Tech 40 Trim and buoyancy

[jlcnuke]

You may want to consider looking into TDI's Intro-to-Tech or similar programs from other agencies, as they're designed to teach you to dive in tech diving gear, do the drills, learn/demonstrate proper propulsion techniques etc.

So if you go to another instructor, I might consider a different path. I completed my tech40 but wasn't comfortable/confident in the equipment/gear, so I started over with TDI ITT, then did AN/DP and those got me way more comfortable and confident with the gear than I was when I passed my Tech40 course.

 

[boulderjohn]

With new tech students, I expect them to struggle a little financially as they build up their tech gear inventory. If they are short something for the time being, I just loan it to them. I don't think anyone has taken advantage of me for that; they usually come up with the missing equipment pretty quickly.

 

[Windmutt]

You may want to consider looking into TDI's Intro-to-Tech or similar programs from other agencies, as they're designed to teach you to dive in tech diving gear, do the drills, learn/demonstrate proper propulsion techniques etc.

So if you go to another instructor, I might consider a different path. I completed my tech40 but wasn't comfortable/confident in the equipment/gear, so I started over with TDI ITT, then did AN/DP and those got me way more comfortable and confident with the gear than I was when I passed my Tech40 course.

Actually I’m switching from PADI to TDI. I will also dive from the operators dive boat rather than shore dive as we are currently.

 

[Windmutt]

Lastly, the one other person with me on day two ran out of air at 60 ft because the center manifold valve was closed. Our instructor blamed him and me. Shouldn’t the instructor do a precheck before new people jump in the water?

 

[sea_ledford]

The instructor could "blame" you as a learning opportunity because ultimately it will be your responsibility, but on an intro to the gear class, they should absolutely know the status of all of your gear. Depending on how far along in the class your are, I might let you discover that the manifold is closed by asking prompting questions, but to run out of air? Unacceptable.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Lastly, the one other person with me on day two ran out of air at 60 ft because the center manifold valve was closed. Our instructor blamed him and me. Shouldn’t the instructor do a precheck before new people jump in the water?

Well that should have been caught doing checks at the surface. Sounds like these were skipped and that's where mistakes are more likely to happen. I hope everything does much more smoothly with a new instructor.

Absolutely none of what you shared here is your fault.

 

[jlcnuke]

Lastly, the one other person with me on day two ran out of air at 60 ft because the center manifold valve was closed. Our instructor blamed him and me. Shouldn’t the instructor do a precheck before new people jump in the water?

Every tech course I've ever been taught (tech40, ITT, AN/DP, Trimix, intro/apprentice cave) in doubles included doing gear checks as you get in the water, including an S-Drill as well as valve position checks before commencing the dive.

 

[tursiops]

Lastly, the one other person with me on day two ran out of air at 60 ft because the center manifold valve was closed. Our instructor blamed him and me. Shouldn’t the instructor do a precheck before new people jump in the water?

Please report your instructor to PADI. He needs to be fired.

 

[Wibble]

Lastly, the one other person with me on day two ran out of air at 60 ft because the center manifold valve was closed. Our instructor blamed him and me. Shouldn’t the instructor do a precheck before new people jump in the water?

Why didn't "the other person" notice that their gas was NOT changing when they regularly checked their SPG?

I remember someone doing this to me for a jape. Was very funny, but not a problem as it was noticed within 10 or 15 mins. Tweaked the manifold, it hissed, the pressure dropped; normality was resumed.

It's odd that the manifold was closed at all though as, aside from valve drills, the manifold is rarely closed. Wonder if the instructor closed it as a test?

 

[Windmutt]

Why didn't "the other person" notice that their gas was NOT changing when they regularly checked their SPG?

I remember someone doing this to me for a jape. Was very funny, but not a problem as it was noticed within 10 or 15 mins. Tweaked the manifold, it hissed, the pressure dropped; normality was resumed.

It's odd that the manifold was closed at all though as, aside from valve drills, the manifold is rarely closed. Wonder if the instructor closed it as a test?

We were only 5 minutes into the dive. Apparently he had depleted the air in one cylinder and was not aware of the closed valve. He was diving with twin 60’s. Therefore the SPG was only reflecting the full cylinder.

By day two we were both working on trim and neither had made progress. I got rid of the 9 lb weight on my backplate because I was sinking with a full bcd. I had to fill my dry suit to stay afloat. The whole session was a CF with the only wet notes instruction saying “your buoyancy sucks.”

The guy who ran out of air started with side mounts and switched to twin 60’s on day 2. Lots of confusion, no expectations set or constructive feedback.