Aloha from Kauai to the Scuba World!

[OceanLady]

Hi out there! Happy New Year!
I am new to scubaboard.com. I'm kind of familiar with how this works...but I'm looking to be better at this as well...
I intend to finish my DM certification here in the next week or two. I love the water, but I love everything else too. This IS one of my main focuses, so I would like to be a part-time DM and keep my position in the office. I enjoy organizing and providing good customer service. I like to be on the boat AND in the office, because they go hand in hand, and it is nice to have someone on both sides of the spectrum.

I'm really good at making people feel comfortable, especially in the water, but I'm not sure where to start underwater. As far as what to learn about the ocean. I listen intently to the DM's at their charters now, and the difference between them and I is that they all went to school and learned about the ocean, so it's easy for them to dig in their bank of knowledge. I on the other hand, have simply grown up around the water, and know only what I was taught to do. I'm not to sure where to start my learning process of the underwater world. When I finished my OW in 2007 I started looking for small things underwater, but it's hard to identify something when I don't know what I am looking for. I would love some recommendations on what to start looking for in the Hawaiian waters. I have fish books and all that, but where would be the best place to start looking to help the rest of the ocean to make sense??

I know this sound really ameture, but you gotta start somewhere, and no better then asking divers themselves right?? Thanks for any responses!

Aloha, OceanLady

 

[rsilva708]

Welcome to the board

 

[markkelsey]

Aloha, and Welcome. Sounds like you have plenty of energy and will be great for fellow divers. My best advise, since I have never been to the island is ask the divemasters you go with to point things out to. Soon you will be finding cool things all by yourself. Good Luck

 

[dwaters]

Aloha and welcome to the 'board!!!

Feel free to drop on down to your local dive forum and gain /share information here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/hawaii-ohana/

Attitude is the most important part of learning and it sounds like you have what it takes........ enjoy your journy.

 

[floridanewbe]

welcome aboard

 

[Bob Vincent]

Hi ...

& Welcome to ...
:sblogo: ... :colours::colours:...

I think I'd make friends with a few older DM's (# of dives wise) in the areas you are going to be taking people and learn from them. It's very cool when someone you dive with knows the reef like the back of their hand. I dove certain reefs in Key West I dove enough times to take you and show you lots of nurse sharks and what holes they are in, really huge bugs and about anything else you'd like to see. If it wasn't from being friends with DM's and getting tours from them I'd of missed alot. When I take anybody with me now they think I'm really good at finding cool things to see ... I let them think that!

 

[M.HARDY]

Welcome!!

 

[aascubagirl]

Aloha and welcome! Come in to the shop and say hello and anyone of us would love to help you find your focus or just answer questions. Most of us have been doing this for a number of years - some of us for LOTs of years with the gray hair to match - and would love to share our experiences with you. I still remember what it was like to be a total newbie to the dive profession here in Kauai and I didn't have anyone to help me along either. Just kind of figured it out on my own...so if I can be of help, I would love it! Plus, us girls have to stick together :OP

 

[nematoid]

Aloha Ocean Lady! Do you want a job? Customer service, love of ocean and desire to learn more about it....excellent qualifications....always looking for good people. I agree the best way to learn about the animals is to dive with those that study them on a daily basis.