My first class

Ok in the military I know we ask and bug everyone who has already been to a school we are trying to go to about it. I know I will learn everything I need to from my instructor and this is not an attempt to skip any of his lessons. But I have enrolled in my first cavern/intro class. I live in panama City and will be going to Jb probaly twice a week once I am certafied so please dont think I am trying to take the 0to hero approach on this. But I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on the do's and dont's of my first class. I have everything but tanks. will that be a problem? And by what not to do I mean for example when we teach open water classes at our shop there is always that guy who comes out on the boat with a travel bag and every bit of dove gear he owns. things like that. Anything advice would be much needed.
Adam

Your best bet is ask your instructor. We can give you lots of advice/opinions, but in the end, it is what the instructor wants/expects that is most important to you right now.

Thats kinda what I figured. And deff intend on doing. Just didint know if there were any deffinate dont's as far as things to do. like dont show up with this or dont show up with that kind of stuff

As I recall the longest part of cavern was surface line drills and equipment review. Pretty much your instructor will/should go over every piece of equipment you have, routing, clip off points, locations, etc etc etc before you even get in the water. Just ensure you get a minimum required list from your instructor and you'll be fine cavern class is all learning time.

thanks. I am very excited to get started. is there any course material or knowlage review to study. I imagine it is all hands on

As you won't be offshore on a boat by all means...............bring everything you have. It can be looked over and you will know what you do and don't need, what you need now and what you won't need til later. Space will not be an issue since you can leave eveything in your vehicle. Some stuff will not be needed til later and some now. You can rent tanks at Cave Adventurers. Good Luck. I will probably see you there some. Late July is when I will start making my monthly (multi-day) trips and will continue til the end of the year.

Cavern isnt too equipment intensive. Keep everything streamlined. Practice with your reel tonight in the dark, try to remain horizontal with no hand sculling to do turns or remain stationary, be confident with s-drills and no mask swimming, 7ft hose management. As stated there is lot to do on land before you get into the water and youll be ready.

awsome thanks guys. I live right by the jety's in panama city and have been doing night dives out there and just running lines between the rock didint want to get to crazy since i might be doing it wrong. I imagine we might not even dive the first day. thanks for all the advice. s drills????

Perhaps you can get a hold of the manual for the agency you are getting your certification through. Having the tests completed prior to getting together saved a considerable amount of time during my class. Good luck and have a great time.

Regards,

Charles

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Originally Posted by adam0321

s drills????

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Safety drill, done at the start of each dive. Mainly you practice the deploying of the safe second, check all lights, bubble checks, make sure all gear is present and in its proper location...