Diving Deep

[LJ_OREILY]

Hi there... I am basically looking into moving past rec and wreck diving and into some "deeper water" so to speak. I'm mostly interested in crossing the 200-300' deep level at least for now... and basically I am wondering what tips/ recommendations/ ideas/ training/ goals should I plan for along the way?

I'm not saying let's go out tomorrow and hit 300', but give it a couple years and some solid training/ experience.

Any thoughts and guidance would be helpful.

Thanks,
LJ

 

[H2Andy]

you'll need lots of training, including deco procedures and Trimix

if you take the right classes and go out and do the right "build-up" dives,
your goal is not at all far-fetched

however, make sure you have your basic skills down pat. usually, people say not to try "tech" training until at least 100 dives for that reason.

TDI offers a nice progression (there are other good systems as well)

 

[TheRedHead]

Find a technical instructor you can relate to. The agency doesn't matter so much as a good instructor. Be prepared to spend $20,000-$30,000.

 

[SparticleBrane]

How many dives/what kind of experience do you have at this point?

 

[Fort Collins Bob]

Find a good technical instructor near by and have a good long
talk with them about what it will take to meet your goals.

Technical diving is not for everyone.

It takes a lot of good training, lots of practice, lots of the right equipment
and lots of more practice.

Look at starting w/ a nitrox, adv nitrox, decomp procedures, extended range
training in that order to perphaps start.

Get educated first, and then lets go have some technical diving fun !!!

bob

 

[LJ_OREILY]

I've been diving with family and my dad since I was 12 or so, now almost 30. I didn't actually get certified until 2004 or 2003, but have done many dives (probably close to 2-300). I've hit 130' a few times and dive mostly NorCal areas, Fort Bragg, Monterey, and some sothern cali dives (much easier and warmer). I am quite comfortable in the water and have done several out of air emergencies in my time diving (my brother is a gas hog and won't be persuing deep diving).

 

[SparticleBrane]

Sounds like you'll need a bit more experience than what you currently have...

 

[H2Andy]

i don't know...

i started cave training with less than 100 dives, and got to deco procedures by
the time i had 200 dives ...

if anything, starting tech training early focuses you on what you need to work on

of course, that doesn't mean i'm qualified to do a 300-foot dive ... but i'm on the way there

 

[SparticleBrane]

Andy, you make a good point.

 

[TheRedHead]

LJ, it's a different kind of diving and often it is not fun in the same way recreational diving is. I've done Advanced Nitrox/Deco and Extended Range. Unless you have a reason to dive deeper than 200 feet (like a shipwreck you want to explore), I don't see the cost and effort being worth it. I'm going to stop at Trimix and 200 feet. At those depths, the equipment requirements are onerous, the clock is always ticking and you have to be aware of where you are in your plan at all times.

That said, I do feel like I have gotten a lot of benefit from the training and am a much safer diver in the 120+ range. After seeing what it takes to make a 300 foot dive, I have no desire to do it. YMMV.