SUPERB article on deep air diving

[Mobile Diver]

Anyone who dives deep on air should read this:

http://www.tdisdi.com/wpsite/2012/07/a-practical-discussion-of-nitrogen-narcosis-for-deep-diving/#.UAhaG9Igu7A.facebook

[faster7581]

Thanks, pretty interesting article.

[kvzeyde]

Anyone who dives deep on air should read this:

http://www.tdisdi.com/wpsite/2012/07/a-practical-discussion-of-nitrogen-narcosis-for-deep-diving/#.UAhaG9Igu7A.facebook

Thanks for posting.


:allhail:


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[jadairiii]

Anyone who dives deep on air should read this:

http://www.tdisdi.com/wpsite/2012/07/a-practical-discussion-of-nitrogen-narcosis-for-deep-diving/#.UAhaG9Igu7A.facebook

From the article

Sheck Exley, Tom Mount, Frank Martz, Jim Lockwood, and Dr. George Benjamin pushed ever deeper with their explorations

Sheck Exley - died on what was operationally a deep air dive

Frank Martz -died while diving deep on Air

Jim Lockwood- passed out, having no recollection on who rescued him and his two other buddies died on a deep air dive

[kmoose]

While I understand his endorsement of deep air, Bret is careful to exclude most all conditions we as spearfishermen encounter on almost every dive. Kind of like endorsing "Buzzed" driving in the Nevada desert. Sure, most anyone could probably do fine to 200 fsw on air if you're just down there snapping photos, but start digging a shit shot carbo out of a ledge and things can start going south fast.

Rodeo spearfishing past 130' has enough dangers involved with it..... why choose to do it impaired?

[kehloken]

Brett did a test with single al80 with some great time divers in the Bahama's and surprised them of test, a couple of them threw on what ever they found and put two 80's together. Brett wanted to see how deep on al 80 plus a narc factor. brett made it to 380 or 400 something it was along time ago, some narced out and ascended.

Brett more than likely spent years putting together that article for info on deep air diving as it has become popular again. I have been doing it for many decades and enjoy it, right along with tweaking my narc with a tad of helium. Forum boards have been debating it for over a decade now.

Brett again has give to the dive community of great info and wisdom from all his experiences.

[kmoose]

Just because something has been done or is "doable" for some doesn't make it smart or as safe as it could be. We don't call it "Rat Poison" for nothing.

[kmoose]

From the article



Sheck Exley - died on what was operationally a deep air dive

Frank Martz -died while diving deep on Air

Jim Lockwood- passed out, having no recollection on who rescued him and his two other buddies died on a deep air dive The "deep air" legacy....;)

[Mobile Diver]

Posted for informational purposes only. Not trying to tell anyone how to dive or not dive. Narcossis is obviously a very individual thing & is just one diving & spearfishing risk. Everyone has to evaluate all the risks of diving & spearfishing for themselves.

[kmoose]

Steve, your your lead in is perfect "For those who dive deep air". It is a good artical and Bret knows more than most about it. He doen't mislead in his opinnion and states the constraints in theory accurately.

People get hurt and die on air and mix gas diving alike. Personally, I am not a fan of air when I can have a clear head when it counts. Please don't take my comments as a shot on you posting this..... It's a loaded topic anywhere it's discussed.

[Mobile Diver]

Steve, your your lead in is perfect "For those who dive deep air". It is a good artical and Bret knows more than most about it. He doen't mislead in his opinnion and states the constraints in theory accurately.

People get hurt and die on air and mix gas diving alike. Personally, I am not a fan of air when I can have a clear head when it counts. Please don't take my comments as a shot on you posting this..... It's a loaded topic anywhere it's discussed.

Thanks much Kenny.:toast:

I personally don't get any noticeable narcossis. But my skinny ass DOES get cold easy. The tech guys tell me helium can really chill you down. That & the inconvenience/cost have kept me away from it.

[jadairiii]

...The tech guys tell me helium can really chill you down. ....

Dont know what tech guys you have been speaking to but that is an "old wives tale" unless they are using it to fill their dry suits.

I have been diving mix deep since about 1998, and like you, I aint got much meat on my bones, but the mix has never made me cold.

....That & the inconvenience/cost have kept me away from it.

Yes it costs more than air, and for the next year or so even more expensive due to some industry wide shortages. But I value my safety and that of my buddy's more than a few buck of gas. If helium gets too expensive in the coming year for my wallet I will alter my diving, not my mixes or safety.

...I personally don't get any noticeable narcossis....

And if you ever switch to mix you will realized just how wacked you are deep on air.

[waterpirate]

This is all comeing back around again due to cost of HE in the current market. That article and heated disscussions hopefully will educate, not advocate. As said above you really do not know how impaired you are till you you do the same dive with some HE for comparison, it is vivid.
Eric

[kmoose]

Training is a big issue for most when it comes to complex mixes as well as computers and competent shops to provide the right prescription for what your diving. I can see where deep air is a simplistic option for most who are dabbling in depths beyond their certification and or training. Many just don't have the time, money or self-justification to pursue such endeavors. I can’t say I blame the majority, but I can testify that if you ever get used to diving 140+ on air, then make the same dive on trimix, you will repetitively kick yourself in the nuts for every dive you did without. It makes that much of a difference and I don’t care who you are or how long you dove on deep air.

[Bill McIntyre]

And if you ever switch to mix you will realized just how wacked you are deep on air.

For what its worth, a few decades ago I recall reading that the Navy took a bunch of its most experienced divers down to 100 feet in a chamber and had them do tests of dexterity and mental acuity, and every single one showed significant impairment, whether or not they thought they were impaired.

I imagine many similar tests have been conducted in subsequent years, but that is the one I remember.

[Mobile Diver]

As a point of clarification, my deep dives are always short, less than 10 minutes on the bottom. That may well make a difference.

If the circumstances allow, sometime I may try some trimix & see if there is a difference. I know it makes a big difference for some divers.