Page 268 - French Polynesia

eorge Benjamin, a professional pho- nitrogen narcosis and an increased risk of depths as they explore the wall. Those div-
decompression sickness, associated with ing from an anchored boat often dive at
G tographer and the first blue hole ex-
plorer, did hundreds of wall dives from the deeper diving. one depth during the against-the-current

Berry Islands to the southern tip of Andros S ince the majority of walls are effec- leg and ascend to a shallower depth for the
in the 1950s and ‘60s. He is quoted in Rob tively bottomless and the water often return leg. Having something to explore at
Palmer’s book, Deep into Blue Holes: “Going any depth is one of the attractions of wall

over the edge of the wall is like flying a gin-clear, it is easy for a diver to descend diving — you can begin ascending from

small plane into the Grand Canyon - and the beyond the planned maximum depth, even your maximum depth and still have plenty

descent is like slowly falling down a huge beyond the sport-diving limit: 130 feet or of diving left before reaching the top of the

mountain face? I feel an absolute, timeless 40 m. That is one obvious reason why buoy- wall.

silence, which I cannot easily describe and ancy control is a critical skill for wall divers.
which is, for me, unique. I fully understand SBecause a diver becomes more negatively
Cousteau’s choice of title for The Silent ince wall diving often involves diving
buoyant as he descends, it is important that deep, wall divers should watch for the

World.” he add air to his buoyancy compensator onset of nitrogen narcosis, a physiological

W all Diving is not for the poorly as he goes deeper on the wall. This slows condition that occurs when the nervous
trained or rusty diver. It does not the rate of descent and makes it easier to system is exposed to increased nitrogen
establish neutral buoyancy upon reaching pressure. Nitrogen narcosis usually oc-

require unusual physical conditioning or the desired diving depth. curs at depths of 100 feet (30 m) but some

special skill development, but good diving R egardless of the environment you dive, divers may begin to feel its effects at shal-
fitness and mastery of basic scuba skills are the deepest part of your dive profile lower depth
a must. Excellent buoyancy control, astute

depth, air supply and bottom time moni- should be done first. Wall divers generally

toring are important. Divers must under- descend to their maximum planned depth,

stand the physiological challenges, namely and then ascend to progressively shallower