Another Advanced Nitrox & decompression Procedures course with Mark Powell

[Mal Bridgeman]

I guess it's a YD tradition to 'fess up a little having completed some training, and so here goes.

Having enquired earlier in the year about potential routes for "Technical" training (http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...ad.php?t=14723) and receiving a lot of good advice I decided to do it with Mark Powell of Dive-Tech ....based on a number of factors....location, reputation and his answers/approach to several of my questions....though not necessarily in that order.

I chose to do a bundle of Twinset Fundamentals, Advanced Nitrox & Decompression Procedures. I have had little experience of
UK diving so did what research I could before the course and over the last few months had evolved my kit to a point that I was reasonably happy. I knew I would need to a deco gas tank (kindly loaned by Mark) which would be a new experience for me but thought that would be okay. I read some of the reviews of the course on YD so did what prep I could in advance.

I received the manuals promptly and did all the prework in a few hours....thanks mainly to the failings of the "One" railway network, I had more "free" time than normal!!

Prior to the course I had my regs cleaned and serviced and the same with my twins. An hour in the pool to make sure that all was fine and I am all set.

The course was originally destined to be with Lou & Caroline but after Lou's accident, the course became more.... erm, whats the word? .... yes ....intense!!

Day 1

So on a slightly overcast Monday morning I meet up with Mark and after the normal pleasantries we launch straight into the Twinset Fundamentals. This was a very enlightening session where it became clear that some of my equipment choices could be improved upon (more of that later) and also my dSMB deployment technique was less than optimal too, in that it would not work in all circumstances.

Dive 1, billed as the "Check out dive". Oh yeah??!! This is not like an ordinary checkout dive I had done before and with an unfamiliar kit config I found myself annoyingly underperforming. It was not too bad till I needed to do the shutdown drill (I should add this was about 2 minutes into the dive). Let's just say the drill did not go well...I am going to blame the equipment of course! To some extent true!! (I could reach the valves ok but was having real difficulty turning them....but finding it impossible to re-open them once they were shut). This had the affect of disrupting my dive and altho' I handled the surprises that Mark had in store, it was a dive where I just did not settle.....and the second shutdown attempt was as bad as the first and in all the "fun" I neglected to monitor all the dive parameters correctly .

At dSMB deploy time I discovered I had less kit than I thought I had started with and took a wee bit too long to invoke the backup.

After the dive and feeling a little deflated, Mark ran through a thorough debrief helpfully reliving all the things that had not gone well and pointing out some areas to work on.

Dive 2, started off just as badly, with problems with the shutdown again, helping me throw in another sub optimal performance. The other drills and skills went ok and, altho I had not previously handled stage tanks, I found the clipping and unclipping underwater was not so bad as I had expected ....and certainly a hole bunch easier than on the surface.

After the dive and feeling quite deflated, Mark recognised where previously learnings were being incorporated then ran through a thorough debrief helpfully reliving all the things that had not gone well and pointing out further areas to work on.

(mmmmm am I spotting a theme here?)

That evening we went through the theory which was very informative and interesting. I especially enjoyed the review of the dive software.


Day 2


Dive 3, A deeper dive full of trickery from Mr Powell! We did a few skills and procedures which went ok before the main Oh Sh*t moment which was when, during another pathetic shutdown drill, the need to actually perform a real shutdown occurred. It took longer than I would have liked for me to realise what was happening but knew I need to do a real shutdown. “Oh Sh*t!!” thought I cos I can't do that. "Well aren't you gonna help then Mark...you know I am unable to do this?" ++ Mmmm clearly not. Sh****t this is real. From somewhere, some Herculean strength
descended upon me and I managed to shutdown the offending post. I don't know how long it actually took, it seemed to drag a bit and in reality took quite a while and I had lost a lot of gas. The dive was called and we did the planned stops which enabled me to regain some thoughts and reflect a little.

After the dive and feeling very deflated Mark ran through a thorough debrief helpfully reliving all the things that had not gone well Yep there is a pattern here. Though he did point out things that had gone well and other learnings too.

A review of my twinset valves at the surface help me conclude I needed to do something different. It was not possible, even at the surface, to turn the valves easily and "cracking" them was very stiff.

Dive 4, Another of Mr. Powell's "skills" dives. I did manage to perform a shutdown but unbelievably slowly. Much more stage handling and all the nasty things I had heard about. More reel use and the opportunity to demonstrate an improved dSMB reeling technique and the need to change to the “longer” plan.

