Technical Spearfishing Instruction

[SpearMax]

So, why go deeper beneath the waterline? That remains a challenging question. Spearfishing is a passionate sport. Free divers and scuba divers love the beautiful sights, the risk, the amazing sea life, the buddy friendships, the weightlessness, and the satisfying experience of temporary departure from the normal world of most people. Going deeper than the recreational depth limit of 130 feet is a natural progression for many divers. And, that means getting some expert training from a qualified technical diving instructor. My technical diving certifications are Deep Air, Decompression Procedures, Advanced Nitrox, Extended Range, Technical Diver and Solo Diver. In my opinion, you absolutely must get comparable training and certification levels before you attempt to do technical spearfishing.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having the proper training and certifications to do technical spearfishing safely. I would advise you to seek out competent technical instruction at your local dive shop or elsewhere in your community. I am not endorsing the following instructors in any way, but here are some Florida Tech Instructors that are spearfishing friendly:

Palm Beach, Florida Tech Instructor Diederick van Haeften is a Course Director for NAUI and multi-agency Instructor for ACUC, TDI/SDI, HSA, etc...With over twenty five years in the Business, he is a technical Instructor with TDI and IANTD and teaches over 160 courses in diving at colleges, children’s camps, fire and police departments etc. Diederick is my tech instructor. He offers a great "Five in One" beginning Technical Diving Course as follows:

TDI Decompression Procedures....... (Regularly $425.00)
IANTD Advance Eanx Diver............ (Regularly $350.00)
IANTD Deep Air ........................... (Regularly $300.00)
SDI SOLO DIVING CERT................. (Regularly $395.00)
TDI A.Nitrox to 150ft-80%Mix@30ft... (Regularly $350.00)
Total Regular Prices: $1,820.00

"Five in One" Special Price: $ 998.00*

*Manuals, Gas, Pool fees if any, Gear Rental if any and Dive Boat Fees are extra. Seven evenings or week-end Lecture Sessions, two Pool Sessions and 10 to 12 dives. Contact Diederick van Haeften at his phone number 845-866-4551 or his e-mail scubascience@hotmail.com

Tampa Bay, Florida Tech Instructor Chad Carney has been spearfishing for 33 years and teaching Diving Instruction for 28 years. He has taught thousands of divers of all levels in the Tampa Bay area since 1977. He is certified by Scuba Diving International and Technical Diving International (SDI/TDI) to teach from beginning scuba diving all the way to entry level trimix. Chad specializes in personal dive training for Freediving, Spearfishing, Kids Scuba, Open Water Scuba, Refresher Courses, Advanced Open Water, as well as most Specialties like Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox, Decompression, and Trimix. Contact Chad Carney at his phone number 727-423-7775 or his e-mail chadcarney@verizon.net

Pompano Beach, Florida Tech Instructor Jim Mims is the President and Chief Technical Instructor at Ocean Diving Inc. He is an accomplished boat captain and also serves on the Board of Advisors for IANTD. Captain Jim has been teaching diving since 1977 and founded Ocean Diving Inc. in 1979. Ocean Diving Inc. offers IANTD and DAN Instructor Certification courses as well as IANTD Recreational, Technical and Rebreather Diver Certification courses. Contact Jim Mims at his phone number 954-849-DEEP or his e-mail DiveTek@OceanDiving.com

[Scubado]

question??? I just got cert. in TDI - adv. nitrox 22-100% nitrox and decompression proc. to allow me to go to 150ft. why all the other cert.? besides Solo that speaks for it self. I'm asking becuase I'm very interested in going all the way to trimix. So I am wonder the differance in schools Thanks!!

[RichT]

Tony,
I can see this as a very interesting subject. It should make for some lively discussion as well.
In addition to the courses youve recommended... I think it should be mandatory for anyone wishing to dive deeper than the recreational limit of 130fsw should be required to read the book "Deep Descent".

Its a great book on just how much trouble you can get yourself into if not trained and prepared properly.

[Scubado]

Rich is that book on the same lines as "the last dive" this is a good book if you haven't read it. I'll check out the "deep Descent" thanks P.S. not really questioning anybody, just learning more about tech diving. its very interesting .

