Happy New Year from Big Blue Tech
Looking back on 2009 Big Blue Tech remembers the people that came to our little island in Thailand and left such a profound impact on us we couldn’t forget them.
Big Blue Tech was very active in 2009 and helped shape the growth of technical diving in the region. It seemed wherever we went many would follow which exposed technical diving to more divers than ever before a success seen clearly by the creation of technical diving sections in many other recreational diving schools on the Island further solidifying Koh Tao as a major diving destination in the world.
This year Big Blue Tech issued over 200 technical, rebreather and cave diving certifications. We became a TDI and BSAC Technical Diving Facility and began teaching technical diving instructor courses to our interns.
But we couldn’t of done all this without our customers, staff, divers and friends who helped us along the way. We need to thank specifically Cory Lewis, Oskar Sjöström, Christos Kardana, Tim Klein, Andy Holdaway, Darran Jones and Matt Rolph for their support.
We also remember those of the technical diving community who are not with us anymore. This year had too many technical diving accidents around the world and with that our hearts go out to the families of these divers who are without their loved ones this holiday season.
Looking forward to 2010 Big Blue Tech is expanding and growing at the same rate for the past 3 years. We finally broke ground on the expansion giving us twice more space for our staff and equipment to work. We will also be offering TDI, SSI and BSAC technical diving instructor courses issuing the most respected certifications in the technical diving community, this is a result of our staff becoming instructor trainers for each certification agency.
Additionally in 2010 Big Blue Tech will be taking on another senior instructor to accommodate our expansion and hoping to have a third new instructor to help with our peak season in May. We got a bigger compressor for all our cave and cavern diving in Khao Sok because the Bauer Junior just isn’t big enough. And finally we’ll have our continuous flow trimix system working hopefully by the end of January.
Unfortunately we say goodbye to Guillaume Fargues who leaves Big Blue after 6 years as an instructor to join a different dive school in his goal to become a PADI Course Director. We wish him all the luck in the world and would like to remind him it’s only a 5 minute walk to come see his friends so no excuses!
So happy New Year, save diving and we hope to see everyone again in 2010!
Technical Diving Video in Thailand
Big Blue Tech have released a short video of our most recent technical diving course filmed by James Waller on Chumphon Pinnacle with Bull Sharks.
The video shows the graduation of the TDI Decompression Procedures course which was completed in December 2009. That story can be found here: “All I want for Chriistmas is TECH” During this course, underwater videographer James Waller joined us during his holiday break from working and filming in Wakatobi.
The video, filmed in High Definition (HD) shows the abundance of the marine life at Chumphon pinnacle with schools of barracuda’s and different types and sizes of sharks. James Waller being an experienced videographer and a SDI Solo Diver was able to leave the disturbance of other divers to focus on the film work on his own with a redundant breathing system or “pony”.
This is the first in a series of videos which will show more technical diving and sharks as the footage is gathered.
All I want for Christmas is TECH
Big Blue Tech – Technical Diving Thailand – Celebrates the graduation of Ash Dunn, Mark Slinn and Andy Cavell from their TDI Decompression Procedures Course conducted over the past few days off the coast of Thailand on and island called Koh Tao
The TDI Decompression Procedures course is best described by the TDI/SDI website as:
This course began before the christmas break with some new skills to help train the students to a level appropriate for entering the next step. The students will start their next course, TDI Extended Range, on our Similans Islands Liveaboard in the new year.
The highlight of the course was the abundant marine life on every dive. With large 2 meter Bull and Gray Reef Sharks around us during all our dives the excitement of diving was forced back into every sense we had. The sharks at Chumphon Pinnacle Dive Site seem to disapear during some months and then come back in large numbers without warning. Sharks can be seen hunting and stalking prey but always keeping a safe distance from divers. This safety is kept in part from the prevention of shark feeding so no shark has associated food with a diver.
All of the students excelled at their skills and conduct in the water and received their certification after completing a written examination.
Below are some pictures from this event. The next open space for this course is in March 2010
Dive Rite Wing Recall
This is the third product recall this year from technical diving manufacturers. Already Halycon and OMS have voluntarily recalled their products throwing the entire technical diving equipment manufacturing industry in question.
In cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Dive Rite is issuing a voluntary recall on various Dive Rite Wings.
