Intro to Cave certified - Training Report

[fleep]

Just returned from the Riviera Maya where I earned my IANTD Intro cert from ProTech diving in Playa del Carmen. Dove Ponderosa, Taj Mahal and Chicen Ha. My intructor Alessandro (ex-Italian Army) was very strict and his instruction style was rigorous. I understand that certifications on this level are not 'given' away, but when I was told 50% of his applicants fail and that my PADI cavern cert was not accepted by IANTD, I was worried I wouldn't make the cut. The other student in my class was told on the 3rd day that 'it's just not your time right now'. After seeing some of the sloppy line tie offs (multiple dangling reels at the beginning of the permanent line that were not clipped properly and with no personal markers) that other dive teams used, I appreciated that my instructor was training me to employ some higher protocol standards. While always accurate, the criticisms we received were often framed in a harsh manner-However I know he had our best interests at heart. I would highly recommend Alessandro and ProTech to anyone interested in receiving cave diving training. Classes averaged 10-11 hours per day which demonstrated to me that my instructor was as dedicated to teaching as I was to learning.

Overall I can say the training was not a bed of roses. I was forced to question my dedication, my competence and my flaws. I can say for sure that I learned alot and have alot to learn. The cenotes are magnificent. It is of note that I feel so alive in these alien spaces which are themselves both alive and devoid of life. Now that I have time to reflect-I think I even had fun! :)

I know we have a group of Missouri cave divers on this forum. I've even met/dove in open water with a few of you. If you ever feel inclined to dummy down one of your cave dives to an Intro-Cave-Diver level I would be honored to joinya. Have a nice Thanksgiving!

---Dave

[theskull]

Congrats, fleep! Sounds like you earned it--as should be the case with a Cave cert.

We're diving Roubidoux Friday. At least one of the dives will be at Intro level if you'd like to join in. Note: Dress warmer than you did for Mexico caves. ;)

theskull

[SLIM]

Come on and hook up with all of us on the 28th. There will be divers wiht al lkinds of differant levels there and even some that I bet wont be to afraid to be a mentor. I think that you just need to be perpeaird for 58* water instead of the the 71* or so. Have been in all those that yo mentioned and are nice caves but be warrned. Up here is totally differant then down there.

SLIM

[scububa]

Good on ya and come on down...it's a good group of folks even though they let me hang around.

I am just barely beyond your level having recently gotten my IANTD Cave (Tech). When I finished my Intro, I was pretty sure I had a lot to learn. Now that I have my Cave, I am SURE of it!

Jim

[fleep]

Thx for the kind words, the encouragement and especially the invitation! Unfortunately the day after Thanksgiving is one of our busiest days of the year at work and no one is allowed the day off. I'll have to take a rain check. Will stay in touch w/ you all through the board and hopefully I can join you soon!

P.S. Just ordered the DiveRite LED 700. ScubaToys has them in the closeouts section and I couldn't resist:
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=DiveRite700LED

[SLIM]

Fleep

That is a normal price at a shope that I know of. He is even haveing a sale right now on them and I think that if you keep an eye on his site they have been known to be even cheaper.

SLIM

[DeepDiverBob]

Just returned from the Riviera Maya where I earned my IANTD Intro cert from ProTech diving in Playa del Carmen. Dove Ponderosa, Taj Mahal and Chicen Ha. My intructor Alessandro (ex-Italian Army) was very strict and his instruction style was rigorous. I understand that certifications on this level are not 'given' away, but when I was told 50% of his applicants fail and that my PADI cavern cert was not accepted by IANTD, I was worried I wouldn't make the cut. The other student in my class was told on the 3rd day that 'it's just not your time right now'. After seeing some of the sloppy line tie offs (multiple dangling reels at the beginning of the permanent line that were not clipped properly and with no personal markers) that other dive teams used, I appreciated that my instructor was training me to employ some higher protocol standards. While always accurate, the criticisms we received were often framed in a harsh manner-However I know he had our best interests at heart. I would highly recommend Alessandro and ProTech to anyone interested in receiving cave diving training. Classes averaged 10-11 hours per day which demonstrated to me that my instructor was as dedicated to teaching as I was to learning.

Overall I can say the training was not a bed of roses. I was forced to question my dedication, my competence and my flaws. I can say for sure that I learned alot and have alot to learn. The cenotes are magnificent. It is of note that I feel so alive in these alien spaces which are themselves both alive and devoid of life. Now that I have time to reflect-I think I even had fun! :)

I know we have a group of Missouri cave divers on this forum. I've even met/dove in open water with a few of you. If you ever feel inclined to dummy down one of your cave dives to an Intro-Cave-Diver level I would be honored to joinya. Have a nice Thanksgiving!

---Dave

Did you do your intro in doubles, or on a single tank?