Hello, everybody:
I've always said that wrecks were my thing and that I'd stick to what I knew.
I saw some very cool cave videos recently and decided to consider cave training.
My search of the archives suggests that there are several training entities and certifications available.
Are the differences between agencies similar to those between PADI, NAUI, etc? In other words, is this a case (as I strongly suspect) where the instructor is the key? Do you have specific people that you would recommend?
In addition, I've read what seems to me to be strange rules regarding the use of doubles and lights. I say strange because, up here, most of the boats will let us use pretty much whatever we want as long as we meet the minimum requirements. We can upgrade to our heart's desire.
Is is true that someone will actually tell me that I can't use certain gear configurations. I can see why lights might be an issue (keeps you in the light zone), but will they actually prohibit me from using doubles?
I was also hoping for your thoughts on experience level. I'm a Northeast wreck diver with penetration and decompression experience. I'm a PADI DM (soon to be AI) with the usual batch of pretty cards (nitrox, buoyancy, wreck, etc...). I've also taken DIR-F. I am signed up for TDI's Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures course this Spring. I'm considering an intro mix course this fall.
In terms of equipment, I dive double 104's or single 120's on a Halcyon rig. I've got other equipment that is appropriate for wreck diving (can light, reels, dry suit, argon, Jetfins, etc...). In general, will this equipment cross over?
Finally, I'm curious about your suggestions for training locations in the U.S. As far as I know, there are no suitable caves in my area. Florida seems popular, but MikeFerrara and Chickdiver have posted some reports on other locations that sound very cool.
Thanks in advance for your help.
I've always said that wrecks were my thing and that I'd stick to what I knew.
I saw some very cool cave videos recently and decided to consider cave training.
My search of the archives suggests that there are several training entities and certifications available.
Are the differences between agencies similar to those between PADI, NAUI, etc? In other words, is this a case (as I strongly suspect) where the instructor is the key? Do you have specific people that you would recommend?
In addition, I've read what seems to me to be strange rules regarding the use of doubles and lights. I say strange because, up here, most of the boats will let us use pretty much whatever we want as long as we meet the minimum requirements. We can upgrade to our heart's desire.
Is is true that someone will actually tell me that I can't use certain gear configurations. I can see why lights might be an issue (keeps you in the light zone), but will they actually prohibit me from using doubles?
I was also hoping for your thoughts on experience level. I'm a Northeast wreck diver with penetration and decompression experience. I'm a PADI DM (soon to be AI) with the usual batch of pretty cards (nitrox, buoyancy, wreck, etc...). I've also taken DIR-F. I am signed up for TDI's Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures course this Spring. I'm considering an intro mix course this fall.
In terms of equipment, I dive double 104's or single 120's on a Halcyon rig. I've got other equipment that is appropriate for wreck diving (can light, reels, dry suit, argon, Jetfins, etc...). In general, will this equipment cross over?
Finally, I'm curious about your suggestions for training locations in the U.S. As far as I know, there are no suitable caves in my area. Florida seems popular, but MikeFerrara and Chickdiver have posted some reports on other locations that sound very cool.
Thanks in advance for your help.