Maggie’s Motivational Pic Thread v2.0 - - New Rules - See Post #1

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Which one did the gumpy troll live under? Perhaps three generations of trolls, one under each bridge.

On the way up was a bridge over a cascading stream they had to cross, and under the bridge lived a grumpy troll, with eyes as big as saucers, and teeth as long as a billy goat's leg.
 
Well, according to some research, divers did reach at least 155 meters (511.5 ft). Quite an accomplishment, given the deepest "pinacle" cave dive in Florida is "Diepolder II."

iu


The "Grand Ballroom" you see here is at 270ft at the bottom. But it goes deeper than that (to 365ft.). I don't know how many people are able to get to the deeper portions because time at this depth is extremely limited (9 minutes at most) before you have to start back up and start your decompression schedule. And this is with you being on 10-70 Trimix for Bottom gas. You'll have 2-3 different gas switches enroute and upon return. It takes years to work up to this dive, even after trimix training.
I ran a 165" pipeline inspection boat in the GOM in the mid '70's. Three decompression chambers, 15 man dive team breathing Oxygen, inspecting oil and gas pipelines, live boat, walking divers down the pipeline as deep as they could go.. They got "Depth Pay", you can figure it out.
The mantra was "The Lord lives at 188". Most all those guys have found max depth and found it early in life.
 
What mix?
Mix for a possible 500 foot OC dive like the Cetina River Spring in Croatia? It wouldn’t be one, it would be several. Like five or more depending on your profile. If someone was crazy enough to do it, It would probably just be a bounce dive with 10 minutes to get down and 201 minutes to come up. Maybe 10/70, 21/35, 35/25, EAN50, and then 100% O2. That would get you to 495 at 1.6 but if profile holds at 1.4, things change. In other words, if you want to see whats on the bottom, rent an ROV you’ll live longer.
 
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Mix for a possible 500 foot OC dive like the Cetina River Spring in Croatia? It wouldn’t be one, it would be several. Like five or more depending on your profile. If someone was crazy enough to do it, It would probably just be a bounce dive with 10 minutes to get down and 201 minutes to come up. Maybe 10/70, 21/35, 35/25, EAN50, and then 100% O2. That would get you to 495 at 1.6 but if profile holds at 1.4, things change. In other words, if you want to see whats on the bottom, rent an ROV you’ll live longer.

Yeah, I don't think I've ever heard of a mix with an FO2 lower than 10%. If there is, it's not being taught in any curriculum by TDI or the Cave diving agencies. It would have to be something done privately by the dive teams.
 
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Well, according to some research, divers did reach at least 155 meters (511.5 ft). Quite an accomplishment, given the deepest "pinacle" cave dive in Florida is "Diepolder II."


The "Grand Ballroom" you see here is at 270ft at the bottom. But it goes deeper than that (to 365ft.). I don't know how many people are able to get to the deeper portions because time at this depth is extremely limited (9 minutes at most) before you have to start back up and start your decompression schedule. And this is with you being on 10-70 Trimix for Bottom gas. You'll have 2-3 different gas switches enroute and upon return. It takes years to work up to this dive, even after trimix training.

Well, according to some research, divers did reach at least 155 meters (511.5 ft). Quite an accomplishment, given the deepest "pinacle" cave dive in Florida is "Diepolder II."


The "Grand Ballroom" you see here is at 270ft at the bottom. But it goes deeper than that (to 365ft.). I don't know how many people are able to get to the deeper portions because time at this depth is extremely limited (9 minutes at most) before you have to start back up and start your decompression schedule. And this is with you being on 10-70 Trimix for Bottom gas. You'll have 2-3 different gas switches enroute and upon return. It takes years to work up to this dive, even after trimix training.
Sheck did it on air.

With rebreathers, there are more people willing to try this dive, but still not a lot of people who actually belong there.
 
Yes, we cave divers do "stage" tanks but IME, most of it is more "horizontal distance" oriented than depth. FTR, I'm ANDP and Full Cave. Not yet Trimix certified but I have had practice planning said dives, including DII. But most of those types of dives do not involve depths below 200 ft and require only basic Trimix (18-35), not "Advanced" (10-70). Only a few select cave divers with the most experience get to do dives like Eagle's Nest and the Diepolders. And, yes, they do stage for depth on those becuse there isn't much in the way of "horizonal distance" to go on them. Just "vertical."

