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Richard Taylor

Age: Over 30

Born: New Zealand
Began diving: 1987 - to catch crayfish!

Began Instructing in 1991
TDI Instructor since 1994, IT since 1997
SDI Instructor Trainer since 1998

TDI Advanced Trimix, Advanced Wreck O/Head-Cavern & SCR (Dolphin) Instructor Trainer
SDI Open Water Instructor Trainer & SDI Solo Diver Instructor Trainer

CDAA Cave Diver, TDI Sump Diver

TDI/SDI Local Area Director for Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Islands
Published author on numerous articles on Technical Diving

1400+ dives, 700+ > 50m+ dives, 300+ Nitrox dives, 60+ SCR dives & 150+ Trimix Dives

Dived Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Egypt, Turkey, Hawaii, South Africa & Vanuatu

Taught Technical Diving in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea & Turkey

Member of: Pearce Resurgance Expedition 1996 (New Zealand)
Jenolan Cave Diving Project (SUSS) 1997 - 2000
AE2 Submarine Project 1997 & 1998

Convenor of the OZTeK Australian Diving Technology Conferences, Sydney 1999, Melbourne 2000 & Sydney 2002.

What do the terms CNS, OTU and UPTD mean?

By Richard Taylor The terms CNS, OTU and UPTD all deal with oxygen toxicity within the human body. The terms OTU and UPTD mean the same thing, so we will break this down into two separate sections. CNS stands for '˜Central Nervous System' and is used when we are discussing the oxygen toxicity effect to our central nervous system. It is actually the CNS percentage that we refer to and this will be what we…
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What are the differences between manifolds and independent cylinders and which is the best system to use?

By Richard Taylor The question of manifold usage is a very heavily discussed subject, with many different and quite polarized opinions on the subject. Some people are adamant that manifolds seriously reduce the safety of twin cylinders and without suitable support will place the diver at great risk. Others would vehemently deny that using a manifold significantly increase the diver's risk but that the additional safety factors and comfort easily make up for any slim…
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Trimix & Heliair - What exactly are they?

By Richard Taylor What are Trimix & Heliair, and what are the differences? Do we need special labelling to identify each. Trimix is a term used for a gas which usually contains oxygen, helium & nitrogen. 'Tri' meaning three and 'mix' from mixture. The proportions of the three gases is determined by the depth of the dive and what levels of oxygen (to limit toxicity) and nitrogen (to limit narcosis) partial pressures are desired. The…
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What benefit does Nitrox have over air?

By Richard Taylor There have been many statements made about the benefit of Nitrox, mainly that it is 'safer' for the diver, 'extends dive time', makes you 'feel' better and that it 'will become the gas of choice in the 18 msw / 60 fsw to 30 msw / 100 fsw depth range. These may all be true (the last one is a matter of individual opinion), but to understand the benefit, we need to…
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