Getting my Divers License

[Dilan Patel]

lol as I was writing the title I read the same thing.

 

[cracker]

Dilan , Not meaning to be bossy here. Have You paid for this course yet? Speaking with Your Father's PADI instructor friend "Before" is a real good idea . This sport isn't complicated & dangerous if You know what Your doing with the proper training. Surely a local dive shop offers better instruction.
Please let us know what Your Pop's Friend says.
Which ever way You go it is a fine & adventurous sport .

 

[Dilan Patel]

Hi Cracker, i have already payed for this class. I was going to speak sith him before but our schedule never met up. He is on vacation rn but will be speaking to him once he gets back and before i go on my trip. I want to speak to him just to make sure i have as much knowledge as possible. If I feel I am not ready to dive after this class and after speaking to him I will not dive on my trip and will look for a different dive class. If it doesnt make me confident at least i have more knowledge/experience than if i didnt take the class. Thanks

 

[Dree]

Congrats on taking the dive into a PADI certification! In my opinion, you shouldn’t stop at just the basic open water certification, go for the advanced for 120ft depths along with the skills you learn, and then also go for the NITROX certification. If you’d like to go further to pursue your career in marine bio, you can get further certification for different mixes of gas and techniques of diving.

 

[smokin'reefer]

I got certified last year while on vacation in Florida. I went thru the base program down there for my open water but have since taken several Padi courses to include my advance and wreck certification.

Name had a pretty extensive e-learning regimen. It took me more than a few evenings to finish.

I recently put my 10 year old granddaughter thru the Padi Junior Open water course and it took her a few extra weeks but she had a great team with our local Padi shop.

Most instructors will be able to tell if you are having problems and spend the extra time you will need to succeed.

Go for it and if you have to go back to finish they will work with you. My daughter had trouble clearing her ears the first time around and had to pull out. Our I structure spent time with her at the local pool working on that and later finished her OW. She is now Advanced Open Water certified. I am almost ashamed to say it but she is probably a better driver than I now.

Here's some pics:

 

[Dilan Patel]

I plan too but i need to at least get the basic training done before i head off to college and I will slowly keep getting certified. Glad to see your grandaughter taking an intrest in scuba. U get her interested in marine tanks yet? I will prepare as best as possible. I keep my self in shape and this has something to do with my future so I tend to put more effort towards stuff lile this Thanks for the encouragement makes me feel better! I do plan to take more classes after to hone in on my skills. I think of i can take something from the advise im giving i will be sucessful . even if it is not what i want to hear. just like this hobby you gt told stuff u dont want to hear but you knownits in your best intrest to consider the knowledge which is being given. On another note I do plan to buy some things such as a wet suit,fins,mask,snorkel and socks. i heard cressi is a good brand. what do you guys reccomend I dont mind spending a little more as this is my life in hands of this equipment also somewhat my future

 

[smokin'reefer]

Sorry for the delayed response.

Yes, my granddaughter is very much into and also helpful with my reeftanking. She studies a lot on you tube and amazes me more than once on the stuff she has learned.

Diving will help you get in shape. I have a very physical job that requires a lot of walking and body movement. Diving hits some different muscles though. The biggest thing I have dealt with is leg cramps. I tried most of the recommendations like eat bananas and electrolyte up with Gatorade but the one thing that definitely worked was mustard. Sounds crazy, but getting a couple of mustard packs from a fast food joint and taking them like shots actually works. I know, crazy.

For me as far as equipment I have stuck mainly with Atomic mask and fins and also regulators. I went thru a couple of cheaper masks before I went to the Atomic Subframe and it sealed to my face phenomenally. I usually don't have to clear or purge at all during a normal dive. As far as bcd's I really like the Zeagles. I have a stiletto and my daughter has the Zena.

A good place to look for good deals on gear is Scuba.com and leisurepro. They both have open box and used deals. Most of the gear I got from them was half off retail and even the used stuff was hard to tell it was ever out of the box. I was told the first thing you want to buy is your bcd. Apart from your personal gear which I am assuming you should already have. Each bcd takes a little getting used to as far as balancing with your weights. The second thing should be your wetsuit. You can rent everything but one of the first things you will learn is this silly thing divers say. "There are two kinds of divers, ones that pee in their wetsuit and ones that lie about it." So you can see where buying your own can be a bit more sanitary. That was actually the first thing I bought for that reason. Lol

Let us know how it goes. Good luck.

