Deep Diving Specialty Vs Mid Depth Cold and Low Vis

[Iralub]

This thread has got me thinking whether it is worth doing a deep specialty. I'm considering doing one, but do people think it is worth it?

I had a really good instructor for the deep dive for AOW, who did the narcosis testing, etc, as well as breathing from alternate tank. Didn't have any discernable issues, except being nervous about the dive (before the dive, not during). I did one dive to 40m shortly after AOW and experienced significant anxiety, which may have been dark narcosis, but I was nervous about the dive in any event (yes, I probably shouldn't have done it at that stage of my dive experience).

Since then, I have done several dives to well in excess of 30m (35-36m) with no particular problems (I guess there was some mild impairment, but nothing obvious, no dark narc and I was watching my ndls and air closely), Probably about a dozen dives to around 30m, with no problems. All were in tropical water as I won't dive in cold water/bad viz.

Is there a benefit to doing the course in the circumstances? Does it teach particular skills that aren't learnt in AOW plus experience?

 

[RJP]

This thread has got me thinking whether it is worth doing a deep specialty. I'm considering doing one, but do people think it is worth it?

I had a really good instructor for the deep dive for AOW, who did the narcosis testing, etc, as well as breathing from alternate tank. Didn't have any discernable issues, except being nervous about the dive (before the dive, not during). I did one dive to 40m shortly after AOW and experienced significant anxiety, which may have been dark narcosis, but I was nervous about the dive in any event (yes, I probably shouldn't have done it at that stage of my dive experience).

Since then, I have done several dives to well in excess of 30m (35-36m) with no particular problems (I guess there was some mild impairment, but nothing obvious, no dark narc and I was watching my ndls and air closely), Probably about a dozen dives to around 30m, with no problems. All were in tropical water as I won't dive in cold water/bad viz.

Is there a benefit to doing the course in the circumstances? Does it teach particular skills that aren't learnt in AOW plus experience?

The full course - from most any agency will go more in depth (pun intended) on planning, equipment, contingencies, etc.

In the PADI system the AOW "Adventure" is mostly about giving you "experience" as an introduction.

 

[Macan]

This thread has got me thinking whether it is worth doing a deep specialty. I'm considering doing one, but do people think it is worth it?

I had a really good instructor for the deep dive for AOW, who did the narcosis testing, etc, as well as breathing from alternate tank. Didn't have any discernable issues, except being nervous about the dive (before the dive, not during). I did one dive to 40m shortly after AOW and experienced significant anxiety, which may have been dark narcosis, but I was nervous about the dive in any event (yes, I probably shouldn't have done it at that stage of my dive experience).

Since then, I have done several dives to well in excess of 30m (35-36m) with no particular problems (I guess there was some mild impairment, but nothing obvious, no dark narc and I was watching my ndls and air closely), Probably about a dozen dives to around 30m, with no problems. All were in tropical water as I won't dive in cold water/bad viz.

Is there a benefit to doing the course in the circumstances? Does it teach particular skills that aren't learnt in AOW plus experience?

Hi Iralub. In summary there are 9 Open Water experiences/skills that will be covered in the PADI Deep Diver Specialty course over 4 dives with your Instructor:

1. Color changes at depth.
2. Comparison of depth gauges or computer readout with other students.
3. Effects of increasing depth on pressure sensitive items.
4. Timed tasks at depth vs surface.
5. Free and tactile descents to depth with reference.
6. Free and tactile ascent rates using computer or timing device with reference.
7. Simulating emergency decompression stop.
8. Breathing from an emergency air source.
9. Navigation at depth from away and back to reference line.

As an instructor, if I'm teaching a Deep Diver Specialty, I will add more items to the course such as:

1. How to determine SAC rates and Rock Bottom.
2. Gradient Factors (Some will have computers that permit GF changes).
3. Bubble Check during descents.
4. S Drills (if long hose) or AAS sharing (if basic gear).
5. Assembly/Disassembly of emergency air source cylinder.
6. Remove/Replace emergency air source cylinder on surface, mid water and at bottom.
7. Deployment of emergency air source cylinder using No Tox procedures.
8. Dive planning and execution using turn pressure based on thirds.

All dives must be within Rec standards and not to exceed NDLs.

If you decide to take the Deep Diver Specialty, my suggestion is to ensure that your Instructor is certified to teach the Deep Diver Specialty course (not all OW Instructors are). Also, choose an instructor who is Tec Certified and an avid Tec diver.

A better approach if diving deep is something that you enjoy and will do often is to take the Tec 40 course instead. Hope this helps.

 

[RJP]

If you decide to take the Deep Diver Specialty, my suggestion is to ensure that your Instructor is certified to teach the Deep Diver Specialty course (not all OW Instructors are).

How can an instructor who is not certified to teach the Deep Diver specialty issue a certification for the Deep Diver specialty?

 

[Macan]

How can an instructor who is not certified to teach the Deep Diver specialty issue a certification for the Deep Diver specialty?

He can't. That's why the student taking the course should ensure that the instructor is also a deep dive specialty instructor since not all OW instructors are.

 

[DevonDiver]

Do take a look at my article comparing the Deep Diver course with the Tec40 course. Tec40 can be run as a refined approach for recreational diving (single + pony), not only as an entry-level tech course.

PADI Deep Diver versus Tec40 - Course Comparison

 

[Iralub]

Do take a look at my article comparing the Deep Diver course with the Tec40 course. Tec40 can be run as a refined approach for recreational diving (single + pony), not only as an entry-level tech course.

PADI Deep Diver versus Tec40 - Course Comparison

Thank you very much, that is very helpful indeed. Looking at the deep spec course as you described, there isn't actually anything that I haven't done on multiple dives already (well, except for going into decompression, but I know what it would look like on my computer)

I wonder whether I could find a dive op that would be willing to do a modified version of tec 40 (eg I don't think I can handle a standard size cylinder and a 30cft pony, but learning to dive with a smaller pony would be a valuable skill). I don't actually want to do the any decompression dives, but there are quite a few skills you've listed that I'd like to learn and wouldn't actually care if I got the certification, it's the training I want. But it looks like the deep specialty won't give me much beyond what I've got already :-/

Thanks again for the very helpful link.

 

[Russoft]

I was just looking at Tec 40. One of the prerequisites IS the Deep Diver Specialty. Seems to me one comes before the other, it's not one OR the other. Or am I missing something?

(I'm a long way from considering Tec 40 or a related course, but would one day like to dive some deep WWII wrecks)

 

[markmud]

Do take a look at my article comparing the Deep Diver course with the Tec40 course. Tec40 can be run as a refined approach for recreational diving (single + pony), not only as an entry-level tech course.

PADI Deep Diver versus Tec40 - Course Comparison

Hi DevonDiver,

Thanks for the link! I read the whole thing. Good sales job--I might be interested in taking the Tec40 course from my favorite instructor.

As far as a recreational Deep Diver cert---na! I'm good.

markm

 

[boulderjohn]

I wonder whether I could find a dive op that would be willing to do a modified version of tec 40 (eg I don't think I can handle a standard size cylinder and a 30cft pony, but learning to dive with a smaller pony would be a valuable skill). I don't actually want to do the any decompression dives, but there are quite a few skills you've listed that I'd like to learn and wouldn't actually care if I got the certification, it's the training I want. But it looks like the deep specialty won't give me much beyond what I've got already :-/

I would think almost any dive op/instructor would give a diver custom instruction on a skill without going through a certification process. Just contact one, explain what you want, and see what they say.