Where to next?

[Yoyoguy]

All,
Just finished my Nitrox and Deep Diver cert (through PADI). I am always looking to advance my skills and I was contemplating where to go next (and I don't mean tomorrow, yes I will be making dives and having fun/practicing but was just curious what direction I should head in while I am procuring my technical dive equipment). My ultimate goal is to get into Tech diving/Deco diving. Here is a little bit about my diving experience to date. I have 50+ dives under my belt depending if you count check out dives as logged dives. All dives have been cold water dives in two different deep quarries and Lake George (also very deep and really large with many wrecks, if you are unfamiliar with the lake). My buoyancy is pretty spot on (with and with out slinging my 40cu stage/pony). I dive a BP/W long hose singles set-up. I was contemplating going for my master diver cert which would mean doing rescue diver cert and then 5 specialty certs OR I could jump right into TEC 40 (PADI tech diving course) or whatever the equivalent TDI course is. I do have to make about 10-15 more dives to satisfy all the requirements to start the TECH course so I will likely not start that until end of next summer OR even the summer after depending on funding for all the equipment as well (doubles set-up, drysuit, stages...etc.) I honestly believe my skills have progressed quite well the last of which is controlling my breathing. Thoughts?

 

[RJP]

All dives have been cold water dives in two different deep quarries and Lake George (also very deep and really large with many wrecks, if you are unfamiliar with the lake). My buoyancy is pretty spot on

I would suggest "the ocean" as a good next step.

Adding current, surge, wave action, upwells, downwells, highly varied topography, fish life, navigation over significant distances, etc will let you see what your "spot on" buoyancy really looks like outside of the essentially "confined water" environment you've been diving in to date.

 

[Bob DBF]

Take your time and gather experience in what you learn from your certifications. It is always better to make your mistakes and deal with problems when you are within NDL, and given enough time they will happen.

I believe that Rescue and Navigation would be highly useful courses for any diver, with Rescue being a must. If you did want to do the master scuba diver cert, Wreck and Search and Recovery would come in handy for your lake IMHO. If you decide on MSD, make a deal with your instructor, you take the courses and he buys you the MSD cert.

Good Luck

Bob
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That's my point, people, by and large, are not taught that diving can be deadly, they are taught how safe it is, and they are not equipped with the skills, taught and trained to the level required to be useful in an emergency.

 

[Yoyoguy]

I would suggest "the ocean" as a good next step.

Adding current, surge, wave action, upwells, downwells, highly varied topography, fish life, navigation over significant distances, etc will let you see what your "spot on" buoyancy really looks like outside of the essentially "confined water" environment you've been diving in to date.

I will actually be going to the ocean in 2 weeks! Definitely excited about that! I agree with what you are saying. I just wanted to get my point across that I am already used to could water diving with 7mm suit, hood, gloves as that is what I have had to wear on every dive.Water temps have been between 38F-60F. Also use to diving with a large pony slung on my left side as almost half my dives have been with it. Unfortunately I wont be going to the ocean a ton due to funds. I will definitely make New Jersey trip next summer as I know a few guys who dive out there and I will be buying a dry suit and taking a dry suit class. I didn't want to seem like im rushing. I am certainly not, and I definitely take diving really serious. Every dive I make I try to practice some sort of skill on top of just having fun diving I just like to make plans and was looking for a touch of direction for the next 1-2 years. I wont be getting into tech/wreck until then.

Take your time and gather experience in what you learn from your certifications. It is always better to make your mistakes and deal with problems when you are within NDL, and given enough time they will happen.

I believe that Rescue and Navigation would be highly useful courses for any diver, with Rescue being a must. If you did want to do the master scuba diver cert, Wreck and Search and Recovery would come in handy for your lake IMHO. If you decide on MSD, make a deal with your instructor, you take the courses and he buys you the MSD cert.

Good Luck

Bob
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thanks. I definitely need to improve on navigation. I will admit my navigation skills have been limited but I have practiced it when I can. I dive a place called Dutch Springs which has many objects sunk. Literally dozens. They include a map with compass headings. I have practiced there a bit and was able to find most what I wanted to. I was also told search and recovery is a fun course! And I agree, rescue diver is very valuable and I have already considered it a must for myself! Thanks for the ideas.

