Jump to content

  • These forums are for "after booking" trip communications, socializing, and/or trip questions ONLY.
  • You will NOT be able to book a trip, buy add-ons, or manage your trip by logging in here. Please login HERE to do any of those things.

Photo

Suggested Sequence and Recommended Reading List


  • Please log in to reply
13 replies to this topic

#1 mvillanueva

mvillanueva

    People are starting to get to know me

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 415 posts
  • Location:Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:SSI. Varied diving to date: Freshwater wells, Catalina, Oahu, and Kona. And one night dive
  • Logged Dives:32!

Posted 02 September 2004 - 11:06 PM

I have read the posts in this section, however, I still need some help. The problem for me is that it is hard to assess the quality and accuracy of some of the suggested information.

I am asking for help in structuring the next 2-3 years of my beginning dive training from both an academic and training perspective. In other words, books and doing.

I know how I want to dive: I have no doubt that I will work towards rebreathers and solo diving. The silence of rebreathers, the way they "feel" fundamentally right to me -- I have no doubt I want that in my life as my mode of diving, and I will likely do that alone (and with people).

The fact is, I do alot of things alone -- my work, my hobbies, off roading, collecting, fossils, inventing -- I do stuff alone, and that is not going to change. I have already held myself back from solo diving the lake not 5 mins from my cabin in the New Mexico mountains. I know I don't have the skills, but I also know that I will do it (solo) sooner or later.

Caves don't interest me, wrecks don't either. But what does interest me would be underwater geological observation and rock specimen collection -- so while caves don't rise my bubbles, working under overhangs and looking into crevices do. I do major off-roading, and I can see solo stuff in remote lakes a reality. Boat dives are ok, Hawaii was cool and all that, but shore entry does something for me.

I am technically minded and I am good with my hands, and better with my mind. In the training I have had so far, I can see many inconsistencies, and that troubles me. I am not knocking the good old ways, but thoughtful inovation born from experience and need is cool too.

This is what I want proficiency in: Solo diving in lakes (and ocean); rebreathers, underwater exploration of geological phenomena, and learning shore entry.

My resources to date: I have a simple C-Card with an "Altitude Specialty". I have 22 dives. I have read three books about SCUBA -- my SSI into book (which I thought was horribly written), SCUBA diving for Dummies, and another title that I returned after looking at the first chapter.

I am asking for resources.

First: What would be an optimal sequence for my training? Based on my goals, what are the fundamental areas, classes, and or specialties I need to incorporate into my training and in what order ought I to do them?

Second: Based on my goals, what is a recommended basic and advanced reading list? I am looking for both book and article. If you know the name of someone who has done relevant work in an area, a name would be great -- I can follow up with that.

Third: I am asking for hyperlinks to training programs & schools, on-line technical manuals, and on-line tutorials. Also, if you know the names of diving related databases that have articles on diving physiology, diving psychology, and diving medicine, that would be very helpful.

I don't expect to buy a rebreather in a month, drop to 200 feet, and do a cave. The heart of this post is understanding how to get to my goals over the next couple of years, and what reading material would help me get there.

Thank-you.

Edited by mvillanueva, 02 September 2004 - 11:26 PM.

Cap'n Lobo Stripper the Peglegless

#2 triggerfish

triggerfish

    I spend too much time on line

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,712 posts
  • Location:Chicago, IL
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:goddess.
  • Logged Dives:never enough

Posted 03 September 2004 - 03:57 AM

the first thing you should do is analyze your goals a little more completely.

(joke, mv...it's a joke!)

here's one for ya...

"solo diving" robert von maier

#3 Walter

Walter

    I need to get a life

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,549 posts
  • Location:Lehigh Acres, Florida
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:Instructor
  • Logged Dives:4 digits

Posted 03 September 2004 - 07:00 AM

First, read Dennis Graver's book, SCUBA Diving. This is an excellent text for beginners. I would also suggest picking up the NOAA Dive Manual, it's an excellent reference.

I would suggest your next step be YMCA Silver Advanced course. Don't bother with any AOW course from any agency. If you lived in southern California, I'd suggest LA County's Advanced Diver Program.

On your own, work on trim and buoyancy control. Get comfortable with no mask breathing. Get to the point where, except for reduced vision, you are as comfortable without a mask as with it. Dive at every opportunity and make new opportunities to dive.

That should get you started towards your goals.
No single raindrop believes it is responsible for the flood.

