The arch of the blue hole

[ljdevo]

Has anyone dived the blue hole and enterd the arch? I saw this video on you tube and figured that if i ever dive this place then i will have to dive deep and through the arch. But how do you get to the point where you can dive to 70-80m? Do you have to study technical diving courses? And is it as mystic as this video says? Or is that just a load of rubbish?

Blue hole video

[bottlefish]

Yes, to complete it safely, you would have to go down the tech route. I've not done it myself, but all I've heard, if your diving is inclined towards the tech side, then it is a pinnacle dive. Just don't try it without the proper training and equipment, that's the way of the many headstones you'll find around the site.

[Polly]

Dived The Bells to the Blue Hole loads of times - as have loads on here...but diving the Arch is a totally different dive altogether - or going any deeper into the hole. The normal dive we do is further up the reef wall, in through a 28m deep chimney, out through an arch into the blue (amazing!) and then up and along the reef wall. Over a little saddle at 7m into the Blue Hole itself. Watch and marvel at the free divers and then hop out for a coffee. I think we had a thread about this a little while back if you want to search through for it.

I found that film a little sensationalist actually but, yeah, a lot of people have died there. The arch is at just over 50m which is beyond the usual recreational limits but some people get curious, some get narked and some are just plain stupid and attempt it on a single cylinder. There are others who have lost their lives there for various other reasons but in my mind it's not really any more dangerous than anywhere else that allows you to exceed your limits. The Blue Hole doesn't 'take people', everyone makes their choice as a diver. It's a popular dive site and some people are tempted to try to dive beyond their limits, which everyone is trained to know is not the best of ideas. It's not impossible but it's not wise and opens yourself up to lots of problems. As far as I know, none of the dive centres will take you through it unless you're trained as a tech diver but I could be wrong. I certainly wouldn't be attempting it without the training, but it is one of the sites in the world that would tempt me to consider doing the training.

Sakara Drinker does it every now and then....I'm sure he'll pop along soon to let you know.

And if you want to see something totally amazing? Watch this one instead... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hrXQbucZUDA

[ljdevo]

(18-11-2008 11:58 PM)Polly Wrote:  Dived The Bells to the Blue Hole loads of times - as have loads on here...but diving the Arch is a totally different dive altogether - or going any deeper into the hole. The normal dive we do is further up the reef wall, in through a 28m deep chimney, out through an arch into the blue (amazing!) and then up and along the reef wall. Over a little saddle at 7m into the Blue Hole itself. Watch and marvel at the free divers and then hop out for a coffee. I think we had a thread about this a little while back if you want to search through for it.

I found that film a little sensationalist actually but, yeah, a lot of people have died there. The arch is at just over 50m which is beyond the usual recreational limits but some people get curious, some get narked and some are just plain stupid and attempt it on a single cylinder. There are others who have lost their lives there for various other reasons but in my mind it's not really any more dangerous than anywhere else that allows you to exceed your limits. The Blue Hole doesn't 'take people', everyone makes their choice as a diver. It's a popular dive site and some people are tempted to try to dive beyond their limits, which everyone is trained to know is not the best of ideas. It's not impossible but it's not wise and opens yourself up to lots of problems. As far as I know, none of the dive centres will take you through it unless you're trained as a tech diver but I could be wrong. I certainly wouldn't be attempting it without the training, but it is one of the sites in the world that would tempt me to consider doing the training.

Sakara Drinker does it every now and then....I'm sure he'll pop along soon to let you know.

And if you want to see something totally amazing? Watch this one instead... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hrXQbucZUDA

Thats an awsome video, i wish i could do that. And i love the cover song as well, it a great chill out song, one of my favs.

[aquafan]

That's a great video, what great vis, would love to dive there. Is that music from "The Layer Cake"?

(19-11-2008 12:13 AM)ljdevo Wrote:  

(18-11-2008 11:58 PM)Polly Wrote:  Dived The Bells to the Blue Hole loads of times - as have loads on here...but diving the Arch is a totally different dive altogether - or going any deeper into the hole. The normal dive we do is further up the reef wall, in through a 28m deep chimney, out through an arch into the blue (amazing!) and then up and along the reef wall. Over a little saddle at 7m into the Blue Hole itself. Watch and marvel at the free divers and then hop out for a coffee. I think we had a thread about this a little while back if you want to search through for it.

I found that film a little sensationalist actually but, yeah, a lot of people have died there. The arch is at just over 50m which is beyond the usual recreational limits but some people get curious, some get narked and some are just plain stupid and attempt it on a single cylinder. There are others who have lost their lives there for various other reasons but in my mind it's not really any more dangerous than anywhere else that allows you to exceed your limits. The Blue Hole doesn't 'take people', everyone makes their choice as a diver. It's a popular dive site and some people are tempted to try to dive beyond their limits, which everyone is trained to know is not the best of ideas. It's not impossible but it's not wise and opens yourself up to lots of problems. As far as I know, none of the dive centres will take you through it unless you're trained as a tech diver but I could be wrong. I certainly wouldn't be attempting it without the training, but it is one of the sites in the world that would tempt me to consider doing the training.

Sakara Drinker does it every now and then....I'm sure he'll pop along soon to let you know.

And if you want to see something totally amazing? Watch this one instead... http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hrXQbucZUDA

Thats an awsome video, i wish i could do that. And i love the cover song as well, it a great chill out song, one of my favs.

[Sakara Drinker]

I have dived it several times as Polly says. We have always planned it as a 60m dive. I have always found it to be a dark and gloomy dive, I have never done it in very clear viz. It is still a special dive though.

[aquafan]

Is that a pretty advanced dive using trimix?

(19-11-2008 05:30 PM)Sakara Drinker Wrote:  I have dived it several times as Polly says. We have always planned it as a 60m dive. I have always found it to be a dark and gloomy dive, I have never done it in very clear viz. It is still a special dive though.

[Sakara Drinker]

It certainly isn´t a recreational dive. You need training before doing such a dive but you don´t need to do it on Trimix. I usually dive it on air as I feel comfortable with this but there are plenty on here that don´t agree.

[Polly]

I'm fine with you doing it on air as long as you don't die.

Yes, I think that's my only condition.

Other than phoning me from Dahab to let me know you're home safe...

[Sakara Drinker]

(19-11-2008 05:44 PM)Polly Wrote:  I'm fine with you doing it on air as long as you don't die.

Yes, I think that's my only condition.

Other than phoning me from Dahab to let me know you're home safe...

You were my support diver.