Big step for me

[Shaunzxr]

Hi all

Dived over 10 years, last 13 months on YBOD.
Never dived on helium.
Max depth 40m, and happy at that depth.
I've almost completed my dive leader training (over the last 2 years)
I dive with mainly OC buddies but have dived with CC buddy on occasion.
I do drills on the rebreather every dive and never had any problems due to complacency.

I'm fast approaching my 100hrs on the rebreather and considering doing mixed gas training.
I know its recommended to do OC trimix, then SC RB. Sorry skipped all that

Rebreather training seems to go from 40m to 70m in a week

The only thing that concerns me is the thought of the depth on the mixed gas training ( 60m & 70m )

Does this mean I am not ready for this training?
Will I ever be ready for this training?
Is there more I should do before this training?
Should I take another route to build confidence?

I know there are courses for OC

Entry level trimix diver course
Decompression Procedures diving
Extended range diver

Can I take these courses on the rebreather?

I have a CC buddy that basically put HE in his cylinder built up his depth slowly and then took the training. Is this the norm ?

Be gentle

[Ken]

Originally Posted by Shaunzxr

Hi all
Dived over 10 years, last 13 months on YBOD.
Never dived on helium.
Max depth 40m, and happy at that depth.
I've almost completed my dive leader training (over the last 2 years)
I dive with mainly OC buddies but have dived with CC buddy on occasion.
I do drills on the rebreather every dive and never had any problems due to complacency.
I'm fast approaching my 100hrs on the rebreather and considering doing mixed gas training.
I know its recommended to do OC trimix, then SC RB. Sorry skipped all that
Rebreather training seems to go from 40m to 70m in a week
The only thing that concerns me is the thought of the depth on the mixed gas training ( 60m & 70m )
Does this mean I am not ready for this training?
Will I ever be ready for this training?
Is there more I should do before this training?
Should I take another route to build confidence?
I know there are courses for OC
Entry level trimix diver course
Decompression Procedures diving
Extended range diver
Can I take these courses on the rebreather?
I have a CC buddy that basically put HE in his cylinder built up his depth slowly and then took the training. Is this the norm ?
Be gentle

You are asking some very good questions. I would certainly talk to a variety of skilled instructor(s) regarding mix programs on CCR. There is always "wiggle" room with regards to depth and training. There are also intermediate steps as you mentioned. Making the jump from 40m to 70M is a HUGE leap. Scaffolding the steps is certainly advisable from an instructional and safety perspective. 70m in cold British waters is no walk in the park.

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by Shaunzxr

I know its recommended to do OC trimix, then SC RB. Sorry skipped all that

Good. That's generally agreed to be a waste of time.

Rebreather training seems to go from 40m to 70m in a week
The only thing that concerns me is the thought of the depth on the mixed gas training ( 60m & 70m )

Do the course. You will learn things that will effect you diving to 6m. Good new skills. More control. Better able to manage, rather than cut-and-run, if you have a problem.

Depth is not a problem. Deco is the problem. When you no longer have a clear run to the surface then you need a better selection of 'get out of jail free' cards in you mental kit box.

I use helium on any dive these days. In rebreather sized helpings it is cheap enough and I do notice the difference watching a buddy on air running in slow motion at 35m.

[NotDeadYet]

Originally Posted by Shaunzxr

I'm fast approaching my 100hrs on the rebreather and considering doing mixed gas training.
I know its recommended to do OC trimix, then SC RB. Sorry skipped all that
Rebreather training seems to go from 40m to 70m in a week
The only thing that concerns me is the thought of the depth on the mixed gas training ( 60m & 70m )
Does this mean I am not ready for this training?
Will I ever be ready for this training?
Is there more I should do before this training?
Should I take another route to build confidence?
I know there are courses for OC
Entry level trimix diver course
Decompression Procedures diving
Extended range diver
Can I take these courses on the rebreather?
I have a CC buddy that basically put HE in his cylinder built up his depth slowly and then took the training. Is this the norm ?
Be gentle

Your questions all seem to be along the theme of "do I have the confidence to do it?" type. Only you can answer that.

I wouldn't waste my time and money doing OC trimix at all whether I dived a rebreather or not. It's a dead sport or at least in it's death throes, give it a few years and only the minority of mix divers will be doing it OC. Anyway, I'm digressing into a rant.

If you want confidence, go out and do some diving that's pushing into that kind of experience. Actual dives not skills and drills stuff because what actual diving will throw at you will push you far more than setting yourself a list of skills to practice.

My own opinion is why use anything other than trimix in a rebreather? Also my own opinion is that if someone's diving isn't going to benefit from running trimix dil then chances are their diving isn't meriting rebreather use either, but then I'm digressing into another rant.