Something that doesn’t get said often but is really true: The transition from beginner diver, to skilled diver, to Tech diver, doesn’t just come from the shiny cert card and official training. It also comes from the dozens to hundreds of dives, along with just general studying books and articles and UA-cam, that it takes you to get enough knowledge and experience and hand-eye coordination and comfort in the water, to where Tech diving is doable, and isn’t overwhelming. I have over 100 dives and got into cave diving recently (officially certified) and it was a breeze because I had been doing cenotes and caverns/some caves with guides many times, and studied a ton, and bought the right equipment a long time ago, prior to taking the class. The class often just refined your knowledge and helps perfect your skills and teach you anything you haven’t learned yet. If you truly know nothing about Tech diving, it may actually be too soon for you to take the class, you may not quite be ready yet. Lol idk if this makes sense but that’s the way I see it
I'm only a rec diver but want to evolve into tech, mainly because i love wrecks. That being said, when i was younger i had a dislike towards tech divers mainly because the ones we dove together with (like usually 2-3 joined our group because they went to the same site) had this holier-than-tho attitude. I had the feeling that they look down on us because we only have one single tank and we are "just" rec. I obviously changed my opinion now, there are always people like that, who think they are better than those who are not at the same level as them, but i think tech divers should think about presenting themselves a bit more welcoming...everybody starts somewhere after all.
Rec diver: "Wow those guys look cool... I wonder how their gear set-up works? Maybe Ill ask them..." James: [Gearing up, looking serious, doing safety checks] Rec diver: "Nah, they look serious, don't want to bother them" James video: "I hate the stereotype that tec divers are not approachable. Come by and ask me anything, anytime" Rec diver watching video: "Damn, I should have talked to them!" James video: "Except when i am gearing up and doing safety checks!" Rec diver watching video: [Bangs head against wall]
It's the attitude of the learner, the student technical diver that throws other recreational divers off and prevents them from investigating any further. I'm talking from experience and interacting with attitudes like that. Luckily I went above and beyond to do more research and attain my technical certification.
A Good Diver's Main Objective Is To Live... Just found out about your channel, well done! My main thing is that a dive, any dive, is something you plan.
A long time ago I was a bull rider (not particularly good at it), it was a very small but unique community of people that had a reputation as being arrogant. We were not arrogant, we were just tired of people asking "aren't you afraid you're gonna die?" and "you must be crazy" and other variations that just demonstrated their own fear and limited capacities. I would imagine Tech divers go through the same thing. I hope to become one of that community soon.
Stumbled on to this page, I do all three recreational, technical and commercial diving. Been diving since 86 with my commercial cert in 92. If I may point out while you alluded to the presence of 02 toxcisty the deeper you go you didn't mention the depth in wich that is generally thought to be absolute (220 feet). It also depends on your on physical body type, or physical exertion at depth, as to where O2 toxcisty hit a particular individual on any given day. Anyways getting into it way more than I wanted to, great vid, and looking forward to seeing more. Oh and by they way I've had commercial divers think tech divers are nuts, the think why take the risk if not getting paid for it, but isn't that the fun of it, to go where no man has gone.
Hi Mark, absolutely! Thanks for watching. All of your information is of course, correct, but I didn't want to go into that level of detail for this particular video. I wasn't sure about making a video on tec at all, but people seem to like it. Dive safe buddy. James
@@DiversReady James yea I get the fact you don't want to get into saying alot on tec. To much or to little could be a bad precedent to set. I try not to sugar coat diving when it comes to newbie's, if they break the rules diving can kill you, but I follow that up with how great of a experience it can be
@@jonv570 Although I'm aware they exist, I've never actually looked at NOAA table's. I use Navy tables (old school) Or if I'm feeling conservative I may glance at my oceaneering tables. Now I'm intrigued enough to want to look at them and compare
Best policy rec diver asks the tec diver can I have a word after the dive about your gear, what you are doing, etc etc. tec diver still gets to focus on their dive (essential) rec diver gets to see tec are approachable barriers drop and we find out we all just love the same sport.
Great video. I'm a relatively new recreational diver from South Africa, most of my dives have been with at least one tek diver, I've always found them warm people great to talk to about gear and learned a lot from them. A lot of tek divers online(overseas?) seem to adhere to the stereotype you talk about, glad to have not run into any of them while diving yet 😅 I hope that people can become more welcoming to each other, we're all sharing the same sea
@@J__Mitchell I've heard good things about them and might visit there soon, my certification up to AOW and most of my local diving so far has been off Durban with Umhlanga Scuba
Hi Akbar, thanks so much for watching. I love South Africa and loved the diving down there. Hoping to go back for the Sardine run one year. Dive safe. James
Of course, there’s no such thing as planned decompression for recreational divers (including AOW). There’s only a safety stop (which is a precaution against DCS) and emergency stop (when you’re a shitty recreational diver as James said)
I am a rec diver who was on a dive. As I descended into the cavern, I saw before me two tech divers ascending. They did look awesome with their "aquanaut" kit hanging about. I decended at a slighter faster rate to not interfere with their ascent rate. As they passed overhead, metaphorically and functionality, I thought my proper place was beneath them. Great videos and a great video!
