Category Archives: Technical Diving

Technical diving is scuba diving beyond the limits of recreational diving in terms of depth deeper and longer, breathing mixed gases and execute decompression diving. Overhead environment, CCR Rebreather diving, DPV… are part of technical diving.

RAZOR SIDE MOUNT

Dive gear, Side Mount, Technical DivingCave Diving, Cave Exploration, Deco Procedures, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, Razor Side Mount, side mount, sidemount cave diving, sidemount training, technical diving, Yucatan

RAZOR SYSTEMS

The Razor Side Mount System is a integrated system designed specifically for side mount diving. It can be used for both cold water diving

RAZOR SIDE MOUNT SYSTEM 2.5

Razor Harness 2.5
Redundant BAT Wing 2.5
T Weight System
Universal Spares Kit

Price: $692.00

RAZOR SIDE MOUNT SYSTEM 2.5 COMPLETE

BAasic Razor system 2.5
Spare Side Mount Bungee
2 Double enders for the Expandable Side Mount Pouch
Expandable Side Mount Pouch 2.5

Price: $859.00

STUDENT KIT

Expandable Pouch
2 double-endeers
Spare Bungee Kit

3 X RAZOR WEIGHT POCKET

Designed to be used with the Razor weight pocket base layer to place the weight pockets exactly where you need them

REDUNDANT BAT WING 2.5

Primary wing has a standard Power Inflator and Manual Dump valve
Backup wing has an oral inflator

RAZOR LIGHTS & ACCESSORIES

TOOLS

Playing with the Halocline

October 11, 2017Cave Diving, Technical DivingCave Diving, sidemount cave divingDeep Dark Diving

A cave dive playing in the halocline, meeting with remipedes

This cave is just amazing, dark with a very well defined halocline. Recommended to dive with Nitrox and with stage side mount or stage back mount configuration as it is fairly deep and you will want to stay as long as posible.

Halocline: from Greek hals, halo- ‘salt’ and klinein ‘to slope’

The halocline is the area within a body of water that marks a drastic change in salinity.

Haloclines are common in underwater caves near the ocean. The fresh water, less dense, forms a layer above the salt water from the ocean. For cave divers, it causes the optical illusion of air space in caverns. Passing through stirs up the layers and blurs the vision.

The halocline itself is responsible for the formation of the cave systems. The mixing of the saltwater and freshwater results in reactive brackish water that dissolves the limestone, eroding the rock and enlarging a cave’s passageways.

Because different water densities meet at the halocline and both organic and inorganic particulates accumulate there, it is chemically speaking an intriguing place.

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Guided dives

Cave Diving, Guided Dives, Side Mount, Technical DivingBull sharks diving, Cave Diving, Cavern Diving, Cenote Diving, Cenotes Tulum, Cozumel, Deep Diving Playa del Carmen, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, Mexico, ocean diving, reef diving, scuba diving, sidemount cave diving, technical diving, Yucatan

REEF DIVING

Guided Dives on the second largest reef in the world – Experience the thrill of diving with bull sharks – Day trips to cozumel from Playa del Carmen – Express trips to Cozumel.
We also offer technical ocean diving

CAVERN DIVING

Unique in the world: discover cavern diving in the Cenotes – Dive Cenotes near Tulum and near Playa del Carmen – Cenotes in Puerto Morelos for Advanced divers – Special private and personnalized trips to the Cenotes of Yucatan

CAVE & TEK DIVING

The best way to discover the amazing caves of Yucatan – We offer all level of cave diving from beginners to more advanced –
Stage cave diving – DPV Cave diving – CCR cave diving – Trimix CCR

Treat yourself with a tailor made diving holliday in the Cenotes, ask us and we make it happen!

