Having heard some of the positions of instructors and LDSs around here for technical training, I would like to throw the door open for discussion of progression from "recreational" diving to technical.
Background: AOW and Nitrox, most of my dives are between 80-110'. Most are spearfishing, although there are some "look around" dives. Certified in the last year, but diving a lot - well over 50 logged thus far, and with a "run rate" that looks like somewhere between 100-150 a year, with the real limiting factor being weather to get out. I own my own boat (so I can dive when I want, where I want, subject to having others that want to go)
Goals:
1. Planned deco. Not just a "contingency", but a plan for it and the gear to match.
2. Possible depths beyond 130'. There are a few things I'd like to dive up to 200' around here. Beyond 200' there isn't much that I can think of; I'm not interested in "Doing the Doria". There are, however, some dives that would make really cool spearfishing sites that are just beyond recreational depths (150' or thereabouts) around here.
3. Extended run times, even above 130'. Basically, being able to stay down longer than the "no deco" diving permits, along with its contingent decompression obligation.
4. I MAY want to get overhead training (cavern/cave/wreck penetration) in the future, but that is uncertain. Caves themselves don't have much of a call to me, but then again I've never been in one.
So, starting from a "comfortable in the water, doing 100' profiles on virtually every dive" point, what training - in what order - and with what experience between the steps - would you do to reach the above goals?
I'm agency-independant, but I have no desire to breathe anything with a PO2 of > 1.4, nor do I want to get narced out of my mind. This appears to eliminate PADI/DSAT's "Tech/Rec" program, for example.
(Looking at the "DIR Fundamentals" set of tests for qualification into their tech program, the only one that I don't meet today is that I don't have a "formal" exercise program. I do meet the "dive skills" and "lifestyle requirements" they list. However, I'm not at all sure I want to buy a religion as well as a training program!)
Thoughts?
Background: AOW and Nitrox, most of my dives are between 80-110'. Most are spearfishing, although there are some "look around" dives. Certified in the last year, but diving a lot - well over 50 logged thus far, and with a "run rate" that looks like somewhere between 100-150 a year, with the real limiting factor being weather to get out. I own my own boat (so I can dive when I want, where I want, subject to having others that want to go)
Goals:
1. Planned deco. Not just a "contingency", but a plan for it and the gear to match.
2. Possible depths beyond 130'. There are a few things I'd like to dive up to 200' around here. Beyond 200' there isn't much that I can think of; I'm not interested in "Doing the Doria". There are, however, some dives that would make really cool spearfishing sites that are just beyond recreational depths (150' or thereabouts) around here.
3. Extended run times, even above 130'. Basically, being able to stay down longer than the "no deco" diving permits, along with its contingent decompression obligation.
4. I MAY want to get overhead training (cavern/cave/wreck penetration) in the future, but that is uncertain. Caves themselves don't have much of a call to me, but then again I've never been in one.
So, starting from a "comfortable in the water, doing 100' profiles on virtually every dive" point, what training - in what order - and with what experience between the steps - would you do to reach the above goals?
I'm agency-independant, but I have no desire to breathe anything with a PO2 of > 1.4, nor do I want to get narced out of my mind. This appears to eliminate PADI/DSAT's "Tech/Rec" program, for example.
(Looking at the "DIR Fundamentals" set of tests for qualification into their tech program, the only one that I don't meet today is that I don't have a "formal" exercise program. I do meet the "dive skills" and "lifestyle requirements" they list. However, I'm not at all sure I want to buy a religion as well as a training program!)
Thoughts?