Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: techdiver

Message Display

On Mon, 23 Oct 1995, DeepReef responded to my (Wreck Diver) comments as follows:


>On Mon, 23 Oct 1995, Wreck Diver wrote:
>
>> People are recommending having anywhere from 20 to "several hundred" logged 
>> dives before diving the U-352 in 120fsw.  How about somewhere in between?  
>> Although I did one 120ft dive during my NAUI Advanced class, I didn't go
below 
>> 100fsw on my own (i.e. with my buddy but no instructor) until my 95th dive.
>> BTW, the temp was 55 degress F and the vis was 20 feet.  After 94 dives, I
had
>> PROPER INSTRUCTION, and with 60 hours under water, I had ADEQUATE EXPERIENCE.
>
>There is no magical number of dives that is the correct answer.  Some
>people may be competent to handle difficult situations right after their
>OW course. Others will never be competent no matter how many dives they
>do.  Most folks fall somewhere in the middle.  My recommendation was only
>targeted at a general audience. You really need to decide for yourself
>where your limitations are. 
>
>My advice is to leave a good marign of error between what you think your
>limitations are, and what you actually do, because one of the most
>frequent and potentially dangerous mistakes *ANY* divers (including very
>experienced ones) make is to allow their confidence exceed their
>abilities. 
>
>> To answer your question, I'd recommend taking an advanced class, a wreck
diving
>> class, and have about 100 dives under your belt.  There's a hell-of-a-lot to 
>> see between the surface and 100ft.
>
>Good advice, I think; but the actual number of dives really depends on the 
>maturity level of the individual divers.
>
>Aloha,
>Rich


As usual, Rich made a good point.  It's a VERY good idea to dive more 
conservatively than you THINK you are capable of.  

I was basing my "100 dive" recommendation on myself.  At 100 dives, I was 
comfortable underwater.  I owned my own gear, serviced it regularly, and was
very familiar with it while diving.  Maturity plays a big role in diving
safely.  I would have not been ready for deeper dives with only 20 dives in my 
repertoire.  FOR ME, 100 felt good.  300 dives may not have been necessary.  
FOR YOU?  It's obviously up to you.  Remember though, the wreck will probably 
be there next year too.

-Tim Bakken

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]