Cave Certs Expiration

[CptTightPants21]

Why I went side mount.... I read way to many stories/articles/posts where a back mount diver thought they were out of air because of a roll off...

Not so much roll off as closed isolator. Although I did have my left post roll closed 3/4 of the way after doing a no mask drill through the lips at Ginnie.

The worst one, is when the isolator is closed and the shop fills from the left post. Full left tank tricks the SPG/diver into seeing full tanks, when they are really breathing a depleted right post. It is one of the reason I always give the isolator a little twist both ways during the predive check.

 

[Imbodie]

The only restriction I don't like is some agencies teaching 6ths and some teaching 3rds.... and it isn't even a restriction that would apply to me.
I just think its silly to have a standard that is ignored because there is one that works for EVERYONE after obtaining full cave certification... what a diver does with it has always been up to the diver... even when they choose to violate a restrictive one that goes away after a certain level of cert.
It just does not make any sense when it is ultimately left to the diver to decide if they are going to follow it or not ANYWAY!!!

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

I don't like the fact that my OW course only lets me dive to 60'. Do you think it's silly when YOUR students break standards? Or do you expect them to do as they were taught? Do you teach your students that standards and certifications are arbitrary?

 

[Imbodie]

Not so much roll off as closed isolator. Although I did have my left post roll closed 3/4 of the way after doing a no mask drill through the lips at Ginnie.

The worst one, is when the isolator is closed and the shop fills from the left post. Full left tank tricks the SPG/diver into seeing full tanks, when they are really breathing a depleted right post. It is one of the reason I always give the isolator a little twist both ways during the predive check.

see... I have pressure gauges on both cylinders... Why is back mount so great again?? I have true redundancy

 

[rjack321]

I get that but that's the "best" way to remove the restrictions that some people don't like. Do you know which agencies have expiring certs now? I'm only aware of GUE's.

All GUE cards technically expire. But you just self certify that you're diving at that level and poof new card. They don't take away your Cave1 certification if you don't (ever) complete Cave2. In fact they encourage you to take as long as you want before deciding you want to take the next course up.

The only things I don't like are:
1) cavern courses, a silted out cavern is as black as any cave. If someone wants all the skills of an old school cavern course (alone) then take GUE-F or intro to tech in open water. Cavern and intro should be merged.
2) midlevel certs (apprentice or whatever) which cajol divers into taking full cave by threatening to take away their certs if the don't go on to full
3) any single tank overhead diving at all

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

1/6ths limits penetration. If problems occur they are closer to the exit. Same with depth limitations. It's really that easy.

 

[PfcAJ]

see... I have pressure gauges on both cylinders... Why is back mount so great again?? I have true redundancy

But the most common issues render half your gas supply unusable.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

All GUE cards technically expire. But you just self certify that you're diving at that level and poof new card. They don't take away your Cave1 certification if you don't (ever) complete Cave2. In fact they encourage you to take as long as you want before deciding you want to take the next course up.

Ok, well I'm at a loss to which agencies DO have expiring certifications currently. The CDS say they have done away with them. I don't recall NACD having any.

 

[Imbodie]

I don't like the fact that my OW course only lets me dive to 60'. Do you think it's silly when YOUR students break standards? Or do you expect them to do as they were taught? Do you teach your students that standards and certifications are arbitrary?

I tell them... they are certified to specified depth... I also tell them they are adults (unless they aren't) and if they choose to dive deeper that it's on them.... but I highly suggest an advanced or deep class if they want to dive deeper.... not that the class gets them anything but the chance to do a deeper dive with someone who already has that experience. I don't think that standard carries as much weight as 3rds... Oh did I mention I teach my OW students the rule of 3rds.... I would much rather them get back to the boat with 1000 psi in their tanks than 250 psi..... let everyone else make fun of them... THEY HAD AIR TO SPARE... and didn't need SPARE AIR...

 

[Imbodie]

But the most common issues render half your gas supply unusable.

pretty sure that is the same with back mount... my point was... I have two pressure gauges and can tell you where my breathing gas is just by looking.