For the TS and Preach:
Remember: If you want and want to work for it, go for it. With this in your mind, you can learn technical diving. Some faster than others, but if you are lazy, the way to learn it will be an impossible one.
Yes, sometimes there are divers that don't have the talent and feeling to learn it, but most can learn if they really want.
Technical diving means the right skills and the right mindset. It starts with the mindset, then practising the skills. If you dive 200 times a year you can progress faster than that you do only 30 dives a year. 30 dives is a low amount if you want to progress to a technical diver.
18 is young, but it is the age of consent. Some people never get responsible enough, others can be at 18. I agree with preach. Not every diver need a gatekeeper course, but 18 is not too young to decide you want to go tech. And an intro to tech course can be helpfull for some divers. Or as mentioned before the right buddies or mentor.
Backmount or sidemount is a personal one, both can work in caves.
Remember: If you want and want to work for it, go for it. With this in your mind, you can learn technical diving. Some faster than others, but if you are lazy, the way to learn it will be an impossible one.
Yes, sometimes there are divers that don't have the talent and feeling to learn it, but most can learn if they really want.
Technical diving means the right skills and the right mindset. It starts with the mindset, then practising the skills. If you dive 200 times a year you can progress faster than that you do only 30 dives a year. 30 dives is a low amount if you want to progress to a technical diver.
18 is young, but it is the age of consent. Some people never get responsible enough, others can be at 18. I agree with preach. Not every diver need a gatekeeper course, but 18 is not too young to decide you want to go tech. And an intro to tech course can be helpfull for some divers. Or as mentioned before the right buddies or mentor.
Backmount or sidemount is a personal one, both can work in caves.