Instruction choices

[MISFIT DIVER]

Ok tek dudes, I need your wisdom. I am getting my gear togather to start tek training next year. I bought the Halcyon Explorer wings and BP, Scuba Pro Mark 25/s600's, 104 cf tanks. My question is this. I have become assosiated with a guy who, from understanding, is considered to be very knowlegeable in the area of tek training. Some of you guys in the North East may know him. I know he has been on the Doria several times and has done a conciderable amount of deep diving locally and out of Virginia Beach. I am wondering what are the pro's and con's of tek training are versus taking advantage of the trainning he is will to offer at no cost. i know he was an instructor teaching tek training and just chose not to re-new his cert. He is a firm beliver in the Hogathian set up and is very saftey minded. I have complete confidence in this guy as well as do the people who are going to do this with me. Will not have a "cert" in tek type training from an agency limit us from anything. I know it is hard to say, but would the training from an agency be any more complete. I belive he has had as much training as anyone else teaching would have. I will of course look further into his quals before I decide something. just looking for suggestion from guys who know more than me.

 

[O-ring]

Who is it? PM me if you don't want to post it..

 

[daylight]

Misfit Diver,

As always, I have to say it depends.
It depends on what your diving goals are and what "tickets" you need to get there. As an example, My Cave and Trimix cards and logbook get me any dives I want, but probably not deep wrecks because I don't have the experience.
Basically, if you have the skills and the where withall to get the gas, you don't need any cards. Some boats or groups are not going to accept you if you aren't vetted or carry the correct cards.
I have to submit a diving resume to be included in some of the dives or trips and do some dives for group acceptance. This is a given and I would do the same verification for a new participant.
The mentoring relationship you are establishing is vital to developing as a technical diver. Just figure out which "tickets" are necessary to achieve your goals.
Dive safe,
Larry

 

[MISFIT DIVER]

Daylight, forgive me but I'm not sure what vetted means. Would you say that there is any truth to alot of the tek world is who you know and who knows of you? For example as to if you can get on a boat or not can be determined who vouches for you. Again, you guys please keep in mind I know very little about this and want to get involved in it. Just want to make sure that i am going about it the right way.

 

[JeffAustin]

having a mentor as a buddy is great.

having training from a good instructor is also great.

I'd try to do both, if I were you.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Nothing wrong with a mentor in fact it's great but I don't know that it's always a good substutute for formal training. If you're going to do technical dives you're going to spemd plenty of money anyway.

I can't help but wonder why he wouldn't renew his instructor membership if he still wants to teach. If I were you I would have to ask.

The other thing you may want to consider is that there isn't any way he can have insurance.

It's not my business but it sort of makes me wish I knew who it was. The fact that you're in Oh, makes a certain name pop into my head.

 

[Wendy]

JeffAustin once bubbled...
having a mentor as a buddy is great.

having training from a good instructor is also great.

I'd try to do both, if I were you.

I would get instruction thru a tech agency and get a c-card, so that way you won't run into the problem of not being about to do a dive because you didn't have the card. But then again, having a c-card doesn't really mean you have the skills to back it, so having this guy as your postt-cert tech mentor sounds like a good idea.

 

[daylight]

MisFit,
I think you get the point. Vetting is the process folks use to check your acceptability to come out and play.
Technical diving is not something that tolerates compromise. You can't cut corners on equipment, training, or who you dive with. It isn't a natural progression within recreation diving or something that can be approached casually. It is a 0%/100% proposition because there is no 50%.
Excellent training is essential! That's the starting point.
Mike brought up excellent questions which I also had. If he's not interested in instructing, why has he changed his mind for your situation? It has taken me almost three years to make my way to this level. Do you think this fellow will have that sort of commitment to you? I am on my second mentor which worked out well. If I hadn't had a solid training base, I wouldn't have been accepted by my current mentor. It would be a shame to get half way to your goal.
You should really get together a good financial cost estimate. That is a factor everyone underestimates. There is a financial burden beyond equipment. Travel, gas, more equipment etc. etc. etc.
I have no regrets and wouldn't do too much differently. When your addicted, there aren't a lot of options.
Dive Safe,
Larry

 

[DIR Tec Diver]

An internship/mentorship is an excellent way to learn, get experience etc. If you don't dive with better divers than you are, it is hard to grow. However, that being said, I don't think that it is a substitue for the proper training. What is learned in the specific courses, the details delivered etc. are very important to you (everyone), so do what you feel best, but try to consider the value of the right training.

All the best!

 

[Wood]

Misfit,

Get certified through an agency first. You really only start to learn in class, it’s after class that you’ll want that mentor to help you progress. You'll wish you had those cards down the road.

From a strictly legal standpoint, you’ll be better off and so will your friend should something ever happen, if you have a certification for the dives you are doing. If he’s no longer active then he doesn’t have liability protection, that protection protects you both as well as your friendship in the case of an accident.

Find out who he would recommend for instruction, then dive with him after.

Wood