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Adventures & Expeditions Scuba & Training

SCUBA – Intro to Tech… fad or necessity

Sport (recreational) SCUBA diving is one of the activities which gives us a very wide selection of paths to follow after the initial Open Water Diver level certification.

We can choose to stay inside of recreational (-40m depth max, no deco) limits, we can extend even here with enriched air nitrox or sidemount, underwater photography, or full face mask. Or, fortunately, we can move further.

And there is a long and exciting path of adventures and explorations, leading to great personal & social achievements, to self-enrichments & progress: Technical Diving

To dive deep open water reefs, explore outside & inside unknown wrecks, visit stunning caves or mysterious mines… in Open Circuit or Closed Circuit Rebreathers, with DPVs and extensive deco plannings, the options are almost endless.

But for everything, there is a start.

Intro to Tech – is compiling the basics of technical diving, is the building of fundamentals for a good future to be a technical diver.

From the basic but well-selected diving gear, finning techniques, trim & buoyancy, diver skills etc, the Technical Diving Instructor is there to show you the proper way of your 1st stepping into the Tek World.

Of course, there are divers which are preferring to “discover” by themselves the above-mentioned steps.

Or others who are directly entering the technical diving courses, under professional guidance & training.

For those divers short-cutting on their own (nothing against the self-study or autodidact process!), there is a list of great disadvantages:

  • not purchasing the right gear adapted for your diving target. There is NO universal diving gear set-up configuration, good for everything and everywhere! You might purchase brand new diving gear, you are super proud of it… it is totally useless in technical diving.
  • understanding the theory, with gaps or misinterpretations. Reading here and there, sometimes from not very trustfully sources, without proper real-life application, can lead to unpleasant situations.
  • underwater skills & gear set-up – is crucial! A bad diving behavior is hard to be removed and replaced with good ones. Even good skills are available in various forms in order to achieve the final target, depending on many factors (diving profile, diving gear, diving team etc).
  • assessment, attitude & approach: technical diving is as beautiful, attractive & captivating as Pandora’s box. But everything must be done in the right way. Is like building a pyramid, from (a solid) bottom to (a durable and long-life) top.
  • all the above, in conjuncture with Mr. Murphy… can lead to unwanted situations, even tragic ones.
  • and yes… nobody (Dive Center or Professional) will dive with you unless you show your proper certification (which should demonstrate that you pass the minimum agency requirements). Or even not renting technical diving gear!

And to conclude… yes, I strongly recommend to every sports diver to do at least an “Intro to Tech” level. To better understand the differences and benefits of good diving gear vs any diving gear, to enhance safety as a diver and as a team, and to improve in-water skills and diving protocols. For diver’s own good, for environmental’s good.

Stay safe and dive safe!

Costa

ANDI Instructor Trainer #170

SDI-TDIFRTI Instructor #15172

Categories
Scuba & Training

Scafandru militar vs comercial vs recreational. Cine-i mai “tare”?

Asa cum sta bine unei comunitati extinse, scantei si orgolii exista de cand lumea si intre scafandri. Cine-i mai mare si mai tare? (sub apa, evident). Scafandrul militar? Cel comercial? Cel tehnic? Cel de salvare? Cel recreational? Sa ne rezumam doar aici si sa nu intram in subdiviziunile fiecarei ramuri unde fiecare cu ai lui pro si contra…

Sa-i luam pe rand, intr-un rezumat deloc tehnic sau stiintific:

combat diversScafandri militari: involuntar, toata lumea se gandeste la US Navy Seals. Partial corect, dar nu in intregime, activitatea lor desfasurandu-se si sub apa, dar nu numai. Mai apropiati de adevar sunt cei din US Navy Divers (ca sa ramanem pe contitentul nord american). Omologii lor de la noi ar fi scafandri militari apartinand Centrului de Scafandri din Constanta care au subdiviziunile de specialitate (EOD, de mare adancime etc). Evident, specialitatea lor este in zona operatiunilor militare, in unele cazuri si comerciale.

