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Two recommendations: If you are ending your dive unable to stay down, then add more weight. I would start with two pounds and see where that gets you. To help you descend at the beginning of your dive, expel the air from your BCD and relax. Think about going limp like a boneless cat...

My open water class was shore dives at Monterey, CA. There is no need to use a sausage at Breakwater. Consequently, we did not train with one. The local dive shop, when helping us get equipment, found out we would be doing some drift diving and recommended we get one. He showed us how to...

I would use one tank. After the dive, I would switch tanks and the remaining air is as good as wasted.

Tell you mom that my wife and I became certified in our "late" forties. We have been loving it ever since.

There are different companies and different coverages/costs. Expect to pay around $325 per year for coverage (or $215 if you only want coverage when associated with a named dive shop) Professional Liability insurance is annual 1 July through 30 June. PADI Pro membership runs 1 January through...

The PADI Open Water swim test is not timed. The test is to see if you can move a given distance in the water. If you want to do the whole swim doing the doggie paddle or frog kicking on your back, it doesn't matter. What you need to avoid is stopping or standing in the shallow end. The...

Yes, there is professional insurance. If you decide to use your DM/AI/Instructor in a professional capacity, you will need insurance. If you simply want the knowledge, there is no need for the insurance.

To quote the email I just received when I set up auto renewal: "The Divemaster and Assistant Instructor Auto Renewal fee is for 2010 is $94.50 US." It also stated: "Thank you for participating in Auto Renewal. When you renew your PADI Membership for 2010, you'll get a free 2010 Instructor...

I know I will never be a full time divemaster/instructor. I could not afford the cut in pay. I'm also not sure I want to be responsible for students. Having said that, I still decided to become a divemaster. Divemaster is a useful course and one I recommend. I took the class primarily for...

My dive shop allows its students to come and practice in the pool as much as they want. While it may not be open water or a plastic card, it does help with the "I can't wait to be under the water again" feeling. Enjoy the weekend.

I just finished my DM (about a week ago) and it was not required to own. It was needed on one of the knowledge tests and we were able to use the shop's copy. Actually, the relevant portion of the Instructor's Manual is set to PDFs and included in the DM crew pack. But since I didn't have my...

Perhaps I should not recommend "A Diver's Guide to Monterey County, California" ISBN 0-9628600-1-8 as it may entice you to take a few extra days off from work. It's a list of the dive sites with maps, and other info.

Agreed. The Instructor's Manual is needed for some of the DM tests. It is good to be familiar with the layout. Depending on when you plan to complete the DM, IDC, IE, you may want to simply borrow the shop's copy as I hear there are some changes soon. If you want to know what you can and...

I cannot stress hard enough how important it is for you to simply relax and enjoy yourself. In addition to you diving better, its much more fun.

Congrats to both of you on your certifications. My daughter is doing her bookwork right now and hopes to be ready for confined/OW diving next month. It all depends on how much of her time is taken up by her college homework.

I couldn't agree more. Who are you diving with in Aruba? I was just down there last May with S.E Aruba Fly 'n Dive. It's a great bunch of divers on a boat that is not over crowded. If you like christmas tree worms, have them take you to Mangel Halto reef. It's an easy shore dive on the...

Fantastic news, JP. I take it the weight belt remove and replace went well. As a test of how bitten you are by the diving bug... Have you planned your first dive trip yet?

Am I to understand that PADI has confirmed that it is NOT associated with the dive shop and the dive shop is displaying PADI insignia?

If you had simply asked the question "Should I take AOW immediately after OW?", then my response would have been one way. What you posted makes me want to go off on a tangent. My response would have been: AOW is less "learning" and more "practicing diving that pushes the OW skills under the...

Agree with all above... If you are asking this because you are considering a new first stage regulator, I suggest a DIN regulator with a YOKE converter. That lets you have the best of both worlds.