[Lefty]

This is a timely new topic. I'm currently taking an advanced nitrox / decompression techniques course. Once certified, I might have to find some new dive buddies who have similar interests and training. Very cool.

[SpearMax]

Tony,I can see this as a very interesting subject. It should make for some lively discussion as well. In addition to the courses youve recommended... I think it should be mandatory for anyone wishing to dive deeper than the recreational limit of 130fsw should be required to read the book "Deep Descent". Its a great book on just how much trouble you can get yourself into if not trained and prepared properly.


I fully agree Rich. Great reading suggestion! :cool: I have had some close calls myself. That is why I preface just about everything I say about this subject of technical spearfishing with warnings and disclaimers about getting trained right. This is not something to take lightly. I know guys that would try to "bounce dive" that tower you see in my video on 31% Nitrox thinking they won't go below 130 feet. That is just crazy thinking. Sh*t happens, especially when spearing! The lesson here is that big fish can pull you down to the bottom or into wrecks and simply kill you if you do not plan for narcosis, oxygen toxicity, and increased air consumption at great depth. One must always assume they will be on the bottom for one reason or another and plan accordingly.

[Dive4Blood]

If you are thinking about getting tech dive training in the Tampa Bay area then THE place to go is Depth Perception in Brandon (813-689-3483 www.depthperception.com). Not only do they have tech nitrox and helitrox courses specifically tailored for spearfishing, but they have been a sponsor of the Spearboard Open every year since its inception. They also provide all the training for the City of Tampa PD, City of Tampa Fire Department, and Hillsborough County PD dive teams. Ask for Ira or Jackie, and let them know you saw this on Spearboard. Members who have completed tech training at Depth Perception:

Bgbill
Jaizzen
SpearDiverTampa
Fizisition
ArmorDave
Armorkillshot
Shooter Dan
Financial Advis
....and yours truly El Slin...errr....Dive4Blood.

[Scubado]

Tony, Hopefully I did not offend. My instructor only teaches TDI, so I'm tring to figure out the difference between the other cert. compared to TDI. Everybody always have their on style. :D I want to figure out which I want to go

[SpearMax]

question??? I just got cert. in TDI - adv. nitrox 22-100% nitrox and decompression proc. to allow me to go to 150ft. why all the other cert.? besides Solo that speaks for it self. I'm asking becuase I'm very interested in going all the way to trimix. So I am wonder the differance in schools Thanks!!


I enjoyed the materials from both TDI and IANTD. It was nice to see different written explanations of the same technical subjects. The standards in terms of time in the classroom and in the water are probably similar. I think you could go to the websites of these agencies and compare standards.

[dagodiver]

question??? I just got cert. in TDI - adv. nitrox 22-100% nitrox and decompression proc. to allow me to go to 150ft. why all the other cert.? besides Solo that speaks for it self. I'm asking becuase I'm very interested in going all the way to trimix. So I am wonder the differance in schools Thanks!!


If you already have the Adv. Nitrox and Deco. you can go straight into Normoxic Trimix. this is a great class from TDI.

Dago.

[Scubado]

Tony, Thanks
Dago I went to TDI I could find Normoxic Trimix, is there a specific site thanks I read a post that you are big into wrecks, I have been doing alot of reading on wrecks and getting really into them. thats why are the questions about this stuff. thanks guys

[dagodiver]

Tony, Thanks
Dago I went to TDI I could find Normoxic Trimix, is there a specific site thanks I read a post that you are big into wrecks, I have been doing alot of reading on wrecks and getting really into them. thats why are the questions about this stuff. thanks guys


I believe they are calling it Entry level trimix now. The names are always changing.
Did I say i like wrecks wrecks wrecks..!!!! :cool:


Dago.

[Chad Carney]

Divers that want to spearfish deep would do well to get training from instructors that are into the sport. Whether TDI, IANTD or a Johnny-come-lately certification, the purpose of the instruction and experience of the instructor are the most important aspects.

Wreck and cave divers tend to use equipment and techniques that are specific for their sport, which can often be substantially different than that of spearfishermen.

Chad

[Scubado]

Thanks all good info.

