MgicTwnger

This past weekend I did the class with a Chicago area instructor/dive buddy, Duane Johnson. I consider myself to be a "sort of" tech diver: I have the gear, done the reading, do the dives, but have little formal training. I basically wanted to learn what skill I need to work on to move to the next level, advanced nitrox/deep decompression.

Well friends, this was a real eye-opener. The levels of situational awareness, trim/bouyancy control, pre-planning, etc. etc., are something else. I figure that if I work hard, I might be ready for that next class in a year's time.

I'll give one example: the instructor ran a line in a square about 20 feet on a side, tied off to 4 posts. He said he would then give a "problem" to each buddy team. As we started to follow the line, he took the reg from my buddy's mouth, indicating that I should donate my reg. Fine. Then he pulled my mask off. Happily we did it right: I donated my primary second stage (7' hose) to my buddy according to a procedure we had practiced earlier, and he took my arm and led me around the course.

For me, the suckiest moment was trying to do a backwards kick, remaining stationary, loosing my cool and bouyancy awareness, and popping to the surface. There were more than a couple of instances like this, and the instructor was videotaping the fun!

Ya gotta love it.......

__________________
I am not the one who needs mental help. I just need to vent.

Vegas

this sounds like a wonderful class, and a great instructor! (in fact...in my researching, I think I may have heard of him!) Thank you so much for posting about your experience! I would love to hear more!

I have been researching obsessively with hopes of possibly beginning my Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Prodceedures within the next few months.

I've been picking the brains of every tec diver I know, compiling all the information I could get, analyzing the consistancies and contradictions, and "interviewing" folks - I guess you would call it - and came to a point where there is only one instructor in my area that I am willing to work with...yet I had no reason to believe that he would accept me as a student.

A referral from a friend (God Bless him!) opened the door for me, and several e-mails led a face to face meeting. After quite a bit of discussion, we have agreed....now I have an instructor, and he has a new student.
... and I have a HELL of a lot of work to do! LOL!

I understand that I will be expected to meet the requirements for the correlating TDI, IANTD, and DSAT classes, before I am done.
My first day of class is looking like it's going to be Nov. 18th.
I will absolutely keep you posted on my progress.

__________________
-The power behind me is greater than the task before me.

Vegas

Okie-dokie.
...I picked up my books last night: TDI books, plus a DSAT book to read and go through as well.

...I've downloaded V-planner, and almost lost an entire night of sleep because it was so hard to tear myself away from it!

(With help) I'm gathering up the gear I'll need, piece by piece....I might be selling a few of my old things to help cover the cost a bit (as I'm still making payments on the Micronesia trip also )

....and now I am counting down the days.

__________________
-The power behind me is greater than the task before me.

Vegas

update:

studying my books,
rounding up gear.... (mmmm....new gear...I love it)
counting down days.....

__________________
-The power behind me is greater than the task before me.