The class was $300.
He spent about 3 hours in the shop with me. Primarily covering equipment configuration both in a general manner and how to achieve better trim through configuration changes. When I went back into the shop to pick up some equipment I'd ordered, he asked me when I wanted to schedule the next two dives for the class. So, I guess I really haven't completed it yet! I'm glad for the extra training, given that there is no card and I actually signed up in order to gain knowledge.
Class time in the water the first dive was a lot of what we talked about in class. Some time was spent discussing entry methods. I do a lot of boat diving, so we did a giant stride with the tanks clipped on. He didn't recommend donning in water where it is deep since the tanks (lp108) are quite negative when full and it would be easy to drop one. He covered a few other techniques in water. I'm not sure if there is a name, as there was no "manual" but basically for passing restrictions you disconnect the lower tank bolt-snap, move the tanks in front of you, snap them together and swim with the tanks out in front. It leaves you with an even smaller profile and a free hand. I struggled a lot with that, and will certainly be working on it.
I found trim in side mount very easy to manage. Don and doff of the tanks is difficult for me. I'm hoping practice can solve that. I fully understand what to do, but knowing and doing are two different things. I struggle bending my neck due to a spinal fusion, and I get a little grief reading gauges in side mount as configured. I might have to get a slightly longer HP hose for the gauges. Currently I'm having to slightly shift the tanks forward so I can get more than a peripheral glance. Works in OW but might not be great under stress.
Also, fully kitting up well in advance of "get wet" time. That is AWESOME!! It simplifies, or at least de-stresses predive for me. No chance of forgetting anything since you can't really forget your tank and regulator. The only exception here is fins. Fins on early is not a good idea for obvious reasons. Donning fins with two tanks strapped under your arms is probably hilarious to watch. Not so funny to do it, though. Thank heavens for dive buddies!
I ditched the scubapro hoseless transmitter for this configuration. I really would like to find a way to get that back on . I'm told it will be unacceptable in caves due to being an un-necessary entanglement hazard. Even if it's just to augment my regular gauges I won't be allowed them in class. I miss having the detailed air consumption data during my post dive analysis at home. I enjoy doing those, and it completely eliminates a data point. I guess this is really more of a cave thing than a side mount thing.
Even though I won't be using it for a long time, I'll also be practicing with a third deco bottle (al40) during the side mount class. I bought the bottle for deco after the appropriate training (between cave2&3 it's scheduled). So this will be covered as well. I wonder how hard it would be to work a third and fourth lp108 onto the rig
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