[kmoose]

Divers that want to spearfish deep would do well to get training from instructors that are into the sport. Whether TDI, IANTD or a Johnny-come-lately certification, the purpose of the instruction and experience of the instructor are the most important aspects.

Wreck and cave divers tend to use equipment and techniques that are specific for their sport, which can often be substantially different than that of spearfishermen.

Chad

Very good point, Chad,
Current entry level "tech" training for the most part only concerns itself with "non-task" related dive gear configurations. And even the most advanced task oriented configurations could pose safety issues when merged with the inherent complications of spearfishing. Thorough knowledge, practice and experience are paramount when considering pack setups for spearfishing in deep water. No one will use the same configuration and no "Gold Standard" configuration will cover all the bases for all situations.

[Ironhed]

I have to say you all have big brass ones for attempting those insane deep shooting sessions maybe one day I will be at that level but right now I am happy in the 120' range.

[dagodiver]

Current entry level "tech" training for the most part only concerns itself with "non-task" related dive gear configurations.


I agree with Chad and Moose all the way but I dont agree with this statement at all.
Any bad situation at depth is a task.
It wasnt but a few weeks ago that I responded to a thread about breathing the wrong reg and got pm's about why my way was the wrong way so I wont get into those anymore but you have to be comfortable deep and know how to handle all situations BEFORE you plan on going down there to shot the big one.
Rant over.
Sorry.


Dago.

[kmoose]

I agree with Chad and Moose all the way but I dont agree with this statement at all.
Any bad situation at depth is a task.
It wasnt but a few weeks ago that I responded to a thread about breathing the wrong reg and got pm's about why my way was the wrong way so I wont get into those anymore but you have to be comfortable deep and know how to handle all situations BEFORE you plan on going down there to shot the big one.
Rant over.
Sorry.


Dago.

Mike, what I mean by "non-task" is anything other than the aspects of surviving the dive and the inherent hazards associated with the dive itself. Adding any activity that would distract from or complicate the dive, I would refer to as a task, for example: Removing the bell from an unidentified wreck ;) , or replacing hardware on an oil rig platform.

[ROCK BOTTOM]

So should I be concerned diving to 228 fsw on a single 80AL with air? Good fish down there.

Zz

[biggsy]

So should I be concerned diving to 228 fsw on a single 80AL with air? Good fish down there.

Zz I think Hell Divers live by a different set of rules. God Bless all of you! :D

[dagodiver]

So should I be concerned diving to 228 fsw on a single 80AL with air? Good fish down there.

Zz


Hell no.! If it works use it.
Get out and get some fish so we can read those cool reports.! :cool:


Dago.

[dagodiver]

Mike, what I mean by "non-task" is anything other than the aspects of surviving the dive and the inherent hazards associated with the dive itself. Adding any activity that would distract from or complicate the dive, I would refer to as a task, for example: Removing the bell from an unidentified wreck ;) , or replacing hardware on an oil rig platform.


Yep.!
I quess my point was that learning how to dive first THEN adding the task is the proper way to do things. I know when the crap hits the fan I just get back into self preservation mode and deal with the problem. I hate reading the post where people have tons of air in there tank and bolt to the surface for no good reason.
Moose yourself and your team of divers are in a small group of people who can handle the situations at hand and still shoot some HUGE fish in some stupid deep waters.!
I have left alot of brass trinkets on the ocean floor because it was time to turn the dive.
Now about this bell.! :cool:

thanks

Dago.

[HeadHunter]

You need experience and proper instruction. My suggestion is to go with an instructor who actually has done or does what you want to do. If thats not available, get with a techie in your area that you trust and ask for his reccomendation on a local instructor.

If you're taking Tech cert's to deep spearfish, than an instructor who deep spearfishes would be a given. Techniques and gear cofigs that work great for wrecks and caves may not be whats best for deep spearfishing.

You can BS almost anyone on the planet, but you'd better not BS yourself about what level of diver you really are. Finding out you're a 150 diver when a major situation happens at 250 could KILL you. Real easy too.

Get experienced and get trained. Buy the best equipment you can and use it all wisely.

