What configuration are you doing fundies in?
I'm not really sure yet. That was one of the things I wanted to get input on. I'm still debating if I want to shoot for my tech pass from the get go, or to take fundies sooner and get a rec pass and then go to rec 2, with doubles. That's the million dollar question.
As of now, I think I will take it in doubles, but this is subject to change as I grow as a diver. I will keep you in the loop!
My 2psi:
1) Do fundies in a single.
2) Do 50+ more single dives and dial in all those fundies skills in that single tank, try to avoid pool work unless its stormy and your ocean and lake tahoe sites etc are no goes. Expand your buddy list, try lots of charters, get as wide a spectrum of experience as you can, boat, shore, norcal, socal, oregon, tahoe, anywhere you can.
3) Set up some doubles a year from now. Possibly do a doubles primer or just get some mentoring, expand your buddy list (again) and try to learn from them outside of courses.
4) Add a tech pass & T1 sometime in the future but dont plan that out until much closer. The T1 course on your 18th birthday concept is problematic to me, you are not in a rush, especially not for a card.
You're all full of exuberant plans right now, spend your time and money on actual diving for now. T1 will be there.
Hello rjack321,
I like how you mention that I should expand my buddy list and to get as much experience in a variety of settings as I can. Going forward, I do like that plan. Lake Tahoe sounds very interesting, and I will definitely look into that. As with diving in socal, we are heading to Malibu for thanksgiving break, and so we are working on getting some dives off of there. It should be good and I'm looking forward to it. In the near future, I'm heading down to Monterey next weekend, and I'm super stoked for that. I'm hoping to join their local dive club and to try to dive weekly in Monterey. I will also look at boat charters as well.
I wasn't planning on taking T1 on my birthday per se. I'm thinking that I could take it over my winter break here in Monterey, depending on how scheduling works out, I think I would take it then. Now, with that said, T1 is a
long ways away, and everything is subject to change.
I really want to get to T1, but I also need to remember that there are so many good experiences waiting for me along the journey to T1. I look forward to getting better as a diver, and to making some great memories!
Thank you for replying!
I am not "a bit jealous". I am not "jealous".
I am
terribly jealous! It took me 12 years more than you to get to your point.
One small thing; expanding your horizons is a very good point, just don't get obsessed with goals and training. Enjoy the journey. But I am sure you are already doing it
)
Good luck!
Hiya ginti!
Even when I'm in the pool, I enjoy diving, although diving in the sea is much more interesting. Diving in Monterey last month was good, albeit pretty cold. I really am looking forward to getting back in the sea next week, and it's always nice to have something to look forward to!
****, I wish I'd started when I was 16. I didn't get the bug until I was in my late 20s, and I'm grateful to have a solid 25-30 years of cave/technical diving ahead of me if I can stay healthy. You potentially have 40+ years to look forward to. So there's absolutely no rush whatsoever. Take some time to enjoy and get comfortable in that new drysuit. A set of double 50s will be a blast to play around with and learn doubles diving, but the reality is, you're gonna need to learn to dive large steels (104s/108s/130s) at some point, especially if you want to get into cave diving. For T1, 80s will be fine. So practice in those if you're comfortable with them (though I'd argue 108s are going to be much more pleasant in water with a drysuit and thick undergarments), but the big steels are coming eventually. I agree with most of the rest of the advice you've been given. Nothing wrong with just doing fundies single tank. If you've got a bunch of time before the class, there's also nothing wrong with doing it in doubles the first time. Just make sure you've given yourself plenty of time to get comfortable on them. Enjoy! Hope to see you around cave country someday.
Hello helodriver87!
Do you drive helos? If you do, you have a fun job, a
very fun job!
I will ask about bigger steel cylinders. If I am going to end up there, might as well start with the end in mind. I have a pretty small frame and am pretty ok on my gas, so hopefully it stays that way.
My instructor said that most people are on 80's for T1. I have the option of taking it now in a single, or taking it later in doubles. I will make a note to run over this with my instructor on Wednesday. After T1, I do think I will look at C1. I also have to remind myself that I just need to
keep diving! I will get there in due time. I guess whether I take it in a single or doubles is a function of when the next fundies class is. Time will tell!
Thank you so much for the advice!
@OctoHelm
Reading your posts is super thrilling. Seeing that you're 16 and already solidly on the GUE path is just awesome. I also wish I had gone down that path earlier instead of doing it in my late 20's. The advice you've gotten so far has been pretty excellent and I see that you've already been contacted by Mer Tanguay. She is my instructor and she reached out to me the same way she reached out to you. Go with that! She is one of the best. Looking at your goals, they're slightly different than mine but I can imagine what I'd do if I wanted to do T1 first instead of C1. I would go either double 80's or double 100's with an al80 stage for deco. I disagree with some previous commenters saying that you should practice in a wetsuit and single for fundies. I think you SHOULD absolutely do Fundies but you should begin with the end in mind: go in a drysuit, doubles and can light. I wish I had done that. Do not go expecting a Tech Pass. It probably wont happen. You can upgrade to that. But definitely go to fundies in tech configuration because you'll get the best instruction in that configuration at fundies.
(I did Fundies in a wetsuit and single tank, got a Rec Pass and then later bought a drysuit/doubles/can light and upgraded to a Tech Pass later. I'm now preparing for Cave 1).
Good luck and keep us updated!
Good evening PullYourselfTogetherMan,
I like how you mention starting with the end goal in mind. I am about as bony as they get, so I am pretty cold all the time. My DUI came in Friday, and I'm going to the pool for one dive to get used to it and then I'm off to Monterey. I might as well get the practice with the kit I will be on for T1. On the topic of gear, I think I will be on 80's. With regards to the can light, I am conflicted, I might get a cheap can light that works, or I might get a LM, or I might go all out, get another job over the summer and get a UWLD can light. Still trying to figure that out.
My instructor has a "practice what you play" approach, and I do too. There's no point for me to get dialed in a single, when I will end up on, and do a majority, if not all of my dives in doubles. It might be kind of ridiculous taking 80's or 100's out on a recreational dive to 30 feet, but hey, more gas is always good.
I want to get onto doubles, but also don't know when the time is right for me to do that. I'm thinking once I get my hover nailed, that it might be the right time. I remain unsure on when the time is really right. I can't wait to be on them though!!
Also, managing expectations, as you mention, is really important. I might get a rec pass, but I have options if I get a rec pass too. I could go to rec 2, or I could take it again within the six months. I guess this is another example of what time will tell. Might as well work to become the best diver I can and when fundies rolls around, take it and grab it by the horns and see how I do. If I get a tech pass, great! If I get a rec pass, great! I still have options. I should shoot for the tech pass, but **** happens.
One benefit of rec 2 which I may have not mentioned, is that it gets me in to the GUE . The depth for the class is 100 feet, and I think my AOW gets me to 100 feet too, but the extra training is useful. I can also take rec 2 now, whereas with T1 I need to wait until I turn 18.
I plan to post in this thread what my instructor says about the plan that we have in place, and to keep you all updated!
Thank you so much for your very valuable feedback here, it does mean a lot to me!
Thank you all, this has been useful beyond words!
Respectfully,
OctoHelm
