Certification agency

[Icarusflies]

Hello All;

I am a Padi AOW, Nitrox Certified Diver with 60 dives in in the last 7 months. I d like to continue my training maybe to something more technical. Can you recommend a certification agency, which one is the most reputable?

Thanks

 

[fisherdvm]

Unless you really wanted a bash PADI party, just look through this thread:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=2637918#post2637918

 

[loosebits]

Technical diving is usually a means to and end, not an end on its own. Is there some specific goal you had in mind that can't be reached while diving within recreational limits?

That being said, there are several agencies that have programs that go beyond the recreational limits. For cave diving, the big ones are the NSS-CDS and NACD and of course GUE. I would say both the NSS-CDS and NACD have good programs. I'm sure GUE does as well. For mixed gas/decompression diving there is IANTD, TDI, PADI DSAT, NAUI Tec and GUE. I know nothing about GUE, NAUI or PADI's programs but IANTD seems to have far better materials than TDI but some of their classes seem to be oddly structured (e.g. no O2 in advanced nitrox).

 

[H2Andy]

Technical diving is usually a means to and end, not an end on its own. Is there some specific goal you had in mind that can't be reached while diving within recreational limits?

really well said

you have a few areas you can explore

if you want to do longer dives, you may want to go the deco route:

nitrox, advanced nitrox, deco procedures

if you want to explore wrecks, add wreck diving to the mix

if you want to explore caves, add Cavern, Intro. Cave, Apprentice Cave, and Full Cave

eventually, you may want to dive deeper, so that means Trimix

that is about as solid a foundation for tech diving as you need. i would suggest specialiced agencies, such as NAS-CDS or NACD for cave training, or IANTD or TDI for the rest

GUE offers excellent cave and tech diving classes, but you have to adopt the DIR system of diving (which is not a bad thing but it does entail accepting a system of doing things, with little room for deviation).

 

[captndale]

I am a Padi AOW, Nitrox Certified Diver with 60 dives in in the last 7 months. I d like to continue my training maybe to something more technical. Can you recommend a certification agency, which one is the most reputable?

It has been said over and over on this board and all the others, "It's not the agency, it's the instructor."

Your first task is to identify what type of diving you are interested in. What kind of diving have you been doing? Are you diving locally? What kind of diving is available in the local area? Find an instructor/mentor who does the kind of diving you want to do and work with him to improve your skills. With only sixty dives under your belt, you need more experience, but you also need to be pointed in the right direction to achieve your goals.

 

[TheScubaLady]

I agree with Capt. Dale - you need a lot more dives under your belt. At this point my recommendation would be a Rescue Class. I really think that ever new diver should go through a class like this - it makes you not only a better buddy but also a better diver. And look at some of the specialties out there (it does not matter what agency - look for instructors who share your passion in the areas you want to pursue) and start getting involved in the ones that interest you. Also, do not ignore the training that is not-dive specific but still related such as first aid/cpr and all of the DAN courses. Some will be required as you proceed other will be very helpful.

 

[H2Andy]

I agree with Capt. Dale - you need a lot more dives under your belt.

let me respectfully disagree, if i may

doing a lot of dives where you are just making the same errors over and over really don't make you a better diver

after 60 dives, he is comfortable in the water. i think it's time to raise the bar and start learning new skills and techniques and challenging himself

it's not how many dives you have, but the kinds of dives you have that really matter

 

[prthd9]

I am considering going the technical route and live in San Diego. I enjoy penetration dives and deep dives when there is something to see. I don't think there is much cave training here in San Diego, but I should be able to find some good instruction.

My Personality: laidback, yet serious

Can you reccommend any good instructors for penetration diving and deep diving?

 

[verybaddiver]

When i completed GUE-F it was always hinted at how easy it is to transfer upto TECH-1 in the way of gear. Ofcourse this is more true than if i had none of the gear, but i'd still be looking at quite a cost.
2 tanks (unless you already have 2 you want to twin)
Twinning bands
Manifold
Wing (doubles)
primary reg (second)
Argon bottle + harness + OPV + regulator
primary reel
And you are looking at ~1300 dollars to do the course (and travel expenses for instructors if necessery)

 

[nereas]

Hello All;

I am a Padi AOW, Nitrox Certified Diver with 60 dives in in the last 7 months. I d like to continue my training maybe to something more technical. Can you recommend a certification agency, which one is the most reputable?

Thanks

You are lucky that you live in Miami, Florida USA. Therefore you will have lots of choices. Might I suggest checking around the Miami area for scuba stores that offer the kind of technical training that you are seeking. Then from those, ask to speak with some of the technical instructors. For you, it will be personality that matters the most, not training agency.

There are several training agencies that you may find, in this manner, such as NACD, IANTD, TDI, NAUI-Tech, and GUE. These agencies all offer certifications that would allow you to obtain the needed gas fills beyond your basic nitrox certification, which only allows you EAN32 or EAN36 right now, presumably.

The basic requirement to begin tech training is basic nitrox certification, and a certain minimum number of logged open water dives. The number of dives varies by agency.