Getting into tech

[Sas]

I am finishing up my AOW this week, still relatively new to diving but like most hobbies in my life I am jumping in headfirst (just not with gear on). I plan on trying to dive at least every month or two for the next year or so even if they are local dives more to gain experience than sightseeing. After that I want to move on and start working on technical diving certs. In the next few years I would like to accomplish:

Full cave
Trimix
Solo diving
Wreck Penetration

I was planning to start with Cavern at ginnie springs and Intro to tech at 40 fathoms grotto. From there do the basic cave and then the CDA technical diver program. After that I am not sure, probably finish up cave and do solo.

Is that a good plan or should I rearrange my order? Also I am not as familiar with wreck diving, what are good agencys to deal with? Also does it share alot with cave (seems like it would) or is it very different?

With that amount of diving you won't have anywhere near the experience to get into wreck penetration and full cave within a year or two. I would like to get into wreck penetration eventually as well, I log about 2-4 dives a week, and it is going to take a more than two years for me to get near that goal. The diving in the mean time is heaps of fun so I feel no rush So either start diving a *lot* more than once or twice a month or wait longer than 1-2 years to start on your technical certifications (I think even if you dive more it is worth waiting a while to see if you are really keen before putting down a heap of money and time). In the meantime try to find an instructor that does the type of diving you want to do and get their help with gear config before you spend any money on your gear (most recreational focused shops will sell you inappropriate gear for technical diving) as well as to guide you through what training you will need.

It is also going to take heaps of money so hopefully you have deep pockets

 

[ligersandtions]

Wow, thanks for posting that article, ucfdiver. It was a really great read!

In the past few months, I've racked up nearly 50 dives....I'd absolutely LOVE to be getting more dives in than that, but working full time and living an hour or more from the beach, I just can't seem to make it out more. That said, I can't imagine diving only once every month or two and being able to make the progress that I want (for myself) and need (for taking future courses).

I am planning on taking the GUE Fundies in early 2009 (if all works out as planned) and then really focusing on perfecting the skills that I gain from the class for quite some time afterward. I know it wouldn't be possible for me, and probably is not possible for many (if any), to take classes back-to-back-to-back that build on one another, and have any hope at being successful. I think you need to take your first class, say Fundies, and really focus on what you learned and make sure you are competent and confident before you move onto the next course.

If you end up just piling the classes on without taking the time to really "digest" the information, you will be overloaded with information at best....and getting yourself in way too deep (both financially and skill-wise) at worst. Slow down....enjoy the diving you are doing now! There's no need to rush....the caves and wrecks will be around when you're ready and capable.

 

[ianr33]

In the next few years I would like to accomplish:
Full cave
Trimix
Solo diving
Wreck Penetration

After doing Full Cave and Trimix the Solo Diving course is pretty irrelevant. Maybe you could substitute a CCR course or something that weekend ?

 

[Gombessa]

It sounds like the OP is just setting some long-term plans. If "over several years" he means, four or five years, is what he is trying to accomplish all that unreasonable? He probably can't do it diving "once every month or two" but I doubt getting half a decade of experience would count as "zero to hero."

 

[IceBergSlim]

All the above advice is quite valid. I would suggest you just dive your ass off for a while and see what that brings.

"Advanced" courses and "tech" stuff are all well and good but only you will be able to know when your skills and knowlege do not allow you to procede to a site you have your eyes on in a safe manner.

Instructors guide you forward, Divers know their limits. Find a space in between.

Just have fun for a while. The world is young.