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

[TSandM]

Oh, and by the way, my Rec 2 class was somewhere in the neighborhood of $400, and there were five of us in it. Rec Triox was $695 and there were four.

 

[Colliam7]

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. The PADI methods fall apart at depths beyond 100 ft because they are not a trimix agency.

The discussion points out the subjective basis of many of our habits. What Nereas proposes is commendably conservative, and not at all unreasonable for any diver to consider. When a diver with that level of experience and training makes such a statement, it is worthy of serious consideration.

The statement that ‘methods fall apart’ at depths beyond 100 ft would probably be difficult to substantiate, since there are literally thousands of divers, irrespective of certification agency, who regularly go to depths between 100 and 130 with safety, and impunity. The dives are made safely on air, and on nitrox. I am unaware of any data, beyond the anecdotal, suggesting a safety issue with such practices – air or appropriate nitrox mixes to 130 ft..

Perhaps, it is technically more correct to say that PADI has been a late comer to the technical diving world, including trimix. They do offer trimix training, however, so it is not accurate to say that they are not a trimix agency.

Not diving air deeper than 50 ft.?" That seems a bit harsh, that's the prime depth for air. Deeper than 100 feet, I understand the limitations of air, though technically it's valid to about 200' if you don't stay too long...130' is doable if you don't stay longer than a couple of minutes, then ascend to 80' or so for the bulk of your dive...

I recently made a similar statement (about air to depths somewhat deeper than 165 ft) on another thread (and, as expected, got immediately flamed for it). I think your point address oxygen toxicity limits, as did mine, rather than narcosis. The oxygen limits appear to be far more reproducible than narcosis limits. Objective data on narcosis is very hard to come by, and at least some of the better, controlled studies even point out that there is a difference between actual task performance at depth (which is not significantly impaired at 130 ft) and individual self-perception of performance at depth (which is altered).

Yeah that's just unrealistic. Many places only provide air. You either use it or you don't dive. Nitrox is ideal. Hopefully someday it'll become the norm and we won't be charged as much for it. I don't see trimix in the recreational mainstream anytime soon.

Good point. If nitrox were available at air prices, why would anyone not dive nitrox as the norm, within appropriate limits? If trimix was available even at nitrox prices, why would anyone not dive trimix? But, in the absence of compelling data demonstrating trimix benefit at recreational diving depths (to 130 ft), I think you are ‘spot on’.

 

[Thalassamania]

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.

Ditto

 

[MikeFerrara]

Simulate a stuck BC inflator?????? Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen....

Why? It's currently a required skill in the PADI OW course. LOL

 

[MikeFerrara]

I would just copy the standards for the AINTD deep diver/advanced nitrox combo and use it with maybe a few minor edits.

Or...the GUE rec triox.

 

[MikeFerrara]

On cards, well my wife is Padi OW, IANTD advanced nitrox, NACD full cave and finishing IANTD tec nitrox program. We figure after a couple years, we'll do full trimix together (i'm only normoxic). Then, and only then, she'll do the AOW class.

Better be careful. If you let her get too good, she might not want to dive with you anymore

 

[Divin'Papaw]

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.

None of which are in the Midwest as far as I've been able to find.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

OK folks ... great material ... so where can I find this coure? I'll be the first in line to signup!

Ah, if life were just that simple .....

 

[TSandM]

DH, the first step would be to take Fundies (or 5thD-x's Essentials) as they are prerequisite to the later, deep class. If you connect with an instructor to do one or the other, the deeper class can be arranged. For example, my Rec Triox instructor will travel to do the class if you have three people (and cover his travel expenses).

 

[Divin'Papaw]

DH, the first step would be to take Fundies (or 5thD-x's Essentials) as they are prerequisite to the later, deep class. If you connect with an instructor to do one or the other, the deeper class can be arranged. For example, my Rec Triox instructor will travel to do the class if you have three people (and cover his travel expenses).

Thanks for the info Lynn. There are a couple of guys who teach Fundies in the area (Scot Wernette and Brandon Schwartz). I'll give your recommendation some thought. I assume moving onto Rec Triox requires a tech pass in Fundies, correct?