The Over Pressurization Valve (OPV) springs found on Dive Rite wings manufactured between June 2006 and October 2008 may rust and fail allowing the buoyancy compensator devices to leak. The wings may be red, blue or black in color and have serial numbers falling between 42000 and 72000. The following models are affected by this recall: Travel, Venture, Rec, Trek, Classic, Nomad and Super Wings It does not affect EXP or 360-branded wings. The recall does not affect lift bags, surface marker tubes or other Dive Rite inflatable devices.
Due to the serious implications of an OPV spring failure, consumers should stop using the recalled diving equipment and have the OPV spring immediately replaced by a Dive Rite authorized dealer or distributor.
Merry Christmas from Thailand
Big Blue Tech will be closed from December 24th – 26th celebrating the christmas holiday.
To all our fans, customers staff and their families; happy holidays and safe diving.
Merry Christmas to Big Blue!
Today Big Blue got the best christmas present any dive could hope for; the return of our flagship vessel the Mv Banzai. The Mv Banza has spent the last month on the mainland of Thailand getting engine work and a paint job. The boats here take quite a beating over a diving season and go away for repairs every November.
The plan was to get our boat back next year but she arrived this afternoon. A loud cheer could be heard on sighting it steaming towards koh tao on the horizon of the sea.
With the return on Mv Banzai brings our Koh Tao fleet to 4 boats which means it’s now time for Sail Rock full day trips in the new year!
Merry Christmas everyone!
BSAC Skill Development Course (SDC) in Thailand
Big Blue Tech and BSAC Thailand completed Skill Development Courses for Ash Dunn and Mark Slinn during a workshop in Koh Tao on the 23rd of December to ehnace their abilities as scuba diving instructors.
A SDC is a course that teached instructors the ability to deliver different or signature courses. For example, a nitrox course could be considered a SDC because it delivers a specific skill set rather then enhancing day to day diver skills.
BSAC Thailand took Mark and Ash through the BSAC Oxygen Administrator Instructor and BSAC Compressor Operator Instructor SDC during the day long workshop. During this time the students had to demonstrate their overall knowledge and ability in both disciplines to the instructor examiner.
After a written and practical exam they were issued their certification cards and received authority to begin teaching the courses.
Andy Cavell, our other intern, missed this event because he was teaching a PADI Deep and Nitrox Specialty Course. He will complete this workshop on the 29th of December.
The rest of the SDC will be earned in February with titles such as Gas Blender Instructor, Mixed Gas Diver Instructor and various other accompanying disciplines like service technician skills.
For more information or to attend our next cross-over, sdc workshop or instructor course please contact us or www.bsacthailand.com
Pelagian CCR Course with Mark Elyatt
The PADI/DSAT Tec Rec blog reports the graduation of PADI Course Director and DSAT Tec Instructor Trainer Rod Abbotson who completed his TDI (technical diving International) CCR Instructor course for the Pelagian DCCCR.
The blog reports that Mark Elyatt, who held the world record deepest dive to 313m, visited Jordan this month to train Rob to be an instructor on the Pelagian Rebreather. The Pelagian Rebreather is manufactured in Koh Samui, Thailand by Big Blue Tech Samui former Manager Andy Fritz who is owner of Rebreather Lab.
TDI – Technical Diving International is the leading certification agency for all things relating to technical diving, rebreather diving and related courses like scuba technician certifications. Currently DSAT/PADI have only Semi-Closed rebreather courses in their technical curriculum but rumors swirling in the community indicate a change to introduce a course based on the Poseidon Discovery rebreather in 2010.
More on this event can be found on the Tec Rec Blog and on the Dive Aqaba Website
Michal piskula appointed to the tdi/sdi/erdi training advisory panel
International Training is pleased to announce the appointment of Michal Piskula as a member of the Training Advisory Panel. A well respected, veteran TDI/SDI/ERDI Instructor-Trainer with vast experience in all aspects of SCUBA diving, Michal operates the Eastern Europe Regional Office of our organization in addition to running his own successful diving school.
He was instrumental in establishing TDI and SDI programs in the region and recently certified the Czech Police Diving Team under ERDI standards, helping grow the increasingly popular range of public safety diving programs internationally.
His contributions to reviewing training standards and materials are noteworthy and he has provided invaluable input to the development of new programs, including the professional rating of IT Staff Instructor, which was successfully trialed in the Czech Republic under Michal’s expert guidance prior to general release.
An extremely skilled wreck and cave diver who is also a renowned underwater photographer (see photo below), Michal brings a wealth of diving knowledge to the Training Advisory Panel. Welcome, Michal!
