That would be one reason why they use ALU tanks in wet suits. There are of course others as well.
Cenotes diving
- Thread starter dbulmer
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3mm may not be enough. The second cenote dive of the day was 58 minutes long, and I was shivering in my 3mm full suit. Our guide was wearing a 7mm hooded suit. I think that I will follow her lead next time. In the fresh H2O with my 3mm, I only needed 2lbs weight. The dive profile requires multiple descents and ascents, so you need to be accurate with boyancy. Max depth for us was 48 feet.
dbulmer:
I would definitely recomend bringing an adapter as most operators' tanks use yokes. However, I dove with Go Cenotes and they were able to provide my wife and I with DIN tanks. All you have to do is ask ahead of time. Our guide's name was Eric and he was excellent. I would definitely recommend asking for him.
www.gocenotes.com
OP
dbulmer
Contributor
The reason I asked about steel DIN tanks is because that's what I train with in a pool most of the time (ie better buoyancy control). I do understand why Ali is preferred with a wetsuit but I also know I can swim comfortably with steel.
DiveDoggie,
I'll be diving with my dad as buddy. Neither of us have a good enough SAC rate to say down that long - sad but true. Both of us are heavy breathers! My dad is 65 so we'll be taking it v e ry e a s y.
DiveDoggie,
I'll be diving with my dad as buddy. Neither of us have a good enough SAC rate to say down that long - sad but true. Both of us are heavy breathers! My dad is 65 so we'll be taking it v e ry e a s y.
Hello
Some operators use both steel and alum tanks. With the steel tanks you get to use 2 pounds less weight on your belt or in the weight pockets. The better opperators have both DIN and yoke connections on their tanks as well.
Remeber, ask before you book!
Rules for a safe cavern dive for divers with an open water cert are:
- Rule of thirds (back at the start with 1000 psi) which normally isn't a problem since most dives are relatively shallow. However if you are concerned about your air usage, a good operator will be more than happy to supply you with a high pressure (3400 psi) steel tank that holds 100 cf of gas.
- Never more than 200 feet from open water. There are many dives that give the allusion that you are much further into the cave, but all reputable guides won't break this rule
- Never stray beyond visual contact with natural light. Sometimes you have to cover your light and look behind you or behind and above or below, but you should always be able to see natural light.
- Maximum depth not to exceed 70 feet. Only a couple of cenotes that you could do this in on a cavern tour, but don't.
- No restrictions, no passage small enough to restrict the passage of 3 divers side by side.
- No decompression
- Guide ratio: 4:1
- Minimum requirements for a guide, full cave certified and at minimum, Dive Master.
- Insure that a first aid kit and O2 bottle are in the vehicle - the better guides carry them, the lesser don't. Check for yourself.
- Continuous guide line.
- Minimum visibility: 40 feet. On a good day the cavern dives have well over 300' vis.
What you should get from a cenote dive:
A relaxed atmosphere, remember this is your day to enjoy.
Prior to leaving for the cenotes, review your gear insuring everything you will need is packed. Remember though that the better guides will carry a spare mask, regulators, tank, complete tool kit and cookies.
When booking a two tank cenote dive, check with the operator, insure that you will be doing TWO DIFFERENT dives cenotes. Though I find new and interesting features each time I do a cenote dive and with the change of seasons and time of day the play of light is unique each time I dive, you should get to experience to different setting. Remember that at Dos Oyos, the dives are very different though you are entering the same entrance.
On the way if you are interested a little bit of natural history and cave formation could be discussed, as well as the interesting features of the cavern that you are planning on diving.
A complete dive briefing:
- review access to the waters edge (uneven steps or ladder or lack of anything other that a basic trail).
- reviewing entry and exit procedures.
- maximum depth, average depth.
- Dive profile, the dive may have lots of ups and downs. Remember to always slowly ascend.
- safety stop, sometimes that last 5 min are at safety stop depth sometimes not, review for the dive.
- Unique features that will be seen on the dive.
- review of hand signals and light signals (thumbs up, means that the dive is over and is an important signal that should be used if you don't feel comfortable with the dive and this sign should always be taken seriously by your guide)
- turn pressure
- preferred finning technique
- site overview, where are the bathrooms, change rooms, entrance and other surface attractions and hazards (the monkey bites :11: )
- approximate dive time.
- review equipment modifications, no snorkel or dive knife required and insure that all accessories are clipped on and not dangling below you, which could cause damage to the item and or the cave.
- a relaxed pace in single file. Remember the harder you fin, the quicker you use your air.
In the water, you should start with a buoyancy check (typically you need 60% of what you used on your reef dives.
