looking to do cavern

[DeepSeaExplorer]

I don't use splits
i have quattros. only because jet fins don't fit. the quattros give me plenty of power (or at least I think they do)

My bad...

 

[Oceanus]

Surprised no one has mentioned this thread
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cave-diving/121296-how-choose-cave-instructor-my-opinion.html

I would suggest heavy surfing in the Cave forum


I actually created a Cave & Cavern thread, but I guess it was lost in the SB crash... I'll have to recreate it...

I also agree with OneBrightGator's list. There *might* be a couple local instructors, but take the long view and pick an instructor you'd be willing to do intro/basic & full cave with (not just cavern).

 

[jviehe]

it depends on who the padi instructor was, I will not take another one unless I know the instructor, and even then I might not.

Which is why I said many. DOnt want people to get the wrong impression that PADI Cavern is automatically not accepted.

 

[LiteHedded]

is padi the only agency that could cause issues further down the line?

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

I don't use splits
i have quattros. only because jet fins don't fit. the quattros give me plenty of power (or at least I think they do)

I took mine with the Quattros, and used them for a long time after doing Intro dives.

Great fins, and will give you plenty of power.

FYI, for $30.00 change the cheap rubber strapes, and go with the spring heels for them, other then that, I seen alot of people using them, as well as the famous Jetfins

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

is padi the only agency that could cause issues further down the line?

This is just my opioun, and others may dis-agree. Padi is good as the instructors that will teach it. My opioun, is first you have to see what organsations will accept Padi cavern, if you wanted to progree further into into, full cave, etc. then the instructor who taught you the cavern, will not be able to continue your cave class, because Padi only does cavern, so there-for, you will need to find a instructor to continue your cave education.
Also there other other organzations that have been around for MANY years, such as NSS/CDS, NACD, IANTD, NAUI (has a full tech program), and of course DUI.

Padi tends to be great at teaching people how to dive, and getting into the sport, but tends to lack in the tech side of it, even though they came out with their tech course for open water, and cavern course's etc

If you can find a good padi Instructor, who you know for years, and he's been diving caves for years, and has the experiance of the instructors that do only one thing like in High Springs, and thats only teach Cave diving, then I might think about it, but you have some very experianced instructors in the High Springs area, who have been doing this for MANY years, and cave is all they teach. There not one weekend doing open water classes, next weekend doing a advanced class, and once every 6 months if they get a few people rounded up do a cavern class, then teach it. These guys do this for a living, do it ALL the time, and have a ton of experiance.

Good luck with your choice, and enjoy your class, and have fun, thats the most important part of it.

The Cavern class is a GREAT class, you will learn a ton, you'll be a boy scout underwater, because after the class, you'll know just about every knot for underwater use


Dam spell check didnt work, sorry !

 

[John_B]

...and of course DUI.

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

Sorry, meant DUI fundamentals, followed by GUE Cave 1

David Rhea is a good GUE instructor , and could help you out with your cave 1, if you decide to go the GUE , if he's still teaching, I been outta the cave scene now for about two years, but was heavy into it a few years ago, good luck

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

PS, if down the road you need a hose, i have a 6' DIR hose, for $25.00 bucks plus shipping. DIR recommends the 6' hose for single tank diving in a over head enviorment.

It was only used a few times, and is less then 6 months old.

 

[LiteHedded]

PS, if down the road you need a hose, i have a 6' DIR hose, for $25.00 bucks plus shipping. DIR recommends the 6' hose for single tank diving in a over head enviorment.

It was only used a few times, and is less then 6 months old.

why are you getting rid of it?