I felt slightly less deflated after this dive....I had at least managed the shutdown....however poorly....but knew I was below standard on that aspect. A new approach was needed tomorrow if I was going to be successful. Mark also ran through a thorough debrief helpfully reliving all the things that had not gone well and, as with all the other debrief, giving hints and tips on how to improve things.

That evening I returned to site for the decompression theory session. Met a couple of guys outside the pub and exchanged some pleasantries. One of them asked me what I was doing and I explained. I asked whether he had done the course himself and he
said "Yeah, once or twice". Odd response, I thought. Later in the conversation it turns out they are fellow “YDers” a certain Frank from e-Aquanauts and Andy from Abyss.....Doh!

The Decompression Theory session was again hugely interesting and informative. During the discussion I had several of those kerclunk moments when a number of things fell into place.


Day 3


The new approach I decided on, was in fact, a new twinset with the sort of valves that even the weakest of the weak would have no trouble operating and the addition of some rubber coated tactile handwheels meant that even weaker people could manage to turn them on easily.

We looped back and did a bit more about Twinset fundamentals and the affects of adding weight and buoyancy and went in shallow for a checkout dive.

Dive 5, Altho a little top heavy it was not too outrageous so straight into the shutdown drill. Shutdown drill went like a dream....(Cue music from Blur .... WooHoo!!!) More shutdown and other skills during the dive and more surprises, and the more surprises whilst dealing with the first set of surprises. More Deco Stops. Greater precision over the gas swap and holding stops which is one of the areas I had been working on.

Felt a lot better after this dive, though the debrief again pointed out a few areas to concentrate on as well as reflecting on the things which were going better....especially the shutdown drill.

During the surface interval, I did a little bit more adjustment to the twins to help the trim.

Dive 6, This went much better and in the debrief Mark confirmed I had “reached the necessary standard” so, assuming the exams were ok then I had passed (Cue that Blur Music again....Woohoo!) He also gave me some valuable advice on how to consolidate and expand upon what I had learned over the passed three days.

After another lunch and the nth cup of Hot Chocolate we went in for final pleasure dive so Mark could test out a scooter. Whilst Mark buzzed round me, I found that I had been given back my diving composure and buoyancy control!!!

On reflection....

I had thought I would not have some much trouble with some of the skills/drills because I had been practicing what I could. Having the valves serviced just before the course though, may have been a mistake because I had not been able to check I could still operate them correctly in a real diving situation. A major learning for me is to plan to dive in the kit with which I am familiar and not have anyone touch it before any future courses. Having said that, if it had not been problems with the shutdowns, then it would have been something else I am sure .... It's that type of course.

At the risk of this becoming an advert for Mark, I am very happy with the choice I made over instructor and course content. His knowledge and manner, combined with frank and honest feedback, made this a valuable learning experience which helped me set some new, more achievable short-term diving objectives for myself.

I would recommend this form of training to anyone who wants to go a little further!

Mal

PS wrt to ++ above.....the situation was not as bad as I painted it in reality, I am sure....there was a lot of usable gas in the vicinity. It was written from my somewhat "concerned" perspective!!

[Garf]

Nice Report. I did the course with Mark last year. Well worth the money, tis a real opener eh

[Conor]

I am going to have to get myself on one of these this year, thanks for the info

[Bogwoppit]

Excellent post have some green:-)

As Mal said for people who want to take the next step these type of courses are a must. They are probably the frst time a lot of divers are put under any real stress and go through a huge learning curve. If you are open to whats said you will always come away a better diver.

Congratulations..

[MATTBIN]

Nice report Mal.
Nice course Mark.

Well done to both of you for no panics and sticking with it.

Matt

[Lou]

*sniff*

Well done....

Not jealous at all. Honest. I've much preferred being at work all week.

Sounds like a great time, if somewhat flattening at first. Once I have the all clear we will be phing Mark and setting a new date (with enough time for me to get back in and re-practise the stuff I was practising at Stoney *that day*, first!!

Anyhooo, congrats on the pass. We shall see you about, no doubt.

Lou

[ahar]

He really can be a bugger sometimes, can't he

[JAG]

Nice report Mal. I don't know if I'm really looking forward to my course in June or really dreading it..