Chicago Wreck Training

[golfballdir]

I've been interested in wreck diving since my certificaton, and now i really want to pursue it. i've dove a few wrecks, a couple in lake michigan and the ocean as well, and am fascinated in penetration... not fascinated enough though to make the dumb move of going in without training. but definately fascinated enough to spend some money on learning...

i was wondering if any of you had advice on good wreck instructors in the chicago area. honestly, i'd be willing to drive a few hours to work with a good instructor. i definately want safety, but i'd like someone who is there to have fun and enjoy the diving at the same time.

i appreciate any help that anyone has, names, dive shops, or even guys that you know are good wreck instructors.

 

[ppo2_diver]

I know of a great wreck instructor (I'm biased). See my signature below.

 

[matt t.]

What level are you looking for? I wouldn't waste time with the PADI class (very general, and not worth the time or $$$). You may want to look into the TDI Advanced Wreck class. Pretty intensive, but expensive, and geared towards the more advanced diver. A cavern/intro to cave class may be what you're looking for. I know there are a few instructors in your area, not sure about where they go to do the training (Missouri?).

 

[texdiveguy]

What level are you looking for? I wouldn't waste time with the PADI class (very general, and not worth the time or $$$). You may want to look into the TDI Advanced Wreck class. Pretty intensive, but expensive, and geared towards the more advanced diver. A cavern/intro to cave class may be what you're looking for. I know there are a few instructors in your area, not sure about where they go to do the training (Missouri?).

If you are going to persue in the future the TDI Adv. Wreck program you will need a rec. level wreck or cavern course as a preqs..

 

[captndale]

I'm out on Lake Michigan every weekend. I teach all levels of wreck diving, from beginning to advanced technical. Just where are you now?

 

[ppo2_diver]

I wouldn't waste time with the PADI class (very general, and not worth the time or $$$).

Not true. Again, if the instructor is a good instructor, a student can walk away with a very good education on wreck penetration diving. As stated with many posts, it really depends on the instructor.

TDI's pre-req for Advanced Wreck is the Basic Wreck cert.

 

[texdiveguy]

I'm out on Lake Michigan every weekend. I teach all levels of wreck diving, from beginning to advanced technical. Just where are you now?

Captain.... what agency do you cert. from on your tech programs?

Answer---TDI.

 

[JEScholz]

There is a lot to be learned in a basic wreck course. Once you finish the course, take a trip over to Alpena MI. and hit the wrecks of the Thunder Bay preserve. That is a good place to do some basic penetration and build conficence for more lengthy penetrations.

Here is a great site for Southeast Lake Michigan wrecks!
http://www.michiganshipwrecks.org/http://www.michiganshipwrecks.org/

 

[matt t.]

Not true. Again, if the instructor is a good instructor, a student can walk away with a very good education on wreck penetration diving. As stated with many posts, it really depends on the instructor.

TDI's pre-req for Advanced Wreck is the Basic Wreck cert.

I haven't seen any of your posts about instructor quality vs. agency. From what I understand, my tech instructor is/was the same as yours, so I think we're mostly on the same page. As a newer diver I took the PADI wreck class. We were taught the class to "PADI's standards". Later, as I got to know the instructor better, I learned that to try to avoid any liability should something happen, the shop in question will only teach to the standards outlined by the certifying agency (from what he said they have actually gone to seminars/workshops about this). Is that a bad idea? Not from a business standpoint. From a students viewpoint, I'd like to learn from the benefit of the instructors experience (if he truly has some) and learn some of the tips/tricks not limited strictly to the class curriculum. As an independent instructor you may be more inclined to go the extra mile and teach extra things not in the standards, and also take on the extra liability. As the owner of a few successful stores, they are not. Though I still feel the instructor I had was/is a decent instructor, I did not feel the PADI class was worth the $$$ I payed for what I learned. YMMV. He asked for opinions, that's mine. Duane, feel free to p.m. if you want to continue this privately.

 

[texdiveguy]

I haven't seen any of your posts about instructor quality vs. agency. From what I understand, my tech instructor is/was the same as yours, so I think we're mostly on the same page. As a newer diver I took the PADI wreck class. We were taught the class to "PADI's standards". Later, as I got to know the instructor better, I learned that to try to avoid any liability should something happen, the shop in question will only teach to the standards outlined by the certifying agency (from what he said they have actually gone to seminars/workshops about this). Is that a bad idea? Not from a business standpoint. From a students viewpoint, I'd like to learn from the benefit of the instructors experience (if he truly has some) and learn some of the tips/tricks not in the class curriculum. As an independent instructor you may be more inclined to go the extra mile and teach things not in the standards, and also take on the extra liability. As the owner of a few successful stores, they are not. Though I still feel the instructor I had was/is a decent instructor, I did not feel the PADI class was worth the $$$ I payed for what I learned. YMMV. Duane, feel free to p.m. if you want to continue this privately.

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