Lady Luck Wreck Dive on Closed Circuit Rebreathers (From Bottom to Top, Inside and Out)!

So many of you have been asking me to record a wreck dive in full. Well today, off the coast of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the conditions were perfect! So I did!
Dive specs:
Lady Luck Wreck (former casino ship).
140 feet max depth
Total dive time 114 minutes
Average depth 79 feet
Average water temp 76F
Max total time to surface 45 minutes including deco.
Dive lead by Raymond of Wonderlost Scuba.
Filmed by Woody entirely on my iPhone 14 pro max using OrcaTorch lights and a DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max case (not too bad for a amateur photographer like myself).
Woody was on Kiss Spirit Rebreather.
Raymond was on a Prism Hollis Rebreather.
Current was about 2.5 knots South to North (it was ripping on the way down so we absolutely did NOT let go of the down line).
We went through every deck, engine room, bridge, bathrooms, kitchen, hallways, exterior decks, to the props, saw bull Sharks, Barracudas and MUCH more.
This almost a two hour dive condensed down here to about a 25 minute video.
Thank you Raymond for leading me on a wonderful closed circuit rebreather dive on a perfect, warm, sunny day here in the amazing Gulf Stream of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
P.S. Gus and I just happened to both be diving today but in different places because I’m just working in South Florida right now. He had a pretty epic and special dive today as well which he will show you all also. Stay tuned! He and I will be back filming together as usual in a few weeks. Can’t wait!
As a reminder, this wreck, (former gambling casino ship), was sunk on purpose. The City of Ft. Lauderdale purchased it (among many others the city has bought and sank), to sink it so it could become a marine life sanctuary habitat (which it absolutely has done).

[@RaymondFosdick-m5x]

So to clear up a few items that have been brought up in the comments. Planned Dive: 120ft on the Lady Luck. Equipment Prism 2 w BOV, 3L 100% O2, 3L AIR both at 3500psi, 40cuFt 43% GF 55/85 Now this is a dive I have made countless times and I have an extreme familiarity with all parts of the wreck, including the hazards that can arise. I was tasked with taking the chain and line down for the recreational divers to use that would be making a double dip on the wreck while I took Woody on his tour through the wreck. Now my gas planning is different than most due to the fact that I know what I will consume in most circumstances (yes, even during failures). And like most of you I can back through these videos and definitely make a few comments to myself about how I could have done things better. Let’s face it though, I rarely have a camera following me around where I get to see what I look like at any given point during the dive. So let’s address those right quick. Yup, when I got my light out of my pouch and and rescued it, one of the bolt snaps didn’t make it back fully on and obviously came disconnected. The LPI for my BCD became dislodged from the bungee at some point, I didn’t notice this till I Woody put his light on me at one point in time during the dive and I saw the shadow of it, I reach up and resecured it. As far as the deco bottle hanging a little low and out of trim, this leads to being in a dive shop where nothing is yours. Woody and I even commented on this after the dive. Gas planning: Running the dive through multiple software models, I still come up with enough gas to make it back. Some of the scenarios would have been a little tight (and that will be taken into consideration in future planning). So let’s look at a few of the actual numbers. Since I took the line down, I spent the 1st 15 mins of the dive sitting at 90 ft waiting on the divers to meet me at the wreck. This would have been a time of super low SAC rate. From there we descended down and over the next 55 mins our average depth was 120ft. We had a drop down to 140ft, that lasted a total of 6 mins. (Remember, it is only 134ft to the sand around the Lady Luck). At no time through out the wreck is there not an exit point just a few feet away. Due to the high current flow around and through this wreck, even a full silt out, will be a temporary situation. I have been to every point on this wreck multiple times and do not need a line when navigating it, even with 0 viz. However I still had 3 lines with me as a just in case. So after the dive I returned to the surface with 1500psi in both of my on-board cylinders, and an untouched bailout. I know the objective of Dive Talk and WonderLost is to create great divers that help other fall in love with this sport and promote the love of this sport. I appreciate those of you that point out areas of improvement, because no matter what level of diver you have been certed to you can always learn and become better. So go out there and be the best that you can be.

