Brand new here- a few questions

[Spencermm]

Hello, my name is Spencer and I live south of Houston a few miles. I'm male and 43 years old. I have been toying with the notion of scuba for a few years.
My wife and I were in K. West last weekend and was able to try snuba. After the instruction we had an hour to dive. Regretfully, it took me 45 minutes to get comfortable and trusting in my equipment enough to go all the way down to 20 ft. Loved it and it has pushed me over the edge and now I want to scuba, but I have a few questions:
1. I busted my ear drum as a kid. Have had problems flying as a child and yound adult with flying, in terms of ear pain, but not in the last 15 years- the pressure seems to equalize fine now just fine.
While snuba-ing, the instructor taught us how to equalize ear pressure under water. Now I never felt pain- just pressure at 15-20 ft, and I couldn't get the pressure to equalize. Now I could well have been equalizing incorrectly. I didn't have an opportinity to discuss this issue with the instructor.
Do any of you see this as a red flag that diving may not be for me? Should I see a doctor before committing?
2. I'm concerned that I may not have the opportunity to dive enough to make it worth it. I do live near the coast, but our local water is so dirty and murkey that I doubt people dive close by.
Do people dive much in fresh water? I go to Austin a few times a year and would have access to Lake Travis- do any of you happen to dive there?
I can see myself making a special dive trip to Cozemel, etc. maybe once a year, and maybe once a year to Texas Flower Gardens. Also, a fresh water facility is about to open near me called Mammoth Lake, but I think it is mostly a small training facility.
3. Any tips you may have for a pre-newbie would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much,
Spencer

 

[nolatom]

Welcome to the sport, and the board. I can't comment much on your equalization problems, but they don't sound too severe. Talk to your doctor just to be safe. But once you pick up a little experience, the Flower Gardens trips are good fun, great visibility, and great diving. The reefs are beautiful, and the rig diving is fun too.

 

[spacemanspiff1974]

Welcome to the board. If you live in Texas there are a number of dive sites within a few hours: lake Travis, the Flower Gardens, Gulf rig dives and Cozumel. Well the last one is close by plane and not too expensive.

Regarding your ears, I would go see an ear nose and throat doctor to check to make sure everything is fine. Additionally, I have seen a mask with ear coverings that can help the pressure problem (not ear plugs - that would be dangerous).

Good luck, see your doctor and I hope you have a fun time diving.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

Welcome to the sport.

As far as equalizing is concerned there are several things to try. I have to equalize about every 5 ft or so (sometimes less sometimes more) as I desend but you should be able to feel the pressure (after some practice you will notice easilly) and then equalize but if you cant than kick up a bit and try to equalize before desending again. with some practice this will be second nature but never try and go deeper until you have equalized or you will cause serious damage to you inner ear and such. also try not to push you chin down toward your chest when you try to equalize, try to straighten your neck and this should make your equalizing easier.

As far as being worth it or not to get the gear and dive I say its worth every penny and every second. Its hard to give a reason or explain why but I love diving and have sacrificed thousands of dollars on the sport. Dont take that as meaning you have to do the same cause its not terribly expensive or at least not much more than any other hobby. If you are into wood working I can bet you have thousands of dollars worth of tools and a shop, well same goes for diving and sports fans and cars fanatics so pick your poison. :14:

I would like to add that diving is usually enjoyed by couples too so if you have a significant other who loves the sport like you than pretty soon she will be asking for dive gear instead of flowers for holidays and such.

 

[DandyDon]

Welcome to SB

Equalizing is one of the top challenges for a newbie. There is a good video on now-to here: http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.aspx?rID=2272

You're a lot closer to good diving than I am, but the travel challenge is a personal call. I always liked traveling anyway... ilot:

 

[driftin' by]

Welcome to SB fellow Houstonian!

I busted my eardrum as a kid too.... cannonball of the high dive went array. I have had no related issues with it and diving. I'm not a doctor but I would think your Eustachian tubes have more to do with equalizing than a previously broken and healed eardrum. But like others have said, consult a professional.

As far as having time to dive... that's probably the most common constraint for people who dive. It all depends on how hot the flame burns inside. A lot of divers are happy with that once a year trip while other's feel "dehydrated" so to speak if it's been longer than 3 days. At any rate, there seems to be a lot of diving opportunities in and around Houston. In fact, about a year ago, in one of the dive rags, Houston was rated one of the top 10 cities for divers to live! So you're in a good place.

 

[Spencermm]

"At any rate, there seems to be a lot of diving opportunities in and around Houston."
Do you know where they were talking about, beside Flower Gardens?
What you said about ears was comforting-thanks.

 

[DandyDon]

You really need to post on the Texas forum - lots of good folks there, new local dive buds, etc. There is diving at Twin Lakes south of Houston and at Blue Lagoon at Huntsvile - good practice anyway, altho not clear water. They can tell you more. I'm in the Panhandle and go to New Mexico to practice; only dove Blue Lagoon once.

 

[driftin' by]

Twin Lakes, 288 Lake, Blue Lagoon, Mammoth Lake(not ready yet). That's just around Houston. Further you have Aquarena Spring, Lake Travis, Comal River, Canyon Lake all over near Austin/San Antonio. I only moved to Houston a year ago so I'm no expert but I've tipped my toe into both Twin Lakes and Blue Lagoon. Lots of good info on local diving can be found in the Texas Swamp Divers Sub Forum under Regional Travel and Dive Clubs. Hope this helps.

 

[driftin' by]

Opps... Don and I were typing at the same time.