Although this is the first video that i see from this channel but that's a really clear explanation, really like it! Getting closer to my next goal in diving area...... (Sr for my english, a new fan from China)
@@harrisonmundschutz2654 Lol! He probably means something like swiftwater rescue. When you call rescue, EMT's and firefighters come. There's often no "SCUBA brigade" that can turn out and show up in a few minutes. Firefighters / EMT's have to pretty much do it all.
It seems like helium is a critical gas when performing Tec dives. But because helium is a finite and dwindling resource is there another inert gas divers could switch to?
Hi ColdSheep, thanks for watching. Of the other gases breathable by humans, only Neon is potentially viable as a diving gas. It has no narcotic effect (like Helium) and has advantages of being a better thermal insulator and it doesn't make your voice sound funny! But, Neon is rarer than Helium and even more expensive. Argon, which we breathe all the time as a component of air, has no practical application for divers because it is more narcotic than Nitrogen. The only other gas that is breathable is Hydrogen, but that can only be used on very very deep dives (commercial) because you can only mix it with 2-4% O2 before it becomes explosive. So, we are heavily reliant on Helium at the moment and yes, reserves are dwindling and prices are skyrocketing. Cheers, James
we learnt ourselves 30 years ago .. with helium and decanted air .. all three of us are still here .. 120m dives , we lived in the sea inland lakes reservoirs .. all ex military . nothing battery dependant ...only lights
Hi. I’m a 15 years old commercial diver from Iran ( Persian gulf is my territory ). You guys are cool more than enough, diving gears and equipments are growing with you when pushing to the limits 👍🏻
I don't think it is just tech divers. Even experienced rec divers seem to have a bad rep among other adventure sporting communities. It is not helped by the people online who "share" their knowledge. After I completed my open water course, I asked in scubaboard new divers section about what to look for when buying the first dive computer. One day later the post had close to a hundred replies. My question was answered in the first few replies, others were just "informing" each other about the deficiencies of one brand or the other 😄
I used to go on Scubaboard a lot, but it has become a well of negativity, so I don't bother anymore. It's really sad if that's the reputation some divers get, even outside of diving, because that must put people off joining our sport. Thanks for sharing, Stormblessed. Appreciate you as always. James
Love your content mate. In 3 weeks my brother and I are completing our padi open water. It's been a life long dream and since I'm at the age of 38 I finally am making the push to tick it off my bucket list. I would love to make a career out of diving in the future... is 38 to old to start making a push towards tech diving and DM/instructor?? I've always been a water baby so I know I will love the world of diving.
Hi Sinister 0z Gaming, I was diving yesterday with a guy in his sixties who had only been diving for 7 years and he is a rebreather Instructor now. Anything is possible! Thanks for watching. James
Hi - Iam a padi diver , but member of a diving club in Denmark for all divers and thos that are Cemas 3 star the dive to 183 feed ( 56 m) And this is normal and not Tec ? . Iam member of more diving clubs but just for getting more opsions and diving tours, so when i dive with divers from Cemas 3 star i can only go to my 49 meters 130 Feed.. So now I will do the Cemas 3 star curse in 2021 and then go back to Padi and go Tec.40,50 ect,,But I wonder why ther is a different betwen Cemas and Padi limits.. Thanks again for all your great videos..
When you say no unplanned deco do you mean accidental or not making a dive card with the known deco stops. I’ve herd guys just saying follow your computer that’s what there for, just make sure you have enough gas to do the stops and return with more than enough pressure. Is it just a redundancy thing. Thanks for the help
How do you feel about "dive the computer" dives? Basically, you know you will incur some deco (or even make a plan like, we start getting out, once the first of us hits 20 minutes TTS), bring all the training and equipment required to handle it, but instead of having a rigorous plan for the entire dive, you just wing it based on what you actually end up doing during the dive and then use your computer to get you out safely? The dive sites we do this at are usually flooded strip mines with no overhead risk and limited (30-40m) depth.
Hopefully, you have a buddy with a working computer, who was diving the same profile (as they should have been), who you can piggyback off of. Not like you wouldn't need someone else's computer/gauge to be able to execute ascent plan written down on your wet notes anyway... After doing bunch of these dives and calculating dive plan for another bunch during AEANx training, the deco always ends up being very similar anyway. Maybe a minute or two in 12, which usually clears up during ascent, another couple of minutes in 9 and then 15 minutes at the very most in 6. Unless you were also pushing your gas (which you should never do), you should have enough of it to stay submerged some extra minutes on each deco stop just to be extra safe.
I didn’t knew Tec divers can do overhead environments like caves? I thought you need a cave training. I’m asking cause I’m working on my DM and after I’m thinking about doing Dave dive and side mount
I give a like just because you make a video. One question. I did my OW course this year, can I buy a back plate/ wing bcd or do I have to go to a jacket style? Tanks!
I absolutely support starting with a backplate and a wing. There are dive schools where I live in Melbourne that trains you in a backplate and a wing for your open water course and that's the best thing ever.
