Can I do the Bibb / Duane on regular air

[TennisCoach]

Hey Guys, I am looking at the Sink o de Mayo dive in the Keys and I really want to do it, but I have a couple of questions . Can I dive those sites on regular Air? The sites are 95-130' I only have the OW cert but I feel that if someone takes me under their wing I can make it <--- Any takers. Of course unless diving that on reg air is not an option then I have a problem.
Thank you in advanced for your help
Carlos

[The Kraken]

Yes, but they won't be very long.

Keep in mind the max depth for a recreational diver.

I'm sure others will jump in with respect to you not having advanced certifications, but I elect to answer your question with the most basic of answers.

However, I would encourage you to take some time to give serious thought as to your decision.

the K

[Blackwood]

No, you should definitely use compressed air.

[vondo]

The gas isn't really the issue, IMO. It's 130 to the sand but when I've done these dives the depth has been more like 100' to see what you are interested in. I dived Nitrox, but plenty were on air.

The issues with these dives are: 1) most operators require AOW to take you out. 2) They are quite deep and 3) there can sometimes be really strong currents that make these dives difficult.

You don't say what your experience is, but if you really are OW only with 0-24 dives, most people in that situation would not be ready for these dives. So you may want to make this a goal and work towards it.

When you get there, I really like the Spiegel Grove more than the Duane and Bibb.

[DivingPrincessE]

I am almost certain that Sinko is being handled by Conch Republic Divers, and my experience with them in the past is that they require an AOW card or a log book showing that you have had X amount of dives to X feet in the last X amount of time. I have my AOW card, so I don't know exactly what they check for in the logbook...but I believe they do check.

Send a PM to Capt Gary here on SB (he runs Conch Republic) and ask about his policy on allowing new OW divers to do the advanced dives

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/capt+gary.html

[Buoyant1]

I concur with Vondo...top to bottom. Especially the part about the current on these wrecks. I did a dive on the Duane last December and the stiff current made it tough hanging on the line both ascending and descending. By the same token, the dive we did on the Eagle the week before was like a stoll through the park current wise.

[ONESPEED]

My advice would be to get your AOW and nitrox certifications prior to attempting either one of these dives. On the off chance you do get a dive op to drop you on these wrecks having a random diver "take you under their wing" is a recipe for disaster. I would question anyone who would even want to dive these wrecks with an underqualified diver. as for nitrox, while not necessary, it will sure make these awesome wrecks more enjoyable with the increased bottom time you will gain.

[vondo]

My advice would be to get your AOW and nitrox certifications prior to attempting either one of these dives. On the off chance you do get a dive op to drop you on these wrecks having a random diver "take you under their wing" is a recipe for disaster. I would question anyone who would even want to dive these wrecks with an underqualified diver. as for nitrox, while not necessary, it will sure make these awesome wrecks more enjoyable with the increased bottom time you will gain.

Mostly agree. I think Nitrox is useful for anyone who wants to take diving seriously. But I did these dives (Duane + Spiegel) as a relatively new diver (heck, I'm still a relatively new diver). With an 80 cf tank, I don't think I got any extra bottom time with the Nitrox and a decent surface interval.

If the OP can swing it, dive for a while (20-30 dives) and then try to take a combined AOW+Nitrox class to extend your options.

[BDSC]

Hello Carlos!

I was pretty much in the same boat you are in now quite a few years ago. As a matter of fact, it was those very wrecks. While I don't have my log book in front of me, I would guess I dove those wrecks around the ~20 dive mark and I only had OW at the time. That's all that was required by the charter I went with.

I actually dove with them for three days and we did the one of the wrecks on the second day. I don't remember which one but it is the one that sits perfectly upright. I will tell you that I was nervous about it because I think maybe 70 to 75 ft. was my deep dive to that point. But I was with a very good friend who had got me into diving and he was quite experienced with several hundred dives under his belt and was a certified cave diver as well. (Not that you need that to do this dive but just shows his experience level so I felt very comfortable with him as my buddy. Don't know how he felt about me though )

Anyway, I remember starting down the anchor line/whatever and looking down and thinking, damn that ship looks small and it's suppose to be really big. Well it was by the time I got to it. In the end, it was a really great dive and I did fine!

Honestly, I guess you have to be the ultimate judge of your abilities and comfort level in the water and at that depth. I would suggest that if you are going for more than one day of diving, do some of the reef dives the first day or so to get back that comfort level in the water before you go for the wrecks.

Good luck, be safe, and have fun!

[Walter]

Can I dive those sites on regular Air?

A better question is are you ready to make those dives at all? With less than 24 logged dives, I doubt it, but it is possible. Tell us a little more about your experience.

I am almost certain that Sinko is being handled by Conch Republic Divers, and my experience with them in the past is that they require an AOW card or a log book showing that you have had X amount of dives to X feet in the last X amount of time.

Conch Republic requires 3 logged dives to 80 feet or deeper within the last 6 months or an Advanced (or better) card.