 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeArticlesDiving DestinationsLearning Scuba DivingMarine LifeMiscellaneousDiscussion GroupsGeneralScuba EquipmentScuba LocationsAustralian ScubaUK ScubaDirectoryScuba Clubs |
Scuba Forum / General / May 2006Solo Diving - A follow up
>On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 21:15:33 GMT, Steve <SPAMTRAPglawackus@hvc.rr.com> wrote: > >>It sounds like >>you started with a good instructor. Have you talked to him about solo? > >No way. If you recall the Star Trek reference, he is defineitely "of the body" >when it comes to PADI philosophy. But then again, he's a course director and >the shop owner (a 5* IDC) so I'd expect nothing less. He wouldn't recommend >or permit it. > >"Joy be with you.... Peace and contenment." Hi All. I have an update on the above. It appears that for 2006, that very same PADI Course Director now offers the TDI "Solo Diving" Certification Course!!! I never thought he'd do it. Unbelievable! I thought that to be a 5* IDC that you could only offer PADI training in your shop. Has that changed? All is well. I'm now affiliated with a new shop where the owner is both a PADI and SDI/TDI instructor. A rather rugged and seasoned individual. I think I can learn much from him. One thing he stated was that ocean diving (at least where I am in NJ) is a lot different than Warm Water climate diving. Colder, harder, and you need steel tanks (130's) (obviously more $$ but...). Not sure about that, but we'll see. One of the most interesting things was that even after having discussed my training/experience level, the words "solo diving" came out of his mouth a lot quicker than I expected. Apparently, good NJ ocean/wreck diving involves that element, and he requires his divers to be ready and properly equipped for it (eg. pony bottles, separate regulator hook ups etc.). Might take me a while to get there, but it's something to strive for. I'm taking the TDI CPR 1st course with him in May in preparation for PADI Rescue Diver in Bora Bora this August (back where it all started). They have a new course director there as well. In the mean time, I'll be at Dutch Springs practicing so if you're in the area, shoot me a message. ____________________________________________ Regards, Arnold > One of the most interesting things was that even after having discussed my > training/experience level, the words "solo diving" came out of his mouth a > lot quicker than I expected. Apparently, good NJ ocean/wreck diving > involves that element, and he requires his divers to be ready and properly > equipped for it (eg. pony bottles, separate regulator hook ups etc.). I have been diving in NJ waters for 11 years, and have yet to do it solo, intentionally or otherwise. Anyone who insists that its necessary is just plain wrong. If you want to dive solo, go right ahead. Frankly, I think you'd be missing out on one of the most enjoyable aspects of diving - sharing the experience.  SignatureArt >> One of the most interesting things was that even after having discussed my >> training/experience level, the words "solo diving" came out of his mouth a [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > If you want to dive solo, go right ahead. Frankly, I think you'd be missing > out on one of the most enjoyable aspects of diving - sharing the experience. I've been diving the NY/NJ/LI wrecks for about as long. 90% of the diving I do is solo. I don't want to share lobsters, flounder, scallops with anyone. There will be the occasional person I bring down to let them experience North East wreck diving, but again, most of my diving is done solo. Most of the divers that I know dive that way also. We do pass each other occasionally on the bottom, and since we all basically dive the same profiles (deco), we all usually meet up somewhere on the anchor line during deco. > I've been diving the NY/NJ/LI wrecks for about as long. 90% of the diving > I do is solo. And Darwin will eventually get you ... LOL >> I've been diving the NY/NJ/LI wrecks for about as long. 90% of the diving >> I do is solo. > And Darwin will eventually get you ... LOL Darwin eventually gets all of us. Arnold writes: > All is well. I'm now affiliated with a new shop where the owner > is both a PADI and SDI/TDI instructor. A rather rugged and > seasoned individual. I think I can learn much from him. Its probably not a NJ shop I frequent, but I would be interested; you can drop me the name of the shop/instructor offline. > One thing he stated was that ocean diving (at least where I am in NJ) is > a lot different than Warm Water climate diving. Colder, harder, and you > need steel tanks (130's) (obviously more $$ but...). Not sure about that, > but we'll see. Yeah...sorta. Start with a wetsuit and AL80 rentals and see if you're going to like local NJ wreck diving or not. If you are, then you can go scratch up the $3K you'll want to spend for a drysuit (for a longer dive season) and a collection of steels. You'll notice a lot of doubles, as they're considered appropriate to get in a long bottom time due to the generally long time investment to get two dives in --- a 2 tank dive is usually an all day investment. Don't be surprised if you spend 8-10 hours on the boat ("dock to dock"). BTW, you don't get seasick easily, do you? :-) > One of the most interesting things was that even after having discussed > my training/experience level, the words "solo diving" came out of his mouth > a lot quicker than I expected. Apparently, good NJ ocean/wreck diving > involves that element, and he requires his divers to be ready and properly > equipped for it NJ offshore is frequently low viz, dark and with currents. Since many divers' motivations are to hunt, its hard to do all this on a 10ft viz day, so solo is a common occurrence. > (eg. pony bottles, separate regulator hook ups etc.). Many of the local diveboats have specific gear requirements, which commonly include redundent air supplies for each diver. This basically means either doubles or a single with a pony, although technicaly they do allow a Spare Air to count...obviously, any shop who recommends a Spare Air to you for NJ diving should immediately be named. BTW, also check to see if the boat requires a lift bag and upline. > Might take me a while to get there, but it's something to strive for. Only if you enjoy the local diving. Its not for everyone. > In the mean time, I'll be at Dutch Springs practicing so if you're in the area, > shoot me a message. I recommend checking to see if Dutch disallows solo. I'm pretty sure that they used to. -hh > Arnold writes: >>In the mean time, I'll be at Dutch Springs practicing so if you're in the area, >>shoot me a message. > > I recommend checking to see if Dutch disallows solo. I'm pretty sure > that they used to. I was at DS New Years Eve last year. No problem diving solo. With so many divers to keep track of during any weekend, I can't possibly see how they can police solo diving. It might be in their waiver though. And your response was dead on for Arnold. >Its probably not a NJ shop I frequent, but I would be interested; you >can drop me the name of the shop/instructor offline. Sure. I can use the above email? >You'll notice a lot of doubles, as they're considered appropriate to >get in a long bottom time due to the generally long time investment to >get two dives in --- a 2 tank dive is usually an all day investment. Nitrox Doubles to be sure. I've just come back from Dutch to get my 2006 Season Pass, and that's all I saw out there this morning - Dry Suits and Nitrox Doubles. It was quite warm actually even with the fog burning off, but I'll bet you that water was COLD, especially at the 30' thermo. >Don't be surprised if you spend 8-10 hours on the boat ("dock to >dock"). BTW, you don't get seasick easily, do you? :-) Not at all. I've been on boats since I was a kid. >NJ offshore is frequently low viz, dark and with currents. Since many >divers' motivations are to hunt, its hard to do all this on a 10ft viz >day, so solo is a common occurrence. My interests are primarily underwater photography/videography so I'm not sure I'm going to have a great interest in wreck diving. I'll do it because it's a good diving skill to have in your toolkit (as is wall diving) but I don't see myself as acquriing a solid passion for it. Neither for hunting - not my thing. But we'll see. >> (eg. pony bottles, separate regulator hook ups etc.). > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >named. BTW, also check to see if the boat requires a lift bag and >upline. The new instructor did mention at least an "upline" or reel/nav line, normally anchored near the boat anchor itself. He also recommended a BCD with 60lbs lift. Mine is only 45lbs. So he was thinking a single 130 steel and a pony. >> Might take me a while to get there, but it's something to strive for. > >Only if you enjoy the local diving. Its not for everyone. We'll see. I at least want to try a few dives for the skill. Whether or not I keep going back is another issue. >> In the mean time, I'll be at Dutch Springs practicing so if you're in the