Holistic Hogarthian - a working document (Part I)

[DRE]

Team diving
   
   The H2 diver is a team-oriented diver. This goes far beyond the usual buddy approach to diving, which boils down to diving “at the same time in the same ocean.” Keeping track of your team-members is one of the primary con-cerns of the H2 diver while in the water, but it also means that the dive is planned in advance based upon the lowest common denominator of the team-members, and that the team does not exceed the limitations set forth during the planning whilst diving. Pushing the limits of a single member of the team can lead to the breakdown of team integrity in the water, with possibly catastrophic results. This is not only valid for an advanced wreck penetration, but also for simpler recreational dives. Knowing the skills of each individual diver and of the team as a whole is of primary concern to the H2 diver. The team approach also includes proper post-dive evaluations, with the team analyzing every aspect of the dive planning and the execution. This briefing will enhance the in-water awareness and cooperation of the team-members, and will not only lead to more efficient dives, but also to much more enjoyable dives.



Physics and Physiology

   A thorough theoretical understanding of concepts relating to diving phys-ics and physiology is also of interest to the Holistic Hogarthian diver. This knowl-edge is not only informative, but also of practical importance. Knowing and un-derstanding varying models on decompression theory will inform the H2 diver about how to plan dives correctly, to use the proper gasses for a dive, to prop-erly use computers and dive tables, and to know when to call a dive. For diving in cold water, a theoretical knowledge of the body’s response to a cold environ-ment will inform the diver to use proper insulation, to develop emergency sce-narios and to incorporate these factors into the dive plan. There are a myriad of related fields worth investigating, and every single piece of information will make the H2 diver better informed and for that very reason a better diver.



Physical Conditioning
   
Physical conditioning is part of the H2 lifestyle. It improves not only diving skills but also overall health – and healthy people smile more often! Contrary to popu-lar belief the most important workout for a diver is the aerobic workout. Most people think because diving is 1) not a very aerobic sport, and 2) since hauling tanks is an anaerobic activity that the most important workout for a diver is a weights routine.
This does not imply that weight routines are not important for the diver. Weight lifting builds strength, which facilitates lifting the heavy scuba equipment, it strengthens the bone structure, which reduces the possibility of bone necrosis (something to worry about when you're doing long and deep exposures), and it builds lean muscle mass, which is far easier to offgas than fat tissue.
However, the aerobic workout is more important for several reasons. First, it im-proves the overall physical conditioning, which lowers the heart rate at rest, thus improving overall gas consumption - hence, longer bottom times on a tank, or reduced gas consumption on a more strenuous dive. Secondly, being in better physical shape delays the onset of the panic response. The mind reacts emotion-ally to an increased heart rate by increasing physical activity. This becomes a loop system to the point where the diver will succumb to his efforts and become unresponsive. Third, physical conditioning increases lean muscle mass, which off-gasses inert gas much more easily. Also, it improves the gas exchange ability of the lungs, so the aerobic fit diver will be able to off-gas more inert gas with every single breath and send more O2 through the bloodstream than the unfit diver. And last, aerobic training increases the diameter of the blood vessels and increases the amount of pathways. This has two implications: bubbles formed in the bloodstream won't get lodged as easily because of the larger diameter, and if they do get lodged the blood has different pathways to bypass the blocked area, thus reducing the chance of clinical DCS.
Therefore, aerobic training should be the primary concern of the H2 diver. The kind of workout isn't as important as the fact you do it, but a workout of a mini-mum of 30 minutes three times a week should be considered.



The H2 Lifestyle

   The holistic approach to diving also extends into the day-to-day life of the H2 diver. The concepts of minimalist functionality, goal oriented teamwork and streamlining gear, mind and body are attributes beneficial to everyone. But most importantly, the Holistic Hogarthian diver approaches diving with an open but critical mind. The diving lifestyle becomes a quest for knowledge and improve-ment. This includes openness toward differing ways of gear configuration, diving theory, and diving practice. This does not imply an undiscerning approach to div-ing – the Hogarthian method was developed through years of trial and error, sometimes even through the loss of life – but the understanding that for certain environments different methods are preferential. Therefore the H2 diver has the moral obligation to familiarize and investigate her/himself with techniques such as side-mount diving, photography and videography, and the pros and cons of rebreather diving. This implies that the H2 diver is well versed in a multitude of diving languages, and that the diver approaches his/her own diving from the ba-sic tenets of the Holistic Hogarthian philosophy: simplicity and functionality in a team-based environment.