Michelle (Muggsy) and I spent a week at Pirates Cove Dive Center in Samaná, Dominican Republic. The purpose of our trip was doing our technical dive training. We did the TDI advanced nitrox, decompression procedures, and extended range courses with our instructors, Uwe Rath and John Chatterton. Also along for the ride was another SBer [user]Daylonious[/user] who took photos, and hopefully will post more photos and stories.
We each brought our own: Hollis Aluminum Backplate (lightweight for travel), doubles wings, spools, reels, lift bags, 3 sets of regulators (one set specially for deco mixes), and of course - masks, fins, snorkels, etc.
While Ill highlight some of the skills that we completed in the training, let me start off by saying If I miss something please dont assume we didnt do it. Swimming without a mask was a skill required, but not exactly a highlight IMO. Each day, we performed several drills, buddy breathing, and other exercises to strengthen our diving skills, and preparedness for emergency both on the surface and at depth. Chatterton also pulled an occasional OOA, or free flow to see how we handled unexpected situations.
Day 1: Our instructors just wanted us to dive with the doubles, and tweak anything that needed to be adjusted. We just did 2 fun dives, with Uwe and he watched our form and skill in the water for later review. First we dived along a wall (max depth 82 FSW) by Cayo Leventado, a small Island in Samaná Bay. This was followed by a shallow wreck site a small passenger ferry. After lunch, we began reviewing the course materials for TDIs Advanced Nitrox course. My personal opinion of the Advanced Nitrox is: Its the same as basic nitrox. For the most part; its really pretty easy to grasp. Most of the course is review of PPO2s, Boyle, Dalton, and the math and science behind diving in general. Personally I think its not much more than basic Nitrox, however, the MODs for advanced nitrox mixes are all above 99 FSW, and there are considerations for the gear which arent mandatory for mixes < 40%.
Day 2: We did 2 training dives with a single stage bottle. We both carried 40 Ft3 Aluminum bottles. Both dives were within recreational limits, and we didnt switch gases just carried the tanks. On both of these dives we shot lift bags, and did our 3 minute safety stop with the lift bags attached to our spools. The dive shop offered us a variety of spools to try out; personally I preferred my DSS Stainless Finger spool. I though it worked really well from depths of 50 FSW even After lunch, we sat with Uwe and completed our advanced nitrox exam.
Day 3: We got blown out from diving So we completed the coursework for Deco Procedures, and Extended Range, and took the final exams for each. Both courses are well laid out, and the course work is again a lot of formulas and our old friends, Boyle and Dalton. Part of this day was planning our extended range decompression dive to 180 FSW which would be on Day 4 (of diving day 5 now because of wind from Gustav), and would be the pinnacle dive of the course.
Day 4: We did 2 training dives. This time we each carried 2 stage bottles (Al 40s) (We used a set of regulators from the dive shop for the 2nd bottles), shot lift bags, and did a gas switch at 50 FSW. Our instructors had us perform some valve drills, air share, buddy checks, bubble checks, and a whole plethora of teamwork activities to re-enforce skills required for deep diving.
After Lunch, we reviewed our dive plan for the 180 foot dive, including our gas plan for both back gas, and deco gas. Our plan was to dive to 180 for 20 minutes of total bottom time (on Air) and to use 34% and 53% Nitrox (analyzed mixes) for decompression. We were expected to plan our dive, deco stops, gas switch points, and gas consumption.
Day 5: We set out for Uwes Mountain a deep reef site, where the reef begins at 120 FSW. We dropped anchor, and followed the line down to 120 FSW. We all group, and proceed over the side of the slope, and continued deeper. Prior to this, my deepest dive was to 121 FSW. As we passed 130 FSW I noticed that I wasnt continuously clearing my ears, as I generally have to do at shallower depths. I can see how its really easy to blow past your planned depth, as I can usually feel a change in depth by my ears, but as we approach 150 FSW my ears arent much of a depth gauge for me anymore. I can feel the tunneling of my vision set in, and as we pass 160 FSW, I begin to feel pretty narced. We continue to swim down the slope, and about a minute later, we reach our planned depth of 180 FSW! Narcosis Yep. Its pretty severe at this point. I cant say that I heard any voices (except for that of Chatterton laughing in the background), but I can say that narcosis at this depth is REAL, and its as numbing as sitting in the dentists chair. We explore the reef at 180 FSW for a minute or two, when Uwe presents Michelle with a puzzle of sorts (a nut and bolt) to assemble, and John hands me a slate with some math equations on it. I have to admit that 8+4-6+5 took me about 20 seconds to solve and 14 x 3 was definitely a brain buster momentarily. I was able to do the math, but it did require a lot more time to focus on the task at hand and I really had to think about it. The time on the bottom FLEW by, as did the back gas in my tanks (the digital pressure gauge on my air integrated Atom2 was dropping at an incredible rate compared to a dive several ATAs less), and about 5 minutes later it was time to begin our ascent. We made our way back to the anchor line, and switched to our 34% nitrox at 110 FSW, and continued on our way up the line. At 60 FSW, we switched gas to our 53% nitrox, and continued up making our decompression stops along the way. I used my Oceanic Atom 2 computer, and used the gas switching functions as well. The deco stops that were assigned to me on the computer were slightly less than my plan, but we planned for a square profile. However, Ill say that the Atom 2 makes a good multi gas computer (it doesnt do trimix though) I was very impressed! All together, the total runtime for the dive was about 55 minutes.
