Diving Cold War Relic

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Scuba Diving using a Russian Cold War relic

Scuba Diving using a Russian Cold War relic Written by Polina Reznikov Tuesday, 29 December 2009 16:59

Tags: Polina Reznikov

DiverWire contributing writer Polina Reznikov writes about her recent experience diving a historic Russian military DPV - the Protei-5.

The cold water swooshes past my face and I try to curtail my grimace, which is causing water to enter my mouth. The exhilaration was overwhelming. My body was trembling with both, excitement and trepidation.

My heartbeat is thumping in my throat, and I feel as if I’m flying. I bank left, level out, then bank a right. I dive down under the platform where open-water students are completing their check-out dives. Flying under the platform and punching through an opening between two platforms I emerge to the bewildered looks on divers’ faces. This is not your typical DPV (Dive Propulsion Vehicle). This rugged behemoth of a machine is capable of withstanding atmospheric pressures suitable for a submarine. Its motor is not the least bit quiet. I land on a platform, dismount by prying myself out of the unit, dump some air and lay the DPV down. Time to recompose myself and prepare for the next flight.

The Russian military produced some incredible dive gear during the Cold War, one of which is Protei-5 DPV, whose purpose was to conduct reconnaissance missions. The Protei-5 was strapped to the exterior of fleet submarines waiting to be deployed. A Naval Red Seal or “frogman” would airlock-out of the submarine, unhitch the Protei-5, mount the DPV, complete his mission and return to the mother sub.

The Protei-5 was produced by the Soviets around 1970. Only two of these units are known to make their way out of the former Soviet Union and into United States. Currently, only one is operational. The Protei-5 I was riding was meticulously restored by my dive partner, who acquired it through various sources, repainted, rewired, trimmed, and had a stainless steel handle bar mounted in the front for ease of steering and instrument mounting. The body is aluminum, with an 8 inch diameter 4-blade propeller.

A typical recreational DPV or "scooter" weighs around 50 lbs and is about 2 feet in length. At almost 6 feet in length, the Russian scooter’s land weight is 175lbs. Running on two non-sealed lead acid batteries, Protei-5 retains power for over three hours.

The motor and propeller sit above the diver’s profile. The spring loaded shoulder clamps and a curved crotch bar extending over the tailbone make you one with the DPV and allow for easier maneuverability. Steering comes from body-English, as the diver leans their body into the desired direction. With the fins in the propeller’s slip-stream, a subtle adjustment to their position aids in steering.

The Protei-5 was not intended for maneuverability, but rather for distance and speed, which is on par with the modern similar sized DPV. The on/off switch has a locking collar to prevent inadvertent start while deployed. Unlike the modern scooters with a dead-man’s switch, if the rider is knocked unconscious, the Protei-5 will continue to run, with the diver still clamped into the unit.

Mounting the Protei-5 is a carefully executed task. I would lay down on top of the DPV with the hips over the crotch bar. Moving the hinged retaining shoulder brackets forward, I would slide further towards the front, getting my rear under the crotch bar, then release the shoulder brackets to clamp me down onto the DPV. I would carefully rearrange hoses to minimize entanglement, making sure my inflator hose is above the shoulder clamp. I also needed to make sure I could efficiently ditch the DPV, should the need to bail out arise. Getting into this ride-on scooter is easier from the bottom, verses at the surface, or mid water column. I was able to get situated into the unit in the shallows when shore diving, or on a submerged platform or top of an uncluttered wreck. Once situated and my buoyancy is adjusted, I brace myself for the switch flip to launch the scooter.

Nothing really prepares you for the first ride on the Protei-5. There is no way to practice in slower speeds, of which there are only two – start and stop. Knowing that this scooter has a high torque and thrust, I prepare myself for the launch. The first ‘practice’ ride is no practice ride at all. Once the ‘on’ switch is flipped, you’re off and running. I flip the switch, and hold on for dear life.

I have only been a certified SCUBA diver for a few years but have been fortunate enough to experience a multitude of unique dive environments in exotic destinations throughout the world. My unique dive experiences include caves, shark tooth filled rivers and even icebergs. However, all of my recent dive experiences do not compare in uniqueness to my first ride on the Protei-5. Not only is the Russian scooter extremely rare, but how often do you get a chance to ride a decommissioned underwater military vehicle.

After my first ride on the Protei-5, more amazing flights followed throughout the dive season. Everyday on the scooter, I practically had to be dragged out of the water because I was having way too much fun. Although my flights on the DPV were joy rides, the dives nonetheless had to be taken seriously. There were a number of concerns when riding the scooter that I had to address right away. Due to the faster than normal descent rate, I needed to clear my ears quicker, work my hand to the dry-suit inflator valve (which was pressed against the DPV) and steer at the same time. I also had to be keenly aware of my ascent rate. As the dive season progressed, I became proficient at riding the Protei-5 and was soon trying out various maneuvers, such as cork-screws and barrel rolls, which had to be done at depth to minimize the risk of lung expansion. I also attached a stage bottle to the side of the scooter to maximize my bottom time, even though I was diving steel doubles. This scooter was perfectly capable of towing a crate with over 100lbs of photo gear attached to a lift bag AND another diver holding onto a buddy line one meter behind the prop.

Whether soaring over a wreck, or carefully gliding through the belly of a sunken helicopter, my every moment on the Protei-5 was purely magical.

Related Feature Stories: First impressions can be deceiving About Polina Reznikov:

Polina Reznikov is a twenty-year veteran of topside photography, and an avid adventure traveler and scuba diver, underwater photographer and travel writer. Her work has been published in newspapers, magazines and online media around the globe. Polina splits her time between pursuing underwater exploration, capturing the perfect image above and below the waterline, and promoting ocean conservation. Her diving and photographic interests include wrecks, caves, warm water reefs, extreme diving, and cold-water environments. Polina models as a diver for publications and manufacturers’ marketing media.

Polina also serves as President of the NYC Sea Gypsies and Events Director for Oceanblue Divers, the two largest scuba diving clubs in the NY area. For more of Polina's work, visit her website at http://www.PolinaReznikov.com