AOW deep diving question

[Thalassamania]

That's what we call the "dark narc" a horse of an entirely different color. I don't know exactly what the cause is but cold, dark, low vis makes the narc more intense for me and definitely raises the issue dark narc while similar warm, clear dives are much more clearheaded.

Dark Narc is very real, but can be dealt with. Think back on the feeling you had when it first started. Then take three very slow deep breaths, concentrating on emptying your lungs and refilling them. While you do that think about pushing the creeping feeling of overwhelming dread back. Repeat this exercise focusing on having the dark pushed back, moved way away from yourself. Do this a few times a day for a week or so, then try the dive again.

If the Dark Narc creeps up ... take your three deep breaths, it will go away and your mind will clear. If it does not work for you, go back and repeat the regimen, I've known divers that required as many as a half dozen of these "adjustment" dives, but all able to learn to deal with it.

There is, of course, a way to simply buy your way out ... trimix.

 

[ktomlinson]

Thalassamania I appreciate the response! So what I experienced is not a "normal" narc? When it started I took a moment to check all of my gear (thought I heard something) and when I determined that my gear was fine (seconds) I focused on breathing like you suggested. At this point I was on the wreck and took a moment to rest by holding onto the wreck (the current was pretty swift on this dive, if you quit swimming you would be gone in no time). When I calmed my heart rate a bit I ascended 10-15' and by that point I was feeling fine and started enjoying the dive.
Sorry to hijack your thread, but I am happy to learn that what I experienced wasnt normal narcosis.

 

[DiveNav]

....... I have not consciously experienced narcosis and would like to experience and recognize the symptoms in a controlled environment ....... by going to 130'+ if possible........

Sure. Use the "Martini 's Law"
Have a friend watching over you while you drink few Martinis ... one for each 10m increments ..... I bet after 4 or 5 Martinis you will start feeling "weird"

By the way, do this at your home and NOT while diving.
And don't drive after drinking

Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[Splitlip]

Excellent Thal!
Worth bumping the post.

That's what we call the "dark narc" a horse of an entirely different color. I don't know exactly what the cause is but cold, dark, low vis makes the narc more intense for me and definitely raises the issue dark narc while similar warm, clear dives are much more clearheaded.

Dark Narc is very real, but can be dealt with. Think back on the feeling you had when it first started. Then take three very slow deep breaths, concentrating on emptying your lungs and refilling them. While you do that think about pushing the creeping feeling of overwhelming dread back. Repeat this exercise focusing on having the dark pushed back, moved way away from yourself. Do this a few times a day for a week or so, then try the dive again.

If the Dark Narc creeps up ... take your three deep breaths, it will go away and your mind will clear. If it does not work for you, go back and repeat the regimen, I've known divers that required as many as a half dozen of these "adjustment" dives, but all able to learn to deal with it.

There is, of course, a way to simply buy your way out ... trimix.

 

[acwest]

The point of a deep course should not be narcosis, that's a sidelight. Focus should be on equipment, planning, deco theory, gas management, etc. I could run an excellent deep diving course that never went deeper than 30' and that used a 160 ft chamber run to teach about narcosis.

Thalassamania has the best suggestion for you right here. Chamber runs are about the best way possible to experiment with narcosis. You get the effects of 160 feet without having to worry about the dive part.
-Craig

 

[Splitlip]

Exactly what we did in my first AOW in 1979. (took a second as a refresher in 1999.)

 

[CamG]

Greetings K374 and as others have mentioned 100' is the max for AOW. Many instructors only take students to the 70' or 80' for the maximum depth during the training.

The Padi course you are asking for is the Deep Dive Specialty that will actually take you to the depths you are desiring. This coarse will cover the specific hazards and skills that manage the risks of extended range diving. This being said extended range diving requires more extensive dive planning and gear requirements that should be considered as well. AOW is a really light introduction that outlines principals but the depths you are diving already demand more attention to them.

I would agree to take on the AOW but move directly into the Specialty coarse as well.
I would also suggest some personal research as well as take your time building dive experience and under the watchful eye of a experienced mentor.
Narcosis is reality. The level to which it impairs ones judgement depends on many different variables. From day to day, dive to dive affect the same diver differently for no apparent reasons at all.

I have experienced narcosis that is manageable and some that took considerable mind over matter to control. C02 is a evil counter part to narcosis and can bring about the illustrious "dark narc" that many speak of. Advanced dive planning can help manage these risks but not eliminate them totally. Everyone who dives deep will face the reality of the environment. Respect the rules and never push the limits. Be conservative gaining valuable experience gradually. Good luck and dive safe.

CamG Keep diving....Keep training....Keep learning!

 

[coldwaterdufus]

Just curious about something. The OP talks about going for his AOW next month. He is therefore, I assume, OW currently. He also talks about going deeper than 60 ft many times. The current max for OW certs. is 60ft. What am I missing here ? Why is he diving quite a bit deeper than his current certification ? And why are people taking him deeper than his cert ? I know a lot of people probably do this, it just seems to me to be too fast, too soon, to be wanting to experience narcosis. I have a similar number of dives, last thing I want to be doing. There's a lot of other stuff going on that needs to be mastered beforehand. Just my opinion.

 

[B Lo]

Just curious about something. The OP talks about going for his AOW next month. He is therefore, I assume, OW currently. He also talks about going deeper than 60 ft many times. The current max for OW certs. is 60ft. What am I missing here ? Why is he diving quite a bit deeper than his current certification ? And why are people taking him deeper than his cert ? I know a lot of people probably do this, it just seems to me to be too fast, too soon, to be wanting to experience narcosis. I have a similar number of dives, last thing I want to be doing. There's a lot of other stuff going on that needs to be mastered beforehand. Just my opinion.

Although 60 feet is often toted as the "max" depth for OW, I have never seen it listed or used as a concrete barrier. Rather, I have seen it treated as a suggested depth, with the only concrete limitation being placed at 130 feet for any level of recreational diver.

 

[acwest]

Just curious about something. The OP talks about going for his AOW next month. He is therefore, I assume, OW currently. He also talks about going deeper than 60 ft many times. The current max for OW certs. is 60ft. What am I missing here ? Why is he diving quite a bit deeper than his current certification ? And why are people taking him deeper than his cert ? I know a lot of people probably do this, it just seems to me to be too fast, too soon, to be wanting to experience narcosis. I have a similar number of dives, last thing I want to be doing. There's a lot of other stuff going on that needs to be mastered beforehand. Just my opinion.

The 60 foot limit is an agency recommendation, not an actual limit. The only hard limit is the 130 foot recreational dive limit, and even that is not a legal limit. I don't know about PADI, but at least with my certification, the 60 foot recommendation was only until the diver had 20 dives.
-Craig