Going into Deco as Rec Diver

[USdiver1]

Plan your dive, and dive your plan. Seems to me that you are relying too much on technology to come to your rescue when you should be preparing beforehand to not need to be rescued in the first place, and paying attention to your dive profile during the dive itself. What if your computer's battery had died during that dive? Going into deco when it is planned is in the normal course of things, doing so when it is not planned is not. Consider yourself warned [and saved in this instance].

Get the proper training for deco diving, and do not push your NDL without it.

 

[Jafo19D]

I think it is a quite common mistake "new" active divers eventually do at least once.
See here my case for example : Past NDL. And then this???

It is not the end of the world, but it is a mistake. Even diving (repeatedly) close to NDL (NDL riding is called) is a mistake and shouldn't happen.

If you wish to do such dives you should get trained to plan and prepare accordingly.

On a previous day of diving the guide took us thru a deep swim thru of 43.3 meters / 142 feet. The second dive was deepish as well in the mid 20s and I showed the DM by no deco time which was around 4miutes and motioned that I was going to ascend a bit. He then tried to get the other divers to do the same but they didn’t seem to listen. Granted that I had set my profile one step more conservative than the default.

 

[Chavodel8en]

OK, I must admit that I once went into deco (I am just AOW). It was on the Sea Tiger in Oahu. I was monitoring my NDL. I think what happened was that we started on the end that was a little more shallow. When we swam down to the other end, that extra 15' of depth (from ~90' to ~ 105'), plus some inattention on my part, got me into deco. It was just a momentary lapse, just barely into deco.

I actually remember a thread here, and just as it advised, I basically cleared deco on my ascent - I recall the computer was telling me to do a stop somewhere, but it cleared on ascent. I did an extra SS, to 6 minutes, just in case, although my computer told me I was good to go.

Another reason I think I went into deco is I was using a new computer, and I was used to a more liberal Oceanic. New computer only gave me like 13 minutes at depth. I have since changed that computer into its more liberal mode, which I am comfortable with. I should have checked/understood the conservativism of my computer.

Oh, also, the operator I went with didnt have nitrox. Next time I will make sure nitrox is available for these depths.

 

[Miyaru]

Thanks for comments above, I am in similar situation and had a question about tech classes. I am about 3 years 200 or so dives in. I was asked if I wanted to start tech classes but slow to get there mainly due to replacing so much equipment. That will take some time and $$. Anyone have any experience with the SSI extended range classes as an intro to tech type class. I have an opportunity to do this with a friend quite a bit cheaper more as a learning step than an actual jump into advanced type tech diving. Thanks

Intro-to-tech type classes focus on using all the gear that is likely new to you.

I can totally understand that "quite a bit cheaper" is appealing. Ask your instructor: Why is your course quite a bit cheaper?

 

[Doctorfish]

Most divers I know have inadvertently gone into Deco once or twice through not understanding their computer or not paying attention to it.

The situation outlined by the OP is clearly a case of diver error, nothing else. Even coming close is an error.

You can make all the excuses you want about algorithms and conservative settings but at the end of the day, you need to know how your computer works, set it properly for your situation, and gas mix, keep a close eye on it; particularly on deep dives and towards the end of every dive.


The OP is lucky, between diving to 43 meters and later going into Deco, could have been a lot worse.

Hopefully the OP and the rest of us can learn from this experience.

 

[scubadada]

If you choose to dive a computer with a conservative algorithm, you should be prepared to do the required deco rather than be locked out for a period of time for missing the deco obligation. Or, of course, simply dive your NDLs

 

[FF / EMT]

If you choose to dive a computer with a conservative algorithm, you should be prepared to do the required deco rather than be locked out for a period of time for missing the deco obligation. Or, of course, simply dive your NDLs

Probably should just stay within NDL if home boy isn’t tech trained.

Was OP’s buddy in deco as well, or were you guys all running different algorithms/ GF

 

[Pbdiver84]

It depends. For BSAC divers or those with deep and deco training (SSI has a limited deco single back cylinder course), it’s a non event. For tech divers, every dive.

For new divers out into the world on their own in places like Mexico, Belize, or the Red Sea… live and learn. Then respect your NDL.

 

[hroark2112]

It doesn’t matter how conservative your computer is. If you pay attention to it and don’t exceed your NDL you won’t have to worry about deco. If you ignore it, you’d better hope pay the penalty.

 

[Blackcrusader]

If you choose to dive a computer with a conservative algorithm, you should be prepared to do the required deco rather than be locked out for a period of time for missing the deco obligation. Or, of course, simply dive your NDLs

Well a Shearwater won't lock you out at least.