Mailing List Archive Mailing List Archive
On Thu, 20 Jun 1996 22:54:23 -0700 Eric Mieczkowski said: >I've read a lot lately, here and elsewhere, about certification >agencies. I'm planning on taking up Tri-mix diving within the next year >to extend my depth range for the sake of seeing several specific wrecks >in the Great Lakes. Turn off your common sense and break out your wallet :-) >Several times I've come across the sentiment that 'sanctioned' >certification is not always desirable. I see two immediate shortcomings >of not getting officially certified, however. First, I don't regularly >dive with folks who use mix. It will be difficult, therefore, for me to >gain the necessary technique skills without some coursework. Second, I >have no idea what's involved in setting up a cascade system to do my own >fills and will need a 'c' card to get commercial fills. This is catch-22. You are not deemed "worthy" of trimix until you subject yourself to the risks of the pre-requisite courses (if you follow "official" channels of training). Now obviously we don't want open-water newbies to go out and sign up for trimix, but I don't think that we want them subjected to the currently dictated paths (Nitrox, Deep Air, Advanced Nitrox, and for IANTD [if I remember correctly; Tom will correct me I'm sure] Tech Nitrox) before you can even consider trimix. But as you point out... >What is the general consensus on certification. Is it typically >considered a worthwhile endeavor? Am I better off spending my money on >a cascade system than classes? I have to admit that I don't like the >idea of having to take a class that requires me to breathe air at 160' >before I can get Tri-mix. Air at 160' my foot, I think that's conservative; I've done that and it wasn't real fun, thus my interest in mix. But I found the same mess that you apparently did. Furthermore, my local money-hungry shop wants to sell you all this "dedicated" gear at each step of the way in order to take the course. Obviously to most of the readers, I'm no "tech" diver, and at this rate may never be; but I'm no traditional "rec" diver either. I agree with you 100% on why take deep air/tech nitrox with what this list readership pretty universally agrees as "dangerous, stroke exposures" in order to qualify for the "safe, civilized" mixes. If I wasn't concerned for safety I'd be at 250fsw on air making sketches of Jerry Garcia on my slate. >Assuming I opt for regulated certification, what certifying agency >offeres the best mix of technique vs. cost? As I understand it now, >IANTD puts together the better over-all package, but requires the >greatest number of courses and outlay of cash. True or no? For purely C-card purposes, TDI makes the most sense if you get a decent instructor. At least until George and the WKPP folks start certifying people without the pre-requisite hazing other programs require. As always your mileage may vary. Still, all agencies maintain the stiff prerequisites before you can touch the "magic mix". With that said, I'll go back to my usual lurking status and leave it to the usual contributors discussion. Jeff Kell <jeff@ut*.ut*.ed*>
Navigate by Author:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Subject Search Index]
[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]
[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]