The Training Advisory Panel (TAP) is charged with the responsibility of helping to develop, maintain, and enforce the training standards and educational materials used by divers and instructors teaching for and recieving training through, SDI, TDI and ERDI. The members of TAP are dive industry professional who have widely recognized experience as divers, dive educators, explorers, authors and photographers.
BSAC Cross-Over and Instructor Course in Thailand
Big Blue Tech has been hosting a BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) instructor and cross-over course for Ash Dunn, Mark Slinn and Andy Cavell who will be working towards their BSAC Open Water Instructor rating.
The course began with an orientation and moved through topics like academic presentations, confined water presentations and open water presentations. BSAC instructor courses are more streamlined focusing on simply the instructors ability to teach diving and doesn’t put emphasis on ability to sell which is a large portion of other instructor courses.
After 2 days Andy Cavell graduated as he is already an experienced instructor (PADI IDC Staff Instructor). After graduating Andy has to wait for the other two lads to finish before more technical training can continue so he picked up some teaching work by conducting a Deep and Nitrox Specialty starting tomorrow.
Ash and Mark continued through the program delivering more presentations and learning the BSAC way of teaching. This course is essential for their upcoming BSAC Instructor course which will be done in February and ther Compressor Operator Instructor course on the 23rd.
The course was conducted by Les Skelton who is BSAC Thailand director and Instructor Trainer.
Congratulations to all those involved and good luck teaching tomorrow Andy!
German WW2 wreck discovered off Fujairah
The Gulf of Oman’s pithy-black deeps have finally surrendered secrets of the mystery sinking of Nazi submarine U-533 during the Second World War.
Several years after the discovery of the U-boat on the seabed 108 metres below by Dubai shipwreck hunter and diver William Leeman, a new deep-sea mission in October to the U-boat’s final resting place has confirmed a fatal blast hole was ripped into her rear port side, dooming the twin-screwed 76.8-metre-long vessel and 52 crew members to a watery grave.
Capitalizing on clear waters and armed with electric underwater scooters and high-powered spotlights, Leeman and his team of recreational divers discovered the two-metre gash near her propellers, confirming reports by RAF (Royal Air Force) Squadron 244 that a British light bomber aircraft had scored a direct strike on the submarine on October 16, 1943.
Shearwater Research Pursuit technical computer
It is available in five configurations to suit your diving from the basic air/nitrox scuba version to the fully loaded nitrox, trimix and heliox open and closed circuit model with external active one and three cell ports. Each configuration is fully upgradeable to any other via a personal code, so you can upgrade as your diving progresses.
It uses a Buhlmann algorithm to calculate its decompression obligation, but you can adjust the algorithm across a variety of settings if you want to dive more conservatively than the default. Interestingly, if you miss a stop it doesn’t lock but carries on in a ‘best guess’ mode – especially useful when incidents occur. For calibration at the surface in closed-circuit mode there is a user-selectable oxygen percentage although most divers will probably choose to use pure oxygen. As with the majority of computers on the market it is automatically switched on by depth and/or pressure, and features an automatic, ambient light-sensing LCD for back-light illumination.
It is configurable for either automatic or manual set point changeovers with both set point and sensors being displayed while in the menus. The decompression algorithm uses the current PPO2 (partial pressure of oxygen) as a FiO2 (fraction of inspired oxygen) and will thus on-the-fly predict TTS (time to surface) and length of stop time.
Gases can be switched during a dive and there is a preset selection of gases that can be inputed – like setting favourite stations on a radio. As well as the obvious basic diving information, other useful displays include, ascent rate, milli-voltage readouts for all cells on demand, battery voltage, low battery warning and CNS tracking. The battery can be changed by the user and has a life expectancy of 360 hours.
Getting to grips with the Pursuit is straightforward. Disappointingly it only uses two buttons so there is a certain amount scrolling to be done. An open circuit comparison of the Pursuit’s algorithm in both air and nitrox mode over several dives showed that it was less conservative than the algorithms of both Suunto Vytec (set at one minute deep stop) and the VR3 by up to several minutes on longer and deeper dives – all computers were at factory default settings.
We tested the Pursuit on an open circuit dive using a 17/30 back gas, with 30 per cent travel and 80 per cent deco mixes to a dive to 64m for a bottom time of 20 minutes and found it cleared nine minutes before the Suunto Hel02.
