DECO COURSES
Here we are, in mid-summer, with the cool refreshing south
Florida waters calling us to DIVE!! We have been in the water
almost every weekend and in some weekdays too, since it is too
tempting to see the beautiful blue ocean from my window.
I am actively participating as a Divemaster in several (it's been
three in a row!) DECO Courses. These are courses where the
student learns, plans, and practices dives with
required stage decompression stops due to the lengthy bottom time at depth.
The most interesting part is that now you have all the time we need
to explore, at our leisure, that deep wreck without stressing
ourself about our no-deco limits. Now we can stay as long as our
"air" permits. We monitor our pressure constantly and
make our ascents as we have planned ...... not a minute sooner!!
We then make our stage deco stops as planned with the highest Oxygen
percentage NITROX that the depth allows. The best part is
that our computations show that we reach the surface with LESS
residual Nitrogen than divers who stayed within their air tables NDL.
How is that possible?? With well-planned stage stops and the use of
high-percentage NITROX. We carry a 40% travel
mix to reach 80-90', then we switch to our bottom mix tank
(usually low-oxygen content to avoid ox-tox) and do
our exploration. Upon ascent, we go back to our travel pony
at 80-90', we stop briefly at 45-50' to
breathe 60% and finally, stop at 30'
for some 80% NITROX. Our stops are in
accordance with computer generated tables.
Just the sheer pleasure of having time to explore at will that majestic wreck
is more than enough justification to the heavy tasks or carrying oversized
tanks, plus two ponies with the deco gas. IS IT
DANGEROUS?? I don't think so! As a matter of fact,
I feel SAFER than before ...... WHY?? Because I carry a
redundant gas supply, and the deco gas, and all the
gear to be self-sufficient, I have been trained in how to plan my
stops safely and I am getting valuable experience this
gorgeous Florida summer. All in all, training is the key to
it. Train with experienced instructors who are dedicated to your
safety and have the knowledge to produce safe divers ......
that's why I train with the Accomplices!! You can read the course
outline in an adjacent window. Take a look!!
Next on the agenda ...... a liveaboard trip to the Bahamas for some fierce
deep wall dives. I'll let you know how it comes up.
QTV
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