David

There are a great many thing occurring in the part of the world (Tech/Rec
diving). Some of which is political, method, opinions, positioning,
techniques, practices, and safety issues.

Many people have their opinion or position of technical diving. There is a
difference between technical diving and a technical diver.

The general definition of technical diving is all activities that fall
outside of recreational non-decompression diving and Nitrox < 40%. This
include cavern, cave, penetration (cave or wreck), decompression dives
(planned), special gases mixes (Trimix, Nitrox (greater  than 39%), depths >
130 fsw (> 100 fsw depending on agency), and other activities. Non of which
are compensated for in any commercial sense, then it is commercial diving
and a whole new set of rules apply (OSHA, local, state, federal regulatory
bodies, etc.).

A technical dive can be as simply as a long planned decompression dive at 90
~ 110 fsw and deco out on back gas. The key is planned decompression dive.

What is a technical diver? This is where all the discussion has, is, and
will be. Some people think it is just having and wearing the gear (doubles,
dry suit, light, reels, stuff, stuff, and more stuff). Some people thiink it
a macho thing or brass balls, or tuff guy, or over engineering, or ... There
is the old school thoughts of now we have always done it (no evolving),
training standards that are behind times and missing safety issues. Some
look at it as lots of gear, if two is good then three is better.

Many of the discussions about gear and equipment is about quality,
placement, and usage. Many people miss the point that technical diving has
evolve into systems that have been test and work (safely and functionally).
Many hot emails and flames between the Northern group, MidAtlantic, West
Coastern, Brits, North America, Japan (Far East), etc. Now the all Europe
(all parts), Australia, Mexico, South America, and the rest are getting
involved.

The systems has evolved from the days of experiments to logical sense to
where we are today. New friendship and allies have been created between the
WPKK folks and groups throughout the world.

So what is a technical diver. It starts with the right state of mind and
attitude, getting and maintaining good to great physical fitness, the right
equipment and configuration, training and the right to question the
instructor (this is NOT open water buddy), research, continuous education,
practicing skills, and evolving. Develop the skill to listen and learn and
also the ability weak out the trash and noise. I have yet to meet anyone who
has use other tried a type DIR configuration (DIR is more than just
equipment) that did not like it better and more comfortable.

So technical diving and a type of dive and a technical diver is a state of
existance and evolving person.

David
(Let the discussions begin)



-----Original Message-----
From: David Applin [mailto:David.Applin@ta*.co*]
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2000 9:06 AM
To: Trey; TechDiver List
Subject: Define Tech Diving


I've been lurking for some time now, and occasionally get great info from
this list and Quest and the GUE web site. there are obviousley some very
experienced divers who are willing to share info. Theres also some very
inexperienced divers trying to imitate Trey and a few others! But look, out
of the 3000 odd posts in my inbox 90% of them are just people slaging each
other off!

Now this is the Techdiver list  -- yes!

Would it be an good idea to define what tech diving is?

Actually define where, in the opinion of the most experienced, the cut off
between recreational diving and tech diving lays?

I'm not talking DIR here, after all we all know that DIR can apply for all
types of diving

What do you think Trey? it would save you loads of time not having to
respond to none tech diving issues

Ps
By the way, we should keep Dr Black on the list, the antics between him and
several others on the list keep me laughing all night and are possibly some
of the most talked about posts. This helps keep DIR being talked about :-)

PPs
Anyone know of a good GUE instructor in the UK?


David

--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.

--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]