 

[Dilan Patel]

SO I took my Test today. I passed with flying colors. I understand how dive tables work and how to use them properly If my computer(which I will purchase soon) dies on me for some odd reason. My pool experience went very well I didn't get any butterflies I went into the pool feeling confident as I thought that mindset would put me up for success. Which it seemed like it did. I am able to do all the basic setup to get into the water and am able to perform tasks underwater such as clearing the mask and breathing through my regulator if it somehow gets out of my mouth while diving plus a whole assortment more of techniques and other things to keep me,my partner and the environment safe :) I know a pool is nowhere near an ocean but I feel liek I know enough about scuba to get my feet wet in the ocean. The instructors were very helpful and this was a class of 5 with 3 instructors the whole time so we had a lot of attention if needed...luckily I didn't need much help. I will have the paperwork set and ready for my trip to Jamaica in a few weeks where I will get at least two of my mandatory dives in. If lucky I will be able to get all 4 and become an open water certified diver.

Going throught he class today I think I decided what I will be buying for sure: Fins,mask,snorkel and a dive computer. I see these are essential especially the dive computer as much info that computer can display is very helpful. Oh also wet suit and boots:) Will check the site your recommended.

I may get a BCD/regulator system lator down the line when I will be diving more often. But for now the standard equipment will do me just fine.

I just wanted you all to know how my day went today and I am happy to report it went amazing. Nothing like your first breath under pool water. Cant wait to see what its like in the ocean.

 

[cracker]

That is very good to hear Dilan ! Now You have the license . You can rent gear fill tanks go on dive tours etc. This is for experience. Man I wish I was young again in "some" ways . LOL Have a good time & be safe.

 

[Dilan Patel]

That is very good to hear Dilan ! Now You have the license . You can rent gear fill tanks go on dive tours etc. This is for experience. Man I wish I was young again in "some" ways . LOL Have a good time & be safe.

I actually don't have the license yet/ I still have to take the mandatory dives but should be getting those dives done in my trip soon :)

 

[cracker]

How does this work? Do You like go to a dive shop that works with the online course testers maybe?
Where Ya going on Vaca?

 

[Rockit]

I did NAUI 20+ years ago and did similar hours. Great course in my opinion. I used to be very active diver/uw hunter. Hundreds of dives. Many solo off N. CA coast spearfishing.
Both my kids did the abbreviated PADI resort course. Daughter was (now retired) internationally ranked synchronized swimmer....EXTREMELY comfortable in the water. Lifeguard, swim instructor and extremely competent snorkeler. I used to worry about her every time she donned a BC. She just never took to it naturally. Always had to think about the basic mechanics of diving.
Her brother is 3 years younger. Above average swimmer. Above average comfort level in the water. Stellar diver. The first time I dive trip i took with him I was blown away with his competency. 100% natural. Everything is automatic.

Bottom line... Some people can have great success with the expidited course format (son)... some it just is simply enough time to develop the physical skills needed (daughter).

Also. The basic class is just that. The beginning.... Advanced. Night. Mixed gas. Deep. Rescue etc. There's a long list of classes that further your skills, enjoyment and safety.

I recently got my C card from NAUI. Did the class work and quizzes at home, and 15 hours of pool work mastering skills. Then 5 OW dives for cert. Two days? Just for your safety I would take a longer class .

 

[smokin'reefer]

I dove in the springs in Florida for my cert dives. I can't wait to make it to some blue water like you will see in Jamaica. The only ocean I've dove was about 10 miles out from Jacksonville beach Florida. It's not blue water but it was awesome. I'm sure the diving hook will be set good in you after that.

That feeling of breathing underwater for the first time is pretty exhilarating.

Congratulations my man.

 

[Dilan Patel]

How does this work? Do You like go to a dive shop that works with the online course testers maybe?
Where Ya going on Vaca?

