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Greetings.  Allow me to violate my usual "lurker" status on this list for
some advice of the serious technical community...

I am not a "technical" diver by definition, but have recently been pushing
the limits of "recreational" diving... particularly deep and/or wreck dives.
I have a full kit plus 30 cu/ft pony, diving primarily on computer with PADI
wheel <blush> backup as a general rule, and USN tables for dives > 140 fsw.
I have never done a "planned" (or unplanned) decompression dive but have
pushed NDL close enough to go through the motions of a deco stop for safety.

I have made some inquiries as to "deep air" training since I'm reaching the
point where deco becomes a realistic possibility if not an obligation, and
I'm not comfortable with simply "reading the book" or "following experienced
buddy John Doe" -- I've ascended early already to avoid that scenario.

My local shop has one good technical instructor who teaches the IANTD program.
But the "deep air" has "Nitrox" as a pre-requisite (so I was told) and I have
no big plans for Nitrox diving (let alone the money for O2-clean regulator,
tank, and SPG required for the EAN dives).  Nor do I plan (at this point) to
do anything deep enough to entertain EAN for a travel gas or deco mix. I
simply want to be prepared in the event that deco is mandatory, perhaps to the
point where I would voluntarily plan a deco dive.

Is Nitrox prevalent enough (or "desirable") to warrant the extra expense, or
am I wrong in assuming that "deep air" (without EAN mixes) diving is common?
I'm only contemplating "sane" air depths ( < 200 fsw) and not planning on
trying the Andrea Doria or something similar which is well below my head.
Any feedback (positive or negative) is welcome -- I just get the impression
that commercial training is after my wallet (Nitrox gear) rather than caring
about my safety (formal deco instruction on air).

[\] Jeff Kell, jeff@ut*.ut*.ed*

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