Now, the real training begins. In the first module of the course the new recruits must prove they can cope with the deep.
Clearance divers are often used to conduct deepwater battle repairs to ships and strategic infrastructure. When working under these conditions danger is ever present and small mistakes can rapidly turn into life threatening disasters.
Using enclosed helmets and surface supplied air the mean learn to dive to extraordinary depths. They must fight against the effects of nitrogen narcosis and avoid the bends at all cost.
The pressure on mind and body is intense and even the toughest recruits struggle.
Soon, one the best and hardest, starts to fall behind. Ex roo shooter, Brodie Lymbery is suffering severe pain at depth and the men quickly realise how fragile their place on the team still is. Brodie is put under increasing pressure with a series of recompression chamber tests to examine his condition. If he fails he will be stood down without hesitation.
The rest of the team continues at an unbelievable pace. Gruesome fitness sessions are followed by complex and dangerous dives. Then they are told it is time for testing. Any technical mistakes will mean failure and Chief Petty Officer Shirley is also looking for any cracks in their personality, “You don’t want anyone who is half arsed. It’s ‘Swiss cheese’ out there. When there are too many holes in the team and then they line, up something will horribly wrong.”
In the end both the team’s and Brodie Lymbery’s results go down to the wire. The recruits have more than just their careers riding on the outcome, especially Brodie, “Back home I was starting to get in to a lot of trouble with the law. It’s a good feeling that I’m doing something with my life and I don’t want to go back to being that person.”
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