am I being too cautious?

[auberg]

I would like some input from the instuctors that are around here.

I am taking my checkout dives next weekend, that been said, I am very comfortable with my instructor. (I took private instruction.) Assuming all goes well next weekend and I get my card, I have already talked to him about doing a few more dives with him, just to pick up tips and more of the little things you really can't put in a class. He said that if it fits into both of our schedules, that he would have no problems with it. That leads back to the original question, am I being too cautious in wanting to do the first "real" dives outside my checkouts with my instructor?

Thanks

Frank

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

Not at all. However, I would suggest that your instructor start "feathering in" other divers along the way so that you can become used to, and practice in, diving with other divers.

 

[tobad78]

I don't think so either. I just got certified last month and just did my first 2 dives.

It was awesome although I didn't get to the depth I wanted to 60ft.

The gf got shook up but we got close 53ft.

Another thing to do is some dives with your LDS shop. I'm wanting to get a few dives under my belt before I do this but I'm sure it helps others.


To me after you get your certification, The question is, Now What?
Since finding scubaboard.com I've learned alot by spending countless hours reading.

 

[down4fun]

When I first got certified I often tagged along with my instructor, even if he was teaching another OW class. I got bottom time and experience while being with someone safe that I trusted. It worked out great for me.

 

[spectrum]

I would like some input from the instuctors that are around here.

I am taking my checkout dives next weekend, that been said, I am very comfortable with my instructor. (I took private instruction.) Assuming all goes well next weekend and I get my card, I have already talked to him about doing a few more dives with him, just to pick up tips and more of the little things you really can't put in a class. He said that if it fits into both of our schedules, that he would have no problems with it. That leads back to the original question, am I being too cautious in wanting to do the first "real" dives outside my checkouts with my instructor?

Thanks

Frank

If this feels right to you then by all means do it, whatever feels right to you. My wife and I got certified last week, early in the program getting a few guided dives seemed like something we wanted. After being certified with our ocean dives we started with a pond we knew well from skin-diving. Since then we have done 2 shore dives in areas we also knew well. If I didn't have a live in buddy that I had drilled with for those first few dives I may have done as you're considering.

Anything that get's you diving is a good thing. All 3 dives went well for us and we are happier with how we do with each sucessive dive. Diving with your shop if they do group dives may also be a way to have a buddy and be around a bigger group.

Pete

 

[bob1dp]

After I got certified most of my dives were shallower then 50’. There is a lot to see and your air lasts longer. If you are not comfortable diving below 60’ don’t. Find a buddy who likes to go slow. Do your deeper dives with and instructor. Your diving deeper shouldn’t come from a need to push yourself as much as a “been there done that” feeling on the shallower dives.