Brand new/ need tips!!

[rpdives]

Hello,

I am attempting to learn about scuba diving and possibly making it a career. I am very new to this and know nothing about it. I live 20 mins from Los Angeles and was thinking of go to the College of Oceaneering. But I do not know if this is a good school. I was hoping that someone could point me in the right direction as to where I could start from. I thank you in advance for your help.

 

[wacdiver]

I can't help you in regards to the school you spoke of cuz I know 0 about it. BUT I can give you the best way to start finding out about SCUBA and that is to go to your LDS (Local Dive Shop) and talk to the people there, then if you like them sign up for OW certification course (Open Water). BUT BE WARNED do not sign up for a weekend certification course! Any shop that tells you you can learn to dive in a weekend (or other short periods of time) is not going to give you the education you need to dive right and dive safe!!! There are plenty of LDS's to choose from go with the one that is the most helpful to you and has people you are comfortable with. TOO many shops are all about the $$$$ and could care less about the person they are selling it (gear/classes) to. Anything less than 2 weeks 4-5 classroom periods and 4-5 pool sessions is way too short in my opinion.
Remember the equipment you are going to learn how to use is your LIFE SUPPORT!!!
The skills they will teach you are for YOUR SAFETY!!!
Diving is a fun sport and can be a great career just get the right training first.
With a little time, some good training and dedication you'll be blowing bubbles soon.
GOOD LUCK

 

[scubasean]

Hello,

I am attempting to learn about scuba diving and possibly making it a career. I am very new to this and know nothing about it. I live 20 mins from Los Angeles and was thinking of go to the College of Oceaneering. But I do not know if this is a good school. I was hoping that someone could point me in the right direction as to where I could start from. I thank you in advance for your help.

I've heard that working while diving is a small part diving and a HUGE part working...Thus, the diving is incidental to the reason you are there.

Talk with pipedope here on SB for some insight.

If I were you, I'd first learn to dive and decide if I like being underwater. Then, I'd determine if I am interested in developing the skill set (if you don't have it already) to be able to accomplish things underwater that folks pay for...welding, construction, demolition, etc.

But, I do not dive for a living, and do not even play someone who does on TV.

As for the diving part, I love it, and do it often as a hobby/sport. But my work is not even close to diving...heh

 

[Nay]

Something else that's kind of new, Long Beach city college is starting up degree programing in underwater technology and underwater archeology (I'm probably way off but it's something similar with researchy, science-y goodness). They're just starting the program this fall but I talked to them at Divers Day at the LB Aquarium in June and it looks really cool. I may have to trow my theatre degree away and start again.
Really depends on what you want to do.

 

[baitedstorm]

Rpdive,
First of all, welcome to the Board! As for pursuing diving as a career, you really need to get wet a bit first. Have fun with it before you start making it work. Keep us updated on what you decide.
Best wishes!

 

[pasley]

Best way to ruin the fun is to make what you do for fun your job.

I do not know zip about professional diving. That of course will not be an impediment to me commenting on it.

This has been discussed here before. Do a search on the board. I have read that the money is pretty low and the risk pretty high and they use up divers and leave them with life long physical reminders of their time as commercial divers. One example that was cited was a guy who left a $60K job, spent $30K for the training and landed a $24K job. Most of the diving is decompression diving in cold water with limited visibility holding a welding torch or other tool.

So all I really have to say is good luck and to do your fact checking before you sign on the dotted line.

 

[ScubaFreak]

Pasley's right,

You hear so much about commercial divers and how cool a job it is. Personally, i've tried working full time in diving and it turned me off it for months. Had to quit working at my LDS before I enjoyed it again. Now, onto the fun stuff- teaching in an exotic location - now THATS enjoyable. You wont make a fortune, but you'll definitly get by and have fun doing it. It's a great way of life...i can vouch for it and Im sure others on the board will too!

But please take your time, and learn about what divings really about first, I always say theres two types of people, Theres people who can dive and then there's divers....

Make sure you become the latter

Let us know how you get on!

SF

 

[Tampabay]

Welcome to the Board!! I agree with fellow members. Do a lot of research before you get into a career in diving. Stay where the fun is.. Dive for fun and teach others. Best of Luck....

 

[sb_diver]

If you're really considering a commercial diving school in Southern CA, if you can relocate to Santa Barbara, I would HiGHLY recommend the Marine Diving Technology Program at Santa Barbara City College(SBCC). They have much more equipment on site, multiple recompression chambers, diving bells, ROVs, and a VERY experienced faculty. I'm at UCSB studying marine biology and some of the lab technicians went through their program, they all know their stuff. SBCC is one of the top commercial diving schools in the Country. When I was in high school I investigated commercial dive school as an alternative to college and looked at the College of Oceaneering compared to SBCC and for me SBCC came out on top.

but like the others have said commercial diving isn't always glamorous work. I dive here at school doing research and diving becomes just a mode of transportation from the boat to our research site on the bottom. Its a cool place to work but if you want to dive for fun, think twice about working in diving. You don't get to choose your dive sites either when you're working.. my coworkers have been sent to some nasty waters for commercial diving work.

Good Luck.

Thomas

 

[rpdives]

I can't help you in regards to the school you spoke of cuz I know 0 about it. BUT I can give you the best way to start finding out about SCUBA and that is to go to your LDS (Local Dive Shop) and talk to the people there, then if you like them sign up for OW certification course (Open Water). BUT BE WARNED do not sign up for a weekend certification course! Any shop that tells you you can learn to dive in a weekend (or other short periods of time) is not going to give you the education you need to dive right and dive safe!!! There are plenty of LDS's to choose from go with the one that is the most helpful to you and has people you are comfortable with. TOO many shops are all about the $$$$ and could care less about the person they are selling it (gear/classes) to. Anything less than 2 weeks 4-5 classroom periods and 4-5 pool sessions is way too short in my opinion.
Remember the equipment you are going to learn how to use is your LIFE SUPPORT!!!
The skills they will teach you are for YOUR SAFETY!!!
Diving is a fun sport and can be a great career just get the right training first.
With a little time, some good training and dedication you'll be blowing bubbles soon.
GOOD LUCK

Just want to thank you for for time and advice.