Is 130 ft too deep?

[redacted]

That's a combined total of 10+9+7+5+6, or 37 cf of gas. On an AL80, that's approximately 1,450 psi that you need to leave in reserve in case of a problem at depth. Considering it may very well take you over 500 psi just to get to depth in the first place, you're not leaving yourself a whole lot of room for actually diving, are you?

Doesn't that still leave you more than the NDL for 130? 37 cf for if the fit hits the shan, 13 cf for the descent, leaves over 25 cf. At a normal SAC of .5, that's good for 10+ minutes at 130. That should be a couple minutes more than NDL. It looks close but doable.

 

[RIDIVER501]

Doesn't that still leave you more than the NDL for 130? 37 cf for if the fit hits the shan, 13 cf for the descent, leaves over 25 cf. At a normal SAC of .5, that's good for 10+ minutes at 130. That should be a couple minutes more than NDL. It looks close but doable.

In the 4 times I have done the Blue hole the scenario has been like this.

the blue hole itself is like an atoll reef with no exposed top. On the edge the water is around 10 feet deep with a gradual slope to 35ish and then a drop straight to the bottom.

The dive profiles were to 140' for 20 minutes (Yes A Deco Dive)

due to the shape of the blue hole you just asend to 20 feet and do 20 or more minutes sitting in the sand.

Since we traveled close to the wall the DMs left 2 aluminum 80s in the sand at the entry point which we came back for at the end of the dive during deco. Even the biggest air hog had plenty of air left for the dive and no one ever went on the extra 80s we brought. I was coming back with between 1250 and 1000 for those dives. not a problem.
it is a very easy dive despite the depth.

 

[matt_unique]

Hi all. My husband and I will be diving in Belize and staying on the Lighthouse atoll in December. One of the dives he is really looking forward to is the Blue Hole. It seems to be one of those once in a lifetime type of dives, but I am a bit nervous. I have done about 30 dives with the deepest around 115 ft. I really would hate to miss out on this opportunity (I doubt we will be back to Belize any time soon). But -- I promised myself I wouldn't take any significant chances diving (2 kids at home I really need to come back to!). Is this a risky dive????

Is 130' too deep? For some the answer is yes. If you need to ask, then the answer is it is probably too deep for your comfort level. In my opinion, the best and most experienced divers also know when to say "no - that's not for me today". The hesitation you may feel in disappointing someone else (dive buddy/husband/whoever) is a heck of a lot better to deal with than making a bad decision and getting to a place where you are not comfortable. The best and most experienced divers will also respect that. If someone gives you a hard time because of such a decision, that tells you a lot about where they are and how far THEY need to go.

With that being said....this can also be a safe and enjoyable dive experience. The challenge of a dive to 130' is relative to the environment. If you have been diving to 100' in cold water, heavy gear, and limited vis....this dive to 130' in the crystal blue warm water would be a piece of cake. You need to be the one to asses your comfort, gear, and environment and make the call. 30 lifetimes dives is short experience, in my opinion, for a dive to 130'. You have over three months to build experience as well.

Bottom line - it can be safe, easy, and enjoyable and for some it could be extremely challenging and not worth the risk relative to their comfort, skills, and gear.

--Matt

 

[pediatron]

I just wanted to say thank you for all these great replies. I still haven't made up my mind yet, but all this info and opinions help. I wish I had the time off/ability to do some diving in the next 3 months, but just not likely.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

I wish I had the time off/ability to do some diving in the next 3 months, but just not likely.

Under NO circumstances would I make a dive to 130 feet if I'd not been diving in 3 months.

 

[HammerNoMore]

Under NO circumstances would I make a dive to 130 feet if I'd not been diving in 3 months.

What about 3 months off with two days of shallower dives right before?

 

[pediatron]

This wouldn't be the first dive in Belize! It's scheduled mid-week after about 8 or so other dives earlier that week.

 

[matt_unique]

Under NO circumstances would I make a dive to 130 feet if I'd not been diving in 3 months.

No way would I do 130', even in the crystal blue, unless my gear was still drying as I packed for vacation. If we are talking about diving maybe a couple of times per year and mostly on vacation you should enjoy the shallows <60'.

--Matt

 

[Martini]

Just my two cents but I was in your situation. I went to Belize with only about 20 dives under my belt. I had advanced open water. My wife and I dove all week and had a great time. As for Blue Hole, we felt it was too deep and too much of a risk for our experience level. We skipped it and had a great time on the reefs instead. Now we have an excuse to go back.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

What about 3 months off with two days of shallower dives right before?

That depends.

Two FULL days of progressively deeper?

What type of diving, and how frequently were they diving, before the three month layoff? If their diving is/was limited to 50/60 feet even when they are/were active I'd say "probably not".

This reminds me, somewhat, of people I know who stop diving in Oct/Nov/Dec because the water and air becomes too cold yet in Jan/Feb want to do an under ice dive. WTFO?

Someone much wiser than I once stated "there is nothing down there worth your life".

I vote "NO" for her 130 foot dive but I am frequently accused of being narrow minded, too conservative, opinionated, etc.

G_M