Scafandri comerciali: sunt acei scafandri care efectueaza lucrari comerciale (profesionale) sub apa. Fie ca este vorba de platformele offshore sau de scafandri in saturatie, fie ca este vorba de cei ce lucreaza la constructiile/instalatiile inshore, fermele piscicole sau mai noi, la intretinerea eolienelor marine. Au proceduri de lucru foarte bine structurate, echipamente specifice, cursuri de pregatire (pe nivele de adancime) si specializare (taiere si sudura subacvatica, inspectii non-distructive subacvatice, echipament greu, amestecuri de gaze etc) foarte riguroase. La noi in tara, multi scafandri comerciali provin din scafandreria militara (datorita monopolului Statului in domeniu). Certificarile internationale de baza: IMCA ,  ADCI sau HSE.

2013ERDInwsPhotoScafandri de salvare: in genere denumiti “public safety divers” (in special in State), in Romania sunt sub coordonarea IGSU. Activitatea lor este de cautare – salvare – recuperare (in aceasta ordine). Se observa ca NU efectueaza lucrari comerciale si nici operatiuni militare subacvatice. Scopul lor este de cautare de obiecte sau persoane (“pachete”) sub luciul de apa, de salvarea lor (daca este posibil) sau de recuperarea lor (in ultima instanta). Folosesc proceduri si echipamente specializate pentru ape contaminate, sub gheata sau curenti de ape. Agentii specializate: Emergency Response Diving International, Dive Rescue Intl, Team Lifeguard System Inc etc.

policebillmorganScafandri de politie: apartin agentiilor de politie si ordine publica. Au ca scop in principal protectia portuara (inclusiv in implementarea ISPS – SOLAS), precum si in activitatile criminalistice. Colaboreaza cu scafandri salvatori sau tehnici (daca pregatirea si/sau logistica lor nu este suficienta).

coral_nursery_blocks700x450Scafandri stiintifici: reprezinta o comunitate mai redusa si mai putin cunoscuta. Ei sunt specializati pe bio-ecologia mediului marin sau pe arheologia subacvatica. Cu provenienta din ramura scafandrilor recreationali, ei nu efectueaza lucrari comerciale subacvatice si evident, nici activitati militare dar se supun unor reguli speciale referitoare la protectia muncii subacvatice.

women-scuba-divers-underwater-padiScafandri recreationali: entuziasti, iubitori de calatorii, de pesti colorati si de multa distractie, sunt categoria super-usoara a scafandrilor. Au standarde clare si speciale de antrenamente (EUF, RTSC, RTC, RESA etc), functie de agentia certificatoare (PADI, NAUI, SSI, ANDI, GUE, SDI, FEDAS, VDST, FFESSM etc) dar scopul final este acelasi: recreational / de agrement / sportiv. NU sunt calificati a executa nici un fel de activitate subacvatica comerciala sau de SAR (Search And Rescue) subacvatica (nici nu mai discutam despre chestii militare 🙂 ). Nu se scufunda mai mult de -40m si stau in limita “no stop required” (scufundari fara stagii obligatorii de decompresie). Paleta socio-umana este extrem de larga: de la juniori (+10 ani) pana la peste 80 de ani, barbati si femei, mai dolofani sau mai fit… toti pot practica scufundarile recreationale atata timp cat se respecta cerintele medicale si academice corespunzatoare. Sunt organizati fie in centre sau cluburi de scufundari, fie in grupuri reduse de prieteni.

ANDI JJ-CCR L2 13-IMG_7090Scafandri tehnici: sunt divizia “grea” a scafandrilor recreationali. Scufundarile lor sunt fie de adancime si cu stagii obligatorii de decompresie, fie in spatii inchise (penetrari de pesteri, epave sau mine), in circuit deschis (Open Circuit) sau circuit inchis (CCR / Rebreathers). Sau in diverse combinatii a celor mentionate anterior.

