Divers should have at least an open-water qualification and experience before attempting to dive on the Rainbow Warrior wreck, diving operators say. The former Greenpeace vessel, sunk near Matauri Bay, has been the site of two serious incidents this month. On February 10, a 53-year-old English tourist died after she was pulledunconscious from the water after a dive there. The woman, an advanced diver, had been scuba diving with about 10 people on an organised dive tour. It was possible her death may have resulted from a medical-related condition. Last weekend, a 27-year-old Auckland man - believed to be an inexperienced diver - also surfaced unconscious from a dive and was flown to Devonport Naval Hospital for decompression. The man is recovering in Auckland Hospital's critical care unit. Mike Edkins, of Dive North, which runs charters to the Rainbow Warrior wreck, said the dive was suitable for qualified open-water divers. However, if they had little experience, had not dived for a while, or were used to diving in warmer water, his company usually took them for a dive in the bay to monitor their skill the day before diving to the wreck. "The Warrior is actually a relatively easy dive. It's not difficult. "It's probably a little bit deeper than your normal 18-metre recommended dive for open-water divers." The wreck sits on a depth of 25 metres, depending on the tide, with the average depth of their chartered dives at 17 to 21 metres, he said. Mr Edkins said he understood that the man injured last weekend was a private diver who was diving alone, with a partner on the boat above. "In general, I'd say go with a charter because we dive it every day, we know it and it is a very controlled dive done with a master diver or dive instructor. "If you do want to dive it outside a charter, dive with a buddy because if something happens you've got someone there to help you." Both Dive HQ and Dive Connection in Whangarei recommended divers should be at least at advanced open-water level - qualified to dive up to 30 metres - before attempting the Rainbow Warrior experience.
