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AN/DP Class

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 1:22 pm
by Nwcid
Beth and I are looking at doing the Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedure class.

I just emailed Mel Clark, but our schedules never quite seem to line up. I hear Randy Williams is also a good instructor.

Are there any other recommendations? We are only have a short window, around the first week of April, to get this class done or it might not happen till fall.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 3:48 pm
by WylerBear
Don Kinney at Hoodsport 'n' Dive does an excellent class. SDI/TDI certification.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:01 pm
by bm5w
Hey John,
Talk to Brian and Jeanna, at frogkickdiving.com. I know you guys have done a lot of training with Bob. Having taken classes from both, I have found their teaching styles and philosophies complementary. Small warning... helium is addictive...
Mark

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:14 pm
by Nwcid
Thanks for the hints. Again right now I big one is finding someone that can meet our time table.

Mark I know you have done quite a bit and was hoping you would put in your info. I am sure it is. We are looking CCR in the next year or so. Had a little set back in our time frame with a remodel of our house and I had a knee injury with surgery. Now all is good and we are back on track.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:20 pm
by verrinne
Randy is a great instructor hes one of my dive buddies, hes extremely qualified having around 40+ years of diving experience, and hes done pretty much everything. Im going to be taking his class within the next month or 2

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:21 pm
by verrinne
And he can work around your schedule very well.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 7:33 pm
by mz53480
+1 for Don K at Hoodsport.
He has a class coming up on 3/16.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:01 pm
by CaptnJack
Are you specifically looking for AN/DP or something comparable?
AN/DP is a TDI/SDI specific progression, other agencies have their own unique names/step for roughly similar training depths. AN/DP by itself doesn't include any helium (something I would recommend, you're more narced than you realize even at 130ft). But TDI/SDI does allow instructors to add helium to that class - I just forget what they call that upgrade.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 11:39 am
by Nwcid
CaptnJack wrote:Are you specifically looking for AN/DP or something comparable?
AN/DP is a TDI/SDI specific progression, other agencies have their own unique names/step for roughly similar training depths. AN/DP by itself doesn't include any helium (something I would recommend, you're more narced than you realize even at 130ft). But TDI/SDI does allow instructors to add helium to that class - I just forget what they call that upgrade.
That is a great question. Basically we are looking at getting into CCR in the next year or so. When we were looking at it a couple of years ago, that was one of the "pre reqs". Basically I won't to get stuff done early that helps us get to that goal and also have time to interact with it before the next step. I know there are times you can do 2,3,4 classes at the same time, but I would rather get a little experience between each step.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 12:50 pm
by CaptnJack
AN is not a pre-req for every CCR cert. It depends on the agency, which will depend on the unit and instructor. I know its a requirement for a TDI CCR cert since the CCR has pure O2 on it and a "regular" nitrox cert only gets you access to max 40%.

Deco procedures is not a pre-req for any CCR course or unit I'm aware of, but I might be wrong about that.

Not that AN/DP is a bad thing to take, but I think any introductory tech course that gives you access to mixes greater than 40% would satisfy the "or equivalent" course requirements so you could choose any unit/instructor/agency. I would go with something that gives you access to helium fills as you will want modest amounts of helium in your CCR diluent even if you are using it at "only" 100ft. A 21/35 fill for a CCR is dirt cheap and so much nicer to breathe than air (reduced density is even more noticeable on CCR).

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 2:06 pm
by GearHead
TDI's Advanced Nitrox class also functions as an intro to technical diving. This means that you get to practice helicopter turns, back kick, etc. It's a good class to get you started with the tech mindset, in addition to allowing use of higher O2 Nitrox mixes.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 2:16 pm
by Nwcid
Makes sense. I guess I misspoke about it being a true pre-req, but more of a suggestion. When I originally got this information, about 2 years ago, it would have been from Mel who is TDI.

I am aware different agencies have different requirements. I am ok with equivalent courses, it was just my understanding this was a good one. My understanding was that AN/DP was good pre-CCR. Then the first CCR class was Air Diluent, then the next one was mixed gas to ~200', then the 3rd level was mixed gas beyond ~200'.

Basically I am back in the research stage, picking up from a while back. Part of that research is finding an instructor to get us lined out on the right path for what we want to do.

