Search results

Thanks for all the great suggestions. You all helped us pack very well. I'm sure I've got many things I don't need. =-) I'm very cold tolerant; my instructor who knows Cozumel well was the one that suggested a skin was all I'll need. With water temps 78-80 I would agree. But, I know the...

I agree with others to ultimately go with your gut. The fact that you are asking this question speaks to a deeper question you have as to whether you're focusing on the right things. I understand that question, I do it, too! Sounds like you're looking in the right places. Time will tell if it's...

Niiiiice suggestions. Keep 'em coming! I've added quite a few of these to my list, and most are things I've got around the house. =-)

Help us avoid the common mistakes. What have you forgotten to pack, and wished you'd known better? We're both pretty organized and pack well, but we imagine there are a few things obvious to those more experienced. (We've both amassed a basic set of gear: boots, fins, skin and/or 1mm suit...

I can't add much to what's already been said, other than to also say that this comes up a lot for people considering taking a course. It was asked last night at a club meeting by a couple who are considering signing up for their OW class. "Do I have to be a good swimmer?" was the question, and...

Is diving more dangerous than sitting at home in a plastic bubble? You betcha. That's one of the reasons it's more fun. :) Life is kinda like computer security. The most secure computer is one that is at the bottom of a closet, unplugged, and not in use. While it might be ultra safe, it sure...

I know I said that as a total n00b that I was going to get some experience before making any big decisions on gear. But, my LDS is offering some good deals on gear before our first trip... and this computer is one of the items... and I'm thinking about it. I read the descriptions I've found...

Consider yourself put on notice, but I plan to look you up for tea the next time I'm in your area. Who knows! :D

I wanted to thank both the OP and all those that responded to this thread, because I showed up today with the intent to start a thread just like this one! =-) I learned everything I wanted (and more) from this thread! I'm gathering the final pieces for our first drive trip. I'm a "start...

I was going crazy trying to research the best mask purchase. I did my class with the 12+ year old Sherwood mask/snorkel set I'd purchased for snorkeling. The mask was in great shape still, and I never had a problem with leaks. But the lenses are the older, smaller style. I tried on all the...

I was hoping there would be some awesome technology allowing for super thin gloves for use in warm water diving. But I've looked at my LDS (two, actually) and also online... and most are pretty substantial, even those meant for warm water diving. As I'm a new diver, thick gloves which mess...

You start with some basic hard rules to get you by until, as I like to say, you know the rules well enough to know when to break them. That applies in any learning environment that builds skills, often skills which on the surface seem simple but underneath have a very complex set of options...

DAN membership and dive insurance are new tools in our toolbox. Thanks for the input, all! As for trip insurance, I look back on 20 years of traveling and look at all I might have "lost" due to the things that trip insurance would have covered. In that 20 years, it doesn't amount to the cost...

*Amy smacks herself in the forehead.* Thank you for posting this! It's a tangent, but it NEVER occured to me to look on YouTube for things like skills training videos. DUH. I looked up how to put on a dry suit, but never thought about basic skills references being there. I checked out...

My husband (PADI OW two years ago, two dive trips under his belt) and I (noob to finish my last OWC dive once I arrive) are headed to Cozumel next month. :banana: We've gone through "travel medicine" with Kaiser, getting the recommended vaccinations, etc. that they recommend for travel to...

I had switched tanks myself, my buddy watched, the gear was carried to the waters edge and, I believe, moved by someone else. During the moves, it might have been picked up wrong, and the knob rotated. Why the issue didn't arise until we got down to the bottom, I don't know. Regardless, I didn't...

Thanks for the great suggestions and directions to resources. I'll take 'em! Maybe someday when I get all old and feeble. ;-) But I love it here! And it's not usually THAT cold; it's been unseasonably cool here this fall/winter. I will say this: I'm glad I did it! Previously, I would...

Money, scheduling, and the knowledge that if I did it in more challenging conditions, I'd appreciate the good times even more. =-) Cozumel. I'm in no mood to challenge mother nature, I'll take what she gives me and deal with it. It's a vacation, baby, and that's good enough for me!

Okay, I'll keep my mouth shut about it all. :coffee: On day 2, another instructor diving at that same hole came over, asked me how I was, and very demurely said he wouldn't have put me into the drysuit w/o a pool class; he didn't trash talk the other instructor, just was checking on me and sort...

I signed up with a local dive shop for PADI OWC in November. My husband was certified at the same shop, but by different instructors. My experience was a little different than his; I think there are some significant deficiencies, but wanted to lay it out there and get some feedback. I can be a...