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It is disturbing to see that the antagonism for 'deep air' has led to 
listing accidents without a clear cut understanding of the contributory 
factors.

Furthermore, this his has been done without a clear definition of 
'Deep', or the depth mediated 'causal effect' that contributed to the 
demise.  Which negative effect of air at depth are we concrened about?

Ox tox - regarded as a primary contributor.
Narcosis - an impairing factor that becomes an issue when 'things go 
wrong'.  That brings about the question would the victim have survived 
if they were not on air, thus less narked.
Other physiological factors - remain relatively undefined.

In an analysis, accident or whatever, parameters must be defined & 
causal as well as contibutory factors must be identified.

I questioned the validity of including dives in the 140-160 range in 
the 'deep air deaths' list.

I still do & will continue to do so.

Was it narcosis?
Was it ox tox?
Were there other medical, physical, mental, psychological factors 
involved?

It is well etablished that using depth as the osole criterion is 
inadequate.  Many a shallow dive can be significantly more complex than 
deeper ones.  I am sure the cave diving community is well aware of 
that.  Most wreck diver are, as are ice divers.

Until supplemental details of accidents ascribed to deep air are 
provided, the arguments against deep air, in particular in the 140-160 
range, will ring hollow.

Many dives take place in the 140-160, even 170 range.  The NAtl wreck 
diving community dives it routinely.  In Europe 165 has been the limit 
for recreational diving.  All on air.  Do accidents occur?  Yes.  Was 
air @ that the contributory factor?  Possibly.  Could other factors 
have been causal?  Most definitely.

Also having 1st hand info with one of those accidents ascribed to deep 
air I can tell U that:

Ed Suarez was not on air - it is thought that he toxed because he 
switched to the wrong mix or that his mix was unsuiatable.  


Esat Atikkan









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