I finished OW (after being scuba in a jacket) with a P&W-also in a long hose configuration. Choose your gear carefully but P&W isn't only for tech divers. Most importantly, train with the gear with a proper and good dive instructor. That way you know how to properly dump air from a donut.
@@ricardocostafaroleira7818, I second Yuri. A good instructor and a good gear configured for you can save you from forming bad habits. And enjoy the journey. Enjoy every stage of diving. Don't rush.
I was a commercial diver and I am not feeling crazy 😂😂at the contrary we are the one double checking the deco tables and parameters for the one doing recreational 😂😂
Just wanted to say I've been a subscriber for a while now but found myself with some spare time and binged on your videos. They are truly excellent. Just wondering if you'd consider listing some of the books on your shelves. I can see Deep and something called Under Pressure but I bet there's a bunch more good stuff up there. Also Into the Planet is incredible. Jill is an absolute lunatic and one of the bravest people I've ever read about.
Hi James. I just reasonly discovered your videos. They are both entertaining and informative. Thanks a lot. I myself is a rec diver with 4 years and about 100 dives of experience. I been thinking about trying CCR-R. Do you have any videos and comments on that subject?
A dive site I frequent below 40 feet there is NO NATURAL light penetrating below the thermocline. Zero viability without a torch. Is this a tech dive scenario?
It's a great question. We don't really talk about light as a factor for determining the tec limit. For example, you could do a night dive on a recreational basis or a night tec dive (BIG FUN!) If there is no physical obstruction between you and the surface, you're not going below 130'/40m and you're not in a hard overhead environment beyond the light limit, then no, it is not considered a tec dive. Thanks for watching Phillip! If you want to get into tec diving, just let me know!
Hi there, I started diving in 2020 and I started to watch these great videos. I am from Saudi Arabia and we dont have deep caves or the best environment for wrick dives. Therefore, I wish to see a video or two talking about them because I find them interesting. We have technical deep diving only unfortunately😭thank you💔
#askdiversready as I contemplate technical diving I keep hearing research where you want to train or research technical instructors. Cool, but as I start researching I can find thousands of dive centers or instructors who claim to teach technical diving. But as far I know that instructor could have just done a class and then never did a technical dive again or could just be a bad/unsafe technical diver. So what are some ways to determine a good technical instructor/dive center vs someone who just wants the title or to be able to charge more
Hi fbmedic, this is a really great question and I'm sorry that I'm only seeing it now. I'm going to answer it in this Thursday's channel update/Q&A video.
It's not a case of tech divers not being approachable and being prickly. It's that people are inconsiderate about WHEN they ask questions. It's like trying to chat with an athlete 5 minutes before game time.
Rec Diver: not in an overhead environment or does not get supersaturation of nitrogen Tec Divers: some go into overhead environment and others go into supersaturation nitrogen requiring long deco stops at different levels
@@complicatedmechanics9599 First of tech divers where once rec divers and prob still do a lot of rec diving. Also Ice Diving is 100000% a technical Diver Course and should be done with proper training. Go on any TDI, SDI, RAID, PADI they all say its technical diving DAN even says it technical diving. They call them technical courses cause they are technical and lethal without training. Someone who just watches a video shouldn't go out and try it.
@@DiversReady Yeah it is accurate, but I try to answer their questions because you will be surprised the people you will meet. Today at Peacock one of the randos that was asking questions, ended up being one of the kids that Sheck taught as a math teacher.
@10:43 you can def. do a tech dive to rec depth, BUT you absolutely cannot do a rec dive to tech depth. Totally should have reversed that last order! Thank you for all the incredible content, realized that to solo, tech training at rec depth is probably bombproof?
Hi james 😃 regarding tec diving can you maybe make a video about o2 cleaned regs. Whats the difference between regs that can be used with 100% o2 and EAN40 regs that are the standard
Hi Simon, for sure, yes. I don't know if that is a whole topic for it's own video, but I'm going to include it in the upcoming #askdiversready video. Thanks for watching! James
Any reg should be good up to EANx40. It's when the O2 content goes above 40% that your breathing gas becomes a potential combustion hazard. That's where you need the O2 cleaning. I'm not a regulator technician so I don't know the specifics, but I imagine it's the same as having your tanks O2 cleaned so you can dive Nitrox. (Nitrox tanks need to be O2 cleaned even below 40% because sometimes the gas blending is done in the tank by first adding pure oxygen and then topping up the rest of the tank with regular air!) Anyways, "O2 clean" just means making sure there are no parts or lubricants in the reg that are combustible. The o-rings/seals/gaskets/etc. need to be made of a non-combustible material like Viton, and you can't use any combustible grease or oil as a lubricant anywhere. Any parts that came from the factory that are potentially combustible would need to be upgraded, and your technician would most certainly give your reg a good cleaning to make sure there are no oils or anything else left over from before that could cause a problem.
