Question Should I become a tech diver? Mostly dive south Florida

[vspeeds]

Thank you in advance for any comments and feedback.
I'm a 4-5 hour drive from Key Largo and Pensacola. I'm interested in diving Chuuk at some point, maybe in 2026. In any case, it would not be an annual trip, likely a one and done.
For the FL dives, it's easy to do tech diving with Horizon Divers. I have never seen a tech diver on my Key West dives on the Vandenberg. And my 2 trips on the Oriskany I didn't have tech divers.
I don't have a dive buddy at rec level. Not sure I will have one as a tech diver.
My question is, if I start "tech diving" what are my opportunities locally in FL? What dive operators host a single tech diver? I have my SDI solo and I can only solo dive with one operator. I'm concerned with making the effort to become a tech diver and being limited in what I can do with the equipment and training.
Thanks,
Kevin

 

[rddvet]

Question one: do you have expendable income?
Question two: do you hope to continue to have expendable income if the answer to question one was yes.

 

[grantmac]

I really believe almost any diver who wants to use some form of doubles should take a hard look at AN/DP.
Being able to safely operate on either side of NDL at depths you already go has a lot of benefits.

 

[lermontov]

But when Jim? I did too, once, long long ago in a galaxy far far away (or so it seems now), and although it was 'adequate' then, I certainly wouldn't choose to do it non tec now.

can we start a discussion about deep air

 

[SmashMonkey]

Thank you in advance for any comments and feedback.
I'm a 4-5 hour drive from Key Largo and Pensacola. I'm interested in diving Chuuk at some point, maybe in 2026. In any case, it would not be an annual trip, likely a one and done.
For the FL dives, it's easy to do tech diving with Horizon Divers. I have never seen a tech diver on my Key West dives on the Vandenberg. And my 2 trips on the Oriskany I didn't have tech divers.
I don't have a dive buddy at rec level. Not sure I will have one as a tech diver.
My question is, if I start "tech diving" what are my opportunities locally in FL? What dive operators host a single tech diver? I have my SDI solo and I can only solo dive with one operator. I'm concerned with making the effort to become a tech diver and being limited in what I canshould do with the equipment and training.
Thanks,
Kevin

You should totally do it! I started my tech journey at Horizon Divers 2 years ago and 50 dives later I'm going to Truk Lagoon later this year having completed AN/Helitrox and Advanced Wreck. Before then I didn't know any tech divers and I only dived rec with my family (none are interested in tech). If I let Horizon know in advance I'm looking for a tech buddy, they will try to see if there's anybody else on the boats I can dive with. On the dive boats there's many regulars and almost all the divers are friendly so I just make friends and I now have a number of tech diving friends.

 

[Kay Dee]

can we start a discussion about deep air

Now, now, enough of that. Besides, I think this years perennial talk fest has already been completed? Have to wait till 26 now, unfortunately.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

But when Jim? I did too, once, long long ago in a galaxy far far away (or so it seems now), and although it was 'adequate' then, I certainly wouldn't choose to do it non tec now.

It was 2005 -But things have not changed since then. We were on the Agressor, Nitrox was an add-on and the wrecks we dived on were 50-120 feet deep. Incredible wreck diving - simple profiles- easy stuff.

I'd say after a couple of weeks of diving the shallower stuff it would then be cool to go "tec" and dive the deeper stuff.

 

[rddvet]

It was 2005 -But things have not changed since then. We were on the Agressor, Nitrox was an add-on and the wrecks we dived on were 50-120 feet deep. Incredible wreck diving - simple profiles- easy stuff.

I'd say after a couple of weeks of diving the shallower stuff it would then be cool to go "tec" and dive the deeper stuff.

No offense Jim, but alot has changed between now and then. More rebreathers, easier access to helium (not discussing the price) eventhough helium is getting harder to get. More experienced guides guiding more tech divers. You can definitely go to Truk and just dive single tank OW dives, but you will be very limited. And because logistics have improved means that more people are doing tech level dives (or at least in doubles) vs single tank OW diving than ever before and shops/boats are catering to it.
It is doable in single al80s, but that is no longer as much the norm as it was 20 years ago.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

No offense Jim

None taken.