A beginner in tech -- TDI or IANTD?

[TSandM]

There are two ways to schedule GUE classes -- one is to contact an instructor, and find out if he is running a class you can get to that has an opening for students. (Not all, or, I sometimes suspect, even most classes are posted on the GUE website). The other way is to gather several people who want to do a class, and contact an instructor about coming in to teach it. As mentioned, you have two GUE instructors in the general area, although neither is actually in the Philippines.

 

[Centrals]

Tech Asia, the technical wing of Asia Divers in Puerto Galera, has scheduled GUE classes.
Check it out.
Tech Asia is also an IANTD's franchisee. Sam is the man.

 

[snowmaker]

It's all about the instructor. Find an instructor that has lots of experience doing the type of diving you want to do. Wreck, cave, whatever. Talk to them and see how you two mesh.

When I did my tec training I found an instructor that had thousands of dives doing the dives I wanted to do. Emailed him and then talked to him over the phone. We gear, instruction and other stuff. I then took a class with him where we both had to travel. This turned out to be such a good experience because both the instructor and other students all had to travel. This way we where emersed in learning.

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Like people have mentioned, the instructor is key. With that being said, IANTD's course materials could use some work. There are many typoes, problems with formulas, and often mistakes on the exams. However, I did IANTD because the instructor made up for it.

 

[vinegarbiscuit]

Like people have mentioned, the instructor is key. With that being said, IANTD's course materials could use some work. There are many typoes, problems with formulas, and often mistakes on the exams. However, I did IANTD because the instructor made up for it.

I second your remark about the IANTD course materials. I hear that TDI's Advanced Nitrox/Deco Procedures course materials are well written, though - perhaps marketing director Steve Lewis had a hand in that? I just finished reading his "The Six Skills", and of course, I'm a huge fan of his blog. I might buy the TDI material just for the heck of it!

 

[divejay]

Hi all! I'm thinking of taking courses in tech diving. But I don't know what course is the right one to begin with.
I have PADI nitrox cert, which allows me up to 40% nitrox. I've checked both IANTD and TDI courses.
IANTD has an Advanced Nitrox course including some limited deco procedure. This course would allow students up to 50% nitrox use.
While TDI Advanced Nitrox course would allow up to 100% oxygen, and their Decompression is a separate course.

Is trimix course also a good option as a start in tech diving?

I'm going to take my course in southeast Asia, probably in the Philippines. I guess both agencies are available in there. Any recommendation or advice are all welcome

Both IANTD and TDI are great courses. I have cert cards in both through advanced Trimix with just over 500 tech dives. I would say I would prefer IANTD for one reason as this card has been reconogized every place in the world I have been tech diving. For this reason do not even consider GUE. Plus, they only teach and believe there is only one way to tech dive which is crazy. I would never again want a GUE as a buddy.

When you go on and get a rebreather, which you will, IANTD is preferred as they have course training with all the CCR manufactures. TDI is a close second with GUE a dead last.

 

[ianr33]

Just FYI, you can use 100% O2 with IANTD. You just gotta stay at 1.5 PPO2 or above.

So where do IANTD divers switch to O2? 15 feet?

If using a computer for dec:shocked2 it will take much longer to clear the 20 foot stop on backgas .

O2 at 20 feet ( pO2 1.6) seems to be one of the few "standards" when it comes to deco diving.

 

[TSandM]

For this reason do not even consider GUE. Plus, they only teach and believe there is only one way to tech dive which is crazy. I would never again want a GUE as a buddy.

On the other hand, if you plan a tech dive with a GUE buddy, you know EXACTLY how that person is going to approach planning of gases, reserves, and decompression, as well as what procedures and protocols are in place for mishaps. There is something to be said for that . . .

Although my tech cert is not GUE, I have had no trouble with an card from an even smaller and lesser-known agency . . .

 

[Centrals]

Both IANTD and TDI are great courses. I have cert cards in both through advanced Trimix with just over 500 tech dives. I would say I would prefer IANTD for one reason as this card has been reconogized every place in the world I have been tech diving. For this reason do not even consider GUE. Plus, they only teach and believe there is only one way to tech dive which is crazy. I would never again want a GUE as a buddy.

When you go on and get a rebreather, which you will, IANTD is preferred as they have course training with all the CCR manufactures. TDI is a close second with GUE a dead last.

IANTD since 1998.
Sharing a liveaboard with GUE divers was bad enough and diving with them? NO, thank you.
I remember reading from a diving magazine many yrs ago, someone from the organization saying that GUE diver ONLY dive with GUE diver. Lets keep it this way.
I won't be all surprised if GUE will eventually go for CCR.

 

[ucfdiver]

IANTD since 1998.
Sharing a liveaboard with GUE divers was bad enough and diving with them? NO, thank you.
I remember reading from a diving magazine many yrs ago, someone from the organization saying that GUE diver ONLY dive with GUE diver. Lets keep it this way.
I won't be all surprised if GUE will eventually go for CCR.

Care to quote a source, or at least admit you're making things up as you go along?