Where to go to learn how to dive doubles?

[Atomic_Diver]

I was wondering what dive agencies offer classes on how to dive with doubles. is there such a class? where would you reccomend I can go to learn how? is it easy to do? and any tips on diving doubles?

Thanks

JD

 

[Jimmer]

GUE-Fundamentals and NAUI Intro to Tech are the classes you want to look into. They are extremely similar, and cover all the things you need to know before moving into a full tech course.

 

[ucfdiver]

I was wondering what dive agencies offer classes on how to dive with doubles. is there such a class? where would you reccomend I can go to learn how? is it easy to do? and any tips on diving doubles?

Thanks

JD

Doubles are really easy, I think they're more stable and easier to dive than a single tank, and that's not even mentioning the piece of mind you get knowing that you have redundancy. As for tips, don't close the isolator on accident (check before every dive), make sure you can reach your valves, and don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. If you're diving steel doubles, you might want to think about getting a drysuit for redundant bouyancy, as I assure you, you're NOT swimming those up if your wing fails.

 

[Atomic_Diver]

good thing you reminded me...I need to buy a wing, all I have is a cressi sub bac jac with 50Lbs lift... drysuit sounds a little expensive, would a lift bag work? and what would you reccomend for a good quality bp/w?

 

[James Bond boat entry]

I have a buddy who is a hard core tec diver, he mentioned to me the fact you can use a life bag in the event of wing failure... when I bought my wing, I got dual bladders.

Tec divers take their hobby seriously, so you may encounter some extreme instructors, if you do while visiting shops I suggest walking out, you are only wanting to learn about safely diving doubles, not going down 300 feet in pitch black water ect.

Check out these links for intro to tech classes:

International Training :: Get Certified :: Intro to Tech Diving

DSAT Discover Tec Experience

IANTD doesn't seem to offer an intro, but if a shop is close by, you could drop in and see if they can customize something for you:

IANTD IAND rebreathers Scuba Dive Training Agency Nitrox EANx Trimix Oxygen Rebreather Cave Wreck IANDT IAND decompression, scuba diver

 

[Atomic_Diver]

thanks for the advice on the lift bag... can you also reccomend any good quality bp/w i am looking into buying one that will do me good now and possibly way down the road when i am 18 and decide to possibly take Trimix and adv tech stuff.... But thats WAYYY down the road lol so i guess a good bp/w that will do me good now...

 

[ucfdiver]

thanks for the advice on the lift bag... can you also reccomend any good quality bp/w i am looking into buying one that will do me good now and possibly way down the road when i am 18 and decide to possibly take Trimix and adv tech stuff.... But thats WAYYY down the road lol so i guess a good bp/w that will do me good now...

Dive Rive and Halcyon offer demo days where they allow you to dive their gear to "test it out" before buying. Watch the forums for those. Barry at Salvo will let you borrow a loaner setup to test it out as well.

Tobin with Deep Sea Supply, and Patrick with Oxycheq visit these forums and both make a quality product. I believe oxycheq is close to JB, so you might could make a trip up there and try before you buy as well.

A redundant wing might be the solution if you don't want to go dry suit. However if you're seriously considering cave diving as you mentioned in the other thread, you might as well start out dry, as once your dives get longer, MOST everyone ends up in a drysuit.

 

[CuriousRambler]

Halcyon makes good, high quality bp/w's, but they come at a price. I personally dive a Halcyon Eclipse 30# for singles, I'm going to be buying a doubles wing myself in the next couple months.

Tobin from Deep Sea Supply is active on the boards, and where I've never dove any of their gear, I have bought other items from them and customer service is excellent. I have a couple of buddies who have DSS wings and they definitely rival, if not beat Halcyon in quality construction. I got my rig at the right price on a deep sale a shop was having, but if I was going to pay full price I would definitely go DSS, and my next wing is most likely going to be DSS. If you have any questions, find Tobin (cool_hardware52 on the boards) and he'll be able to answer to your satisfaction no doubt.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Congratulations on seeking out proper training for new equipment! Although doubles might seem easy, there's quite a bit to diving them. I would not recommend diving them without at least having an experienced mentor helping you out. And please don't touch the valves while you're underwater. Valve drills should be supervised by someone who knows what they're doing and can bail you out if you screw up. I don't teach an agency sanctioned doubles course, but I could spend a couple of days working on them with you, including going over how a manifold actually works. I am in the panhandle, though. As for gear, check out my LDS (in my sig line). They've got some great package deals going on right now.

 

[James Bond boat entry]

I would take an intro course and see if you like diving doubles, the instructor can give you tips about selecting the hardware. I found a description about the TDI intro course & the minimum age is 15 with parents consent (in England but likely the same in the USA)

http://www.rectecdiver.com/rtd_cour...ards/TDI introduction to tech final draft.pdf

TDI Introduction to Technical Diving

This two day course is a new and welcome addition to curriculum of the world’s largest and most successful technical diving agency.

Intro to Tech is intended to give experienced sport divers a simple, non-threatening glimpse at the techniques and skills used in technical diving.

Participating in this course will give those divers a better understanding of the detailed planning and preparation required to make a successful and safe technical dive.

Intro to Tech is really a try it before you buy it course for someone who has heard a lot about tech and is wondering what all the fuss is about.

But Intro to Tech is also worthwhile for divers who have no real intentions to go on to take a full tech class because the skills it focuses on – gas management, superior buoyancy and trim, situational awareness, and equipment selection – are useful in any form of diving.

Includes: Instruction

Pre-requisites: Open water diver or equivalent, minimum 15 years of age.