Recently edited and release footage from previous cave and cavern diving trips

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

Underwater Videographer Claire Oei recently released a newly edited video showcasing the history and diving in Khao Sok National Park. This video which has been released in high definition can be found below or here on YouTube.

Claire who is a TDI Cavern Diving completed the filming of the footage during a 4 day expedition in May of 2009

Technical divers explore sunken forest on helium filled mixed gas

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

Continuing the expedition James Foleher and James Thornton-Allan started the second day in Khao Sok National Park to commence open lake trimix diving and cavern diving over the next few days in a man made called Chiew Larn Lake which is part of Rachaprabha Dam located inside the national park.

Preparing for the days diving included mixed helium, oxygen and nitrogen into our twin cylinder diving tanks to make trimix. Trimix is used to remove the effects of the element nitrogen which causes nitrogen narcosis, additionally it’s used to remove oxygen content to dive blow the normal limit of oxygen in air. Our mix today would be 19/38 (19 percent oxygen and 38 percent helium) which leaves the rest as nitrogen. This means a dive to approx 60 meters would feel like a dive to 25 meters. This gives the divers a clear head for dive.

A clear head was certainly needed for the first dive which would be a dive to explore the sunken forest which was submerged when Rachaprabha Dam was constructed. The sunken forest is a maze of vines, trees and rocks in night conditions as the light is blocked by the heavy sediment in the water. Despite the darkness the clarity of the water is quite high and visibility is only limited by the strength of the underwater torches worn by the divers.

Diving in the forest requires many diving skills including a calm attitude and ability to task load since using a reel is important so you can get back to a clearing, breaking through the canopy of the trees on ascent can be difficult.

During the ascent portion of the dive a new cave was found, a very large cave that was able to house both divers during one of the stops. There was no room for exploration as it was during a strict decompression schedule but the location would be marked for future trips.

One striking difference was the change in water that shifted from 32 degrees Celsius to 22 degrees at the bottom making it quite difficult to dive in only a thin tropical wetsuit.

Upon reaching the surface the divers loaded back in the wooden boat and moved to “Temple Cave” to begin the official TDI Cavern Course. However since the water level has dropped due to lack of rain and constant decanting through the power plant this cave was very much out of the water. Many of the most attractive features were above water. This water level combined with the fact the first 10m of the water is bright green meant the dive conditions would be quite poor.

As a team it was decided to not waste time exploring the almost dry cave and head for the next destination of Khao Lak and change the schedule to return at the end of the expedition when the water level might rise. Alternatively many of the future destinations will offer the cavern environment and could be continued there.

Technical divers explore previously prohibited area of Khao Sok National Park

500 Rai, Thailand

Continuing the expedition James Foleher and James Thornton-Allan arrived in Khao Sok National Park to begin open lake trimix diving and cavern diving over the next few days in a man made called Chiew Larn Lake which is part of Rachaprabha Dam located inside the national park.

Established as a National Park in 1980 Khao Sok today covers 646 sq km. It is best reached from Surat Thani, for many the gateway to Ko Samui, or, from Phuket to the south. The park comprises of rugged limestone mountains and cliffs cut by rivers and dotted with caves and waterfalls. Rare flora such as the famous Rafflesia can be found, and the park is home to seldom seen wildlife such as wild elephants, leopards, serow, banteng, gaur, dusky languors, tigers and Malayan sun bears; there are over 180 bird species.

Arriving at Rachaprabha Dam both divers were tired from the night boat and the road trip down from the north and decided rather than spending the first day exploring the sunken forest on trimix we would explore a previously prohibited area of the park called 500 Rai, this would give the divers a chance to relax and rest before the coming dives.

500 Rai (Ha Roy Rai) is a secluded area of the national park which was closed last year after some damage was made to the forest. Located adjacent to Cheow Lan Lake, this secluded raft house is the ideal quiet retreat and home to limestone caves which have never been accesses by divers.