Just to see what would happen, I actually planned a DII dive on VPlanner, given my own parameters, etc. I allowed for a 50% O2 stage tank at 70ft. 100% O2 at 20ft (no lower), and the bulk of my "back gas" was 18-35 with a switch at 218ft to 10-70 for bottom gas. Even with that, VPlanner didn't want me "at depth" for more than 9-10 minutes before having to return to start the deco schedule. Maybe it (and I) were being conservative, but I'd rather err on the side of "conservative" (in more contexts than that, these days...) :ROFLMAO:

I understand about rebreathers and how they are supposed to work. Have they resolved the CO2 issues with them? That (and the cost) is what kept me away from them. And having to have a "bail out plan" for them anyway just made me say, "Why bother?" I"ll stick with the proven technology of open circuit. That, and the fact that I've lost personal friends who perished due to rebreather issues. Not going there.

Perhaps, there are divers who can extend bottom time much longer. I suspect they'd have to be more physically fit and experienced such that their gas consumption at depth is minimized. Certainly more than I'll ever be. Like I said, DII is a "pinacle" dive for me. Perhaps. a "Holy Grail" dive (one I'll never get to) given my age, especially sicne I've yet to take my Trimix training. But I guess if we achieve all our goals, we'd get bored quickly.

Some things need to be left "unfinished."
Sorry if I came off as challenging you, or claiming super diver status, not intended or true. I'm am a trimix diver, although not much of a cave diver I am advanced wreck so some similarities with penetration. A local dive I have done many times takes me to about 250ish so I am also not a novice. My total dive time on these run about 80-100 min and yes my bottom time is short.

I'm not suggesting to dive beyond ability or comfort zone, but V-planner is conservative. More I was trying to show in the article what is possible. There are better gases than trimix and divers are going way beyond 270ft now. That was a crazy depth when I started diving back in 1987, but not now.

Happy to hear from other tech divers, it was a great chapter in my life. Most of my diving these past years is with my wife who does not tech dive, but I still have to go deep now and then when I get the itch.
 
Yeah, I don't think I've ever heard of a mix with an FO2 lower than 10%. If there is, it's not being taught in any curriculum by TDI or the Cave diving agencies. It would have to be something done privately by the dive teams.
I did several multi day trips to deep wrecks where we could only bring 2 sets of doubles and 2 deco tanks. We had a compressor and 2 k's of O2 on the boat, so we started on the deepest wreck and kept blowing our doubles back with air. I started those trips with 8/92 heliox. The deepest wreck was around 280, so didn't need that mix for the depth, but it let me have decent mixes on the subsequent wrecks.

When commercial guys were doing sat dives to 800+ feet, they used mixes with even less O2.
 
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I did several multi day trips to deep wrecks where we could only bring 2 sets of doubles and 2 deco tanks. We had a compressor and 2 k's of O2 on the boat, so we started on the deepest wreck and kept blowing our doubles back with air. I started those trips with 8/92 heliox. The deepest wreck was around 280, so didn't need that mix for the depth, but it let me have decent mixes on the subsequent wrecks.

When commercial guys were doing sat dives to 800+ feet, they used mixes with even less O2.

The operative word being, "commercial." I'm not saying these mixes don't exist. I'm just saying, I, as a potential mix diver, would never be taught such mixes in the standard TDI/Cave agency curriculum.

And, yeah, Sheck was one of a kind. Died too early attempting to set a deep diving record in a Mexican Cenote. I get the desire and "ego boost" of doing things like that, but not at the risk of my life or risking the lives of the rescue divers that have to go in and fetch my body.

