Deep Dives

[ResortDiver850]

Hello,

I have the chance to go on a charter that will be going to sites in the 90 ft to 120 ft range.

I have 15 dives total at this point (deepest was 75 ft.). I also have my AOW and Nitrox certs.

If I go on the charter, it will be luck of the draw on insta-buddies or possibly no buddy as has happened before.

Ideally, I'd like to get a AL30 pony for thus dive, but probably not in my budget right now.


Anyone have any advice whether or not diving down this deep is a good idea or not at this point in my diving career?

Perhaps, I spend too much time reading the Diving Accidents forums.

Thanks!

 

[Diver0001]

Ask the charter to buddy you up with an experienced DM for the dive. You may need to pay extra for that but you don't need to leave it to the luck of the draw.

R..

 

[2airishuman]

It depends on the nature of the site and the nature of the charter. Warm, clear water with no current down to a reef makes for a very different dive than cold water, limited viz, screaming current on a wreck.

It would also help matters to have an in-water guide, which many charters offer either free or for a fee.

I would suggest getting clarity on whether the guide will be leading just you or will also be leading others at the same time, so that you are not surprised or disappointed on the day of the dive.

 

[grf88]

There is a chance you could find yourself diving 45 feet deeper than you have previously experienced - not a good idea. With only 15 dives I would suggest that you increase your maximum depths in increments closer to 10 feet at a time. To do it with an instabuddy is asking for potential trouble.

 

[rongoodman]

It's also time for you to start thinking about how much gas you'll need to get you and a buddy to the surface should a problem arise, and what that translates into as far as turn pressure. "Be back with 500 psi" doesn't really tell you very much.

 

[Akimbo]

Will this be your first boat dive?

Random thoughts: My inclination is to suggest one stresser at a time. You must have some apprehension to post this. Advancing from 75 to 90' is reasonable. 75' to 120' might be a little aggressive unless you are with a trusted buddy.

 

[scubadada]

These dives are significantly deeper than your dives to date. You do not describe the setting, vis, water temp, current, etc. I was the buddy for a young, very fit Navy man, who had just finished his AOW, on the Duane in Key Largo. The current was moderate, the dive was a disaster. Take others advice for a guide and/or do additional training/get more experience before you do these dives. It could work out fine, or it could not. We all tend to be pretty conservative, until we are not. I've been diving 47 years now. For what it's worth.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

You say you have a chance to go on a charter. I'd say consider passing on this chance and find one that is closer to your comfort level. You will have plenty of other chances to do deep dives when you are ready. I don't find too much fun in being worried. If you want to start using a pony, use it at a less stressful time. Deep + new gear + unknown dive buddy too much!! Keep diving fun, and
Dive safe.

 

[Marie13]

I'd suggest passing on this one. Too much new at once. I also wouldn't do that deep a dive without my pony, but that's just me.

 

[RayfromTX]

You have received very good advice. I respect the previous posters and agree with what has been said. I am somewhat surprised that the idea has been tolerated this well. There are some questions I have for you in order to get you a more thorough answer from the posts yet to come.

What were the 15 dives that you did like? What was the temperature and what gear did you use including the exposure suit.

How was your air consumption and what was your comfort level?

What was the visibility like on your previous dives. Was there any current?

Now for the more important question. How was your buoyancy control and your understanding of how the need for timely dumping of gas changes as you ascend nearer to the surface?

Every diver is different and in my short diving career I have seen a student with 5 dives that I was convinced had 100 being more smoothly in tune with the dive that the guy that said he had 200 dives and then flailed around and sucked his tank down in half the time of the other divers. Understanding where you fall on that spectrum will go a long way towards helping others help you to make the call for yourself about what you should plan for your dives.