The way my test was u sign up for wither the full 3 day course which includes the 4 mandatory dives or do what im doing and just do the pool session and learning/test and do the dives on vacation. they will send me all the requirements needed to do my open water dives so all i have to do is when i go to Jamaica is hand them the paper and the dive instructor there knows what he needs to go over with me for the first time in the ocean

 

[Dilan Patel]

I did NAUI 20+ years ago and did similar hours. Great course in my opinion. I used to be very active diver/uw hunter. Hundreds of dives. Many solo off N. CA coast spearfishing.
Both my kids did the abbreviated PADI resort course. Daughter was (now retired) internationally ranked synchronized swimmer....EXTREMELY comfortable in the water. Lifeguard, swim instructor and extremely competent snorkeler. I used to worry about her every time she donned a BC. She just never took to it naturally. Always had to think about the basic mechanics of diving.
Her brother is 3 years younger. Above average swimmer. Above average comfort level in the water. Stellar diver. The first time I dive trip i took with him I was blown away with his competency. 100% natural. Everything is automatic.

Bottom line... Some people can have great success with the expidited course format (son)... some it just is simply enough time to develop the physical skills needed (daughter).

Also. The basic class is just that. The beginning.... Advanced. Night. Mixed gas. Deep. Rescue etc. There's a long list of classes that further your skills, enjoyment and safety.

In my opinion after taking the class today it seems like the instructors were very knowledgable and the course was great in preparing you for the open ocean! Jamica cant come quick enough

 

[Dilan Patel]

I dove in the springs in Florida for my cert dives. I can't wait to make it to some blue water like you will see in Jamaica. The only ocean I've dove was about 10 miles out from Jacksonville beach Florida. It's not blue water but it was awesome. I'm sure the diving hook will be set good in you after that.

That feeling of breathing underwater for the first time is pretty exhilarating.

Congratulations my man.

If im lucky ill try and get some video or pics dont know if go pro will work or not...but i cant wait to dive. im sure i will be hooked for sure. I will keep the thread updated with my experience so stay tuned . Thanks !

 

[chefjpaul]

If im lucky ill try and get some video or pics dont know if go pro will work or not...but i cant wait to dive. im sure i will be hooked for sure. I will keep the thread updated with my experience so stay tuned . Thanks !

Be sure to get the red filter pack for your go pro. I forgot mine on our last trip and the pucs kinda suck.

Congrats and good luck in Jamaica!

 

[Billdogg]

I would strongly recommend that you DO NOT take any sort of camera with you on your checkout dives, or really, for several more after that until you get comfortable enough that the basic equipment and tasks are second nature. This is coming from nearly 30 years of diving everything from Ohio quarries (over 1000), Great Lakes wreck diving, many hundreds of Caribbean dives, and certification up to Cavern. I've helped with several rescues, and one recovery. Things can go straight to crap really fast if you are not paying attention. I can promise you there will be a guy at the resort who's only job is to go on dives and takes photos/videos of the guests (and sell them to you)

If you have a camera in hand you are, for all intents, solo diving. Certification diving needs to be anything but that.

Learn first. Get some dives under your belt. Then, maybe, start adding extras.

 

[Dilan Patel]

I would strongly recommend that you DO NOT take any sort of camera with you on your checkout dives, or really, for several more after that until you get comfortable enough that the basic equipment and tasks are second nature. This is coming from nearly 30 years of diving everything from Ohio quarries (over 1000), Great Lakes wreck diving, many hundreds of Caribbean dives, and certification up to Cavern. I've helped with several rescues, and one recovery. Things can go straight to crap really fast if you are not paying attention. I can promise you there will be a guy at the resort who's only job is to go on dives and takes photos/videos of the guests (and sell them to you)

If you have a camera in hand you are, for all intents, solo diving. Certification diving needs to be anything but that.

Learn first. Get some dives under your belt. Then, maybe, start adding extras.

Your right I will not take a camera until I have a few dives under my belt and am comfortable. But i will def take the camera out while snorkling as I have done that fow a while :)

 

[Dilan Patel]

SO I thought I would update. My trip is coming up soon and I cannot wait. My stuff I ordered comes in today. I got a new mask,fins,boots,wetsuit, and a dive computer. Cant wait to try them out :)