Well, It looks like my next big dive trip will be Chuuk & Palau in January of 2011. The boat we will be using is the Odyssey.


http://www.trukodyssey.com/


The supports Tec diving on the wrecks and recommends that their divers have a rating of extended range diver.


So, with 30 months before the trip, How do I get there?


First the equipment changes..


My first move is to a BP/Wing from my jacket style BC. My thought is to start in a single tank configuration, then move to doubles next spring. I will probably need a bigger wing when I make that move depending on the size of the doubles.


After that, then its looking at a 2nd set of regs (for the doubles) and maybe a move from Yoke to DIN. And to move into a more of a GUE style with a long hose on my primary.


Plus their are accesories to buy and learn how to deploy properly like a reel & lift bag.


Then there is the training. One of the challenges is that in Colorado, we don’t have anywhere deep enough for this training. The closest is Rock Lake in New Mexico, a healthy drive.


So far I have found four programs..


The shop I did my original training with has a tech instructor that would teach TDI Advanced Nitrox/Deco Procedures as one class and then Extended Range as a 2nd class. I am awaiting to hear back from him on this option.


http://www.a1scuba.com/classes/adv_nitrox.shtml


There is a shop close to my shop that is considered a ’tec shop’ Their program consists of two classes. The first is GUE fundamentals of Better Diving. Then that is followed by NAUI TEC 1.


http://www.flatironsscuba.com/Education/TechnicalCourses.aspx


The third option is to travel for the classes, since I would have to travel for the dives anyway. Deep Blue Utila offers a DSAT 1 & 2 each that would take a week. No prices listed, but the resort costs look fairly reasonable.


http://www.tecdivingutila.com/


And finally I could go back to Divi Flamingo in Bonaire which seems to offer the TDI program in a similar method to the Utila class.


http://www.diviflamingo.com/DiviFlamingo/bonaire-technical-scuba-diving.html


Any comments if you have gone down this road, please let me know. Or if you are interested in traveling for tec, feel free to contact me as most of these classes support 2-4 divers.

Comments

-heidi-o - 7/29/2008 12:17 PM well.. if you’re up for a 13 or 14 hour drive.. my boss does a great job with tec students... it takes 7 dives to do the dsat level one (padi’s tech stuff) and another set of dives for dsat level Two. I am currently in dsat level one.. and and for dsat level two we’re going to table rock lake to do the deep stuff... 165’. I’ve been trying to talk him into going to the oriskany to do the deep dive... we’ll see.. just htough i’d let you know. i don’t think that missouri is any closer to you then new mexico... -heidi-

VaDiver95 - 7/14/2008 9:04 PM If you want to get into technical diving I would suggest taking the GUE Fundamentals (http://www.gue.com/?q=en/Training/index.html) course with a tech rating. The class is great and will really challenge you—and you will be a better diver after it, regardless if you stay within the GUE course structure. The instructor will go over gear config and square you away with what you need and, more importantly, what you don’t need. The gear consideration is important with the key being a balanced rig…you should be able to swim it up from depth and hold a 20’ deco stop with no air in the wing.[span styl