A youngin earning her wings-er... flippers?

[TiB]

Hi. I just want to start off by saying I've just signed up for my scuba lessons. I'm 16 year old girl and excited as ever.

Ever since I was 8 I've been inspired by scuba diving. I went snorkeling with sting rays and daw some divers jumping in. I was stuck bobbing on top of the water in a life jacket... ¬¬'' From teh first moment I saw them, I was hooked on the thought of becoming a scuba diver... but I have a few questions

Now, I'm quite happy with my weight... but are there any nutrition tips? My daily diet isn't the healthiest in the world ^^''' Plus, is there any excersizes that I should do regularly? I have a pool and will have pool access during the colder months. My family all really believes that I'll go into a career with this... and so do I. I've always loved swimming and the one super power I wanted (still want) is to be able to breath under water Water is deffinently my element. hehe!

But yes, any tips for a beginner like me? I live in the detroit area so I'll porbably be visiting wrecks more than anything... I don't know many spot that would be good for a diver on my level.

Thank you for your time, and please pardon any typos. It's 3:40 am over here and I AM only 16 years old XD XD

 

[The Kraken]

Welcome to the community, you'll love it!!!
Suggestions???
Take your time, don't be in a big hurry to grab all of the "c" cards you can.
Constantly work on your skills as you develop them.
THINK !!!

LISTEN, LEARN and LIVE

As for diet and exercise, just maintain a program that would normally keep you in good health and in your proper weight class. Don't smoke !!!

LISTEN, LEARN and LIVE

 

[goodknight411]

I'm 18, been diving since i was 15. Welcome to the water.

I always try to eat a good meal the night befor i dive and have some breakfast that morning. Take a snack with you. Diving is hard work and will make you hungry. It also burns a lot of calories.
Swimming is great exercise for diving as it is cardiovascular and works your mucsles.
I like to dive in as many different conditions as possibel (stong current, no current, swells, low vis., ect) i think it makes you a better diver, but don't do anything your not comfortable with doing.

Most of all, diving is supposed to be fun. Don't worry to much about being perfect at first, that will come with experience. Be willing to learn all the time. Watch other divers and pick up on thinks you'd like to try and things you want to avoid.

If you're wanting a career in diving, start reading on the internet about what your options are. commercial/marine biologist/archiologist/NASA support diver/ect.

Have a great time, congradulations, and let us know how it goes.

 

[DMDC01]

Welcome to the wonderful world of SCUBA!!! Your choices are endless as far as underwater work goes, good luck on your classes, practice,practice, practice and above all have a SAFE fun time!!

 

[TravisT]

I'm currently taking my OW course. A little over half-way done and have learned a lot I feel. (2 week course)

My Instructor told me lastnight that you might go to a resort somewhere to go diving. On the plane you'll see this guy who has all these dive patches on his jacket and he looks like he's been doing it for 20 years. He has the latest fancy equipment. But he may actually only have a very little amount of dives under his belt and just went through one class after the next.

Despite the fact that he knows more about Nitrogen and the like than I probably do. His certifications don't make him a better diver than someone with a 1000 dives under their belt. Experience is everything according to my instructor and I can see why. I would take your time and get several shallower dives under your belt before going for anything to big.

 

[TiB]

Thank you everyone. You're support is most comforting! :07:
I am trying to pace myself, but I do plan to take my AOW course right after OW, and some wreck diving specialty courses. I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing! I hope to move on to rescuse right after, since my top pref of a job is search and rescue. I know it's good to take it slow, but even if I did have like... 5 patches, I know that experience is priceless and I won't walk around all high and mighty XD I've tried scuba with a Discover scuba course on a cruise trip about 5 months back. It's so much fun that I know I'll love each an every step. I just love the water so much.

