Looking for advice for intro to cave/cave 1 equivalent

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

GUE Cave 1 is brilliant.

You should pick an instructor, not an organisation - there are GUE instructors who may not be the right personality fit for you.

In my (minimal) experience I would avoid instructors and shops who offer 1:1 training unless you plan to dive solo, for many reasons.

You could also look at Spain but pick a location that would sufficiently challenge you. People teach intro to cave in places that don’t really have caves such as Malta …

 

[PfcAJ]

If I followed that mentality I'd have a yacht now... A plane... But sometimes sadly that isn't how it works in life, I could save for all my life and never get either.

I'd rather find a good org/instructor I like that charges less but is as good, then use the money I save to go further into cave, get a dpv, etc.

Difference from no yacht to yacht - a million

Difference from some-other-org to GUE - maybe a thousand?

Convert the above to “hours of work” and it’s clear that other org to GUE difference is really almost nothing. Especially when you factor in the overall cost of getting into the cave game. Gear, gas, maintenance, travel, lodging, entrance fees, etc.

 

[Kitzy]

As you already understand the principles of correct diving the choice is whether to stick with GUE for the benefits it gives or take a course with another agency that will give you a certification to dive although not one other GUE divers will treat as equal. The issue therefore is what are you trying to achieve? Do you want the certifaction and training to make basic cave dives or to advance your GUE training into the cave environment?

Much as I respect GUE and pretty much accept their viewpoint it is not the only way to dive. Its training means you can dive with other GUE divers but if you are a buddy pair you have a ready made dive "team".

If you are just looking for a certifiction and a good experience try something like Protec in Sardinia. There are caves and wreck there and it is a good destination with good food and so on.

Protec Sardinia – Cave Diving Experience Sardinia

protecsardinia.com

If you want to dive the French cave system my friend runs courses from Liege and is someone that I have known a long time and is generally great fun. Not very "DIR" but worth a look all the same.

Plongée souterraine et sur épaves | Abyss Plongée

abyss-uwe.com

Both instructors are called Patrick - just to confuse you

Your existing fundies will serve you well whatever you choose.

I am looking to stick to basic cave and go further in the future, but as you mentioned that doesn't have to be GUE, look at instructor.

Thanks!

 

[Kitzy]

Difference from no yacht to yacht - a million

Difference from some-other-org to GUE - maybe a thousand?

Convert the above to “hours of work” and it’s clear that other org to GUE difference is really almost nothing. Especially when you factor in the overall cost of getting into the cave game. Gear, gas, maintenance, travel, lodging, entrance fees, etc.

A thousand for this, a thousand for that, a thousand for this... That is just it, it doesn't stay at just 1k more, everything is 1k+ more.

I can always look at days training compared to GUE

 

[Kitzy]

GUE Cave 1 is brilliant.

You should pick an instructor, not an organisation - there are GUE instructors who may not be the right personality fit for you.

In my (minimal) experience I would avoid instructors and shops who offer 1:1 training unless you plan to dive solo, for many reasons.

You could also look at Spain but pick a location that would sufficiently challenge you. People teach intro to cave in places that don’t really have caves such as Malta …

Yeah luckily have a friend whom I dive with, thank you.

Instructor always matter the most, hence also asking if people know any instructor within said org.

 

[Sascha314]

Frankly, if 1 grant is an issue, you may consider to not go technical diving at all?

What are your later plans? You need regular training/dives, equipment, maintenance and also gas supply... Although at first glance it may seem a fairly large price, after 5 years it will probably be a smallish amount. If not, them you probably have not the "right" training dive frequency and so its unclear if you can maintain the standard from the course.

Having said this: There are many good agencies and instructors out. I would go with someone you come along with, and where you think this person meet your standards / way of thinking - for all of you.
If you want to go strict DIR go with GUE.
If there are multiple choices left go with the cheapest. The instructor should tell you whats necessary for courses given your current certs.

 

[Kitzy]

Frankly, if 1 grant is an issue, you may consider to not go technical diving at all?

What are your later plans? You need regular training/dives, equipment, maintenance and also gas supply... Although at first glance it may seem a fairly large price, after 5 years it will probably be a smallish amount. If not, them you probably have not the "right" training dive frequency and so its unclear if you can maintain the standard from the course.

Having said this: There are many good agencies and instructors out. I would go with someone you come along with, and where you think this person meet your standards / way of thinking - for all of you.
If you want to go strict DIR go with GUE.
If there are multiple choices left go with the cheapest. The instructor should tell you whats necessary for courses given your current certs.

I don't understand why people continue to fail reading the "It's not the 1k that is the issue, it is the constant 1k+ extra for each course that is"

I have already spent over 10k in diving and I am no fool, tech is expensive, but I don't need to make it more expensive without any good reason past "Oh I cannot be arsed to put in the research and find a org/instructor that will work as well as GUE for me"

And that is why I came here to ask about orgs and instructors

 

[Sascha314]

I don't understand why people continue to fail reading the "It's not the 1k that is the issue, it is the constant 1k+ extra for each course that is"

I have already spent over 10k in diving and I am no fool, tech is expensive, but I don't need to make it more expensive without any good reason past "Oh I cannot be arsed to put in the research and find a org/instructor that will work as well as GUE for me"

And that is why I came here to ask about orgs and instructors

Well I am looking for descent, but "cheap" options myself. I do not have to blow money myself. And I have read it, but opted to ignore that.

That is not a cert collection as for recreational diving, we are talking about a handful courses you need. Probably the cheapest is, if you find a freelance instructor, who you trust and come along with.

An intro to tec TDI course with my lds is Eur1200, so I cannot find this huge difference to GUE. You probably need a freelance instructor. Look at the instructor list for all agencies you would accept. Talk to the instructors, which are not affiliated. Break down the list. Then you have something to ask for in detail, otherwise you get just an unmanagable number of suggestions you cannot proof either.

 

[Germie]

I would say go to IANTD, and do it in France, then you can do intro to cave and full cave for less than the price of just cave1. And I know the prices in Europe as I teach cave too. You can do it in backmount or sidemount, no fundamentals or so needed.
If you want to dive the mines in German you have to look for an agency that is accepted there. If you have questions, you can sent a pm.

 

[Imla]

Have a chat with Jani Santala at Plura Valley. I am not sure of his class schedule atm, but he is a good instructor. Normally lives and teaches in Plura/Norway, but also teaches in Långban MIne and Tuna Hästberg Mine in Sweden, Montola MIne in Finland, or in Molnar Janos Hungary.
At least for the mines in sweden, I know there are cheap accomodations on site.