OP
Thanks, still working the course but I will keep this in mind and thanks for the recommendation of DPS!
I've decided to go Tech, my Intro to Tech experience
- Thread starter Tigerpaw
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I am just a bit curious. If you went through the route of GUE Fundies, why not just do Tech 1 and be Normoxic certified in one class?
Tech 1 is probably more expensive than AN+DP+Trimix(-75) and Tech 1 qualifies for: 51m+30min of deco While TDI trimix for 60m, and TDI trimix-75 for 75m.
Of course Tech1 might have consistently higher quality instruction than places that offer the TDI path on cheap. There are good TDI instructors too of course.
Of course Tech1 might have consistently higher quality instruction than places that offer the TDI path on cheap. There are good TDI instructors too of course.
OP
Great question, to get a tech pass in GUE you have to use backmounted doubles.
I have back and knee issues and from talking to other divers with the same issues, they informed me that backmount is just too heavy (while on land) so they either go SM or stay single BM.
The weekend I tested for Fundies, I helped my teammates who had doubles and got a chance to see how heavy they were and saw that I had made the right decision. I currently have a Technical Sidemount certification from TDI, so I asked if I could go for a tech pass with SM and was told no. GUE considers sidemount to be an advanced course for the cave divers. Someone had told me they use two 40's to dive BM with and I asked if I could do that because of the weight and I was told no.
As much as I enjoyed the Fundies class I am not about to risk my back and knees just to get a certification. I can continue to practice my buoyancy and finning and do the ANDP courses through TDI and I am happy with that.
You probably already understand that if you want to dive OC in the 200 fsw range, you will need cylinders larger than double Alum 40's, double LP45's, or double LP50's. So, it's prudent that you train OC with larger cylinders, whether BM or SM.
FWIW, I (at the time 6'2" and 235 lbs) was comfortable making 200 fsw drysuit dives using manifolded HP100's (2 x 35 lbs + gas), which are not crazy heavy full. (I wore an Alum back plate and a weight belt.) Do you think your back and knees can tolerate the weight of manifolded BM HP100's?
If you intend to dive warm water a bit shallower, do you think your back and knees can tolerate manifolded BM Alum 80's (2 x 32 lbs + gas) or manifolded BM old-school 72's (2 x 27 lbs + gas)?
rx7diver
Diving in Bikini, we had some really slick SM divers. My experience is four bottles with SM is a hassle and I much prefer BM, but with your back its worth the effort. One of the SM divers was a really petite woman, she mostly geared up sitting on the platform and sorted herself in the water. Find what suits you and practice it until it fits intuitively.
Be really particular about how you stow your deco regs to minimise chest clutter, and how you gas switch your SM regs. I saw that one go wrong at 50m on my Trimix course. Fun times, I got to practice my long hose drills and a SM diver got to practice his sheepish looks.
You'll see a lot of support in this forum for GUE courses. A guy I dived with recently had his Tec 2 cert rescinded for not having enough dives signed-off by a GUE instructor. He moved for work and was no longer diving GUE standard gasses and profiles, so that was that. TDI gives you a lot of dive planning flexibility and a very comprehensive knowledge of the theories of gases and decompression. A lof of people want to denigrate the instructors, but training is what you make of it. Competence is more about your attitude, and how often you can get out and dive than it is about which course you did. Every instructor has a nugget of wisdom to share.
Be really particular about how you stow your deco regs to minimise chest clutter, and how you gas switch your SM regs. I saw that one go wrong at 50m on my Trimix course. Fun times, I got to practice my long hose drills and a SM diver got to practice his sheepish looks.
You'll see a lot of support in this forum for GUE courses. A guy I dived with recently had his Tec 2 cert rescinded for not having enough dives signed-off by a GUE instructor. He moved for work and was no longer diving GUE standard gasses and profiles, so that was that. TDI gives you a lot of dive planning flexibility and a very comprehensive knowledge of the theories of gases and decompression. A lof of people want to denigrate the instructors, but training is what you make of it. Competence is more about your attitude, and how often you can get out and dive than it is about which course you did. Every instructor has a nugget of wisdom to share.
OP
Yes I understood that double Al 40's aren't feasible for depths greater than 100ft. My thinking was to see if I could get a tech pass and knowledge by doing the drills with a lighter setup and the answer was no, which I completely understand. That being said I asked my instructor if he would be willing to train me in the GUE for sidemount with no certification or card, I just wanted to learn how GUE does sidemount to gain the knowledge and experience and he agreed. Tech pass would have been nice but I'm more about gaining knowledge and experience vs collecting certs.
As for handling the setup you mentioned in the last sentence,.......nope. Back and knees would go snap, crackle and pop.
I just dove SM a few days ago to get reacquainted and after a few moments I adjusted well. SM is a great alternative and I'm looking forward to diving it.
OP
I did ask my GUE Instructor if he would be willing to train me the way GUE does sidemount, just to gain the experience and knowledge, I stressed that I did not want a card or cert and he agreed. I dove SM a few days ago and after a few moments everything came flooding back to me. Had a great time and I'm going to enjoy diving sidemount.
Thanks for the tips about chest clutter, I will make sure and streamline everything. I just finished the e-learning for ANDP and will be doing Trimix next so I will definitely streamline my gear!
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