Navigation
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.
Phillip Island Wreck Dives
Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia, has some awesome wreck dive sites for you to explore.
Coramba |  Wreck Dive |  Boat access |
   | ||
| Latitude: 38° 32.116′ S (38.535267° S / 38° 32′ 6.96″ S) Longitude: 145° 8.800′ E (145.146667° E / 145° 8′ 48″ E) | ||
| Datum: WGS84 | Google Map | |
| Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2022-04-27 00:42:09 GMT Source: GPS | ||
| Nearest Neighbour: Phelan Bluff, 2,284 m, bearing 6°, N | ||
| Twin Screw Steamer, 531 ton. Built: Ayrshire, Scotland, 1911. Launched: 15 August 1911. Sunk: 30 November 1934. Depth: 66 m. | ||
| See the Coramba dive site page | ||
George Kermode | Wreck Dive | Boat access |
 | ||
| Latitude: 38° 31.230′ S (38.5205° S / 38° 31′ 13.8″ S) Longitude: 145° 14.687′ E (145.244783° E / 145° 14′ 41.22″ E) | ||
| Datum: WGS84 | Google Map | |
| Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2022-04-29 06:05:14 GMT Source: GPS (verified) | ||
| Nearest Neighbour: Cunningham Bay, 1,442 m, bearing 342°, NNW | ||
| Twin Screw Steam Bucket Dredge. Built: Scotland, 1914. Sunk: 1 April 1976. Phillip Island, Bass Strait. Depth: 12 to 20 m. | ||
| See the George Kermode dive site page | ||
Minah | Wreck Dive | Boat access |
 | ||
| Latitude: 38° 28.710′ S (38.4785° S / 38° 28′ 42.6″ S) Longitude: 145° 19.210′ E (145.320167° E / 145° 19′ 12.6″ E) | ||
| Datum: WGS84 | Google Map | |
| Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2022-05-09 20:33:00 GMT Source: GPS | ||
| Nearest Neighbour: Surfies Point, 4,778 m, bearing 224°, SW | ||
| Iron Twin Screw Steam Tug. Built: 1900. Sunk: 1950. Rhyl, Western Port. Depth: 1 m. | ||
| See the Minah dive site page | ||
Vixen | Wreck Dive | Boat access |
| | ||
| Latitude: 38° 26.700′ S (38.445° S / 38° 26′ 42″ S) Longitude: 145° 14.100′ E (145.235° E / 145° 14′ 6″ E) | ||
| Datum: WGS84 | Google Map | |
| Added: 2019-04-26 01:58:19 GMT, Last updated: 2022-05-16 00:17:03 GMT Source: Australasian Underwater Cultural Heritage Database (approximate location only) | ||
| Nearest Neighbour: Cowes Jetty, 454 m, bearing 107°, ESE | ||
| Twin Screw Steam Launch. Built: 1886, Lavender Bay, Sydney. Sunk: 20 July 1917. Cowes, Phillip Island, Western Port. Depth: 18 m. | ||
| See the Vixen dive site page | ||
[ Top ]
Heritage Warning: Any shipwreck or shipwreck relic that is 75 years or older is protected by legislation. Other items of maritime heritage 75 years or older are also protected by legislation. Activities such as digging for bottles, coins or other artefacts that involve the disturbance of archaeological sites may be in breach of the legislation, and penalties may apply. The legislation requires the mandatory reporting to Heritage Victoria as soon as practicable of any archaeological site that is identified. See Maritime heritage. Anyone with information about looting or stolen artefacts should call Heritage Victoria on (03) 7022 6390, or send an email to heritage.victoria@delwp.vic.gov.au.
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, e.g. GPS, Google Earth, or unknown.
If you don't understand the differences between the different ways coordinates are given, plus how different datum come into play, you might find the article GPS Conversions by Lloyd Borrett a useful read. It describes the problems associated with locating dive sites using a GPS receiver.
Scuba Doctor Dive Map KML File
In the true spirit of making it easy to obtain, utilise and share the information for non-commercial purposes, you can now Download/view the Scuba Doctor Dive Map GPS Marks (KML file | 427.19 KB | 24-May-2022) in the Keyhole Markup Language (KML) file format used to display geographic data in an Earth browser such as Google Earth or Google Maps.
Some marine GPS units can import the information from a KML file. For others you can use use a file translate program (e.g. GPSBabel) to convert the KML file into an import file format (e.g. GPX) supported by your GPS unit.
Please Help Us To Correct GPS Marks and Add More Melbourne Dive Sites
If you have have information about other dive sites you'd be happy to see added to the information available here, or any corrections and/or updates to the diving site GPS marks listed here, please feel free to Contact Us. See also, Dive Site Help.
Copyright in photographs and other materials used here remains with their artists and authors. We are happy to acknowledge appropriate copyrights should they be made known to us.
![Halcyon Infinity 30lb System [SS Small Backplate]](/diveshop/images/halcyon/Halcyon-Evolve-Wing.jpg "Halcyon Infinity 30lb System [SS Small Backplate]")
Copyright © 2005-2022 by The Scuba Doctor Australia, ABN 88 116 755 170. All rights reserved.
tel. +61 3 5985 1700 :: email. diveshop@scubadoctor.com.au :: Web site by it'sTechnical 2022