shallower reefs

[mediumone]

First you only have a few 120 cu ft tank dive ops. I believe that the original dive op using those tanks regularly is Aldora.

I dive with Aldora and there are southern dive sites that can be dove deep and relatively shallow. I usually go deepish for a short period at the beginning of a dive then work my way up. I am often 20-30 feet above the group.

However, if you are trying to milk out a two hour dive doing that then it may be an issue....even if you have a dedicated divemaster. Should others doing a 75 minute dive have to wait on the boat 45 minutes for you to finish your dive?

It's been my observation that dive times are often reported in the same way inches are reported: using a much different measuring device than I've ever seen.

 

[Pelagicsal]

It's been my observation that dive times are often reported in the same way inches are reported: using a much different measuring device than I've ever seen.

100cf tank, Oceanic Geo2 measuring device
115' 76min
117' 96min
115' 80min
113' 81min
66' 69min
113' 62min
61' 95min
132' 62min
63' 96min
68' 74min
67' 80min
Just over 79 minute average for the dives currently logged on my computer.

 

[ggunn]

It's been my observation that dive times are often reported in the same way inches are reported: using a much different measuring device than I've ever seen.

Based on my experiences diving Colombia Shallows on Al80's, someone with good air consumption being able to get two hours BT on that reef on a 120 does not sound unreasonable to me.

 

[mediumone]

100cf tank, Oceanic Geo2 measuring device
115' 76min
117' 96min
115' 80min
113' 81min
66' 69min
113' 62min
61' 95min
132' 62min
63' 96min
68' 74min
67' 80min
Just over 79 minute average for the dives currently logged on my computer.

Based on my experiences diving Colombia Shallows on Al80's, someone with good air consumption being able to get two hours BT on that reef on a 120 does not sound unreasonable to me.

Guys!!!! I didn't say everyone lies/exaggerates did I????

I said often.

I've also seen and dove with some who I swear have gills.

It's quite possible that both of you would make me look like I had a free-flowing reg during the entire dive.

 

[gopbroek]

100cf tank, Oceanic Geo2 measuring device115' 76min117' 96min115' 80min113' 81min66' 69min113' 62min61' 95min132' 62min63' 96min68' 74min67' 80minJust over 79 minute average for the dives currently logged on my computer.

IMHO, the important # is either the average depth / time or dead Lion fish per tank. Then again even using max depth those are impressive #'s.

When I sent in my last computer for repair it had 240 dives and 280 hours on it, all with AL80's and most of those dives were hunting Pez Leon at similar depths.

 

[divingjd]

Well, I can attest to Sallye's times and I would be shocked if she didn't bring back some ceviche fixings on every one of those dives.

I checked my computer readings on those dives at Columbia Shallows and my memory was a little off. One was 124 minutes, surfacing with 850 psi after starting with a really nice fill of 3690 psi. The other was 121 minutes, surfacing with 892 psi after starting with 3471 psi. Both on 120s.

I like things like Palancar Gardens, too, but there is something about the quality of light on a shallow site with a sandy bottom that I really enjoy. I don't get the same sense of sunshine much deeper than 30 feet and I don't get the same feeling on top of a wall.

 

[ggunn]

I like things like Palancar Gardens, too, but there is something about the quality of light on a shallow site with a sandy bottom that I really enjoy. I don't get the same sense of sunshine much deeper than 30 feet and I don't get the same feeling on top of a wall.

I have been on dives where I could swear that I could feel the radiant heat of the sunshine on my back at 30fsw. Probably my imagination.

 

[drrich2]

...all we thought was wouldn't it be cool to spend more time getting to know the shallower ( I know, shallow is relative) reefs better...you know, the sites that you motor over on the way to the south end...

Another possible obstacle to add to the pile. Are these 'sites' you refer to 'named' sites (e.g.: the shallow section), or are they unnamed sections of reef?

I ask because dive tourists (some who may only visit & dive this island once in their lives) often like to dive 'named' sites. Makes it easy to figure out where you've been, explain to & discuss it with other people, etc...

It may not be what you're thinking about doing, but extraordinarily long dives over unnamed shallow stretches of reef sounds like 'private charter' to me. Perhaps worth doing one or two days on a trip, where you dive with the mainstream the rest of the week? Especially if you can get a couple of like-minded people to do with you to help break up the cost?

Richard.

 

[divingjd]

I have been on dives where I could swear that I could feel the radiant heat of the sunshine on my back at 30fsw. Probably my imagination.

Probably not your imagination. I get the same feeling.

 

[kixy1]

Thanks for all the replies...I really didn't mean for my questions to be so complicated...no depth limits, no problem with the deeper dives, we love them as much as anyone...all we thought was wouldn't it be cool to spend more time getting to know the shallower ( I know, shallow is relative) reefs better...you know, the sites that you motor over on the way to the south end... anyway, from what I can tell, our options are...A. charter a boat to ourselves... B. stick with the larger boats and do "45 minute and out" dives on the "beginner" reefs...C. talk the other divers on the boat into two longer shallower dives rather than the "normal" one deep, one shallow trip...we've gotten to know the southernmost sites pretty well, just interested in getting to know the rest of the place a bit better... and two 90 minute plus dives sounds like a bunch of fun...that's all...Cozumel will always be one of our very favorite places, and I totally understand the reasons behind the way the operators there do what they do...again thank you for all your input...

I completely get what you're saying! I love to poking around a shallow reef for an hour or two...but Cozumel is known for it's spectacular reef-wall system and deeper dives, and that's what most people come here for. The current can also limit 'our' kind of diving.

As a solo diver I've come to accept that if I don't come with a group, or dive every day of my vacation with the same OP, I should expect:

1) My dives will be to the same reefs/sites multiple times in a trip
2) I will not have the same DM twice
3) I should expect to be on the '1-day' boats filled with newly certified, discover scuba, and cruise ship people
4) I need to be satisfied with being underwater, and not think about what I could do with the 1500cf of air left in my tank

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining! I understand why these things happen, it's due to my change in diving habits not some oversight or slight by the OP. I love to be in the water, so no dive is a 'bad' dive, and I suppose I could hire my own DM to get in longer dive times, but I still might be going to the same reef over and over...

Bottom line.... I just enjoy the day and remember how lucky I am to be diving Palancar