Is 130 ft too deep?

[Curt Bowen]

We're all impressed that you can do a decompression stop, and hope you enjoyed it.

The big deal is that 160' completely beyond the no-decompression limits, where recreational divers are trained.



District Attorney: "So you you knew the deceased was only certified for 60 feet?"

You: "Yes"

DA: "And you took him down to 160 feet, which you knew was 100 feet deeper than he had ever been, and far beyond recreational limits, where he had a panic attack, bolted to the surface and subsequently died?"

You: "Yes, I do it all the time"

DA: "No more questions"



If someone wants to take deep diving classes, get into trimix and decompression, buy all the right equipment, do the training and then wants to go to 160 or 200 or whatever, that's great, but to offer a quick drop to 160' as some kind of thrill ride is completely irresponsible.

Terry

I guess I am irresponsible then, in your eyes. Remember, my recreational limit is as deep as I wish to go, not 60, 100, or 130.

You are probably one of the ones I see on the reef at 20 feet with your dry snorkel cocked sideways, masked half fogged over, laying on the reef with your gauges and octo dangling free, playing with brittle stars.

Better be back on the boat with no less than 500 psi or the divemaster will take away your next dive. LOL

 

[padiscubapro]

The big deal is that 160' completely beyond the no-decompression limits, where recreational divers are trained.

no it is not see below

District Attorney: "So you you knew the deceased was only certified for 60 feet?"

You: "Yes"

DA: "And you took him down to 160 feet, which you knew was 100 feet deeper than he had ever been, and far beyond recreational limits, where he had a panic attack, bolted to the surface and subsequently died?"

You: "Yes, I do it all the time"

DA: "No more questions"
Terry

Actually many of the technical diving organizations realize the absurdity of "AOW". In many programs the diver nead experience in # of dives not a silly card saying they are AOW.

You can get a deocmpression rating without ever getting an AOW card....
You can get a full cave rationg without an AOW card..

It wount be as open and shut as you say since there are PLENTY of examples that show AOW is not necessary.. ALso most agencies allow for instructor guided experience WITHOUT having to be enrolled in a class..

If you use some of the european standards there RECREATIONAL rating is 50m (~165fsw) with limited deco..

Please check ALL the appropriate references before spouting falsehoods..

NOT ALL STANDARDS ARE THE SAME!!!!

 

[Otter]

...snip...NOT ALL STANDARDS ARE THE SAME!!!!

Thats why they call them STANDARDS

 

[scubacoz22]

Kathy,

Please don't misunderstand me. You were trusting that the dive operation you were diving with would not act with gross negligence. You did choose to go on a dive that was beyond the scope of your prior training and experience, this was not a good choice. You have been forthright about your poor choice to make this dive, your admission is commendable. In the water you remained calm and dealt with the problems you were confronted with, again commendable.

Dive safe and happy,

Mark Vlahos

Yes I was too trusting .I had done several dives beyoond 100 ft but never close to 160 before. And yes i did remain calm, it could of been a disaster if i had shot up to the surface but that didnt even cross my mind. Well we are headed for Cozumel in November for 5 days of diving. We did go to the BVI in July and got in 12 dives during that trip with our max dives being at 110 ft. We got to dive the RMS Rhone, which was a great dive. Maybe i will try some nitrox training. My husband has already been trained for Nitrox. Kathy

 

[voop]

If you use some of the european standards there RECREATIONAL rating is 50m (~165fsw) with limited deco..

Please check ALL the appropriate references before spouting falsehoods..

NOT ALL STANDARDS ARE THE SAME!!!!

As resident european......actually, some agencies standards allow 60msw (~190fsw or so) on air (w. deco, of course). The training of said agencies is, though, typically also more comprehensive -- and do not really include the difference between "rec" and "tech" diving as such.

It can be done, and it is done safely all the time -- provided sufficient training and experience, of course.

 

[Web Monkey]

I guess I am irresponsible then, in your eyes. Remember, my recreational limit is as deep as I wish to go, not 60, 100, or 130.

You can dive to 10,000 feet if it makes you happy. Just don't take a rec diver with you like it's an amusement park ride.

You are probably one of the ones I see on the reef at 20 feet with your dry snorkel cocked sideways, masked half fogged over, laying on the reef with your gauges and octo dangling free, playing with brittle stars.

