anna and i are all signed up to do a tech diving course – run by a really really really good tech diver – pete mesley.
we also know him well (anna more so than me) so the chance to learn from him was too good to pass up!
i dont even know if i would ever strap on a pair of twins and dive into decompression but i really like the theory side of it and i have always believed that more knowledge and understanding can make you a better diver and a better divemaster. and ….. i am setting up to dive on the mikhail lermontov next year!
i am going to need to brush up on my nitrox and i hope that i dont have to complete wreck 3 and 4 for my specialty before then but my dive fitness is improving in leaps and bounds (‘specially with diving 4-5 times a week and hoofing all those tanks and gear bags around) so all i am is really excited!
so the next dives (until our december training date) are going to be me mucking around with the following skills;
- Body Position:
Students should also be able to position themselves, by shifting tank and weight system height, so that they can achieve a perfectly horizontal hover. Students can test this by seeing if they can view everything that is going on behind them simply by tucking their chins to their chests.
- Helicopter Turn:
While in the position just described, students should be able to complete a 360 degree turn, simply by sculling with their ankles and fins. The rest of the body, including and especially the hands, should remain motionless throughout the turn.
- General Diving skills:
Mask removal/replacement whilst hovering, gear removal/replacement, gas sharing, hovering at any depth, controlled ascents and rescue skills must be well rehearsed.
- How Important is Physical Fitness to the Technical Diver?
Technical DIVING is a physically demanding activity. In an emergency, personal fitness can literally make the difference between life and death. Fitness is also a key factor in reducing the risk of decompression illness. Also there is a lot more equipment for you to handle weight wise. You should be physically fit with good reasonable stamina.
If you too are interested in tech diving – take a look at the courses (and trips) that pete offers – http://www.petemesley.com/training%20home.htm
