Florida Trimix Course recommendations

[luscioman]

I would recommend James Blackman. He teaches in Key Large, Miami and Ft Lauderdale. I have taken courses with him and he is the most knowledgeable instructor I have had.

 

[ginti]

it's complicated and depends on the agency, but I would recommend doing it in the ocean if you are going to be doing wreck diving in the ocean. Deco is wildly different on a line than in a cave, to the point that some agencies are creating a dedicated cert for cave decompression because it does not necessarily apply to open water diving...

...to the point that some agencies have already created a dedicated cert for cave decompression...

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I did my course with Dan Dawson at Horizon Divers. He offers an all inclusive course that includes instruction, charters and fills. It made it incredibly convenient. I found his instruction solid and we also had alot of fun in the process. Our final graduation dive was on the Northern Light in Key Largo. A very cool Trimix graduation dive indeed!

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

I did my course with Dan Dawson at Horizon Divers. He offers an all inclusive course that includes instruction, charters and fills. It made it incredibly convenient. I found his instruction solid and we also had alot of fun in the process. Our final graduation dive was on the Northern Light in Key Largo. A very cool Trimix graduation dive indeed!

Dan Dawson will do a great job for you.

 

[ChuckP]

If you are eventually gonna go the deco cave route - maybe make sure the bottle handling will be taught in a way that conforms with however you'll be taught in cave. I'm happy with the way I was taught, it works for me and the way I dive but I think they do it a little different in caves.

Maybe this is a little controversial, helium content too - what's right and what's wrong for different types of diving. I seen a "Tri Mix 1" depth class here being taught, four dives; 35, 35 50 and 50% helium here in crystal clear 80 degree water at 150' max depth. Maybe it's wrong to think that but at over $4 a cuft, I really wonder what the value of all that helium being used is - again, different conditions.

 

[tbone1004]

If you are eventually gonna go the deco cave route - maybe make sure the bottle handling will be taught in a way that conforms with however you'll be taught in cave. I'm happy with the way I was taught, it works for me and the way I dive but I think they do it a little different in caves.

Maybe this is a little controversial, helium content too - what's right and what's wrong for different types of diving. I seen a "Tri Mix 1" depth class here being taught, four dives; 35, 35 50 and 50% helium here in crystal clear 80 degree water at 150' max depth. Maybe it's wrong to think that but at over $4 a cuft, I really wonder what the value of all that helium being used is - again, different conditions.

the only difference in bottle handling should be doffing them when in caves, but I don't use any different techniques in OW vs in a cave.

Helium content is a personal thing and is irrelevant in terms of what you'll learn in the class. END and gas density needs to be discussed, but I'm not sure I'd use that as a "buying criteria" when choosing your instructor.

In terms of value, I think there is a lot of helium content that is personal and specific dive based. I need 30/30 in Ginnie, Little River, JB, etc, especially on CCR, but I don't need helium on a 100ft drift dive

 

[ChuckP]

the only difference in bottle handling should be doffing them when in caves, but I don't use any different techniques in OW vs in a cave.

Helium content is a personal thing and is irrelevant in terms of what you'll learn in the class. END and gas density needs to be discussed, but I'm not sure I'd use that as a "buying criteria" when choosing your instructor.

In terms of value, I think there is a lot of helium content that is personal and specific dive based. I need 30/30 in Ginnie, Little River, JB, etc, especially on CCR, but I don't need helium on a 100ft drift dive

I only did Tri Mix one but I seem to remember some objection to left lean, right rich as it interferes with long hose - that's how I was taught though, maybe that teaching is all wrong though.

The mix percentage, when someone showed me their dive schedule and gas mixes for that class, and it's here open ocean clear warm water, I was just baffled. Those mixes IMO, will teach you virtually nothing underwater but it's a big lesson at the fill station pay window. Theory is such a huge part of it, along with bottle handling - I would really just question the value in the gas choices. We met standards with gas choices, learned tons of theory but had a much much lower gas bill.

I'm just a lowly diver here, your paygrade is way higher than mine and certainly respect yours and others opinions when it comes to training. The OP was talking about class in Southern Florida, taking it to do a wreck dive - I took my class in Southern Florida and it was perfect for me but for someone transitioning into cave, I don't think that instructor I used would be the correct choice (and it's not someone mentioned above) - I think that's what I'm getting at.....

 

[tbone1004]

@ChuckP left lean right rich isn't a cave vs wreck thing, that's just a philosophical difference in all bottles on left vs splitting them. GUE, NAUI, and I'm sure a few other agencies don't allow splitting bottles regardless of where you are. I put all of mine on the left in backmount, but will split them in sidemount.

The philosophies on END/Gas Density are IMO just as personal as your decompression algorithm and how you modify it. I subscribe to standard gases, but that doesn't mean my students or my previous instructors do, but it's something worth talking about.

 

[LandonL]

Thank you @tbone1004 for the recommendation.

@jlcnuke, If you would like to train here in the Fort Lauderdale/Pompano area, we can get you setup. There are excellent dives here within the range for a normoxic Trimix course, including the Miracle of Life, Hydro Atlantic, and the Lowrance. I will be on the Lowrance this Friday, and was just on the Hydro again yesterday.

We have an upcoming TDI Trimix Diver course on the 29th to the 31st of this month if you are interested in joining, or if you have other dates in mind, we can see what is available.

If you need a recent reference from a trimix student, talk with @NothingClever, as he can give you an honest review of his experience. You could also contact @Scuba Cobra as well.

All the best,
Landon

 

[kensuf]

do trimix in open water, If you can deco properly in open water you can deco in a cave, the opposite does not necessarily apply... You want the experience in open water

^^ this.