Duane Johnson - Tech Instructor
I’d like to take a student class and not an instructor class this year. I feel that there are some more things that I’m missing and want to fill in some more gaps. I haven’t pinpointed out what exactly that is yet. That’s the hard part. I’ve been putting off taking any new classes. If you’ve been a reader of this blog for a while, you’ve probably read about some of my experiences with many of the classes I’ve had in the past. So I’m still quite leery. I initially thought about an advanced trimix course, but have decided against it. 1) I don’t plan on doing that many dives below 200 feet and 2) I don’t feel there are any advanced trimix instructors in the area that will give me the kind of class I’m looking for. I also have thought about a cave diving class, but I don’t see myself being able to get away to do enough cave dives to keep current with it.
I’d like to ask my readers, what kind of class would you recommend? It can be any class, I’m just looking for ideas.
I’d also like to know what are your diving goals for 2010.
Dive Safe,
Duane
Precision Diving
About Duane Johnson
I’m with you on this one Duane! I’ve been looking to take some student classes as well, but I’m fortunate that I haven’t moved into the technical arena AT ALL yet, so I have quite a few opportunities available. Sorry I can’t be of help in future class recommendations
My big goals for the year are to get into technical diving. I’m investigating the TecRec programs (I’m a PADI instructor), but I’m not sure which route I’ll go yet.
Hi Nick, I’m not completely sold on just technical classes. I’d be up for a recreational class or two. I just got a new digital camera and a buddy of mine teaches the digital photography class. Perhaps that might improve my ability to take bad pictures.
I am taking some dive medicine classes and will take soem Tech classes as well.
For instance I am taking DAN’s DEMP class this weekend (AED, O2 provider, Advanced O2 provider, and hazardous marine life injuries). I’d also like to take On-Site Neurological Assessments and maybe the REMO2 class. I think beyond that I’d be looking at an EMT class, but that’s a ways off in the future.
I’d also like to take a cavern class for some line handling practice, and as I said before tech up to adv nitrox/deco procedures.
How about something geared towards public safety diving? Zero-vis, river diving, etc.
I agree with the idea of the photography course. Heck I wouldn’t mind doing one of those myself. I think that it would be nice to know how to use my camera more than I do now.
Jason, take a tech class with me and you’ll learn line handling.
I did the DAN O2 provider course a couple years ago. Plus I can already teach it with my CPROX courses. Even though some of the REMO type courses might be good to extend my knowledge.
Kyle, I’m sure you can still take better pictures than me.
I think Nick, Ed, and I can motivate you to go cave diving if you take Cave1
it’s only a 15hr drive to cave country..
Motivate me, yes. The wife, no.
Cave 1 in fall and here’s why:
It’s only a 15 hour trip to North Florida that cost us about $200 in gas. There’s a few hotels divers frequent that charge $40 a night. You can dive there year round. So you’ll do a lot more winter diving. It’s easy to do 4-5 C1 dives in a day. Our normal trip I believe will be 5 days with 3 days of diving. That’s 12-15 dives a trip that will cost you around $100 + food and fills. Where else can you dive for that cheap? I plan on making at least 4 trips a year after certification. It’s too easy not to go.
Says the guy who isn’t married (yet) and doesn’t have kids (again yet). Sometimes life isn’t that easy. If it was, I’d have done C1 a couple years ago. Plus, shipwrecks are a lot more fun to look at than wet rocks.
bla bla bla all I hear are excuses!
Believe it or not, there are some things in life more important than diving.
And if that’s the case then what about Dan?
Don’t know. I can speak on Dan’s behalf.
My goal for 2010 is to practice alot more of the stuff I learned last year.
After my intro to tech class, Most of my dives were strictly fun dives and I really didn’t get to do as much practicing of skills as I wanted to.
I would like to incorporate some s drills, shooting SMB’s and some no mask stuff along with more precise ascents into this years quarry diving.
Hopefully after a good spring and part of the summer I my self will feel extremely comfortable and can proceed to GUE fundies.
Nate
P.S. I got good start to the back kick but want to master it this spring.
I’ve enjoyed reading your site this evening.
I believe that one of the best training investments a diver can make is a wilderness first aid or wilderness first responder course. The Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS and Wilderness Medical Associates both offer top notch courses. I teach for WMI of NOLS, DAN and PADI EFR. Hands down, the WMI curriculum is the most empowering medical training available. Even as a former Navy Medical Corpsman, I found my first “wilderness” first aid course to be really eye-opening!