Are there any Andrea Doria dreamers out there?

[Waterlover]

I bought the Tecrec books. It's deep air to 160 FT. No Helium involved.
Ken

 

[Atomict1x]

:boom: Here is my .02 on this subject and my inaugural post here on these forums. I understand that PADI is trying to break into new markets and introduce existing divers to new facets of the underwater relm. Having said that, I believe that PADI is a bit out of their league with the new TecRec certification. Technical diving is something that one should have to seek out not pick up a flyer on the dive shop counter and say, "I think I'll give this a try". Technical training is best left to certifying agencies that specialize in this sort of training such as IANTD, TDI or some more than qualified others....not PADI. PADI should stick to what they know best and that is certifying recreational divers. We can only hope that the instructors that jump in on this new PADI program will be, at the least, recruits with a boat load of experience certified by one of the above agencies that have the ability to take up the shortfalls (we all know there will be some) of the TecRec cert.
As a PADI Divemaster and IANTD Full Cave and mixed gas diver, I have witnessed my fair share of divers seeking out technical training that really had no business being there. My fear is that with TecRec there will be many more very much over their heads. I hope this does not sound condescending as I honestly don't mean it that way at all. As a Caver with a good bit of technical experience I know that I have no business on the Doria. I fully acknowledge the fact that those who do wreck diving in the northeast are specialist at their trade and didn't come by this experience doing easy dives in the Caribbean. There is a big difference and hope those contemplating pursuing Technical Wreck diving keep this in mind.

 

[hawgfish]

It has nothing to do with PADI. I must have been one of the lucky one's that actually received excellent instruction. My LDS, and it's instructors are top notch, yes I've been with divers that had no buisness with an AOW cert, and they all were not from PADI. It is how you apply the knowledge that is most important. We are talking 160 feet, nitrous and little else, and yes I know that nitrous is no good for that depth. It's the knowledge I seek, and I have the utmost, is that a word, confidence in my instructor, and LDS to deliver. Dive you're own profile and be happy, I don't think divers are lining up to be cave certified, maybe in N. FL. P.A.D.I. are just letters, how you dive , you're goals, what gives you the most enjoyment, is up to the individual. But, knowledge is a good thing, I think you are being a little pompous. No offense, and Best Regards.

 

[Lost Yooper]

and yes I know that nitrous is no good for that depth.

You gotta love it! I sorta agree with you Atomict1x.

What you gain in deep air classes (regardless of agency) is "knowledge" of what not to do. At best, you're getting a good brainwashing.



Mike

 

[Atomict1x]

Hawgfish- No offense taken. My opinion is exactly that, my opinion. The intent of my comments was not to get you or anyone else to subscribe to them but only to express my observations concerning a percentage of those seeking technical dive training in the area I live in. I do not have any problem with PADI and the type of training they provide. However, can I give you bit of my unsolicited, pompous advice? If you really want technical diving training seek it out from someone certified by an agency that specializes in it. IANTD or TDI are great examples of such agencies. Their courses are designed to build on each other and you will gain experience and knowledge gradually. Plus, IMHO an IANTD Deep Air, Advanced Deep Air, or Technical Nitrox C-card means a hell of a lot more than a PADI TecRec C-card.

What exactly is nitrous?

 

[hawgfish]

To respond to the posts, you guys are missing the point. Knowledge provides insight into what you did not know, what you thought you knew, and what you better know. The newly offered PADI course will have value. Not and I repeat NOT teach you what you know to become a competent tech diver. But perhaps just a glance at what tech diving is about. I'm sorry about the pompous remark, but my LDS is a five star Padi shop, and I get tired of all the PADI bashing. I myself have issues with some of their motive's and course's, but not with my instructor.

 

[Lost Yooper]

Yes, but they are implying deep air diving is technical diving. Deep air is foolish diving. I'm not just bashing PADI here (though that is a favorite pass time of mine ). I'm bashing almost all of them (TDI, IANTD, NAUI, ANDI, etc.). Look, learning the wrong information can be worse than not learning anything. If one is given the impression by a "respectable" diving agency that deep air is safe with "proper" training, then they are in more danger now than they were prior to taking the class.

That's what I'm getting at. I'm not targeting individual instructors, but the agencies as a whole.

Mike

 

[Atomict1x]

Lost Yooper- I concur with your thoughts on deep air diving 100%.

 

[hawgfish]

I just responded with a profound post. Some how it got lost. What I thought was, dive within you limitations, some can, some can't. Had a buddy that hit 150 feet with a single 80. No problems, solo, it's kind of like golf, never gamble what you can't afford to lose. There are divers that know their limits, those that don't better pray to St. Jude, patron Saint of lost causes.

 

[hawgfish]

Nitrous is what you get when you are a one finger typer, but for diving you get Nitrox.