missionmtb
Contributor
I did OC (3 mo.) --> AOC (5 yrs) --> rec. CCR (5 yrs + a year at 70m w/ a flakey CCR) --> meg x-over/CCR full cave/CCR 100m (during COVID, essentially all at once).
I think the time I spent doing recreational OC and CCR was a great foundation for going straight into CCR full cave / full mix. I also had an instructor that hit certain skills a little harder since I went into it with less than average technical experience. I'm still a little OC cave/tech curious, but I don't feel like I'm worse off without it. If I had to (barf) dive technical OC in those environments I think I could, but I'd still work up to it. If, during my work up I felt I was missing skills, I'd pursue training. YMMV.
I think the time I spent doing recreational OC and CCR was a great foundation for going straight into CCR full cave / full mix. I also had an instructor that hit certain skills a little harder since I went into it with less than average technical experience. I'm still a little OC cave/tech curious, but I don't feel like I'm worse off without it. If I had to (barf) dive technical OC in those environments I think I could, but I'd still work up to it. If, during my work up I felt I was missing skills, I'd pursue training. YMMV.
