No diving in several years - Aldora a poor choice?

[inquis]

don't think a pool will give me a feeling of consumption on an actual drift dive.

I think you'd be surprised, as I suspect your normalized consumption rate will be higher in the pool. In a shallow pool, you can't breath as slowly since buoyancy changes more rapidly than when deeper.

(Normalize the consumption by the time and average depth converted to pressure. Based on this number, you can calculate the time at any depth. Let us know if you need additional details on this.)

 

[ggunn]

I think you'd be surprised, as I suspect your normalized consumption rate will be higher in the pool. In a shallow pool, you can't breath as slowly since buoyancy changes more rapidly than when deeper.

(Normalize the consumption by the time and average depth converted to pressure. Based on this number, you can calculate the time at any depth. Let us know if you need additional details on this.)

Well, the absolute pressure at the bottom of an 8' pool is about 1.25 ATM, so assuming pressure to volume linearity I guess you could measure the tank pressure drop over X minutes at 1.25 ATM and estimate what it would be at, say 66 fsw, where the pressure would be ~3 ATM absolute. Is that what you are thinking? If so, it seems to me that you wouldn't even need the pool; just do your measurements at 1 ATM absolute.

It also seems to me that it wouldn't be very accurate, since air consumption while diving depends on other things besides pressure.

 

[OregonDM]

Don't overthink it. Aldora is a great choice, just let them know where you're at and they will make it happen for you. If you are nervous, I agree that hiring a private DM might be the way to go for at least your first day. Small price to pay for peace of mind.

 

[FishWatcher747]

If you have a computer that gives the average depth for a dive there is no reason one shouldn't be calculating gas consumption rate for your dives. The other variables one needs are dive time, gas used, and tank size.

 

[TexasGuppy]

My old Oceanic Data Plus doesn't provide average depth. I'll probably upgrade if this trip goes well.
Sent a message the Aldora, we'll see what they suggest. I'm not nervous of the dive itself, just trying to not impact the group and if I'll need to change shops. Private DM would solve that but could get expensive for a week. Not sure I need to prebook for the entire week in advance or can wing it. With 7 boats, sounds like there would always be last minute capacity.
I was also trying to find a place to stay somewhat near the departure location.

 

[js1221]

I was just in Cozumel last month and do be with Aldora. You should be fine with them, and probably won’t need a private DM for a week. Try it for one day, see how you feel. As far as the departure location, Aldora picks up from several spots. We stayed at the Cozumel Hotel, which Aldora booked for us. It’s an AI, but close enough to the tourist area if you don’t mind walking.

 

[scubbq]

Just book Aldora and stay at Villa Aldora. If not villa, stay in Centro close to Aldora shop as pier is right there. The farthest south they will pick up is typically Secrets. It’s high-season, “Last minute capacity” doesn’t exist with Aldora, you are assigned a boat one hour before they close the night before. If you cancel/no-show you are charged full price. If you’re concerned with Aldora, use a much smaller outfit, there are hundreds to choose from.

 

[inquis]

It also seems to me that it wouldn't be very accurate, since air consumption while diving depends on other things besides pressure.

No doubt, the diving itself plays a huge role, so doing it in the pool is kind of a must. I was assuming the OP has (or can borrow) a computer that would give the avg depth, but just ballparking it would likely be useful to bound things. Again, I suspect the MX dive SAC/RMV will be lower, so the pool estimate would be a worst case figure.

ETA: put it this way, my pool SAC is always higher than any drift dive I've ever done in Coz (for reasons I outlined earlier). Anecdotal evidence, no doubt.

 

[ggunn]

If you have a computer that gives the average depth for a dive there is no reason one shouldn't be calculating gas consumption rate for your dives. The other variables one needs are dive time, gas used, and tank size.

The question was whether someone could tell what their gas consumption on a dive would be based on a pool session.

 

[FishWatcher747]

The question was whether someone could tell what their gas consumption on a dive would be based on a pool session.

In the OPs defense he has a computer that doesn't give average depth. Thus he has over 200 dives and can't tell us what his gas consumption rate is.

For the divers with 200 dives that have a computer that tells average depth and don't know their RMV they are not paying attention to their diving.

For their own safety and everyone they dive with they should pay more attention.