[Ironhed]

I know of one very qualified instructor for deep spearfishing training in the tampa area and that is chad carney I hope to get some training from him possibly this year. He is a TDI instructor with 30+ yrs experience shooting. I think there are certain legends in this sport that would agree with me on this.

[ArmorDave]

If you are thinking about getting tech dive training in the Tampa Bay area then THE place to go is Depth Perception in Brandon (813-689-3483 www.depthperception.com). Not only do they have tech nitrox and helitrox courses specifically tailored for spearfishing, but they have been a sponsor of the Spearboard Open every year since its inception. They also provide all the training for the City of Tampa PD, City of Tampa Fire Department, and Hillsborough County PD dive teams. Ask for Ira or Jackie, and let them know you saw this on Spearboard. Members who have completed tech training at Depth Perception:

Bgbill
Jaizzen
SpearDiverTampa
Fizisition
ArmorDave
Armorkillshot
Shooter Dan
Financial Advis
....and yours truly El Slin...errr....Dive4Blood.


This is a excellent course, taught by great folks. Not being narc'd is priceless.

[deepdestroyer]

Ok, I dont know much about tech diving but think it is extremley interesting, and have some basic questions. Say I went ahead and spent the money to get all the certs needed to do tech diving. How much more is it gunna cost me to upgrade my gear to take the extra abuse of diving deep trimix dives. Also how much does a single trimix fill cost, and how many places are there that are able give you a trimix fill near Cape Canaveral? I have been wondering about this topic for about a year now and it seems really awesome, but wanna get all the pros and cons before I spend all the money.
Thanks, John K

[dagodiver]

Ok, I dont know much about tech diving but think it is extremley interesting, and have some basic questions. Say I went ahead and spent the money to get all the certs needed to do tech diving. How much more is it gunna cost me to upgrade my gear to take the extra abuse of diving deep trimix dives. Also how much does a single trimix fill cost, and how many places are there that are able give you a trimix fill near Cape Canaveral? I have been wondering about this topic for about a year now and it seems really awesome, but wanna get all the pros and cons before I spend all the money.
Thanks, John K


If you have good gear now there is no reason to change. When you take a class the intr. will let you know if anything needs to be upgraded.
Helium goes for around .20-.30 per cubic foot. "Most" people put the He in at home and have the dive shop top off for you. On your coast there should be a few Trimix friendly shops around. In the 200fsw range a mix like 17/19 heliair makes a HUGE difference on the dive.

Dago.

[Red Tide]

Exceeding the recreational limits while spearfishing does indeed require a new skill set that most dive instructors fail to instill in their new students. I have said this before and I will say it again "A wise man learns from his mistakes, but a truly wise man learns from the mistakes of others"
If you are a serious diver and want to explore the deeper waters,you need to take the classes and learn all that you can.
I think that the number one thing that needs to be taught to spearfisherman is to avoid greed. Look at almost any situation where a diver has died, been bent or nearly died, and you will find some level of greed that occured.
Now for some humor:
As far as equipment goes, I subscribe to the less is better theroy of spearfishing. Thats right....All I need is a good mask, snorkel, fins, and of course my trusty speedo...........

Be Safe,

G.R.

[markZ]

From the posts I have seen on SpearBoard, Team HeadHunter is not only TopGun, but perhaps some of the first person(s) to seriously explore a relatively new facet of diving, technical spearin’.

I would suggest anyone considering crossing the threshold into planned decompression diving to understand that its NOT “just like recreational diving, but deeper”. That kind of thinking is the first nail on your coffin. Decompression diving is way more than that, and it requires a total re-evaluation of your skills, everything you learned, your gear, etc.

Although ocean diving is quite different, the cave community worked out most (not all) of the problems years ago, and many of their solutions are relevent today, e.g., redundancy, use of multiple regs, etc. It seems people keep trying to “reinvent the wheel” from my observations. BTW, I’m not a cave diver.

Anyone interested in pursuing advanced certifications with the idea of using them to spearfish, in my opinion, should start with an instructor well versed in spearfishing (go see Chad), and then remember that the cert is nothing more than a license to learn.