Pretty snotty remark considering you've never met me or seen me dive.

I guess I must really be pi**ing you off with all my new-fangled concepts like not taking people beyond their training and experience.

Better be back on the boat with no less than 500 psi or the divemaster will take away your next dive. LOL

I always come back with 500 PSI. I guess I'm just overflowing with crazy ideas.

Terry

PS. Your magazine is broken.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

Yes I was too trusting .I had done several dives beyoond 100 ft but never close to 160 before. And yes i did remain calm, it could of been a disaster if i had shot up to the surface but that didnt even cross my mind. Well we are headed for Cozumel in November for 5 days of diving. We did go to the BVI in July and got in 12 dives during that trip with our max dives being at 110 ft. We got to dive the RMS Rhone, which was a great dive. Maybe i will try some nitrox training. My husband has already been trained for Nitrox. Kathy

Hi,

Since you have said that you have a low air consumption rate you would probably benefit from a nitrox class by being able to take longer dives at the same depth. The class does not take long and with some agencies no dive is required as there are no new in the water skills. There is more planning, and when you are in the water you need to watch your depth closely, but these things are easy. I would imagine you should be able to get a class in nitrox up to 40% for around $100 dollars or so, perhaps a little more.

Enjoy,

Mark Vlahos

 

[padiscubapro]

As resident european......actually, some agencies standards allow 60msw (~190fsw or so) on air (w. deco, of course). The training of said agencies is, though, typically also more comprehensive -- and do not really include the difference between "rec" and "tech" diving as such.

It can be done, and it is done safely all the time -- provided sufficient training and experience, of course.

My point exactly.. You use one "standard" there is always another that contradicts it....

btw 60m is ~195 fsw most people for simplicity use 60m=200fsw..

 

[MikeFerrara]

Mike, I'm not advising anyone to do this. I'm relating my view and why I would. I personally don't advise anyone to dive deep. Why do you feel the need to talk down to anyone who dives beyond what you deem safe?

You misunderstand. It has nothing to do with what I deem safe. It has to do with what the individual diver is schooled, skilled and prepared for.

I think it's good for the newbs on the board to hear what it is like to dive deep in case they find themselves in that situation by accident.

And just how do you end up their by accident? Assumiong a the dive was within their cpabilities in the forst place of course?

If you're pulling paniced divers out of the water, as an instructor maybe you put them in a situation they weren't ready for, ??

Good point. The first few were while I was assisting with another instructors classes. The last few have been divers who were trained that way but not in training at the time.

In my opinion you tend to over dramatize this issue.

You're free to your opinion and I'll admit that it definately made a lasting impression on me.

Lets say for some reason someone finds themself at 160 feet due to whatever reason.

Not for "some reason". How does this happen?

Your stand on this and how dangerous it is will have them in a panic just because they're at that depth when all they have to do is keep a cool head, ascend at a safe rate, use most of their remaining air on a safety stop (assuming they don't have a computer) and everything will be fine.

BS. My stand on this will have the diver develope the skills before getting in this situation in the first place. Instructors teach overweighted students on the bottom and we end up with all this silly talk about divers going to 160 ft on accident.

How likely is this controled ascent you mention if the diver doesn't have enough control over their position in the water to avoid ending up at 160 in the first place?

You say, they should use up most of their remaining gas at a safety stop? How much gas will they have available for this?
How much gas does their buddy have available for it? What make you think that either will have any to spare if they can't avoid ending up at 160?

I came to diving in a different place than you. It was very common for most of the people I dived with to dive deep on air. No one died.

You mean no one who was on your dives died right?

I'm not telling anyone to do this.

Well it sure sounds like you're endorsing diving beyond ones training and experience for a thrill. I just pointed out that I think that's irresponsible talk for an instructor who was trained to set a good example.

But I don't see any probelm relating it to whoever is interested without being belittled by someone who has probably never done it.

This is funny. What is it that you think I haven't done...A deep dive or a deep dive on air not having any idea how I'm going to get back?

By all means if you have a question about my experience that my profile doesn't answer, feel free to ask.

 

[MikeFerrara]

You don't care about Indy cars...shame on you! What do you do on that last Sunday in May? Don't dare tell me that you go diving...you...uh...uh...you hoosier!

LOL, I'm a transplant, not a native hoosier. .