M2 Advice

[Lou]

Originally Posted by benwild

. At what depth would you consider an redundent air supply an requierment where I trained it was never a consideration for a recreational dive?

Simon gave you a good answer to that above - at what depth would you want to do a CESA from? It is never good to loose your buddy, really, but it does happen and poor viz (especially sudden poor viz from silt being kicked up) contributes heavily.

[Gary K]

Originally Posted by benwild

At what depth would you consider an redundent air supply an requierment ?

anything into double figures

[turbanator]

Originally Posted by benwild

Cheers for the advice it has been noted, looks like I have some shoping to do hopefully, I will be able to hire a pony which will save some cash. Things here are diffrent but I surrpose the diving is more demanding. At what depth would you consider an redundent air supply an requierment where I trained it was never a consideration for a recreational dive?

How far can you swim, holding your breath, having just exhaled ?

[benwild]

I have done many dives 50+ in the 20 meter range but they have all been in warmer climes in a wet suit. Do you think that would prepare me or would you still like to see some UK experiance at that depth?

Cheers
Ben

[sch]

Originally Posted by benwild

Cheers for the advice it has been noted, looks like I have some shoping to do hopefully, I will be able to hire a pony which will save some cash. Things here are diffrent but I surrpose the diving is more demanding. At what depth would you consider an redundent air supply an requierment where I trained it was never a consideration for a recreational dive?

As I said above - what's the maximum depth you'd be happy doing a CESA from? I'd take that as a pretty good guideline for what depth you'd need a pony from


Simon

[sch]

Originally Posted by benwild

I have done many dives 50+ in the 20 meter range but they have all been in warmer climes in a wet suit. Do you think that would prepare me or would you still like to see some UK experiance at that depth?

Cheers
Ben

I'd have to say that I'd suggest some UK experience in the 20 meter range before trying the M2. There's quite a bit of stuff around Portland/Weymouth in the 20m range before you rush out and do the M2.

The Black Hawk's a nice dive in about 16-20m, the Aeolian Skye starts at about 18m and you can have a cracking dive there without getting below 30. Out of Swanage, there's the Kyarra.

Simon

[benwild]

I would not fancy it from much below 10m! Why do you think that this logic is not applied else where in the world I cant imagin that the logic behind this thinking is altered that much by the water temp and vis?

[turbanator]

Originally Posted by benwild

I have done many dives 50+ in the 20 meter range but they have all been in warmer climes in a wet suit. Do you think that would prepare me or would you still like to see some UK experiance at that depth?

Cheers
Ben

Absolutely, but try to progress a step at a time.
A (suitable) wet suit is fine in the UK this time of year.
You say that you have 50+ 20m dives, but how many deeper ones do you have.
IIRC the M2 is in 35M although she stands quite proud.
LEt's assume, because I don't know you that you have 50+ 20m dives with no other deeper experience.

This dive will almost certainly be a bit colder.
It will be deeper therefore you will be more narked, your air will go faster due to depth and probably increases stress levels as you are in unfamiliar surroundings.
You may be wearing gloves and a hood.
You may strau past your no stop time.
Vis may be such that you lose you buddy.

_If_ you have only dived to 20m in warm. clear water, then I think that it's too much to change in 1 dive.

r
Paul

[frosty the snowman]

A redundant gas supply is rarely a bad idea at any depth. I'd feel safer with a pony Into double figures but have dived much deeper without. If you can take one do. Then enjoy the luxury of lightweight single cylinder shallow bimbles occasionally!

[sch]

Ben, as you say it is the same regardless of vis & water temp.

In fact, I'd say that getting into a situation where a pony would be needed is even easier in good vis than some of the conditions you'll get in the UK. When you can only see 2 or 3m there's a tendency to stick a bit closer to your buddy. When the vis is 20m or so, its very easy to seperate a bit - its all very good being able to see your buddy 20m away but do you want to swim that distance on one breath if something happens to your tank or you manage to drain the tank?

Its much the same thing with DSMB's - until recently it was pretty unusual to find them being used overseas (IMHO), but the same reasoning applies to their use overseas as in the UK. They give you a nice easy reference during ascents/safety stops and also allow boat skippers to see where you are.

Cheers,
Simon