Pushing your limits.

[DORSETBOY]

Firstly I would qualify this by saying it's not intended as a criticism of anyone whom has gone beyond the limit of their training, I'm just curious as to why people do it?

An example would be intentionally undertaking deco diving without training.

Are people not doing the necessary training because of the cost that involves? or is there another reason?

 

[scubasean]

Firstly I would qualify this by saying it's not intended as a criticism of anyone whom has gone beyond the limit of their training, I'm just curious as to why people do it?

An example would be intentionally undertaking deco diving without training.

Are people not doing the necessary training because of the cost that involves? or is there another reason?

Well, I don't know about someone who would deco dive without training....I certainly wouldn't do that...

But try another example...Tecnically, an OW diver is "trained" to go to 60', as I recall. But what really is the difference between 60' and 130? There might be some that say that the 60' limit was created to stimulate more "advanced" classes, rather than a safety issue that needed correcting. Those folks probably feel justified in going to 100', without the Adv. card.

Also, although I'm not "trained" to solo dive, I do it....at least on easier dives (45-55') I've done many times before. Why? Well, sometimes I can't find a buddy....other times I don't want one....

 

[Warren_L]

But try another example...Tecnically, an OW diver is "trained" to go to 60', as I recall. But what really is the difference between 60' and 130? There might be some that say that the 60' limit was created to stimulate more "advanced" classes, rather than a safety issue that needed correcting. Those folks probably feel justified in going to 100', without the Adv. card.

Actually, I can think of quite a few differences between 60' and 130' (besides the obvious 70'). This, I think warrants some degree of additional training. And certainly if not for the fact that having to do an AOW might afford a new O/W student more bottom time before moving to deeper depths. That can only be a good thing.

 

[FreeFloat]

IMO some OW divers are naturally curious and may not appreciate any or all of the risks inherent with the type of dive they may attempt. It then becomes a case of not knowing what it is that they don't know, and it is the missing information that entalis the risk.

Some OW divers may be too impatient to undertake training; others may have financial issues; still others may believe that being introduced to a new type of diving by a buddy familiar with that type of diving is a prefectly acceptable alternative to formal training.

Some OW divers in fact may believe they have already thought out and planned for all eventualities and to them, the level of potential risk involved in undertaking the new type of dive, is at an acceptable level. They may or may not be overestimating their ability level and they may or may not be overconfident (the "It won't happen to me" syndrome).

 

[scubasean]

Actually, I can think of quite a few differences between 60' and 130' (besides the obvious 70'). This, I think warrants some degree of additional training. And certainly if not for the fact that having to do an AOW might afford a new O/W student more bottom time before moving to deeper depths. That can only be a good thing.

Well, I think you argued both sides of the fence....On the one hand, you said additional training is warranted....And in the next sentence, you seemed to indicate that all that is needed is additional bottom time....Suppose the OW diver had 50 dives, each to 60 feet? Is it exceeding training to do to 80 feet?

I would definitely agree that a newly certified diver going to 130 without an instructor might be an issue...

:banana:

 

[redacted]

I read the books and then decided whether I needed an instructor to hold my hand. So far, that has worked for night, deep, drift, and every other "AOW" specialty I have undertaken.

 

[Warren_L]

Well, I think you argued both sides of the fence....On the one hand, you said additional training is warranted....And in the next sentence, you seemed to indicate that all that is needed is additional bottom time....Suppose the OW diver had 50 dives, each to 60 feet? Is it exceeding training to do to 80 feet?

I would definitely agree that a newly certified diver going to 130 without an instructor might be an issue...

:banana:

Arguing both sides? Nope, not really, at least not intentionally .... I believe that additional training is warranted as well as more bottom time. But, if someone is really bent on going deep so soon after o/w, then at least AOW would afford more bottom time. But that's not to say that that's the only thing they should be doing.

 

[TCDiver1]

An example would be intentionally undertaking deco diving without training.

Well, i suspect many of us started Deco diving before there was any organized or readily available course teaching Deco.

That certainly isn't an excuse today. I recently took some courses which teach the type of deco diving i had been doing for years without training. I'm glad i did it, great instructor, good material and i learned a lot.

 

[iflyprops]

If I remember correctly the 60' limit varies from agency to agency. I am only padi ow right now, (working on ssi advanced...) and have been to over 100' but I do not recall them ever telling us not to go below 60' in my classes. I (think...it was a few years ago) do remember my instructor teaching us to remain within the recreational dive limits of 125' (or 130' depending upon the agency). If they did tell us to stay above 60 I have ignored that...and I do not regret it one bit. I have learned more diving with more "skilled" divers at the greater depths than if I would have if I had stayed at 60 ft.

That said, a newly certified diver should gain experience before attempting the Speigel Grove... I believe it is ok to push your personal limits as long as there is someone on the dive (with you of course) whose skill level is equal to or greater than that of the dive being made.

Whew.

 

[JButla]

I don't know about most of you, but cost is the major factor in my world. The cost of achieving that next level of training gets pretty out of hand IMHO.