Arriving by a one hour longtail ride through the national park we had a 25 minute trek through the jungle up hill in temperatures in excess of 35 degrees. Arriving at the other end completely sweating it was clear there would be significant difficulty getting technical diving gear into the area to do any exploring.

Rather then walk back defeated the divers explored a dry cave called “Coral Cave” which was a chance to show the formations of caves and talk about stalactites and stalagmites before experiencing them during future dives.

Returning to the lake and then the pier the divers headed off to their hotel and a game of golf to end the day in preparation for diving the next day.

3 weeks of technical diving around Asia starts with careful planning.

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue Tech depart tonight on another road trip of technical diving around the best destinations in Thailand. This journey was put together for James Foleher who is completing his technical instructor internship with us over 3 months. The expedition is being run by Big Blue Tech’s Director James Thornton-Allan who will be working with Mr. Foleher to complete the essential training and diving to give him the required skills and experience to be an effective technical instructor. James Foleher’s technical instructor assisting and study portion happens in June on our return.

The expedition equipment is carefully being tested and packed into a truck with a compressor which will be our home and method of transportation for the thousands of kilometers covered over the next 3 weeks. The amount of equipment includes a full collection of technical diving gear for both divers along with a large 50l cylinder of oxygen and helium as this trip will include a lot of trimix diving for the greater depths beyond 55m where narcosis isn’t an option.

Along with the right equipment, tools, spares and extra toys the choice of destinations is essential for the right experience. Training technical divers on Koh Tao is perfect for a starting point or for getting logged dives but there’s not a great diversity on conditions. Always flat and warm does not make a good technical diver so we picked locations that included currents, rough seas, fresh water, overheads both cavern, cave and wreck. Even locations where the depth make it night conditions.

The destinations include Khao Sok National Park, The Sunken Temple, 500 Rai, Khao Lak, Sea Chart 1 Wreck, Phucket, Racha Noi, King Cruiser Wreck, Krabi, Sra Keow Cave, Song Hong Cave in Trang, Songkhla, Pattaya wrecks and finally a trip down to Singapore for a weekend of diving on the HMS Repulse.

James will complete his TDI Gas Blender, TDI Compressor Operator, TDI Advanced Gas Blender, TDI Trimix, TDI Cavern and TDI Technical Divemaster course during this trip.

Check back with us to watch the trip and its progresses.

Divers learn how to operator scuba diving compressors and use mixed gas.

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue tech celebrates the graduation of Olaf Jongbloets from his BSAC / TDI Compressor Operator Course and TDI Nitrox Gas Blender course conducted by TDI and BSAC Instructor Ashley Dunn over 3 days of hands on training in our compressor room on Koh Tao Island off the coast of Thailand.

The compressor operator course enables the student to operate a variety of compressors safely including the packing of filters, minor maintenance and operation. This course is essential in the building of education which leads into the gas blender course where the student progressed from filling air to enriched air nitrox.

Olaf who is already a diving instructor will use his skills right away in his career working in the diving industry.

A SCUBA diver completes his fourth specialty for the coveted master scuba diver rating.

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue Tech celebrates the successful completion of a SDI Search and Recovery course for Stephen Dunn by SDI Instructor Andrew Cavell which was conducted over 3 days in various dive sites and conditions on Koh Tao Island off the coast of Thailand.

SDI’s Search and Recovery Diver specialty will teaches the basic of searching for a lost object from outboard boat motors to jewelry.  You will also learn to recover the object once it is located this includes the use of lift bags and tying lines underwater to secure and lift the object.

On one particular dive at Chumphon Pinnacle Dive Site the course was interrupted by a WHALE SHARK while recovering a weight belt from depth.

As this is Stephens fourth specialty (SDI Deep, SDI Wreck and TDI Nitrox) plus the fact he has over 50 logged SCUBA dives Stephen was eligible for the SDI Master Scuba Diver rating. The SDI Master Scuba Diver Development Program is an earned certification and the highest non professional level of certification.

