basic questions about dive safety & padi test

[saisoninter]

I have joined this amazing sport not too long ago myself. I took my Open Water course last november and by now, I am a certified Rescue Diver.
When I was pondering whether to learn to SCUBA dive or not, I visited several websites for information.
Of course visit www.padi.com for information and www.diversalertnetworl.org as many have pointed out, but I also liked the information given at www.scuba.about.com
Hope this helps.

S.I.

 

[DiveKitten]

As a new diver, I have to admit that I was nervous when I started taking lessons. It almost seemed as if there was something counter-intuitive about being under water and being able to breathe. However, the more you are in the water, the more you get used to used to it. Being cautious is always good, but don't let nerves keep you from diving!

~DK

 

[debcov]

hi born2 travel -
I agree with the others who have posted here. One mag I like is called "Dive Training". New divers are able to get 6 months free. It has good tips, articles for both old and new divers alike. I dont have a website, but their email is divetraining@spc-mag.com

Enjoy the bubbles...

 

[WVMike]

scubapunk-17055 once bubbled...
I'm not an instructor, so this is only MHO...


2) Weights do fall off, but again, this risk can be mitigated by not overloading your weight system. Taking care of your weighting system is also a good thing.

-Frank

Yes, this just happened to me. I was boat diving and waiting on the rope for my turn at the ladder, there was some surge and as I was removing my fins the rope caught my belt buckle and released my weights! Lucky there was no one under me, and it was only about 30 feet down in crystal clear Bahamas water, I watched them all the way down. So now I am very carefull on the rope.

 

[Jetwrench]

Born2travel,
Excellent advice has been given here. Just remember, diving is as safe as YOU make it. Good training, proper fitting equipment in good working order, and staying within your limits(training level and experience) will help ensure you reach a ripe old age.

Here's one for ya: On my first decent on my first OW checkout dive, I reached the bottom and hung out with my buddy and the DM while the instructor ascended for another pair of divers. Just as he returned(for reason I haven't fully determined) my weight belt fell off. My instuctor saw this and immediatly handed me the descent line and also grabbed on to make up for what the 10# lead weight didn't have to keep me down. There we sat, me face down looking at my instructor as the DM searched through the silt for the belt. No panic. I just waited til the belt was recovered, and just like I was taught, donned the belt and rejoined my buddy. The rest of the dives went without any problems.

Yes, weights can come off(rare), and doffing and donning them is a skill you will learn. My training taught me not to panic, breathe, assess then act, and use the skills I was taught to work through the problem. My instructor and I still talk about it today. Just an experience you can use in judging the safety of diving. FIND GOOD INSTUCTION! I obviously did. Good Luck!

Jetwrench
divemaster candidate

 

[WileEDiver]

Padipro once bubbled...
Dan did a comparison several years ago of sports related Emergency Room visits. I used this information while teaching to give my students a way to relate the safty of diving to other sports. Of course, contact sports, such as football, were at the top of the list as the sports with the most injuries. Near the bottom of the list were tennis, swimming, and diving in that order.

I remember reading in my PADI Rescue book that the injury rate was right down there with bowling!

 

[born2travel]

Thank-you all so much for your advice! All the responses have really helped me feel better about taking on scuba diving. I appreciate the time you spent to respond to my concerns. I'll let you know when I start my classes!

 

[813Diver]

WileEDiver once bubbled...

I remember reading in my PADI Rescue book that the injury rate was right down there with bowling!

I've heard that too and while it may technically be true, that's not a very good comparison.

Diving is more dangerous than bowling. I'm sure it's probably happened sometime, but I'm not familiar with people dying while bowling. The accident rate may be similar, but the possibility of a SERIOUS accident is much, much greater.

Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying that diving isn't unsafe. I'm simply saying one needs to look beyond accident rates among various sports and take into consideration the potential seriousness of diving injuries. Safety is what you make it.