New to cave diving, what equipment!?

[orm]

Hi

I'm thinking about doing the full cave course here in Mexico. I've read that my own equipment is desirable. I'm struggling a bit with what equipment I'll need to get.

This is what I have/think I'll need... can someone comment?

Fins - I already own a pair of Quatros
Mask - Check
Computer - well, will have when my D6 is fixed, thinking about getting another as backup.
Regs - I have a MK25 with 190 and a 380. I'm thinking I'll need another MK25 and further 190 or can I use my 380 octo and a bloody great big hose. Do I also need a further SPG?
Lights - yes I'm on the case, just looking at some options, but main light and a couple of backup's.
Knife - Again, looking at options, but I have this in-hand.
Wing - Now... never dived with a wing.. do all of them carry twins?
Drysuit - I've owned a neoprene DS before and it was a pain in the arse, especially after christmas time when it didn't quite fit anymore.

Apart from other bits, like reel and wet notes, is this the basic equipment I'm gonna need to get started on the course?

I apologise if this has been covered, I've been 4 pages back and can't see anything asked.

Thanks in advance!

Orm

 

[ucfdiver]

Hi

I'm thinking about doing the full cave course here in Mexico. I've read that my own equipment is desirable. I'm struggling a bit with what equipment I'll need to get.

This is what I have/think I'll need... can someone comment?

Fins - I already own a pair of Quatros
Mask - Check
Computer - well, will have when my D6 is fixed, thinking about getting another as backup.
Regs - I have a MK25 with 190 and a 380. I'm thinking I'll need another MK25 and further 190 or can I use my 380 octo and a bloody great big hose. Do I also need a further SPG?
Lights - yes I'm on the case, just looking at some options, but main light and a couple of backup's.
Knife - Again, looking at options, but I have this in-hand.
Wing - Now... never dived with a wing.. do all of them carry twins?
Drysuit - I've owned a neoprene DS before and it was a pain in the arse, especially after christmas time when it didn't quite fit anymore.

Apart from other bits, like reel and wet notes, is this the basic equipment I'm gonna need to get started on the course?

I apologise if this has been covered, I've been 4 pages back and can't see anything asked.

Thanks in advance!

Orm

I would take a step backwards and take an introduction to technical diving course, and then consider cavern+intro after that, or consider a cavern only course.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Once you have identified an appropriate instructor, one with whom you feel you can work well, then sit down and discuss equipment needs with your instructor.

Different instructors (and agencies) feel differently about certain details, and this is something you and your instructor should discuss at great length.

Regards,

Doc

 

[ucfdiver]

Once you have identified an appropriate instructor, one with whom you feel you can work well, then sit down and discuss equipment needs with your instructor.

Different instructors (and agencies) feel differently about certain details, and this is something you and your instructor should discuss at great length.

Regards,

Doc

I think there needs to be some additional resource before an educated decision can be made as to the instructor. With questions like this, there's far too many crappy instructors just waiting to take his money.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

At this point, don't even consider Full Cave... Talk to your instructor, get the gear you need, and get some time in the beginning of the system first.

 

[orm]

OK.

I was hoping to pick a couple of items up from home while I was there.

Just wanted to go through a list of desirables.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Cave Diver]

Hi

I'm thinking about doing the full cave course here in Mexico. I've read that my own equipment is desirable. I'm struggling a bit with what equipment I'll need to get.

This is what I have/think I'll need... can someone comment?

Fins - I already own a pair of Quatros
Mask - Check
Computer - well, will have when my D6 is fixed, thinking about getting another as backup.
Regs - I have a MK25 with 190 and a 380. I'm thinking I'll need another MK25 and further 190 or can I use my 380 octo and a bloody great big hose. Do I also need a further SPG?
Lights - yes I'm on the case, just looking at some options, but main light and a couple of backup's.
Knife - Again, looking at options, but I have this in-hand.
Wing - Now... never dived with a wing.. do all of them carry twins?
Drysuit - I've owned a neoprene DS before and it was a pain in the arse, especially after christmas time when it didn't quite fit anymore.

Apart from other bits, like reel and wet notes, is this the basic equipment I'm gonna need to get started on the course?

I apologise if this has been covered, I've been 4 pages back and can't see anything asked.

Thanks in advance!

Orm

Cave diving requires a redundant gas supply. This can be done several ways, including backmounted doubles w/isolator or crossover manifold, independent back mounted doubles or side mounted tanks.

Depending on your tank configuration, your other equipment needs will vary. For example, back mounted doubles w/isolator will have a single spg, while independent doubles will need their own.

Wing concerns will depend on choice of cylinders.

The suggestions about taking some sort of introduction to tech diving course and getting with instructors to get an idea of configurations are good ideas. It will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

 

[orm]

I've found some info on the GUE website, this gives me a bit of an idea... thanks again. Should have looked around first.

Tanks/Cylinders: Students may use dual tanks/cylinders connected with a dual outlet isolator manifold, which allows for the use of two first-stages. Students may also use a single tank/cylinder with a K, H, or Y-valve.
Regulators: One of the second-stages must be on a 5- to 7-foot/1.5- to 2-meter hose. One of the first-stages must supply a pressure gauge and provide inflation for a dry suit (where applicable).
Backplate System: A rigid and flat platform, of metal construction with minimal padding, held to a diver by one continuous piece of nylon webbing. This webbing should be adjustable through the plate and should use a buckle to secure the system at the waist. A crotch strap attached to the lower end of this platform and looped through the waistband would prevent the system from riding up a diver's back. A knife should be secured to the waist on the left webbing tab. This webbing should support five D-rings; the first should be placed at the left hip, the second should be placed in line with a diver's right collarbone, the third should be placed in line with the diver's left collarbone, the fourth and fifth should be affixed to the crotch strap to use while scootering or towing/stowing gear. The harness below the diver's arms should have small restrictive bands to allow for the placement of reserve light powered by three in-line c-cell batteries (where necessary). The system should retain a minimalist approach with no unnecessary components.
Buoyancy Compensation Device: A diver's buoyancy compensation device should be back-mounted and minimalist in nature. It should come free of extraneous strings, tabs, or other material. There should be no restrictive bands or "bungee" of any sort affixed to the buoyancy cell. In addition, diver lift should not exceed 50lbs for a single tank and 80lbs for double tanks. Wing size and shape should be appropriate to the cylinder size(s) employed for training.
At least one depth-measuring device
At least one timekeeping device
Mask and fins: Mask should be low volume; fins should be rigid, non-split
At least one cutting device
Wet Notes
One spool with 100 feet/30 meters of line per diver
Exposure suit appropriate for the duration of exposure
Double cylinders with isolation manifold, and appropriately sized double-tank buoyancy compensation device.*
One primary light: A primary light should be minimalist in design; its power source should consist of a rechargeable battery pack residing in a canister powering an external light head via a light cord. Primary lights should produce the equivalent output of 50-watt halogen/10-watt HID lighting or greater.*
Two reserve lights: Reserve lights should be powered by two or three in-line non-rechargeable ccell batteries, with a minimum of protrusions and a single attachment at its rear. The light should be activated and de-activated by twisting the front bezel.*

 

[Augustus]

I doubt you need a dry suit if you are heading for the Yucatan. Nearly everyone dives wet. Once again talk to your insturctor on this point.