How Many Days of Straight Diving?

[CT-Rich]

Three dives in a day is no problem. The drive home is the hazardous part. As was pointed out, there are a lot of variables. If you regularly run half marathons and you are getting g full service boat support, you'll be fine. If you smoke two packs a day and there are surf and portages, it is another game.

I would bet you will be fine, but play it by ear and be okay with saying "that's enough for today" if you find you are dreading climbing the ladder after dive three.

 

[CT-Rich]

I didn't see any thing in joe10540's comment was out of line. He was asked his opinion and he gave it. I might not have been a perfect fit, but he answered honestly. Others answered differently and the OP can weigh the value of each opinion. He even admitted that his writing can come across as hard at times.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I didn't see any thing in joe10540's comment was out of line. He was asked his opinion and he gave it. I might not have been a perfect fit, but he answered honestly. Others answered differently and the OP can weigh the value of each opinion. He even admitted that his writing can come across as hard at times.

Agreed. Maybe it wasn't what the OP wanted to hear but I don't think it was offensive or insulting.

 

[Lorenzoid]

The simple answer is you'll have no problem with your schedule.

Did I understand correctly that you're only going to Sipadan for one day, as a day trip from Semporna? That's unusual. Most people use Mabul as their base and stay for several days. On average, you'll get to dive Sipadan around one day out of every three you're there, due to the apportioning of slots by the authorities to the various dive ops.

 

[irishgreen416]

Thank you all for your responses. I've received some good advice and some information that did not occur to me before that was quite helpful. I believe I will be fine doing the 8 dives in three days but will definitely be okay calling any dives if I get there and feel otherwise. From what I can tell before arriving, the conditions will be much easier than my last dive, which will also help (much warmer, easier entry, less lugging of gear, more visibility, not much current). Some dives of course may be harder since I will be learning/experiencing new material.

A bit more info on my trip:
The first day I'm arriving in Semporna from another area in Malaysia and staying the night. I'm starting my AOW the next morning probably around Mabul, so although there will be a boat transfer, I will be well rested. Then I'm staying the night at Mabul and doing the second day of my AOW from there and will transfer back to Semporna. For the third day, and if all goes well, I will be diving Sipadan for three dives. There will be a boat transfer but I will be sure to be well hydrated and rested.

I think I may have taken Joe's response a little too harshly and appreciate his thoughts as well. He did have some good overall points. Please keep in mind though that this forum is for new divers so say what is necessary but try to keep it positive for encouragement is much appreciated!

 

[Satrekker]

I didn't see any thing in joe10540's comment was out of line. He was asked his opinion and he gave it. I might not have been a perfect fit, but he answered honestly. Others answered differently and the OP can weigh the value of each opinion. He even admitted that his writing can come across as hard at times.

Agreed. Maybe it wasn't what the OP wanted to hear but I don't think it was offensive or insulting.

Agree. Sound advice.

 

[ToyZuki9615]

I am 31 years old and in fairly decent shape. I just returned from Bonaire and had no problem diving 4-5 times per day for 6 days. This was a mix of boat, shore, and resort dock dives.

The most I have dove was 24 dives in 4 days on a liveaboard. The amount of bottom time was physically draining, but the hour surface intervals between dives allowed me to stay rested and the lack of tank changes reduced the amount of effort required.

 

[Compressor]

Hello!
I am getting my Advanced Open Water certification in Semporna, Malaysia which will consist of five dives over two days in early June. I would then like to do a three dives in one day package in Sipadan. I've only logged one dive (a wreck dive off Aramoana in New Zealand in Feb 2017) outside of my Open Water cert (Oct 2016) but I am a fit 30 year old. Will I most likely be fine (tired wise) if I do the 5 dives to get my Advanced over two days and then the 3 dives in Sipadan on the third day or should I rest a day in between? I'd like to just do them all over 3 days since there isn't a ton to do in the area outside of diving and that would mean cheaper accommodation but I don't want to be exhausted! Any advice would be appreciated!

Just play it day by day IrishGreen416. If you feel tired, stop diving; you don't want to get into a diving accident. Its not unsual for divers to do 4-5 dives/day. BUT its not the quantity of dives that is important in my book; its the quality of it.

 

[Ninelinegoby]

I do 2-2 week trips to bonaire every year. My average over the last 4 trips is 55 to 60 dives per trip.

 

[Moor3061]

Physically, you will likely be fine. I would just try to get some extra dives in before your trip to reduce the task loading that you will feel. If your first dives in a while are training, you will have all of the task loading to remember from prior training and the new training, I could see it being a mental challenge to pull it all together.