TDI Mixed Gas
# 265

[inletsurf]

Now that I live in Mt Dora, close to Orlando/Ocala, I may be in an area where they offer multiple gas deco instruction as well as normoxic trimix (Brevard didn't have anyone). I want to get certified in both. Anyone have a suggestion on a good instruction agency nearby?

[inletsurf]

Anyone? Or do I basically have to go to Tampa to get any advanced multiple gas training?

[SpearMax]

Anyone? Or do I basically have to go to Tampa to get any advanced multiple gas training?

Inlet, you are so close to cave country right there. Why don't you contact the President of Dive Rite, Lamar Hires, and ask for a tech instructor referral? Dive Rite has been an SBO sponsor for a long time. Lamar is a great guy who is very knowledgeable on most things technical diving related.

During the 70's and 80's, Lamar was one of the pioneer underwater cave explorers. He helped to map many of north-central Florida's cave sites. He has since gone on to be a leader in technical diving: he is an active cave and technical diving instructor, and he recently retired as Chairman of the prestigious National Speleological Society-Cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS).

Their info is below. Good luck!

Dive Rite
175 NW Washington Street
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 752-1087
Office hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. M - F
General Support: support@diverite.com
Web Support: websupport@diverite.com

[dagodiver]

To this I will add that if you go to cave country you can get a 3mix ticket with only having to do 1 open water ocean dive. Not that there is anything wrong with this but I think for a guy that in the end wants to spearfish that the training should for the most part be done in the open ocean. After all shootin the lift bags and doing the drift deco's are the best part. Not to mention the ripping current's when you are not allowed to surface because you have some deco time. I have a Intro/Cave cert plus my TDI advanced trimix cert so I can talk about this stuff.! :p And soon as I kill some nice fish I will talk about spearing.! :cool:


thanks
Dago.

[inletsurf]

Thanks Tony and Mike

[trimix]

In Texas, diving on the rigs, to get to the big fish you need to go deep. In my opinon Trimix is the way to go. With deco bottles staged along the way back up. You can never have too much to breath when spearfishing.

[Chad Carney]

In Texas, diving on the rigs, to get to the big fish you need to go deep. In my opinon Trimix is the way to go. With deco bottles staged along the way back up. You can never have too much to breath when spearfishing.

I would love to use trimix spearing on deep rigs, but so far the murk layers have really thrown me a bunch of curve balls. About half of the dives I've done up in rig country have been super dirty past recreational depths. These dives were on the multi-day tournaments the last 4 years from TX to AL. Sometimes it's been the reverse, dirty on the surface and then they clear up deep. Planning MODs is a real bitch, so I have used air deep and lean nitrox on dives later in the day.

I prefer to carry my deco gasses here in Florida and on rig trips. Although likely on a rig, I still can't be sure I'm going to be able to get back to hung off stage bottles. And there would be no time to deploy and pick up stage tanks, diving with the Hell Divers. By the time you got down there they would have already killed everything!

Chad

[WreckHunter]

To this I will add that if you go to cave country you can get a 3mix ticket with only having to do 1 open water ocean dive. Not that there is anything wrong with this but I think for a guy that in the end wants to spearfish that the training should for the most part be done in the open ocean. After all shootin the lift bags and doing the drift deco's are the best part. Not to mention the ripping current's when you are not allowed to surface because you have some deco time. I have a Intro/Cave cert plus my TDI advanced trimix cert so I can talk about this stuff.! :p And soon as I kill some nice fish I will talk about spearing.! :cool:


thanks
Dago.


Inlet, I could not agree with what Mike says here more. There is a world of difference between diving springs and caves and diving the ocean, as you already know. These differences are compounded when you go deep and do significant deco with all the equipment and techniques that involves.

My buddy and I took GUE Tech I with Tyler Moon in High Springs (cave country). He was a great instructor and we learned a ton. But we have since done almost all of our practicing and tech dives in the ocean. That is what we are interested in. We will take a cave course one of these days just to get some really good overhead training, but our next course will be the next level trimix course and will happen in south Florida. That is where we do most of our tech dives anyway. And there is no substitute for training in the actual conditions you will be doing the dives. There are several good tech instructors down that way. You are right, there is no tech instruction in Brevard.

