I've read and searched and I don't really see my specific question addressed.
I'm starting TDI Trimix training and expect to be done with it before the end of this year. My plan, up until now, has been to build experience doing normoxic trimix dives over the next year and then do TDI Adv Trimix training at the end of next year. Then, at some point after that, move on to diving CCR.
My thought has been that I want to be a somewhat experienced and proficient hypoxic trimix diver before moving on to CCR.
My long-term goal is to dive the Monitor and other deep wrecks.
So, I'd say my goal would be to be done with MOD 3 CCR training in 3 to 4 years.
Lately, I've been starting to wonder if the increment in skills that I would gain by undertaking Adv Trimix training on OC is a good way to spend my time. Would I be a better, safer MOD 3 CCR diver in 4 years if I continue with my plan to get experience in Adv Trimix, on OC, before moving to CCR? Or will I be a better, safer MOD 3 CCR diver in 4 years if I do Trimix, get some experience on OC Trimix (normoxic) to develop my skills to real proficiency (i.e. not just "get the C card" proficiency), and then move to CCR straightaway?
I know there are some people who would say to move to CCR immediately, if that's my long-term goal. I don't want to do that. I want to feel like I am comfortable and proficient at managing multiple deco cylinders on a deep(-ish) OC dive before I add CCR complexity to my life. Also, even though I know it's a whole different ball game, I want to improve my basic diving skills (on OC) more before I make the change. Like I said, I know buoyancy is a different beast on CCR, but I will feel better learning CCR if I know that my buoyancy is better on OC, in the event I have to bail out and finish a dive on OC.
So, I'm mostly interested in hearing from the people who advocate OC proficiency first, before moving to CCR. Do you think it's really worth the extra time to go from Trimix to Adv Trimix on OC before going to CCR?
Related question: If I switch to CCR after Trimix, and then advance to the MOD 3 level, does the MOD 3 CCR certification make me "certified" to do hypoxic trimix OC dives? Or does it only certify me to use hypoxic trimix as a diluent and bailout gas, but I would not actually be certified to do a complete hypoxic trimix dive on OC alone?
This may actually resolve the issue for me. I would want to have the certification to be "able" to do hypoxic trimix dives on OC, if the opportunity presented itself and OC was the only option for doing the dive. So, if MOD 3 CCR doesn't give me that certification, I suppose I would press on to get the Adv Trimix OC card, regardless.
I'm starting TDI Trimix training and expect to be done with it before the end of this year. My plan, up until now, has been to build experience doing normoxic trimix dives over the next year and then do TDI Adv Trimix training at the end of next year. Then, at some point after that, move on to diving CCR.
My thought has been that I want to be a somewhat experienced and proficient hypoxic trimix diver before moving on to CCR.
My long-term goal is to dive the Monitor and other deep wrecks.
So, I'd say my goal would be to be done with MOD 3 CCR training in 3 to 4 years.
Lately, I've been starting to wonder if the increment in skills that I would gain by undertaking Adv Trimix training on OC is a good way to spend my time. Would I be a better, safer MOD 3 CCR diver in 4 years if I continue with my plan to get experience in Adv Trimix, on OC, before moving to CCR? Or will I be a better, safer MOD 3 CCR diver in 4 years if I do Trimix, get some experience on OC Trimix (normoxic) to develop my skills to real proficiency (i.e. not just "get the C card" proficiency), and then move to CCR straightaway?
I know there are some people who would say to move to CCR immediately, if that's my long-term goal. I don't want to do that. I want to feel like I am comfortable and proficient at managing multiple deco cylinders on a deep(-ish) OC dive before I add CCR complexity to my life. Also, even though I know it's a whole different ball game, I want to improve my basic diving skills (on OC) more before I make the change. Like I said, I know buoyancy is a different beast on CCR, but I will feel better learning CCR if I know that my buoyancy is better on OC, in the event I have to bail out and finish a dive on OC.
So, I'm mostly interested in hearing from the people who advocate OC proficiency first, before moving to CCR. Do you think it's really worth the extra time to go from Trimix to Adv Trimix on OC before going to CCR?
Related question: If I switch to CCR after Trimix, and then advance to the MOD 3 level, does the MOD 3 CCR certification make me "certified" to do hypoxic trimix OC dives? Or does it only certify me to use hypoxic trimix as a diluent and bailout gas, but I would not actually be certified to do a complete hypoxic trimix dive on OC alone?
This may actually resolve the issue for me. I would want to have the certification to be "able" to do hypoxic trimix dives on OC, if the opportunity presented itself and OC was the only option for doing the dive. So, if MOD 3 CCR doesn't give me that certification, I suppose I would press on to get the Adv Trimix OC card, regardless.