Next step?

[RS Sorensen]

Well, I need some input from you guys.
My passion is wreck diving. There are lots of wrecks within my current range (PADI AOWD+Nitrox <40msw), but in time I would like to explore some of the deeper(less visited) ones.
So the question is, what course should be my next? and why...

 

[Kingpatzer]

You can start with the TDI classes on decompression diving and advanced nitrox. You wouldn't be amiss picking up the SDI solo diving course.

Beyond that I'd look for team diving courses, GUE, DIR, etc. but really what you need is a mentor who will take you down and work with you regularly on getting your trim right, mastering a variety of kicking techniques, etc.

After you've done more than a few deep (below 130') dives with deco procedures, then you might look to finding someone to help you get into penetration diving.

Take it step by step though, become very good at just going down and seeing the outside of the wrecks, and become really good at decompression procedures. When you can plan a dive easily and quickly, go through emergency procedures blindfolded (really!) and have a good, respected diver tell you you are ready, then you can look around for someone to do your first penetration dives with.

 

[RS Sorensen]

Now that´s what I call a fast respons!
It´s exactly the kind of advice I was looking for, Thanks.

aditional suggestions are still welcome.

 

[Rick Murchison]

So the question is, what course should be my next? and why...

Rescue's next, including oxygen administration & first aid. You need these underpinnings to progress into any kind of overhead diving like wreck penetration or decompression diving.
then look at cavern/overhead environment diver, advanced nitrox/tech foundations/deco etc.
Rick

 

[Joe-Diver]

Well, not knowing anything about you or your experience other than what you state: AOW diver with EANx....

I suggest you start out gradually and work your way up:

Finish out the training PADI has to offer you in this area of interest. Do Rescue Diver next. It will serve you well! Complete PADI Deep Diver and learn to plan/execute dives in the range of 100 to 130 safely, then start doing these dives to get experience in them. Use your EANx wisely for dives in the 80 to 110' range to extend your NDL's keeping PPO2 at 1.4. Complete Wreck Diver and learn basic recreational procedures for overhead environments. Some advanced places like to see this recreational cert before entering their advanced programs...I have a diver doing Wreck this week in advance of his course in the Great Lakes this fall.

Use this training and dive, dive, dive at the recreational level to get experience.

When you're ready, then move to the other fine organizations suggested above and start your advanced training in deep diving deco, advanced nitrox, trimix, and wreck diving. Building upon the recreational experience you've been working on, you'll get so much more out of these advanced classes.

Oh, and start saving money now....this advanced diving is going to cost $$$$!

 

[RS Sorensen]

so the bottom line is "a hell of alot of practice". Thank you for the inputs.

 

[vinegarbiscuit]

I second (or third?!) Rescue followed by Advanced Nitrox/Deco Proceedures. I would venture that even if folk don't plan on doing deco dives, the advanced training is still hugely beneficial. Then you can follow up with an Advanced Wreck course.

I would also venture that you get practice diving doubles (if you're not already). I found diving doubles to be a whole new ballgame. It would be to your disadvantage if you tried to perform some of the Adv. EAN/Deco open water skills - shooting bags, out of air drills, clipping and unclipping bottles, and so on - while still struggling to familiarize yourself with a new set-up. I see you're based in Denmark, so I assume you're already diving a drysuit? if so, that's awesome...getting comfortable with doubles AND a drysuit at the same time would be the very definition of task-loading!

 

[Blackwood]

I took the UTD Overhead Protocols course this weekend. My instructor (Andrew Georgitsis) said something to the effect of: there are no guarantees at this level of diving, but this course gives you what I believe to be the BEST CHANCE of GETTING OUT of a hairy situation in an overhead environment.

If you merely want to visit the outside of these deeper wrecks,

1) Dive your tail off,
2) Go through the decompression courses mentioned above

If you want to go inside the wrecks, I heartily recommend the course I took (not that I've applied any of it in real life yet).

You can read my course report here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/te...ort-utd-overhead-protocols-august-2009-a.html

 

[TSandM]

I echo Rick Murchison's recommendation to do Rescue. I have many criticisms of my mainstream scuba education, but Rescue was worth the money and time I put into it.

Beyond that, you've gotten some good ideas. The bottom line is that risks increase as depth, time, and environmental constraints (eg. overheads) increase, and your level of training and skill has to increase commensurately, to be safe.

 

[CamG]

Greetings RS and you are very correct in that it takes time in the water to achieve your goals. I was right where you are not to long ago, planning my next move. I think as Rick and TSandM have mentioned Resuce it is a very important step in the training process. It will teach you the what and hows of a dive emergency. Most of all it will help you to evaluate your own stress levels and maintain control. The rest of the training mentioned is priceless when considering deep wreck diving. I have traveled the Padi trail to Deep diver spc. and am currently working on TDI Adv. Nitrox and Deco Procedures. I would highly recommend this class and more. I will be moving in the cave arena of training in the near future. You will be hard pressed to find better penetration / overhead training in my opinion. If you have not read the GUE DIR material they are awesome! A must read for divers like us entering a more challenging realm of diving. The key is organized progression and baby steps, DO NOT GET IN A HURRY! Do the research, study well, train hard, know the material inside and out, accept the risk of the level of diving. Dive planning becomes very different on the dives you are pondering. Your instructor will cover that in your class.
It has been fantastic and you will love it, immerse yourself in diving all over again!
I feel it is important as a evolving diver to be a sponge absorbing new research and training. Keeping it fresh and never stop LEARNING!
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!