Ha! Quite old thread, I know, but wanted to write here a follow up for others in case somebody finds it and reads it whenever later.
In the process of training for the tec-pass, you will understand many other things about diving, GUE and other agencies; so, at the end, you will be able to make your decisions more consciously.
I found this out only partially truth - yes, during the training for tech pass I understood many other things about diving. But my knowledge about GUE and other agencies are moreless the same as it used to be in October the last year.
Do a deco course, then do a load more diving. You don’t need to be squirrelling about inside narrow passages to enjoy wrecks. Do straight forward wreck diving for a bit and then do a proper wreck course with someone who dives them on a regular basis if you fancy going inside in a serious way.
After re-reading the whole this thread again after some time, I consider this as the most useful advice which I was given here. Forgot about it of course, but I came to the exactly same conclusion by myself.
Good luck for your tec-pass!
Done!
If you ever find yourself thinking about other agencies please do stay clear of Swedtech though
I still don't think about any other agencies for my training, just wanted to mention that I met some SwedTech divers (instructors included) and they are excellent divers who are for sure capable to run excellent courses. I am not familiar with their curriculum though, maybe it is worth to check it and ask them about it directly though - I am curious about how they are going to defend "entry level tech course for divers with single tanks and the use of 2 stage/deco bottles" (if they really have such a course still).
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Now comes my own wrap-up. I will try to answer some - hopefully - interesting questions.
1) Did starting this thread help me to proceed in my diving training?
Definitely yes. I remember I felt stuck in between "should I challenge the tech pass" and "I am greenhorn who is not ready for technical diving". This thread helped me to set up the goal (deeper wreck diving) which created the need for the progress (tech pass).
Without having the goal, it would take me significantly longer time to come back and challenge the tech pass (if ever). Why would you care about tech pass if you don't want to continue with GUE tech courses? That doesn't make any sense - at least not to me.
2) How did I decide, i.e. what is an answer to my original question?
As I mentioned above already, I plan to do T1 and then do lot more diving - and after a while I will see. Either I will take C1 or some specislised advanced wreck course - or both, in case I will feel a need.
3) Do I feel ready for technical diving when having my tech pass?
Yes I do. Since October 2020, I did about 80 more dives with a strong focus to prepare for the tech upgrade. During this path I met lot of other divers (who helped me), discussed lot of other diving related topics, studied a lot more diving theory and was having a great fun.
I did know I am ready to challenge the tech pass mainly because I started feeling confident and relaxed during all of my dives. I could hover totally static when I wanted. I was moving under the water exactly how I wanted. My buddies understood what I was saying exactly how I meant it. I was not worried anymore what will happen next during the dive - I was ahead of it. And when something unexpected happened, I was able to resolve it totally calm and with a bright mind.
I don't feel ready for the technical diving because of having the tech pass. I felt ready to challenge the tech pass because I felt ready for technical diving. And I trully believe the tech pass just proves I ready am.
Just one last thing I want to add to this - we were talking skills only in this thread, ignoring the equipment needs completely; well yes, I need to upgrade my equipment and yes, it will be expensive like a hell. But that is the whole another story
