Trimix: Is it really better than sex?
After 23 years of diving and pushing the envelope I decided to do a trimix course and make it all legal. (Actually I was offered the course for half price and couldn't resist it.) The course organisers, Deep Blue Diving are based in Plymouth, South Devon, where they have an excellent waterfront location.
Trimix is a custom-made gas mix consisting of oxygen, helium and nitrogen. The benefit of which is to reduce the narcotic effect of nitrogen on deep dives. The disadvantage is that a greater decompression penalty is incurred. Having dived at depth on both air and trimix gasses I will gladly pay the price of the gas and of the longer decompression penalty and use trimix - there is no substitute for a clear head. (Those of you who dive deep on air and think you are not "narked up" are in for a major shock if you try trimix.)
What did the course cover?
What did I get from the course? Apart from the further knowledge of trimix- an appreciation of the need to practice and humbling experience of knowing I am not quite as good as I thought I was!
What do I think to trimix? To be able to dive to in excess of 70m and still have a clear head does it for me!
ExperienceWhat I must say to those reading this is there is no substitute for experience. It has taken me over 20 years to reach this level and deep diving is not to be taken lightly. If you want any advice please ask.
As for the answer to the question at the top of this article - Don't be silly!
Brian Smith.
Trimix is a custom-made gas mix consisting of oxygen, helium and nitrogen. The benefit of which is to reduce the narcotic effect of nitrogen on deep dives. The disadvantage is that a greater decompression penalty is incurred. Having dived at depth on both air and trimix gasses I will gladly pay the price of the gas and of the longer decompression penalty and use trimix - there is no substitute for a clear head. (Those of you who dive deep on air and think you are not "narked up" are in for a major shock if you try trimix.)
What did the course cover?
- Diving physiology psychology
- Gas mix selection
- Equivalent nitrogen depths (narcosis level)
- Oxygen toxicity
- Emergency scenarios
- Dive planning deco planning
- Gas mixing Under water skills:
- Gas shutdowns
- Out Of Air drills
- Side sling removal/ refit
- Buoyancy control
- DSMB launch
- Line laying
What did I get from the course? Apart from the further knowledge of trimix- an appreciation of the need to practice and humbling experience of knowing I am not quite as good as I thought I was!
What do I think to trimix? To be able to dive to in excess of 70m and still have a clear head does it for me!
ExperienceWhat I must say to those reading this is there is no substitute for experience. It has taken me over 20 years to reach this level and deep diving is not to be taken lightly. If you want any advice please ask.
As for the answer to the question at the top of this article - Don't be silly!
Brian Smith.