The MDC Team, Midlands Diving Chamber Staff

Dr Michael Gonevski - Hyperbaric Doctor / Medical Director

Dr Michael Gonevski

Dr Michael Gonevski is the hyperbaric physician at the Midlands Diving Chamber.

Having been diving for over 19 years with kudos such as Scuba Diving Instructor (PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer) his underwater adventures have taken him from the warm waters of the Persian Gulf and the not-so-warm waters of Canada's Great Lakes.

Mike is also a trained Megalodon rebreather diver and a keen fitness advocate. He can regularly be found avidly discussing fitness for diving with his fellow divers.

Dr Michael Gonevski is an HSE approved AMED and a UK Diving Medical Committee (UKDMC) referee.

 

Simon Wilson - Director

Simon WilsonSimon has been involved in the diving industry for over eighteen years and has a background of commercial diving as well as being a qualified recreational Scuba instructor. After spending many years supervising and managing operations at coastal and London-based recompression chambers, Simon is now the Managing Director of both the London and Midlands Diving Chambers; a position he has held since 2004.

Most likely to talk about in chamber:  Diving; DCI &physiology; how he once spent time in the chamber with Miss World.

 

Dathan Hughes AKA Spike - Chamber Supervisor

SpikeSpike's intro to diving was in Horsey Lake, December 1979 in a Royal Navy neck entry dry bag. Spike's 33 year Naval career completed with 15 years as an air diver and a recompression chamber supervisor. Spike joined MDC in 2012; his previous role as a Diver Medic Technician during international submersible and parachute rescue team exercises make Spike a very highly-valued member of the team.

Most likely to talk about in chamber: Goats' brains, submarine escape training disasters, and obscure explosive decompression anecdotes.

 

Robbie Renalson - Chamber Supervisor

Robbie RenalsonRobbie started diving in his native New Zealand in 1997 and has completed over 3500 dives since. He is a qualified Diver Medic Technician, HSE part IV diver, Megalodon Rebreather diver and a PADI IDC Staff Instructor teaching in NZ, UK, Malta, Gozo, Norway, Thailand, Bahamas and Egypt. He began working in the London Diving Chamber in 2008 before being relocated to Rugby in 2009 ready for the opening of MDC.

Most Likely to talk about in the chamber: Try shutting him up.

 

Dr Carolyn Peel - Hyperbaric Physician and Supervisor / Attendant

Dr Carolyn PeelCarolyn started at MDC as a DDRC trained chamber supervisor in 2014 then combined her MBBS medical degree with DMAC studies to provide regular Hyperbaric Doctor locum cover and chamber operations. Carolyn has dived exclusively in Australia but now sheds her kit regularly to swim in the Solent. Our 'Offshore Dive Doctor' does extensive charitable work and completed the London Marathon last year.

Most likely to talk about in the chamber: Vegetarian recipes, Wacky Races, Minions and her faithful companion, Petal.

 

Sally Cartwright - CQC Registered Manager

Sally CartwrightConscripted to diving in 1993 following a mountaineering injury and a lost bet. Sal has organised expeditions all over the world. More recently she has spared some bottom time to manage the Midlands Diving Chamber whilst repatriating evacuees, crewing ambulances, giving blue light cover for main events (FREC4) and horse jumping. Sal has rebreathed more wrecks than Bungalow Bill Wiggins, dropped more names than Mike Tyson and fought Covid like a champ. Sal's Dive CV is immense but here goes - CCR, Mixed Gas, 100m, TDI Instructor SAA/CMAS 3 star Instructor and 4 star Diver.

Most likely to talk about in the chamber: Famous people, Alton Towers and her next dive expedition, her two lovely dogs, a decent pint (sensible drinker) and a good fish supper.

 

Andy Jarvis - Supervisor / Attendant

Andy JarvisA remarkable BSAC National Instructor, poached from the cool waters of Stoney Cove to augment the depth of skills at MDC. Andy has thrashed the brine and hauled heavy goods since the late 90s (yes it's an old photo) if you say it, he's done it. A complete diver, CCR and crossover PADI instructor. His wealth of medical skills are an asset to the activities here and despite his exemplary culinary tastes he prefers a spag bol. Andy is better known for his own delicious quiches that he brings to the unit.

Most likely to talk about in the chamber: Anything, absolutely anything, test him!

 

Mark Allen - Supervisor / Attendant

Mark AllenMark started diving in 1976 after seeing Jacques Cousteau on the telly. We are fortunate to have this legend with us, he brings a huge amount of diving and IT experience to the team and enjoys a challenge. There isn't a configuration he hasn't rigged, a reg not sucked, or a crane not climbed. Mark worked the harsh North Sea as a trawlerman and brings that close team unit ethos to the chamber. Mark has amassed many contact hours in a short time and dives both PADI IDCS & BSAC OWI.

Most likely to talk about in the chamber: Motorbikes, a wealth of life experiences but actually a great listener.

 

Vicky Brown - Marketing and Communications Manager

Vicky BrownA keen diver and cyclist, Vicky is now based back in the UK after many years exploring the snowiest peaks and deepest green seas. When she's not teaching PADI and BSAC courses, she can be found safety diving or HSE contracting and happily spends most her spare moments underwater.

After her first dive 19 years ago, she was hooked, lined and sank and hasn't looked back from 100m deep under the sea.

Most likely to talk about in the chamber: diving without taking a breath for the whole treatment time in the chamber.

 

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