8 metres is pretty safe really, and enough to give you a taste of what its like. I don't know why I don't dive anymore, after the effort of passing the 'exam' the desire faded away.

I have been down 30m and its a little different. You can get memorised with the bubbles and lose your crew if not careful.

My first dive was a wreck too, I don't know what the instructors were thinking.