My usual final stop deco mix is.....

[Fathoms Down]

Just out of pure interest... whats the most common mix you use for your last stop?

(Ok, I know this is tricky as dive plans do vary but what do you find yourself using most often?)

[Juz]

<font color='#32CD32'>Usually go for either 70% or 80%.

Get onto it at either 12 or 9. Personally I use it (rather than 100%) to give me a cushion on the CNS loading side of things.

Juz

[Rob Evans]

Running a 'breather at 1.3PO2, but always flush right the way through with 100% once I hit the 6m stop and stay on it from there, CNS permitting.

[Fathoms Down]

Oops, sorry. I should have added something for the no-bubbles crowd!

[Sandman]

I use 80/20 but used to use 02. &nbsp;Same reasons as Juz for my choice of gas.

Cheers

Simon

[Bob Cooper]

This question is a bit like asking...........

&quot;When driving my car, I usually drive at 30mph, 50mph, 70mph, 90mph etc....&quot;

It depends on the circumstances.............

All my diving is with standard gasses. So the answer is......

backgas (32%)
50%
100%

for the sort of diving I do.

Bob

[kinetic]

Seeing as the subject is mixed gases....

quick q if anyone can help, rather than start a thread, after PADI nitrox what are the options/agencies that can handle the 40% plus deco training as well as mixed gas diving, say to 100m max depth??

PM's welcom rather than clutter the thread.....

Thanks.

G

[Bob Cooper]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (kinetic @ Feb. 27 2004,20:18)]

Let's clutter the thread..........
PM's are too complicated!!

Sounds like you need something like TDI &quot;deco procedures&quot; or IANTD &quot;technical nitrox&quot;. &nbsp;Then, get a bit of experience and do something like IANTD &quot;normoxic trimix&quot; for the mised gas training.

I'm afraid that, in my opinion, most of these courses don't really prepare you for doing these sort of dives properly. &nbsp;They just give you a ticket which you can use to go and get gas with.

Don't think of it as &quot;training for 40%&quot; or &quot;training for &quot;50%&quot;. &nbsp;Breathing 40% is just as easy as breathing 100%. &nbsp;You can learn all you need to know in about half an hour, the in-water skills take a little bit longer to master! &nbsp;and they don't teach them in these classes.

Good luck with the courses anyway.

Bob

[Tim Ingmire]

Jeez 100m is a looong way down.

If you're still on basic nitrox thats a sh*t load of experience you are going to need to build up to do 100m safely.

If you go TDI and you want to do those kinds of dives in the Uk then you need Adv Nitrox and Deco Proc (that'll give you a depth of 45ish m and a ticket to deco on 100%), then a load of dives to build up experience.  Once you've done that do Intro / Basic Trimix which will get you down to 60m (or thereabouts).  Again do a load more dives and move on upto Adv Trimix. A load more dives and then 100m is in your grasp.

As Bob said these courses won't necessarily give you the skills to do 100m safely (esp just deco procedures) but diving with more experienced divers (the kind that can mentor and coach) as you progress, learning, practising and just plain diving will help get you there.

I'm nowhere near this level of diving myself but this is the kind of route I would take. &nbsp;(although, like Mr Chase, I seem to be getting more interested in, and open to, the DIR way of thinking).

IANTD and PSA(?) all have options to help get you there - as, I guess, would GUE if you are DIR inclined, although I guess you aren't.

HTH, but if not speak to a range of instructors from each of the agencies (in fact if 100m is your goal then do this anyway).  As has been mentioned here before you could certainly do worse than Andy Hayhurst of Dalesdivers who can give you balanced advice and training options.

[Mark Chase]

Used to use 02 but have gone for 80/20 to get the flexabuility in the shalow stop comitments and to avoid high CNS loadings. Thre is no argument that 100% is the best deco gas but it is not always user freindly.

100m is TDI full trimix. The normal rout is:

Advanced Nitrox
Deco procedures
Entry Level Trimix
Advanced Trimix


OR

Advancd Ntrox
Extended Range
Deco Procedures
Full Trimix

IMHO the first option is the best as Extended Range is basicly a deep air course which is out of date.

As to wether or not the training provided is adiquate depends on the diver and the trianer.

Whilst Andyp and I have bounced 100m and spent a little time at 90m I would say that my deepest proper dive ie: get down there, stay there and come up was 45 @ 65m. I dont think it is dificult to do 100m if you can get your head around the psycological presure of beeing such a long way from home and you have enough He in the mix.  Doing a wreck dive at 100m with penitration or task loading is a whole diferent ball game. Getting caught in a net at 100 and actualy watching your presure gauge drop with each breath and you deco rack up drasticly with every 60seconds down there, is a scarey thaught. I still feel a long way off acheiving that level of dive.

ATB

Mark Chase