Tech Dives on Recreational Charters
- Thread starter lukeb
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TheCoolBeans
Contributor
my thoughts on this... If the skipper tells you to be back in an hour then be back in an hour.
If you go and spend a few mins down at 60m and deco the rest of the time then provided you have the training and adhere to the schedule then this should be no different than spending your time mooching around between 10-40metres on a multilevel dive.
In fact the whole 'back on the boat in 60mins' thing is why i like to have TTS on my computer so i can plan things out as i go.
(standard disclaimer for pedants: if its a full on tech dive you should plan more thoroughly than making it up as you go along)
If you go and spend a few mins down at 60m and deco the rest of the time then provided you have the training and adhere to the schedule then this should be no different than spending your time mooching around between 10-40metres on a multilevel dive.
In fact the whole 'back on the boat in 60mins' thing is why i like to have TTS on my computer so i can plan things out as i go.
(standard disclaimer for pedants: if its a full on tech dive you should plan more thoroughly than making it up as you go along)
Regarding the follow up question by lukeb. The SE FL tech. charters that I've been on have all been single dive AM trips. Dive masters discuss run times with the divers, on the trips I've been on these run times have typically been between 80 and 110 minutes. As for doing two tech profiles on one trip, in my (somewhat limited) experience, I've only done that when a group I'm diving with has booked the boat for the day. We aim for a surface interval of twice the run time of the first dive, unless we start very early in the morning a trip like that will not allow the boat to return in time for an afternoon charter.
Talk with the charter operator.
We run a lot of mixed runs
Many tech divers will used the skills and equipment to do one long dive in nearly the same amount of time as our rec divers do 2 with a 1hr interval.
Plan on being efficient. If you are planning a long dive you had better be the first one in. This means you had better be able to kit up in the same or less time than your rec counterparts.
Learn to remove and replace your stage bottles in the WATER by your self.
Remember your are on a rec charter so minimize the amount of extra crap your bring along.
Never climb a ladder with deco bottles on
EveryEve else on the boat is paying to be there so dont make them wait for you do decompress because you didn't plan properly
We run a lot of mixed runs
Many tech divers will used the skills and equipment to do one long dive in nearly the same amount of time as our rec divers do 2 with a 1hr interval.
Plan on being efficient. If you are planning a long dive you had better be the first one in. This means you had better be able to kit up in the same or less time than your rec counterparts.
Learn to remove and replace your stage bottles in the WATER by your self.
Remember your are on a rec charter so minimize the amount of extra crap your bring along.
Never climb a ladder with deco bottles on
EveryEve else on the boat is paying to be there so dont make them wait for you do decompress because you didn't plan properly
OP
That is some really good practical advice, thank you!
broncobowsher
Contributor
West coast. Couple weekends ago I did a double tech dive. Started at 7:30 AM, dive site less than an hour away. back at the dock about 3PM. Pretty much impossible to do a double tech dive and run 2 boats a day.
As for just keeping the tech skills up, doesn't mean every dive has to be a deep deco dive. You can do the skills on recreational dives. You can dive recreationally in technical gear. I find it more relaxing since you can deal with issues better. You get to do a 2-tank dive on a set of doubles and not have to mess with changing tanks between dives. The reserve air from the first dive is carried over to the second dive.
As for just keeping the tech skills up, doesn't mean every dive has to be a deep deco dive. You can do the skills on recreational dives. You can dive recreationally in technical gear. I find it more relaxing since you can deal with issues better. You get to do a 2-tank dive on a set of doubles and not have to mess with changing tanks between dives. The reserve air from the first dive is carried over to the second dive.
jadairiii
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Best advice I can give you is if you are diving in SE Florida, find a 6 pack charter, "buy" the whole boat, get a few friends and do what you want to do, everyone is on the same page. Capt has one job, your team's safety.
But....I have never been a fan of the cattle boat tech diving. It's normally a horror show. If the boat ties in then hope you dont blow off the wreck, you will be in Boca when they get you and if the cattle boat drifts the divers are scattered all over the east coast and then you pray that this time the DM will do a proper head count. If not, you are going home on a different boat...
But....I have never been a fan of the cattle boat tech diving. It's normally a horror show. If the boat ties in then hope you dont blow off the wreck, you will be in Boca when they get you and if the cattle boat drifts the divers are scattered all over the east coast and then you pray that this time the DM will do a proper head count. If not, you are going home on a different boat...
See this all the time on the Great Lakes boat’s I’ve been on. Crew doesn’t care. Doubles take up the same space as two single tanks.
caydiver
Contributor
For us a charter means your group whether it is one or fourteen have the boat for exclusive use. We make the experience what the diver(s) want. Don’t consider a public trip a charter. The times, sites, etc,. Are all adjusted for a charter so it isn’t a problem, on a regularly scheduled trip, it can be. We do charters for groups that want to dive, snorkel, do DSDs, or even stay on the boat and combinations off all the above. Your charter, your boat. Regular morning or afternoon trip special requests only if all the guests are okay with them. We actually call or email beforehand so no one is put on the spot.
Dusty123
Contributor
Horizon double dips the Speigel Grove almost every day and will let you do a single long dive and usually has a mix of people on rebreathers and doubles in addition to the rec divers.
PDC and SFDH in Pompano both don’t have issue with people making a single long dive. Frequently have people diving doubles or rebreather. I like PDC’s boat as they have some really good dm’s and lots of space. SFDH has the big cattle cat boats but also a smaller boat that works out good when there’s a mix of divers going to one of the AOW dives.
PDC and SFDH in Pompano both don’t have issue with people making a single long dive. Frequently have people diving doubles or rebreather. I like PDC’s boat as they have some really good dm’s and lots of space. SFDH has the big cattle cat boats but also a smaller boat that works out good when there’s a mix of divers going to one of the AOW dives.
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