[@DIVETALK]

Raymond sent me this also (his gas plan): DISCLAIMER / WARNING: THIS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BUHLMANN ALGORITHM AND A DIVE PLANNER IMPLEMENTATION BASED ON THAT HAS RECEIVED ONLY A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TESTING. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND NOT TO PLAN DIVES SIMPLY BASED ON THE RESULTS GIVEN HERE. Subsurface (5.0.8.0) dive plan created on 3/13/23 Runtime: 150min, Stop times: + 1:54 /ft + 1:20 /min depth ➘ 114ft 1min ➙ 114ft 70min - 114ft 2min ➚ 40ft 3min - 40ft 6min ➚ 30ft 0min - 30ft 11min ➚ 20ft 0min - 20ft 56min ➚ 0ft 1min 1min 71min 73min 76min 82min 82min 93min 93min 149min 150min duration runtime gas air (SP = 1.3bar CCR) air Open circuit EAN40 1 CNS: 35% OTU: 100 Deco model: Bühlmann ZHL-16C with GFLow = 55% and GFHigh = 85% ATM pressure: 1,013mbar (0ft) Gas consumption (CCR legs excluded): 5cuft of air (5cuft during planned ascent) 38cuft/2,794psi of EAN40 (38cuft/2,854psi in planned ascent)

[@oioionionone]

It's a fact that hindsight is always 20/20 and its easy to criticise from the comfort of a computer chair, I have been guilty myself

[@HuckleberryMoon]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for NOT putting music in the video. Perfect dive video.

[@shawnmurray1856]

Thanks! Appreciate you guys sharing so openly and being critical of yourselves. Diving is an endless learning experience and we learn from others as much as from ourselves.

[@unnaturalselection8330]

I could watch Woody and Gus explore a swimming pool.

[@JackH3757]

It would be funny to seem them make an overly dramatic pool dive, complete with imperative deco time. Shakey camera, the works. I guess like training, but funnier. I bet they can't.

[@DIVETALK]

@@JackH3757 I like this idea. Hmmmm Lol Woody

[@TheHappyhorus]

There wouldn't be any commentary, you would both mysteriously silent and giggly 😅

[@sammoyers905]

It sounded like you had a lot of boat traffic during the dive. Looks like you had a good time. Keep them coming, Woody... 🙂

[@DIVETALK]

Yes tons of boat traffic out today. Amazing how the sound travels and is so loud even at over 100 feet down.

[@fishon626]

I dove this wreck twice as part of my advanced open water certification. It was so awesome! Watching this gives me nostalgia. I need to go back!

[@JeanClaude00]

Wow! 🙀 It was really cool seeing all the sea life. It seemed like you guys had a great time 🐠

[@Wehndigo]

hey woody, gus! I been binging your videos the past month and am fascinated by shipwrecks. the uncanny nature of seeing manmade object fail to the conditions of the sea! I know the lady luck was sunk on purpose but love shipwreck dive content! maybe someday i'll work the courage to face my fear and take a dive class. I love your channel

[@paulabzn]

These place is so creepy I was looking for ghosts along the video. Great work guys!

[@BRIDGETTWC]

Thanks for uploading this video!

[@pamelanelson36]

That looks like a really cool wreck to dive! Good to see the coral growing.

[@MikeDodds]

Partial pressure of awesomeness…. 100%!!!!

[@Tomtriandoch]

Nicely filmed!

[@tiascot6541]

This wreck has an eerie feel to it despite it being deliberately sunk.

[@DIVETALK]

It’s super awesome.

[@joshsolon3606]

At 9:54 this fish is absolutely bewildered.

[@erikaercsa4936]

It is like a horror movie for me

[@Zamboni-ms5iq]

I love SFDH, Lady Luck is on my list!

[@nestorjla]

Looks like you are diving with the Russian woody in Chernobyl LOL!!! great videos guys keep them coming and also keep in touch with mike cause hi is finding more ando more caves in Cozumel !!!

[@hamsicle]

Thanks for the video guys

[@swd4098]

It almost looks like this dive was filmed by a crew in the 70s, and its coming from just a phone. Thats nuts!