Folosesc echipamente si logistica complexe, au o baza teoretica si practica foarte solida. Isi asuma calculat responsabilitati si riscuri extinse atunci cand efectueaza scufundarile planificate cu foarte mare atentie. Agentii certificatoare: ANDI International, GUE, TDI,  IANTD (ca sa mentionez cele mai mari agentii in domeniu). La fel ca si scafandri recreationali, NU sunt certificati pentru lucrari comerciale/militare subacvatice dar datorita pregatirii lor speciale pot asista autoritatile guvernamentale in scufundarile  ce necesita o tehnica si logistica speciala (recuperari “pachete” din pesteri sau de la foarte mare adancime). Inainte de toate, scafandrul tehnic inseamna o siguranta sporita, prin mentalitatea abordarii corespunzatoare a fiecarei scufundari (planificare, logistica etc) indiferent ca este una tehnica sau una recreationala!

Cine este cel mai mare si mai tare sub apa dintre cei mentionati? Aceasta comparatie nu se poate face, deoarece fiecare ramura are o pregatire specifica cu o finalitate foarte bine stabilita. Iar pentru a se ajunge la un nivel inalt de pregatire, fiecare scafandru, fie el militar, comercial sau tehnic, investeste enorm de mult in pregatirea academica si practica, deoarece in aceste domenii, greselile nu sunt permise.

Tot asa este de adevarat ca scafandri comerciali, de politie si militari pot invata anumite tehnici de la scafandri tehnici (sic!). De exemplu, in Spania, foarte des vedem cum trupele din Politie, Protectia Civila sau cele trupele speciale GEAS apartinand de Guardia Civil se antreneaza cu scafandri tehnici! exemple: 1, 2, 3. Din experienta personala: in Octombrie 2008, in Ibiza, i-am avut ca parteneri la un curs Tec pe cei de la Grupo Especial de Actividades Subacuáticas.

GEAS Oct 2008GEAS Oct. 2008

De asemenea, pe cei de la GEAS ii regasim constant in dive show-rile scafandrilor recreationali din Spania alaturi de Proteccion Civil (de exemplu: Mediterranean Diving).

Multe dintre specializarile scafandrilor tehnici (penetrari de epave si pesteri, scufundari de adancime sau sub gheata, scufundari de cautare si recuperare subacvatica, amestecuri de gaze si teoria gazelor, scufundari in costum uscat etc) pot imbunatatii semnificativ capacitatea de operare a scafandrilor comerciali, de salvare, politie sau militari.

In anumite circumstante, autoritatile pot solicita ajutorul scafandrilor non-profesionali (recreationali/tehnici) in anumite activitati subacvatice – in special in cele de cautare-recuperare. In aceste situatii, cel putin doua aspecte trebuiesc luate foarte serios in considerare: responsabilitatea civila si asigurarea legala!

Chiar daca impartim acelasi mediu lichid si aceeasi fizica a lichidelor/gazelor si avem diferente majore in structura de baza a fiecarui tip de pregatire si activitate, cu siguranta avem un numitor comun: cu totii iubim si respectam marea!

Ape linistite,

Costa

(ANDI Instructor Trainer #170, Commercial Air Diver inshore, Public Safety Diver ERDI etc)

T101 – Technical & Diving Ops® Dive Training Center | SC. OmnisMares SRL

www.T101.ro ;

www.ScubaTech.eu

www.YachtDiver.eu

updated: August 17, 2019

Categories
Scuba & Training

Curs scafandri Tec: ANDI ERD L4.

ANDI logo transparentIn perioada Oct. 28 – Nov. 12, o serie de cursuri scafandri tehnici ANDI Intl. vor avea loc la sediul ANDI-Europe (Rubicon Diving) din insula Lanzarote (Canary Isl, Spain):
– cursul principal: Extended Range Diver L4 (adancime: -49.5m, fara limite de deco si configuratie). Este curs de EXPLORARE.
– cursuri la cerere: Technical SafeAir Diver L3 & Technical Tri-Mix L3.

Cursurile vor fi tinute in limbile engleza/spaniola si romana.
Pentru informatii si inscrieri va rog sa ma contactati din timp via email.

Informatii in timp real pe pagina de FB: OmnisMares – T101 & T101.ro

andi_new_logo

Instructor ANDI:
Constantin Costa Benedic – ANDI Extended Range Instructor L4 / ANDI TriMix Diver L5 #8347
cu supervizarea:
Christian Massaad – ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #16 OC & CCR.

BiboInfo despre ANDI International & ANDI Europe.

