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>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... The only good course in this whole lot is tech nitrox. You WILL need the knowledge from that course to take 'mix. When friends of mine tell me they're taking their basic nitrox class and they have 4 hours in the classroom I always ask what they did for the other 3 hours 55 min after everything has been explained. >>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. Depends on what you've been diving/etc. but I don't think this is really a fair comparison. A cascade system with whips/etc should only run a hundred bucks or so if you're putting in O2, a couple hundred if you're also doing He (not including the cost of the gas and tank rental). >Air at 160' my foot, I think that's conservative; I've done that and it Close, 170'. >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 Well, remember, the IANTD "Deep" Air course is only to 130'. It's the Adv and Tech Deep Air that go below this. Is the normal Deep Air course worth it, again, IMNSHO, no, if you've been diving this a long time, yes if you're just venturing into those depths and don't have a mentor that is REALLY on the ball and someone you can trust. >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. So, that WAS you with him, eh :^) What's next - Jerry & Hef T Shirts or ice cream? >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? Yes and no... You see, there's this little escape clause in most class prereqs that says "or equiv experience". So, to get to mix, take basic nitrox, tech nitrox, then mix. A lot of people already have their basic nitrox, so, from there it's only a two step process and again, IMNHSO the things you learn in the tech nitrox class ARE well worth taking it (unless you've been diving with 2 or 3 stages and doing 2 hour hangs already). >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 Only if TDI is around in the long run. If ANY agency goes under I'd put my money on TDI. >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". Not really, ANYONE can go out and pick up a couple bottle of He, O2, and start mixing their own. It's really VERY simple to do, the math, well, 3rd grade math, the rest is common sense. But, during tri mix courses you'll learn something about yourself too, do you REALLY want to be doing 20 min at 280', then taking another 90 minutes to come up? That 90 minutes gives you lots to think about, read, sleep (I've been known to doze off a little), think... -Carl-
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