First Advance Nitrox Certifications

Report by Pete Surridge

Stoney Cove
01/04/2008

It was another first for New Horizons when 4 'eager to learn' divers took on the exciting challenge of the IANTD Advanced Nitrox course at the start of April.

Under the expert tuition of Julie Morrissey, and following a day of classroom based Knowledge development sessions and a Pool session we braved the 'cool' waters of Stoney Cove to put the use of Twin tanks and Stage bottles into practice. The challenge was on for us all; after years of diving on a single tank of air or Nitrox we had to develop new skills, different buoyancy control and new diving techniques. Gas switches, simulated out of air scenarios and practice decompression dive planning were some of the skills we had to develop.

I don't think any of us would say it was easy as we were all used to diving in our familiar equipment and familiar style, but all of us would admit that we learnt a great deal about ourselves and our skills over the weekend, and most of all we had a great time learning it.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to continue learning to enable them to extend their bottom time in a safe and controlled manner.

We're all looking forward to the next opportunity to put our new skills into practice. A big thank you to Julie for her patience and guidance throughout the course.