My first class

[adam0321]

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

[FW]

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.

[adam0321]

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

[sea2summit]

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.

[adam0321]

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

[Spd 135]

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.

[stairman]

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.

[GLENFWB]

Adam, I just finished my Intro class last weekend. Those like RN who actually do the training know much better then me. I would add that I found the new book by Heinrith/Oigarden to be very helpful. Like you, I was always trying to find something to read about cave diving to learn more. This book is up to date with all of its information. I learned a great deal from this and other books.

Cave Diving Book by Jill Heinerth and Bill Oigarden

Apart from the training, I benefited greatly from diving with people who were great mentors. Diving with cave divers who will answer your questions, help you refine your skills, but NOT push you to dive beyond your limits has helped me more then I can say.

Like you I wanted to start buying equipment to get ready for class...but follow everyone's advice when they say to talk with your instructor. It will save you a LOT of money. Taking Cavern and later Intro was the best thing in diving I have ever done.

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.

[stairman]

Good points all around. I too was a book junky starting out and bugged these guys quite a bit with questions and scenarios but the more you know the better off youll be and learning things the hard way in this sport can be hazardous. Good Luck and thanks for your service to our country.

[LCF]

I bought the Cave/Cavern instructional materials from every agency that offers the class, before I took my first classes. I found them all interesting reading, with a lot that was common but some things which were unique to each. I don't regret investing the money.

For practical skills, working on hovering without moving ANYTHING, and maintaining trim while doing simple tasks like mask flood and clear, and air-sharing, is good preparation.

Remember, the class is a CLASS. You are not expected to come in knowing everything they are going to teach you.