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When I said play it by ear, that is what the instructor suggested- start out doing rec sm, and depending on how this are going, we may add in some/all of the tech sm. He has done this in the past, so I am trusting his knowledge and experience. If it does not make sense, then I won't. Even if I do it, I would probably redo it if/when I start down the tech tree in the future. Was just following the suggestion of the instructor who teaches this often.

The point of the post was not - should I do tech or rec sm? I was hoping to get some basic info that people learned when they first got started. I apologize to all for wasting your time, if I could delete the whole post, I would.

I really wonder at the instructor adding tech stuff for someone so new to SM. You may not have any idea of how much time you can spend tweaking your rig/tanks to get you AND your tanks trimmed out. Add something new, such as a deco bottle, and it can go to hell in a hand basket very quickly. You have to start tweaking again. It all depends on your rig, your tanks, and your body.
 
I really wonder at the instructor adding tech stuff for someone so new to SM. You may not have any idea of how much time you can spend tweaking your rig/tanks to get you AND your tanks trimmed out. Add something new, such as a deco bottle, and it can go to hell in a hand basket very quickly. You have to start tweaking again. It all depends on your rig, your tanks, and your body.

The OP looked for a recommendation but when we suggested a realistic path they seem not to be interested in the answer :(
 
I am playing it by ear. The instructor said he has seen people who struggle with just getting through rec, and others that it clicks and you can move on to the technical. We have extra dives planned for either additional help with rec sm, or to move on depending on how it is going. From the answers here, I would assume it would not work, but I guess we shall see, since this is all new to me. If I do not get through the technical portion, I will just plan on doing that once I start down the tech route.

I appreciate all the comments from everybody here.
For perspective, I had no issues doing the rec SM course around the 50 dive mark, the solo course was a challenge and I had about 115 dives by then and around 50 in my SM configuration. Gas planning / management is a bit different in SM plus drills such as the S drill, tank pivots etc will add to the task load without going into anything tech.
 
I really wonder at the instructor adding tech stuff for someone so new to SM. You may not have any idea of how much time you can spend tweaking your rig/tanks to get you AND your tanks trimmed out. Add something new, such as a deco bottle, and it can go to hell in a hand basket very quickly. You have to start tweaking again. It all depends on your rig, your tanks, and your body.

As I said the last time, this is not the point of the post, and I really do not want to discuss any more. I apolog
For perspective, I had no issues doing the rec SM course around the 50 dive mark, the solo course was a challenge and I had about 115 dives by then and around 50 in my SM configuration. Gas planning / management is a bit different in SM plus drills such as the S drill, tank pivots etc will add to the task load without going into anything tech.
Thanks.
 
The OP looked for a recommendation but when we suggested a realistic path they seem not to be interested in the answer :(
Because the question was not everybody please keep going on and on and on and on about doing tech. I get it. That was not the point. Asked and answered. If all people will discuss is that, there is no point. I already reached out to the instructor and went through it, and will probably not be doing anything with tech sm. That was determined on page one. Going on and on about it was not the point.

Like I said, if I could delete the whole thread, I would, if there is a way, please enlighten me I wanted basic tips I should know before starting sm.
 
SM is so variable there really isn’t anything cut and dried. Whatever advice we give you might not be applicable. Stuff’s dependent on which rig you have, the tanks you’re diving, and your exposure protection. Your instructor might teach/prefer one hose setup and I do something totally different. I route both hoses directly to my mouth. Others think that’s a no no and have you route around your neck (I hate hoses around my neck). Way too many variables.
 
SM is so variable there really isn’t anything cut and dried. Whatever advice we give you might not be applicable. Stuff’s dependent on which rig you have, the tanks you’re diving, and your exposure protection. Your instructor might teach/prefer one hose setup and I do something totally different. I route both hoses directly to my mouth. Others think that’s a no no and have you route around your neck (I hate hoses around my neck). Way too many variables.

That makes sense and is good to know. Will be my first time using a long hose setup. I am starting out with al80, but will probably get a couple of steels next year if they are available.
 
That makes sense and is good to know. Will be my first time using a long hose setup. I am starting out with al80, but will probably get a couple of steels next year if they are available.

I hope the rig you’re starting off with is meant for AL80s. I’ve seen people use a rig meant for AL80s with steels instead and it was a hot mess. Tanks hung below the diver.
 
I hope the rig you’re starting off with is meant for AL80s. I’ve seen people use a rig meant for AL80s with steels instead and it was a hot mess. Tanks hung below the diver.
I ordered an xdeep stealth tec, so I hope it should work with either.
 
The Xdeep will work with any tanks, it's diver knowledge that makes the difference.

Make sure your instructor regularly does real tech dives in sidemount. This doesn't guarantee a skillset, but helps.

What I have seen a lot of is the instructor gets the student perfect in the water, but does not explain to the student how any of it works. Then the student goes and changes one little thing and it's a complete sh!t show. They have no idea how to adjust their kit for the changes.


Edit: Typo
 

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