Proper Equipment for Deep Cold Water Diving

[pcarlson1911]

My wife and I are looking to expand our exploration of the great lakes to depths up to the recreational limits. Although we have carefully selected our gear, it is my opinion that we need to make some modifications to increase our safety net.

Some background:
We have logged 60+ dives since February of this year. 2/3 of these dives have been in the Great Lakes and surrounding quarries.
A total of 20 dives have been to 60' or below, all of those dives in the Great Lakes.
Our max depth has been 95' at Gilboa.
We completed our Advanced course with Ber this summer.

We dive AL80's with K-valves, Mares Abyss Regulators and Proton Octos on a single first stage, Oceanic Fex BCD's with plastic Drings.

I have a bad back, so I'm not interested in doubles, but you can try to convince me otherwise!

We have never had any difficulty with free flow of our regulators at depth, although my octo is a bit weepy at the surface upon entry.

We are excellent buddies as we are always in very close proximity, and our gas planning is conservative.

We are not planning on tech diving in the future, but that does not meant that there isn't a Tech solution to our rec situation.

What equipment do we need to make sure that we have a reasonable safety net in place.


Thanks in advance.
pc

 

[DudleyNMU]

Well i would say start with a Dry Suit and a pony bottle. 30 cu ft are nice. Pony are nice because its a totally redundant system that you can relay on. Also maybe get a true cold water reg like a Blizzard if you plan on staying in the great lakes. I have had my Blizzard down to 150 in 40 degree water and it never free flowed. Thats what i would recommend.

 

[pcarlson1911]

Dudley -
It is my understanding that the Mares Abyss rates better than most cold water regs. It is environmentally sealed. What makes the Blizzard better?
pc

 

[jepuskar]

A 30cu ft pony bottle is not a totally redundant system to a 80cu ft tank. Ask Uncle Ricky and he'll tell you the same. It is a different tank and reg, but not redundant.

At recreational depths, with a buddy, doing no-decompression diving, a pony bottle is not a necessary piece of equipment. It would be nice to use your own reg to abort the dive, but it's optional.

Drysuit is a good idea, I would then can the AL80's and get into atleast a Steel 100.

 

[pcarlson1911]

Jep -
A 30 is not redundant to an 80 because a 30 has less air?

I am assuming a 100 to increase the amount of air?
why steel?
What kind of Valve set up on the steel 100?
pc

 

[do it easy]

I'm a big fan of the Abyss regs. There is an environmental seal available for them, but I don't think it is necessary. They breathe just fine without being overly complicated, which is a plus in freshwater.

I would also suggest some scissors, a knife, a whistle, and a surface marker (AKA safety sausage).

I'm not a big fan of ponies, especially since you already have a buddy. Keep track of you buddy and you won't need the pony. She will be both your redundant air and your reminder to check both of your air supplies.

A light would be a good addition, but you don't have to go overboard. At most depths, there will be enough ambient light that your eyes will adjust. The light is more for signalling and keeping track of your buddy, so I recommend a tight beam. Something like the UK SL4 or the Photon Torpedo would work, but there are other lights. LEDs are starting to get powerful enough to use underwater.

 

[pcarlson1911]

Do it easy -
So, since we do have the full compliment of gear you mention, in your opinion, we are ready to dive to 130' assuming our training and skills are there? I love that answer, as money is hard enough to part with.

I just hear so much about redundancy.....
pc

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Hi Paul. Great question. I'm not in any position to provide expert advice, but since I have similar plans to yours, let me share my current setup and future plans.

I dive a SS BP/W, single AL80, Aqua Lung Legend LX, various wetsuits, wrist-mounted Aeris Atmos 2 computer, and backup watch and depth gauge both wrist-mounted.

I am planning on adding the following equipment over the next year or two to finish out my gear set for deep (but recreational) wreck diving in any temp range:

- 19cf pony bottle w/ environmentally sealed, cold water reg. Probably a Zeagle DS-V. I will sling it on my left side instead of mounting it to my main tank.
- Two Worthington X8-119 steel tanks
- Oxygen analyzer for when I dive Nitrox
- Bare XCD2 dry suit
- 30cf pony bottle (use same reg as above) for deeper (110-130) or penetration dives

Like you, I have no plans nor desire to move to doubles. Lots of folks have and will try and convince me otherwise, but they haven't yet and I doubt they will. I hope to get the first two items next year before taking both the Deep and Wreck diver courses. The other three items will probably have to wait until 2008. After all, have to keep my wife and kids fed.

 

[cerich]

Do it easy -
So, since we do have the full compliment of gear you mention, in your opinion, we are ready to dive to 130' assuming our training and skills are there? I love that answer, as money is hard enough to part with.

I just hear so much about redundancy.....
pc

for no deco, non penetration that the gear you have is more than OK.

The pony vs. stage vs not needed for no deco dives is always a debate, in the end you'll have to make up your own mind.

You won't last long before you want to penetrate and then deco but for the next while you should be good.

make sure you get the right training and experience so you don't get in over your heads, a mentor would be great.

Best,

Chris

 

[do it easy]

Do it easy -
So, since we do have the full compliment of gear you mention, in your opinion, we are ready to dive to 130' assuming our training and skills are there? I love that answer, as money is hard enough to part with.

I just hear so much about redundancy.....
pc

Only you can decide if you are ready... The redundancy applies mainly to necessary gear, such as knives, regulators and gas supply, which your buddy is carrying around for you. For no deco/non-overhead dives, if you need to abort the dive, the exit is directly above you.

Another thing is square away weighting, trim, and buoyancy control. This will enhance your safety and make your dives more enjoyable.

I would also recommend starting shallower and finding your comfort level. Quarries are fairly controlled environments- they are confined areas with little or no waves and land is directly accessible. Being at 130' in the middle of the lake is the wrong place to realize that you are uncomfortable below 100' You did AOW with Ber- she would be a great resource since she has seen you dive and might be able to recommend a place to start.