[jfjf]

So tell us all how you Spearfish DIR. Do you follow the GUE "team" requirements when spearing or what? They seem so regimented in all their gear and every thing else...

[dagodiver]

So tell us all how you Spearfish DIR. Do you follow the GUE "team" requirements when spearing or what? They seem so regimented in all their gear and every thing else...


DIR mentality works great for all types of diving. GUE is a completely different thing than just DIR style diving.


Dago.

[inletsurf]

Wreckhunter, Dago, I agree. Diving deep Sebastian (>150 feet) is similar to diving deep south florida. Ripping currents add a whole new playing field, and I would like to get certified by someone who has considerable experience in these gulf-stream type dives.

[WreckHunter]

Inlet,
I have asked many people for recommendations for a tech diving instructor in SE Fla. One name that kept popping up is Lesley Jacques Pitaro (Runawaylobster on Thedecostop) Mike Barnett and many others whos opinions I respect have recommended her highly. She is a NAUI instructor part time and is certified to teach trimix I, II and recently cave. She is very DIR in style and equipment and teaches that way (which I think is good) She does alot of deep wreck diving as her main focus so understands and teaches to that set of skills. She is who we want to take our next course with. Unfortunately she has been tied up lately dealing with some immigration problems with her husband so has not been easy to pin down.

jfjfjfjfjjfjfjfjf,
Regarding DIR spearfishing: My buddy and I think very highly of the DIR techniques/ style/ system, whatever you want to call it. We researched all the different agencies and DIR vs not DIR with an open mind. We came to the conclusion that DIR makes ALOT of sense for tech diving or cave diving. That said we did NOT drink the Koolaid! By that I mean we are not dyed in the wool hardcore DIR devotees who think anything not DIR is DIW. Most DIR divers I have met are not really that regimented. Don't judge us all by a few inflexible, closed minded goosesteppers who post B.S on the internet. I dove for 30 years recreationally before taking up tech and still own most of the same recreational gear. I still dive with my recreational buddies and wear my recreational gear on recreational dives. I teach my kids and dive with them in rec gear. BUT when I dive to 200' or more and do significant deco I will do it DIR, with tech gear, and with a trained tech diver buddy (DIR or not) or I won't do it at all. I am not saying anyone elses way is right or wrong and I have NO interest in getting in a big DIR debate with anyone but I want to do all I can to make my tech diving safer so I can come home to my family at the end of the day. After all diving is what I do for fun, I am not trying to prove anything.

[Jaizzen]

I'm not too sure about the DIR system and deep spearfishing. Some of the configurations seem like they may put you into a bind in a not so perfect enviornment. No debate here, dive what ever works for you and the situation. Just giving my observation.

Jason

[phlipper]

the guy who started dir owns pipewelders in lauderdale. he wuz a fisherman and a hunter b4 he wuz a diver so he started divin just to get fish. b4 he started doin the cave thing he and his budz used to like to spear deep on air. anyway if u want to lern how to do it right ya might want to ask him or the headhunter guys who taught them enough to get started. therz alot of tech propeller hedz out there that never ever even handled a gun and id remove all of em from any potential teacher lists.

[jfjf]

the guy who started dir owns pipewelders in lauderdale. he wuz a fisherman and a hunter b4 he wuz a diver so he started divin just to get fish. b4 he started doin the cave thing he and his budz used to like to spear deep on air. anyway if u want to lern how to do it right ya might want to ask him or the headhunter guys who taught them enough to get started. therz alot of tech propeller hedz out there that never ever even handled a gun and id remove all of em from any potential teacher lists.


Who can argue with this?

