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The Scuba Doctor has a great range of quality dive computer solutions for technical and rebreather divers.
Decompression Algorithms: ZHL-16C, VPM-B, DCAP, DCIEM, VVAL-18M... Does It Really Matter?
At the risk of annoying those who do have a preference for a specific decompression algorithm, the simple answer for most divers is NO the algorithm is not critical. There is no expert consensus that any one of the current crop of decompression algorithms is better than another. All of these algorithms used in dive computers and desktop table generation software, when set to their default conservancy values, will get you out of the water with an acceptable margin of safety. What we can say for sure is they are all imperfect representations of actual decompression in humans.
Numerous variants of ZHL-16C are very widely implemented in both sport and technical dive computers. For technical diving, versions of ZHL-16C that include user configurable Gradient Factor modifications are very popular because the GF values can be 'tuned' to provide different types of profiles for specific types of diving. VPM-B dive profiles typically have deeper initial stops, along with reduced time at shallow depths resulting in a 'smoother' profile although recent research calls into question the benefits of 'deep stops' especially for lengthy VPM-B profiles. DCAP was developed for use by early extended range divers (today we call them 'technical divers'.) VVAL-18M is the basis for the modern US Navy Tables. DCIEM has been extensively tested by the Canadian military to ensure its applicability to cold water working divers. RGBM (basis for NAUI tables with its roots in VPM) and DSAT (basis for PADI tables) are most often seen in no stop required sport diving applications. Recently, the RGBM model has been called in to question by a legal action, but it's not clear if the issue is with the algorithm itself or a specific dive computers' implementation, as most experts consider the RGBM model to be very conservative especially on repetitive dives.
The practices of decompression are not exact, in many ways as much about skill as science. Much of what we do in decompression diving is based on empirical observation and experience, rather than having a basis in theoretical science. Dr. R W (Bill) Hamilton, the late co-developer of DCAP and whose research in decompression is widely acknowledged as having a key role in opening up recreational extreme exposure diving in the early 90s, was fond of the saying 'what works, works'. The most important safety factor is not the decompression algorithm you select, rather your skill as a diver and that you closely follow the recommendations of that algorithm and safe diving practices in general. Also, best practice when diving as a team is that all divers should use the same algorithm in order to remain together as a team during ascent phase of the dive plan.
Warrnambool Breakwater Inside
Shore Dive | 
Shore access
Warrnambool Breakwater Inside
© Warrnambool City Council
Depth: 3 m (9.84 ft) to 9 m (30 ft)
Level: Open Water and beyond.
The Warrnambool Breakwater Inside dive site is the northern side of the Warrnambool Breakwater Rock Pier (aka Warrnambool Pier) at the western most point of Lady Bay, Warrnambool on Victoria's Shipwreck Coast. The breakwater protects the dive site from the swell of the Southern Ocean and southerly winds. The concrete structure has kelp growing out from it providing shelter for many marine creatures.
Diving and Snorkelling at Warrnambool Breakwater Inside
Warrnambool Breakwater Rock Pier
© Sally Watson
This a relatively easy and safe site for diving and snorkelling which offers lots of small invertebrate life as well as Seahorses, several varieties of Leatherjacket, Sea Stars, Boxfish, Sweep, Wrasse, Gobies and Blennies on the breakwater itself. Stingrays, Flathead and Flounder can be seen out on the sands, while Pipefish and Goatfish are amoungst the seagrass.
Visibility can be really good or bad depending on the surge. Outside the Breakwater wall, is reef, which offers swim throughs, kelp forest, lots of fish and crayfish.
Warrnambool Breakwater Parking
© Google Street View
Location: Viaduct Road, Lady Bay, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280
Parking: There is a large car parking area nearby off Viaduct Road, and at the beginning of the breakwater. Before gearing up check out the water. If you see lots of white water, head on home.
Safety First: The breakwater is just 40 metres south of the Warrnambool Lady Bay Boat Ramp so make sure you tow a dive float with a dive flag for safety. Surge can be quite strong here, so please monitor conditions before entry.
Entry/Exit: Most divers and snorkellers enter and exit via the shore between the breakwater and the boat ramp. Some prefer to use the boat landing on the breakwater. Be very careful of boat traffic as you head out.
Ideal Conditions: Conditions must be calm to dive here. See WillyWeather (Warrnambool Pier) as a guide for the tide times and the height of the tide.
Warrnambool Breakwater History
The Port of Warrnambool was a thriving deep sea port in the 1880s, handling more cargo than the Port of Melbourne. Construction of a breakwater to protect the harbour commenced in 1876. Huge concrete blocks, each weighing 32 tonnes, were transported to the breakwater site by a specially-built broad gauge railway line. The 315 metre long Breakwater Pier and its railway line were designed by eminent British harbour engineer Sir John Coode. When completed in 1890, it was one of Victoria's most substantial structures.
Crayfish Dive Site | © Ian Scholey
Divers have the opportunity to catch Southern Rock Lobster (aka Crayfish) at this dive site. Remember your catch bag, current Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence, rock lobster measure, and cray tags. Once you get back to the dive boat, or shore, make sure you clip the tail and tag your Crayfish as per Fisheries requirements. Please abide by all current fishing regulations if you intend to catch crays. See article-catching-crayfish for practical cray hunting advice from The Scuba Doctor, plus melbourne-cray-dives for a list of other crayfish dive sites near Melbourne. For tips on cooking your Crays, please see article-cooking-crayfish.
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Eastern Maar country
Traditional Owners — This dive site is in the traditional Country of the Eastern Maar people of south-western Victoria between the Shaw and Eumerella Rivers and from Yambuk in the south to beyond Lake Linlithgow in the north. This truly ancient Country extends as far north as Ararat and encompasses the coastal townships of Port Fairy in the west, Warrnambool, Peterborough, Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, Lorne, and Airies Inlet in the east, including the Great Ocean Road area. It also stretches 100 metres out to sea from low tide and therefore includes the iconic Twelve Apostles. "Eastern Maar" is a name adopted by the people who identify as Maar, Eastern Gunditjmara, Tjap Wurrung, Peek Whurrong, Kirrae Whurrung, Kuurn Kopan Noot and/or Yarro waetch (Tooram Tribe) amongst others. We wish to acknowledge the Eastern Maar as Traditional Owners. We pay respect to their Ancestors and their Elders, past, present and emerging.
Warrnambool Breakwater Inside Location Map
Latitude: 38° 24.143′ S (38.402384° S / 38° 24′ 8.58″ S)
Longitude: 142° 28.565′ E (142.476082° E / 142° 28′ 33.9″ E)
Datum: WGS84 |
Google Map
| Get directions
Added: 2021-06-08 19:08:07 GMT, Last updated: 2022-05-24 05:52:35 GMT
Source: Google Earth
Nearest Neighbour: Old Aquarium, 151 m, bearing 190°, S
Lady Bay, Shipwreck Coast.
Depth: 3 to 9 m.
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DISCLAIMER: No claim is made by The Scuba Doctor as to the accuracy of the dive site coordinates listed here. Should anyone decide to use these GPS marks to locate and dive on a site, they do so entirely at their own risk. Always verify against other sources.
The marks come from numerous sources including commercial operators, independent dive clubs, reference works, and active divers. Some are known to be accurate, while others may not be. Some GPS marks may even have come from maps using the AGD66 datum, and thus may need be converted to the WGS84 datum. To distinguish between the possible accuracy of the dive site marks, we've tried to give each mark a source of GPS, Google Earth, or unknown.
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