[@DIVETALK]

It is in fact being filmed from a guy from the 60s. That’s me filming, Woody and I’m 58. 😂 Woody

[@anaionescu4119]

Amazing wreck, nice filming it!

[@brits6952]

I love this wreck!

[@Scubachick73]

This is a fun wreck.. looks like the current is kicking like always on this wreck. A little shocked he wasn’t wearing gloves and was stirring up all the sediment.

[@DIVETALK]

Yep agree. He did bring gloves though to use as needed. Woody

[@JadedBelle]

Very cool area!

[@Zombytes]

Its crazy that there were people that actually knew what every single one of those valves and knobs did ha. Ships look pretty complicated to operate ha.

[@Zombytes]

And MAN those engines were HUGE ha

[@felixcat9318]

I too thought that when I saw the bank of valves!

[@peezdoc]

Woody blew right by that cool looking coral at 9:22!! What was that stuff? It was pretty cool looking. Kinda looked like Fruity Pebbles cereal!! Haha

[@DIVETALK]

Yeah I didn’t blow right by it but I could only film so much. But yes it was cool. Woody

[@RDSwords]

Woody has two priorities when diving: have conversations with alien cephalopods, and keep moving fast enough that Gus can't stay tangled up in his feet lol.

[@zach7j]

Fancy suits space bois 👽

[@YukonSeanHolland]

I saw you study that Lion Fish! I was waiting for the hidden sling!

[@NoalFarstrider]

This instantly gives me anxiety even though I know nothing bad happens...

[@basebilljr07]

Im from NJ but I have a condo in Hollywood FL right on US 1 only 10 mins from Ft Lauderdale Airport and I want to get my open water certification next time I'm down there. Are there any dive shops in the area you could recommend? I started to get my certification here in NJ about a year ago but I had a really bad experience with a terrible instructor so I dropped out of the class. It was 55 degrees outside and the instructor wanted us to get in a outdoor pool at his friend's house that was green from Algae and freezing cold without any wetsuit.

[@DIVETALK]

I love the Hollywood Broadwalk!

[@shawnmurray1856]

Nice dive and footage, what are you using for diluent for a dive to 140'?

[@DIVETALK]

Air (21%) and 50% for extra bailout if needed (to be used at 70 feet and above only of course).

[@AbbieTheStarWarsStory]

The vis looks bad was it if you don’t mind me asking. It looks like it was a good time you guys are the best. Hope you guys have a great day. Love you guys. ❤❤❤

[@DIVETALK]

The vis was actually amazing.

[@shannonscully705]

OK, so you are doubling down by showing us a dive plan & gas plan that clearly show that a 40 full of 40% & 1 3L bottle of onboard air is not enough. I crunched an easy number that is included in the plan: 20 feet for 56 minutes - not including the 40 & 30 foot stop. At a SAC rate of 0.42 he would use the entire bottle. OK, so let's say he does have an even lower SAC rate than that (which I highly doubt, but whatever). He is still coming dangerously close to running out of gas. Additionally he states he has enough gas even "during a failure." Nobody's SAC rate is going to be 0.42 or lower if they are in distress. And I know that you know that this is dangerous. You are a normoxic instructor - how can you double down on somebody that is clearly not calculating his gas correctly. You can no longer say "how can you judge, you don't know his GF, SAC rate, his unit, etc." because you have now shown the numbers and proven that this is dangerous. Additionally - you dive with a BOV as well. You know that regardless of the unit, the gas laws regarding consuming your onboard gas through a BOV are going to be the same. The point I am making is this: Whether you like it or not, people are looking to you for advice. You guys have a popular channel and are both experienced technical divers & instructors. Showing somebody engaging in dangerous dive practices without addressing it as such (not to mention doubling down on it) is very questionable. Sure, definitely promote everyone getting out there and having a good time. But you also should consider safety. This is a video of unsafe behaviour.