John Adams commented, ‘I used the Pursuit and set it up to match the settings on my Vision electronics. It was used as a standalone computer (not plugged into any other cells) and in CCR mode. The Inspiration was set up with a diluent of 10/53 and gradient factors of 15/85. The gases in the bailout cylinders were 18/45 and 65 per cent nitrox. Setting up the Pursuit, once the correct system of tapping the contacts had been established, seemed logical and easy. I found it much easier to program than the VR3 and managed to do it without consulting the manual. This is an important point as I believe many UK divers would do the same. With the same gradient settings, I found the deco information matched fairly closely to that of the Vision and it was very easy and clear to read. Although I do personally prefer the slowly rising ceiling of the Vision, I wish their display had the lighting features and print size of the Pursuit. As I get older and my reading prescription changes – there must come a point where it is cheaper to buy the Pursuit than keep buying new prescription masks.’
For CCR users, Narked at 90 also provides various cell kits that can be directly linked to the Pursuit. One unit that may be of particular interest in the UK is the three-cell monitoring back-up kit (£267.06) that is specifically designed for the APD (Ambient Pressure Diving) Classic Inspiration and features what Narked at 90 claim to be the only detachable cell holder in the world. As a good demonstration of how closely the Pursuit matches the APD calculations see the picture of it in action (left). The photograph was taken during a dive where the maximum depth was 51.9m with just under an hour on the wreck. The Pursuit shows 10 minutes TTS and the Vision shows 12 minutes, which is pretty close after 90 minutes of elapsed dive time.
The Pursuit has user updateable firmware via an infrared interface and free software updates are provided for life. At well over the wrong side of a grand the Pursuit is not cheap but on par with other similar featured computers in the market.
Sailing and diving around Thailand
Today Big Blue Tech checked out a new boat that might be part of the Big Blue Diving fleet, bringing our fleet to 7 boats.
The M/V Itsaramai is a sailing boat designed for scuba diving that can accommodate 12 people in their cabins. The vessel has global range providing us the chance to explore long range locations including wrecks and caves.
It’s a real pirates of the Caribbean feeling and you get the immediate essence you are one with the sea even though we only experienced the boat anchored in front of our resort.
One of our new year goals is an exploration to a destination that is littered with caves and caverns but very little exposure. While we can’t speak about this new destination just yet we can offer up Intro to cave and full cave courses for people to join.
Big Blue plans to use the vessel for sailing tours and custom diving trips and occasionally letting us take it hundreds of miles out to sea for weeks on end.
Contact us if you want more information.
Event – Cavern Diver Course Expedition Khao Sok
Big Blue Tech will be conducting a 4 day Cavern Course in Khao Sok National Park. The following dates are available.
December 18th – 23th ( 4 spaces )
This trip includes the option of up to 10 dives.
This trip will be open to divers from around Thailand.
Pre-Requisites: Must be minimum Advanced with 20 dives ( Redundant Breathing System Provided)
Conduct: The course will be done on site in the national park over a 4 day period of 10 dives with academic plus dry land skills. Certification as a Cavern Diver will be received after completing 4 dives and a final exam with 6 experience dives to follow.
Included:
- Ferry to and from Mainland Thailand (if required)
- Transport to and around Khao Sok
- 4 nights accommodation in a 4 star resort inside the the National Park
- Manual and Certification
- All gas and cylinder fills
- All equipment (Reels, Torches, Dive Gear)
- All food and drinks (non alcoholic)
- Park Entry Fee
- Boat Fees
- 4 Training Dives
- 2 “fun” Experience Dives
Not Included: Beer
Tekkies: Technical gear is available for those certified, included in the course price.
Certified Cavern Divers:
For those certified we will be running exploration trips in conjunction with this course, this will allow certified divers to use the boat and compressor to conduct 4 days of diving
Gas:
Nitrox, Trimix and boosted oxygen available on site, on request.
Prices: 19,800 Baht
Recall from OMS Technical Diving Gear
Ocean Management Systems Inc. (OMS) ANNOUNCES Safety Replacement OF BCS SEAL RING
Ocean Management Systems, Inc. (OMS) has notified the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), that OMS is voluntarily recalling approximately 19,790 Sealing Rings BCA-500. Molding variations in this part as used in the OMS Buoyancy Control System (BCS) could cause cracking or breakage of part, resulting in rapid loss of buoyancy, creating a potential drowning hazard. While this variation is not present in every Seal Ring (Item # BCA 500) It would be difficult to determine in the field which Seal Rings are suspect. Therefore we are requiring that all Seal Rings be updated with new assemblies. All NEW seal rings are equipped with reinforcement at critical areas.