Extended Range

Cave and Tech Diving course, Technical Diving

Some parts of the world offer spectacular dives at depths greater than 39 meters / 130 feet, but there is no access (or very limited access) to helium. The TDI Extended Range course teaches you the proper techniques to efficiently use compressed air as a bottom gas to a maximum depth of 55 meters / 180 feet. Extended Range training provides knowledge of equipment requirements as well as the dangers of deep diving requiring nitrox or oxygen decompression stops.

Dives not to miss!

Objectives

Spectacular dives deeper than 39 metres/130 feet
No access to helium
Learn the proper techniques for safely using compressed air as a breathing gas
Staged decompression (with nitrox or oxygen)
Maximum depth of 55 metres/180 feet

Course prerequisites

Minimum age 18
Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures Diver, or equivalent
Proof of a minimum of 100 logged dives, of which 25 must be deeper than 30 metres/100 feet

What you will learn during your extended range training

History of deep air diving
Physics
Physiology
Decompression Options (Air, Nitrox, Oxygen)
Equipment considerations
Dive planning
Technical dive support
Navigation

In water skills

Use START before every dive
Stress analysis and mitigation
Gas matching procedures
Demonstrate buoyancy control
Good awareness, communications, proximity and team oriented dive practices
Manage 2 stage cylinders,
Gas switches
Lift bag deployment
Air-sharing ascent
Contingency decompression schedule
Remove and replace mask, deploy back up mask
Tired diver tow
Breath-hold swim
Execute the planned dive
Switching and isolating a malfunctioning regulator,
Navigational techniques
Ascent with ascent reel and lift bag and perform staged decompression

What’s next

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Bienvenue

Cave and Tech Diving course, Cave Diving, Guided Dives, Technical DivingCave Diving, Cave Diving Training, Cenotes Tulum, Dive Course

Plongée dans le Yucatan, Mexique – Cours de plongée et Plongées guidées

Deep Dark Diving offre un service personnalisé pour vos plongées dans la Riviera Maya et le Yucatan au Mexique

Dévoués à la sécurité et à la conservation, nous sommes spécialisés dans la plongée Cenote et la plongée souterraine. Nous offrons des plongées guidées ainsi que des formations en plongée souterraine et plongée technique pour plongeurs débutants et confirmés.

Nous avons une passion pour la plongée, une passion pour les grottes, une passion pour la plongée souterraine que nous aimons partager avec vous afin de vous faire profiter au mieux de votre expérience de plongée sous-marine dans le Yucatan.

PLONGÉES GUIDÉES

COURS DE PLONGÉE SOUTERRAINE

INTRO TO CAVE DIVER

Voilà! C’est parti dans l’obscurité totale et vous pourrez réaliser des plongées simples au-dela de la zone de lumière naturelle

PLONGEUR SOUTERRAIN

Les réseaux souterrains peuvent être très complexes, surtout au Mexique. Vous pourrez maintenant combiner tout ce que vous avez appris avec des navigations complexes et plus encore

INTRO TO TEC & SIDE MOUNT

INTRO TO TECH

Bases de la plongée technique – Plannification – nouvelle configuration et meilleur hydrodynamisme – Améliorer flottabilité et techniques de palmage. Etablir une base solide.

SIDE MOUNT

Premiers pas en configuration Sidemount. Pour plongeurs tec souhaitant transposer leurs aptitudes à la configuration Sidemount. Ou pour débutants ayant choisi la configuration Sidemount.

RAZOR SIDE MOUNT

Un cours de Side Mount plus approfondi. Il couvre les bases necessaires à la plongée technique et la plongée souterraine et constitue une base solide. De plus votre harnais Razor vous suivra à tous les niveaux de plongée technique.

COURS DE PLONGÉE TECHNIQUE

NITROX

Premier pas vers l’utilisation de mélanges. Pour plongeur Nitrox certifié c’est l’occasion de revoir les bases théoriques, la physique et les lois fondamentales en profondeur avant d’aller plus loin.

