In this video, we discuss different aspects of enrolling in a technical diving course. This includes the location, the instructor, preparation, and equipment. If you find this video helpful, please subscribe.
You bring up some interesting points but I think the title of the video isn't quite right, maybe something like "Things to Consider if you are Considering Technical diving". Understanding the costs and commitment should may be something that should happen long before you select an instructor.
Chris you touched on it a bit but what do you look for in a student. I know for me to make sure I am fit enough have good buoyancy skills by practicing in a pool or dive site any other suggestions?
Hello Ivory. Thanks for commenting. Technical diving is different from recreational diving in that the instructor can deny a student a certification even though they may have completed all the course requirements satisfactorily. In the event that occurs it is usually related to one of the six universally accepted characteristics for responsible tec divers: Self sufficiency, team players, disciplined, wary, physically fit, and accepts responsibility. In a discussion with a potential student, most instructors ask questions like "why do you want to become a technical diver?" If the response is something in conflict with any of the above six characteristics, the instructor, myself included may not accept the student. I don't think that any instructor would be interested in a student that would endanger themselves, their classmates, or the instructor. For me, the most important of the six are disciplined and accepts responsibility. Perserverence and fiscal responsibility would fall under those two. I can usually make an assessment based on those alone. The vast majority of students who have been unable to complete a technical diving course under my instruction fall under those two. Of course the student does have to have an acceptable level of fitness and diving proficiency. A large part of any technical diving course is the ability to properly execute complicated skills and respond to emergencies. One technique that I use is something called mental visual motor rehearsal. Since you may not be able to physically practice something to become sufficiently skilled, you can use mental visual motor rehearsal to develop "muscle memory". It is something that a lot of olympic caliber atheletes use.
Thank you for taking the time to explain the processes. The reason I want to learn advanced classes is to not just “get in the water” I want to know the “why” TDI materials are great for that.
