Coldwater_Canuck
Contributor
Note: I'm not sure the best place for this post, but this is for anyone knowledgeable with UTD, not necessarily just their staff.
So after various frustrations with the PADI system, I really like what I've read about UTD and the training seems to be much closer to what I think is needed to create safe divers. I should be returning to Seattle this summer semi-permanently, and Seattle is lucky enough to have two instructors. I'm just trying to figure out what sort of things I'll need to buy and how much this is going to cost (I'm only looking at Rec courses in the near future). UTD has a pretty good equipment section on its website, but there were some things I'm wondering. So if anyone has any advice to the things below, please let me know.
Weights:
Although I realize the steel backplate will remove some of the weight requirements, do you generally wear a harness or where is extra weight stored?
Storage:
The BP/W systems I've seen generally don't have pockets like a BC does (and I'm not sure if adding pockets is considered "DIR"). Say something like car keys or even an extra mask, is there anywhere to put these, or do you basically need a drysuit?
Bottom Timer, Depth Gauge, Computers:
The DIR reg-kits I've seen online appear to just have an SPG attached to the regulators. I've also heard DIR does not approve of computers (although maybe this
is just the bottom time functions and computers are used as timers and depth gages), so what is generally used for bottom time and depth?
Yoke Valves:
Just to confirm what I think is implied online, DIN is preferable, but only required for tech courses (yoke is fine for rec ones)?
Drysuit:
I've currently only dove with a wetsuit. I should probably make the switch to a drysuit at some point. I know UTD really focuses on things like buoyancy and trim, so I'm thinking it may be more productive to start Fundamentals already Drysuit trained. So maybe before doing any UTD courses, just take a PADI drysuit course or something and buy a suit. Does this make sense or any other ideas how to go about the switch from wet to dry?
Singles / Doubles:
I've currently only dove single tank, but would eventually like to go doubles for the redundancy and increased / easier to manage gas (in a sense). Now I have no idea if doubles are hard to use and whatnot, but would I be best doing Fundamentals, Rec 2, etc. in single tank and then switching (downside is having to work on bouyancy, trim, and weighting again once you're using doubles, plus needing two wings). Do you feel doubles are complicated enough it's better to wait or is it something best to start practicing with early on?
Thanks in Advance!
So after various frustrations with the PADI system, I really like what I've read about UTD and the training seems to be much closer to what I think is needed to create safe divers. I should be returning to Seattle this summer semi-permanently, and Seattle is lucky enough to have two instructors. I'm just trying to figure out what sort of things I'll need to buy and how much this is going to cost (I'm only looking at Rec courses in the near future). UTD has a pretty good equipment section on its website, but there were some things I'm wondering. So if anyone has any advice to the things below, please let me know.
Weights:
Although I realize the steel backplate will remove some of the weight requirements, do you generally wear a harness or where is extra weight stored?
Storage:
The BP/W systems I've seen generally don't have pockets like a BC does (and I'm not sure if adding pockets is considered "DIR"). Say something like car keys or even an extra mask, is there anywhere to put these, or do you basically need a drysuit?
Bottom Timer, Depth Gauge, Computers:
The DIR reg-kits I've seen online appear to just have an SPG attached to the regulators. I've also heard DIR does not approve of computers (although maybe this
is just the bottom time functions and computers are used as timers and depth gages), so what is generally used for bottom time and depth?
Yoke Valves:
Just to confirm what I think is implied online, DIN is preferable, but only required for tech courses (yoke is fine for rec ones)?
Drysuit:
I've currently only dove with a wetsuit. I should probably make the switch to a drysuit at some point. I know UTD really focuses on things like buoyancy and trim, so I'm thinking it may be more productive to start Fundamentals already Drysuit trained. So maybe before doing any UTD courses, just take a PADI drysuit course or something and buy a suit. Does this make sense or any other ideas how to go about the switch from wet to dry?
Singles / Doubles:
I've currently only dove single tank, but would eventually like to go doubles for the redundancy and increased / easier to manage gas (in a sense). Now I have no idea if doubles are hard to use and whatnot, but would I be best doing Fundamentals, Rec 2, etc. in single tank and then switching (downside is having to work on bouyancy, trim, and weighting again once you're using doubles, plus needing two wings). Do you feel doubles are complicated enough it's better to wait or is it something best to start practicing with early on?
Thanks in Advance!