Write your own standards - Rec Deep Diver, 130' max

[drbill]

If you are planning a dive to 130 ft then your best mix would be TMX 25/35. You really should not be diving air deeper than 50 ft. And I would not dive nitrox deeper than 100 ft.

Is this a typo or a joke? While your suggestions would provide an added measure of safety, I think they are very extreme. A 50 ft limit would be more conservative than PADIU's OW depth limit.

Although I would hardly recommend it, I know a number of divers (myself included) that routinely dive air to 150 to 200 ft. Of course all of them are very experiened divers. Not something for most divers, but not unusual for those with the experience and equipment to do so.

 

[Hoosier]

Great formation and syllabus.

However, do you think there is a market for this?

For Dives (4) over minimun 2 days and class room portion, it must be at least $400~$500 per student.

Just my thoughts....

 

[MatthewK]

I'll preface this post to inform I'm a newbie.

I'm absolutely floored b/c I just found out one can get Advanced OW certification without a divelog of experience???!!!??

This thread caused me to "look this up" online b/c I just assumed that Advanced OW meant you had 50 dives or hours of bottom time or other diving experience requirements and additional training also.

Someone tell me I'm misunderstanding what Advanced OW certification is about. My understanding is that to dive deeper sites, like some of the wrecks in the Keys, or West Palm ect. . .you have to have Advanced OW; but am I understanding this correctly that you can get it without a required number of dives/experience recorded in your logbook?

Or am I misunderstanding this thread?

 

[firemedic1015]

You need a minimum logbook of dives.......Nine

 

[tedtim]

Since there has been quite a bit of debate about the deep diver class, PADI bashing and an incident in an Ohio quarry, I figured it might be fun to create a list of what we would like the standards to read.<snipped>

So, if you really would not consider yourself truly qualified to conduct deep dives after taking the "simple" certification, why not just seek out a mentor, ask for their assistance, and do the work on your own? Do you really need a course for deep diving if you know/understand what knowledge and skill requirements you feel are appropriate before you are comfortable doing deep dives?

I think we put way too much energy into looking at certifications that have dubious value. If you want the knowledge, seek the knowledge. If what you find in an existing course is not sufficient, seek out some like minded folks that can help you achieve your goals.

 

[Cave Diver]

So, if you really would not consider yourself truly qualified to conduct deep dives after taking the "simple" certification, why not just seek out a mentor, ask for their assistance, and do the work on your own? Do you really need a course for deep diving if you know/understand what knowledge and skill requirements you feel are appropriate before you are comfortable doing deep dives?

I think we put way too much energy into looking at certifications that have dubious value. If you want the knowledge, seek the knowledge. If what you find in an existing course is not sufficient, seek out some like minded folks that can help you achieve your goals.

Because some dive ops require the card in order for you to do certain dives. I've met many divers who are experienced and competent but dont have the AOW card, as well as many AOW divers who don't have a clue.

Unfortunately in a litiguous society...

 

[ppo2_diver]

I'd also add a lecture topic on carbon dioxide build up as that is a real concern with deep air diving.

 

[tedtim]

Because some dive ops require the card in order for you to do certain dives. I've met many divers who are experienced and competent but dont have the AOW card, as well as many AOW divers who don't have a clue.

Unfortunately in a litiguous society...

I agree, but we are talking about the deep diver course and not the AOW. I have never had anyone ask if I have done the deep diver course. I have also never been asked if I have done the drift, photo, night, navigation, boat, drysuit courses, etc. Some of those operators probably don't know, or don't care about the AOW standards, the card only serves to soothe their fear of liability to a degree. It is a false perception. That is why I stated that there are some courses with dubious value.

 

[TSandM]

Is there a market for it? What's described is basically 5thD-x's Rec 2 class, or GUE's Rec Triox (with a few differences, like the fact that neither discusses pony bottles, and Rec Triox talks about helium). But the skills and lecture materials are very similar.

There is a market for this class, albeit a small one. I've taken both, and both are given fairly regularly in a number of places.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I think there is a market. You may want to break it up though like a Class to 100' then another one that reineforces the first class and goes to 130'. They could be different in the gasses used etc....