He unavailable - DeepAir again?

[Andre171]

Hi, times have changed (esp. in Europe) and purchasing He is for some an issue. Hearing much rumor about it at the local dive sites. I'm curious if DeepAir may have a reconissance - if there is really a problem. Please feel free to post some regional informations.

Thanks for voting,
André

 

[rx7diver]

I believe that diving Deep Air has never disappeared. Some divers have continued to dive air "deep."

Does Deep Air begin at a depth of 130 ffw? 150 ffw? 180 ffw? Some other depth?

rx7diver

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

 

[Angelo Farina]

I am certified for recreational diving (no tech) in air down to 50m with deco (not accelerated, also in air) and with a buddy, and I think that this is a reasonable recreational limit here in the Mediterranean.
Everything "deeper", air or not, is "tech", so it is not for me!

 

[tursiops]

I am certified for recreational diving (no tech) in air down to 50m with deco (not accelerated, also in air) and with a buddy, and I think that this is a reasonable recreational limit here in the Mediterranean.
Everything "deeper", air or not, is "tech", so it is not for me!

I am certified for air-only to 55m (TDI Extended Range), but having done that I think it is a really bad idea.

 

[ScubaWithTurk]

My first thought is that your poll shows deep air to 210 ft and at 210 ft, using 21% (normal air as the post states) your PO2 is 1.554. I plan all dives at or under 1.4 and only use 1.6 on deco stops. This is a problem in my opinion.

Next is gas density and at 7.4 ATMs using 21%, your gas density would be 9.53. Remember that the current recommendation is between 5.2 and 6.2 and this is WELL above what is currently recommended.

Lastly is narcosis. Your END for this dive would be 6.4 ATMs. Gas Narcosis is not your friend.

So above are the problems as I see them with deep air and I do not think we will see more people using it. Here in Bali it is pretty normal to see people diving air to 40m (5 atms) but I prefer to add some helium in the mix once I am pushing 40m.

EDIT: Since I see others posting their cert levels, I am certified to use trimix on OC to 50m and am normoxic trained on CCR to 60m.

 

[Marie13]

I won’t do deep air. At 130ft I’m narced out of my gourd. For me it would be dangerous. Now that I’ve got a CCR, I’ll do Helitrox (150ft) once I’ve got some hours on my unit.

 

[OrcasC205]

How about a "Hard to get He - so I just breath EAN32 down to 100ft" option?

 

[Vicko]

If a dive has normal gas reserves with a twinset and a single stage of deco gas i'll use air.

 

[Jimchris]

Have not been to the fill plant recently, though our last quote for a 250cuft. bottle was ~$300.