There are a total of 19,790 BCS Seal Rings (Item # BCA 500) installed in 5730 BCS in use and from May 11, 2006 there have been reported of 19 failures. These failures were discovered during inspection, with no reports of injuries or death.
OMS BCSs were sold through Authorized OMS Dealers and Distributors with an MSRP of approximately $700.00.
How to read your date code: Date Code: 0805XXXX: 08= 2008 (year manufactured) 05=May (month manufactured) Last 4 numbers are used to identify that particular BC, ex. 05080001, 05080002 etc
WHAT TO DO:
What should I do to get my BCS Seal Ring Replaced?
CONSUMERS
Consumers should first look at the Warning label on their BCS. If the serial number on the BCS is listed in the recall list ABOVE then:
1. Stop using your BCS
2. Contact your local OMS dealer or distributor for a no charge repair
3. How do I find a nearby dealer?
4. If you are a USA or Canadian customer access the OMS website ( http://omsdive.com/dealerb.html) and input your zip code or if in Canada input your Province for the nearest dealer.
5. If you are an international customer input your country for the nearest distributor.
6. If you are unable to access the OMS website: you can call 845 692 3600, send a fax to 845 692 3623, or email OMS at recall@omsdive.com for dealer or distributor information.
Technical decompression diving in Thailand
Big Blue Tech completed a TDI Advanced Nitrox Course yesterday with the combined afternoon of skills which embodied both TDI Decompression Procedures and TDI Advanced Nitrox.
With the flexible curriculum offered by TDI it was possible for the training team to introduce interesting and valid skills which are appropriate for the diving ahead.
The students on the course were Mark Slinn, Andy Cavell and Ash Dunn who are all working towards a future as a technical diving instructor.
One of the signature skill introduced involves using a 3m marked line on the sea bed and having the divers wearing full technical diving gear start at the 1m mark and start fining, during fining the diver must remove one decompression cylinder without loosing control, upon reaching the end of the line the diver stops and begins backwards kicking, collecting his decompression cylinder while kicking backwards and returning to the start where the diver turns 180 degrees and moves away. The goal is to not use your hands and focus on perfect trim and balance while performing these skills.
Backwards finning can be quite difficult initially, to help this process we provide Jet Fins to our students as part of the equipment they will be using during the course to enhance the ease of learning. Here is a video to help illustrate the skill:
Additional to these skills was task loading with 8 cylinders removing and replacing each one while maintaining buoyancy. The training team felt the students really excelled and didn’t see them disturb the bottom, without being told to, during both 50 minute dives.
This would be the last dive until the after christmas as the students progress on to their Gas Blender and BSAC Instructor course.
Diving for Treasure in Thailand
As well as enabling professionals to carefully excavate shipwreck sites and recover historic artefacts for the edification of generations to come, Unesco schemes to safeguard Thailand’s submarine cultural heritage will also benefit tourist activities such as scuba-diving, points out Bobby Orillaneda, an academic working for the Underwater Archaeology Section at the National Museum of the Philippines.
Orillaneda and a handful of other researchers participated in the first ever foundation course on underwater cultural heritage organized in Rayong province recently by Unesco’s Asia-Pacific Regional Field Training Centre.
“Recreational divers can unintentionally damage or destroy vital evidence, so it’s important for us archaeologists to get to these sites first. After we sift through the findings we can educate divers on how to conduct themselves in these spots and this, I believe, can make the experience a lot more enjoyable for them,” noted Orillaneda, who’s been here on three previous occasions for similar practical training sessions.
“I’ve been participating in these schemes for 10 years now and this particular Unesco-led course has helped me to brush up on basic methodology procedures and on the latest technology used during excavations.”
Orillaneda first flew in for a training session in Chanthaburi six years ago, later visiting Chon Buri to help excavate a shipwreck site. He says he knows of at least five such sites in the Kingdom’s territorial waters which date back to the 15th century.
What does Thailand have going for it in terms of underwater archaeology?
You Thais are very lucky in the sense that you have the financial and manpower resources to do research on your own. The Philippines has yet to reach that level; we just don’t have the funds to do it. I don’t believe that Southeast Asia has any other established maritime archaeology center except for the one in Thailand.
