| Author | Message | ||
| Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 568 Registered: 8-2002 |
Todd, SCUBA diving is awesome!! There are several diving courses you can take to get 'certified' for your 'open water 1': PADI - Easiest to qualify for. Also the most widely known. YMCA - Also fairly easy to qualify for. NAUI - A bit more difficult CMAS - Most difficult - International You can go on to get further cerifications if you want, but for recreational diving 'OW1' is sufficient. Once you get familiar with diving, a night dive is increadible! Many things come out at night. Plus, your attention is focused simply on where your light is. You also don't have the fading of the natural sunlight spectrum due to the depth when using an underwater spotlight so colors are more vibrant. So many beautiful places to dive!!!! | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Intermediate Member Username: Peters Post Number: 1622 Registered: 1-2003 |
Also. part II: Take your base course at a local pool and do your open-water dives during a vacation in a warm place. Get the hard stuff out of the way while at home, not on vacation. | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Intermediate Member Username: Peters Post Number: 1621 Registered: 1-2003 |
Also! Never forget: When you see a shark, stab your buddy! | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Intermediate Member Username: Peters Post Number: 1620 Registered: 1-2003 |
Todd..I have this Ocianic BC & 2-stage reg. Its ten years new, always fresh-water rinsed after all (15-20) dives. It is great gear in perfect condition. The new BC's though have integrated weight belts which are very nice to have. The drawback is that all dive charters you go on may not have the integrated belts to use and you do not want to pay the extra $$ to fly with them. I'll throw in a near perfect 1/4" full wetsuit, large, for $300. I do not use the gear any longer.  | ||
| Jason W (Pristines4)
Member Username: Pristines4 Post Number: 780 Registered: 12-2002 |
NAUI is greater than PADI. (FYI) | ||
| Andrew H (Stokpro)
Member Username: Stokpro Post Number: 253 Registered: 6-2003 |
I would recommend doing the basic drills (mask off, switching regulators, etc.) in a pool first. If you panic for some reason, you can just stand up in a pool. I completed my first two open dives this summer in Maui (Molokini Crater) it was awesome! Constantly having to "pop" my ears was probably the most difficult thing to learn, but you overcome it eventually. Good luck! | ||
| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 997 Registered: 10-2001 |
"Holding your breath has NOTHING to do with SCUBA" I think he means when you take some of your most basic test... before we got to the tanks we had to swim to the bottom of the pool and put mask on and clear it. For a fish it is no problem, but some people come to scuba with no real swiming ability, or even know how to open their eyes underwater  Wasn't there another test? you had to put all your gear on at the bottom of the 12 foot pool. | ||
| Brian Saligman (Brisalig)
Junior Member Username: Brisalig Post Number: 199 Registered: 8-2002 |
Holding your breath has NOTHING to do with SCUBA. Actually, its extremely dangerous to not breathe. Always breathe!! you dont wanna break a lung. I have been diving for 6 years...and am a Master Scuba Diver. I dive for fun...and also for work over the summer with a small salvage company. Its an absolute blast. Feel free to email me with specific questions Regards, Brian | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 3111 Registered: 9-2001 |
I've been diving for over a decade now and love it. I recommend getting your certification from a 5 Star PADI facility. I did my lessons in a pool in the Atlanta area and my open water dive work in Jamaica. My wife did hers in the Caymen Islands. We both dive several times a year in the Caribbean and are in fact going to Saba next month. | ||
| Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
Intermediate Member Username: 4re308 Post Number: 1113 Registered: 6-2001 |
You have to be a good swimmer. Holding your breath for a minute or more and opening your eyes underwater helps too. I was in the Bahamas a few months ago, and the current was SO strong I was exhausted after the 25 minute dive! Scuba is absolutely amazing!! I love it! | ||
| todd (Flat12)
Junior Member Username: Flat12 Post Number: 54 Registered: 7-2003 |
Any info for a rookie? Want to get strted in this. |