Is 130 ft too deep?

[Boogie711]

Even on training dives you don't push the limits past the point where the student would normally be comfortable... at least a competent instructor doesn't.

And while I find your comment about "never trusting a buddy" rather sad and disturbing, I'll openly concede that it's what I've come to expect from you. For example, I won't dive CCR to the depths you do without sufficient bailout gas for myself and my buddy, either.

We probably have a differing opinion on a "Trust me" dive and a training dive.

 

[Curt Bowen]

Even on training dives you don't push the limits past the point where the student would normally be comfortable... at least a competent instructor doesn't.

And while I find your comment about "never trusting a buddy" rather sad and disturbing, I'll openly concede that it's what I've come to expect from you. For example, I won't dive CCR to the depths you do without sufficient bailout gas for myself and my buddy, either.

We probably have a differing opinion on a "Trust me" dive and a training dive.

First I would have to say, you don't know jack crap about how I dive. You have never dove with me and probably never will.

"Never trust a buddy" comes from being equiped at all times with personal redunant equipment to get yourself out of the jam. Next time your in a 18" high sidemount cave tunnel and the vis is 2 inches, ask your buddy for help, if you can find him.

As for CCR, again you have never dove with me, thus you have zero clue on what and how much gas I carry. But I would bet its a lot more than you.

Yes, I have a complete different opinion about trust me dives and training dives.

I would take that girl down to 160 feet, if she wanted me to. And it would be a complete trust me dive.

 

[MikeFerrara]

So isn't a students first deep dive with an instructor a "trust me" dive?
If I had never dove with anyone more experienced than myself I'd still be at 60' lookin at the fishies

Only if they haven't developed the skills that would allow them to survive the dive without help. Does the student understand the gas and decompression planning? Does the student hold up his end of the dive team? Or is he blindly following without a clue.

The way I see it there's a difference between having some one more experienced along to see you through your first try at it in a given environment (deep or whatever) and another thing to have some one do it for you and totally depending on them.

 

[Boogie711]

OK, look, Curt - I'm not trying to make this personal.

I just looked at my response and perhaps a better line would have been "I concede that it's how you prefer to dive" rather than "what I've come to expect from you." They both mean the same but one just sounds much nicer.

Let's just leave it as "I prefer a higher margin of safety than you do." But then again, you're the Publisher of Advanced Diver magazine, so that must make you an expert, right?

But while we're on the subject - you're right, I never will dive with you. But then again, I'm sure that's how we would both prefer it.

Good luck to you sir.

 

[Curt Bowen]

OK, look, Curt - I'm not trying to make this personal.

I just looked at my response and perhaps a better line would have been "I concede that it's how you prefer to dive" rather than "what I've come to expect from you." They both mean the same but one just sounds much nicer.

Let's just leave it as "I prefer a higher margin of safety than you do." But then again, you're the Publisher of Advanced Diver magazine, so that must make you an expert, right?

But while we're on the subject - you're right, I never will dive with you. But then again, I'm sure that's how we would both prefer it.

Good luck to you sir.

I would have to say after diving for 22 years and deep for 16 years plus publishing over 33 magazines on technical diving, I am an expert.

Its not a big head, technical diving is what I do for a living, 60 hours a week. When you need a plumber you dont call a lawn man.

Plus, how would I know who you are? I dont see your real name anyplace.

 

[Boogie711]

Then you're obviously not looking hard enough, Curt. I've never made it a secret - it's on the front page of my Spring Straps website, for goodness sakes.

My last name is Chatterton - but I wouldn't dive with him, either.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I would have to say after diving for 22 years and deep for 16 years plus publishing over 33 magazines on technical diving, I am an expert.

Its not a big head, technical diving is what I do for a living, 60 hours a week. When you need a plumber you dont call a lawn man.

Plus, how would I know who you are? I dont see your real name anyplace.

Try...one year of diving and about 100 dives. But he's been DIRF'd!

I'm sorry just had to toss that in. It just chaps my hide to see a newby crackin' on a vet.

 

[wedivebc]

Only if they haven't developed the skills that would allow them to survive the dive without help. Does the student understand the gas and decompression planning? Does the student hold up his end of the dive team? Or is he blindly following without a clue.

The way I see it there's a difference between having some one more experienced along to see you through your first try at it in a given environment (deep or whatever) and another thing to have some one do it for you and totally depending on them.

So when you teach open water divers and you take all those eager beavers in the deep blue sea for the first time they are all able to survive the dive without help and they understand gas and decompression planning?
Eventually we all encounter some level of "trust me" dives.
pediatron stated she has done several dives to 100+ ft and was comfortable at that depth. I say provided you are comfortable the blue hole might be a great experience. It may help to have someone more experienced such as a DM to supervise.
I tell my students to go into the water and don't be afraid to push the limit once in a while as long as you take baby steps.

130ft is only 15ft deeper than her deepest dive. That sounds like a baby step to me.

 

[Boogie711]

Never hid anything Stephen. And for the record - YOU were the first one to mention DIR. Curt and I were having a perfectly civil conversation here.

Good night everyone.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Never hid anything Stephen. And for the record - YOU were the first one to mention DIR. Curt and I were having a perfectly civil conversation here.

Good night everyone.

Your conversation didn't seem all that civil to me but...

...I'm sorry and I apologize.

I don't believe I've ever made a disparaging remark about DIR before and I didn't mean to this time. The comment was more about your inexperience than about DIR ...which, by the way, doesn't have to be treated like a dirty word.

You're young and motivated. I'm sure your experience and skill will blossom. You'll probably do dives I only dream about.

But have some respect for the guys that have been there. Its one thing to be enthusiastic about your new knowledge and training but its more than a bit naive to take on someone who is out of your league. IF Curt needs to be taken to task then it should be by someone of equal standing. Otherwise it just seems petty.

Again, I'm very sorry. Your enthusiasm is a quality that should be praised and not put down. I'm ashamed of my attack. I don't want us to be board-enemies.

Stephen