[@DIVETALK]

Agree! His gas planning was absolutely not sufficient and I have since told him that he must always bring enough gas to get 1.5 divers to the surface, which I did with my gas. Not doubling down. Sharing for all to see and he absolutely cut it way too close and I would never plan my gas that close. Now your comment is VERY valid! I’ve discussed this with him as well. In fact during the dive I gave him the up signal to end it as I was not comfortable continuing with the TTS any further. But now it’s facts. Before he just told me he had sufficient gas for the dive he was leading. I asked him to supply this today to prove it. Your point is now very valid. His plan of 20 feet for 56 minutes is odd as we were at 20 feet for less then half that time. I told him at the beginning of the dive that in no event did I want TTS to exceed 45 minutes and it certainly never did. That I told him the day before when I emailed him my plan. He agreed to dive my plan and when I gave him the up signal he gave the ok without hesitation as he should. Not sure why he planned for 20 feet for 56 minutes. Perhaps that was to show what he could do he if had to. I’ll ask him though since the plan on my part was in no event would I exceed for my plan 45 minutes TTS. Woody

[@DIVETALK]

Here is the plan I ran on ideco pro. I used a 1.0 sac rate for my plan and my normal sac rate is MUCH lower then this but I assumed an emergency. I was carrying a 40 cubic foot of air filled to 3500 and a 40 cubic foot of 50% filled to 3500. Dive #1 Dive: 140ft for 10 [ 10 ] on Air - 1.30 Dive: 110ft for 30 [ 40 ] on Air - 1.30 Dive: 90ft for 50 [ 90 ] on Air - 1.30 Asc.: 60ft for 1 [ 91 ] on Air - 1.30 Deco: 30ft for 5 [ 96 ] on Air - 1.30 Deco: 20ft for 28 [ 124 ] on Air - 1.30 Dive #1 - Bailout Dive: 140ft for 5 [ 5 ] on Air - 1.30 Dive: 140ft for 5 [ 10 ] on Air Asc.: 110ft for 1 [ 11 ] on Air Asc.: 80ft for 1 [ 12 ] on Air Asc.: 50ft for 1 [ 13 ] on EAN50 Deco: 30ft for 1 [ 14 ] on EAN50 Deco: 20ft for 3 [ 17 ] on EAN50 Gas Consumption: Air 34.0 cuft EAN50 9.2 cuft This is using a gradient factor of 40/70.

[@J24777]

Could you guys dive the Titanic if you were able to go? Plus is that to deep for Divers to actually get to dive in the Titanic? I am not a Diver so, I don't know about that. This video had me Wondering about the Titanic.

[@DIVETALK]

Too deep

[@mustanggun]

Lady Luck is a fun dive.

[@DIVETALK]

Especially on rebreathers.

[@johnsullivan3909]

Dove it several times with SFDH fun dive. 😢

[@kevennoel2310]

Look like a Christmas tree with all the gear everywhere and the first stage of the O2 bottle kicking everywhere 🤦

[@DIVETALK]

Yeah his needed some tidying up for sure but not my place to say as I never dove with him before and I don’t dive that rebreather. But I did mention it to him after.

[@sandygrogg1203]

❤❤

[@grizzlycmmg9578]

I was so close to being on the West Coast of FL over this weekend! my Girlfriend and I we're debating on whether to head to the West Coast for a little get-away because we were in some desperate need of a dip in the Ocean, she isn't a very strong swimmer so we chose to not go to Daytona due to the Rip Advisories, instead we decided to head north on the East Coast instead and actually managed to find a little tucked away beach 'cove' it was pretty beautiful, but not as gorgeous as Lauderdale or Daytona, but very nice nonetheless and it was one of the only beaches left that was closer to us that isn't affected by the bloom happening on the East Coast, unfortunately the visibility was zero and it had a lot of fishermen so I couldn't do a Freedive, but it was a good time regardless. Amazing video guys, hopefully one day I'll be doing some stuff like this with some friends of mine, I have two friends who are master divers and they really want to help me get my foot in the door with SCUBA, I can't thank you guys enough for being apart of the reason I'm so in love with Diving, I've met some cool people who share the same sentiments!

