Where to go for IDC and Tec?

[Dave1981]

Hi Everybody, first post here. Just found the forum and looks like a great place from information.

So I plan on heading out at the end of the summer to do an IDC course somewhere and also get into some tec diving, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations, avoids or just an opinion.

There are 3 options I'm thinking of, though open to anywhere in the world.
Utila (where i went for DM, Loved it but not much there tec wise for caves/wrecks)
Thailand, never been dunno what to expect
Egypt, given I've heard of some amazing diving.

What I'm looking for is a fun place with a lot of life. Enough students coming though to get a good few certs in before the summers done. A good school to learn/teach at, and most importantly access to tec diving and worthwhile dives to do.

Any thoughts welcome.

Cheers, Dave

 

[Louie]

Hi Dave,

Well, I think you're in the right place as there are so many people here with all sorts of dive and travel experiences.

For IDC, I would cosider three important questions - their order of importance, opinions may vary:

1) A good course with good instructors - while this sounds common sense, it's not always easy to find. Have a good look at the IDC brochures and ask round as word of mouth is always good.

2) A location where you'll be happy for a bit of time (or at least the duration of the IDC and tech courses). It's always nicer to be in an environment with people and amenities you appreciate. Also, it's always good if the dives in the vicinity are to your liking. It's pointless doing IDC in the US or Northern Europe if you depise cold water and northern climates.

3) Value for money - perhaps this shouldn't be the primary motivator but we're not all made of money and the cost of the course and cost of living are important. When shopping for courses, ASK WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICES QUOTED. Also, if anyone tells you you'll get a job upon completion of the IDC, always be skeptical - many schools will tell you all sorts of things to get your business.

I can't comment on Utila, as I have never been. Red Sea is absolutely amazing (especially if you do the liveaboards further south in Egypt). But diving's brilliant throughout the region. I've met people who'd trained and worked in Dahab and the place does have a nice chilled feel. I imagine Blue Hole is a magnet for technical diving - I was tempted to do the tech cert - with a dive doing the Blue Hole - several years ago but I didn't have the time or the funds (to my great regret).
As for Thailand, I think it's got a lot going for it - having done my IDC on Koh Tao and then stayed on... went back...stayed again.... It's relatively cheap, there's a lot of recreation and fun on land and you'll have a lot of choices when choosing for an outfit/school to do the IDC. Tech diving is available in Thailand as well.

Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[Ex-Aquanaut]

Hi Dave,

Think something like this might interest you?

Semi-closed rebreathers, closed-circuit rebreathers, cavern diving, cave diving, tec deep, trimix?

Add do that as part of a hugely successful OWSI training program that has a 100% pass rate for the past two full years?

Aquanauts Dive Career Development Center is both a PADI 5-Star CDC and one of only 2 ANDI tec facilities in Thailand. We also offer a full range of TDI tech courses that can make you the most well-rounded diver you can be.

We offer 3 flavors of internship:
* Our all-inclusive Aquanauts Complete pacakge
* Our budget-priced Aquanauts Value internship
* Our unique "pay as you go" Aquanauts 4-Step program

You can find all the internship info at the link at the bottom. But to get a taste of what youc an experience on the tec side, please see our new Technical website at www.ThailandTechDiving.com.

There's no other center in Thaland with the combination of full-fledged internship program for PADI OWSIs and beyond and the depth of rebreather and cave/cavern dive training.

 

[Dave1981]

Thanks for the info, it's a tough choice! so far:

Utila for the cost, I know the dive school I'd use and have a job afterwards.
Thailand as I want to visit, and should be a lot of fun.
Egypt probably has the best tec diving. Looked up Blue Hole and instantly added it to my list of places to dive! (add to that blue hole Belize also).

I have a feeling any will be a great trip and I should just toss a 3 sided coin!