Big Blue Diving win top honors in the 2009 SSI Australasia awards.

Koh Tao, Thailand

Last night Gary Hawkes Managing Director from SSI (Scuba Schools International) held a meeting at the Big Blue Diving resort to present awards to the facility and individuals who performed well above expectation in 2009 and show gratitude for continued support of SSI programs and education.

SSI have issued several awards in different categories throughout the region and the world but Big Blue Diving came out on top for our category.

The informal meeting was welcomed by all diving instructor staff with over 30 in attendance held on the beach front classroom while the sun set into the sea. Gary called individuals up one by one to represent their winning category. After the awards ceremony SSI treated us all to dinner and drinks to celebrate our achievement.

It’s worth mentioning that our very own technical instructor Yvonne Fries earned the “Highest Certifying Instructor 2009 – Thailand Region (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore) which is a great honor. And Big Blue Tech received the special award for “Promoting Technical Diving in South East Asia”

It’s not often that scuba diving certification agencies take the time to recognize indivual effort in such a profound away and we say to thank you to SSI for making the personal touch!

The SSI awards are as follows:
“Highest Certifying Instructor 2009 – Thailand Region” – Yvonne Fries, Big Blue Diving
“Promoting Technical Diving in South East Asia” – Big Blue Tech
“Highest Certyifying Instructor Trainer in Asia” – Simon Garitty, Big Blue Diving
“Most Envrionmentally Friendly Dive Resort in Asia” – Big Blue Diving
Most Successful Dive Resort in Asia” – Big Blue Diving

Technical Diving International and Scuba Diving International launch new website for South East Asia.

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue Tech is proud to be displayed on the new website of TDI/SDI South East Asia. In 2009 during the development of their website we were approached by TDI/SDI South East Asia to provide images of technical diving in thailand that were of a high quality for marketing and representation of what technical diving is like.

Our former facilities manager and tech divemaster Christos Kardana took the photographs during training and expeditions around thailand.

In addition to the photo’s the website features news and articles of interest for technical divers along with events and ways to contact the individual dive centres.

TDI/SDI South East Asia

Technical divers discover methods for advanced wreck penetration and decompression

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue Tech celebrates the graduation of Helen Artal, Simone Reymenants and James Foleher from their TDI Advanced Wreck Diver course and Andrew Cavell from his TDI Advanced Wreck Instructor Course conducted over 3 days on 2 different wrecks off the coast of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand by TDI Instructor Trainer Ben Reymenants.

The TDI Advanced Wreck course is the next step for any diver that has taken a wreck diver course. During the course, the students were taught the proper techniques for locating and planning a penetration dive. The advanced wreck course is commonly taught with other popular TDI course such as advanced nitrox, decompression procedures, extended range, closed circuit rebreather, and trimix. The course covers topics and skills like

• Use of guidelines
• Overhead emergency procedures
• Redundant equipment requirements
• Locating and identifying wrecks
• Hazards of wreck diving
• Surveying of wrecks

The TDI Advanced Wreck course is unique in that it trains divers to conduct extensive multi level penetration or entry of shipwrecks without the linear depth or light restriction.

Technical diving school in Thailand upgrades to training instructor programs.

Koh Tao, Thailand

Facility designations are earned by SDI and TDI retail partners based on specific requirements and service levels which will tell you exactly what to expect when you walk into a facility to go diving or sign-up for training… especially when you are traveling.

A dive center denotes a facility that is a full-service dive shop with a storefront that is primarily focused on retail sales and training. A dive center must offer scuba divers all the essentials in terms of equipment sales, courses (basic and conEd.), air fills and equipment service and rentals. Dive centers must have all the facilities of the previous types of facilities in addition to being an authorized dealer for at least four major equipment lines and offering factory authorized service for that equipment.

A five star instructor training center is a facility offering ALL the features of a dive center but which is also able to conduct instructor courses. This means that an instructor training center must have on staff at least one Instructor Trainer (IT) able to conduct the Instructor Development Course (ITC). This facility offers all the services of a dive center in addition to running at least one ITC a year.

