_john
Registered
Congrats!
If you haven't done deep and nitrox, do those. Best bang for your buck. And I saw someone had already said navigation. I consider these must-haves for recreational diving. I'm assuming, because you were diving open-ocean, that you are good with a DSMB. If you are not, that's another must-have.
If you are going to cave in the future, I would do drysuit, sidemount, and rescue if your wallet has the room. If your wallet is a little light, volunteer to be a victim for rescue. You'll get some good advice and see the skills demonstrated at least.
Definitely do long-hose primary if you aren't already. It's awesome in an emergency. (Get a rubber one. The miflex ones are cheap, but they rub the heck out of your neck.) And there's a lot to be said for a helmet when talking about caves and overhead environments.
For me, I have a very important rule that I personally follow, use it if you wish, discard it if you don't. I only add one new thing at a time. I focus on that one thing. I don't take a camera or mess with other stuff. My goal for that dive(s) is to master that new piece of gear. When I am comfortable with that gear, then I can worry about a camera or some other fun thing.
I also dive with better divers than me every chance I get. I get so much advice that way. It does come with a caveat. Sometimes they are a bit more cavalier than I am, and I have to dial them back a bit. Don't be afraid to say you aren't comfortable with something.
Get really good at frog kicks, helicopter turns, back finning, trim, and buoyancy control. Don't rush right into the caves. Build a wide variety of skills, and then think about caves.
I also like tech. I'm about to do deco and advanced nitrox. I'm most likely never going into a cave if I can help it. That's just me.
The entire time you are building new skills, keep practicing the old ones. Usually, I dive a dank, dark, and cold quarry, and people ask me why. It's a great place to practice skills, and when I go on these amazing trips, I can focus on what's around. And eventually, you will gather a nice collection of gear. Try to buy for the future if you can.
Most importantly, dive, dive, and dive some more. and have fun.
If you haven't done deep and nitrox, do those. Best bang for your buck. And I saw someone had already said navigation. I consider these must-haves for recreational diving. I'm assuming, because you were diving open-ocean, that you are good with a DSMB. If you are not, that's another must-have.
If you are going to cave in the future, I would do drysuit, sidemount, and rescue if your wallet has the room. If your wallet is a little light, volunteer to be a victim for rescue. You'll get some good advice and see the skills demonstrated at least.
Definitely do long-hose primary if you aren't already. It's awesome in an emergency. (Get a rubber one. The miflex ones are cheap, but they rub the heck out of your neck.) And there's a lot to be said for a helmet when talking about caves and overhead environments.
For me, I have a very important rule that I personally follow, use it if you wish, discard it if you don't. I only add one new thing at a time. I focus on that one thing. I don't take a camera or mess with other stuff. My goal for that dive(s) is to master that new piece of gear. When I am comfortable with that gear, then I can worry about a camera or some other fun thing.
I also dive with better divers than me every chance I get. I get so much advice that way. It does come with a caveat. Sometimes they are a bit more cavalier than I am, and I have to dial them back a bit. Don't be afraid to say you aren't comfortable with something.
Get really good at frog kicks, helicopter turns, back finning, trim, and buoyancy control. Don't rush right into the caves. Build a wide variety of skills, and then think about caves.
I also like tech. I'm about to do deco and advanced nitrox. I'm most likely never going into a cave if I can help it. That's just me.
The entire time you are building new skills, keep practicing the old ones. Usually, I dive a dank, dark, and cold quarry, and people ask me why. It's a great place to practice skills, and when I go on these amazing trips, I can focus on what's around. And eventually, you will gather a nice collection of gear. Try to buy for the future if you can.
Most importantly, dive, dive, and dive some more. and have fun.
