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Hi BigTim,
First let me commend you for doing homework about scuba diving, scuba gear and training. I encourage you to pursue your dreams but caution you as well.
I have read several of your many recent threads. Although Scubaboard is a great place to gleen additional information from more experienced folks, you are also sometimes being inundated with too much info & advanced concepts (ie. solo diving, doubles, full faced mask) for your entry level. We need to learn to stand before we can learn to walk before we can run & jump. In general, most folks here are giving you good consistent safe advice. Listen to the majority. Like anything, everyone has an opinion though not always the best for a newbie or even mixing in outdated or misinformation. (ie. Your thread about octo or not). I also suggest you search old threads for your topics and read those for clarification before posting your questions. Chances are your questions have been answered multiple times before.
Here are general suggestions (some mentioned in several of your threads) since like most new divers you are at a point where you don't know just how much you don't know. (As much as I've learned, I now know enough to know I don't know much at all
)
1- Start by getting your OW Diver training manual & DVD now. Read & reread it, Watch & re-watch it. This will answer many of your basic questions (ie. The snorkel, octo vs no octo, what is a divemaster, and others). Also check agencies websites (Padi.com, Naui.org, divessi.com) they have some very basic info. Your future questions will be more specific and the answers will be more direct and useful to you. If you haven't already read the two sticky threads on the New Divers forum, I recommend them.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/166469-what-consider-new-student-diving.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/129635-pet-peeves-safety-concerns-new-divers.html
2- Get the best training possible. It makes all the difference in the world when it comes to your safety. It's not about price or how few days they can do the class in but the quality/thoroughness of instruction. As stated many times on Scubaboard, it's not the agency, it's the instructor. Check out the instructors available in your area and talk to them also the referral instructors you plan to use in the Keys. If you have to drive an extra 20 miles you will find out it was worth it in the long run.
Scheduling wise, once you have completed all your homework, then count on 6-8 hrs classroom or 2-half days. This can be shortened significantly via e-learning if your LDS participates however it increases your costs. I still believe face-to-face covers more material better and customized to your understanding. Confined water/pool work takes at least 8 hrs (another 2 to 3 half days). Don't skimp here as repetitive practice of skills in the pool translates to easier/safer completion of skills in the Ocean. Open water dives 4 total, maximum of 3 in anyone day but best to do 2 dives/day for 2 days. In the Keys, leave scheduling flexibility to contend with any weather issues that could delay your dives. In March, there are occasional weather fronts that make seas unsafe for diving, especially new divers.
Remember that completing this class is just the beginning like learning to stand. After that you can start to take lots of baby steps as you improve those basic skills & learn new ones while you gain more diving experience.
3-Since you mentioned being 45 miles from your nearest LDS, I recommend taking a field trip to a major metro area with several LDS to look at as many types/brands of gear as possible (touch & feel), ask questions and hear different points of view (take notes if needed). You can not touch & feel through internet shopping ("Hey what's this little thingy do? What's it called?") This is important for a new diver to learn about the details that make one item more appropriate or less appropriate for you over another similarly equal item. There is more to it than price or brand names. Read the manufacturerÃÔ websites about the various products to get the details and for comparison and a good way to learn to gear terminology. Since, you are headed to the Keys in a few months, do some of your research/shopping there. There are more dive shops in the Keys than gas stations. Some are huge diving superstore with many brands & sizes & all the options you could imagine, while some are small & personal. You are jumping the gun buying a lot of gear before you have ever had a regulator in your mouth underwater (even in a pool). I recommend you rent as much gear as possible (if available in your size) for at least a dozen dives until you get a feel underwater for the features you prefer & what works for you. Your local LDS will have one brand of rentals, the dive op in the Keys will have another brand and so on.