Day 6: Las Galeras (Playa Rincon) We ventured out with some local fishermen to check out some potential new sites for Pirates Cove to dive. We take a small banana boat out to a pinnacle about 2 miles off shore. This site was INCREDIBLE! I hit a max depth of 161 FSW. This was a gorgeous reef site, great for technical dives or just recreation diving. Blue Blue water and pristine reefs! Our second dive here was also breathtaking. This was a shallow site, with amazing coral formations, critters, and a wall.
Recap: I thought the course was great! The TDI books were well written, and simple enough for most divers to understand. I like how the TDI books were more like lectures or conversation, rather than a boring college lecture. I found they were easy to read, and I wanted to sit and read them. Ill say that honestly that the information that Ive been reading on SB made it really easy for me to feel confident and prepared for the course, even before I read the first book. The books reinforced the positive information that I learned here on the board.
When I told some of my SB friends that we were doing Extended Range they asked Why extended range, and not trimix? Well John suggested that we do extended range FIRST. Extended range requires a really deep air dive. Johns take on it (sure listen to the guy who has dived to 240 FSW on air) was that if we extend our air diving range through this course and under the supervision of our instructors, that ultimately it makes us better, more confident divers. I now feel very confident that I can make a 150 180 FSW dive (on air) no problem Its within my experience. Going right to trimix would have skipped the experience of the deep dive narcosis and other effects of Nitrogen on a deep air dive. I now have a baseline for comparison IF/when we take trimix training. I cant say enough great things about Pirates Cove, Uwe, John Mattera, and of course JC. I feel very fortunate to have such an incredible learning experience with such experienced divers!
I should of course mention that we stayed at the Bahia Principe Cayacoa (arranged for us by Pirates Cove) which was a great vacation in itself. The hotel is all inclusive, and only a few short minutes from the dive shop. The hotel is on Samaná Bay, and has beaches, pools, copious amounts of food and drink, internet service (for a fee), and water sports. One thing If youre a guy Dont forget to bring pants (just ask Señor Pantalones aka Daylonious).
We each brought our own: Hollis Aluminum Backplate (lightweight for travel), doubles wings, spools, reels, lift bags, 3 sets of regulators (one set specially for deco mixes), and of course - masks, fins, snorkels, etc.
While Ill highlight some of the skills that we completed in the training, let me start off by saying If I miss something please dont assume we didnt do it. Swimming without a mask was a skill required, but not exactly a highlight IMO. Each day, we performed several drills, buddy breathing, and other exercises to strengthen our diving skills, and preparedness for emergency both on the surface and at depth. Chatterton also pulled an occasional OOA, or free flow to see how we handled unexpected situations.
Day 1: Our instructors just wanted us to dive with the doubles, and tweak anything that needed to be adjusted. We just did 2 fun dives, with Uwe and he watched our form and skill in the water for later review. First we dived along a wall (max depth 82 FSW) by Cayo Leventado, a small Island in Samaná Bay. This was followed by a shallow wreck site a small passenger ferry. After lunch, we began reviewing the course materials for TDIs Advanced Nitrox course. My personal opinion of the Advanced Nitrox is: Its the same as basic nitrox. For the most part; its really pretty easy to grasp. Most of the course is review of PPO2s, Boyle, Dalton, and the math and science behind diving in general. Personally I think its not much more than basic Nitrox, however, the MODs for advanced nitrox mixes are all above 99 FSW, and there are considerations for the gear which arent mandatory for mixes < 40%.
Day 2: We did 2 training dives with a single stage bottle. We both carried 40 Ft3 Aluminum bottles. Both dives were within recreational limits, and we didnt switch gases just carried the tanks. On both of these dives we shot lift bags, and did our 3 minute safety stop with the lift bags attached to our spools. The dive shop offered us a variety of spools to try out; personally I preferred my DSS Stainless Finger spool. I though it worked really well from depths of 50 FSW even After lunch, we sat with Uwe and completed our advanced nitrox exam.
Day 3: We got blown out from diving So we completed the coursework for Deco Procedures, and Extended Range, and took the final exams for each. Both courses are well laid out, and the course work is again a lot of formulas and our old friends, Boyle and Dalton. Part of this day was planning our extended range decompression dive to 180 FSW which would be on Day 4 (of diving day 5 now because of wind from Gustav), and would be the pinnacle dive of the course.