 

[ScubaCollin]

Thank you everyone. You're support is most comforting! :07:
I am trying to pace myself, but I do plan to take my AOW course right after OW, and some wreck diving specialty courses. I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing! I hope to move on to rescuse right after, since my top pref of a job is search and rescue. I know it's good to take it slow, but even if I did have like... 5 patches, I know that experience is priceless and I won't walk around all high and mighty XD I've tried scuba with a Discover scuba course on a cruise trip about 5 months back. It's so much fun that I know I'll love each an every step. I just love the water so much.

Good to see other young divers on the boards Im 16 myself This is just a suggestion but Id try and get some hours in before you try to go into AOW. Get used to it , do a few dives then once you feel more confertable go into AOW. I think some places require you to have 10+ hours of dive time before you do AOW.

 

[GrierHPharmD]

There's nothing wrong with taking additional classes, especially the AOW, but just realize that just because you successfully finish the class, you'll still have a ways to go before you can consistently handle all of the stresses that diving can create.

I'm not trying to discourage you at all, just trying to gently remind you to be safe. I did the same thing - took my AOW right after my OW, and then dove some very challenging sites. In retrospect, I would have gotten more experience between OW and AOW, just to hone my skills and get a better experience out of the AOW class.

Good luck in diving and with your future. Best wishes and safe ascents,
Grier

 

[cdennyb]

Hi. I just want to start off by saying I've just signed up for my scuba lessons. I'm 16 year old girl and excited as ever.

Ever since I was 8 I've been inspired by scuba diving. I went snorkeling with sting rays and daw some divers jumping in. I was stuck bobbing on top of the water in a life jacket... ¬¬'' From teh first moment I saw them, I was hooked on the thought of becoming a scuba diver... but I have a few questions

Now, I'm quite happy with my weight... but are there any nutrition tips? My daily diet isn't the healthiest in the world ^^''' Plus, is there any excersizes that I should do regularly? I have a pool and will have pool access during the colder months. My family all really believes that I'll go into a career with this... and so do I. I've always loved swimming and the one super power I wanted (still want) is to be able to breath under water Water is deffinently my element. hehe!

But yes, any tips for a beginner like me? I live in the detroit area so I'll porbably be visiting wrecks more than anything... I don't know many spot that would be good for a diver on my level.

Thank you for your time, and please pardon any typos. It's 3:40 am over here and I AM only 16 years old XD XD

Congratulations on your choice of sports. I've been diving for 26 years now and all my kids dive as well. My daughter is also 16 this aug 3rd and wants a career in Marine Sciences. She'll be going to San Diego State after she graduates and small build, weighing in at about 110# and only 5-3". She eats just about anything that's not three days old! and we go running every day that we can. I ride the 15 speed (after all, I'm the Old Man) and she runs. We cover about 2 miles a day. What a work out!
Anyway, look into a good instructor and don't get in a hurry to collect cards. Be in a hurry to learn everything you can about DIR and the mind set that follows it. Any future plans or situations you move into will be easily added to you dive equipment configuration without causing a bunch of unsafe situations to pop up.
I don't dive a backplate with a DIR wing since we don't do caves, (but we do dive an occassional wreck) but everything else is certainly safe and my kids are safe as well. After all, I taught them all they know. I have to be responsible. We do Nitrox dives and they have a very comprehensive education about diving practices and breathing gases. You can never learn enough, and the fact that you're here proves you'll be fine.
again,

welcome aboard and stay in touch.

dennis & jaimie

 

[ScubaFreak]

Welcome to the world of wet !

Like most people have already said, don't be in a rush to get the certs. When i teach OW classes, and my students ask me when they can do AOW? I tell 'em straight away, but also tell 'em that I'd be happier if they got some experience first. Simple dives in simple conditions. Get used to being with a buddy, get used to equipment, get happy with your equipment. Practice your buoyancy techniques in the pool y'know- stuff like that. I also did my AOW straight after my OW and to be honest, i kinda wish I'd waited. If you plan to mainly be looking at the likes of wreck diving, basic skills are extra important!!

One way or another you have plenty of resources and friends here that'll guide you and give you different opinions and ideas. But your starting young! You have TONS of time

Safe diving