Yes, a comfortable wetsuit in your size will make a big difference in your comfort level in the water. And if rental BCs aren't available in your size, try on as many different jacket BCs & backplate/wing options as possible before selecting the style/brand you want to purchase. After you have a better idea of what works for you & what doesn't, then maybe shop on line and call different LDS & Keys stores. Don't hesitate to ask LDS to price-match online prices for identical items. Several Keys stores such as Garden Cove (Capt Larry has posted to some of your threads) are also online and could set it up for you & then upon arrival fine tune the fit and figure out your best configuration of weight integration &/or weight belt (as discussed in one of your previously posted threads). If you buy online such as scubatoys.com, call them first and ask if they can assemble and set it up for you this may require that you send them your measurements.
4-From your high number of posts in such a short time, I gather you are spending a lot of time in front of the computer. Winter cabin fever and daydreaming for many of us these days. I was watching a rerun today of Into the Deep on TV that makes diving seem easy. Tim, take some of that computer time to work on getting as physically fit as possible. The reality is that diving is a very physically demanding sport. Check out www.scubafit.com for some good info and workout suggestions. Work on your stamina skills. Although weight & size are a factor (I know several jumbo sized great divers), the key is stamina, flexibility, strength, good cardio & lung health. Stamina = long distance hauls on land & surface wearing heavy constrictive gear. Flexibility = ability to balance on one foot in your gear to don/doff fins with one hand, or bend over in full gear to pick up a dropped fin or glove, or reach behind you to turn tank valve or untangle hoses, etc. Strength = haul yourself up a boat ladder in choppy seas while wearing all gear including your 50+lb weight belt, help buddy don gear while wearing all your gear, etc. Good cardio fitness is needed so you aren't over exerting self, also for efficient circulation & oxygen/nitrogen transport in your body. Lung health = efficient continuous slow breathing for maximum O2/CO2 exchange this will effect your rate of air consumption (SAC) aka dive time before you use up all the air in your tank. The minimum requirements for OW Class are to swim 200 yds (continuous) & tread water for 10 mins. This might be OK for easy boat diving on warm shallow reefs with little current, but not for adequate for most other diving (IMHO). Many great dive sites (beaches, quarries, lakes, etc.) require a long hike in full scuba gear including going up/down stairs/inclines, trek thru soft sand or mud, over rocky terrain, through surf, followed by a long surface swim. Exhausting before your face even hits the water. Some advanced training classes have more stringent stamina requirements.
Get the medical forms from your LDS (if not PADI) or follow PADI link, print forms & follow instructions when completing form. http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/forms/pdf/10063-ver2-0.pdf
Have your physician do a physical to ensure you will be cleared for diving. (Your referral instructor will also need copies of this before your check out dives).
Please be aware that many of the accidents and near misses reported every year have one or more of the following as a contributing factor: 1-lack of adequate physical fitness, obesity, &/or uncontrolled/untreated medical conditions. 2- lack of training/experience for the type of diving, exceeding training & experience as well as exceeding personal level of comfort all of which can lead to diver errors. 3-multitasking, task-loading (mentioned in a couple of your threads: solo diving, diving from your own boat, doubles) which could also lead to diver error. Remember when diving you have to be capable of saving your buddy and your buddy must be confident that you are able to save him/her.
5- On the topic of safety, I encourage you to get diving insurance from DAN (diver's alert network) or other like Diveassure. (Both have forums on SB) Many health insurance plans do not cover adventure sports accidents like diving (check your plan's fine print). DAN is a great organization of dive medicine specialists with tons of great info on their website and connected worldwide to assist divers with any medical emergencies. Not very expensive and better to have and never use it, than risk it.
Finally, BigTim, slow down and filter through all the information that is coming at you so quickly. Get certified and get diving. Most importantly it is about being a safe competent diver. Experience is key; something you won't get via the internet. What you can get on the internet are lots of new dive buddies with which to go out and discover the 2/3 of the planet you can't experience from land.
First let me commend you for doing homework about scuba diving, scuba gear and training. I encourage you to pursue your dreams but caution you as well.
