Deep diver specialty

Lot's of beautiful wrecks and reefs are located deeper than the 18 meters you're allowed to dive when having an open water diver certification or even deeper than the 30 meters with the advanced open water diver certification (padi). So if you ever want to dive those wrecks or reefs, extra training is required. The last two weeks I've taken the deep diver specialty course so I can dive those spots in a safe and responsible way.  I want to share with you what I've learned during this course.

When doing a specialty course, you learn in two ways, from the textbook and from the dives. And I must say, I've learned the most from the last dive. Because for that dive, I had to make the dive plan, do the briefing and go through the safety procedures.

From the textbook

Before the dive
Before you even put on your gear set a goal that is realistic for you and your buddy. Take into account the expected circumstances underwater and both your experiences with them. Making a 35 meter dive in tropical water just isn't the same as making a dive to that depth in cold, dark water.

A goal and a plan
First of all you need a goal for your dive and a decently set up plan. Don't just go in and see what happens. It will put you and your buddy at great risk. Make a decent and conservative plan to visit that great wreck and stick to it. Because of the short bottom times at depth (no deco time), make sure you can descend and descend very close to the goal of your dive.

Buddy check

Well, of course, you should check your gear before each dive, but before a deep dive you should do this even more carefully. Gear failure at depth can cause a lot more problems than at 10 meters, and it's a long way to the surface. So, do a very thorough buddy check...

While diving
Check your air regularly. At 30 meters your air consumption is twice as much as at 10 meters. So check it regularly and that of your buddy as well. And for that matter, maintain contact with your buddy very often, so you'll notice the signs of nitrogen narcosis. Turn back well before you're low on air. You still need to do a safety stop, so make sure you both have enough air for that.

Ascending
When you're at the spot where you want to ascend, release your safety sausage. The safety sausage makes people on the surface aware that there are divers below. It will reduce the chance of being run over by a boat. Then ascend slowly and maintain (almost) neutral buoyancy. At 5 meters, do at least 3 minute safety stop. And then continue to ascend.

The dives

From the four dives we made in the course doing different kinds of exercises like answering diving theory questions and doing math. Also we looked at colour changes underwater and the effect of pressure on object filled with air. And for the first time, I had to use a safety sausage.
But the most educating dive was the final one. I had to prepare the dive, determining bottom time, descending and ascending procedures, agree on hand and light signals. And of course, navigate the whole dive.

Also I had to prepare emergency procedures and had to do the briefing.


The dive itself was cold (5 degrees at the bottom) and dark. But with our lamps, visibility was very good. And everything went as planned.
This course has made me look at a dive in a more serious way and taught me a lot, especially when I have to lead a dive.