Two saturdays ago, I took a mini doubles course being offered by 5thd-X. Andrew Georgitsis was the instructor and Chris Cali assisted in water. Joe Talavera helped topside.
It's been over a week, and I've had time to step back and digest the course. Immediately after the class, I was very impressed. And a week later, I am still very impressed. While we were very sore the next day, both my dive buddy and I had a great time.
The "mini" courses offered by 5thd-X consists of 2-3 hours of lecture and 2 dives. For me and my buddy, this course was the perfect way to get started with doubles. Honestly, cannot think of a better way. Andrew was thorough and incredibly informative with all aspects of diving doubles (and diving in general).
Before we started, Andrew set our expectations. The mini was a workshop and we would be exposed to the proper way of doing things, but in no way should we expect to have mastery after a couple of dives.
In the lecture, we covered the following topics:
1. What were the components
2. How each component worked
3. Comparisons of equipment
a. Alumimum vs steel tanks
b. Weighting considerations for dry vs wet
c. Wing size
d. Routing
e. Backplate vs softpack
f. Manifold types
4. Possible issues for each component
5. Management of gas and issues
6. Gear set-up
7. Getting into the gear
8. Proper trim
9. Skills
There were four students in the class, and three of us have never dove doubles before. Andrew took a lot of time explaining all aspects of doubles to us, and no question was too stupid.
This is probably the one thing that really struck me. Andrew, Joe and Chris were truly forthright and giving with the information. Sure, I paid for the course, but their attitude was one of openness and willing to help. The patience, enthusiam and encouragement was greatly appreciated. Especially, since we were very much newbies.
There are a lot of ways to teach the course, but these guys made it a lot of fun.
After the lecture, we received a pre-dive briefing, then donned the gear and headed into the water. The first 20 minutes were spent on buoyancy and trim, and then we practiced some basic drills. Watching Andrew in the water is simply amazing. What I can't figure out is how he was able to stay in absolutely one place, given the surge.
The surface interval included dry runs of the modified s-drill and valve drills. This was very helpful to me - each step of the skill was broken down, explained, and then practiced.
For the last dive, we practiced buoyancy and trim, worked on the drills and then did a final bouyancy check.
By the second dive, my buddy and I were getting a little tired. Surface swimming doubles is brutal and un-turtling yourself takes some muscle. So when Andrew wasn't look, we tried to slack and break trim. But unfortunately (or fortunately), Chris was there to gently remind us to go horizontal. It's funny, cause we do the same thing when we help out with OW classes.
After each dive, we individually got feedback from Andrew on what we did right and what areas we needed to work on. He also provided us tips and guidance to how we can improve - add'l things to try or focus on.
I prefer the direct 1-on-1 feedback style. We are all adults, and we know what we need help. So tell me what I need to work on. Andrew does just that.
A week and a half later, I still have diving doubles on my mind. Not that I'd want to run out and buy a set, but at the skills taught and how much fun I had in class.
For me, the mini doubles class is innovative. There are "discover" classes in recreational diving, but there is no equivalent for technical diving. Not only that, but many recreational discover classes feel truncated and set-up to make money. The mini doubles was exhaustive in information and not at all limiting. And at the current price point, it's an amazing bargain. Did I tell you that they supplied the doubles, regs, wing, and backplate?
In summary:
Pros
1. Great way to learn about doubles
2. Tons of information
3. Enthusiastic instruction made the class a blast
Cons
1. You'll be sore
2. They steal ginger cookies
3. You may have a nagging urge to dive doubles
-Don
It's been over a week, and I've had time to step back and digest the course. Immediately after the class, I was very impressed. And a week later, I am still very impressed. While we were very sore the next day, both my dive buddy and I had a great time.
The "mini" courses offered by 5thd-X consists of 2-3 hours of lecture and 2 dives. For me and my buddy, this course was the perfect way to get started with doubles. Honestly, cannot think of a better way. Andrew was thorough and incredibly informative with all aspects of diving doubles (and diving in general).
Before we started, Andrew set our expectations. The mini was a workshop and we would be exposed to the proper way of doing things, but in no way should we expect to have mastery after a couple of dives.
In the lecture, we covered the following topics:
1. What were the components
2. How each component worked
3. Comparisons of equipment
a. Alumimum vs steel tanks
b. Weighting considerations for dry vs wet
c. Wing size
d. Routing
e. Backplate vs softpack
f. Manifold types
4. Possible issues for each component
5. Management of gas and issues
6. Gear set-up
7. Getting into the gear
8. Proper trim
9. Skills
There were four students in the class, and three of us have never dove doubles before. Andrew took a lot of time explaining all aspects of doubles to us, and no question was too stupid.
This is probably the one thing that really struck me. Andrew, Joe and Chris were truly forthright and giving with the information. Sure, I paid for the course, but their attitude was one of openness and willing to help. The patience, enthusiam and encouragement was greatly appreciated. Especially, since we were very much newbies.
There are a lot of ways to teach the course, but these guys made it a lot of fun.
After the lecture, we received a pre-dive briefing, then donned the gear and headed into the water. The first 20 minutes were spent on buoyancy and trim, and then we practiced some basic drills. Watching Andrew in the water is simply amazing. What I can't figure out is how he was able to stay in absolutely one place, given the surge.
The surface interval included dry runs of the modified s-drill and valve drills. This was very helpful to me - each step of the skill was broken down, explained, and then practiced.
For the last dive, we practiced buoyancy and trim, worked on the drills and then did a final bouyancy check.
By the second dive, my buddy and I were getting a little tired. Surface swimming doubles is brutal and un-turtling yourself takes some muscle. So when Andrew wasn't look, we tried to slack and break trim. But unfortunately (or fortunately), Chris was there to gently remind us to go horizontal. It's funny, cause we do the same thing when we help out with OW classes.
After each dive, we individually got feedback from Andrew on what we did right and what areas we needed to work on. He also provided us tips and guidance to how we can improve - add'l things to try or focus on.
I prefer the direct 1-on-1 feedback style. We are all adults, and we know what we need help. So tell me what I need to work on. Andrew does just that.
A week and a half later, I still have diving doubles on my mind. Not that I'd want to run out and buy a set, but at the skills taught and how much fun I had in class.
For me, the mini doubles class is innovative. There are "discover" classes in recreational diving, but there is no equivalent for technical diving. Not only that, but many recreational discover classes feel truncated and set-up to make money. The mini doubles was exhaustive in information and not at all limiting. And at the current price point, it's an amazing bargain. Did I tell you that they supplied the doubles, regs, wing, and backplate?
In summary:
Pros
1. Great way to learn about doubles
2. Tons of information
3. Enthusiastic instruction made the class a blast
Cons
1. You'll be sore
2. They steal ginger cookies
3. You may have a nagging urge to dive doubles
-Don
