First Oil Rig Dive... scared or should I be?

[orch1ds]

Hello...

I'm planning on going on my first Oil Rig dive this coming weekend. I've heard people say its fabulous, but I've also heard people say its pretty treacherous (timing entry/exits on the boat, currents, etc...). I've only logged 14 dives so far. I've been on a nonstop ride on the certification track. I've got my AOW and my Wreck diver certs. I feel pretty confident about my diving skills. I've done all of my dives in SoCal. A few shore dives, a couple of night dives, a weekend of wreck diving at the Yukon with nitrox (all btw 80-100 ft) and various boat dives in Catalina. Is there anything "advanced" about oil rigs that I should be aware of? Is this too much too soon? I am nervous but really want to try it.

Thanks!
cmk

 

[the gooch]

You by no means are an AOW diver with 14 dives. If you have to ask, then yes, you should be scared.

 

[h90]

You by no means are an AOW diver with 14 dives. If you have to ask, then yes, you should be scared.

Seems you don't know these "from zero to hero" courses.
with 25-30 dives: Rescue Diver, with 60 dives Dive Master.
Some did the 60 dives all on the same place in warm water in Thailand....

 

[orch1ds]

Not to sound snarky but honestly that was a really "unhelpful" response. I was looking for specifics that make oil rigs more "difficult" than any other dive. Is it a matter of just comfort level or are there actual skills which are required? Lots unusual hazards? What's down there?

 

[=C=]

...I've only logged 14 dives so far. I've been on a nonstop ride on the certification track. I've got my AOW and my Wreck diver certs. I feel pretty confident about my diving skills. I've done all of my dives in SoCal. A few shore dives, a couple of night dives, a weekend of wreck diving at the Yukon with nitrox (all btw 80-100 ft) and various boat dives in Catalina.

14 dives in what period of time? Your 14 dives have been OW AOW Wreck and Nitrox?

Spend some time on the Spectre (Ventura) or at Casino Point diving around the kelp at 20 - 40 for the love of god.

14 dives? Thats 1 weekend of diving for many people on the board...

Can you manage a safety stop in open water? Do you carry a delayed SMB?

 

[Kevrumbo]

Take a compass reading on the side of the Oil Rig your diveboat drops you off (that's usually your pick-up point as well); stay inside of the structure both at depth and the surface --only come back to the diveboat when the Captain/Divemasters signal/wave you in; the horizontal cross-members & bracings of the structure are at 18m/60' intervals (Oil Rig Eureka) --be cognizant of them when ascending from deeper depths or you'll "clang your tank" (or head:11:!); come-up slowly to and afterward through your safety stop, anticipate & compensate for the swell/surge action ascending to the surface.

 

[orch1ds]

14 dives in what period of time? Your 14 dives have been OW AOW Wreck and Nitrox?

Spend some time on the Spectre (Ventura) or at Casino Point diving around the kelp at 20 - 40 for the love of god.

14 dives? Thats 1 weekend of diving for many people on the board...

Can you manage a safety stop in open water? Do you carry a delayed SMB?

Yes I can manage a safety stop in open water. Yes I always carry an SMB. So far I feel like everyone is saying its not a good idea but I'm missing the why? I'm still not seeing what is so different and more dangerous about diving at the Oil Rigs as opposed to something like penetrating a wreck at 90 ft? None of the skills have been all that difficult so far. Maybe this is just one of those questions I should answer for myself and not ask the board. Thanks anyways people...

 

[=C=]

What did you think of dives on the Yukon?

Not to sound snarky but honestly that was a really "unhelpful" response. I was looking for specifics that make oil rigs more "difficult" than any other dive. Is it a matter of just comfort level or are there actual skills which are required? Lots unusual hazards? What's down there?

I would point out that on a rig in open ocean there is no apparent bottom and the additional challenges that brings. If you have bouyency control and the ability to swim in current then you probably can make this dive.

Are you diving with a more experienced buddy? Maybe a dm? Or will this be an instabuddy scenario?

Let us know how you did and if you really were prepared to make this dive when you get back

I don't think anyone would recommend you make this dive with only the dives described above.

 

[=C=]

Yes I can manage a safety stop in open water. Yes I always carry an SMB. So far I feel like everyone is saying its not a good idea but I'm missing the why? I'm still not seeing what is so different and more dangerous about diving at the Oil Rigs as opposed to something like penetrating a wreck at 90 ft? None of the skills have been all that difficult so far. Maybe this is just one of those questions I should answer for myself and not ask the board. Thanks anyways people...

I dont think anyone is trying to be snarky...

Most people are shocked by the few dives you claim to have (ps various dive boats usually means 4 dive days). Next time post something like:

"I have done X Y Z dives how does this compare to those dives in terms of difficulty?."

That would get you the answer your looking for...

I'm a bit curious why you feel the need to rush into challenging diving.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I had over 600 dives before I felt I was ready for the rigs. It was mostly nerves, but there are some real dangers. Strong currents came come through, sweeping you off the rigs. It's difficult to tell you're in a current when you're in mid-water with no visual references. Buoyancy control is a must, as the bottom is 800 feet at the outer rig. While many people on Scuboard claim to have mastered buoyancy at only a few dozen dives, I've never met a diver with less than a few hundred who could hold their position perfectly.
Surface conditions can change while you're underwater. Ask Drifting Dan about fog. Wind chop and large swells can make it difficult to swim to the boat. The boat cannot come close to the rigs to pick you up, so you may have a difficult surface swim as well.
I hope I didn't scare you too much, as the rigs can be a beautiful dive, but they must be taken extremely seriously. I would pass this trip and get in a lot of offshore dives on the local wrecks first if I were you.