I am interested in taking the course this winter and have few questions. How difficult is the in-water skills part? Is it typically crowded? What do the projects consist of that you do to stay certified? And anything else you might think as helpful?
Aquarena Springs
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cyklon_300
Contributor
is not difficult. If you have buoyancy control and can orient yourself horizontally, your should have no problems.
The test consists of passing thru large hoops without touching them, transporting a weight from one point to another, passing under an obstacle, and a basic ascent/descent manuever.
Just go slowly and be aware of what you're doing.
Once you pass the skills part, you take a tour of the lake, observe the procedures to remove weeds, replant vegetation, and remove debris from the springs. Then a night dive to watch wildlife...turtles, gar, etc.
Weekends tend to be crowded, but during the week, you should have the place to yourself.
The test consists of passing thru large hoops without touching them, transporting a weight from one point to another, passing under an obstacle, and a basic ascent/descent manuever.
Just go slowly and be aware of what you're doing.
Once you pass the skills part, you take a tour of the lake, observe the procedures to remove weeds, replant vegetation, and remove debris from the springs. Then a night dive to watch wildlife...turtles, gar, etc.
Weekends tend to be crowded, but during the week, you should have the place to yourself.
You can review this A&M link. Lots of great info.
http://scubaclub.tamu.edu/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27
http://scubaclub.tamu.edu/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27
Teknadv3x
Contributor
cyklon_300:
Hi Gregg
Hope the holidays are treating you good.
Question, what are the lake conditions?
Thanks in advance
Dave
I would love to take the course,,,but $200 is a bit much (not if you live close to the center) for me to be able to feel I was really helping in the actual maint. of the lake/spring. Would not be able to get there regulary as i know I would want to. But I think it is a great program and opp. for you folks in that area!
I agree with Tex....if we lived closer and could go on a regular basis, it would be worth it. But $400 for the two of us is a bit much for only occasional use.
It is crowded in the Theater area when they are having class but the lake is not usually too busy when we go. It is also a good place to do equipment shake-outs after servicing or purchase. Wife and I send our toys in to get worked on in January and it is nice to be able to check them when they get back (she doesn't dive dry) or right before a trip.skeet:
My son and I will be taking the course this coming weekend with some other folks from Oak Hill Scuba. We are looking forward to it.
skeet:
CrateCookie & Cyclon had conditions pretty well described. I prefer the weekdays as I pretty much get the place to myself. Weekends, especially now that classes are coming there get pretty crowded in the dressing area and theater.
Jobs - I always go to pull up a bag of hydrilla as we use it for our compost pile. I generally get asked to clean up a spring also whil I'm at it. For nifty different ones - I got to help the Edwards Aquifer authorities for a few months - switching out sensors that were trying to track water flow from upstream sources. Then there have been projects around the achaeolgy site, the theater, and the aquarium. Mostly though - cleanup and gardening.
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