Before you start, while at 15 to 20' insure everyone is comfortable with buoyancy and trim, your guide should also demonstrate a preferred (but not necessary) finning style as discussed in the predive briefing.
Dive times
You are paying good money for that tank of air and you should expect to get the most of it. Of course dive times are a result of your air consumption and your comfort (getting cold). Remember that you need to be back at the start with at least 1000 psi in your tank. That said the good guides will ensure your dive times are at least 55 min and in many cases it is possible to do 70 + min dives. There is so much to see. I would say that the average time on the main Dos Oyos line (there are two dives at Dos Oyos) for me is 65 min. This time is the average for my dives in Grand Cenote, Taj Maha, Chak Mool, Car Wash and others.
Just a few thoughts on Cenote diving.
Some operators use both steel and alum tanks. With the steel tanks you get to use 2 pounds less weight on your belt or in the weight pockets. The better opperators have both DIN and yoke connections on their tanks as well.
Remeber, ask before you book!
Rules for a safe cavern dive for divers with an open water cert are:
- Rule of thirds (back at the start with 1000 psi) which normally isn't a problem since most dives are relatively shallow. However if you are concerned about your air usage, a good operator will be more than happy to supply you with a high pressure (3400 psi) steel tank that holds 100 cf of gas.
- Never more than 200 feet from open water. There are many dives that give the allusion that you are much further into the cave, but all reputable guides won't break this rule
- Never stray beyond visual contact with natural light. Sometimes you have to cover your light and look behind you or behind and above or below, but you should always be able to see natural light.
- Maximum depth not to exceed 70 feet. Only a couple of cenotes that you could do this in on a cavern tour, but don't.
- No restrictions, no passage small enough to restrict the passage of 3 divers side by side.
- No decompression
- Guide ratio: 4:1
- Minimum requirements for a guide, full cave certified and at minimum, Dive Master.
- Insure that a first aid kit and O2 bottle are in the vehicle - the better guides carry them, the lesser don't. Check for yourself.
- Continuous guide line.
- Minimum visibility: 40 feet. On a good day the cavern dives have well over 300' vis.
What you should get from a cenote dive:
A relaxed atmosphere, remember this is your day to enjoy.
Prior to leaving for the cenotes, review your gear insuring everything you will need is packed. Remember though that the better guides will carry a spare mask, regulators, tank, complete tool kit and cookies.
When booking a two tank cenote dive, check with the operator, insure that you will be doing TWO DIFFERENT dives cenotes. Though I find new and interesting features each time I do a cenote dive and with the change of seasons and time of day the play of light is unique each time I dive, you should get to experience to different setting. Remember that at Dos Oyos, the dives are very different though you are entering the same entrance.
On the way if you are interested a little bit of natural history and cave formation could be discussed, as well as the interesting features of the cavern that you are planning on diving.
A complete dive briefing:
- review access to the waters edge (uneven steps or ladder or lack of anything other that a basic trail).
- reviewing entry and exit procedures.
- maximum depth, average depth.
- Dive profile, the dive may have lots of ups and downs. Remember to always slowly ascend.
- safety stop, sometimes that last 5 min are at safety stop depth sometimes not, review for the dive.
- Unique features that will be seen on the dive.
- review of hand signals and light signals (thumbs up, means that the dive is over and is an important signal that should be used if you don't feel comfortable with the dive and this sign should always be taken seriously by your guide)
- turn pressure
- preferred finning technique
- site overview, where are the bathrooms, change rooms, entrance and other surface attractions and hazards (the monkey bites :11: )
- approximate dive time.
- review equipment modifications, no snorkel or dive knife required and insure that all accessories are clipped on and not dangling below you, which could cause damage to the item and or the cave.
- a relaxed pace in single file. Remember the harder you fin, the quicker you use your air.
In the water, you should start with a buoyancy check (typically you need 60% of what you used on your reef dives.
Before you start, while at 15 to 20' insure everyone is comfortable with buoyancy and trim, your guide should also demonstrate a preferred (but not necessary) finning style as discussed in the predive briefing.
Dive times
You are paying good money for that tank of air and you should expect to get the most of it. Of course dive times are a result of your air consumption and your comfort (getting cold). Remember that you need to be back at the start with at least 1000 psi in your tank. That said the good guides will ensure your dive times are at least 55 min and in many cases it is possible to do 70 + min dives. There is so much to see. I would say that the average time on the main Dos Oyos line (there are two dives at Dos Oyos) for me is 65 min. This time is the average for my dives in Grand Cenote, Taj Maha, Chak Mool, Car Wash and others.
Just a few thoughts on Cenote diving.
OP
dbulmer
Contributor
Pez,
Thanks I've pm'ed you.
Thanks I've pm'ed you.
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