Caribe Diving, FAQ, technical Diving, recreational diving

Question:
Why are you referring to a hypoxic mix as
a gas with less than 20% and not 21%?
Answer:
Strictly speaking an hypoxic gas will have
less than 20.9% Oxygen. However for all
practical purposes there is not much
difference between 20% or 21% and in
order to simplify details most adopted
20% as the practical limit. Some people
define a hypoxic gas as having less than
16% Oxygen.

Question:
The deepest that I have ever dived was
33m/110ft. Someone told me that if I
start a Technical Dive Course I will be
diving to 70m within 3 days. I am
concerned that I will be pushed beyond
my abilities.
Answer:
The course standards require that you
increase your maximum depth by not
more than 10m/33ft per dive. The small
increments allow you time to be
comfortable and slowly build your
confidence. If at any point you show
signs of anxiousness our instructors will
not proceed and allow you time to build
confidence at that level before
proceeding to the next level.

Question:
How deep can I dive on Trimix?
Answer:
See our web page showing the dive
certifications required for each depth
range.
Click here.

Question:
It seems to me as if Technical Diving is
very serious diving. How do I select an
instructor that I know will be a good
teacher?
Answer:
It is very important that you have a good
and trusting relationship with an
instructor. Make sure that you have an
opportunity to meet with the instructor
before you sign up for any course. Ask as
many questions as you can and make
sure that the instructor is also an avid
technical diver. Ask the instructor to
explain his dive techniques and how
these differ from standard Recreational
Diving techniques. In the end you will be
entrusting your life into the hands of the
instructor and you must be comfortable
that he/she will be able to respond to
any emergency or difficulty you may have.

Question:
I see on your web site that you offer
training in Rebreathers. What is that?
Answer:
A rebreather recycles the exhaled gas. If
you imagine breathing into a plastic bag,
with a method of replenishing the
Oxygen and removing the CO2, that in
principle is what a rebreather is.
"Rebreathing" the same gas, replenishing
the Oxygen and removing the CO2.

Question:
OK, I would like to sign up for a course,
what is the next step?
Answer:
Call us, or send us an email and we will
arrange a meeting with you to discuss
your requirements and plans in technical
diving. Click here to transfer to our
"Contact Us" web page.

Question:
I have heard about "Technical Diving".
What is it?
Answer:
Recreational Diving is regarded as diving
to a maximum depth of 40m/130ft, done
by people for recreational purposes.
Technical Diving is diving to depths
greater than 40m/130ft using mixed
gases, requiring decompression
techniques. Technical diving is an
extreme sport.

Question:
I am interested but have heard some
horror stories and are a little unsure if
Technical Diving is for me.
Answer:
One of the first questions our instructors
will ask you is why you want to do
Technical Diving? The introduction to
Technical Diving is to do the Advanced
Nitrox Course. This course makes use of
standard Nitrox gas mixes, similar to
what is used for Recreational Diving.
During this course your theoretical
knowledge will be enhanced, you will be
introduced to technical dive gear and you
will do minimal decompression dives.
Once completed you will have much
improved dive skills and you will be able
to make an informed decision if you want
to continue.

Question:
Assume I am happy to continue beyond
the introductory course of Advanced
Nitrox, what is the next step?
Answer:
The most logical next step is to gain more
experience. Dive with experienced
Technical Divers and improve on your
skills. Become more proficient and gain
confidence. Then you can consider the
next course, Technical Diver.

Question:
What is Normoxic Trimix?
Answer:
Normoxic Trimix is a gas mix using not
less than 20% Oxygen mixed with
Helium. The name Normoxic is derived
from the term "Normal Oxygen" as found
in air, which has approximately 21%
Oxygen.

Question:
I heard about Heliox and Heliair. What is
that?
Answer:
Heliox is a breathing gas mix where all
the Nitrogen is removed and replaced
with Helium. Any portion of Oxygen is
added according to the requirements of
the dive. If a portion of Helium is added
to Air, it is also referred to as Heliair.

Question:
What is Trimix?
Answer:
Trimix is a breathing gas consisting of
three gases: Oxygen, Nitrogen and
Helium where the Oxygen level could be
below what is found in Air. In other
words a Trimix Gas could be a hypoxic
mix with an oxygen level less than 20%.
Some dive agencies regard a hypoxic mix
to have less than 16% Oxygen.