Awesome. Most agency websites seem to be lacking in the area of explaining progression(to me anyhow). I have been very confused as to what is required advance. I was thinking along your same lines, but I am going to take a rescue class as well. I think it can only be beneficial.Originally Posted by BabyDuck
I would advise against taking an/dp without trimix mixed in. If you don't, at least ask your instructor what depths he/she teaches at-- I've heard way too many horror stories of STUDENTS doing 130-150ft dives on air.
if you can find an an/dp/mix class, that would be great. i need to do mix now, but the prices are off-putting. so, yeah, i don't think you *need* mix for the caves, but having it doesn't hurt & would save effort & money on the other side.
proud cave tourist!
Find a river with some decent vis for practice running a reel in flow. Rainbow River would be great, but I'm sure you can find something closer to you.
Your instructor isn't going to expect you to have perfect buoyancy, trim, and reel skills in Cavern and Intro... just good enough that you aren't a danger to yourself. The whole point is to teach you enough that you can start safely doing some simple dives in the cave environment. There really is no substitute for really being in a cave. If you understand the technique required for excellent buoyancy, can get yourself trimmed out, and are comfortable in your configuration... I say go for it. The worst thing your instructor can do is tell you that you need more practice.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." --JFK
Uhhh. He lives in Alabama. Good luck finding 6" vis around here.
Whoever said money can't buy love never bought a puppy.
I'm not trying to get to cave faster, just more effectively. I'm looking for the "if I had known this before"' or "I wish someone had told me this" kind of advice.
Upper Niagara River, after a big rainstorm. 10+mph current. 5 ft vis. And a GREAT incentive not to get washed downstream!
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
I did say "closer"... and he would have to drive through all of N. FL to get there...
The most effective way is to get qualified eyes on you. An instructor, a mentor, another cave diver, a camera, some pictures... There is only so much you can feel your way through. After just short of 100 dives in SM, I learned more about my configuration from a single picture of me than I had in the last 20 dives.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." --JFK
The next time you dive count the number of times you try to swim with you hands or do a flutter kick. Then on your surface interval punch yourself in the nose repeatedly according to the number you counted.
(kidding of course, but they are habits you may need to break)
"omg take that out of your signature." ~ pink arrows
Lol. Yes, I have to break the flailing arms habit. 29 years of swimming and now I'm not supposed to use my hands.
I intended to have some video to look at, but forgot the memory card for the gopro last time we went out.
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