[@Dave-22]

Yessir

[@markdolphin1446]

wow woody, you wouldnt possibly go on a cave dive with this guy would you.I was amazed to see his technique inside the wreck! A scooter would have made better viz than his finning. I know you and gus could improve him with a little effort ,I hope he can take some constructive criticism !

[@220819908472]

No gloves in rousty wreck where touching seems required? Dangling bags? Dangling inflator house? Dangling spg? A lot of flutter kicking? No line? Not required I guess. No helmet? Hand held light? Your other videos in caves put so much focus on safety, kicks, no silt, streamline equipment, etc... don't mean it negative, just help me understand if this is good practice and I am misunderstanding?🤔

[@DIVETALK]

There was no penetration so definitely no line needed. But yes this is first time I dove with him and he needed some work for sure. But I was just a guest filming. :)

[@DIVETALK]

We both brought gloves and had them in our pockets for when needed.

[@ladyyuna2000]

It breaks my heart to see these beautiful ships at the bottom of the ocean and to everyone who lost their lives on them may they all rest in peace and my prayers go out to them and their families.

[@DIVETALK]

This was suck on purpose. The city bought it and sunk it to make it a marine life habitat.

[@Officedoors]

the lady luck was decomissioned and was a controlled sink in a shipwreck park

[@cflin4637]

Ugh jeez haha

[@ladyyuna2000]

@@DIVETALK I meant the ships that were sunken and not on purpose.

[@FrAnC3sCoN123]

was not expecting to read that this was filmed on an Iphone 14 i expect that thats what was used. what kind of case did you use?

[@DIVETALK]

The case is in the video description details also. It’s the DiveVolk SeaTouch4 Max case. They are fantastic! Woody

[@FrAnC3sCoN123]

@@DIVETALK oh ok, i must have skimmed past that. thanks!

[@monitorlizard9971]

Whatchya guys doin

[@ianhernandez6485]

Where there be anyway for you and Gus to go on a dive in eagles nest? I know I’ve watched videos on you guys covering eagles nest through reaction videos, and what catches my interest is wanting to see the ball room where it all opens up to a dark abyss.

[@DIVETALK]

We have done EN together but we should do it again and record it this time.

[@felixcat9318]

The irony of a surface vessel named 'Lady Luck' sitting on the seabed...

[@DIVETALK]

The city of Ft. Lauderdale bought it and sunk it to make it a marine life sanctuary and habitat. It certainly has become that! :)

[@felixcat9318]

@@DIVETALK Its good to know that all of the contaminants would have been removed prior to her being scuttled.

[@elenamerino5473]

#1

[@timmy2015]

:D

[@shannonscully705]

Guy ahead of you is not carrying enough bailout. I mean, ultimately it’s their choice, but as an instructor I would think you’d want to address that in a posted video?

[@DIVETALK]

Untrue

[@shannonscully705]

@@DIVETALK untrue that a 40 is not enough? I saw you mention he also has onboard gas - but that doesn’t change how much bailout he would need. Or did he drop his 50%/O2 near the line?

[@DIVETALK]

@@shannonscully705 it was discussed with him. I’m not an instructor on his unit nor certified on his unit. I absolutely did discuss this with him and asked him if he had made his own gas calculations and he stated that the amount of gas he has onboard and off board was sufficient for this dive for his bailout needs. His 40 was 40% he told me plus he said with that and his onboard gas, with an average depth of 75 feet he had ample gas for his bailout needs. For me I was of course carrying two tanks, an air Bailout on my left and 50% on my right (each filled to 3400 psi). I sent him my calculations on ideco pro for my bailout numbers because as his invited guest I wanted him to see my calculations. He responded “looks good” when he texted me back after I texted them to him. He then told me he used a different software and said what he was carrying was sufficient for the dive profile he was doing. So being that I’m not certified on his unit, I then discussed emergency procedures with him in terms of bail out procedures on each others unit. We both had BOVs so we discussed what we would do if we had to bailout each other out and emergency surface. But he again told me that with his 40% mix and his onboard gas, for this dive, that he had ample Bailout for himself. So for you to say he didn’t so definitively without being certified on his unit and not knowing the gas mixture he was taking onboard and off board is odd to me. It’s just making assumptions without knowing facts. This isn’t a reaction video. It’s just a video of me diving through this wreck so I’m not addressing his unit and gas needs especially because I’m not certified on his unit. But as I said we certainly did discuss emergency bailout procedures if we had to bailout eachother out as stated. If you had simply stated “Did he have enough gas for himself to Bailout”, which I asked him and he stated yes, I would have stated this answer and conversation we had where he told me he did and the gas mixture and amount he was carrying for his own needs. As I was their invited guest (there were 6 divers in total), I sent him my ideco pro calculations for my unit and gas needs and told him my maximum TTS based on my needs. But now I’m curious, are you certified on his unit perhaps? Just curious because if you aren’t then how would you be able to state if he has enough gas for his bailout needs (and you didn’t even know his mixtures)? Do you know what pO2 he was running? Do you know what Gradient factor he runs? Do you know his sac rate? Do you know his maximum TTS? When Gus and I do react, notice we always ask questions and state if we are making assumptions without having the facts. But I would never just state “he doesn’t have enough bailout” without having the facts. So that’s why I’m asking you these questions as perhaps you have this info for his unit and this dive?

