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Thread: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

  1. #1
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Saw friends of mine this weekend who had just completed the program and were raving about it. The scuba shop is in my neighborhood and uses the gorgeous local college pool. The course is one night per week (2 hours) for seven weeks, not including the final out-of-the-pool dives. They use a water-filled quary for that, I believe.

    Anyhow, I'm psyched to take the classes this winter and scuba for real next year. Another upside: It'll give me a reason to return to Key West.

    If anyone has advice about scuba certification classes, let me know.

  2. #2
    God/dess ViolaStrings's Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    I have three PADI certifications! If you need to ask anything specific, feel free!

  3. #3
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Quote Originally Posted by ViolaStrings View Post
    I have three PADI certifications! If you need to ask anything specific, feel free!

    Okay.

    Let's start with: What's a "PADI"?

    Second, if one were going to Hawaii as a new scubaist (is that the term?), where would one go?

    Third, same question about Florida. As I mentioned in the OP, I'm eager to get my ass back to the naughty fun of Key West.

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    Veteran Member Danielle_'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Wow, that sounds great. Have fun. A friend of mine & I were talking about doing this, but never got around to it.

    Forgetting things we shouldn't remember is why god invented amnesia and Tequila. - Samantha Who

  5. #5
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    I've been saying for the 7 years we've lived in FL that I want to get scuba certified. Particularly wreck diving cert. But I havent done it. Boo me.

    Hubby wont go with me because he cant swim and I dont want to go alone. ANd the 1 or 2 times I might have had a buddy to go with, I didnt have the $$.

    So I will have to live vicariously through you Chicagoeditor

  6. #6
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Quote Originally Posted by cameron_keys View Post
    I've been saying for the 7 years we've lived in FL that I want to get scuba certified. Particularly wreck diving cert. But I havent done it. Boo me.

    Hubby wont go with me because he cant swim and I dont want to go alone. ANd the 1 or 2 times I might have had a buddy to go with, I didnt have the $$.

    So I will have to live vicariously through you Chicagoeditor
    Or, or, you and I go diving when I'm there. Or, at least snorkling, which considering the beautiful wildlife in the water (that'd be you), would be fun, too.

  7. #7
    cameron_keys
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicagoeditor View Post
    Or, or, you and I go diving when I'm there. Or, at least snorkling, which considering the beautiful wildlife in the water (that'd be you), would be fun, too.
    Hey..if you stop off in Lauderdale on your way to KW I'd love to!

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    Featured Member tampadancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    PADI= Professional Association of Dive Instructors

    It's the main scuba certifying agency for basic levels. The first level is "basic open water" - and if I remember correctly, it certifies you for down to 60 ft (I could be wrong.. it's been a while), and most recreational divers don't venture much deeper than that.

    Anyhow, have fun with it. Diving is an experience like none other!

  9. #9
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Looks like I'll have to visit CK in Lauderdale and Tampa in, duh, Tampa. Unless we ALL gather in Key West for a snorkling trip. Now there's an idea.

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    Veteran Member BB1984's Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicagoeditor View Post
    Okay.

    Let's start with: What's a "PADI"?

    Second, if one were going to Hawaii as a new scubaist (is that the term?), where would one go?

    Third, same question about Florida. As I mentioned in the OP, I'm eager to get my ass back to the naughty fun of Key West.
    Which island in Hawaii are you going to. I recently went diving in Kona, and they have an amazing night dive that is called diving with the mantas (mantarees) that is really awesome. I think the company we went through was Kona Honu Divers. But you can just google scuba diving in whatever island you are going to and something should come up.

  11. #11
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    I've heard Kona is the place to go. I'm not sure at this point. It's just on the 2008 ToDo list.

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    Featured Member teeth_of_the_hydra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Quote Originally Posted by Chicagoeditor View Post
    Okay.

    Let's start with: What's a "PADI"?

    Second, if one were going to Hawaii as a new scubaist (is that the term?), where would one go?

    Third, same question about Florida. As I mentioned in the OP, I'm eager to get my ass back to the naughty fun of Key West.
    Quote Originally Posted by Chicagoeditor View Post
    Looks like I'll have to visit CK in Lauderdale and Tampa in, duh, Tampa. Unless we ALL gather in Key West for a snorkling trip. Now there's an idea.

    Ooooh oooh oooh this is like my favorite thing to talk about. OMG where to begin...

    Tampadancer answered your PADI question. Here is their website... http://www.padi.com/padi/default.aspx

    All divers that I've ever heard of get certified either through PADI or NAUI (the latter being the other scuba-cerifying organization). PADI seems to be bigger in FL, especially Key West, where I was trained, so I don't know much about NAUI. I think they're about the same, though. Dive companies don't seem to care who certified you.

    Diving around Tampa Bay is not so impressive. The visibility in the Gulf is poor. I've never dove the Bay, maybe it's different, but the Suncoast area is not known as a dive destination the way the Keys are.

    That said, the Keys are amazing, and very easy to dive. Visibility is at least decent year-round. The water can be rough in the winter, but it's doable, if you're not prone to seasickness on the ride out. The best part is, the reef is really shallow, so you can plan long dives, as you're only in 15-30 feet of water (there is an inverse relationship between dive time and depth. You will learn the details of this when you get certified).

