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edwants2dive

Glowstick
Messages
365
Reaction score
296
Location
Cape Coral FL
# of dives
200 - 499
Hi all new diver here in central Illinois. Just got certified on a trip to Jamaica and now all I can think about is going diving. I have done a couple of dives since I got back. I look forward to becoming an active Scuba diver and enjoying all the wonders that the underwater world has to offer.
 
Welcome it's best to continue diving like you are doing cold freshwater diving is more demanding then warm water saltwater diving because of the bulky exposure suits that being said cold freshwater diving will make you a better warm saltwater diver
 
Ok don't know for sure where to put this but I am thinking about doing Bonne Terre Mine the weekend of New Years any advice. Do it, don't do it? I have pretty much all my own gear so I was planning on staying somewhere closer to St.Louis and just paying for the dives individually ($80 each for Nitrox).
 
A friend just got back from there. According to her they do a decent job of weeding out those who should not be there. Her group started with 9. The second day all but two had been told they were not ready to dive there. It's not a beginner dive site. Hearing her tell of how they escorted those they felt should not be there out raised my interest in the place.
 
You're only about 1 1/2 hours from Haigh Quarry in Kankakee, IL. Haigh is a decent quarry to go to. I'm more partial to Mermet Springs myself, but you're far enough north that Mermet is going to be about 4 hours away.

The Midwest quarries are not warm, clear, and pretty. However, they will improve your skills and make you a much better diver for when you go to the warm, clear, pretty destinations. Most quarries, including Haigh, will put items underwater for you to go see. Like Littlerayray said, if you can dive the cold fresh water, you'll be a better warm salt water diver.

I live in southwestern IL so I'm just under 1 1/2 hours from Bonne Terre Mines. I've not dove the mines yet because I wanted to get proficient at dry suit diving first. Although you could wear 7 mil, vest, hood, and gloves to dive there, I just don't want to be that cold. They have 24 trails and you have to dive the trails in order beginning with trail #1. If you make it to Bonne Terre, I hope you have a good time. Meanwhile, I seriously hope you dive your local quarries to improve and sharpen your skills.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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