What does it take to be ready to 'go Technical'?

[Jax]

One time, I thought I knew, but now I'm unsure.

I have been practicing drills in sidemount, with up to two ponies, for a good nine months. I am (was?) fairly confident in my abilities and was ready to take the next step, like a wreck penetration class or cavern class.

Then, for various reasons, I did not dive my sidemount for at least two months. I dove recreationally for a week. I returned to the pool for some extensive drills, especially with my new can light. (Pool -- my local diving, for those not familiar.)

I was dismayed to find I made several errors in what used to be a smooth practiced checkout.

• Forgot my two shoulder trim weights.

• Forgot to check the operation of my three lights before hitting the water.

• Forgot to set the zero on my watch. ('bottom timer')

Is this 'just having a bad day', or do I need seriously more practice / experience before seeking advancement?

 

[BKP]

Well... if it were me, I would (and do) pass it off to my memory taking a little bit of a hit over the last decade, and not playing in "the pool" for a couple of months as a refresher...

Then, I'd happily continue with my plans for wreck penetration, and/or cavern (which is exactly what *I* plan to do, once I become proficient with my sidemount, memory notwithstanding)...

 

[rigdiver]

From seeing your posts over time here, I'd say you are ready. Every new class adds equip. and will task load/stresss you. You have the experience and prereqs. Go for it.
Time off will create an "all thumbs" experience for anyone. It takes a dive or two to get back.

 

[rongoodman]

Just sounds like a reason to spend more time in the side mount rig. What kind of can light did you get?

 

[Jax]

Well... if it were me, I would (and do) pass it off to my memory taking a little bit of a hit over the last decade, and not playing in "the pool" for a couple of months as a refresher...

Time off will create an "all thumbs" experience for anyone. It takes a dive or two to get back.

Just sounds like a reason to spend more time in the side mount rig. What kind of can light did you get?

Thanks, guys! :Kissy: Y'all make me feel better. It was like watching something that used to be second nature become totally foreign.


Light Monkey - Corey is hard to say "no" to! 21W LED.

 

[ajduplessis]

You seem to think things through before you execute, you ask loads of good questions and have a positive attitude. I would go ahead and do either or even both courses. I would relook shoulder weights; there must be easier ways to control your trim. Fiddling to much with stuff is not good and shoulder weight is fiddling IMO. Once you have completed cave you will never forget to check your lights, it becomes second nature. Not setting your bottom timer for me is an problem, but I think you just had a bad day. Please don't have bad days when you go cave or deco!!!!

Nice can light, LED's are great.

 

[rongoodman]

I couldn't be happier with LM's products and service. I just sent them my 21W HID Salvo and they had a new battery in and it on the way back within a day. The SM mod to the 12 LED is nice too, although if you're short like me at 5' 8", you might ask for a little shorter cord. I'll send it back over the winter and have it cut back a bit.

 

[Jax]

I couldn't be happier with LM's products and service. I just sent them my 21W HID Salvo and they had a new battery in and it on the way back within a day. The SM mod to the 12 LED is nice too, although if you're short like me at 5' 8", you might ask for a little shorter cord. I'll send it back over the winter and have it cut back a bit.

How do you run it? I run it up my left side, under the wing, to come out under my arm, and then a loop over the arm when deployed. It's totally out of the way, that way. No issues with deploying the long hose or anything else.

 

[rongoodman]

I have it hanging sideways on the rear drop rings on my Razor. The combination of the lengthened cord and the right angle feed make for some extra length, especially if helmet mounted. Until I start wiggling through tight spots, it shouldn't be a big issue.

 

[w ripley]

Agree with the above posts.

I find checklists helpful. I use one to get my gear ready for the dive trip as I've left stuff at home too many times. When I moved over to a rebreather I found that following check-off lists was good training. On long drives, like a 12-hour hike to cave country, I even have several review sheets that include things I learned in training, picked up reading, and learned that work for me. It's a good review and gets my head back into things I should be focused on.

Everybody's got a system. Mine is making myself dive frequently and reviewing things that will help me stay alive under water.