First Insta buddy was a tec diver. With a camera. He kept scrapping the bottom. Looking around for me, while I hovered a metre above his left shoulder. He stops to photograph stuff we’ve all seen before. The group continues. So I stay with him. When he finishes he signs to me where are they. I tell him I know where the group is and follow me. He swims in the opposite direction. I thought he was behind me. I get back to the group. He’s no where to be seen. So I swim back to our last position. He’s gone. I look for him for a minute. So then I surface. He’s found the DM. Now they are looking for me. So the next dive I didn’t both keeping with him I stayed with the group. I know that’s not the buddy system but I wasn’t going to rely on someone who can’t follow instructions or procedures. This is why I’m a self reliant diver
Nice vid! But i've got an objection! You stated, that a helium is non-narcotic and that's not really true. Helium causes high pressure nervous syndrome which presents with fatigue, tremor, dizzyness. To be fair, this appears only below a depth of 100-150m but it's not really true that helium is non-narcotic.
I always get the "You're not part of the 'club' you peon recreational diver, how dare you even approach me? Oh you were also PADI trained? I don't even want to be in the water with you.." type of vibe.
Probably almost every diver from Europe who comes to the US will be treated like a Technical :P Why? Din, WingStyle, Drysuit, training in cold dark water and recalculates everything in the metric system in his head :)
Tec divers generally prefer diagphram regulators that are balanced and deliver increased performace as your ambient pressure increases with depth. They are, of course, more expensive, like everything in technical diving, but they will work forever if taken care of. Thanks for watching, Robert. James
It may just be my imagination, but it seems like the equipment snobs who will engage in verbal combat over what equipment is best and what is crap . . . often mention they are "tech divers." Just an observation.
If none of the intructors at a dive center take the time to explain to you what all the numbers mean on your diving computer because they are mostly motivated to gossip about all your learning bloopers then you're in a shitty managed diveshop.
I really like this video. He even pointed out that technical divers look intimidating but really aren't. Just really focused at the task at hand.
Thanks David! I'm always happy to answer any questions! Thanks for watching. James
Something that doesn’t get said often but is really true: The transition from beginner diver, to skilled diver, to Tech diver, doesn’t just come from the shiny cert card and official training. It also comes from the dozens to hundreds of dives, along with just general studying books and articles and UA-cam, that it takes you to get enough knowledge and experience and hand-eye coordination and comfort in the water, to where Tech diving is doable, and isn’t overwhelming. I have over 100 dives and got into cave diving recently (officially certified) and it was a breeze because I had been doing cenotes and caverns/some caves with guides many times, and studied a ton, and bought the right equipment a long time ago, prior to taking the class. The class often just refined your knowledge and helps perfect your skills and teach you anything you haven’t learned yet. If you truly know nothing about Tech diving, it may actually be too soon for you to take the class, you may not quite be ready yet. Lol idk if this makes sense but that’s the way I see it
Just made first step to be a tec diver - I ordered black fins.
Wild
As long as they are jet fins and not split fins, you are well on your way! ☺
Practically there already
If you buy a spare headlamp and some Paracord, you can directly advance to cave diver!
I'm only a rec diver but want to evolve into tech, mainly because i love wrecks. That being said, when i was younger i had a dislike towards tech divers mainly because the ones we dove together with (like usually 2-3 joined our group because they went to the same site) had this holier-than-tho attitude. I had the feeling that they look down on us because we only have one single tank and we are "just" rec. I obviously changed my opinion now, there are always people like that, who think they are better than those who are not at the same level as them, but i think tech divers should think about presenting themselves a bit more welcoming...everybody starts somewhere after all.
Rec diver: "Wow those guys look cool... I wonder how their gear set-up works? Maybe Ill ask them..."
James: [Gearing up, looking serious, doing safety checks]
Rec diver: "Nah, they look serious, don't want to bother them"
James video: "I hate the stereotype that tec divers are not approachable. Come by and ask me anything, anytime"
Rec diver watching video: "Damn, I should have talked to them!"
James video: "Except when i am gearing up and doing safety checks!"
Rec diver watching video: [Bangs head against wall]
Lol.
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Exactly what's in my mind XD
You "what is technical diving?"
Me "well technically it's diving!" Lmao
Tec vs Rec diving similar to Wingsuit vs free fall skydiving. I always have time to explain my wingsuit, just not when the door is about to open.
LOVE Diving ex-USS SPIEGEL GROVE!!!!!! Great dive information video -- Looking forward to your Part 2 of 2!
It's the attitude of the learner, the student technical diver that throws other recreational divers off and prevents them from investigating any further. I'm talking from experience and interacting with attitudes like that. Luckily I went above and beyond to do more research and attain my technical certification.
That's sad and great to hear. I'm glad you weren't put off, Derrick. Thanks as always. James
watching this wile about to go diving at about 6 meters for about 45 min, so almost technical diving lol.
A Good Diver's Main Objective Is To Live... Just found out about your channel, well done! My main thing is that a dive, any dive, is something you plan.
A long time ago I was a bull rider (not particularly good at it), it was a very small but unique community of people that had a reputation as being arrogant. We were not arrogant, we were just tired of people asking "aren't you afraid you're gonna die?" and "you must be crazy" and other variations that just demonstrated their own fear and limited capacities.
I would imagine Tech divers go through the same thing. I hope to become one of that community soon.
James. Just getting into diving. Just thought I would tell you your channel is the best on youtube.