[@shannonscully705]

@@DIVETALK Please see the comment I posted following you guys posting some numbers. That addresses some of these questions. I will answer the rest: No, I am not certified on his unit. But I am do have my CCR deco procedures and OC normoxic trimix. My CCR also has a BOV and bailout planning is going to be the same across any unit (depending on your onboard/offboard options - but I took that in to account with this. He has no off board bottom gas he can plug in to). "I don't even know his mixtures." At the time, no I did not. But he clearly either is not carrying enough deco gas or bottom gas. p02/set point: Doesn't matter GF: based on the stated run time, doesn't really matter. Again, either not enough bottom gas or deco gas. SAC rate: Obviously I didn't. But I have done this dive and have a decent SAC rate and KNOW that I have to carry waaaaaay more bailout. And I was right. Calculating for a SAC rate of less than 0.42, including in distress, is just dangerous. TTS: Again, no. But with a run time of 114 minutes, I can estimate. Maybe you were trying to trip me up with some of those questions? I am coming at this from an educated perspective, as are you. Sure, you have way more experience than I do, but that is why this is concerning. Even someone with my training know this to be dangerous.

[@onearmedwolf6512]

Hey sorry guys i had to let my membership lapse. Having a bit of financial trouble but ill be back signed up within a month or two when i get back to normal.

[@DIVETALK]

We understand and look forward to having you back when ever possible. Woody

[@stevedenruyter4902]

Nice, but I prefer caves ☺️

[@DIVETALK]

Uhhh ok

[@stevedenruyter4902]

@@DIVETALK it’s a personal thing, don’t like salt water 😂 But still awesome video

[@Officedoors]

I dont dive (yet), what is a closed circuit rebreather? I though the whole point of a rebreather is so that it isn't closed circuit.

[@DIVETALK]

Opposite. It’s closed so you are rebreathing your own air and the co2 is scrubbed out and metabolized oxygen added back in.

[@Officedoors]

@@DIVETALK My smooth brain read closed circuit as open circuit, but thanks for the clarification!

[@izzni]

Why are you skip breathing?

[@DIVETALK]

Skip breathing on a rebreather? LOL

[@izzni]

​@@DIVETALKLOL exactly. You can hear it the whole video.

[@DIVETALK]

@@izzni nah

[@DIVETALK]

Did this guy seriously ask this question? Just when I think it can’t get dumber it gets dumber! We are on rebreathers. And even if we weren’t you think you can detect skip breathing? Zero chance you could. But think about your question, and then reread the title of our video.

[@izzni]

​@DIVETALK You can very much skip breath on a rebreather, it's just very poor practice. Turn up the audio and you very much can hear your breathing. You're holding your breath after inhaling before exhaling on at least half your breaths. A random example is at 0:40 in the video: You hold it for something like 6 seconds. You might want to work on breaking that OC habit.

[@artwarentertainment]

I wish you guys did a v/o for this one!🤿❤

[@DIVETALK]

We did