Once you get your PADI OW - your licensed to descend to 18m. How soon would be too soon to do this after the 4 OW dives? Would you advocate a gradual increase in depth as the number of dives experienced increases?
Too soon for 18m after OW?
- Thread starter Jon-boi
- Start date
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What is your experience? Did you dive to 18m during your checkout dives? Did you get close?
What is your experience? Did you dive to 18m during your checkout dives? Did you get close?
Walter:
Hi Walter,
Okay, I meant that within the limits of the OW cert. a diver is certified to 18m - not a license in the true sense, just trying to avoid saying the cert 'allows' you to dive to 18m because thats just as bad.....
As far as experience goes - this is a general question not specific to my situation. There is a wide range of experience on SB and just wanted to tap into that...
I would assume that most OW checkout dives do not go to 18m (6-9m seem more likely?)
H2Andy
Contributor
i would do a couple of shallow dives, just to get comfortable, then a couple of dives
to 18 meters, see how that goes, then do deeper dives as the dives require it.
i'd try not to plan any dives over 100 feet for the first, say, 20 dives.
to 18 meters, see how that goes, then do deeper dives as the dives require it.
i'd try not to plan any dives over 100 feet for the first, say, 20 dives.
cgilyeat - I agree with you on this. There are some deeper dives that I would like to do because of the marine life etc that would not otherwise be seen but I'm taking my time and I intend to be with DM or higher who is experienced in the dive...(added comfort)
H2Andy
Contributor
well, it's one thing to be careful (that's fine), but it's a fine line between that
and baby sitting.
if you have your basic skills down, a dive to 100 feet is very similar to a dive to
60 feet. yes, you use up more air, but you should be aware of that from your training.
i'm just saying, don't feel like you need to hire a DM to hold your hand just because you're going deeper than you've been before.
small, safe increments are fine. of course, an experienced buddy is invaluable,
not necessariy a DM
and baby sitting.
if you have your basic skills down, a dive to 100 feet is very similar to a dive to
60 feet. yes, you use up more air, but you should be aware of that from your training.
i'm just saying, don't feel like you need to hire a DM to hold your hand just because you're going deeper than you've been before.
small, safe increments are fine. of course, an experienced buddy is invaluable,
not necessariy a DM
I would probably be more conservative than H2Andy. I would opt for nothing deeper than 40' (12m) for probably 50 dives and make sure to practice skills, buoyancy, trim on every dive. Keep close logs of equipment configuration, weighting to see if/how changes affect your performance. Then probably another 20 dives no deeper that 60' (18m) doing the same things. Then i would say you may be ready to start getting to 100' (30m).
Just advising caution and skill mastery before jumping in over your head.
Just advising caution and skill mastery before jumping in over your head.
OCDinNC
Guest
jbichsel:
Oh Lord! 40' for 50 dives? Get real. 20 more dives to 60'?
Don't get me wrongt. I'm not for taking a new person 100'+ to a mask-ripping current on the Duane. That's crazy. And I am definitely for working up (down, actually) to different levels, dependent upon experience and training, letting your comfort level or lack of it be a determining factor whether you are ready for the dive or not. But 60 dives before you crack 60'? That's just ridiculous.
scubamickey
I'm a GIRL!
Funny, my 25th dive or so was on the Duane with a very strong current at about 30 feet (where I actually had to hold on to the line). No problem. Did the Spiegel the next day and the Eagle the day before. I have a very low SAC rate and a hubby/buddy with a great deal of experience and training who has taught me a lot about gas planning and proper finning techniques. I would not have done those dives with a stranger or an inexperienced buddy, though. I'm lucky to married to my own personal Divemaster
I think it depends a lot on the person, their buddy, and their experience and skill levels.
I think it depends a lot on the person, their buddy, and their experience and skill levels.
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