Introduction...funny

[deeprapture]

Hello, I'm Josh from Michigan. I've lived up here forever and the wrecks aroung here are awesome, but I long for Cave Adventures. I've only been able to dream of Florida and Yucatan Caves and none of the local Aquifers offer good diving conditions, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't dive them. I just don't think I want to start in them. I realize this will be construed as a joke and I admit it sounds like one, but I'm pretty serious!!! (Can't wait to get burnt for this post) If there are any NACD or NSS-CDS cave instructors out there that would like to give the gift of Adventure by offering to train me in Cavern and Intro Cave (would love to go Full Cave if an option, but beggars can't be choosers) I can't see any better way of giving back to the cave community, other than maybe cave diving itself, than to take your experience and teach it to a stranger with a thirst, for free. ALTHOUGH, it wouldn't be free actually! Since I've got this fierce hunger to cave and would "prefer" to do so with some training, I'll offer my assistance in anyway possible to this instructor, by doing anything that may assist him/her in their job, and I'd offer this assistance for at least 6 months, amount of time per day is only limited by the amount of time I'd need to spend working to survive and pay for fills, fuel and food, plus it would allow me to gain more experience while out of the water! I've already got all the dive gear needed (and this is cave required equipment), plus I've been reading the CDS manual, communications book, and Sheck Exley's: "blueprint for survival" books among others related to cave diving and TDI's deco procedures and extended range manuals. In addition: albeit; when the ice allows, I've been diving at night and practicing similair situations that are present in cave diving such as reel deployment and sidemount diving technique. I'm still in need of much improvement, but I'm super comfortable underwater and I wish I had gills, as many other divers also wish; probably? I plan on getting certified for nitrox and adv'd gas blending plus O2 and reg service technician so I can work in a dive shop maybe? So anyway, I know this won't happen because why would someone waste their time? I understand!!! I suppose I figured what better way to introduce myself than by posting something that will get a laugh from just about everybody!!!!! Good Caving to all you lucky divers.... and regardless of financial issues, I'll be finding my way into the darkness very soon, trained or ...?
PS: I'm also available to offer my assistance on any upcoming expeditions wherever they maybe heading, relatively free of charge of course...

Let the Flaming begin.... Flamers start your keyboards... On your marks... Get set....

[john]

Now if you've found a way to purchase all the gear you need then how come you can not flip the extra few hundred for training?

Are you Open Water certified? If so how did you pay for those classes and gear?

SAD

[JahJahwarrior]

I can't see any better way of giving back to the cave community, other than maybe cave diving itself, than to take your experience and teach it to a stranger with a thirst, for free.

Heh...I couldn't see any better way of giving back to my cave instructor, other than maybe not sucking at cave diving itself, than to take my wallet and give my instructor cash, you see.

There are several classes I haven't taken yet because of the cost, but I got the necessary ones out of the way. My parent's favourite saying when I complained was "where there's a will, there's a way!" I've found that by cutting things like new clothes and expensive dates ( makes ordering at restaurants easy. Find the cheapest item, skip it. Find the second cheapest item, order it.) I've managed to afford cave diving.

[scububa]

Hello, my name is Jim and it's been 20 days since my last dive...

I would like to offer my 'time' as a buddy to anyone that wants to dive bad enough to defray my expenses.
I am certified to breath almost any gas that you can afford for us to dive as a team.
I am located equi-distance from both the Great Lakes and Cave Country, so your expense for my travel would not be higher for one over the other. Of course if you are geographically positioned to pick me up on the way, your travel expenses will already cover most of mine.
I own almost all my own gear, so will need to borrow very little for you.
In addition to being a low maintenance buddy in the water, I will also be able to carry the occasional stage bottle to the water for you. And, I always clear any backlashes I create in any borrowed reel.
I have no special dietary requirements, so food and lodging expenses are not excessive or demanding.

[floridabob]

Not sure I understand, exactly. But it sounds like you want to trade an instructor for classes by bartering your assistance in the water? This correct?

If so, how many hours of your manual labor would you be willing to trade me if I paid for your cavern/intro class with an instructor?

Put your money where your mouth is, so to speak.

Bob

[deeprapture]

Yes, I know this was completely rediculous, but it's purpose has been served. It seems that writing something either ridiculous or retarded is the only way for new forum members to get any responses. Thank you for that. Good day

PS: buba is funny, I wander how long it took to write that!!! Also, I suppose I agree with the statement "nothing is really accomplished in sidemount" except maybe a dive, just like in backmount??? But I understand that you have to vent somewhere... What better place than an internet forum. That's what they are for, right? No face to face confrontation, just say it and no worries....

[floridabob]

Dang! I was looking forward to an indentured servant!

Good luck!

[deeprapture]

I may well be interested in offering assistance to an instructor in return for training and certification, but I'm afraid, Bob, that if I were to make a deal with you and you pay an instructor for my training, Well I'm afraid I may end up digging ditches for you or something of that nature when my whole reasoning was to try and gain some further knowledge by observing training or actual diving in progress. But seriously, what would a person requesting training really have to offer in the way of assistance during other peoples cave training or diving, right... Thanks for the lite humor though, that's what I was hoping for and if you were an instructor we just might have made a deal??? You guys take it easy

[Caver95]

I will teach you, but it will not be easy.

[IowaCaveDiver]

Nick (caver95) are you offering correspondance courses now? Is it internet based diving or mail order? I was hoping to enroll in the online sneak diving certification course if it is still being offered. Miss you man!