scuba diving

[FurnaceFace]

Just found this thread and I agree with Madman about DAN. I go on at least one if not two dive trips a year and in my mind DAN is essential equipment. We don't plan for accidents and don't expect they will happen to us however diving has inherent dangers. $60 or whatever it costs a year is a small price to pay should you ever "get bent" (DCS) and need a few sessions in a hyperberic chamber. The DAN insurance will also cover non diving related accidents too. To me it adds some piece of mind that I or the local doctors can talk to someone versed in the specific dive related medical issues where the local doctors wherever I am may not be as knowledgeable. The Alert Diver magazine that comes as part of your membership is also excellent.

I also agree with most of Madman's suggested purchases. Our first items we bought (or had since we snorkeled before diving) were a mask, fins, snorkel. Our next purchase was a dive computer and then we've moved on from there and added some other components like dive skins and accessories. We're happy to rent BCs and regs where we go as it helps decrease the amount of stuff to carry. Madman's point about your own regs can be true. I think I've seen just as many personal regs have issues as I have rental regs but that could depend on how diligent you are on getting yours serviced. It comes down to what makes you comfortable.

I would differ on the snorkel comment, I always dive with mine attached to my mask. It's just extra piece of mind in case there is an issue with air or for long swims on shore dives. I remember reading a thread on scubaboard about someone who was coming in after a shore dive and ended up getting caught in a riptide as the weather had deteriorated. He ended up burning through his air trying to get back to shore and just barely made it before his tank was dry. As I read this I thought "if he only had a snorkel".

We also did our classroom and pool sessions with Aqua Sport (there is nothing wrong with the other dive outfits in town that I know of). We then did our open water dives in Costa Rica. That ended up being similar to Minnewanka for vis but warmer water. I would wholeheartedly recommend doing your classroom and pool work locally instead of which on vacation for a number of reasons: 1) who wants to study while on vacation? 2) the sessions are spread out over time which gives the information a chance to sink in 3) the instruction you get locally will likely be better/more complete. We witnessed this first hand in Costa Rica where a diver who was doing the entire course down there was on the open water dives with us but had not read the book, had not written the exam, had limited pool sessions, and on one dive ended up aborting because he freaked out in the silty conditions.

Lastly, have fun. Diving is a fantastic activity and a great way to explore the world.

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

I would differ on the snorkel comment, I always dive with mine attached to my mask. It's just extra piece of mind in case there is an issue with air or for long swims on shore dives. I remember reading a thread on scubaboard about someone who was coming in after a shore dive and ended up getting caught in a riptide as the weather had deteriorated. He ended up burning through his air trying to get back to shore and just barely made it before his tank was dry. As I read this I thought "if he only had a snorkel".

Once you get into wreck diving specifically but I think all Tech Diving they make you get rid of it. You'll have a 7 foot hose to allow buddies to swim single file in narrow spaces but you can still give your Reg to a buddy if you need too and get out as its a long enough hose. A snorkel tangles up with that long hose and in a out of air situation that could be deadly. They will teach you that if you need to do a surface swim you simply inflate your Wing (BCD) use your compass or a land mark and swim on your back.

Snorkel's are fine for recreational but if you plan on continuing your dive education you will not want to be in the habit of using it.

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

We also did our classroom and pool sessions with Aqua Sport (there is nothing wrong with the other dive outfits in town that I know of).

Adventures in Scuba is more expensive typically... definitely price compare if you want to go there. The dive shop is fine, I personally don't like the new owner much... but whatever, that's just me - the store is fine. I prefer Aqua-sport, but its only my personal opinion.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

We also did our classroom and pool sessions with Aqua Sport (there is nothing wrong with the other dive outfits in town that I know of). We then did our open water dives in Costa Rica. That ended up being similar to Minnewanka for vis but warmer water. I would wholeheartedly recommend doing your classroom and pool work locally instead of which on vacation for a number of reasons: 1) who wants to study while on vacation? 2) the sessions are spread out over time which gives the information a chance to sink in 3) the instruction you get locally will likely be better/more complete. We witnessed this first hand in Costa Rica where a diver who was doing the entire course down there was on the open water dives with us but had not read the book, had not written the exam, had limited pool sessions, and on one dive ended up aborting because he freaked out in the silty conditions.

Lastly, have fun. Diving is a fantastic activity and a great way to explore the world.

(Late reply) Thanks for the reply FF. I actually got my open water certification already in Monterey, California (I was told thats one of the toughest places to dive, due to strong currents and low visibility? I was told if I could pass at Monterey, I could dive anywhere...) I guess the next one for me is open water, I wouldn't mind going higher too but I don't plan on going too ambitious with diving... I want to keep it more as something adventurous since water scares me.

[Phanuthier]

(Back from my trip)

I ended up doing a few dives.. Koh Doc Mai, and 2 days in the Similian Islands. In there, I did a ship wreck dive and a night dive. My photos didn't come out cause of lighting and whatnot (and I was barely able to maintain buoyancy since I'm a n00b) but man it was so much fun. It was the best part of my Thailand trip, even though I went there specifically for climbing. Besides colourful fish... I saw shrimp, a sea horse, and a stingray. Wayyyyyyy easier to dive at that Monterey, I'm starting to doubt if I ever want to put on another 7mm wetsuite.