To what use will you put the knowledge you have gained from training sessions here?
Honestly, all we can do at the moment is give feedback to our superiors and hope for the best. If the National Museum [of the Philippines] has the money to fund research, I’m sure that we can put the data we’ve accumulated to good use. I strongly believe in the importance of working together with other Southeast Asian countries in research and in sharing information. These types of academic collaborations also improve networking, which eventually benefits us in updating our knowledge. I’d also like to evaluate more critically the Unesco Convention and [determine] if it is applicable to the Philippines.
What can be done to prevent our underwater cultural heritage from being destroyed by unscrupulous people out to make a fast buck?
It’s important to establish a more solid legal framework. If you see someone looting or treasure-hunting you can immediately use this legal framework as your back-up. Despite the existence of penalties for such offences, however, people will often go ahead and break [the laws]. This is why I feel that an awareness programme should be put in place to educate the general public on the importance of preserving the cultural heritage found in our seas.
With the exception of the well-traveled and well-educated in our society, the average person has no interest in going to museums and doesn’t give a hoot about culturally significant artifacts. Cultural appreciation can only come about when we’re able to reach people from all walks of life. In my country we organize information-dissemination activities to make the public aware of our work, but since we have to target settlements on over 7,000 islands and we suffer from a serious lack of manpower we aren’t able to reach everyone.
Most of our shipwrecks are found by fishermen and because they need to earn a living these people would prefer to financially benefit from such finds rather than report them to our museum. Giving them monetary rewards would be a step in the right direction.
Tell our readers about a few of the more memorable experiences you’ve had while working as an underwater archaeologist.
One that immediately comes to mind was the sunken city of Alexandria, in Egypt. It was such a fantastic experience to visit this ancient city which lies completely underwater only a few meters from the shore.
Sattahip [where the foundation course was held] was the first place I went for recreational diving. That was very memorable in the sense that I ended up rescuing someone that day!
Another reef project for Phuket
Local divers will welcome the news that three old ships are scheduled to be sunk off Racha Yai Island to create a new artificial reef. The project, organized by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMRC) regional office in Phuket and a host of other local government agencies, is scheduled to start next month.The initiative enjoys private sector support from local dive shop operators.
So far their combined efforts have raised 400,000 of the 600,000 baht needed for the operation. It is hoped the project will alleviate stress on natural coral reefs in the area. Approximately 15 tour operators ferry over 200 divers daily to sites off Koh Racha Yai during the high season according to the DMRC.
Two iron-hulled ships, 18 and 28 meters long, were donated for the project. The larger of the two was donated by the Thai Hotels Association. The third ship, made of wood, was donated by the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Association.The project also enjoys financial support from The Racha hotel.
Paitoon Panchaiyapum, director of the DMRC office in Phuket, told the Gazette that the project has been four years in the making. Unfortunately, unless an additional 200,000 baht can be raised soon it is unlikely all three vessels will be sunk by November, he said. Mr Paitoon said he expects more than 5000 divers a year to visit the new artificial reefs, generating an estimated 10 million baht annually for the Phuket dive industry.
This latest project is the fourth artificial reef put in place around Koh Racha Yai by the DMCR. The office is also awaiting 22 million baht in government funding to greatly expand an existing artificial reef in the area, from an existing 300 concrete modules to 3000.
Advanced Nitrox Course with Sharks and Whales in Thailand
This morning Big Blue Tech, a technical scuba diving school, started a TDI Advanced Nitrox course on Koh Tao, Thailand. This course runs over 2 days and exposes divers to the use of nitrox to 40m and up to pure oxygen. Today the course was attended by Andy Cavell and Mark Slinn along with Ash Dunn and Emily Billingham.
The TDI Advanced Nitrox Course qualifies divers to use enriched air nitrox from EAN 21 through EAN 100 to a depth of 40 metres/130 feet during dives hat do not require staged decompression. Often taught in conjunction with the TDI Decompression Procedures course, this can be considered the foundation of your technical diving career. Advanced Nitrox is also a great course for those wanting to extend their bottom times in shallower depths such as scientific diver, and a must for SCR or CCR divers. The course cover topics like, Equipment requirement, Dive planning, Oxygen tracking, Blending methods.
You will use the TDI Advanced Nitrox Diving manual for your course, which explains in an easy to understand practical manner the complex information that Advanced Nitrox divers need to know.
