Training paths

[Dive-aholic]

I haven't taken an advanced wreck course, but I have looked at several course descriptions. I can assure you the advanced wreck course will come nowhere close to accomplishing the same thing as a cave course. Advanced wreck requires 6 hours classroom and 6 dives with an average cost of $400. Full cave requires lots more classroom and 16 dives minimum with an average cost of $1600. It's a big downfall of the wreck diving community, but they really didn't have anyone like Sheck Exley to formalize any kind of training.

 

[shark.byte.usa]

I haven't taken an advanced wreck course, but I have looked at several course descriptions. I can assure you the advanced wreck course will come nowhere close to accomplishing the same thing as a cave course. Advanced wreck requires 6 hours classroom and 6 dives with an average cost of $400. Full cave requires lots more classroom and 16 dives minimum with an average cost of $1600. It's a big downfall of the wreck diving community, but they really didn't have anyone like Sheck Exley to formalize any kind of training.

You'd probably know better than me... however

I've come up with a 10 vs 16 ratio, this is because a "wreck" only route (based on TDI) doesn't seem to have an intermedite level of training, if I threw in a Cavern class, it be 14 dives and I don't think cost of a class is really a defining factor, that is largely based on demand and other factors. As for not accomplishing the same thing as a cave course, I think your right, as for the level of the training that depends largely as you know by the instructor chosen, and it's not really suppose to accomplish the exact same things is it?? I see it as a somewhat different skill set IMO, but what do I know.

To quote your very own cave instructors site

despite the fact cave, wreck and ice diving all take place in overhead environments, they are separate and distinct activities. Each involves a different set of risks, and each requires its own unique equipment, techniques and procedures.

As a consequence, there can be no such thing as generic "overhead environment diver" training or equipment. No amount of training or experience in ice or wreck diving can adequately prepare divers to or cave dive (and vice versa). Similarly, equipment that represents an acceptable configuration for ice or wreck diving is not automatically an acceptable configuration for cave diving.

This is the Wreck Diving Forum isn't it You A.S.S.E.S. are a little biased aren't ya? :11:

Just ribbin ya Rob, but if I could reach my goals (eventually), safely and proficiently trained without ever penetrating a cave, I'd be just fine with that.

-Garrett

 

[flw]

I'm still a fan of just being out there and diving with a mentor if you can find one, rather than a course. This does mean the onus is on you of course.
I've never done a wreck course of any type, just spent many hours initially outside wrecks learning the layout - not with any kind of agenda, just enjoying being there. 'Progressing' further inside as I learn the wreck ( or feel the need to explore further) learning when not to penetrate any further or simply when a wreck is now too unstable.
Gradually learning the ropes with someone far more experienced than myself over a period of several years gives a better understanding than a quick fix course

 

[shark.byte.usa]

I'm still a fan of just being out there and diving with a mentor if you can find one, rather than a course. This does mean the onus is on you of course.
I've never done a wreck course of any type, just spent many hours initially outside wrecks learning the layout - not with any kind of agenda, just enjoying being there. 'Progressing' further inside as I learn the wreck ( or feel the need to explore further) learning when not to penetrate any further or simply when a wreck is now too unstable.
Gradually learning the ropes with someone far more experienced than myself over a period of several years gives a better understanding than a quick fix course

Nobody here is talking about a "quick fix" course, at least I'm not. Diving with a mentor is great, I welcome those opportunities now and in the future, but diving with a mentor without having to learn the basic skill set first is even better, wouldn't you agree? Then the mentor and yourself can focus on the finer points of the discipline whatever that may be. IMO. And what better way to find a mentor and like minded team members than to take some training and see where it leads you. Formalized/Advanced training is not experience, but it's not a bad thing either and I think an integral part of "the process" and in alot of cases necessary for one reason or another such as access to a site, fills, etc. YMMV

-Garrett

 

[Footslogger]

I know I'm probably just dyslexic and we did get about 3 feet of snow last night so the world as I know it is at a stand still ....but when I first saw the title of this thread I thought it said "Training Pants"

OK ...OK ...it's just me, but I thought it was kinda funny !!

 

[Kevrumbo]

This was my training path for Wreck Penetration Diving:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=2349234&postcount=22

Recommend the above at least as an outline of what to look for in a good Wreck Specialty Class. . .

 

[tedwhiteva]

I know I'm probably just dyslexic and we did get about 3 feet of snow last night so the world as I know it is at a stand still ....but when I first saw the title of this thread I thought it said "Training Pants"

OK ...OK ...it's just me, but I thought it was kinda funny !!

No, those are what you wear with dry suits on long dives and you don't have a pee valve!