100' before AOW?

[fjpatrum]

Dive guide in Roatan took us to 115' when we were at about dive number 20 (OW only). I didn't know we were that deep until we were there. Started slow ascent shortly thereafter. It wasn't smart then, and I sure wouldn't recommend it now.

I see the fact that you didn't know you were that deep as more of a problem than actually being that deep.

I haven't dove "deep" to this point because it wasn't necessary to do the things I wanted to do. If there were a wreck I wanted to cruise around for a minute or two, though, I'd probably go to 100 without worrying about it. I currently have 11 dives with my deepest being about 75' in blue water with the bottom maybe another 10' below me.

I know the symptoms of narcosis, at least in theory, and I'm very careful about paying attention to my body and my response to things so I wouldn't freak out about diving that deep. The whole issue is relative to your own comfort and skill in the water and the comfort and skill of those you're diving with at the time. OW depth is not a limitation, it's a recommendation.

1) Do you trust yourself to know and perform tasks appropriately at that depth?
2) Do you trust your dive partners to do the same?

If you even waiver in the slightest at saying yes to both of these then you shouldn't dive that deep.


Edited to clarify "freak out about it" being depth, not being narc'd. I have no idea how I'll handle being narc'd if/when it happens... hopefully well. I do know what to look for though, as I said, so I wouldn't worry too much about the possibility to the point of it keeping me from doing a 100 fsw dive.

 

[Teamcasa]

Depth seems to be the most alluring thing to new divers. A large number of new divers want to test their mettle by going to 100+ but fail to realize a few important things.
You will use a bunch more gas, hence you won't be able to stay down very long.
You will have some level of Narcosis - no matter what. It's how you will deal with it that matters.
You will stack up your NDL very quickly at that depth and many new divers have no idea why their computer is flashing and beeping at you - particularly if you slapped on a bigger tank for this adventure.
Did I say you WILL have some Narcosis effects?
At 100+ feet many new divers have no idea where they are or how to get back.
Just to name a few.

Listen, you and many others will head down to 100 and below despite the advice of people who have been there and realize the dangers. So, when you do, take it slow, make a very slow assent, learn what your computer is telling you and pray you don't have any unplanned issues. Make a long safety stop and good luck.

 

[robbcayman]

On my first OW dive I went to 105 ft. I was so captivated by the wall that I wasn't paying attention. Yeah, it wasn't smart. I remember looking up with perfect visibility and thinking wow the surface is a long ways up. That brought me to my senses and I started a slow ascent back to the 60 foot range.

For your first few dives you would be wise to keep them shallow. Just remember, on your first OW dives to pay attention and don't become too captivated by the scenery that you forget safety. I wish I would have been more mindful toward safety on the 1st dive.

 

[soltari675]

I've only done 15 dives so far, but have planned some dives in March/April that will go to 100 feet. My deepest so far has been around 55 feet. I am very comfortable in the water though, and I made sure there would be a dive master/guide with us before I booked the dives. When I say comfortable, I mean I am comfortable in my surroundings in the water AND I am comfortable that I won't panic if something goes wrong and I am confident I can fix it. I am excited, but not stupid. I know I lack the experience and that is what I intend to learn. I am working on my AOW though. I just finished Nitrox last month, and I am signed up to do the peak performance buoyancy course next weekend to prepare for my trip. I did a lot of research before I booked it too. (A lot from here, thanks guys!) So I suppose it just depends on what you are comfortable with and if you have someone experienced and willing to help you learn.

 

[evart]

While I don't want to turn this to PADI bashing, I don't think AOW necessarily qualifies someone to go past 100' either, the question is experience and confidence in your ability to execute the dive plan safely.

I don't wish to be a nit-picker but the recommended limit for PADI AOW divers is 100 feet-130 feet after completing the Deep Diver specialty.

That said, I did my first 100 foot dive while doing my AOW with approximately 12 dives logged at that point.

 

[highdesert]

I see the fact that you didn't know you were that deep as more of a problem than actually being that deep.

That was then. Experience changes things (or should). I'm comfortable with my/our level of situational awarenss now, seven years and many dives later.

 

[mikecotrone]

would/did any of you dive to 100' before AOW? and if so... about how many dives did it take to work up to that?
I understand the need to be comfortable but assuming you are comfortably and are with an experienced diver would you have any hesitation about diving to 100' within your first 10 dives?

I am not the most experienced diver on SB, however I am a well educated diver and have had some excellent training/mentoring. I will ask you a two questions to ask yourself. (Which are the one's I have ask myself regularly)

1. Why do you want to go that deep? Do you really have a reason to go OTHER than "I really want to dive deep"?

2. Do you have the skills and training to get you out of an emergency situation at 100feet?


You CAN'T bolt for the surface (CESA) from 100' so this is why training, certifications, and experience is required. Will you have redundant systems that you are familiar and comfortable with? Remember your training and skills are not meant for your dives that go well, but they are for those dives that don't go well.


Good luck,
Mike

 

[vladimir]

I'm not sure when I first dipped below 100'. I am sure I've done it at least 100 times by now, and still no AOW.

Aggressors used to have two rules that created an interesting incentive: your dives had to be progressively shallower during the day, with none deeper than 110'. I try to follow the rules, so of course I'd bounce down to 110' on my initial descent so that my diving wasn't constrained on the next dive, which would start out with a bounce to 108'. So I accumulated a lot of dives below 100', even though average depths were considerably shallower.

 

[Fusion94]

I am not the most experienced diver on SB, however I am a well educated diver and have had some excellent training/mentoring. I will ask you a two questions to ask yourself. (Which are the one's I have ask myself regularly)

1. Why do you want to go that deep? Do you really have a reason to go OTHER than "I really want to dive deep"?

2. Do you have the skills and training to get you out of an emergency situation at 100feet?


You CAN'T bolt for the surface (CESA) from 100' so this is why training, certifications, and experience is required. Will you have redundant systems that you are familiar and comfortable with? Remember your training and skills are not meant for your dives that go well, but they are for those dives that don't go well.


Good luck,
Mike

ideally i would like to stay as shallow as possible... however in NE FL there is nothing worthwhile to spear in less than 80'... and while i can freedive 80'... i dont really want to get into a tug of war at that depth... also i will have a spare air system and a experienced dive buddy nearby to help...

 

[Garrobo]

It's all in your head. I dove the Speigle Grove with only 10 ocean dives. (Heavy current and four-footers.) The dive master didn't have any idea that I only had that many dives since I was 66 at the time so, he told me later, that since I was an old fogey with some old Dacor regs he figured that I was an experienced diver. I took the AOW cert after about 150 dives in three years of diving, 50% of them on wrecks around Largo and Islamorada like the Eagle, Speigle Grove, Duane and Bibb with average depths around 100 feet to the ship I suppose. I've always made it a habit to drop down to the sand for a few seconds to register the deepest dive possible. It's just as foolish or as dangerous as you want to make it. I've always treated every dive as if it were a solo dive and anything below 40 feet or so I figure puts you in just about the same situation. I've never really noticed that much difference when it comes to depth except that it's easier to clear my ears and the finning is a lot easier because the water is usually much calmer.