Some thoughts about «DIY training» vs official, instructor-based training

gtzavelas

I have been diving my pSCR unit for about a year with out any formal training. So far I have managed not to kill myself!!! I did a lot of reading and practicing drills I could locate in textbooks and/or the web. After having logged enough hours I started to “push” the limits (doing deeper dives up to 100m / longer cave penetrations etc…). Although these dives went OK and were with out problems I started to realize that maybe my self-training may not be enough to address possible problems at these extended ranges.

At the same time I had also been studying the pros and cons of CCRs and contemplating whether I should move from a SCR to a CCR. Back then I had serious reservations for eCCR units and this was mostly based on the numbers of accidents with eCCR units I had read about.

So at the end I decided to:
(A) get some formal training and
(B) do the training on a CCR units to see first hand the advantages / disadvantages so I could then compare and decide on the SCR vs CCR dilemma

So after some research I decided the unit that I wanted to try most was the Meg. One of the deciding factors was that I would have the the choice between the COPIS and the eMEG. I was still not sure if I wanted a mCCR or an eCCR
After deciding on the unit, I had to pick an instructor. I wanted someone with a long experience (also deed stuff) and cave experience so after a short investigation I chose to train with Cedric.

Now after completing the course here are some thoughts on the subject: «DIY training» vs official, instructor-based training:

Theory: that the easy part, most of the stuff I had already covered, (not that difficult with all these books, RBW(!) and the web…).

Practical advice / answer to questions: well, having an experienced instructor can not be replaced by any amount of self -study or asking questions on the web (even RBW!). You get specific reliable questions that you know can be trusted…

Drills / emergency procedures: having an instructor you do drills you could not do by your self. Multiple difficult failure scenarios that I did not dare to try or simulate alone...In addition you have someone that afterwards debriefs you and explains what you did wrong / correct.

Practical advise of what works, what does not work and what is BS. Again the same this would take a very- very long time to learn by yourself. What you gain in this kind of training apart from the official curriculum is a transfer of “hard learned experience” that I think is invaluable.

Bottom line: money spent on training with a good instructor is well worth it
I believe that in the few days it took to do the course, I managed to learn more than I did over the past year… I wanted to share this as a message to all self-trained rebreather divers. The quality of training and quantity of knowledge you get from a good instructor, simply cannot be beat!

Some additional thoughts about the eCCRs: I have now concluded (that at least for me and my type of diving) that the added benefits of CCRs greatly overcome their added complications / potential problems. I also realized that all of the failure modes that I was “afraid” of (reading them on the net/books) can be dealt with proper training and correct procedures (again I am referring to the specific unit as I can't talk about other units). In fact I was really surprised of the number of multiple failures that can be dealt while staying on the loop utilizing the big “toolbox” of solutions that the trained diver has. Its just a matter of training, practice skills and being very careful, conservative and competent.

Resolution: just ordered an APECS2 Meg and I am already planning my Trimix CCR course with Cedric in a few months!

Imagine that some time ago I was thinking: if you have CCR training and OC Trimix what’s the point of doing a CCR Trimix course… Well I now know just a bit more…you never stop learning as they say…


Safe Diving
George


PS: I have a RECY pSCR for sale!

kkcheo

Congrats on your new certification.

We share a few things in common, in that I took my time deciding the eCCR and also choosing an instruction. However, as a PADI Instructor, I appreciate and value professional training and will not have the ballzzz to "go it alone".

I would say choosing an instructor who has adequate experience on the try of diving you're interested in, especially when we're talking about eCCR (so much to think of, so much to do, so much can go wrong) and that you're comfortable to work with is of utmost importance.

Cheers and dive safe
-Keng

Mikel-Deko

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us...
All what you said make me think about my trainnig
I was talking with my instructor a few weeks ago and i tell him to make a "kind of remind" or "update" because, even if you make some skills on your own, you can't correct yourself.
I will speak with him again

In the other hand... don't sell your PSCR...one day you will need it as a BOB

Best
Mikel

__________________
Mikel-Deko
Basque Country
www.olatu.net

"DIR is the nanny state for divers who cannot think on their own" Ron Micjan