Timing is always vital.
"If you exceed your NDL, you're just a shitty recreational diver" haha!
...and not ready for Tec! Don't forget that part!
Thanks for watching. James.
at 8:11 is that the symbol of the german Firebrigadesymbol at his leg? (
rescue protect mountains delete)
Another great video James..Looking forward to your vids from the Bahamas.
Thanks Peter! We're looking forward to getting out there too. Lots of fun shoots to do! James
Very very nice video, once again! Congrats!
Thanks Carlos! Appreciate you, buddy. James
Excellent video James! Love to see Jill's book displayed so prominently!
I'm halfway through it! Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks! James
Stumbled on to this page, I do all three recreational, technical and commercial diving. Been diving since 86 with my commercial cert in 92. If I may point out while you alluded to the presence of 02 toxcisty the deeper you go you didn't mention the depth in wich that is generally thought to be absolute (220 feet). It also depends on your on physical body type, or physical exertion at depth, as to where O2 toxcisty hit a particular individual on any given day.
Anyways getting into it way more than I wanted to, great vid, and looking forward to seeing more.
Oh and by they way I've had commercial divers think tech divers are nuts, the think why take the risk if not getting paid for it, but isn't that the fun of it, to go where no man has gone.
Hi Mark, absolutely! Thanks for watching. All of your information is of course, correct, but I didn't want to go into that level of detail for this particular video. I wasn't sure about making a video on tec at all, but people seem to like it. Dive safe buddy. James
@@DiversReady
James yea I get the fact you don't want to get into saying alot on tec. To much or to little could be a bad precedent to set.
I try not to sugar coat diving when it comes to newbie's, if they break the rules diving can kill you, but I follow that up with how great of a experience it can be
thats why noaa cns exposure tables exist
@@jonv570
Although I'm aware they exist, I've never actually looked at NOAA table's.
I use Navy tables (old school)
Or if I'm feeling conservative I may glance at my oceaneering tables.
Now I'm intrigued enough to want to look at them and compare
Best policy rec diver asks the tec diver can I have a word after the dive about your gear, what you are doing, etc etc. tec diver still gets to focus on their dive (essential) rec diver gets to see tec are approachable barriers drop and we find out we all just love the same sport.
Once again great vid and info, looking forward to part 2, we are heading to Bimini for some diving next week, would love to see you there
Hi Rick, we are there this week filming. Here's the link to part 2: ua-cam.com/video/vEgM8G9se8Y/v-deo.html Thanks for watching. All the best. James
Great video. I'm a relatively new recreational diver from South Africa, most of my dives have been with at least one tek diver, I've always found them warm people great to talk to about gear and learned a lot from them. A lot of tek divers online(overseas?) seem to adhere to the stereotype you talk about, glad to have not run into any of them while diving yet 😅 I hope that people can become more welcoming to each other, we're all sharing the same sea
If you want to further your career or interest in diving, look in Coral Divers, South Africa! Located in Swodana bay!
@@J__Mitchell I've heard good things about them and might visit there soon, my certification up to AOW and most of my local diving so far has been off Durban with Umhlanga Scuba
@@akbarkamdar4906 they're really good! I've never been fond of Durban much, most my diving has been in Asia!
Hi Akbar, thanks so much for watching. I love South Africa and loved the diving down there. Hoping to go back for the Sardine run one year. Dive safe. James
You mind covering how to clean and care for DIN fittings
Ivory, Thabks for watching! We have a whole series on equipment care coming up this year! You’re going to love it.
Good knowledgeable video , thank you.. enjoyed it
Thanks David! James
Hi James, are you saying the Advance Open Water Divers should not do planned decompression dives?
Of course, there’s no such thing as planned decompression for recreational divers (including AOW). There’s only a safety stop (which is a precaution against DCS) and emergency stop (when you’re a shitty recreational diver as James said)
I am a rec diver who was on a dive. As I descended into the cavern, I saw before me two tech divers ascending. They did look awesome with their "aquanaut" kit hanging about.
I decended at a slighter faster rate to not interfere with their ascent rate. As they passed overhead, metaphorically and functionality, I thought my proper place was beneath them.
Great videos and a great video!
Although this is the first video that i see from this channel but that's a really clear explanation, really like it! Getting closer to my next goal in diving area...... (Sr for my english, a new fan from China)
Great video and explanation of the technical diver world.
Thanks for watching! Dive safe.
Awesome video. Looking forward to part 2!
Thanks HobbyMan UK! ua-cam.com/video/vEgM8G9se8Y/v-deo.html There you go! James
Gudd stuff, looking forward to part 2. Kinda close to home
Very cool, thanks 99Zplitt! All the best. James
I'm not even close to be a technical diver but my goal is to be a rescuediver for the fire brigade :)
But how many fires occur underwater that they need divers for?
@@harrisonmundschutz2654 Lol! He probably means something like swiftwater rescue. When you call rescue, EMT's and firefighters come. There's often no "SCUBA brigade" that can turn out and show up in a few minutes. Firefighters / EMT's have to pretty much do it all.
