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Been out of town for a week, and I've had to read 140 new messages, nearly all from this list, all informative, all rational. This is a great list. A few comments. I think it's important to distinguish between Tom Mount's own school, which does have an underwater modelling course as well as deep technical stuff, and his involvement with IANTD. Also, if you've missed it, he's been writing for Sport Diver, a new magazine that comes out every two months. They're only on their 2nd issue, and it's hard to find, but it's the only mag other than AquaCorps I subscribe to. Last time there was an article on how enriched air reduces deco times, and this time it's on tech diving equipment, I think. Saw it on a newstand but haven't gotten my own copy yet. Interesting articles, especially for a magazine called "Sport Diver." The gas one I read I really enjoyed; I think it was written with the right tone and was very educational. IMHO, I don't think Tom Mount is trying to drag recreational divers in over their heads. I think there is a place for articles like this just as there is a place for articles aobut technical rock-climbing in hiking magazines. Unfortunatly, the difference between scaling rock faces and hiking is obvious and scary; the differences between 130 fsw and 160 fsw much less so, but are at least as dangerous. On the other hand, I think that IANTD slogan means exactly what it says: that nitrox is for everyone, at least at some level. I'm not sure it is. I've seen people having trouble with the math. These people probably should not even be diving, or for that matter, trusted with money or allowed to breed. Then again, maybe making everyone go to 300' is just what the human race needs to start evolving again. (take that lightly, as it was intended.) I don't think they're talking about teaching tek to the masses, just some level of nitrox. IMHO, I think that nitrox will end up not reaching the masses for a long time, if at all, for two reasons: 1. Few divers bother to continue their education past a basic c-card, for time, money, laziness, don't see the need, and are having enough fun at 40' in warm, clear water on their once a year Bahamian vacations. Hell, I know many of these people. You do too: look at their profiles. Most of them don't even own lights. 2. Equipement. Either you always dive nitrox or you own a couple rigs or you rent a couple rigs. If the cattle boats the masses dive off of don't give nitrox fills (and when will they) then the masses have to rent or own 3 or 4 tanks and schlep them all out to the boat. The masses might spend the extra money on a fill, but they won't buy tanks or go to all the trouble of renting and hauling the tanks. Too much logistics. Sure, some resorts will stock a boat with all the tanks you need, but look at this from a commercial standpoint: for the masses to be using nitrox, I think you need an installed base of nitrox divers, using nitrox every time out at their local dive sites, using nitrox as conveniently as they currently use air. This is a long way off, but it starts slowly, as it it starting now. We might see this someday. It would be good for me- I'd like more places to get a fill. It would be bad for diving if there were more accidents. There may be more accidents. Max operating depths of O2 partial pressures are not something to be taken lightly. We all know that there are few enough scools teaching basic scuba well. Some don't even really get into consumtion rates. Now they have to teach mix management? I don't know. At this point, I have enough to do keeping my own self alive. I don't envy the people setting up these new certifications and guidelines, or even instructors passing out certs. I hope it works for the masses, I hope it works for us, and I hope we can help. | | Roger Carlson w 310-812-0430 | roger@ch*.sp*.tr*.co* f 310-812-1363 | h 310-frogger
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