area, >> shoot me a message. > >I recommend checking to see if Dutch disallows solo. I'm pretty sure >that they used to. They permit solo if you have the TDI Solo Cert and you rent one of their transponder/locators. http://www.dutchsprings.com/air.htm#Solo Since I have neither yet I'll be there with either a buddy or DM. ____________________________________________ Regards, Arnold > >Its probably not a NJ shop I frequent, but I would be interested; you > >can drop me the name of the shop/instructor offline. > > Sure. I can use the above email? Yup. > [Dutch] ...was quite warm actually even with the fog burning off, > but I'll bet you that water was COLD, especially at the 30' thermo. And even more on the next thermocline down. > >Only if you enjoy the local diving. Its not for everyone. > > We'll see. I at least want to try a few dives for the skill. Whether or not I > keep going back is another issue. And hence, your decision as to if/when to step into the high cost gear for local diving. > >> In the mean time, I'll be at Dutch Springs practicing so if you're in the area, > >> shoot me a message. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > http://www.dutchsprings.com/air.htm#Solo $25/day plus the Transponder? Sheeze. Maybe its time to go dive the train wreck up near the Delaware Water Gap. -hh >> >Only if you enjoy the local diving. Its not for everyone. >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >And hence, your decision as to if/when to step into the high cost gear >for local diving. Well, the drysuit I can use at Dutch so no difference there. I guess the greater issues are the double rigging, extra steels, and the lift bag (yes, lift bag is required as is an upline on the boat the dive shop uses, among the other things like redundant breathing gear). >> >> In the mean time, I'll be at Dutch Springs practicing so if you're in the area, >> >> shoot me a message. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >$25/day plus the Transponder? Sheeze. Maybe its time to go dive the >train wreck up near the Delaware Water Gap. Well that's why I bought a "pre-season" season pass for $140.00. Six visits and it will pay for itself. I could do that easy this summer. I'm thinking 10 or 15 if not more. ____________________________________________ Regards, Arnold > Hi All. I have an update on the above. It appears that for 2006, that very same PADI > Course Director now offers the TDI "Solo Diving" Certification Course!!! I never thought > he'd do it. Unbelievable! I thought that to be a 5* IDC that you could only offer PADI training > in your shop. Has that changed? No, and there are two separate prohibitions. The 5* shop can't offer it, and a PADI Course Director is not allowed to issue certs from other agencies as well. You should call PADI and tell them - it could be an interesting little drama. Brian, I've been talking with Arthur offlne and I'm familar with which shop this is. I wasn't aware that they're currently a 5 Star shop. If they are, then they have 3 or 4 non-PADI instructors. I'll do some checking. -hh > I've been talking with Arthur offlne and I'm familar with which shop > this is. I wasn't aware that they're currently a 5 Star shop. If they > are, then they have 3 or 4 non-PADI instructors. I'll do some > checking. How about we all decline to support monopolistic practices? Lee > How about we all decline to support monopolistic practices? I agree, and I think that's kind of where Brian was heading: seeing what PADI would do, since that would likely be an illegal use of monopoly power. Another reason why I said I wanted to check into it is that I wasn't aware that this shop was indeed a "5 Star" rated shop at present. PADI's website claims that they are, but you know how easily things like this can be out of date. I was figuring on stopping by the shop and asking, since I need to do some window shopping for a new weight pouch anyway. -hh >> How about we all decline to support monopolistic practices? > I agree, and I think that's kind of where Brian was heading: seeing > what PADI would do, since that would likely be an illegal use of > monopoly power. I am quite sure that PADI would do what they always do, insist on having things their way. I am also sure that they would argue that they are not a monopoly, even if they often get away with acting like they are. The last thing PADI is likely to do is admit, or fail to respond to accusations that they are a monopoly. If/when that happens, as it did with IBM, Xerox and others, all kinds of unpleasant laws kick in. No