Deep Dive

[WaterBaby]

Hello!

This weekend my club is going to St Abbs for some diving and the first dive will be the Glanmire which is approx 30-35 meters. Unfortuantely due to slack tide it has to be first thing on the first day so I can't have a few 'warmup' dives first. I've only ever been to 20 meters and I really want to do it but I'm a bit apprehensive as this will be the deepest I've gone and have been lying awake at night thinking about it!! I would really appreciate your comments/stories of your first 'deep' dive just so I know that I am normal in my worrying!!

Cheers!

 

[jbd]

On the face of it going deeper is not much different than going to the depths that you have already done. The same skills and techniques apply. It may be colder and it may be darker tahn what you are accustomed to. Take your time and don't rush things.

Behind the scenes there are some things going on that you need to be aware of. One of them is air consumption. You will use it faster when you are deeper so you must pay close attention to what you have left in your tank. Another thing that will have more affect on you is nitrogen narcosis. Pay close attention to how you feel. Deeper dives benefit from the use of deep stops in accord with dual phase gas mechanics. When you get back up to 10 m you need to spend some time there with stops and slow ascent to the surface.

The behind the scenes stuff is best dealt with by good planning prior to the dive. Plan max depth, what gas mix, turn pressures rock bottom gas supply, run time, what stops will be made, etc,etc, etc.

 

[Rick Inman]

Hello!

This weekend my club is going to St Abbs for some diving and the first dive will be the Glanmire which is approx 30-35 meters. Unfortuantely due to slack tide it has to be first thing on the first day so I can't have a few 'warmup' dives first. I've only ever been to 20 meters and I really want to do it but I'm a bit apprehensive as this will be the deepest I've gone and have been lying awake at night thinking about it!! I would really appreciate your comments/stories of your first 'deep' dive just so I know that I am normal in my worrying!!

Cheers!

"Deep" is relative. I have not dived very deep (about 20 dives over 100', max, 127') while others on this board claim 500'.
For me, going with a mentor and increasing depth in manageable increments has worked. No on-the-fly deep dive personal records, only planned ones. And check the egos at the beach. Never be afraid to hold for a minute to get comfortable, or to abort. Always go with someone who has been there before, that you have dived with before and trust. And let them know exactly where you are at before the dive.
Then focus on the plan and have fun!
Just my HO&2C.

Oh, and one more thing. Although there's good advice and info, don't get all your deep dive training from Scuba Board!

 

[scubabamatxn]

You've gotten some good feedback already, but to reemphasize a point--- I have seen significant variability in narcosis among divers. It can depend upon your personal physiology, medications, etc. Go slow as you descend, and pay attention. Most people are okay at around 90 ft, but the conditions play an important role also. Have fun!

 

[DBailey]

A deep dive has a longer descent (duh!), but there are a couple things you should keep in mind:

1. Everything is compressing (wetsuit and air in BC); therefore, you are becoming more negatively buoyant. You'll want to add air to your BC as you are descending. Avoid being a "dirt dart".

2. Descend with your buddy. Don't play "meet ya at the bottom". Go over this in the dive plan and re-emphasize it just before descending.

 

[OceanSpirit]

More advice from me (for what it's worth)

'Deep' diving in the UK is a very different experience to say, the Red Sea or the Maldives. It's cold, it's dark and it's easy to lose your buddy, believe me.

Normally, I would say do some shallower dives first with the people you are to do the deepy with but you say this is not possible. All the advice you have been given so far is sound. Watch your air like a hawk, keep your buddy within 2-3m at all times and most of all, if you feel that at any time you are outside of your limits, abort. Don't carry on due to perceived peer pressure and become another casualty.

Good and safe diving

 

[mogwai]

You need to be comfortable and confident to go deeper. Be aware of this and make the best decision for yourself. It may need to wait till another time to do this dive or you may decide it's fine for you, but only you and your abilities and your confidence in them can make the decision. Can i do this dive safely and enjoy it, or do i need to make another few dives to get to this level. Always good to say no if you feel the need, and no one can ever criticise you for it.

 

[Scubaguy62]

You've certainly gotten some good advise on this. One thing you'd want to remember is to stay relaxed and breathe. Do not be overcomed by the anxiety of what your computer might read as your depth. Better to remember to continue breathing and adjusting your buoyancy so that you can enjoy the dive.

Good luck and please let us know how it turns out!!!

 

[flw]

Having dived the Glanmire although about 15 years ago, I'm not convinced I'd be happy leading another diver who'd never been below 20m on it before - it's not very high anywhere, so you are likely to be at 30-35m most of the dive - although visibility can be good off St Abb's and there may well be plenty of ambient light. You may well have to bag off and do a free ascent in tide there rather than head back up the line

 

[cmcarver]

I just did my deepest dive this past weekend. Before the dive my deepest dive was to about 80' 25-30m. This dive ended at 120' 40m. The plan was to drop down the descent line to the bridge that was at 70' and explore the top a little then drop to the deck of the bridge at 100'. If time and gas allowed see the under side of the bridge while the lake bottom was at 120'. So we dropped down the line and found the bridge. The top was at 105'. So the lake was deeper than expected. We proceded along the top of the bridge and then started droping down the bridge towards the deck. 15' down I checked my air pressure and it read south. So I returned my compass and grabbed my SPG. Checked several things and really noticed my narcosis setting in. I signaled my buddy to head up. We started our ascent and he likes to make a 1 minute stop at half the max depth so we stoped there then continued on up. Made our safty stop then surfaced. I didn't see/feel any of the effects of narcosis until I realized I was looking at my compass and not my SPG then I noticed the other siqns like solid objects not being where they were susposed to be when I reached for them. Also when we surfaced I had 600psi left in my tank. Had I had more air in my tank I would have still turned the dive when I did.