Next time, I'm hoping to go to dive in Phi Phi islands as they have day trips from Railey which I'll be staying (again) next time. I'm told you are guerenteed to see turtles and whale sharks there, or the guide will give you your money back.

Now........ I'm hoping to go to Japan during spring, and I'm hoping to get a day of diving in there. I'll be in Tokyo for sure, might go to Osaka..... anyone ever dove there?

[flylock shox]

Has anyone here dived Campbell River?

I'd like to give it a go but am curious about it since it would be the first non-tropical dive I'll have done and am not sure about dty suits and timing? Anybody been diving in B.C.?

[burn_this_city]

I haven't dove the Campbell River, but I've done a couple dives off Vancouver Island. It's cold, dark, and cold. The sea life isn't nearly as nice as tropical destinations. I really have no desire to do it again. When the water is 5-10 degrees it really isn't all that enjoyable.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by MaDMaN_26

Once you get into wreck diving specifically but I think all Tech Diving they make you get rid of it. You'll have a 7 foot hose to allow buddies to swim single file in narrow spaces but you can still give your Reg to a buddy if you need too and get out as its a long enough hose. A snorkel tangles up with that long hose and in a out of air situation that could be deadly. They will teach you that if you need to do a surface swim you simply inflate your Wing (BCD) use your compass or a land mark and swim on your back.

Snorkel's are fine for recreational but if you plan on continuing your dive education you will not want to be in the habit of using it.

I think the correct answer is you use it where appropriate. Are you penetrating a wreck in the Caribbean with the potential for getting hung up? Yeah, leave it in your bag or better yet, a collapsible one in your pocket. Are you off the coast of Carolina diving on one of the wrecks then I think you might want to carry it as the currents can change. I was on a trip with a woman who talked about doing a dive there where they spent a good 30 mins in rough seas and fast current while they waited for the boat to pick them up.

I just came back from Bonaire at Christmas and there was a lengthy swim out to a number of the shore dives. Having a snorkel in those cases is helpful. Yes, I probably didnt have to have one because I come back with a bunch of air usually but for some people who use their air faster it would be a good thing to have on hand.

[FLAMESRULE]

Bump - anyone have some recommendations for a beginner / aspiring diver on where to get certified in Calgary?? I've heard AquaSport is good, but anyone else have some recent experience getting certified in Calgary??

[ken0042]

I actually used AquaSport twice. Did the lessons but then didn't complete the open water part within the time so I had to do them again.

[Phanuthier]

Anyone here ever dived in Belize?

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Anyone here ever dived in Belize?

Yep. Both Placencia and Ambergris Caye. We didn't get out to Lighthouse, Turneffe, or The Blue Hole.

Our dives from Ambergris were just ok. I think the dive op just took us to spots that were too close to shore and thus too over dove. We were 10 minutes from the dock and our surface interval was back on the dock. I would bet boats that went out for the day would get you to better sites.

We were in Placencia to do whale shark dives which was a 90 min plus boat ride out past the reef into the deep blue water. It was quite the trip, but going to Mexico (Holbox or La Paz) would be way easier.

We didn't go to the Blue Hole as it sounds quite advanced and deep. It's also a long way from Ambergris and would burn an entire day there and back for a quick deep dive just to say you've done it. If you're on the outer reefs or a live aboard then go for it.

We love the diving off Roatan so I suspect we just weren't in the good spots of Belize.

[Phanuthier]

Cool thanks. Can you recommend a dive center/resort? I see a few listed on PADI, not sure which one to go with.

[Vox]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

I'm a dive master (never employed only certified) and have never carried insurance for my recreational dives. I also never dive anywhere without a guide. Guides know all the "sweet" spots where during certain times of the day you can see certain things.

Plus by taking a guide you don't have to plan your own dives (if your doing it for recreation why bother. I do only because I now am only able to dive once maybe twice a year.

If any divers here get a chance to be in the Borneo area, you ABSOLUTELY have to dive the Sipadan Islands! When I was there in 2001 you could live on the island and it was/is a turtle sanctuary. Absolutly the most stunning dive location I have ever been too.

Diving with Hammer Heads in Layang Layang is supposed to be pretty sweet. I haven't been there yet. (when kids grow up maybe!)

Don't know how I missed this thread until now. I dove Sipidan around 1993, absolutley the best diving I have ever experienced. Turtles, sharks, barracuda, everything. At the time it was rated #3 in the world, I believe. Always wanted to go back and dive Sangalaki for the mantas but never made it.

Sadly, the most recent use my gear now gets is filling up my daughters bike tires and wading pools. Nothing like a a hundred and fifty psi to fill a tire in 1.5 seconds. If I could find an adapter to fill soccer balls, my scuba carreer would be both complete, and rock bottom.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Down in TCI and just finished certification. Doing a couple of other dives while here - fun stuff, although I am an absolute air hog.

Question though - one of the main reasons I did this was to try diving on the West Coast off Vancouver Island as well as probably some other coastal locations. But I can find very little info on it. If I were to fly out there (as I do sometimes) and want to spend a couple of days doing dive trips, what's the going rate for something like that? Here, a 2 tank dive costs somewhere from 100-150, but obviously the boat doesn't need to take you too far and it's basically a 4-5 hour round trip. Different animal, I'm sure. How does it work in BC?

[Ironhorse]

Has anyone looked at diving the HMCS Annapolis yet?