5thD-X Ratio Deco "Mini"

[Rob Dobson]

Fundies left me somewhat disillusioned with GUE training and yet I still very much considered myself a DIR diver (albeit a newbie with *loads* to learn). Many of the wrecks that I wanted to experience were in the 30-60m range so I needed trimix training or would have to abandon the system I had come to respect and believe in. As time was also not on my side I didn’t necessarily have the 12 months or so that it can take to get a Tech1 cert card even if I could meet the standard.

I spoke with Mark Powell and did a team orientated trimix course that was probably as close to Tech1 as you could hope to find outside of GUE or 5thd – including simultaneous team failures in the form OoG’s, lost masks, bubbles in your ear…. The sort of dives that if they were to happen for real you would probably sell your dive kit and take up golf. The obvious difference being that Mark does not teach ratio deco.

Last week I had the opportunity to close that particular gap in my knowledge by learning ratio deco from the very man who invented it (Andrew Georgitsis) in the form of one of a “mini’” (http://www.breakthrudiving.com/index2.html).

For somewhere around 6 or 7 hours Andrew did a condensed brain dump covering all areas of ratio deco – not just intro level Tech1 stuff but the whole thing, Tech2 and beyond. It was tough keeping up with the guy but he knew when he was losing us and would go back over an idea or concept from different angles until we were finally back on his page.

It was an extremely intense experience and every one of us walked out of that session feeling shell shocked having had our brains completely fried. Ratio deco had become a juggernaut and it had just run over us all at speed. But it made complete sense – the dots were connected and the whole picture revealed – not just the abstract bits here and there but the whole thing slotted together.

I want to run through a whole load of scenarios on paper before I jump in and start putting the tools to good use but it was a highly effective session and the single most useful class I can remember attending in my entire life.

Andrew Georgitsis is charismatic and passionate about what he does and despite talking practically non-stop for the best part of 7 hours straight he didn’t take a single penny for his efforts. Instead he asked the attendees to contribute if they wanted to and then gave all the money to the crew of the MV Tala on the basis that Andrew was “here anyway”.

Anyone who is interested in really learning about ratio deco should seriously consider attending one of these sessions – they really are top drawer and utterly comprehensive.

[dlegros]

It's alright for you - my head still hurts!

It was very interesting, but waaaay over my head.

Dom

[Rob Dobson]

Quote: (Originally Posted by dlegros)

It's alright for you - my head still hurts!

It was very interesting, but waaaay over my head.

Dom

I never said that my head had stopped hurting....

[Little Pete]

Sounds fantastic Rob, I'd love to meet the guy sometime and go through all the deco theory etc. I might have to see if I can book onto the next trip

(Edited to shut wilbo up )

[wilbo]

Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete)

Sounds fantastic Ron, I'd love to meet the guy sometime and go through all the deco theory etc. I might have to see if I can book onto the next trip

Ron?

Pete - I'd start with reading first dude..

[Davey Willo]

Well said Rob, I'd covered Ratio Deco during my T1 with AG and was looking forward to a refresher but have to admit that after 7 hours I'd lost the plot such was the depth of detail that he went into, covering everything from Recreational through to T2 in one continuous venting, and even started to talk about T3 ratio until some of us wailed No!! and ran for cover..

The man is a star without doubt and it was obvious just how much he loves teaching RD, his face lit up like a kid at xmas everytime his audience saw and understood the, and I quote "The Magic!"

[Rick]

Quote: (Originally Posted by Davey Willo)

Well said Rob, I'd covered Ratio Deco during my T1 with AG and was looking forward to a refresher but have to admit that after 7 hours I'd lost the plot such was the depth of detail that he went into, covering everything from Recreational through to T2 in one continuous venting, and even started to talk about T3 ratio until some of us wailed No!! and ran for cover..

The man is a star without doubt and it was obvious just how much he loves teaching RD, his face lit up like a kid at xmas everytime his audience saw and understood the, and I quote "The Magic!"

After 7hrs, 4 expresso's & 40 deg heat I ran too!

Seriously though; the man (AG) is one of the most passionate, professional and charismatic instructors/persons I've met in diving and I look forward to learning from him again sometime soon......
Stroll on NAUI Tech diver!

[Davey Willo]

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rick)

Stroll on NAUI Tech diver!

So we're doing it then, Cool!

[Rick]

Quote: (Originally Posted by Davey Willo)

So we're doing it then, Cool!

Hell yeah!

[Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC]

I had the pleasure of being on a trip with AG last year. It was the trip where they made that cool DVD with skills and also some nifty shark stuff (serious diver with mighty balls).

I had already been kind of in understanding with ratio deco before, but after that trip I felt like a professor.

Now I add "minimum deco" to my Advanced Nitrox classes and continue along the same lines all they way through till Advanced Trimix.
These practices have made class much more interesting and have dramatically increased the abilities of me and my students.

But remember you guys, that knowledge comes with responsability. Andrew being around while you learn keeps you pretty safe. But take care when showing others your new tricks, as in the wrong hands this knowledge can cause severe injury.

Andrew's approach to decompression is indeed as unique as he is himself.