leader in a self regulating industry wants anything to do with anything like that. > Another reason why I said I wanted to check into it is that I wasn't > aware that this shop was indeed a "5 Star" rated shop at present. > PADI's website claims that they are, but you know how easily things > like this can be out of date. I was figuring on stopping by the shop > and asking, since I need to do some window shopping for a new weight > pouch anyway. Nothing wrong with satisfying one's own curiosity. Lee >Another reason why I said I wanted to check into it is that I wasn't >aware that this shop was indeed a "5 Star" rated shop at present. >PADI's website claims that they are, but you know how easily things >like this can be out of date. I was figuring on stopping by the shop >and asking, since I need to do some window shopping for a new weight >pouch anyway. HH - Another follow up. I just took the TDI CPR-1st course at "our shop" just this past Fri. in preparation for "Rescue Diver" this August. I had the SDI/TDI husband & wife team who teach out of that shop if you know to whom I refer. Great couple. I look forward to going diving with them at Dutch shortly. If you're interested, you can stop by the shop and sign up for the 2nd annual pig roast they're having at Dutch on Sat. 06/03. $10.00 all you can eat I think. BTW, a correction. "Our shop" apparently *is* a PADI 5* "dive center" but not a 5 * IDC. The owner is not a PADI course director. The instuctor couple I mentioned above are both PADI "Master Instructors" and SDI/TDI "Instructor trainers" but neither are CD's. Apparently, it's the PADI CD who cannot offer any other certs but PADI certs. ____________________________________________ Regards, Arnold >>Another reason why I said I wanted to check into it is that I wasn't >>aware that this shop was indeed a "5 Star" rated shop at present. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >are both PADI "Master Instructors" and SDI/TDI "Instructor trainers" but neither are >CD's. Apparently, it's the PADI CD who cannot offer any other certs but PADI certs. Correcto. Technically, the shop can ONLY offer PADI certs to be a 5 star DC. To answer your earlier question you didn't ask, PADI is pretty scrupulous about keeping it's website up to date with info on shops and instructors. Those people pay good money and PADI doesn't want to piss them off. >____________________________________________ >Regards, > >Arnold Signaturedillon I didn't climb to the top of the food chain to become a vegetarian. > HH - Another follow up. I just took the TDI CPR-1st course at "our shop" > just this Why the cloak and dagger? http://www.kunuku.com That's also the weekend of Dive-Rite's demo. SignatureArt >> HH - Another follow up. I just took the TDI CPR-1st course at "our shop" >> just this > >Why the cloak and dagger? Simply out of respect for their privacy. Maybe they don't want their name flung all overt the net in either direction --- good or bad. And who knows? They could even be lurking here. Since I still don't know them well enough, I'm trying to be just a bit conservative until I do get to know them. ____________________________________________ Regards, Arnold >Brian, > >I've been talking with Arthur offlne and I'm familar with which shop >this is. I wasn't aware that they're currently a 5 Star shop. If they >are, then they have 3 or 4 non-PADI instructors. I'll do some >checking. Actually, the shop we were talking about is *not* the one in question in re: this thread as it is not 5*. And the shop owner of *our*shop is not a CD to my knowledge. He is both a PADI and a SDI/TDI instructor though. I get the feeling that the owner of the shop in question in re: this thread (who is a CD) is not the one teaching the course. I'm betting it's via an independent instructor. I'm thinking that the shop is simply advertising the course on their website and just acting as an "agent" rather than directly sponsoring the course. Regards, Arnold (not Aurthur :-) ). ____________________________________________ Regards, Arnold > > Hi All. I have an update on the above. It appears that for 2006, that very same PADI > > Course Director now offers the TDI "Solo Diving" Certification Course!!! I never thought [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > agencies as well. You should call PADI and tell them - it could be an > interesting little drama. Quite... but if you're interested in getting the cert there, make sure you get it before alerting "the authorities." |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.