From: daigle@APOLLO.HP.COM (Joe Daigle)
Subject: Re: Information about advanced deep diving course wanted
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 13:54:20 GMT
Distribution: usa
Reply-To: daigle@apollo.hp.com
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Chelmsford, MA

In article <12195@cis.rand.org>, Karl_Schutz@rand.ORG (Karl Schutz) writes:
|> > 
|> >   I have talked with many instructors about taking the deep
|> > diver specialty,
|> >      [stuff deleted.......]

|> I hope the instructors you talked to are planning to do more than escort you to
|> depth.  Before going deep the first time, divers need to be told, 
|>     [stuff deleted......]
|> But, then again, who
|> really knows it all? 


Actually, what many have said is that the reason for taking the deep diving
course is to be escorted to depth by someone that is knowledgeable.  They do not
provide a class.  I want a class because I am far from knowing it all, but
I would like to learn more than enough to keep me alive.  Just bringing me to
the bottom does not cut it in my book.

|> 
|> 
|> > What I want to know is why PADI does not teach you what to do if you blow your NDL.  What
|> > would be wrong with them teaching some light decompression diving?  If I stay down too long
|> > (OK, I know, never let that happen), then I am SOL when it comes to knowing what the hell 
|> > to do now.  Saying that I shouldn't have blown my NDL is simply not acceptable at that point.> 
|> 
|> Are we talking planned decompression diving or are we talking about what to do if
|> one accidently exceeds the NDL?


I'm sorry, I should have been more clear.  I meant accidentally exceeding the NDL.  I
personally would never plan to exceed the limit.  I have seen the consequences first
hand.  I was on a live-aboard where someone got hit and had to fly via Helicopter
a few hundered miles to a chamber.  That next day I joined DAN, signed up for the 
advanced course, and swore I would never be in that guy's shoes.  This is why
I want to KNOW what to do if I get into a jam.  It will probably never happen,
but I want to be prepared for the worst.

Seeing what that guy went through scared the hell out of me!

|> 
|> If one accidently exceeds an NDL, well then, do you still have your PADI
|> Recreational Dive Planner (RDP)?  If so, flip it over to the side with Table 3 on 
|> it.  

Thanks for pointing that out.  I was not aware of it.  Believe it or not, my advanced
instructor never pointed that out. We did 4 dives with a short talk before each one.
I do not recall seeing it in the advanced manual, but it may be in there.

Instructors, please dont flame me for this comment, but teaching diving should be a 
hell of a lot more than taking us into the water.  Whenever I ask about what I will
gain from taking such and such a specialty course, the answer I get is "well, we take
you on x dives in that environment".   Big deal.  While I may be asking for too much,
I would also like to see a book given in each specialty course as well.

I actually found someone in Ft Lauderdale that told me that I have to spend
some classroom time (one evening) learning about deep diving.  Needless to 
say he is the person that will get my hard earned money!

|> 
|> 
|> -- 
|> Karl F. Schutz
|> PADI DM-50321

-- 


Joseph W. Daigle
                          
DSEE Project Team
Open Systems Software Division   Hewlett Packard Company
MS CHR-03-DC                     508/436-4227
300 Apollo Drive                 EMail: daigle@apollo.hp.com
Chelmsford, MA 01824             HP TN: 436-4227


"Don't blame me, I didn't name it 'dizzy'"


"We are only immortal for a limited time"   --   Rush