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The TRUTH,
You may have what it takes to perform at depths a great as 200' on air =
for 20-30 minutes and you may not. I haven't met any one that performed =
well after 35 minutes at that depth or deeper not to mention the CNS =
clock will be totaled before the deco is even half over. What I am =
saying is that most divers do not have what it takes and may never get =
what it takes to perform in even shallower depths. It is nearly =
impossible to get Helium in some coastal areas where air is the only gas =
available. That is one reason we have accepted 190' as has IANTD, CMAS =
and NAUI as a maximum not to exceed depth on air. Point, why are pilots =
taught physiology and the effects of hypoxia. I can tell you now that =
recognizing the symptoms, learning to trust your instruments and =
surviving the ordeal is why. Divers that want to reach a level of =
competency that has been attained by people like George can benefit =
greatly by completing the training requirements for IANTD Deep Air =
(max depth 130) and IANTD Advanced Deep Air (max depth 160') for =
starters. Then, if you have what it takes, proceed into Nitrox Technical =
Diver training or an Introductory Trimix program. Feed that big hairy =
thing growing on top of your neck some good information and it will make =
the decision process so much easier. =20
Sempre Deep,
Capt. Jim=20
-----Original Message-----
From: gmirvine@sa*.ne* [SMTP:gmirvine@sa*.ne*]
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 1997 8:41 AM
To: techdiver@aquanaut.com
Subject: Teaching Air
PERFORMANCE DEEP ON AIR - THE TRUTH AND THE FALACY
Teaching skills deep on air is pointless for a couple of
reasons. One,
it is clear that experienced divers will be more likely to be able to
perform routine tasks under more conditions, including impairment, much
like an exprienced driver can drive drunk. It is not possible to teach
people, experienced or otherwise , to do anything properly while
impaired, and certainly if you are trying to teach something to
somebody, you want them clear. They do not teach drunk driving to
anyone. I can just see the class now, with the instructor saying, " now,
everybody hold one hand over one eye". How may white lines do you see?"
THE FALLACY
One standard excuse for teaching this stuff is the old line,
"what if they have to go to air deep". My question: "Where did the air
come from? This is tech diving, and at the tech level, if instructors
have to be teaching students basic skills, they should not be taking the
class, now should they? Divers need to get some dives and time under
their belt before rushing through tech classes and paying to learn what
they should be practicing. This would be like the Miami Dolphins lifting
weights before a game .
At tech '96, Dr. Bill Hamilton intervened in an argument
between me and Hal Watts over this subject, and Hamilton told Watts,
"Hal, this is as tech diving seminar. The reason we have tech diving is
so that we do not have to dive deep on air."
Deep air diving has been around as long as diving, and it
still does not work. Couteau pointed it out well, the agencies figured
it out, the Navy figured it out, and so did everyone else - A LONG TIME
AGO. - G
Let's start teching imporoktant things and the real tricks of
tech diving, not this air silliness - it's not tech, it's not right, and
by now we should all know it.
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