Being a 5 star center denotes a level of quality and standards to ensure the best level of training and service is provided. Big Blue Tech is proud to be awarded this designation and invites divers from around the world to look to us for becoming a technical diving professional with TDI

Technical divers discover decompression diving methods in Thailand.

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue Tech celebrates the graduation of Dave Mitchell and Martin Edvardsson from their TDI Decompression Procedures Diver Course conducted over 3 days in on Koh Tao Island in the Gulf of Thailand.

The TDI Decompression Procedures course certifies Dave and Martin to conduct staged decompression dives to a depth of 45m using enriched air nitrox up to pure oxygen.

The students conducted their training on two dive sites that have wrecks in enhance the interactive learning experience by training in a environment that technical diving is best suited for.

This is the second (2nd) stage of training in the series of TDI’s tech diver development program.This Course examines theory, methods and procedures of planned stage decompression diving. The objective of the course is to train divers how to plan and conduct standard staged decompression dives not exceeding a maximum depth of 150 fsw / 45 msw.

During the course the students looked at the most common equipment requirements, gear set-ups, decompression techniques and dive planning.

Scuba divers learn how to handling rich mixes of oxygen for technical diving.

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue Tech celebrates the graduation of Dave Mitchell and Martin Edvardsson from their TDI Advanced Nitrox course conducted over 2 days on Koh Tao Island in the Gulf of Thailand.

Ok, by now you already know the benefits of nitrox, and no-doubt have been using it successfully for some time, but now we need to help you move onto the next level; the TDI Advanced Nitrox Course. Whereas up until now you have always used just one breathing gas from start to finish throughout your dives now you will learn to take advantage of an alternate nitrox mix during your ascent.

This course examines the use of air and the full scope of nitrox mixtures to depths not in excess of 40 metres. The objective of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for utilizing air, EAN22-99 and oxygen for dives not requiring staged decompression.

Both divers had already completed their TDI Intro to Tech and gained valuable experience and time in technical diving gear allowing them to excell at the skills and requirements which left more time for diving!

The pinnacle of deep air diving certification achieved in Thailand

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue Tech celebrates the graduation of James Foleher from his TDI Extended Range Diver course which was conducted over three days on two separate wrecks in the on Koh Tao Island in the Gulf of Thailand.

As with many of the courses in the TDI training programme, this Extended Range programme serves to add more knowledge and skills to your diving development and leaves you qualified to take on more challenging and adventurous dives.

The course will reinforce much of what has been looked at on previous TDI programmes, but will go into greater depth, as well as introducing some new concepts/ideas.

This course will provide the training and experience required to competently utilize air for dives up to 55 msw (metres of sea water) that require staged decompression, utilizing nitrox mixtures or oxygen during decompression. The object of the programme is to train divers in the proper techniques, equipment requirements, hazards of deep air diving to this depth.

This certification is the maximum depth rating allowed before moving into mixed gas or trimix diving which James will participate in during the later parts of his technical internship.

Recreational scuba divers discover the benefits of Nitrox

Koh Tao, Thailand

Big Blue Tech celebrates the graduation of Ana Pinto and Mark Barham from the TDI Nitrox Diver course.

The TDI Nitrox Diver course is the most complex and difficult Nitrox course of all those on offer. It’s mandatory that students understand SAC rates, complex dive planning with tracking of both CNS Oxygen Toxicty and OTU’s, the use of equipment for oxygen systems, safety measures and many more topics that have long been discarded in the process of making Nitrox diving more accesible and easy to do.

The course includes a 50 question exam which takes approximately 1 hour. This course gave Ana and Mark who are HSE Scuba Divers a true challenge and a valuable education.

With 2 nitrox dives completed and an afternoon of theory Ana and Mark both move on to their Rescue Diver Course.

Divers advance their theory and dive skills in Thailand.

