Rec Trimix

[MaxBottomtime]

Pseudo Tech Diving has nothing to do with it:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=482190&postcount=10
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=482221&postcount=13

Unfortunately, both of those links are to MHK's posts. He wrote the outline for the course and sells them for $600, so he has an agenda to push it. Using higher concentrations of O2 and helium to depths as much as 130 on a single tank with no backup other than a buddy is not Doing It Right. They will even tell you in the class that the instructors recommend doubles, but teach students in single tanks. MHK says that it is based on divers in the Caymans making an 80 foot dive and wouldn't require doubles. If that is the case, call it a resort course. If they are going to dive to 80 feet on vacation, they will not likely be paying for helium when air and Nitrox is available. I really believe GUE lowered their standards on this one.

 

[TheRedHead]

An 80 foot dive in the Caymans is a good one for Nitrox anyway.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Exactly.

 

[Rick Inman]

The IANT rec trimix can be combined with the advanced nitrox course in which case limits for training dives are 150 ft with a limited amount of decompression and one decompression gas.

This is the class I'm in now.

I'm doing the class with doubles and a 40, but IANTD allows it to be taken with a single tank with H valve and a 20. The whole thing isn't about, is it rec or tec or pseudo whatever? It's about saying, what is the best mix for this particular dive?

If you want to do a dive to 145' to swim around a wreck, what is the best gas(es) for that dive? You might not say this is strictly a deep water tec dive, but not too many people would disagree that some HE in the mix would be an advantage, along and some higher O2's to off-gas.

So where do you draw the line on adding HE? 130'? 120? It absolutely depends on the diver and the conditions and the comfort level of the diver.

Also, things are easily manageable with some minor narc-ing, until it really hits the fan. Can you say absolutely that at 120' in the cold/dark/current/whatever that you will be at your best if your buddy really needs you?

I don't think I've met anyone in this rec/tec mid-line that is in it for the ego-factor as suggested. Again, it's about the right (safest) mix for the dive.

 

[roakey]

People tend to believe the first thing they learn, even though it might not be right.

The law of primacy, if anyone is interested in the formal name for this...

http://www.tpub.com/content/administration/134t/css/134t_34.htm

Roak

 

[TheRedHead]

I don't think the Law of Primacy is the situation with my instructor. I think he is an intelligent person who teaches for another agency and disagrees.

 

[dherbman]

Old school vs New school. People tend to believe the first thing they learn, even though it might not be right.

Good point. It raises a question in my mind as to how such a person can evolve without taking a hit to their credibility. What is an instructors obligation to past students he has instructed? It's easy to see how denial, misinformation and an attitude of stay the course could result.

 

[MikeFerrara]

My confusion continues. What's the other part of Tech1? How about Advanced Nitrox and diving with stage bottles?

Check out the GUE website for a better descroption of tech1 but it's basically what I would compare to a normoxic trimix class and their first of 3 technical certification levels.

I'm not sure I understand what question you're asking about the advanced nitrox class but it's an entry level technical class. Taken on it's own diving is limited to 130 ft with air/nitrox and nitrox mixes up to 50% for decompression. It's not a stage bottle, it's a decompression bottle. There's 15 or 20 minute limit on decompression. When combined with the rec trimix class the depth limit is extended to 150 ft.

 

[TheRedHead]

Mike, I already finished the TDI Advanced Nitrox/Deco Procedures classes. I was curious as to what part of Tech1 is Advanced Nitrox or if it is omitted altogther in Tech1? Trying to compare Tech1 to TDI and the website doesn't help.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Also, things are easily manageable with some minor narc-ing, until it really hits the fan. Can you say absolutely that at 120' in the cold/dark/current/whatever that you will be at your best if your buddy really needs you?

Any one can pull of mindlessly swimming in circles even when they're really narced. The test is when you have to do something especially if that something is something new that you have to reason your way through.