@@harrisonmundschutz2654 😂😂😂😂u cracked me up
It seems like helium is a critical gas when performing Tec dives. But because helium is a finite and dwindling resource is there another inert gas divers could switch to?
Hi ColdSheep, thanks for watching. Of the other gases breathable by humans, only Neon is potentially viable as a diving gas. It has no narcotic effect (like Helium) and has advantages of being a better thermal insulator and it doesn't make your voice sound funny! But, Neon is rarer than Helium and even more expensive.
Argon, which we breathe all the time as a component of air, has no practical application for divers because it is more narcotic than Nitrogen.
The only other gas that is breathable is Hydrogen, but that can only be used on very very deep dives (commercial) because you can only mix it with 2-4% O2 before it becomes explosive.
So, we are heavily reliant on Helium at the moment and yes, reserves are dwindling and prices are skyrocketing.
Cheers, James
CCR requires very little helium compared to the same dive on OC.
we learnt ourselves 30 years ago .. with helium and decanted air .. all three of us are still here .. 120m dives , we lived in the sea inland lakes reservoirs .. all ex military . nothing battery dependant ...only lights
'You cant do a Tech Rec dive, confused yet?' you have to love it!
Hi. I’m a 15 years old commercial diver from Iran ( Persian gulf is my territory ). You guys are cool more than enough, diving gears and equipments are growing with you when pushing to the limits 👍🏻
Nice vid James 👍🏼 looking forward to Part 2 👍🏼
Thanks Jay! Working on the edit right now! James
I don't think it is just tech divers. Even experienced rec divers seem to have a bad rep among other adventure sporting communities. It is not helped by the people online who "share" their knowledge. After I completed my open water course, I asked in scubaboard new divers section about what to look for when buying the first dive computer. One day later the post had close to a hundred replies. My question was answered in the first few replies, others were just "informing" each other about the deficiencies of one brand or the other 😄
I used to go on Scubaboard a lot, but it has become a well of negativity, so I don't bother anymore. It's really sad if that's the reputation some divers get, even outside of diving, because that must put people off joining our sport. Thanks for sharing, Stormblessed. Appreciate you as always. James
Very nicely done sir. Thank you for making this content.
Thank you for watching, Arief! James
very good information given out for explaining tech diving
Love your content mate. In 3 weeks my brother and I are completing our padi open water. It's been a life long dream and since I'm at the age of 38 I finally am making the push to tick it off my bucket list. I would love to make a career out of diving in the future... is 38 to old to start making a push towards tech diving and DM/instructor?? I've always been a water baby so I know I will love the world of diving.
Hi Sinister 0z Gaming, I was diving yesterday with a guy in his sixties who had only been diving for 7 years and he is a rebreather Instructor now. Anything is possible! Thanks for watching. James
Your going to love it, I've seen instructors in their 60s just stay reasonable fit.
Thanks for the video; I appreciate if you make a video about choosing dry suit for recreational vs. tech diving
good information .. Thanks
Hi - Iam a padi diver , but member of a diving club in Denmark for all divers and thos that are Cemas 3 star the dive to 183 feed ( 56 m) And this is normal and not Tec ? . Iam member of more diving clubs but just for getting more opsions and diving tours, so when i dive with divers from Cemas 3 star i can only go to my 49 meters 130 Feed.. So now I will do the Cemas 3 star curse in 2021 and then go back to Padi and go Tec.40,50 ect,,But I wonder why ther is a different betwen Cemas and Padi limits..
Thanks again for all your great videos..
When you say no unplanned deco do you mean accidental or not making a dive card with the known deco stops. I’ve herd guys just saying follow your computer that’s what there for, just make sure you have enough gas to do the stops and return with more than enough pressure. Is it just a redundancy thing. Thanks for the help
Awesome video.
Wonder if you got any like this but for Sidemount, I've seen divided opinions on that.
How do you feel about "dive the computer" dives? Basically, you know you will incur some deco (or even make a plan like, we start getting out, once the first of us hits 20 minutes TTS), bring all the training and equipment required to handle it, but instead of having a rigorous plan for the entire dive, you just wing it based on what you actually end up doing during the dive and then use your computer to get you out safely? The dive sites we do this at are usually flooded strip mines with no overhead risk and limited (30-40m) depth.
All good in theory, but what happens when one of your computers fail or comes unstrapped? Are you all wearing backups for every dive?
Hopefully, you have a buddy with a working computer, who was diving the same profile (as they should have been), who you can piggyback off of. Not like you wouldn't need someone else's computer/gauge to be able to execute ascent plan written down on your wet notes anyway...
After doing bunch of these dives and calculating dive plan for another bunch during AEANx training, the deco always ends up being very similar anyway. Maybe a minute or two in 12, which usually clears up during ascent, another couple of minutes in 9 and then 15 minutes at the very most in 6. Unless you were also pushing your gas (which you should never do), you should have enough of it to stay submerged some extra minutes on each deco stop just to be extra safe.
I didn’t knew Tec divers can do overhead environments like caves? I thought you need a cave training. I’m asking cause I’m working on my DM and after I’m thinking about doing Dave dive and side mount
I give a like just because you make a video.
