Tommy Pinnell
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On July 13th, 2011, there will be an attempt on the current world record for the longest saltwater scuba dive to take place in San Carlos Bay, Sonora, Mexico. The current record stands at 25 hours 10 minutes. The dive site will be Lalo cove to the north of San Carlos and the conditions for the dive should be optimum with 85 degree water and baring recent storms, excellent visibility. The proposed dive of 26 hours will be attempted by Tommy Pinnell, a well known and experienced Sea of Cortez diver.
The dive schedule will be an initial descent to 33 feet for 30 minutes with the diver moving up to a depth of no more than 15 feet. The final 2 hours of the dive will be at a depth of no more than 10 feet and the diver will be breathing a 50/50 Nitrox mix. Although the dive will be at shallow depths, the long duration makes it a saturation dive.
The equipment to be used is standard scuba equipment, dry suit, three wrist computers and a new underwater communication device that will be unveiled for the dive. Although the dive will be simple in execution, with the proper support, it is quite complex logistically and there are three important considerations that must be dealt with.
Of primary concern is hypothermia. Although the water will be in the 80s, the conduction of heat from the body is accelerated and a dry suit with proper thermal protection is a must. Secondly, dehydration is a concern, we are still working on a solution and would be happy to listen to suggestions. The third potential problem, isolation in an alien and weightless environment for extended periods of time, was presented to NASA and their input has been invaluable and much appreciated..
On July 13th, 2011, there will be an attempt on the current world record for the longest saltwater scuba dive to take place in San Carlos Bay, Sonora, Mexico. The current record stands at 25 hours 10 minutes. The dive site will be Lalo cove to the north of San Carlos and the conditions for the dive should be optimum with 85 degree water and baring recent storms, excellent visibility. The proposed dive of 26 hours will be attempted by Tommy Pinnell, a well known and experienced Sea of Cortez diver.
The dive schedule will be an initial descent to 33 feet for 30 minutes with the diver moving up to a depth of no more than 15 feet. The final 2 hours of the dive will be at a depth of no more than 10 feet and the diver will be breathing a 50/50 Nitrox mix. Although the dive will be at shallow depths, the long duration makes it a saturation dive.
The equipment to be used is standard scuba equipment, dry suit, three wrist computers and a new underwater communication device that will be unveiled for the dive. Although the dive will be simple in execution, with the proper support, it is quite complex logistically and there are three important considerations that must be dealt with.
Of primary concern is hypothermia. Although the water will be in the 80s, the conduction of heat from the body is accelerated and a dry suit with proper thermal protection is a must. Secondly, dehydration is a concern, we are still working on a solution and would be happy to listen to suggestions. The third potential problem, isolation in an alien and weightless environment for extended periods of time, was presented to NASA and their input has been invaluable and much appreciated..
