Starting the process, advice needed

[Motojack]

I have finally found the time and resources to move into Tech/cave diving and am in the process of mapping out my progression from a recreational diver to to full cave. I am a competent recreational diver with around 350 dives and have done several guided Cenote cavern trips. I would like to do my training in Mexico in sidemount but have no experience with this configuration (or any technical or doubles training.) I will be using a wetsuit so will not have to deal with additional drysuit issues. Based on the excellent advice in this forum, I am planning on breaking up my training into at least 3 trips over a year or more with time to practice skills between.

I have a couple starting questions for the group:
1) Can I combine sidemount with an intro to tech type course, over a week or 8 days, or will I need time between to adjust to the new configuration.
2) My dive time between courses will mostly be in the Caribbean, how much will it throw off my skills practicing in salt water with a 3 mil wetsuit vs the Cenote environment with fresh water and a 5 mil wetsuit (Note I was able to use the same weighting for both in my rec configuration).
3) Once comfortable with my skills in sidemount would you suggest combining either Cavern/Intro or Intro/Full?

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Norwegian Cave Diver]

Ask your dive shop what they suggest.

Where in mexico are you planning to take these courses?
Tulum?

You will have a number of excellent shops to choose from…

Protec Tulum and Playa Del Carmen.
Third Dimension Tulum. A GUE shop.
Underworld Tulum.
All of those shops will be excellent choices.

 

[Valerii Vakshul]

I have finally found the time and resources to move into Tech/cave diving and am in the process of mapping out my progression from a recreational diver to to full cave. I am a competent recreational diver with around 350 dives and have done several guided Cenote cavern trips. I would like to do my training in Mexico in sidemount but have no experience with this configuration (or any technical or doubles training.) I will be using a wetsuit so will not have to deal with additional drysuit issues. Based on the excellent advice in this forum, I am planning on breaking up my training into at least 3 trips over a year or more with time to practice skills between.

I have a couple starting questions for the group:
1) Can I combine sidemount with an intro to tech type course, over a week or 8 days, or will I need time between to adjust to the new configuration.
2) My dive time between courses will mostly be in the Caribbean, how much will it throw off my skills practicing in salt water with a 3 mil wetsuit vs the Cenote environment with fresh water and a 5 mil wetsuit (Note I was able to use the same weighting for both in my rec configuration).
3) Once comfortable with my skills in sidemount would you suggest combining either Cavern/Intro or Intro/Full?

Thanks in advance for any advice

Seven days is not enough. Side and Tek will require more.

 

[Doc Harry]

Three hour dives in Tulum cenotes and caves will make you wish you had a dry suit.

Get proficient in a drysuit.