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John Wrote:

Rick's proposed compilation of technical dive sites sounds like a good thing,
but it struck me that the term "technical dive site" needs defining.  Is it a
site where technical diving techniques are required, or where they are often
employed?  The Andrea Doria in 254 fsw is clearly a technical dive, but what
about the USS San Diego?  It's only in 110 fsw, but offers the possibility of
five hundred or more feet of penetration.  People routinely do long, working
penetrations on this wreck, with very long hangs.  By the same token, the
200+ fsw single tank tropical bounce dives which open water divers love to 
boast about hardly qualify as technical.

And what about caves?  Any cave that offers penetration beyond the cavern
zone should probably be considered a technical dive, since techniques beyond
traditional sport diving are required to do this safely.

Steve Dodd added:

   I agree with considering this parameter.  One persons dive site
   is anothers tech dive site.  Perhaps, there it would be appropriate
   to classify the dive site in the data bases with a technical level
   variable.

I agree totally and that was why I added the US Standard.  Here is my 
definition of technical:

Any dive beyond 130 feet FSW (Due homage to the people who hold my inst cert)
Any dive involving staged & required decompression (Please no letters on all
dives are decompression Dives)
Penetration Dives beyond natural light zone or out of sight of exit point.
(This would naturally take care of sites such as the San Diego or for that
matter all shallower wrecks)
Any Dives using gas mixes other than air including O2 deco.

Actually the definition I like best for technical divers, but it wouldn't 
work for this project is:

"Any diver who uses available technology regardless of accepted practices of
his or her country." 

This definition, I feel, allows for regional differences and at the same time 
gives due credence to everyone making strides.

(Actually, the one I like best is "It isn't a technical dive unless someone
in authority objects to it."  I love that one!

For purposes of this project, I am interested in all cave locations,
wreck dives involving penetration, wrecks below 130 FSW or other
dives not covered above but still beyond the normal range of diving.  For
example a tube dive that combines depth with overhead environment but
isn't strictly a cave dive.  These to be examined on a case by case bases.
I can't see listing open water deep dives because I'd like to save
a few thousand trees...(grin)  However I would entertain an open water dive
if something was down there of unique proportions.  

I have a publisher interested in this project and I would consider
placing the data online sometime after the book is published. I can 
assure you that this is something that the publisher will insist on.  I 
certainly intend to list everyone who contributes sites to the project
and I will be needing photos which I will pay for.  

I'd like to see this as sort of a global tech diver resource book listing
not only sites, but who will drive you to the site and shops who won't
scream and point when you walk in with your quad 120's and E O2 Bottles.

I will also try and give a short overview of diving practices for a given
country based on information suppled.

Hope this helps and thanks I'll be replying to everyone who wrote
in short order.

Rick Williams
rick515@de*.co*

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