Thread: Scuba Diving

I love diving. only have about 20, had all the gear the great thing benig once you have it you can dive really cheap (air fills). actually Ididn't have tanks so rented them. problem was I had no friends that dove, and the friends I had gave me a lot fo grief if I dove alone. I would like to pick it up again though.

at one point I paid for my girlfriend and brother to take lessons, bought my brother a bc and all the basic gear. he never would make time or rent the extra stuff, she made a tropical dive and refused to dive cold water any more.

Red

I'm new to it but I have my OW and AOW/Nitrox and dive as often as possible.

For what it's worth I'm a SCUBA instructor

trained open water and advanced through PADI then went through the SSI system to become an Instructor and a platinum level (1000+dives) diver...I have personally certified over 300 divers and I love SCUBA!

Originally Posted by sinnfein

havent been yet but totally want to, i would love to do some open ocean dives. i might look into it when i get back from iraq. can anybody reccommend equipment types like brand names or a good place to buy from?

-dan-

I can tell you my thoughts about gear...( I worked in a dive shop and taught SCUBA classes and my little brother is an aqualung/seaquest master technician)

I don't think there is a BC on the market that compares with the SeaQuest Pro QD..
Aqualung Regulators (legend or Titan lines) are my preferred regs, but scubapros have treated me nicely too. Atomic regs are pricey, but good

Stay away from IST gear and Dacor (dacor is actually not a bad product...it's just that they have ceased production and will not continue to make parts for repairs or service).


My 2 cents
If you have any gear questions PM me and I'll give you my opinions... I've used almost every brand out there

Originally Posted by droche

A local dive shop is your best bet for all of the above. A lot of this is subjective and these are my opinions; I'm sure there will be disagreement.

You can get certified at resorts but my observations are that the training you would get from a local dive shop is more thorough. The resort courses for the most part cover the bare essentials and IMHO you would not want to venture in other than shallow, clear water with their training. The two most popular certifying agencies are National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) and Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). I would seek out a dive shop that offers either of these certifications. ...... I don't know how SSI rates .....
.

Also buying from the internet automatically cancels the manufacture warranty for most major brands... they release statements for their dealers to post on their walls to warn customers...

As far as certifications courses go... YMCA actually started dive training, PADI has certified the most divers, NAUI is a good and technically thorough course, SSI is a VERY good program, and ALL are recognized internationally. All of the programs (except NAUI)are governed by the RSTC that sets the standards for dive training. Here is more on that RSTC business


Most of the differences come down to naming identical skills differently so each org. can sell their own books. All of these programs are great, and SSI believes that they eliminated one technique that PADI teaches because the technique itself was unsafe... SSI actually has the most conservative practices for things like ascent rates etc..... sorry to go on... to sum up, find the SHOP you like best and you'll get the training you need.

Another diver here....PADI Divemaster....fun stuff

I was certified by NAUI and YMCA in 1965. Throughout high school and college, I dove almost every weekend, Winter included in the icy waters of New England. That came to an end when I got married in '73. I managed to make it to the Florida Keys twice, La Jolla once and just a few years ago -- Cozumel. That one got the saltwater in my blood pumping again. I wish I'd never stopped. My son got the chance to try it in Roatan a few months ago. Made me envious.

Certified technical to 170'. Was once thinking I would love to dive the Andrea Doria off the NJ coast. But I can't rationalize the additional expenses for the required certs at age 57. Love most all places to dive. Yes, even the quarry for training and practice. Never been narced, nor have I ever been bent.

Man, you guys have lots of certifications. I live in Florida and I'm only open water. I want to get my Nitrox, wreck diver, night diver, Deep, stuff like that. I live in No.Florida and we have cave and cavern's that are great for diving. A really extensive cave system called, "Ginnie Springs". I see guys there with Re breathers. That's the way to go if your cavin'.
Of course, I'm minutes from the Ocean. I have a Zeagle ranger ltd BC and Atomic Aquatics reg, amongst other stuff...

Been diving since i was able to get certified (13yrs now) and never really went beyond open water as far as certifications, though i did get AAUS dive certification. I love diving and that is what got me into marine science and eventually led me to the Virgin Islands (where i am working on my master's). The diving is phenomenal here compared to FL where i was born and raised. The Ningaloo Reef in Australia was better but who can complain... really because you just cant beat the feeling of being under water. I would propose that right now anyway, the best brands for regs are Apeks and atomic; however, as others have stated they are expensive. For BCs Zeagle is good, but everyone has their favorites.

Originally Posted by dward

Certified technical to 170'. Was once thinking I would love to dive the Andrea Doria off the NJ coast. But I can't rationalize the additional expenses for the required certs at age 57. Love most all places to dive. Yes, even the quarry for training and practice. Never been narced, nor have I ever been bent.

In regards to the quote above I am wondering how they have NEVER been narced, epecially at those depths (170'), because everyone gets narced to some degree especially below 100'. My collegues and I routinely make dives to 140' during fish/coral surveys and everyone gets narced. Being narced isn't something you should be ashamed of though i think a lot of divers consider it some kind of weakness. The reality is that it will happen if you dive long enough. It may be minimal this dive then be severe the next, and the depth at which you are affected may change as well, which is why it's important to recognize the signs and react appropriately. If you just realize what is happening and dive within your limits you should be fine.

Originally Posted by zib

Man, you guys have lots of certifications. I live in Florida and I'm only open water. I want to get my Nitrox, wreck diver, night diver, Deep, stuff like that. I live in No.Florida and we have cave and cavern's that are great for diving. A really extensive cave system called, "Ginnie Springs". I see guys there with Re breathers. That's the way to go if your cavin'.
Of course, I'm minutes from the Ocean. I have a Zeagle ranger ltd BC and Atomic Aquatics reg, amongst other stuff...

Most of the things you want to see are above 50' anyway. I love to hover on a reef and watch all the critters go about their daily business. What's really cool is that the little 'uns are first scared, then when they figure out you aren't there to eat them they ignore you, then it dawns on them that you're pretty big so you become protection for them.

Great wreck diving off Cape Hatteras. Not only the wrecks, but lots of sand tigers too. However, you will need deep water certs because most really cool wrecks are below 100', including a few U-boats. Be careful with Nitrox. It does give you more bottom time and less surface interval. But not safe below 135', depending on the mixture.

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Great Site.