I do appreciate all the feedback on this site, that is why I keep asking questions. So is there a better option then AN/DP? Is there a reason no to take AN/DP?

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 2:41 pm
by CaptnJack
AN/DP is an "air" class (unless you go with an instructor offering the helium upgrade, I know Dave Tomlin on Vancouver Is. offers it [exclusively?] with a helium upgrade). I believe the current cert limit for AN/DP is 160ft. You'll be narced out of your gourd at 160ft on air (whether you admit it or not). I would avoid classes that suggest that air diving at 150ft in the PNW is just ducky fine. Lots of people do it, however its pretty controversial. At the very least get the helium upgrade so you can decide if you prefer a more realistic mix.

Alternatively, you could (for instance):
Take a NAUI tech class that gives you access to 26/17 trimix (but my understanding is that this standard gas is a bit flexible) and O2. Do a years worth of diving in the 90-150ft range with at least a slightly less narced head. Take MOD1 (air diluent) for your CCR of choice. Do a bunch of shallow air dil dives. Whenever you feel like your CCR skills are par with your OC skills go ahead and dive it with modest trimix in the same depth range (0 to 150ft) for another year. Take a more advanced trimix class if you decide you want/need it.

Could do the same with UTD (open circuit gas would be 25/25 with O2 for deco to start)
Ditto with GUE (open circuit gas would be 21/35 and 50% post Tech1)
Basically, you don't have to go down a TDI/SDI path to get to a CCR if you don't want to.

I can't think of any other agencies represented locally besides TDI, NAUI, UTD, and GUE. Hopefully someone with correct me if I missed one.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 2:56 pm
by Nwcid
After lots of reading since becoming a diver we have no plans of dropping below 130' on air. Even CCR we do not plan on breaking the ~200' mark. It just seems there is a lot of stuff to see in the 150-200' range, both in the PWN and while traveling. The cost and weight (for my wife) of doing OC vs CCR in the long run seem to be fairly comparable. Of course OC the costs are over time adding things, where CCR is mostly up front.

I will do more research on those classes. I am aware TDI is not the only choice for CCR. Mel just seems to be one of the more popular choices. If we go with Meg's and get them new we will probably train directly with ISC since they are local. Who better to train with then the maker.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:04 pm
by CaptnJack
There are quite a few other CCR instructors than Mel (who I haven't taken a class from). Some of the other threads here list some, but it will depend on the unit you end up with. If you chose a Kiss you can't take a class form Mel as she isn't a Kiss instructor - for instance.

Currently popular local units are JJ, Kiss, Revo, and Megalodon. SF2 has potential but is just starting out locally. Hammerheads and optimas are rare but possible to find occasionally.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 6:29 pm
by Jeff Pack
TDI takes you 4 classes to get to mod 3 (100M) IANTD takes 3.

Mel teaches optima, revo, JJ and Meg.

IANTD has what they call Mod1 /ART (Advanced rec trim mix) which certifies you with He to 160ft. Thats essentially Mod1 with some extra stuff and you are at 160ft. ART will teach you all the dive planning you'll need. From that, Mod 2 and mod 3 are a breeze.

Keep in mind though that deeper, means longer, which means additional thermal protection requirements, etc. Diving 2+ hours in our cold waters, unless you have a lot of biopreen, gets real cold, especially for deco.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:02 pm
by Nwcid
Thanks for the extra info. Still doing lots of research.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2016 12:23 pm
by Nwcid
Thanks for all the input.

Looks like we found an instructor, now just need to confirm dates.

We will be doing NAUI Technical Decompression Diver and Helitrox.

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2016 3:31 pm
by CaptnJack
who, where, when? :)

you might find that this is enough and never bother with a CCR btw, they are potentially fun to learn to dive but also a big pita lol

Re: AN/DP Class

Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2016 3:40 pm
by Nwcid
Well who is coffered

When is harder, still working on schedules but it looks like 3 weekends between April and June.

Where probably a lot at Redondo, because my truck and trailer (all our gear and tanks) have easy parking there. Other sites as needed.

While I understand what you are saying I still see CCR in our future. Sounds like the Pathfinder might be right for what we want to do. The weight of doubles will not work for my wife and being eastsiders getting trimix is not a simple trip to the dive shop.