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yojinbukai
17 September 2010, 12:47
Just finished my NSS-CDS cavern diving certification course. It was only two days, but it was private instruction and pretty intense. As a fairly accomplished open water diver I felt confident going in but got beat up by my wetsuit for a little while. It was the first time I've dived in a full 7mm suit.

I must say that if you want to get better at any aspect of diving and push yourself a little, this is a great course. Following a line, blind, while sharing air, is pretty cool. Doing the same thing without a mask on at all was even better.

I'm seriously thinking of hitting the advanced nitrox course before I go back to to work next month. If any of you folks dive doubles and have any tips, I'd love to hear them.
N2Narkosis
17 September 2010, 13:01
Nice, I'm looking forward to starting my cert. I'm currently Advanced- Open Water qual. How much did the course cost you?
yojinbukai
17 September 2010, 14:16
The tuition was $350, plus tank rentals, and $25 for the card fee. $400 plus expenses. I bought a new Dive Rite reg set and had to buy some reels, snaps, and stuff.

Did it down in Ginnie Springs, so you could do it as a commute if you had to.
slowloud&harmless
17 September 2010, 14:27
If you get the opportunity at some point, check out Aukimal Mexico (spelling?) and dive the cenotes. Cavern or Cave dive levels available and its cool as hell.
N2Narkosis
20 September 2010, 08:11
The tuition was $350, plus tank rentals, and $25 for the card fee. $400 plus expenses. I bought a new Dive Rite reg set and had to buy some reels, snaps, and stuff.

Did it down in Ginnie Springs, so you could do it as a commute if you had to.

Ah, Ginnie Springs, I love that place. Crappy diving, though, if you aren't cave certified.
Wootnik
20 September 2010, 21:17
If you are going to do doubles and get further into Cave diving, would recommend side mount. I have dove both side mount and back mount, Side mount is a lot more comfortable in the water, and it is nice not hitting your tanks on everything.
mdavid
20 September 2010, 21:20
Girlfriend and i completed full cave last year. Been really enjoying the springs in Florida and Mexico. We used side mount config through out training, no way was my gal going to carry doubles.
http://www.youtube.com/mdavid01
N2Narkosis
20 September 2010, 21:41
Girlfriend and i completed full cave last year. Been really enjoying the springs in Florida and Mexico. We used side mount config through out training, no way was my gal going to carry doubles.
http://www.youtube.com/mdavid01

Nice video! Makes me want to start filming my own dives!