Question Tech diving buddies, getting into tech and getting experience

[ricardcanela]

Hi guys, I’m a 17 year old diver, skinny and average height (I say this as when visiting the Paris dive expo some manufacturers told me tech diving gear was “too heavy for me), and I have some questions related to tech diving. I’ve been diving for five years now, and I love it, I try to dive as often as possible, and I for a few years I’ve been dreaming of becoming a tech diver. I love everything about it, and I’ve informed myself on the topic as much as possible.

Well, this year I’ll turn 18 and my goal is to get deco theory and adv nitrox, but a problem I have is that my buddy (My father) isn’t looking to go that route, and I fear the possibility of not beeing able to get experience and progress as I don’t have any friends or people I know that do it.

Another problem is, I’m in Barcelona, and there are no dive shops here that do tech dives, witch again makes me insecure to take this route. A lot of people here get certified but end up not diving, and thats the opossite of what I want, any tips on that? Thanks!

 

[Whitrzac]

Lots of tech and cave divers over there.
Fb is by far the most common way everyone finds eachother

 

[happy-diver]

Will you spend money on certificates you will not use, rather than buy books
spending time on the internet voraciously devouring all and learn everything
that you can about rebreathers, then build one yourself, independently of all
to enjoy the freedoms this brings with independence one can only dream of

Like I did

Welcome to my website Therebreathersite.nl

 

[chrisch]

....
Well, this year I’ll turn 18 and my goal is to get deco theory and adv nitrox, but a problem I have is that my buddy (My father) isn’t looking to go that route, and I fear the possibility of not beeing able to get experience and progress as I don’t have any friends or people I know that do it.

Another problem is, I’m in Barcelona, and there are no dive shops here that do tech dives, witch again makes me insecure to take this route. A lot of people here get certified but end up not diving, and thats the opossite of what I want, any tips on that? Thanks!

Learning about deco and the use of nitrox for decompression is never a bad investment. There is technical diving south of you towards Valencia and north of you in France as well. At 18 you have plenty of time to find friends and go diving. A small twin tank rig would be ideal and you can practice all the drills and gas sharing without going deep. I am sure you dad would spend a couple of minutes doing some skills if you ask him nicely.

Have you thought about the GUE option? There is an instructor not that far from you and he (Raul) might help you with finding some dives and buddies.

Kraken Dive

Scientific and Conservation Diving Center

www.krakendive.com

 

[ricardcanela]

Will you spend money on certificates you will not use, rather than buy books
spending time on the internet voraciously devouring all and learn everything
that you can about rebreathers, then build one yourself, independently of all
to enjoy the freedoms this brings with independence one can only dream of

Like I did

Welcome to my website Therebreathersite.nl

Thats where I’m at right now, just bought basics of rebreather diving and waiting for it to get shipped, and yeah, i think i one day would like to build myself a rebreather, but I think thats years down the line

 

[ricardcanela]

Learning about deco and the use of nitrox for decompression is never a bad investment. There is technical diving south of you towards Valencia and north of you in France as well. At 18 you have plenty of time to find friends and go diving. A small twin tank rig would be ideal and you can practice all the drills and gas sharing without going deep. I am sure you dad would spend a couple of minutes doing some skills if you ask him nicely.

Have you thought about the GUE option? There is an instructor not that far from you and he (Raul) might help you with finding some dives and buddies.

Kraken Dive

Scientific and Conservation Diving Center

www.krakendive.com

The thing is, deco theory I’ll do it anyways, i think it makes you overall a sefer diver when diving recreationally, but i also want to progress. Didn’t kbow Valencia was good for tech diving, so thats good. And GUE, well maybe, I’d have to think if thats really my mindset or not. But thanks guys I appreciate the responses

 

[steinbil]

You really should give GUE a try. One of their primary goals is to create a global network of skilled divers that can participate in projects all over the world, and in my experience the GUE community is very welcoming and helpful. It's a great way to meet other technical divers and find teammates when you're traveling, and it opens the door to participate in projects. From what I've seen, no other agency will give you anything close in terms of community and opportunity.

And if you don't end up aligning with the diving philosophy of GUE, worst case outcome is that the class will make you a better diver.

 

[Rich1280]

I dive with a number of very physically very small ladies, who all can dive D12s without question and a number of them are diving GUE JJs. I'm surprised someone would question your ability to move a set of D12s around unless you are unusually small. In the meantime, I'm not sure what the club scene in Spain is like, that may be an option, or if not the GUE communities are very welcoming and inclusive I find. I've dived with Spanish divers in Croatia and Greece when we've been there and had a great time with international teams. I know Islas Hormigas dive centre down in Cabo De Palos has a good amount of diving and people in and out throughout the year, its an easy trip form the UK on a flight to Alicante. Probably quicker than the 6hr drive from Barcelona!

In the UK, a lot if diving is facebook organised, it seems to be the best way to get on things, Might be similar there if there isn't anything obvious locally to physically visit.
Good luck!

Rich

 

[ricardcanela]

I dive with a number of very physically very small ladies, who all can dive D12s without question and a number of them are diving GUE JJs. I'm surprised someone would question your ability to move a set of D12s around unless you are unusually small. In the meantime, I'm not sure what the club scene in Spain is like, that may be an option, or if not the GUE communities are very welcoming and inclusive I find. I've dived with Spanish divers in Croatia and Greece when we've been there and had a great time with international teams. I know Islas Hormigas dive centre down in Cabo De Palos has a good amount of diving and people in and out throughout the year, its an easy trip form the UK on a flight to Alicante. Probably quicker than the 6hr drive from Barcelona!

In the UK, a lot if diving is facebook organised, it seems to be the best way to get on things, Might be similar there if there isn't anything obvious locally to physically visit.
Good luck!

Rich

I’ll look arround on facebook, and about GUE, I’ve read their book and I follow most of their philosophy, the only thing I don’t “agree” with is the whole same gear, idk, thats probably allready been talked about a lot, but I think they have an awesome comunity, and about my phisical, I’m maybe a bit skinny but not “abnormally” so I was shocked to when I was told that. I guess i’ll have to go to the gym a bit more usually but other than that I think I’m good. Thanks guys, this helped a lot!

 

[NothingClever]

Not everyone looks like a Greek or Italian marble statue.

Heart can compensate for our physical shortcomings.

The diver that automatically excluded you would probably be the first guy to fold under some truly difficult conditions.

Seen it year in and year out over decades. Battleship mouth, rowboat a$$.

Keep up your desire. You’ll do fine.