TDI vs IANTD

[Meister481]

Hey Tek, I realize when I was your age that I was bulletproof. Now I'm realizing how stupid I was to do all the things I did when I was young. I'm also in a similar situation as you. Certified last October and have steadily taken classes until I finally decided to go tech. I will have my MSD rating by the end of the month. I've gone pretty fast, but only after I asked an instructor who is also a friend if I was ready to do the next step. Make sure that your opinion isn't the only one you take to heart. I only say this because I don't wish to see you mentioned in the accidents and injuries section of the board. As you stroll thru the accidents mentioned in the IANTD book you will notice people not using their heads, and when I was your age- that was me.

You can lie to me all day and I will still not give you bad advice. This board has been a treasure trove of knowledge, and most of the great things I have learned I didn't learn by posting a question. Search the archives and then post if you want more specialized info. These are good people who love the sport passionately, please don't abuse their trust. I hope you become the next great underwater explorer, but until then, a little humble pie goes a long way.

I was going to take the IANTD class, but decided to go ahead and do the TDI instead, for the 100% o2 and the instructor is well liked.

 

[ianr33]

I dive as part of a team so we account for the loss of 1 deco bottle and on most dives and carry AL 80 bottles of 50%. We also limit the BT on dives in the 130-150 range to avoid being stupefied by narcosis on air or lean Nitrox. There is certainly nothing wrong with learning how to use 2 bottles on experience dives.

One 80,two 40's ,swings and roundabouts really. Either is a lot better than a single and a pony.

 

[scubadiver56]

i have also asked instructors and dm's who i know they said i could go for some of what i was planning i was originally planing to do all the courses and more extensive cave courses but i realized how stupid that was and i got the choices at the top of the fourm they said just dive for experiance which i am.i have a habit of almost every dive i do is to use gas management.which is the rule of thirds i use. they said the courses are okay if i continue diving like i do.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

but now, i have doubles, lights, rregs, all over the place.

Equipment doth not a tec diver make.

How many dives do you have Tec? Dry suit dives? No vis dives? Ripping current dives? Is resolving a wide range of problems with you and/or your buddy underwater in challenging conditions an automatic response based on actual prior experience? Do other divers regard you as a capable experienced diver who is a help rather than a hindrance when the fertilizer hilts the fan? Be honest here. If you fill your profile in with the truth then many of us may be able to help you.

As for maturity - you have to be mature enough to realise that tec dives can kill you, have killed far better divers than you, and you must be able to balance the long term damage an accident will have for you and your family vs the reward of tec diving. This may be a hard thing for an ‘invincible’ 16 year old to fully comprehend. You also have to be mature enough to take advice, dive as part of a team and follow a plan.

Falsifying your experience on an internet bulletin board does not, in my mind, display the degree to maturity required: you have to be honest with yourself and others about your abilities, experience and readiness to conduct these dives. You have to be able to can a dive because you realise the conditions are outside your ability to safely handle them.

Also ask yourself why you want to tec dive – do you have a clear objective or deep dive that you want to do, or is it because it looks cool?

Remember that you have decades of diving to come so whats the rush? Dive a lot, get a few hundred dives under your belt under a range of conditions, and practise with your gear. Good luck.

Cheers,
Rohan.

 

[CoalBoy]

... This board has been a treasure trove of knowledge, and most of the great things I have learned I didn't learn by posting a question. ...

truly words of wisdom...

I've been stalking this board for a long time before I dove in. Picked up a lot just by reading the threads.

 

[Jason Ooi]

You are right! I doubt what he say

Your life, not mine...

 

[Bigcape]

Equipment doth not a tec diver make.

How many dives do you have Tec? Dry suit dives? No vis dives? Ripping current dives? Is resolving a wide range of problems with you and/or your buddy underwater in challenging conditions an automatic response based on actual prior experience? Also ask yourself why you want to tec dive – do you have a clear objective or deep dive that you want to do, or is it because it looks cool?


Cheers,
Rohan.

When is a tech diver a tech diver?

I have been diving for 15 years and have been invited on many dives over the years mostly with a good friend of mine who owns his own shop and certification levels as long as my arm. Am I tech diver? Not yet.

I don't have any "Tech" certifications

I don't have all the acronyms memorized

I cant remember the formulas without looking back at references.

I don't have the tables memorized but i know how to use ALL of them.





I have done nitrox dives. Tech Diver?

I have gone below 160fsw. Tech Diver?

I have done deco dives. Tech Diver?

I mix my own nitrox. Tech Diver?

I air lifted a car out of a quarry. Tech Diver?

I dove in 0viz. Tech Diver?

I ve made underwater repairs. Tech Diver?

Kept a diver who had an anxiety attack at 100fsw from killing himself. Tech Diver?


When is a "tech" diver revered as one by you guys standards??

I just have fun

 

[Packhorse]

I have no problem doing vavle shut downs,lift bag,deployin long hose etc.

Oh really

I had so much trouble today shooting a bag when being neutral. Now I dont want to use my back up to add air. The way I was doing it was exhaust from my reg but i couldnt seem to get it into the bag. Can someone give me a few tip or something that i can use. I saw a Blowgun that also attached to your drysuit,has anyone ever heard of this??
Thanks Thatcher

OK then.

I shall not bother to tell you to wait a while, get some real experiance (both life and dive) and then do a tech course because I know you will not listen and try to prove everyone else wrong.

 

[Ben_ca]

Oh really

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tek Adventure Diver
I have no problem doing vavle shut downs,lift bag,deployin long hose etc.

OK then.

Originally Posted by Tek Adventure Diver
I had so much trouble today shooting a bag when being neutral. Now I dont want to use my back up to add air. The way I was doing it was exhaust from my reg but i couldnt seem to get it into the bag. Can someone give me a few tip or something that i can use. I saw a Blowgun that also attached to your drysuit,has anyone ever heard of this??
Thanks Thatcher

I shall not bother to tell you to wait a while, get some real experiance (both life and dive) and then do a tech course because I know you will not listen and try to prove everyone else wrong.

But he learned all of this on the internet..... How could he be wrong?:shakehead

 

[Bigcape]

But he learned all of this on the internet..... How could he be wrong?:shakehead

And I just "thought" I might want to BE a TECH diver. Now that I've spent soooo much time on ScubaBoard I AM ONE! Thanx all. When do I get my C-Card?