Categories
Scuba & Training

-145m vs 6′

Romanian version (english version below):

 

-145m

Pe parcursul a doua intense saptamani (07 – 22 Iunie 2013), impreuna cu Team Blue Immersion – Dahab, am participat la cursul Trimix Master Class – un curs de scafandri tehnici special conceput pentru depasirea adancimilor de -120m.

Cursul a constat in sesiuni de teorie si de practica dupa cum urmeaza:

Sesiuni intense de teorie a gazelor, algoritmilor de decompresie, procedurilor de scufundare, managementul gazelor, lucrul in echipa,  END, HPNS, ICD, planificarea scufundarilor cu V-Planner-ul, pregatirea echipamentelor etc.

Sesiuni de antrenamente si mai intense in apa de mica adancime (-10 la -21m) in care s-a lucrat cu configuratia de 2x20l otel (dublele) + 5 x 11l aluminiu ca stage-uri. Configuratia echipamentului a fost conform recomandarilor DIR.

Software-ul folosit pentru calcularea scufundarilor a fost V-Planner cu GFS85.

Au urmat o serie de scufundari in care adancimea a crescut progresiv: -45m, -75m, -110m, -117m, scufundari executate fie in “The Bells” fie in “The Arch – Blue Hole”.

Scufundarea de final la adancimea de -145m a avut loc (Iunie 22, 2013) la locatia cunoscuta sub numele de “The Bells”, la cativa pasi de Blue Hole (Dahab, Egypt). Parteneri de scufundare: Kathrina – o diverita norvegianca extrem de dura si Jonas Samuelsson – conducatorul si creatorul cursului TBI Trimix Master Class. Scafandru de suport la -60m Robert Stepien. Suport la suprafata: Salah Sobih & Mansour.

Blue Hole diagram

6′

Sase (6) minute a durat coborarea de la 0 la -145m (mai exact 5 minute si 10 secunde) – incluzand verificarea de la -5m si NOTOX-ul – schimbarea de gaz de la -9m. De ce mentionez asta? Pentru ca, in opinia mea, sunt “cele mai comprimate” (daca pot spune asa)  6 minute pe care le-am avut vreodata in viata! Senzatia este de 6 secunde si nu de 6 minute. Coborarea este absolut spectaculoasa, peretele vertical imens care porneste de la jumatate de metru peste nivelul marii si se opreste undeva in abis iti tai respiratia. Din loc in loc, caverne sau mari crestaturi verticale iti dau senzatia ca esti undeva pe o alta planeta in spatiu. Este un sentiment care nu poate fi exprimat in cuvinte dar care, asa cum am spus, comprima si da o alta notiune timpului!

Undeva intre -80m si -90m, pe o mica panta, tuburile de snokerl si mastile de scufundari, unele dintre ele acoperite deja de viata marina, ne aduc aminte de pasiunea comuna cu freediverii pentru adancime.

Ultimele 3 opriri de deco (-9m, -6m si -3m) sunt in zona intrarii (iesirii) in “The Bells”, un mic acvariu natural, cu sute de pesti colorati de toate speciile, loc tocmai bun pentru relaxare pe parcursul zecilor de minute de decompresie.

 

Date generale:

Temperatura apei a fost de +22degC la -145m si de +26degC la ultimul stop de -3m. Protectie termica: costum uscat Northern Diver trilaminat si subvesmant Fourthelement dry-base din doua piese. Vizibilitatea sub apa… lejer depasea 40m.

Tmpul de fund (bottom time-ul) a fost de 1 minut. Intreaga scufundare a durat 139 de minute, computerul de scufundari (de back-up) Shearwater Predator (cu GF 30/85) facand ultimele ajustari (de ordinul catorva minute in plus fatza de tabelele folosite si create de V-Planner GFS85).

Configuratia de scufundare a constat in 2x20l otel (10/60) + 4x11l – stage-uri de aluminiu cu gazele de decompresie (14/56, 20/50, 40/30 si 80%).

Fotografii de la intregul eveniment sunt postate pe pagina personala de Facebook.

Experienta acumulata, calitatea informationala si dotarea technica a TBI – la superlativ!

