight deck. I can take a photo of a parking lot, and show it to you. That's what the flight deck looks like.
- Don't go inside the ship. There are wires, lines, and sharp metal corners mean enough to shred your gear. Only trained folks should go inside the ship. Do you know what a fireworm is? I'm usually the #2 guy whenever I do a penetration of the Oriskany, and I ALWAYS see a fireworm float down from the ceiling (knocked loose by exhaled bubbles floating to the ceiling) If the 10,000 ways you can kill yourself inside the Oriskany aren't enough to scare you, then a fireworm landing on the back of your neck should be. There's plenty to see outside for twenty dives.
- Don't go into decompression. Most Captains will not allow you to do a second dive if you go into decompression. If you manage your gas properly, this shouldn't be a problem. Dive an appropriate mix, and get back on the boat with 500psi or more.
- Don't let go of the travel ropes. It may seem like there is no current, but you will be first humbled, and then embarrassed as you float towards Brownsville because you didn't listen to me and let go of the rope. A charter boat can't unhook and come get you, because they have a responsibility to the smarter divers in the water that didn't let go of the rope. I have personally been humbled and then embarrassed by letting go of the rope. Don't be a dumbass like me. Keep your hand on the rope from the boat to the boat and back again. DO NOT LET GO OF THE ROPE, is basically what I'm saying ;-)
Here are suggestions for diving the Oriskany recreationally:
- Get a Nitrox cert, and plan an appropriate mix.
- Plan for a max depth of 120 or less for the first dive, and 100 or less on the second dive. You'll see TONS of wreck this way, and it's easy to stay within NDL for both dives if you're careful and plan the right mix.
- You can see tons of interesting things at the top of the wreck (about 85ft). If you have some time and gas to burn, but want to stay close to the upline, you can spend a few minutes at the top of the wreck. You can usually spy a few octopuses, blue chromis, queen angels, sometimes a rock beauty, and other interesting critters.
- Buy or rent a high volume tank. Unless you're a really big guy, with a really terrible SAC, you should be fine with an HP100 or LP95. This gives you a little extra bottom time, but you have to watch NDL a little closer.
- Get a good night's sleep the night before, and avoid alcohol. Lack of sleep and alcohol consumption before a dive day seem to contribute to problems.
- Many charters offer fresh fruit, snacks, even lunch. Keep this in mind when choosing a charter (some of the lunches are pretty good).
- Tip your crew. Some are better than others, but 10% is standard. Most crew members work for tips and have five kids to feed ;-)
- Don't show up late. EVERYBODY hates those guys. Literally. You're inconveniencing EVERYONE on the boat, from the Captain, who may have a second charter for the day, to the diver next to you, who may have a family vacation planned around the dives. Don't be a D!#%, Don't be late.