One question. I did my OW course this year, can I buy a back plate/ wing bcd or do I have to go to a jacket style? Tanks!
I absolutely support starting with a backplate and a wing. There are dive schools where I live in Melbourne that trains you in a backplate and a wing for your open water course and that's the best thing ever.
I finished OW (after being scuba in a jacket) with a P&W-also in a long hose configuration. Choose your gear carefully but P&W isn't only for tech divers. Most importantly, train with the gear with a proper and good dive instructor. That way you know how to properly dump air from a donut.
@@buslu Thank you very much!
@@ricardocostafaroleira7818, I second Yuri. A good instructor and a good gear configured for you can save you from forming bad habits. And enjoy the journey. Enjoy every stage of diving. Don't rush.
@@buslu 🙏🏻 I appreciate your comment. A big thanks from Portugal :)
What is the point of going that low under water like I looked all over Google but why go so low underwater?
I was a commercial diver and I am not feeling crazy 😂😂at the contrary we are the one double checking the deco tables and parameters for the one doing recreational 😂😂
Just wanted to say I've been a subscriber for a while now but found myself with some spare time and binged on your videos. They are truly excellent. Just wondering if you'd consider listing some of the books on your shelves. I can see Deep and something called Under Pressure but I bet there's a bunch more good stuff up there. Also Into the Planet is incredible. Jill is an absolute lunatic and one of the bravest people I've ever read about.
Wow, thank you! I can make that video for sure. Thanks alter7181
that was a really a good introduction to technical diving...
Looking forward to learn more...👍
I see you have into the planet by Jill, you should invite her on your show for a Q and A, she's great.
I met her at the DEMA conference. It would be great to interview her. Dive Safe.
Nice summary - still on the way to bring videos from "tech-areas" to the surface ;-)
Danke fürs zuschauen, scubamedia.de. Ich liebe deinen UA-cam-Kanal auch! James
Hi James. I just reasonly discovered your videos. They are both entertaining and informative. Thanks a lot.
I myself is a rec diver with 4 years and about 100 dives of experience. I been thinking about trying CCR-R.
Do you have any videos and comments on that subject?
A dive site I frequent below 40 feet there is NO NATURAL light penetrating below the thermocline. Zero viability without a torch. Is this a tech dive scenario?
It's a great question. We don't really talk about light as a factor for determining the tec limit. For example, you could do a night dive on a recreational basis or a night tec dive (BIG FUN!) If there is no physical obstruction between you and the surface, you're not going below 130'/40m and you're not in a hard overhead environment beyond the light limit, then no, it is not considered a tec dive. Thanks for watching Phillip! If you want to get into tec diving, just let me know!
Great video...
Hi there,
I started diving in 2020 and I started to watch these great videos. I am from Saudi Arabia and we dont have deep caves or the best environment for wrick dives. Therefore, I wish to see a video or two talking about them because I find them interesting. We have technical deep diving only unfortunately😭thank you💔
Thanks for sharing!
Hi James, Indonesian here, I like that idea of ' Tec Rec Diving' or ' Rec Tec Diving' ? Can you teach us ?
nice video i just subscribed and looking forward to part 2
Here you go Matt! ua-cam.com/video/vEgM8G9se8Y/v-deo.html Thanks for watching! James
#askdiversready as I contemplate technical diving I keep hearing research where you want to train or research technical instructors. Cool, but as I start researching I can find thousands of dive centers or instructors who claim to teach technical diving. But as far I know that instructor could have just done a class and then never did a technical dive again or could just be a bad/unsafe technical diver. So what are some ways to determine a good technical instructor/dive center vs someone who just wants the title or to be able to charge more
Hi fbmedic, this is a really great question and I'm sorry that I'm only seeing it now. I'm going to answer it in this Thursday's channel update/Q&A video.
Hi James, wouldn’t you add that a gas switch is a technical dive?
10:37 if technical diving is still for recreational purposes, isn't actually possible to do tec-rec diving?
Would you mind doing a video on the process to get certified as a tech diver?
It's not a case of tech divers not being approachable and being prickly. It's that people are inconsiderate about WHEN they ask questions. It's like trying to chat with an athlete 5 minutes before game time.
Rec Diver: not in an overhead environment or does not get supersaturation of nitrogen
Tec Divers: some go into overhead environment and others go into supersaturation nitrogen requiring long deco stops at different levels
Ice is an overhead environment, but rec divers do ice diving. Oops.
@@complicatedmechanics9599 First of tech divers where once rec divers and prob still do a lot of rec diving. Also Ice Diving is 100000% a technical Diver Course and should be done with proper training. Go on any TDI, SDI, RAID, PADI they all say its technical diving DAN even says it technical diving. They call them technical courses cause they are technical and lethal without training. Someone who just watches a video shouldn't go out and try it.
why do rec divers typically need to avoid going pass no decompress limit?
Hilarious keep them coming #askdiversready
Thanks Saeed! James
Who says we aren't helpful, today at Ginnie when a rando asked someone what is there to see down there "Wet rocks."
