Recommended reading

[jhr123]

Hi guys, I'm going to be taking my first tec oriented classes in a couple of months (TDI Adv. Nitrox & Deco procedures) and would like to know what I should be reading up on and what skills I should brush up on beforehand. Is there any materials - online or printed - that I should read? For those who have taken the course, what did you wish you had known or practiced beforehand? FYI this will be my first time diving doubles and will probably be renting gear, so I cant really practice any doubles skills. I've been working on my frog kick (tough to do with these split fins - I should have researched that purchase more...) and like to think I have above average buoyancy control.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

You should be reading TDI manuals for the courses you're taking.

 

[Druid]

The TDI manual is a good start, as Asser suggests.

The Fundamentals of Better Diving by Jarrod Jablonski is quite interesting, but it's not the only way to dive

Deco for Divers by Mark Powell provides a good description of deco theory without getting too technical.

As for practising skills, as long as you have the basics* nailed that should be enough. It's the instructor's job to teach you any new skills you require, and as long as you're comfortable in the water that's fine.

*Basics would include buoyancy, mask removal and clearing, regulator removal and recovery - all the things you were taught on your OW course.

 

[battles2a5]

In terms of practice, just start working on skill cycles of the basics; air-sharing, mark remove/ replace, valve shut-downs (even on a single), shooting a bag, and all of your kicks. You can do all of these things before you start your class. If you have access to some technical divers in your area, find a mentor to help you with this. I have never met a technical diver that is not willing to show someone the ropes.

When I did this, I would do most of my drills on a platform, and hover 1-2 inches off the platform. If you break trim during a drill you will nknow it immediately. Get to the point where you can do all of your skills without sculling, wandering around the platform, breaking trim, or losing bouyancy and will be more than ready for the class. Once you build strong fundamentals, adding doubles and some other drills will be much easier.

As for reading, there are some GREAT books about technical diving out there. Reading about the hay day of the Doria, the Rouses, cave diving, etc. will not only get you excited for what you are getting ready to begin but it should give you a VERY healthy respect for the dangers of technical diving and the importance that skills, experience, and humility play in this endeavor.

Getting there is half the fun w/ technical diving and training. Enjoy the trip!

 

[Atomic_Diver]

TDI manuals, try if you can to get someone to help teach you a little bit about diving doubles, do anything you can do to get your hands on anything you can read about of Cave, Wreck, and Technical dives that went wrong, try to learn from others mistakes (accident analysis) it will help you to become a better diver, and one can benifit strongly from learning about others mistakes... Books like IANTD's Encylopedia of Technical Diving, Ocean Gladiator by Mark Ellyatt, The Last Dive by Bernie Chowedhury, Caverns Measureless to Man by Sheck Exley, Basic Cave Diving: A Blue Print for Survival by Sheck Exley are all good books...

 

[mafiajoe]

TDI manuals, try if you can to get someone to help teach you a little bit about diving doubles, do anything you can do to get your hands on anything you can read about of Cave, Wreck, and Technical dives that went wrong, try to learn from others mistakes (accident analysis) it will help you to become a better diver, and one can benifit strongly from learning about others mistakes... Books like IANTD's Encylopedia of Technical Diving, Ocean Gladiator by Mark Ellyatt, The Last Dive by Bernie Chowedhury, Caverns Measureless to Man by Sheck Exley, Basic Cave Diving: A Blue Print for Survival by Sheck Exley are all good books...

As for reading, there are some GREAT books about technical diving out there. Reading about the hay day of the Doria, the Rouses, cave diving, etc. will not only get you excited for what you are getting ready to begin but it should give you a VERY healthy respect for the dangers of technical diving and the importance that skills, experience, and humility play in this endeavor.

Getting there is half the fun w/ technical diving and training. Enjoy the trip!

I second all that.I'd leave that Jablonsky alone for the time being though,maybe later if you really want to.I didn't find it a great read,it very often states the obiouvs and since you're new to the subject it may just confuse you IMHO.
I'd really stick to the TDI manuals and listening to your instructor.And true,try as hard as you can to start diving doubles(no big deal,I found it perfect for me from the very beginning).
Another thing:be prepared to fork out some pretty hefty ammounts of money,tech diving is not for the faint hearted(read wallet)

 

[Atomic_Diver]

and a little tip... When you go to turn off your (double) tanks LEAVE THE MANIFOLD ISOLATOR IN THE ON POSISTION, I severly embarressed myself when I first dove doubles by turning it off with all the other knobs, also when you are faceing your tanks to turn them on, turn the left tank on like you would a normal tank, and the tank on the right you have to turn it toward you to open the valve (i know it sounds confusing, but the knobs turn the opposite ways), and if your diving EANx its not a bad idea to get into the habit of checking each cylinder of its O2 % (just incase it may have been filled with the isolator closed... Which could turn deadly in the dive with a higher % in 1 tank then the other and you had to switch...)

 

[battles2a5]

and a little tip... When you go to turn off your (double) tanks LEAVE THE MANIFOLD ISOLATOR IN THE ON POSISTION, I severly embarressed myself when I first dove doubles by turning it off with all the other knobs, also when you are faceing your tanks to turn them on, turn the left tank on like you would a normal tank, and the tank on the right you have to turn it toward you to open the valve (i know it sounds confusing, but the knobs turn the opposite ways), and if your diving EANx its not a bad idea to get into the habit of checking each cylinder of its O2 % (just incase it may have been filled with the isolator closed... Which could turn deadly in the dive with a higher % in 1 tank then the other and you had to switch...)

More importantly, incorporate a flow check into your pre-dive routine. We have gotten into the habit of splashing, then doing a bubble check, quick equipement check, flow check (ensure all posts and isolator open), charge and close all deco/stages, then go. Takes 1 min and gives you reassurnace that all systems are go. I also perform a flow check after any restrictions. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Atomic_Diver]

Nailed it... That too...

 

[TSandM]

I'd second the recommendation for Mark Powell's Deco for Divers book. It's a very readable and thorough explication of the current state of decompression theory, without having to wade through Weinke's math.

You might also consider investing in the Intro to Tech DVD from UTD. Although there may be some procedural differences in your class (like what order to do the valves in a shutdown drill) the basics should be very similar, and the examples of trim and kicks are excellent. The Technical Diver DVD also includes bottle work.