LEARNINGCURVE we had the whole of slack on the bottom . Constant communication between us on the dive made it a comfortable and enjoyable experience . We all knew where we were , and what we were doing . The dive took us past the huge boilers , two engines and the mosaic swimming pool , which was intact in random places . It was dark but warm at 52m , with the torch light revealing parts of the yacht bit by bit , allowing you to build a picture in your mind of its former magnificence .
The bottom time ran out super-fast ; it seemed my Shearwater computer was on fast-forward . We had enjoyed it so much , but it was time to deploy the surface marker buoys and start our planned accent . We remained in two teams for the ascent , maintaining our communications at all times . We managed our gas-switching and maintained our stops perfectly . Then we were back on the boat for scones ( with cream and jam , naturally ) and a good chat about the dive .
We ’ d all like to do this wreck again without the pressure of feeling on trial . Such is the pressure we put on ourselves , and not how the instructors made us feel .
What ’ s next ? Well , I ’ m going to enjoy not pushing my limits quite so much , but still doing the deeper stuff I enjoy . Now , I can join in the dive that was previously out of reach , if I want to . The course transformed my annual trip to Egypt , because I was able to float through the infamous Arch at Elphinstone Reef , in addition to exploring the Numidia at the Brother Islands in the lower cargo holds at 60m . A truly magical experience .
I know a lot of people out there think Trimix for open circuit is dead , but it really isn ’ t . I don ’ t want a rebreather . I am happy doing what I ’ m doing , just a bit safer . My Trimix bill was not as bad as I thought – you can make open circuit trimix work for you , once you have the skills .
Even if you never use it again , I would recommend the course to any committed diver . You never know quite where it may take you !
The gang looking happy at Vobster
Chris Haywood , Tash Scott and Jacob Broughton-Venner
Course essentials
BSAC ’ s Sport Mixed Gas Diver course introduces an experienced Accelerated Decompression Procedures ( ADP ) diver to the use of trimix as a breathing gas . You will become qualified to dive such mixes to depths of up to 50m using a twin-set and single stage cylinder .
To enrol on the Sport Mixed Gas Diver Course you must be 18 years or older . You must have already successfully completed a BSAC Sports Diver course with a 35m depth certification and a BSAC ADP course ( or have equivalent certification from BSAC as an Advanced Nitrox Diver , or from another recognised training agency ).
You should be proficient at diving , with 60 or more logged dives , of which 10 should have been at depths of between 30m and 35m . Explorer Mixed Gas Diver introduces a Sport Mixed Gas Diver ( 50m ) to the use of a travel gas to support diving with normoxic trimix , and qualifies them to dive such mixes to depths of up to 60m using a twinset and two stage cylinders .
To enrol on the Explorer Mixed Gas Diver Course you must have already successfully completed a Sport Mixed Gas Diver ( 50m ) course ( or have equivalent certification from another recognised training agency ).
You should be proficient at deeper diving , with 30 or more logged dives in the 30m to 50m range and have dived to 30m or deeper in the four weeks leading up to this course . �
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