DSSW,

WWW™

#4 Marvel

Marvel

    I spend too much time on line

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 4,057 posts
  • Location:Lauderdale By The Sea, FL
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:AOW, Nitrox
  • Logged Dives:200+

Posted 03 September 2004 - 08:03 AM

I'll put a shameless plug in here- if you DO choose to go the YMCA route that Walter suggests, you could not find a better instructor than Walter. Plus, if you take the time to fly out here to do the diving with him, I'd get to meet & dive with you! :birthday:
Marvel

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C. S. Lewis



Posted Image

#5 ev780

ev780

    Everyone knows me

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 590 posts
  • Location:Colorado
  • Gender:Male

Posted 05 September 2004 - 03:02 PM

I have to respectfully disagree with you Walter. All training is good training even if it is weak!!! If you want to move into leadership role in recreational diving AOW is most often required. When you are being observed and hopefully critiqued by an instructor you learn. Marketing aside, you are diving and someone is helping you acquire knew skills and knowledge.

Just my $.02

Fred
"I'd rather die while I am living, than live when I'm dead" Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers

#6 RichardB

RichardB

    Everyone knows me

  • Inactive
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 834 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:Private
  • Logged Dives:Private

Posted 05 September 2004 - 03:17 PM

Dittos on Solo Diving by Maier. Go diving more often. Take some technical courses. Get your advanced card.

#7 triggerfish

triggerfish

    I spend too much time on line

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,712 posts
  • Location:Chicago, IL
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:goddess.
  • Logged Dives:never enough

Posted 05 September 2004 - 08:09 PM

don't live in a desert.

:welcome:

#8 mvillanueva

mvillanueva

    People are starting to get to know me

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 415 posts
  • Location:Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:SSI. Varied diving to date: Freshwater wells, Catalina, Oahu, and Kona. And one night dive
  • Logged Dives:32!

Posted 05 September 2004 - 09:08 PM

don't live in a desert.

:welcome:

Bite me.


Desert is just fine until I move to San Diego.
Cap'n Lobo Stripper the Peglegless

#9 triggerfish

triggerfish

    I spend too much time on line

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,712 posts
  • Location:Chicago, IL
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:goddess.
  • Logged Dives:never enough

Posted 05 September 2004 - 09:34 PM

??
and this is happening when?

#10 Funewgy

Funewgy

    Everyone knows me

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 787 posts
  • Location:Huntsville, AL
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:AOW/Nitrox
  • Logged Dives:35

Posted 05 September 2004 - 09:55 PM

I am technically minded and I am good with my hands, and better with my mind.

I would start with Sex for Dummies by Dr. Ruth.

Posted Image

Sorry Michael, it was too good to pass up.

P.S. If you want to call it "diving solo" that's fine, but the rest of us call it mast...uh, never mind.
"Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call" -- J. Buffett

#11 triggerfish

triggerfish

    I spend too much time on line

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,712 posts
  • Location:Chicago, IL
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:goddess.
  • Logged Dives:never enough

Posted 05 September 2004 - 09:57 PM

menage a uno???

#12 Funewgy

Funewgy

    Everyone knows me

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 787 posts
  • Location:Huntsville, AL
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:AOW/Nitrox
  • Logged Dives:35

Posted 05 September 2004 - 10:04 PM

menage a uno???

Si, Senorita.

P.S. Everybody's got needs.
"Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call" -- J. Buffett

#13 maxdvr

maxdvr

    People are starting to get to know me

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 336 posts
  • Location:back in michigan
  • Gender:Male
  • Cert Level:s.s.i. centry diver/rescue diver.. padi divemaster
  • Logged Dives:142 at last count

Posted 06 September 2004 - 12:43 AM

i gotta agree with more training....but the practical experience of diving will be ur own test...u will know...and pretty soon ..ur gonna have to dive alone...thats what solo diving is...when ur comfortable with ur own abilities... then ur ready...no matter what courses you have taken.... but thats just my humble opinion... i have a number of solo dives...but my first solo night dive was the best...

max
Posted Image
if your not living on the edge...your takin up to much space

landlocked by misfortune

"Kindness to others is the rent we pay for our time on Earth". - Muhammad Ali

#14 aquapacific

aquapacific

    Getting started

  • Member
  • Pip
  • 49 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Cert Level:Adv'd Open Water & Nitrox
  • Logged Dives:at least 300 (Don't really keep track)

Posted 21 November 2014 - 11:42 AM

Everyone loved your Dominica Trip so much that I hope to go BOTH weeks.

 

After the Holidays,  I'll put out "feelers" to see if I can get free.

 

Thanksgiving 2015,  I can join you for sure.

I just hope I don't miss the Open-4-Payments- Date.

I don't read Emails much.

I wish I cd just pay now & forget about it  . . .

Hey,  HV. A GREAT TIME in the Galapagos!

 

Aquapacific






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users