Day 4: We did 2 training dives. This time we each carried 2 stage bottles (Al 40s) (We used a set of regulators from the dive shop for the 2nd bottles), shot lift bags, and did a gas switch at 50 FSW. Our instructors had us perform some valve drills, air share, buddy checks, bubble checks, and a whole plethora of teamwork activities to re-enforce skills required for deep diving.
After Lunch, we reviewed our dive plan for the 180 foot dive, including our gas plan for both back gas, and deco gas. Our plan was to dive to 180 for 20 minutes of total bottom time (on Air) and to use 34% and 53% Nitrox (analyzed mixes) for decompression. We were expected to plan our dive, deco stops, gas switch points, and gas consumption.
Day 5: We set out for Uwes Mountain a deep reef site, where the reef begins at 120 FSW. We dropped anchor, and followed the line down to 120 FSW. We all group, and proceed over the side of the slope, and continued deeper. Prior to this, my deepest dive was to 121 FSW. As we passed 130 FSW I noticed that I wasnt continuously clearing my ears, as I generally have to do at shallower depths. I can see how its really easy to blow past your planned depth, as I can usually feel a change in depth by my ears, but as we approach 150 FSW my ears arent much of a depth gauge for me anymore. I can feel the tunneling of my vision set in, and as we pass 160 FSW, I begin to feel pretty narced. We continue to swim down the slope, and about a minute later, we reach our planned depth of 180 FSW! Narcosis Yep. Its pretty severe at this point. I cant say that I heard any voices (except for that of Chatterton laughing in the background), but I can say that narcosis at this depth is REAL, and its as numbing as sitting in the dentists chair. We explore the reef at 180 FSW for a minute or two, when Uwe presents Michelle with a puzzle of sorts (a nut and bolt) to assemble, and John hands me a slate with some math equations on it. I have to admit that 8+4-6+5 took me about 20 seconds to solve and 14 x 3 was definitely a brain buster momentarily. I was able to do the math, but it did require a lot more time to focus on the task at hand and I really had to think about it. The time on the bottom FLEW by, as did the back gas in my tanks (the digital pressure gauge on my air integrated Atom2 was dropping at an incredible rate compared to a dive several ATAs less), and about 5 minutes later it was time to begin our ascent. We made our way back to the anchor line, and switched to our 34% nitrox at 110 FSW, and continued on our way up the line. At 60 FSW, we switched gas to our 53% nitrox, and continued up making our decompression stops along the way. I used my Oceanic Atom 2 computer, and used the gas switching functions as well. The deco stops that were assigned to me on the computer were slightly less than my plan, but we planned for a square profile. However, Ill say that the Atom 2 makes a good multi gas computer (it doesnt do trimix though) I was very impressed! All together, the total runtime for the dive was about 55 minutes.
Day 6: Las Galeras (Playa Rincon) We ventured out with some local fishermen to check out some potential new sites for Pirates Cove to dive. We take a small banana boat out to a pinnacle about 2 miles off shore. This site was INCREDIBLE! I hit a max depth of 161 FSW. This was a gorgeous reef site, great for technical dives or just recreation diving. Blue Blue water and pristine reefs! Our second dive here was also breathtaking. This was a shallow site, with amazing coral formations, critters, and a wall.
Recap: I thought the course was great! The TDI books were well written, and simple enough for most divers to understand. I like how the TDI books were more like lectures or conversation, rather than a boring college lecture. I found they were easy to read, and I wanted to sit and read them. Ill say that honestly that the information that Ive been reading on SB made it really easy for me to feel confident and prepared for the course, even before I read the first book. The books reinforced the positive information that I learned here on the board.
When I told some of my SB friends that we were doing Extended Range they asked Why extended range, and not trimix? Well John suggested that we do extended range FIRST. Extended range requires a really deep air dive. Johns take on it (sure listen to the guy who has dived to 240 FSW on air) was that if we extend our air diving range through this course and under the supervision of our instructors, that ultimately it makes us better, more confident divers. I now feel very confident that I can make a 150 180 FSW dive (on air) no problem Its within my experience. Going right to trimix would have skipped the experience of the deep dive narcosis and other effects of Nitrogen on a deep air dive. I now have a baseline for comparison IF/when we take trimix training. I cant say enough great things about Pirates Cove, Uwe, John Mattera, and of course JC. I feel very fortunate to have such an incredible learning experience with such experienced divers!
I should of course mention that we stayed at the Bahia Principe Cayacoa (arranged for us by Pirates Cove) which was a great vacation in itself. The hotel is all inclusive, and only a few short minutes from the dive shop. The hotel is on Samaná Bay, and has beaches, pools, copious amounts of food and drink, internet service (for a fee), and water sports. One thing If youre a guy Dont forget to bring pants (just ask Señor Pantalones aka Daylonious).
