Hiring a guide/coach

[TSandM]

Well, Peter and I haven't unloaded the bags from the car yet, and already we're tentatively planning a return trip to Florida in February.

One of the things I suggested was the possibility of arranging a day or two with an instructor on a return trip, to get some further coaching on our reel work (which could use some improvement) and maybe on best ways to manage flow. Does this sound like a good idea? Do instructors typically do this kind of thing, outside of teaching a specific organized class?

 

[willardj]

I beleave Capt. Wyatt and GDI both do but not positive.

 

[xiSkiGuy]

You should be able to arrange guided dives with most Cave instructors (for a fee, of course). Alternately, some instructors will let you tag along with classes they are teaching (as long as you hold a cert that qualifies you to do the dives the class requires). You can learn some interesting things just observing a class. . .

 

[Otter]

Can't imagine why they wouldn't. Good instructors offer instruction, not cert cards.

 

[jeandiver]

I can't see an issue with any instructor down here doing that with you. Don't know how much they would charge though for their time.
I think GDI would for sure , and Jim Wyatt as stated before.
I know Jim does a LOT of guided dives etc down here. I see him around doing classes and guides every week it seems.
Watch out for Rick (GDI) though , he IS DEVIOUS !!!
(Had him for Full Cave , we had FUN in the Mud Tunnel in Ginnie )

Crazy thing about Ginnie is that you can find places that the flow actually pushes you on the way in. It took me time to find the spots , but the instructors can show you BEST way etc (high flow). I had to do it by trial and error

Glad you had a WONDERFUL time down here !!!
I was over at Devil's Saturday and I must have just missed you.

Maybe see you in February.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS btw.

Jeano Beano

 

[H2Andy]

yeah, most instructors will

talk to GDI ... dude's about as good as it gets

ok, so he's a Canadian .. but ok ... nobody's perfect

 

[OneBrightGator]

Rich Courtney offers guided dives and would be an excellent choice.

 

[Meng_Tze]

Rich would be an excellent choice. He and I discussed guided dives several times and I think he would show you the right tracks, corners and nooks to use.

 

[Vayu]

I think your reel work will improve with more experience diving in the environment. Why spend money on a new instructor when you could be practicing the skills you learned in your cavern and cave class by just diving in Florida with a reel?

 

[Jason B]

I think your reel work will improve with more experience diving in the environment. Why spend money on a new instructor when you could be practicing the skills you learned in your cavern and cave class by just diving in Florida with a reel?

I kinda was thinking the same thing, but came to the conclusion that when they are ready to hit the caves by themselves, they will know it and will do so.