Training for deeper wrecks

[jamiep3]

Currently I'm a PADI AOW, IANTD Nitrox Diver. Most of my wreck diving is done in the 60 - 100' range. This summer I'm planning some deeper wrecks, in the 90 - 130' range. Also looking at a IANTD Advanced Nitrox course.

My question is, there is one particular wreck I'd like to dive a few times that is at 165' - 180'. I don't ever really expect to do any diving deeper than this, but I would like to see this one particular wreck. It will probably be a couple of years before I work up to this.

Not asking for the certifying agency line, what I'd really like to know is what people who actually dive in this depth range recomend for additonal training beyond what I'm planning now.

Any help appreciated.

 

[Brown Mermaid]

You forgot to list your age, possibly your weight, physical condition, number of dives you have, possibly where the deeper wreck is. Then maybe someone can better answer your question.

Currently I'm a PADI AOW, IANTD Nitrox Diver. Most of my wreck diving is done in the 60 - 100' range. This summer I'm planning some deeper wrecks, in the 90 - 130' range. Also looking at a IANTD Advanced Nitrox course.

My question is, there is one particular wreck I'd like to dive a few times that is at 165' - 180'. I don't ever really expect to do any diving deeper than this, but I would like to see this one particular wreck. It will probably be a couple of years before I work up to this.

Not asking for the certifying agency line, what I'd really like to know is what people who actually dive in this depth range recomend for additonal training beyond what I'm planning now.

Any help appreciated.

 

[MikeFerrara]

At those depths I use helium so I'd recommend trimix training.

see? and I didn't even need to know your age. LOL

 

[SpawnOfZena]

Currently I'm a PADI AOW, IANTD Nitrox Diver. Most of my wreck diving is done in the 60 - 100' range. This summer I'm planning some deeper wrecks, in the 90 - 130' range. Also looking at a IANTD Advanced Nitrox course.

My question is, there is one particular wreck I'd like to dive a few times that is at 165' - 180'. I don't ever really expect to do any diving deeper than this, but I would like to see this one particular wreck. It will probably be a couple of years before I work up to this.

Not asking for the certifying agency line, what I'd really like to know is what people who actually dive in this depth range recomend for additonal training beyond what I'm planning now.

Any help appreciated.

I'm currently taking the TDI Advanced Nitrox, Deco Proceedures, and Extended Range courses. The ER course allows planned deco diving to 180'. There is also a Tech Wreck course they put on that I'll be taking afterwards. Highly recommended. The ER course is a prerequisite. Full tech rec penetration of wrecks up to 180', without going full trimix (unless you want to, of course).

 

[PerroneFord]

What kind of bottom times are you seeing at 180ft on Nitrox? Are you making the full descent on Nitrox, or using a traveling gas? What's the deco gases? EAN+02?

Sounds like a cool class.

 

[jamiep3]

What kind of bottom times are you seeing at 180ft on Nitrox? Are you making the full descent on Nitrox, or using a traveling gas? What's the deco gases? EAN+02?

Sounds like a cool class.

With my current training, that dive would be on air, with nitrox for a decompresion gas. Looking for 15-25 minute bottom times. Considering a trimix class at some point in time, but not sure of how much diving I'd be doing beyond 150'. A lot will depend on what my experience as I start making deeper dives on a regualr basis is.

 

[MikeFerrara]

So, if you survive it on air you might look into mix?

Deep air arguments aside, few will argue the fact that it's more fun on mix.

 

[diverbrian]

As I have buddies that are comfortable to those depths on air, I won't do the lecture bit. For myself, I agree with Mike. I am taking normoxic tri-mix for a reason. I have been narced enough at 130 ft. a few times to know that 180 ft. on air wouldn't be any fun for me.

I am looking at diving the Pewabic this weekend as part of a course and it will be on 20/30 using EAN36 as a travel gas and O2 to decompress on my shallow stops.

Especially as you have a few years to work up to this wreck, I would give some serious consideration to using helium.

 

[Atticus]

Trimix 1 is the minimum certification I would expect in a buddy who wanted to do wreck dives in the 150'-180' range. I've done some deep air, and I've done some wreck dives, and I certainly wouldn't combine the two!

I would suggest the following classes:

Technical Nitrox
Decompression Procedures
Helitrox / Extended Range (as opposed to the deep air version)
Trimix

 

[jerryn]

At 150' and greater you have a deco obligation so you cannot come to the surface right away if you have a problem. Therefore, having a clear head is critically important. I always do these dives using trimix (normoxic to 170' and hypoxic thereafter). It is also important to have a good understanding of decompression theory. So I would suggest, advanced nitrox, a decompresson course and at a minimum normoxic trimix.

You will be also into spending a lot of money to make these dives so it is worthwhile to ascertain if this is really what you want to do.

Jerry