Quote:
| Originally Posted by Brian Donaghy Sounds like an estimation/contingency planning issue more than anything else.
Well if I run it on V-Planner (VPM-B, +2 conservatism, 1m/min ascent form 6m - surface) I get a total run time of 105mins for 37mins BT at 57m on 18/45 with 50% & O2 for deco gases (you didn't specify so I assumed you would make good choices  ) Much the same as your profile (as far as I can see).
37mins at 53m (more realistic average depth) (with conservatism at +1 given slow ascent to surface) I get 93mins runtime. More than the 10 minute advantage you say the VR3 gives.
In a nutshell, I do not believe it is the lump of Al (for two) on your wrist which provides the perceived advantage.
The flexibility comes from understanding and planning. If I wanted to go a couple of metres deeper to see something I'd okay it with the team and then we'd add a little to the deco as necessary. |
This is not a deco race, I am well aware that Vplanner reduces deco time and I look forward to VPMB being available on the VR3 in 2005. This is all about flexibility. Understanding and planning becomes redundant when you’re faced with un-dived wrecks or new sites. When I first dived the Duke I planned for 30 @ 58m as the wreck is in the book at 60m, same for the Illinois 30 @ 68 as the wreck is down as a 70. In fact the dive is more like a 62.
Moving on to CCR diving the VR3 really excels. There are no gas limitations or (if using the correct dill) depth limitations within reason and you can do anything you like. The VR3 lets you dive with a blank sheet.
When in Egypt recently we were on a 20m site called the Huts. We got bored and dropped down to 40 for a look found a drop off and dropped down to 64 then we found a canyon & cave so we had a look at that at around 62m then we started to ascend based on TTS and run time. On the way out we found a chimney at 47m so sod it we just had to stop and do that.
Total dive planning none, total gas planning none required (ignoring bail out) the freedom is amazing.
A friend of mine joined a serious tec diving group called Team Delta. He turned up with his VR3 and got the mick taken out of him. Now 18months later they all have VR3’s
VR3s are not for every one but I dived tables for years before got a VR3 and I know what I prefer.
ATB
Mark Chase