TECHNICIAL DIVINGOVERVIEW :TECHNICIAL DIVINGOVERVIEW BERNIE CHOWDHURY, CHT DAN, NAUI, PADI, TDI Instructor


TECHNICAL DIVING DEFINITION :TECHNICAL DIVING DEFINITION What is “tech diving”?


TECHNICAL DIVING DEFINITION :TECHNICAL DIVING DEFINITION Enter a “ceiling” environment: Wreck penetration Cavern/Cave penetration Decompression (“soft” overhead environment) Use of gases other than air Any time a regulator switch is required Requires greater planning, more gear


WHY TECHNICAL DIVING? :WHY TECHNICAL DIVING? More possibilities


WHY TECHNICAL DIVING? :WHY TECHNICAL DIVING? The challenge Physical Psychological Mental (intellectual) Safer (?)


IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: :IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: Please ask them!


YOUR EXPERIENCE & GOALS :YOUR EXPERIENCE & GOALS Guideline for me to focus on things important to you Anything specific you’d like to get out of this presentation?


No matter how much we prepare, there’s always the unexpected…We may end up in an odd place… :No matter how much we prepare, there’s always the unexpected…We may end up in an odd place…


HERE’S WHAT WE’LL COVER: :HERE’S WHAT WE’LL COVER: Training Considerations Gear Considerations Possible training progression


TRAINING CONSIDERATIONS :TRAINING CONSIDERATIONS Training today impacts what you can do tomorrow General training vs. goal-driven training Training & gear implications Training agencies philosophies Participation in trips, expeditions, exploration Leadership possibilities


GEAR CONSIDERATIONS :GEAR CONSIDERATIONS What gear you currently own What gear you will need to own Specific gear, e.g. brands Gear configurations Flexibility? Skills Transfer – gear mindset


WHICH TRAINING PROGRESSION? :WHICH TRAINING PROGRESSION? Gases? Decompression? Warm water? Cold Water? Overhead environment? Rebreather?


MINDSET MOST IMPORTANT :MINDSET MOST IMPORTANT Your mind = your most crucial gear Your outlook = where you’ll go & what you’ll do How you’ll deal with setbacks & adversity “The Flowing Robes”


Slide 22:THE MOUNT EVEREST OF SCUBA DIVING


Slide 30:USS Bass – Block Island, RI


Slide 35:Not all shipwrecks


Slide 39:1919 – INTERNED GERMAN W. W. I. HIGH SEAS FLEET SCAPA FLOW, SCOTLAND


Slide 40:SMS Markgraf


Great Diving! :Great Diving!


Slide 61:John Cogan


Training: :Training: Training today impacts tomorrow For example:


Slide 67:Training + experience = Success Training needed? Deep & deco Trimix Wreck Wreck Penetration


Slide 68:Training needed: Deep & deco Trimix Full Cave DPV (Scooter)


General vs. Goal-driven Training :General vs. Goal-driven Training Choice of training environment Some overlap, e.g. wreck/cave


WHICH TRAINING PROGRESSION? :WHICH TRAINING PROGRESSION? Intro to Tech Diving Basic Nitrox Intermediate Tech Diving Advanced Nitrox (>40%) Decompression Procedures Cavern Diving Intro to Cave Diving/Full Cave? Basic Trimix (200 feet) Advanced Trimix (330 feet) Wreck Penetration


A training recommendation: :A training recommendation: For all tech divers: at least Cavern and Introduction to Cave Diving Courses Many benefits – many overlaps Gear configuration Buoyancy Guidelines Swimming techniques A word about Full Cave training


Accident Analysis :Accident Analysis Basis for all tech training Comes from cave diving


Slide 73:Unfortunately, we learn more from our own – and others’ -mistakes Read Discuss


Training Environments (cont) :Training Environments (cont) Warm Water vs. cold water Less task loading in warm water Definition of “Task Loading” Warm water acquired skills must be transferred to cold water – practice! Some adaptation required Gear modification, e.g. line reels


Training & Gear Implications :Training & Gear Implications Agencies have different philosophies Some specify exact gear Some specify exact configuration Manifolds vs. “independent” doubles Where lights are worn Choice of training agency & future implications for individual


Participation in Diving :Participation in Diving Training, experience, gear configuration Mindset, adaptability Many ways to accomplish goals Example: Scapa Flow


Leadership Possibilities :Leadership Possibilities Variety of training Different instructors have different strengths Different experiences Find your personal comfort level & philosophies


Slide 80:Gear Considerations


Your Gear Inventory :Your Gear Inventory Current Immediate future Requirements for training? Long term needs Can gear be “scaled up”?, e.g. computers


Specific Gear :Specific Gear Many brands Compare Speak to your instructor Tied in with specific agency?


Gear Configurations :Gear Configurations Flexibility? Example: lights Travel bands Allow different size tanks Easy switching


Skills Transfer – Gear mindset :Skills Transfer – Gear mindset Need for new configurations Creativity may be required


Slide 86:Who to rely on to get your experience?


Slide 89:Engine room telegraph!


Slide 90:Stern Gun on SS Saganaga


MANY THANKS FOR THE USE OF PHOTOS FROM: :MANY THANKS FOR THE USE OF PHOTOS FROM: DIVE-RITE/LAMARTECH VR DIVE COMPUTERS SCOTT ROWAN & OMS Dr. ARCH MACNAMARA WES SKILES CHUCK ZIMMARO (illustration)


MANY THANKS FOR THE USE OF PHOTOS FROM (cont): :MANY THANKS FOR THE USE OF PHOTOS FROM (cont): ANDERS JALLAI ERLUNDER GUDMUNDSSON CAPT. HANK GARVIN LARRY COHEN MASON LOGIE HIDDEN WORLDS CENOTES TERRY GERMAN


Slide 95:Questions, training, trips: Please contact me. Bernie@thebestdive.com