Tech Diving Category
Is 50 Bar Enough?
A few recent diving incidents in Western Australia (early 2013) had me wondering that whilst some diving related incidents and accidents can be attributed to equipment failure and dive site conditions and locations, how many incidents could be prevented with a little more forward thinking when it comes to diver training.
Diving the wrecks of Truk Lagoon
Written by Marc van der Poel
I have recently been asked ‘Where is the best diving in the world?’I find this a hard question because there is so much I haven’t dived (yet), but more importantly how can you compare apples with pears. I think I have my favorite dives, experiences that leave an impression forever. […]
Cold Stress Complicates Decompression Risks
Written by Neal W. Pollock, Ph.D.
Most scuba divers would probably recognise thermal stress as a risk factor in diving. However, due to the way thermal stress is portrayed in diving texts, many probably think that hypothermia is the only hazard. Hypothermia, however, is only part of the story.
The diving environment holds many conditions that can […]
Clearing up the confusion about Deep Stops
The old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is certainly applicable to the various symptoms of decompression sickness (DCS). The best treatment of all for these maladies is to complete a sufficient decompression profile in the first place. Technical divers have observed that many ailments can be avoided by including “deep stops” in their profiles. A closer examination of the decompression model reveals that this practice serves to reduce or eliminate excessive overpressure gradients. Knowing this, the model can be modified to provide precise control of gradients and stops can be calculated within the decompression zone to the depth of the “deepest possible decompression stop.”
Exploring the caverns of Mount Gambier
written by Marc van der Poel
Steadily our pool of Deep Cavern divers is growing, so it’s time to cross to the Nullarbor and head for the Australian capital of cave diving. When I asked: Who wants to come with me to Mt Gambier and learn to lay line in the caves, I nearly got trampled! […]