I'm crazy, but I'm not that crazy. :ROFLMAO:
 
Great Story
PERSONALS AD
To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last.
Date: 23-01-17, 1:43 am. E.S.T.
I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled
the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings. I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.
First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn't expect you to actually crap in your pants when
I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason. my girlfriend was happy that I just returned safely from my 2nd tour as a Combat Marine in Afghanistan .
She had just bought me that Kimber Custom Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head .. isn't it?!
I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with crap in your pants.
I'm sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. (That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again).
After I called your mother or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of
what you'd done.
Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station, -- on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 153 gallons and was extremely grateful!
I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet.
[That made his day!]
I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb ... after I broke the
windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car.
Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning
President Trump as my possible target.
The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat (I guess while he traced your number etc.).
In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you ... but I feel this type of retribution
is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you've chosen
to pursue in life. Remember, next time you might not be so lucky.
Have a good day!
Thoughtfully yours,
Semper fi,
Alex
 
The operative word being, "commercial." I'm not saying these mixes don't exist. I'm just saying, I, as a potential mix diver, would never be taught such mixes in the standard TDI/Cave agency curriculum.

And, yeah, Sheck was one of a kind. Died too early attempting to set a deep diving record in a Mexican Cenote. I get the desire and "ego boost" of doing things like that, but not at the risk of my life or risking the lives of the rescue divers that have to go in and fetch my body.

I'm crazy, but I'm not that crazy. :ROFLMAO:
Just remember much of what is taught today as crazy, was normal practice without consequences a few decades ago. Part of that is driven by overweight, out of shape, heavy breathing, shouldn't be there divers and the lawyers the families find after FAFO goes lethal.

So much of the calculations depend on gas consumption and diver physical condition. DPVs has allowed technology to replace good technique and a fit body.
 
Just remember much of what is taught today as crazy, was normal practice without consequences a few decades ago. Part of that is driven by overweight, out of shape, heavy breathing, shouldn't be there divers and the lawyers the families find after FAFO goes lethal.

Got that right!

So much of the calculations depend on gas consumption and diver physical condition.

Precisely. And I've been "on hiatus" for a bit because I did get way "out of shape." I'm starting to get back into shape, at present. I'm losing weight, and I was just recently cleared by my cardiologist to resume diving (I had an "abnormality" show up on the 12-lead)... a "Right Bundle Branch Block." The cardiologist indicated that it is common in 30% of the population and not a contraindication for diving. A "left" one is a bit more serious, though. Funny how "medicine" and "politics" seem so "in sync" these days... :ROFLMAO:

Upon my return, though, I'll start real slow and work up to where I was before... but with a significant difference. Much to the disappointment of my cave instructor :cry: , I'll need to go "sidemount." My back can't handle manifolded doubles anymore. I mean, diving with them is fine, but getting out of the water with them and back to the car/table is a huge PITA. After I get that mastered, I'll consider mix training.

DPVs has allowed technology to replace good technique and a fit body.

Correct... until the point where the DPV breaks down and you have to lug it out of the cave. I've heard of DPVs being used for longer distances or traverses (eg. Full "Peacock" traverse or maybe Ginnie to the "Henkel"). But if it were to break down, I'd have to leave it there and come back for it later. I'm not going to be able to lug it out.

Not worth it, and I'd rather benefit from the exercise.
 
Well, according to some research, divers did reach at least 155 meters (511.5 ft). Quite an accomplishment, given the deepest "pinacle" cave dive in Florida is "Diepolder II."

iu


The "Grand Ballroom" you see here is at 270ft at the bottom. But it goes deeper than that (to 365ft.). I don't know how many people are able to get to the deeper portions because time at this depth is extremely limited (9 minutes at most) before you have to start back up and start your decompression schedule. And this is with you being on 10-70 Trimix for Bottom gas. You'll have 2-3 different gas switches enroute and upon return. It takes years to work up to this dive, even after trimix training.

NOPE!

Ship's Diver, US Submarine service (STS1 SS/DV). Commercial gold dredger at age 15. Cave and hard rock mine explorer as a young man. There was a time I would cave dive, but NOPE!

Now a "victim" (enlightened man) of adult onset claustrophobia. Seriously, it's all I can do to stay on a plane knowing they are going to shut the door. First Class flying is a medical necessity. :eek::cool:

Gold-Mining-on-the-Mokelumne.jpg
 
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