by Tom Mount, D.Sc., Ph.D. and Lee Somers, Ph.D.

The deep diver has some very important dive planning considerations. The aspects of dive planning from previous courses must be included, plus additional gas management and gas mixture issues. The complete dive plan will include the concepts you have previously been introduced to such as; site information, buddy selection and responsibilities, environmental assessment and type of dive platform. These basic dive-planning issues should be ingrained into you by now, and this chapter will address new elements that the deeper diver must include. A dive planning form will guide you through the above steps. Refer to the form that is included in this chapter.