Cave class report

[kensuf]

@tbone1004 there is no doubt this qualified as a zero to hero class. I really expected way more static for that. Happy that that hasn’t really been too much of a thing.

Why? I think you'd get a lot of static if your experience consisted of AOW and a few dives on the Duane, but that's not the case here.

However, and considering I was just texting porn jokes with Baker about 30 minutes ago (and I'm into the bourbon), I have to ask this -- do you still think there's no need for someone going from AOW to AN/DP to take Intro to Tech?

 

[PEDiver]

Great write up @stuartv and congratulations on completing everything. I’m sure you slept good after all that LOL! I was exhausted after doing Full Cave in FL (granted it was during the summer in 90+ degree heat).

Did you find Stage Cave to be beneficial? I’ve been toying with the idea of doing Stage Cave after doing some mentoring dives with a local cave instructor to get my feet wet with proper stage diving.

 

[rddvet]

I think because you addressed that it's an atypical style of full cave class ahead of time, it kept the negative comments down.
The only thing I will say is that if someone reads this and is considering zero to hero that they really do their research. A full cave class straight through should be limited to a very select few candidates. It should also be noted that the instructor's philosophy on going zero to hero is very particular to him and not very common. Most of us in cave country know his opinion in that regards. But it should be noted that it is not they typical opinion you will hear.
Not knocking any of it. Just think a little disclaimer should be out there for anyone without much knowledge of technical diving using this as a resource.

 

[Manatee Diver]

Did you find Stage Cave to be beneficial? I’ve been toying with the idea of doing Stage Cave after doing some mentoring dives with a local cave instructor to get my feet wet with proper stage diving.

When I first did the class, and didn't feel as streamlined as it could be I hated stage diving. But once I got used to it, I pretty much always do stage dives. Even if I can reach the location easily on back gas, it is nice having that extra gas for emergencies.

 

[stuartv]

Why? I think you'd get a lot of static if your experience consisted of AOW and a few dives on the Duane, but that's not the case here.

However, and considering I was just texting porn jokes with Baker about 30 minutes ago (and I'm into the bourbon), I have to ask this -- do you still think there's no need for someone going from AOW to AN/DP to take Intro to Tech?

Yes. As long as expectations are set appropriately up front. As in, “this is going to be a long and expensive class…. With breaks for you to go away and work on stuff on your own.”

 

[stuartv]

Great write up @stuartv and congratulations on completing everything. I’m sure you slept good after all that LOL! I was exhausted after doing Full Cave in FL (granted it was during the summer in 90+ degree heat).

Did you find Stage Cave to be beneficial? I’ve been toying with the idea of doing Stage Cave after doing some mentoring dives with a local cave instructor to get my feet wet with proper stage diving.

Thank you!

For me, Stage was 4 dives to check the boxes. It was OC diving carrying one extra cylinder. I already had TDI Advanced Trimix certification and have done numerous dives carrying 2 or 3 extra cylinders (beyond my 2 bottom gas cylinders or CCR). So, there wasn’t much “training” to it, for me.

The reason we did Stage was not because Joe thought it was important for us to have that cert. It was simply that we had time in the schedule for contingencies, in case we had problems. When we didn’t need the extra time to complete Full cave or CCR, Joe said he wanted to get us as many carts as he could in the time we had, so we did Stage simply because we had the time and could.

If you have no prior experience rigging a cylinder to carry as a stage/deco/bail out cylinder, and, of course, actually swimming with one, the Stage class might be useful.

 

[Manatee Diver]

As in, “this is going to be a long and expensive class….

I mean if you wanted to do something cheap I suggest taking up Colombian Marching Powder.

 

[PEDiver]

When I first did the class, and didn't feel as streamlined as it could be I hated stage diving. But once I got used to it, I pretty much always do stage dives. Even if I can reach the location easily on back gas, it is nice having that extra gas for emergencies.

I can definitely understand that. In the handful of staged cave dives I’ve done (nothing too serious yet), I now more prefer having a stage than not. Something about exiting and seeing that bottle waiting for me…

Thank you!

For me, Stage was 4 dives to check the boxes. It was OC diving carrying one extra cylinder. I already had TDI Advanced Trimix certification and have done numerous dives carrying 2 or 3 extra cylinders (beyond my 2 bottom gas cylinders or CCR). So, there wasn’t much “training” to it, for me.

That makes sense. I have more limited experience handling multiple bottles (outside of a stage and a deco bottle or multiple deco bottles). So doing the class for the actual skills may be more beneficial for me.

 

[AJ]

I kinda wanted a full cave cert on OC so I have that option in the future. E.g. I could see possibly going to Mexico at some point where I don’t take my CCR for one reason or another, but would still like to dive some caves while I’m there. Or maybe I go and take my CCR but it breaks. Full Cave on OC gives me options.

Thanks for the reply. I had not considered this. Thinking about going the same route.

 

[UofMI_Divegeek]

For those, like me, who love Little River, here is an image of the snow / ice covered entrance to Little River.

I described this event from my Cave Certification class at

Florida Snowstorm

I have nothing but praise for Steve Gerrard and the Florida Cave Community from this 1989 event.