TIL an old saturation diver told me I'm overthinking my gas mixes

I was on a job in Port Fourchon last week and this guy who's been doing sat dives since the 80s saw me double checking my nitrox blend for the third time. He said "kid, if you're that worried about the numbers you probably shouldn't be in the water" and it hit me different because I realized I've been so focused on the math I forgot to trust my gut on conditions. He was right, I've been burning mental energy on stuff that experience should just handle. Anyone else had a veteran call them out on something obvious?

3 comments

3 Comments

kimblack1d ago

That's exactly what @craig.olivia is talking about goes for everything not just diving.

finley_smith1d ago

Changed my mind completely honestly. I used to be all about the numbers and checklists thinking that was the only way to stay safe. But a buddy told me something similar about getting too wrapped up in the gear and missing what the water is actually doing, and now I try to balance the math with just feeling the dive.

craig.olivia1d ago

I used to think gas math was the most important thing until a bellman in the Gulf told me the same thing last year. He said I was like a pilot who stares at the instruments instead of looking out the window, and that really stuck. Now I still check my numbers but I pay more attention to how I feel and what the conditions are telling me. Has that kind of advice changed how you prepare for a dive?