[jfjf]

Inlet,

Regarding DIR spearfishing: My buddy and I think very highly of the DIR techniques/ style/ system, whatever you want to call it. We researched all the different agencies and DIR vs not DIR with an open mind. We came to the conclusion that DIR makes ALOT of sense for tech diving or cave diving. That said we did NOT drink the Koolaid! By that I mean we are not dyed in the wool hardcore DIR devotees who think anything not DIR is DIW. Most DIR divers I have met are not really that regimented. Don't judge us all by a few inflexible, closed minded goosesteppers who post B.S on the internet. I dove for 30 years recreationally before taking up tech and still own most of the same recreational gear. I still dive with my recreational buddies and wear my recreational gear on recreational dives. I teach my kids and dive with them in rec gear. BUT when I dive to 200' or more and do significant deco I will do it DIR, with tech gear, and with a trained tech diver buddy (DIR or not) or I won't do it at all. I am not saying anyone elses way is right or wrong and I have NO interest in getting in a big DIR debate with anyone but I want to do all I can to make my tech diving safer so I can come home to my family at the end of the day. After all diving is what I do for fun, I am not trying to prove anything.


I just wonder what specific gear configurations and techniques you apply from GUE that are superior in your opinion for Spearfishing. It seems no one mentions DIR here anyway, so I hope it wouldn't get into a koolaid drinkers pissing match.

I specifically wonder how the buddy team approach works. It would seem that if multiple members of the team are shooting simultaneously (or even actively hunting) then the strict (or what I perceive as strict) buddy diving protocol would be diificult to implement. In other words, how do two or three guys really watch each other if they are all fighting their own fish?

[GRIM REEFER]

Yea, This type of protocol could never work spearfishing :D


http://www.wkpp.org/seperationprotocol.htm

[GRIM REEFER]

We have no excuses for buddy separation lasting more than seconds. We stay as close as possible at all times. If you are not bumping into your buddy from time to time, you are too far away.

I may have a pissed off buddy if I stayed that close

[WreckHunter]

I just wonder what specific gear configurations and techniques you apply from GUE that are superior in your opinion for Spearfishing. ?

Not superior for spearfishing per se, just better for real deep, with significant deco (in my opinion). I would be curious what about DIR gear config anyone thinks is unsafe or unwise for spearfishing. I am not trolling hear but sincerely interested in opinions. What problems have you seen or anticipate spearing with that gear configuration? To be honest most of my spearfishing has been less than 150 ft and wearing rec gear. But I can't see any reason why my tech gear would not be the safest thing to use when tech diving whether spearfishing or not.

I specifically wonder how the buddy team approach works. It would seem that if multiple members of the team are shooting simultaneously (or even actively hunting) then the strict (or what I perceive as strict) buddy diving protocol would be diificult to implement. In other words, how do two or three guys really watch each other if they are all fighting their own fish?

Obviously the strict, close buddy team system would get in the way when you are each hunting. I think a diver always has to be flexible and adapt to the circumstances. Also we each have to be self reliant. But that doesn't mean the buddy system and redundant sytems are not a very good idea especially when diving with a ceiling (whether the ceiling is a cave roof, wreck penetration or a deco obligation)

[gulfdiver]

Didn't know where to post this so..........

TEC 1

Saturday July 1, through Tuesday July 4, 2006

Tec 1 class information: full price is $700.
With a $200. non refundable deposit.

Saturday July 1, we will meet at Morrison Springs at 8:00 am in Ponce-De-leon Florida for class and dives 1 and 2.
Dive fee is free.

Sunday July 2, we can meet at Vortex Springs in Ponce-De-leon www.vortexsprings.com at 8:00am dives 3, 4 and class. dive fee $25.00.

Sunday July 2, after the dives we will drive to Alabama Blue Water Adventures in Pelham Alabama. http://www.divealabama.com ( Approximately a 4 hour drive from Vortex.)


Monday July 3, we will meet at Alabama Blue Water Adventures at 8:00am for dives 5 and 6 and 3 final exams.
Dive fee $30.00

Sunday July 4, we will meet at Alabama Blue Water Adventures at 8:00am for dive 7 and final paperwork.
Dive fee $30.00. Conclusion of the Tec 1 class. Graduation and certification for the Tec 1 class.

Gas Information:

Tec 1 class
Back gas 21%
Stage bottle 32% ( 1 alum 80 )
Deco Bottle 50% ( 1 alum 80)

Instructor: Jeff Loflin PADI CD18604

Contact: Gary at Gary’s Gulf Divers 251-968-4279

[cebump]

Gary,

Where is Alabama Blue Water Adventures ?

Brian Bumpers

[gulfdiver]

Gary,

Where is Alabama Blue Water Adventures ?

