Trimix in 100 dives

[Divin'Papaw]

I can't get comfortable with anyone being ready for advanced trimix at 100 dives, regardless of how good they look in the water or perform in class. It's such a small amount of real diving experience to be taking on such advanced and risky dives. I just can't get over the belief that it's too much too fast.

 

[Thalassamania]

Now that the point is proven can we get back to the topic?

 

[dab]

Now that the point is proven can we get back to the topic?

Point well taken. It's just hard not to challenge wild statements that perpetuate wrong information.

Back on topic -- I think a persons in-water performance is a much better judge of their capabilities than their resume. The types of dives mean more than the number of dives. I do know that JT is an excellent diver and I would be comfortable diving with anyone he recommended.

 

[jtivat]

We all need to get experience as we go along. I just think there should be a build up of progressively more challenging dives. And I'm sorry, but you'll never convince me that someone with 100 dives is ready to be on hypoxic. Ever.

I am not trying to convince you of anything but put yourself in my shoes. You have done six sub 200' dives with a buddy and then find out he only has 100 dives. Now the only knock on him is this “100 dives” would you stop diving with him just because you over heard a conversation??

My real point is to not discourage people that want to do this kind of diving. So what if they are interested in tech diving after 20 dives let them start down the path it might take 300 more dives to reach their goal. I also think it is funny when guys who have never been below 120’ are the one’s saying this.

 

[Thalassamania]

I guess I'd have to ask how you find yourself below 200 feet with a diver whose actual level of experience you are unfamiliar with. That's not exactly a typical insta-buddy situation.

 

[jtivat]

Back on topic -- I think a persons in-water performance is a much better judge of their capabilities than their resume. The types of dives mean more than the number of dives. I do know that JT is an excellent diver and I would be comfortable diving with anyone he recommended.

Thanks Doug

On another note I have not been ignoring your e-mail. The wife is ready to have that baby any day, the doctor thought it would happen last weekend!! So as soon as it happens I will be setting up some dives to the SS Michigan and Akeley and sending out e-mails. I have two sets of doubles full of 14/55 that are just dying to get wet!!

 

[jtivat]

I guess I'd have to ask how you find yourself below 200 feet with a diver whose actual level of experience you are unfamiliar with. That's not exactly a typical insta-buddy situation.

Like I said I took my advanced trimix with him and there was no reason to believe he was not competent there still is no reason, I will dive with him anytime.

 

[PerroneFord]

I guess I'd have to ask how you find yourself below 200 feet with a diver whose actual level of experience you are unfamiliar with.

BINGO!

Taking a ride into hypoxic land with a buddy of unknown qualification is a recipe for trouble. And you can darn well bet that before I take that kind of trip with anyone, I'll know a LOT about them.

But some people will dive with anyone, anywhere. I'm just not one of them.

 

[PerroneFord]

I am not trying to convince you of anything but put yourself in my shoes. You have done six sub 200' dives with a buddy and then find out he only has 100 dives.

I'm sorry, those shoes don't fit me. I'd never do a dive below 100ft with someone unless I know quite a bit about them.

My real point is to not discourage people that want to do this kind of diving. So what if they are interested in tech diving after 20 dives let them start down the path it might take 300 more dives to reach their goal.

No one is saying to discourage people who have goals. I knew before I got certified that I wanted to dive the deep wrecks of the Great Lakes. 15 years later, I'd still like to do that one day. Keep your eyes on the prize, but develop to your goals in a safe and sane manner. That's all I'm saying.

I also think it is funny when guys who have never been below 120’ are the one’s saying this.

You don't have to jump off a bridge to know it's dangerous. A diver who's been to 60ft knows that a dive below 200 would take some planning, and one who's been to 120 safely knows that you don't (or shouldn't) do that with an insta-buddy unless you want to meet Murphy and his uncle RIP.

 

[Thalassamania]

I guess I come from a much more disciplined and documented diving world. When I go to another institution, despite my position in the community, I have to do a checkout (sometimes a written exam), and produce the logs that both qualify me for the dives that are planned and that document my current status.

I understand the situation that you found yourself in, but might I respectfully submit that just that sort of oversight is just what gets experienced and capable divers killed.

With respect to the number of dives question, I've (rarely) known divers who were ready at 100 dives to begin hypoxic dives, but then almost all their diving was done in a training situation with great instructors and mentors. More typically divers I known have reached that level with 500 or more dives under their belt.

Great trim and buoyancy control is typical of good divers, but not diagnostic. My divers, straight out of training, exhibit both ... but they're not ready to do those sorts of dives, in point of fact they are limited to 30 feet.

I also think it is funny when guys who have never been below 120’ are the one’s saying this.

What ever gave you that idea?