    Diving is supposed to be wonderful in Looe Key (around mile marker 30ish) and John Pennekamp (sp?) park (mile marker 90-something), but I've never done it. Always meant to... I still should, especially before I leave Florida. Tell me how it is if you go!

    If you are going to dive in Hawaii as a new diver (that is the term ), I would recommend you do this trip on the west coast of the Big Island: http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/mantaray/

    ...by God, If I were to go blind tomorrow I would still see that dive for the rest of my life, how the rays looked, how I've never seen a living thing more enormous. It was one of the greatest things I've experienced.

    The visibility in Kealakekua Bay was also amazing, the water is crystal-clear and outrageously deep, and there are about a million spinner dolphins: http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/captcook/

    ...but I don't know if it's outfitted by any dive shops. I went snorkeling/skin diving there but scuba would have been cooler.

    Anyway, have fun and don't be intimidated! The gear is way less complicated and cumbersome than it looks, and also a lot safer. If you dive cautiously and mindfully, it is a very safe, fun, and awesome hobby. Enjoy this hilarious bumper sticker:

    Drought was over. Where was I? Drinks were on the house.
    For mixers, my love, you'd poured--what?--even the rain.

  13. #13
    Veteran Member BB1984's Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    I agree with TOTH, if you go to Kona you HAVE to go on the manta night dive, it was definitely one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, it's actually rated one of the top ten dives in the country.

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    Featured Member sexy_celeste's Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Definately go for the PADI, as they are worldwide, and Ive not heard of the other place.
    Im about to complete my Dive Master Training(I have an internship to do, and Ill be an instructor!), and have also decided to enlist as a Diver (only part time/ reserve) in the Defense Force.

    I love to dive, its so much fun, plus great exercise.

    Night dives are great, My few deep (40m) dives werent very pleasant, as the visibility was shocking. I cant wreck or cave dive, as Im horribly claustrophobic.

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    God/dess ViolaStrings's Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    ^ I agree with not wreck diving or cave diving, it's pretty needlessly dangerous.

  16. #16
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Update: I've contacted the scuba shop and will be signing up for the 7-week class, which starts in January. Big thanks to all for the great advice. Hope to see you underwater soon.

  17. #17
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Update: Signed up and paid. The classes begin in January. In March, the shop takes the group to Cozumel for a short dive vacation. So I'm hoping to be part of that adventure. <G>

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    Featured Member teeth_of_the_hydra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Yay for you! I've heard Cozumel is amazing. I'm hoping my BF and I will be able to take a dive trip to that part of Mexico after my course ends. Yay, I hope you love it!
    Drought was over. Where was I? Drinks were on the house.
    For mixers, my love, you'd poured--what?--even the rain.

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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    It has always been a dream of mine to become scuba certified. Someday it will happen. Good for you.



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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Wow fun!!! I'm a very big water sport enthusiast (was a life gaurd, still canoe and sail in lake geneva teee heeee C.E. ) but I am really scared of scuba diving....don't know why. I should grow a pair of balls and go scuba diving with ya as I have been wanting to take a working vacation to FL anyway
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  21. #21
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Update:

    This Tuesday (2nd class) we get to go in the water with gear! I've just finished reading the first chapter of the text book, and I'm very excited. By the way, the first class (paperwork, swim/treading test, 1.5 hours in the pool snorkling, which I'm already experienced with) was a breeze.

    I'm looking forward to being "neutrally buoyant," which seems an ideal condition for my aging, manatee-like body.

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    Senior Member pixiekittie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    How exciting! I'm not certified but had my first diving experience this past summer in Hawaii. Oahu to be exact. We did two dives on the same day. Different locations. It was an absolutely amazing experience. I didn't get certified the first time around because I wanted to try it out first (to make sure it was a sport that I truly enjoyed). I hope to get certified on the next big vacation. Have fun!

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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Good luck. I used to do a great deal of diving for about 5 years, even getting an advanced certification.. I kind of lost interest after a while. I think doing the course first like you're doing is the way to go. I did this then did my open water dive in the Midwest before starting to travel to dive. I have never done any diving in Hawaii or FL. although I've heard the diving in the Keys is great.
    I have gone diving a great deal in the Carribean(Cayman,Bahamas, St Lucia, Guadeloupe, St. Maartins, St. Kitts). where the visibility is great which is the name of the game. Most memorable was a wall dive in the Caymans and drift diving between two of the small Bahamian islands. Biggest thing is to find a reputable divemaster who'll keep an eye out for you.

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    Featured Member teeth_of_the_hydra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    I got your PM, Chicagoeditor, and I want to express my excitement and enthusiasm for you. Yay you! Yay SCUBA!

    Being neutrally buoyant is dope, BTW. Once you learn to control your buoyancy and you can hover in open water, fish just flock to you. Seriously, you can get THISCLOSE to rays and sharks and barracuda, it's amazing.
    Drought was over. Where was I? Drinks were on the house.
    For mixers, my love, you'd poured--what?--even the rain.

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    Default Re: Decided: Going to get my scuba certification this winter

    Resuscitating this old thread: I’m going diving this weekend in Kankakee and next weekend, with luck, in Malibu and, later this year, Cozumel, I hope. For those considering scuba: Yes, it's great fun, just as everyone says!

    But note: It isn't a cheap hobby. My gear package, which doesn't include a mask or a wetsuit, cost just shy of $2,000.

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