I had an interesting discussion recently regarding gas consumption and deco time when diving on HeliOx as compared to diving with Trimix.
It came about when we were on our last deep wreck trip and the guys were working out our Helium consumption and then comparing that to what they expected the HeliOx divers would use.
I ran the profiles through my planning software and always came up with longer deco and run times compared to the mix we were on.
Our mix was 16/45 and the Heliox guys were going to use 10/90 for the same 75m dives.
I got a reply back the other day and nearly fell off my chair when I saw what these guys were diving.
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As promised (names withheld) did all the blending and they used hardly any He at all- those blokes really know what they're on. they boosted a little O2 on top of a full cylinder of He and then topped off Dil tanks as required. they were diving 40-60mins bottom, 200 mins total run max
We were doing similar bottom times to these and were coming up with total run time nearly an hour longer. Plug their mix in and the end result is over another hour deco longer.
Is there something I am missing here or is someone blazing a new (and dangerous) trail?
Regards,
Lance
ADDED Please, Please......Lets not turn this into a bashing place and lets keep it on subject!!