Tech Diver Advancement
With Recreational Diving you generally dive safely and regularly in conditions less than or similar to those which you are and have been trainined in. In Technical Diving we all seem to be diving more and more pushing the envelope on what we have already been taught. So an intersting question would be - Is this Wrong then?
Parking for now the issues of your own personal insurance, mortgage company covenants etc. Then the challenge as always is to strive to better yourself and your skills. A responsible Technical Diver will be one who regularly practices their skills, is constantly developing this knowledge and skill base both in and out of water, and takes a prudent approach to pushing the envelope. This last point being the crux of the matter.
Personally I believe the best route to this is to use what some training agencies use as a rule of advancement (that is you never dive deeper than 10msw more than the previous dives. This is a good rule if applied sensibly. This is a great sport, we are all saddened by the accidents and deaths, don't push the envelope beyond what is sensible. I have always gone on dives that are deeper than I have a great ease with, by going as a team.
More Technical Divers consider themselves prety self surficient and as such can dive solo. I take and do practice this on Technical Dives, HOWEVER, we dive logistically as a team, we deco together either on a lazy shot or trapeze, we look out for each other at depth through rules and proceedures, and above all we plan the dives including safety bailouts and boat safety/resus proceedures. We take our own full resus kit and 100% O2 on trips and if necessary our own long range comms (ask your skipper!).
So in summary yes you push the envelope, but in small sensible steps, you do it with those you trust, you are wise and prudent, and above all you take this devleopment seriously both in and out of the water, training and skill development all planned and definately have fun exploring!
<< Back to ADM Tech Tips for more information and ideas...
Any further help needed Contact Us and we'll pin Andrew down to answer your query.
|