I have read several of your many recent threads. Although Scubaboard is a great place to gleen additional information from more experienced folks, you are also sometimes being inundated with too much info & advanced concepts (ie. solo diving, doubles, full faced mask) for your entry level. We need to learn to stand before we can learn to walk before we can run & jump. In general, most folks here are giving you good consistent safe advice. Listen to the majority. Like anything, everyone has an opinion though not always the best for a newbie or even mixing in outdated or misinformation. (ie. Your thread about octo or not). I also suggest you search old threads for your topics and read those for clarification before posting your questions. Chances are your questions have been answered multiple times before.
Here are general suggestions (some mentioned in several of your threads) since like most new divers you are at a point where you don't know just how much you don't know. (As much as I've learned, I now know enough to know I don't know much at all
)1- Start by getting your OW Diver training manual & DVD now. Read & reread it, Watch & re-watch it. This will answer many of your basic questions (ie. The snorkel, octo vs no octo, what is a divemaster, and others). Also check agencies websites (Padi.com, Naui.org, divessi.com) they have some very basic info. Your future questions will be more specific and the answers will be more direct and useful to you. If you haven't already read the two sticky threads on the New Divers forum, I recommend them.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/166469-what-consider-new-student-diving.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/129635-pet-peeves-safety-concerns-new-divers.html
2- Get the best training possible. It makes all the difference in the world when it comes to your safety. It's not about price or how few days they can do the class in but the quality/thoroughness of instruction. As stated many times on Scubaboard, it's not the agency, it's the instructor. Check out the instructors available in your area and talk to them also the referral instructors you plan to use in the Keys. If you have to drive an extra 20 miles you will find out it was worth it in the long run.
Scheduling wise, once you have completed all your homework, then count on 6-8 hrs classroom or 2-half days. This can be shortened significantly via e-learning if your LDS participates however it increases your costs. I still believe face-to-face covers more material better and customized to your understanding. Confined water/pool work takes at least 8 hrs (another 2 to 3 half days). Don't skimp here as repetitive practice of skills in the pool translates to easier/safer completion of skills in the Ocean. Open water dives 4 total, maximum of 3 in anyone day but best to do 2 dives/day for 2 days. In the Keys, leave scheduling flexibility to contend with any weather issues that could delay your dives. In March, there are occasional weather fronts that make seas unsafe for diving, especially new divers.
Remember that completing this class is just the beginning like learning to stand. After that you can start to take lots of baby steps as you improve those basic skills & learn new ones while you gain more diving experience.
3-Since you mentioned being 45 miles from your nearest LDS, I recommend taking a field trip to a major metro area with several LDS to look at as many types/brands of gear as possible (touch & feel), ask questions and hear different points of view (take notes if needed). You can not touch & feel through internet shopping ("Hey what's this little thingy do? What's it called?") This is important for a new diver to learn about the details that make one item more appropriate or less appropriate for you over another similarly equal item. There is more to it than price or brand names. Read the manufacturerÃÔ websites about the various products to get the details and for comparison and a good way to learn to gear terminology. Since, you are headed to the Keys in a few months, do some of your research/shopping there. There are more dive shops in the Keys than gas stations. Some are huge diving superstore with many brands & sizes & all the options you could imagine, while some are small & personal. You are jumping the gun buying a lot of gear before you have ever had a regulator in your mouth underwater (even in a pool). I recommend you rent as much gear as possible (if available in your size) for at least a dozen dives until you get a feel underwater for the features you prefer & what works for you. Your local LDS will have one brand of rentals, the dive op in the Keys will have another brand and so on.
Yes, a comfortable wetsuit in your size will make a big difference in your comfort level in the water. And if rental BCs aren't available in your size, try on as many different jacket BCs & backplate/wing options as possible before selecting the style/brand you want to purchase. After you have a better idea of what works for you & what doesn't, then maybe shop on line and call different LDS & Keys stores. Don't hesitate to ask LDS to price-match online prices for identical items. Several Keys stores such as Garden Cove (Capt Larry has posted to some of your threads) are also online and could set it up for you & then upon arrival fine tune the fit and figure out your best configuration of weight integration &/or weight belt (as discussed in one of your previously posted threads). If you buy online such as scubatoys.com, call them first and ask if they can assemble and set it up for you this may require that you send them your measurements.