The course began this morning with a dive to Chumphon Pinnacle, one of Koh Tao’s deep and best dive sites. Since the divers had experience in technical diving gear we were able to begin the dives deeper than normally. Emily had joined us to test out new equipment before joining the January expedition.
The divers had various skills to perform but we distracted by the appearence of over 20 sharks and a minke whale. Only the technical divers saw the minke whale underwater but everyone saw it on the surface as the whale cressed to show all everyone he was there.
After the two dives Andy said ” That was cracking like ” , “I’m well chuffed me”; for those that don’t speak northern english he said “What a wonderful dive i just had, i am very happy with the experience”.
The divers had drifted a considerable distance on their lift bags which attracted the large mamall who swap within touching disance of the divers. On the second dive of the morning the divers were again distracted by the swarms of bull sharks who were feeding on the abundant schools of fish. These sharks have never been interested in dives (knock on wood) and just circle around keeping a safe distance from the divers whom teh sharks are afraid of.
The divers performed really well despite all the action, unfortunately not all the same experiences can be shared by all. This week alone we have seen solo diving with shale sharks, simulated decompression with a whale and gas switching with sharks.
The course still requires an additional 2 dives which will be completed the following day.
Just a reminder, we accept new courses starting in February but spaces are filling quickly leading up till May.
TDI Intro to Tech completed in Thailand
Big Blue Tech completed a TDI Intro to Tech course today for Andy Cavell and Mark Slinn who began the first level in water skill development for their technical diver internship.
The TDI Intro to Tech course is the perfect course for divers who have heard about technical diving and want to find out more about this exciting branch of advanced recreational diving. This course walks students through the special techniques, planning procedures and skills that set technical diving apart from traditional sport diving. It will show them how to improve their dive planning methods, in-water skills and streamline their existing gear configuration, in a non-threatening and fun learning environment. The specific skills this course will highlight are: Advanced Buoyancy Control, Gas Management, Situational Awareness, Trim, Gear Configuration and Selection and Many More!
TDI’s Intro to Tech course is a useful stand-alone course for the diver who wants to become a more skilled, more proficient diver regardless of if he intends to move on to technical diving. The course may also be used as an introduction to the TDI Advanced Nitrox course and the TDI Decompression Procedures course. And finally, it is also a good refresher for certified technical divers who may want to refresh their skills or have them re-evaluated by a TDI technical instructor.
Although the students did not need this course to start their official technical diving series it was offered to them to have 4 additional training dives to enhance their overall skills and start with a solid foundation of buoyancy and trim before moving deeper through different challenges in the future.
The course was also completed with the assistance of Ash Dunn who is working towards his technical divemaster certification which requires assisting a variety of technical diving courses.
The students progress on to the TDI Advanced Nitros and TDI Decompression procedures this week along with TDI Gas Blender and TDI Advanced Gas Blender with the use of helium for trimix.
Divemaster Internship Completion in Thailand
On Friday December 11th Big Blue hosted a “Divemaster Challenge” celebrated the graduation of our most recent interns by creating a mock “pop idol” style event with games and events.
The graduates included Big Blue Tech’s Ash Dun who received his PADI Divemaster certification along with Yan and Karen who received her SSI DiveCon certification.
The theme behind the event was based on “pop idol” where the graduates have to compete for best dancer and singer while the judges decide what their prize or punishment should be.
Now that ash has officialy graduated (he received his actual divemaster rating over a month before) he can go on to better a brighter things.
These divemaster challenges replace the more common practice of “snorkel challenge” and are common around dive centers worldwide for various certification levels. Big Blue host divemaster challenges monthly.
Diving Fatalities Workshop, April 2010
Divers interested in learning more about the causes of dive fatalities and how to prevent them are encouraged to take advantage of a special offer and register now for the DAN® Diving Fatalities Workshop April 8-10, 2010.
Attendees who register and submit payment by Jan.15, 2010, will receive a discounted rate of $335. Registration will be offered as long as spots remain available, but the cost will go up to US$395 as of Jan. 16, 2010.
Hosted by the DAN Research department, the two-and-a-half day program will be held near the DAN headquarters in Durham, N.C., USA; the workshop will feature an international panel of experts discussing topics intended to offer insights to industry professionals.
Topics currently slated for discussion during the workshop include:
- factors most commonly associated with diving deaths in America, Europe, Germany, Britain and Australia
- cardiovascular fitness, evaluation and risk factors
- training and cardiovascular fitness
- the role of training in reducing diving fatalities
- on-scene investigation, equipment testing, medical examiner activities and legal issues in North America and Europe.
