Dive Review of Odyssey Adventures in
Micronesia/Truk

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Odyssey Adventures, Apr, 2010, by Kent Roorda, CO, US ( Reviewer 4 reports). Report 5504.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	The good: The Truk Odyssey is an exceptional and very comfortable boat. The meals were great and there was plenty to eat. The crew was courteous and very helpful. Diving in Truk Lagoon is really a treat; particularly for someone who enjoys wreck diving. Even if a person is not a wreck diver, the beautiful coral and fish life that lives on the wrecks is really something to see and experience. The Odyssey is well equipped for any level of diver. They even provide 108 cubic foot Nitrox tanks which made deeper dives and safety stops much easier and more manageable. One could dive their own profile, and it was up to individuals to follow safe diving practices and procedures. Due to the somewhat deeper depths (around 100'), nitrox is normally mixed at 30%, which seems to work great; giving extended bottom time without loading up on oxygen, or nitrogen. Of concern: Towards the end of the week, divers were given the opportunity to dive on the very large 'San Francisco' wreck. The upper deck of this boat is at -165 feet and things go DOWN from there. During the week, the crew (particularly the Captain) really encouraged everyone to take this dive because it was/is so spectacular. However, NO warnings were made, and there was no discussion regarding the fact that such a depth goes against all Internationally recognized authority[s] recommendations for depth for recreational diving. No discussion was made regarding the increased possibilities of Nitrogen Narcosis, increased risk of DCS, or any other risk associated with diving at a depth of 165+ feet. Last, but far from least, no consideration was made with regards to physical fitness, or even experience of divers who were willing to make the dive. It didn't matter (to the crew) if someone was obesely overweight, if a person was taking anti-depressants or ANY other prescription drug, or if a person had a "Deep Diver" certification or training. Finally, it was the opinion of a number of guests on the boat that the crew (and particularly the Captain) was irresponsible to take recreational divers BELOW 165+ feet without making any of the considerations I indicated above. In fact, it seemed as though the safety and welfare of the divers was less important than 'showing them a good time.' As we all know, diving at such depth[s] violates ALL recommendations and guidelines set forth by ALL major Certification Agencies as well as the U.S. Navy. Likewise, diving at such a depth is set aside for 'Technical Divers' and divers who have received Technical and Deep Diving Certifications. While a standard Recreational diver may be a very good and very experienced diver, all of his/her knowledge and good sense can be diminished or erased due to Nitrogen Narcosis at such depths. Taking recreational divers, or even providing them with the opportunity to go below 130 feet is, in my opinion, irresponsible and dangerous. Before this report was made to Undercurrent, I expressed my concerns to Odyssey Adventures. They told me that they would look into it, but that was the last I heard of them. Therefore, one can only assume that Odyssey's will to provide the best dives outweighs their concern for the safety and welfare of their guests.
Websites	Odyssey Adventures
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Carribbean, Australia, Indonesia, PNG, Malasia, Indonesia,
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	windy	Seas	calm, no currents
Water Temp	82-85°F / 28-29°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	50-60 Ft/ 15-18 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Surprisingly, none.
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish	N/A
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	Great still and video photo ops on this trip. Be aware that you will be going through some relatively tight spaces, so large camera gear could be damaged.

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Dive Review of Odyssey Adventures in Micronesia/Truk

Odyssey Adventures, Apr, 2010,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Odyssey Adventures in
Micronesia/Truk