 

[PfcAJ]

'next' should be a bunch more dives, not classes.

 

[boulderjohn]

If I were you, I would start with firming up that future tech training. Examine the course requirements and outcomes for different agencies. I teach both TDI and PADI tech, and I can assure you that you would be surprised by the differences in the learning paths for each. Look closely at who teaches what, and most importantly who you want as your instructor. Talk to several to learn your options and get the best fit for you. Take your time--it's an important decision.

If you make a good choice, that instructor will help you answer your questions better than we who have never seen you can. I suggest the two of you go for a dive so that he or she can take a look at you and make suggestions for your next steps. You say your buoyancy is spot on after 50-99 dives. That's great! I thought mine was spot on when I had about as many dives as you do, too. Today I don't think I have it quite where I want it, but that does not mean I am not as good today as I was 1,000 dives ago. You may find that the instructor will want to tweak it some.

I went for a weekend of diving recently with someone who needed to get his Deep Diver specialty so that he could meet the requirements for PADI tech. While we were satisfying that requirement (and more), I was able to get a really good look at his current diving skills. When he starts the class this month, I will know exactly how I want to work with him to get him where he needs to be.

 

[Nasser]

Agree with both posts... dive in the ocean to gain some more experience in that environment as well as consider the Rescue course. It's an excellent course that will increase your awareness, confidence, and your mental and physical stamina.

 

[Yoyoguy]

If I were you, I would start with firming up that future tech training. Examine the course requirements and outcomes for different agencies. I teach both TDI and PADI tech, and I can assure you that you would be surprised by the differences in the learning paths for each. Look closely at who teaches what, and most importantly who you want as your instructor. Talk to several to learn your options and get the best fit for you. Take your time--it's an important decision.

If you make a good choice, that instructor will help you answer your questions better than we who have never seen you can. I suggest the two of you go for a dive so that he or she can take a look at you and make suggestions for your next steps. You say your buoyancy is spot on after 50-99 dives. That's great! I thought mine was spot on when I had about as many dives as you do, too. Today I don't think I have it quite where I want it, but that does not mean I am not as good today as I was 1,000 dives ago. You may find that the instructor will want to tweak it some.

I went for a weekend of diving recently with someone who needed to get his Deep Diver specialty so that he could meet the requirements for PADI tech. While we were satisfying that requirement (and more), I was able to get a really good look at his current diving skills. When he starts the class this month, I will know exactly how I want to work with him to get him where he needs to be.

Thanks for the advice. I did not mean to make it sound like my buoyancy couldn't improve. I'm sure it definitely can, but from what others have said (1 instructor, 1 dive master, both of which are tech divers) on separate occasions, told me my buoyancy was excellent and that taking peak performance buoyancy would probably be a waste of time and money. I have really focused on getting my trim and weighting as perfect as possible with my current set-up which will likely change when I get a drysuit and I will have to start all over again haha. From video of myself and pictures I am not sure it really can improve that much as far as trim goes. Just about perfectly horizontal and do not need to move my fins or arms in order to stay that way. My kicking styles definitely need some work. I am doing much better with frog kicking. I can hover a foot off the ground frog kicking with out silting and go a long ways while maintaining my depth. Lately I have been really focusing on slowing down in the water and it has been paying off. I am able to stay down much longer (staying within recreational limits of course) and see more! As for the tech diving instructor, I really only know of two options at the moment. One is a fellow in NJ who apparently has a great reputation and is a PADI tech instructor BUT I would have to travel out there which would greatly add to costs. The other is a TDI instructor who is local but I honestly have no idea what his reputation is like. I think someone on here said he was good if memory serves me correct. Again, I am not going to be jumping into this, even though I am quite excited about it and I do take diving very serious, while having a GREAT time doing it! I do plan on making many many many more dives and keep practicing technique and running drills on things I have learned. Just wanted an idea of possible directions to head into. I really appreciate your advice!

 

[WildcatChris]

Cozumel [emoji6]


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[TSandM]

Have you checked out the DNY group here on SB? There are a number of tech and cave trained divers among them. I know Bob Sherwood of GUE sometimes goes to Dutch and works with some of the DNY folks. GUE Fundamentals is an excellent next step, no matter where you want to go from there -- it's a reality check on your skills, and an example of where the bar sits for technical diving.