Silent World: Tech Training

Technical diving isn't really that technical and would probably benefit from being called something else! It is a fairly recent term given to diving conducted outside the recognized parameters of recreational sport diving. The standard limit for 'no stop' diving (diving without the need for decompression stops) is 40m / 130' in an environment where a direct ascent to the surface is possible. Anything beyond this depth, or where a direct ascent to the surface is not possible can be considered 'technical diving'

Why bother and what are the Benefits?

Stay down longer (Increased Bottom Time) - have more fun!
Benefit from breathing mixed gasses - utilizing the right gas for the dive
Increase your skill level and comfort
Improve your breathing rate, using less gas than you did on recreational dives!
Learn to hover motionless in the water column with perfect trim & buoyancy
Learn complete control of your position in the water, fin backwards & turn 360 degrees
Plan your dives at home on your computer
Relax, safe in the knowledge that you have the gas and skills to do the dive safely
Explore deep reefs and shipwrecks beyond the reach of recreational divers

Comparison between a recreational and a technical dive on the Spiegel Grove:
Thousands of divers enjoy diving each year on the worlds third largest artificial reef, the USS Spiegel Grove, making it an ideal subject to demonstrate the advantages and benefits of technical diving. Most recreational divers are limited to a short dive with a bottom time of 15-20 minutes, with anxious or out of shape divers usually getting down to minimum gas (1000psi) after just 10 minutes! In contrast, tech divers have a much better time diving the wreck. They have the equipment and skills that will enable them to spend more time on the bottom, visit the propellers without suffering narcosis due to their mixed breathing gas, penetrate more safely into the ship and see all the interesting rooms and equipment left behind. Most importantly, they have the gas reserves and skills to deal with the majority of rare incidents quickly and efficiently before they escalate into an emergency and ultimately a panicked situation

Typical Spiegel Grove Scenario - Dive to 100'
Recreational Diver	Technical Diver
1 x Aluminum 80 cu ft cylinder of air	2 x Aluminum 80 cu ft cylinders with isolation manifold filled with 30% oxygen, 30% Helium and 40% Nitrogen (Trimix) 1 x Aluminum 40 cu ft cylinder of decompression gas, 100% oxygen
No contingency gas other than standard practice of starting ascent with 1000psi remaining	Gas planning includes contingency gas for self and buddy in addition to the volume of gas required for the planned dive depth and duration
Max allowable bottom time 20 minutes on air	Planned bottom time of 50 minutes, with contingency schedule for loss of deco gas and overrun due to an emergency
Divers stay outside the wreck and only see the stern section due to current and gas limitation, returning to the line after 18 minutes	Divers check out the stern, helopad and then penetrate the wreck to get out of the current. After completing a full circuit of the wreck, the team arrives back at the line at 50 minutes
3 minute safety stop at 15' - Total run time 26 minutes	Deco Stops of 2 minutes at 30' and 11 minutes at 20' - Total run time 67 minutes

Give us a call on (305) 451-3252 or email us to discuss training. Check out our Open Circuit and Closed Circuit Rebreather courses

At Silent World we are multi-agency, CCR & OC. We don't care how you do it - as long as it is safe. We are committed to the growth and success of technical diving as an exciting sport and passionate about what we do.