Hahahaha sounds about right. Honestly though, that's 100% accurate and leaves nothing out! James
@@DiversReady Yeah it is accurate, but I try to answer their questions because you will be surprised the people you will meet. Today at Peacock one of the randos that was asking questions, ended up being one of the kids that Sheck taught as a math teacher.
Is spearfishing for halibut in 30 degree water with a drysuit in 300 feet of water a good idea? #askdiversready
@10:43 you can def. do a tech dive to rec depth, BUT you absolutely cannot do a rec dive to tech depth. Totally should have reversed that last order! Thank you for all the incredible content, realized that to solo, tech training at rec depth is probably bombproof?
8:40 Agree 100%!!
Thanks for watching! Dive safe.
I would totally watch a 35 min video. I just watched a 48 minute video another channel I watch just posted.
Go ahead... Make the 35 min video! I'll watch it.😁 That's
Please say- LETS DIVE IN at the start 😊
Hi james 😃 regarding tec diving can you maybe make a video about o2 cleaned regs. Whats the difference between regs that can be used with 100% o2 and EAN40 regs that are the standard
Hi Simon, for sure, yes. I don't know if that is a whole topic for it's own video, but I'm going to include it in the upcoming #askdiversready video. Thanks for watching! James
@@DiversReady sounds great! Cant wait :)
Any reg should be good up to EANx40. It's when the O2 content goes above 40% that your breathing gas becomes a potential combustion hazard. That's where you need the O2 cleaning. I'm not a regulator technician so I don't know the specifics, but I imagine it's the same as having your tanks O2 cleaned so you can dive Nitrox. (Nitrox tanks need to be O2 cleaned even below 40% because sometimes the gas blending is done in the tank by first adding pure oxygen and then topping up the rest of the tank with regular air!)
Anyways, "O2 clean" just means making sure there are no parts or lubricants in the reg that are combustible. The o-rings/seals/gaskets/etc. need to be made of a non-combustible material like Viton, and you can't use any combustible grease or oil as a lubricant anywhere. Any parts that came from the factory that are potentially combustible would need to be upgraded, and your technician would most certainly give your reg a good cleaning to make sure there are no oils or anything else left over from before that could cause a problem.
Well....I must gave been a technical diver back in 1977 when I first descended below 40m...
After some 1000 dives later, i never descended below 62m.
First Insta buddy was a tec diver. With a camera.
He kept scrapping the bottom. Looking around for me, while I hovered a metre above his left shoulder. He stops to photograph stuff we’ve all seen before. The group continues. So I stay with him. When he finishes he signs to me where are they. I tell him I know where the group is and follow me. He swims in the opposite direction. I thought he was behind me. I get back to the group. He’s no where to be seen. So I swim back to our last position. He’s gone. I look for him for a minute. So then I surface. He’s found the DM. Now they are looking for me. So the next dive I didn’t both keeping with him I stayed with the group. I know that’s not the buddy system but I wasn’t going to rely on someone who can’t follow instructions or procedures.
This is why I’m a self reliant diver
Nice vid!
But i've got an objection! You stated, that a helium is non-narcotic and that's not really true. Helium causes high pressure nervous syndrome which presents with fatigue, tremor, dizzyness. To be fair, this appears only below a depth of 100-150m but it's not really true that helium is non-narcotic.
So if tech diving is still rec diving how will i get paid
So...does this mean that they have "Resting Tec Face"? :)
great content als always! :)
Thanks Vanessa!
@@DiversReady always welcome :)
Please speak on the topic.
I like you and the content. The background music not so much.
Is it okay to eat cheese before diving?
I always get the "You're not part of the 'club' you peon recreational diver, how dare you even approach me? Oh you were also PADI trained? I don't even want to be in the water with you.." type of vibe.
That sucks. I’m sorry to hear that. I try not to be that tech diver.
I'm not comfortable below 10 metres
Probably almost every diver from Europe who comes to the US will be treated like a Technical :P
Why?
Din, WingStyle, Drysuit, training in cold dark water and recalculates everything in the metric system in his head :)
Can a 37yrs old person go to diving school?
Yes!
Great video. Would love to know how regulators for TEC diving differ from regulators for REC diving.
Tec divers generally prefer diagphram regulators that are balanced and deliver increased performace as your ambient pressure increases with depth. They are, of course, more expensive, like everything in technical diving, but they will work forever if taken care of. Thanks for watching, Robert. James
Traslate in spanish pleace
“Shitty rec diver” that’s so fitting!
It may just be my imagination, but it seems like the equipment snobs who will engage in verbal combat over what equipment is best and what is crap . . . often mention they are "tech divers." Just an observation.
Funny how many comments on dive vids are just people flexing 😂 #behumble #sitdown
I went really deep one time. It was dangerous. I almost died. Gotta be careful you don't muff dive in a the wrong cave. Very very bad idea.
If none of the intructors at a dive center take the time to explain to you what all the numbers mean on your diving computer because they are mostly motivated to gossip about all your learning bloopers then you're in a shitty managed diveshop.
Do tech divers have to wear all black lol?
Hahahhahahaaaaaa ur cute
dude please stop acting like certifications are god. use if youre good enough... instead
Great video