Chapter 10- Diving Techniques and Deeper Diving Diving Techniques and Deeper Diving 235 may be life-threatening at even very shallow depths, the consequence can be quite dramatic at deeper depths. Recklessness and emotional instability in a diver is a serious liability for both the individual and companion divers. These traits may be further amplified by the narcotic affects of nitrogen at depth. Health and Fitness Persons in poor health and/or poor physical condition are generally considered to be more susceptible to the emotional and physical stress associated with diving. Stress and response to stress can be amplified with increased depth. It has also been documented that such individuals are more susceptible to decompression sickness. Persons in poor health should seek the advice of a qualified physician and consider imposing significant limitations on themselves or foregoing scuba diving all together. Individuals who are in generally poor physical condition, but have no serious health problems, should embark on a fitness improvement program under the guidance of a physician or professional health/fitness counselor. Training The training program must provide the diver with a comprehensive insight into the physiological and psychological factors associated with extending diving depths. The diver must be schooled in personal assessment, dive companion assessment, and environmental assessment in order to make an informed risk-benefit analysis. Greater emphasis must be placed on dive organization and planning. Trainees must develop high proficiency in the use of dive tables and computers. The diver must then participate in a series of supervised training experiences designed to progressively advance diving skill, demonstrate proper procedure and technique, and solve potential problems that might be encountered on deeper dives. Supervised problem solving should actually be practiced at depth. For example, a diver may have previously demonstrated adequate skill proficiency in alternate air source breathing during ascent from a depth of 6 or 10 m (20 or 33 ft). However, the emotional stress associated with performing this procedure from deeper depths may be significant in some individuals. Ideally, a diver should be capable of providing air to another diver from the maximum depth of training. Experience To be a good diver you must dive regularly. If you intend to extend your diving depth beyond the shallows, you should acquire considerable shallow water experience first and work up to the deep depths through a series of progressive steps. In addition to progressive acquisition of experience, a prudent diver will always do a series of “buildup” dives prior to making deep dives. For example, many individuals are seasonal divers. At the beginning of each diving season a prudent diver will begin with shallow and simple dives and progressively work toward deeper, more complicated dives. Self-Discipline Diving requires a certain degree of self-discipline. The deeper the depth, the greater the need for self-discipline. One might observe a group of good and experienced deep divers casually preparing for a dive. Their mannerisms may appear to be casual. However, each individual will have mentally rehearsed the dive, checked and rechecked their equipment, verified dive table calculations or planned computer profile, taken a very close look at their fellow divers, and given proper attention to even the most minor detail. Under water these divers will monitor their breathing rate, cylinder pressure, time, depth, position (relative to the ascent line), and a host of other status indicators accomplishing the dive objective. They know through progressively acquired experience when things are going right and wrong. They know their physical, emotional, air supply, thermal, depth, and distance limits. The deeper the depth, the smaller the margin for error. They know when to turn back or abort the dive. Self-discipline is acquired through training, experience, and emotional conditioning.
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