On Tuesday, August 28, 2001 5:48 PM, Angelo Pardinas wrote:
 (snip)
>     How do you guys monitor your ascent rate (without a dive comp) - is
> the 'slower than our bubbles' ok ?

I've been catching up - and properly reading - the posts of the last couple
of days and was intrigued by one poster who suggested that historically
ascent rates were based on the speed of medium sized bubbles?  Never having
carried a micrometer with me when diving, (and not knowing of any other
divers who have, either!),  I can honestly say that I don't know exactly
when a large bubble becomes a medium-sized one?  Or when a medium-sized one
becomes a small one?  :-)

That being the case, when using the, "follow the bubble" technique, just go
with the smallest and slowest - which is what more than a few "old 'n'
bolds" told me to do!  :-)

Angelo!  At this stage in your diving, you're - hopefully - not intent on
setting depth records, or considering decompression diving?  (And before
anyone says anything, I already know that EVERY dive is a decompression
dive.)  :-)

However, it is worth your while to do some reading about decompression - and
at the same time building up a library of personal reference works.  As a
starting point allow me to suggest, "Beating The Bends", by Alex Brylske,
and "Deeper into Decompression", by John Lippmann.

I'd be happy to loan you my copies if you wish? on the understanding that
they're returned in good condition and that you buy me a beer when I'm next
in Singapore!  (Which - at the latest - will be next April, for the Asian
Dive Expo.)  :-)

Strike