Global Dive Team - Dr. Richard Harris

Dr. Richard Harris (Harry)

Location: Adelaide, South Australia

Occupation: Anaesthetist

Scuba Diving Since: 1979

Favorite Local Dive: Kilsby's Sinkhole, South Australia

Favorite Dive Location: The Crystal Caves, Abaco, Bahamas

Richard Harris

An Interview with Dr. Richard Harris

Why did you decide to take the giant stride into the oceans?

I can’t remember not being in the ocean to be honest! Snorkeling and spearfishing was something I was into as soon as I could fashion my own hand spear out of a broom stick and a metal trident spear head nailed to the end. But as a boy of about 12, I recall family friends talking about SCUBA diving. One of them owned a hookah, another owned a dive shop in Adelaide. I begged for a try of the hookah and that was it, I was desperate to do my dive course as soon as I was allowed. In 1979 I was 15 years old and the dive shop finally said yes.

How has diving changed your life?

My life since that time has revolved around every aspect of the sport. I bought my first camera very early on and developed my own black and white images in a home-made darkroom (dad’s cellar). I became a dive instructor at the University dive club, did some inshore commercial diving during summer holidays, and started visiting the Mt Gambier caves in 1986. It is more than a sport for me, it is a large part of who I am.

Richard Harris

What kind of diving do you like to do?

Cave exploration is without question my passion, but honestly, I am still excited every single time I put my head underwater and I really don’t care what kind of diving I am doing. Even taking my nieces and nephews for a try dive in the swimming pool is a buzz!

Tell us about one of the most amazing experiences you have had underwater?

In 2004 I moved to Vanuatu for two years with my family. I spent a lot of time on the island of Espiritu Santo where the wreck of the SS Coolidge is found. I planned a dive with two good mates to inspect and photograph the stern of the ship where divers had recently noted the massive letters spelling out the ship’s name. Over two dives, we scrubbed the letters and then photographed the name at about 65m depth. One of my images became an iconic photo that has been widely used in promoting tourism for the dive destination. I am hugely proud of the image and the wonderful memory of that dive with great friends.

Where are some of your favorite places underwater?

The stunning caves of the Australian Nullarbor Plain are hard to beat. Massive white limestone tunnels with gin clear blue tunnels that stretch for many kilometers. The abyssal reef walls of the remote Indian Ocean outpost of Christmas Island. And the beautiful reefs and biodiversity of Papua New Guinea.

What is your advice to someone considering diving?

It’s not for everyone but honestly, even just doing a resort dive in the tropics as a once off experience is something you will always treasure. And who knows, it might just be a life changing event like it was for me.

What would you tell people about the oceans?

When you gaze out onto the enormity of the ocean, there is the temptation to think that its very vastness is enough to protect it. But when you dive on a remote coral reef that has probably never been visited by another human and you find plastic waste, you realise there is no corner of this planet that remains unaffected. The ocean is a massive physicochemical buffer against human pollution, waste and overuse. But it is incredibly close to the tipping point from where there may be no return.

Richard Harris

What does diving mean to you?

Everything. Life without diving is hard to imagine. It is my sport, it is part of my work and it helps define who I am. It keeps me sane and it gives me things in the shed to tinker with!

What's your favorite thing in your dive bag?

Scubapro regulators have been my go to for the 40 plus years I have been diving. But currently my favorite bit of kit is the Scubapro 200m Expedition Primary Reel. It beautifully made, works really smoothly and let’s face it, the goal of every cave dive is to come home with an empty reel!