What is the Best Mix Ever?

[jtivat]

That's what I was wondering-- are we diving EAN because it is simple and (relatively) affordable, or is it because it is the best for these type dives? I have been to the Oriskany several times, and have no desire to go below the flight deck (130 fsw). There is plenty to see at lesser depths. We commonly make trips to 120 fsw small low profile wrecks in this part of the gulf and I was wondering if it is worth the training to be able to use trimix for these.

I would think I Deco class would be the place to start this will extend your dives plus you will need it if you decide to go on to Trimix. I personally believe that narcoses effects people differently I am newly Trimix certified but still think I am fine above 130’ on air. Everyone says once you do some dives on mix you will see and feel the difference, well I don’t some will argue but that is my 2cents.

 

[texdiveguy]

For me there is a big diff. in having a clear mind when diving trimix over air. Not to mention at depth it is alot easier to breath.

 

[FIXXERVI6]

Max depth of 120 I'd dive air or 25/25, using some He in my bottom gas makes me feel so much better after the dive after doing deco with air as my bottom gas.

Helium will shorten your NDL not extend it

 

[Soggy]

Helium will shorten your NDL not extend it

That's a matter of some debate. It all relates to how you do your ascent.

 

[loosebits]

Generally that seems to be the case though at least in the profiles I've run.

 

[FIXXERVI6]

That's a matter of some debate. It all relates to how you do your ascent.

well one could argue that every dive is a deco dive, and no dive is a deco dive all on how you do your ascent

My statement was from the perspective of cutting tables based on the standard 30fpm ascent, it will give you shorter NDL's as you need to start making stops sooner (BT context) on Helium, if you do 5 fpm you STILL are in deco but offgasing fast enough with fewer manditory stops, either way you still can not make an ascent straight to the surface at 30fpm.

I never do 30fpm anyway, I think 15 fpm is the my record speed to date.

 

[FIXXERVI6]

I would think I Deco class would be the place to start this will extend your dives plus you will need it if you decide to go on to Trimix. I personally believe that narcoses effects people differently I am newly Trimix certified but still think I am fine above 130’ on air. Everyone says once you do some dives on mix you will see and feel the difference, well I don’t some will argue but that is my 2cents.

I feel a slight difference between air and 21/35 at 135 feet, clearer for sure, but not earth shattering as I stay fairly clear on air unless I start moving fast or something like that

(note, not saying I'm not narced on air at 130, I just don't "fuzz out" like some of the stories I've heard)

 

[Soggy]

I never do 30fpm anyway, I think 15 fpm is the my record speed to date.

That's far too slow coming off the bottom, especially on a deep dive. You want to get off the bottom quick and up to your first deep stop, otherwise you're just adding bottom time and increasing your obligation.

 

[FIXXERVI6]

That's far too slow coming off the bottom, especially on a deep dive. You want to get off the bottom quick and up to your first deep stop, otherwise you're just adding bottom time and increasing your obligation.

Yea I know I've paid the price on the hang time for it but what can I say, I don't get in a hurry, I adjust my tables to compensate for it but I"m just a slow movin kind of guy, if I was ascending an anchor line I could probably peg the speed better, but when coming up slopes and stuff like that, I poke.

 

[loosebits]

That's far too slow coming off the bottom, especially on a deep dive. You want to get off the bottom quick and up to your first deep stop, otherwise you're just adding bottom time and increasing your obligation.

Fixxer and I often dive lakes and follow the slope up (a direct ascent amoung drunk boaters would be considered a very bad thing). It's hard to go any faster than 10 or 15 FPM. We modify our v-planner settings with a 10 or 15 FPM ascent rate depending on the site we're diving.