Brian Bumpers

Pelam, Al.

[GUNRUNNER]

Do You Guys Think The Recreational Trimix Course Is A Good Starter Course If You Are Thinking Of Going Deeper Eventually Or Is It A Waste Of Time And Money. Thanks, Jw

[dagodiver]

Do You Guys Think The Recreational Trimix Course Is A Good Starter Course If You Are Thinking Of Going Deeper Eventually Or Is It A Waste Of Time And Money. Thanks, Jw


I dont think any class tought properly is a waste of time or money.
I have been diving for 25 years and still am taking classes. :rolleyes:
I am a slow learner.


Dago.

[EL GAVILAN]

TDI is currently ADV.NITROX, DECO TECNIQUES,EXTENDED RANGE, then TRIMIX (no longer called entry)which is 200ft. NAUI is ADV.NITROX,DECO,HELITROX,then TRIMIX I. Jim

[Thunderball]

Tony,

thanks for starting this section on spearboard. Since taking the advanced nitrox and decompression classes with Chad 2 years ago, I routinely and confidentally, penetrate the 130FSW mark and make decompression dives, while spearfishing. Those dives are often challenging (currents, colder, darker, larger fish, gas management issues, lift bag deployment). Most importantly, it requires a mind-set change from "buddy diving" to diving independently. Until now, those of us who have been using technical diving skills to hunt have been doing so in the shadows. It will be nice to have a forum we can use to share ideas.

btw - I'd agree with Chad about seeking training from someone who actually spearfishes. Tech diving is dangerous enough. When you add the complexities of hunting, it really requires top notch training.

Dirk P.

[Chad Carney]

TDI is currently ADV.NITROX, DECO TECNIQUES,EXTENDED RANGE, then TRIMIX (no longer called entry)which is 200ft. Jim

That's close but not entirely correct. Extended Range is not a prerequisite for Trimix, the others are.

This thread has been sitting for a while but continues to get a lot of traffic and I just noticed this while re-reading it.

Divers that have less than 50 dives and shallower than 100 feet would benefit from a recreational "Deep Diving" specialty prior to going tech.

Here's an interesting article called "Technical Spearfishing II",
scanned from Spearfishing Magazine in 2001. It features the story of Dan (Head Hunter) MacMahon and I in our TDI Trimix class... 75 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.mobilescuba.com/Technical%20Spearfishing%20II.htm(1).htm

Both of us shot carbos much bigger than this 83 pounder attached!

Chad

[Ydiveman]

New to the board. Recently moved down here from the frozen north. This is a facinating thread!! Thank you Tony for starting it. That 5 in one course deal sounds like a great educational experience!:thumps:

[Chad Carney]

Ydiveman,

Welcome to Florida and Spearboard!

It's funny, I haven't looked at this thread in nearly a year.

Where are you and that green water from?

Chad

[one shot]

Not superior for spearfishing per se, just better for real deep, with significant deco (in my opinion). I would be curious what about DIR gear config anyone thinks is unsafe or unwise for spearfishing. I am not trolling hear but sincerely interested in opinions. What problems have you seen or anticipate spearing with that gear configuration?
(whether the ceiling is a cave roof, wreck penetration or a deco obligation)

My stage bottle under my left arm gets in the way of loading my gun. Otherwise my tech gear config. is excellent for spearfishing. 95% of my dives are solo dives.

[Chad Carney]

one shot,

My frozen extremities and brain would all be prohibitive to spearfishing!

Do you shoot fish in MN?

Chad

[kwyoungspear]

how old do you have to be 18 right?

[Chad Carney]

Kaynan,

Yeah 18 for almost all TDI tech classes. Nitrox can start at 15. Advanced Nitrox can too, but most take it with Decompression Procedures which is also 18 minimum.

My advice would be to read all the dive texts you can, and build a big pyramid of dive experience. It's ok to know more & have more dives than divers with C-cards. :)

Nice black BTW!

Chad

[kwyoungspear]

thanks. and i've used nitrox on a couple of dives and know the basics to that. i dive every week about 8 dives a day so by the time i am 18 i think i will have some pretty good experience.