After a great trip to the Caribbean, I am considering going the next step and trying the scuba thing. However, I don't want to drop 1k on a hobby to get certified if I am only going to do it once every couple years. So wondering how often you guys make it to the coast for a dive... I know Washowi is really active. How about the rest of you?
How often do you scuba?
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I FW dive once or twice a year to keep my skills up. I usually try to hit the islands (or at least Panama City) once a year to make a few tank dives. I used to have all my own equipment till it got stolen (or lost) coming back from the Dominican Republic. I liked having my own BCD and stuff, but I do not think it is by any means a MUST. Given your size though (Big Boy) I would suggest that you have your own BCD to make sure you have one that fits when you do want to dive. You will want your own fins, mask and suit. Your Octo, computer, and other things can be rented until you are sure it is something that you are going to stick with.
Being big and tall, I already have a multi-layer wetsuit, weight belt, fins and mask (which are pretty high end and will work with a scuba setup). I figured I would be on the hook for a BCD and regulator. I am concerned about shelling out 1000 to 1500 for training and equipment then going every other year or something.
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Octo = Regulator and IMHO is an optional thing to buy off the bat. Some people like knowing that they have their own octo that they can trust.
See, I would wait and maybe get certified on your next island trip. It is ok to do it here but many times it is more expensive. Here you have to pay for the class and then go somewhere for your open water dives. Some places allow you to do your open water dives in Lake Lanier or other FW spots. It is ok, but not an option in the winter time (belive me, I have dove in Lanier in the winter and even in a dry suit, it is really cold!). So you have to take a trip to do your open water dives. That is where it gets really expensive.
When you do it on vacation, you can take a discovery dive for CHEAP. You will recieve about 2 hours of instruction and then dive with the dive master. If it is something that you like, most of the time they will credit the cost of your discovery dive to the cost of certification. So it is like getting a free dive. Then you read a book, take a test, and do some open water dives. Bad part about it is your have to "study" on your vacation for a night or two.
Only you know how often you will go. What are your and Nancy's plans for future vacations. Are you willing to hit a diving spot once or twice a year. (I'll take you spearfishing anytime you want!)
See, I would wait and maybe get certified on your next island trip. It is ok to do it here but many times it is more expensive. Here you have to pay for the class and then go somewhere for your open water dives. Some places allow you to do your open water dives in Lake Lanier or other FW spots. It is ok, but not an option in the winter time (belive me, I have dove in Lanier in the winter and even in a dry suit, it is really cold!). So you have to take a trip to do your open water dives. That is where it gets really expensive.
When you do it on vacation, you can take a discovery dive for CHEAP. You will recieve about 2 hours of instruction and then dive with the dive master. If it is something that you like, most of the time they will credit the cost of your discovery dive to the cost of certification. So it is like getting a free dive. Then you read a book, take a test, and do some open water dives. Bad part about it is your have to "study" on your vacation for a night or two.
Only you know how often you will go. What are your and Nancy's plans for future vacations. Are you willing to hit a diving spot once or twice a year. (I'll take you spearfishing anytime you want!)
I think getting to the water won't be a big deal, but wonder how many people take the classes do it for a year or two then quit.
I already know how I would get certified. Online classroom, trip to Jacksonville over a long weekend for private lessons, dive and certification. The cost isn't that bad actually, but factor in vacation time, travel, hotel, starter gear and it adds up and I kinda want a dirtbike. Trying to figure out which one I would rather have.
I already know how I would get certified. Online classroom, trip to Jacksonville over a long weekend for private lessons, dive and certification. The cost isn't that bad actually, but factor in vacation time, travel, hotel, starter gear and it adds up and I kinda want a dirtbike. Trying to figure out which one I would rather have.
I have all my own equipment (except tanks) so that helps...Also, I have found if you have a regular dive partner (or perhaps belong to a dive club) it makes things a bit easier to plan trips. I have only managed one dive trip in the past year and that was to Belize. Sometimes work and the dissertation gets in the way. 
BUT, DO IT. Scuba diving is the ultimate pleasure for me. There is NOTHING I would rather do. Nothing. 
BUT, DO IT. Scuba diving is the ultimate pleasure for me. There is NOTHING I would rather do. Nothing. It not a vacation without diving. I go at least 2-3 times a year. As Stacy said, finding a dive partner with the same time off can be an issue. I can say diving has changed my life for the better. I have met people from all around the world on dive trips, who share the same excitement for diving that I do. It takes me to exotic locations, warm climates, usually involves boating, and the views above and below are incredible.
P.S. After you feel comfortable diving, go for a night dive....now there's a different world. On my last night dive I was inked by a 2" squid (just larger than plankton)!
P.S. After you feel comfortable diving, go for a night dive....now there's a different world. On my last night dive I was inked by a 2" squid (just larger than plankton)!
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Just make sure this guy is not your instructor...
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sa1sachica
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I got certified this year and my boyfriend was already certified. We are debating about purchasing the rest of our dive gear. We went to Hawaii for my first dive in May and it was awesome. We haven't had the opportunity to dive since. Would love to find some other dive buddies to plan trips with!
Mark - love the scuba instructor - "Luben!"
Mark - love the scuba instructor - "Luben!"
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sa1sachica;245463 wrote: I got certified this year and my boyfriend was already certified. We are debating about purchasing the rest of our dive gear. We went to Hawaii for my first dive in May and it was awesome. We haven't had the opportunity to dive since. Would love to find some other dive buddies to plan trips with!
Mark - love the scuba instructor - "Luben!"
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000279/">[B]<span style="color: #003399">Claude</span>[/B]</a>: It's like zee story of zee heeppo.
[B][IMG]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001774/"><span style="color: #003399">Reuben Feffer</span></a>[/B]: I'm not familiar with that story.
[B][IMG]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000279/"><span style="color: #003399">Claude</span></a>[/B]: Zee heeppopotamoose, he is not born saying, "Cool beans. I am a heeppo." No way, Joesay. So he try to paint zee stripe on him to be like zee zebra, but he fool no one. Then he try to put zee spot on zee skin to be like the leopard, but everyboody know he is a heeppo. So, at certain point, he look himself in zee mirror and he just say, "Hey. I am a heeppopotamoose and zere is nothing I can do about it." As soon as he accepts zis, he live life happy. Happy as a heeppo. You understand zis, Luban?
[B][IMG]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001774/"><span style="color: #003399">Reuben Feffer</span></a>[/B]: [[I]long pause</em>] I'm gonna kill you!
Yep. I got certified right after college and while I don't dive nearly as much as I used to I'm still certified and still capable and comfortable under water. I don't own my own gear anymore--I just rent when I need it. You've got the basics covered Cam and you can add gear slowly when you find your interest growing--and it will!
(Oh, and Brandon, I got certified and grew up diving in Michigan--and remember one dive where I brushed the snow off the tent before putting my gear on and diving in Lake Superior in a wetsuit. Lanier cold!? c'mon!
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