The technical session went well on Friday. A few hiccups such as the lanyard not being long enough and another one having to be crafted at sea. But generally a fantastic dive using the NEW CH (Hooray it works).

Using a human brake (Thanx Andy) the decent was slowed until at 32m after 25 sec, Herbert was able to fill the HF.EqEx and continue.

He hit -100m at 56 seconds. (Thats 31seconds for 32-100!)

He hit 151m after 1min18, (where he was easily able to equalise).
(just for the record a full equalisation at 150m will allow him to go a further 40m to a record breaking 190m).

Although the weight released immediately he stayed at 150m until 1min 21
(Time from the D9, modified to have a max depth of -250m, thanx SUUNTO)

His assent rate increased to 2.5m/s and after 10secs the counterweight system sped him up to 3m/s, reaching 100m at 1min 47sec.

The deco brake stopped Herbert (and the sled) at around 12m after 2min 34sec. He immediately went onto Oxygen for 12min. He then came to the surface and breathed Pure Oxygen for a further 15 minutes. and intermittently for a further hour (until the O2 was exhausted.

As has been mentioned before on all of Herbert’s deep dives, he has (and will not) come directly to the surface, but will stop to decompress, to limit the possibility of “The Bends”.

The boat is equipped with high precision SONAR (Thanx Lowrance), allowing the entire dive to be monitored from the surface.

Today another training session, he will go deep again (-180m) in preparation for the -185m tomorrow with the full system, cameras etc.

:o)

The No Limits World Record team consists of:
• Herbert Nitsch– Athlete, HF.EQEX development
• Marcus Greatwood (Me) - Coach, Spare Rope Coordinator, Parts Scavenger, EqEx location manager,
• Alex Sarasitis – Technical Designer, Inventor, Conceptual Maestro, inventor,
• Karsten Schneider- SCUBA Coordinator, Advanced gas blender, Master Helium Mixer, Pilot (Alt 0), Apprentice rope measurer, Chief of Safety,
• Alex Tzanerakis- Freediving Safety Coordinator (dry), Abrasion Manager, Official portrait Photographer
• Andy Laurie – Herbert’s P.A, G.D (General Dogsbody), Freediving Safety Coordinator (wet), Spare nose clip holder, Brake, Oxygen administrator,
• Arnaud Palu – Operations Manager, Chief Panicker, Inspector (Clouseau), Chief in charge of tangles (sub aqua),

The calm before the storm

Alex S (the inventor and conceptual maestro), is now developing the braking system from deep tests with the 1^st “CH”. The “FP”, which is designed to push Herbert into the shoulder straps on the assent, is also being modified to allow expansion of the torso during Packing.

We have some problems getting some things on the island, for instance we can only get hold of 1 Gay Light (a pink 2W LED light capable of descending to the required 200+ m).

We also require redundant O₂ kits in addition to the 3 we already have been using. The Kits we have at the moment are: - Decompression (at depth, 5-9m depending on the dive profile and O₂ quality), Surface Deco and 1^st Aid. For the record FilmOn and Bios have generously allowed us to have exclusive use of their Deco Chamber in the case of emergency, which just happens to be on site.

Weather was not good this morning and we (well I) are glad we could not get go out… Bluugghhh big swell!). Thankfully the rain has stopped and its 1 hour till the boat officially leaves… I best start getting my kit together….

Job Titles so far...

• Herbert Nitsch– Athlete

• Marcus Greatwood (Me) - Coach, Spare Rope Coordinator,

• Alex Sarasitis – Technical Designer, Inventor, Conceptual Maestro

• Karsten Schneider- SCUBA Coordinator, Advanced gas blender, Master

Helium Mixer

• Alex Tzanerakis- Freediving Safety Coordinator, abrasion manager,

• Andy Laurie (on his way)– Herbert’s P.A, G.D (General Dogsbody).

• Arnaud Palu (on his way) – Operations Manager, Chief Panicker

Day 2

Herbert is feeling good, and training in all disciplines went well while in Athens

.

I (Marcus Greatwood) have been keeping the emedia up-to-date, and finalizing Herberts training schedule.

Alex Sarasitis has been feverishly working on the NEW sled, today it will go deep for the first time.
Alex Tzanerakis has been preparing for the dives, locating equipment and checking the ropes (Even the training ropes are -100m long, we also have 2x300m ropes on board)

Karsten Schneider has located all the technical SCUBA equipment, including decompression Oxygen on the island.

Herbert -214m attempt 2007

So here we are on the beautiful island of Spetses, 2 hours out from the Port of Piraeus. I arrived on the flying dolphin with my family two days ago and we have spent the time taking in the wonderful views in the glorious sunshine and enjoying the lovely food. We soon found the best way to get around was by quad-bike.

Herbert however, arrived from Athens yesterday on a rubber dinghy, as the service RIB needed to be brought across it made sense (at the time) to come across in it!!

He has spent the last week constructing his new sled and counter weight...."CH" with Alex, Karsten and Alex.

The event’s sponsor Alki David extended his generous hospitality to freediving champion Herbert Ntsch by providing accommodation in his beautiful home. Filmon

The final parts of "CH" were being constructed today… well they were until somebody mentioned spearfishing for dinner.

The No Limits World Record team consists of:

• Herbert – Diver
• Me (Marcus) - Coach
• Alex - Freediving Safety Co-coordinator
• Alex – Technical Designer
• Karston - SCUBA Co-coordinator
• Andy – Herbert’s P.A
• Arnaud – Operations Manager

Tomorrow, once it’s finished we will test dive the “CH” to try out Alex’s new innovation. I have attached a picture of the new black “CH”. (Trygons)

The next few days will be crucial to ensure the world record goes smoothly, but the weather is great and the forecast is excellent.

MIG