4-From your high number of posts in such a short time, I gather you are spending a lot of time in front of the computer. Winter cabin fever and daydreaming for many of us these days. I was watching a rerun today of Into the Deep on TV that makes diving seem easy. Tim, take some of that computer time to work on getting as physically fit as possible. The reality is that diving is a very physically demanding sport. Check out www.scubafit.com for some good info and workout suggestions. Work on your stamina skills. Although weight & size are a factor (I know several jumbo sized great divers), the key is stamina, flexibility, strength, good cardio & lung health. Stamina = long distance hauls on land & surface wearing heavy constrictive gear. Flexibility = ability to balance on one foot in your gear to don/doff fins with one hand, or bend over in full gear to pick up a dropped fin or glove, or reach behind you to turn tank valve or untangle hoses, etc. Strength = haul yourself up a boat ladder in choppy seas while wearing all gear including your 50+lb weight belt, help buddy don gear while wearing all your gear, etc. Good cardio fitness is needed so you aren't over exerting self, also for efficient circulation & oxygen/nitrogen transport in your body. Lung health = efficient continuous slow breathing for maximum O2/CO2 exchange this will effect your rate of air consumption (SAC) aka dive time before you use up all the air in your tank. The minimum requirements for OW Class are to swim 200 yds (continuous) & tread water for 10 mins. This might be OK for easy boat diving on warm shallow reefs with little current, but not for adequate for most other diving (IMHO). Many great dive sites (beaches, quarries, lakes, etc.) require a long hike in full scuba gear including going up/down stairs/inclines, trek thru soft sand or mud, over rocky terrain, through surf, followed by a long surface swim. Exhausting before your face even hits the water. Some advanced training classes have more stringent stamina requirements.
Get the medical forms from your LDS (if not PADI) or follow PADI link, print forms & follow instructions when completing form. http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/forms/pdf/10063-ver2-0.pdf
Have your physician do a physical to ensure you will be cleared for diving. (Your referral instructor will also need copies of this before your check out dives).
Please be aware that many of the accidents and near misses reported every year have one or more of the following as a contributing factor: 1-lack of adequate physical fitness, obesity, &/or uncontrolled/untreated medical conditions. 2- lack of training/experience for the type of diving, exceeding training & experience as well as exceeding personal level of comfort all of which can lead to diver errors. 3-multitasking, task-loading (mentioned in a couple of your threads: solo diving, diving from your own boat, doubles) which could also lead to diver error. Remember when diving you have to be capable of saving your buddy and your buddy must be confident that you are able to save him/her.
5- On the topic of safety, I encourage you to get diving insurance from DAN (diver's alert network) or other like Diveassure. (Both have forums on SB) Many health insurance plans do not cover adventure sports accidents like diving (check your plan's fine print). DAN is a great organization of dive medicine specialists with tons of great info on their website and connected worldwide to assist divers with any medical emergencies. Not very expensive and better to have and never use it, than risk it.
Finally, BigTim, slow down and filter through all the information that is coming at you so quickly. Get certified and get diving. Most importantly it is about being a safe competent diver. Experience is key; something you won't get via the internet. What you can get on the internet are lots of new dive buddies with which to go out and discover the 2/3 of the planet you can't experience from land.
. DO you have a website or contact info for Garden Cove (Capt Larry or his user name. I would perfer find a dive shop that sells the bp\ws that way they can set it up right even if i need to pay alittle more. As for gear i think your right. Though i will need the bc the dive shop does it have one. And a wetsuit no big deal only 200 bucks. I decided to wait on the computer and maybe the reg. I am hoping i can hit indy before i go they have two or three shops up there.
feature on scubaboard.
