SSI TechXr Discussion

[adm3745]

Hey everybody,

I'm starting my Tec diving soon, and my instructor talked me into doing the TXR program instead of TDI. I am just wondering what everyones opinions are if you have done any of the programs. I have read all five sections, and was a little disapointed in the lack of equations and information. Do other programs offer more information than this manual or is that in Tec diving most of the learning actually comes from real diving with an instructor... I expected there to be more suggestive techniques and equations whereas it seems to be a generalization. Is this the norm with Tec courses? Is a cave course where I will learn alot more techniques? Or is diving just simpler than I am trying to make it be?

 

[PvtStash]

what anyone's got to say of the SSI "Extreme" Tech course as well...

Right off I'd say the "Extreme" part is the price... , which is too bad if its light on content...

 

[adm3745]

What is the extreme course? I did actually like the price on the manual.. It was $130 and covers 5 different courses where as the TDI manuals are something like $60 each. Maybe I'll try to borrow one of the TDI books and then compare.

 

[longk14]

I'm cert through TDI to ADV Trimix. The instructor is key in my opinion. That said the newer manuals from TDI are pretty informative as far as some of the more common math formulas you will need to know.

You can find course books cheaper than you think Technical Diving International (TDI) Manuals - Dive Gear Express

 

[PvtStash]

wants $550 (books not included) for Advanced Nitrox/Technical Foundations

 

[adm3745]

wow that is alot. My instructor told me 399. He's considering giving me a dual cert with TDI. I'm not sure what else that says to the credibility of the SSI program. I'm not to worried though. Like longk said, I believe the most important part is the instructor. I'm going to get all the information I need either way.

 

[rigdiver]

Hey everybody,

I'm starting my Tec diving soon, and my instructor talked me into doing the TXR program instead of TDI. I am just wondering what everyones opinions are if you have done any of the programs. I have read all five sections, and was a little disapointed in the lack of equations and information. Do other programs offer more information than this manual or is that in Tec diving most of the learning actually comes from real diving with an instructor... I expected there to be more suggestive techniques and equations whereas it seems to be a generalization. Is this the norm with Tec courses? Is a cave course where I will learn alot more techniques? Or is diving just simpler than I am trying to make it be?

Who wrote the book? What is their background/real world experience. These are the ?'s I'd be asking. You do not want less than very experienced types teaching you such serious forms of diving.

 

[Jasonmh]

Hey everybody,

I'm starting my Tec diving soon, and my instructor talked me into doing the TXR program instead of TDI. I am just wondering what everyones opinions are if you have done any of the programs. I have read all five sections, and was a little disapointed in the lack of equations and information. Do other programs offer more information than this manual or is that in Tec diving most of the learning actually comes from real diving with an instructor... I expected there to be more suggestive techniques and equations whereas it seems to be a generalization. Is this the norm with Tec courses? Is a cave course where I will learn alot more techniques? Or is diving just simpler than I am trying to make it be?

I have taken the TXR Technical Foundations and Advanced Nitrox. I felt the materials are better than average when compared to most that I have read. Not sure what you are refering to about the lack of equations, do you have some examples? We spent a significant amount of time on dive planning and the related equations in class.
On the part of suggestive techniques and generalization, I agree with you. There is some discussion in the manuals on a wide range of equipment, not much at all in the way of direct recommendations. I would say that when reading the material, it seems they have taken great pains to avoid making any actual recommendations. I think it is highly likely that was done to leave the discussion open for the instructor/dive school to have with the students. The lack of real recommendations can be viewed as a weakness or a strength. I wouldn't equate the lack of direct equipment recommendations in the material to equal not learning techniques, which should be covered by your instructor. They leave things so very wide open for the instructor to decide that 2 people using 2 different instructors are very likely to get 2 completely different classes. I don't know if this is any different with the following 3 courses.
I wish that SSI did a better job promoting the course, and especially a better job answering the questions in this forum.

 

[Captain12Pk]

Hi all,
Can't speak as to the content of the SSI course as I'm not farmilliar with it. I'm going through the TDI & SDI courses, and will do a UTD crossover for Tech 2 at the conclusion. In my opinion, the TDI and SDI books are extremely insufficient. However it wasn't the content of the books that persuaded me to take these classes. It was my confidence in the instructor. I've learned more from the instructor than any of the class books could have ever hoped to give me.
And FWIW, $399.00 for a full Tech 1 class is a screaming deal...

 

[adm3745]

Ya, my instructor read this thread and we went through both the TDI and SSI books. I came to the conclusion that 90% of the learning is going to come from him. I just thought SSI would try to get more people trained the same way than have everyone with individual styles from different instructors. I guess that's just the DIR side of me starting to develop.

The SSI Tec Program divides it up into Foundations/Adv Nitrox , Deco, Advanced Deco, and Normoxic Trimix. As far as I know, they don't have an advanced trimix or any other of programs like TDI does. Hopefully it will come. The first three courses are gonna cost me $400 each, then the Trimix is $600. Still sounds like a deal though.