Advice Required Please

[Penguin]

(16-09-2008 11:36 AM)ronnie the rhino Wrote:  Is it worth investing in a wing and twinset sooner than later,at least i would be getting used to a configuration that wouln't change too much when using tech gasses?

Wing - yes. Single tank versions are available, and when you get a twinset you can upgrade the wing and retain the backplate and harness - cheaper than a whole new set-up. You can mix wings, harnesses and backplates, even make up your own harness. They are amazingly adaptable, adjustable and versatile - unlike a fixed jacket style BCD.

Twins - i would stay single tank for now to build up experience. Twins are a whole new game, with a lot more to think about. Twin 12s are also very heavy, and you really need to be sure that you want to dive in them to want to lug them about! Going for a shore bimble with a long walk might not be so appealling if the only set in your garage is twin 12s... Two matched singles can also be easily banded together to make independent twins for trying out or for the deeper dives, or can be manifolded up later. Twin 7s are a good starting point for twinset diving, and have the benefit of giving a lovely small twinset for shore/small RHIB diving and you can get twin 12s for deeper stuff...

[neilh]

(16-09-2008 10:04 AM)Badknees Wrote:  Do your reseach ask lots of questions, find Good instructors who actually dive to the depths and beyond regularly, who have the experiance and knowledge to pass on to you.

BK's bang on, find a good, well regarded instructor and take it from there. The agency is almost irrelevant as most of the tech courses are fairly similar. Get a good instructor and you'll get good training. Choose by course alone and you may not.

(16-09-2008 11:36 AM)ronnie the rhino Wrote:  Is it worth investing in a wing and twinset sooner than later,at least i would be getting used to a configuration that wouln't change too much when using tech gasses?

A backplate and wing would definitely be a wise investment if you get on ok with one and you definitely want to go down the technical route. As mentioned above the advantage is that you can adjust the harness on a backplate to suit you and then just change the wing depending on whether you want to dive singles or twins.

[Sakara Drinker]

(16-09-2008 11:36 AM)ronnie the rhino Wrote:  Is it worth investing in a wing and twinset sooner than later,at least i would be getting used to a configuration that wouln't change too much when using tech gasses?

As others have said, I would certainly go for a wing and backplate. I use an OMS wing and harness with a single bladder wing and a single tank adaptor for most of my diving. If I go deeper I use twins and swap the wing for a dual bladder version so I have some extra redundancy.

[Jenkins]

Ronnie, sit down and think very carefully why you want to go down the techy route.
More bottom time can (certainly above 35m) be achieved by using the optimum nitrox mix. More gas can be achieved with a 15l and this is far easier to manhandle when diving off small boats (or in rough water), not to mention on land. Redundancy can be factored in with a pony.

For me I decided a twinset was needed because I didn't get a long enough bottom time without doing deco, I didn't have enough gas on a single to safely perform deco penalties and if planning a deco dive I wanted more redundancy than a pony. TBH if cost wasn't a factor I would still have a set of "single cyllinder" gear for use on shallow bimbles, instead I have to cope with the twins which although lovely in the water can be a PITA the rest of the time.

You don't have to do techy training to dive a twinset, although personally I would recomment it. My course was a whole new level up from PADI both mentally and in terms of the skills (and standard of skills) expected.

If you decide to wait a while take the oportunity to practice all your skills, be confident removing your mask and switching regs. Bouyancy should be second nature as should self discipline, so try setting yourself a depth limit and stick to it. Also make sure you are 100% confident (and self sufficient) with your own skills and not reliant of your buddy to look after you - techy diving is not about diving solo, but if the worst happens you need the skills to make a controlled ascent on your own.

As others have said choose the instructor carefully, TBH this is far more important than the choice of agency. Personally though I would highly recommend the Recreational Trimix from IANTD, this qualifies you to use up to EAN100 for deco and to a max depth of 48m. More importantly though by using Helium you reduce the narcotic effect at depth, thus making the dive safer and (at least in my case) more enjoyable.

Regarding upgrading your kit, as I said before I would resist the temptation to upgrade everything untill you know where you are going. That said if making new purchases, high quality regs (possibly including a long hose) and wing are undoubtedly the way forward, also as Penguin suggests think about choosing a hand held torch which can subsequently be used as a backup when you (eventually) upgrade to an umbillical.
Another piece of kit to think about is your choice of suit, if diving a twinset most(?) people will have the cyllinders upright which means you need to be able to reach back behind your shoulder to turn the valves off. So if buying a new dry/undersuit make sure you have good flexibility round the shoulders.

[miniman]

(16-09-2008 01:10 PM)neilh Wrote:  

(16-09-2008 10:04 AM)Badknees Wrote:  Do your reseach ask lots of questions, find Good instructors who actually dive to the depths and beyond regularly, who have the experiance and knowledge to pass on to you.

BK's bang on, find a good, well regarded instructor and take it from there. The agency is almost irrelevant as most of the tech courses are fairly similar. Get a good instructor and you'll get good training. Choose by course alone and you may not.

DIR diver agreeing with Badknees!!!! Could this be a marriage made in heaven?