Nitrox in Utila

[keesmon]

Hey,
We'll be diving in Utila in about a month. I know that Nitrox is more costly (about $17 per tank more than air) in Utila.
We're planning on doing 3 dives a day for 2 days, then 3 days of rescue course, followed by 3 dives a day for 2 days again.

Would asking for Nitrox be a waste of time, based on typical Northside AM, Southside PM diving profiles?

I wasn't going to dive Nitrox in Utila until someone reminded me that since I got certified for it in Bonaire, I might as well use the certification wherever I can.

Thanks for any input.

Counting the days...............

 

[Doc]

We're planning on doing 3 dives a day for 2 days, then 3 days of rescue course, followed by 3 dives a day for 2 days again.

Would asking for Nitrox be a waste of time, based on typical Northside AM, Southside PM diving profiles?

Yes, based on the typical Utila dive profiles as well as your proposed frequency/repetitive schedule.

....wasn't going to dive Nitrox in Utila until someone reminded me that since I got certified for it ..... I might as well use the certification wherever I can.

The use of nitrox should be considered a "tool", selected because of need, not simple availability. It's best use is designed for specific dive parameters. If you could have seen the bizarre paroxysms the SCUBA industry and consumers went through during initial public introduction of certification, it would explain some of the "gotta use it" mentality that we have all succumb to at one time or the other.

You mention "Rescue Diver" class, and that keys me to a primary point about the use of nitrox. It severely limits one's "depth bottom" limit as a rescuer. On "air", one has much greater leeway as to how deep to push a rescue effort.

In this zone, for what you are doing... skip it.

 

[DandyDon]

Are you sure about that price? Wow! It's been a few years since I've been there but Laguna Beach Resort, Utila, advertises it for $8/tank, $125/week.

I often opt for it if it's $100 or so a week, or mix in one tank on the second dive of a day - but it depends on depth plans.

 

[keesmon]

I stand corrected. I guess different shops, different rates quoted. UDC is an extra $10 per dive, Alton's seems a bit the same.
Regardless, the $$$ is not the primary concern, the benefits is what I am trying to weigh here.

 

[DandyDon]

Benefits will depend on the dive plans. As I said, I often opt for it if it's $100 or so a week, or mix in one tank on the second dive of a day - like when it's $10/tank. If I was on a remote Belize atoll I might be more interested, but since Utila has a fine chamber (seen it!), at least you know that you probly wouldn't have to be transported somewhere else if you took a hit and it'd not in use. Dive safely, but know your contingencies.

 

[Sloeber]

If you are diving with UDC you won't need it. I'm currently diving with UDC, am certified for Nitrox, and have no need for it here. Unless you charter an entire boat to yourself or dive buddies you wont be allowed to dive your full profile. Your boat will have students of some sort - from OW and AOW to Divemasters, etc., that all will use air much faster than you. Dive Master is an oxymoron when the kids learned to dive 24 days ago and have 50 dives if you know what I mean. I surface with between 1400-1600psi on most dives with UDC because I'm forced to surface as a group. On the few times I've been allowed to hang aroud longer with my own divemaster as a dive buddy they seem to get rather anxious to surface around the 45-50 minute mark. I haven't come up with less than 1000psi yet.

So in short, you won't need nitrox with UDC. Your bottom times won't come close to making it beneficial.

HTH

 

[keesmon]

Thanks Sloeber. I am actually not diving with UDC; was just using their rates for comparison.

 

[DandyDon]

Ooops! Yuck...!

 

[Doc]

Thanks Sloeber. I am actually not diving with UDC; was just using their rates for comparison.

I would say that UDC is just an example. Your experience, no matter where you do a DM program, will likely be quite similar in terms of shepherding groups of newer vacation divers~ as Sloeber implied... it is more like herding ducks.

When you look at it in retrospect, attaining a Divemaster status can be accomplished with very little actual diving while on-scene and in-process. If you present yourself as an experienced and well-qualified candidate, you can blow through the steps in 10 days without getting out-of breath. The "diving" itself is really not a large component... unless you need training, or if they are trying to extend your stay and give you some frosting with your cake.

Sometimes candidates ask for that "frosting" when they select DM schools that offer "interesting diving" or any hint of topside diversions such as nightlife. If you want to "grind through it", you can. If you want a three week (or more) vacation while "working" your way through the program, that too is available.

A good instructor will work with you in terms of the thought process used in selecting air or nitrox for specific dives. PADI has introduced a new element in the Instructor program, where candidates are taught to "sell" and role-play working in a retail SCUBA store environment. In that selling gas, such as nitrox itself, is a component of the profit margins of LDS/Resort operations, you may well learn a new perspective in regards to how it is marketed.

 

[jnowak100]

I was diving with Utila Dive Center in November, I did 2 to 4 dives a day, usually alone with a dive master, perhaps lucky. I did not use Nitrox. The issue of Nitrox, perhaps a little less narc ed at the end of the day. the NEED for Nitrox depends upon your dive profile, how deep, how long, yes it does extend no-decompression time limits, but unless you regularly push against the time limits you may not NEED it, but using it will definitely reduce the nitrogen levels and may make you feel less tired at the end of the day.