ADVANCED NITROX

Physique et physiologie de la plongée aux mélanges contenant plus de 40 % d’oxygène. Rallonger votre temps de plongée sans entrer en décompression

DECO PROCEDURES

Plannifier et réaliser des plongées a décompression . Choix des gas et exécution de plan d’urgence.

ENCORE PLUS PROFOND

EXTENDED RANGE

Des plongées superbes à 55m/180ft mais pas d’helium disponible? Vous apprendrez comment plonger en sécurité en utilisant de l’air et des gaz de décompression.

TRIMIX

Rajoutez l’hélium à vos plongées. Allez plus profond, respirez mieux et réduisez la narcose. Ca rend vos plongées beaucoup sûres et offre de nombreuses possibilités jusqu’à 60m/200ft.

TRIMIX AVANCÉ

Félicitations! Vous avez atteint le plus haut niveau de plongée en circuit ouvert. Utilisez des mélanges avec moins de 17% O2 et à des profondeurs de 100m/330ft. Et faites partie de l’élite de la plongée.

Intro to Tech Diving

Cave and Tech Diving course, Dive training, Technical DivingDive Course, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, scuba diving, technical diving, Yucatan

Valve shutdown in backmount configuration

The Intro to Tech Course extends recreational training by improving dive planning methods, in-water skills, and streamlining existing gear configurations.

After following this class you will become a more proficient diver and expand your diver skills and knowledge.

Objectives

expand diver knowledge
start technical training
refresher for certified technical diver

Prerequisites

Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
Minimum certification: Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
25 logged dives

Duration

What you will learn

In-depth dive planning,
advanced buoyancy control
finning techniques
gas management,
situational awareness,
proper trim,
gear configuration

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Decompression Procedures Diver

Cave and Tech Diving course, Technical DivingAdvanced Nitrox, Deco Procedures, Deep Diving Playa del Carmen, Dive Course, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, Mexico, riviera maya, TDI, technical diving, Yucatan

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The decompression procedures course is an exciting step further into your dive career.

Decompression Procedures You can train in your properly configured recreational gear with just an extra stage for the deco gas. You will only need and extra regulator and stage rig and you can still join regular dive operation which is a great advantage.

If you already are an Intro to tech or Sidemount diver you can use this configuration with an extra deco tank.

You will get the best out of this training if you already are an Advanced Nitrox diver or if you combine Decompression Procedures and Advanced Nitrox.

These courses will be the foundation of all other technical courses.

Objectives of the Decompression Procedures Course

Extend your bottom time
Safely execute decompression dives
Dive deeper
Look deeper into the decompression theory
Extend your diving techniques

Duration

3 days minimum
Dives: 4 dives minimum (including 2 below 30 metres / 100 feet)
Adv. Nitrox + Deco Procedures: 6 dives minimum

Limits

Depth: 45 metres/150 feet.

Course prerequisites

Minimum age 18
Minimum certification of SDI Advanced Adventure Diver, Advanced Diver, or equivalent
25 logged open water dives

Equipement

Primary cylinder(s), Independent or isolated back-mounted
Decompression mix cylinder(s) (with submersible pressure gauge and Labeled)
Depth gauge and bottom timer and / or dive computer
Regulator(s)
Buoyancy compensator device(s) (BCD) adequate for equipment configuration
Line cutting device
Ascent reel with lift bag /surface marker buoy
Oxygen (O2) analyzer; may be supplied by the instructor
Exposure suit adequate for the open water environment
Underwater slate

What will you learn?

Choosing the Decompression gas
The use of dive Tables and personal dive computers
How to set Emergency and contingency plans (in order to face equipment failure, omitted decompression, etc.)
Decompression diving procedures
Choosing the equipment and configuration
Pre-dive checks and drills
Stress analysis and mitigation
Following a decompression schedule
Gas switching
Team awareness and communication
SMB/lift bag deployment
Proper trim, buoyancy and finning techniques
Emergency procedures (in case of equipment failures, catastrophic gas loss, omitted decompression, navigational errors, etc.)
Equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, and gas blending procedures

What’s next?