Koh Tao, Thailand – Big Blue Tech celebrates the graduation of Magnus Baer from the TDI Advanced Nitrox course which was conducted over 2 days with 4 technical dives.

Continuing from Magnus’ Intro To Tech course this course builds on those skills with the introduction of using high mixes of nitrox and using nitrox to manipulate the absorption of nitrogen. Big Blue Tech decided to introduce the use of a sling or stage cylinder to help get Magnus ready for his Decompression Procedures course which would follow the next day.

The TDI Advanced Nitrox Course qualifies divers to use enriched air nitrox from EAN 21 through EAN 100 to a depth of 40 metres/130 feet during dives hat do not require staged decompression. Often taught in conjunction with the TDI Decompression Procedures course, this can be considered the foundation of your technical diving career.  Advanced Nitrox is also a great course for those wanting to extend their bottom times in shallower depths such as scientific diver, and a must for SCR or CCR divers.   The course cover topics like

• Equipment requirements
• Dive planning
• Oxygen tracking
• Blending methods

The 4 dives was a team effort by Technical Instructors James Thornton-Allan, Andy Cavell and assisted by Technical Divemaster Thomas Halstrom.

Three months of renovation reveal new facilities for technical divers.

Koh Tao, Thailand – What started as a 2 week project in November of 2009 developed into many months of painting, building, digging and drilling to build a dedicated technical diving facility which would host all the comforts and necessities for all our diving activities and staff.

One of the major problems experienced in November of 2009 was a lack of space for all our equipment and divers which came from an increase in popularity and reputation. As the major of the work was completed while we were closed during the monsoon season in November it was the small touches that took a long time.

These small touches including the continuous flow trimix system, private bathroom with shower, out door patio and facilities to accommodate 10 fully kitted technical divers along with class rooms space, wifi internet, fridge and surround stereo to create the perfect atmosphere for our way of doing things.

With the signs finally hung on the outside of the doors and the landscaping completed today we could finally put our feet up and enjoy the end of the extension of the “tech shack” Next month begins the expansion of the administration offices which don’t effect our divers and the re-opening of our 25 room accomodation facility which received a face lift recently including new beds and surfaces.

Entry level technical diving course completed today in Thailand

Koh Tao, Thailand – Big Blue Tech celebrates the graduation of Magnus Baer from the TDI Intro to Tech Diver Course which is the first element in the 4 course technical diver program.

The TDI Intro to Tech course is designed to offer students the skills found in the GUE Fundamentals Course which focus on strict buoyancy and trim along with skills in the water without moving. While other organizations allow skills to be mastered sitting on their knees in the sand TDI Courses put emphasis on the ability to remain horizontal without making contact with anything underwater which illustrates control.

One of the more interesting skills to help you take control of your environment is the advanced propulsion techniques of backwards finning where you remain horizontal but kick in a backwards frog kick style and move away from objects without using your hands. Additionally the practice of bailing to back up mask, out of air, sharing air, gas shut downs and lift bag deployment all while neutrally buoyant gave Magnus the ability to progress on to the TDI Advanced Nitrox course which starts on Monday after the weekend.

Like all our courses, Magnus was issued with his certification because he excelled at the skills in the water and performed above expectation.

Technical divers explore underwater sculptures on Koh Tao

Koh Tao, Thailand – During technical diver training for Magnus Baer the training team explored a new feature on Koh Tao called ‘Buoyancy World’ which is a island wide initiative created with the support for Marine Conservation Koh Tao

Buoyancy world is an alternative dive site and coral nursery designed and constructed by the island’s community and dive schools through the Save Koh Tao group. This island wide project is part of a larger program being enacted by the Save Koh Tao Marine Branch in order to monitor and protect our local resources and ecosystems.

