TDI Advanced Nitrox

[VTWarrenG]

Actually... how much are the GUE classes? I don't think I've ever seen a NUMBER.

And yeah, I plan on buying the right stuff (gear AND training) from the start. Here's what I'm going to buy before the classes:

1) Double Pressed Steel LP 95's
2) DiveRite/Halcyon 300 bar manifold
3) Dual Apeks TX-100's.. TX-50's for stages
4) Halcyon Explorer wing (if my Trek wing decided to not like the double 95's)
5) Two AL 40cf deco cylinders
6) DUI drysuit (can't wear double steels wet)

I've already read:

DIR: Fundamentals of Better Diving,
Tech 1: Getting Clear on the Basics
Cave 1: Beyond the Daylight Zone

I've looked over the DIRF skills/lessons/etc... I really do think I know all of the theory, and can do all the skills. A really excellent NACD Cavern instructor and a lot of personal skill-building have led to that... hrm...

- Warren

 

[Lost Yooper]

I haven't heard for a while what the going rate is for a class ($400+??). Somebody here probably knows.

I either have or had everything you have listed there except the DUI suit. You'll be happy with everything there. I especially like my PST 95's.

Good luck .

Mike

 

[TexasMike]

Originally posted by Lost Yooper
...deeps air (100' END)?

Yoop.....can you enlighten this unenlightend one what this means?

(btw, great questions!...especially since adv.EAN/deco is on my slate for classes this season)

 

[Lost Yooper]

GUE basically says all dives should be conducted with a 100' END or less. They don't use air for anything for obvious reasons (well obvious to those who know better, I guess). What I was saying is he should ask his instructor if he allows END's greater than a 100' or so. Personally, I would be feeling out the guy's attitude to see if he's up to snuff. I should've made that more clear, I guess.



Mike

 

[VTWarrenG]

TM, Since I got here first

END = Equivalent Narcotic Depth. Essentially, nitrogen and oxygen are considered equally narcotic. At 100 fsw, you're under 4 atmosphere (absolute) of pressure. If you're breathing air, you're therefore breathing 4 ATA of narcotic gas. 4 ATA of narcotic gas is therefore defined as 100 fsw equivalent narcotic depth (END).

If you replace some of the narcotic gas with helium, which is not narcotic, you produce a mixture, that, well, is not as narcotic. If you were to dive to 130', by GUE standards you MUST use trimix, as air (or any other nitrox, which is still composed of 100% narcotic gas) would have an END of 130'. If you elect to breath 21/35 trimix (which is 21% oxygen, 35% helium, and the balance nitrogen), you'll be under 5 ATA of pressure, and be breathing (0.21*5 + 0.44*5) = 3.25 ATA of narcotic gas, which is equivalently narcotic to air at 75 fsw. It is said that 21/35 trimix at 130 fsw has an END of 75 fsw. Breathing 21/35 trimix at 130 fsw is equivalent (from a narcosis standpoint) to breathing air at only 75 fsw.

The GUE maintains that there is no excuse in today's diving environment, where trimix is either readily available or easily homebrewed, for using a mix with an END of greather than 100 fsw.

- Warren

 

[VTWarrenG]

Dammit LY, I'm gonna have to start bringing out the ball gag one of these days. I don't care that he specifically asked YOU what it meant, I WANTED TO ANSWER IT FIRST! ut:

- Warren

 

[TexasMike]

Thank you both.......END was an acronym that wasn't part of my "scuba-cabulary" yet.

And a great thread here....My TDI instructor is a very good one, but you both are giving me some good stuff to think about. And a need to quiz my cave diver buddy who was in my rescue class. Some reason I think he has some GUE in his background....

 

[TexasMike]

Okay WARREN (sorry, couldn't resist)

The END explanation makes sense (especially when applied to tech diving where you might be below 100 fsw for significant amount of time).

So what then is all the hooplah from TDI about Extended Range? (which, as I *think* I understand it, is about deeper dives on air).

 

[VTWarrenG]

Ask him about Gilliam and Odom's Deep Air...

Do a search, you'll find a lot of interesting tidbits. Here's one:

http://www.cisatlantic.com/trimix/AQUAcorps/wahwah/WahWah.htm

At one point, it was trendy for the leaders of major "tekkie" organizations to set aside all they taught their students and do cowboy macho dives to 400 fsw on air...

Thank God some intelligent folks like the GUE have started to correct some of those horrifying behaviors. Observe the obvious paradox:

Everyone thinks TDI endorses surgically precise, safe dives, yet they actually perform stupid cowboy dives.

Everyone thinks the GUE endorses stupid cowboy dives, yet they actually perform surgically precise, safe dives.

Personally, I'll take the DIR folks for their meticulous diving skills, their defunct social skills notwithstanding.

- Warren

 

[TexasMike]

As far as the GUE courses....I know DIRF is in Houston this weekend....

Doe they bring their other courses on the road as well?