Too soon for 18m after OW?

[Fotoz4FX]

This is interesting to say the least... H2Andy has his own viewpoint and as such has taken some ridicule from a number of the moderators but the fact is, though a bit crass at times, he's not really wrong - however (note this)... suggesting a general standard for everyone is careless and suggesting NOT using a DM when one might be available could be poor judgement since most DM's have mastered skills the average (and some advanced) divers have yet to get some control of in their diving education no matter HOW many dives they have done.
As for myself, I still learn from my students... I have been diving since 1970, have over 3000 LOGGED dives (meaning I have some that aren't) and I teach students to guage their depth by the comfort level and confidence in their skills. Overconfidence kills but I routinely dive over 100 feet and have had to fix equipment malfunctions at such depths. Someone who is not comfortable diving deep (the Eagle was mentioned... a 104 foot dive if you go to the sand) should not venture into such a dive no matter HOW many times they have logged a dive. The amount of dives is NOT a guage of experience... practice and abilities are - and these are Dive Master requirements.
I hope not to rub H2Andy the wrong way... he has merit but putting numbers on skill level is not consistent to experience in diving diversity. Ask any Northeast Atlantic Diver if they would trust their life to a buddy from Florida when diving off the coast of New Jersey.

Nuff Said.

 

[havnmonkey]

Another note; dives requiring the diver to consciously obey a pre-determined bottom depth limit would be more advanced. Let's say a wreck like the Oriskanny... If the dive info says the bottom is at 70 ft, and the dive briefing says the same; you probably won't swim down into oblivion.

 

[H2Andy]

This is interesting to say the least... H2Andy has his own viewpoint and as such has taken some ridicule from a number of the moderators

really? can you point me to when this happened so i can report them for TOS violations?

suggesting a general standard for everyone is careless and suggesting NOT using a DM when one might be available could be poor judgement since most DM's have mastered skills the average (and some advanced) divers have yet to get some control of in their diving education no matter HOW many dives they have done.

huh? my point was to say that he doesn't have to pay a DM, an experienced buddy will work just as well, and he may not need either.

I hope not to rub H2Andy the wrong way... he has merit but putting numbers on skill level is not consistent to experience in diving diversity.

ah, no rubbing the wrong way here. and i understand that a diver with 1,000 dives in open water is a newbie in a wreck penetration. that simply wasn't the point of the question, nor did i feel the need to address it.

these are my two posts to date, i am afraid i don't recognize your criticism in them. i am speaking solely in the context of a new diver considering deeper dives
after finishing OW. anything else you bring into the equation changes the scenario i was commenting on:

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.

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

 

[mikerault]

It all depends on the hazard level of the dive area. As others have intimated, 60-100 feet in clear, calm water is quite a bit different then 20-30 in 3 ft visibility with a current. Once you can dive and feel comfortable with your skills in 20-30 foot, deeper (up to your Narc level) is just a matter of watching your gas and clearing your ears in most cases, and, of course, watching ascent rate, and, doing good stops (yes I know, rec diving doesn't require them, however, doing a 50% stop, a 75% stop and a 15 foot stop still helps prevent DCS.)

If you start feeling insecure, call the dive, or, go shallower, as was said, it will be there tomorrow or next month in most cases. Also remember dropped gear in deep water is replaceable, your life isn't.

Enough of beating the dead horse. On my 7th logged dive I was at 94 feet (with a DM) in the Carribean. In local lakes where it is cold, dark and low visibility, I have gone only to 57 feet. Again, it depends on how comfotable you are with the diving.

Mike

 

[H2Andy]

On my 7th logged dive I was at 94 feet (with a DM) in the Carribean. In local lakes where it is cold, dark and low visibility, I have gone only to 57 feet. Again, it depends on how comfotable you are with the diving.

exactly

 

[Jon-boi]

I can see the general feeling and thoughts. Thanks to everyone who has replied thus far.