Through this project a new dive site has been constructed which is specially designed to function as a buoyancy training site and coral/fish nursery. By increasing novice diver’s buoyancy skills with obstacles not found naturally on a reef we hope to reduce incidences of personal injury/illness and protect natural reef areas from damage. By also acting as a coral/fish nursery the project will help to restore and improve the abundance and biodiversity of Koh Tao’s reefs and help to offset local anthropogenic impacts. Additionally, this project will further increase awareness and community involvement on environmental conservation projects and improve tourist perceptions of Koh Tao.

The general plan of the site is various features built separately and then set up in close proximity to form one cohesive site. Features include:

• Training Aids
  • Swim-throughs or caves
  • Rings, hoops, and other obstacles
  • Balance beams
  • Hover weights
  • Permanent CESA Lines
  • Navigation check points
  • Search and recovery objects
  • Ecological Monitoring Program/Reef Check Belt Transects
• Coral Nursery Platforms/anchoring points
• Art & Sculptures
• Fish Nurseries/aggregates
• Diverse habitats for Marine Organisms

On this day we used the features of Buoyancy World to help improve the trim and underwater control for Magnus who started his first skills in technical diving gear. These skills will be enhanced with more training leading up to his certification dives tomorrow for the TDI Intro to Tech course.

Technical diver training begins on Koh Tao

Koh Tao, Thailand – Today Big Blue Tech starts a tec course for Magnus Baer who comes from season and has been travelling for the past 4 months on a round the world trip.

Magnus has been to Koh Tao before working on the Island as a diving instructor so this would be a familiar setting for him t o learn more challenging diving.

Magnus’ tech diving course will include the ‘Intro To Tech’ , ‘Advanced Nitrox’ , ‘Decompression Procedures’ and ‘Extended Range’ modules from TDI (Technical Diving International) which is the leading and most recognized technical diving certification agency in the world. TDI’s motto of ‘We lead, Others Follow’ is indicative of their and our style of technical diving.

While Magnus joined us for specifically TDI training it was the small touches provided by Big Blue Tech which made the difference. The equipment provided for use during the course is staggering and top of the line.

Magnus was issued the following equipment today for use for the duration of his course.
-    Boots, OMS Slipstream Fins, 3mm Wetsuit
-    OMS 60lbs Double Bladder Wing with Aluminium Back plate and Comfort Harness
-    Oms Thigh Pocket, 2 lift bags, OMS Cavern Reel, Finger Reel
-    Titanium Knife, Wrist Slate, Primary and Secondary Torch
-    Backup and Primary Mask
-    Uwatec Bottom Timer and Depth Gauge
-    Suunto Vytec Ds, Compass
-    Apeks XTX 20 back gas regulators
-    Scubapro decompression regulators
-    Personal O2 tank, personal twinset, personal lean mix tank and hardware
-    OMS deco clip hardware and rigging

This is the standard equipment issued to all our students and fun divers. The choice to use this equipment has been based on years to testing other types to fail.

In addition to equipment, Magnus was taken through a refresher of his dive theory including basic physics and physiology to help bring him up to speed with the coming theoretic knowledge needed to succeed on this course.

At lunch Magnus was also taken out by James, Ash and Andy from the team for his 800m swim test which was completed under the required time of 10 minutes.

Tomorrow would be the start of the shallow water skills with his Intro to Tech course which focuses on buoyancy, trim and water control, which is a required foundation for all future technical diving.

One of the busiest months on Koh Tao starts off with a bang.

Koh Tao, Thailand – Big Blue Tech was very busy today with the combined effort of most staff working around the clock with different activites.

Dean Jenkins was out taking the divemaster interns out for a dive on one of our local wrecks and tooks some time out for some diving in tech gear. Ash and Andrew were working together to complete a Search and Recovery Specialty for Felix including search patterns, lift bags, knot tying and scenarios. Helen is teaching advanced level courses and spent most of the day in tech gear and analyzing nitrox.Thomas was out on the rebreather. Duncan and James had the day off so played football on the beach.

This might not seem very hectic but tomorrow is the start of a tech course from beginner to extended range followed by more technical diving leading up to a trip at the end of the month.