 

In anul 2013 implinesc 10 ani de cand am inceput scufundarile recreationale (2003 – PADI OW – in Barcelona) si 7 ani de cand le practic la nivel profesional (August 2006 – PADI Divemaster – in Mallorca &  March 2007 – PADI OWSI – Barcelona/Aiguablava). 

 

 

English version:

 

-145m

During two intense weeks (June 7 to 22, 2013), along with Team Blue Immersion – Dahab, I attended the Trimix Master Class diver – a technical class diving designed to overcome the depth of -120m.

The course consisted of theory and practical sessions as follows:

Intense sessions of gas theory, algorithms decompression, diving procedures, gas management, teamwork procedures, END, HPNS, ICD,  planning software with diving with V-Planner, equipment preparation, etc..

A very intense training sessions in shallow water (-10 to -21m) in the configuration 2x20l (steel, doubles) + 5 x 11l aluminium  stages cylinders. Equipment configuration was as recommended by DIR.

The software used to calculate the dive plans: V-Planner with GFS85.

A series of dives in the depth increased progressively: -45m,-75m,-110m,-117m, divings executed either in “The Bells” or in “The Arch – Blue Hole”.

The final diving at a depth of -145m was held (June 22, 2013) at the location known as “The Bells”, a few steps from the Blue Hole (Dahab, Egypt). Diving partners: Kathrina – a norvegian diver extremely tough and Jonas Samuelsson – the leader and creator of TBI Trimix Course Master Class. Support diver at -60m: Robert Stepien. Support surface: Salah Sobih & Mansour.

 

6′

Six (6) minute lasted to descent from 0 to -145m (more exactly, 5 minutes and 10 seconds) – including the checking at -5m and the NOTOX – exchange gas at -9m. Why I mention this? Because, in my opinion, are “the most compressed” (if I can say that) 6 minutes I’ve ever had in my life! The feeling is 6 seconds and not 6 minutes. The descent is absolutely spectacular, the huge  vertical wall, beginning at half meter above sea level and stops somewhere in the abyss cut your breath. From time to time, large caverns or vertical cracks gives you the feeling that you’re somewhere on another planet in space. It is a feeling that can not be expressed in words but as I said, compress and gives a different sense of time!

Somewhere between-80m and-90m, on a small slope, snokerl tubes and diving masks, some of them already covered by marine life, remember us about the common passion for depth we share with the freedivers..

Last 3 deco stops (-9m, -6m, and -3m) are in the entrance (exit) of “The Bells”, a small natural aquarium with hundreds of colorful fishes of all species, a very good place to relax over very long decompression minutes.

 

General info:

Water temperature was +22 degC at -145m and +26 degC at the last stop at -3m. Thermal protection: Northern Diver trilaminate dry suit and undergarment Fourthelement dry-base in two parts. Visibility under water … in exceeded of 40m.

The bottom time was 1 minute. The run time dive was 139 minutes, dive computer (back-up) Shearwater Predator (with GF 30/85) making the last adjustments (a few extra minutes compared with the tables used and created by V-Planner GFS85).

Configuration consisted in 2x20l steel (10/60) + 4x11l – aluminium stage decompression cylinders (14/56, 20/50, 40/30 and 80%).

Photos from entire event are posted on my personal Facebook page.

The experience, the quality of information and the technical equipments of TBI – in the superlative!

 

In 2013 I celebrate 10 years since I started recreational diving (2003 – PADI OW – in Barcelona) and 7 years since I became professional (August 2006 – PADI Divemaster – in Mallorca & March 2007 – PADI OWSI – Barcelona / Aiguablava ).

 

-145 C

P6220057_new

-145m + tanks

the blue

2x20 + 4x11

Picture 1: Eu si profilul afisat de Predator / I and the Predator’s -145m dive profile.

Picture 2: Kathrine, eu si Jonas dupa scufundare / Kathrine, I and Jonas after the dive.

Picture 3: Jonas, Rob, Kathrine si eu – inainte de scufundare la centru / before the dive at the TBI dive center.

Picture 4: the abyss.

Picture 5: cilindrii folositi pentru scufundarea la -145m / the cylinders I used for the -145m dive.