Nitrox Advanced Nitrox Extended Range Trimix

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Dive Gear Shop

Cave Diving, Dive gear, Side Mount, Technical DivingDive Xtras, DPV, Piranha, Razor Side Mount, Sidemount Harness, Technical dive gear

We can provide any item or accessory from Razor, Shearwater and more products.

We will happily offer you a package for the purchase of one of this product with some guiding or training.

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Pozo Azul Exploration Project

May 8, 2016Technical DivingCave Diving, Cave ExplorationDeep Dark Diving

Pozo Azul exploration: A fascinating cave exploration project!

Pozo Azul is currently the longest cave dive penetration in the world,
And more than 9.4km of diving accumulated over 5 sumps are required to reach the furthest point from the single entrance.

Located in the village of Covanera, Burgos, Spain, El Pozo Azul is probably one of the most challenging cave exploration project. Already 5 sumps (maximum depth 71m) had been explored. And in 2015 J. Mallinson pushed the exploration solo and discovered a 6th sump and spent a total of 60 hours inside the cave.

In 2001, Jason Mallinson first visited the site with Rupert Skorupka. At that time the known part of the cave was a 1st 700 m sump, then a dry tunnel of 300 metres, followed by a second sump penetrated for 780 m. On that same trip the sump was pushed to 1250 m.

Jason then returned year after year, sometimes with other top divers, and sometimes on his own.

In 2009 the sump was passed after 5160 m – the longest sump to be passed in the world, to reach Sump 3. This was passed in 2011 and proved to be over 3 km long. From this point, the sumps became shorter and the amount of dry passage longer.

Sumps 2 and 3 are actively linked and are in fact one long sump of more than 8km in length.

in 2015 Jason returned solo. He traversed more than 10 km of sump to explore dry passage and find a sixth sump.

Pozo Azul - Survey map http://www.pozoazul-cavediving.org/ — Pozo Azul – Survey map
http://www.pozoazul-cavediving.org/

Nitrox Course

Cave and Tech Diving course, Dive training, Technical DivingDive Course, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Nitrox, scuba diving, technical diving

The Nitrox Course is an entry level to start utilizing enriched air nitrox as a breathing gas.

Scuba diving nitrox gives you more no decompression time, meaning more time underwater especially on repetitive dives.

This simple one-day course can be done in a matter of hours, and it is in fact “dry course”. You can technically complete the course without going underwater even though, you probably don’t want to miss the fun part?!

Double benefit : More time underwater, where you like and shorter surface intervals !

Objectives of the Nitrox course?

Learn more about nitrox mixtures
Extend your bottom time
Less surface interval
Do repetitive dives
Move forward with technical diving education

Course prerequisites:

Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
Minimum certification of open water diver or current enrollment in an open water diver course

What you will learn:

Techniques for getting more dive time by using enriched air nitrox
The benefits, hazards, and proper procedures for using nitrox mixes from 22 through 40 percent oxygen content
Enriched air considerations, including managing oxygen exposure
Enriched air scuba diving equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, and gas blending procedures
Manage oxygen exposure.
Analyzing oxygen content in your scuba tank.
Set your dive computer for diving with enriched air nitrox.

Structure of the Nitrox Diver Course:

There are two options for this Course:
Option one: Standard Course
Option two: Course with 2 Cenotes Nitrox dives

What gear will you use?

Your Instructor will help choose and let you know if your gear meets the requirements.

Regular modern scuba equipment
Dive computers
Scuba tanks must meet oxygen service standards and be dedicated for use with enriched air.
Oxygen analyzers
Special cylinder decals.

Next Step

Now that you earned your certification and will extend your dive time, you might consider moving to the next level

Advanced Nitrox Diver course
Decompression Procedures
Specialty courses (Deep, Cavern, Sidemount, PPB, DPV…)

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