wreck cert

[bigtim6656]

We are moving to key largo from indiana :mooner:

Not in a big hurry to do so, but we want to do the wreck cert, so we can get into wreck diving.

We did our OW in march in flroida, one dive was a non pent wreck dive, then we did AOW later summer up here with the wreck intro dive with padi. Both of us have 28 or so dives. 5 of which are ocean dives the reason verying quarries around indiana, Illinois, kentucky and a trip to bonne terre mines.


I am alittle torn as to which agency we should go with. We both plan on really getting into wreck diving(keys are wreck heaven of course) and I know one day we will want to start penetrating into them.

My thought is to go with sdi/tdi for the basic course, then when we decided to go inside do the advance wreck diver cert.


What are your thoughts

 

[TSandM]

Well, if what you want to do is swim around the outside of wrecks for now, you really don't need a specific class to do that. A class MAY teach you some useful skills, like running a line from the anchor line to find the wreck (don't know if the viz is ever that bad in the Keys; it is here!), or some information about how ships are constructed or where to find resources to study the wrecks before you dive them. But the diving skills themselves are fairly standard -- controlled descents, good buddy skills, monitoring your gas, gas management, and controlled ascents.

Wreck penetration is a whole 'nother kettle of fish. That's much higher risk diving, and generally is viewed as requiring redundant equipment and overhead environment skills. The best preparation for that kind of diving is a class like GUE Fundamentals or Intro to Tech, where you are introduced to horizontal trim, non-silting propulsion (critical inside wrecks), teamwork, light communication, and the like. Fundamentals is available in the Keys -- I believe classes are held at Silent Diving.

 

[bigtim6656]

I will check into the gue class, I can see alittle within the light zone looking around, like rolling in look around and turn and head out, we all can say no, but we might change our mind. better safe then sorry

Well, if what you want to do is swim around the outside of wrecks for now, you really don't need a specific class to do that. A class MAY teach you some useful skills, like running a line from the anchor line to find the wreck (don't know if the viz is ever that bad in the Keys; it is here!), or some information about how ships are constructed or where to find resources to study the wrecks before you dive them. But the diving skills themselves are fairly standard -- controlled descents, good buddy skills, monitoring your gas, gas management, and controlled ascents.

Wreck penetration is a whole 'nother kettle of fish. That's much higher risk diving, and generally is viewed as requiring redundant equipment and overhead environment skills. The best preparation for that kind of diving is a class like GUE Fundamentals or Intro to Tech, where you are introduced to horizontal trim, non-silting propulsion (critical inside wrecks), teamwork, light communication, and the like. Fundamentals is available in the Keys -- I believe classes are held at Silent Diving.

 

[The Chairman]

In Florida, the key points of wreck diving (not penetration) are knowing what can kill you: penetration, poor gas management, monofiliment and also what can hurt a lot like Scorpion fish, bristle worms and the like.

 

[wedivebc]

I am not sure what your aspirations are for further wreck diving adventures but my suggestion would be to choose an agency that also has an advanced wreck course as well such as TDI and potentially select an instructor that teaches beyond basic wreck level. You will assuredly get better training from a more experienced instructor

We are moving to key largo from indiana

Not in a big hurry to do so, but we want to do the wreck cert, so we can get into wreck diving.

I put this in wreck, though now I think it was better suited here.

Sorry for the double post, if one of the mods could close the other.
Also I guess this fits for future training, knowing padis limited area and our goals of wreck and more tech stuff way down the road, I am wondering if when we do the wreck and even nitrox if we would be better switching to another agency
________________________________________________________________
We did our OW in march in flroida, one dive was a non pent wreck dive, then we did AOW later summer up here with the wreck intro dive with padi. Both of us have 28 or so dives. 5 of which are ocean dives the reason verying quarries around indiana, Illinois, kentucky and a trip to bonne terre mines.


I am alittle torn as to which agency we should go with. We both plan on really getting into wreck diving(keys are wreck heaven of course) and I know one day we will want to start penetrating into them.

My thought is to go with sdi/tdi for the basic course, then when we decided to go inside do the advance wreck diver cert.


What are your thoughts

 

[bigtim6656]

that was my thought thus the reason for not going with padi, I like the idea of going all the way in, so to speak, advance wreck, finding the titanic and going through every room(can we move it to the keys in 100 feet of water?

I am going to buy 2 steel tanks from scubatoys, being a big guy I want to go doubles one day, so a doubles class applies to me. I have looked at a tdi shop in ft lauderdale that comes highly recommend and specializes in tech stuff, so might start there.

 

[DevonDiver]

There are two issues that should be considered when making a decision:

1) Agency. If the agency has an 'advanced wreck course' then it would be reasonable to assume that their basic wreck course would be designed to dove-tail into that as a progressive system. That is an assumption though. Likewise, if an agency has a strong technical diving bias, then this may also heavily influence their recreational training courses. Another assumption, but a logical one.

2) Instructor. A very important factor is the relative experience and interests of the instructor concerned. If the instructor is an avid wreck diver, then they will offer you more on the course, due to their specific knowledge base (assuming they are motivated to go beyond the core requirements of the course). The same is true if the instructor is also certified to teach technical diving and/or advanced wreck. If you discuss with them your intention (to progress to advanced wreck) then it would be possible for them to target the basic wreck course towards preparing you for further, more specialised, wreck training.

Regardless of agency, if you end up with an instructor who has little specialist knowledge of wreck diving, then your course is liable to be superficial. Always interview your prospective instructor. Communicate with them what your goals, standards and expectations are. Investigate their history and qualifications so that you can understand their level of specialism in that area of diving.

Do some prior research about the skills, drills, procedures and equipment necessary for basic and advanced wreck diving. With that knowledge in mind, quiz your potential instructor about what they will provide on their course.

For example, the core structure of the PADI wreck course is quite weak. However, it does provide a motivated, wreck-experienced, well-trained instructor with the opportunity to go beyond the core requirements and run an excellent course.

 

[Marcodivers]

If you are interested in doing some wreck diving in Largo may I suggest an instructor.

Georgia works with Ocean Divers and they offer among other things a Speigel Grove (one of the local wrecks) specialty class through PADI. I have found her to be a great instructor. I'm sure she can take you to the level you would like to be at. Besides OD (Ocean Divers) rocks. Personal and professional opinion.


FYI I do not work for them I live on the west coast of Florida

I hope this helps

 

[DevonDiver]

If you are interested in doing some wreck diving in Largo may I suggest an instructor....Georgia .... I have found her to be a great instructor.

I'd be genuinely interested to hear the reasons why you would suggest her. What was special about her wreck courses? What does she teach, and how? What's her diving background and relative experience on wrecks?

Thanks.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

that was my thought thus the reason for not going with padi, I like the idea of going all the way in, so to speak, advance wreck, finding the titanic and going through every room(can we move it to the keys in 100 feet of water?

I am going to buy 2 steel tanks from scubatoys, being a big guy I want to go doubles one day, so a doubles class applies to me. I have looked at a tdi shop in ft lauderdale that comes highly recommend and specializes in tech stuff, so might start there.

Going with TDI would be a good choice because after the wreck course, you could also take the Cavern/Intro Cave course with would also be helpful. Once you are in doubles, you could take the Advanced Nitrox/Decompression Proceedures course and up to Trimix if you so desire.