Re: Anybody here SCUBA dive?
Plan your dive, then dive according to the plan! Leave some wiggle room in your dive plan too.
Leave only bubbles, take only pictures, and spend only time.
There's no such thing as "one size fits all," and no "this brand is best." What's best is what's best for you. So rent stuff like masks and BC's and regulators and fins, trying out different makes and models and then choose what's best for you before you spend money on gear. They don't all fit the same on every diver.
Try the low-volume masks (they fit close to your face, no side "windows" (they make me dizzy!) or other fancy stuff. Believe me, diving in a current is a pain with those big fancy masks.
The "lazy" diver is the best diver. In a current, do what you see the fish doing! Hug the reef or the bottom to stay out of the current and minimize turbulence. Make it easy for yourself!
Try reef dives, float dives, wreck dives, night dives! They all rock in their own wonderful way.
I always swim the anchor down and tie it off to the reef on reef dives. That's my backyard down there, and people who drag the anchor leave damage that looks like tire tracks on the reef where the flukes of the anchor have chewed up the reef. Some of the most popular dive spots offer buoys for boats to tie up to. They're anchored on the bottom very securely and are there to prevent the kind of damage I described caused by dragging anchor on the reefs.
It's the most awesome fun! You will absolutely love it. Even more fun when the wonder and beauty are shared with others!
NAUI-certified in Palm Beach, Florida
Re: Anybody here SCUBA dive?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Paqman
Consider getting your own mask. Go to a shop and get one that fits you well. Everybody's face is different, there is no "one size fits all" for masks, and a poorly fitting one will detract from your enjoyment of the dive. It doesn't have to be expensive, just right for you.
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This++
I dont SCUBA dive, but I used to do some pretty high end snorkling at about 30 to 40 feet. A good fitting mask and little anti-fog for the lense will make a world a difference. Plus used mask you run the risk of pinkeye.. It happend dont ask..
Re: Anybody here SCUBA dive?
From all these replies I gather that the mask is the most important piece of equipment that I shall have on me.. makes sense though. I wouldn't be able to do much if I can't see isn't it? :? :p
I plan to do the NAUI certification course too. From what I read their training is more rigorous than the PADI course and includes one extra dive at the beginner level.
Also.. do we use something like ear plugs to reduce the effect of pressure on the ears or do we do perform a valsalva manoeuvre each time?
At what depths do typical beginner open water divers get to dive to? How long can I stay beneath the waves?
Re: Anybody here SCUBA dive?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sharathpaps
.....
At what depths do typical beginner open water divers get to dive to? How long can I stay beneath the waves?
Normally everyone starts in a swimming pool about 4 feet deep. There is more to learning to dive then just diving. You will learn to get used to the equipment, learn how to breath using the equipment and learn to communicate underwater using hand signals. When the instructur is confident you have mastered the kiddy pool you may move on to deeper deaphs and more.
But honestly were all geeks here, about the most swimming you will get here is watching Laura Crofts digitally mastered rear end do some cave diving..
Re: Anybody here SCUBA dive?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sharathpaps
Also.. do we use something like ear plugs to reduce the effect of pressure on the ears or do we do perform a
valsalva manoeuvre each time?
Valsalva. Learning to equalise your ears is one of the main skills you'll learn on your early dives. Once you've nailed that and buoyancy the rest is just a few drills for emergencies and that's it, you're now a scuba diver!
How deep you go depends on what kind of course you're doing. Recreational dives are 30-40m tops, but the deeper you go the less time you have, so there's nothing wrong with diving shallow if there's enough to look at. How long you stay down depends on how deep you are and how hard you suck on your air. The trick is to relax, breathe slowly and don't exert yourself. I'm an air pig, so I always blow out my air a long time before I'm ready to come up, but every dive I get a bit better.
Re: Anybody here SCUBA dive?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sharathpaps
Also.. do we use something like ear plugs to reduce the effect of pressure on the ears or do we do perform a
valsalva manoeuvre each time?
At what depths do typical beginner open water divers get to dive to? How long can I stay beneath the waves?
NO. Using earplugs will create a air pocket in your ear preventing equalization and can be quite dangerous should the pressure suddenly change. Generally not recommended. You do however get vented ear plugs which allow for equalization
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...p?articleid=33
http://www.proplugs.com/scuba.html example
You will not go past 6m (18ft), I know a lot of instructors don't exceed 5m (15ft) for beginners.
Re: Anybody here SCUBA dive?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sharathpaps
At what depths do typical beginner open water divers get to dive to? How long can I stay beneath the waves?
You can expect up to 60 foot MAX. That's all my NAUI cert will allow.
How long you stay under depends on how much and how quick you breath. 15 - 20 minute increments at first.
Re: Anybody here SCUBA dive?
Omygoodness, NEVER use ear plugs! Also if you need to, do the valsla before you feel any discomfort in your ears, and just keep doing it on the way down. Why create a problem and then solve it when you can avoid it altogether, right? After a bunch of dives your ears kinda get used to it and you need to valsalva less.
As for depth, it seems to me that the biggest changes (volume and pressure) occur in shallow water, and the deeper you go the less frequently you have to make adjustments. But I know that most instructors start newbies out in shallow water. Once they master neutral buoyancy and stuff in shallow water, the deeper dives are actually easier! It's just that newbies need the sense of security they have in shallow water.
Get ready for awesome fun!
I chose NAUI because it's not owned by a SCUBA gear manufacturer with products to sell. I like the independent schools and associations without corporate obligations or sales goals to be met.
Re: Anybody here SCUBA dive?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Paqman
Learning to equalise your ears is one of the main skills you'll learn on your early dives. Once you've nailed that and buoyancy the rest is just a few drills for emergencies and that's it, you're now a scuba diver!
That really about sums it up right there. I forgot about that bouyancy at first Paqman. :P
If you are planning on using a wet suit sharathpaps, make sure you have enough weight. Don't fight the suit. :lolflag:
Re: Anybody here SCUBA dive?
In my opinion don't buy equipment until you've qualified and your sure your going to dive regularly. If you are going to buy first buy a mask, snorkel and fins. Book your course with a good center - I'd suggest 5 star Padi but a good Nuai center or similar will be fine and they will provide you with good equipment.
Mips I've mainly dived recently in SA and usually dive at Aliwal sometimes Sodwana, I have dived off Cape Town and didn't like it much although some folk like falsebay.