A GROUP of Essex divers have become the first people to reach the depths of four British mountain lakes in just two days.
The team of 13, which included walkers, first-aiders, drivers and divers, embarked on the two day mission in aid of Help for Heroes after they saw TV presenter and explorer Monty Halls complete a similar venture involving three British lakes.
Dave Chapman-Young, 50, an IT consultant from Chelmsford, said: "We saw Monty do that and we thought we could do one better. It was a real adventure."
With a target of 48 hours, the group completed the whole trip in 47 hours, 29 minutes, setting off with a 1558ft hike to lake Lough Atona in Northern Ireland on October 6.
And with a 50-60km hike in between each lake, with full dive gear carried only by the diver, the trip was not without its injuries.
"We had a couple of casualties," said Dave. "One of the guys badly hurt his knee on the first climb. When the ambulance came to get him we followed it to A&E and we had a rescue Land Rover with us."
But with the clock ticking away, the group could not waste any time waiting around in hospital.
The father-of-three added: "Two of the guys had to kidnap him from the hospital and it was blue lights and sirens in the rescue car all the way to the ferry - we had two-and-a-half minutes to spare before the ferry was leaving."
From Ireland, the members who all dive at the Orca Scuba Diving Academy in Basildon, went to Loch Coire An Lochan in Scotland, which sits at an altitude of 3268ft.
"Then, one of our guys went backwards wearing his 30kg back sack and dislocated his shoulder," said Dave. "It was extremely arduous."
The next trek involved a night dive in Cumbria, and the fourth was in Ffynnon Lloer, Wales at an altitude of 2133ft.
"The diving itself was hilarious," said Dave. "Some of the lakes were not more than five-feet deep so we barely had any water above us, and in Ireland we had a visibility of about two inches."
Of the group who took part in the adventure, only two divers managed to complete all four dives.
"Some of us prepared more than others," said Dave. "But it was a big shock to everybody really. Some more than others didn't realise what a mammoth challenge it was.
October 6.
"I think I surprised myself how fit I am for my age but I got through it purely by force of will."
While the trip required a significant amount of team work, it was not without its competitive edge.
Dave's main rival was Ian Sivyer, a major in the Territorial Army, and someone he was determined to keep up with.
"There was no way I was going to let him be the only one to finish all four," said Dave. "But I have told people if I ever suggest anything like this again, to shoot me."