Registration includes access to all five workshops, lunch all three days and the social event on Friday night. Registration can be completed online or by calling DAN Research at +1 (919) 684-2948 x.260.
Israeli naval commando dies during 3-meter-deep training dive
Israel Navy commander Adm. Eliezer Marom has convened a panel to investigate how a soldier in the advanced stages of training as a naval commando drowned early yesterday in a routine three-meter training dive at Ashdod Port. Sgt. Gal Azoulay, 19, of Zichron Yaakov, was diving at the time with the rest of his team members after having finished sixteen months of training for the elite Shayetet 13 unit. The exercise was designed to simulate combat diving in an enemy port.
The exercise was performed in pairs and was supposed to last about two and a half hours. After about an hour and a half, Azoulay took the role of lead diver of a pair. When his partner realized that he was not responding to routine contact that the two were to maintain about every minute, he followed emergency procedures involving bringing his partner to the surface of the water and fired a flare gun to mark their location.
Within a short time, a boat arrived and began to administer medical treatment to Azoulay, who was unconscious. Resuscitation efforts continued in the ambulance on shore for some 40 minutes.
En route, a physician joined the team and treated Azoulay. The diver was pronounced dead before arriving at the hospital.
A senior navy source said the dive was a part of a series of routine training exercises and that initial findings indicated that there was nothing out of the ordinary in the exercises being performed at the time of the incident.
Commanders and medics were present as required and the divers were not exposed to unusual cold. There was also no indication during the training that Azoulay had any health problems.
The investigative panel appointed by Marom will attempt to determine the cause of Azoulay’s death, and will consider the possibility of a technical problem with his diving equipment, a health problem that had gone undiagnosed or human error. The investigation will also look into whether Azoulay’s training partner acted appropriately.
Marom has ordered a temporary halt to all diving training in the navy until Azoulay’s equipment is inspected.
Members of the unit undergo thorough medical testing before their enlistment as well as in the course of their training.
Before each exercise, they are questioned about the state of their health and before strenuous training, they undergo examination by a doctor.
Azoulay’s death was the first fatal training accident in the unit since 1995. Azoulay’s funeral will take place today in Zichron Yaakov. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
Thailand Premiere of “Lost and Found: Legacy of the USS Lagarto”
On December 12, 2009 the Screening Room on Koh Tao will host the Thailand premier of “Lost and Found-Legacy of the USS Lagarto” starting at 7:30. The screening room can be found across from Asia Divers resort in Sai Ree.
The documentary investigates the loss of the USS Lagarto, focusing on the submarine’s history and crew, events leading up to her sinking, and heart-felt memories and perspectives of family members.
USS Lagarto was one of 28 submarines built by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company during World War II. Lagarto was on her second war patrol when she sank just weeks before the end of the war with 86 seamen aboard. For 60 years, the sub was lost in the Pacific Ocean, her final resting place unknown.
Lagarto was finally found in 2005 by Mv Trident, sitting upright in 225 feet of water. To explore the first WWII sub ever found and capture underwater high-definition footage of Lagarto for a documentary, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum sponsored an expedition led by the History Channel’s “Deep Sea Detectives,” Richie Kohler and John Chatterton. This footage was also contributed with the help of Ace Marine Images.
With this history-making documentary, experience Kohler and Chatterton’s dive to explore the mystery behind Lagarto’s final battle. The documentary includes excerpts of unforgettable interviews with the crew’s surviving family members, as well as first-hand battle experiences recalled by submarine veterans. Learn what Lagarto’s discovery tells us about men of the sea during wartime and the families they left behind.
The film picked up the awards for the categories of Historical Documentary, Musical Composition/Arrangement and Writing in the Regional Emmy’s for Chicago, Midwest Region.
“We are delighted to announce that on Saturday night, 7 November 2009, the documentary, “Lost and Found”, about the submarine USS Lagarto was awarded three Emmys. It picked up up 5 nominations, including one for outstanding cinematography, and went home with 3 awards. We are proud to have been involved in such a spectacular and significant film and could not even have imagined that our underwater footage could have helped to bring about such acclaim.”
Here’s a trailer for the Emmy winning documentary – if you’re interested in getting hold of a copy visit http://www.wisconsinmaritime.org/uss-lagarto.html#dvd
